My story is based upon the economy, so it had to have a realistic one with trade of various products and services that serve as the basis for some of the conflicts that take place. One job is actually threatened by the introduction of another from a remote culture that becomes a trading partner, so there's even unemployment! Thank goodness, I took Economics in college.
And I didn't draw a map, but the world is round and the characters know it. The heroes are generally educated for their positions. A few find advancement outside their positions, but they're soon educated for those so that their later success isn't a matter of luck.
Nope, no orcs or dwarves, but it does have some winged humans.
No giants, but it does have dinosaurs!
Does have wizards, but not just one or two, but lots of them. Lots of witches, too.
The main characters don't always win and aren't always good. Some even die.