Asqueria Worldmap Zones

I thought today I'd show off the world map chunks in Asqueria and talk about the locations available, worldbuilding/lore around them, etc. We'll start with the most complete and finish with the most WIP I'm willing to show. They're big pics so they are attached.

After this, I have 1 more devlog in me before I think I'll post the next version of Asqueria, 0.2.7.  Anyhow, let's begin!

0- World/Story Context

The start point in the demo is after the "start" of the story (NYI) which will be detailed here- After being bailed(purchased) out of a demonic prison, the main character Argenti, a light-touched infernal warrior and his benefactors require the player to collect keys related to the major elements in the region to proceed to the next area of the world map. He is accompanied be Aegrit, a shadow-touched celestial mage, and Naithe, a celestial ranger. 

These 2 mysterious agents of the Celestial Accord have come to for 2 targets as their quarry - Aegrit was sent for Argenti, and Naithe has her own target -- and must return with them to the angelic realms.  However, the Infernal Dominion welcomes "guests", it requires proof of strength to leave the realm-- The party must first complete challenges and collect 3 elemental seals located at various locations in the northern part of the world map.

The first of these areas is called the Chilled Cordillera, containing the Frost and Water seals.  See first picture!

1- Chilled Cordillera

Status: Main area- Playable  -- Island/water areas not done

An infernal-controlled domain of ice and water, and one of the first areas made and where most of the "game content" is. The player takes a fairly linear path coming in from the east, with a few optional POIs as side paths.  Early towns contain many NPCs with "newbie tips" and easy to discover secrets/side areas with treasures to loot and books to read. Learned a lot making this area, basically every prev devlog applies.

There are many functional POIs:

Towns: Taigu Checkpoint, Lapysbrook, Lignato, (WIP)Dark Fae Camp, (NYI)Island Town

Mainquest POI: Polaris Tower, Lapysbrook Underpass, Castle Kyrych, Lapys Palace

Sidequest POI: Bandit Camp, Crystal Caverns

2- Stonefang Sierra

Status: Playable, Explorable with overworld encounters; Not many POI active yet.

Another realm of the Infernal Dominion, with an extraplanar influence of earth and metals. The player will leave the previous area and progress through here. The concept is a smaller mountainous region with cavernous "underground overworld" layers, connecting the areas blocked off by terrain. Learned a bit more about mixing tiles and keeping track of locations, map design skills level up.

There are a couple POIs with work done so far:

Towns: Azyut Checkpoint, Umbrahaven (In Quartzose Plateau)

Sidequest POIs: Scorpion Mound, Quartzose Plateau

3- The Shadewode

Status: Playable, Explorable only

The first area the player will visit after earning passage out of the Infernal Dominion, and their first look at the "natural" part of the world of Asqueria, which existed before the Celestials and Infernals arrived.  This dark wood is shrouded in permanent night, and mostly populated with Asquerian  Fae, Dark Fae and some free infernals not contracted by the dominion. The woods are home mainly to mundane and magical animals, woodland spirits and elemental creatures, a theme which continues through the main continent of Asqueria. Not pictured is this area uses the night time filters/background noises and different cloudscape background - which would be what I learned doing this one.

No POIs setup yet, but can be explored in the current version of the demo.

4- The Galvanized Cloudshores

Status: WIP, not playable

This stormy electrical desert zone will be the 2nd  of the Celestial Accord's areas the player will progress through (At the south-most part of the map, and about 1/2 thru the planned game at that point). This will be home to the group of Celestials that one of the party members, Dimeo, is from, and likely contain some story bits for her, and some examples of their more martial arts/monk based angelic culture, including their mastery of balance, neutrality and light/shadow (like the flashing storm clouds above).  Definitely WIP, not as much to say about this spot.

No POIs setup yet. Not yet player accessible in demo.

5- Riparia

Status: WIP, not playable

Conceptually WIP too to be honest - There will be some sort of mercantile town to the east in the desert area, and some sort of fae encampment in the forested area. The player's entry would be restricted by ground in the forested area where there are some gates/towers setup and water paths blocking the way.  Originally planned to be a late game thing, main story will take the player past this place. But it turned out really nice, so I'm reconsidering. I guess the learning here was my map design skills growing a bit, accidentally. I really didn't plan for this to have so much to it, it just sorta happened.

No POIs setup yet. Not yet player accessible in demo.

Final Thoughts

One thing I'm learning is that a giant world map full of POIs is a lot of work. But, I "know" what most of it should be, I just have to do it. Which takes a while. Visual variety may be challenging for the middle of the map (it's mostly green area) but using some of RPGMaker's screen tints and weather effects is helping.

 Hopefully you've enjoyed this showcase of level design for Asqueria in the Origin era!