Hi Dennis! Eh, the maps aren’t available as a downloads (I didn’t know anyone would like that, lol). 😺 But if you like, I can scan them and send them to you?

Thanks Kit! ❤️ I happy to hear that you liked my video, and oh-my-gosh! I can totally relate to what you mean: Drawing maps changed my entire fantasy world! When you start adding towns, mountains, and rivers to paper, it kickstarts your imagination - but also prompts a row of questions: 1.) How to people live in environment like this? 2.) Are they completely self-sustaining or do they trade with others? 3.) And if so, what do the trading roads look like? 4.) And do they pay taxes, or tolls? 5.) And will some people try to avoid that and turn into… smugglers? (And so on, for all eternality, lol.) It sounds super-exciting with a dark underground cave system! Maybe you could do some sort of overlaying maps? That would be so cool! 😺

Thanks Todd! I really enjoyed making these bookmarks and I thought it would be fun to share the process. I’m glad you liked it! 😺

I mainly play D&D and I’m using the open 5e systems for our books. The adventures are compatible with Tales of the Valiant (Project Black Flag) and Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition, and can easily be converted to Pathfinder. 😺 I’m using Faber-Castell pens (they’re called Pitt Artist Pen Fineliner) in two sizes: 0.3 (which I use the most) and a thinner 0.1 for shading and finer details. I used 0.5 previously, but I find that it’s a little bit clunky for me. (Having said that, it could be because I’m new to using ink and the fact that I’m using coldpressed paper that is quite textured. It’s okay for drawing, because minor mistakes doesn’t show (the mountain was Totally Meant To Look Like That, don’t judge me), but it makes writing neatly quite hard. For the watercolour I got a small Windsor and Newton field set as a Christmas gift that I really like. (I’m a beginner, so it suits me perfect). 🖌️🎨☕️ Cheers/ Tove

@@midnighttower4717 That's really interesting! I have Micron pens, but I have a few Faber-Castell brush pens and I think I'd like to try their fine liners, so I'll take a look at that. I recently got a Sakura Koi water color set to do some highlighting and shading on drawings, but I'm finding I enjoy it so much I'd like to use it more. I'm definitely going to water color some maps now, so thanks for the inspiration!

@@toddirvine5886 I think the Microns pens are really good, too. I haven’t used them myself, but I’ve seen other artists here on KZfaq who are using them. The Faber-Castell works really well, there is virtually no staining from the ink when I add watercolours to the drawings. Watercolour is really fun, because it’s a different type of medium. You have to think in layers and can’t just mix colours and dab on the colour. - But that what makes it so fun!! Plus I love the way you can experiment with watercolours, letting the colours mix by themselves in larger blooms, using salt, lifting colours, etc. There is so much to explore! Best of luck with your watercolour maps! 😸

You’re more than welcome to my little corner of the internet, Todd. I’m also new to watercolours, so I don’t really know what I’m doing, lol. But I’m a big believer of “happy accidents” and “failing forward”. (In both art, and life, come to think about it.) I’ve been playing D&D for more than 25 years now, and started publishing a handful of shorter adventures on Dmsguild and DrivethruRPG five years ago. (With the crazy goal of earning some pocket money to buy Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foe). In 2019 we ran the first Kickstarter and, well, things have been pretty crazy since then. I’ve recently started making these videos as a fun side project. I draw and paint late at night, and film during the weekends if I’ve time. It’s fun and there is no pressure, I know that I’m a beginner and it’s very relaxing. I like sharing the artwork and my thoughts about worldbuilding, hoping that other might find it interesting or useful. 😺

@@midnighttower4717 I think the content is great. Part of why I'm commenting so much (aside from just loving the videos) is to help the algorithm direct these videos to more people. It's also refreshing that you're a beginner with your painting, though your maps look amazing! I'm a beginner too, and sometimes it's daunting watching people who have been painting for decades. There's a lot of focus on being "good at art" instead of just enjoying making something.

