Topographic map of Westeros

Finished map

I have made a number of topographical / bathymetric maps from wood in the past (http://imgur.com/a/nerDf). This time around, I made a map of everyone's favourite fantasy continent - Westeros!

Creating the cutting / engraving data

I bought a set of large-format maps of Westeros (http://amzn.to/1OlX9L0) and had them scanned at a local shop. Then I used Inkscape and a graphics tablet to trace around all the edges, mountains, depths etc as well as place names, rivers, forests, ...

Laser-cut wood

I then sent the plans to a guy with a laser cutter large enough to handle the dimensions I had in mind (123cm x 83cm, 48"x33") (http://www.laserschmie.de). A couple of weeks later, I received the cut and engraved sheets of 3mm poplar plywood.

Staining

I used a simple water-based stain to get a nice deep blue for the ocean-areas.

Staining some more...

Staining the next layer up

Glueing the first two layers

I don't have any clamps, so I just use bottles instead :)

More glueing

Testing

This was a dry fit of the land-layer on the sea-layers.

Some more staining

Stained the mountain ranges (and my floor) a slightly darker shade to improve contrast to the surrounding areas.

And some more glueing...

Fixing the mountain range to the land-layer

The fiddly bits

I thought it might be nice to not only have places/castles etc. engraved on the land layer, but also attach them as physical objects. So I had tiny versions cut from 1mm veneer, which I then glued in place.

Details - (1/3)

Mountains of the Moon / Vale of Arryn

Details (2/3)

The North & the wall

Details (3/3)

King's Landing, Stormlands & Dorne.

Thanks for looking!