Mixing
Is this map realistic/believeable?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm working on this map right now. Is this map realistic/believable? The continent would be about 5 million km² and lies in the temperate climate zone. The island would be the only empire, the rest would be city-states. Caellan, Aerigoth and Roymoi are home of barbarian tribes.
And are the names okay? I always struggle with names of cities, locations and so on.
I hope I got the tags right.
geography worldbuilding-process map-making names
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm working on this map right now. Is this map realistic/believable? The continent would be about 5 million km² and lies in the temperate climate zone. The island would be the only empire, the rest would be city-states. Caellan, Aerigoth and Roymoi are home of barbarian tribes.
And are the names okay? I always struggle with names of cities, locations and so on.
I hope I got the tags right.
geography worldbuilding-process map-making names
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm working on this map right now. Is this map realistic/believable? The continent would be about 5 million km² and lies in the temperate climate zone. The island would be the only empire, the rest would be city-states. Caellan, Aerigoth and Roymoi are home of barbarian tribes.
And are the names okay? I always struggle with names of cities, locations and so on.
I hope I got the tags right.
geography worldbuilding-process map-making names
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm working on this map right now. Is this map realistic/believable? The continent would be about 5 million km² and lies in the temperate climate zone. The island would be the only empire, the rest would be city-states. Caellan, Aerigoth and Roymoi are home of barbarian tribes.
And are the names okay? I always struggle with names of cities, locations and so on.
I hope I got the tags right.
geography worldbuilding-process map-making names
geography worldbuilding-process map-making names
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
edited 7 hours ago
RonJohn
13.1k12661
13.1k12661
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
asked 10 hours ago
Nesari
241
241
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Nesari is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Some general thoughts & critiques:
- I get no sense of scale from the map, so can't really speak as to believability. In other words, it could be a map of a continent, or it could be a map of an island the size of Cyprus.
- Aesthetically, I find the land shapes pleasing; but not the inky colour of the sea. The work as a whole is very dark.
- It looks like every other computer generated fantasy map out there. If that's the style you're going for, then I'd say you're well on your way! Though you might consider some kind of faux-Greek knotwork border and huge cartouche that says "MAP OF XYZ-LANDIA"! Because that seems to be de rigeur in modern computer generated fantasy maps.
My main critique regards lettering choices:
- "Wyvern Mountains" should be in a MUCH SMALLER font! If this is a map of a continent, probably all the lettering is too large.
- Lettering, ideally, should not stick out into the ocean (Caellan Wilderness, I'm looking at you!). Smaller letters, curving around the southern side of the woodlands I think would look better.
Are you trying for a Greek-like sound in the city names? If that was deliberate, kudos! That's the general sense I got from the names. And then there's Uzchizaak. (Bless you!) Kind of looks like you stuck Klingon onto the side of Achaia! Are the people of those cities of a different race / ethnicity than the quasi-Greeks?
- Is this whole continent part of the Empire of Myregea? If so, that fact is not apparent from the placement of the country's name. If so, that name should be in nice large letters! Are the folk of those three nearly vowelless cities part of the Empire? If not, some political boundaries might be in order.
- Roads, at the very least, would be helpful, as would provincial names.
- The more I look at the map, the more I dislike the name "Wyvern Mountains". Doesn't have the same Greeky feel to it. But that's really a matter of personal taste.
- West of the Wilderness, there is a little dark square with a dot in the middle. Is that an error, or is that your world's answer to Rockall?
Final Answer:
YES.
I find your map to be a realistic and believable computer generated fantasy map. I'm not a geologist, but I don't see any egregious errors that can't be handwaved away because it's fantasy. In fact, I'd say it is actually very nicely drawn and with a couple minor corrections and some judicious decoration would look very nice folded up in a computer game or rpg box or reproduced in a novel or world compendium.
Chapeau!
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Based on your answer above, and bear in mind I am no geologist nor cartographer, but considering several factors such as the climate, land size (approx. 2.6m sqm less than Australia in comparison) you may want to put in a bit more variation on it such as more forests, swamps etc. and your central landmass area seems to be dry with just a few rivers going inland. If it is deliberate then its fine, but a lake or two may be more desirable/sensible?
