Thread: The Mountain Realms

This version looks much better; the mountains seem to 'flow' more naturally now. As far as the desert - there's nothing wrong with not having an imposing barrier separating it from the rest of the map; in fact to me it looks better this way. I know its hard to do with that tutorial, but maybe add in some kind of transitioning terrain between the deserts and the plains/grasslands? Some kind of drier steppe-like terrain? Also, vary the shape of the desert a bit from an oval - it'll look more life-like.

You could still have mountains separating the desert from the rest of the map; deserts do often form in the rainshadow of tall mountains. If you avoid that almost-perfect oval shape when you place the 'barrier mountains', that could look cool too.

thanks for all those good pointers... I'll get to work on it just after the parchment for my lite challenge..

Originally Posted by Diamond

I know its hard to do with that tutorial, but maybe add in some kind of transitioning terrain between the deserts and the plains/grasslands? Some kind of drier steppe-like terrain?

Oh, I've let go of the tutorial now, but it definitly got me started right - it had just the look I like ... so now, Im improvising, and it more the geographical than the technical issues that have me thinking. For instance - should my general ground be greener as there is a lot of grassland - and finding a nuance for stepp-like terrain would be easier if there was a greater span between the desert and the grasslands. I've only worked with pen on paper before this map - so I'm easing my way into colors *lol*
For now - I'll twist the rivers thank you all for your comments

newest version - now with twisting rivers

Yes, I like those rivers much better now!

As for the grassland color - personally, yeah, I tend to go for greener colors, although I guess it would depend a lot on latitude and temperature and the actual plant life found there. If it's a 'true' grassland or steppe, like central Asia or the US's Great Plains, then a tannish color seems more apt. But if it's more like a semi-wooded grassland, then more green.

Yeah, I'm in agreement with Diamond. You could always use different shades of green for different areas of the map, too, just to give it a bit more variation. It's looking great, though!

The green should definitely be deeper.

Green, green grass of home... So, I've
• changed the hue of the grasslands
• added some steppe territory
• changed the shape of the desert
• added some greeenery to the oasis (will change it later on to a more palmy look)
• cleaned up the plain of the hand (middle north)

Am thinking about
• adding more forest
• adding fields close to cities (sometime after I've placed the cities)
• finding fitting symbols for cities
• adding more varians to the grasslands
• adding roads
• adding texture/hills to the desert
• adding symbols for mines
• adding symbols for ruins etc
• political borders
• names
• compas and scale
• taking a nap *lol*

I hope you enjoy - please come with suggestions

This looks way better. Good job!

Maybe change the color of the rivers a little? And perhaps make them a little less visible.