Mountain Ranges
Mountain ranges are a series of mountains arranged in a chain and connected by elevated land. Fictional mountain ranges may be towering pinnacles of frozen peaks, jungle-coated rock formations, or ore-rich stone monoliths. Hidden routes may meander their surfaces, along peaks, valleys, and mountain passes. There may be cave systems that run underneath with underground rivers and streams. Temples, watchtowers, castles, or ski resorts may be located on their surface. Mountain ranges may be home to dwarves, reclusive monks, and avian species.

Synonyms: mountain systems |
Example Mythonyms: the Iron Mountains, the Misty Range, the Penitents |

Designing Fictional Mountain Ranges
Fictional mountain ranges carve across landscapes, often dividing settings into vastly different territories and regions. Most worldbuilders will not feel the need to design tectonic plates for their fictional world, but doing so can provide inspiration for where mountain ranges may form on a fictional planet. Once established, ranges have a profound impact on the local environment. Clouds traveling over mountains will release their moisture as they travel upwards in elevation. This often causes jungles or forests to form on the windward side of the mountain range. On the other side of the range will be a rain shadow, and will often be the location of a desert or badland.



Archetypes
Overview
Fictional mountain ranges may feature a series of peaks, valleys, and mountain passes. Rivers, fed by snowmelt, may cascade down the mountainside as waterfalls. Often there are cave systems that connect various regions with underground rivers and streams. In narratives, hidden routes may lead through the mountain range via a series of cliffside pathways and underground tunnels.


Sublocations
Mountain ranges are difficult terrain to cross, and may act as important boundaries between the frontier and the wilderness or as borders between countries or faction territories. Mountain passes may be heavily defended.
Fictional mountain ranges are often the sites of towering watchtowers, secluded castles, or expansive underground mines. There may be cliffside settlements established on the highest peaks.




