List of fantasy worlds

See also: Lists of fictional locations and List of fictional universes in literature

This is a list of fictional fantasy worlds and lands. The best-known lands or worlds, not necessarily the most encompassing, are listed. For example, Middle-earth is only a region of Arda in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe, but it is far better known.

Media key:

Listed in the table in chronological order.
A: anime and manga
C: comics and graphic novels
F: films
G: tabletop games
N: novels and short stories
O: other
P: plays
R: radio
T: television
V: video games
Fantasy worlds
Setting Creator Description First appearance Year Media
Abeir-Toril Ed Greenwood The planet that serves as the setting of the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms. Darkwalker on Moonshae 1987 G N C V F
Adventure Time world (Land of Ooo) Pendleton Ward In a world, besides composed of a vast ocean and a single continent, some planets and several parallel universes. Adventure Time 2007 T
Archipelago Katherine Rundell A series or islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Impossible Creatures Book 2023 C
Alagaësia Christopher Paolini A continent in Christopher Paolini's The Inheritance Cycle and in The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm (Tales from Alagaësia). Eragon 2003 N F
Albion Lionhead Studios Primary setting of the Fable series. Fable 2004 V N
Almea Mark Rosenfelder A fantasy world built in part to house Rosenfelder's many artistic constructed languages. zompist.com 2006 O
Asgard Marvel Comics realm based on Norse mythology. Journey into Mystery 1962 C T F V
Avalon Marvel Comics realm based on Welsh mythology. Fantastic Four 1966 C
Averoigne Clark Ashton Smith A fictional French province. The End of the Story 1930 N
Azeroth Blizzard Entertainment Primary setting of the Warcraft franchise. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans 1994 A C F G V N
Barsoom Edgar Rice Burroughs A version of Mars inhabited by various species of intelligent life Under the Moons of Mars 1912 N C F G
Bas-Lag China Miéville Setting of several China Miéville novels, a world where both magic and steampunk technology exist; and many intelligent races live. It is influenced by the tropes of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Perdido Street Station 2000 N
Continent Andrzej Sapkowski The fantasy setting of The Witcher franchise. The Witcher 1986 C F G N T V
Corona R. A. Salvatore World of The DemonWars Saga and The Highwayman The Demon Awakens 1997 N
Darkover Marion Zimmer Bradley This science fantasy series is set on a planet colonized by humans, but with native intelligent races. The Planet Savers 1958 N G
Deltora Emily Rodda The setting for the Deltora Quest series of children's novels The Forests of Silence 2000 N A V
Destiny Islands and other worlds Square The multiple worlds that make up the setting of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Kingdom Hearts 2002 V M
Dinotopia James Gurney An island where humans and dinosaurs peacefully coexist. Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time 1992 N T F V
Discworld Terry Pratchett A vast disc of land resting on four elephants which stand on a giant turtle.
Setting of the Discworld series.		 The Colour of Magic 1983 N V M G T
Draenor (Outland) Blizzard Entertainment Homeworld of the orcs and ogres in the Warcraft franchise. Connected to Azeroth via the dark portal. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans 1994 A C F G V N
Dragon World Akira Toriyama The setting of all Toriyama works, mainly Dragon Ball. Wonder Island 1979 A C F T V
Dreamlands H. P. Lovecraft and others An alternate dimension entered only via dreams. Polaris 1918 N G
Dying Earth Jack Vance A worn-out Earth with a dying Sun in the far distant future where magic prevails. The Dying Earth 1950 N G
Earthsea Ursula K. Le Guin A planet consisting of numerous islands. The Word of Unbinding 1964 N T R A
Eberron Keith Baker A campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons. Eberron Campaign Setting 2004 G N C V
Emelan Tamora Pierce Setting of the Emelan series of novels Sandry's Book 1997 N
Encantadia Suzette Doctolero A realm that serves as the setting for the Encantadia Filipino franchise. Encantadia 2005 T F V
Equestria Lauren Faust The setting of the fourth and fifth generations of the My Little Pony franchise. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic 2010 T C V
Eternia Roger Sweet The home world of the Masters of the Universe animated series. 1981 O C N V T F
Etheria Larry DiTillio
