A few years ago, I discovered that I could make my own campaign and world maps using a web-based program called Inkarnate, which I still use to this day. The team behind the website is constantly adding in new features and assets for mapmakers like myself to use in our campaigns. The price is relatively affordable, and they offer bigger deals for longer subscription times. To date, I have yet to find a better and easier program to use. It has a bit of a learning curve, but overall, it's extremely easy to evolve your mapmaking abilities by simply understanding the way layers work.
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The Land of Amur'Ket
A desolate expanse of sand and grit, made so by the foolish abuse of the Weave... |
Look at this stupid thing. To think I actually thought this was a good result when I finally completed it. There's barely any detail, and I cringe a little just looking at it. Somewhere within the 4K rendering, some of the assets placed on the map went missing, too.
Soon enough, though, things got easier. Way easier.
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The World of Tanyssus
A world divided by past grudges and threats of new war, despite an impending doom that hangs overhead... |
As you can probably surmise, such a large, detailed map can take some time to prepare. Each object placed on the map can be edited for size, shape, opacity, contrast, color...you name it, and it's a feature. The customizability is endless. Pure creation at the click of a mouse.
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The World of Faelorian
A world wracked and marred by the misdeeds of humankind, and the wrath the Gods wrought upon them... |
You'd be very surprised how hard it is to find a pre-made, hand-drawn map that fits your exact needs on the fly, so in my eyes, it's crucial for a Dungeon Master to at least partially understand how to use a map-making program, as it will provide the DM a platform for creating a richer and more detailed experience for their players. World Maps, City Maps, and Battle Maps...all can be products of your own imagination, and this software allows you the tools to make them a reality.
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Dhul'Kas, Edge of the North
A small Orc village in a frozen tundra... |
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Yveslen, Diamond of the Woods
A militaristic city, primarily occupied by Elves.
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Indregulle, Refuge of the Lost
A cursed and secluded city, long forgotten by the rest of civilization...
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Recently, they've allowed for the creation of smaller-scale maps, such as battle maps and finite environments. I've personally made a number of them for varying purposes; ambushes, points of interest, inns and taverns, and many different terrain types.
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Skybreach (New Keltesh)
A product of a magical explosion that leveled hundreds of miles of landscape, protected by powerful magic... |
What you see above is perhaps the peak of my map-making abilities, rendered in 4k;
Skybreach, a broken - but rebuilt - city that floats high in the sky using anti-gravitational magic. When I was conceptualizing the city itself, I wanted it to appear as though it had multiple levels - plateaus with varying heights, all harboring a different district of the city. Some broken pieces of earth that remain in stasis above parts of the city provide an added sense of depth, which was crucial to the feel. And obviously...when dealing with a city in the sky, I needed some clouds. Take note of how some of the clouds are positioned; some appear to hide behind objects, while some stick out in front. More depth. Layers, my friends...layers.
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Krysendom, City of Dreams
A newly-erected city full of vagrants, vagabonds, and survivors of a devastating event... |
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Senmar, the Shade Kingdom
An elven civilization hidden deep in the woods, led by a monarch known as the Lady of the Breezes... |
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Ambush Site
A rock formation along a forest path. Rock size provides good cover for defending or attacking parties... |
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