Mountain Terrain
Element | Explore | Icon | Archetypes | Additional Links | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coasts | Explore | ![]() | Sandy Beaches │ Coastal Cliffs | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002 |
Islands | Explore | ![]() | Archipelagos │ Tropical Islands │ Treasure Islands │ Wandering Islands │ Skull Islands │ More | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002 |
Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Frozen Lakes │ Underground Lakes │ Acid Lakes │ Lava Lakes │ More | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000007, tera0000009 |
Ravine Labyrinths | Explore | ![]() | Canyons │ Labyrinths │ Badlands | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000005 |
Rivers | Explore | ![]() | Uncharted Rivers │ Underground Rivers │ Dry Rivers │ Frozen Rivers │ More | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000007, tera0000009 |
Fire Swamps | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Forests | Explore | ![]() | Giant Forests │ Mangrove Forests │ Cactus Forests │ Mushroom Forests | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Swamps | Explore | ![]() | Fire Swamps │ Mangrove Forests | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Great Hives | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Places │ Terrain | bior0000000, plac0000000, tera0000000 | |
Giant Forests | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Frozen Waterfalls | Explore | ![]() | Waterfalls | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Giant Trees | Explore | ![]() | Giant Forests | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Giant Water Lilies | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Giant Skeletons | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Giant Industrial Machinery | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Isthmuses | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 | |
Icicles | Explore | ![]() | Icicle Caverns │ Ice Caves | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Icicle Caverns | Explore | ![]() | Ice Caves | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Icebergs | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Ice Caves | Explore | ![]() | Caves │ Icicle Caverns | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Hoodoos | Explore | ![]() | Badlands │ Precarious Boulders | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000005 |
Holy Islands | Explore | ![]() | Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Hollow Logs | Explore | ![]() | Giant Trees | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Frozen Peaks | Explore | ![]() | Mountaintops │ Mountains | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Frozen Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Lakes | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Forest Clearings | Explore | ![]() | Flower Fields | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Lava Fountains | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Old Mountains | Explore | ![]() | Mountains │ Hills | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Mountaintops | Explore | ![]() | Frozen Peaks | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Mountain Valleys | Explore | ![]() | Hidden Valleys | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Mountain Ranges | Explore | ![]() | Old Mountains | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Mountain Passes | Explore | ![]() | Cliffside Pathways │ Mountain Valleys | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Mistlands | Explore | ![]() | Stormlands | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Precarious Boulders | Explore | ![]() | Hoodoos │ Boulder Traps | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000005, tera0000009 |
Mermaid Coves | Explore | ![]() | Secluded Pools │ Lagoons | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Mesas | Explore | ![]() | Mesa Towns | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Magma Chambers | Explore | ![]() | Craters | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Lone Mountains | Explore | ![]() | Mountains | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Logjams | Explore | ![]() | Beaver Dams | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Piranha Pools | Explore | ![]() | Leech Infested Waters | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Leech Infested Waters | Explore | ![]() | Piranha Pools | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Lava Rivers | Explore | ![]() | Rivers | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Lava Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Lakes | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Lavafalls | Explore | ![]() | Waterfalls | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Flooded Chambers | Explore | ![]() | Underground Lakes │ Cisterns | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Floating Ice | Explore | ![]() | Icebergs | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Planets | Explore | ![]() | Toroidal Planets | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Moons | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Beaver Dams | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 | |
Bays | Explore | ![]() | Lagoons │ Mermaid Coves | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Mushroom Forests | Explore | ![]() | Mushroom Farms │ Mushroom Villages | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Flower Fields | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Oases | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000004 | |
Floodplains | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Floating Rocks | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Cactus Patches | Explore | ![]() | Pointy | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Cavernous Maws | Explore | ![]() | Skull Rocks | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Canyons | Explore | ![]() | Chasms │ Crevasses | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005, tera0000009 |
Circling Birds | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | ||
Bottomless Pits | Explore | ![]() | Chasms | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Badlands | Explore | ![]() | Ravine Labyrinths │ Wastelands | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Deserts | Explore | ![]() | Badlands │ Salt Flats │ Dune Seas │ More | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Boneyards | Explore | ![]() | Giant Skeletons | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Ocean Drop Offs | Explore | ![]() | Deep Sea Trenches | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000006 |
Ocean Caves | Explore | ![]() | Sea Caves │ Caves | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000006 |
Archipelagos | Explore | ![]() | Islands | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001 |
Asteroid Belts | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Acid Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Pools that will dissolve flesh | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Fallen Trees | Explore | ![]() | Hollow Logs | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Debris Fields | Explore | ![]() | Kessler Belts │ Asteroid Belts | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Fire Spouts | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Deep Sea Vents | Explore | ![]() | Fissure or chimney structures that release geothermally heated water | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 |
Submarine Volcanos | ![]() | Underwater volcanos which do not reach the surface | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Seagrass Expanses | ![]() | Areas of seagrass | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Seamounts | ![]() | Underwater mountains that do not reach the surface | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Oceanic Ridges | ![]() | Underwater mountain systems | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Dead Zones | ![]() | Areas of ocean with such low oxygen content that sea life cannot survive | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Brine Pools | ![]() | Underwater pools or lakes on the seafloor composed of high salt content | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Abyssal Plains | ![]() | Flat areas on the seafloor | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000006 | |
Deep Trenches | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000006 | |
Mangrove Forests | Explore | ![]() | Swamps │ Forests │ Root Areas | Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Dry Rivers | Explore | ![]() | Prone to sudden flooding | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Alternate Seascapes | Explore | ![]() | Dune Seas │ Grass Seas │ The Skies │ More | Biomes | bior0000000 |
Whirlpools | Explore | ![]() | Treacherous Waters | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000006 |
Rapids | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Quicksand | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Peninsulas | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 | |
