That's pretty impressive for a first map! Looks good! Have you had a test game on it yet? It's usually a good idea to do that, just a quick practice FFA with some volunteers to look for weird or imbalanced bonus values, missing connections etc.
Ranek - You have to switch the version mode (in the menu before editing it) to "Testing"
Then you can make test games on it (it will appear in the normal create game menu under the drop down called "My Maps for Testing"). Note that if you switch it back to development (to make modifications), it will delete all games active with the map. So I suggest making it a practice game and not switch modes until the game is done or you find serious issues that need fixing.
Hit me up via mail if that is confusing (I check forums, but not as fast as mail).
It is a very good map for a first run. Some suggestions:
1) Move bonus links inside the bonus (unless they overlap armies). It makes the map very confusing when you have to click every link to find out where the bonus is. I think the shields are fine on the side though (mega bonuses)
2) Some of the boats seem very close to the shore, but do not connect. Should they?
3) the boats in the river are confusing, are they supposed to be territories and connect? Some of the linking lines don't quite touch the boats in the river either.
I still think you should move bonus links inside bonuses. In some cases they are not even in the corresponding position (like Fennepfuhl area where the 2 bonus link is to the left, but the 2 bonus is actually on the right in there).
I just think the bonus links are a bit confusing overall.
at Chris: thanks for your suggestion, but my intention was to show the connection between the minor and medium bonuses. the colour need to be helpful enough to identify the right bonus for the related territories
is there anybody else who would join a test game? I would make a multi day practice game.
I get what you are trying to do there, but if so, you need to at least arrange them right. The one I mentioned is ordered wrong. Also Wigandstal is also (the 3 and 5 should trade places). It would be more obvious if the colors were not so close within the medium bonuses. I know that is intentional (to have same color family), but it makes it hard to interpret the map quickly.
Other examples of configuration of bonus links being odd:
PankeTal Woltersdorf
Basically, if you are going to use this method, you should place the bonus link around the medium bonus link in the same location the bonus is in relation to others.
thanks, looks good, too - I will keep that in mind. and i will see what i like most in the end - but i really appreciate your effort in conviction work^^