J. Michael Straczynski		 The mythical world of the She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. She-Ra: Princess of Power 1985 T O C
Exandria Matt Mercer Setting for the Dungeons & Dragons games played on the web series Critical Role. Critical Role 2018 O G T
Filgaia Media.Vision Multiple worlds sharing the same name. The main setting of the Wild Arms series. Wild Arms 1996 A V
The Four Lands Terry Brooks The post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest following a nuclear holocaust is the setting for the Shannara novel series The Sword of Shannara 1977 N V T
The Four Nations Michael Dante DiMartino
Bryan Konietzko		 The setting of the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise Avatar: The Last Airbender 2005 T F C V
Gielinor Jagex Limited Primary setting for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape. RuneScape Classic 2001 V M
Glorantha Greg Stafford The setting of numerous tabletop games, including RuneQuest and HeroQuest White Bear and Red Moon 1975 G V N C
Gor John Norman A planet in the Solar System Tarnsman of Gor 1966 N F
Green–sky Zilpha Keatley Snyder Setting of the Green Sky Trilogy of novels Below the Root 1975 N V
Greyhawk Gary Gygax A campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting 1980 G N
Halkeginia Noboru Yamaguchi A world whose social structure is similar to that of medieval Europe. The Familiar of Zero 2004 N A
Fictional universe of Harry Potter J. K. Rowling The Wizarding World co-exists with and is mainly hidden from the mundane world of the non-magical Muggles. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 N F G P
The Homelands Bill Willingham Setting of the Fables comics and spin-offs based on fairy tales, folklore, and nursery rhymes. Legends in Exile 2002 C V
Hyborian Age Robert E. Howard A fictional prehistoric period of Earth's history placed by most around 10,000 BC, in which Conan the Barbarian rampaged. The Phoenix on the Sword 1932 N C G F V T
Hyrule Shigeru Miyamoto
Takashi Tezuka		 A kingdom that is the main setting of The Legend of Zelda franchise. The Legend of Zelda 1986 A C N T V
Ivalice Yasumi Matsuno Setting of multiple video games, including Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and Final Fantasy XII. Final Fantasy Tactics 1997 A R V
Krynn Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and numerous others Setting of the Dragonlance games and novels, Dungeons & Dragons RPG. Dragons of Despair 1984 G N V C F
Kulthea (Shadow World) Terry K. Amthor Setting of the Rolemaster RPG. The Iron Wind 1980 G N
The Land Stephen R. Donaldson Location of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series of novels. Lord Foul's Bane 1977 N
Magic Kingdom of Landover Terry Brooks Setting for six novels and two short stories Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold! 1986 N
Lankhmar Fritz Leiber A city on the primitive world of Nehwon, home of the rogues Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Two Sought Adventure 1939 N G C
Malazan World Steven Erikson Setting of the Malazan Books of the Fallen novels Gardens of the Moon 1999 N
Magic: The Gathering multiverse Richard Garfield A collection of planes, including Dominaria, where most of the action occurs. Magic: The Gathering 1993 G N C V
Magnamund Joe Dever, Ben Dever and Vincent Lazzari Lone Wolf gamebooks and d20 system. Flight from the Dark 1984 N V G
Melniboné Michael Moorcock Island homeland of Elric of Melniboné. The Dreaming City 1961 N C G
Middle-earth J. R. R. Tolkien The setting for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. See also Arda, of which Middle-earth is a part. The Hobbit 1937 N P F R C G V
Mid-World Stephen King The setting for King's The Dark Tower novel series "The Little Sisters of Eluria" 1998 N C V F
Mushroom Kingdom Shigeru Miyamoto Primary setting of the Mario franchise. Super Mario Bros. 1985 A C N T V
Myst worlds Rand Miller
Robyn Miller		 Various worlds, referred to as "Ages", featured in the Myst franchise. Myst 1993 V N C G
Mystara Lawrence Schick, Tom Moldvay et al. Setting of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG, initially the Known World.[1] The Isle of Dread[1] 1981[1] G N V
Narnia C. S. Lewis Setting for The Chronicles of Narnia series of children's novels. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 1950 N T R P F
Neverland J. M. Barrie A fictional island, home to Peter Pan. Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up 1904 P F T V R
Nirn Bethesda Game Studios The primary setting of The Elder Scrolls franchise. The Elder Scrolls: Arena 1994 N V G
