==Usage==
Cartography is done in several stages. The First stage involves creating surveys, the Second involves creating maps from surveys, copying and expanding maps. the Third and final stage involves Stamping.
Each stage requires different sets of tools, each requiring different sets of skills.
Surveying requires a Dioptra, Range Pole, and Papyrus sheets.
Creating Maps requires a Cartography Table, Ink pots, Ink Brush, Blank maps, and some form of Ink/Dye.
Stamping requires Clay Stamps, Gems (for altering the stamps), and Stamp Erasers.
Surveying involves running around the area hunting down survey points, and collecting data to increase the QL of your survey. this is main way to gain Cartography XP, and is how you "Imp" a map. each survey adds to the QL a little bit, depending on the QL of your Dioptra and your skill level.
Creating maps involves converting your surveys into actual Painted Maps, in game items that you can then copy, add to larger area maps, or add to an Atlas.
Stamping involves linking individual stamps to in game landmarks such as deeds, guard towers, colossi, and mission structures. you can then use these stamps to mark your maps with the appropriate data.
To Survey you must first plant your Range pole somewhere in the world. this will be the Center point for your survey/map. then highlight your papyrus sheet, and right click on the range pole, and click Survey area. you will have a chance to create a survey based on your skill level, and the quality of the items used. if you fail, keep trying and eventually you will get a Survey. This will trigger a compass on the top of your screen showing you where the next survey point will be. a glowing ball of light will appear in the survey area. both the compass, and the light will disappear after a short amount of time.
once you have a Survey in your inventory you can start to fill it out. Highlighting your Dioptra will allow you to right click on the survey to open addition options. Continue Survey, Find Survey location, and Find starting location.
Continuing the survey will require you to stand in the highlighted survey point, and face the range pole. the closer you are to the survey point, the more xp you gain, and the more info will be added to the map. if you do not face the right location you will get a "To record any usable data you need to be facing towards the starting location." error. if you are too far from the survey point you will get a "This area is too far from the best location to gather any useful data. You'll need to get closer to the required location." error. if you are near the area, but not close enough you will get a "This spot is far from the best location for the data you need, but you continue to record what little information you can from here anyway." message. this indicates you will not get the full xp or data you needed, and your map will gain very little QL. when you are close to the survey point it will give you a "You feel confident that you're in the best location to get the data required." message, indicating you are in the right location, and will gain the maximum amount from your survey. you cannot move while surveying
Find survey location will renew the survey compass, and highlight the area again for a limited time. you can move while the timer counts down.
Find starting location will add a Dioptra shaped icon to your cartography compass, beside the spyglass that points towards the range pole. this is the direction you will need to face to successfully survey a location. obstructions and objects will not matter as long as you are facing the correct direction.
==Skills & Characteristics==