Thread: WiP: The Hinterlands Region

Regarding the labels, the color is probably the most unlikely thing about them. Were they painted on with Wite-Out? As a starting point, use a color for the text that you've already used elsewhere on the map.

Now, the rivers are almost okay. Assuming that the sea is to the south, you just need to reverse the confluence of the tributary northwest of Badger's Drift. Generally speaking, two rivers will meet in a Y shape, where the vertical part of the Y is pointed downstream. It's not impossible for a confluence to form the way you've shown it here, but it's unlikely and probably would not exist in that configuration very long, particularly on flat land. Erosion will knock out that pointed area, and the water from Badger's Drift will turn to the southwest before joining the larger river.

On the other hand, if the Badger's Drift tributary does drop it's water into the river traveling the "wrong" way, it might make for some interesting rapids in that area. Maybe even a persistent whirlpool.

Assuming it is a fantasy world, white ink can come from the fabled Ghost Squid, if you like the look. It is a good idea to think about how the mapmaker would have done this or that, but you don't need to restrict yourself to historical possibilities if you're not doing a historical map.

Where is the lake by Badger's Drift getting its water? You might want to add some rivers coming down from the mountains to feed the lake.

I concur with Midgardsormr on the labels colors. That white color isn't easily readable on your map and doesn't really fits it. A few other comments:
- I'd work more on the roads : for now they don't look very good (well they look what they are : some thin lines drawn with mouse) but I'm sure they can be improved!
- You have some trees that overlap the river up to tradesford
- Empty spaces is not a bad thing on a map but it would be cool to see the whole map, not only the cropped area
Good luck with it

Thank you for your responses. It's funny that I never really thought of the map as an object within that world (and it is a fantasy game world that I'm slowly developing). But, I think I should treat it as that.

In light of that, the labels look even more off (ghost squids were eradicated years ago). I saw some maps recently that had labels I'd like emulate, and it turns out that one of them was Max's: Lorn final. That's something I'll work on, as well as choosing a different typeface.

Regarding the lake near Badger's Drift, it appears my knowledge of the workings of waterways is faulty (nonexistant?). I thought the lake was being fed by a tributary of the main river, but by multiple responses, that seems not the case. It makes sense, now that you say it, Midgardsormr, that erosion would wipe out that pointed area.

Regarding the roads... I thought I had hidden that layer. They do look bad.

Thanks again.

It's a common mistake to think that rivers fork. We see that shape all the time, after all. But what they're really doing is joining together, not splitting apart. A river might fork temporarily during a flood, but it will very quickly choose one channel or the other, usually within a matter of hours. The same goes for lakes: one outflow only, although they can have any number of sources. If you do a search for "How to get your rivers in the right place" and/or "Essential river guidelines for mapping," you'll get more information on the topic than you could ever have wanted.

I actually kind of like the typeface, although it's crude in comparison to the obviously skillful draughtsmanship of the map's symbols.

Look this, almost tmilktoast's lake Its a region with a lots of lake with "no-where to go" i keep in mind something like this place.

57.043485, -112.912416

Originally Posted by tmilktoast

In light of that, the labels look even more off (ghost squids were eradicated years ago). I saw some maps recently that had labels I'd like emulate, and it turns out that one of them was Max's: Lorn final. That's something I'll work on, as well as choosing a different typeface.

Sounds like a good reference

That's some good information Midgardsormr. I have to confess that I knew of that thread / document about rivers, but I haven't taken the time to read through it. That's something I should do.

Aquaritis, even though that wasn't the point of your post, I have thought of making my rivers more windy like that. I was recently getting directions on Google Maps and noted how squiggly, wiggly, and contorted a lot of real rivers are. Mine are kind of boring in contrast. But, clearly the elevation (and rockiness?) of the land has something to with that. I'll read more about river placement before I get too crazy.

Max, it definitely is.

I'm going to be occupied with work and family matters, but I hope to update my map within in a few days.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by tmilktoast

But, clearly the elevation (and rockiness?) of the land has something to with that.

Exactly.... really, it's the elevation. Just like any liquid, it will always flow toward the lowest point. This is why higher elevations tend to be somewhat straight(ish) watercourses, while flatlands tend make more meandering watercourses. Rockiness does not matter in the short term for slow moving rivers, but if water is flowing equally over an area with hard soil/rock and soft soil(ie, exact same height and slope), eventually erosion will shift the current toward the softer soil and the harder will be above the water line. Simple physics at work here.