From small seeds, such things grow. World Map WIP

[Eru]

I like the "feel" of the zoomed in map. I'm no expert in mapmaking, but it looks very realistic to me and is the kind of map I'd love to hand out to my players. The effects and lack of boxiness add to that.

My only attempt at a critical comment is regarding the name chosen for a particular area: "The Claws", which happens to look like a bunch of claws on the map. There are very few places on earth named for how they look from the sky or on a map. Why? Because most of the people that live there, and that thus named it, never see it from that perspective. Instead, they see it from a ground-level view and thus refer to it in terms that make sense from that perspective. However, people making fantasy maps often name places for their resemblance from the mapmaker's perspective, for obvious reasons.

If I were you I'd either rename it to something more in keeping with the namer's perspective (assuming they were typical humanoids) or take advantage of the fact it's a fantasy setting and create a neat history about how it got its name (e.g. maybe it was named by flying dragons and they passed the name on to the humanoid inhabitants, or maybe the name has nothing to do with the shape of the landmass!).

Anyway, that's a beautiful map you've created - thanks for sharing, and I look forward to seeing more!

[thebax2k]

The outline of Esterlen looks very nice--good job. I'd be curious to see what it looks like when land features, roads, and cities are added. I'm also curious what a full world map would look like. Good luck and good mapping.

[Venardhi]

My only attempt at a critical comment is regarding the name chosen for a particular area: "The Claws", which happens to look like a bunch of claws on the map. There are very few places on earth named for how they look from the sky or on a map. Why? Because most of the people that live there, and that thus named it, never see it from that perspective. Instead, they see it from a ground-level view and thus refer to it in terms that make sense from that perspective. However, people making fantasy maps often name places for their resemblance from the mapmaker's perspective, for obvious reasons.

If I were you I'd either rename it to something more in keeping with the namer's perspective (assuming they were typical humanoids) or take advantage of the fact it's a fantasy setting and create a neat history about how it got its name (e.g. maybe it was named by flying dragons and they passed the name on to the humanoid inhabitants, or maybe the name has nothing to do with the shape of the landmass!).

Actually, a domesticated 'drake' is one of the primary modes of transportation in this land, and they are also used to draw dirigibles. The territory in the small close-up map is also very recently conquered, so most of the towns are new or at least have new names given to them by the newly arrived. I had a similar concern when I first named it that but on the whole it seems logical enough. They are also particularly rocky and dangerous to sail around, which lends more credence to the name.

Thanks for the criticism though, always nice to be questioned on things like this to avoid stupid mistakes.

[Eru]

Drake-drawn dirigibles: how cool! If your skills extend to artistry, I'd love to see a drawing of them.... =)

[Venardhi]

It isn't exactly the best of sketches, but I did this to illustrate to a friend what I was talking about the other day when I was explaining my story.

[RPMiller]

It isn't exactly the best of sketches, but I did this to illustrate to a friend what I was talking about the other day when I was explaining my story.

You sir deserve some rep!! Nice illustration, agreed that it isn't the best, but it gets the point across and gives an excellent feel of the setting.

[pyrandon]

I don't know why, but the idea of drake-drawn dirigilbles & your illustration make sme very happy!

[Venardhi]

It just makes so much sense you wonder why you've never thought of it before, ehh? My setting is very wild-west/Victorian inspired, and one of the first thoughts I had was "If cowboys and carriages didn't have horses to draw them. . . what might they use?" and so I came to the conclusion that at least in parts of this world, dragon-like creatures became one of the dominant life forms, possibly evolving out of a large bat-like creature. I like the idea of a non-reptilian dragon with the sort of natural fleshy armor as Rhinos and the like(to a higher, and more finely tuned degree of course.)