So, I've decided to start a story, but I would like some input on world-building. I posted the basic plot in the Plot Bunny thread. It would be a medieval fantasy akin to Dragon Age or The Elder Scrolls, where magic and magical creatures are known to everyone, and Harry is the orphan of a powerful mage named James who was Dumbledore's apprentice.

Most people cannot perform magic, some have accidental bouts in scary or life-threatening situations, and very few have a rare talent for. Wands are not commonplace for these gifted, but there are a few records of focuses such as Slytherin's Locket and the Elder Wand.

The trio would be a mage/warrior/rogue setup, with Harry becoming Dumbledore's apprentice as a spellcaster, Ron using Gryffindor's sword in a sort of berserker/spirit warrior set up using magic to enhance his knightly abilities, and Hermione discovering Ravenclaw's diadem and archery. Neville would probably be using Alchemy/Enchanting in a support role (maybe plant manipulation?)

Shapeshifters would exist with maybe an ability to control their chosen animal. So Peter would have an army of rats at his disposal and Sirius would have a pack of dogs(wolves?) following him everywhere. Probably would have Minerva the catlady who watches Harry in his town. Lupin would be a knight and mentor to Ron, but would still have his furry little problem every month. Maybe Sirius controlling him so he doesn't kill people?

Nicholas Flamel and his inventions would be a big player, probably founder of huge settlement. Vernon Dursley would be a mine owner (because drills). Voldemort would be spurned apprentice of Dumbledore who is uniting the minorities like vampires, trolls, giants, and such

Familiars would play a big role, and goblins and acromantula and merpeople playing third parties who Harry would have a quest or two against. A veela clan and Bulgarian pirates would probably play a role, but I'm not 100 percent on their side. Pirates would probably be highest bidder.

That's the world in so far, but I would appreciate any help you can give.

 

I wasn't sure about Hogwarts. I wanted to write an adventure story, not one where Harry is trapped in a school the whole time. The plot would be similar, run along the same vein, but outside of a school. I honestly don't think the world has enough magicals to merit a school, and generally education was apprenticing back then I believe. There would probably be additional subplots. Neville's adventures with mysterious shapeshifting Trevor/Croaker. Flamel's underground guild of mages. Lucius the Enchanter trying to get Voldemort to apprentice his son. Just fleeting ideas, nothing totally concrete, like the lack of Hogwarts.

Thank you for the resources. It'll help with this, as well as another idea that is festering but unrelated.

A big thing I do need help on is how to approach brooms? Should they be commonplace? The current idea was to have Harry obtain one after defeating the witch Umbridge, who would probably be a play on a typical Halloween witch, while also using lots of Blood Magic on Harry.

 

Check out Grinning Lizard's Harry Potter and the Assassin's Creed It was extremely well received in terms of medeival hell.

 

There was a story similar to this a long time ago, which got taken down in favor of a new version which only ever had one chapter posted (as far as I can remember). I forget the fic's name, but I remember Harry wandering around and fighting all sorts of crazy monsters (one was made out of ravens, one was a living shadow), and eventually staying in Sirius' castle learning to duel better. Creating wands was a lost art, and there were a dozen or so high grade mega-wands in existence, each of which enabled a noble family to rule a fiefdom.