Monday, August 31, 2015

Britannia: a map commission

This post is Part 1 of a series to augment the Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost available for free download.

This and other map commissions are gathered in my Portfolio Directory for you to explore.

This post is also Part 5 of a series about Linnea Tanner. Start with Part 1 here.



I first connected with Linnea in Part 1 of this guest series, when I offered to write a guest post for her blog. Soon afterward, Linnea broached the subject of maps. Her novel Apollo's Raven, Book One in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series, was ready for publication, and she wanted a map to accompany the story.

Linnea writes historical fantasy set in the world of the ancient Celts. Though grounded in history, Linnea's stories explore the mythos of Celtic spirit warriors, and she invokes a lot of Celtic mythology and magic in her tales. You can read my four-star review of her novel here.


Check out this Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost for more maps!


While I specialize in mapping fictional worlds, I was quite excited to map a real-world location.

Linnea and I set up a time to talk on the phone about her map needs and how my commissions work.

The phone call went great. I answered all Linnea's questions about cost, time, and the commission process.

I also asked her some probing questions about the sort of map her story needed.

Based on her initial needs, we decided that an overview of England would suit her story best.

The long, skinny island was well-suited to a portrait-style map, and I was excited about my first portrait-oriented commission.

But as you can probably tell from the other landscape-style map shown above, this project changed course mid-stream.

As a result, Linnea now has two sets of antique maps, one showing an overview of ancient Britannia as a whole, and the other showing a more close-up view of the Cantiaci territory, where her story takes place.


Here's what she had to say about the finished maps:


Ancient Celtic Britannia, a map commission by D.N.Frost for Linnea Tanner www.DNFrost.com/portfolio Part 1 of a series.
I love this rendition of Ancient Britain! I am very happy with how it looks.

Thank you so much for working with me on this. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time for my manuscript.

It was a pleasure to work with you in creating my maps of Ancient Britain, that display the location of major Celtic tribal territories and landmarks referenced in my novel Apollo's Raven.

As I was writing my manuscript, I realized how important it was for readers to understand the distances between tribal capitals and landmarks. I loved the way that you highlighted the major landmarks of the White Cliffs (Dover Cliffs) and Apollo's Temple (Stonehenge) on the map.

Your final rendition looked like what an ancient map-maker would have created.

By your working closely with me, we were able to finalize the map that aptly represents my vision of Ancient Celtic Britain. You provided different styles of these maps that I can incorporate into my blog and final published work.

And I appreciated the way you carefully laid out the rights for using these maps. Thank you so much for working with me on this project. It was a joy to work with you.

As my series expands into Gaul (modern day France) and Italy,

I will definitely work with you again in creating these ancient worlds!

– Linnea Tanner, author of Apollo's Raven


That's it for this post! Up Next: How the coastlines took shape... Soon.


Want to bring your own world to life? We can map your world.
You deserve a professional map you can be proud to share.

Download Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost here, or start your adventure below.






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Monday, August 17, 2015

Crystallon: a map commission

This post is Part 1 of a series to augment the Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost available for free download.

This and other map commissions are gathered in my Portfolio Directory for you to explore.

This post is also Part 1 of a series about Monica Spath.



I first met Monica Spath as one of the entrants in my world map giveaway from April 2015. She didn't win the free map, but her world sounded very cool. The information she'd entered into the giveaway intrigued me, and I felt like Crystallon was a world that deserved to come to life, so I contacted her about a discounted commission.

Though she didn't win the giveaway, Monica was still excited to map her world. She asked me some questions about the basic process, and she sent in a sketch she'd scanned from her art spiral. I was floored! Her artistic sketch was far better than anything I could have drawn myself.


Check out this Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost for more maps!


Monica had drawn her mountains in amazing shaded ridges rather than little mountain symbols, and I felt inspired.

Though the map hadn't started yet, I wanted to spend some of my own time to see if I could mirror her cool mountain ridges with a technique of my own.

