![]() From autumn to early spring, heavy snow covered the highlands, only melting away completely by summer. The steep mountains reached 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) in height. These rugged and twisted mountains were jagged and cracked from centuries of erosion. Mountains and highlands made up another sizable portion of the Moonshaes terrain. The terrain was safe and pleasant and was used as pasture for cattle and sheep. This rolling grassland was dotted with lakes, ponds, and swamps, but most of it was well-drained and dry. Much of the Moonshaes terrain was moorland. Ferries and bridges allowed for safe crossing. ![]() The islands were home to a handful of rivers, which were deeper and calmer, and safe for boats. Most streams were not safe for boats because of rapids. Most were shallow, reaching a maximum depth of 3 feet (91 centimeters). įreshwater streams were common on the islands. The Fens of the Fallon, on the island of Gwynneth, was likely the most dangerous area in all the Moonshaes. These putrid and decaying swamps were filled with stagnant water. Some of the fens and swamps in the Moonshaes rivaled those found in the jungles of Chult. Traveling in these marshes was hazardous, with about 10% of the terrain being quicksand. These gray and desolate marches lacked trees and an odor of sulfur hung constantly in the air. įurther inland, stagnant saltwater marshes were usually found. These cliffs were worn smooth from exposure to the wind, and in the winter were covered with sheer ice. Tall cliffs of granite towered over the water, some up to 500 feet (150 meters) in height. The remaining coastlines were jagged rocks. The coastlines of the islands were dotted with bays and coves, where ships could find a safe harbor from the harsh northern seas. During storms, the beaches were battered by waves. At high tide, the water line could rise up to 10 feet (3 meters). At low tide, the beaches could be exposed as much as a quarter mile (400 meters) from the waterline. Tides were significant among the islands. ![]() Most lacked sand, and instead comprised pebbles and rocks. It's through this that I've come to realize just how much work Mike must have put into the original.Along the coasts, long flat beaches were found. And the colours and level of detail never manage to match his. Halfway through the process I simply created a pattern for my forests. Quite frankly, at some point I had to capitulate and call it a day. The contour lines on the ground, the forest (all trees are individually drawn!), the ocean detail. The sheer amount of detail, let alone the quantity of lineart in his original piece is quite simply staggering. And more than ever before I've come to appreciate Mike's art and skill. What started as a simple style test (I've never done those kind of top-down maps before) became hard labour that consumed countless hours of drawing and trial & error. ![]() "Looks pretty straightforward," I thought. I set myself the goal of trying to recreate his north-western Faerûn map as best as I could. And boy, I didn't know what I was getting into! Ironically, until the middle of last year, I never tried my hand at the style of map I primarily remember his work for. As such his maps for D&D were hugely influential in getting me into mapping. Mike Schley has been one of the earlier cartographers I have stumbld upon, mainly due to myself still being an active pen & paper player back in the day. Welp, this one was a long time in the making!
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