Creating a Settlement

Settlements are the heart of civilization in any world, serving as hubs of activity, culture, and commerce. Whether it’s a small hamlet nestled in the countryside or a bustling metropolis teeming with life, each settlement has its own unique character and features. When designing a settlement for your campaign setting, consider the following elements to bring it to life:

You can use the tables from “Species Relations” onward to help you generate a random settlement on the fly in case you need a quick reference.

Settlement Type

This table provides a general overview of different types of settlements, including their population size, governance structure, and key features. Use this as a reference when creating or describing towns, cities, and other inhabited areas in your world.

Settlement Type	Population	Amount of Factions	Size of Faction Buildings	Economy	Defense	Usual Governance	Key Features
Hamlet	20-150	1-2	Small	Limited	Basic	Informal	Rural, tightly-knit community
Village	150-1,000	2-3	Small to Medium	Basic	Limited	Elders or elected council	Agrarian, communal spaces
Town	1,000-6,000	3-5	Medium	Diverse	Moderate	Mayor or town council	Markets, diverse professions
City	6,000-10,000	5-10	Medium to Large	Complex	Strong	Mayor and council, bureaucracy	Districts, trade hubs, strong defense
Metropolis	10,000+	10+	Large	Extensive	Very Strong	Mayor, council, specialized administrators	Multiple districts, advanced infrastructure
Capital	25,000+	10+	Very Large	Vast	Exceptional	King/Queen, central government	Cultural and political center, advanced infrastructure

Explanation of Columns

1. Population: The approximate number of inhabitants within the settlement.
2. Amount of Factions: The number of distinct groups or organizations that hold influence within the settlement.
3. Size of Faction Buildings: The typical size of buildings or structures used by the factions, ranging from small (single-story, modest) to very large (multiple stories, grand complexes).
4. Economy: Describes the economic complexity and resources available, from limited (basic needs met) to extensive (diverse industries and trade).
5. Defense: The level of military and defensive capabilities present in the settlement, from basic (minimal protection) to exceptional (highly fortified).
6. Governance: The system or structure of government, indicating how the settlement is administratively managed.
7. Key Features: Notable characteristics that distinguish each settlement type, including cultural, strategic, or infrastructural elements.

Species Relations

In a diverse world filled with different species and cultures, settlements often reflect the interactions and dynamics between various groups. This table provides examples of some relationships that might exist between the inhabitants of a settlement.

dice: 1d20

d20	Result
1-10	Harmony
11-14	Tension or rivalry
15-16	Racial majority are conquerors
17	Racial minority are rulers
18	Racial minority are refugees
19	Racial majority oppresses minority
20	Racial minority oppresses majority

Ruler’s status

The status of the settlement’s ruler can greatly influence the character and atmosphere of the settlement. Use this table to determine the current status of the ruler or ruling body.

dice: 1d20

d20	Ruler
1-5	Respected, fair, and just
6-8	Feared tyrant
9	Weakling manipulated by others
10	Illegitimate ruler, simmering civil war
11	Ruled or controlled by a powerful monster
12	Mysterious, anonymous cabal
13	Contested leadership, open fighting
14	Cabal seized power openly
15	Dimwitted brute
16	On deathbed, claimants compete for power
17-18	Iron-willed but respected
19-20	Religious leader

Known For

Every settlement has something it’s known for, whether it’s a unique industry, a famous landmark, or a particular cultural tradition. Use this table to determine what the settlement is most famous for.

dice: 1d20

d20	Feature
1	Delicious cuisine
2	Rude people
3	Greedy merchants
4	Artists and writers
5	Great hero/savior
6	Flowers
7	Hordes of beggars
8	Tough warriors
9	Dark magic
10	Decadence
11	Piety
12	Gambling
13	Godlessness
14	Education
15	Wines
16	High fashion
17	Political intrigue
18	Powerful guilds
19	Strong drink
20	Patriotism

Current Calamity

Not every settlement is free from trouble. Use this table to determine what calamity currently afflicts the settlement, whether it’s a natural disaster, a plague, or a political crisis.

dice: 1d20

d20	Calamity
1	Suspected vampire infestation
2	New cult seeks converts
3	Important figure died (murder suspected)
4	War between rival factions or parts of a same faction
5	Invasion by an external army (either from a different city or state)
6	Plague or famine (sparks riots)
7	Corrupt officials
8	Crime wave (thieves and bandits rampant)
9	Marauding monsters
10	Powerful wizard has moved into town
11	Economic depression (trade disrupted)
12	Flooding or other natural disaster
13	Undead stirring in cemeteries
14	Prophecy of doom
15	Brink of civil war
16	Kidnapping of a key leader
17	Besieged by enemies
18	Scandal threatens powerful families
19	Dungeon discovered (adventurers flock to town)
20	Religious sects struggle for power

