‘C’ is for ‘Cartography.’ As far as the Human Age is
concerned, there is no comprehensive map of the world. Gremlins were the only species
that ever made it far in cartography, and they were wiped out by their own
technology in one of those pesky apocalypses. The technology is still around in
the form of automatons, but it’s unknown if they’re mapping the world. They
tend to consume and combust any people who ask them about it.
Still, a compass is a good idea. It’s common knowledge that
there is at least one continent on the planet: this one. It is surrounded by
what is lovingly called “the World-Ocean,” though no one has
ever gotten to the west coast of the continent, and some people believe there
is no west coast. No one who has gone to check has ever come back to confirm.
Other fun facts if you should take up cartography:
-The planet seems round. People cross a horizon as they walk
far enough away from you, making it fairly obvious to every culture that has
ever lived. Most have not cared.
-It gets warmer if you go north and colder if you go south.
-The middle of the continent is split by The Uncanny Valley (see ‘U’), a titanic canyon that spans the entire land mass. It's presumed the result of an ancient apocalyptic quake and is a favorite vacation spot for dinosaurs and hungry robots.
-The Empire of Gold and Jade (see ‘E’), the present human empire, rules everything east of The Uncanny Valley. They would like some of the west soon, if you don’t mind. It is relatively developed with irrigation, manmade rivers, agriculture and cities with artificial lights.
-Everything west of The Uncanny Valley is referred to as “The Frontier” (see ‘F’) Here you will find most of the surviving automatons, sauropods, sentient non-human species like triclopes and dorads, and most of my recent protagonists.
-There is a vast archipelago to the east of the continent, where people go if they’re hoping sit out the next apocalypse. The bet is that the land masses are so small that it wouldn’t be an apocalypse if something terrible happened there, thus making them the least likely target.
Counter est. March 2, 2008
love that you are creating an a to z guidebook for your created world!
ReplyDeletecataclysmic!
And the brightest star on the sky is the South Star...
ReplyDeleteI like what you're doing here. The world and it's background is very interesting and keeps me wanting more.
ReplyDeleteGreat post :)
Thanks Mark! I'll keep it up. Wondering how people will handle some actual fiction on E-Friday!
DeleteMap! Draw a map!
ReplyDeleteI have a map, but it's absolutely hideous. I'm considering what it would take to get me to publish it...
DeleteI also have to draw a map, with mapmaking skills similar to your own. I've figured out how I'll go about it, though: (very) rough outline in light pencil, marking major geographical features and cities, then refine it over several passes. Finally, trace the final on a clean sheet of paper and feed it to a scanner for vellum-parchment-izing and lettering.
ReplyDeleteIf the Uncanny Valley splits the entire continent, what keeps it from becoming the Uncanny Seaway?
That's a very good question, and something a geologist is likely to explore in one of my stories.
DeleteWhen creating a world cartography is of the up-most importance. seems like you've done well. Reminds me of another book, Shadow and Bone, she's a cartographer in a different-ish world. Another fantastic read if you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteAlso I had a question about your comment on my blog. When you were getting lots of spam was it actually posting to your blog or going in the spam filter and just showing up in your email? Just curious. I should have also mentioned that I have anonymous comments off on my blog and I don't get nearly as many spam things in my inbox. Anyway, have an awesome day!
Is the point of interest to Shadow and Bone actively cartographing the world? Because I've never read anything like that before, aside from history about actual explorers. That could be very cool! And beat me to the punch on a novel I was planning down the line.
DeleteIn response to your query: the dozens of spam comments got through the filter and were landing on the blog itself. I had to manually delete 10+ every day up until a couple of weeks ago, when the filter finally seemed to catch on to some triggers. I still don't know what changed, but I just guessed the algorithm had finally adapted after a year of watching what I deleted as spam.
No, the girl in Shadow and Bone is more an artist than a cartographer. She can also wield the power of the sun, so that's pretty cool :)
DeleteInteresting that they were posting to your blog, I'm glad that all got figured out. Talk about annoying!
With the magical, bacterial epidemic, and the interesting landscape, I like the world you have created here. Fascinating. I'd like to know more.
ReplyDeleteNow I've realised I have anons selling things on my blog I'm watching under the blog statistics where comments are listed - they are easy to overview, mark as spam, and delete there.
ReplyDeleteDid this comment go to the correct blog, Elaine?
DeleteI have a really terrible sense of direction so I think I'll suck at this. I'll just ask for directions! :P
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very cool world!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think I had as much fun reading it as it seems like you had writing it. :)
ReplyDeleteNote to self: stay away from West coast of continent (if there is a West Coast). Maybe the Gremlins have made a comeback there.
ReplyDeleteIf any are still out there, it'd be a great hiding place!
DeleteI can tell you're putting a lot of thought into your world. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteGood concept for the challenge I have to give you an "A" instead of "C" for this one.
ReplyDeleteImages by Bil
Paintings and Sketches of the beauty that surrounds us.
I love these posts. It's like reading the history of a new world.
ReplyDeletesome people are cool. you are one of them.
ReplyDeletejean yates from A to Z
Wow. No map? I can't imagine watching Dora the Explorer with no map.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, this world does sounds pretty fun and adventurous.
I love worlds where there are places that no one knows anything about because no one who has gone there has ever returned. :)
ReplyDeleteReally enjoying your blog posts.
Rinelle Grey
I like the logic behind heading to an archipelago to avoid an apocalypse. I don't think it is a winner - but it has style nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. I feel like there is so much I don't know about the world!!
ReplyDeleteI think a map would be great, too. Do you have any artistic friends who would map it for you? There may even be some role playing software that will do that.
ReplyDeleteThis feels like the beginning of Civ where you pick your world save that regions are named rather than cities and none if your scouts can relay useful info to you.
ReplyDelete