Feudal Japan Map Objects Project

[gamerprinter]

This is really more art than maps, so I posted it here...

Something I'm doing at the Cartographers' Guild, my own project. I've never seen a map object set that could be used to create a map for Oriental Adventures, L5R, Sengoku - or the many other feudal Japan based games. Since I'm half Japanese, I always thought I should create one, so I've begun.

I'm basing the work in the style of Japanese wood block print art, known as Ukiyo-e - think of Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa, and you'll know what I mean. I have several Ukiyo-e books for reference, so I'm emulating the style in hand-drawn fashion with a pen, then scanning and importing to Xara Xtreme to apply colors and textures, then exporting each as transparent PNG files ready to be placed on a map with your favorite mapping application.

I've even contacted Profantasy about the possibility of selling the set to be included with their Campaign Cartographer Annuals subscription as a monthly set of map objects - nothing definite, but things are looking good for that happening as well.

First a couple samples of the work, so you know what I'm talking about...



I've created 20 similar mountains some based on print reference, most faked the style once I learned how.

Then I started to create Japanese structures...


Even Japanese castles - Matsue Shiro...


Here's a village symbol...


Someone asked for people sitting and doing things, in Ukiyo-e style. I thought, huh? Why would you place people on a fantasy map? How could I use people as functional objects that aren't decoration only.

So I came up with this idea. Instead of using different width lines, different color lines or using dashed lines to differentiate "walking paths" from "country roads" to "highways", I've opted to create "walking people on the walking paths". I had to create "walkers" moving in four directions - top to bottom, left and right, northeast to southwest and northwest to southeast. I plan to create farm wagons and oxen for country roads and three mounted samurai for highway symbols. I'll start on the Farm vehicles tomorrow.

Anyway and example of "Walking Paths - east and west direction symbol"...


I tried this a year ago, but never completed as I lacked the resource material at the time.

That's about it. I think its an interesting and worthwhile project, its quite a challenge to, but I am enjoying the results. You can view the all the objects so far, in the CG thread, called "Ukiyo-e Map Objects - Take Two!"

[link]http://forum.cartographersguild.com/sho ... php?t=3912[/link]

Enjoy!

GP

[gamerprinter]

Something a little different, guys. I'm working on another homebrew idea, based on feudal Japan, with an undead twist. So far, all I got is the guy in charge of the this Shogunate I've yet to name. Meet the Death Shogun, Taira no Kiyomori (fallen paladin/black guard/death knight).

I didn't create a reduced image, so here's a link to the illustration - enjoy!

http://www.gamer-printshop.com/cbg/death-shogun.jpg

GP

[Treebore]

As a fan of L5R I hope to see more!

[gamerprinter]

Here's a map (the February Challenge Map at Cartographers' Guild / 2nd place) of western Japan during the last year of the Genpei War 1185. I used the symbols from my symbol set to create this...



Here's a close up of the capital area in the above map!



Finally as mentioned on the previous post, I'm working on a home brew setting, which is now called Kaidan (Kaidan is the archaic Japanese term for ghost or horror story) which involves ghosts, demons, shape-changers, undead lords and hard-edged Japanese military government, all wrapped in "wire-fu" martial arts, exotic magic use. Rather than L5R, think Oriental Adventures and Ravenloft as a closer idea on what my home brew is like. I am seriously looking at publishing the setting and an adventure arc, perhaps as a Pathfinder compatable setting.

You can view what the setting as detailed thus far... http://www.gamer-printshop.com/kaidan/kaidan.html

GP

[Treebore]

Wow! That map, with those symbols, comes together very nicely! Almost like it tells a story of its own.

[gamerprinter]

Here's another Japan-like map. I am currently working on a 3 module adventure arc, as well as the beginnings of a new setting that will initially be published OGL, with the intent on republishing as Pathfinder, in August 2009. I am doing a collaborative publication with a small RPG publisher - exchanging mapping services for two existing projects of theirs, for writers, illustrators and editor, then offered as a PDF and lulu printing.

This is my first attempt at creating a published adventure and setting. At least I don't have to hire a cartographer for my project!

Below is the islands of the Empire of Kaidan. Kaidan is an archaic Japanese term for "ghost or horror story", as this setting has a very dark (almost Ravenloftian) quality to it. Although the closer regional, city and encounter scale maps will be kept secret until publication - I will reveal the larger regional map. Welcome to Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story campaign setting.

GP

[Sir Clarence]

Awesome maps, and great-looking symbols! I really like that bamboo border around it.... any reason why you didn't add some similar structure to the map background itself? Just curious...

Are the symbols already available for download at Profantasy?

[GnomeBoy]

That Kaidan map makes we want to fire up a campaign, it's that good.

[gamerprinter]

Thanks guys!

The bamboo background was a last minute thing, I was looking for something to "frame" the map. Perhaps I should apply some transparency to the background to allow the bamboo mat to show through. I just didn't want to distract from the details in the map itself.

I am currently working on a realistic version of the island town of Gaijinoshima (the tiny isle in the West Bay of that West Central main island.) I'll post it up when its complete.

GP

[Treebore]

Looking awesome!

I'm looking forward to seeing your PDF's too!

[Jengenritz]

Those maps are nothing short of amazing. Made me want to bust out my old copy of Nobunaga's Ambition.

Great, great stuff.

[GnomeBoy]

Great, great stuff.

What? You aren't going to point out that the maps need more sea drakes?

[gamerprinter]

Actually the small island southwest of Kaidan, named Ryuki, means sea dragon place, and in fact the sea dragon king has a submarine palace just off coast of this island. The city name on the island is Ryukyo or dragon city. There is an available race here, a kind of hengeyokai of the sea called Ryu-jin or dragon people.

So, I'd say, though hidden, there are more than enough sea drakes in the map! LOL

GP

PS: just because you don't understand the language, doesn't mean they are not there!

[Jengenritz]

So, I'd say, though hidden, there are more than enough sea drakes in the map! LOL

HUZZAH!

Remember, sea-drakes are always with you.

[gamerprinter]

I decided I needed a map of my castle town, Tsue, and Tsue-jo castle for my adventure arc. For some extra "wow" factor, I decided to create a 3D isometric map of the town. So far, all I have is the inner bailley of the castle, which will be surrounded by two other bailleys going down a mountain side on a small river island. A moat will separate the castle ground from the samurai road (flanked by walled and gated samurai homes), then the town proper beyond that. This will be a smallish town of around 4,000 people.

Inner bailley of Tsue-jo castle, so far... it will probably take the rest of the week to complete!

GP

[tadk]

simply awesome

I love the look, the art, it about makes me want to get the mapping program to get the tiles and such

My first ship was in Yokosuka Japan, so I have a softness for the country

More please and if you got PTRPG Compatible I am buying

[gamerprinter]

The latest map focuses on the island of Yonshu, the smallest of the three larger islands of Kaidan and the region where the entire first campaign arc is set - from the island port of Gaijinoshima, to the halls of the undead lord at Tsue-jo castle. I'm still in the process of purchasing illustrations including others who share this same board, so publication should be ready at end of the month.

Island of Yonshu, Empire of Kaidan...



Enjoy!

GP

[gamerprinter]

Kaidan's introductory adventure - The Gift will be released in August 2009 simultaneously with the release of Pathfinder RPG, as a PFRPG Compatible product.

Here's a preview of the cover art:



Cover illustration by Jan Pospisil

The Gift - what begins as a simple escort of a gift to a powerful lord in a foreign land leads to a series of uncanny events that risk more than the lives of a party of adventurers, rather the fate of their eternal souls. Deceit, vengeance and dark revelations follow the party as they explore a dark fantasy world called Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting. Kaidan is a breathtaking empire of samurai, ninja and undead lords rich in legend, culture and nightmares.

The Gift is a mini-campaign arc and an introduction to Kaidan, a dark fantasy setting of oriental myth and gothic horror. It is a world sure to make the bravest adventurer’s blood run cold.

GP

[tadk]

I am going to have to get that. Been a long while since I had an interest in Nippon inspired stuff. L5R kinda got too much for me.

There is no link that I saw on your own site
Can I have a link to the site please?

[gamerprinter]

I am going to have to get that. Been a long while since I had an interest in Nippon inspired stuff. L5R kinda got too much for me.

There is no link that I saw on your own site
Can I have a link to the site please?

Thanks, I have a rough site for the product, but I am currently rebuilding it, it should be up tonight or tomorrow. I have seven more pages to build, which I will do tonight. I will post a link here as soon as its ready.

GP

[gamerprinter]

The Kaidan RPG website is ready!

Although I'm planning to get its own domain name and then it own site, currently its inside my existing Gamer Printshop site (though I haven't linked from there yet.)

I may add more pages, more details and perhaps its own forum and what not, but this should be enough for a start anyway. Oh, be sure to check the About button dropdown menu for "Setting" as this has more details on Kaidan than the more obvious pages.

As I get more art completed and updates I will keep the website current.

http://www.gamer-printshop.com/kaidan-rpg/

Enjoy!

GP

[Ramone]

Great stuff!

Keep up the good work!

[gamerprinter]

Here's a hidden page on my website with thumbnails of art for the Races of Kaidan, so far... (all commissioned for me by two of my artists for the publication.)

Enjoy!

GP

Races of Kaidan

[gamerprinter]

Working on encounter scale maps for The Gift (adventure 1, in the Kaidan intro mini-arc). This is Agoya Shrine - a Shinto shrine that offers lodging and food for the PC party, having survived a rough time crossing the mountain pass. Enjoy!

GP

[gamerprinter]

I'm working on the Alpha Rules for Kaidan RPG (for Pathfinder) and have added a link to it below (PDF). Please note though the layout and illustrations give a feel that this is finished, it is very much a draft and incomplete document - so expect misspellings and grammatical issues. However, its the content and mechanics that I need critiquing, so peruse this at your leisure - C&C welcome! Once I complete this portion, it goes to the editors for proofreading.

Kaidan Alpha Rules (WIP)

GP