Greetings,

I've sat in the shadows for quite a few years - albeit I did join officially in 2009. Like many that hang out here, I've long had a deep passion for all things map related, and its quite astonishing to me to see just how talented you all are. Specifically the detail that I've seen in many of your profiles, and the amount of glorious maps that you've shared. So kudos to each of you.

As a bit of background I'm 47, am a 5th year College senior majoring in Animation and Technology at Kent State and I started gaming in 1973 with Chainmail - subsequently moving on to D&D/AD&D in the next few years. I'm currently working on my own style of overland map techniques, while my main focus has been on Classic Blue maps found in the original D&D mods from the 70's.

As a couple brief examples, my first map from 1974 focused on the plight of 5 missing children, and the mystery of the Muckdwellers. A 2nd level is accessed by the well in the midst of the dungeon, with a single ladder. So it was called The Well of Lost Souls:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j.../LostSouls.png

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...ator/Wheel.png

I've been using Paint Shop Pro (currently using version 7.04) since its inception, while employing Fractal Mapper 8 and Map Tools for overland style maps. I've recently jumped onto the Gimp, finding the flexibility in its tool design and its layer capability to be a huge boon.

Next is a map which I redesigned for the members over at Dragonsfoot, based on their gaming world called Dragonstone. This was laid out in Fractal Mapper 8, then finishing touches added in PSP.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...or/Dragon1.png

To finish up this probably too long introduction, I go by Bloated Blowfish over at Dragonsfoot, while maintaining a blog that focuses on Software reviews for 1E gaming, and various old-school campaigning. The blog is:

http://bloatedblowfish.blogspot.com/

Cheers,