Maybe you could add a varnishing effect on the wood or simply adding light reflection.

As for the font, the one you used at the bottom seems pretty nice. Other than that I'm not really sure it fit but maybe you could look toward the steampunk style to get some ideas. Maybe something like on the image of your character, something with crossed metal bar or made of pale stone (kinda like a celtic cross)

Looking at your character you might want something more futuristic. Try typing "art déco revival". There is interesting stuff out there.

I'm not sure what you mean by solid color but if it's something like the brown on this background, by experience (but I don't have that much) it's not really apropriate for a map but there might always be exeption. It all depend of the style because the map in the Queen Marie 2 is pretty.