Variant 1: fair randomness

Place the hexagons according to the game rules in a random fashion. Each tile is associated with one species which is the dominant one on that region. The keyword is "dominant": Although one tile might be dominated by humans there might be orc cities on it - maybe because the neighboring tile is orc-dominated or the ruler of that nation invited the orcs because of trade or some special skills.

The association between Catan tile and species:

• Forest:

  • Elves

  • 1x Orc

• Pasture:

  • Human

  • 1x Orc

• Fields:

  • Troll

  • 1x Orc

• Mountains:

  • Dwarves

• Hill:

  • Goblin

Although there are 5 usable tile types for 6 species it still can be distributed in a fair fashion - as of 3 tile types there are 4 in a basic catan game. So give one of each of those types to Orcs and you end up with each species dominating 3 tiles + desert. If you use the extension for 6 players assign the two deserts also to Orc and you have 5 tiles for each species. Of course feel free to afterwards "fine tune" the nature type definition to the species' preferences.

If there are clusters of tiles inhabited by the same - or "sympathic" - species you have found your nations. Or maybe one tile is enclosed by same tile type on several sides - then just include it in the bigger nation - even if the species might dislike each other.

In the end maybe there is one big nation and a lot of smaller ones. Or a set of middle-sized nations fighting for the dominance over Pangaea.

Alternatively:

Variant 2: Intelligent Design

Look at the layout of the tiles and decide by yourself what you see as regions for the different species where they would probably settle. Feel free to swap some tiles which just does not fit in this variant.

Maybe you start with the nations and then define the inhabiting species or vice versa. Here the goal is to create a layout which tickle your fancy - in which you would like to go on adventures. But still you don't have to start with a blank page and define every detail from beginning, you can use the Catan tiles to give you a starting point.