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Just like in real life, people in fantasy need to work to put food on the table and pay the bills. Having people work makes for a realistic and dynamic society since there are many different types of fantasy occupations, all of which contribute to it in some capacity. All these jobs leads to making a world feel more interesting which is a major plus for worldbuilding!
So how do you go about introducing occupations into the world you’re building, when there are so many to choose from? The way to do so is to make a list of what jobs you’d like it to have or those you expect to see in one and double check to see if you didn’t leave any out inadvertently. If you’re having trouble, you can always look to your favorite fantasy worlds or stories for inspiration!
Fantasy occupations provide several things for those who are employed. In many imaginary worlds, people are focused on surviving, which means they work so that they can afford to have food and other basic essentials like clothes. This largely reflects medieval times which is where many worlds are based on where survival was of paramount importance.
Like in the real world, people with jobs interact with each other in a number of ways. The majority of these interactions are professional and businesslike though there are some that are more informal and relaxed. These interactions help people build relationships with people they otherwise wouldn’t and these relationships impact the world as time marches on.
When it comes to the world, fantasy occupations impact it in several meaningful ways. They provide a steady stream of income for people who in turn pay part of it in taxes and spend their disposable income on food and other items. That money helps keep local businesses afloat that provide jobs for people.
This is the first article that delves into fantasy occupations. If you want to see what else we have, you can find plenty more on our blog page!
Fantasy occupations are essential to the world, no matter the era. The vast majority of people simply can’t afford to not work, especially if they have bills to pay and food to buy for their families. Working helps them have a roof over their head both in summertime and wintertime which keeps them safe from weather.
A principal purpose of occupations is to provide a steady means of employment that can lead to advancements. Diligent and efficient workers are more likely to get promoted than those who are only doing the bare minimum and with these promotions come more money and responsibilities. Making more money can make the difference between living in a dilapidated home and one that is nice and has plenty of room for the children.
Another purpose of fantasy occupations is that they give people a chance to realize their dreams. Some people dream of working in the perfect job and they work towards it, desiring to reach that goal. To them, it isn’t work if you happen to love what you’re doing. People who love their jobs are more likely to be more productive and happier than those who are stuck in dead-end jobs.
All jobs play a role in the world. They provide services to people who want things like clothes or ships; they need people who can fulfill these needs and wants by making and selling them. Without them, there would be no society and no civilization.
One aspect of fantasy occupations that doesn’t get much attention is that they enable people to expand their knowledge. They learn new techniques and ideas that they can apply not to their job, but to life in general. Furthermore, people push themselves to develop new ways of doing things that make their jobs easier. Their newfound knowledge can have a ripple effect across the world, leading to more efficient methods of getting things done.
People who work don’t work alone in a vacuum. Rather, they work with other people and interact with different people throughout their shift. This leads them to build and cultivate relationships with people they would have never crossed paths. Without them being aware of it, they’re changing the world as they know it.
One common relationship employed people have is that with their coworkers. No matter what type of job they have, they socialize with their coworkers as the day goes on. They learn about them, what they’re like, and so on. Unfortunately, everyone has a different mindset and personality which can generate friction, especially between those who don’t get along. In that case, they’ll have to put aside their dislike of each other so that they get their job done.
Another interaction people in fantasy occupations have is with their superiors and subordinates. In the former, they receive orders and instructions on what they need to do for the day and in the latter, they are the ones issuing the orders. No matter their rank, they are expected to treat those with authority or who are under them with nothing but professionalism.
Many businesses have dealings with the public. Those who work in these places deal with customers all day, whether they’re waiters, bakers, or sales clerks, and they have to treat them with respect. They encounter different people, some who are easy to please and others far more difficult, and they have to maintain a sense of professionalism, especially when dealing with an angry customer.
Besides spending time with their coworkers or interacting with the public, many people in fantasy occupations also encounter those who they know. It could be a spouse, sibling, a child or another relative who’s just stopping by to say hi or drop off something for them to eat. Talking with people you value and trust, even if it is just for a few moments, is a fantastic way to break up the tedium of the day. It means a lot to them to have their family and friends come see them for a minute and two!
People who work, regardless of what their job is, are all contributing to the world in that they’re providing something of value, whether it be food or managing a household. They do so for necessity’s sake. After all, they need money and the only way they can make money is to find work.
Mimicking their real world counterparts, people in fantasy need the basic essentials of life like food in order to survive. The only way they can get food for free is to either be a hunter or farmer and the vast majority of people don’t have the inclination for either career. Instead, they need to get it by another way which is to buy it. To purchase it, they need money and the only way they can get money is to work.
While many fantasy occupations are just simply a means to an end, they shape the world in that the money these workers receive are used to buy things within the community. Since many people spend their money in their communities, the stores and other places they go to are kept afloat by their customers’ willingness to part with the money they earned for the items they have in stock. By spending money in local businesses, people are helping other people make a living.
People who work in entirely different occupations are seldom likely to cross paths but when they do, how they interact can shape what happens going forward. They could wind up falling in love, becoming good friends, or bitter enemies. Because they crossed paths with one another, they affected each other’s life even if they didn’t realize it.
In professional settings such as conferences with people from other companies or kingdoms, they work to make a deal that will benefit both sides which will impact the world both good and bad. They engage in negotiations or come up with ideas on how to solve a problem they have in common and develop the logistics to deal with it once and for all.
Fantasy occupations make imaginary worlds feel vibrant and dynamic. Just walking down the street from home, you see all kinds of people doing things like cleaning or trying to entice passersby to buy the hottest thing sweeping the nation. These people are all at work and just seeing the wide variety help enrich the world and makes it seem as if it’s alive.
Without occupations, it would be a boring and static world and that’s definitely something you want to avoid! They are fundamental to worldbuilding in that they give people the means in which they obtain money which they need to buy items. The best part of creating a fictional realm is that you can make up your own occupations!
At their heart, fantasy occupations is all about relationships. Whether it be mingling with your coworkers or exchanging pleasantries with a favorite customer, you’re building different types of relationships with different people at work. You learn about their likes and dislikes, their personalities, and so on.
An imaginary world depends on people working to keep it going. The wide array of jobs within it all contribute to it in some capacity, regardless of it’s a mayor of a large town or a fisherman waiting for a fish to bite. The money they receive helps keep them afloat as they have enough money to buy the basic necessities of life as they work towards their dreams.
There’s all sorts of fantasy occupations and you can’t go wrong with having too many in your world!
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Sunfire
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