Thursday, March 31, 2011

Because I said I would

I find myself stuck at home today with a couple a sick dogs, so I'm wasting hours in front of ye olde compie (as usual).

I didn't know what else to do for inspiration, so I'm cruising fantasy generators online. These are just some of the greats I have saved in my favorites:

http://nine.frenchboys.net/
- No I don't know why it's called that, nor is it dirty (so stop giggling). It will come up as "Serendipity". It gives great "English sounding" places names, which I can't help but love.

http://www.seventhsanctum.com/ - This one is always fun, if a bit off-the-wall. Warning: there is so much here you will need hours, a potty break or two, and maybe even a map.

I'm very glad these fellows know how to write/manage PHP....I don't even know what the hell that is, I just know it's fun.

Pop on by and leave a post that the Zombiegunslinger sent you.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Yes, another map

I have been very neglectful of my posts lately because I've been mussing around with my new CS4 software (thanks Liz!) I'm slowly - very, very slowly - getting the hang of it. Fortunately I have a great network of support from folks who actually know what they're doing...what you would call "professionals" (thanks Kara!) Yesterday I bought CS4 For Dummies so I won't have to pester the pros continually.

I has been pointed out to me that I am a huge geek. It's not that I needed it pointed out, I was already well aware, but it made me think that I finally have the guts to "geek out" on D&D manuals and read R.A. Salvatore in public because I no longer give a rat's ass if people think I'm a geek. I figure that I would rather have the intelligence and creative spark to get super excited over a new map, story, what have you than to just sit around with my thumb up my butt watching reality TV.

But none of that is why I'm posting today. This is what I'm posting for:

http://www.cartographersguild.com/album.php?albumid=125&attachmentid=33930


This gallery is awesome! I love this style of maps - as you can tell from previous cartoguild links.

I can't imagine how people can't see something like this and not imagine what it's like in this world. The possibilities are endless. This could be the larger part of an even larger continent (think western coast of USA) or it could just be a corner of a vast, uncharted land. Who are the people that live here, are there others races, monsters, demons/gods? I could go on and on. This is the "completed" version of the map - there are others without the forests and rivers placed, which only leaves yet more room for imaginings.

If I ever eventually learn to produce something of this quality and style I will map out my first created fantasy world. But until the time comes that I have that much confidence I will continue to play in, marvel at, and rave about other artists' worlds.

Gracias por la inspiracion folks!