guide to map theft
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy drawing maps as much as you do, but there is a special joy to be found in adapting real world locations into gaming material. Often the peculiar geographies of the real world will outstrip your own imaginings.
Herein are map generators and archives that I've used, plus a collection of real life locations I consider ripe for adaptation.
tools and repositories
An honourable mention first of all to watabou's procgen arcana. Note that if you use these tools for your thing, you need to make it CC as well.
overland
Norgeskart. A free online map of Norway. Check out 'historical maps' -- you can load up an old timey looking survey map of the whole country. It also has an annotating tool built right in.
Stamen. Map of anywhere in the world, rendered in a variety of styles from watercolour to topographical. Try toner-background for an unlabelled, minimalist look.
Map Finder. By the National Library of Scotland. Sift through archival maps of any location, with an opacity slider.
sample locations
Kinshasa/Brazzaville: Massive urban sprawl, big river, with a large undeveloped island in it.
Yamal peninsula: Vast isolated region filled with thousands of striking elliptical lakes and winding rivers.
structures
Catacombs survey. Detailed maps of the Paris Catacombs.
Monuments of Syria. A gazetteer of ruins and archaeological sites in Syria. Exhaustively written, with plenty of photos. I find the way it is written to be a compelling juxtaposition and reflection of adventure-module location keys. The site's proprietor also wrote a book, which contains several excellent floorplans, photos are further down.
Architectural drawings. What is says. UK centric I think.
lidar maps. Respurce for viewing ground penetrating imaging of the UK. Useful for scoping out old ruins, motte and bailey castles, etc.
sample locations
Monuments of Syria:
Catacombs:
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
And a cleaned up, numbered version by me:
