I.C.E. Crypt Contest

[Ascension]

If you're going to making it a descending staircase (ie down then in) you'll have to darken the floor as well. Since I really like the current floor I didn't want to mess it up

[Korash]

@Ascension - Spot on! That's what it needed - I'll make that change next time I work on it.

Not sure about the ascending/descending though - which way does everybody think works better?

@ Ascension - Nice call!! I will have to remember that one.

@ SG - You don't see too many crypts being higher than the entrance, but it might be nice to see.... You would have to add the entrance way as well though.

[Gamerprinter]

I'm sure you'd do it with another layer in GIMP, but in Xara, I place a rectangle shape of the entire staircase, apply a graduated transparency going from say 70% black to 0% total transparency. Place on top of your stairs with the black towards the bottom, this helps enhance the look of descending to the lower level. Since I also color my floors darker the lower things drop, I try to match the bottom of the stairs in black to the same darker shade in the lower floor.

I'm sure you could achieve a similar effect in GIMP.

Just ideas.

GP

[Steel General]

Thanks GP... I use PS but the same technique(s) should apply.

Still undecided about the direction but since it's only a few feet (not much more than 10) I don't think it'll matter.

[DungeonMasterGaz]

Looks like a good start, although I prefered the original room layout.

A crypt is usually found beneath a church or chapel, so I think the stairs should descend into the crypt.

I'm assuming the sarcophagus is on a dias, and you're going to add some steps up to it? At the moment it looks like it's encased in rock.

Looking forward to seeing this completed.

[Steel General]

OK, had a little bit of time today to work on this. First I finally decided who the tomb/crypt was going to be for - a high priest and/or champion of the God of revenge/vengeance in my homebrew.

There will be a heavy black and gold color scheme and a lot of raven/crow motif.

Added some raven statues, reworked the dais where the sarcophogas sits and a few other small changes.

As always C&C is encouraged (and appreciated).

@DMGaz - I also preferred the original layout, but it was just to much to realistically fit into the size of map I wanted so I wen for something a bit simpler.

[Ascension]

Looks good, bro. You great temples and I can the style fitting dungeons as well, as evidenced here.

[DungeonMasterGaz]

This is developing well. The dias looks great now, and I absolutely love the golden sarcophagus. It reminds me of the scene where Indiana Jones lifts the gleaming Ark of the Covenant out of it’s cask, and makes me imagine this crypt is filled with many more ancient treasures.

I lurked this forum for 6 months before I made any posts, so I’ve seen a lot of work from all you guys; SG, Ascension, NeonKnight, Gandwarf, Gamerprinter, Hoel, and all the rest (too many to list). You all produce such imaginative and professional work, and I’ve learned a lot by following your WIPs, but I wonder what qualifies me, the noob poster, to critique any of your work? I’d like to take part though, join in and help out where I can, so…

…I’m wondering about the east-west corridor south of the sarcophagus chamber, and why it’s slightly wider in the centre? I imagine that, unless there’s some purpose to the unusual shape (and, hey, it’s difficult to say when it’s a WIP) that the builders would make this crypt pretty much immaculate for their high priest/champion, or do you envision it as space for people to stand when the doors to the sarcophagus chamber are opened fully?

DMG

[Steel General]

@DMGaz - You are correct about the corridor, it widens so that there is space for the doors to open fully (or at least that's my story ).

[DevinNight]

Nice job, it's looking really nice.
-D