These world building prompts come from 3000 World Building Prompts, which you can get at Amazon. This section is focused on creating settlements like cities, town, villages, and even outposts.
- What is the name of this settlement?
- Are there any nicknames for it?
- Will you set scenes here or only mention this place?
- Will characters be from here?
- Which races created this settlement?
- Is the species that created it still here and dominant?
- If not, what happened and how long ago?
- How do they feel about this?
- Which races have influenced the settlement’s development?
- What is the symbol or banner?
- What are the city colors?
- Do they have a slogan and what is it?
- What is the settlement famous for? What’s the first thing that comes to mind?
- Are there any notable religious, magical, or technological sites here?
- What legends exist about the settlement? Are they true?
- What products does this settlement produce?
- What products does this settlement need to get from somewhere else, and who is the supplier?
- Is public transportation available?
- What condition is it in?
- Is it expensive or free?
- What form is the public transportation (train, car, wagon, rickshaw, boat)?
- How are messages sent?
- Are messengers uniquely protected?
- What historical events are important in this settlement?
- What year was this settlement founded?
- How old is this settlement?
- What is the local attitude about magic?
- About technology?
- Gods?
- The supernatural?
- Are strangers welcomed or avoided?
- What is the local form of government?
- What type of mayor is here?
- Is there a council and what is the mayor’s relationship with it like?
- What organizations of groups are influential here?
- Is the settlement considered safe or dangerous?
Population
- How large is the population?
- What percentage of each species lives here?
- What percentage are permanent residents vs. visitors?
- Are any species outlawed or discriminated against and why?
- Is anyone segregated and why?
- Which race’s culture dominates this settlement?
- What is the overall disposition of the population?
- What impression do the settlement’s residents create for newcomers?
- Do the residents seem to like or avoid each other?
- What is the settlement’s reputation?
- Are there quarters, which ones (elven quarter, etc.), and where?
- If so, what distinguishes each?
- What important characters are in town, such as wizards, priests, and scientists?
- Are any villains living here, secretly or not?
- Are any heroes living here, secretly or not?
- What monsters are nearby or in the settlement?
- What effect does a monster have on the settlement psychologically and behaviorally?
Location and Characteristics
- What size is it (outpost, castle, village, town, city)?
- In which direction is the farmland?
- Is irrigation employed here?
- Is there an Old Town, and if so, where is it?
- Is Old Town well preserved or a warren of thieves?
- What is the original water source?
- What continent is it on?
- What is the climate?
- How does climate affect the way people dress and behave?
- What land features are nearby?
- Do any land features impact the ability of people to travel?
- Is the settlement mostly flat?
- Is the terrain hilly or rocky?
- Where is the highest ground and what is built upon it?
- Does the topography have anything noteworthy?
- Where do the wealthy live?
- Where do the poor live?
- Is the pollution significant, absent, or moderate?
- Does zoning (residential, commercial, industrial, agriculture, mixed) exist?
- If not, are people aware of the problems thus caused and long for a better setup?
- Is this settlement part of a sovereign power? Which one?
- How important is this settlement within its power?
- Is this settlement a capital?
- Is this settlement in space?
- If so, what is it orbiting?
- How often is the orbit?
- Is it on another body like a moon?
- Is this an underwater settlement?
- Is this a floating settlement?
- If so, how is it protected from destruction?
- How integrated with sea creatures is it?
- Are there any sentient races/species that make use of them?
- Is this settlement in the ocean, rivers, or lakes?
Neighbors
- What other settlements are nearby?
- Are they friendly, neutral, or hostile? Why?
- How big is each?
- In which direction does each lie?
- How hard is it to reach them or vice versa?
- Are there any special or common escorts of travelers available?
- Is there a cost for this or do taxes pay for it?
- Is it safe to leave the settlement?
- If so, for how far before trouble is likely to be encountered?
- What kind of trouble is expected?
- From whom?
- What alliances does the settlement have with other settlements?
- How many smaller settlements are near this one and partly dependent on it?
- Is this the smaller settlement dependent on a bigger one? In what way?
Defenses
- How much of it is surrounded by walls?
- What are the walls made of?
- How tall/thick are the walls?
- Are there guard/archer/gun towers?
- What other defenses exist?
- Has an area around it been cleared of vegetation or anything else that aids an attacking force?
- Is there a castle or fortress? Where is it located?
- What condition is it in?
- Has it ever been destroyed and is it now a ruin?
- Is there a secret way into the settlement/castle/fortress? What is it?
- Is the weaponry of this settlement superior to likely foes?
- What sort of armed forces are here (knights, star fighters)?
- Is there a garrison?
- Are there any flying defenses? What are they?
- Are there any defenses against flying attackers?
- Is there a navy and which kind of ships constitute it?
- How formidable is the navy?
- Are there any restrictions on carrying or using weapons?
- Are there training centers for warriors here?
- If so, what kind of training?
- Can anyone take the training, or only those in the military?
- If the non-military can take it, do they need to pay in advance or with a service performed?
- Are non-military treated differently and to what extent?
- Does the settlement conscript people into its defenses?
- Is everyone expected to play a role when there’s a siege?
- Even women and children?
- If so, what roles do they receive?
- How old must one be to fight?
- Are women allowed to wield weapons?
- How much does magic play a role in the defenses?
- What war or battles have shaped life here, and how?
- Does this settlement tend to be the aggressor or the victim?
Daily Life
- What religions are present here with buildings and worshippers?
- Are any religions shunned?
- Is there an official religion? How does it affect life?
- What religions temples and sites exist?
- What festivals or holidays are observed here and when?
- How easy is it to get lodging here?
- In what part of town do travelers stay?
- Is it safe there?
- What are some of the more prominent lodgings and what makes them unique?
- What guilds are here and what kinds of help do they provide?
- How well stocked are equipment shops?
- What sort of gear can/can’t adventurers gain?
- Are there any unique weapon, armor, or items that this settlement produces or has available?
- How common is crime in the settlement?