A Map of Europe

[Salen]

A Map of Europe

You must be registered for see links

; (28/5) ;

You must be registered for see links

(29/5)

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I kindly and humbly present to you a map I have been working on today. It is my own interpretation of what is a modified-Europe-to-be. I do not have the 'ambition' to propose another map but since every one is so busy I could not contain my desire to design one. So again basically I would like to emphasise this is 'a map', not 'the map' and is merely something I just wanted to work on.

I have tried to take all previous suggestions and remarks into consideration and as you may notice it is simply a renewed drawing of our current map, but it is rather 'smaller'. It is smaller in two ways; first it is literally scaled down some pixels (3000x1800 px, our current 5000 px), but secondly and most importantly proximity! Proximity in a sense that the oceans and waterways have become smaller so yes there's less sea and more land to it, but the landmasses on this map are very insular. The multitude of isles and islands will/could form the stepping stones which ought to bring all our nations closer to one another. In addition, as implemented into Coro's and Kyle's exempla too, I have provided some smaller inland seas and large lakes which again can form natural borders and highways at the same time. Also, the map has an arctic and antarctic region and has meridians and tropics to indicate some broad climate zones.

Concerning names and landmasses then as you can see the greater outlines are preserved, with even some seas and natural shapes partly being integrated. Major changes on the other hand are for instance the sizing down of Himyar and the enlargement of our 'Eurodisney' which I have named Erofa (due to lack of inspiration of course..). This, to actually meet with our current needs (concerning space and role-play). Our 'Europa' can thus contain some more nations if necessary and our renewed Himyar region ought be more attractive in terms of colonisation and exploration. Himyar too contains much more islands now - big and small - but a grand mainland is kept, such as with Toyou. For convenience I have named some sub-regions or transitional areas such as 'Near- and Far-Toyou' to differentiate between the Middle-East and the Orient; also an 'Insular Himyar' has been named, which perhaps together with the 'Near-Toyou' region could form the more Middle-Eastern regions, surrounding the Inner (Mediterranean) Sea. ; ) The Occident basically remains much the same, but as stated before is moved closer to both the Himyar and Erofa continents.

Again, I just wanted to make the map, I do not expect anything of it but I must be honest I do hope you all just give it quick peek please and offer me some feedback. Perhaps it could be useful for the future. =)

 

[Natal]

Well, from my simple point of view, I'd say that it could work if we are also to represent the countries bigger, so that it would look that the world is smaller. Also, I would make more gulfs and seas like the Black and Mediterranean Sea in Erofa and Sarmatia, because currently if looks too Pangea-like... from my point of view.

 

[Salen]

I would make more gulfs and seas like the Black and Mediterranean Sea in Erofa and Sarmatia, because currently if looks too Pangea-like...

I am sorry but you do mean more gulfs and lakes should be integrated in Erofa and Sarmatia or just more gulfs etc. in all landmasses in general?

Concerning the 'bigger countries'; that's actually why I haven't added an actual scale yet, so the actual distance ratio could still be determined. =)

 

[Natal]

I was talking about the current inland seas that are in Eufra to be made a little bit bigger and to have some bigger gulfs in Eufra especially.

 

[Sixia]

Looks fairly good so far. Erofa is a little too round and blobby for my liking though, it needs more peninsulas and as Galindia has said, the gulfs should be enlarged. This should give Erofa a more dynamic shape and identity than being a big blob of roundness.

I like the archipelago action going on. But not a big fan of the pixel islands, but that can be easily cleaned up.

I feel Sarmatia could be shrunk given people's lack of interest in that area, though I suppose giving it larger plots could alleviate spacing issues. The Erofa-Sarmatia-Toyou continent in general could use more land breakup to make it look less pangea.

 

[Pelasgia]

I like the map you have made, but I would agree that Erofa needs some more bays.

 

[Serenierre]

Good map. But I would be sad to have to lose my spot on the current map, which I rather like in terms of borders. Also the impact any new map would have on the ongoing Touyou RP is something which makes me feel rather negative about all this talk of a new map. But regardless, lets see what happens.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Its a nice map

 

[Khemia]

I like the map you have made, but I would agree that Erofa needs some more bays.

I agree. The propensity for this Erofa to have landlocked nations is quite enormous, and Europe itself is a "continent" defined by peninsula's (Iberian, Italian, Balkan, Fenno-Scannia - nearly all of Europe is a peninsula - we could even talk about a European peninsula depending on scale) So, I think Erofa needs to be "peninsula-rized". Single nations need not occupy entire peninsula's (like the Balkans are very ... Balkanized) but it would allow a lot more people access to the sea. Which is important when you have to deal with inactives.

Good map. But I would be sad to have to lose my spot on the current map, which I rather like in terms of borders. Also the impact any new map would have on the ongoing Touyou RP is something which makes me feel rather negative about all this talk of a new map. But regardless, lets see what happens.

This is true. However, I feel you and I and any other Toyou party can communicate with each other to determine locations that both fit our own aesthetic desires as well as our geopolitics. For example, I can see a potential plot for myself on the eastern side of Toyou, provided some of the lakes are cleaned up or are connected to the sea. I feel, if we use this map, we allow plot claimers to define within reason changes to the plot they are claiming. The colors of this map are simple and crisp and shouldn't have trouble being edited. Personally, I'd prefer if people drew it, pixel by pixel and kept the exact resolution, so that the mapmaker could just drag and drop it and then merge it with the original map to make edits. Otherwise, for the Version 1.0 of the map, claimers can make edits, but in future versions the map is largely permanent except of a case-by-case basis (the cartographers whim, probably based off whether or not the guy is rerolling countries like a gambling addict rolling dice and requesting edits every time)

I have some complaints about the map, however. First, the number of inland seas is enormous. Even if we reasoned that these seas were either basins of their own right or dammed and with rivers with access to the sea, they are far too common. This can be reduced by peninsularizing Erofa, and even parts of Toyou. Also, Far Toyou is a bit ugly and we are again on the problem of "Toyou is too big". We really could shift Sarmatia, Near Toyou and Toyou east, eliminate Far Toyou, and then add more peninsula's to Erofa. (So long as it doesn't look like an octopus)

Also, I do believe scale is already defined by the equator, tropics, and prime meridian, which tells me that this is a Mercator-esque projection. Which makes me shudder, but at the same time we can then reason that "larger" nations further north aren't actually large, they're just distorted by the projection.

 

[Khemia]

Stuff

You must be registered for see links

I did some moving of things and creating of peninsula's - you'd need to fractalize it, add dark boundaries on the grey, and add islands into the sea in Erofa. Anyways, we should abandon the idea of the Inner Sea as a Mediterranean analogue and actually have an internal sea in Erofa. This should create more naval drama. That new peninsula coming out of Sarmatia like poop, I'm not sure about the sea to the west of it. You could get rid of that, expand the sea stabbing into Sarmatia. That will allow E. Erofan nations an alternate route to the sea without dealing with Erofa itself, increase importance of Sarmatia maybe, and give Near Toyou importance.

Anyways, that's my ideas put to an image for you to see.

 

[Serenierre]

This is true. However, I feel you and I and any other Toyou party can communicate with each other to determine locations that both fit our own aesthetic desires as well as our geopolitics. For example, I can see a potential plot for myself on the eastern side of Toyou, provided some of the lakes are cleaned up or are connected to the sea. I feel, if we use this map, we allow plot claimers to define within reason changes to the plot they are claiming. The colors of this map are simple and crisp and shouldn't have trouble being edited. Personally, I'd prefer if people drew it, pixel by pixel and kept the exact resolution, so that the mapmaker could just drag and drop it and then merge it with the original map to make edits. Otherwise, for the Version 1.0 of the map, claimers can make edits, but in future versions the map is largely permanent except of a case-by-case basis (the cartographers whim, probably based off whether or not the guy is rerolling countries like a gambling addict rolling dice and requesting edits every time)

Private message me how you would like your spot to look like, based on that, I'll make my own beta-spot. Right now its very difficult to see how the spots could be like.

I'm not too hot on "Erofa" and I think we should stick with Gallia, Germania, and Scania for the Eurodisney region.

 

[Khemia]

Private message me how you would like your spot to look like, based on that, I'll make my own beta-spot. Right now its very difficult to see how the spots could be like.

I'm not too hot on "Erofa" and I think we should stick with Gallia, Germania, and Scania for the Eurodisney region.

Yeah, Erofa is a weird, not very European sounding name. Sounds like an erotic fart. Not that Gallia, Germania and Scania are the most creative names either, but those names are generally a part of most peoples history and shouldn't be retconned. And I'll work on a thought I have for the area for myself as well as ideas for you..

 

[Salen]

Thanks for all the input and thoughts fellas. I might already try to implement some changes the following days, see what has actual support etc.

Also, yes: the name: I just had to you know; would have looked ridiculous if it had three to four names or 'Eurodisney'. I also liked 'Eufra' though. =) Might edit this post later to respond to some issues!

EDIT:

You must be registered for see links

: remember, nothing is official and can be changed anytime. =)

I have done some minor alterations based on your input; especially of the issues I judged there was consensus already!

Alterations included:

1. 'Erofa' is more fractured, having an inner sea in the west and some minor and major bay areas added both south and east. In addition the boundary between 'Erofa' and Sarmatia is more distinct. Eastern 'Erofa' has also been granted a clearer access to the seas both in the north and in the south.
2. Due to the 'Inner Sea' not being such surrounded by land it is currently dubbed the 'Southern Sea'.
3. The lakes and/or inland seas in Sarmatia and Toyou - not all of them - are now connected to the sea as well. I have actually kept some reservoirs unconnected as this is also often the case in real life, where governments are subsequently required or motivated to construct canals for geopolitical or economic benefits.

