I need good books to help in worldbuilding geography!

[Kid Charlemagne]

My suggestion is to look at maps, lots of them, and try to draw your maps following the visual cues you'll pick up.

Here's a site that could be useful. You can switch from geographic maps to political maps of the exact same area easily, and zoom in and out as needed to get a good look at various areas.

My own plan of attack when making up a new large scale map is to base it off of real geographic formations, but change it enough so its not obvious where it came from. Here's an example of my latest (only partially finished) map that I've been working on:

 

[drnuncheon]

I rather enjoyed the 2nd edition World Builder's Guide. It had a fair amount of detail in it, down to dealing with continental plates, fault tectonics, prevailing winds, and the like. I believe it's available as a PDF from svgames or RPGnow.

J

 

[jgbrowning]

Any recommendations?

Starman

I'm actually doing research for our next book right now on the subject. I'm using "Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation" by Tom L. McKnight (6th Edition) and "Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts" By H.J. de Blij and Peter O. Muller (8th edition) as the two main sources for physical landformation. These books are from 99 and 98, so you should be able to get ahold of them at a used bookstore.

If you can find it. get National Geographics "Living on the Earth." It deals with how humans have adapted to various environments. It'll help with populating your new world.

joe b.

 

[Starman]

I'm actually doing research for our next book right now on the subject. I'm using "Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation" by Tom L. McKnight (6th Edition) and "Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts" By H.J. de Blij and Peter O. Muller (8th edition) as the two main sources for physical landformation. These books are from 99 and 98, so you should be able to get ahold of them at a used bookstore.

If you can find it. get National Geographics "Living on the Earth." It deals with how humans have adapted to various environments. It'll help with populating your new world.

joe b.

Thanks. I'll have to check those out. I've been wanting to read some books on the subject for a while now.

Starman

 

[LGodamus]

there used to be a world builders guide book for 2e...but it would easily work for any edition......I use it for my game