Metius - The Grand Basin

[Momiji]

The concept for this worlds design is simple, the world is set inside a giant basin (Or to those of us sitting on the outside looking in, a giant crater). This is the world of Metius.

There is a very detailed and vast history to this world, that I won't go into, simply because I've so far written a small book on the subject... Feel free to ask questions.

My biggest problems when making this map, is that of the forests, most of the basin is covered in these lush forests that a lot of the techniques I found on these forums didn't quite look right when used. Also, showing that the top right of the basin is a desert still doesn't quite go right.

I'm also at an almost loss on how to do the key for the map, my previous attempts have left me hanging and as such, would appreciate any pointers for that.

Anyway, I would really appreciate comments and criticism.

EDIT (Note): The scale of the map is 1 block = 20 miles (the blocks around the border that is) The basin is around 350 miles radius at its greatest point.

[Awaylaughing]

Very interesting so far, but visually, I find that what you're using as forests right now it too faded and washed out, it doesn't fit with the bolder lines of everything else on the map. Besides that, for me, the rivers are too thick and stiff looking.

As for you desert, I, personally, don't see how it would have formed, especially the end along the swamp, but I'm not an expert. I don't have a solution to your key issues, but I think this looks really cool and promising so far, and I'd love to hear some of the history for it.

[Momiji]

Haha, thank you

Out of all the forest methods I've tried, this one was the one that I liked the most. I have everything on layers, so could increase the opacity.

And yes, the desert is incredibly out of place, and it's one of the greater mysteries for any players involved in the world (from a game/story perspective) could try and find out. The easiest and quickest explanation is an ancient magical experiment gone wrong, which left the entire region barren. There's a great ruin at the centre of the desert.

[hohum]

I think that what you have is fine. I think what looks out of place with the forests is not that it's blurred, but that it doesn't have any inking. The swamp has the little swamp "tuft" symbol, the hills have the "fuzzy caterpillar", but the forests just have what I would call the color layer.

[Momiji]

I had done a version with in, but because there's so much forest, it had ended up looking very crowded. I guess just keeping on with trying different ways will end up with cracking the problem.

Thanks for all the feedback ^_^