July Challenge Results
July's regular challenge was a little different from the norm. Instead of assigning one brief for everyone to interpret, Diamond decided to try something new...
You guys are either going to love me or hate me for this one. The folks at http://donjon.bin.sh/ have some awesome generators; I encourage you to check out the whole site if you haven't already - it's a treasure trove of stuff.
For this challenge, the participants will be mapping random locations. It could be anything from a library in a country estate, to a mountain pass, to an entire realm of forests and seas. What you're going to do is visit this generator: http://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/random/#type=location Leave the settings just like they are, and generate a list of 10 locations.
Now here's the challenge: you can only pick one location from that list, and you can only generate ONE list. Obviously this is unenforceable, so we'll rely on the spirit of chivalrous competition here to keep everyone honest.
For this challenge, the participants will be mapping random locations. It could be anything from a library in a country estate, to a mountain pass, to an entire realm of forests and seas. What you're going to do is visit this generator: http://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/random/#type=location Leave the settings just like they are, and generate a list of 10 locations.
Now here's the challenge: you can only pick one location from that list, and you can only generate ONE list. Obviously this is unenforceable, so we'll rely on the spirit of chivalrous competition here to keep everyone honest.
The Guild enthusiastically declared their love for Diamond and his idea with a whopping 19 entries and, oh, what entries!
As I write these blog posts every month, I often praise the high standard of challenge maps, and it seems to me that the bar is continually raised. Bearing that in mind, I feel this month was exceptional. We had a couple of entries that could easily hold their own with 'the best of the best' here at the Guild. Indeed, at voting time, a common complaint was how difficult it was to narrow the number of votes cast down to a respectable total. We're thrilled by the positive and enthusiastic response from Guild members and I think we'll see this challenge again.
But on to our winner...
J.Edward clicked the random generator button, and it spat out a location...
Harlasea, an ancient plane of rough-hewn valleys and sapphire oceans, illuminated by a golden sun. The plane is primarily populated by humans, with smaller numbers of other races. The humans of Harlasea are beset by swarms of wyverns.
Even with the toughest of tough competition, J.Edward's map won the vote pretty convincingly, and we offer our warmest congratulations to him. J.Edward wins his 4th gold compass. You can see his WIP thread here.
It would be very unfair not to devote some space to our runners-up this month, all of whom would have been worthy winners in a different time and place. I've listed the 2nd - 4th placed entries below and I encourage you to check out the full size version of their maps.
| 2nd Place The Lands of the Line by Diamond |
3rd Place Briandolond by Sapiento |
4th Place The Desert Hound by Thomrey |
Thank you again to everyone who entered!
August 2016 Regular Challenge - Random Race, Random Place
For August, we're working on a theme of 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it!' After the popularity of July's challenge, Diamond's using the generator idea again, but with a little modification...
This month's challenge will be another semi-random 'choose your map' type of deal, but a little more focused. It comes in two parts!
For the first part, roll a 12-sided die to determine which race you'll be mapping. You can roll up to THREE times, and select the result you like the best. Obviously we have to rely on the chivalrous honesty of our participants. (And also: I'm watching you! )
For the second part, roll another 12-sided die to determine the place you'll be mapping, Again, You can roll up to THREE times, and select the result you like the best.
The idea here is that you'll be mapping a location built or inhabited by a certain race, with enough variety to (hopefully) not discourage anyone from participating. I've tried to get a good selection of stuff in here.
And now the lists:
RACE
1. Giant (any type)
2. Human
3. Lizardman
4. Dwarf (any type)
5. Minotaur
6. Elf (any type)
7. Ogre
8. Orc
9. Gnome
10. Goblin
11. Halfling
12. Merman
PLACE
1. Village or Town
2. Temple
3. City
4. Palace or Fortress
5. Tower
6. Dungeon/Catacomb/Sewer System
7. Small region (part of a kingdom, an area of city-states, a duchy, etc.)
8. Battlefield (could be a map of a battle's progression, a trench layout, a siege, etc.)
9. 'Uncivilized' Area (so depending on what race you roll, it could be a steppe of orcish tribes, desolate mountains inhabited by primitive gnomes, etc.)
10. Large region (kingdom, empire, etc.)
11. School / University
12. Stadium or Colosseum
For the second part, roll another 12-sided die to determine the place you'll be mapping, Again, You can roll up to THREE times, and select the result you like the best.
The idea here is that you'll be mapping a location built or inhabited by a certain race, with enough variety to (hopefully) not discourage anyone from participating. I've tried to get a good selection of stuff in here.
And now the lists:
RACE
1. Giant (any type)
2. Human
3. Lizardman
4. Dwarf (any type)
5. Minotaur
6. Elf (any type)
7. Ogre
8. Orc
9. Gnome
10. Goblin
11. Halfling
12. Merman
PLACE
1. Village or Town
2. Temple
3. City
4. Palace or Fortress
5. Tower
6. Dungeon/Catacomb/Sewer System
7. Small region (part of a kingdom, an area of city-states, a duchy, etc.)
8. Battlefield (could be a map of a battle's progression, a trench layout, a siege, etc.)
9. 'Uncivilized' Area (so depending on what race you roll, it could be a steppe of orcish tribes, desolate mountains inhabited by primitive gnomes, etc.)
10. Large region (kingdom, empire, etc.)
11. School / University
12. Stadium or Colosseum
There are already several entries for August, and you can take a look here.
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