Brigade Models

[Zophiel]

Using Percival Lowell's map of Mars (from 1895), I've prepared this canal study:



First, when using the canal map, it is important to remember that PL drew it with the southern regions at the top and he included more than 360° shown. This meant that about half of German Elysium was repeated. Both portions were drawn slightly differently.

The next adjustment required was scaling his projection to the one I'm using in the working file. PL's map runs from 40° N to about 70° S. This meant splitting the canal layer into several slivers and stretching them to fit the matching bands.

Finally, I traced each canal and darkly shaded region individually. The red nodes are the ones over land and the cyan - over water. I still need to refine a few sections. But...

Happy New Year.
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[Zophiel]

Here's a more refined (yet not quite finished) canal map:


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[Tas]

Very nice - LOTs of work obviously has gone into this.
The next step will be to break it down into larger scale chunks

[Zophiel]

Here's the final revision on the canals subset. Next I have to blend this with the political map and make the whole thing pretty...


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[Wessex Steve]

[Tas]

[Zophiel]

Based on Steve's mention of Russia and Spain...


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[Wessex Steve]

[Zophiel]

A note about the last politcal Mars map...
The Ausonaeans, Syrtis faction, and Olympians were not labelled. I've done this a bit deliberately in order to frame the following question:

What do the Martians as a planetary people and the factions mentioned above call themselves. It seems unlikely that political/religious factions would use PL's book for their names.

And another note...
There is a gap to the east of German Hesperia before reaching the yellow lands of the so-called Olympians. I've been asked why that's there. Imagine this as a "Region of Tribal Dispute."

And, perhaps as a point of contrast, there are two isolated zones to the west of Russian Hellas that are (I hope you can notice it) shaded slightly diferently. I see the tribes here as having a strong but uneasy association with their new neighbors.

And something that's going to seem like an aside at first...
In America (irl) it is not uncommon to find people with some Native American blood. In point of fact, I've got a little. There's quite a bit more Indonesian heritage in the mix. Colonial Powers subjugating the native population is not a story I like to see told on Mars.

In my VSF and on "my Mars" I'm hopeful that the Martians have a card or two up their sleeve that change the game.

Here's why it isn't an aside...
If you look at the canal test maps, you'll notice that a great portion of the structure overlaps the ocean. They can't be used to carry water. It seems unlikely that they are roads.

"My Martians" use the "canals" in a very uniquely Martian way that's part of their culture and religion. Before I'm more specific, I'd like to hear other speculation.

What's next...
• I have to finish a few details on Mars and determine if the canal map and political map can be displayed as one image.
• There are some alterations required on the Earth map. Spain will be given a color. Mexico will be differentiated from the Neutral Americas.
• Some borders have been made more accurate.
• Then I'm starting Venus and Ganymede.
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[Zophiel]

Martian alphabet test:


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[Zophiel]

I'm making the alphabet a bit cleaner and larger.



It says, "Ulla." What else would it say?
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[Tas]

Looking good!

Do Martians say anything else?

[Reaver Steve]

geroff my land....
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Steve @ Brigade Models

[Wessex Steve]

[Zophiel]

I expect to be returning to this project soon to complete Mars, refine Earth, and begin Venus.
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