Using Color (CSC)

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Drawing maps in color is not absolutely necessary, but it can add to a map's clarity. In a wilderness map, color can be used in addition to or in place of map symbols. Green might mean forest, but varying shades of green could be used to show the density of the forest. While water can be shown by using blue, the shade of blue used could indicate the depth of that water.
On a small scale encounter map, the uses of color to indicate foliage or water are obvious, but color should not be limited to depicting parts of the physical environment. Color can show the territory controlled by a political faction or monster group. It can indicate the presence of magic, fire, poison gas, teleportals, or changes in an area's "danger level" (where the monsters and traps suddenly beccome more deadly).