Black Talon Reach

LadieStorm · July 2016

CG's July/August lite mapping challenge is to make a map of a bandit camp. I'm planning on utilizing Shessar's stream and and cliffs tutorial for this map. I've done either river (ocean, and lake) maps, or cliff maps, but I've never done the straight stream/cliff. Only I may slightly combine Shessar's cliffs with Sue's, haven't decided yet... anyway, as always I started with the stream... and this one may be even more different than all the others, because this bandit camp is in a northern region where there's snow... and ice! Yes, I'm going to attempt to add ice to this river. If I manage to pull it off, it will be amazing!

Anyway, here is what I have so far.

Lorelei · July 2016

ok, ok, i see where you're going here....i like

LadieStorm · July 2016

by the way, does any one have any open parchment symbols? Like open scrolls to use for a map key or title?

Lorelei · July 2016

i have this. i HAD a really great one where you could see the wooden dowel poking out the ends....it was gorgeous, but with all the uninstalling and installing i've done i can't seem to locate it anywhere in my system. I fear i saved that file in a small folder i kept tucked in the cc3+ Symbols folder

I fear there may be some maps that will come up with a few red x's if i open them again.

Loopysue · July 2016

Any ice texture you use can be given an edge by adding a narrow bevel. That's what I did with the Ethran map, and with the floating island in the newest Errispa map (I think that thread is called Errispa 4, but I can't remember now).

I don't expect you to use it, Hun, because there are many more attractive versions of ice out there in the world, but this is Ethran Ice if you need it

I know the Lite Challenge isn't meant to be a race or a competition, but we're all gunning for you here. It would be wonderful to see a CC3/DD3 map win the day

Loopysue · July 2016

Oh yes! It looks even better if you use a bit of transparency to show a trace of what's underneath.

Loopysue · July 2016

Posted By: LadieStormI may slightly combine Shessar's cliffs with Sue's, haven't decided yet...

That's very sweet of you Storm, but all the cliffs I do are Shessar cliffs.

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." (sir Isaac Newton)

LadieStorm · July 2016

I'm actually trying to slow myself down with this map, so that I pay attention to the little details. I have my snow... and while I like the snow I've chosen, and I like the way it looks... I also don't like the way it looks. I think what I need to do, is go under my snow, and 'add' a terrain layer, especially along my river...something for my snow to 'settle' over. But I've finished my river, complete with ice... and I have my cliffs up. Feedback is always welcome!

JimP · July 2016

It gives the look of snow on ground for either the start of a spring thaw, or the ground was slightly above freezing in spots and the snow is melting in those areas. The traveled areas the snow is melted due to the horses and wagons, or cars, depending on the scene.

LadieStorm · July 2016

What you are seeing, is the only entrance/exit out of this camp... they smaller areas are pathways up to the old dragon lairs...which the bandits have been traveling regularly, searching for unclaimed dragon hordes

Loopysue · July 2016

Its coming along really well, Storm... but since you mentioned the snow...

I have an idea, but its only an idea.

How about leaving out the snow till you've nearly finished the map, so that you can see at a glance where it will have drifted, where it won't have hit the ground so much (like under a tree), and where it will have been all but trampled away (like along the path to the... um... to the 'hole in the ground'

There might also be areas where the bandit king has ordered his men to clear the snow away from the door of his tent/cabin/hut, and that too will be more obvious and easy to map once you have the rest of it more or less done.

Like I say - just an idea

LadieStorm · July 2016

I've actually been thinking about that already... I'm just not sure which route I want to go yet...obviously it would have built up against the edges of the cliffs.... and along the river... I will have to think on that

, but it is a good idea.

LadieStorm · July 2016

I've been able to get a little more work done on this... I've changed things just a bit, and added some stuff. Still working on it, but it's getting nearer completion!

LadieStorm · July 2016

Well, I have completely restarted this map... I made it bigger, so it would fit the village ruins, and I'm also trying some new symbol sets I didn't realize I had. I'm not as far as I was before, but that will change quickly! Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time... so I'm going to have to post and fly... catch everyone Friday!

LadieStorm · July 2016

oops, might help if I post the new image!

Loopysue · July 2016

That's interesting Storm. What's that texture you used for the cliffs then? They are looking quite a lot better than before

LadieStorm · July 2016

These are actually cliff symbols, connecting symbols. They were in a folder along with some other stuff I got recently, and I just found them. I used something similar for the river edge too. The dam I made myself, with Dundjinni rock symbols. I just piled them on top each other until I had the look I wanted. It's basically a man made.dam. I then used Shessar's trick for making the spill over, combi ed with your excellent idea.for making steam and spray, and there you have it!

Loopysue · July 2016

It certainly looks rather splendid

what's next then? The camp or the village?

Lorelei · July 2016

I really like the change in rocks/cliffs. Much more natural looking!

LadieStorm · July 2016

The ruined village is going to have to be next.,. since the bandit camp is spread through out the ruins.
And thanks, Lorelei, I actually like this look a little better.

Vintyri · July 2016

Looking good. I'm watching with interest.

LadieStorm · July 2016

Hey Mark

I'm glad you like it... As the saying goes... You ain't seen nothin' yet ( I hope)!

Vintyri · July 2016

I ain't stopped looking either.

LadieStorm · July 2016

This map is about 3/4 finished now... I just have to finish the bandit camp itself, add the ice and snow, and a few more little details, and I'm done

This is usually where I get into scaling issues, so I hope I haven't made my tents too big this time... I tried to really be careful of that! So this is where I am at the moment.

Loopysue · July 2016

Its looking really good, Storm. Are you going to have any trees?

LadieStorm · July 2016

lol... absolutely! that's one of those 'little details' I still have to finish.

although what you are going to see a lot of, is tree stumps. It would make sense that since bandits don't want anyone to know where they are hiding... they would have cut down trees and such to make the 'buildings' themselves. Hence, a lot of tree stumps.

Dogtag · July 2016

On the other hand, few things say "men are here" like a bunch of chopped-down trees/tree stumps. Something to consider is that they might've left the trees alone to sell the place as abandoned and overgrown. Also trees provide additional cover and concealment, particularly for sentries or as ambush points for defense.

Just a thought. It looks good. I particularly like the ruins. I'm looking forward to seeing it with effects.

Cheers,
~Dogtag

JimP · July 2016

Well, clear cutting around a city or castle wall is to improve field of fire, and make it harder for enemies to approach without the guards noticing.

LadieStorm · July 2016

lol... there will be both trees and tree stumps

I haven't decided what effects I'm going to do to the ruins yet... I have a couple of ideas... just haven't decided. But it's shaping up, that's the important thing!

Dogtag · July 2016

Posted By: JimPWell, clear cutting around a city or castle wall is to improve field of fire, and make it harder for enemies to approach without the guards noticing.

Quite true. I agree entirely but, then, most cities and castles aren't trying to hide the fact that they're occupied and defended, either. ;-)

Posted By: LadieStorm... it's shaping up, that's the important thing!

It is, indeed.

JimP · July 2016

I have one in my game world. But its a permanent illusion hiding the rebuilding of the bad guys' castle in a swamp. Revamp maps still in progress, so nothing much on my site yet.

illusional broken castle which is just a symbol. I'm trying to find time to map the actual castle and grounds.

Well, this is the old drawing of the actual castle. I hope to replace it eventually.

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Black Talon Reach

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