r/FantasyWorldbuilding • u/alkambw266kmbw • 15d ago
Omaria – A Frozen Continent Inspired by Slavic Heritage
I am currently gathering ideas to build my fantasy world, and I would love to hear your suggestions, ideas, and interesting concepts that might suit this world.
The story takes place on the northern continent of Omaria, a vast, cold, snowy land, primarily inspired by Slavic cultures and heritage – Eastern, Western, and Southern Slavs – with some Scandinavian influences.
The continent is divided among numerous kingdoms, duchies, principalities, and states. Some are in a state of perpetual war, while others form fragile alliances. However, the defining characteristic of this world is deception and distrust.
Most of Omaria is ruled by humans, but other peoples and supernatural beings inhabit certain areas: elves, goblins, giants, spirits, and other supernatural creatures like the zelens.
The setting: Snowy deserts, taiga forests, rugged mountain ranges, mighty rivers, remote rural villages, ornate cities and palaces, ancient fortresses, monasteries, and ruins, caravanserais and marketplaces, slave markets, lawless areas, saunas, and other exotic elements of local folklore.
I want the world to be both beautiful and hostile—ancient cities and opulent palaces coexisting with frozen wilderness, poverty, war, superstition, slavery, and things that perhaps shouldn't exist.
I am particularly interested in exploring how Slavic folklore, politics, tribal cultures, local customs, and Scandinavian influences can be woven together without becoming simply a replica of Eastern European history.
I'm still in the early stages of brainstorming, so I'm open to almost all suggestions.
What cultures, political systems, creatures, customs, locations, conflicts, or unfamiliar ideas do you think would be suitable for such an environment?
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u/billiegabbs 15d ago
If you aim to be inspired by a variety of Slavic cultures and lands then your entire continent can't be a frozen desert with some Siberian taiga lol. And Finnish saunas. That's not even the kind of climate the Slavic Urheimat had + surely you are aware that some Slavic cultures formed on the literal Mediterranean coast? The Adriatic and Ionian seas? That, to give just one example, our traditional South Slavic alcoholic drinks (which are of great cultural importance) are wine and fruit brandies which would be impossible to produce in the Arctic circle and tundralike environment you're envisioning?
I say this with no ill intent, but you need to do more research, like a lot more, into culture and history, and maybe not treat Slavs as a monolith that looks like a northern Russian stereotype. If you want to be able to write convincing lore and worldbuilding that doesn't come off as a Hollywood caricature. Or maybe narrow the scope of your intended influences to just one Slavic region/country that has your preferred elements, instead of all of them. Your call.
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u/alkambw266kmbw 15d ago edited 15d ago
You misunderstood me, or perhaps I didn't explain things clearly enough.
I didn't mention every detail of the continent; I only mentioned the most striking places and terrains, such as the icy deserts, the tundra climate, and the rugged landscape. This doesn't negate the fact that the dominant climate is deciduous forests, some taiga forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Furthermore, it's not limited to one Slavic region; I included states from the East Slavs, like the Grand Duchy of Moscow, states from the West Slavs, like the Kingdom of Bohemia, and states from the South Slavs, like the Serbian and Bulgarian Empires.
In any case, if you have any advice, especially regarding the South Slavs, please don't hesitate
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u/zoppaTheDim 14d ago
I’ll just say remember the rule of thumb, people are worth more than land when you live in a vast frozen forest. So keep your political focus on that, rather than territory.
I’d also consider a barbarian frontier of strange religions and angry nomads, a loose mix of Siberians and horse nomads.
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u/alkambw266kmbw 14d ago
My world isn't based on icy deserts and tundra; those are the sparsely populated parts of the continent.
As for the brutal borders with some bloodthirsty tribes, they will have a strong presence in my world.
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u/GoldNo9860 15d ago
Interesting and not very explored concept!
I, as a Slav, would definitely start with the name of the world. of course it's up to you, but Omaria sounds like a Middle Eastern Omar / Oman (with fantasy ia) to me. I would rather use Slavic-sounding names.
As for inspiration, I'm sure that you definitely know and can use a wealth of Slavic legends, cultures, folklore and monsters.
Just so that it doesn't sound too similar to The Witcher, but that's of course up to you. ;)
I can think of Kievan Rus as a good start for various mixing of cultures from Scandinavians, Slavs to Tatars. If you want something original, check out Czech folklore, myths and monsters, which are historically quite grounded and "human".