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1500 questions
39
votes
11 answers

Why do gargoyles have wings when they can't fly?

Gargoyles are bipedal, slow-moving animals that lurk on rooftops and eat pigeons. The rumors of gargoyles being magical construct are false; in truth they're just animals that have adapted to urban environments. By nature, the gargoyles are ambush…
user69867
39
votes
19 answers

How could Medieval cultures defend themselves against dragons?

In a world where society and culture are very similar to Medieval kingdoms of past ages, and moreover a world where there is no one conclusive ruler, but a region of small city-states which each have their own rulers vying for power, how could these…
Bailey M
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39
votes
20 answers

How can you weaponize a thermos?

Anything can be used as a weapon if need be: A person in my story uses a big steel thermos in a fight. How could she beef up the thermos to keep using it as a weapon.
Stupidzombiet
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39
votes
7 answers

Would it be possible to have a GMO that produces chocolate?

I am inspired by some people who apparently believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. I know that for sweet, delicious chocolate to come into existence, we need to do things to cocoa. Ferment it, grind it, mix it, bake it. That's boring.…
The Square-Cube Law
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39
votes
19 answers

Why would having more mages to conduct a spell not make it faster?

Orgone is the measure of a person's connection with the cosmos. It is the conduit through which the power of the cosmos flows, focused through a sorcerer's will. Ritual practicioners must draw on this reserve of power to make a magic spell work.…
Incognito
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39
votes
7 answers

What would be the necessary conditions to rain bubbles?

What would be necessary in order for bubbles to rain down from the sky, whether they are actually soap or something else? Would it even be possible? Aside from a bunch of little kids (which would be awesome to be honest) would there be a natural…
Asher
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39
votes
13 answers

How advantageous is an invisible sword?

An adventurer has come into possession of an invisible sword. How advantageous in a duel or skirmish would this be? Good for a one-time trick, a significant advantage throughout a fight, or even a disadvantage? Some background detail: Setting:…
Cain
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39
votes
20 answers

Can there be a theocracy that also practices religious tolerance?

My main character is one of 5 deities that make up the "Terram faith" The country she resides in is a theocracy of that faith; with a king and queen appointed by high priests and priestesses. The issue I'm having is usually in theocracies people…
Noellektrae
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39
votes
11 answers

What is the earliest point in history that Big Brother could exist?

In the modern world, the technology to monitor your every movement and action is imminently feasible. No one doubts the ability of an omni-government to monitor people; hence GDPR. But Orwell posited such a controlling government in Nineteen…
kingledion
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39
votes
4 answers

Would EMP From a Nuke Stall a car?

In my story a man who works in Military Intel gets early warning that a nuclear attack on his base is inbound. He abandons his post, grabs his wife and kid from on base housing, and books it out of there at 90 miles per hour with 20 minutes to…
TCAT117
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39
votes
17 answers

How do I make my dynasty last 1000s of years?

My Kingdom X is a great and prosperous nation, having a decent amount of natural resources. The kingdom's founding dynasty has stood the test of time for 1000s of years, until Kingdom Y launches a war against them. The world is 25% the size of Earth…
QuyNguyen2013
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39
votes
23 answers

What's a possible justification for orcs not taking over the world?

I'm making a story with the standard Tolkien races. Not terribly original, I know, but it makes for good practice fantasy writing. While I was planning out the history, I realized that orcs generally have physical advantages over humans, most…
Pinion Minion
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39
votes
6 answers

How many slaves do I need to keep my mountain palace supplied?

As the (reputedly) Mad Wizard-King of Jagatap, I would like to move my court to the remote fastness I recently finished building in the be-jungled hills of Nam. (Image from DudQuitter at DeviantArt) The altitude and fresh breeze makes it quite…
kingledion
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38
votes
17 answers

What would be favoured weapons and weapon styles of a four-armed human?

I have a race of humanoids with 4 hands. They are on average 7 feet tall and are as dexterous with each of their 4 hands as a human is dexterous with each of their arms. What kinds of weapons would suit these humanoids the best? Tech levels are late…
grimmsdottir
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38
votes
6 answers

How could steampunk civilizations get lifting gas?

Steampunk airships typically use either helium or hydrogen as a source of lift (depending on the specific world). However, the source of the lifting gas is often not fully explained, or frequently even not mentioned at all. How could a steampunk…
Gryphon
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