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The Northern Reaches, 8 miles per hex

by Thorfinn Tait

Maps

Replica of poster map from GAZ7, 8 miles per hex by Thorf, July 2008

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Updated map of The Northern Reaches, 8 miles per hex by Thorf, July 2008

Comments
This map combines the colour maps with descriptions and black and white maps given in the text of GAZ7. Additionally, it shows the forests of the region as predominantly evergreen, as described in GAZ7 and shown on the Wrath of the Immortals map.

Sources: GAZ7 The Northern Reaches (1988), TM2 The Eastern Countries (1989), Rules Cyclopedia (1990).

Notes on Updated map (GAZ7)

• Angstrom - the label for Angstrom, Ostland's most north-easterly village, was missing. TM2 has it marked correctly.
• Battle of Bridenfjord - incorrectly labelled as the Battle of Bridleford. Both GAZ7's text and TM2 confirm the correct label.
• Dominion borders - neither GAZ7's poster map nor TM2 show the dominion borders for Ostland, Vestland and Soderfjord, although they are mapped out within GAZ7's DM's Book.
• Hex Art error - a hex on Noslo Island, four hexes due north of Zeaburg, has a forest symbol on a hills background colour. TM2 corrected this error, replacing it with a standard light forest hex.
• Ostland Dominions - the dominion map for Ostland in GAZ7's DM's Book is not labelled, so it is impossible to tell which dominion name goes with which dominion. Dominions with towns are noted in the text, so those are known. The others marked in this atlas are educated guesses, based on the order in which the dominions are listed in GAZ7.
• Settlements on terrain hexes - GAZ7's map put a number of towns on top of forest and forested hill symbols, rather than the usual coloured hex of the appropriate type.

Notes on Updated map (TM2)

• Coastal Waters - many Gazetteers didn't show shallow and deep water. TM2 showed coastal waters for the first time for Thyatis, Ylaruam, the Northern Reaches, part of Heldann and the western Isle of Dawn. It also redrew Minrothad's coastal waters, which were rather simplistic in GAZ9's map.
• Mountain names - many individual mountains not found in Gazetteer maps have been added throughout the world.
• Osterslo Island - this island is labelled as "Osterlo Island". Although this is not necessarily a mistake (GAZ7's text uses both names), the GAZ7 map uses "Osterslo", which is in keeping with the names of the other Ostland islands. The Atlas therefore uses "Osterslo" as the correct name.
• Shipping Lanes and Reefs - these were all added in TM2. GAZ7 shows none at all.
• Soderfjord - two "Kobolds" labels in the Hardanger Mountain Range that were present in GAZ7 are missing.

To Do List

1. Expand updated map - I'm working on changing the format of all my maps to make them rectangular by including neighbouring countries.
2. Check GAZ7, X3, X13 and other relevant sources for geographic details and write notes on the updated map.
3. Create replicas of X13 maps.
4. Create replica of Rules Cyclopedia maps and write notes.
5. Create replica of TM2 and finish notes on this map.

References

1. Thorf's Secret Project: Stage One - the original Atlas of Mystara thread at the Wizards MMB. Post 54 contains the map, and discussion follows afterwards for a short while.

Thanks to: Jesper Andersen (Spellweaver), Mike (metal), Sheldon Morris (Hugin), Andrew Theisen (Cthulhudrew)