The Kingdom of Balinaar: a throw together map for the purpose of explaination

[ladiestorm]

I happened to be on facebook earlier, looking for a friend who is at work that I needed to talk to, and I came across a regional map made by one of the CC3+ group members. He said he was experimenting with the Mike Schley style. It was a pretty good map for someone that was just messing around... but a couple of us had some suggestions on how to improve it. I gave him some suggestions, but then thought I would create a regional map using the suggestions I made to him, so he could get an idea of what I was talking about.

So I spent about 30-45 minutes throwing this map together. It uses the varicolor symbols, because of the suggestions I had pertained to his use of those types of symbols. It's been well received on the group page, so I thought I would post it here.

Balinaar.JPG

[Ilanthar]

I like the sense of perspective and the general composition . The only thing that bothers me a bit is hazy aspect of the lake.

[ladiestorm]

lol... funny Ilanthar, that's what most of the others really liked about this one!

It is a little odd, it's probably the glow effect I have on it to soften the lines. This map was mostly to show what you can do with varicolor symbols in cc3+.

[rdanhenry]

If it's supposed to be a misty lake, it works. If it's just a soft line carried to excess, it gives the wrong impression.

I'm more bothered by a font that thinks a '5' works as a 'g'. (Actually, I just don't like the title in general, though that's the most annoying bit. It floats over the map like it isn't really part of it, on a map otherwise with soft shadows which fall above the objects rather than below them as does the shadow of the title. The purple color also seems out of place with the otherwise soft, natural colors of the map. In contrast, I think that the compass works well; although, it does stand a bit apart in its cold, precise look, it is distinct from the map features without clashing with them as does the title.)

Best parts of the map: those little islands adding interest to the coastline, the nice way all the actual map elements harmonize (especially where the settlements are nestled in snug among the trees or below a hill - while part of the harmony is a good symbol set, the placement is also a major factor), and the misty vale of the lake (assuming that's the intent). I wish the map went a little higher, so I could see the peaks of those mountains, though. I feel like they are hiding from me.

Overall, I think it's nice work, especially for a quickly-assembled example.

[ChickPea]

Very nice work. I rather like the misty lake!