Kaleda Revision [Archive] - Wizards Community

Kaleda Revision [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
baelzemon_2200
02-08-08, 03:01 AM Greetings to all who browse this board.
I'm known all over the place as Chaos (although thats often taken, so it is usually Chaos2200) and while I may seem new to these boards I have been lurking in the corners as a guest for years, and have been registered for a fraction of that time.
I'm posting here to seek help with various aspects of my campaign setting. The part I need completed first is a world map. This is not easy for me to do. At the moment I am using fractal generators and combining bits and pieces that I like. My most recent attempt (version 4.5 of the world map) is being made by generating 36 different world maps and arranging them in an order that appears pleasing. This, however, is a very long and complicated process.

The first issue to address is that if someone is willing to draw me a world map outline (as in an outline of the islands and the continent) then I can load it up into a program to finish it off. Failing this, I will keep up my attempts until I
manage to get a map I like.

The next order of business, I am making a planetary guidebook using Adobe InDesign. I would like to know what sort of information people would want to know about the planet, and the star system that the planet is in.

Lastly (for this moment in time), I will offer some information about my campaign world, both about the world itself, and what I wish from the world:
Kaleda was originally designed to be a dragon-centric world. I had read through Races of the Dragon and Dragon Magic and wanted to base a campaign world around the ideas presented.
Kaleda has gone through a number of evolutionary processes. At first the world was ruled by dragons in a very council orientated government. This then progresses so that only a number of dragons rule. These dragons are the Soverign Dragons. Soverign by blood, and by social status. Then this diverged so that there were a number of different nations, all ruled by the Soverigns. This logically evolved so that a number of nations were ruled by soverigns, and a number of nations werent. Now Kaleda is a nation where Soverign Dragons are the socially dominant race in most nations, but only rule a small number of nations.
As far as the planet itself is concerned. It is 3 times the size of the earth, with only a small number of useful metals avaliable because of the size and the cost and the danger to try and mine them. For this reason most nations use ironwood (magically enchanted wood) weapons and armor to accomplish the same task.
Kaleda is also orbited by 13 moons, and is part of a trinary star system. That is, a star system that contains 3 stars. The central star is a red giant. The next closest star is a standard yellow star, and followed by that is a blue dwarf.
The planet itself has gone through 3 extinction level events. One was the supernova of the blue dwarf star. The second was planetary volcanic erruptions, and the third was a meteor strike.
The inhabitants dont know about the previous E.L.E. occurances, and the only race that survived due to their highly advanced magic and technology has since died out.

This is the most consistent information I have on Kaleda. The majority of whats left changes with each map. So once I have a map that I like, I will update with far more information.
baelzemon_2200
02-15-08, 02:33 AM Just bumping and asking if anyone is actually going to respond
Darth Syntax
02-15-08, 03:05 AM I do a bit of cartography so I might be able to give you a hand with the maps. Here are some examples of the the map styles I tend to use:

Physical Map of Ilaros (http://forum.cartographersguild.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2001&d=1197944930)

Political Map of Ilaros (http://forum.cartographersguild.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2033&d=1198284916)

If you would like me to draft up a map, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
baelzemon_2200
02-15-08, 05:16 PM That would be great. I love it! Its the same sort of style that Fractal Terrain Pro uses, and that works perfectly for me
:D

Ok, now with regards to information that might be required to do it. The planet is only 50% water. There also has to be a region with an island about the size of australia, with maybe 24 much smaller islands around it. Aside from this, use your best judgement :)

Thankyou very much for helping. Its so hard to find a good map, or to make one when your not an artist.
Darth Syntax
02-15-08, 05:30 PM Where do you want your landmasses situated? What sort of climate do you want with the Australia sized area? Also, do you want/need a whole world map, your would you prefer a regional map?

