Skip to content
Other Atlas
  • Home
  • Worlds
    • World Archetypes
    • Fantasy
    • Science Fiction
    • Cyberpunk
    • Post-Apocalyptic
    • Horror
    • Mythological
  • Toolkits
    • Getting Started
    • Components
    • Models
    • Techniques
    • Map Icons
  • Shop
  • Support

Other Atlas

Resources for Worldbuilding

Subterranean Elements

Subterranean Elements

ElementIconDesignationSimplifyDescriptionSub-Elements
Animal DenBone Pile IconaWhat kind of animal makes its' home here?Explore
AquiferAquiferaPorous rock that contains groundwater
Belly CrawlBelly Crawl IconaSimplifiedA tight and narrow chute
Bioluminescent FungiMushroom3 IconsSimplifiedWhat colors do they glow?
Boulder ChokeBoulder Choke IconaSimplifiedA tight space full of rubble
BridgeBridge3 IconaSimplifiedA narrow rock outcropping over a chasmExplore
Calcite RaftsCalcite RaftssMineral rafts that float on top of water
CatacombsBone Wall Icona, bThat's a lot of bones…Explore
CaveCave IconaA large underground chamberExplore
Cave InCave In Icona, eSimplifiedGuess we'll need to find another way out…Explore
Cave PaintingsCave Paintings Icona, sHow old and what of?Explore
CellarBarrel IconaWhose house is this?Explore
CenoteCenote IconaA natural well or sinkholeExplore
ChamberChamber IconaSimplifiedA large open space underground
ChandelierChandelier Crystal IconsA cluster of ceiling crystals or other outgrowth
ChasmChasm IconaSimplifiedA deep trenchExplore
Collapsing FloorBroken-Floorboards-Icona, eSimplifiedThe ground is unstable hereExplore
ColumnColumn Icona, sA vertical structure formed by the union of a stalagmite and a stalactiteExplore
CrystalRare-ResourcesHow large?
Crystal ChamberCrystal IconaSimplifiedA chamber full of crystalline structures
Dogtooth SparDogtooth Spar Crystal IconsLarge crystals that form near seasonal pools
DungeonJail Bars Icona, bSimplifiedHope it's the fun kind
Flooded ChamberFlooded Chamber IconaHow extensive is the flooding?Explore
FlowstoneFlowstone IconsRock deposited from flowing water
FossilsFossil Icona, sSimplifiedOf what sort of beast?Explore
FrostworkFrostwork IconsNeedle-like growths of crystal
Gas ExplosionExplosion IconeBOOM
Gaseous BuildupDead Canary Bird Icone, aSimplifiedDon't light a match…
GemstonesGem IconsHow precious
GrottoCenote IconaSimplifiedAn especially picturesque cavern
HideoutMask Icona, bWho's hiding?
Jagged RocksJagged-Rocks-Icon-01a, sSharp and pointyExplore
LanternLantern IconsSimplifiedDoes it still work?
Lava ChuteLava Chute IconaA tunnel formed by lava
Lava FlowLava Flow Icona, eAvoid
Magma ChamberMagma-Chamber-IconaA chamber full of lavaExplore
MineMine-Icona, bSimplifiedWhat's mine is oresExplore
Mine Cart TracksMine-Cart-Tracks-Icons, bSimplifiedWhere do they lead?Explore
MushroomsMushrooms-IconsSimplifiedDo not eat
Ore VeinOre Vein IconsSimplifiedWhat kind of ore?
PipesPipe Icons, bWhere do they lead?Explore
Pit CavePit Cave IconaA cave or cave system primarily composed of vertical shafts
RockBoulder IconsNeat rock right there
RootsRoot Icona, sSimplifiedRoots growing down from above. Are they small or large?Explore
Sea CaveSea-Cave-IconaA cave located on the coastExplore
SewersSewer Icona, bSimplifiedThe stench is overwhelmingExplore
Smuggler's TunnelUnderground Icona, bWhat were they smuggling?Explore
SqueezeBelly Crawl IconaA narrow passage
StalactiteStalactice IconsSimplifiedA tapering structure that hangs from a caves ceilingExplore
StalagmiteStalagmite IconsSimplifiedA mound or column that rises from a cave floorExplore
StorehouseCrate Icona, bWhat is being stored?
Submarine CaveUnderwater Cave IconaA cave under the ocean
Subterranean RiverUnderground-River-IconaSimplifiedA river or potion of river that resides undergroundExplore
Subterranean WaterfallWaterfall-IconaAn underground waterfallExplore
SubwaySubway Train Car Icona, bIs this the ruins of what once was, or do the trains still run?
SumpFlooded Chamber IconaA waterfilled low spot
TombBurial Chamber Icona, bSimplifiedFit for a kingExplore
TorchTorch IconsSimplifiedLit or unlit?
Underground BunkerBunker-Icona, bWho built it?Explore
Underground LakeUnderground-Sea-IconaAn underground lakeExplore
Underground RuinsRuins2-Icona, bSimplifiedA castle, a temple, a spaceship?Explore
WellWell Icona, bSimplifiedOne way up to the surfaceExplore

A Primer

  • Getting Started
  • World Archetypes
  • Regions & Biomes
  • Historical Events
  • Worldbuilding Terminology
  • Naming Places in Fictional Worlds

Inspiration in Your Inbox

Our monthly email with fun worldbuilding tips, guides & tidbits.

The Other Atlas Bulletin.

Success! Welcome to the Other Atlas Bulletin.

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.