The Mineral Pools – Launch

This week’s map is a group of mineral pools in a desert/rocky canyon. It’s another one from our slowly shrinking list of Patron suggestions! This could be used as a travel encounter map with some fun environmental elements or as a destination in itself.

That’s about it for this launch, as always, it’s wonderful to have you aboard, thanks so much for the support!

Free version DOWNLOAD – Find the full version on my Patreon

Introduction

Reaching the base of the rocky cliffs you are nearly overcome by sweltering heat and sulphurous vapours. The canyon is filled with strange formations built up over many years by springs of mineral rich waters. Boiling turquoise pools fill the canyon with drifting clouds of mist.

In the middle of these pools you catch a glimpse of bleached white bone, first one piece, then another, shattered and crumbling across the rocks and jutting from the steaming waters. If the legends are true this really could be the final resting place of the beast. Its bones, you have been told, are the key to finding its horde and riches beyond your wildest imagination.

The mystic standing at the edge of the clifftop points towards the middle of the canyon, indicating a bone from the beasts chest, closest to its heart, would be most advantageous for the ritual. You slowly make your way through the rocky pillars careful not to put a foot into the boiling water. As you reach the middle of the canyon you see a promising group of bones, a ribcage splintered but still recognisable. Reaching down to pick one up you hear a low hissing sound, a menacing anger infused within its tones.

“Who dares disturb the slumber of my mate? Someone that grows weary of life it seems.”

You try to come up with a witty one liner but your mind is muddy and slow, stricken by dragon fear. You look up into huge lantern eyes and a maw filled with dagger like teeth. You wish you’d heeded the advice of your mother to stay at home and look after the turnips. Turnips don’t seem quite so bad any more.

Notes and Tips

  • 30×30 Battle Map.
  • This could be the resting place of some ancient dragon or beast. It is rumoured that one of its rib bones can be used in a ritual to find its horde, or some hidden treasure.
  • The cliffs at the edge of the map could be fairly shallow or be big enough to create a serious obstacle to the party.
  • The water could be superheated, making for some serious problems if a party member falls in.
  • These could be acid pools.
  • The mists could roll across the map, obscuring the view for certain players and monsters randomly.
  • Water could erupt from a pool once in a while making for a fun time for all.
  • There are quite a few ages and types of dragons available for this map.
  • Any number of enemies could ambush the party here, hidden from view by the steam clouds and by the rocky formations.

Variants

Dragon’s blood pools

 Underdark/Acid caves 

Lava pools

The Bathhouse Battle Map – Launch

The Bathhouse battle map is finally here, this was another suggestion by you, my wonderful Patrons. I loved this idea and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I spent some time researching Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs/Bathhouses), I’ve never actually been to a bathhouse so YouTube really helped with finding out all about them. I also wanted to make sure this could be used in a more general fantasy setting, so although its certainly got a Onsen look, it should fit into most fantasy towns or cities without much work. Lets face it, every campaign should have at least one Bathhouse episode 😀

Thank you all for your support, I’m so happy to have you along for the ride, have a wonderful week and happy adventuring. And now to the notes!

Free version DOWNLOAD – Find the full version on my Patreon

Just to clarify for new patrons, each map launch contains a launch post like this one, and a single downloads post for your Patreon tier. In that download post is everything you need, include map download files and a PDF of these notes.

Introduction

You lower yourself slowly into the uncomfortably hot water, steam drifts off its surface creating a dreamlike haze in the humid interior. Dark stone tiles line the baths, contrasting with the blond wood that makes up the walls and walkways of this traditional establishment. Translucent paper screens split the bathhouse interior into discrete bathing areas, a skylight above allows for an uninterrupted view of the heavens. You lean back with a sigh of satisfaction. You can hear murmured conversations from nearby bathers and further off the rushing of water from the fast moving stream behind the bathhouse.

As your eyes begin to close the light from the skylight is obscured for a moment, you catch a glimpse of a humanoid shape silhouetted against the sky. Without thought you jump to your feet but the shape is gone. Glancing towards your weapons propped against the door you signal your comrades. From next door you hear a cry. Shapes flash across the paper screen separating your rooms. Two figures struggle, shadows playing across the paper, then with a crash the figures burst through tumbling into your bath. From above, you see black clad shapes drop from the skylights. It seams bath time will have to wait.

Notes and Tips

30×20 Battle Map

  • This makes for a great place to meet clandestinely.
  • Assassination attempts are always fun, either by the party or have the party trying to prevent one.
  • Mob Bosses love bathhouses.
  • Every adventure needs a hot springs/bathhouse episode.
  • Water elementals can invade from the river, or any number of creatures could climb into the Bathhouse from the open area at the rear.
  • Glowing spectres or ghosts can haunt the place, lighting up the paper walls so the party can see them from other rooms.
  • Have enemy casters heat the water creating steam clouds to obscure the view or freeze a bath trapping players in place.
  • This would be a fun and uncomfortable place to hold a murder mystery.
  • If the Bathhouse has paper walls you can easily have people crash through them, opening up the battle area.
  • The large room at the back is open at the rear, with just a fence and drop off between it and the river.
  • Remember to take into account that players may not be wearing armor, so adjust your encounter strengths with this in mind!

Variants

Day/Night

Candle light – For those romantic assassination attempts

The Boiling House – A Nine Hells location or pocket plain