Are you a novelist, gearing up for your next book? Or perhaps you’re a DM, forging your your next Dungeons and Dragons campaign? Perhaps you’re screenwriter and having a map to supplement your script is important. Either way, you’ve recognized the power of fantasy world maps.
These objet d’arts provide an extra dimension to creative work, and are critical for worldbuilding, storytelling, and organizing the Hero’s Journey. Maps are also like the second book cover, as readers will glance at them before they begin. A good map may convince a dubious reader whether or not to buy a book.
Below, I’ll explore seven critical tips to forge your own fantasy world map.
1. Theme
The theme, or idea of your map, conveys a big message. Is your map dark and scary? Maybe bright and heroic? Perhaps simple and easily read?
Think about your audience; if you write for children, simpler is better. For an epic tale, large (or perhaps multiple) maps with high detail could be ideal. What about your genre? Is it contemporary fantasy, high fantasy, science fiction?
Brainstorm the message behind your fantasy world map─and the impact it offers. When done well and presented at the beginning of a story or campaign, maps can lay groundwork better than any book cover or opening line.
2. Geography
Geography is crucial for any fanta sy world map. Unless your world is an alien planet with wildly different laws, these basics should always apply:
- Landmass – for continents, islands, peninsulas
- Water – for oceans, lakes, rivers, swamps
- Trees – for forests, groves, jungles
- Mountains – for mountain ranges, hills, volcanoes
- Roads – pathways for connecting landmarks in a map, or adding to worldbuilding
Used strategetically, geography can strengthen the story’s progression and guide character arcs. Mountains or oceans restrict unequipped characters from venturing into the wrong places, while forests, lakes, or streams provide water and game. Wastelands and swamps produce challenging terrain and can add tension to the adventure.
If you need inspiration, study some maps of earth or other fantasy stories. Go hiking and experience the rigor of mountain climbing or swamp wading. Enjoy the beauty of a lake or a quiet woodland.
3. Landmarks
With fantasy world maps, landmarks add additional depth and worldbuilding in ways geography cannot. Landmarks range from cities and towns, to dungeons and graveyards─anything with special attention.
With landmarks, be mindful how and where you place them. Don’t place a sea port inland or a city in the mountains, unless there’s a worldbuilding reason behind it. The landmarks should make sense and play important roles in guiding the story.
“With fantasy world maps, landmarks add additional depth and worldbuilding in ways geography cannot.”
4. Intrigue
Not every landmark needs exploring or explaining. Uncharted territory spikes intrigue in readers and it heightens worldbuilding in a story.
Forgotten castles, ancient ruins, alien ships─they all spur readers further into a story.
A fantasy world map needn’t be exhaustive either. Leave the far north or south of a map trimmed off, which forces readers to imagine the world beyond. George R. R. Martin’s Westeros map in A Game of Thrones depicts this with the unexplored northern tip.
5. Labels
Labels add specific detail to your landmarks. The font, color, size, and placement can all influence the message of a label.
Maybe for important cities you want bold text, while farm villages get small, simple text. A dungeon might have red text, while a church has white text.
Don’t crowd labels together─they should be readable and evenly spaced. Place labels in clear land, not over mountains or other distracting terrain.
6. Map Accessories
While optional, map accesories add significantvalue to a fantasy world map. Think north arrows, legends, wind roses, compasses, and supplemental text. Map accessories can explain symbols representing a city versus a village, or add to the worldbuilding feel of a campaign.
They also fill in space on a map, and nothing is more distracting than empty map space (more on this below). Why not fill it with map accessories? Add in some graphic symbol with it for a bonus.
7. Visual Balance
During my geography classes, professors always stressed the importance of filling empty map space and creating visual balance. It’s pleasing to the eye and it utilizes a map’s full potential.
If readers glance through the first few pages of a book and see a complicated, groestque map, do you think that will encourage them to read? Nope! Like a book cover, a map should be readable, visually balanced, and engaging.
What about you, dear reader? What are your thoughts on fantasy world maps, and have you created any? Leave your answers in the comment section below. Cheers!