Ok, I just submitted a map I made, and was thinking about trying to map another area. And it dawned on me that the thing I like most about making my maps is the flavour I add to it.

I don't have zmud mapper, but if anyone wants to team up with me to make a map I'm pretty sure our maps will win.

Ask if you want samples. And I only ask for 1/4th of the winnings if our combined map wins, since I know actually mapping is the real hard part.

Let me know what you think.

sorry for the double post.

What double post?

The one on the right.

Edit: Yes, that was random. I'm sorry.

ok wierd... it didn't come up twice... stupid lapops. Anyway.. If anyone wants to team up. I can show you examples of what I mean if you want.

One of the reasons I want to do this, is I think it will be nice if Lusternia has a new type of mapping thats consitant but unique to Lustenria, all without removing the basic mapping method that most of us know how to read and such.

Do you mean to have all of the maps match together, in terms of using the same colors and style? I've mapped Magnagora for the contest (although I haven't submit it yet, I'm a perfectionist and have to check it several times per day) and while I did it on my own, it's hard to make it look incredibly unique.

Hmm, all I'll say about the mapping contest is that I hope including secret exits automatically disqualifies a map. Not directed at anyone in particular, more at the people who made most of the Achaea/etc. maps!

I certainly hope that including secret exits will not disqualify a map. That would be a bit unfair to void an entry for something not specified.

I think that also defeats the purpose of the map. It's a map, it's supposed to show all of the rooms and the areas. I believe my map includes one secret room, but it is not denoted as a secret room and there is no information given on how to access it.

Well, the problem is, most secret rooms are accessed by moving in one of the normal directions. So if it's on your map, someone knows to go to x place and move north, or whatever. Which entirely defeats the purpose of exploring, explorer rankings (broken, still, but they'll come back), and so on.

Maybe we're thinking of different types of maps, but IMHO, a map is more to give someone an idea of how to get around, to find major landmarks, etc., but NOT to find places so out of the way and hidden that they're "not even on the map".

Plus it's not all that difficult to not put secret exits on your map.

I'm just wondering how many people are making a full Lusternia Multiplanar map *peers at his competitors*

I was wondering if anyone was doing anything that didn't envolve squares and lines.

I hope they are... check out this Caer Witrin map from Achaea. It won one of the bardic/artisanal contests, and personally I think it's f@#king awesome. Accurate, aesthetically pleasing, artistic, and easy to read. Kazekaoru is the artist.

Not to set high standards or anything

Granted, that's pretty, but when I'm looking at a map, I'm looking for reliable information I can easily see, and move along with.

Not a piece of art that I have to actually stare at to find out where I am.

It still has squares and lines.. even if they are on something pretty.

I got all excited when I saw there was already a world map draw.. I'm better with pictures. I have a Full world map on Zmud and still get lost. Silly squares.

That map is gorgeous. The only problem is that in terms of it being practical, it isn't. The boxes are too, and the inside ones (red) are almost impossible to see if you didn't know the area and expect those rooms to be there.

I've tried using octagons but those tend to end up just looking like circles.

Because of the way that rooms don't always line up, you kindof have to resort to some shape and lines unless you just want a map with a general idea.

Although now that I think about it, it might be a good idea to draw a pictoral map of the cities, so even though you can't follow it room by room, you can get a good feel of what general direction to go.

You mean something like this?

(NOTE: This map was made by Estarra over a year ago and obviously is out of date. Pay no attention to the names!)

pah, yeah exactly like that.
If magnagora makes an arena on ackbar road now I'll be sad

Cool map!

would maps like those be wanted for the contest?

No, right now we're looking for traditional room-by-room maps. Maybe our next contest will be for graphic maps.

I enjoy doing these types of maps for getting a general idea for building. I did one for Serenwilde, New Celest and Glomdoring, but they're so out-of-date, inaccurate or vague that they'd be useless to try to use to navigate.

It would be nice to see some more graphical maps without the typical, precise, room-line-room layout, or at the very least - those typical maps WITHOUT secret exits. I agree fully on what was said, sort of defeats the purpose of 'secret' exits when every single newbie reads the map.

Maybe a particular Someone of Significant Importance Who Possesses Loads of Infinite Widsom might agree with that, too, and make it a guideline for entry in the contest? The 'secret-exits-remaining-secret' thing, I mean. Unless of course it doesn't seem like a good idea when considered by someone possessing of loads of infinite wisdom...