Setting alignment chart for worldbuilding (updated version)
I'm sure you've seen plenty of character alignment charts and chances are that, as a worldbuilder, you've probably seen the setting alignment chart too! The x axis is from noble to grim, and the y axis goes from bright to dark. Aside from a fleeting thought of "huh I wonder where my world falls on this chart" - do you know how to use it? 👀
How to use setting alignment to inform the tone & mood of your worldbuilding in 4 steps:
Decide what mood and tone you want your world to feel like.
Loot at how franchises in the same alignment achieve this through their narrative and the use of colour and repeating motifs.
Figure out where your world currently fits on the chart (ask for second opinions to get a better idea of this).
Make adjustments as necessary and write down a cheat-sheet of core ingredients to use in your worldbuilding to convey your chosen mood and tone.
Here's a deep dive on these points in more detail! ☕
(Feel free to share this!)
⚖️ What does the setting alignment chart mean?
A setting alignment chart isn't about comparing perceived "good" and "evil", it's about how much impact the people can make in the world and how it feels to experience being there.
🗝️ Setting tone (noble vs grim)
Noble - characters (or players) have a lot of influence over the world and their outcomes are often widespread and meaningful.
Neutral - people have some agency over the world, but their influence and impact is limited.
Grim - it takes a great deal of co-ordinated effort to make any lasting change or impact in the world.
🏰 Setting mood (bright vs dark)
Bright - the world largely feels exciting, hopeful and optimistic.
Neutral - the world feels content and at times has aspects of positive and negative vibes (but not to such long lasting extremes).
Dark - the world usually feels tense, hopeless, and challenging.
Where do you want your world to fall on the alignment chart?
Some areas might be brighter or darker than others, or have differing levels of opportunities but how do you want your setting to come across as a whole?
🔀 When should a world change setting alignment?
It's important to note that some settings change alignment, this frequently happens with published media like books, films, series, or games. The first book of a trilogy might feel more optimistic and exciting, but by the second book things might have turned bleak and challenging.
If you want to introduce a change to the mood or tone of your world, consider the reason why so that it makes sense to your readers or players!
Perhaps an influential figure is pulling some strings, or a large scale event has caused a shift in perspectives. For some worlds, this could mark the beginning of a new era or age.
🧱 Compare with your influences
Gather up a list of some things that influence and inspire your setting and put them in the setting alignment chart - it's okay if lots of them belong in other moods and tones that are different to your world.
Here's a blank template (there’s also one at the end of this post):
Now it's time to grab a beverage and compare your inspirations and influences to your own setting. ☕
This will help to inform your own decisions when worldbuilding and help you to match the tone and mood you're aiming for.
What specific things make it belong under that category?
Do those elements align with your world?
If they're in a different category than the one you're aiming to portray, how could you adapt this idea into a new mood or tone?
Your world doesn't have to fit inside a box, it can be somewhere in between!
📌 Figuring out where your world falls on the chart
So, where does your world actually fall on the alignment chart? You know where you want it to be, but where's it currently at?
Take a good look at your worldbuilding, narrative, and the way your world is presented and see what matches up.
Are there any areas that stand out from the expected mood or tone?
Do any changes need to be made to nudge things in the right direction?
We're biased as worldbuilders because we make our setting and know everything about it, so ask someone else!
Write a paragraph summary of the world and what it's about and then ask your readers, players, friends, reddit, or even AI where they think your world falls on the setting alignment chart.
If you get an unexpected outcome, ask them why they chose that.
📋 Establishing a framework for consistency
To stay on track and keep your setting aligned with a consistent mood and tone, make a short list of the most important things you need to convey whenever you're worldbuilding. Use these elements to reinforce the feel of your world and make it feel instantly recognisable!
Reflect back on your inspirations and consider for your world:
What narrative tone is used and from what perspective is the world seen?
How are different senses described in writing?
What colours, materials, and shapes are used to reflect the mood and tone?
What repeating motifs and elements convey this?
You can even use these things to influence the way you name things in your world!
I recommend writing this down and pin it (physically or virtually) somewhere that you'll remember to check!
📚 Extra resources
Robert Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (public domain)
Here's some examples of filled in setting alignment charts that I found really useful for deciding what my world's tone would be (along with some further discussion to read into):
There's also a great explanation of what some combinations in between the nine basic ones would be, by icastbolt.
Check out mood wheels to explore similar and opposing emotions that you can use to convey the feel of your world. This is Robert Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions, there's lots of other ones around with more emotions listed, too.
📄 Blank template
Here’s the blank template (and filled version with descriptions). Feel free to share these around or print them out 🥰
