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A Doodle Map
I have a mapping problem. That is to say, I map.
Not that I draw maps, but that I can’t stop drawing maps. It has gone past conscious control. My willpower is too weak when confronted with a pen and some paper to not leave behind a dungeon, cavern or some other game-oriented map.
It started when I decided to challenge myself to draw at least one map worthy of posting to my blog every week. That’s my Friday Map, and I’ve managed to stick to one a week for quite a while now (with a few that I posted on other days of the week along the way).
But the side effect is that when my hands are free, I doodle. And I don’t doodle knights or dragons or swords… I doodle maps.
My ex girlfriend was cleaning up her apartment and lo and behold there were even post-it-maps.
Here’s one she photographed and sent over to remind me:
The Doodle Map - Click for a somewhat larger view
I can’t stop. I’ve left doodle-maps behind in doctor’s offices, at bus stops, in phone books, on application forms, and there is at least one doodle-map on each of the character sheets of the characters I’ve played in the last four months.
I map, therefore I am.
Would that be “Scribo ergo sum”? I’m not sure. I can’t find a proper translation of map and I haven’t conjugated in latin in over a decade, but it may have to do.
Anyways, here’s the final product of the above, cropped and contrast-enhanced.
The cavern of Nuhdra-Varn
You need to join a support group. A Mappers Anonymous or something.
I’m actually a little envious of your mapping affliction!
As much as I like to write adventures, mapping is the most difficult part of the process. Map layouts don’t come to me out of thin air and I end up over-thinking the layout. After many hours, I’ll have something with which I can work into an adventure, but getting there is tedious and a bit frustrating for me.
Boo hoo.
I’m thinking that your addiction could help those lacking your skills. Maybe twice a month, gather all your map sketches (that you don’t plan to use) and publish them on your blog to give some ideas to those who may need them (!!).
btw: Very cool map of Nuhdra-Varn!
I for one, am thrilled that you do map. It’s been inspiring me to get back to something I enjoyed doing and gave up. Tonight I’m hoping to play how to host a dungeon with my wife because of your review!
I’m thinking that your addiction could help those lacking your skills. Maybe twice a month, gather all your map sketches (that you don’t plan to use) and publish them on your blog to give some ideas to those who may need them (!!).
uh…You kind of do this anyway. I lost my head somewhere. Forgive me, I’m tired and it’s been quite the gaming weekend!
I’m with R. Lawrence in the “map envy department.” I’m a bit of a perfectionist, which means my own map-making skills irritate the hell out of me. You just need to find a way to harness your skills for good!
I gotta say man, your maps are freaking rad. Glad you’re posting these up, real inspiring. I feel like drawing maps now.
Now you made me feel bad for not being addicted…
Again, freakin’ awesome maps. You have incredible talent to be able to “doodle off” a map of this quality. I’m already seeing lizard men inhabiting the cavern, or maybe a goblin tribe split into two factions…..ooo! with a captive Xorn!
Oh, AND the map even has watery goodness!