NationStates Jolt Archive

This is my first post so I figured I would introduce myself to the II community by letting everyone check out the map I have made for Zilaria. I am not a cartographer so if you see any glaring errors that make you want to tear babies in half just bear with me and I will fix it.

Here is my map: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/Zilaria.png

What do you think?

Be gentle. Constructive criticism is welcome. Scathing insults are not.

EDIT: Hello to the NSII community by the way.

MAP EDIT

Slight color change to the border - http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CC.png OLD
Slight color change to the border - http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CC3.png NEW

Looks atractive.

ooc: welcome, great map by the way i like it, if you need anything or have any questions just ask me or someone. i'm kinda new to this to so if i dont know we'll find someone to ask. as i said before welcome

Looks atractive.

Thank you for the compliment Sarrowquand.

Hi, I just have a quick question. How did you make that map OMG LULZ ITS SO SKILLED W00T!!1!

Because I am trying to make one. What program did you use...?

ooc: welcome, great map by the way i like it, if you need anything or have any questions just ask me or someone. i'm kinda new to this to so if i dont know we'll find someone to ask. as i said before welcome

Thanks. I'm glad to be here.

Hi, I just have a quick question. How did you make that map OMG LULZ ITS SO SKILLED W00T!!1!

Because I am trying to make one. What program did you use...?

MS Paint. I tried to use Photoshop, Adobe and Paint.net but I couldn't figure them out. So that who map is drawn with the pencil feature on MS Paint.

EDIT: I spent like 4.5 hours on it though.... If that helps put it into perspective.

Dedication.

Dedication.

Pardon?

It kind of reminds me of Spain & Portugal...the shape I mean, but I like it. :cool:

Looks good but quick question is the Suvea mountains your northern border or does the border extend pass that?

Looks good but quick question is the Suvea mountains your northern border or does the border extend pass that?

The country's border only extends to the base of the Suvea mountains. Though if you want to get technical the actual country itself only consists of provinces 1-9 because Nordiseplarland (Northern Wastes) is merely claimed and has only the small steppe town of Vana within its borders.

It kind of reminds me of Spain & Portugal...the shape I mean, but I like it. :cool:

Huh. It does doesn't it...

Huh. It does doesn't it...

Yea and the unexplored lands remind me of Africa right across the Mediterranean.

I added you on MSN Messenger, maybe you could help me with my map? I'm also a new addition to Nationstates.

Yea and the unexplored lands remind me of Africa right across the Mediterranean.

I added you on MSN Messenger, maybe you could help me with my map? I'm also a new addition to Nationstates.

Well that is probably likely since I used Europe and Anatolia as inspiration for my map. What do you need help with on your map?

Someone voted 'FAIL!'. Please, whoever it was, explain why you think my map is terrible.

The person who voted PHAIL was Kewen, he didn't make a post, you can see if you click the number 1.

The person who voted PHAIL was Kewen, he didn't make a post, you can see if you click the number 1.

Wonder why he voted that way....

Wonder why he voted that way....

Because some people are assholes?

Sorry, I meant that it takes a lot of dedication to make such a good map in Paint.

Because some people are assholes?

True, but there is no need to flame. Just because someone is a prick doesn't mean you have to become a bigger one.

Sorry, I meant that it takes a lot of dedication to make such a good map in Paint.

Sacrificed a few hours out an extraordinarily dull existence I call life, yea.

True, but there is no need to flame. Just because someone is a prick doesn't mean you have to become a bigger one.

Not trying to, just came across wrong.

Not trying to, just came across wrong.

Don't worry about it, man.

I've got to run for about an hour. If you have any questions or comments on the quality, etc. of my map just post away and I will get back to you ASAP.

My jaw literally dropped upon sight of your map.

Haha, excellent, sure as hell better than anything I could ever make, thats for sure. Paint is certainly not my forte'.

My jaw literally dropped upon sight of your map.

Seriously? Thats awesome.

Haha, excellent, sure as hell better than anything I could ever make, thats for sure. Paint is certainly not my forte'.

Thanks for the compliment Mereshka.

Looks great. You could be a NS cartographer with skills like that, assuming you are willing to surrender to the collective. Let me know if you do decide to start making maps.

I agree with Belkaros. Theres always people that couldn't be art like if their life depended on it (i.e. me) tha are looking for someone to make maps or flags.