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Is it realistic, maybe. I'm not a Geologist so can only speak from observations of maps and some online research, Elemtilas' breakdown is very good but i'd just wanted to add to it
If other examples of mountain ranges similar to the Wyvern Mountains are to be believed, such as the the Andes in Chile,, where the mountain range runs the length of the continent parallel with the coastline then they are formed by continental plates crushing into each other and its less likely to have a nicely rounded end to each side of them. its more likely to draw out to a point. perhaps something similar to the below,
Artistic License
Understand that artistic license was heavily used in the past in terms of map making, for example the below picture illustrates The difference between a medieval map of the English coast around the important harbour of Plymouth, and compares next to it is the real life google maps image of Plymouth
The Old Maps are there to offer details of the town as well as possible landing and mooring regions for an enemy invading force, and scale is not as important in the less tactically significant areas.
Whereas after the invention of newer map making technology, I forget the name of the device but it used telescopes, angles and triangles to more accurately measure distances and make more accurate maps These older maps that showed mostly defensive information became obsolete.
Why is this important
Because it depends on in what timeline these maps were made. if it were the older style then as a basic map of the entire continent then its ok. not perfect but ok.
Your map looks like its come from an online generator, where you plan out the shape, and basic terrain features then add names and notes. the issue with those generators is that the don't do coastline very well. the features of your map appear to be in the classical.fantasy style in terms of mountains and forests however the coastline is not, cliffs etc should be more pronounced on a map of this style, irrespective of scale.
Please understand I'm not criticizing the use of the online generators, they would well enough in general, and realistic looking maps are very very hard to achieve. I've tried numerous times and they still look worse than the online generated ones.
After this then the other answers have you covered, so i won't repeat the answers of other users.
However
If you are wanting a more modern looking map, then scales are off, but so is style. the same rules apply as stated by Elemtilas
I haven't personally found any decent and free software to help you create them, but have had moderate success (at least compared to my other attempts) with layering in Photoshop to build up contour lines and but it is a long logn process
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Some general thoughts & critiques:
- I get no sense of scale from the map, so can't really speak as to believability. In other words, it could be a map of a continent, or it could be a map of an island the size of Cyprus.
- Aesthetically, I find the land shapes pleasing; but not the inky colour of the sea. The work as a whole is very dark.
- It looks like every other computer generated fantasy map out there. If that's the style you're going for, then I'd say you're well on your way! Though you might consider some kind of faux-Greek knotwork border and huge cartouche that says "MAP OF XYZ-LANDIA"! Because that seems to be de rigeur in modern computer generated fantasy maps.
My main critique regards lettering choices:
- "Wyvern Mountains" should be in a MUCH SMALLER font! If this is a map of a continent, probably all the lettering is too large.
- Lettering, ideally, should not stick out into the ocean (Caellan Wilderness, I'm looking at you!). Smaller letters, curving around the southern side of the woodlands I think would look better.
Are you trying for a Greek-like sound in the city names? If that was deliberate, kudos! That's the general sense I got from the names. And then there's Uzchizaak. (Bless you!) Kind of looks like you stuck Klingon onto the side of Achaia! Are the people of those cities of a different race / ethnicity than the quasi-Greeks?
- Is this whole continent part of the Empire of Myregea? If so, that fact is not apparent from the placement of the country's name. If so, that name should be in nice large letters! Are the folk of those three nearly vowelless cities part of the Empire? If not, some political boundaries might be in order.
- Roads, at the very least, would be helpful, as would provincial names.
- The more I look at the map, the more I dislike the name "Wyvern Mountains". Doesn't have the same Greeky feel to it. But that's really a matter of personal taste.
- West of the Wilderness, there is a little dark square with a dot in the middle. Is that an error, or is that your world's answer to Rockall?
Final Answer:
YES.
I find your map to be a realistic and believable computer generated fantasy map. I'm not a geologist, but I don't see any egregious errors that can't be handwaved away because it's fantasy. In fact, I'd say it is actually very nicely drawn and with a couple minor corrections and some judicious decoration would look very nice folded up in a computer game or rpg box or reproduced in a novel or world compendium.
Chapeau!
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
Some general thoughts & critiques:
- I get no sense of scale from the map, so can't really speak as to believability. In other words, it could be a map of a continent, or it could be a map of an island the size of Cyprus.
