| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 15:59:15
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Map-of-Faerun-392930278
its teh companion's world of faerun book map..... |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SirUrza |
Posted - 10 Oct 2013 : 18:32:26
Now that I have a nice big version of this map, I need to find a good resolution to resize the map to so I can fit it properly on my ereader's screen when I edit my Sundering ebooks. |
| BlackAce |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 18:53:25
That's another brilliant map, Mark, if I may say, and I agree with you fully. Details are fun. I remember the head scratching I did over resolving the map of the Battle of Turnstone Pass with the later geography, that was a challenge, but immensely pleasing to get nailed down. I understand all to well why you do it. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 18:43:52
I think its a lot less about the artist, and much more about who's placing the order (and how much detail they provide).
Not knocking Mike Schley - he's Da Bomb - but I doubt he does any of the real research. If you just look at old maps problems arise, because many of them have mistakes as well. The only real way to place everything properly (and have it conform precisely to the text) is to read EVERYTHING - only guys like Krash and Eric Boyb bother to do that. If the Neverwinter Map is that good (and I agree with you it is - I bought a litho of it from Mike at Gencon), then I would say that was due to the someone on the design team doing their homework (and doing it WELL).
I liked it so much, in fact, I copied it's features for my latest map of The North. Thus, someone can use the Neverwinter product in 'any era' (with some minor tweaking to some of the backstory). Plaguewrought lands (and lore) easily translate into 'magical chaos' (like from the ToT - see The Helmlands).
I have to say if there's one thing I am looking forward to more then anything else in 5e, its a new, full-color map of Faerūn rendered by the amazing Mr.Schley. I think that - MORE THEN ANYTHING - will have people wanting to run a D&Dnext game. If you build it, they will come. |
| BlackAce |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 18:13:24
I'll say this for Mike he pays attention to the little details. His Neverwinter map must have been well researched because its almost identical to my own and I pulled that together from so many fragmented sources it wasn't funny. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 14:07:37
This thread needs a better title - I had to dig-deep with my search-fu to find it.
Anyhow, I was studying this map yesterday (when I realized that my new project wasn't even possible - that you CAN'T make a 'map for all editions'). The area I am doing I call 'Shaareach' - the region more commonly known as the Eastern Shaar. The map covers the Elsir Vale, which is really Channath Vale (at least part of it), and is supposed to be used for Red Hand of Doom (3e) and Scales of War (4e). Problem is, that region got nuked during the Spellplague, and the maps in SoW do not reflect any of that. The region should look a LOT different, yet doesn't. Unlike the folks who wrote RHoD, the guys who worked on SoW didn't even make the slightest try to stick to FR canon (typical of the era, BTW).
So here I sit, staring at the supposed 5e map of Faerūn, and besides the Undergasm (yes, I know I spelled it wrong) - which is causing me some consternation - there are two other giant 'holes' to the Underdark. One of those is known because it is on the 4e campaign map, and is called 'The Deep Maw', a place I once tried to find info about but gave up (No-one seems to even now who's idea that thing was!) Its in Anauroch.
The other is - if you look at the map carefully - just SW of the text saying 'Dragon Coast', and NW of Nathlan (what the heck is Nathlan? Someone name something after their kid or something?) Looking at the 4e map, there is something called 'Lands Mouth' there (and what is Xian?) It appears that there are THREE holes in which our characters get to penetrate the underdark post-spellplague.
Thats right - three holes for penetration - the chasm, the Deep Maw, and the Mouth. 
I don't think the 'Earth Mother' would be amused. So what are the Drow, some sort of Herpes? |
| Markustay |
Posted - 16 Aug 2013 : 12:16:48
So its like I figured - that isn't the 'finalized' version of the Realms (circa 5e). Thats good to know - we can all stop guessing now.
quote:
Originally posted by deserk
Also it makes no sense considering the direct hints given out in the story of the Companions book where it is for example mentioned by one character that the Anauroch desert will return.
LOL - one of the few things I really like about the new layout is that Anauroch is gone. It would be a shame to bring back the desert in it's entirety.
Perhaps have it be like it was after the fall of Netheril, with the desert slowly expanding outward again - that could be kinda cool (with all the geo-political ramifications). I'm sure a lot of things are living in that region now that won't be too happy about having to move.
