diff --git a/world/examples/view.rs b/world/examples/view.rs
index eab8ef1398..3bb1b7e440 100644
--- a/world/examples/view.rs
+++ b/world/examples/view.rs
@@ -27,21 +27,21 @@ fn main() {
             for j in 0..H {
                 let pos = focus + Vec2::new(i as i32, j as i32) * scale;
 
-                let (alt, location) = sampler
+                let (alt, place) = sampler
                     .get(pos)
                     .map(|sample| {
                         (
                             sample.alt.sub(64.0).add(gain).mul(0.7).max(0.0).min(255.0) as u8,
-                            sample.location,
+                            sample.chunk.place,
                         )
                     })
                     .unwrap_or((0, None));
 
-                let loc_color = location
-                    .map(|l| (l.loc_idx as u8 * 17, l.loc_idx as u8 * 13))
+                let place_color = place
+                    .map(|p| ((p.id() % 256) as u8 * 17, (p.id() % 256) as u8 * 13))
                     .unwrap_or((0, 0));
 
-                buf[j * W + i] = u32::from_le_bytes([loc_color.0, loc_color.1, alt, alt]);
+                buf[j * W + i] = u32::from_le_bytes([place_color.0, place_color.1, alt, alt]);
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/world/src/civ/mod.rs b/world/src/civ/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..402506e31f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/world/src/civ/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+use std::ops::Range;
+use hashbrown::{HashMap, HashSet};
+use vek::*;
+use rand::prelude::*;
+use common::{
+    terrain::TerrainChunkSize,
+    vol::RectVolSize,
+    store::{Id, Store},
+    path::Path,
+    astar::Astar,
+};
+use crate::sim::WorldSim;
+
+const CARDINALS: [Vec2<i32>; 4] = [
+    Vec2::new(1, 0),
+    Vec2::new(-1, 0),
+    Vec2::new(0, 1),
+    Vec2::new(0, -1),
+];
+
+const DIAGONALS: [Vec2<i32>; 8] = [
+    Vec2::new(1, 0),
+    Vec2::new(1, 1),
+    Vec2::new(-1, 0),
+    Vec2::new(-1, 1),
+    Vec2::new(0, 1),
+    Vec2::new(1, -1),
+    Vec2::new(0, -1),
+    Vec2::new(-1, -1),
+];
+
+fn attempt<T>(max_iters: usize, mut f: impl FnMut() -> Option<T>) -> Option<T> {
+    (0..max_iters).find_map(|_| f())
+}
+
+const INITIAL_CIV_COUNT: usize = 20;
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct Civs {
+    civs: Store<Civ>,
+    places: Store<Place>,
+    routes: HashMap<(Id<Place>, Id<Place>), Route>,
+}
+
+struct GenCtx<'a, R: Rng> {
+    sim: &'a mut WorldSim,
+    rng: &'a mut R,
+}
+
+impl Civs {
+    pub fn generate(seed: u32, sim: &mut WorldSim) -> Self {
+        let mut this = Self::default();
+        let mut rng = sim.rng.clone();
+        let mut ctx = GenCtx { sim, rng: &mut rng };
+
+        for _ in 0..INITIAL_CIV_COUNT {
+            if let Some(civ) = this.birth_civ(&mut ctx) {
+                println!("Initial civilisation: {:#?}", this.civs.get(civ));
+            } else {
+                println!("Failed to find starting site");
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Temporary!
+        for route in this.routes.values() {
+            for loc in route.path.iter() {
+                sim.get_mut(*loc).unwrap().place = Some(this.civs.iter().next().unwrap().homeland);
+            }
+        }
+
+        this
+    }
+
+    fn birth_civ(&mut self, ctx: &mut GenCtx<impl Rng>) -> Option<Id<Civ>> {
+        const CIV_BIRTHPLACE_AREA: Range<usize> = 64..256;
+        let place = attempt(5, || {
+            let loc = find_site_loc(ctx, None)?;
+            self.establish_place(ctx, loc, CIV_BIRTHPLACE_AREA)
+        })?;
+
+        let civ = self.civs.insert(Civ {
+            homeland: place,
+        });
+
+        Some(civ)
+    }
+
+    fn establish_place(&mut self, ctx: &mut GenCtx<impl Rng>, loc: Vec2<i32>, area: Range<usize>) -> Option<Id<Place>> {
+        let mut dead = HashSet::new();
+        let mut alive = HashSet::new();
+        alive.insert(loc);
+
+        // Fill the surrounding area
+        while let Some(cloc) = alive.iter().choose(ctx.rng).copied() {
+            for dir in CARDINALS.iter() {
+                if site_in_dir(&ctx.sim, cloc, *dir) {
+                    let rloc = cloc + *dir;
+                    if !dead.contains(&rloc) && ctx.sim.get(rloc).map(|c| c.place.is_none()).unwrap_or(false) {
+                        alive.insert(rloc);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            alive.remove(&cloc);
+            dead.insert(cloc);
+
+            if dead.len() + alive.len() >= area.end {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        // Make sure the place is large enough
+        if dead.len() + alive.len() <= area.start {
+            return None;
+        }
+
+        // Find neighbors
+        const MAX_NEIGHBOR_DISTANCE: f32 = 100.0;
+        let mut nearby = self.places
+            .iter_ids()