- Aesthetically, I find the land shapes pleasing; but not the inky colour of the sea. The work as a whole is very dark.
- It looks like every other computer generated fantasy map out there. If that's the style you're going for, then I'd say you're well on your way! Though you might consider some kind of faux-Greek knotwork border and huge cartouche that says "MAP OF XYZ-LANDIA"! Because that seems to be de rigeur in modern computer generated fantasy maps.
My main critique regards lettering choices:
- "Wyvern Mountains" should be in a MUCH SMALLER font! If this is a map of a continent, probably all the lettering is too large.
- Lettering, ideally, should not stick out into the ocean (Caellan Wilderness, I'm looking at you!). Smaller letters, curving around the southern side of the woodlands I think would look better.
Are you trying for a Greek-like sound in the city names? If that was deliberate, kudos! That's the general sense I got from the names. And then there's Uzchizaak. (Bless you!) Kind of looks like you stuck Klingon onto the side of Achaia! Are the people of those cities of a different race / ethnicity than the quasi-Greeks?
- Is this whole continent part of the Empire of Myregea? If so, that fact is not apparent from the placement of the country's name. If so, that name should be in nice large letters! Are the folk of those three nearly vowelless cities part of the Empire? If not, some political boundaries might be in order.
- Roads, at the very least, would be helpful, as would provincial names.
- The more I look at the map, the more I dislike the name "Wyvern Mountains". Doesn't have the same Greeky feel to it. But that's really a matter of personal taste.
- West of the Wilderness, there is a little dark square with a dot in the middle. Is that an error, or is that your world's answer to Rockall?
Final Answer:
YES.
I find your map to be a realistic and believable computer generated fantasy map. I'm not a geologist, but I don't see any egregious errors that can't be handwaved away because it's fantasy. In fact, I'd say it is actually very nicely drawn and with a couple minor corrections and some judicious decoration would look very nice folded up in a computer game or rpg box or reproduced in a novel or world compendium.
Chapeau!
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
Some general thoughts & critiques:
- I get no sense of scale from the map, so can't really speak as to believability. In other words, it could be a map of a continent, or it could be a map of an island the size of Cyprus.
- Aesthetically, I find the land shapes pleasing; but not the inky colour of the sea. The work as a whole is very dark.
- It looks like every other computer generated fantasy map out there. If that's the style you're going for, then I'd say you're well on your way! Though you might consider some kind of faux-Greek knotwork border and huge cartouche that says "MAP OF XYZ-LANDIA"! Because that seems to be de rigeur in modern computer generated fantasy maps.
My main critique regards lettering choices:
- "Wyvern Mountains" should be in a MUCH SMALLER font! If this is a map of a continent, probably all the lettering is too large.
- Lettering, ideally, should not stick out into the ocean (Caellan Wilderness, I'm looking at you!). Smaller letters, curving around the southern side of the woodlands I think would look better.
Are you trying for a Greek-like sound in the city names? If that was deliberate, kudos! That's the general sense I got from the names. And then there's Uzchizaak. (Bless you!) Kind of looks like you stuck Klingon onto the side of Achaia! Are the people of those cities of a different race / ethnicity than the quasi-Greeks?
- Is this whole continent part of the Empire of Myregea? If so, that fact is not apparent from the placement of the country's name. If so, that name should be in nice large letters! Are the folk of those three nearly vowelless cities part of the Empire? If not, some political boundaries might be in order.
- Roads, at the very least, would be helpful, as would provincial names.
- The more I look at the map, the more I dislike the name "Wyvern Mountains". Doesn't have the same Greeky feel to it. But that's really a matter of personal taste.
- West of the Wilderness, there is a little dark square with a dot in the middle. Is that an error, or is that your world's answer to Rockall?
Final Answer:
YES.
I find your map to be a realistic and believable computer generated fantasy map. I'm not a geologist, but I don't see any egregious errors that can't be handwaved away because it's fantasy. In fact, I'd say it is actually very nicely drawn and with a couple minor corrections and some judicious decoration would look very nice folded up in a computer game or rpg box or reproduced in a novel or world compendium.
Chapeau!
