The Worldbuilder’s Tavern
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
Episodes
Oct 30, 2024
3.3 Space Opera: All Systems Red
Oct 30, 2024
Oct 30, 2024
45 min
In this episode, we're talking about the novella All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells.
Proprietor's Pick: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Oct 30, 2024
45 min
Oct 16, 2024
3.2 Science Fantasy: Arcane
Oct 16, 2024
Oct 16, 2024
39 min
In this episode, we're talking about how science and magic intertwine in the Netflix show Arcane.
Proprietor's Pick: The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Oct 16, 2024
39 min
Oct 9, 2024
Oct 9, 2024
36 min
This season, we're introducing a new type of bonus episodes for our patrons: worldbuilding workshops! In these episodes, the hosts pick an element of a world and build it together. You can use whatever we build for your own stories, or take the questions we ask and build your own.
These monthly bonus episodes are exclusive to our Patreon, but the first is free for everyone to listen to!
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord
Listen to more Worldbuilding Workshops by joining our Patreon
The questions we asked about building a magic system:
What is the basis of the magic system (colour, nature, time, space, elements, etc.)
What are the abilities and limits of the magic?
What are the costs and consequences of using the magic?
Who can use the magic?
How does society view magic and magic users?
Oct 9, 2024
36 min
Oct 2, 2024
3.1 Superhero Fiction: The Umbrella Academy
Oct 2, 2024
Oct 2, 2024
39 min
In this episode, we're talking about superpowers, secret identities, and characterization in the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy.
Proprietor's Pick: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Oct 2, 2024
39 min
Sep 25, 2024
3.0 Season Three is about Genre!
Sep 25, 2024
Sep 25, 2024
10 min
Season 3 is coming! We've added a couple new segments and will be talking about worldbuilding through the lens of genre.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Sep 25, 2024
10 min
Jul 24, 2024
Jul 24, 2024
40 min
In this episode, we're talking about humour, character arcs, prologues, pirate mythology, and more in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Proprietor's Pick: The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Jul 24, 2024
40 min
Jul 10, 2024
2.21 Mechs and Feminism in Iron Widow
Jul 10, 2024
Jul 10, 2024
51 min
In this episode, we're talking about mechs, feminism, disability representation, and more in the novel Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao.
Proprietor's Pick: A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Jul 10, 2024
51 min
Jun 26, 2024
2.20 Science in 3 Body Problem
Jun 26, 2024
Jun 26, 2024
44 min
In this episode, we're talking about nanofibers, science as a weapon, and supercomputers in the TV show 3 Body Problem.
Proprietor's Pick: Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang
(Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Jun 26, 2024
44 min
Jun 12, 2024
2.19 Tension in 3 Body Problem
Jun 12, 2024
Jun 12, 2024
44 min
In this episode, we're talking about science gone haywire, confusing vs. interesting worldbuilding, and tension in the TV show 3 Body Problem.
Proprietor's Pick: Exordia by Seth Dickinson
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
Jun 12, 2024
44 min
May 29, 2024
2.18 Mythology in Song of the Sea
May 29, 2024
May 29, 2024
39 min
In this episode, we're talking about sense of place, metaphor, mythology, and symbolism in the movie Song of the Sea.
Proprietor's Pick: The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
May 29, 2024
39 min