+            .map(|(id, p)| (id, (p.center.distance_squared(loc) as f32).sqrt()))
+            .filter(|(p, dist)| *dist < MAX_NEIGHBOR_DISTANCE)
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        nearby.sort_by_key(|(_, dist)| -*dist as i32);
+        let route_count = ctx.rng.gen_range(1, 3);
+        let neighbors = nearby
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|(p, _)| p)
+            .filter_map(|p| if let Some(path) = find_path(ctx, loc, self.places.get(p).center) {
+                Some((p, path))
+            } else {
+                None
+            })
+            .take(route_count)
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        let place = self.places.insert(Place {
+            center: loc,
+            neighbors: neighbors.iter().map(|(p, _)| *p).collect(),
+        });
+
+        // Insert routes to neighbours into route list
+        for (p, path) in neighbors {
+            self.routes.insert((place, p), Route { path });
+        }
+
+        // Write place to map
+        for cell in dead.union(&alive) {
+            if let Some(chunk) = ctx.sim.get_mut(*cell) {
+                chunk.place = Some(place);
+            }
+        }
+
+        Some(place)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Attempt to find a path between two locations
+fn find_path(ctx: &mut GenCtx<impl Rng>, a: Vec2<i32>, b: Vec2<i32>) -> Option<Path<Vec2<i32>>> {
+    let sim = &ctx.sim;
+    let heuristic = move |l: &Vec2<i32>| (l.distance_squared(b) as f32).sqrt();
+    let neighbors = |l: &Vec2<i32>| {
+        let l = *l;
+        DIAGONALS.iter().filter(move |dir| walk_in_dir(sim, l, **dir).is_some()).map(move |dir| l + *dir)
+    };
+    let transition = |a: &Vec2<i32>, b: &Vec2<i32>| 1.0 + walk_in_dir(sim, *a, *b - *a).unwrap_or(10000.0);
+    let satisfied = |l: &Vec2<i32>| *l == b;
+    Astar::new(5000, a, heuristic)
+        .poll(5000, heuristic, neighbors, transition, satisfied)
+        .into_path()
+}
+
+/// Return true if travel between a location and a chunk next to it is permitted (TODO: by whom?)
+fn walk_in_dir(sim: &WorldSim, a: Vec2<i32>, dir: Vec2<i32>) -> Option<f32> {
+    if loc_suitable_for_walking(sim, a) &&
+        loc_suitable_for_walking(sim, a + dir)
+    {
+        let a_alt = sim.get(a)?.alt;
+        let b_alt = sim.get(a + dir)?.alt;
+        Some((b_alt - a_alt).max(0.0).powf(2.0).abs() / 50.0)
+    } else {
+        None
+    }
+}
+
+/// Return true if a position is suitable for walking on
+fn loc_suitable_for_walking(sim: &WorldSim, loc: Vec2<i32>) -> bool {
+    if let Some(chunk) = sim.get(loc) {
+        !chunk.river.is_ocean() && !chunk.river.is_lake()
+    } else {
+        false
+    }
+}
+
+/// Return true if a site could be constructed between a location and a chunk next to it is permitted (TODO: by whom?)
+fn site_in_dir(sim: &WorldSim, a: Vec2<i32>, dir: Vec2<i32>) -> bool {
+    loc_suitable_for_site(sim, a) &&
+    loc_suitable_for_site(sim, a + dir)
+}
+
+/// Return true if a position is suitable for site construction (TODO: criteria?)
+fn loc_suitable_for_site(sim: &WorldSim, loc: Vec2<i32>) -> bool {
+    if let Some(chunk) = sim.get(loc) {
+        !chunk.is_underwater() &&
+        sim.get_gradient_approx(loc).map(|grad| grad < 1.0).unwrap_or(false)
+    } else {
+        false
+    }
+}
+
+/// Attempt to search for a location that's suitable for site construction
+fn find_site_loc(ctx: &mut GenCtx<impl Rng>, near: Option<(Vec2<i32>, f32)>) -> Option<Vec2<i32>> {
+    const MAX_ATTEMPTS: usize = 100;
+    let mut loc = None;
+    for _ in 0..MAX_ATTEMPTS {
+        let test_loc = loc.unwrap_or_else(|| match near {
+            Some((origin, dist)) => origin + (Vec2::new(
+                ctx.rng.gen_range(-1.0, 1.0),
+                ctx.rng.gen_range(-1.0, 1.0),
+            ).try_normalized().unwrap_or(Vec2::zero()) * ctx.rng.gen::<f32>() * dist).map(|e| e as i32),
+            None => Vec2::new(
+                ctx.rng.gen_range(0, ctx.sim.get_size().x as i32),
+                ctx.rng.gen_range(0, ctx.sim.get_size().y as i32),
+            ),
+        });
+
+        if loc_suitable_for_site(&ctx.sim, test_loc) {
+            return Some(test_loc);
+        }
+
+        loc = ctx.sim.get(test_loc).and_then(|c| Some(c.downhill?.map2(Vec2::from(TerrainChunkSize::RECT_SIZE), |e, sz: u32| {
+            e / (sz as i32)
+        })));
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct Civ {
+    homeland: Id<Place>,
+}
+
+pub struct Place {
+    center: Vec2<i32>,
+    neighbors: Vec<Id<Place>>,
+}
+
+pub struct Route {
+    path: Path<Vec2<i32>>,
+}
diff --git a/world/src/lib.rs b/world/src/lib.rs
index 2d23d2aba3..98ec73eb10 100644
--- a/world/src/lib.rs
+++ b/world/src/lib.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ pub mod config;
 pub mod sim;
 pub mod site;
 pub mod util;
+pub mod civ;
 