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
Some general thoughts & critiques:
- I get no sense of scale from the map, so can't really speak as to believability. In other words, it could be a map of a continent, or it could be a map of an island the size of Cyprus.
- Aesthetically, I find the land shapes pleasing; but not the inky colour of the sea. The work as a whole is very dark.
- It looks like every other computer generated fantasy map out there. If that's the style you're going for, then I'd say you're well on your way! Though you might consider some kind of faux-Greek knotwork border and huge cartouche that says "MAP OF XYZ-LANDIA"! Because that seems to be de rigeur in modern computer generated fantasy maps.
My main critique regards lettering choices:
- "Wyvern Mountains" should be in a MUCH SMALLER font! If this is a map of a continent, probably all the lettering is too large.
- Lettering, ideally, should not stick out into the ocean (Caellan Wilderness, I'm looking at you!). Smaller letters, curving around the southern side of the woodlands I think would look better.
Are you trying for a Greek-like sound in the city names? If that was deliberate, kudos! That's the general sense I got from the names. And then there's Uzchizaak. (Bless you!) Kind of looks like you stuck Klingon onto the side of Achaia! Are the people of those cities of a different race / ethnicity than the quasi-Greeks?
- Is this whole continent part of the Empire of Myregea? If so, that fact is not apparent from the placement of the country's name. If so, that name should be in nice large letters! Are the folk of those three nearly vowelless cities part of the Empire? If not, some political boundaries might be in order.
- Roads, at the very least, would be helpful, as would provincial names.
- The more I look at the map, the more I dislike the name "Wyvern Mountains". Doesn't have the same Greeky feel to it. But that's really a matter of personal taste.
- West of the Wilderness, there is a little dark square with a dot in the middle. Is that an error, or is that your world's answer to Rockall?
Final Answer:
YES.
I find your map to be a realistic and believable computer generated fantasy map. I'm not a geologist, but I don't see any egregious errors that can't be handwaved away because it's fantasy. In fact, I'd say it is actually very nicely drawn and with a couple minor corrections and some judicious decoration would look very nice folded up in a computer game or rpg box or reproduced in a novel or world compendium.
Chapeau!
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
answered 7 hours ago
elemtilas
7,95121742
7,95121742
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Based on your answer above, and bear in mind I am no geologist nor cartographer, but considering several factors such as the climate, land size (approx. 2.6m sqm less than Australia in comparison) you may want to put in a bit more variation on it such as more forests, swamps etc. and your central landmass area seems to be dry with just a few rivers going inland. If it is deliberate then its fine, but a lake or two may be more desirable/sensible?
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Based on your answer above, and bear in mind I am no geologist nor cartographer, but considering several factors such as the climate, land size (approx. 2.6m sqm less than Australia in comparison) you may want to put in a bit more variation on it such as more forests, swamps etc. and your central landmass area seems to be dry with just a few rivers going inland. If it is deliberate then its fine, but a lake or two may be more desirable/sensible?
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Based on your answer above, and bear in mind I am no geologist nor cartographer, but considering several factors such as the climate, land size (approx. 2.6m sqm less than Australia in comparison) you may want to put in a bit more variation on it such as more forests, swamps etc. and your central landmass area seems to be dry with just a few rivers going inland. If it is deliberate then its fine, but a lake or two may be more desirable/sensible?
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
Based on your answer above, and bear in mind I am no geologist nor cartographer, but considering several factors such as the climate, land size (approx. 2.6m sqm less than Australia in comparison) you may want to put in a bit more variation on it such as more forests, swamps etc. and your central landmass area seems to be dry with just a few rivers going inland. If it is deliberate then its fine, but a lake or two may be more desirable/sensible?
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
answered 8 hours ago
Arkhaine
777212
777212
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Is it realistic, maybe. I'm not a Geologist so can only speak from observations of maps and some online research, Elemtilas' breakdown is very good but i'd just wanted to add to it
If other examples of mountain ranges similar to the Wyvern Mountains are to be believed, such as the the Andes in Chile,, where the mountain range runs the length of the continent parallel with the coastline then they are formed by continental plates crushing into each other and its less likely to have a nicely rounded end to each side of them. its more likely to draw out to a point. perhaps something similar to the below,
Artistic License
Understand that artistic license was heavily used in the past in terms of map making, for example the below picture illustrates The difference between a medieval map of the English coast around the important harbour of Plymouth, and compares next to it is the real life google maps image of Plymouth
The Old Maps are there to offer details of the town as well as possible landing and mooring regions for an enemy invading force, and scale is not as important in the less tactically significant areas.
