milbysmaps

Submarine (Work-in-Progress)

So, the submarine map has become two submarines, one of which detaches from the other and can sail off on its own. I could explain all the ways in which that might be useful, but, at the end of the day, I did it because I thought it was cool. And I stand by that decision.

Also, the sub does have torpedoes. I don't think most people will actually want torpedoes, but I'm making versions with and without them. There will be a number of variants of this, including, as I said before...

Tir Thelandira Location #3 (Vote 1 of 3)

I've got 20 proposals for location #3 (on the right side of this map) and, once again, I'm splitting it into three votes. The top two proposals from each vote will then face off in a final vote, followed by a series of runoffs if necessary. You may vote for multiple options if you like. Each vote will be open for 3 days. Feel free to discuss, debate and promote your options ...

Saltiron Prison - Reduced-Moisture Version

Here's a drier version of the naughty box for those of you who need to send your party to the hoosegow but aren't near a coastline. Hopefully everyone enjoys their stay and learns some respect for the authorities. Unlikely, but possible.

The next map is going to be a submarine, but I'm going to make a spelljammer version of it as well. Why a submarine? I'm curious about that too. I've been get...

Saltiron Prison - Everyone's Edition

I really like how this map turned out, so I'm giving away all the patron stuff to everyone. You can download it here.

Prisons have never been a great place to be, but they seem to have been particularly godawful in the days before the concept of "human rights" became a thing. The prison this map is partially based on-- the 2023-07-12 11:25:04 +0000 UTC View Post

The 58th Cartographic Congress Final Runoff

We're down to the final two contenders. Will it be Driftwood City or dwarves in labcoats?

Kevin proposes a town floating on the sea built from wreckage, debris, driftwood and salvage.

Parker proposes an advanced dwarven magical research center.

Classy French Alcatraz (Work-in-Progress)

This map was originally planned to be the Chateau D'If prison in Southern France, but a lack of available floor plans meant I mostly had to make it up. And I'm not going to call it the Chateau D'If unless it's at least reasonably accurate, so we'll just call this Classy French Alcatraz for now.

Before I get back to work, let me share a fun fact with you. Here in Ireland, there's a prison with perha...

The Tower of the Moon

The elves of Tir Thelandira don't know much about arcane magic. The magic that priests and druids can do? They understand that just fine. Basically, god does magic for you*. Simple. But wizard magic is something they don't understand. And if you don't understand it, you can't teach it. And, in a society that can't teach magic, there's only one type of mage that can exist: wild mages.

A wild mage named Sel...

The Tower of the Moon - Patrons' Edition

The elves of Tir Thelandira don't know much about arcane magic. The magic that priests and druids can do? They understand that just fine. Basically, god does magic for you*. Simple. But wizard magic is something they don't understand. And if you don't understand it, you can't teach it. And, in a society that can't teach magic, there's only one type of mage that can exist: wild mages.

A wild mage named Sel...

Tower of the Moon (Work-in-Progress)

I'm not sure if this is what people were expecting when I said I was drawing a wooden tower, but I hope you like it. I sketched out a bunch of different designs for this before I started and most of them were hilariously bad. The problem was that I had this idea of a tower with a few smaller towers branching off of it and... how do I put this? It's hard to draw that without making it look a lot like a cartoon cactus. Or one of... 2023-06-30 23:14:49 +0000 UTC View Post

The 58th Cartographic Congress Vote

We've got 8 proposals this month and they're looking pretty good. I'm currently working on the Tower of the Moon for Tir Thelandira and I'll have a work-in-progress photo for you tomorrow. I would describe it as a very non-traditional tower. You'll see what I mean. Anyway, here are your candidates:

Silas proposes a stone bridge across a river with a troll nest beneath.

Jon proposes the Carnival of Carnage, a diabolical fairground with suspicious food, dangerous games and rides, a ...