 // Reexports
 pub use crate::config::CONFIG;
@@ -34,13 +35,14 @@ pub enum Error {
 
 pub struct World {
     sim: sim::WorldSim,
+    civs: civ::Civs,
 }
 
 impl World {
     pub fn generate(seed: u32, opts: sim::WorldOpts) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            sim: sim::WorldSim::generate(seed, opts),
-        }
+        let mut sim = sim::WorldSim::generate(seed, opts);
+        let civs = civ::Civs::generate(seed, &mut sim);
+        Self { sim, civs }
     }
 
     pub fn sim(&self) -> &sim::WorldSim { &self.sim }
diff --git a/world/src/sim/erosion.rs b/world/src/sim/erosion.rs
index b737bf2798..61ee68eb43 100644
--- a/world/src/sim/erosion.rs
+++ b/world/src/sim/erosion.rs
@@ -110,6 +110,14 @@ pub enum RiverKind {
 }
 
 impl RiverKind {
+    pub fn is_ocean(&self) -> bool {
+        if let RiverKind::Ocean = *self {
+            true
+        } else {
+            false
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn is_river(&self) -> bool {
         if let RiverKind::River { .. } = *self {
             true
@@ -187,6 +195,13 @@ pub struct RiverData {
 }
 
 impl RiverData {
+    pub fn is_ocean(&self) -> bool {
+        self.river_kind
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(RiverKind::is_ocean)
+            .unwrap_or(false)
+    }
+
     pub fn is_river(&self) -> bool {
         self.river_kind
             .as_ref()
diff --git a/world/src/sim/map.rs b/world/src/sim/map.rs
index 0707abd0d6..2a4d71d277 100644
--- a/world/src/sim/map.rs
+++ b/world/src/sim/map.rs
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ impl MapConfig {
                 let pos =
                     (focus_rect + Vec2::new(i as f64, j as f64) * scale).map(|e: f64| e as i32);
 
-                let (alt, basement, water_alt, humidity, temperature, downhill, river_kind) =
+                let (alt, basement, water_alt, humidity, temperature, downhill, river_kind, place) =
                     sampler
                         .get(pos)
                         .map(|sample| {
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ impl MapConfig {
                                 sample.temp,
                                 sample.downhill,
                                 sample.river.river_kind,
+                                sample.place,
                             )
                         })
                         .unwrap_or((
@@ -169,6 +170,7 @@ impl MapConfig {
                             0.0,
                             None,
                             None,
+                            None,
                         ));
                 let humidity = humidity.min(1.0).max(0.0);
                 let temperature = temperature.min(1.0).max(-1.0) * 0.5 + 0.5;
@@ -295,6 +297,12 @@ impl MapConfig {
                     ),
                 };
 
