3D World Mind-maps

My first idea for a 3D world was the tube after a night out, or the suggestion of a night out. I wanted to slice it down the middle to show the inside with the things left behind telling the story, eg empty cans, takeaway containers, one shoe, etc. However as I have no previous experience in 3d world making and MAYA I quickly realised this idea was probably a little ambitious and maybe a better idea for a 2d world. I was struggling a bit coming up with ideas that weren’t either too difficult or boring, but then I was listening to my music on the tube home and the song Fire Coming out of the Monkeys Head by Gorillaz came on which is basically a description of a volcano erupting and I thought that could make an interesting world. My general idea is a giant mountain surrounded by a forest, maybe with a town at the base depending on time. The lyrics describe the mountain being mined by the ‘Strangefolk’ and ‘caves of unimaginable sincerity and beauty’ so I want to add a few caves in the sides of the mountain, glowing from within to suggest hidden treasures inside, and maybe an abandoned mine at the base. I don’t think I want to add any sort of living creatures but maybe some sort of shadowy figures to suggest something evil and creepy. Preferably the volcano would be erupting or in the process of erupting but I think that is potentially out of my skillset and time frame but we’ll see.