@@toddirvine5886 Aaaaw, thank you! That is so kind! Thanks for your comments and for helping to support the channel. It’s just a little side-project that I’m doing and I’ve no idea where this will lead. (Maybe nowhere, and that's okay, lol.) Also, I think that you’re absolutely right with that there is a heavy focus on people who are “good at art, instead of just enjoying making something.” Although it can be inspiring and fascinating to watch insanely talented artists creating art, I sometimes get that feeling of “I will never get that good”, or “It’s too late for me”. But then I remind myself that the art that I create is - in its own way - unique and that there is a learning curve to everything we do. There is no contest or completion. Also, since I’m new to this I give myself the full freedom to fail and make plenty of mistakes. I wouldn’t expect myself to be able to play a full violin sonnet by Bach if I just picked up a violin, right? Striving for 100% perfection isn’t a healthy goal, but having fun and improving a skill is! 😸

Thank you so much! I’m a beginner and new to this, so kind comment like yours, are very appreciated! 🥰 I’ve done digital art for our RPG books for a couple of years, but working with ink and watercolour is completely different. (I still wish there was a CTRL + Z button sometimes, lol.)

Thank you, Todd, your comment made my day! I like making these type of videos, and I thought I might as well share my thoughts about worldbuilding and Eastern Farraway while I’m trying to improve my mapmaking skills. 😺

I know right? The good old books where kind of… rubbish in a sense. The papers kept falling out and the covers got scuffed so easily. Still, I got plenty of amazing memories from that time, so I can’t complain, lol.

Hang on: So you’re based in Australia and DriveThruRPG print your books in Australia now? That is awesome! Thanks for sharing! I know that DrivethruRPG are collaborating with Lighthouse, but I didn’t know that they had started using printing facilities in Australia! Nice!!! 😺

Aaw, thank you! This is just my little corner of the internet that I like to share with other people who like fantasy, worldbuilding, and (on occasions) silly interview videos. 😺

Thank you so much, I’m happy that you like them! Have a wonderful day and thank you for your kind comment. 😺

Aha! - But that’s how it starts, Mocha Bear! That’s the main reason why I want to learn how to draw maps and use watercolours. Also, to be fair, part of drawing maps isn’t actually t-h-a-t complicated. If you can write the letters V and M, you can draw basic mountains (personally, I find that very encouraging). Try it, and see what happens…😺 Also, thanks for stopping by and leave a comment! To the other readers: If you like roleplaying games, Kickstarter projects, and D&D news, check out Mocha Bear's Hobby Den here: kzfaq.info/love/sV34D_gMhB5-NSy_hSzXfw

@@midnighttower4717 Maybe I’ll try to do one for a video since I’m suppose to be starting a new homebrew campaign soon. And thank you for the shoutout! 🤘🏼🐻

@@mochabearshobbyden Oooh, “New homebrew campaign” - sounds exciting! Draw a simple map for it - a sketch is more than a enough, because it will spark the imagination. When I draw mountains, I think about who lives there, and then I start wondering about who is living in the forest area, and before I know it I’ve come up with two different elven kingdom, who might - or might not - be at war with each other… If you look at the first maps that I made for Wester Farraway, it’s incredible simple. It’s not a piece of art, but it does the job! And it’s fun to show for the players, because they will feel like they’re part of the world that you’re creating.😺 Best of luck with your new campaign and map! Cheers/ Tove P.S. I like to make shout out for good videos and channels that I’ve stumbled upon, it’s fun to share and it’s nice to be a part of the community. I really do love your channel, it’s so passionate and geeky, it makes me happy!

Thank you so much, that’s so kind! I wanted to make this video to help others create their fantasy world and draw maps. (I’m new to watercolours, so I’m not an expert, but it’s fun. Which is all that matters, really.) Also, I love your maps, the colours are so vibrant and clear - and the music is epic! Keep up the amazing work! 😺 Oh, and for those who are reading, you can find Renflowergrapx here on youtube and Instagram: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gamqos5etbzZY58.html instagram.com/rensflow

@@midnighttower4717 awww ty! Honestly you look skilled with watercolors 👀 i totally enjoy watching traditional artists. It gives me peace and your video was all good vibes!

Thank you so much, that’s what I was hoping to share. I’ve been doing digital illustrations for a couple of years, but I’ve just started with traditional media. In the beginning it was terrifying! Where is the CRTL + Z function? Why is the brush so soft? How do I erase ink on watercolour paper? - What do you mean, I can’t erase it? But honestly, there’s a weird freedom to it as well. Mistakes are okay, perfection is unachievable. (And I find that very comforting.) P.S. I really liked your latest video with the Fantasy Map Tutorial, it's brilliant! Maps really do tell a story! 😺

@@midnighttower4717 thank you. I was terrified by publishing that video. We are in a weird moment where you need to overshare to be valued in the social media standard. My point is that we are focusing too much on the “look maxing” even in art and i wanted to give my view, trying to reconnect with the fundamentals of the creation process. So. Thank for your words. Sincerely.

