Update: Map image added. Can anybody figure out why it won't convert into dominions properly? I know this file is a .bmp, I've tried it as a .tga and it still doesn't register any provinces north of The Neck.
Incidentally, I've been working on a Song of Ice and Fire mod and a map for quite some time now. The mod is progressing well, and I used a different version of the map when I drew the provinces, but I like this one more. I've been having trouble with the map I drew because it is not registering the provinces I marked past a certain point despite the map being within the size parameters. It's possible I exceeded the 1500 province limit because I got a little carried away
but I'm not sure. I'll try to get around to posting the map later today so you all can take a look and maybe figure out why it isn't converting into dominions properly. But rest assured, I've already put a great deal of time into the mod and the map, and I would love to finish them. I didn't realize there was any sort of demand for a map or mod so I've kind of been strolling along at my own pace.
On that note, I would love to hear some ideas for the community, because I have been trying to decide exactly how to formulate some fairly important aspects of the mod. As anyone who has read the song of ice and fire books knows, magic in the series is a fairly uncertain force and would be difficult to convert appropriately for the various factions. Personally, the aspect of dominions that has always fascinated me is tactical combat and being able to affectively map a battle plan with a large number of troops in a way that they are more effective than your opponents large number of troops. As traditional battles have gone, two large armies face each other on battlefield and charge, and one army eventually breaks and flees. I wanted to make the SoIaF mod more about the proper use of large armies and terrain than about magic and SCs, and I am considering either cutting them out all together, or severely limiting the spells available for mages in the mod. Please let me know your thoughts on this idea, I would like to know the communities views. I imagine that in the end I will end up with two mods, one completely devoid of magic (my preferred one) and one that fully incorporates it, or limits it somewhat, depending on a consensus.
In regards to what I was discussing with terrain, my division of the map I originally created placed a great emphasis on unit mobility and holding key terrain areas. For example, swamps deserts, and forests are divided into very small provinces, an effort to emphasize the difficulty of moving a large army through such an area. This will create an importance to relying on major roads to transport armies quickly, as well as create a need to defend these roads to hinder your opponent from moving his armies into your terrain. This has the added advantage of creating a need and exceptional usefulness for units like skirmishers and outriders who can traverse broken terrain quickly and raid enemy provinces before a larger, slower enemy force can respond. Also, having roads that span 3-5 provinces of broken terrain will create a need for supply lines for larger armies which I intend to incorporate. Fighting to defend your supply lines, employing rear guards and outriders will all be necessary parts of waging war on what will likely be a much larger scale than traditional dominions games.
Lastly, I'm considering departing somewhat from the traditional system of unit recruitment, gold, and resources. For example, gold for each faction will come from areas such as mines, ports, farmlands, lumber yards, and various other trade facilities, rather than based on population in each province. In effect, I will try to set population for provinces to 0, except where villages, towns, and cities are located. Does anyone know if this can be done? Naturally, magic sites will have to be placed in many provinces to provide some supply (representing what can be foraged rather than what must be brought by supply train.) Unit recruitment will obviously take place in castles primarily. To a lesser degree, very limited recruitment will be available (peasant levies and the like) at villages and hamlets. There will be special sites that will allow recruitment of special units from SoIaF naturally, though some may be limited to the original controller.
Obviously there is a great deal more that I could write, and I certainly intend to. I will try and get that map file uploaded sometime tonight, and in the mean time, I would love to hear peoples thoughts and initial reactions to my ideas. And please feel free to provide criticism, advice, and anything you would like me to include or concerns about what I might be overlooking. If any of you actually managed to read all of this congratulations, and sorry I'm so wordy.