In a similar theme as the Historic Event Generator, here’s a generator for entire civilizations - that can rise and fall based on the historic events.
I’ve split the generator up into multiple tables, each addressing one aspect of a civilization. To make it your own, consider editing the values to suit the theme of your setting. Or just use the values to inspire your own ideas.
I also made a PDF with all these tables rolled into one big table that prints to A4: Civilization Generator.
Government / Power
| d20 |
Government / Power |
| 1 |
Absolute monarchy |
| 2 |
Hereditary monarchy w/ vassals |
| 3 |
Theocratic autocracy |
| 4 |
Magocracy |
| 5 |
Military junta |
| 6 |
Clan council |
| 7 |
Merchant oligarchy |
| 8 |
Elder council |
| 9 |
Tribal democracy |
| 10 |
Demagogue-led republic |
| 11 |
City-state confederation |
| 12 |
God-king |
| 13 |
Draconic overlord |
| 14 |
Anarchic communes |
| 15 |
Beast-chieftains |
| 16 |
Necropolis monarchy |
| 17 |
Clockwork regent |
| 18 |
Psychic collective |
| 19 |
Bureaucratic empire |
| 20 |
Spirit-worship council |
Primary Inhabitants
| d20 |
Primary Inhabitants |
| 1 |
Humans |
| 2 |
Dwarves |
| 3 |
Elves |
| 4 |
Halflings or gnomes |
| 5 |
Beastfolk (catfolk, wolfkin, etc.) |
| 6 |
Reptilian draconic folk |
| 7 |
Undead (intelligent) |
| 8 |
Construct automata |
| 9 |
Fiendish tieflings |
| 10 |
Elemental beings |
| 11 |
Dryads / fey |
| 12 |
Giants |
| 13 |
Merfolk / aquatic folk |
| 14 |
Mixed species (true melting pot) |
| 15 |
Insectoid race |
| 16 |
Orcs / goblinoids |
| 17 |
Celestial aasimar |
| 18 |
Metallic-limbed cyborg race |
| 19 |
Rock-living troglodytes |
| 20 |
Minotaur / centaur tribes |
Cultural Attitude
| d20 |
Cultural Attitude |
| 1 |
Militaristic honor |
| 2 |
Deep hospitality |
| 3 |
Arcane curiosity |
| 4 |
Merchant opportunism |
| 5 |
Ascetic simplicity |
| 6 |
Environmental stewardship |
| 7 |
Stoic tradition |
| 8 |
Tribal unity |
| 9 |
Individual freedom |
| 10 |
Strict hierarchy |
| 11 |
Intellectual elitism |
| 12 |
Hedonistic pleasure |
| 13 |
Savage survivalism |
| 14 |
Philosophical pacifism |
| 15 |
Shadowy secrecy |
| 16 |
Eternal vigilance |
| 17 |
Righteous zealotry |
| 18 |
Nomadic wanderlust |
| 19 |
Artistic flamboyance |
| 20 |
Altruistic philanthropy |
Core Resource / Trade
| d20 |
Core Resource / Trade |
| 1 |
Abundant farmland |
| 2 |
Precious metals / gems |
| 3 |
Rare spices / herbs |
| 4 |
Arcane crystals |
| 5 |
War beasts |
| 6 |
Master crafts (blacksmithing, etc.) |
| 7 |
Artistry / fine culture |
| 8 |
Maritime trade |
| 9 |
Alchemical goods |
| 10 |
Rare magical relics |
| 11 |
Stone quarries |
| 12 |
Ebony or rare wood |
| 13 |
Exotic beasts |
| 14 |
Teleportation gates |
| 15 |
Fine wines or spirits |
| 16 |
Architectural wonders |
| 17 |
Soul-bound constructs |
| 18 |
Magical healing waters |
| 19 |
Psychic crystals |
| 20 |
Dyes / pigments |
Tech / Magic Level
| d20 |
Tech / Magic Level |
| 1 |
Stone Age |
| 2 |
Bronze Age |
| 3 |
Iron Age |
| 4 |
Steam / clockwork |
| 5 |
Simple arcane |
| 6 |
High magic |
| 7 |
Bio-arcane synergy |
| 8 |
Psionic advanced |
| 9 |
Techno-magic synergy |
| 10 |
Post-cataclysm salvage |
| 11 |
Necromantic craft |
| 12 |
Runic forging |
| 13 |
Divine miracles |
| 14 |
Alchemical steamworks |
| 15 |
Mana-fueled clockwork |
