Since I am redoing Marit I thought I would redo the map. But I want some advice. I currently plan on having 10 or countries of varying sizes.
My question is this, how big should the map be? 1000 miles across? 3000 miles across? I'm not sure what a good scale would be. Any suggestions?
As large as needed.
Seriously - make it big enough to accomodate everything you want, but not so huge it become unreasonable. For 10 countries, I'd say no more than a 300 mile area, unless one of the countries is dominant in size (think Russia in relation to Europe.) If you're going for a whole globe, Earth is 5000 miles around at the equator (if I remember correctly) so that gives you a good 'baseline' size. However, Earth has around 180 nations on it of varying sizes, so fitting 10 there would leave for some /massive/ nations, unless the world is very much water dominated.
I wrote a fairly mediocre article on this topic for the CBGuide issue #1. (Link in the CBGuide tab at the top of screen)
Regarding scale, it's actually quite important that you don't make it too big. If you haven't read this: http://www.io.com/~sjohn/demog.htm yet, I suggest you do.
For starters, how about you talk about the various sizes of the countries and post the map you have.
When in doubt, consult a map of Europe.
Quote from: Epic MeepoWhen in doubt, consult a map of Europe.
QFT
Quote from: EclipseAs large as needed.
Seriously - make it big enough to accomodate everything you want, but not so huge it become unreasonable. For 10 countries, I'd say no more than a 300 mile area, unless one of the countries is dominant in size (think Russia in relation to Europe.) If you're going for a whole globe, Earth is 5000 miles around at the equator (if I remember correctly) so that gives you a good 'baseline' size. However, Earth has around 180 nations on it of varying sizes, so fitting 10 there would leave for some /massive/ nations, unless the world is very much water dominated.
The Earth (at the equator) has a circumference of 24,901.55 miles.
The state of Virginia, where I am at the moment, has an area of 42,774 sq mi, and it's not one of the largest states (Alaska is more than 600,000 sq mi, and Russia around 6 million square miles). I'd say 300 sq mi is pretty small.
Quote from: PhoenixQuote from: EclipseAs large as needed.
Seriously - make it big enough to accomodate everything you want, but not so huge it become unreasonable. For 10 countries, I'd say no more than a 300 mile area, unless one of the countries is dominant in size (think Russia in relation to Europe.) If you're going for a whole globe, Earth is 5000 miles around at the equator (if I remember correctly) so that gives you a good 'baseline' size. However, Earth has around 180 nations on it of varying sizes, so fitting 10 there would leave for some /massive/ nations, unless the world is very much water dominated.
The Earth (at the equator) has a circumference of 24,901.55 miles.
The state of Virginia, where I am at the moment, has an area of 42,774 sq mi, and it's not one of the largest states (Alaska is more than 600,000 sq mi, and Russia around 6 million square miles). I'd say 300 sq mi is pretty small.
Wow, I had my facts wrong on circumference.
However, I did not mean a 300 sq mi area - that's roughly the size of new york city. I meant 300 miles across, which in retrospect, is still rather small - not much wider than the state of Missouri. 500-600 miles wide/tall should be a good area, in that case.
Here is the current map. The country names have changed. Right now I have the scale set at 1000 miles across horizontally.
(http://www.thecbg.org/e107_files/public/1176761832_293_FT28527_marit_main.jpg)
Thank you for the advice so far and I look forward to more input!
:-p
I want to adventure in the "Rotting Lands!" :)
(good map)
I like the map.
If I'm reading it right, (which I've proven isn't that common) I'd say each of those countries is about the size of a medium sized American state, such as Ohio or Illinois. That seems like a reasonable size to me. :)
According to your map, it'd take someone roughly three months to march from westernmost Hydar to easternmost Krilonna on a coastal road. Traveling through relatively straight roads on the mainland I'd say would take roughly the same amount of time.
That's not a bad travel time, though it could be a bit too large if you want to have tightly-knit nations. If you're going for what I think you are, I'd drop it to 4/5ths scale.
Quote from: IshmaylI want to adventure in the "Rotting Lands!" :)
I concur. Is there somewhere we can find out more about the Rotting Lands?
Quote from: EclipseQuote from: Epic MeepoWhen in doubt, consult a map of Europe.
QFT
Thirded.
Too many Americans forget that the USA are really, really underpopulated when compared with the rest of the world, and a nation that large is really impossible to keep running without speedy communication and transportation. Base the size of your countries on Europe if you are going with a medieval paradigm.
Quote from: EclipseQuote from: A Map of Europe in 1328(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Europein1328.png)[/spoiler]
Nice find limetom.
Quote from: IshmaylI want to adventure in the "Rotting Lands!"
You know, when I hear "Rotting Lands," my first thought isn't not "Wow, I want to go there!" Now if it was named "Paradise Valley," I'd be all over it.
Quote from: RavenspathHere is the current map. The country names have changed. Right now I have the scale set at 1000 miles across horizontally.
(http://www.thecbg.org/e107_files/public/1176761832_293_FT28527_marit_main.jpg)
Thank you for the advice so far and I look forward to more input!
:-p
The maps looks good but I'd try to save it in .PNG rather than .JPEG format because .PNG (at least in my experience) preserves the clarity and color of the original map (i.e. the map you see on your monitor) much better than .JPEG.
Here, I'll show you the difference:
[spoiler=.JPEG](//../../e107_files/public/1191554682_503_FT39225_carrot.jpg)[/spoiler]
[spoiler=.PNG](//../../e107_files/public/1191554682_503_FT39225_carrot.png)[/spoiler]
Quote from: 276&height=202../../e107_files/public/1191554682_503_FT39225_carrot.png[/img]
Oh, it may have been called the Kingdom of the Surprised Carrot. But on that fateful day, as the armies of the Bunny gathered on yonder field to commence their stealth assault, the Carrot was far from surprised. In the pale light of dawn, those brave men charged into the waiting arms of the Carrot ambush, never to be seen again. It was a dark day for the forces of the Duke, and the Bunny, once Happy, was Sad forever more.[/ic]
But Meeps...? How did the monkey become mute?
He didn't say.
Quote from: PhoenixBut Meeps...? How did the monkey become mute?
He chooses to be mute so he can impress girls with his ability to appear aloof.
Quote from: Epic MeepoQuote from: 276&height=202../../e107_files/public/1191554682_503_FT39225_carrot.png[/img]
Oh, it may have been called the Kingdom of the Surprised Carrot. But on that fateful day, as the armies of the Bunny gathered on yonder field to commence their stealth assault, the Carrot was far from surprised. In the pale light of dawn, those brave men charged into the waiting arms of the Carrot ambush, never to be seen again. It was a dark day for the forces of the Duke, and the Bunny, once Happy, was Sad forever more.[/ic]
That was an Epic Win! ^_^