04-Thursday – Maps, layout, Extras

Thursdays we will focus on the extra details such as maps, additional information or details and the layout of the adventure that the party will go through.

Magnifico Vault

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A cave adventure tonight with fun use of shadow and light when exploring the Magnifico Vault. Trying to get the blend between natural rock and made stone wasn’t the hardest thing wit this quick map tonight – trying to get scale of the rocky cave walls was more difficult and, I think, the overlapping cave walls did that.

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Map!

Magnifico Vault

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Magnifico Vault – Created in Inkarnate.

The cave entrance would appear to be like any other cave. The stone was remarkably flat compared to other caves that the party would have gone to especially when leading to the statues. Well in this case the platforms where the statues were found. A truly astute dwarf of stone mason may make out the worked stone around the statues and how it leads up to the wall itself.

But the wall is not as the party would remember with a gaping hole beyond. A cavern that has been worked to be smooth by an expert mason or via magic awaits them. One cavern wall is slabs of stone mortared together and forming a man-made wall to the ceiling, the other side is rough stone encroaching into the worked area. A large statue in the front end is an imposing figure looking at a large glowing sigil in the stone.

In the centre of the circular magical stone slab lay a intend that looked like a helmet would be resting in the stone itself – but its missing.

Several rock layers were used to get it looking… ok. Some parts are a bit rougher than I would like but a lot of that was only revealed post flattening of the image to a single layer. Three or four layers were used to get the flooring to the right texture and the rest is pretty easy. I love using light as a way of emphasising parts of maps and hinting at something more than meets the first glance.

Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Fester Chasm Cliffs

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Tonight’s a big one – a lot of little images went into it and for the most part, I am happy with how the Fester Chasm Cliffs turned out. It’s a rather large encounter map but this week we are running away from a blue dragon – well maybe just moving to a better place where we aren’t just easy target practice for the creature.

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Map!

Fester Chasm Cliffs

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Fester Chasm Cliffs – Created in Inkarnate.

A much wider part of the Fester plains looms ahead where a dragon will have better visibility on you, but also you on it. Not able to fly over the chasm walls and blast breath weapons down into the plain below the open field may prove to be better than the more narrow and sight-obstructed winding path through the plains.

A small stream provides some welcome water and happens to be where the party camped on the way past here last, their camp fire still intact but evidence of it being used since is everywhere. Some grass is here if the party dare to rest and allow their animals to eat and drink but, its not advised if there is indeed a dragon around.

So many rocks. Many of the rocky cliffs are comprised of anywhere between three and more than twenty segments of rocky cliffs. A campfire, some hills and about seven texture paints for the background made up this map which was, a bit more time intensive than I first wanted it to be. But I think I am mostly happy with the effect with the many layers to the Fester Chasm.

Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Silver Bucket Inn

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Tonight’s a fun one where I got back to experimenting with the watercolour maps when I created the Silver bucket Inn maps. A complete night time and day time one to reflect the light sources on the streets and interior as, well you know me, I love night time encounters.

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Maps!

Silver Bucket Inn

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Silver Bucket Inn – Day – Created in Inkarnate.

Tables litter the room making some parts feel really cramped. A large bar bench and stools provides the ample room for people to just sit and drink while having a casual meal. Chauntea’s favour can see with the amount of grass and trees present in the village and things being more natural feel to it. A quaint kitchen with a more-modern gnomish invented stove for a halflings passion to cook delicious meals.

Shelving for plenty of vegetable access as well as stairs under ground for a larder that is a bit more protected from the heat – where dairy and meats can keep a bit longer. Before you reach the kitchen and behind the bar is the stairs up to the second story where the bedrooms would be located – one having a balcony to the outside world.

Silver Bucket Inn – Night – Created in Inkarnate.

Night time shows where the light would be concentrated – lanterns hung from the posts and some key spaces provide limited light as well as the soft glow from the stove itself.

Four terrain paints for tonight to create the scene with blending of stone, dirt, grass and even wood to make sure that it looks as natural as possible. Many stamps were used (especially the walls of the Inn as well as the kitchen where each vegetable, plate and utensil is a unique item). The roofs look more natural than the non-water colour ones which I appreciate, a small win for this art style which I am liking.

Thanks for joining me for a quick-ish map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Clouded Astral Plane

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Tonight’s a pretty easy one but there is nothing easy about exploring the clouded astral plane. Whole not all astral planes will be clouded and fraught with danger this one just so happens to be!

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Map!

Clouded Astral Plane

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The Clouded Astral Plane – Created in Inkarnate.