Future/possible alterations:

1. (Far) Toyou issue: while still considered big I am momentarily reluctant to change it already, since the suggested removal of the far eastern mainland would IMO leave Toyou to be another landmass. I have the feeling it would remain interesting if we keep some larger islands or archipelago in the east. Also, it would open up the Touzen Sea: again I believe having some land around it could be more exciting from a geopolitical viewpoint. Otherwise I'd fear the Toyou mainland would simply 'control' the eastern seas, while otherwise it could be contested by oriental maritime countries or perhaps even colonial possessions. So far, only @
   You must be registered for see links
   has really had an extensive input concerning this issue so I will wait for more opinions (Thank you Yujin for your constructive comments though!).
2. Removal of pixel islands: though only mentioned once I guess I might reduce the number of 'dotted islands' too, making the map perhaps a bit more 'appealing'. Nevertheless I am eager to keep as many isles and islands as possible, again to keep the regions tied together as the sea proves a bit more maneuverable in comparison to controlled land highways and crossings.
3. 'Erofa' Name: yes basically I am in favour for another name as well so, keep up the suggestions I would say.

Thank you again everyone for the honest opinions! =)




Also, @

You must be registered for see links

: you know nothing is official, so... Just having a large brain fart over here. ; ) On the other hand, more of us are probably more than content with their current spots, size or lay-out so if are to adopt a new map in the future most of us are probably have to chip in some land anyway. If it would cheer you up, even I - though not RP'd with Ulstland yet - invested some time in maps and images for my Kingdom of Ulstland; hence I am waiting before actually making a map for Heroquoia.

 

[Serenierre]

@Heroquoia: I know its not official, but given the fact that no one else has produced as comprehensive and fresh a map as this after the original map talk, I think there is a strong chance this may be taken up. My post to Yujin is just my way of ensuring that any new set-up will accommodate our nations in a way that allows our preexisting RP to continue undisturbed. If I can put it in perspective for you, Yujin and my dynamics have been developing since 2013, iirc, and I don't want to turn my back on that if I can help it. But I would like this go on record that I would support this map 100% and hope that some certainty prevails over the issue of a new map.

 

[Salen]

@Heroquoia: I know its not official, but given the fact that no one else has produced as comprehensive and fresh a map as this after the original map talk, I think there is a strong chance this may be taken up. My post to Yujin is just my way of ensuring that any new set-up will accommodate our nations in a way that allows our preexisting RP to continue undisturbed. If I can put it in perspective for you, Yujin and my dynamics have been developing since 2013, iirc, and I don't want to turn my back on that if I can help it. But I would like this go on record that I would support this map 100% and hope that some certainty prevails over the issue of a new map.

Alright, understood! =)

 

[Volkova]

This map looks Great!

 

[Natal]

I actually like the current form of this map. I could imagine how and where Galindia would be situated.

 

[Sixia]

Good changes so far, though I have a few critiques.

You must be registered for see links

Black Circle: This peninsula looks way too long and it looks too fat, it looks visually unappealing. I would recommend either cropping part of it or having it taper off at the tip and perhaps slanting its orientation so the tip of the peninsula is like 20-30 degrees facing away from the north or otherwise a "slanted peninsula" (see Malaysian Peninsula). Right now it just looks like a overbloated ugly Denmark. Not a huge deal though, someone can make the recommended changes when they want to claim a spot around that area.

Red Circle: Too round for my liking and too large. If the world was originally a pangea, this anomaly would look the most out of place. Just toss in few bays. Again, not a major issue.

Green Circle: This is the only real important critique that I wanted to bring up. The close proximity of the islands makes the strait seem ambiguous whether or not the entirety of the strait is within territorial waters should someone decide to plop their nation down in that area. Granted its highly likely it is not as territorial water is generally defined to be around 12 km from the coast and the map certainly is larger than that, but I feel like it might be worth pointing out to declog the strait that is full of pixel islands. Though on the other hand it would most certainly make the strait a point of contention internationally should it be sealed off.

I would make comments on the rest of the map regarding some of the roundness going on, but that's really just me nitpicking about the aesthetics and it really wouldn't matter, it would get changed if someone wanted to be there and didn't like the shape of the landmass.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

I would move Himyar north, largely merge it with insular Himyar and make the whole region smaller, because it is the most unpopular one and now that "near Himyar" is going to be the decidedly Arabian/Levantine inspired region, Himyar will grow even more unpopular. Tying it closer to the near Himyar and central European regions could work to keep it interesting.

As for "Erofa", going the extra mile to avoid too obvious names is usually rewarding. I remember we used Hyperborea instead of Scania once. Instead of Gallia and Germania, how about Tyrrhenia (ancient Greek for Ertruria) and Cheruscia (after a Germanic tribe) - and how about Tanit (the name of the earth-god of Carthage) or Caelestis (the romanized version of it) for the whole region?

 

[Pelasgia]

The map is lovely!