As Simon posted on his blog, we'll be releasing two free new mapping styles for registered CC3 users next week. It occurred to us that at least one of these should come with a "mapping guide", as we do for the Cartographer Annual styles. This is the map that I created while writing the mapping guide:


(Click on the map to see a larger version)

The mapping guide will be included with the download of the new CC3 styles next week.

A little teaser image for the October issue of the Cartographer's Annual 2008.

The next role-playing campaign looms on the horizon ... and I have a new-campaign's resolution. I want to create at least one map for each session. I have neglected mapping for my own games (and my own enjoyment) far too much in recent years. It's time to change that.

Although the first game session is not scheduled before September 19th, I have the first map for the "A Map A Session" program ready. It's an overview of the general area the campaign will take place, and shows a lot of places the characters have visited in previous campaigns and their geographical relation to each other.

( See the map behind the cut... )

I'll be playing my first DnD session for 20 years or so on Friday. Of course it'll be the shiny new 4th edition, and of course it will use miniatures and battle mats.

As the resident map expert my DM asked me to whip up a few blank battle mats with generic backgrounds - and mentioned he also needed a road with trees on both sides, similar to this sketch:


( Look behind the cut to see the results. )

Here's a little preview on next year's Cartographer's Annual.

10 plastic point for the first one to tell me who's map work this style is based on.

I'm working on the next Annual issue, which will be map pack, highlighting floorplans with the new SS2 bitmap artwork. It'll also take a detailed look at using lighting and shadows in CC3. Here's a little sneak peek on my cathedral floorplan so far:



( Click here to see a larger image )

Grimur Fjeldsted has produced a very nice combination map from Symbol Set 1: Fantasy Overland symbols and the latest Cartographers Annual issue parchment backgrounds:
http://www.mapventures.com (just see the first map in the list).

I am very happy how the final result looks, it highlights the quality of both products.

Here's another example for the parchment templates for the annual, this time with a simple example map. What do you think?

( Click for image )