*** August/September 2017 VOTING: Two Month Summer Challenge Special ***

[Shall Teclex]

Whenever I fail to comment on the WIP threads for the challenge I participate in, I take my time to read all the threads and write a review for each of the challenge entries in the voting phase. So, I hope that you won't mind the length of this post (and just to keep it shorter, I'm leaving out all the unfinished/ withdrawn maps).

The Prince's rapt, by - JO -: What an original, entertaining, and dynamic take on the themes! And I definitely want to see the sequel... (And I know that this has nothing to do with the review of your challenge entry, but I love that nostalgic little story about your first steps in the RPG world in your WIP thread )

Shannara & the Cathedral of Knowledge, by aeshnidae: An interesting city map? Plus a detailed dungeon map? With a hand drawn side view of the sunken cathedral on the top? aeshnidae, your map is a delicious treat to any game master out here!

Planets of hats, by Azelor: Unusual formatting, great horizontal storytelling, and a nice frame - another memorable map produced for this challenge.

The Yawning Isles, by GLS: So clean, informative, and elegant map. GLS proves that sometimes the less is indeed more.

Ishtar's Feast of the Millennium, by Ilanthar: Although the impressive nebula in the background steals the show, I really appreciate the minimal style of the maps incorporated in this piece.

O'Gray's Pearls, by Mouse: I won't even pretend that I understand techniques Mouse used to produce this stunning, vibrant, and original piece. Even all of those WIP images and discarded ideas in her challenge thread look great. I am sure - diz iz magick!

Revealing Dido, by Redrobes: Another map I like very much. Seeing Indie in his swimming suit, the authentic roman mosaic, and all those mussels made an impression on me - I had to vote for it. I just hope that the statue ends up in museum rather than in private collection

Darkwood Harbor, by XCali: This map might be the first challenge entry for XCali, but combining digital textures with hand drawn elements gives it a distinct style.

So, congrats to everyone who made it to the finish line of this mapping marathon!

[Diamond]

Anyone know when the next challenge is starting? Might try to enter that..

Hey Worcester, I try to start the next Challenge within an hour or so of the time voting (which lasts 3 days) on the previous one ends. So keep your eyes open around 9-10 PM Pacific time tomorrow night...

[- JO -]

So..... I've ben off for a few days, now... When pain medics makes you sick, you have to make difficult choices
I'm back just in time to vote and salute (in advance) the beautiful victory of Mouse ! Real nice work, Sue !
And congratulations to all participants to this unusual challenge : I find that we all showed courage and did a hard work in those circumstances, and all pieces (finished or not) shows talent !
I hope that the unfinished pieces will be finished, as they are full of promises !

[Mouse]

I hope you are feeling a little better than before, Jo. I keep thinking about you and willing you better, or at the very least not to be in so much pain

I think what you have achieved with your map whilst suffering from the pain of a broken back for the last 3 weeks of working on it is just totally incredible. If it had happened to me I would just have dropped out of the contest - but you carried on...

And hey - there's still another day to go yet, so its not impossible that things could change quite a lot. I am very surprised to find myself quite so far ahead right now. It must just be that by coincidence all the people who like that particular style of map have voted early

I see that Shall has done one of her lovely descriptive pieces again. Thank you, Shall I'm a little tired at the moment, but someone really needs to describe Shall's work in a similar fashion.

[Mouse]

...and then there was...

El Angel Caido de Madrid, by Shall Teclex: A masterpiece done with the most incredible speed (I've never seen a city map materialise quite as fast as that) - Shall hit us with a glorious city and its gardens in double fast time, and as if that wasn't enough, it was perfectly drawn in ISO perspective. Truly remarkable, and if that wasn't magic, I don't know what is

[Diamond]

Congrats to Mousie for Gold Compass Number Two! Weren't you just saying not too long ago that there was no WAY you'd ever win two so close together??

[Bogie]

Congrats Mouse! Just an incredible map! Amazing colors and details!

[ChickPea]

Congrats Mouse!

[Falconius]

Congrats Mouse! You're raking in the booty now

[Voolf]

Congratulation Mouse. I must say i am not surprised, as i said before in your thread, it's a winner

Just watch out, i know you like those challanges, but one more gold compass and you are done .