Baldur's Gate city map [commission]

[J.Edward]

Last year I had the pleasure and privilege to work with James Ohlen and Arcanum Worlds on this piece.
It began as the 20 year anniversary of the original Baldur’s Gate video game, which I played many, many times.
It was cool to work with the man who helped bring that to life way back then.

I wanted this version of the city to be inspiring, as well as accurate, in so far as it was possible for me.
I didn’t have access to anyone at WOTC to let me know where certain things were located.
So I spent a LOT of time researching things. And then we changed the location of one anyways.
That was due to an encounter map you’ll see later.
I hope this version will stand the test of time and be around for another 20 years.

It ended up becoming a campaign setting book over on the DMsGuild.
Definitely go pick up a copy. Works like that help more maps get made.
I’ll be dropping a few more maps over the next few weeks, plus some closeups over on
twitter - https://twitter.com/jstevensonart
and tumblr - https://jstevensonart.tumblr.com/
maybe even instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jstevensonart/

I hope you enjoy this look at the great city of Baldur’s Gate.
I tried to make sure there were loads of locations for adventure and intrigue.
Thanks for watching, and stay tuned… cheers, J

And let me just say in advance, this took a loooong time to produce.
Even the research for locations and structure of buildings was time consuming.

Baldur's Gate - city map by jstevenson.jpg

[- JO -]

SO HUGE !!!!!!!
That must require an incredible amount of time, patience and know-how !
Congratulations !

[- JO -]

What size is the original ? And did you work digitally ?

[J.Edward]

SO HUGE !!!!!!!
That must require an incredible amount of time, patience and know-how !
Congratulations !

What size is the original ? And did you work digitally ?

Thank you Joel
Yes, this one required a lot of all that.
It was something like 250 plus hours to complete.
It is 17 x 22 inches at 400 or 600 dpi, can't recall.
It was all done digitally.

[Eilathen]

Absolutely inspiring! I want to do DnD-ing in BG right away! What else can i say? What else do i need to say

[Wingshaw]

Wow

Just...wow

That, sir, is spectacular!!!

EDIT: can't rep you at the moment. But it's definitely deserved

Wingshaw

[Kellerica]

Every time I think I've seen the limits of your skill, you go and outdo yourself again and prove me wrong. I'll have to say I'm not completely sold on these colors - the deep blue of the ocean is beautiful, but the houses have enough of a cacophony of different bright colors that the result ends up bothering my eyes a little. That could just be me, and maybe the different colors signify different type of buildings?

Even so, the linework and sheer amount of detail are, yet again, out of this world.

[Voolf]

To pull off a whole city in this style is increadible.

I think we all are used to your increadible art skills.... what i would like to emphasize here is your outstanding design mind. In my opinion, thinking about city layout, buildings clusters, building shapes, how to arrange them.... this is really hard and time consuming part (at least for me). So hats off.

[Bogie]

Truly fantastic John.
I have a friend who is really into maps & old school D&D. At our game Saturday night he commented on how much he loved the Baldur's Gate game. You had just recently posted the Baldur's Gate regional map so I showed it to him. He was blown away by it! He commented how he would love to see a close up map of the city and today you drop the perfect map on us. I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees this masterpiece!

[arsheesh]

That is just an insane amount of detail! I would be floored if it did NOT take you a looooong time to complete. I've already seen some of the closeups over on Instagram and the city looks even better up close. Do you hear that? That's the sound of another J.Edward map being swiped to my inspiration folder!

EDIT: ...and I can't rep you...

Cheers,
-Arsheesh