--

Another thing, what sort of coastline shapes are you interested in? Lots of little fjords and so forth? Broad sweeping coasts? Lots of bays?
baelzemon_2200
02-15-08, 09:34 PM Well the island region should have kind of a tropical climate. As far as the rest of the landmasses go Im not too fussed. I like to have a bit of everything as far as climate goes though dont forget it is a trinary system with 24 moons. There are only ice caps 3 months of the year (Im using standardized earth. 12 months, 4 weeks long each)
The planet orbits the primary star 12 months of the year, and has one of the other stars in the sky 5 months of the year, with 2 months of the year having all 3 stars. This does mean that most of the 'night' is caused by eclipsing, however there are natural nights about 1/3 of the time.
Darth Syntax
02-15-08, 11:17 PM So here is a draft of the island region before any real terrain is added.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2268307642_12da11c839_b.jpg

--

So, I've gone over some of your ideas again, and there are a few "issues" involved. One is the number of lunar bodies: an earth sized planet dosen't have enough gravity to keep hold of a large number of moons of any significant size. Another is the problem of the supernova. A stellar explosion of that magnitude would likely wipe out much of the solar system including any planets in the habitable zone; perhaps some other event (an usual period of solar flare activity?) might work better?
baelzemon_2200
02-16-08, 04:38 PM So far it looks good
---
As far as the E.V.E. is concerned, I had not actually thought of that. And considering there are 3 stars, unusual solar activity is a good suggestion.
With regards to the lunar bodies, don't forget the planet is 3 times the size of the earth. I may need to reduce the number a bit (13 sounds good. Its my lucky number :D). Not all of them would be the size of the moon though
Now I dont plan on having space faring any time soon, but I do like to have this sort of information avaliable. It helps to add a bit of realism to the planet
Darth Syntax
02-16-08, 05:06 PM A planet three times the size of earth would have considerably more gravity, provided the planet was of similar density. If it is less dense, it might be able to support a ~1g environment, but then there comes the issue of having enough gravity to support a useful magnetic field for the size and other such things.

As regards the moons, a large number of them is going to greatly effect the tidal forces which in turn will influence weather patterns and the like. If you want a "cosmic thirteen" it might be less troublesome to have a system of thirteen planets all of which can be seen in the night sky. The peoples of the world might well have developed a complex astrological system involving the interactions of the suns, the planets, and the like.
baelzemon_2200
02-17-08, 03:12 AM Oh, I like very much.
No lunar bodies, but 13 planets that can be seen in the sky at various times. I know it would have about 3 times the gravity of the earth, but that isnt going to affect the game mechanics at all (makes it easier for me)
...
If it isnt too much trouble, would it be possible to increase slightly some of the surrounding islands in the island region, while decreasing the main island slightly, as well as spreading the islands out. I know I could do this in photoshop, but it might not look too good.
Sorry for any inconvenience
Darth Syntax
02-17-08, 03:30 AM I drafted up some terrain for the map.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2202/2270254375_dff4c40a74_b.jpg

I can do any edits you want of course. If you want more islands I can add more islands and so on. Also this is only a small part of the world so there is always that.
baelzemon_2200
02-17-08, 06:10 AM I love it!
I have made some basic modifications to the map though, which represents something a little closer to what I desire for this area. It also needs to be situated further away from any continental masses, as this is (with regards to regional mapping) a region, itself, known as the Islands of Pearl.

Can I ask, what program(s) you are using because I love what you are doing and would love to be able to use a similar style with any regional and territorial maps.
Note: Global = Planet
Regional = A segment of the globe (such as maps of US, Russia, Australia, ect)
Territorial = A segment of the region (such as maps of New South Wales, New York, ect)

Woops, forgot to include the mod. Its here now. The small landmass after the black line I wish to be a seperate island. Also, can you include a scale bar on the fullsize map. The planet itself has a planetary radius of about 12000 miles, which means a surface area of aproximately 1800 million miles. with 50% of the planet being water, this equates to about 900 million miles of surface land mass above sea level. So a scale would be handy.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii69/chaos2200/2270254375_dff4c40a74_b.jpg
Note: If the global map is going to be 2:1 once done, then height should be 30,000 miles and width 60,000 miles
Also: If possible a high resolution would be prefered. A very high resolution
baelzemon_2200
02-23-08, 03:27 AM just bumpety bumping
Darth Syntax
02-23-08, 03:35 AM I see what I can do with the map and the edits. As far as resolution goes, I might be able to adjust things, but I don't want to make the files to gigantic so as to be unreasonable to work with.

