September 2007 Entry: The Glass Journal

[Amonite]

THE GLASS JOURNAL


As the Glass Ocean has never been properly charted, though attempts have been made, I decided it would be fun to go through the stages of actually charting it ^.^ As such, my entry will be more of a series of maps than one map, though I will post the final map as my final entry. Until then, I will post up 'snapshots' of a journal following a cartographer on her quest to map out the unmappable Glass Ocean. In order to save space, I am just going to put up jpegs until the last map.

[Amonite]

"With the disappearance of my father over the Ocean of Glass, it has been left up to me to continue his work. While there are some that insist the exploration required for proper cartography is far to dangerous an undertaking for a girl, it has not my search. The maps I draw become less and less unique, the lines of the Earth constricted and confined by their proper positions. Yet there is one place that defies all attempts to constrain it to a world of logic. If I can chart this wild land of wild magic, and discover what has happened to my father, I can vindicate his work and clear his name. The Glass Ocean will open its secrets to me, no matter what the cost."

[Amonite]

"The few maps I have found of the Glass Ocean leave much to be desired. While preparing for my journey, which shall officially begin at Lemis Keep, I have purchased several of the cheaper maps one can get from any trader. All promise riches if one only follows their ‘real’ treasure map. The map I have copied here purports to show two routes, via land and sea, to the best lightning grounds. It also shows the fabled Shale-Table Key, which I am convinced must exist. I am also convinced that anyone following such a shoddy excuse for a map will likely meet with an untimely end."



Note: The typed text may not always match the journal tex, due to limited space in the journal and accidental typos on the computer.

[ravells]

Seriously beautiful idea and execution!

Superb!

Ravs

[Ishmayl]

This is awesome! I can't wait to see more.

[Amonite]

DAY 4
I arrived at Lemis Keep ahead of schedule, so have taken the opportunity to scout the area while my airship takes on fresh supplies. Lemis is an inspiring place, much of it built from the crimson stones common to the region. Surprisingly, Lemis Keep itself is white. It was made not of rock from the blood cliffs, but from white stone hauled in from Copperhead and the knucklebones. More intriguing, however, is the famed glass cathedral of Lemis Keep. It was built centuries ago during the Lawless Age, and the Keep was later built around it. How so much desert Glass was amassed remains a mystery, but standing inside the rose tinted cathedral lends itself to a beautiful inner peace and tranquility.


NOTE: Drawing maps on the computer is far harder than by hand! But I do like how this one turned out Since the glass ocean sand is pink (well, fingernail pink) I figured there was room for some strange geology in the area. So I put lots and lots of reddish, somewhat crystalline stone in the Lemis region. And, since the cliffs are blood red, I added in a reflection onto the sea. So sailors in the area braving the trecherous rocky shoreline would call it the Blood Sea, both due to the danger and to its wine-like color. In contrast to the red walls and towers of the area, Lemis Keep itself is white. Sand would be imported from the edges of the glass desert to fill the arena, but its magically properties quickly leech out once away from the Glass Ocean. (Otherwise, I assume people would just collect the sand and make glass elsewhere)

And, because I spent forever on this map and its hard to see in the journal page, I will post a bigger version here...