This is a map from a story I'm co-authoring. Any critique on how it could be improved is very much appreciated, however, I'd really like some help on a few specific points:

How is the geography likely to affect the weather?

Will the swamp area experience tides?

Is everything a reasonable distance apart? I've never made a study of how close together cities and towns were when people had to actually walk between them.

Geographical questions:
Does the mountain patch create a desert? Are the little straits that connect the large island-city to the mainland flooded at tide?

The amount of tide the swamp recieves would be very minimal, if at all noticeable, I believe...

About how far things are, I've done research, and what my conclusion was is that someone who has a lot of experience walking long distance can regularly do 20 miles per day on average. I'd guess an untrained person could manage 15 miles a day... So combined with the scale and how much you want the cities to be apart, hopefully that helps to answer your question...

Not as far as I'm aware. I'll have to discuss it with my co-authors.


Again, something I'll discuss with my co-authors. There is a very good chance that they flood.


Good to know. At the moment the inhabitants of the swamp might be the only people who use boats, so it could lead to some interesting situations if they don't know about tides.


That should help. I'm going to be re-drawing the map soon, so we'll see if I have to change any of the scale.

Cool map. I like it.

Thank you, Airianna.

The next version is going to be even cooler… As soon as I finish drawing it.

I will look forward to it, then.

I love your map, Ben. Looking forward to seeing the next one you're making!

Wow, neat map! I like it. It's simple, yet elegant.

Thank you, Lady Elanor and Calista!

Quick update on mapmaking progress, I just finished drawing the new map and scanned it into the computer. There are a few things I need to discuss with my co-authors before I post it, but you can expect a new version very soon.

And here's a brand new map!

Actually, three maps, as I've created enlargements of two of the more important areas.

Updates this time: I've adjusted the scale in some areas, added pretty colors to the main map, and added labels to the locations that currently have names.

Wow. That colored map looks amazing. How did you make it?

Two quick questions:
How do the dotted lines and city on the cliffs thing work? *is trying to picture it in his mind
And where is earthsinging island on the larger map?

Thank you!

I hand drew the map and added color on the computer with GIMP.


The dashed lines on Capital Island indicate the general edge of a maze. The city is built into ledges on the cliffside, and the maze runs through tunnels behind the it. Sections of the maze extend beneath the ocean, and one tunnel reaches all the way to the mainland.

The other dotted line between the island and the mainland marks the location of the road used to access the island at low tide.

The dashed line on Earthsinging Island marks the area where the earth moves in response to sound.


Earthsinging island is on the left side of the map, in the swamp area of the Healer's region.

Ah, ok; I get it now. The idea of a tunnel city in the cliffs sounds really cool.