Random Map Generation with dice

 

Even I have to admit the system I tried earlier was.... tedious, non-inspiring, and ill conceived. However upon discovering a system much superior to my previous attempt, I adapted that to suit my taste.

For this you will need a number of D20s and D10s. The number of dice you use can be as random as grabbing a handful or determined by desired density and map size. For a sheet of paper 11"x17" using 20 D20s will give you a nice regional size map. If you want a larger scale map, add more dice. The reverse is like applying a zoom lens to a camera. Subtracting dice gives you a smaller region.

By now you have noticed the 2 blank D20s. Those are wildcards. They are there to give me options. They can be anything.

The D10s are used to determine populations. They are two different colors in case I want to get different races.

 

The Dice Keys:

 

Terrain

1 -Arctic

2- Tundra

3- Scrub Forest  

4- Conifer/Evergreen Forest  

5- Boreal Forest 

6- Mixed Forest  

7- Broadleaf/Deciduous Forest 

8- Grasslands  

9- Plains  

10- Prairie 

11- Marsh 

12- Swamp 

13- Wetland Forest  

14- Tropical Forest 

15- Jungle 

16- Savanna  

17- Desert 

18- Rift/Crevasse or River 

19- Sink Hole or Lake  

20- Hills or Mountains or Ocean

 

Population

1- Ruins

2- Thorpe

3- Hamlet

4- Village

5- Town

6- City

7- Keep

8- Freehold

9- Fortress/Metropolis

10- Mystery

 

As for the actual process, I can only tell you how I do it. I create a story while drawing the map. The map in this post was the direct result of needing a place for a Ancient Green Dragon. 

A little imagination with the right inspiration can get you some pretty interesting maps.

There are more than enough videos on youtube. Just do a search for "dice maps".