In the last couple of days I've been looking at some maps done by folks whose work I enjoy, map-makers who manage to get paid a few bucks for said work.
Do I ever expect to join their ranks? Nope....not really my thing. Now I'd be lying if I didn't say I'd like to put up better maps for game products I'd like to write in the future, but maps on their own, not so much.
One thing I noticed in a recent map was that I've never tried to draw a river. Since I'm not an artist, drawing a river wasn't my goal, but creating a river map was. In order to get the organic look of a river I decided I'd just start with a river and manipulate that in Photoshop. One quick trip to the USGS National Map Viewer and I had my source file.
Most of this map's work was trying to figure out how to use this base file to create something I liked...and could replicate. Of course most of this "work" was trial and error, mostly error, but eventually I prevailed.
My original idea for this map was to create an underground river that tied into an area location I used in my home game, Shane's Delve. When I tweaked that adventure for my own needs I had anticipated tying that location into a series of caves and access points to this underground river. As I was getting close to finishing the map I realized the scale was way off for adding the one other access point the player have unwittingly found.
No matter, I now have this map for future use.
As always, click on the header graphic for the download or use this link.
2014.03.21 Edit:
Here is another slightly differently version of this map you might enjoy.......might be hard to see the differences.....
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