Whereas after the invention of newer map making technology, I forget the name of the device but it used telescopes, angles and triangles to more accurately measure distances and make more accurate maps These older maps that showed mostly defensive information became obsolete.
Why is this important
Because it depends on in what timeline these maps were made. if it were the older style then as a basic map of the entire continent then its ok. not perfect but ok.
Your map looks like its come from an online generator, where you plan out the shape, and basic terrain features then add names and notes. the issue with those generators is that the don't do coastline very well. the features of your map appear to be in the classical.fantasy style in terms of mountains and forests however the coastline is not, cliffs etc should be more pronounced on a map of this style, irrespective of scale.
Please understand I'm not criticizing the use of the online generators, they would well enough in general, and realistic looking maps are very very hard to achieve. I've tried numerous times and they still look worse than the online generated ones.
After this then the other answers have you covered, so i won't repeat the answers of other users.
However
If you are wanting a more modern looking map, then scales are off, but so is style. the same rules apply as stated by Elemtilas
I haven't personally found any decent and free software to help you create them, but have had moderate success (at least compared to my other attempts) with layering in Photoshop to build up contour lines and but it is a long logn process
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Is it realistic, maybe. I'm not a Geologist so can only speak from observations of maps and some online research, Elemtilas' breakdown is very good but i'd just wanted to add to it
If other examples of mountain ranges similar to the Wyvern Mountains are to be believed, such as the the Andes in Chile,, where the mountain range runs the length of the continent parallel with the coastline then they are formed by continental plates crushing into each other and its less likely to have a nicely rounded end to each side of them. its more likely to draw out to a point. perhaps something similar to the below,
Artistic License
Understand that artistic license was heavily used in the past in terms of map making, for example the below picture illustrates The difference between a medieval map of the English coast around the important harbour of Plymouth, and compares next to it is the real life google maps image of Plymouth
The Old Maps are there to offer details of the town as well as possible landing and mooring regions for an enemy invading force, and scale is not as important in the less tactically significant areas.
Whereas after the invention of newer map making technology, I forget the name of the device but it used telescopes, angles and triangles to more accurately measure distances and make more accurate maps These older maps that showed mostly defensive information became obsolete.
Why is this important
Because it depends on in what timeline these maps were made. if it were the older style then as a basic map of the entire continent then its ok. not perfect but ok.
Your map looks like its come from an online generator, where you plan out the shape, and basic terrain features then add names and notes. the issue with those generators is that the don't do coastline very well. the features of your map appear to be in the classical.fantasy style in terms of mountains and forests however the coastline is not, cliffs etc should be more pronounced on a map of this style, irrespective of scale.
Please understand I'm not criticizing the use of the online generators, they would well enough in general, and realistic looking maps are very very hard to achieve. I've tried numerous times and they still look worse than the online generated ones.
After this then the other answers have you covered, so i won't repeat the answers of other users.
However
If you are wanting a more modern looking map, then scales are off, but so is style. the same rules apply as stated by Elemtilas
I haven't personally found any decent and free software to help you create them, but have had moderate success (at least compared to my other attempts) with layering in Photoshop to build up contour lines and but it is a long logn process
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Is it realistic, maybe. I'm not a Geologist so can only speak from observations of maps and some online research, Elemtilas' breakdown is very good but i'd just wanted to add to it
If other examples of mountain ranges similar to the Wyvern Mountains are to be believed, such as the the Andes in Chile,, where the mountain range runs the length of the continent parallel with the coastline then they are formed by continental plates crushing into each other and its less likely to have a nicely rounded end to each side of them. its more likely to draw out to a point. perhaps something similar to the below,
Artistic License
Understand that artistic license was heavily used in the past in terms of map making, for example the below picture illustrates The difference between a medieval map of the English coast around the important harbour of Plymouth, and compares next to it is the real life google maps image of Plymouth
The Old Maps are there to offer details of the town as well as possible landing and mooring regions for an enemy invading force, and scale is not as important in the less tactically significant areas.