Unique Feature

Every settlement has something that sets it apart from others, whether it’s a natural wonder, a unique tradition, or a strange local custom. Use this table to determine what makes the settlement truly unique.

dice: 1d220

d220	Feature
1	Floating marketplaces held in airships.
2	Living tree houses integrated into the settlement.
3	Crystal-infused street lamps that change color with the time of day.
4	Underground tunnels with bioluminescent flora guiding the way.
5	A library with portals to different realms of knowledge.
6	Golem-powered public transportation.
7	Buildings crafted from enchanted singing stones.
8	A magical barrier protecting the town from outside threats.
9	Sky bridges connecting towers and spires.
10	Districts dedicated to each elemental affinity.
11	An ancient, sentient guardian statue at the town entrance.
12	A magical fountain that grants temporary abilities to those who drink from it.
13	Inhabitants with animal companions granted mystical abilities.
14	An annual festival celebrating the convergence of cosmic forces.
15	A district where time behaves differently, causing time loops.
16	Elemental-themed festivals with competitions and games.
17	Floating islands tethered to the town by ethereal chains.
18	The central market square where items from different planes are traded.
19	Buildings made from the enchanted bones of long-extinct creatures.
20	A magical clock tower that tells time across multiple dimensions.
21	Mystical fog that reveals glimpses of the past or future.
22	A park with illusions of legendary creatures for children to interact with.
23	Crystal-clear lakes with portals to elemental realms.
24	Living statues that offer advice or warnings to passersby.
25	A district where buildings phase in and out of existence.
26	Temples dedicated to the balance of opposing forces.
27	A network of tunnels with gravity-defying walkways.
28	Gondolas powered by enchanted sea creatures in a canal system.
29	A district where dreams materialize during certain phases of The Moon (Aeloria’s).
30	Elemental-themed theaters showcasing magical performances.
31	Skydiving competitions using featherfall spells.
32	Clockwork creatures that assist with manual labor.
33	A magical academy that teaches the art of elemental manipulation.
34	Districts with rotating platforms that change the landscape periodically.
35	Living paintings that tell stories of the settlement’s history.
36	A marketplace selling artifacts from alternate realities.
37	A district where buildings are mirrored in a parallel dimension.
38	An ancient tree with portals to different planes in its roots.
39	Elemental-powered street food stalls.
40	An ever-shifting maze that serves as a challenge for adventurers.
41	Crystal gardens that amplify magical abilities.
42	A district where residents can change their appearance at will.
43	Elemental-themed inns with unique accommodations.
44	A network of enchanted mirrors for instant communication.
45	Buildings made of interwoven vines and flowers.
46	Districts dedicated to the worship of different cosmic entities.
47	Arcane-powered street performers who manipulate reality in their acts.
48	Floating platforms for aerial species on magical creatures.
49	A district where emotions manifest as floating orbs of light.
50	A mystical forge that can craft weapons with elemental enhancements.
51	Buildings made from the feathers of celestial beings.
52	Elemental-themed airships for transportation.
53	A district with living illusions that simulate different environments.
54	A park where flora and fauna from various planes coexist.
55	Clockwork butterflies that carry messages across the town.
56	Elemental-themed dueling arenas for magical combat.
57	A district with shifting gravity, allowing for vertical exploration.
58	A theater with illusions that let the audience experience different realities.
59	Elemental-powered waterfalls that provide clean water to the town.
60	A district where residents can enter paintings and explore artistic realms.
61	An ancient observatory with telescopes to view other planes.
62	Elemental-themed puzzles and challenges scattered throughout the town.
63	A district with buildings that change their purpose based on the time of day.
64	Floating platforms with enchanted wildlife observation points.
65	A district with living statues that mimic the residents’ movements.
66	Elemental-themed art galleries showcasing magical creations.
67	A magical bazaar where dreams and nightmares can be bought and sold.
68	Districts dedicated to the worship of ancient elemental beings.
69	An enchanted forest within the town that mirrors different climates.
70	A district where illusions make the buildings appear as mythical creatures.
71	Elemental-powered hot air balloons for transportation and exploration.
72	A district with living shadow creatures that play with residents.
73	A magical hospital with healing pools infused with elemental energy.
74	Underground tunnels with walls that depict the history of the settlement.
75	Elemental-themed mazes that change their layout daily.
76	A district where residents communicate through telepathy.
77	An ancient arena where elemental champions engage in friendly combat.