As far as the program goes, I use Photoshop 7 (yes I know I am behind the times here, but it works for me) for the whole thing. The outlines are all hand done and the terrain is done with various brushes and layer styles.
baelzemon_2200
02-23-08, 01:43 PM wow
Im impressed
I wish I had your skills
You should try and get a job as a cartographer

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
baelzemon_2200 02-08-08, 03:01 AM	Greetings to all who browse this board. I'm known all over the place as Chaos (although thats often taken, so it is usually Chaos2200) and while I may seem new to these boards I have been lurking in the corners as a guest for years, and have been registered for a fraction of that time. I'm posting here to seek help with various aspects of my campaign setting. The part I need completed first is a world map. This is not easy for me to do. At the moment I am using fractal generators and combining bits and pieces that I like. My most recent attempt (version 4.5 of the world map) is being made by generating 36 different world maps and arranging them in an order that appears pleasing. This, however, is a very long and complicated process. The first issue to address is that if someone is willing to draw me a world map outline (as in an outline of the islands and the continent) then I can load it up into a program to finish it off. Failing this, I will keep up my attempts until I manage to get a map I like. The next order of business, I am making a planetary guidebook using Adobe InDesign. I would like to know what sort of information people would want to know about the planet, and the star system that the planet is in. Lastly (for this moment in time), I will offer some information about my campaign world, both about the world itself, and what I wish from the world: Kaleda was originally designed to be a dragon-centric world. I had read through Races of the Dragon and Dragon Magic and wanted to base a campaign world around the ideas presented. Kaleda has gone through a number of evolutionary processes. At first the world was ruled by dragons in a very council orientated government. This then progresses so that only a number of dragons rule. These dragons are the Soverign Dragons. Soverign by blood, and by social status. Then this diverged so that there were a number of different nations, all ruled by the Soverigns. This logically evolved so that a number of nations were ruled by soverigns, and a number of nations werent. Now Kaleda is a nation where Soverign Dragons are the socially dominant race in most nations, but only rule a small number of nations. As far as the planet itself is concerned. It is 3 times the size of the earth, with only a small number of useful metals avaliable because of the size and the cost and the danger to try and mine them. For this reason most nations use ironwood (magically enchanted wood) weapons and armor to accomplish the same task. Kaleda is also orbited by 13 moons, and is part of a trinary star system. That is, a star system that contains 3 stars. The central star is a red giant. The next closest star is a standard yellow star, and followed by that is a blue dwarf. The planet itself has gone through 3 extinction level events. One was the supernova of the blue dwarf star. The second was planetary volcanic erruptions, and the third was a meteor strike. The inhabitants dont know about the previous E.L.E. occurances, and the only race that survived due to their highly advanced magic and technology has since died out. This is the most consistent information I have on Kaleda. The majority of whats left changes with each map. So once I have a map that I like, I will update with far more information.
baelzemon_2200 02-15-08, 02:33 AM	Just bumping and asking if anyone is actually going to respond
Darth Syntax 02-15-08, 03:05 AM	I do a bit of cartography so I might be able to give you a hand with the maps. Here are some examples of the the map styles I tend to use: Physical Map of Ilaros (http://forum.cartographersguild.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2001&d=1197944930) Political Map of Ilaros (http://forum.cartographersguild.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2033&d=1198284916) If you would like me to draft up a map, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
baelzemon_2200 02-15-08, 05:16 PM	That would be great. I love it! Its the same sort of style that Fractal Terrain Pro uses, and that works perfectly for me :D Ok, now with regards to information that might be required to do it. The planet is only 50% water. There also has to be a region with an island about the size of australia, with maybe 24 much smaller islands around it. Aside from this, use your best judgement :) Thankyou very much for helping. Its so hard to find a good map, or to make one when your not an artist.
Darth Syntax 02-15-08, 05:30 PM	Where do you want your landmasses situated? What sort of climate do you want with the Australia sized area? Also, do you want/need a whole world map, your would you prefer a regional map? -- Another thing, what sort of coastline shapes are you interested in? Lots of little fjords and so forth? Broad sweeping coasts? Lots of bays?