@@renflowergrapx You’re more than welcome, Ren! I think it’s good to have a healthy distance to social media. Personally, I was very uncomfortable in the beginning when I did videos. But after a while, it became easier, and now it’s even -dare I say it? - Weirdly fun! Your maps are amazing and I think the tutorial video was great! Plenty of useful tips for both beginners and more advanced cartographers, and funny. (The zoom-in on the you with the flag was priceless and made me laugh out loud!) Keep up the good work and thanks for your wonderful comment! 😺 For the readers, here is a link to the fantasy tutorial video by Renflowergrapx if you like to check it out: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8h-qbqVvdHIkXU.html

Aaaw, thank you so much! Your kind comment made my day. 😺 I’m happy that you found the fantasy map and worldbuilding video helpful. (I’m planning to make a new video, which will feature mountains and monsters.) I wish you all the best with your D&D adventure writing and hope that your group will have a great time, with plenty of laughter and fun! ⚔️ 🐉🎲

@midnighttower4717 I've subscribed to not miss out your next videos! Can't wait <3

Thank you so much for subscribing! 😺 I’m hoping to film another video this weekend, so it might be ready next week, with a little bit of luck!

Cheers! Great to hear that it was useful! :D

Thanks so much for joining this campaign too! And huge thanks for your support and highlights online!!! 😀We really appreciate it!

Thanks so much!! We'll do our absolute best to make this trilogy fun to run and play! 😀

That's very kind of you! 😀🙏 But we're really astounded by the support for this series...it's just out of this earth! So thank you!!

@@midnighttower4717 When should we start looking for the PDF's to go out? Just curious.

@@RPGrandPaTabletop Hi! I’ve just finished the second adventure for the book, so the book is coming together nicely (albeit a little bit late). We’re hoping to release the PDF next month (I’ll lock myself in the attic together with the coffee machine to make it happen, if I have to.) 😺☕✏

Absolutely, it's info[at]midnight-tower.com :)

Cheers! 😺 We agree, it's a great name!

Thank you so much for the heads-up about the link, we've fixed it now! :) We do indeed have (lots of!) plans for 2024 and beyond! The plan is to write a new mystery adventure later this year, and then another so far secret but Eastern Farraway-related project. 😺 And beyond , there are even stranger things on our increasingly large collection of ideas and notes...!

@@midnighttower4717 can't wait!

Hey, thanks for your comment! That’s brilliant and I’m happy to hear that you got your book! 😺 A local or regional printing company also means that time is cut down well (instead of shipping from a different continent) which is a win for everyone! For small, independent creators, print-on-demand is great. There is obviously a sweet spot: If you’ve just started out, you can pretty order all your books, keep them in your garage, and send them out yourself. (We still do that for the Collector’s editions of the books, lol). If you’re a large publisher, then offset printing will most likely be cheaper, but it comes with hefty additional costs (upfront printing cost, warehouse cost like you mentioned, plus shipping, etc) and increased risks, so it’s a different beast entirely. I’m quite happy with the books from DriveThruRPG, they’re doing a good job and I love the thick paper that they’re using. They changed their printing system during 2020, and the new standard edition is much better now. 😺

😀 There are more in the works! Stand by for some serious silliness soon...!

Waiting for the kickstarter to go live so I can back it as well.

Thank you so much for the support! 😀

It does! It's situated way out at sea off the coast. 🙂

@@midnighttower4717 Is this place detailed in any of your books yet?

Not yet - but a campaign guide would (will!) cover it!

Thank you! 😀 We're planning for this to be a truly epic trilogy!

@@midnighttower4717 I always loved campaign that last a long time and end in a great war. It just brings things full circle. It gives this entire series a Middle-earth feel.

​@@RPGrandPaTabletop That's what we're hoping for!😺 I like it when the stakes are raised gradually as the heroes become more powerful. The Battle for the Realm will feature three quests to prevent war from sweeping across Eastern Farraway. Although it feels sad that this is the last book in the series, I like that it will be completed. (We obviously plan to write other books as well, so it’s not goodbye... And some people have hinted that they would like to see a campaign guide, too...) The Eastern Farraway Adventures campaign is going to be 5 books in total (and 800 pages!) and ends when the characters reach level 15, when the story has really come to full circle.