I drafted a map estimate for the realm of Crystallon, and Monica signed the page allowing me to start her map.

All the while, in the back of my mind, I was percolating the best way to capture her awesome shaded mountains with a reliable Photoshop technique.


Here's what she had to say about the finished map:


Crystallon, a map commission by D.N.Frost for Monica Spath www.DNFrost.com/portfolio Part 1 of a series.
I give five stars to the work D.N. put into this map.

D.N.Frost is a talented mapmaker who helped me bring the planet of Crystallon to life.

The map she created for me will help with the creation of different stories that take place on Crystallon.

The map is beautifully created and will be an important tool in the journey each person will take as they explore this beautiful and exciting world.

With seeing each element, I will be able to know where the scenes takes place and know how to get to either the nearest mountain or the sea.

It will also help with knowing where the roads are located and how to reach the next town.

Talented mapmaker. Thank you.

– Monica Spath, fantasy writer


That's it for this post! Up Next: Making coasts and mountain ranges... Soon.

Want to bring your own world to life? We can map your world.
You deserve a professional map you can be proud to share.

Download Fictional Cartography by D.N.Frost here, or start your adventure below.






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Saturday, August 15, 2015

The Front Rishi: a map for Awakening

The Front Rishi: windswept plains of the gryphon riders www.DNFrost.com/maps #TotKW A map for Awakening by D.N.Frost @DNFrost13 Part 13 of a series.
This post is Part 13 of a series to augment the Atlas of the Known World available for free download. Start with Part 1 here.

This and other TotKW maps are gathered in my Map Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!



The Front Rishi
The Front Rishi: windswept plains of the gryphon riders www.DNFrost.com/maps #TotKW A map for Awakening by D.N.Frost @DNFrost13 Part 13 of a series.
Windswept plains of the gryphon riders.


Geography and Climate


In Chapter 9 of Awakening, the Front Rishi comprises the western half of the Rishi Plains. It borders the Forests of Kalrein to the north, the Red River Ka to the east, and the badlands to the south, where Old Ryerin once stood.

Windswept and flat, the Front Rishi is drier than the river deltas of the Back Rishi, though consistent rains ensure the viability of its arable land. Four seasons grace these plains with hot, breezy summers and cold, snowy winters.

This region also borders the D'jed Mountains, the Gulf of Lohki, and the Great Sea.


Flora and Fauna


Most of the Front Rishi is devoted to sprawling ranches and hardy wheat fields. With little hope to compete with the agricultural prowess of the fertile deltas to the east, most denizens of the Front Rishi devote their land to pasture. Herds of horses graze the land, and large flocks of wyverns roam the grasses in search of insects and vermin. Wheat farmers commonly invite wyverns into their fields as a form of pest control. Not much land remains unclaimed in modern times, and the Front Rishi's greatest predator, the gryphon, no longer breeds in the wild. They are, however, bred in captivity, thanks to a number of rookeries where gryphon riders uphold their traditional lifestyle.


People and Dress


Modern styles of dress for plains elves vary widely across regions and individuals, but gryphon riders maintain their traditional styles of dress. Gryphon rider men typically wear their hair just past the tops of their ears. Women never cut their hair, instead wearing it in a single long braid hanging down their backs, the last few inches wrapped to prevent fraying. Gryphon riders of both genders wear loose linen clothing in a variety of colors, usually associated with the rookery from whence they hail. The most notable fashion of the gryphon riders, however, is their lack of shoes, which they forsake as an inconvenience when riding their mounts.


Native Magic


Plains elves make poor elemental mages, but their special magics are quite strong. Renowned for their Metal magic, plains elves excel at smithing and smelting. Their latent Animal magic is decent as well, generally stronger than their mountain cousins to the north. The sensory magics of the plains elves are the most potent of all the elf races, and plains elves are good with both Sound magic and their latent Touch magic abilities. While rare throughout the Known World, Music magic is present in the cocktail of plains elf magics, and it is not uncommon for wandering bards to demonstrate the rare ability to enchant listeners with their melodies.

