This is it... version 2.0.

To see my first effort, look at my introduction post. I'll put in a link some time, I promise.

I'm concerned that I might have added *too* much detail. However, I really like the distressed and aged look to it.

Coming soon! An avatar worthy of the name...

Dorothy, that is delicious. Yes, strange word to describe but I really like it. Looks old and cruddy and that's cool.

Looking good!

I still say it needs a big X and some burn holes...lol
That's just me though.

some worn in fold lines would be cool...make it look like some old pirate had it folded up in his hat/pocket.

I was just about to object that the map was actually wrapped around a sword blade and kept in a scabbard, but it occurs to me that it might have been folded to make that possible.

I'm trying to imagine the kind of wear the map would have wrapped around a sword blade.

...

Any ideas?

Well you can experiment by wrapping a piece of paper around a butcher knife and see how the folds fall.

Some smears of dried blood? A few small cuts by the sword? Hopefully no rust from the sword.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics of wrapping it around the sword and jamming it down into the scabbard. Sounds like a pretty destructive action to me unless it's a very roomy scabbard.

Yeah there would definitely be some damage, cuts, abrasions the like. =)

So I'm thinking... cherry syrup for the blood stain test. Unless I can find some pig's blood at whole foods. Though only after the crease/wear test. I have to come up with some kind of delicate yet uniform pattern for the test page. I'd be tempted to use this very map, but I'm concerned that the fact that it's... so distressed already might obscure the wear pattern too much.
I'll figure something out. Maybe a lace or fractal pattern.

I do own a few swords, though not the correct type. I tend to collect western style swords, sadly enough.



ANYWAY.

I'm so glad you guys are about as obsessive on these sorts of details as I am. I'm not sure it's healthy, but... it will be fantastic. And fun. Did I mention fun?

can't you use blood from steak or a roast package? Also, to see where the blood would stain the paper, maybe you can cut into the meat, then wrap the knife in the paper, as see where the blood goes on the paper, as well as where the creases are.