Welcome to NS. Nice work - one thing which bothers me slightly is the colour of provincial borders, they look too much like water features IMO. Not that I can talk since my own map is pretty awful.

Dude, like, wow...AWESOME JOB! Welcome to NationStates....

So...for an oldie here...

*Leans in and whispers*

Can you make me a map?

First off, welcome to NS! If you need any help, let me or pretty much anyone know. We're always looking to help young players improve so that the game can continue to get better and more enjoyable!

With that, the maps great!

EDIT: Hello to the NSII community by the way.
Welcome to NS!

This is my first post so I figured I would introduce myself to the II community by letting everyone check out the map I have made for Zilaria. I am not a cartographer so if you see any glaring errors that make you want to tear babies in half just bear with me and I will fix it.
*tears babies in half*

Your map's good. :) There are some hydrological features that are quite... er, odd, but I'm sure we can let it pass. ;)

MS Paint... So that who map is drawn with the pencil feature on MS Paint...
EDIT: I spent like 4.5 hours on it though.... If that helps put it into perspective.
Sorry, I meant that it takes a lot of dedication to make such a good map in Paint.
Yup, making maps in MSPaint is one hell of a task.

My jaw literally dropped upon sight of your map.
*hands over jaw* Is this yours?

And to Zilaria, great work. ;)

Brutland and Norden

To everyone who has commented so far, thanks. I am glad you all like my map. No to address a few specific people:

Anagonia, Mereshka and Belkaros. I am considering making maps for the NS community, but because it takes forever to make maps on MSPaint any potential clients would have to be patient and you would have to be pretty detailed about what kind of map you want or else what I make for you may be something completely different from what you had in mind.

Hamilay - one thing which bothers me slightly is the colour of provincial borders, they look too much like water features IMO. Not that I can talk since my own map is pretty awful. So I just need to change the border and/or water color and you'll be cool with my map?

Brutland and Norden - There are some hydrological features that are quite... er, odd Which ones, and how can I fix them?

Hamilay - I have made the river color darker and the border color lighter (yellow) I don't know if it helps but take a look and tell me if this is any better. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CC.png

Hamilay - I have made the river color darker and the border color lighter (yellow) I don't know if it helps but take a look and tell me if this is any better. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CC.png

Eh, I don't really like the yellow on pale background, hard to see.

Sorry for being so nitpicky, it doesn't really matter. Still a good map.

Eh, I don't really like the yellow on pale background, hard to see.

Sorry for being so nitpicky, it doesn't really matter. Still a good map.

You think a dark green would work for the border color?

Brutland and Norden - Which ones, and how can I fix them?
Alright...

The Aldea and Kelam Rivers flow too close parallel to the sea. At one point, the Aldea is only 4 km from the sea (based on the scale). I'm not saying that it can't be possible, but I thought it was quite odd. The closest example I can think of in the real world is the Shebelle River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabelle), which flows 32 km short of the sea, and then turns southwest, parallel to the coast of Somalia until it dries up. And BTW, where is the outlet of the Aldea (or it dries up?)?

Rivers flow down gravity to the sea along the path of least resistance. Given that the two rivers flow for a considerable length beside the sea/lakes, it's surprising that they hadn't found an outlet near their course and instead run hundreds of kilometers more through the landmass.

You don't have to edit it, actually. ;)

You think a dark green would work for the border color?
Red, IMHO.

Fantastic map

I'd recommend visiting Lineartinc, NS's resident artists. The link is in my sig if you decide to go

I agree with Belkaros. Theres always people that couldn't be art like if their life depended on it (i.e. me) tha are looking for someone to make maps or flags.

Oh! Oh! Me! Person who cannot draw a cube without intense concentration buzzing in!

Alrighty.

Your map and entrance to the world score 6/5.

However, since you seem to crave constructive criticism and 9.5 :), I'll ask you a troubling question.

Assuming that your nation isn't PT (Past Time), why aren't the lands explored?

Alright...

The Aldea and Kelam Rivers flow too close parallel to the sea. At one point, the Aldea is only 4 km from the sea (based on the scale). I'm not saying that it can't be possible, but I thought it was quite odd. The closest example I can think of in the real world is the Shebelle River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabelle), which flows 32 km short of the sea, and then turns southwest, parallel to the coast of Somalia until it dries up. And BTW, where is the outlet of the Aldea (or it dries up?)?