Auld Mithrilsides: A Dwarven Sternwheeled Steamship

This was intended to be the ship from Thanesridge Landing. But that ship was crap, so I redrew it. I like this much better. I will always redraw and rework a map rather than knowingly put out something that sucks, even if it takes a bit longer. Also, I'm going to replace the ship in Thanesridge with this one, but give me till tomorrow to get that done.

So, th...

Auld Mithrilsides: A Dwarven Sternwheeled Steamship - Patrons' Edition

This was intended to be the ship from Thanesridge Landing. But that ship was crap, so I redrew it. I like this much better. I will always redraw and rework a map rather than knowingly put out something that sucks, even if it takes a bit longer. Also, I'm going to replace the ship in Thanesridge with this one, but give me till tomorrow to get that done.

So, th...

Thanesridge Landing: Upper Level

The upper level of Thanesridge Landing is done and there's only one more part of the map left to draw: the rest of the ship.

By the way, I got an answer about how they pumped the water out of the drydocks back in ancient times: an Archimedes screw. Speaking of Archimedes, did you know h...

Thanesridge Landing: Upper Level - Patrons' Edition

The upper level of Thanesridge Landing is done and there's only one more part of the map left to draw: the rest of the ship.

By the way, I got an answer about how they pumped the water out of the drydocks back in ancient times: an Archimedes screw. Speaking of Archimedes, did you know h...

Thanesridge Landing: A Dwarven Port

Thanesridge Landing is a dwarven port settlement. Dwarves aren't famous for their love of ships, but they're pretty fond of money and trade is a proven way to make a lot of it.

This map wasn't intended to be a part of Brazenthrone, but I've started thinking of it like it is. In my head, this is the end of the Bitterwash River that runs through town. I'm not going to add it to 2023-06-17 11:58:57 +0000 UTC View Post

Thanesridge Landing: A Dwarven Port - Patrons' Edition

Thanesridge Landing is a dwarven port settlement. Dwarves aren't famous for their love of ships, but they're pretty fond of money and trade is a proven way to make a lot of it.

This map wasn't intended to be a part of Brazenthrone, but I've started thinking of it like it is. In my head, this is the end of the Bitterwash River that runs through town. I'm not going to add it to 2023-06-17 11:58:32 +0000 UTC View Post

Hohenzollern Castle

I've had a few people working on academic papers message me about my historical maps and I want to make something clear for anyone who googled their way here: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT USE MY MAPS AS REFERENCE FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH. If you can't find a complete, contemporary floor plan, I probably didn't either. And-- this is important-- I'M ALLOWED TO FILL IN THE GAPS BY MAKING STUFF UP. The idea that I might inadvertently rewrite history by making D&D maps 2023-06-10 04:06:47 +0000 UTC View Post

Hohenzollern Castle - Patrons' Edition

I've had a few people working on academic papers message me about my historical maps and I want to make something clear for anyone who googled their way here: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT USE MY MAPS AS REFERENCE FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH. If you can't find a complete, contemporary floor plan, I probably didn't either. And-- this is important-- I'M ALLOWED TO FILL IN THE GAPS BY MAKING STUFF UP. The idea that I might inadvertently rewrite history by making D&D maps 2023-06-10 04:06:38 +0000 UTC View Post

The 57th Cartographic Congress Final Runoff

It's down to the final two. I'm just finishing up Hohenzollern Castle, which will be up later today. Good luck to the finalists!

Ethan proposes Maud's Draconic Hatchery, where drakes, dragons and wyverns are raised, trained and sold.

Jon proposes an island prison designed to hold dangerous magical or monstrous criminals. This will be similar to the Chateau d'If, the  prison made famous by the Count of Monte Cristo.

The 57th Cartographic Congress Runoff

Diresquirrel proposes a village on a giant shelf mushroom clinging to the side of an enormous tree.

Shawn proposes the grand mead hall of a viking jarl.

