Category: NAL

Alternate History

Alternate History

ALTERNATE history or alternative history is a sub-genre of speculative fiction (or some would say of science fiction) that is set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known; more simply put, alternate history asks the question, “What if history had developed differently?” Most works in this genre are set in real historical contexts, yet feature social, geopolitical or industrial circumstances that developed differently or at a different pace from our own. While to some extent all fiction can be described as alternate history, the sub-genre mostly comprises fiction in which a change or point of divergence happens that causes history to diverge from our own -OR- a retelling of historical events where magic or other elements of fantasy are involved.

SPOTLIGHTS WITHIN THIS SUB-GENRE & OTHER RELATED POSTS

World Building Series

World Building Series

- An Extensive Look Into the Construction of Speculative Worlds -

World Building Outline
  • 1. Physical World
    • 1.1. Natural Forces
    • 1.2. Supernatural Forces
    • 1.3. Atmosphere
    • 1.4. Geology
    • 1.5. Geography & Mapmaking
      • 1.5.1. Continents
      • 1.5.2. Oceans
      • 1.5.3. Coastlines
      • 1.5.4. Rivers & Lakes
      • 1.5.5. Mountains
      • 1.5.6. Biomes
      • 1.5.7. Territories & Natural Boundaries
      • 1.5.8. Cities & Settlements
  • 2. Species & Characters Within World
    • 2.1. Humanoid Advantage vs. Humanoid Weakness
    • 2.2. Factors that Cause Evolutional Divergence in Species
    • 2.3. Character Archetypes
      • 2.3.1. The Ego Archetypes
        • 2.3.1.1. The Innocent, Dreamer, or Romantic.
        • 2.3.1.2. The Orphan
        • 2.3.1.3. The Hero or Warrior
        • 2.3.1.4. The Caregiver or Helper
      • 2.3.2. The Soul Archetypes
        • 2.3.2.1. The Wanderer, Explorer, or Pilgrim
        • 2.3.2.2. The Rebel, Outlaw, or Misfit
        • 2.3.2.3. The Lover
        • 2.3.2.4. The Artist, Innovator, or Creator
      • 2.3.3. The Self Archetypes
        • 2.3.3.1. The Jester, Fool, or Trickster
        • 2.3.3.2. The Sage, Scholar, or Mentor
        • 2.3.3.3. The Magician, Visionary, or Healer
        • 2.3.3.4. The Ruler or Leader
    • 2.4. Character Development
      • 2.4.1. The Basics
      • 2.4.2. Backstory
      • 2.4.3. Likes, Dislikes, & Fears
      • 2.4.4. Morals, Beliefs, & Faith
      • 2.4.5. Relationships
      • 2.4.6. Physical Description: Further Exploration
      • 2.4.7. General Knowledge
      • 2.4.8. Specific Knowledge
      • 2.4.9. What If?
      • 2.4.10. Why Should the Audience Care About Your Character?
  • 3. Culture
    • 3.1. Stratification
      • 3.1.1. Age
      • 3.1.2. Economic Classes
      • 3.1.3. Ethnicity
      • 3.1.4. Evolutionary Differences
      • 3.1.5. Gender Roles
      • 3.1.6. Race
      • 3.1.7. Religious Classes
      • 3.1.8. Social Classes
    • 3.2. Government
      • 3.2.1. Type of Government
      • 3.2.2. Succession of Power
      • 3.2.3. Laws
    • 3.3. Economic Structure
      • 3.3.1. Agricultural Trade
      • 3.3.2. Barter, Buy, or Combination
      • 3.3.3. Monetary System
      • 3.3.4. Skills and Skill Trade
    • 3.4. Educational System
    • 3.5. Clothing
    • 3.6. Art
      • 3.6.1. Visual Art & Sculpture
      • 3.6.2. Literature
      • 3.6.3. Music
      • 3.6.4. Theatre & Dance
    • 3.7. Agriculture & Food
    • 3.8. Technology
    • 3.9. Transportation
    • 3.10. Relationships
