Map and Story Block 6

Good Evening everyone,

Continuing our series developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time, we present:

 

Block 6

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

The Beryljaw ordkisite mine is a little more than a day’s journey from Muhr Fahldor. Urbock has arranged everything quite nicely for the workers and has left his brother-in-law, Hendrol, in charge.  Since the mine is so far outside of town, a set of dorms and a large feasting hall were built near the mine.  The dwarves work a schedule built around a day’s journey there, then 7 days of work, another day home and 3 days off.  The miner’s enjoy this schedule and Urbock prides himself on taking care of the miner’s and the mine.

One advancement that Hendrol has made to the mine is the magical reseeding of the ordkisite in the mountain.  Hendrol has several mages come to the mine once a month and magically collapse the tunnels that the dwarves have been working in.  The mages then use spells to generate new ordkisite through these tunnels.  The new ordkisite takes several months to form so the miner’s work in other areas.  This way there is always ordkisite to produce.

Next Block: Beyond is the border.

Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

Map and Story Block 5

Good Morning everyone,

Continuing our series developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time, we present:
 

Block 5

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

Continuing west along the coast you arrive at the Dwarven capital of Muhr Fahldor.  The city was literally carved from the rock of the cliff, a huge dwarven face of their first king etched into the rock above and the city below.  There are three tiers to the city, with the smallest and the most pretentious of dwarves being at the top and closest to the king’s edifice. The middle tier houses the homes and businesses that provide services to the government and the commerce that keeps the city thriving. On the bottom tier and spreading out from the cliff is the bottom tier where the majority of dwarves live.  These dwarves are the backbone of the city and keep the city running smoothly.  

One of the families that live on the middle tier is the Beryljaw family.  They have five businesses kept in shops that are in a pentagon shape. Urbock Beryljaw is the head of the family and runs a tinkering shop.  His wife, Ustani, is a jeweler who caters to the wives of many of the Dwarven peerage. His brother, Tundean, is a master weaponsmith and is known by dwarves everywhere for creating, “Decimation, the Incarnation of Throbek.” This mighty longsword is said to contain the soul of one of Dwarven greatest rulers.  Urbock other brother is Fomdeth who is a master armorer.  Fomdeth is known for creating decorative armor that doesn’t provide much in the way of protection, but definitely look good.  The shops form the shape of a pentagon with the inner space containing the supplies that they all need.  The Beryljaw family own an iron mine outside of town and Urbock is head of the mining guild for Muhr Fahldor.  The family also live in a manor house on the second tier.  The entire family is known for being friendly and fair.

Next Block: The Inland Mines. 

Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

 

Map and Story Block 4

Good Morning everyone,

Continuing our series developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time, we present:

Block 4

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

Several miles further south, the Sparkling River flows into the Bergonlir Sea. The Bergonlir Sea is named after the Dwarf Explorer, Gibnir Bergonlir. Right along the banks of the river is the thriving city of Elderhaven.  Several thousand people live here, primarily Dwarves in the spacious upper levels of the city.  Just on the outskirts of town are the citrus orchards owned by Sinead Coldmail.  Sinead has a large family, seven children, all born with agrarian talents.  This has allowed Sinead to lead Elderhaven’s Agrarian Guild.  The guild is responsible for feeding most of Elderhaven and Sinead does his job very responsibly.

Next Block: To the capital.


Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

Map and Story Block 3

Happy Holiday weekend everyone,

Continuing our series developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time, we bring you:

Block 3

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

Continuing south along the Sparkling River one reaches the small town of Cartalha. An offshoot of the river becomes Lake Crystal.  Lake Crystal and the Sparkling River are named for goshacyite gems that are layered all along their bottom.  Goshacyite is similar to crystal and reflects the sun causing all sorts of interesting tricks of light.  

Today is a special day for Cartalha and Lake Crystal.  The underwater circus known as Tac’s Troupe is set to perform this evening.  Tac is a Merman and a talented illusionist.  He has begun to make a name for himself by combining sophisticated illusions with a variety of Mermen/Merwomen and interesting underwater creatures.  Most Cartalha residents can’t wait to see what happens!

Next Block: Further down the Sparkling River.


Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

Map and Story Block 2

Good evening everyone,

Continuing our series developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time, we bring you:

Block 2

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

Further south the Sparkling River runs adjacent to a forest known as the Gnutty Forest. It is named for one Alfred Gnutty who used to roam the forest handing out random nuts to travelers along the way. Those who refused to take one of these kindly offered nuts would receive a pelting of said nuts for a good few minutes.  Anyway, back to Gnutty forest, which does have a variety of nut trees in it.  There is also a species of willow tree that runs along the bank of the Sparkling River.  During a recent rain, one of these willow trees now has mostly fallen into the river revealing a crypt that was hidden underneath it.  No one knows how old the crypt is; but I hear that the Mayor of Westshire, along with some other dignitaries, are offering 50 gp for any adventurer brave enough to explore it.

Next Block: Continuing along the Sparkling River.


Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

 

Map and Story Block 1

Good evening everyone,

Heleen (http://on-creating-games.blogspot.com/) and I are beginning a series of posts developing a world a 5 mile square block at a time. Heleen provides the initial inspiration. I draw a map and then Heleen will build a story of the world based on the map. Without further adieu, we bring you:

Block 1

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

The Sparkling River runs through the town of Westshire and provides a variety of goods for its denizens.  Westshire isn’t large by any stretch of the imagination, though they do have their own church to the god of Time.  The area surrounding Westshire is filled with mostly farmers.  Westshire has a couple of docks that provide a place for travelers on river boats to make a pit stop. The docks are also used to bring the extra produce to bigger towns farther down the Sparkling River.

Next Block: Down the Sparkling River.

Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

2017 One Page Dungeon Contest: One Day Journey

Todaty is the deadline for this year's One Page Dungeon Contest (https://www.dungeoncontest.com/ ) and I've finished (well as soon as I sent it off). Ended up calling it a One Day Journey.

Good luck to everyone who completes their entries by Monday (midnight GMT).

2017 One Page Dungeon Contest - well the picture is done

Yep, tis nearing the deadline for this year's One Page Dungeon Contest (https://www.dungeoncontest.com/ ) and am sorta working towards entering ... At least I have the picture/map done and a tentative title "One Page Journey" (so in a way, am halfway to 2018 as well :) ) Good luck to everyone who completes their entries by Monday (midnight GMT if I recall correctly).

Collaborative Dungeon 01 on Google+

Any map-makers out there looking for another collaborative project? Here in the - https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112673495692010443852 - Collaborative Dungeon 01 we're building a dungeon out of 10 sq x 10 sq tiles (5 foot squares, 50 x 50). Join us!

Attached are a couple samples of my work - my first and most recent squares (full sized version before cropping).

The process is simple and fun. Pick a square on the map of completed tiles adjacent to 1 or more completed maps. Check those maps for crossover tunnels (natural or man-made) or  water or other features. Create your map and submit to the Google share.

So far we have 2-3 dozen maps in an area that will hold 70-100 or so.