I apologize that these look a little more washed out. In order to get the printer to print the map as i first posted it in all of it's richness, I had to wash it some. The printer likes to pile on the ink (got to be a damned HP conspiracy if you ask me), so I had to adjust it to get a good print. JSM
I like the the whole map, but am trying to make sense of why that north eastern area is so appealing to you all. Hell it sounds like the secret to success with a map and I would like to continue to duplicate it. What's the appeal for you all there? JSM
Thats an interesting point Jigsawman , I think its simply the color combination of the water/lake + the mountains that makes it look so nice. It seems more detailed than other parts of the map (keep on an island, river running between the mountains) .
Notice btw the river runs very unnaturally (2 rivers running different paths to the ocean is virtually impossible.
What I like with the NE corner is the 3d effect with the lake half hidden behind the mountains. It gives depth to the map, and that's what triggers my interest here.
@Moskva - Yes I agree that the rivers are unnatural. That was the point. Look at the names of the rivers. One is called the Winterdrow Abate. it is supposed to be a man made river used to keep the moat full. Now it serves as the lake's main drainage, hence the word Abate in the name. The original drain for the lake above was the one called Passage Seepe, which probably was not it's original name. My thoughts there were to have the people of this land create a well fortified main castle that they had to make a moat for. Getting water to the moat would have been their toughest obstacle. Digging the river to keep it full and then draining the lake by using that river would obviously then slow the flow of the original river (Passage Seepe) which probably had a different name before that was done. Now that river is mainly a control valve to keep the castle from being flooded. I did have reasoning for virtually everything I made on the map. Seems easier to me if there is some background before I start to draw. By the way, none of that was supposed to be 100% obvious, but from a gaming standpoint those are the details that the GM lets loose over time. JSM
Ah I never noticed the text , but yes that makes sense. (Also explains why the route to the sea is all straight) I always think about stories concerning my maps as well.
So why is the castle located there, it doesn't seem to protect any major traderoute nor does it protect nearby farmlands. Who threaten the castle that it needs such a large moat?
I was thinking in terms of Helm's Deep and this castle being more of a place of business but more importantly a place of retreat. Like any map the map drawer is entitled to exaggerate the size of these things. Things more important to him might appear bigger when drawn than they actually are. If an enemy were to get hold of a map of the lands they may think twice about a 10 mile wide moat, or a castle 30-40 miles wide. Think of the army it might hold. I would suggest that the twons in the outland do most of the protection of the smaller farms. In fact one of them is called Cook's Foundry. It is obviously a place where the realm's weapons might be forged. In gaming terms, you might visit there before venturing into Dunwoe Cavern. I doubt a silly dagger, even a magic one might do so well there. JSM
By the way, I livened up the volcano a little. The symbol on the map is a nice one, but even glowing the volcano looks a little pacified. At least now it looks like it's still got teeth. Also might explain why the Great Forest is not so great anymore. JSM
Yeah gave it to my business partner. he liked it a lot. We have been gamers for probably 30+ years or so. Miniatures, board games, rpgs, etc. Go to Origins on a regular basis too. JSM
Re:Hyperlink: Some browsers and systems add those, they usually go to a definition of the term. There's a way to turn them off, but I'm not anywhere I could look it up. I don't see the hyperlink.
Comments
JSM
Especially the map with King's grotto on it.
JSM
Notice btw the river runs very unnaturally (2 rivers running different paths to the ocean is virtually impossible.
@Moskva - Yes I agree that the rivers are unnatural. That was the point. Look at the names of the rivers. One is called the Winterdrow Abate. it is supposed to be a man made river used to keep the moat full. Now it serves as the lake's main drainage, hence the word Abate in the name. The original drain for the lake above was the one called Passage Seepe, which probably was not it's original name. My thoughts there were to have the people of this land create a well fortified main castle that they had to make a moat for. Getting water to the moat would have been their toughest obstacle. Digging the river to keep it full and then draining the lake by using that river would obviously then slow the flow of the original river (Passage Seepe) which probably had a different name before that was done. Now that river is mainly a control valve to keep the castle from being flooded.
JSM
So why is the castle located there, it doesn't seem to protect any major traderoute nor does it protect nearby farmlands. Who threaten the castle that it needs such a large moat?
JSM
JSM
JSM
That must have made a great Xmas present.
JSM
~Dogtag
JSM
# Does anyone else see the hyperlink attached to the word "printer"? What the heck is that? I did not add that.