One Piece world (unnamed?) Eiichiro Oda A world composed of a vast ocean and a single continent. One Piece 1997 A V N
Land of Oz L. Frank Baum A magical country in which 14 Baum children's novels are set. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1900 N P F T
Pellucidar Edgar Rice Burroughs Another world 500 miles underneath the Earth's surface. At the Earth's Core 1914 N C F T
Pern Anne McCaffrey A planet settled by humans using spaceships. Setting for the science fantasy Dragonriders of Pern series. Note that McCaffrey considered herself a writer of science fiction, not fantasy. Weyr Search 1967 N G C V
Planescape Multiverse TSR, Inc. The planes of existence beyond the standard worlds of the Dungeons & Dragons game, most detailed in the Planescape setting. Manual of the Planes 1987 G N V
Prydain Lloyd Alexander The country of The Chronicles of Prydain, consisting of five children's novels and assorted short stories. The Book of Three 1964 N F
Rifts Kevin Siembieda Setting of the Rifts role playing game by Palladium Books. Rifts: Role-Playing Game 1990 G N V
Rokugan John Zinser et al. Setting of Legend of the Five Rings, based on historical East Asian cultures.[2] Legend of the Five Rings collectible card game 1995 G N
Sanctuary Blizzard Entertainment Setting for the dark fantasy video game series Diablo Diablo 1997 C N V
Sartorias-deles Sherwood Smith Setting for many of the books by Sherwood Smith Crown Duel 1997 N
Spira Yoshinori Kitase
Motomu Toriyama		 The world in which Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 take place. Final Fantasy X 2001 V
Temerant Patrick Rothfuss The setting for The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear. The Name of the Wind 2007 N
Tékumel M. A. R. Barker A technological world is suddenly cast into a "pocket dimension". Reversing the usual sequence of events, Barker spent decades building his elaborate, detailed world before designing the initial tabletop role-playing game. Empire of the Petal Throne 1974 G N
Thedas BioWare The primary setting of the Dragon Age franchise. Dragon Age: Origins 2009 V N C A G
Thieves' World Robert Asprin A collective setting for stories by numerous authors. Thieves' World 1979 N T C
Titan Marc Gascoigne, Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone Fighting Fantasy gamebooks and RPG. Titan: The Fighting Fantasy World 1986 G N
Tortall Tamora Pierce Setting of the Tortall series of boosk. Alanna: The First Adventure 1983 N
Tyria ArenaNet Setting for the Guild Wars series. Guild Wars 2005 V N
Uresia S. John Ross Anime-inspired setting for Big Eyes, Small Mouth and d20 system RPGs. Uresia: Grave of Heaven 2003 G
Warhammer World Bryan Ansell
Richard Halliwell
Rick Priestley		 The setting of the Warhammer franchise. Warhammer The Mass Combat Fantasy Role-Playing Game 1983 G N V C
Westeros George R. R. Martin The continent in which most of the A Song of Ice and Fire series takes place. A Game of Thrones 1996 N T C V
The World of the Wheel Robert Jordan Also referred to as "The Randlands", the setting of The Wheel of Time series. The Eye of the World 1990 N C G V T
Witch World Andre Norton A world in a parallel universe where magic works. Witch World 1963 N G
Wonderland Lewis Carroll An underground realm accessed through a rabbit hole. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 1865 N P F C T
World of Two Moons Wendy and Richard Pini An Earth-like world, the setting of the Elfquest comic book series. "Fire and Flight" 1978 C G
World of Darkness Mark Rein-Hagen Setting of the series of tabletop role-playing games of the same name, where "vampires, werewolves, and wizards lurking behind our mundane reality."[3] Vampire: The Masquerade 1991 G V T C O
Xanth Piers Anthony Locale for 44 novels and counting. A Spell for Chameleon 1977 N G V
Yrth Steve Jackson Games GURPS Fantasy setting Orcslayer 1985 G
Zothique Clark Ashton Smith Setting of the Zothique cycle of short stories. The Empire of the Necromancers 1932 N

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Witwer, Michael; Newman, Kyle; Peterson, Jonathan; Witwer, Sam; Manganiello, Joe (October 2018). Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: a visual history. Ten Speed Press. p. 131. ISBN 9780399580949. OCLC 1033548473.
  2. ^ Miranda, Iván Pérez, and Severiano Acosta Del Río. "Mitología, cultura popular y juegos de rol." El Futuro del Pasado: revista electrónica de historia 7 (2016): 219-237.
  3. ^ Williams, Ian G. (2014-06-05). "World of Darkness - the inside story on the death of a game". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2023-12-20.

Further reading