Port Blacksand Revealed: Crafting the City of Thieves Fighting Fantasy Qatlasmap Map
- Randolph Coope
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 30
Exploring the City of Thieves: Behind the Scenes of My Latest Fighting Fantasy Map
I’m excited to share my newest hand-drawn map of Port Blacksand, the infamous city from the classic Fighting Fantasy gamebook City of Thieves. This detailed vector map is a tribute to one of the most atmospheric settings in the FF Books series, created by legends Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone.
The journey of creating this fantasy map started with revisiting the original gamebook’s vivid descriptions. Port Blacksand is a chaotic pirate city full of danger, intrigue, and hidden secrets, much like other iconic worlds such as Forest of Doom and Titan World. My goal was to capture its unique vibe with a mix of retro fantasy style and modern fantasy cartography techniques.
I began with rough sketches, mapping out the key locations docks, marketplaces, thieves’ quarters and intricate alleyways where many a choose your path adventure might unfold. The challenge was to maintain clarity while keeping the hand-crafted feel that makes old school fantasy maps so special.
One important note about the streets: although on the map the roads appear clean and orderly, this is only for the sake of clarity and readability from a bird’s-eye view. In reality, Port Blacksand’s streets are anything but tidy they’re winding, crowded, and full of shadows where danger lurks around every corner.
After sketching, I digitized the map using vector tools to ensure clean, crisp lines suitable for detailed coloring and later use in various projects. The isometric fantasy perspective adds depth and a dynamic look, while the muted, earthy color palette reflects the gritty atmosphere of the city.
A fun little detail for fans following the lore Jimmy, the tattoo artist known for marking the rough sailors in the port, might have moved his shop one street over after my “escape” through the city. Or perhaps he simply wanted to be closer to the docks, where his clientele is most active. Either way, you’ll spot his tattoo parlor shifting location in the upcoming maps.
This qatlasmap is more than just an illustration it’s designed as a map builder illustration for fans who love immersive storytelling and gamebook art. Whether you’re exploring Port Blacksand, embarking on a adventure in the Citadel of Chaos, or navigating a treacherous dungeon map, these visuals help bring your adventures to life.
I’m proud to offer this piece through QatlasMap, where vector illustrations and hand-drawn maps meet to celebrate the spirit of classic fantasy storytelling. Stay tuned for more maps inspired by the timeless worlds of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone.
Below, you’ll find progress images showing the evolution of the map—from initial pencil strokes to the final colored version. I hope this map sparks your imagination and invites you to dive deeper into the rich worlds of Fighting Fantasy!