Worldbuilding: Weapons

Weapons have been one of the deciding factors in who rules the world. When writing about the past, you can research who had access to what when. When writing Science Fiction you can project what mankind could create. With Fantasy, you can create unique magical devices. From Transformers, to Jedi light sabers, to laser guns, weapons can add interest to your story world, or determine who wins a war.

What weaponry did they have: rocks and slings, catapult, trebuchet, spear, javelin, bludgeons, mace, nunchakus, bow and arrows, knives, snare, garrote, axe, sword, scythe, cutlass, scimitar, dart guns, traps, poisons, boomerangs,  manual Firearms, rifles, Gatlin guns, canons, semi-automatic and automatic firearms, hand grenades, smoke bombs, pipe bombs, fireworks, TNT, C4 explosives, nitroglycerine, petrol bombs, cluster bombs, barrel bombs, Molotov cocktail, land mines, other mines, bunker buster bombs, atomic bombs, electromagnetic pulse bombs, hydrogen bombs, napalm, sarin, agent orange, anthrax, other chemical or biological weapons, lasers, satellites, psychological or cyber warfare?

Did they have helmets, chain mail, armor, Kevlar, or supernatural or futuristic protective clothing?

Did they have chariots, tanks, armored vehicles, war ships, aircraft,  submersible, submarine, trained animals, robots, drones, space ships, rockets, or spaceships?

What magical or futuristic weapons and methods of warfare populate your Fantasy or Science Fiction worlds?

Suggested references:
1. Ancient Warfare Technology: From Javelins and Chariots by Michael Woods
2. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor by Roger Ford & R.G. Grant
3. A History of Weapons: Crossbows, Caltrops, Catapults & Lots of Other Things that Can Seriously Mess You Up by John O'Bryan & Barry Orkin
4. Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare by DK
5. Fifty Weapons That Changed the Course of History by Joel Levy
6. Firearms: An Illustrated History by DK
7. The Illustrated History of Firearms by Jim Supica, Doug Wicklund, & Philip Schreier
8. Israel's Edge: The Story of The IDF's Most Elite Unit - Talpiot by Jason Gewirtz
9. Special Operations Mental Toughness:The Invincible Mindset of Delta Force Operators, Navy SEALs, Army Rangers & Other Elite Warriors! by Lawrence Colebrooke
10. World War 2: Waffen SS Soldier Stories: Eyewitness Accounts of Hitler's Elite Troops by Ryan Jenkins
11. A History of Warfare by John Keegan
12. Intelligence in War: Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda by John Keegan
13. The Great Game: The Myths and Reality of Espionage by Frederick P. Hitz
14. The Art Of War by Sun Tzu
15. Swords, Spears & Maces (Illustrated History of Weapons) by Chuck Will

Next week, we will explore Social Structure.

For advanced world-building, the SBB Build A World Workbook is available in print and e-book.

Other titles in the series:

Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict available in print and e-book takes you from story seed to conflict outline. The fourteen companion Build A Plot Workbooks, in print and e-book, offer step by step development prompts: Comedy, Con, Heist & Prison Break, Fantasy, Gothic,Historical, Horror, Literary (Drama),  Mystery, Road Trip, Romance, Science Fiction, Team Victory, Thriller & Suspense, Western.

SBB II Crafting Believable Conflict in print and e-book and the Build A Cast Workbook in print and e-book help you build a believable cast and add conflict based on the sixteen personality types.

SBB III The Revision Layers in print and e-book helps you self-edit your manuscript.

Free story building tools are available at www.dianahurwitz.com.