Monthly Extra: World Map First Draft + Video, and The Cartographer's Notes Side Story

We have a first draft of the map! I put together the video of me creating it, and here's the draft as an image :) Scroll below for a short story from the perspective of a cartographer in the world of Leas 🧡

----- Short Story: The Cartographer's Notes -----

Notes written in a small, practical notebook belonging to Karina, Archivist of Dalusin specializing in Cartographic Arts. The book is bound in leather dyed a deep blue, and clasps shut with a decorative latch made of silver metal.

1.33872. Rising moon, 2nd day.

The journey is over. The Dalusinian caravan, its contents, passengers, and myself are securely within the walls of the City of Arcanum. Upon arrival I made my way to the Cartographers' wing of a larger building that houses the department that studies the Wilds. They were surprised to see me. I asked the reason, and was told they'd sent someone to escort me from the gate. Completely unnecessary. I am a map maker; I can find my way through a city. They should not have enlisted me for this project if they believed otherwise. I informed them of as much. Rude, in retrospect, but no one seemed to mind.

I find myself more comfortable here than expected. I am afforded an office of my own, and the available supplies are adequate. Feni was surprised to hear me say so. I suppose today is a day of surprises.

"I think this is the happiest I've ever seen you, Karina," she said.

The man who showed us to my office laughed and said he'd take my "adequate" description as a compliment. I didn't argue - if everyone's pleased, I get to my work faster. Nevermind that it was a simple statement of fact.

I suppose I am happy, though, now that I think on it. They even have impression-based erasing tools here. If I make a mistake, I hover the device over the map and it's undone in an instant. I've only ever read about things like this.

1.28637. Rising moon, 3rd day.

A good start.

I worked through most of the night. Sleep caught me at some point, but as I look now at the fruit of that labour, I'm pleased with the shape of the continent. A simple thing, but foundation is everything to a piece like this. I told the man from yesterday so. He came by with tea, something from Leas. It's odd how the scent from a city I've never visited can remind me of home. Citrus and spice.

I think the man is an attendant, of sorts. I wasn't listening when he introduced himself yesterday. If he's been assigned to me as some kind of assistant, that could prove inconvenient. I already have Feni, and there is no discernable gap in her skill that would merit hiring another body to crowd my office.

1.58768. Rising moon, 4th day.

The coloration of the pigments here is interesting. They're simultaneously easier and more difficult to use than what I'm familiar with. The blending is something that must be done in gradual increments, rather than long sweeping movements. So says my experimentation, at any rate.

Note to self: Make time to socialize. Meeting someone familiar with these dyes may lend more insight. Current method is effective, but it would be a shame to miss out on unknown techniques, after coming all this way. Added benefit: it will stop Feni's insistence that I leave my office.

1.78963. Rising moon, 4th day.

I hate parties.

1.78624. Rising moon, 5th day.

"I think it went well," Feni said today when we returned to our work. "People seemed to like us."

I told her that hardly matters, since I had no chance to ask anyone there about the pigments.

"Connections can be an investment," she replied, unfazed, and handed me a brush just out of reach before I could ask for it. "City walls aren't built in a day, you know."

She's right. I sighed, and took to my journal in the hopes that it would refocus my mind. Here I am now, writing. I feel hungover, though I drank nothing. A party is one thing, but a party I am unexpectedly invited to is another thing entirely. The damn thing lasted seven hours.

That man who escorted us the day we came has walked in. I can smell the tea from Leas, and it is taking everything in me not to look too hopeful that some will be offered me. -- (The period at the end of this sentence is large, as if the pen paused for a long moment) --

Some was offered me.

"Arcanum parties can be a lot," he told me with an understanding smile. I felt strange as I sipped from the mug he gave me. Like I wanted to relax. I'm not used to anyone but Feni noticing when I'm worn out, and when they do it invariably makes me want to crawl out of my skin. But not this time. Odd. I am equally unused to people accepting my fatigue so easily: he gave me the drink, exchanged pleasantries with Feni without requiring me to participate, then left.

I feel a bit better. This tea continues to work well - I'll have to get my own stock of it soon.

I asked Feni what the man's name is. It's Chime.