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The Archives => Campaign Elements and Design (Archived) => Topic started by: Seraph on April 20, 2012, 03:54:02 PM

Title: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Seraph on April 20, 2012, 03:54:02 PM
Those who were in the Cad Goleor IRC game will remember the Tulainn, though they didn't spend much time there.  I am currently writing a new piece of fiction set in the same town, which may become a novel, and found that having a map of the region would be helpful.

The map was made using GIMP, and some downloaded brushes.  I am open to comments and critique.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6950917752_eb79bd34d9_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26747731@N06/6950917752/)

[spoiler=Big Map](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6950917752_eb79bd34d9_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26747731@N06/6950917752/)[/spoiler]Some notes on Key features:
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Hibou on April 20, 2012, 11:17:13 PM
I actually really like the style of this map. I wish I had more to say :D
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: HippopotamusDundee on April 20, 2012, 11:51:54 PM
The map looks great. The style and text just screams Celtic to me - I suspect it may be because this map reminds me very fondly of the ones from the Slaine RPG.

I don't know if its intentional (in which case ignore this) but the hills, although cool, look a tiny bit flat, mostly when they're next to the far more detailed forests. I think the hills look great, but maybe some more layers of colour/shading might help.
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Seraph on April 23, 2012, 03:00:22 AM
An updated version of the map.  Not sure I will keep all of the changes, but I'm interested is seeing what people think of the new version.

I recolored the hills, involving some shading, tried a different look with the water, and messed around with the ground and the roads.  Let me know what you think is better or worse.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7105245501_6250607c46_m.jpg)
[spoiler=Big Map](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7105245501_6250607c46_b.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Elemental_Elf on April 23, 2012, 05:09:20 AM
Great map! I've been trying to draw a map in this style recently but your map puts mine to shame!

I like the new background for the map (textured is nice) but I am not sold on the new hills. They look like they are floating above the terrain. BUT I like that they are green now.
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Kindling on April 23, 2012, 08:51:45 AM
The little buildings look very medieval, not sure if that suits the setting or not... other than that it's very slick :)
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Seraph on April 23, 2012, 03:21:05 PM
Quote from: Kindling
The little buildings look very medieval, not sure if that suits the setting or not... other than that it's very slick :)
Actually, if I could get a decent looking brush with ROUND buildings it would be ideal.  "Medieval" in a broad sense is appropriate, but it's really more Dark Age Celtic, and the Celts favored round houses. But since I can't seem to make a good looking one of those myself, nor can I find any brushes for such online, the more square medieval ones work well enough for now.
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Seraph on April 23, 2012, 11:58:58 PM
So here is yet another edition of the map.  I found a picture of the kind of roundhouse to base a brush off of.  I also fiddled around with adding some rocky outcroppings

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/6962275524_bc622ce0f1_m.jpg)

[Spoiler=Big Map](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/6962275524_bc622ce0f1_b.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Seraph on May 29, 2012, 08:43:40 PM
Alright, here is an updated map, with some changes. I'd like to hear thoughts about any of them.

1) Some of my forests are different. You can still see some of the previous forests over on the left, for comparison. I think I like the new forest better, but I might end up making a new animated forest brush to do them with that works in some different kinds of trees.

2) Fiddled with the Lake some more. Not right yet, but I think I am making progress.

3) I tweaked the house that was overlapping the road.

4) Reworked the grass a bit

5) Tapered the Rivers

One of the rivers near the bottom is sloppy and will be fixed.  I think I am also going to redo the fields.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7298598284_5d4f052c75_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26747731@N06/7298598284/)

[spoiler=Big Map](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7298598284_5d4f052c75_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26747731@N06/7298598284/)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Tulainn Map [WIP, Cad Goleor]
Post by: Ghostman on May 30, 2012, 10:38:29 AM
New trees look better IMO. One of them is overlapped by a field near the Brug na Bothar.