|
|
Post by dmvictorchris on Jan 15, 2017 5:54:51 GMT
Hey folks,
I'm interested to hear about how other people handle mapping in their world for an adventure/campaign. Primarily, what scales do you map out for you and your players? Do you create full world maps all the way down to cities and villages; or do you stick to more general maps? Right now, since my world is in it's infancy, I have a map for the continent in which my first campaign is primarily taking place. I also have several battle maps and a couple dungeon maps set up (using Roll20 since some players moved out of the area). As far as cities go, I've just been marking them on the continent map as the players come across them or are told about them. Right now I just don't have the time to invest in making city maps. My world's geography in this campaign is about to change somewhat significantly (temporarily, if the players can succeed in their quest), so I'll likely be doing a full world map soon.
How about you guys? How detailed do you get when it comes to mapping out your worlds? Images are welcome! I'd love to see what you folks have created.
|
|
|
|
Post by dmgenisisect on Jan 17, 2017 5:56:20 GMT
Currently I've only got one map for my setting:  (The edge of the map is a physical object in the setting, this world has a physical boundary with it's astral plane as shown on the map.) Though I plan to do more detailed maps of the regions that I'm working on, this is more than sufficient right now for my players. It shows the main features of the world and my players are more then willing to theater of the mind the rest of navigation away. Making city maps is really hard, and I would only consider doing it for really major settlements (which of course makes it harder... as major settlements require larger scales). I normally just let my players navigate towns and cities via a process of description and asking for direction if there new in town (if they're local, or been there several times city navigation is normally handled with a simple we go to X). But this is really systemic of my GM-style which revolves around improvisation and theater of the mind. |
|
|
|
Post by dmvictorchris on Jan 18, 2017 7:44:15 GMT
The idea of having the astral plane of your world interact with it on a physical level is awesome! Allows you to have some really interesting lore/backstory behind it, I'd imagine. I do the same thing with my players regarding city/town description. I have one player in particular who is very visually-oriented though, so I'm trying to be as accommodating as possible in that regard. One thing I've done in the past is to just draw up the main square of a town and include roads/arrows pointing toward various important locations there (town hall, the smith, a tavern, etc). That seems to be just enough for my players to grab on to without being overly time-consuming for me. The only time that I've found they really need a map is for battle. They don't do very well with pure theater of the mind during combat. I really do enjoy making maps though, so I'm hoping I have some time soon to sit down and map out the rest of my world's continents. So far, this is the only continent I have mapped out:  |
|
|
|
Post by dmgenisisect on Jan 19, 2017 3:45:56 GMT
That's a pretty cool map! I think I know whose style guide your using too  . My original maps where done in that style, but I ended up switching to something a little less modern feeling. I see we also share a taste in brushes. I wouldn't know how to handle a player so strongly tied to visual stimuli so good job on that. Personally I just don't process visual stimuli particularly well so I tend not use it as fully as I probably should. Also my main group is in a different state so I'm normally VoiPing in, so sharing visuals like maps during a session is a bit of a fuss (I know there's things like roll 20 out there, but even that's a bit of a fuss and as I said I don't get much out of visuals). I noticed your map lacks features, is there still stuff to come on this map or is this an untamed wilderness? As for the Astral Plane thing, I liked the idea a lot, as it allowed me to restrict my design space. I felt limiting the size of the accessible world to a 2,000 mile diameter sphere (A sphere about the same size of Europe) would give me enough area to create varied climates and peoples, but still allowing me to get quite detailed. Further, the circumstances of the Astral plane encroaching on the material plane happened a long time after the creation of the world (In fact it happened in recent history for my default start time). This creates a pretty cool setting feature, and an excuse for referencing places with out having to create them in detail, as it has been erased from existence. If you want to read the creation story for the world it's here. I've been slowly putting up all the home-brewing I did for the setting there as well if your interested. |
|
|
|
Post by dmsam on Jan 21, 2017 19:15:14 GMT
I usually don't do this, but I actually made a world map before making a local region map. Doing this with a friend as a project   |
|
|
|
Post by dmvictorchris on Jan 25, 2017 7:01:14 GMT
dmgenesisect: It is unmarked in it's current form, but not a complete wilderness. I just haven't figured out what style I want to go with to mark cities, notable geographical features, and whatnot. I have a version in Roll20 for my players that has dots and names for the places they've visited or know of. Also, that physical limitation to focus yourself is a great tool. I don't set enough constraints on myself when I'm working on a creative endeavor, and often times I find myself losing focus because of it.
dmsam: That looks pretty awesome! I particularly like the string of islands in the mid-eastern portion. I've never collaborated with someone on a world/maps, but I'd imagine it's a lot of fun with the right partner. I have a couple DM-curious members in my game group, so maybe we'll join forces down the line to do so.
|
|
|
|
Post by catcharlie on Feb 13, 2017 22:17:10 GMT
dmsam, that looks awesome, though to me it also looks like two birds and a boar. Boar: Left landmass, bottom right, head at the bottom. Bird 1: Top right landmass, mountain range is the outline of the wings, head on the left side. Bird 2: Bottom right landmass, wings out stretched.
|
|
|
|
Post by dmsam on Feb 14, 2017 20:55:39 GMT
This is more of a world building project rather than a gaming one for me. Usually I am a "procedurally generated" sort of guy, and make things up on the go.
I find that I actually have a little more difficulty this time around when it comes to populating the world with DnD's now many races, then coming up with cultures and subcultures on each.
My first test run of this world will be soon, let's see what happens.
|
|
. My original maps where done in that style, but I ended up switching to something a little less modern feeling. I see we also share a taste in brushes.