I don't see Luiren, and then I look over at Gulthandor... hmmmmm....  |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 16 Aug 2013 : 00:08:38
and yeah I dont see the arabian stuff going away and it btw has to sections of arabian stuff
calimshan and that other area to the south..... which is TOT atm |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 16 Aug 2013 : 00:07:11
quote:
Originally posted by deserk
I very much like Mike Schley as a map artist, but I pray that is not the shape and form of 5E Faerun. Because based on the info we've gotten from the designers, we've pretty much been led to believe most of the Abeiran and Spellplague stuff was going away (Abeiran stuff drifting off to another planet). And here it hardly seems like it. It looks to be exactly the same as the 4E map.
Also it makes no sense considering the direct hints given out in the story of the Companions book where it is for example mentioned by one character that the Anauroch desert will return.
it has been confirmed that this is indeed not the 5e realms map on twitter.
I saw the post that linked it here
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/30032517/The_Sundering:_The_Story?pg=15" target="_blank"> http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/30032517/The_Sundering:_The_Story?pg=15 |
| silverwolfer |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 23:11:43
I don't see the abarian things really going away to be honest, folks enjoy the various new gensai & dragonborn.
As far as the land they live on , it could go the way of the shou lung, and maztica. Mentioned once , or used for traveling characters, the various traveling shou you see in books.
As far as things actually go though, Griffion Company books show that section of the map has lots of wonderful potential for authors, versus every other book that comes out based on the swordcoast. |
| ksu_bond |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 22:38:16
As maps go I quite like it...as for the things that we don't like...as a FR game designer (I can't recall which one) once pointed out, remember that the maps are a cartographer's interpretation much like the maps of the Medieval and Renaissance period were extremely detailed but quite often exaggerated depending on the preferences of the cartographer or the individual who commissioned it. |
| deserk |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 22:09:58
I very much like Mike Schley as a map artist, but I pray that is not the shape and form of 5E Faerun. Because based on the info we've gotten from the designers, we've pretty much been led to believe most of the Abeiran and Spellplague stuff was going away (Abeiran stuff drifting off to another planet). And here it hardly seems like it. It looks to be exactly the same as the 4E map.
Also it makes no sense considering the direct hints given out in the story of the Companions book where it is for example mentioned by one character that the Anauroch desert will return. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 20:56:02
Well, he does say he's going to be working on a full-colored version, so we may get some tweaks yet.
I guess 'High Imaskar' is staying...... {sigh}
Hatin' on that. 
Mulhorand was derivative, so they decided to embrace 'uber-redundant' instead. If they bring back Halruaa, which seem to be the plan, then we end up with way too many 'magical empires' around.
I was also hoping for a connection between the Inner and Outer seas... guess not. We lost the canal, twice.* 
EDIT:
The new bodies of water in The North are interesting - guess Anauroch is pretty-much gone now. Thats good - way to much desert there (I was never happy with that - a 'badlands' region would have suited better).
Gulthandor, Nathlan, Vesperin... all very intriguing.. me likely. 
EDIT2:
I guess Arkanūl, Plaguewrought Lands, and the butt-crack (Undergasm) are all staying. *meh*
I suppose FR needed its own 'world wound'.
*EDIT3: Well, well... looks like there is a connection, via the former Golden Waters. A long way around, but better then nothing.
Grammatical corrections |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 20:39:31
This post suggests that Schley's end sheet map is in fact the 5E Realms map.
I'd wager Schley mistaken, but you never know. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 16:33:26
Found a larger version Mr. Shley posted over at the Cartographer's Guild.
Out of respect for that site, I did not post a direct link to the map, but rather, to the thread where he himself posts a link to the map. |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 21:04:10
quote:
Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - sells a new setting better then an insanely great map; knock their socks off with that, and you'll have them eating out of your hand. Then after that, its all about content quality.
But the map IS 'first impression', and you only get to make that once. You turn them off in the beginning, it will be hard as hell getting them to take a second look.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is very true although I would say you need decent artwork on your cover as well. Most folks, I think, assume that if your maps and artwork are shoddy, then the material inside will be as well. Of course, this is not actually true (at least not in every case), especially if a company is just starting out. And there is also fan material as well. Some really good (but low-budget) stuff can be found out there. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 20:05:24
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I thought their 'new & improved' 4e server was puke-green?
