RPG Map Creator

Overview

Create professional RPG maps across all scales and settings. This skill provides expert knowledge of cartography, environments, biomes, settlements, and tactical map design, with specialized focus on generating optimized prompts for the z-image turbo model in ComfyUI.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user requests:

• Creating or designing any type of RPG map
• Generating maps for tabletop or online RPG sessions
• Producing image prompts for ComfyUI map visualization
• Designing environments, biomes, or settlements
• Creating tactical battle maps with terrain features
• Designing dungeon layouts or interior floor plans
• World-building assistance for game masters
• Converting map descriptions into visual prompts

Map Types Supported

1. World/Continent Maps

Large-scale maps showing continents, kingdoms, major geography, and political boundaries.

Scale: Hundreds to thousands of miles Purpose: Campaign overview, world-building, political context Key Features: Continents, mountain ranges, rivers, kingdoms, trade routes

Quick Start:

1. Define landmasses and major geographic features
2. Add political boundaries and major settlements
3. Mark points of interest and landmarks
4. Choose appropriate style (parchment, satellite, illustrated)
5. Use references/map-types.md for detailed guidance
6. See assets/examples/world-map-examples.md for complete examples

2. Regional/Local Area Maps

Medium-scale maps showing specific regions, towns, and adventure locations.

Scale: 10-100 miles Purpose: Local exploration, quest areas, settlement surroundings Key Features: Towns/villages, specific terrain, roads, points of interest

Quick Start:

1. Identify central location (settlement, landmark)
2. Define surrounding terrain and features
3. Add roads, paths, and connections
4. Mark adventure locations and dangers
5. Use references/map-types.md for detailed guidance
6. See assets/examples/regional-map-examples.md for complete examples

3. Battle/Encounter Maps

Tactical combat maps with precise positioning and terrain features.

Scale: 50-200 feet Purpose: Combat encounters, tactical play, virtual tabletops Key Features: Grid system, cover elements, terrain, elevation, hazards

Quick Start:

1. Determine map size (typically 30x30 to 50x50 feet)
2. Choose grid type (square 5-foot or hexagonal)
3. Place terrain features and cover
4. Add hazards and tactical elements
5. Emphasize high contrast and VTT optimization
6. Use references/map-types.md for detailed guidance
7. See assets/examples/battle-map-examples.md for complete examples

4. Dungeon/Interior Maps

Detailed floor plans of dungeons, buildings, or interior spaces.

Scale: Varies (5-200 feet per section) Purpose: Exploration, dungeon delving, architectural layouts Key Features: Rooms, corridors, doors, furniture, secret passages

Quick Start:

1. Define structure type (dungeon, castle, cave, etc.)
2. Layout rooms and corridors
3. Add doors, furniture, and features
4. Mark secret doors and traps (for GM)
5. Include grid overlay if needed for gameplay
6. Use references/map-types.md for detailed guidance
7. See assets/examples/dungeon-map-examples.md for complete examples

Core Workflow

Step 1: Understand Requirements

Ask clarifying questions:

• What type of map? (world, regional, battle, dungeon)
• What theme/setting? (fantasy, sci-fi, cyberpunk, etc.)
• What's the purpose? (exploration, combat, world-building)
• What scale/size?
• Any specific features or requirements?

Step 2: Gather Knowledge

Based on map type and theme, consult relevant references:

For terrain and environments:

• Read references/biomes.md for detailed biome information
• Covers forests, deserts, mountains, swamps, exotic biomes, underground

For settlements and structures:

• Read references/settlements.md for architectural styles and settlement types
• Covers hamlets to metropolises, fantasy to sci-fi architecture

For thematic guidance:

• Read references/themes.md for theme-specific visual characteristics
• Covers high fantasy, dark fantasy, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, horror, and more

For map-specific guidance:

• Read references/map-types.md for detailed map type instructions
• Covers all four map types with comprehensive guidelines

For prompt optimization:

• Read references/prompt-patterns.md for proven prompt patterns
• Essential for generating optimized z-image turbo prompts

Step 3: Design the Map

Create the map description including:

• Overall layout and structure
• Key features and elements
• Terrain types and conditions
• Scale-appropriate detail level
• Atmospheric elements
• Points of interest

Step 4: Generate Optimized Prompt

Convert the map description into an optimized prompt for z-image turbo:

Option A: Use the Script (Recommended) Run scripts/generate_map_prompt.py for interactive prompt building:

python scripts/generate_map_prompt.py

The script guides through:

• Map type selection
• Theme choice
• Feature specification
• Style selection
• Atmosphere and color scheme
• Automatic quality tag addition

Option B: Manual Construction Follow the prompt structure from references/prompt-patterns.md:

1. Map type + perspective (e.g., "fantasy battle map, top-down view")
2. Key elements (dimensions, features, terrain)
3. Style descriptors (hand-drawn, tactical, parchment, etc.)
4. Atmosphere/mood (ominous, bright, foggy)
5. Color scheme (warm earth tones, neon colors)
6. Quality tags (high resolution, detailed, VTT-optimized)

Prompt Template:

[THEME] [MAP TYPE], [PERSPECTIVE], [KEY ELEMENTS], [STYLE], [ATMOSPHERE], [COLORS], [QUALITY TAGS]

Step 5: Provide Complete Output

Deliver to the user:

1. Map description (written form)
2. Optimized prompt for z-image turbo
3. Any additional guidance or notes
4. Suggestions for refinement if needed

Examples and References

Complete Working Examples

See assets/examples/ for full examples with descriptions and prompts:

• world-map-examples.md - 7 complete world map examples
• regional-map-examples.md - 5 complete regional map examples
• battle-map-examples.md - 6 complete battle map examples
• dungeon-map-examples.md - 7 complete dungeon/interior examples

Each example includes:

• Detailed description
• Map features list
• Fully optimized prompt ready to use

Reference Material

Access detailed reference guides in references/:

• biomes.md - Comprehensive biome and terrain encyclopedia
• settlements.md - Architecture and settlement type guide
• themes.md - Complete theme and setting visual guide
• map-types.md - Detailed instructions for each map type
• prompt-patterns.md - Prompt engineering best practices

Common Patterns and Tips

Battle Map Best Practices

• Always specify exact dimensions (e.g., "40 feet by 40 feet")
• Include "square grid with 5-foot squares" explicitly
• List all cover elements with positions
• Mention elevation changes clearly
• Add "high contrast" and "VTT-optimized" to prompt
• Ensure tactical clarity over artistic flourish

World Map Best Practices

• Use symbolic representation (mountains as peaks, forests as tree symbols)
• Include compass rose and decorative border in prompt
• Specify cartography style (parchment, atlas, satellite)
• Balance detail - don't try to show individual buildings
• Use color coding for territories/regions
• Include legend/key elements

Dungeon Map Best Practices

• Clearly mark walls (thick lines)
• Indicate door types (regular, secret, locked)
• Show room purposes through furnishings
• Mark stairs with up/down arrows
• Include grid for gameplay clarity
• Consider breaking large dungeons into sections

Prompt Optimization Tips

• Front-load important details (map type and perspective first)
• Be specific about materials and construction
• Use consistent terminology throughout
• Avoid contradictory elements
• Match detail level to map scale
• Always specify perspective ("top-down view")

Interactive Prompt Generator

Use scripts/generate_map_prompt.py for guided prompt creation:

Features:

• Step-by-step interactive process
• Map type-specific questions
• Style suggestions based on map type
• Automatic quality tag addition
• Prompt saving to file
• Optimized for z-image turbo

Usage:

cd scripts/
python generate_map_prompt.py

Follow the interactive prompts to build an optimized map generation prompt.

Advanced Techniques

Combining Biomes

When maps feature multiple biomes:

1. Consult references/biomes.md for each biome type
2. Describe transition zones between biomes
3. Note color palette shifts
4. Indicate where biomes meet in prompt

Multi-Level Maps

For dungeons or structures with multiple floors:

1. Create separate maps for each level
2. Mark stair connections clearly
3. Use same scale across all levels
4. Reference connections between maps
5. Consider showing vertical cross-section if helpful

Theme Mixing

Some settings combine themes (e.g., dark fantasy + horror):

1. Consult both theme sections in references/themes.md
2. Blend color palettes and atmospheres
3. Include elements from both themes
4. Maintain coherent visual language

Procedural Generation Assistance

For random/procedural maps:

1. Define parameters (size, complexity, features)
2. Use biome and settlement knowledge to populate
3. Ensure logical placement (water sources, settlements on routes)
4. Balance interesting features with navigable space

Troubleshooting

Prompt produces wrong scale

• Explicitly state dimensions and scale
• Use appropriate detail level for map type
• Add scale-appropriate descriptors

Map lacks contrast/clarity

• Add "high contrast" to prompt
• Specify "clear for gameplay" or "VTT-optimized"
• Choose style emphasizing functionality

Style is inconsistent

• Commit to single style in prompt
• Remove contradictory descriptors
• Reinforce style with multiple related terms

Features are unclear

• Be more specific about materials and construction
• Add size/position details for features
• Use comparative descriptors

Colors are muddy

• Specify color scheme explicitly
• Add "vibrant" or "high saturation" if needed
• Ensure sufficient contrast mentioned

Resources

scripts/

Executable Python script for interactive prompt generation:

• generate_map_prompt.py - Interactive prompt builder for z-image turbo

references/

Comprehensive reference documentation (load into context as needed):

• biomes.md - Complete biome and environment encyclopedia with visual characteristics
• settlements.md - Architecture styles, settlement types, and urban features guide
• themes.md - RPG themes and settings with visual characteristics for 14+ themes
• map-types.md - Detailed instructions for all map types with examples and best practices
• prompt-patterns.md - Prompt engineering patterns and best practices for z-image turbo

assets/examples/

Complete working examples with descriptions and optimized prompts:

• world-map-examples.md - 7 complete world/continent map examples
• regional-map-examples.md - 5 complete regional/local area map examples
• battle-map-examples.md - 6 complete battle/encounter map examples
• dungeon-map-examples.md - 7 complete dungeon/interior map examples

These examples provide ready-to-use templates that can be adapted for specific needs.