The Campaign Builder's Guild

WARNING: this is a sketch. And not even a proper scan of it.

Much of the work in modern fantasy mapping seems to be focused on layout, coloring, and general "polishing", but there is some groundwork to be done before that: continents have to be designed and placed, coastlines mapped out, and all the while one must keep the concept of ones setting in mind as well as the aesthetic value of the map. It is this groundwork that I have been working on for some time now.

This is a pretty horrible sketch, but I think the coastlines have finally turned out right. Personally, I might even go so far as to call this an interesting map. A little unorthodox at the very least. What is your judgment? Could this turn into a good world map if I put some more time into it?  

EDIT: there is some superfluous detail on it, but many areas remain blank. It was mostly drawn in for my own sake. The map is contained by the drawn borders; I went too quickly through my paper reserves if I required an entire page per trial map.

 [spoiler]
     


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Looks great Crow!

@CC

lurv the map. having the Sheltered Sea be the prime area would work great, as the other parts look far enough away to be totally exotic, but accessible.

Well, I just got done with a continent from my setting, so here it is in all of its unlabeled glory:
[spoiler] [/spoiler]
I'll be back at some point with a better, more detailed map.

I like the shape of the Continent, Clockmaker. That big Bay must attract a lot of commerce :)  

In anticipation for my summer project, I decided to make a new map for my Aeolond setting! The world is going to be rebooted slightly, and the time-line will advance a few years. There are now 9 Kingdoms on Aeolond proper, as well as three island-kingdoms. To the north lie the Bogarlands, home of the only independent Goblin country, and the frigid Northlands where the Orthodox Church crusades to bring the continent's monstrous inhabitants to the true faith. To the south lie the Mountlands, whose Emperor claims to be a descendant of the First Empire's Emperors, as well as the the virgin utopia of the Sealands.

 [spoiler=Here is the Map] [/spoiler]

My that is a nice map.  I must say that those are some great city names, although after a second or two of serious thought, the city of Alecaster degenerated into a rum-summoning wizard class.

Quote from: The ClockmakerMy that is a nice map.  I must say that those are some great city names, although after a second or two of serious thought, the city of Alecaster degenerated into a rum-summoning wizard class.

Thanks! :)   Alecaster is the home of the Wizard Guild and one of the most prolific Brewing companies, so your thought is probably not far from the truth, especially on holidays :)

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: The ClockmakerMy that is a nice map.  I must say that those are some great city names, although after a second or two of serious thought, the city of Alecaster degenerated into a rum-summoning wizard class.

Thanks! :)   Alecaster is the home of the Wizard Guild and one of the most prolific Brewing companies, so your thought is probably not far from the truth, especially on holidays :)

Wizards and beer don't mix. Also that is one sexy map, you almost have me wanting to get back into cartography again.

I'm creating a new map for the Celtic setting I am fiddling with in my REAMS of spare time.  It is a hand-drawn map, and I intend to keep it that way.  I just feel they have more charm.  That said, lacking color or fancy computer graphics as tools at my disposal, I am wondering how best to indicate grasslands/rocklands/bogs/snow-covered/hypothetical desert/etc.  I've tried both diagonal lines and little periodic tufts of grass for grasslands, but neither was satisfying.  Any suggestions?  I am taking suggestions on depicting any land-type.

Quote from: Seraphine_HarmoniumI'm creating a new map for the Celtic setting I am fiddling with in my REAMS of spare time.  It is a hand-drawn map, and I intend to keep it that way.  I just feel they have more charm.  That said, lacking color or fancy computer graphics as tools at my disposal, I am wondering how best to indicate grasslands/rocklands/bogs/snow-covered/hypothetical desert/etc.  I've tried both diagonal lines and little periodic tufts of grass for grasslands, but neither was satisfying.  Any suggestions?  I am taking suggestions on depicting any land-type.

Your quandary is the exact reason why I never draw those kinds of maps. Its a very difficult style to master. A good source for ideas might be maps made for kids, they tend to have an abundance of those kinds of maps (for what ever reason). Sadly, google isn't turning up any good results. :(

Ascension over at the Cartographers Guild was working on this kind of map, though he eventually colored it in, lots of the terrain features fall into the clumps of grass for savanah, etc.

I thought his symbols would work well with the style you are going for.

Regional Map Practice

GP

Quote from: Gamer PrintshopAscension over at the Cartographers Guild was working on this kind of map, though he eventually colored it in, lots of the terrain features fall into the clumps of grass for savanah, etc.

I thought his symbols would work well with the style you are going for.

Regional Map Practice

GP

I am looking at his stuff, and I have seen some things that might be useful.  I'll see if they actually get across what I want them to.  In any case, thank you for the link and suggestion.

Quote from: Seraphine_Harmonium

Quote from: Gamer PrintshopAscension over at the Cartographers Guild was working on this kind of map, though he eventually colored it in, lots of the terrain features fall into the clumps of grass for savanah, etc.

I thought his symbols would work well with the style you are going for.

Regional Map Practice

GP

I am looking at his stuff, and I have seen some things that might be useful.  I'll see if they actually get across what I want them to.  In any case, thank you for the link and suggestion.

Yes!  I think this will do it.  Thanks GP!

I look forward to seeing your map!

GP