WIP The Sultanate of Sharessan - fantasy map

[- Max -]

My current WIP : a large regional arabic/moorish-like fantasy map, with mostly mountainous and desertic areas. I went on top view with this one and used CIA shaded relief archive to do the mountains (map size 7441x5079px for now uploaded maps are 50% size)
Sorry but the previous thread has gone with the restored backup so I'll skip to the last stage with fixed coastlines and rivers, palm groves/oasis vegetation and a few dried salt lakes.

Sultanat de Sharessan5.jpg

[Dain]

This looks great! I'm eager to see the next step!

[- Max -]

Thanks Dain. Here are some heraldic symbols i'm currently drawing. The "shields" are based on Tuareg crosses shapes. Those symbols will show the main nomadic tribes movement areas.

Sharessan symboles.jpg

[Hefadmun]

Ooohh-oh-oh, sweet. Proceeding nicely with the map. And the heraldry, once again, looks fantastic!

[- Max -]

Thanks Hefadmun I started labelling, with main regions, mountains, deserts and rivers and also gave more overall contrast.

Sultanat de Sharessan6.jpg

[Christopher Johnstone]

Hm. I tried to reply but it seemed to be eaten by the ether? I think I hit the wrong button? Or do messages go to a holding position for moderation?

Anyway, was just wanting to say that the map is quite amazing. I also like your choice of Franco-Arabic names, which seems to hint at a colonial history. I don't know if that was your intent, but either way, the names carry a nice air of the exotic and mysterious to them.

Thanks,

Chris

[kaelin]

Wow, that's really nice! I love the overall look and feel of this map. It seems so natural. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Also, the heraldry is fantastic!

[- Max -]

Thanks much guys!
@Christopher : I wanted to give names some north african/maghreb touch (though I use some other inspiration: Sandjak for instance is a turkish term) I'm glad it carries that kind of feeling

[Christopher Johnstone]

The names struck me as immediately evokative. Very nice choice to go with.

Chris

[- Max -]

Thanks I'm currently working with labelling more regions, cities, towns, kraks and caravanserails so I should upload another update later in the day