| 16 |
Astral machinery |
| 17 |
Chronomantic glimpses |
| 18 |
Geomantic living structures |
| 19 |
Sentient AI constructs |
| 20 |
Planetary harnessing |
Faith / Mythos
| d20 |
Faith / Mythos |
| 1 |
Monotheistic |
| 2 |
Polytheistic nature |
| 3 |
Ancestral veneration |
| 4 |
Fiendish cult |
| 5 |
Elemental lords |
| 6 |
Astral deities |
| 7 |
Totem worship |
| 8 |
Living prophet |
| 9 |
Distant overgod |
| 10 |
Mystery religion |
| 11 |
Animistic worship |
| 12 |
Mechanus lawful pantheon |
| 13 |
Reincarnation cycle |
| 14 |
Blood-sacrifice demon worship |
| 15 |
Metempsychosis reincarnation |
| 16 |
Dream-based oracles |
| 17 |
Vampiric church |
| 18 |
Celestial star-watchers |
| 19 |
Eldritch old god |
| 20 |
Hero cult (legendary champions) |
Major Landmark / Monument
| d20 |
Major Landmark / Monument |
| 1 |
Floating citadel |
| 2 |
Grand library |
| 3 |
Colossal statue |
| 4 |
Sprawling necropolis |
| 5 |
Tower of eternal flame |
| 6 |
Great bridge / aqueduct |
| 7 |
Labyrinth city |
| 8 |
Enchanted crystal forest |
| 9 |
Town built on a giant skeleton |
| 10 |
Astral gate / observatory |
| 11 |
Hanging gardens |
| 12 |
Undersea dome |
| 13 |
Telepathic labyrinth |
| 14 |
Hundred-tier pagoda |
| 15 |
Arcane beacon |
| 16 |
Singing spires |
| 17 |
Titan-forged walls |
| 18 |
Geyser cathedral |
| 19 |
Massive sundial |
| 20 |
Colosseum of spirits |
Allies / Rivals
| d20 |
Allies / Rivals |
| 1 |
Allied with savage barbarians |
| 2 |
Rival city-state |
| 3 |
Subterranean empire conflict |
| 4 |
Distant island partnership |
| 5 |
Feud with mountain dwarves |
| 6 |
Foreign wizard guild influence |
| 7 |
Monstrous allies (giants, etc.) |
| 8 |
Treaty with druidic circle |
| 9 |
Sky pirate hostility |
| 10 |
Subjugated by a mightier empire |
| 11 |
Mysterious fey allies |
| 12 |
War with undead legion |
| 13 |
Peace with fiendish realm |
| 14 |
Clash with maritime raiders |
| 15 |
Titan watchers |
| 16 |
Rival spiritual cult |
| 17 |
Allied w/ mechanized city |
| 18 |
On-and-off trade war |
| 19 |
Bound by dragon overlord |
| 20 |
Hostilities w/ interplanar travelers |
Primary Conflict / Threat
| d20 |
Primary Conflict / Threat |
| 1 |
Looming civil war |
| 2 |
Monster plague |
| 3 |
Religious schism |
| 4 |
Rival throne claimant |
| 5 |
Ecological disaster |
| 6 |
Famine / drought |
| 7 |
External empire invasion |
| 8 |
Returning undead army |
| 9 |
Rampant corruption |
| 10 |
Natural cataclysm |
| 11 |
Magical blight |
| 12 |
Rifts to other planes |
| 13 |
Demonic incursion |
| 14 |
Twisted new warlord |
| 15 |
Widespread illusions |
| 16 |
Time distortion |
| 17 |
Dragon brood devastation |
| 18 |
Arcane meltdown |
| 19 |
Seafaring scourge |
| 20 |
Psychic madness wave |
Historic Era / Stage
| d20 |
Historic Era / Stage |
| 1 |
Newly founded |
| 2 |
Rising kingdom |
| 3 |
Golden age |
| 4 |
Rapid expansion |
| 5 |
On the brink of collapse |
| 6 |
Post-cataclysm rebuilding |
| 7 |
Ancient seat of power |
| 8 |
Occupied by foreign power |
| 9 |
Cultural renaissance |
| 10 |
Final twilight |
| 11 |
Age of invention |
| 12 |
Age of conquest |
| 13 |
Age of myths |
| 14 |
Reign of silence |
| 15 |
Age of drifting continents |
| 16 |
War of shards |
| 17 |
Age of unity |
| 18 |
Second dawn |
| 19 |
Eon of enthrallment |
| 20 |
Tides of corruption |