Custom Made Worlds (IMAGES)

[James Heard]

I think the red and gold city icon is a bit iffy looking. Maybe you could black stroke each circle before putting them together? Also, the leftward icons look a bit off center compared to the rightward ones. Is that a jpeg distortion or did you use different icons for each? It looks nicer if all the icons are absolutely consistent.

 

[Trainz]

The roads look nifty. Well done.

Man, when you're finished, I need that map for my homebrew. Awesome.

 

[crabclaw]

i think u are correct trainz the red works although i have been getting e-mailed suggestion that the road shold be more earthy in color -- but considering that the map is going to be published at 11 x 17 i think red will stand out better -- i will to prints to see color matches and decide along with patron

 

[Trainz]

Do you mind sending me a jpg version when it's complete ? My email is in my profile.

I will definitely make a homebrew based on that map.

 

[Eosin the Red]

The work, like most of your stuff, is stunning.

I think it is geographically flawed as mentioned. It might be worth it to rework some of those rivers into something that could occur naturally/within the bounds of physics.

If the topography was fixed it would be as good as the top grade professional maps and better than many of them.


[EDIT: Just looked at Destin's reply. If it is what you want....coolio....It just strikes one as being somehow wrong when you look at it and it does not fit with topograpical reality. I am a suspension of disbelief kinda guy....the less extranious stuff required by the world and the GM, the more likely the players will buy in.]

 

[crabclaw]

i think u are correct trainz the red works although i have been getting e-mailed suggestion that the road shold be more earthy in color -- but considering that the map is going to be published at 11 x 17 i think red will stand out better -- i will to prints to see color matches and decide along with patron

 

[Conaill]

Yeah, what Eosin said!

Since we're doing roads now, a quick note on road topology... A Y-shaped road network like you just drew would be unlikely to happen in real life unless there was something special (like a city) in the center of the Y. Especially if one arm of the Y is so short. Just think... someone wants to travle from Reynholt to Lor... why wouldn't he stop by Haran, since it's only a minor detour? Unless there's only one pass leading into Haran, it's more likely you'll see a road from Reynholt to Haran, and one from Haran to Lor.

In general, don't try to minimize the *total* distance of roads (which will give you what's called "minimum spanning trees", i.e. lots of Y-shaped structures), but minimize the *pairwise* distance between cities that have travel between them (typically resulting in triangles etc.)

In places where you *do* have some good reason for roads and/or other routes of travel (don't forget rivers!) to meet in the middle of nowhere (due to geographical obstacles, etc)... that's probably a good place for a city to arise anyway!

 

[Destan]

Just think... someone wants to travle from Reynholt to Lor... why wouldn't he stop by Haran, since it's only a minor detour?

Conaill - That road was just an example of the style - it's not an actual road (we haven't gotten to that point in the process, yet). That being said, when/if we do throw up a map with the roads on it, I'd appreciate any feedback you may have. Tried to email you, but no email addy here on EN World, so hopefully you get this. Thanks!

D

 

[Conaill]

That road was just an example of the style - it's not an actual road (we haven't gotten to that point in the process, yet). That being said, when/if we do throw up a map with the roads on it, I'd appreciate any feedback you may have.

Sure. How flexible are you in terms of going back and rearranging some of the cities? I find you often get ideas about where settlements should be located once you start thinking about roads and trade routes...

 

[crabclaw]

About the rivers and the direction of flowing water -- I don't see how this map could show the water flowing up hill. I mean whose to say the river parts around mountains are not in deep canyons -- with the dimensions of the map at 11 x 17 I don't see how one could say the river parts are not in deep canyons. Q: How could the direction of the flow of water be illustrated at this birds-eye view? Topographical lines are not in the order so can anyone show me a picture "example" of this supposed error? One possibility strikes me as I write -- what about "narrowing" the originating streams as tightly as I can -- however that might make them virtually invisible at the printed size -- which brings me to the point that this is not a topographical map per say once again -- I dunno -- we can bounce ideas around -- I want criticism but “suggestions” would also be helpful if any one has the time -- thank you all!

crabclaw, who has had 4 hours of sleep since Friday, takes his leave till Monday.