The Forlorn Cottage - Schleyscapes: Episode 1

[Schley]

Hey Guys,

Sorry it's been a while since my last post but It's been super busy around the studio. Here's an update of what I've been up to lately:

On top of my regular D&D map assignments, I've been working on a personal project called Schleyscapes that I've recently launched over at Kickstarter. It's doing pretty well so far and I thought I'd share some imagery and details from it here to see what you think.

The basic idea is to provide GM's with episodic system-neutral maps, artwork, and story seeds that can be incorporated into any fantasy RPG campaign. While the encounters can be used as stand-alone locations, I'm also weaving them into the much larger land of Fernweh, my new storyworld.

While the big 300 dpi versions of the imagery are capsulated in a pdf, each new episode will also come with additional .jpg and .png files optimized to 50 & 100 pixels per grid square for easy VTT integration. Each principal battlemap is provided in large format for poster printing as well as pre-tiled ways for easy print/cut preparation at home. Lots of extra "discoverable" areas are included along with the main map. Ink efficient black & white line versions are included to boot. Finally, the cartography comes in gridded and grid-free formats for virtual tabletop use and is scaled to 1" per grid square.

Did I also mention that each episode includes a ton of .png tokens/resources pulled from the episode artwork and ready to use with mapping applications like Dungeons of Schley?

That's the basics but you can find out more about the new project here - Schleyscapes: Episode 1

Here are a few sample images from the first episode. Let me know what you think!

[J.Edward]

Nice work Mike.
Definitely attractive content.
I like spider bear. He looks like a grumpy uncle.

Congrats on a funded kickstarter.
Cheers, J

[Schley]

Nice work Mike.
Definitely attractive content.
I like spider bear. He looks like a grumpy uncle.

Congrats on a funded kickstarter.
Cheers, J

Thanks! He is a bit grumpy, isn't he.

[Jaxilon]

Indeed, nice work. I'm always curious as to what horrors go on behind the kickstarter campaign. It always seems like every project I do, there are myriad hurdles I have to surmount in order to make completion. Most of the time I feel like I'm reinventing the wheel over and over. I know you have been at this a long time now so I expect you already know the ins and outs but I wish you a smooth campaign all the same. These are beautiful as usual.

[Ilanthar]

Beautiful cottage! It's always a pleasure to see your inspiring work.
I kinda love the look of that spider bear too .

[Schley]

Beautiful cottage! It's always a pleasure to see your inspiring work.
I kinda love the look of that spider bear too .

Thank you!


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[snodsy]

Really beautiful work like the detail pages and black and white line work. Nice cut away on the title page. Yeah love the spider bear too!

[Schley]

Really beautiful work like the detail pages and black and white line work. Nice cut away on the title page. Yeah love the spider bear too!

Thanks! I'm adding a full-color isometric cutaway view of the cottage to the gallery soon as well. Will update.


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[damonjynx]

Awesome stuff, Mike. You're a major inspiration for GM's and cartographers all over. At least you are for me.

[Schley]

Awesome stuff, Mike. You're a major inspiration for GM's and cartographers all over. At least you are for me.

Thank you so much! That's the best reward ever.


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