Rivers flow down gravity to the sea along the path of least resistance. Given that the two rivers flow for a considerable length beside the sea/lakes, it's surprising that they hadn't found an outlet near their course and instead run hundreds of kilometers more through the landmass.

You don't have to edit it, actually. ;)

The Aldea dries up in the plains around Ildaia because it is very hot in that part of the country. (Basically it is temperate in the northern part of the country in places like Vana, and running diagonally from Almaea, Manalih, Zyrisa, to Darith it is quite hot.)

I guess I wasn't paying attention when I drew the rivers, I didn't realize they were that close to the sea. Lets just say they are one of the wonders of the NS world. Rivers that flow almost parallel to the sea yet never enter the sea.

Red, IMHO.

Done. The border colors are now red: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CC3.png

Fantastic map

Thanks Kitsuneville, I'm glad you liked my map.

I'd recommend visiting Lineartinc, NS's resident artists. The link is in my sig if you decide to go

I have to do that sometime. When I finish up the flags for my country I'll have to submit them.

Alrighty.

Your map and entrance to the world score 6/5.

However, since you seem to crave constructive criticism and 9.5 :), I'll ask you a troubling question.

Assuming that your nation isn't PT (Past Time), why aren't the lands explored?

Well you've gone and hit the nail on it's head Azemica, my nation is based on the old Germanic civilizations and is based somewhere in the early 1800's. That is why my people have not spread past the Suvea mountains or really crossed the Kelam river into the Süderlands (south lands). But once I begin to actively RP I will move my nation forward at pretty steady pace and I am hoping to add more rivers and mountains in the south (I'll RP discovering them by exploration). As well as 'running' into more civilizations (i.e. other NS nations). So hopefully within the month my map will full from north to south.

To everyone who has commented so far, thanks. I am glad you all like my map. No to address a few specific people:

Anagonia, Mereshka and Belkaros. I am considering making maps for the NS community, but because it takes forever to make maps on MSPaint any potential clients would have to be patient and you would have to be pretty detailed about what kind of map you want or else what I make for you may be something completely different from what you had in mind.

Well, Anagonia is made up into provinces. Origionally I planned seven, but now I only want to keep the three largest: Anagonia, Drekamythia, and Nodea Rudav. Anagonia would be the largest, full of forested areas, and slight areas of mountainous regions. A few large lakes, followed by the ocean on one side. Nodea Rudav is forested as well, but more leaning on the side of flat plains and expanses of grasslands, much like the Great Plains of the United States, and mountians from Anagonia continue there. Drekamythia would more lean to barren, of course having forests, but something of a fantasy nature considering its Mythical past. Large mountains dot this region, some continuing from Anagonia and Nodea Rudav, others just forming from the sea or father inland. Combined, all three would roughly be as the size of Russia, or more so, but it doesn't have to be detailed.

Seas, rivers, lakes, and a few wetlands dot here and there. Oceans at your choice. There are Seven Cities: Port Independence (Nodea Rudav), Port Freedom (Drekamythia), Port Liberty(Anagonia), Union City(Capital, Anagonia), Imperius(Capital of Drekamythia), Rudavia(Capital of Nodea Rudav), New Moscow(Nodea Rudav). Other small cities and towns dot the entire region, random names and such.

I leave it up to you, if you so choose, for the details. I personally have never been satisfied with any map I made, so liberty of details is up to you. Just a region filled with an ancient past, preserving the beauty of nature(As in even the cities are sometimes surrounded by plentiful forests), and there is a Tropical Forests dotting somewhere along there.

Now, if you so choose. Its entirely up to you to form borders, but Dreakmythia is the smallest, Nodea Rudav the second largest, and Anagonia the largest. Wherever they are, there is the Sea of Liberty, Sea of Freedom, and Sea of Independence(hence the port/city names).

Either way, if you choose to do it, have fun! I'll accept anything. Thanks for the consideration, if you don't do it...then...well...I'll do my best, lol. I also ask permission to copy it into my photobucket account for further use, but its up to you, and I will always post copyrights.

