The Tone
The tone of the game is probably the most important piece of world building you need. What style game are we playing, what energy is being called forth at the table. The world ands NPCs are ever evolving but the tone should be an anchor for the story telling.
The tone we set up in our example is something unruly, wild, and a little light-hearted. Every decision from here on out should respond to that.
Write out a mantra that encompasses this tone, and have it present while you play. Always at the top of the document.
A world of unkempt wild energy calling for adventurers
From this I can formulate ideas of places, people, and creatures that would roam a land of wild energy.
see 3.3_The Location for the next step!