The large chunks of debris from what appears to be an imploded mountain scatter the skies in this area that is blanketed by thick clouds. This is the perfect place for predators to be lurking amongst the clouds or the rocks themselves. While movement is always tricky in the astral plane fighting is even worse as the mental fatigue of righting yourself and moving a physical form in a place that defies physics proves challenging.

Only two layers for the background today with a mixture of texture, brightness and opacity for the clouds gives it a bit more depth. Rocks give us something more than just clouds to interact with an can add to a layer of depth and complexity when it comes to a battle – but they look good and that’s why they are there.

A filter over the top to bring in some more depth and change the tone a little bit in the warmer direction brings the rest of it home.

Thanks for joining me for a really short map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Walking Forest Shrine

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This week has two main encounters but only really one map, the Walking Forest Shrine, as the other one should be easy enough to describe. Although the map is coming tonight the description that ties in this this part, well that will be something a bit more and will come in the next few days.

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Map!

The Walking Forest Shrine

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The Walking Forest Shrine – Created in Inkarnate.

Dozens of ways to approach the series of raised stone blocks and steps before reaching the statue. The statue rests on a small stone ziggurat that is twenty feet tall with nine bundles wrapped in cloth on specially crafted sections. A large bat-winged creature sits at the centre of the raise platform with large emeralds for eyes which catch and reflect the light from the braziers that burn nearby.

The trees that surround the platform are large, ancient and twisted. Several types of trees call this forest home and it makes for a relatively sheltered approach towards the statue, if the trees can be trusted that is.

About five layers were used for the background today with a two new jungle-grass tones, a moss-green for highlights, two different shades of dirt blended in different ratios to give a worn effect. Three types of trees adds a depth to the map that I can appreciate as a forest typically wont consist of just one tree species.

The ziggurat is several wall sections combined and scaled down together to give variety of shape and purpose. The statue is purposefully larger for a reason, to be revealed later and other than that its the same technique with other asset stamps with colour modification, size and position tweaking a well as a night time filter to be put over the top.

Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Farmer’s Barn

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Back to the maps this week and we have a rather quick one whipped up with the Farmer’s Barn. This week we have a, rather large something flying around above the barn that the party are currently in so, its likely that this will be where the encounter is!

So sit back, grab a coffee, and let’s explore tonight’s Map!

Farmer’s Barn

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Farmer’s Barn – Created in Inkarnate.

Two ways in and out of the barn, one overtly being the front door and the other leads to where the windmill is. There is plenty of dry hay within the building perfect for being lit on fire which could cause problems depending on what the creature is that is outside the building. Outside the barn several tree’s that could provide a small amount of cover but be warned. The creature that hunts them is an expert predator.

Three dead sheep lie in the grass outside of the barn at the edge of some of the trees, the ground under them torn up from talon, tail or claw. What ever the cause of this those sheep could be a distraction or, lure something nasty towards them.

Not super complex this week with only three or four layers to the ground texture, one more to highlight the scratches in the ground. Simply highlighting with some transparency constructed the barn and the fence was exceedingly simple.

Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Karaol Night Market

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This week I wanted to have a epic fight scene in the Karaol night market however, I really dislike making maps in cities. Cities with the people, the stalls, buildings, animals and other flexible obstacles deserve something more than a static map and so I prefer to run these old school, theatre of the mind.

So sit back, grab a coffee, maybe some snacks from the night market and let’s stroll into tonight’s encounter!

Karaol Night Market

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Karaol Night Market – Created in Nightcafe.

The air is enriched with the scent of local spices and cooking delicacies which mingle with the aroma of the herbs and vegetables from nearby produce stalls. Bright lanterns shed warm light across the stalls which sway lightly in the cool evening breeze from woven died strings of a multitude of colours.

Deeper into the market the spices and food gives way to sellers proclaiming that their enchanted trinkets or magical potions will create a variety of magical protections, cures or blessings. However, only a few will actually work. A small group of buskers sing, dance and even play a lute as they weave a tapestry of sound and melody that enriches the chatter between merchants and customers.

The shadows in the alleyways and on rooftops speak of a darker aspect to the market as all kinds of people are drawn to the promise of coin, or clients who wish to partake in less reputable activities. However a darker set of shadows prey upon even those who prefer the dark alleys as the Prison of Gesig’s seals fray further closer to oblivion. As people slowly realise that something dark flies above them the panic sets in and stalls turn into shelters or places to hide, some are over turned in the panic to escape the maze of tents, sounds and smells.

