As you know I originally wanted to use Mars as a setting for sword & planet fiction, games, and so on.

So before I started to work on Arnâron, I actually did some design on a mythical Mars. Here are two samples of Inkscape art I created; the planet itself and a rough map.

I still sometimes wish I could just use Mars as the setting, but as you know I have my reasons why I decided against it. I guess Mars just strikes a chord with me (and a lot of people). Even so I think my decision was a good one – sever the links with what came before, use it as an inspiration rather than a mold. Create IP, rather than use other people’s.