Real Maps
I love real maps for my gaming groups. Digital is fine, by hand a player a map and they pore over it. The dive into the world, the dungeon, the forest, in a way digital maps don’t have the capability to immerse you.
The first one below is of the Island of Chult. A popular setting for D&D. This one is the player’s map that will get filled in as they explore. So it’s a WORKING map, a map that has use, and a piece of art that can go on the wall. I used a raw (undyed) veggie-tan leather hide with pen, ink, paint, and some metallic paints. This is tied up with a leather strap and brass clasp.
I added elements of handwritten notes on it, paths wandered, and more, to make it look like the map has been used. A pirate map if you will, that has been stolen many times, sometimes at the edge of a knife. Maps should tell a story as they tell adventurers where to go. Done well they can be part of the story too.
The second map is done on a large piece of canvas. Well worn, this too is a working map for my players. There’s many place to explore and add locations to the map as they find them. Done in ink, pen, and watercolour paint this one has a very well used flavour that I love. Adding the sea serpents help sell this as a treasured map, handed down from pirate captain to pirate captain. My plan is to mount it and frame it in my gaming room. This is about 42″X42″ and is tied up with a natural draw string.