The tents, people and wares give an interesting layer of complexity with this weeks encounter. Able to climb buildings, some tents and other structures such as barrels, crates tables and even a wagon markets inside cities offer a great variety of places to run through.

The fabric of tents if crashed into can stop a deadly fall, but they can also capture and ensnare weapons, claws or wings if not careful. Able to disarm, delay or even restrain a potential foe could prove invaluable if used correctly and at the right moment.

Thanks for joining me for another night where we drifted back towards theatre of the mind! Don’t forget to join me again tomorrow for the encounter for this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Plentura Plain

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The area outside the great walled city of Plentura was aptly named, Plentura Plain… yeah not an overly imaginative folk but it does describe the area well. Either the site of battle against a massive creature or, something else, this week it could be a big one.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s march into tonight’s encounter!

Plentura Plain

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Plentura Plain – Created in Inkarnate

The plain is riddled with craters where the lightning has struck and churned through the earth. Trees, rocks and bushes are scattered across the field and normally feed and shelter the animals in the plain. The craters are several feet deep enough to provide some cover if people were to hide in there but the soil is loose and getting out of these depressions may be harder than getting in.

This map has four different layers to create the grassy texture for where our players will be marching over. The craters are inverted hills which gives a bit of depth to the battlefield. Several rocks support the chance to have bushes that aren’t out in the open and little sanctuaries for critters or people to hide within.

Most items have some level of transparency to ensure that they blend in well with the background. The rocks tend to sit on top of the field rather than sitting within like they should and so they were a focus tonight.

Thanks for joining me for another more traditional map night tonight. Don’t forget to join me again tomorrow for the encounter for this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Silver Sparrows Guild Hall

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The Silver Sparrows Guild Hall started off as a back room in a tavern, now its a bustling place where messengers come to take a load off, rest their feat and stay a night, or two. It’s become a known establishment where people also will stay, if they are liked well enough by the guild, and rarely does anything go astray or wrong while within the walls.

For a while we have had encounter maps but this week I wanted to change it up a bit. This week we’re going back to theatre of the mind! So let’s sit back, grab a warm coffee (or something stronger) and rest up in the Silver Sparrows Guild Hall!

Silver Sparrows Guild Hall

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Silver Sparrows Guild Hall – Created in Nightcafe

The hall itself is more than 90 feet deep and sixty feet wide with several small rooms up stairs used for guild members, or guests, to rest for the night. Down stairs a small bar services dozens of tables who have the luxury of comfortable stools and chairs at well made tables.

It is well lit with expensively crafted windows that sing of the guilds prosperity and renown. There mezzanine above the general hall has smaller more intimate chairs where people could discuss business with clients or each other if they wanted to have a more private word.

However unlike the other rooms and seats on the raised section of the hall the guild masters office is located by itself. For a long time it was always open with no door to allow messengers and clients to directly approach the guild master with requests. Recently the door was reinstated and only those with appointments can see the guild master, a mean-eyed assistant stops people who are not on the list at a little desk and chair near the entrance to the guild master.

The guild masters room does however share a walkway that loops around to the other side of the building so its not hard to move around the second level. To get between the two layers, normally, you could take the stairs located at the sides of the long hall to the alternate layer.

Thanks for joining me for different map night this week with theatre of the mind really taking over for this weeks encounter. Don’t forget to join me again tomorrow for the encounter and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Entrance to the Church

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The entrance to the Church of Kelemvor is where we find this weeks encounter taking place as the same creatures that attacked the party have made their way to the sleepy village they stopped in. However, they are lot alone as the priests of Kelemvor put aside their differences to defend their flock, well what remains of it.

Last week we had an encounter above lava, this week we have it in the rain and darkness of pre-dawn. So let’s sit back, grab a warm coffee and roll through tonight’s map!

Entrance to the Church

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Entrance to Kelemvors Church – Created in Inkarnate

The church to Kelemvor sits a little bit away from the rest of the village. Some houses are near by the Church but for the most part the area around it is urban landscape. A few lanterns struggle in the wind and rain and the braziers near the church steps flicker. But beyond that the light if very poor quality and more difficult for anyone without darkvision to see what is happening in the village.

There is actually about seven layers of texture paints for the ground here. A stone undertone, dark ground, grass, cobblestone, dirt, darker dirt and a lighter shade of the ground (not to mention some shadow). The art assets are pretty standard this week with nothing shocking or new but the aim was to create something that was effective, semi-urban and still gave me room to play with natural settings which is what I enjoy the most.

Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to join me again tomorrow for the last piece of the puzzle and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe