New "Badlands" poster map - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

New "Badlands" poster map

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mapmaker
Jul 20, 2010 2:33:46 Hey folks:

One of the maps on my latest poster project is an arid wasteland that would be right at home on Athas, so I wanted to share it here and get your feedback:

Here's a link to a closer view:
www.mapsofmastery.com/swmstuff/Badlands1...

I'm planning to sell these at my art show table at Gen Con; do you think this is this something that the Dark Sun-playing D&D community would embrace?

If you want to see the other side of the poster (an underground cavern) or pre-order the poster, you can learn more about it here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/mapmaker/fo...
#2
Duke5150
Jul 20, 2010 3:34:30 I'd spend $15.00 for that double sided map. Good work! Sadly, I won't be at gencon.
#3
mapmaker
Jul 20, 2010 11:51:39 Thanks very much, Duke!

Just to be clear, though: it's only 14, and shipping is free to those who pre-order.

I'm glad you like it! The flip size has too much underground water to instantly feel like Athas, but I'm sure a crafty DM could fit it into the setting as well.
#4
RalofTyr
Jul 21, 2010 18:17:30 I go out to "Badlands" all the time, and that doesn't look like any badlands I've been to. However, I'm in the American SW desert, which is a lush desert compared to other places. I also do amature geology and I can tell you most badlands are a result of flowing water. Your map resembles a very dry area formed by wind. It resembles something you'd find in the Central Sahara or on Mars.

Also, those Hives have to go deep; deep enough to reach the water table (the Sahara, has an abundant supply of ground water, but it's deep). Where there are insect hives, there is a source of food; I suspect there's an oasis within at least half of whatever instect's base rate somewhere around there.
#5
Alphastream
Jul 21, 2010 18:21:58 I really like it. To be honest, I hesitate because of the reverse side. The badlands side works well for many types of encounters, especially if you were to design a couple of drop-ons to alter the landscape or if I were to use some of the Deserts of Athas tiles to modify parts. However, the flip-side is not Athasian at all and is a bit harder to customize in a way I would want to re-use time and time again.

In general, I like tiles because of their flexibility, but wish I could really use poster maps (because tiles take a long time to set up). Ideally, I want a very re-usable poster map that is the size of a standard battlemap or even a bit smaller. I then want to add some bits to modify it from time to time. This gives me high visual value, re-usability, and customization.

Specific to Athas, there are many terraint types that come up time and time again. Having a couple of those captured in a flexible way would really be useful to Athasian DMs. The "official" tiles set leaves much to be desired beyond sandy with a bit of rocky badlands.
#6
mapmaker
Jul 21, 2010 19:50:12 Very interesting insights, guys! Thanks! And that's a very useful look at Athasian terrain, Alphastream. Good reference material!

If you're looking for more desert terrain for use in Dark Sun, my first Forsaken Lands poster (the one up for two ENnies this year) features an ancient temple half-buried in shifting sand. With each of these posters, I've tried to broaden the appeal by having two different terrain types on each side, so the dry badlands/wet cavern grouping is intentional. (The first one has desert on one side, swamp on the other...)

The flip-sides of my next posters will be more directly related; I'm developing a two-level medieval keep which will show the ground level on one side and the upstairs on the back. Later, I plan to do another poster depicting a new multi-deck sailing ship.

I illustrated the Maps of Mystery for Dungeon magazine back in the day, and still have a long list of places to explore with my cartography. This is my way of continuing that legacy, so to speak.

Pre-orders for this Forsaken Lands II poster are getting close to the half way point; if you know anyone else who might be interested in hearing about it (Dark Sun players or otherwise), please pass along my kickstarter link. ( http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mapmaker/forsaken-lands-ii-poster-map )

Thanks again!
#7
el_ahrairah
Jul 24, 2010 11:21:42 I love your work and have picked up everything I can get my mits on.
These look fantastic, I won't be at GenCon but my friend will, I'll send him as my buyer. ;)
#8
mapmaker
Jul 29, 2010 22:35:21 Thanks, El_ahrairah!

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking about getting this poster: only 48 hours left on the pre-order period with free shipping!
#9
nimblegrund
Jul 30, 2010 3:56:55 What kind of material is this map made out of?
#10
mapmaker
Jul 30, 2010 10:40:08 It's printed on heavy glossy poster stock, a bit thicker and sturdier that the material WotC usually uses. i think the colors are also brighter, but that's a bit more subjective.

Thanks for asking!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mapmaker Jul 20, 2010 2:33:46	Hey folks: One of the maps on my latest poster project is an arid wasteland that would be right at home on Athas, so I wanted to share it here and get your feedback: Here's a link to a closer view: www.mapsofmastery.com/swmstuff/Badlands1... I'm planning to sell these at my art show table at Gen Con; do you think this is this something that the Dark Sun-playing D&D community would embrace? If you want to see the other side of the poster (an underground cavern) or pre-order the poster, you can learn more about it here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/mapmaker/fo...
#2 Duke5150 Jul 20, 2010 3:34:30	I'd spend $15.00 for that double sided map. Good work! Sadly, I won't be at gencon.
#3 mapmaker Jul 20, 2010 11:51:39	Thanks very much, Duke! Just to be clear, though: it's only 14, and shipping is free to those who pre-order. I'm glad you like it! The flip size has too much underground water to instantly feel like Athas, but I'm sure a crafty DM could fit it into the setting as well.
#4 RalofTyr Jul 21, 2010 18:17:30	I go out to "Badlands" all the time, and that doesn't look like any badlands I've been to. However, I'm in the American SW desert, which is a lush desert compared to other places. I also do amature geology and I can tell you most badlands are a result of flowing water. Your map resembles a very dry area formed by wind. It resembles something you'd find in the Central Sahara or on Mars. Also, those Hives have to go deep; deep enough to reach the water table (the Sahara, has an abundant supply of ground water, but it's deep). Where there are insect hives, there is a source of food; I suspect there's an oasis within at least half of whatever instect's base rate somewhere around there.
#5 Alphastream Jul 21, 2010 18:21:58	I really like it. To be honest, I hesitate because of the reverse side. The badlands side works well for many types of encounters, especially if you were to design a couple of drop-ons to alter the landscape or if I were to use some of the Deserts of Athas tiles to modify parts. However, the flip-side is not Athasian at all and is a bit harder to customize in a way I would want to re-use time and time again. In general, I like tiles because of their flexibility, but wish I could really use poster maps (because tiles take a long time to set up). Ideally, I want a very re-usable poster map that is the size of a standard battlemap or even a bit smaller. I then want to add some bits to modify it from time to time. This gives me high visual value, re-usability, and customization. Specific to Athas, there are many terraint types that come up time and time again. Having a couple of those captured in a flexible way would really be useful to Athasian DMs. The "official" tiles set leaves much to be desired beyond sandy with a bit of rocky badlands.
#6 mapmaker Jul 21, 2010 19:50:12	Very interesting insights, guys! Thanks! And that's a very useful look at Athasian terrain, Alphastream. Good reference material! If you're looking for more desert terrain for use in Dark Sun, my first Forsaken Lands poster (the one up for two ENnies this year) features an ancient temple half-buried in shifting sand. With each of these posters, I've tried to broaden the appeal by having two different terrain types on each side, so the dry badlands/wet cavern grouping is intentional. (The first one has desert on one side, swamp on the other...) The flip-sides of my next posters will be more directly related; I'm developing a two-level medieval keep which will show the ground level on one side and the upstairs on the back. Later, I plan to do another poster depicting a new multi-deck sailing ship. I illustrated the Maps of Mystery for Dungeon magazine back in the day, and still have a long list of places to explore with my cartography. This is my way of continuing that legacy, so to speak. Pre-orders for this Forsaken Lands II poster are getting close to the half way point; if you know anyone else who might be interested in hearing about it (Dark Sun players or otherwise), please pass along my kickstarter link. ( http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mapmaker/forsaken-lands-ii-poster-map ) Thanks again!
#7 el_ahrairah Jul 24, 2010 11:21:42	I love your work and have picked up everything I can get my mits on. These look fantastic, I won't be at GenCon but my friend will, I'll send him as my buyer. ;)
#8 mapmaker Jul 29, 2010 22:35:21	Thanks, El_ahrairah! Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking about getting this poster: only 48 hours left on the pre-order period with free shipping!
#9 nimblegrund Jul 30, 2010 3:56:55	What kind of material is this map made out of?
#10 mapmaker Jul 30, 2010 10:40:08	It's printed on heavy glossy poster stock, a bit thicker and sturdier that the material WotC usually uses. i think the colors are also brighter, but that's a bit more subjective. Thanks for asking!