@@midnighttower4717 Nah! Don't be sad, just start a brand new story lol and yes I was one of those who hinted at a campaign guide :)

@RPGrandPaTabletop Exactly, and we got the entire Western Farraway to explore as well! - Not to mention Norther Farraway. (Our group hasn’t been in Southern Farraway that much, so far.) … As for a campaign guide… It feels daunting, but I would love to write one and have the possibility to write small side-quests, add NPCs, villagers, point of intrests - and deep-dive into Norse-inspired monsters and legends. (Gaaah! I need more life time years!) 😺

Hi! The population of Winterhold is approximately 3,000, with the majority of people being dwarves, humans, and elves, although gnomes and halflings are also fairly common.

Aaw, thank you so much! It’s kind comments that like that makes us keeping going! I hope you’ve a great weekend. 😺

Thank you so much!!! 😺 Your box will be with you soon!

Thank you so much for your kind words!!! :D That means a lot!

Cheers!!! :D It'll soon be on its way to you!

That is so true!!! She really did her best to get in the picture! :D

Thanks!!! Hope you'll enjoy the ciphers! :D And yes, they really do glue those boxes pretty well - this time we nearly had to get the scissors out lol!

Thank you so much! :D We're so happy with how the book turned out!

Thanks so much, that means a lot!!! This was so much fun to make that I'll start on another one soon!

Cheers! It's coming together really nicely! 🙂

🙂 Thanks for joining in the naming event! We received an incredible number of names this time!!

Hi! Yes, we have all kinds of ideas for adventures outside Eastern Farraway, and the areas have been mapped out - we just need to find the time to write them! 😀 We hope to get there before long, but we also have a few more adventures set in Eastern Farraway that are brewing away here in the tower...!🙂

Yes! There's this one for What Happened to Evy Ashwood? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o9SWfsiUzd_diaM.html and this one for An Unexpected Wedding Invitation kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a8pzeZp_sdzeY5c.html and this one for Rise of the Ice Dragons Trilogy kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLWWnLaEmMyyh6s.html

@@midnighttower4717 how did I miss these lol

The lack of a scale was a complete oversight on our part - sorry! To give you an idea of the distances, it's a two-week journey at standard travelling pace between Buckbridge and Winterhold.

Cheers James!! Thanks so much for the support! :-D We've got lots of ideas for new adventures pinned all over our walls, so there's more on its way!

Thank you so much for your kind words!!! :-D We're definitely hoping to find the time to write adventures that pick up where the Prophecy of Nine Omens leaves off - we've lots and lots of ideas! :-)

@@midnighttower4717 It would not be a bad thing either to write all new adventures in another long lasting series starting for level 1 characters. I know in my campaigns I always make the level cap 18 and besides it takes a long long time to get to 18 anyways haha

@@RPGrandPaTV You’re right, and in fact our next book “Battle for the Realm Trilogy” is the final book in the Eastern Farraway Adventures series. It will take the characters to level 13 to 15 and it completes the story that began with Hunter’s Full Moon Trilogy in 2019. After that… we’ll see what happens. Some people have been in contact and want us to write a campaign guide (which would be fun!), but one day we might start a new series of adventures set in different part of Farraway. 😺

@@midnighttower4717 I would back those wanting a campaign guide, being able to read in detail about Eastern Farraway would be awesome.

Not long to go now! :-D

Thank you!!! We're having a ton of fun writing these adventures! And soon we'll start to work on the Collector's Edition boxes!🙂

Thank you so much! As the main quest giver, Bjorn plays a very special part in these adventures (and characters who go on to play the subsequent trilogies will encounter him many times!).

Hi Daniel! Thank you so much for your kind words, it's great to hear that your group like our adventures!!! 😀 Thanks so much for playing them! About the world, the realm in which all our adventures are set is called Eastern Farraway. The adventures are spread out from Buckbridge in the south to Whiteport in the north, with some adventures (often the mystery adventures) taking place in small locations in between, and there's a bit of information about each larger town in the trilogies. We've received a lot of questions about the world, so we've started to plan and build a guide for the whole realm while we'll also continue to release adventures. Hope this helps! Thanks again for running our adventures!

@@midnighttower4717 Awesome! Thank you so much! I'm totally getting that guide when it comes out! "It will be mine. Oh yes... it will be mine," (Quote from the Wayne's World movie)

@@daniellichtenstein7541 😀 Cheers! It's some way away yet, but the work continues!

I just transplanted the map into the Forgotten Realms within the Greypeak Mountains region.

We'd like one of those emojis too!!!