Gremire Temple

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As the party enters the centre of the ziggurat after a series of heated encounters with the lizardmen guards and their pets. As they push past the last few feet of the descending steps, their torches flicker with the air that they have been feeling for some time now. As their torches battle the wind eerie shadows appear on the landing ahead of them and the jagged, uneven and crumbling edges of a massive central platform.

The air is thick with a greenish glow that is emanating from an ornate, central structure in the cavernous space beneath the ziggurat. This structure is a large, square platform with intricate designs, radiating an otherworldly thrumming light from a ornate jewel light object that is centralised on the platform. Around them, the floor is marked with the grid-like tiles that they have seen in other parts of the temple that reflect the ancient craftsmanship that created this temple to the gods an eon ago.

However cracks and broken sections indicate past damage and large cracks in the floor suggest instability, making every step potentially dangerous with the consuming shadows within not initially showing how deep the fall would be. The greenish light pulses as a screeching lizardfolk voice can be heard urging the energies to pulse in a steady flow. The light creates deep shadows amongst some scattered rubble which makes it difficult to see hidden threats or traps aside from the hulking form of the largest lizardfolk they have seen who keep a watchful gaze over the source of the screeching voice.

The atmosphere is tense and foreboding with the sound of chanting and the thrum of arcane energy. The central structure draws their attention, as the gem-like structure pulsates with energy and as even as they watch it pulse their feet are covered as snakes and lizards come down the passage and across their feet, called to the central structure and the call of the Reptilian Regeneration.

A ‘simpler’ map tonight with most of the objects being the cliffs asset that creates the cracks and crumbling edge of the platform. a few other pieces rotated and duplicated for the central plaza with a bit removed with some careful carving with an over-paint of the shadow texture over the top. My favourite light-asset creates a glow at points in the cavern and there is a very simple texture painted for the template sections (a temple-tile and a stone overlay) and the dark beyond being a simple shadow.

A simple but rewarding map for tonight that was fun to create.

Forsaken Church

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The run down church had lost all iconology that had pointed towards which deity of the forgotten realms it was built for. The pews and benches were broken and splintered across the floor but someone had taken the effort to push them into small groups like obstacles either side of the main walkway towards the alter. The rafters in the high ceilings had spider webs hanging down like curtains covered in dust which drifted lightly in the breeze that came from some gaps in the walls.

A gloomy light pierced through the broken window behind the alter at the other end of the room and at several other points through holes in the roof or walls which created faint beams of light that revealed how much dust drifted through the air.

The ground that would have been smooth stone steps was now littered with plant life trying to retake their land. The stones themselves were not uneven, some wobbly and some missing all together which made for hazardous environment to be walking around if you didn’t know that the hole, raised stone or wobbly step was there.

Potential Church obstacles for consideration

While this weeks encounter is already prescribed there are other considerations to look at when heading into a place like this church.

• Uneven Ground: The floor is littered with broken pews and splintered wood, creating difficult terrain. Characters may need to make Dexterity checks to avoid tripping or getting injured by sharp debris.
• Cover and Obstacles: The rearranged pews serve as cover for both the party and enemies. Navigating through these obstacles may require Athletics or Acrobatics checks to move efficiently and avoid attacks.
• Spider Webs: The rafters are draped with thick, dusty cobwebs that can obscure vision and hinder movement. Characters caught in the webs may need to make Strength checks to break free depending on the size of the spiders…
• Spider Infestation: The presence of large spider webs suggests that giant spiders or other creatures might be lurking in the rafters, ready to drop down on unsuspecting adventurers.
• Gloomy Light: The faint beams of light may create illusions or cast deceptive shadows, potentially leading characters into traps or ambushes.
• Limited Visibility: The dim light filtering through broken windows and gaps in the walls creates areas of shadow and concealment. Characters may need Perception checks to spot hidden enemies or traps.
• Weak Structure: The church’s decaying walls and roof pose a risk of collapse. Heavy impacts or explosive spells could cause sections to fall, dealing bludgeoning damage to anyone underneath.
• Dust, Debris and Allergens: The air is thick with dust, which can cause coughing fits and reduce concentration. Characters casting spells may need to make Constitution checks to maintain their focus.

Jostaire Woods

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Another map with plenty of trees and bushes that give a lot of cover for, again, lots of enemies and the party. This is dialled up to 11 with the logs and bushes that are prolific in the forest. However the elevated hills give a vantage point for either ally of foe as they try get the upper hand against each other.

Only four layers used for the background this week and with the already blended look from the watercolour texture paint it gave a good blended appearance. The art assets are a mix of sizes between 50% 100% to give variation where there normally may not be any. But a simple map with some opacity and the hills blend together very nicely with this art style.