New 4e D&D Starting Map

Roger · August 2008

Hi All,

Thanks to all those who have helped over the past 24 hours - ive posted my map below for feedback and improvement advice etc.

The map is of a region within Karrnath (Eberron) but ive also taken the locales within the DMG Nentir Vale setting and added them so that I can make use of the new 4e scenarios etc.

Please let me have any feedback you might have - thanks.

Tome · August 2008

Very nice map. I like the way you highlighted the text on the map.

loydb · August 2008

I love everything except the text labels. I think the font looks too modern, and it's really hard to read the small black text (especially Cairngorm Peaks and Ogrefist Hills).

Roger · August 2008

Mmmm you could be right there - any suggestions on font ? I kept trying different colours but couldnt find any that really worked well so ended up going back to the black.

loydb · August 2008

When I'm doing text, rather than using black, I use a very dark version of a complimentary color. In this example, I'd try a deep, deep blue or maroon/red. As far as fonts, there are a billion of them. I like 'Tolkien', but google will turn up a million free fonts. It looks like you used Copperplate or one of the variants for the small text, and some Times variant for the large? The Copperplate might look good as the large font for 'Icetop Mountains'.

I think you're going in the right direction on the text effects -- you might want to tighten up the glow a bit so it looks more 'outlined' rather than diffuse.

Hmmmm. I don't have any of my fantasy fonts installed on my work laptop, I'll look at my laptop when I get back to the hotel and see what I have that might look good.

Roger · August 2008

Hi All,

OK ive made a couple of amendments lets see what you think.

Ralf · August 2008

Personally, I'd make the glow around the text tighter and perhaps a bit stronger. What are settings at the moment?

Roger · August 2008

Hi Ralf,

I was using Strength 1.5 and blur 8 if i remember correctly.

Ralf · August 2008

Try using strength 2 and blur 2, and see whether you like that better.

Roger · August 2008

That looks great.

Tome · August 2008

Very good. What a difference.

Roger · August 2008

Thanks for the advice it makes the whole map come alive if that makes sense...

Monsen · August 2008

Looks much better with the new font and now the new glow settings.
The glow looks a bit dominant now though, have you tried with a color that is a bit softer than white? I often use a soft yellow or green glow.

Roger · August 2008

Ive just been playing around with both of those ideas and they both look great before i print it out I will probably switch to one of them.

loydb · August 2008

Love the changes. The large-cap beginning letter for the labels, in particular, is a nice touch. I agree about softening the shadow color a bit. Still, a huge difference from the first one, nice.

Roger · August 2008

The font ive used is called Ringbearer -its a free font i found with the devine aid of Google. It automatically starts words with large cap letter. I really like it as a font and think it might be my new favourite mapping font.

Tome · August 2008

Thank you for the name of the font. I think I can find a use for that.

Rob · August 2008

Nichollsr, nice map.. i like the amount of detail with out it being overly cluttered (yeah i know most of mine end up a bit cluttered

) but yeah really nice map especially after the changes ralph suggested.. which does make the text look better.

-Rob

Roger · August 2008

Thanks Rob. Mmm i really need to chance my user name its just so drab. (EDIT - thats better use my first name much better)

Zace · August 2008

Yup - cool map indeed Roger. Submitting it to user gallery so we can all d/l it?

Roger · August 2008

Hi Zace,

Ive attached the file on one of the posts above in an FCW format.

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New 4e D&D Starting Map

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