Photo 15 of 19 from Some of my other maps

Photo Comments

1. 
   XCali - 05-24-2018, 12:14 PM

   This one is free to use for personal use and when friends are involved with a RPG.
   Have fun!
   
   Optional: I would actually like to hear what kind of stories came out of this one!
   
   
   If you like this kind of map or one of my other maps, I do take commissions. I do have paypal. So, let me know either here or at my email address omriwithhope[at]gmail.com Just exchange the [at] with @
2. 
   XCali - 05-24-2018, 12:16 PM

   "Remember her heroism... That is what stands engraved on that memorial. It is those very words that moved me to start a great city around the mysterious statue. There is more written there. But the rest, after that single sentence, I can't yet decipher. It is written in an ancient language, I am told. And yet, I still felt compelled to honor the woman with the lonely face. What her story was, who she saved, might remain a secret through the ages. But, we will honor her regardless." -Founder Jiria De'Morr
   
   
   The Light Seekers' Guild is a guild that has more than one part to it. The main is their responsibility to create the crystal lights that are found all across the city.
   
   And the second is a more tightly kept secret, a sect of masters of shadows that hunt those who would do evil in the dark, be it hunting thieves or be it hunting assassins, they are trained for stealth warfare. Though, it sometimes happens that some of those who took up the oath set out for adventuring into the world. Or are sent on a mission outside the city.
   
   The Vanishing Falls is a rare sight indeed. It thunders down the cliff-side, only to disappear into the depths of the rock. The inner city has found access to the underground lake that the falls drop into. It is one of many of the huge underground caverns in the area.
   
   Then there is the Dawnflare Tower the greatest lighthouse of the city. It is not alone in guiding ships safely to the ports. But, it is the most talked about lighthouse in the city's population.
   
   On top of the cliff stands the enigmatic Dancing Trees. They are the biggest of the area and still, to this day holds the curiosity of the city. It is still a conundrum why those two trees grew so big.
   
   To the north from the Dancing Trees, is the Triproot forest which can be dangerous to those who do not know it. And also there is the Watchers Inn, which is connected with the main road that leads to the city. It was once an old Fort hundreds of years ago, and still, veterans would often choose it as their meeting place.
   
   Tide rock, is also an oddity that often entertains the curiosity of the citizens. It has many caves, some are only revealed on low tide, and others only revealed on the lowest of tides coinciding with the moon.
   
   All in all, Nessa'Mor carries many secrets and mysteries. A great place to start an adventure.
   
   
   If you want to know more about the city be sure to ask below.
   Have a lovely day,
   Omri Hope
3. 
   XCali - 05-24-2018, 12:17 PM

   A tie-in for my map. I've briefly gone through grammar wise, so let me know if there is a big mistake.
   
   ~High Cliffs of Nessa’Mor~
   
   River of Daggers
   
   
   Side story
   by
   Omri Hope
   
   
   
   “”What drives one to risk their lives over and over … to challenge the oppressive weight of the dark even with the smallest of lights? What indeed. Yet, that is the question that stalks me day by day as I attempt that very thing. I just hope that I can keep standing when so many before me have given up on this path.“”
   -Zalia Lightpaw
   
   
   Prologue
   The Chase
   
   Small puffs drifted away as she blew out a breath in the crisp cold of the night air. A flash of memory of kids giggling at the sight was brief, but she bit her lip. This was no time to enjoy it.
   Danger was too close.
   
   The dagger at her side lay forgotten as her fingers tightened around the round object in her pouch. Her eyes darted to the left and the right past the tree. Close by, there was a bridge that crossed the river that lay before her. But she might not need to attempt to cross it tonight.
   
   What was in her possession was far too valuable to risk being discovered. This was by far the closest it had gotten to the city in the cliffs, ever. Yet, those that hunted for it had only gotten more numerous over the months since the treck had begun, to courier it to the heart of Nessa’Mor. All had given up the trek in fear of the hunters.
   And yet it was of the utmost importance that it reached the city. What her brother had warned her had all but come true since leaving their hidden home.
   
   The free fingers of her other hand glided over her forearm. Scar upon scar met them. All were new.
   Her lip quivered as her anxiety once more threatened her determination. Fear was her handicap, as it was with all.
   Though, in this she was alone.
   As she glanced back, it pulled at her. To turn back. To let someone else attempt the run.
   But…
   She squared her shoulders and looked back at the bridge, covered with guards and what she knew were those that hunted her.
   This was her burden. She had come further than everyone before her and though it had only become more dangerous, her goal was not within reach.
   With a flick of her hands, she tied the heavy locks of hair into a ponytail. There couldn’t be anything in this run that might hold her back. Agility was everything if she had any hope of making it to the city.
   Her eyes closed as she walked herself through the terrain that she needed to cross.
   The river that flowed over the edge of the very cliffs that held the city.
   
