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So here's the first in a long line of images I'll be posting up surrounding my Ephalon world.
As of this posting I'm nearly finished with the second book in the series.
In the future I'll be getting more art relating to the Ephalon universe, including characters sheets and key moments from the stories.
Most of the subsequent images I'll be posting up were part of a Twitter campaign to spread awareness and fill up my twitter with some content for folks to look at.
- Main website
- 4K version with zoom function can be seen here
- Twitter, follow me for updates
Art by Netherwulf
Ephalon © Robert Edwards
Disclaimer:
Please be aware that this image is copyrighted. And may never under any circumstance be re-posted without the explicit written authorization of myself. This includes the changing or modifying of the image.
As of this posting I'm nearly finished with the second book in the series.
In the future I'll be getting more art relating to the Ephalon universe, including characters sheets and key moments from the stories.
Most of the subsequent images I'll be posting up were part of a Twitter campaign to spread awareness and fill up my twitter with some content for folks to look at.
- Main website
- 4K version with zoom function can be seen here
- Twitter, follow me for updates
Art by Netherwulf
Ephalon © Robert Edwards
Disclaimer:
Please be aware that this image is copyrighted. And may never under any circumstance be re-posted without the explicit written authorization of myself. This includes the changing or modifying of the image.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Scenery
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1920 x 1080px
File Size 1.6 MB
Listed in Folders
Alright I'll preface this by stating I'm not a geologist by any stretch, however, I was in company of someone more knowledgeable about the subject who helped me with certain aspects of the final design. Even so, I'm not entirely out of the loop when it comes to geology.
After giving it some thought there's a few things to be said in response to your question.
- First off, the planet is not as large as earth.
- The Erafar continent is in the Northern hemisphere. With the Alluvian mountains fairly close to another much colder continent called Aodia
- The colder area is generally higher elevated as apposed to the desert region.
- Though the historically accurate reason would be. The Great Eastern Desert didn't used to be a desert. It became such after having been host to many a battle throughout a 100 year war, which ended utterly destroying the landscape making it devoid of all life.
- And there's a Divine factor as well, which I'll keep to myself for now as I don't want to potentially create spoilers.
After giving it some thought there's a few things to be said in response to your question.
- First off, the planet is not as large as earth.
- The Erafar continent is in the Northern hemisphere. With the Alluvian mountains fairly close to another much colder continent called Aodia
- The colder area is generally higher elevated as apposed to the desert region.
- Though the historically accurate reason would be. The Great Eastern Desert didn't used to be a desert. It became such after having been host to many a battle throughout a 100 year war, which ended utterly destroying the landscape making it devoid of all life.
- And there's a Divine factor as well, which I'll keep to myself for now as I don't want to potentially create spoilers.
Elevation and oceanic streams are perfect explanations too! The Areanas sea could have as much to do with it as altitude. The mountain range on the western edge of the desert is also very good placement.
For example, I live in NY state. It gets frigidly cold here, but we're directly west of Portugal and Spain (decidedly warm). The air currents of the Atlantic are a huge contributor to the vastly different climates.
I hope no offense was taken. This is just one of my passions, and a map like this sparks my interest.
For example, I live in NY state. It gets frigidly cold here, but we're directly west of Portugal and Spain (decidedly warm). The air currents of the Atlantic are a huge contributor to the vastly different climates.
I hope no offense was taken. This is just one of my passions, and a map like this sparks my interest.
I was giving the sea aspect some thought as well.
Granted this isn't the entire continent. And so it's not clear that it's actually an inland sea with a waterway that leads to the open oceans beyond.
I've not had the full map drawn up yet as I want it made incrementally. Since the story attached to this world progresses over hundreds of years.
So in the second timeline portion this entire region will have some differences to it.
Granted this isn't the entire continent. And so it's not clear that it's actually an inland sea with a waterway that leads to the open oceans beyond.
I've not had the full map drawn up yet as I want it made incrementally. Since the story attached to this world progresses over hundreds of years.
So in the second timeline portion this entire region will have some differences to it.
Even without waterways in and out of the Areanas Sea, if the northern end of the sea is far enough north (as mentioned this being a small world in total, that doesn't need to be a huge distance) and the general cycle of the currents coming south in the west and north in the east, its quite plausible to have the western coasts be much colder than the east.
Good map overall! As a geography nut I very much approve.
Good map overall! As a geography nut I very much approve.
It's rare for a river to split apart into two major paths as it travels downhill, although it does happen under certain circumstances. I mentioned it being backwards because many rivers are formed from small tributaries that join together to create a larger flow.
It's a minor detail that most people won't really notice or care about, I've just spent way too long reading subreddits about mapmaking.
It's a minor detail that most people won't really notice or care about, I've just spent way too long reading subreddits about mapmaking.
I also love fantasy world-maps. Ever since I fell in love with the Heroes of Might and Magic game series (more so with the 3DO era) I tried to make such maps with the map editor tool.
And from that side-fun, I loved to play around with map-editors of strategy games in general. Most games restricts the top content in story mode, and unlocks the top features in late and end-game state.
But with the map editor, I could create the world, towns and monsters, as I have seen fit! Too bad, that the only map that was playable got lost with a HDD death, and the rest of those maps were just playing around. Still, fantasy maps are a part of me, and I greatly enjoy looking at them!
Soooo...a 100 miles-wide whirlpool. (It may be an exaggeration or estimate location of it, I assume.) Even with water breathing, that sounds a bit too big to dare to swim around. I bet it holds many ship wreckage, that were unfortunate enough to be caught in the vortex. The sea can be really unforgiving, and a really bad storm or a bad hurricane can make navigation impossible, so it's possible, that ships just got lost and were pulled into the depths...and as such the cargo of valuables possibly as well. Whirlpool bottoms can possibly be magical and financial goldmines. Water breathing creatures can make a fortune if they are crafty enough to venture close to it, if the vortex reaches the bottom even.
Isle of the Forger looks also interesting, especially with that mist around it, that looks like a defense-line for the island. Is it just covered/hidden by the mist or is it makes the island totally un-reachable? If the second option, then it must be really powerful guardian/warding magic.
New Morath and The Abyss looks like they are enjoying a well protected border! Natural chasms makes it hard if not impossible for most armies to attack in any direction, save from the few/only path. And with that, I never read a story where the demons/undead/bad guys are the ones, who just wants to be left alone, and the forces of good assault them endlessly, because evil must be purged-reasons . Would make an interesting story, if the demons were just defending their own territory, and would not be about to conquer the world. I know, with demonic nature in play it's almost a must to yearn for being bad, and conquer the good, but some demons could have more control/self-restraints and just be like: "I have great army material, but we're good as we are." and if a kingdom is in need of an army, they can just go to the demon-ruler and buy the power of that army, and their demonic-sadistic-conquering nature could be directed as needed. *sigh* No such luck! Demons are usually used as an "Evil Legion that needs to be defeated". In the age of "sparkling vampires" I think even demons could be less evil and more of a self-restraining and calculating evil force!
There is only one problem with your map: It's too good, and it tells so little about itself! Gotta buy the book to learn more, I guess!
And from that side-fun, I loved to play around with map-editors of strategy games in general. Most games restricts the top content in story mode, and unlocks the top features in late and end-game state.
But with the map editor, I could create the world, towns and monsters, as I have seen fit! Too bad, that the only map that was playable got lost with a HDD death, and the rest of those maps were just playing around. Still, fantasy maps are a part of me, and I greatly enjoy looking at them!
Soooo...a 100 miles-wide whirlpool. (It may be an exaggeration or estimate location of it, I assume.) Even with water breathing, that sounds a bit too big to dare to swim around. I bet it holds many ship wreckage, that were unfortunate enough to be caught in the vortex. The sea can be really unforgiving, and a really bad storm or a bad hurricane can make navigation impossible, so it's possible, that ships just got lost and were pulled into the depths...and as such the cargo of valuables possibly as well. Whirlpool bottoms can possibly be magical and financial goldmines. Water breathing creatures can make a fortune if they are crafty enough to venture close to it, if the vortex reaches the bottom even.
Isle of the Forger looks also interesting, especially with that mist around it, that looks like a defense-line for the island. Is it just covered/hidden by the mist or is it makes the island totally un-reachable? If the second option, then it must be really powerful guardian/warding magic.
New Morath and The Abyss looks like they are enjoying a well protected border! Natural chasms makes it hard if not impossible for most armies to attack in any direction, save from the few/only path. And with that, I never read a story where the demons/undead/bad guys are the ones, who just wants to be left alone, and the forces of good assault them endlessly, because evil must be purged-reasons . Would make an interesting story, if the demons were just defending their own territory, and would not be about to conquer the world. I know, with demonic nature in play it's almost a must to yearn for being bad, and conquer the good, but some demons could have more control/self-restraints and just be like: "I have great army material, but we're good as we are." and if a kingdom is in need of an army, they can just go to the demon-ruler and buy the power of that army, and their demonic-sadistic-conquering nature could be directed as needed. *sigh* No such luck! Demons are usually used as an "Evil Legion that needs to be defeated". In the age of "sparkling vampires" I think even demons could be less evil and more of a self-restraining and calculating evil force!
There is only one problem with your map: It's too good, and it tells so little about itself! Gotta buy the book to learn more, I guess!
Geez what a comment! So long and well thought out!
I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and hearing about your joy of maps. I used to map edit a lot in games as well, that's honestly where the idea for Ephalon originated. The TES Morrowind editor was where it all began some 17 years? ago now.
1) The images that represent things are purposefully disproportionate since I enjoyed that kind of map style. So the 100 mile wide whirlpool is more an exaggeration. In actuality its more like a collection of them amid some smaller islands, which aren't official marked.
2) The mist surrounding the Isle of the Forger cannot be breached, those who enter it via water always find themselves mysteriously turned around, even compasses are pretty much ineffective as they don't work within the veil.
3) New Morath and the Abyss I can't talk about too much since that's featured / explained in the second book!
Very glad you like it! I'm very pleased with final design work Netherwulf and I managed to get into it. His input was invaluable to making it what it was.
I think that's all your points addressed!
I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and hearing about your joy of maps. I used to map edit a lot in games as well, that's honestly where the idea for Ephalon originated. The TES Morrowind editor was where it all began some 17 years? ago now.
1) The images that represent things are purposefully disproportionate since I enjoyed that kind of map style. So the 100 mile wide whirlpool is more an exaggeration. In actuality its more like a collection of them amid some smaller islands, which aren't official marked.
2) The mist surrounding the Isle of the Forger cannot be breached, those who enter it via water always find themselves mysteriously turned around, even compasses are pretty much ineffective as they don't work within the veil.
3) New Morath and the Abyss I can't talk about too much since that's featured / explained in the second book!
Very glad you like it! I'm very pleased with final design work Netherwulf and I managed to get into it. His input was invaluable to making it what it was.
I think that's all your points addressed!
I read my fair share of fantasy stories, and in a Hungarian fantasy side-story, three magelings arrive at the long-lost tomb of a ruler, that died 1000 years ago.
They have found the tomb by accident, since it was heavily warded with Wards of Misdirection. One couldn't find the tomb, because it wasn't even in sight, and the Wards turned everyone away.
Without drawing any attention, the tomb were undiscovered, but one of the mages flew a direct line above it (Meteorite Form spell - good for direct line traveling), where the Wards were not effecting the mage,
Knowing about the wards, they could evade their influence, and discover the tomb...where the ruler's rest was broken and the lich has risen, just as it was foresaw by It 1000 years ago...
As explained, the tomb weren't visible from air, and the wards turned away everyone without detection, so no Dragon or air-worthy being/construct could have detect it, and the wards were only visible, when active, so the mageling had quite the luck to be able to discover it, and thus have the knowledge to avoid the wards with his comrades...It was what the insanely powerful Lich (latter turned God of Power-Lust) already foresaw as well, so the lucky discovery is actually validated by the prophecy. The Lich was doing a 1000 years old slumber, gathering as many magic as it could, and is to be awoken by the cosmic event, where it could grab Godhood for Itself...All went according to It's plans, but being a fresh God, It has to wait centuries, before It's powers can effect this world again...It was a great side-story, with the Lich being too OP, but It was driven by one goal only, and not really bothering with the main story-line or with any of the protagonists/antagonists alike. It's awakening was a worrisome event for anyone else, but it was just a stepping stone in It's plans...And the many Wards of Misdirection did their jobs for 1000 years long.
I guess, the mist has it's weakness as well. Maybe teleportation could be the key...if such a spell is existing in this world. Still would have to know about the island tho'. The other solution is, being simply let in/getting invited inside. Less epic but much simple way.
They have found the tomb by accident, since it was heavily warded with Wards of Misdirection. One couldn't find the tomb, because it wasn't even in sight, and the Wards turned everyone away.
Without drawing any attention, the tomb were undiscovered, but one of the mages flew a direct line above it (Meteorite Form spell - good for direct line traveling), where the Wards were not effecting the mage,
Knowing about the wards, they could evade their influence, and discover the tomb...where the ruler's rest was broken and the lich has risen, just as it was foresaw by It 1000 years ago...
As explained, the tomb weren't visible from air, and the wards turned away everyone without detection, so no Dragon or air-worthy being/construct could have detect it, and the wards were only visible, when active, so the mageling had quite the luck to be able to discover it, and thus have the knowledge to avoid the wards with his comrades...It was what the insanely powerful Lich (latter turned God of Power-Lust) already foresaw as well, so the lucky discovery is actually validated by the prophecy. The Lich was doing a 1000 years old slumber, gathering as many magic as it could, and is to be awoken by the cosmic event, where it could grab Godhood for Itself...All went according to It's plans, but being a fresh God, It has to wait centuries, before It's powers can effect this world again...It was a great side-story, with the Lich being too OP, but It was driven by one goal only, and not really bothering with the main story-line or with any of the protagonists/antagonists alike. It's awakening was a worrisome event for anyone else, but it was just a stepping stone in It's plans...And the many Wards of Misdirection did their jobs for 1000 years long.
I guess, the mist has it's weakness as well. Maybe teleportation could be the key...if such a spell is existing in this world. Still would have to know about the island tho'. The other solution is, being simply let in/getting invited inside. Less epic but much simple way.
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