The Port City of Tabor

[spyb0y1]

Hello,

This is my first attempt at a city map, a port city called Tabor:

(sorry for the phone quality, I don't have a scanner big enough to scan A3)

The city is the most important trading hub for the Kingdom of Aren, and it will be the starting city for the PC's in a campaign I am writing at the moment. I have a continental map which I will post in the proper sub-forum sometime soon.

I would love some feedback on how I can improve this map - my main challenges are:

• Labelling areas - best way to do it by hand?
• Taking the map from a sketch to something a little more final - just artline it? or is there a better way?

I prefer drawing maps by hand as I only have a cheap graphics tablet and I feel I have more control on paper.

Because I haven't worked out a nice way to label it yet, here is a quick rundown of the districts:

• In the bottom left, the warehouse district (names are placeholders) - Storage for all the goods coming into or out of the port
• Separating this from the next district is a large market area, where almost any kind of goods can be bought or sold (although nothing too illegal in this part of town). More permanent stores along the sides.
• Next across, dockside - the slightly seedier part of town, without going to an actual slum. Small, cramped houses, narrow streets, slightly shady inns.
• Across once more, we have a slightly nicer part of town. This is where people such as craftsmen, small businesses and artisans would live. Houses are nicer and larger with wider streets.
• Across a final time and there is another small block of warehouses and a caravan depo - this is storage for any cargo coming in by caravan or river.
• On the other bank of the river is a slum/smugglers haven
• Back in the top left, surrounded by a wall is the old town. It is the highest part of the city (the rest gradually sloped towards this). Similar housing density to item 3 on this list, but more expensive.
• to the right of this is the merchants district - Very large houses, usually with their own small grounds. There is a large park/market circle in the centre.
• Directly below this is the temple plaza, housing temples to every major god in the kingdom.
• To the right of this is a small judicial district, with a prison, courts, and the main guardhouse.
• To the north of the old town is practically a slum, most inhabitants only live there part time and work as caravan guards, sailors or seasonal farmers for part of the year.

I'm looking forward to your comments and criticisms.

[Josiah VE]

Hey Spyboy,

I'm afraid the attachment isn't working. Try re-uploading it. This happens sometimes.

[spyb0y1]

Thanks for letting me know, I've re-uploaded it now. Hopefully it'll work now, I know I can see it embedded this time.

[Josiah VE]

Yep, it's working now.

Really, really cool layout! It's looking great.

For labeling and easy way to do it is scan it in and label it on the computer..

[spyb0y1]

That's a good idea, I'll just have to find somewhere with a big enough scanner that I can use...

[Robulous]

That's a good idea, I'll just have to find somewhere with a big enough scanner that I can use...

Try using Camscanner on your phone, it's good at adjusting the shape and contrast. Also try to make sure you take it from directly above, in good lighting.

I always scan things with Camscanner on my phone, it gives good results.