Madd's Maps

Here I'll post the maps I work on as another method of procrastinating rather then writing :-]. If anyone wants me to do a map let me know and I'll give it a go (and probably put a lot more effort into it as a result).

This first map is of the Arid Bluemane kingdom, by the sea having several Nile like rivers and flooding lands. The names were meant to be descriptive, with cites being more mature and the villages just using a feature of the village (Edge is st the edge of the Ashlands, Salt is by the sea, you get the picture).

Ok, the Image is too big. No matter, you can see the full image here: http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Map1-Kingdom-of-Bluemane-282715472

[Tammika]

Wow! Awesome job Madd. This is something I'd love to learn how to do!

[TruthSayer]

Very nice, Madd! I like the way you've arranged the names of the places, as explained in your description below the map. One thing that I like to see on maps is a legend with a distance gauge, explaining kilometers/miles, but I understand that not everyone likes to see these.

Very awesome job!

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm not happy with some of the articles (Grass, Dunes etc), they're a bit to big and irregularly positioned for my liking, so I may change that at some point. You are right that a scale would be useful Tam, but I'm still working that out Narrative wise, so it will come later. I'll do a different one for tomorrow, just to give some verity.

An attempt in Colour, looks a bit clunky.

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Map2-Askvir-1-282736769

[TruthSayer]

Looks great! One question, though. What's the ank for? Decoration, or does it symbolize a certain island's name?

Nothing really, more denoting a style for the area. If you check the link you can see other icons for other islands/continents

This is my take on an Iceland like country if it formed in the tropics. Left the water alone in this one, focused on the detail, hence why the resolution is so crappy at this height. Will get some better quality close ups to follow.

The little back-story I came up with whilst creating was it was a a sort of medieval gold rush style land where people have come to this relatively new land to nine for gold and rare gems, lots of lone canines and mining communities. No real roads, and the three cities all make Mos Eisely look like a nice place to live.

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Map3-Fire-Island-282777363

(Closeups with link)

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Fire-Island-southeast-282780724

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Fire-Island-Southwest-282783230

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Fire-Island-northwest-282785243

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Fire-Island-northeast-282786966

[TruthSayer]

NICE! Getting better, Madd!

Next map:


http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/#/d4oejkx

Another map in my quest too find some style, this time going for as minimalist as possible using only some geometric shapes to add texture. All the names are nonsense, I just thought them up on the spot, so no offence if they are rude in your language. I've tried to apply the continents based on a geological pattern the using tectonics and subsidence to give some realistic credence.

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Tal-tor-Barkloss-283182323


Another map in my continued effort for quality, this time doing a more detailed view of the previous map. Not sure about some of the features, but happy with it on the whole. (plus I'm going to run out of names soon).

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/#/d4os6mm

Here is part two of the detailed Tal'tor Maps, trying to improve on what I think is a good thing. I am wondering if it is a bit cluttered, but I was going for Primeval Britannic look (Ie almost completely covered with forests). I will have to write down the little stories I'm coming up with as I draw the maps, as They do give context, but maybe another time.

NB, There is an error on the top continent tip notation, replace the two 'll's with a H

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Tal-Tor-Iploss-and-Sunken-Lands-283591933

This really should have been part of the other maps, but in the end this will be an addendum to the first two. This time I'm getting an impression of the map, that there has been a major tectonic event that has caused all they sinking.

Not happy with the blank space, may add to it in future if i can think of something.

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Misstir-full-283773584?q=gallery%3Adragonshad&qo=3

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Misstir-close-up-1-283773867?q=gallery%3Adragonshad&qo=2

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Misstir-Close-up-2-283774018?q=gallery%3Adragonshad&qo=1

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/art/Misstir-Close-up-3-283774207?q=gallery%3Adragonshad&qo=0

Ok, got my hands on a new program last night (For a pretty penny) so I've been experimenting today, and after 6 frustrating hours this is my result. I have a full map, but rather then spam you with details here is a group going from extreme zoom to a close up, just to show that whilst it looks rough in orbit, the hyper-detailing this program allows is incredible (BTW I did not do every tree, they have a tool to let you cheat).

It is a bit buggy, meaning some of the controls went weird and I don't know how to correct them, so there are some great special effects that were lost. However, I am overall happy with this first draft. I can show more details if anyone wants it and give the back story I though up whilst drawing.

The Program is Campaign Creator 3 (Obviously a D&D tool originally), Available to download from their website.

[TruthSayer]

WOW those last ones are nice! I saw Campaign Creator 3, and you're right: pretty penny there. I envy you having it, though!

I would love the back story! Does this have anything to do with your novel?

lol, no. This just sort of formed out of the ether, and all the other stuff holding my brain together. No, Surprisingly the first maps I posted were the setting for my novel, although there is some fluidity in the geography. I may re do it now I have this mad bit of kit.
This one is a land where once an empire ruled, but a calamity destroyed half their empire, and no0w they struggle on as several kingdoms break off on their own.

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/#/d4p1i8o

Update of the original map here, this time using CC3, and the qualitly of the new program means my eyes now bleed when I look at the old one, which made getting name references hard. Got the land glow effect now, so should blend with the sea batter, and the fractals are a bit better from what I can see.

Comments and suggestions welcome

http://dragonshad.deviantart.com/#/d4p63ml

Here is an attempt to use the effects in CC3, like progressive blurring for the seas and transparency on some land effects. I learnt some lessons from this, and also made a mistake wit some woods took 2 hours to correct. Still, i'm happy with the result.

Questions comments etc, let me know.

NB: Sorry about the names, My knowledge of Asian languages is far too small.