Creating Lands- Part Deux
In the first section of Creating Lands we looked at creating the mainland/continent of your world that others countries are a part of. Now we will look at developing the countries themselves. They are a small section of a larger land mass and needs defining even further. To do this we need to create a larger version of one of the countries from your map and once again use map symbols to mark out features of the landscape, towns cities etc.
In all good fantasy novels there are maps of the mainland and maps of the countries as well. Knowing the layout of not just the mainland but countries, towns, cities, caves etc. is what allows writers and developers create such good stories and set the scene so well. They aren't making it up on the spot, some embellishments may be, rather they already know what everything looks like because they have visualized it and more often than not drawn it out even if they never intend to use the drawing in the book. This is because it helps to solidify their knowledge and understanding of their fantasy world and makes it more real, it has the added bonus of preventing them from forgetting it.
When creating a blow-up of a country you will need to consider more than just the basic layout that you included on the continent map.
You will need to include-
- Towns/villages/cities
- Roads
- Harbours
- Streams/rivers/lakes
- Mountains, hills, rocky areas
- Flatland/plains
- Forests and other wooded areas
Some of the things listed may already have featured on your continent map. On your country map they will feature again but this time in more detail including drop-offs and waterfalls, places where a river splits into smaller streams. Basically, things that are too small to be placed on the main map, that is why on your country map you mark smaller towns and villages because they are not quite worthy enough of note on the continent map. Look at a world map, the things that are indicated are continents and oceans. Look at a continent map and you will see countries, rivers and maybe large cities like the capital city of each country.
That is exactly what we're doing here except that now we a re looking at a country map we include smaller streams and towns, roads, hills small forests. On modern day maps we also see things like railway lines.
In all good fantasy novels there are maps of the mainland and maps of the countries as well. Knowing the layout of not just the mainland but countries, towns, cities, caves etc. is what allows writers and developers create such good stories and set the scene so well. They aren't making it up on the spot, some embellishments may be, rather they already know what everything looks like because they have visualized it and more often than not drawn it out even if they never intend to use the drawing in the book. This is because it helps to solidify their knowledge and understanding of their fantasy world and makes it more real, it has the added bonus of preventing them from forgetting it.
When creating a blow-up of a country you will need to consider more than just the basic layout that you included on the continent map.
You will need to include-
- Towns/villages/cities
- Roads
- Harbours
- Streams/rivers/lakes
- Mountains, hills, rocky areas
- Flatland/plains
- Forests and other wooded areas
Some of the things listed may already have featured on your continent map. On your country map they will feature again but this time in more detail including drop-offs and waterfalls, places where a river splits into smaller streams. Basically, things that are too small to be placed on the main map, that is why on your country map you mark smaller towns and villages because they are not quite worthy enough of note on the continent map. Look at a world map, the things that are indicated are continents and oceans. Look at a continent map and you will see countries, rivers and maybe large cities like the capital city of each country.
That is exactly what we're doing here except that now we a re looking at a country map we include smaller streams and towns, roads, hills small forests. On modern day maps we also see things like railway lines.