One popular one is 'Overlord'. It features a powerful sorcerer who gets trapped in a game world and begins building his own kingdom. Another is 'Re:Monster' which has an interesting take on the isekai genre with the protagonist being reincarnated as a goblin and working towards building a great goblin kingdom. 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' is also great. The slime protagonist gradually forms his own unique and powerful kingdom through various adventures and making allies.
One popular trope is the rise of an underdog protagonist. For example, a young peasant who discovers a hidden talent for leadership and gradually builds their own kingdom. Another is the magical element, like a kingdom built around a powerful magical artifact or a mage - led kingdom. Also, political intrigue within the kingdom - building process, such as rival factions vying for power, is quite common.
A lesser - known but very interesting kingdom building web novel is 'Reborn as a Barrier Master'. In this story, the protagonist uses his unique skills to protect and develop his land, which slowly evolves into a prosperous kingdom. The story focuses on how he overcomes challenges, from dealing with neighboring kingdoms to internal strife, all while building his own kingdom.
The power progression usually makes it engaging. For example, in 'The Legendary Mechanic', the main character gradually builds his influence and power in a new world, and as his kingdom grows, so does his strength. It's exciting to see how he overcomes challenges.
One great example is 'The Lord of the Rings' series. It has elaborate world - building with the kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan. Tolkien creates a rich tapestry of cultures, politics, and power struggles within these kingdoms. Another is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' which features numerous kingdoms vying for power. The complex political intrigues and the building of alliances and power bases in different kingdoms are fascinating.
One great kingdom building web novel is 'Release That Witch'. It has an interesting premise where the protagonist is transported to a medieval - like world and uses his modern knowledge to build a powerful kingdom. The character development is well - done, especially for the witches who play crucial roles in the kingdom's development.
Well, 'The Rage of Dragons' by Evan Winter is a good one. It has a unique take on kingdom building within a fantasy setting. The protagonist is constantly involved in battles and political maneuvers that shape the future of his people. Then there's 'Red Sister' by Mark Lawrence. The convent in the story can be seen as a kind of micro - kingdom, and the main character is integral to its growth and development. Also, 'Mistborn: The Final Empire' by Brandon Sanderson. The main characters are trying to overthrow an existing empire and build a new one, with a really cool magic system involved.
Character growth is a key element. In these fanfictions, characters like Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang often have to step up in new ways. For example, Weiss might use her family's resources and knowledge to contribute to building the kingdom's infrastructure. Another element is the integration of the different kingdoms' unique features. Each kingdom in RWBY has its own culture, like Vale's more diverse and open culture compared to Atlas's more militaristic one. Fanfictions often explore how these differences can be combined to create a stronger whole.
To write a great kingdom building fanfiction, you need to focus on the political and social aspects. Decide on the form of government, the laws, and how the different classes interact. You should also include some sort of conflict, whether it's external threats like invaders or internal problems such as rebellions. And don't forget to give your story a strong theme, like the power of unity or the importance of innovation in building a kingdom. It's also essential to research real - world examples of kingdoms and empires to get inspiration for your fictional one.