Two Viking-Inspired maps for the "The Dark Eye" Thorwal region

[SteffenBrand]

Hey everyone! =)

Two more maps that are heavily viking-inspired in style and partially even overlap. They are supposed to be more intricate and - since they are brilliant navigators - very correct regarding coastlines. They are of cause not 100% historical and therefore their style is somewhat different from what we are used to see with that theme.

In addition to the rune-font that should be readable on the map, Katharina Niko (aka "Tokala") and I came up with an additional complete alphabet that utilizes this cultures own set of symbols, some of them seen in the notes they included used as shorthand. Every rune is both a phoneme and carries a meaning of its own, including all numbers. Maybe at some point I'm allowed to share them completely, but they are also featured in a REAL carved stones oracle going alongside the product line and in the images in the books. Quite proud of that aspect, to be honest =)

Hope you like them both! Katharina Niko (aka "Tokala") also helped me out with some of the patterning. <3

Best wishes, stay safe.
And have a great weekend! =)

--Steffen

A2+bleed_Ingame_ThorwalerOlportsteine_SteffenBrand_V3.jpg

A2+bleed_Ingame_ThorwalerFestland_SteffenBrand_V3.jpg

(c) Ulisses Spiele GmbH, 2021


EDIT:
And here is the finished product: The Runestones are carved in real stones, gilded and come in a bag.
The maps you see are printed on durable fabric. It is surreal holding this in hand... *____*

Attachment 128467

[J.Edward]

They're very cool, Steffen.
Always happy to see what you're up to.
I quite like the font.

[wminish]

These are really nice. I love the aesthetic and the way that the water has been done.

[XCali]

This is really a cool style. It is well done.

This may be a personal preference, but it would be nice if there were one where the labels were in english. (But I totally get why you went for that way!)

[Arimel]

Really amazing details! That backdrop for the oceans works really well. I ensures that no where looks empty (and also it captures the wildness of the sea perhaps?). Really nice!

[SteffenBrand]

@J.Edward: Thank you very much, really appreciate the praise! =)

@wminish: Thanks! Yeah, in hindsight me, too. But I have to admit I was quite stuck what to do with the water at some point. Glad it worked out =)

@XCali: Thank you! Well, the labels have to be in German just because it is for a German publication. But I guess at some point there will be an English version of the map. The Symbols, however, are unaffected by this language change.

@Arimel: It is quite wild there, correct! Thanks a lot, Arimel! =)

Wow, so much rep... have to reply to that individually at the walls of the profiles.
Thank you all so much, it makes sharing here feel amazing! =)

--Steffen

[Mimine]

Absolutely love that waves pattern! Great job!

[Falconius]

These maps are amazing Steffan. The aesthetic is perfect. I love the navigational focus.

[SteffenBrand]

@Mimine: Thank you very much <3

@Falconius: Thank you, Falconius! Yeah, where else could the focus been? Love that type of map myself! =)

[MistyBeee]

Another cool one, Steffen ! I love this mix of traditional/illustrative and very informative nautical chart !!