(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbtBzo0oA8AjjPci9Ut3pBB-qq3DtY4vwFaVQ5notwarv3lMb6GdkyxFCPylRKE2hsCna-2xBHk2za7-3cw1XPD86d44P02m1JC37If0jo07psHTQrZ9V5gXanz6t8gnyuTsTXuK4JH3jdSZkDUDTDK2My3CB0zzKjTB5WJKCeQiaiF_lSfRMClVIuSc/s996/Baltic-Region-WIP.png)
I'm making this map for pre-Modern scenarios, roughly from 500 to 1500 AD.
You can download the the Worldographer file from my blog here: https://timothywestwind.blogspot.com/2024/09/6-mile-hex-map-baltic-region.html
Let me know if you have any suggestions or resources for the placement of forests, swamps, grasslands and other terrain features.
The map covers the area from Stockholm in the North-West to St. Petersburg in the North-East down to Minsk in the South-East.
I added a little more on the East side because that way I can include Novgorod which was an important city in the Middle Ages. I don't want to make the map much bigger so if you want to add Smolensk (the Viking used to stop over there), just put it right at the South Eastern edge of the map.
It's a challenge to get the rivers looking correct considering the different map projection that exist so I'll keep the major features as they are now. Next step is to paint in all the terrain features and place the major cities and towns.
If anyone else wants to have a go, download the file from my blog.
I love projects like this that show how real world geography compares to fantastic geography. Without color to show off the different vegetation (grasslands, forest, swamp) it seems that this map seems to be starting off with a lot more uniformity compared to something like Majestic Wilderlands. Not a criticism, just a note. Great job! I look forward to seeing how it is populated.
Do you mean uniformity in terms of the biome?
While the upper portion has different colours, the majority of the map is in light green, even for different hex contents. It seems like the predominant terrain is flatland with forest and possibly marshland with light forest in varying sized bands, but the colours are so close they are indistinguishable at a quick glance.
I routinely use actual topographical and navigational maps to create little campaign areas to play with. I find it interesting that at the 5-6-mile hex size, it's tricky to get a decent amount of terrain variation. I have to look very hard to find areas with terrain bands that show up nicely at that resolution.
Quote from: JasperAK on September 15, 2024, 09:47:14 PMWhile the upper portion has different colours, the majority of the map is in light green, even for different hex contents. It seems like the predominant terrain is flatland with forest and possibly marshland with light forest in varying sized bands, but the colours are so close they are indistinguishable at a quick glance.
That's because the map is still work-in-progress. I haven't properly started working on the terrain yet. I placed some rivers and cities so that they would perhaps help me orient what needs to go where.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoyHb4ydtf2AyiKIJrQqkIH5AxtASqTugXQiIDE4OViDB7_h5JMAPjWBGbs3C0SCFm6siCJNKuCD5rdbmVD3CLGqEUWhIMcorWvX0dywOkxr9oMgKlt4GzEzwAttFw9KZdRMFUm1d7GYEd-3sHCiVApgRgn-y0UtZtil6GawpQ-sDczOD0FJ3gpQpvJY/s1258/Pre-Modern-Baltic-Coast-Map.png)
In this latest version I've added some more biomes and types of vegetation such as grassy plains, wooded swamps, hills, denser woods and forests.
I'm having to do a lot of guess work about the placement of these types of features. As you can see I'm trying to simulate the Northern European Plain and the swamps of the Baltic countries. I don't know if the South East of the map should feature some Steppe features?
As always, let me know if you have any suggestions or resources for the placement of forests, swamps, grasslands and other terrain features.
You can download the latest worldographer file here:
https://timothywestwind.blogspot.com/2024/10/6-mile-hex-map-baltic-region.html (https://timothywestwind.blogspot.com/2024/10/6-mile-hex-map-baltic-region.html)
Quote from: JasperAK on September 15, 2024, 09:47:14 PMI routinely use actual topographical and navigational maps to create little campaign areas to play with. I find it interesting that at the 5-6-mile hex size, it's tricky to get a decent amount of terrain variation. I have to look very hard to find areas with terrain bands that show up nicely at that resolution.
Where do you source your maps from?
Ok I think it's at a usable state now but as always I'm open to feedback. I've done my best to use real geographic information but there's been a lot of guess work involved as well. Edit: I think I'm still not placing enough Coniferous forests in this area and should perhaps add more swamp forest in the Estonian region.
The Grauden, Dainava Forest, Naliboki Forest and Čepkeliai Marsh were all created following the description in the Medieval Baltic Volume I and looking at Google Maps.
The placement of the cities was according to a map in that guidebook in the year 1456.
As always and feedback is greatly appreciated. You can download the Worldographer File here:
https://timothywestwind.blogspot.com/2024/11/6-mile-hex-map-baltic-region.html
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc60aeEyCbpdJOgmifjRpm37TWY0IQgMiqDPRUYWCHCcCZ3_0hhJl7_IX-WUf9i5Sa4_93XNvk2K8HeHyvUhE6rCSofyrKhWdeQZV5z_TTZ9ycdfBLsucV4eywoW2GxEE1m4ufzbvANsU9lymWDcNahXnvrYKIiAyZpwtwGcvsO6VpJ7o_T2yI-SCKrAo/s1171/Baltic-6-Mile-Hex-Map-v0.6.png)
Yes... I'm really rethinking this map. I should have read about the types of trees in the area before I started. I think I've been doing it all wrong.
Quote from: swzl on October 29, 2024, 07:13:20 AMQuote from: JasperAK on September 15, 2024, 09:47:14 PMI routinely use actual topographical and navigational maps to create little campaign areas to play with. I find it interesting that at the 5-6-mile hex size, it's tricky to get a decent amount of terrain variation. I have to look very hard to find areas with terrain bands that show up nicely at that resolution.
Where do you source your maps from?
University of Texas Operational Navigation Charts 1:1000k (http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/onc/)
University of Texas Tactical Pilot Maps 1:500k (https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/tpc/)
Univeristy of Texas Topographical Maps 1:250k (https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/250k/)
The two most recent maps look much better. I find that varied terrain makes a map much more interesting. I don't know how many maps I've seen at this scale that just show the same boring terrain.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhC_F914CHw5Ll2EB5Ri-W9GbpjXUp3tIFaO4OJrMLs3OM6IekwkEknXkWaURTCWIPpNFdoLO6KWKdpgLCTQbuOGxqoZnN19zKrlSgjPbbbj6RX5kq7pW3R0a7iniUdHXSbnjoDVOrTgFDoOxL6U9Sk7ObtjCn1YvelzJtuNsJaviO6dThCq_qLX_qac/s1242/Baltic-Pre-Modern-6-Mile-0.9.png)
So there's good news and bad news.
Good news: I finished the 6 mile hex map of the Baltic area. To my satisfaction at least. I've linked to PDF versions of the map below.
Bad news: I created the map in the Beta version of Worldographer 2 and I can't open it in the full release. I spoke to the developer but he doesn't know how to fix it (I've posted the error message at the end of my blog post). It also works in the Preview version that I have installed on my computer. So perhaps you can download the Preview version and try opening the file in that.
So it seems I was mistaken and the Beta version of the Worldographer 2025 IS the latest version which means the file is usable by everyone who has access to it. https://worldographer.com/download/
So it seems I was mistaken and the Beta version of the Worldographer 2025 IS the latest version which means the file is usable by everyone who has access to it. https://worldographer.com/download/