Anyone remember what the name of that fiasco was? They ditched that REAL fast. 
would you have preferred diarrhea yellow? |
| Markustay |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 20:00:40
Thats actually a very easy style to emulate - its all done with prefab textures.
At least, if the one I just found is the one you are talking about. Wish I could find a bigger version. |
| Quale |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 19:14:39
I'd like to see a map done in the style of Numenera, with more details |
| Markustay |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 19:07:00
I thought their 'new & improved' 4e server was puke-green?
Anyone remember what the name of that fiasco was? They ditched that REAL fast. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 19:00:35
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
yeah but then that map layout is also the inside art to a novel which silverwolfer is why it doesnt look as great as the 3.x ( that you posted)one and still looks better than the nightmare of colors that was the 4e one.
The poo-poo brown one?
no the puke green one |
| Markustay |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 14:25:51
I'm sorry, but I just keep seeing this scene play out in my head...
"Its just not terrible enough! Show me another!"
"How about THIS one?" My 3-year-old drew it with a piece of charcoal she pulled from the fireplace."
"Hmmmmm... has potential... but it needs something... {pours cup of coffee all over it} There! Thats it! Give THAT to the ungrateful little buggers! Bwa ha ha ha!!!"
Yeah, I actually see that in my head... I'm strange like that. Thank god it seems the staff over there is in agreement with us now, and know that thing was an abomination. It probably drove-off half the fans by itself. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 14:20:36
quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
yeah but then that map layout is also the inside art to a novel which silverwolfer is why it doesnt look as great as the 3.x ( that you posted)one and still looks better than the nightmare of colors that was the 4e one.
The poo-poo brown one? |
| Markustay |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 14:06:55
Maps like that one in novels (and perhaps inside sourcebooks), and the Mike Shley full-colored FR maps like we got after the original FRCG one - thats would I would LOVE to see moving forward.
Keep the novel maps 'old school' - that has a lot of appeal - but newer gamers are going to want some flash, and Shley can bring it.
Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - sells a new setting better then an insanely great map; knock their socks off with that, and you'll have them eating out of your hand. Then after that, its all about content quality.
But the map IS 'first impression', and you only get to make that once. You turn them off in the beginning, it will be hard as hell getting them to take a second look. |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 09:36:56
Now that map I really, really like. It might be my favourite Realms map ever (see I am able to be positive). Its the kind of map I would like to use as a homebrew and just change a lot of the names. I hope they don't do any "parchment" or colouring at a later time though, that would ruin it for me. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 07:51:08
yeah but then that map layout is also the inside art to a novel which silverwolfer is why it doesnt look as great as the 3.x ( that you posted)one and still looks better than the nightmare of colors that was the 4e one. |
| silverwolfer |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 05:59:30
I don't mind different locations, (not speaking for rjfras) , I just don't like the 70's style mapwork. |
| Gyor |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 03:09:15
The Spellplague caused alot of geographic changes which is why stuff like the desert is so different.
I imagine alot of that will be changed back during the Sundering. |
| rjfras |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 23:52:53
hmmm, how did Halruaa get way over there? Halruaa looks to be where Dambrath used to be and Dambrath got moved more east where Luiren used to sit.
It also looks like Murandinn took over the Tethir from the elves.
And the Calim Desert switched sides, it used to be west of Calimport, now it's east of it.
I guess alot of those names i don't recognize are stuff from 4E.
I don't know, maybe it's just the one in the book, I sure hope we get something better down the road, it looks too busy or just a jumble to me right now, like it's hard to focus on.
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| silverwolfer |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 23:46:20
eh I don't like the art style to be frank , I really have to focus on something to read or detail it, it all sorts of merges into on big blob, the fact that you use waves for waters, that look like mountains.
I would much rather prefer a wider map, using a more realistic method of mapping that you see on the forgotten realms wiki.
the map style I grew to love and be able to read well
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/wd_maps/FRposterLarge_72.jpg
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| Therise |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 17:23:14
quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Map-of-Faerun-392930278
its teh companion's world of faerun book map.....
Mike Schley gets all the love.
Seriously, he's never drawn a map that I didn't like. They're all excellent. I hope he does all the new maps.
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