September 2019 Challenge: The Sunken Pyramid

[XCali]

Helloaa awesome community.

With this post I have hit a 1000 posts on the cartographers guild since I signed up a complete rookie map maker a few years ago. So I thought it was something fun to mention.
I just want to say, SUPER thank you for everyone that gave feedback and tips alongside the journey. It truly helped. And another thing, this is really such an awesome community. I felt at home.

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Okay! Now on to the map!

Today, I tackled several things and added things like the Dial that is used to unlock the mysteries of the Pyramid or hide them. Next to it is the buildings where the guardians would come before working the dial. I also added the aqua vents that can be opened to drain the water.

Let me know your thoughts.

### Latest WIP ###
Sunken_Pyramid_v7_Dial.jpeg

[XCali]

What an inspired idea. As other have said the colours are very complimentary and the water effect is magic.

For the fountains, go bigger, that's a lot of water and I feel a massive pyramid would have grand fountains!

Great work can't wait to see the next update.

Hi! Thanks for the compliment. I really appreciate it.

As for the fountains. Thanks for taking the time to give feedback. Though in this case the fountains are already quite big. My follow up shows better the scale. And what is more, they are not for making adding to the grandeur of the pyramid, they have the function of submerging the pyramid and its secrets. I hope that gives some clarity.

Have a nice day

[ThomasR]

The view is quite stunning !

[Bogie]

Nice additions, I like the giant dial.... "They know that turning the dial affects the pyramid and the water level, but they have no idea who built the massive mechanism or how it works."

[XCali]

The view is quite stunning !

Thanks!

Nice additions, I like the giant dial.... "They know that turning the dial affects the pyramid and the water level, but they have no idea who built the massive mechanism or how it works."

Thank you! Hehe, that sounds like a great idea for the adventure in the area. I'm really excited to know what kind of stories would pop up around a party of players.

Though, because this is an overview map, I am wondering if there is something more to add to it regarding multiple interest points. Any ideas?

[XCali]

Hi everyone,

I was busy playing around with the map, and made a water drained version, night versions and then one with a border. But now I am bit uncertain, the border is coming along nicely, though I am unsure whether to have in the challenge with a border or without.

Which one do you prefer?

Sunken_Pyramid_v9_WithBorder.jpeg or Sunken_Pyramid_v9_WithoutBorder.jpeg

[Kisachik the Wanderer]

The border is definitely cool, but I'd make it thinner so it doesn't overwhelm the composition. The image without it seems to have more breathing room. I'd also rotate the bottom heads, so they're not upside down, and desaturate the border a bit, so it doesn't steal attention from the colorful trees.

Is this map also going to have random monster heads laying around? Those were so cool, I love to see maps with scattered artifacts, monsters, secrets, puzzles and such.

[XCali]

The border is definitely cool, but I'd make it thinner so it doesn't overwhelm the composition. The image without it seems to have more breathing room. I'd also rotate the bottom heads, so they're not upside down, and desaturate the border a bit, so it doesn't steal attention from the colorful trees.

Is this map also going to have random monster heads laying around? Those were so cool, I love to see maps with scattered artifacts, monsters, secrets, puzzles and such.

Hmm, I hear you. Though making it thinner would have meant redoing a large portion of the border.

[XCali]

I wanted to try something...

I can't personally say if it works as effectively, so it would be interesting to know what you all think?

### Latest WIP ###
The_Sunken_Pyramid_v10.jpeg

I think the question remains, with or without the border?

[Pomb]

Hey xCali, I really like the idea of this one. I like the border, I prefer the version before the glowing one. I think the map is slightly on the dark side, some of the awesome details on the left side are getting lost in the dark, but I was sneaky and peaked at them in photoshop by bringing up the mid range with a levels adjustment. It could be fun to have some bones in the water Who knows of the dangers lurking beneath the waters surface!