+                let rgba = if let Some(place) = place {
+                    (((place.id() * 64) % 256) as u8, 0, 0, 0)
+                } else {
+                    rgba
+                };
+
                 write_pixel(Vec2::new(i, j), rgba);
             });
 
diff --git a/world/src/sim/mod.rs b/world/src/sim/mod.rs
index 5eae203b22..b12a2a07ce 100644
--- a/world/src/sim/mod.rs
+++ b/world/src/sim/mod.rs
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ use crate::{
     block::BlockGen,
     column::ColumnGen,
     site::{Settlement, Site},
+    civ::Place,
     util::{seed_expan, FastNoise, RandomField, Sampler, StructureGen2d},
     CONFIG,
 };
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ use common::{
     assets,
     terrain::{BiomeKind, TerrainChunkSize},
     vol::RectVolSize,
+    store::Id,
 };
 use hashbrown::HashMap;
 use noise::{
@@ -1303,6 +1305,10 @@ impl WorldSim {
         this
     }
 
+    pub fn get_size(&self) -> Vec2<u32> {
+        WORLD_SIZE.map(|e| e as u32)
+    }
+
     /// Draw a map of the world based on chunk information.  Returns a buffer of
     /// u32s.
     pub fn get_map(&self) -> Vec<u32> {
@@ -1548,6 +1554,18 @@ impl WorldSim {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn get_gradient_approx(&self, chunk_pos: Vec2<i32>) -> Option<f32> {
+        let a = self.get(chunk_pos)?;
+        if let Some(downhill) = a.downhill {
+            let b = self.get(downhill.map2(Vec2::from(TerrainChunkSize::RECT_SIZE), |e, sz: u32| {
+                e / (sz as i32)
+            }))?;
+            Some((a.alt - b.alt).abs() / TerrainChunkSize::RECT_SIZE.x as f32)
+        } else {
+            Some(0.0)
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn get_wpos(&self, wpos: Vec2<i32>) -> Option<&SimChunk> {
         self.get(
             wpos.map2(Vec2::from(TerrainChunkSize::RECT_SIZE), |e, sz: u32| {
@@ -1768,6 +1786,7 @@ pub struct SimChunk {
     pub river: RiverData,
 
     pub sites: Vec<Site>,
+    pub place: Option<Id<Place>>,
     pub contains_waypoint: bool,
 }
 
@@ -2006,12 +2025,14 @@ impl SimChunk {
             spawn_rate: 1.0,
             location: None,
             river,
+
             sites: Vec::new(),
+            place: None,
             contains_waypoint: false,
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn is_underwater(&self) -> bool { self.river.river_kind.is_some() }
+    pub fn is_underwater(&self) -> bool { self.water_alt > self.alt || self.river.river_kind.is_some() }
 
     pub fn get_base_z(&self) -> f32 { self.alt - self.chaos * 50.0 - 16.0 }
 
diff --git a/world/src/site/settlement/mod.rs b/world/src/site/settlement/mod.rs
index 6f19c608bd..6989fb7dc6 100644
--- a/world/src/site/settlement/mod.rs
+++ b/world/src/site/settlement/mod.rs
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ use common::{
     spiral::Spiral2d,
     terrain::{Block, BlockKind},
     vol::{BaseVol, RectSizedVol, WriteVol},
+    store::{Id, Store},
 };
 use hashbrown::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use rand::prelude::*;
-use std::{collections::VecDeque, f32, marker::PhantomData};
+use std::{collections::VecDeque, f32};
 use vek::*;
 
 pub fn gradient(line: [Vec2<f32>; 2]) -> f32 {
@@ -723,37 +724,3 @@ impl Land {
 
     pub fn new_plot(&mut self, plot: Plot) -> Id<Plot> { self.plots.insert(plot) }
 }
-
-#[derive(Hash)]
-pub struct Id<T>(usize, PhantomData<T>);
-
-impl<T> Copy for Id<T> {}
-impl<T> Clone for Id<T> {
-    fn clone(&self) -> Self { Self(self.0, PhantomData) }
-}
-impl<T> Eq for Id<T> {}
-impl<T> PartialEq for Id<T> {
-    fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool { self.0 == other.0 }
-}
-
-pub struct Store<T> {
-    items: Vec<T>,
-}
-
-impl<T> Default for Store<T> {
-    fn default() -> Self { Self { items: Vec::new() } }
-}
-
-impl<T> Store<T> {
-    pub fn get(&self, id: Id<T>) -> &T { self.items.get(id.0).unwrap() }
-
-    pub fn get_mut(&mut self, id: Id<T>) -> &mut T { self.items.get_mut(id.0).unwrap() }
-
-    pub fn iter(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &T> { self.items.iter() }
-
-    pub fn insert(&mut self, item: T) -> Id<T> {
-        let id = Id(self.items.len(), PhantomData);
-        self.items.push(item);
-        id
-    }
-}