Whereas after the invention of newer map making technology, I forget the name of the device but it used telescopes, angles and triangles to more accurately measure distances and make more accurate maps These older maps that showed mostly defensive information became obsolete.
Why is this important
Because it depends on in what timeline these maps were made. if it were the older style then as a basic map of the entire continent then its ok. not perfect but ok.
Your map looks like its come from an online generator, where you plan out the shape, and basic terrain features then add names and notes. the issue with those generators is that the don't do coastline very well. the features of your map appear to be in the classical.fantasy style in terms of mountains and forests however the coastline is not, cliffs etc should be more pronounced on a map of this style, irrespective of scale.
Please understand I'm not criticizing the use of the online generators, they would well enough in general, and realistic looking maps are very very hard to achieve. I've tried numerous times and they still look worse than the online generated ones.
After this then the other answers have you covered, so i won't repeat the answers of other users.
However
If you are wanting a more modern looking map, then scales are off, but so is style. the same rules apply as stated by Elemtilas
I haven't personally found any decent and free software to help you create them, but have had moderate success (at least compared to my other attempts) with layering in Photoshop to build up contour lines and but it is a long logn process
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
Is it realistic, maybe. I'm not a Geologist so can only speak from observations of maps and some online research, Elemtilas' breakdown is very good but i'd just wanted to add to it
If other examples of mountain ranges similar to the Wyvern Mountains are to be believed, such as the the Andes in Chile,, where the mountain range runs the length of the continent parallel with the coastline then they are formed by continental plates crushing into each other and its less likely to have a nicely rounded end to each side of them. its more likely to draw out to a point. perhaps something similar to the below,
Artistic License
Understand that artistic license was heavily used in the past in terms of map making, for example the below picture illustrates The difference between a medieval map of the English coast around the important harbour of Plymouth, and compares next to it is the real life google maps image of Plymouth
The Old Maps are there to offer details of the town as well as possible landing and mooring regions for an enemy invading force, and scale is not as important in the less tactically significant areas.
Whereas after the invention of newer map making technology, I forget the name of the device but it used telescopes, angles and triangles to more accurately measure distances and make more accurate maps These older maps that showed mostly defensive information became obsolete.
Why is this important
Because it depends on in what timeline these maps were made. if it were the older style then as a basic map of the entire continent then its ok. not perfect but ok.
Your map looks like its come from an online generator, where you plan out the shape, and basic terrain features then add names and notes. the issue with those generators is that the don't do coastline very well. the features of your map appear to be in the classical.fantasy style in terms of mountains and forests however the coastline is not, cliffs etc should be more pronounced on a map of this style, irrespective of scale.
Please understand I'm not criticizing the use of the online generators, they would well enough in general, and realistic looking maps are very very hard to achieve. I've tried numerous times and they still look worse than the online generated ones.
After this then the other answers have you covered, so i won't repeat the answers of other users.
However
If you are wanting a more modern looking map, then scales are off, but so is style. the same rules apply as stated by Elemtilas
I haven't personally found any decent and free software to help you create them, but have had moderate success (at least compared to my other attempts) with layering in Photoshop to build up contour lines and but it is a long logn process
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
answered 2 hours ago
Blade Wraith
5,9901036
5,9901036
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
I think theodolite is the word you're looking for
– Separatrix
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Nesari is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Nesari is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Nesari is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Nesari is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f126992%2fis-this-map-realistic-believeable%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
To clarify, your continent is 5 million square kilometers? Is it in the area where there are a lot of volcanic activity?
– Arkhaine
9 hours ago
Yes, about that size. There is some volcanic activity, but not really worth mentioning.
– Nesari
9 hours ago
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. When you have a moment, Nesari, please add the reality-check tag to this question. Thanks!
– JBH
7 hours ago
Are you basing the Wyvern Mountains on volcanic ones like the Andes, rift-formed mountains like the Appalachians and The Great Dividing Range in Australia, or the Himalayas (which are the least likely)?
– Jaycie Beveri
7 hours ago
Welcome! I recommend removing the questions about the names. We won't be able to answer those. In general naming questions are out of scope for WB.SE because language is so deeply tied to your story.
– Cort Ammon
5 hours ago