[WIP] The Shattered Kingdoms - Aeril

[Griph]

So, as foretold, here is the first map I created. Mainly with the use of Filters and very few basic textures. About two I think.
Aeril (a land in the continent of Alterika) is what formed first, after the initial idea of the setting. I admit it was a lot of work whipping this map into shape, and I still wouldnt consider it done.
Fancy thing is; this map is completely editable, sinc eit uses mostly filters. So now that the 'system' behind this map finally works, making changes is easy.
I have to give credit to tutorials on yourube for the mountains, which I will dig up again later, when I post this as finished.

The hardest work however, was coming up with names and a history. I know this might not sound like much of an achievment, but the whole land and every city or village shown on this map already has its own little story, although they are too a WIP.

I hope you will enjoy these maps, I DO hope that youll ask questions, show interest, give critique...
Because honestly, there is no better praise than people showing interest in what I did

ATTACHMENTS!

The basic map with all the important spots concerning Aeril.
shattered kingdoms map9.jpg

And the 'strategic' map, showing political regions and outposts within this.. shattered kingdom. I did not pick the name for nothing
shattered kingdoms map_tactical.jpg

I consider this map about 90% done, but wouldnt know what to add at the moment, and am currently occupied with the next - bigger - step.

[bartmoss]

Very nice map. You mean "strategic", though.

River Police Mode: There's a river that looks like it drains from the ocean into a lake in the west/southwest. Some of the other rivers look... a bit odd, but it's hard to see with my bad eyes.

[Hai-Etlik]

Very nice map. You mean "strategic", though.

River Police Mode: There's a river that looks like it drains from the ocean into a lake in the west/southwest. Some of the other rivers look... a bit odd, but it's hard to see with my bad eyes.

It's not your eyes, it looks like the rivers are are all flowing up into the mountains.

[Griph]

First of all, thanks for the critique. I will fix that.. 'regional/tactical' issue.

Also I am not entirely sure about the rives myself, since I have tried to keep their flow downward (if that makes any sense?)
So I'll look over the rivers in general. Rework them.

It's not your eyes, it looks like the rivers are are all flowing up into the mountains.

Thank you for the critique as well, though I don't see how a river could flow up into the mountain (especially since there are only 2 or 3 that 'touch' a mountain on the map ). Do you have any suggestions why it appears that way, or tips how to solve that problem? I'd appreciate it.

I have multiple rivers starting at mountain springs (and some even start underground, which is kind of hard to indicate on a map of this scale)

[Hai-Etlik]

Thank you for the critique as well, though I don't see how a river could flow up into the mountain (especially since there are only 2 or 3 that 'touch' a mountain on the map ). Do you have any suggestions why it appears that way, or tips how to solve that problem? I'd appreciate it.

I have multiple rivers starting at mountain springs (and some even start underground, which is kind of hard to indicate on a map of this scale)

When two rivers meet, the narrow angle is generally going to be facing uphill. It's not an air tight universal rule, but it's typical (and it makes sense as the two rivers will both be flowing downhill, which should be roughly the same direction). Your rivers are universally doing the opposite. That makes it look like your rivers are doing one of two things. Flowing uphill into the mountains, or splitting rather than merging, with all but one of the branches drying up. Neither of those makes any sense.

[Griph]

Thanks very much for the critique so far. I will rework the rivers, but I can barely find (and I am trying) any rivers matching the 'angle issue'. However I know the rivers seem to dry up randomly.

I'll try to solve the problem by flipping the image, maybe I'll notice more mistakes then. Also I will experiment with the mountains (maybe I'll get them to a nicer look).

Do you have any suggestions how to get a more realistic setup of rives. If you could just draw a few lines over my map I would be very thankfull - if not, I'll still try to fix it myself

Cheers,
Griph

[razcor]

I really like the shape and the frame is very nice too! In addition to rivers' issues pointed out in the other posts, for my tastes, maybe the mountains are bit too sharp, but it is really only a matter of views. Good job anyway!

[Robulous]

Nice, very Game-of-Thronesy. The mountains are an ickle bit sharp looking for my liking but I guess that's the look you're going for.