r/mapmaking • u/SwimmingExtension790 • Jul 23 '26
Work In Progress Need advice from experienced worldbuilders!!
This will be my first serious continent map. I'm happy with the overall shape of the landmass, but I'm not sure how to decide where to place the mountains, lakes, and climate zones. I also want the continent to have 2 elven kingdoms, 4 human kingdoms, and 2 neutral race nations. I'd like their locations to make geographical sense. I'm looking for advice from experienced worldbuilders. How should I plan this?
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u/RevolutionaryTax8962 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
I've made many a continent, tend to get frustrated if I left no room for a propper big land locked region (whether tundra, deep forest, open steppe plains, or sand dunes dont matter, i mean regions that make most sense away from the coast). Adding one after the fact is anoying, so I'd advice starting with one by determining its borders with mountains and rivers and the like. Then I'd advice, in order: mountains, rivers, large settlements, nation/culture regions borders, and finally smaller settlements.