78	Floating platforms with portals to different realms of existence.
79	Elemental-powered street art that reacts to the emotions of passersby.
80	A district where echoes of past events can be witnessed.
81	A magical zoo with creatures from various planes.
82	Buildings with animated murals that tell stories through movement.
83	Elemental-themed dance clubs with enchanting music.
84	A district where the weather changes based on the collective mood.
85	Sky islands with gravity-defying flora and fauna.
86	A library with books that recount alternate versions of historical events.
87	Elemental-powered clockwork animals as pets.
88	A district with portals to pocket dimensions for extra living space.
89	Buildings made of enchanted glass that shows glimpses of other planes.
90	A district where illusions make everyday life appear as a grand adventure.
91	Elemental-themed obstacle courses for athletic competitions.
92	A mystical market where magical ingredients from different planes are sold.
93	Floating gardens with plants from various realms.
94	A district where residents can temporarily swap abilities with each other.
95	Elemental-powered fireworks that create mesmerizing displays.
96	An ancient coliseum with illusions that recreate legendary battles.
97	Skywalks with illusions of celestial beings guiding the way.
98	A district where the architecture reflects the emotions of its inhabitants.
99	Elemental-themed escape rooms with magical challenges.
100	A grand library where the books are sentient and tell their own stories.
101	A district where buildings are constructed from enchanted glass that projects scenes from alternate realities.
102	Elemental-themed botanical gardens with plants that respond to magical harmonies.
103	A floating market suspended in a perpetual rainbow created by elemental energies.
104	Buildings made of enchanted crystals that resonate with harmonic vibrations.
105	A mystical maze that shifts and transforms based on the emotions of those inside.
106	Elemental-powered elevators that transport residents between different layers of the town.
107	An ancient tree with roots that extend into the Underdark, connecting with subterranean realms.
108	A district where residents communicate through intricate light patterns instead of spoken words.
109	Elemental-themed alchemical labs producing potions with unique effects.
110	Enchanted mirrors that reveal glimpses of parallel dimensions when touched.
111	A district with buildings that can merge and split apart to accommodate gatherings.
112	A magical library where books can manifest as three-dimensional holograms.
113	Elemental-powered clock towers that emit soothing melodies at each hour.
114	A park with statues that come to life to tell tales of forgotten heroes.
115	An elemental-powered forge that extracts energy from the earth itself.
116	A district where residents ride enchanted creatures instead of traditional mounts.
117	Buildings made from the interwoven strands of elemental energy.
118	A mystical arena where illusions create battlegrounds inspired by dreams.
119	A floating island in the sky where residents can stargaze amid floating Astronomical objects.
120	Elemental-themed sculptures that change shape and form based on the weather.
121	A district where gravity shifts periodically, causing structures to tilt.
122	A magical lighthouse that guides travelers with beams of elemental light.
123	A network of enchanted tunnels that connect with the dreams of sleeping residents.
124	Elemental-powered holographic storytellers recounting tales of the settlement’s history.
125	A district where time flows backward during certain celestial events.
126	Buildings constructed from shimmering crystals that absorb and emit magical auras.
127	A park with sentient, shape-shifting topiaries that mimic mythical creatures.
128	An ancient observatory where residents can witness events in distant realms.
129	Elemental-themed market stalls that sell illusions and dreams as commodities.
130	A district where the streets transform into waterways during rainfall.
131	A magical well that grants visions of the future to those who drink from it.
132	Enchanted street art that reacts to the movements and thoughts of passersby.
133	A district where buildings are suspended in mid-air by levitating stones.
134	Elemental-powered communication orbs that allow instant messaging across the town.
135	A grand theater with illusions that let the audience experience different emotions.
136	A floating island covered in lush gardens and waterfalls, defying gravity.
137	Buildings made from the feathers of celestial beings not seen in centuries.
138	A district where residents can temporarily swap senses with each other.
139	Elemental-themed chess sets where the pieces move on their own accord.
140	A mystical market where merchants trade in memories and experiences.
141	A network of enchanted mirrors reflecting scenes from alternate planes.
142	Elemental-powered windmills generating energy from magical currents.
143	A district where residents can change the weather through collective will.
144	An ancient coliseum with illusions that recreate scenes from legendary tales.
