How to build a whole city in 10 minutes or less

Some of you have seen this appear in various forms around the worldbuilding chambers lately, and its time for me to write down a clean version for the ages.<br><br>For context, this method is for those of you working on projects, such as D&D campaigns, where the clock is running, and you don't always have time to think deeply about the city you need for your next encounter.<br><br>So, the method.<br><br>**Step 1: Where is it?**<br><br>\*Is it on the water? If so, what is the nature of the water? (ocean, lake, river?) Is it at river's mouth, and if so, are they where the river empties?<br><br>\*Natural protections. (hills, mountains, forests) If yes, is there anything noteworthy about them. (mining? dangerous animals? landmarks?)<br><br>**Step 2: Why is it here?**<br><br>\*If on a river, is it here for fishing, or for river access. If river access, does the river empty into another body of water, or does it end in a waterfall?<br><br>\*If on the sea, is it here for fishing, for trade, or for defense.<br><br>\*if inland, why? Mining? agriculture? religion? Because some dude was walking and decided to stop?<br><br>\*If trade, what is primarily being imported and exported. (e.g. iron ore in, steel out, grain in, bread out)<br><br>\*If fishing, is it freshwater or saltwater fishing? Are there any notable sea creatures in the waters?<br><br>\*If mining, what is being mined, and is it located above or below ground?<br><br>\*If agriculture, what is the primary crop grown?<br><br>\*If religion, what is the religion?<br><br>\*If defense, why? Has the city been attacked, or was it always seen as a strategic defensive point?<br><br>\*If some dude decided to stop, why did he decide to stop? Was he tired? Hungry? Lost? Injured?<br><br>**Step 3: Who lives here**<br><br>\*What are the primary ethnic groups that live here? Are they native to the area, or immigrants?<br><br>\*What percentage of the population are members of the working class, middle class, upper class?<br><br>\*Is anyone born outside the city barred from owning land? From trade guilds? From holding public office?<br><br>\*Is there a minimum period of residency required before someone is considered a citizen of the city?<br><br>\*Who is barred from residency, if anyone? Slaves? Women? Minorities?<br><br>\*Is there a lower class that is forced into birthright servitude? If so, what are the restrictions placed on them?<br><br>**Step 4: Who rules?**<br><br>\*Is the city self governing? Matriarchy? Patriarchy? democracy? monarchy? oligarchy? thearchy?<br><br>\*If not self-governing, who rules it, and why? Was it conquered? Is it a client state? Did it ask for rule from a nearby state?<br><br>\*Is there a nearby rival city state against whom they measure their successes?<br><br>\*Is this city the capital of the larger state? If not, where is the capital?<br><br>**Step 5: Events and challenges.**<br><br>\*How long has the city been here, and are there any ruins or history to be seen?<br><br>\*Are there any conflicts or tensions in the city? Is the ruler loved or reviled?<br><br>\*Is there any notable crime or corruption in the city?<br><br>\*Is there any notable architecture in the city? (e.g. Large church? Large city gate?—or—is the whole city carved out of rock?)<br><br>\*Is there anything living in the water or nearby lands that is a threat to the citizens?<br><br>Now that you know the answers to these questions, you should have a solid-ish city with which to work.