Well, Anagonia is made up into provinces. Origionally I planned seven, but now I only want to keep the three largest: Anagonia, Drekamythia, and Nodea Rudav. Anagonia would be the largest, full of forested areas, and slight areas of mountainous regions. A few large lakes, followed by the ocean on one side. Nodea Rudav is forested as well, but more leaning on the side of flat plains and expanses of grasslands, much like the Great Plains of the United States, and mountians from Anagonia continue there. Drekamythia would more lean to barren, of course having forests, but something of a fantasy nature considering its Mythical past. Large mountains dot this region, some continuing from Anagonia and Nodea Rudav, others just forming from the sea or father inland. Combined, all three would roughly be as the size of Russia, or more so, but it doesn't have to be detailed.

Seas, rivers, lakes, and a few wetlands dot here and there. Oceans at your choice. There are Seven Cities: Port Independence (Nodea Rudav), Port Freedom (Drekamythia), Port Liberty(Anagonia), Union City(Capital, Anagonia), Imperius(Capital of Drekamythia), Rudavia(Capital of Nodea Rudav), New Moscow(Nodea Rudav). Other small cities and towns dot the entire region, random names and such.

I leave it up to you, if you so choose, for the details. I personally have never been satisfied with any map I made, so liberty of details is up to you. Just a region filled with an ancient past, preserving the beauty of nature(As in even the cities are sometimes surrounded by plentiful forests), and there is a Tropical Forests dotting somewhere along there.

Now, if you so choose. Its entirely up to you to form borders, but Dreakmythia is the smallest, Nodea Rudav the second largest, and Anagonia the largest. Wherever they are, there is the Sea of Liberty, Sea of Freedom, and Sea of Independence(hence the port/city names).

Either way, if you choose to do it, have fun! I'll accept anything. Thanks for the consideration, if you don't do it...then...well...I'll do my best, lol. I also ask permission to copy it into my photobucket account for further use, but its up to you, and I will always post copyrights.

*Whistles* This is going to take a while. Alright, I will start working on it immediately. Lets see it is now *checks watch* 3 PM, I should have your map done later tonight, probably sometime between 11-12. If I don't get it uploaded tonight I will make sure it is here first thing in the morning.

Anagonia, I have finished your map. I TG'ed you the link so that you can have a look at it and decide if you like it, before I post it as the first map created for an NS customer of Zilaria Properties, Inc. (My little NS Cartography Company.)

If I make you a sketch, can you make me a map?

BTW, can I also see that map (email: zhauser@selfdesign.org) (so I can see what your map-from-description skills are like)

Also, can I congratulate you on being awesome.

And, you're so good at maps, why don't you make yourself a flag?

I did. I made four. You're an artist, can I email them to you to see what you think? They aren't that great, though... They might seem repetitive to you, but they fit with my backstory.

Great map, excellent. Maybe you should make maps for me. :D

If I make you a sketch, can you make me a map?

BTW, can I also see that map (email: zhauser@selfdesign.org) (so I can see what your map-from-description skills are like)

Also, can I congratulate you on being awesome.

And, you're so good at maps, why don't you make yourself a flag?

I did. I made four. You're an artist, can I email them to you to see what you think? They aren't that great, though... They might seem repetitive to you, but they fit with my backstory.

I'll see what I can do with your sketch. I guess it wouldn't hurt anything, but once Anagonia claims the map you cannot use it anymore without his (her?) permission. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/FINISHED-1.png (NOTE: the forests originally were supposed to look a LOT different, but the way I was doing it wouldn't work so I took Anagonia suggestion and did them as they are now (green patches).)

Thank you.

I plan on making flags for my nation, my royal family, the Zilarian Navy, the Zilarian Army, the Zilarian Air Force and the a civil ensign for everything else. They are all in the design process at the moment.

Yes you can email them to me: zilaria@live.com

Great map, excellent. Maybe you should make maps for me. :D

Anagonia lucked out on getting to me first. If you make an official request it may take a while for me to get it to you. And thanks for the compliment.

WHY ART THOU SO AWESOME? lol.

WHY ART THOU SO AWESOME? lol.

I take it you liked (what will hopefully be) Anagonia's map?

Indeed :)

(*begs to be potential client*)

(*begs to see your flags as soon as they are done*)

@live.com, eh? I assume you have MSN?

@live.com, eh? I assume you have MSN?

Aye, I do.

May I add you?

Indeed :)

(*begs to be potential client*)

(*begs to see your flags as soon as they are done*)

Azemica, if you provide a description of what you want your map to be I will start to work on a map for you.

I will email or TG them to you as soon as they are completed (don't get impatient though, flags are difficult to make).

May I add you?

Yep.

Azemica, your flags are fantastic. Looks like you may have a gift for making flags. Keep up the good work!

Azemica, if you provide a description of what you want your map to be I will start to work on a map for you.

I will email or TG them to you as soon as they are completed (don't get impatient though, flags are difficult to make).

Yeah. Well, I can probably make most of my own flags, but I may (if you don't mind) give you some themes and let you loose on some organization's flags (military?).

As for maps: I plan on making a rough sketch (very bad: I cannot draw) of the continents and nations thereon of my region. I may specify some things and I may attempt to make a computer version, however if you would do so it would be nice to have an actual fleshed out and good copy.

Azemica, your flags are fantastic. Looks like you may have a gift for making flags. Keep up the good work!

You like them? Really? Well, I'll take it that they actually are good, if you like them! Really, I cannot say enough about your maps, though. They are sleek, professional, inspired, and detailed.

Well? Should I start a flag-making service? :)

Right now I'm looking for anyone who does coats-of-arms.

Yeah. Well, I can probably make most of my own flags, but I may (if you don't mind) give you some themes and let you loose on some organization's flags (military?).

As for maps: I plan on making a rough sketch (very bad: I cannot draw) of the continents and nations thereon of my region. I may specify some things and I may attempt to make a computer version, however if you would do so it would be nice to have an actual fleshed out and good copy.

So let me make sure I copied this down correctly *glances at notepad then back to monitor*. Okay, you want a couple flags for organizations in your military (you will give a set of themes correct?)? You are also going to provide a rough sketch of the map you want and you want me to make a full fledged color map for use on NS? Just making sure I understood what you said.

So let me make sure I copied this down correctly *glances at notepad then back to monitor*. Okay, you want a couple flags for organizations in your military (you will give a set of themes correct?)? You are also going to provide a rough sketch of the map you want and you want me to make a full fledged color map for use on NS? Just making sure I understood what you said.

Pretty much. Give me some time, though. I'm a procrastinator.

So let me make sure I copied this down correctly *glances at notepad then back to monitor*. Okay, you want a couple flags for organizations in your military (you will give a set of themes correct?)? You are also going to provide a rough sketch of the map you want and you want me to make a full fledged color map for use on NS? Just making sure I understood what you said.
Well, dunno exactly what you mean by colour. Anything remotely along the lines of Zilaria's map would be awesome.

You like them? Really? Well, I'll take it that they actually are good, if you like them! Really, I cannot say enough about your maps, though. They are sleek, professional, inspired, and detailed.

Well? Should I start a flag-making service? :)

Right now I'm looking for anyone who does coats-of-arms.

Yes I like them. The only bone I have to pic with them is that the last two are kind of cluttered, but that is an easy fix. Thanks for the compliment on my maps. And yes if you feel your up to the task of making unique flags for hundreds of people then you should start up a flag-making service. However be careful because I'm sure it will be easy to be overwhelmed and start to let your quality slip.

Coat-of-arms you say? I would offer to make some for you but it takes so bloody long to do them (my maps take six hours tops, my coat of arms take six days at least). Here is a COA I helped design and draw, its not all mine so go give me all the credit: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/Zilaria/CoA3.png . The actually image was made by a professional and that is why it looks so good.

Well, dunno exactly what you mean by colour. Anything remotely along the lines of Zilaria's map would be awesome.

Color. (i.e not grey-scale/black and white).

Pretty much. Give me some time, though. I'm a procrastinator.

Righto.

I didnt mean to click fail i was aiming for the one above it!!!

I didnt mean to click fail i was aiming for the one above it!!!

I'll admit, a 'meh' is better than fail.

I telegrammed you. I was busy, sorry.

Also, thank you so much! I love it! Add me to MSN, like to talk sometime.

I telegrammed you. I was busy, sorry.

Also, thank you so much! I love it! Add me to MSN, like to talk sometime.

Glad you like the map I made for you. I left some stuff out because I figured you would add that when you wanted to (i.e. scale, compass rose, etc.). I'll add you to my MSN, I'm glad to have friends in the NS world.