[Region 1][Map 12][Town 03] Irontown

[Talroth]

I've added an area of larger lots in the north of the Ironworks side, this will be for the less wealthy master smiths, or the more practical that choose to not travel across the harbor every morning. I've drawn out most of the walls and fortifications, and tonight I think I will finish those, and work on the harbor if I have time.

I'm not sure how much I'm liking the colours, so those I'll be playing with later this week, and maybe change my intended style if I find something that looks better.

### Latest WIP ###

[Talroth]

So, I'm not sure I'm happy with how the layout is going, I'm thinking that I will start a new copy, and try something different. I'm not sure if I'll finish this before then end of the month sadly, but I will get it done eventually. (Or offer up the working file to someone else that wants to finish it.)


But, there is a problem. The city is too large, at the current scale I would place the estimation of the population at over 70,000, (More if there are a lot of halflings) To support such a city, I would have to carve out a small kingdom, well, actually a fairly large one. I was kind of thinking of putting a kingdom that is somewhat scattered in settlements ranging from Irontown to Farpoint, thus giving Farpoint its name. It was the farthest point in the kingdom at the time of its founding.

For the settlement of the kingdom, I was thinking basically a large string of farms, with small walled villages. Basically long strips of 'civilization', each only an hour or two apart by horse, and all fields to feed the city Small clusters of these fortified farming villages would dot the land between Irontown and Farpoint, but leaving the areas around them and you suddenly plunge back into the untamed wilderness that is full of dangerous beasts. Even the villages aren't entirely safe, often raided by beasts or monsters.

I was also thinking of making a large part of the central population as Orcs. But not your common foaming at the mouth orc, but a cultured, peaceful race of Orcs that is trying to distance themselves from their 'cousins', where ever else they're found in the world. Sharing the brute strength with others of their race, but placing a higher value on wisdom and intelligence. While nearly as unpleasant to look at, they are at least polite, and generally as clean as any farmer is expected to be, and hold a skilled poet in as high of regard as a strong warrior.

Any suggestions to improve the idea? I think I'm going to go back and try a second version of my mapping now.


### Latest WIP ###

[Sigurd]

Hey Talroth,

I know what its like to run a little dry - you've seen me fuss over the Kalabar. I appreciate your postings. You have a great choice of land to work with. Your island pattern really looks like a river delta.

Reflecting population in a map is hard. Why do you think the regional maps end with a couple of little dots and a name or two?

What does Irontown produce and what is its income source? It backs up against the Red Hoof Forrest. Presumably full of Centaurs and Trees and ?

Is it just Iron from one mine?

Assuming undocumented "trade" can support some of the economy, are there specific tasks or industries Irontown could excel in?

What was the affect of the Groam silver boom on Irontown? Did the town miners and metal workers clear out to go and look for silver in Groam? Did they come back? Why?

Remember it's the Beastlands 'where people are scarce'.


- Irontown is on the coast of the worlds Ocean. They likely trade out to other countries rather than up into the Beastlands.
- Irontown, and its mines, could be a necessary resource for your far flung kingdom. Fortified against attack because it is in such a dangerous area.
- It would be a great place to start safaris into the Beastlands from.
- Perhaps its a city state, clinging to its independence on the frontier or the personal fief of a foreign noble escaping the taxes of his feudal obligation.
- Perhaps its run by dwarves, connoisseurs of metal and too damn stubborn to leave.
- Maybe its not a 'nice' place . It can be fun to map an evil den of polluting, slave killing, tyrannical psychopaths..... Perhaps they take their slaves from the Beastlands and work them to death in the mines. Then they cast their worn out bodies into the ocean. None of the other countries look too closely because their metal is always good and who wants to go to the Beastlands?

- Naval power and ship building could be very important to it. The forest could supply the trees and the mines the metals. Britain roamed most of America logging out white pine and other trees suitable for ship masts etc...


Any help? If there's anything you think I can do, or change\develop in Kalabar, let me know. Rav has been real accommodating too.




Sigurd

[Talroth]

Sadly, I think I am bowing out of this for the month. If someone wants to take Irontown, feel free. If someone likes the general lay out I'll even send them the base GIMP or my current working Photoshop files. A few things came up, and I'm likely not going to have much time to work on this before the end of the month. I'll still help working on backstory and stuff for the region if anyone wants. (I'm finding lots of time sitting and doing nothing, just not near my PC)

[ravells]

I'm really sorry to hear it, Talroth. After the competition is over, I'll move the entry into the CWBP page so if someone wants to take it over, then they can. Even better, if you find more time, you could complete the map. Would you mind posting the photoshop files here?

Many thanks and hope you find the time to come back to us soon!

Ravs