Oct / Nov '17 Lite Challenge: Arata

[jshoer]

It's been really fun to see what different people have done with the same island. I barely recognize the same original shape I used. I can't wait to see what you add to the island itself. You really got the feel of an aerial view of a tropical island nailed down!

I also like the compass where it is. If anything, I'd actually make it a little bigger, for prominence, but keep the plant in front to add to the overgrown feeling. Also, I wonder if there's a Central American design that would serve as a good arrow? The curly ends of the current arrow seem a bit too European baroque to me.

[Kier]

It's been really fun to see what different people have done with the same island. I barely recognize the same original shape I used. I can't wait to see what you add to the island itself. You really got the feel of an aerial view of a tropical island nailed down!

I also like the compass where it is. If anything, I'd actually make it a little bigger, for prominence, but keep the plant in front to add to the overgrown feeling. Also, I wonder if there's a Central American design that would serve as a good arrow? The curly ends of the current arrow seem a bit too European baroque to me.

Thank you. Haven't figured out what more to do with Island at this point, maybe pull some beaches around and cut some trees out. I do want to clear a little area of a former town that got burnt down. But at this scale can't be much. Other than that the Island is uncharted and untamed. Would like to add some detail of sort to the little Islands also.

Good call on the arrow and the curls, it was a close fit, but I agree not perfect. I think that's what has been bugging me. Like its too fancy, not primitive enough.

[Kier]

I need your thoughts. Because I don't want to use titles on the map, because its really unexplored, I originally was going to put a paragraph on the actual map. Blurb below.

Arata was named for a New Beginning...and it was. Just the not the beginning Arron Dolsilich had hoped for. Instead of peace
and tranquility in the turquoise waters, he found death, pain and blood, leading him to the depths of madness. Now years later,
the island still stands untamed, unexplored, beckoning to all, the words of a raving lunatic a fading warning. The tales of Blood thirsty tribes,
Snakes that walk, Insects the size of man, and a Well that reaches the very depths of Hell, can't be true.

But now, the temples of gold..

My question is this. I don't like it. I have put versions, the short and the long. I have tried the long on both sides of the Island and still do not think its a good idea. What are you thoughts.

1) No blurb. - Attachment 101031
2) 1 line blurb. .Arata 1110b.jpg
3) Full blurb. Arata 1110c.jpg

[jshoer]

I agree that the text doesn't really gel with the map in that manner.

What about this: even though the island is unexplored and doesn't necessarily have a lot of features on it, there are a fair number of places associated with your story that you could mark. Which direction was Arron's port of origin? Where did he land on Arrata? Did he make camp anywhere, or stop anywhere to scout the lay of the land? Where did he think the golden temples might be? Where did he find the snakes and the insects?

[Bogie]

Yeah, I like no blurb better.

[Redrobes]

Yeah, no blurb. What I would like to see is where on the island that pyramid is located. Perhaps mark some other ruins or collonized spots.

[Kier]

Yep, no blurb it is.

I figured as much, just would have been so much easier, lol. Now I have to figure a way to get the couple items in my head down. The original land mass layers are buried so deep, not sure I can reactivate them. But I had an idea come to me as I was preparing the yard for winter. A new technique or a work around at least. So I will give it a shot.

Being completely uncharted and only the ramblings of a madman at this point, I think I will try to do it with no labels and with only visuals. I just want to give in an idea of what is lying in the forests.

Thanks again for all the thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.

[Kier]

Minor Update, although Major for me. Feel I may have turned the corner on couple things. Cut into the mountain side to bring the Bloodthirsty Tribal Village to life. Probably have to zoom to see it.

Moving on to create a couple more relief areas from trees, and try to bring in Dolsilich's ill fated settlement of New Hope.

### LATEST WIP ###
Arata 1112.jpg

[Kier]

Added a scale, and added some contrast and a couple small grassland areas. Not sure how much more I will do with the Island as it pretty much tells the story I want. Compass probably will stay with the curls, seems to be a common symbol in Mayan Calendars. It might be more the 2 small triangles at the base that are causing me concerns. Then again, I might change it more to a spearhead. I have 1 more day right?

### LATEST WIP ###
Arata 1112a.jpg

EDITED: lol, I noticed the 2nd compass layer is overtop the plant. Will have to correct that.

[Mouse]

Well you've certainly got the prize for the best framed map as far as I'm concerned

Great hill shading there, Kier