Sunday, January 27, 2013

More Tsandali - A couple of maps

Back to the Tsandali Clan. In the original monograph I go directly from the introduction to  a review of the historic and mythic origins of the clan. The geographic setting then follows. It is tempting to do the same here, if only because outlining the Tsandali origin myth will at least explain what the "Dual Dais" is all about.

On the other hand, I think it is important to anchor the Tsandali in space, as well as in mythic and historic time, so I think I'll start now with a couple of maps, and post the origin myth later.

So here's a map showing the location of Tenkare Prefecture, where 90% of the Tsandali clansmen live, in the eastern end of Kaija Province, at the north-central edge of Kaija Protectorate (the Protectorate is outlined in a bold white dashed line). The non-canon topographical features I have added are a "Gilraya Uplands"  in the northern part of Gilraya Forest, extending west from Hrundano Rise east of Sokatis. I think it makes topographic/hydrological sense, forming a southern boundary for the Rananga watershed. Also, the "Kikertla Hills" separating the Equnoyel drainage from the Layoda swamps. They are essentially an extension of the Gilraya Uplands, and again I think they are kind of necessary for the hydrology to work.

I know the map style is a weird hybrid between the "computery" and the calligraphic, certainly not something a native Tsolyani would generate, or even necessarily comprehend.

But there's something else here that is potentially controversial, and that is the northern boundary of Kaija Protectorate. There was a bit of a Blue Room exchange about this back in the 90s that never really seemed to get resolved. I won't get into it just now. Suffice to say, what I've decided to do here is to run the northern boundary of Kaija along the interfluvial upland between the Equnoyel and the Rananga. Kind of splitting the difference between the two opposing positions.

But that can be changed. No big deal. Comments?





This second map is a hex, specifically #2817. Very "gamey" I know. This map shows Tenkare town and its environs. I distinguish 16 Duretl-Tsandali villages in the hills, but in the Equnoyel bottomlands I only show the major towns. This is part of the rural hinterland that feeds the voracious appetites of Jakalla. That makes it one of those "breadbasket of the Empire" hexes, so hundreds of thousands of people live here, mostly along the alluvial bottomland. It isn't practical to show all the lesser towns, villages and hamlets, there are just too many of them.






1 comment:

  1. great stuff. i think you are spot on about the topography of the protectorate. i like the hex map and wish you would do more.

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