145	Floating platforms with portals leading to hidden realms of elemental power.
146	Elemental-themed obstacle courses suspended in the air for aerial challenges.
147	A magical hospital with healing pools infused with different elemental essences.
148	A district where illusions create illusions, forming intricate layers of perception.
149	Buildings crafted from enchanted ice that never melts but glows with inner light.
150	An underground chamber with portals to realms of forgotten deities
151	Elemental-powered sculptures that shift and change shape based on the phases of The Moon (Aeloria’s).
152	A district where residents communicate through shared dreams during sleep.
153	Skywalks adorned with elemental symbols that glow in response to celestial events.
154	A mystical forge that can craft weapons with elemental runes and enchantments.
155	Elemental-themed escape rooms with shifting challenges based on elemental affinities.
156	A park with elemental fountains that respond to the emotions of those nearby.
157	Buildings made from the animated shadows of mythical creatures.
158	A district where the air is filled with ethereal music during certain hours.
159	Enchanted trees that bear fruits imbued with different elemental properties.
160	A floating marketplace where magical illusions simulate bustling crowds.
161	Elemental-powered airships that traverse the skies between floating islands.
162	A district where buildings are covered in illusions of ancient runes.
163	A magical zoo with creatures that can shift between elemental forms.
164	Underground tunnels with walls that display scenes from the settlement’s founding.
165	Elemental-themed cafes where beverages change flavor based on elemental alignment.
166	A district where buildings are covered in ever-changing murals that tell stories.
167	Floating islands with gardens where each plant blooms according to its own magical rhythm.
168	Elemental-powered lanterns that float through the air, illuminating the night.
169	A park with statues that project illusions of historic events when touched.
170	A district where illusions make everyday life appear as a grand masquerade.
171	Buildings made from the intertwined roots of ancient, magical trees.
172	An ancient tree with branches that reach into the Astral Plane, connecting with other worlds.
173	Elemental-themed chess tournaments with animated pieces.
174	A mystical marketplace where traders offer glimpses into possible futures.
175	A district where buildings are constructed from the crystallized tears of ancient beings.
176	Enchanted mirrors that allow residents to communicate with reflections of themselves.
177	A floating island with a perpetual aurora that changes color based on the elements.
178	Elemental-powered lanterns that respond to the emotions of those nearby.
179	A district where the walls are covered in ever-changing illusions of cosmic phenomena.
180	A park with fountains that project scenes from different planes of existence.
181	Buildings made from the feathers of elemental creatures.
182	An underground chamber with portals to realms of forgotten magic.
183	Elemental-themed street performers who manipulate reality in their acts.
184	A district where residents can temporarily exchange skills and abilities.
185	Skywalks adorned with enchanted wind chimes that harmonize with the breeze.
186	A mystical library with books that rewrite themselves based on reader preferences.
187	Buildings crafted from enchanted gems that refract and amplify magical energy.
188	A district where illusions make buildings appear as if made of pure energy.
189	A magical market where time-traveling merchants sell relics from different eras.
190	Floating islands with flora that blooms in patterns inspired by constellations.
191	Elemental-powered airship races through floating rings suspended in the sky.
192	A district where buildings can shift between solid and ethereal states.
193	An ancient observatory where residents can witness events unfolding in alternate timelines.
194	Elemental-themed escape rooms with challenges based on the elements.
195	A park with statues that emit soothing melodies when touched.
196	A mystical maze where illusions create shifting paths and hidden doorways.
197	Floating islands with elemental waterfalls cascading upwards into the sky.
198	Elemental-powered street vendors selling food infused with magical properties.
199	A district where illusions transform buildings into giant instruments played by the wind.
200	An enchanted forest within the town with trees that hum enchanting melodies.
201	Canals in place of streets
202	Massive statue or monument
203	Grand temple
204	Large fortress
205	Verdant parks and orchards
206	River divides town
207	Major trade center
208	Headquarters of a powerful family or guild
209	Population mostly wealthy
210	Destitute, rundown
211	Awful smell (tanneries, open sewers)
212	Center of trade for one specific good
213	Site of many battles
214	Site of a mythic or magical event
215	Important library or archive
216	Worship of all gods banned
217	Sinister reputation
218	Notable library or academy
219	Site of important tomb or graveyard
220	Built atop ancient ruins