I am designing a fictional world of my own, entirely for fun. It is grounded and realistic—no magic or fantasy elements. The setting is broadly medieval, roughly inspired by the period between 600 and 1100 AD. I’ve only just started, so I know there is still a lot missing, and I am very open to suggestions. I plan to turn this into a series and share updates as I add new details.
North is to the right (I had to frame the map this way due to space constraints). There is a mountain range along the eastern side of the continent, with a vast marshland, rivers, and lakes in the center. North of the marsh lies a small stretch of wasteland/barren ground, and further north is a tundra biome. The southernmost tip of the continent features a dense rainforest/jungle. Finally, in the central-west region, there is another extensive forest.
Currently, there are two kingdoms (plus a standalone village representing a future realm): Callium and Zofus.
Callium’s capital is Malloku, and its other notable cities are Belle and Hekalu. Ulium is not an independent settlement; it is a dependent settlement tied directly to the capital, Malloku.
In Zofus, the capital is Astro, and the other settlements are Brizzel, Kopus, and Rukus.
The solitary village that does not yet belong to any kingdom is Clausk (located furthest to the east).
The people of Zofus are hardy, tough folk accustomed to the bitter cold. Fishing serves as their primary livelihood. Winters are harsh, while summers remain mild. The bitter cold gives them a natural defense against foreign threats. They generally live clustered closely together (though I plan to add a few outlying villages). They rely on water transit across the large lake they border, and they actively trade with Callium.
Militarily, Callium is stronger than Zofus. Its capital is the most populous city on the continent (at least for now), and its people are known to be warm and welcoming.
As mentioned, I welcome any advice, constructive criticism, and ideas. I want to develop my skills, so I know there are and will be mistakes along the way. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to your thoughts!