It was going to be a surprise, but I guess I'll let the cat out of the bag. 😁

Sorry, no dogs yet.

Hmmm. Remy said to include a cat. Showing my internet age here a bit...

"Ceiling Cat tell Beholder Cat to get out of hims hole."

I'm just getting started on this, playing around with layout and textures and searching for the best symbols to use. All things are subject to change.

This is just a very rough draft and nothing close to being finished, but is this what you mean by nautical themes?

Next phase is complete. Last will be the river and landscape shading, labels, and the fiddly details like paths, gardens, etc.

My entry.

I'm between major projects today so found a bit of time to work on this map again. Still lots to do on it but it's coming along...slowly.

@Don Anderson Jr. , how is this for the skull and crossbones? One with entire skull, the other with missing jawbone.

I'll continue to play with ideas for a nautical theme. The test one that I posted up thread is of course far too complex for a small compass rose, though I may clean it up and include it anyway. It might make a decent map decoration or something.

One of the things I've been experimenting with are decorative elements that can be placed on floors, tables, etc to looks like carvings. I'm still experimenting, but am getting closer to what I want. Like I said, this is going to take a while to make everything that I have in mind.

Love seeing everyone's animals. 😍 I will certainly try to include the suggestions you make as I go.

Right now I'm trying to get the shading on chests to look right.