Ethan proposes Maud's Draconic Hatchery, where drakes, dragons and wyverns are raised, trained and sold.

Jon proposes an island prison designed to hold dangerous magical or monstrous criminals. This will be similar to the Chateau d'If, the  prison made famous by the Count of Monte Cristo.

Space proposes pirate shi...

Almost done.

The main floor of Hohenzollern Castle is finished and I should have the rest colored in a few days. I might draw in a sideview as well.

This thing is a ton of work and it's taken quite a while, but I'm pretty sure this is the sort of thing most of you are here for. I've never been anyone's go-to guy for forest clearing battlemaps. Anyway, I hope you like it so far.

The 57th Cartographic Congress Vote

We've got quite a range of proposals this month, from some fairly classic stuff to what I think might be the strangest proposal I've seen so far. Odd, that's a hell of a relevant username you've got there, haha. Anyway, feel free to discuss your options below as always.

Diresquirrel proposes a village on a giant shelf mushroom clinging to the side of an enormous tree.

Shawn proposes the grand mead hall of a viking jarl.

Odd proposes a jeweler's workshop located insi...

Hohenzollern Castle (Work-in-Progress 2)

This is where I'm at right now. Nothing left to do but color it.

I think my favorite part of this place is the entryway. If it's not clear, this is the path from the road to the keep.

Anyway, what do you think so far?

Hohenzollern Castle (Work-in-Progress)

These are the drawings of Hohenzollern Castle I've been working on for the last week. I'm going to draw in the courtyard and the entryway on my tablet, then start coloring it all.

If you're not familiar with the Hohenzollern Dynasty, they were the rulers of Prussia. They had one of the most formidable armies in Europe and, in 1871, they made a country called G...

The Blackboots' Camp

This is the encampment of the Blackboots mercenary company in Tir Thelandira. The Blackboots are from all over the place. so the camp is filled with tents from all over the place. You've got ridge tents, pup tents, tipis, a marquee and, of course, yurts. If tents had a hierarchy, yurts would be the king.

The Blackboots are meant to be everything 2023-05-18 18:06:37 +0000 UTC View Post

The Blackboots' Camp - Patrons' Edition

This is the encampment of the Blackboots mercenary company in Tir Thelandira. The Blackboots are from all over the place. so the camp is filled with tents from all over the place. You've got ridge tents, pup tents, tipis, a marquee and, of course, yurts. If tents had a hierarchy, yurts would be the king.

The Blackboots are meant to be everything 2023-05-18 18:06:19 +0000 UTC View Post

Blackboots Camp (Work-in-Progress)

Here's what I'm working on right now. It's a mercenary camp, but I said it'd probably work as an orc village, too, and I think it does.

By the way, the vote for the first location in Tir Thelandira is down to the final two. It's also a tie right now, so if you're a patron, please go and break it. This isn't soc...

Tir Thelandira Vote - Location #1 FINAL SHOWDOWN

This is the final, deciding vote. Which one will it be?

(Island) Shawn proposes the Tower of the Moon, a high citadel inhabited by a formidable elven sorceress at the edge of a high waterfall on the river.

(Swamp) Andrew proposes the ruins of something similar to the Hanging Gardens that sunk in and created the swamp.

Laon, France

I don't draw a ton of city maps and this is the first one that I'm really happy with. Hopefully you like it too, or at least agree that it's less crap than usual.

Laon has been around for a long time and, if you're going to draw a map of it, you have to pick a specific point in time to depict. Well, in theory you do. I didn't. I used several maps from various points in time as reference and, as a result, this is ...

Laon, France - Patrons' Edition

I don't draw a ton of city maps and this is the first one that I'm really happy with. Hopefully you like it too, or at least agree that it's less crap than usual.

Laon has been around for a long time and, if you're going to draw a map of it, you have to pick a specific point in time to depict. Well, in theory you do. I didn't. I used several maps from various points in time as reference and, as a result, this is ...