    • 3.11. Taboos
  • 4. Religion, Rituals, and Ceremonies
    • 4.1. Religion
      • 4.1.1. Theogony
      • 4.1.2. Type
        • 4.1.2.1. Ancestor Worship
        • 4.1.2.2. Animism
        • 4.1.2.3. Animatism
        • 4.1.2.4. Anthropomorphism
        • 4.1.2.5. Atheism
        • 4.1.2.6. Fetishism
        • 4.1.2.7. Monotheism
        • 4.1.2.8. Polytheism
        • 4.1.2.9. Totemism
      • 4.1.3. Practices & Rituals
        • 4.1.3.1. Altered States of Consciousness
        • 4.1.3.2. Apotheosis
        • 4.1.3.3. Divination
        • 4.1.3.4. Idolatry
        • 4.1.3.5. Intercession
        • 4.1.3.6. Sacrifices
    • 4.2. Rites of Passage
    • 4.3. Ceremonies
      • 4.3.1. Birth & Birthdays
      • 4.3.2. Baptism or Equivalence
      • 4.3.3. Confirmation or Equivalence
      • 4.3.4. Graduation or Equivalence
      • 4.3.5. Marriage
      • 4.3.6. Children
      • 4.3.7. Funeral & Death
      • 4.3.8. Other Celebrations
        • 4.3.8.1. Harvest & Feast Days
        • 4.3.8.2. Equinoxes
        • 4.3.8.3. Solstices
  • 5. Majick
    • 5.1. Types of Majick
      • 5.1.1. Common Majick
      • 5.1.2. Contagious Majick
      • 5.1.3. Good vs. Bad
      • 5.1.4. Imitative Majick
      • 5.1.5. Innate/Inborn vs. Learned/Acquired
      • 5.1.6. Intentional vs. Unintentional
      • 5.1.7. Natural vs. Unnatural
      • 5.1.8. Offensive vs. Defensive
    • 5.2. Majickal Classifications
      • 5.2.1. Abjurative
      • 5.2.2. Alchemy & Potions
      • 5.2.3. Compulsion
      • 5.2.4. Conjuration
      • 5.2.5. Curses, Hexes, & Jinxes
      • 5.2.6. Disillusionment
      • 5.2.7. Divination
      • 5.2.8. Elemental Manipulation Majick
        • 5.2.8.1. Empyrean
        • 5.2.8.2. Fire & Light
        • 5.2.8.3. Spirit
        • 5.2.8.4. Tellurian/Tellestrial
        • 5.2.8.5. Water
    • 5.3. Rules of Majick
      • 5.3.1. Limitations & Boundaries
      • 5.3.2. Consequences
  • 6. Language
    • 6.1. Phonemes
    • 6.2. Morphemes
    • 6.3. Glyphs
    • 6.4. Basic Morphology
    • 6.5. Grammar
      • 6.5.1. The Basic Parts of Speech
        • 6.5.1.1. Pronouns
        • 6.5.1.2. Nouns
        • 6.5.1.3. Verbs
          • 6.5.1.3.1. Lexical vs. Auxiliary
          • 6.5.1.3.2. Conjugation
          • 6.5.1.3.2.1. Tense
          • 6.5.1.3.2.2. Mood
          • 6.5.1.3.2.3. Voice
        • 6.5.1.4. Adjectives
        • 6.5.1.5. Adverbs
        • 6.5.1.6. Prepositions
        • 6.5.1.7. Conjunctions
        • 6.5.1.8. Interjections
      • 6.5.2. Syntax & Sentence Structure
      • 6.5.3. Evolution of Language
      • 6.5.4. The Extras
  • 7. Miscellaneous Topics & Articles

The Speculative Gourmet

The Speculative Gourmet

- A Gastronomical Journey Inside Speculative Fiction -

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The Skillful Quill

The Skillful Quill

- Our Special Feature Dedicated to Grammar & Writing Techniques -

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The Scribrary

The Scribrary

- Or Bits & Bobs for Doing Your Majick -

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The Quiddity of Speculation

The Quiddity of Speculation

- Our Special Feature Dissecting the SubGenres of Speculative Fiction -

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Television Spotlights

Television Spotlights

- Spotlighting the Television Shows of Speculative Fiction -

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Book Spotlights

Book Spotlights

- Spotlighting the Books of Speculative Fiction -