A Dark Harbor Map Homebrew Conversion...

[Pbartender]

These are four maps that I built using the MapMaker PLUS font and image package and PhotoShop. The maps are designed for an Iron Heroes setting based on an alternate earth past in which all the old legends and myths were real.

Since these are maps meant for the players to use, I wanted to make certain that they had a certain "old world" feel to them to help convey the style of the game we would be playing.

First is a map of the "Known World":

The next three maps were built in order to fit the Dark Harbor adventure module into the setting...

The Betis Valley region of southwestern Iberia, showing the city-state of Tartessos and the nearby barbaric Celtiberian tribes:

A close-up of Tartessos and its relationship to the Sunken Towers. This was my first attempt at emulating a "wood-cut" style of map:

This is a map of the City-state of Tartessos itself, where most of the action will take place. I managed to get the style of the shorelines almost exactly the way I wanted to on this one, and much prefer it for the wood-cut style I was aiming for, than the stipling I settled for on the previous map:

Compliments? Comments? Criticisms?
Have at it.

 

[XCorvis]

Wow, these are great. What's the MapMaker PLUS package?

In the "woodcut" maps, some things are a bit too blurry compared to the clarity of the others. I'm not sure how to equalize that, but they should be more similar. Maybe the swamp and slope graphics should be a little more crisp.

 

[Pbartender]

Wow, these are great.

Thanks. Now that I'm comfortable with my original style of mapmaking using these resources (see the first two maps), I'm now trying to branch out a bit and play around with other styles and methods (like the woodcut maps).

What's the MapMaker PLUS package?

MapMaker PLUS is a font and image package available for purchase from Fontcraft.com. Their website says it best...

Making functional and attractive maps is a very specialized skill, prized by game designers, roleplayers and artists. To make exceptional maps, you need to have the right tools. Our MapMaker font and art packages provide the fonts, textures and emblems which make drawing floorplans and developing world and regional maps a breeze. Our map resources are based on the designs of classic cartographers like Abraham Ortelius and give your maps a unique antique look which will inspire the imagination.

We're now offering the fifth edition release of our MapMaker package in both a PLUS and a LITE version. This edition includes several additional fonts, new full-color design elements and an expanded selection of historical maps. Use the links to the left to see samples of the fonts and maps. There's a free sample font on the Fonts page.

Our latest additions to the site are a full set of sample maps - MAPS. And a simple tutorial on how to design a simple map in an antique style - TUTORIAL. You may find these both very helpful.

The LITE version of the package includes just the fonts for only $49. The PLUS version includes all the fonts, plus the color design elements and over a hundred antique maps for only $79 (only on CD). If you have an earlier edition of either version you can upgrade to the new edition for $20.

If you get it, get the PLUS version... That extra $30 accounts for a LOT of extra goodies.

In the "woodcut" maps, some things are a bit too blurry compared to the clarity of the others. I'm not sure how to equalize that, but they should be more similar. Maybe the swamp and slope graphics should be a little more crisp.

Funny you should mention that.

Those two bits -- The swamp trees and the cliff ridges surrounding the Clifftop district of Tartessos -- are both bits that I stole from maps that came with the package. The trouble I had, and I knew this as I was building the map, was that the pieces that I was cutting and pasting weren't especially clear to begin with. The maps they came from are pretty old maps, and while the actual scans are pretty high quality, the orignal maps are often worn or smudged in places. On top of that, I had to put the borrowed pieces through several filters into order to make them match, at least superficially, the woodcut style. The end result was that I had the choice of leaving those pieces a bit blurry, or having them so sharp that they looked obviously digital and pixilated. I cut the difference, went halfway between and tried to smooth up the other parts to match.

Though I think it turned out fine, it wasn't quite as successful as I would have liked. What I need is to find way to smooth edges in Photoshop, without "blurring". A way to make a digitally-drawn line look more like a hand-drawn line. I haven't quite figured that one out yet.