I always said that Broadsword was a "Light" version of Legends of Steel. To this end I have asked Keith to add a few new details to the map of Erisa (Formerly known as the world of Broadsword). Several cities, nations and geographic features will be added to the new map being developed. Correspondingly, I have more writing to do on these new areas. I not only have to try and develop a unique personality for each entry but also make sure that they fit into the overall canvas that was created with the release of World of Broadsword.

When I saw the very first proof that Keith did of just a small section of Erisa, I kid you not, I got chills. I have been working on and playing in Erisa for almost 20 years, and to see it rendered so beautifully on a map is just so cool. I can imagine at least a smidgen of what Gary Gygax or Ed Greenwood felt, the first time they ever saw a finished map of Oerth or Toril. What kept running through my head was "this world is mine." I created it and populated it with all of my favorite tropes, clichés, and things that I just thought were cool.

I read a story that featured wagon peoples- they're there.

There was an issue of Marvel Premier that featured Man-Wolf sneaking into a floating castle- its there.

I read a Forgotten realms book set in the jungles of Chult, where dinosaurs still roamed I loved that visual- It's there.

The influences of Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, David Gemmell, John Norman, Robert Adams, Brian Daley, Talbot Mundy, Harold Lamb, Barry Sadler, Harryhausen, Frazetta, Vallejo, Marvel, DC, Atlas, Charlton, Warren, TSR, Saturday morning cartoons and Saturday night "Creature Feature"- all there.

Every person has their influences. And for Erisa, those and dozens more are mine.

I should have had this done years ago. If you have a "homebrew" world that you've been playing in for any length of time I really suggest having it rendered professionally. It's a great feeling.

Even though the map I did for World of Broadsword got the job done and admittedly had a bit "Old School" flavor I really wanted something with a more professional look. Here is my version on Hexmapper:



Keith just sent me a rough proof of the style he will be using for Erisa.



Wow.
What a difference.
The decision to go with a professionally rendered map was a right one. So was the choice of Cartographer.

Color me happy.

Writing, writing, writing
I have been working steadily on not only "Legends of Steel-Savage Edition", but also on "The Lost World of Hador" and "Mission: Adventure!" Legends of Steel- Savage Edition will be the first release, but sometimes I run out of fuel for one specific genre which is when I switch out and start working on another. It helps me keep things fresh. I have about an hour a day at work, and maybe two hours at night for writing- not much but with work, family, etc. It's all I can afford. I would love to be doing this full time but until the book deals and movie offers start coming in…

The great thing is that the news of the Savage Worlds open license has given me a real boost of energy to get these projects out the door. If all goes as planned, I should be able to release at least three different lines of adventures in a short period of time, after those three are released I have a few more on the drawing board to get ready. I'm finding that switching everything over to the Savage Worlds system isn't exactly a cake walk. It's doable, but there are rules and conventions that need to be adhered to.

Map Maker, Map Maker, make me a map
Professional Illustrator Keith Curtis will be assuming chief cartographer duties for Legends of Steel. Keith is an experienced illustrator in the gaming market and has worked for everyone from WOTC to Hero Games. He will be taking the World of Broadsword map that I created and buffing it up considerably. The finished world will be known as "Erisa" and serve as the "official" campaign map for both The World of Broadsword and Legends of Steel.

Creating covers
Jeremy Mohler is currently working on several concept covers for Legends of Steel. I should have some sketches this week that incorporate some of the ideas he and I have been kicking around.