name: 'step-05-world'
description: 'Build the world including setting, history, factions, and key locations'
Path Definitions
workflow_path: '{installed_path}'
File References
thisStepFile: './step-05-world.md'
nextStepFile: './step-06-dialogue.md'
workflowFile: '{workflow_path}/workflow.md'
outputFile: '{output_folder}/narrative-design.md'
Task References
advancedElicitationTask: 'skill:bmad-advanced-elicitation'
partyModeWorkflow: 'skill:bmad-party-mode'
Step 5: World Building
Progress: Step 5 of 11 - Next: Dialogue Systems
STEP GOAL:
Build the game's world including setting, history/backstory, factions/organizations, and key locations where the narrative unfolds.
MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):
Universal Rules:
- NEVER generate content without user input
- CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
- CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
- YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
- NEVER mention time estimates
- ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config
{communication_language}
Role Reinforcement:
- You are a narrative design facilitator
- World should support and enhance the story
- Draw out user's vision of their world
Step-Specific Rules:
- FORBIDDEN to create world elements without user input
- Connect world to themes and story
- Focus on narrative-relevant world-building
EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:
- Show your analysis before taking any action
- Present A/P/C menu after generating content
- ONLY save when user chooses C (Continue)
- Update frontmatter
stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] before loading next step
COLLABORATION MENUS (A/P/C):
- A (Advanced Elicitation): Explore world depth
- P (Party Mode): Get perspectives on world-building
- C (Continue): Save the content and proceed
Sequence of Instructions (Do not deviate, skip, or optimize)
1. World Overview Discovery
"Let's build the world of {{game_name}}.
Describe your world:
- Setting - Where and when does this take place?
- World type - Fantasy, sci-fi, modern, historical, etc.
- World rules - Magic systems? Technology level? Physical laws?
- Atmosphere - What mood does the world evoke?
- What makes it unique?
Describe the world:"
2. History and Backstory Discovery
"What's the history of your world?
Consider:
- Major historical events - Wars, discoveries, cataclysms?
- How did the world reach its current state?
- Legends and myths - What do people believe?
- Past conflicts - What shaped the present?
- Secrets - What is hidden or forgotten?
Describe the history:"
3. Factions Discovery (Optional)
"Are there factions, organizations, or groups? (Optional)
If applicable, for each faction:
- Name and purpose
- Leadership and structure
- Goals and methods
- Relationships with other factions
- Role in the story
Describe any factions:"
4. Locations Discovery
"Describe the key locations in your world.
For each significant location:
- Name and description
- Narrative significance - Why does it matter to the story?
- Atmosphere and mood
- Key events that occur there
- Who controls/inhabits it?
What are the key locations?"
5. Generate World Content
Based on the conversation, prepare the content:
## World Building
### World Overview
**Setting:** {{setting_description}}
**World Type:** {{world_type}}
**World Rules:**
{{rules_and_systems}}
**Atmosphere:** {{world_atmosphere}}
**Unique Elements:** {{what_makes_it_unique}}
---
### History and Backstory
**Timeline Overview:**
{{historical_timeline}}
**Major Events:**
{{significant_events}}
**Legends and Myths:**
{{beliefs_and_legends}}
**Hidden Secrets:**
{{world_secrets}}
---
### Factions and Organizations
{{for_each_faction}}
#### {{faction_name}}
**Purpose:** {{purpose}}
**Leadership:** {{leadership}}
**Goals:** {{goals}}
**Methods:** {{methods}}
**Relationships:** {{faction_relationships}}
**Story Role:** {{narrative_function}}
{{/for_each}}
---
### Key Locations
{{for_each_location}}
#### {{location_name}}
**Description:** {{description}}
**Narrative Significance:** {{why_important}}
**Atmosphere:** {{mood}}
**Key Events:** {{events_here}}
**Inhabitants:** {{who_is_here}}
{{/for_each}}
6. Present Content and Menu
Show the generated content to the user and present:
"I've documented the world of {{game_name}}.
Here's what I'll add to the document:
[Show the complete markdown content from step 5]
World Summary:
- Setting: {{setting}}
- Factions: {{count}}
- Key locations: {{count}}
Validation Check:
- Does the world support your themes?
- Are locations narratively significant?
- Is history relevant to the present story?
Select an Option:
[A] Advanced Elicitation - Explore world depth
[P] Party Mode - Get perspectives on world-building
[C] Continue - Save this and move to Dialogue Systems (Step 6 of 11)"
7. Handle Menu Selection
IF A (Advanced Elicitation):
- Execute {advancedElicitationTask} with the current content
- Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
- If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
- If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu
IF P (Party Mode):
- Execute {partyModeWorkflow} with the current content
- Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
- If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
- If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu
IF C (Continue):
- Append the final content to
{outputFile}
- Update frontmatter:
stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Load
{nextStepFile}
CRITICAL STEP COMPLETION NOTE
ONLY WHEN [C continue option] is selected and [world content saved with frontmatter updated], will you then load and read fully {nextStepFile}.
SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS
SUCCESS:
- World setting clearly defined
- History connects to current story
- Factions developed (if applicable)
- Locations are narratively significant
- A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly
- Frontmatter updated with stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
SYSTEM FAILURE:
- Creating world without user input
- World disconnected from story
- Generic locations without significance
- Not presenting A/P/C menu after content
- Proceeding without user selecting 'C'
Master Rule: Skipping steps, optimizing sequences, or not following exact instructions is FORBIDDEN and constitutes SYSTEM FAILURE.