River Deltas | Explore | ![]() | Rivers │ Uncharted Rivers | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Deserted Islands | Explore | ![]() | Islands | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001 |
Craters | Explore | ![]() | Crater Seas | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000005 |
Crater Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Craters │ Crater Seas | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Crater Seas | Explore | ![]() | Craters │ Crater Lakes | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001 |
Crater Islands | Explore | ![]() | Islands │ Craters | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Deadly Waters | Explore | ![]() | Whirlpools | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002 |
Root Areas | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000007 | |
Chasms | Explore | ![]() | Bottomless Pits | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000009 |
Ore Veins | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000005, tera0000009 | |
Rock Bridges | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000009 | |
Underground Rivers | Explore | ![]() | Rivers | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Underground Tunnels | Explore | ![]() | Underground Regions │ Mines │ Snow Tunnels │ Maintenance Shafts │ More | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Underground Lakes | Explore | ![]() | Underground Seas │ Flooded Chambers | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Underground Seas | Explore | ![]() | Underground Lakes │ Flooded Chambers | Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000001, tera0000003 |
Cave Ins | Explore | ![]() | Collapsing Floors │ Collapsing Traps | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Cenotes | Explore | ![]() | Sea Caves │ Caves | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Boulder Chokes | Explore | ![]() | Narrow passageways littered with rocks | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Fjords | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 | |
Belly Crawls | Explore | ![]() | Narrow passageways that require crawling | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Stalactites | Explore | ![]() | Mineral deposits formed by dripping water | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Stalagmites | Explore | ![]() | Mineral deposits formed by dripping water | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Jagged Rocks | Explore | ![]() | Sharp and dangerous | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000009 |
Crystal Caverns | Explore | ![]() | A chamber of dazzling crystal | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Columns | Explore | ![]() | A pillar of rock formed when a stalactite and stalagmite meet | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000003 |
Caves | Explore | ![]() | Cenotes │ Sea Caves │ Underwater Caves │ Ice Caves │ More | Terrain | tera0000004, tera0000005 |
Caves | Explore | ![]() | Cenotes │ Sea Caves │ Underwater Caves │ Ice Caves │ More | Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000003, tera0000007, tera0000009 |
Wormholes | Explore | ![]() | Portals | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Tidal Islands | Explore | ![]() | Islands | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Lagoons | Explore | ![]() | Secluded Pools │ Mermaid Coves | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Tidal Flats | Explore | ![]() | Coasts | Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000001 |
Kelp Forests | Explore | ![]() | Kelp Farms | Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002, tera0000006 |
Coral Reefs | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002, tera0000006 | |
Sandbars | Explore | ![]() | Sandy Beaches | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Sandy Beaches | Explore | ![]() | Coasts | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Cliffs | Explore | ![]() | Coastal Cliffs | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000005 |
Cliffs | Explore | ![]() | Coastal Cliffs | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000009 |
Coastal Cliffs | Explore | ![]() | Cliffs | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Sea Stacks | Explore | ![]() | Coastal Cliffs │Rock Arches | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000001, tera0000002 |
Sea Caves | Explore | ![]() | Cenotes │ Underwater Caves | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 |
Lagrange Points | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Kessler Belts | Explore | ![]() | Debris Fields | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Hidden Valleys | Explore | ![]() | Valleys │ Mountain Valleys | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Sacred Trees | Explore | ![]() | Sacred Groves │ World Trees │ Giant Trees | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Stormlands | Explore | ![]() | Mistlands | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Dune Seas | Explore | ![]() | Deserts │ Alternative Seascapes | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Straits | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 | |
Wilderness | Explore | ![]() | Frontiers │ Uncharted Rivers │ Primordial Jungles │ More | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Wastelands | Explore | ![]() | Badlands │ Deserts | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Tar Pits | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000005 | |
Tall Reeds | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Valleys | Explore | ![]() | Mountain Valleys │ Hidden Valleys | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Uncharted Rivers | Explore | ![]() | Rivers │ Underground Rivers │ Piranha Pools │ Leech Infested Waters | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Secluded Pools | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000 | |
Snow Tunnels | Explore | ![]() | Ice Caves │ Icicle Chambers | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Snow Bridges | Explore | ![]() | Crevasses | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Skull Rocks | Explore | ![]() | Cavernous Maws │ Skull Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Waterfalls | Explore | ![]() | Frozen Waterfalls │ Sandfalls │ Lavafalls │ Rapids | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007, tera0000009 |
Wandering Islands | Explore | ![]() | Treasure Islands │ Hidden Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Volcanic Islands | Explore | ![]() | Treasure Islands │ Tropical Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Canopy Areas | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 | |
Vines | Explore | ![]() | Canopies | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Tree Hollows | Explore | ![]() | Hollow Logs | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Treasure Islands | Explore | ![]() | Skull Islands │ Tropical Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Tropical Islands | Explore | ![]() | Treasure Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Skull Islands | Explore | ![]() | Skull Rocks │ Treasure Islands │ Hidden Islands | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Sandfalls | Explore | ![]() | Waterfalls | Terrain | tera0000000 |
Salt Flats | Explore | ![]() | Deserts │ Badlands │ Wastes | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000005 |
Sacred Groves | Explore | ![]() | Holy Sites | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000007 |
Stone Arches | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000002 | |
Stone Arches | Explore | ![]() | Terrain | tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005, tera0000009 | |
Hills | Explore | ![]() | Biomes │ Terrain | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000007 | |
Junkyards | Explore | ![]() | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Jungles | Explore | ![]() | Primordial Jungles | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Near Orbit | Explore | ![]() | Biomes | bior0000000 | |
World Trees | Explore | ![]() | Sacred Trees │ Giant Trees | Biomes | bior0000000 |
The Skies | Explore | ![]() | Biomes | bior0000000 | |
Underground Regions | Explore | ![]() | Caves │ Lava Lands │Underground Seas │ More | Biomes | bior0000000 |
Frozen Regions | Explore | ![]() | Biomes | bior0000000 | |
Underwater Ocean Regions | Explore | ![]() | Kelp Forests │ Oceanic Trenches │Coral Reefs │ More | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000001 |
Oceans & Seas | Explore | ![]() | Underwater Ocean Regions | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Grass Seas | Explore | ![]() | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 | |
Grasslands | Explore | ![]() | Grass Seas | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000 |
Mountains | Explore | ![]() | Mountain Ranges │ Lone Mountains │ Old Mountains │ More | Biomes | bior0000000, tera0000000, tera0000004, tera0000005, tera0000009 |