Check out the Magic Codex of the Known World to learn more.


Cultural Values and Traditions


Gryphon riders prize independence and leadership skills, as well as honesty and diligence. Magic is upheld as a sacred exchange of energies, and it is usually associated with the colors green and blue. Gryphon riders dwell in rookeries, autonomous villages dedicated to the preservation of gryphons and the traditions of gryphon riding. While not every resident of the rookery rides a gryphon, at least one family member must be a gryphon rider in order to live in the rookery. Family is important to the gryphon riders, and no one is expected to forsake family ties in order to become a gryphon rider. The rookery as a whole is considered one large extended family, and each group of riders, known as an aerie, is viewed as a smaller family nucleus. It is offensive to undermine these family bonds, or to insinuate that a gryphon rider cares little about his or her fellow riders.

Plains elves celebrate the new year on the winter solstice, as per the ancient merfolk calendar, which is the official calendar of the Allanic Empire. While age is counted in years, gryphon riders measure maturity through the training and discipline of one's gryphon. Regardless of age, a rider with a newly hatched gryphon is considered a novice, and more experienced gryphons earn their riders prestige. Once a gryphon fledges and begins to fly, the rider is celebrated as a full member of the rookery. Adult riders are expected to conduct regular training drills, including flying in formation, and to impart the traditional skills of gryphon riding to younger riders.


Warriors and Guardians


In olden times, each rookery was funded by a patron from one of the wealthy farms in the area, and in turn the riders of that rookery surveyed their farmland and protected crops from thieves and wild animals. These days, vast ranches have replaced most of the old farms, and remaining farmers fund their own protections. In addition, gryphon riders have become increasingly irrelevant due to the modern presence of imperial guards throughout the Plains of Rishi. Now rookeries are mostly self-sustaining, with the children of current gryphon riders taking up the next generation of hatchlings, while youth outside the rookeries tend to chase positions of wealth and esteem within the earth-bound aristocracy.


Languages


Like all plains elves, gryphon riders speak Allanic as their native language. Dialects vary slightly between rookeries, but in general their Allanic sounds informal and choppy compared to the tongue of their mountain cousins. Due to loud winds during flight, gryphon riders have a sign language used to communicate while in the air. Not surprisingly, many common gestures have worked their way into spoken conversation, and a discussion between gryphon riders may be construed as tense or even hostile if the accompanying hand signals are omitted. Cultivated over centuries of riding tradition, their sign language bears resemblance to the hand signs of the Sutek Desert, which are employed by the pegasus riders there.

Check out the Language Codex of the Known World to learn more.


Characters from The Known World


Awakening is a potent tale of self-discovery. Experience this gripping fantasy adventure and discover yourself within. www.DNFrost.com/Awakening #TotKW
In the book Awakening, Sharis and her brother Fal'on are gryphon riders from the rookery of Vedosr'f'n.

While they attended university in the Back Rishi, a tragic bout of plague wiped out their rookery some years ago.

Now the elf siblings roam the Plains of Rishi, bartering their services as gryphon riders for goods and shelter.

When they overhear two wraith-like creatures discussing Allana's brainwashed empress, Sharis and Fal'on set forth on a mission to save the empire.

That's it for this post! Up Next: Southern fringe of modern trade...

Download the Atlas of the Known World here, or start your adventure below.






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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Celtic Tarot Card Meanings: an inspired collaboration

This post is Part 3 of a series to augment the Guest Resources available for free download. Start with Part 1 here.

This and other guest-inspired content is gathered in my Guest Directory for you to explore.

Find more tarot-related content in my Tarot Gallery.



After contributing my first guest post in Part 1 of this series, I was eager to create a second guest post for Linnea Tanner. She writes historical fantasy and explores Celtic mysticism, tradition, and mythology on her blog.

