[Tutorial] : How to Use ChatGPT to Create Lore #18: Building Geography and Natural Landmarks

The geography of a world shapes its civilizations, cultures, and stories. Mountains, rivers, deserts, and other natural landmarks don’t just define a setting; they influence its history, economy, and mythology. Designing unique geographical features can transform a generic map into a living, breathing world.

ChatGPT can be a powerful ally in crafting terrains and landmarks, offering fresh ideas and helping you refine their significance in your world. This guide will show you how to design geography that adds depth and inspiration to your setting.

Step 1: Define the Region’s Role

Before diving into details, think about the region’s role in your world. Is it a trade hub, an isolated wilderness, or a sacred site? This purpose shapes its terrain and features.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe a mountainous region that acts as a natural barrier between two warring kingdoms.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Ironclad Range
The Ironclad Range is a jagged expanse of snow-capped peaks that stretches for hundreds of miles. Its treacherous cliffs and constant avalanches have prevented armies from crossing for centuries. Narrow passes, such as the Bleeding Gorge, are heavily guarded, while hidden caves serve as smuggling routes. Legends speak of ancient warriors who live in the mountains, protecting sacred relics hidden in the icy depths.

Step 2: Create Unique Landforms

Natural landmarks can make your world memorable. Use ChatGPT to brainstorm distinctive features like floating islands, glowing caves, or bottomless ravines.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Design a unique river system that supports an advanced civilization.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Serpent’s Vein
This river system resembles a coiled serpent from above, with looping meanders and oxbow lakes. It originates from the Azure Crater, a volcanic lake fed by geothermal springs. The river’s fertile floodplains are home to the Zynari Empire, which thrives on agriculture and trade. Seasonal floods are celebrated with the Festival of Renewal, where citizens thank the river for its bounty.

Step 3: Tie Geography to Local Cultures

Geographical features often influence the cultures around them. Use ChatGPT to explore how people interact with the terrain.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe a desert with cultural significance to nomadic tribes.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Sunblight Expanse
The Sunblight Expanse is a sprawling desert where nomadic tribes have roamed for centuries. Its towering sand dunes, called The Shifting Titans, are said to move with the will of desert spirits. Each tribe venerates an oasis, which serves as a sacred meeting place. The Trail of Stars, a constellation visible only from the desert, guides travelers through the barren terrain, symbolizing hope and unity.

Step 4: Incorporate Myths and Legends

Landmarks often have legendary origins or are tied to myths. ChatGPT can help you craft these stories.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Write a legend about a cursed forest with glowing trees.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Wraithwood Legend
The Wraithwood is an eerie forest where the trees emit a ghostly blue glow. According to legend, the forest was once a thriving kingdom. When its ruler defied the gods, the land was cursed, and its people were turned into glowing trees to forever light the path for lost souls. Travelers claim to hear whispers among the branches, and those who stay too long vanish, their souls absorbed by the forest.

Step 5: Explore Geological Phenomena

Unique geological phenomena, like geysers or glowing caverns, can add intrigue to your world. Ask ChatGPT to design natural wonders.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe a volcanic island with magical properties.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Emberheart Isle
Emberheart Isle is a volcanic island surrounded by black sand beaches. Its molten core is said to be infused with magical energy, causing the lava to shimmer with hues of gold and silver. The island’s flora has adapted to these energies, producing luminescent flowers and fruits that enhance magical abilities. Pilgrims and mages travel to the isle to gather Sunstones, rare gems formed in the island’s volcanic vents.

Step 6: Design Weather and Climate Influences

Geography impacts weather patterns and ecosystems. Use ChatGPT to tie natural landmarks to climate features.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Create a valley with extreme weather phenomena that shape the local culture.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Thundervale
The Thundervale is a narrow valley plagued by near-constant thunderstorms due to its unique wind patterns and mineral-rich cliffs. Lightning strikes have carved strange, spiraling formations into the rocks, which locals believe are messages from the storm god Kharak. Villages in the valley build lightning rods to protect their homes and offer Skystones—crystals formed by lightning strikes—during religious ceremonies.

Step 7: Connect Features to Larger Worldbuilding

Geography doesn’t exist in isolation. Use ChatGPT to integrate landmarks into the broader world, influencing trade, war, or alliances.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Design a mountain range that divides two regions and serves as a contested resource.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Frostspine Peaks
The Frostspine Peaks are a towering mountain range rich in Whitemithril, a rare metal that holds magical properties. The peaks separate the Kingdom of Vyrn and the Dominion of Drakthor, who have fought over mining rights for centuries. Treacherous passes like the Chillrend Gap are littered with remnants of past battles, and both sides maintain fortified outposts to control the trade routes through the mountains.

Final Thoughts

By combining natural wonders, mythical origins, and cultural influences, you can create geographical features that feel like integral parts of your world. ChatGPT provides an excellent starting point for brainstorming and refining your ideas. Use these tools to make your settings vivid and unforgettable, and let the geography shape the stories you tell.