This month, instead of a typical update of art and text previews, I am offering something a little different. I thought I would not only share a sneak peak of some of the fantastic cartography Mark Richardson is producing for Poseidon, but also an advance look at the map location names submitted by backers.
Cartographic Master
Mark has created what I believe are the most realistic (and coolest) maps that have ever been included in an RPG. Using his professional cartography skills, experience and programs, he has visualized the essential geography of Poseidon in a way that elevates the hard science focus of the setting, lending the world a verisimilitude that could only be achieved with this kind of talent and attention to detail.
Gorgeous, right?
Note: This is still a draft and labels and other details may change.
Naming Rights
I am excited to have backers making their own marks on Poseidon by naming some of the locations on the colony world. In this spreadsheet I used only initials to protect individual privacy, but you should be able to identify your submission. If you were specific about the type of geographical feature you wanted to name, I assigned it accordingly. If you were open to options, I left the appropriate ones on the list so that Mark would have some flexibility as he labeled the maps.
The intention is to use these names to label the Outback map - a previously undocumented region centered on the Endeavor Islands - that was successfully included as a stretch goal. I'm excited for backers to go hunting, Easter-egg style, for their specific appellations once the map is complete.
If you backed at a naming reward level and do not see your submission listed, there are several possible explanations. Please reach out via a Kickstarter message so we can get it sorted.
On a related note, I Googled any words or references I didn't know just to make sure there were no inappropriate meanings or associations. Turns out I needn't have bothered. I appreciate that everyone made earnest submissions, avoiding the temptation to suggest Island McIsland-Face.
OK Fine...
Right. So I can't end an update without some kind of art sneak peek and a word about the text production. Here is the latest from Peter, and I love it - Silva, Skink and feline hybrids, getting into it on the Dyfed docks. I love how he captured their essential humanness underlying the engineered traits.
It kind of snuck up on me, but I was surprised to realize how close we are to a major production milestone. Of the 28 text files that currently make up the Recontact corebooks, I only have five more to re-work/update, before that means all the core text has been sent to the editor. That, my patient backers, will be a big day...