Could your world come to an end? If so, how? If magic is involved, can that be misused to damage the physical world it’s set in? In my novels, I’ve set up barren areas, made that way by having too much magic pounding them. This has a knock on effect in forcing populations to move away and into other areas, causing tensions between the different groups (the sprites are generally condemned for having an irresponsible attitude to sex and reproduction - they are at it like rabbits!).
Customs and Rebels
What are your world’s customs? What does it do/say to those who rebel or don’t follow the customs “correctly”? How does it react if someone shows up one or more of the customs as wrong? Is there a history of dissidents or have you got a character blazing the way here?
Controlling the Media
Is the media controlled, directly or subtly? With FNN I have a snobby goblin, Roherum, keen to please the Queen so he’s not going to rock the boat. Could someone be placed by your authorities deliberately to manipulate matters on their behalf?
Missed Opportunities
Missed opportunities are an excellent source of stories - from the viewpoint of those who missed them and know it, those who did and don’t know (but are vaguely aware something is wrong) and from family and friends affected by those missed opportunities.
Changing Perceptions
Excessive weariness of spirit as well as body can change people’s attitudes and perceptions and their reactions - what are the consequences? What about those trying to encourage someone to be less lonely, a little more giving (knowing it will benefit the most the person being encouraged to do t hat giving) and how do they feel when they succeed/fail?
Threats to Your World
What can threaten your world? External forces? Diseases? Both?
Approaches taken by Your World
What are their approaches to science, magic, religion and so on? Are the beings in your world happy with their lot? Is the government reasonable? How does society handle those against the norm or those who defect, like my Eileen did? How does your society organize itself? If it’s a magical world, do they use magic for everything or do they limit its use? If the latter, why? I use limitations on the grounds fairies etc want to save magical energy for more important magic. After all, food can be grown, baked etc, so why use magic for that, unless in a dire hurry? My Fairy Kingdom has also realized machines can be used for drudge work too, again saving magical energy for better things (like taking on the Witch!).
Gender Discrimination
Are the genders the same as for us? Is there any kind of gender discrimination? Has your world got a sense of its history and does it effect the present day (Ithink it should do, for good or bad, after all ours does!)? I haven’t worked out the whole history of my Fairy Kingdom but I have enough so the repercussions are genuine and affect fairy government.