The Circle of the World

[Eilathen]

Well, what can i say. Another Diamond, enough said! Love it, man. And if you ever make up more world-fluff, I'd really like to read it. And maybe you could do a follow-up map of the uncivilized world for good measure
Have some rep (if i can)!

[Robulous]

That looks great, very inspiring. You say you used real-world data - where does the topography come from?

My only criticism is I'm not sure what the gridlines mean? Since they all converge at the centre that makes it look as if it's a north or south pole, but apparently north is the top. I'm not sure it makes any sense as a compass rose either. What kind of projection is this meant to be?

[Diamond]

Thanks, all. I appreciate it.

One small detail: if the word "medius" is Latin and not a imaginative word, then the correct declension is "medium", "medium sea" or better "mare medium", because sea (mare, maris in Latin) is a neuter nuon.

It's supposed to suggest medium or middle in a kind of pseudo-Latin.

Just out of curiosity: is this for some writing, or just for fun?

Just for fun, though I do think it might make a great RPG setting... someday...

That looks great, very inspiring. You say you used real-world data - where does the topography come from?

My only criticism is I'm not sure what the gridlines mean? Since they all converge at the centre that makes it look as if it's a north or south pole, but apparently north is the top. I'm not sure it makes any sense as a compass rose either. What kind of projection is this meant to be?

1. Topography comes from physical maps (one scanned in from an atlas), and others gleaned from NASA/US Topo sites, etc. Sized down, color-corrected, rotated, pieced together.
2. Not meant to represent any projection, except maybe one invented by the fictional cartographer. The circular grid was more to help tie the whole piece together than to suggest any real-world meaning.

[Robulous]

Topography comes from physical maps (one scanned in from an atlas)

I got that, I just wondered what part of the real world is it? Not telling?

[Diamond]

I got that, I just wondered what part of the real world is it? Not telling?

Oh, gotcha. The mountains are from eastern Africa and (if I recall correctly, a chunk of the Himalayas), that chunk of desert is from south Africa, and the green grassland areas are from central Russia and the eastern US.

[cereth]

Wow...this is quite impressive, sir.

[Bogie]

Excellent Map! Great colors. Nice details.

[Lukc]

It looks lovely, but I have to admit the graticule keeps suggesting "north pole" to me, then the Boreal sea pops up, way off from the pole ...

[rdanhenry]

Think of it as the "Central Pole", the middle of the world. If the world is not actually flat, the cartographer's civilization believes that it is. The compass rose covers that spot because it is forbidden to map the sacred island that occupies that spot, traditionally assigned as the home of the gods.

If you don't like that story, use another, like that being the site of the naval battle that established the Tarosian Empire, becoming ever after the central reference point for geography.

[lostatsea]

Extremely nice!! One thing though when blown up there is some jagged artifacts on the circles edges only . Perhaps from reducing the resolution ?? Or maybe just my old eyes ?? Great piece !!