OldEarth

Originally Posted by OldEarth

Ink and Watercolour (A5 size, Cold-Press watercolour paper)

Inks used are a mixture of:
De Artremis waterproof Document Inks (Brown and Dark Red) Pilot fine steel nib,
Pigma Micron pens (005 to 05 tip),
Staedtler triplus fineliner (not waterproof, used for initial river line and final detail river outline, 0.3 mm)


Watercolours:
Blue - Prima Marketing Watercolor Tropicals Palette (#23) (approximates ultramarine blue)
Warm Brown - Winsor & Newton Light Red + Sepia and Brown (#24) from the Prima Marketing Palette
Grey - Grumbacher Payne's Grey
Brush sizes 6-8

WIP thread here: https://www.cartographersguild.com/s...ad.php?t=41512 (started when I was already mostly through the process so it's mostly abbreviation posts showing my steps) I welcome comments, tips and critiques on both finished map and process.

This is part of my worldbuilding for a science-fantasy steampunkish world I plan to run some Tabletop RPG fun, in (still deciding between a couple options for system). I started with the map I'd already done of the whole Archipelego, I plan to make this scale of map for all of the nations of the region and started with Andalla.

My goal in this whole series essentially is to make maps that can be used as background table and mood setting for my game as well as practical props that can help give context to my players and give me a framework and ideas while running the game. In particular I wanted to give myself a bunch of the major places while leaving a lot of blanks in the world that I can fill as I have adventure ideas, so my goal was to produce a scale of map that contained major points of interest (particularly the official points of interest) rather than try to capture everything.

I also wanted to try out a new mountain style, more jagged, rugged looking and "detailed" than some of my previous maps have used. I debated colour palette for a while but decided to go with a three tone (blue, payne's grey, and a warm "parchment" brown) rather than adding in green to show the more forested regions. I felt like the simpler colour palette let the eye see more detail and that it was already a busy enough map (due partially to the A5 size) and the additional colour would have been more of a distraction than a benefit.

For anyone interested here's some background on Andalla (excuse any awkward writing I'm a map nerd and a GM not a fiction writer and this is the first draft):

Andalla is the northernmost nation in the Tawold Archipelago (First Pictured Here) and the seat of power in the Andallian Empire.

Spanning from the frozen wastes of the north to temperate wet climes of the Vaske Sea. Andalla’s mountain range is rich in metals resources. The railways, still being built, provide transport for goods and those that can afford the fares from one end of the nation to the other. The Ambre Province’s plains and rolling hills supply much of the food for the nation. While the Cuivran and Argenta provinces supply most of the metal and coal that keep the empire at the forefront of engineering in the region.

The western portion of the island (as throughout the Archipelago) is buffetted year-round by storms, some natural and some that are perhaps less than natural and thus are sparsely populated or unpopulated, Those that live in Hune, buffetted by these storms are considered a little off by most of the nation, blamed on their constant exposure to these elements.

The capital city of Anoka, in the heart of the Argenta Province, is the home of the Empress and The Six (the six families that control each of the provinces) and from whom successive rulers may be chosen.

Like all nations in the Archipelago, much trade and travel are accomplished throughout the abundant waterways, seas and oceans. Watergoing vessels from fishing boats, trade-ships, leisure vessels and river feluccas to the very latest submarine and underwater tramways are commonly found traversing all but the most difficult passages. Knowedge and skill at traversing dangerous but shorter rocky routes is highly prised and Andalla’s navy is matched only in skill and resources by Treiya’s ships. Various privateer and pirate groups make use of the rockiest bays as havens from which they stage raids on any trade ships that are insufficiently protected.

Pact magic are forbidden in Andalla in favour of the more difficult but completely will-powered magical arts and advances in technology. The Empire seeks to expand its influence throughout the archipelago. While other nations mutter that Andalla is interested only in expanding it’s own power and resources. The Empress and The Six maintain that their motivations are pure. They seek to limit the power of the unnatural spirits that they name fae and demons and other nations consider to be gods (small and great) and restore the natural balance of the islands, unblemished by these often demanding influences. They maintain that if only the other nations would willingly renounce their connection to these fell influences there would be peace unheard of in the region, a quelling of the western everstorm and prosperity for all.