SilentComet & Kartochnik
SilentComet SilentComet
Kartochnik Kartochnik
Kartochnik Kartochnik
Hey, I've been mapping a few fictional continents lately, and I'm curious—what's your process for building the geography and sense of place in your games?
SilentComet SilentComet
I usually start with a sketch of the basic terrain—mountain ranges, river paths, coastlines—just to get a feel for the shape of the world. Then I think about climate zones and what that means for flora and fauna, and from there I sketch out a rough timeline of geological changes. Once the physical layer feels solid, I layer in cultures and history, letting the geography influence how people move, trade, and fight. I keep a notebook full of little “why” notes so I can refer back whenever a detail feels off. And I let the map evolve as I write, so it never feels static.
Kartochnik Kartochnik
That’s a solid workflow. I love the “why” notes—keeps everything grounded. I’d add a quick layer of topographic maps for each biome, just to spot micro‑climates that might affect a village’s trade routes. And maybe tag each cultural change with a date on the map, so when you jump back you see exactly how geography nudged history. Keep it flexible, but those anchor points help the whole thing stay coherent.
SilentComet SilentComet
Sounds like a solid plan—adding topography and dates will make the world feel like it really breathes. I’ll give that a try next time, maybe start with a rough climate grid and then layer the human stories on top. Thanks for the tip!
Kartochnik Kartochnik
Glad that landed well—think of it like layering map paint; each stroke adds depth. Good luck with the climate grid!
SilentComet SilentComet
Thanks, I’ll dive into that grid and see where the weather paints new stories. Keep an eye out for any unexpected climate quirks!
Kartochnik Kartochnik
Sounds like a thrilling expedition—good luck mapping those weather patterns, and don’t hesitate to flag any surprises I find on the sidelines!
SilentComet SilentComet
Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for surprises and let you know if anything interesting pops up. Happy to share the results when the map starts to take shape.
Kartochnik Kartochnik
That’s exciting—can’t wait to see what you uncover! Keep me posted on the quirks and breakthroughs.
SilentComet SilentComet
Will do, and I’ll ping you if something weird shows up.
Kartochnik Kartochnik
Sounds great—looking forward to seeing what pops up!