Locations & Geography

Geography shapes culture, war, travel, trade — even belief systems. In world-building, location isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character.

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🏔️ Types of Geographic Features

• Mountains – Natural fortresses, sacred places, or borders.
• Rivers & Lakes – Sources of life, trade routes, and settlements.
• Deserts – Harsh environments that shape resilience and isolation.
• Forests & Jungles – Wild, mystical, or forbidden regions.
• Oceans & Islands – Hubs for naval powers, mysteries, and exploration.
• Plains & Valleys – Fertile heartlands, homes to agriculture and growth.

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🗺️ World Design Tips

• Use climate zones and continental drift logic for believability.
• Decide what natural resources are abundant or rare.
• Place civilizations where survival and opportunity overlap.
• Add travel times, landmarks, and natural barriers.

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🌐 Cultural Influence from Geography

• Isolated areas might preserve ancient cultures.
• Harsh environments lead to innovative survival tactics.
• River valleys become economic and political centers.
• Coastal cities are often multicultural and tech-advanced.

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🧭 Narrative Use

• Quest journeys through terrain (mountain passes, desert crossings)
• Location-based conflicts (for resources, territory, or history)
• Geography as prophecy — e.g., a sacred mountain or cursed wasteland

"Where you live shapes what you believe, how you survive, and who you become."

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🌍 Bonus Ideas

• Add ancient ruins or geographic anomalies
• Include seasonal shifts or natural disasters
• Let magic or technology alter terrain over time

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Locations matter. They build limits, spark tension, and shape destinies. When you design them with care, your world breathes — and your readers feel it.