I asked her if any other animals had special relevance to her series of novels, and Linnea replied that wolves and horses were two important symbols in her books. As with my first guest post, I flipped through my tarot book for cards with wolves and horses.


Check out these Guest Resources for more inspirational content!


I found one card, The Shaman, with a wolf on it, and two cards, The Chariot and the Seven of Swords, with horses. Accompanying these cards was a wealth of knowledge about Celtic history, the symbolism of these animals, and how the animals were celebrated in Celtic tradition.

As I compiled my guest post proposal, I noticed how well the symbolism of these three cards tied together. Just like my last post, Linnea's knowledge of the ancient Celts helped me select cards with corresponding themes for her blog.

I submitted my enthused proposal, and Linnea had a surprise for me! Not only did she accept the proposed tarot post, but she inquired about a map commission for her upcoming novel, Apollo's Raven.

Everything happened in a blur after that. The map dominated my focus, and the next thing I knew, a week had flown by. I knuckled down to edit and format the post. Since Linnea's own posts are quite long and informative, I left in as much of my original draft as I could, presenting a vibrant and in-depth picture of the ancient Celts.

When the post was finished, I sent it to Linnea and got back to work on her map. She loved the post and soon it was live on her blog. The whole experience felt breezy and light, probably because we both were knee-deep in finishing her beautiful map of ancient Britain.


You can connect with Linnea
at LinneaTanner.com here.

And be sure to subscribe to Linnea's awesome blog, if you haven't already!


That's it for this post! Up Next: The actual guest post content...

Download the Guest Resources here, or start your adventure below.






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Monday, August 10, 2015

Fantasy Reimagined: inspiration & spark

This post is part of a series to augment the Author's Manifesto available for free download.

This and other inspirations of mine are gathered in the Spark Directory for you to explore.

Find my published stories and guides in the Books Directory.



They just don't make quests like they used to. Make no mistake, I love fantasy like Sam loves Frodo and like Snape loves Lily. But how many sword-swishing heroes can you meet before they all blur together? Like a careworn blanket, epic fantasy seems comfortable but hardly exciting.

I want to change all that. Amidst this painful trend toward the mundane and washed-out, I seek to turn epic fantasy on its head. I set forth to write an adventure like nothing you've read before. My goal is nothing short of fantasy reimagined.


Check out this Author's Manifesto for more of my inspirations!


Tolkien gave birth to the fantasy genre when he first codified the assorted myths of Europe into his tales of Middle Earth. Since then, we haven't ventured far from his historic beginnings. Elves are always magical and often immortal. Orcs are stupid, wraiths are evil, and mankind has no magic to call its own.

But not anymore. Within my Tales of the Known World saga, I re-examine, re-interpret, and all-out reinvent the tenets of epic fantasy. I present to you a gripping adventure that explores both time-honored tropes and well-loved fantasy traditions from new angles. And with your help, I believe our beloved genre can rise again.


That's it for this post! Check out my latest inspirations for more.

Download the Author's Manifesto here, or start your adventure below.






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Saturday, August 1, 2015

Portent XIII of Awakening: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Awakening, there are 23 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!



Ambassador from dragon mage
To weary slaves in rattled cage
He calls his brethren all arise
To seek the timeless sight's demise

When hatred's flow is left unquenched
Their sights on sight are sorely wrenched
To boldly tread the rocky path
Deferring to diverted wrath

From chains they rise and free they fall
Alive for once and dead for all.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.


This portent ends with a spooky couplet, which furthers the eerie foreboding this prophesy creates. It is quoted only once in Awakening, before a scene in Chapter 5. The foretold events come to pass in Book 4. Who do you think the ambassador could be?



Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.



Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:
Varyik Seloh Rovikya XVI
1:3:3:6/5, III:IX
The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: A prison she cannot defeat...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.






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