If you love mythical creatures and magical realms, you may have wondered how to create a fantasy world of your own. There are lots of ways to do this, from modelling and drawing to writing stories. However you decide to bring your world to life, there are some key things to think about. Let’s explore them. 

Geography

The first thing to consider is what your world might look like and what features it has. If you’re creating an island, for example, think about its coastline - are there golden sandy beaches or sheer cliff faces? Are there any forests or rivers? If you’re creating a country that’s part of a mainland, decide whether it has big cities or lots of smaller kingdoms, and think about features like desert areas or mountainous regions. 

Lots of fantasy stories include a map to help both the author and reader visualise the landscapes and layout of the world. Take a look at the Archipelago map in Impossible Creatures or the map of Middle Earth in The Hobbit for inspiration. 

People

Next, consider what the people who live in your world are like. What does their life look like? Think about them in terms of the geography of your world. If it’s a desert realm, perhaps they are nomadic. If there are lots of woodlands, maybe they are skilled at working wood and using plants for healing. A world with cities, on the other hand, might be futuristic with inhabitants getting around on hoverboards, for example. 

Creatures

A fantasy world won’t only have people - it might also have magical creatures. Perhaps dragons live in the mountains or pixies roam the woodlands. Are there any creatures that pose a particular threat to the people who live in your realm, or any that help? Can they talk or communicate with the people?

Names

Finally, think about what the places in your world could be called. You can give names to forests, mountain ranges, cities and more. Is there a Merchants’ Quarter, for example, in your city? You’ll also want to think about what the people call themselves, and what their neighbours or rivals might be called. 

Finding inspiration

You can find inspiration for creating your fantasy world from all kinds of sources, including books, films, TV programmes, dragon shows and more. The key is to pick and choose elements that you like and that will, most importantly, work in your particular setting. You’re unlikely to find mermaids in a desert, for example, or have simple tree-dwelling forest people using futuristic technology.

Discover a world of dragons and mythical beasts

Whether you’re wondering what your world’s landscapes look like or trying to dream up a mythical beast that lives there, you can get inspired with Dragons and Mythical Beasts Live. Currently touring the USA, this award-nominated show is fun for the whole family and provides the perfect introduction to theatre for little ones. Book your tickets today or follow us on Instagram (@dragonsbeasts) for updates and more original content.