   There was a path down its mighty side. Though one that was too perilous to attempt if she wanted to go unseen.
   Her mind flicked to the forests that were her only route. But her way down… her eyes flashed open, and taking a deep breath she tightened her cloak over her leather armor’s hard scales.
   She strode almost silently to the river’s edge. Big rocks made the journey across possible, but hard. Yet that wasn’t the worry that gnawed at her bones.
   It was what would happen when she made the dash for it.
   She steeled herself and took several steps back, enough for a run.
   Then with force, she made sure her one foot was solid against the ground.
   She was ready as she could be for this, though still, her hands had a slight shake in them.
   Zalia ran forward as fast she could. Her footfalls hard against the ground and then with a huge punch with her right foot sent her leaping through the air.
   And with a loud hit, her boots landed on the biggest and furthest of the rocks in the river.
   Shouts pierced the air.
   Her teeth gritted. She knew this would happen. Yet, her heart still hammered in her chest.
   She ran and jumped to the next rock, not even looking towards the bridge. A few seconds passed and she landed on the ground on the other side. Once she would have wanted to immediately boast to her best friend of making the feat. But she needed to run. Run like she never ran before. For the sake of the light she carried. For the sake of her people, she needed to run!
   Her feet thundered beneath her as she dashed for the outlines of the forest under the moonlight.
   Swords that were drawn and armored figures running behind her could be heard clear as day. Still, she didn’t even glance around.
   The surprise had bought her a few minutes. Though she could hear the confused shouts of the guards of Nessa’Mor, over why so many of the volunteers this night were so furiously storming after a woman.
   This would have amused her to no end back home. But this was different.
   
   The first tree darted past her as she ran into the forest’s recesses. It might buy her a few more seconds. But only a few.
   Those that hunted her were far wilier than they looked. She had learned that the hard way.
   As she ran, she made her path as random as possible in the hope of confusing her pursuers. Though, from their incessant shouts, they were close.
   She pushed her legs faster. It would only be a matter of time before she couldn’t run anymore. But, she would push until the end. To her last. This was it. Unlike all the others before her, she had no way back even she wanted to give up and turn back. If they caught her now, her people…
   She ran faster, tears streaking over her cheeks.
   With ease she leaped over the twisting roots of the forest, using some as springboards over the next.
   Her legs started burning. But at least the pursuers were further away now if just a little.
   Then she ran into a clearing, the moonlight shining brightly over the big but wonderful Dancing Trees.
   She stopped at the edge of the towering trees. A part of her wanted to enjoy the moment. For years she had dreamt of seeing them. Though, never under these conditions. It pained her greatly… a pang tugged at her pounding heart as her fingers touched the giant root of the one. But her mission made her straighten up. In her run, her hair had come loose. The wind gently caressed her hair.
   For the first time, she looked back.
   Numerous lights shone out of the forest. Zalia’s breath caught slightly. There were far more than even she anticipated. And the way they were fanned out, made any escape almost impossible.
   A sigh weighed down on her. Deep down a hope had been there that she could take her time to get down the mighty cliffs. But it was not to be.
   She walked to the edge of the cliff and watched the waves break far down below. Too far.
   Fear welled up in her.
   It was madness.
   But before she could turn around, she thought of her siblings. Thought of her friends. Thought of her family. And the hundreds of families that depended on her making it.
   Zalia squeezed her fists until it became painful. Then she let them go in helplessness.
   She jumped.
   The wind rushed past her face as the sea came closer faster than she could have imagined. She only had seconds to react.
   The crashing waves thundered below her and the urge to scream in terror was almost unbearable. But she resisted it with great effort.
   She pulled out her gleaming dagger and shouted out for its light.
   White illuminated the sea below her, and air rushed up at her with immense force.
   Then water burst around her and consumed her in a split of a second.
   
   Stillness and pain coiled around her like a serpent of the deep. The surface with only moonlight flickering across it looked like a far-off dream.
   She wanted to just fade away into the dark waters.
   Then Zalia woke up and clarity returned. She almost let the air out of her lungs as the pain in her chest surged to the forefront.
   But she fought it off and swam up with all her might.
   With force, she broke the surface. A wave struck her back underwater. And she had to cling to the little air she had left in her lungs. Her feet kicked with difficulty, but again she got to the surface, gulping in a lung full of air.
   
   The lights of Nessa’Mor shone brightly on the shore. With the help of the next wave, Zalia swam closer to the sandy shore next to the lighthouse.
   
   Closeby a blurry figure approached.
   Fear reignited in her heart. Her dagger flashed up and her feet shifted so she could fight.
   The figure pulled back the hood and all her walls broke down in tears. Zalia leaped forward, crying like she had never cried before and embraced her best friend.
   “You made it,” Lii-ca said while her own tears spilled freely.
   Zalia just hugged the girl and said,
   “They got a chance now. They might live.”
   “They do, thanks to you. Let’s go then. They are ready.”
   It was hard to suppress the emotions of the moment. But Lii-ca was right. They needed to go now before her hunters realize she had made the impossible jump. She darted after her friend into the Cliff City of Nessa’Mor. She just hoped to reach the Light Seekers' Guild safely, who would offer her true sanctuary against the many assassins that have come after her.
   
   A hope was sparked, but, there was still so much more that needed to be done.