baelzemon_2200 02-15-08, 09:34 PM	Well the island region should have kind of a tropical climate. As far as the rest of the landmasses go Im not too fussed. I like to have a bit of everything as far as climate goes though dont forget it is a trinary system with 24 moons. There are only ice caps 3 months of the year (Im using standardized earth. 12 months, 4 weeks long each) The planet orbits the primary star 12 months of the year, and has one of the other stars in the sky 5 months of the year, with 2 months of the year having all 3 stars. This does mean that most of the 'night' is caused by eclipsing, however there are natural nights about 1/3 of the time.
Darth Syntax 02-15-08, 11:17 PM	So here is a draft of the island region before any real terrain is added. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2268307642_12da11c839_b.jpg -- So, I've gone over some of your ideas again, and there are a few "issues" involved. One is the number of lunar bodies: an earth sized planet dosen't have enough gravity to keep hold of a large number of moons of any significant size. Another is the problem of the supernova. A stellar explosion of that magnitude would likely wipe out much of the solar system including any planets in the habitable zone; perhaps some other event (an usual period of solar flare activity?) might work better?
baelzemon_2200 02-16-08, 04:38 PM	So far it looks good --- As far as the E.V.E. is concerned, I had not actually thought of that. And considering there are 3 stars, unusual solar activity is a good suggestion. With regards to the lunar bodies, don't forget the planet is 3 times the size of the earth. I may need to reduce the number a bit (13 sounds good. Its my lucky number :D). Not all of them would be the size of the moon though Now I dont plan on having space faring any time soon, but I do like to have this sort of information avaliable. It helps to add a bit of realism to the planet
Darth Syntax 02-16-08, 05:06 PM	A planet three times the size of earth would have considerably more gravity, provided the planet was of similar density. If it is less dense, it might be able to support a ~1g environment, but then there comes the issue of having enough gravity to support a useful magnetic field for the size and other such things. As regards the moons, a large number of them is going to greatly effect the tidal forces which in turn will influence weather patterns and the like. If you want a "cosmic thirteen" it might be less troublesome to have a system of thirteen planets all of which can be seen in the night sky. The peoples of the world might well have developed a complex astrological system involving the interactions of the suns, the planets, and the like.
baelzemon_2200 02-17-08, 03:12 AM	Oh, I like very much. No lunar bodies, but 13 planets that can be seen in the sky at various times. I know it would have about 3 times the gravity of the earth, but that isnt going to affect the game mechanics at all (makes it easier for me) ... If it isnt too much trouble, would it be possible to increase slightly some of the surrounding islands in the island region, while decreasing the main island slightly, as well as spreading the islands out. I know I could do this in photoshop, but it might not look too good. Sorry for any inconvenience
Darth Syntax 02-17-08, 03:30 AM	I drafted up some terrain for the map. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2202/2270254375_dff4c40a74_b.jpg I can do any edits you want of course. If you want more islands I can add more islands and so on. Also this is only a small part of the world so there is always that.
baelzemon_2200 02-17-08, 06:10 AM	I love it! I have made some basic modifications to the map though, which represents something a little closer to what I desire for this area. It also needs to be situated further away from any continental masses, as this is (with regards to regional mapping) a region, itself, known as the Islands of Pearl. Can I ask, what program(s) you are using because I love what you are doing and would love to be able to use a similar style with any regional and territorial maps. Note: Global = Planet Regional = A segment of the globe (such as maps of US, Russia, Australia, ect) Territorial = A segment of the region (such as maps of New South Wales, New York, ect) Woops, forgot to include the mod. Its here now. The small landmass after the black line I wish to be a seperate island. Also, can you include a scale bar on the fullsize map. The planet itself has a planetary radius of about 12000 miles, which means a surface area of aproximately 1800 million miles. with 50% of the planet being water, this equates to about 900 million miles of surface land mass above sea level. So a scale would be handy. http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii69/chaos2200/2270254375_dff4c40a74_b.jpg Note: If the global map is going to be 2:1 once done, then height should be 30,000 miles and width 60,000 miles Also: If possible a high resolution would be prefered. A very high resolution
baelzemon_2200 02-23-08, 03:27 AM	just bumpety bumping
Darth Syntax 02-23-08, 03:35 AM	I see what I can do with the map and the edits. As far as resolution goes, I might be able to adjust things, but I don't want to make the files to gigantic so as to be unreasonable to work with. As far as the program goes, I use Photoshop 7 (yes I know I am behind the times here, but it works for me) for the whole thing. The outlines are all hand done and the terrain is done with various brushes and layer styles.
baelzemon_2200 02-23-08, 01:43 PM	wow Im impressed I wish I had your skills You should try and get a job as a cartographer