Map of Narnia
There is a third group that is specific to the sea that is neither navy nor pirate. They might be found with those other two groups, but they are unique because of their goals. Even if you find them among outsiders, these ocean-traveling sailors and adventurers tend to stand out. Many believe they have been cursed by a wanderlust that directs them to the open sea. Others simply think they want the glory of discovering a new land since the group appeared only after the Great Cataclysm. No matter what, people have a lot of respect for the Mappers.
The name pretty much says it all. These are people who don’t care about riches, glory, fighting, or defending a nation. All they want to do is map out the oceans, which are vast and always changing. While they do have a handful of land-based members, the Mappers prefer the sea. Each one has their own reason for this, which is what lends itself to the wanderlust curse idea. Yet, there really aren’t many detailed maps of the ocean. You have the bigger pieces of land, but there are believed to be thousands of islands that were moved or created by the Great Cataclysm. This is why many Mappers claim that they are simply rediscovering the information that was lost. Still, there are those who want to find legendary lands and map them. Rumor has it that a special sect of Mappers even want to get to the the four moons of Windemere.
Unlike pirates and navy members, there isn’t much uniform to the skills of a Mapper outside of cartography and map-reading. They might have different tools, various levels of seamanship, and previous specialties. For example, a former forest tracker might use her skills to become a Mapper and be able to go it alone in some areas because of their combat training. Another might have magic while a third is also a priest. It is fairly rare that one finds a Mapper who doesn’t have a second job or come from an unconnected background since this is more calling than career. Those that are a Mapper from youth to old age end up gathering an assortment of skills. Like forest trackers, they are prized guides when one is adventuring, but the downside is you never know what else you’re getting. It doesn’t help that these people will only gloat about their mapping skills and not share what else they can do unless they trust you.
So, why are these people considered the third power of the Windemere seas? The answer is fairly simple. The other two groups would be in a lot of trouble without the Mappers doing what they do. Pirates and navies buy maps and navigation gear when they are traveling into unknown areas. Sometimes, they will keep a Mapper on the crew to help with traveling quickly and put the other sailors at ease. There is less fear of getting lost when these professionals are around, which is something they take pride in. Another service is that Mappers are always happy to train others in map reading and whatever navigation tricks they have. The veterans have special tools and styles, which go to a chosen apprentice. Yet, the basics are always on the table if they are given a chance to travel into a place they haven’t been to before.
One curious thing about Mappers is that they rarely interact with each other. There are only two reasons that they work together. One is a yearly gathering to compare notes and see if anybody has undone your previous work. This meeting bans all writing implements and memorization charms, but does allow map trading. Every Mapper has a collection that they are always looking to increase. Now, the other type of gathering is when several join forces to make a single crew. This happens when a special circumstance is discovered and multiple Mappers are after the same mystery. While some may want to race, most will work together on something that could be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime event. These outings can be chaotic though because you have conflicting personalities and there’s always a poor captain that they hire to help.
Legends of Windemere 
Did you make that map yourself, Charles? I am considering a map for my current WIP, looking for resources.
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I’m terrible at making maps. I’m guessing this was part of a Narnia book set.
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This one really trips my trigger for some reason. I spent twenty years as a surveyor and draftsman making maps, so that could be it. I can imagine an entire culture around this group, and some nefarious trading going on too. I’m always looking for another angle for character creation, and cartographers might be more interesting than Navy or pirates. Really sparks my Muse.
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I’m looking forward to having a Mapper be involved in the 14th Legends book. You get a sense of how they operate and what tools they use. They’re still a work in progress as well since I haven’t introduced them through the series yet. I like the idea of these people who are traveling to catalog the world instead of justice, order, riches, and adventure. It’s a goal that can help all of the other groups.
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I have all this stuff floating around in my head, and it usually gels into a story. My old pirate vignette, a witch doctor I’ve been dwelling on (thank you Diablo III), maybe a cartographer… feels like it’s trying to form a story.
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Definitely seems like pieces of the same puzzle. Like how Diablo III had a hand in it too.
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It’s like watching a thunderhead build. Feels like rain. I want it to be fantasy, so may need a dragon turtle or two. I’m afraid I’m daydreaming into 2019 or 20.
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Can’t go wrong with aquatic hydras and leviathans. Wonder if there’s a way to make a shark dragon.
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I’m sure there is. You can have a giant mantis shrimp if you want to write one.
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Those are the ones that can break aquarium glass, right? Seem to remember an article about a badass shrimp two years ago.
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I think they’re the ones.
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Sounds like excellent story material. I could see different groups bidding for a top mapper’s skills and then a pirate group kidnaps the mapper. 😀
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That’s a possibility. I’m setting it up that some Mappers work with pirates too. Those are the crews that might be more interested in exploring for the promise of treasure.
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🙂
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You have such an incredibly detailed world! I love to look at maps (as well as make my own), so this is a great group to feature. 🙂 Being a Mapper seems very risky though, thanks to creatures that lurk in the seas and on land. But somebody needs to make those maps.
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Mappers are very similar to forest trackers. They learn how to survive on their own, but will join a group for more difficult journeys. Not the strongest fighters or casters, but it’s enough to handle the more common dangers. Rampaging monsters aren’t as common as it seems in Windemere.
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Sounds like they need a series of there own, or at least a collection of short stories. You could have them searching for some famous old map, a magic sexton or some kind of mapping tool.
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I might do one where a Mapper sets out for a place that hasn’t been documented. There are a few stories that involve finding new lands too. They make for interesting group members, so we’ll see what happens. I do need to rework a series that involves pirates and the Ice Crown found at the northern pole. A Mapper could work there.
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Sounds like you’d better get busy, lol. Have a good weekend!
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If I get any busier, I’ll be pulled over for speeding in my own house. 😜
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That’s a fun idea for a profession that could make your characters wander in and out of trouble.
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Probably more so than adventurers. I might have to work on a short story that has Ichabod teaming up with a Mapper just to see what happens.
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