The Forgotten Balath Dungeon

[Tom]

Hello Folks! I'm here with a new project, a big one! (for me at least)
I started mapping because I'm a Dungeon Master, and I thought often to organize and share online some of the material I produced..
So I'm planning to design, drawn and write some rpg adventures settled in the Heimur world. Each one will be "system free" and very adaptable, with many option for customizing them (entrance points, different strategies, etc..)
I will post drawing updates here and on Patreon (free ofc), then when I will finish to write it down (I'm not English native so I'm slow.. ) I will try to sell it.

Do you remember Windfoort? Something bad is happening down there..

P.s. This is the reason why I haven't yet joined the Guild Dungeon Project, sorry

[ThomasR]

Nice and nicer to see you back on Heimur

[Mouse]

Hello Tom

That's both a lovely and unusual map you have there!

Please don't feel guilty about not doing a dungeon for the Guild dungeon project - I have a feeling that's one that will just keep going and going, with an odd surge forward every so often, so if you wanted to join in at a later date that would be lovely - but its not obligatory or anything

I'm rather looking forward to your new adventures, anyway

[Tom]

Thanks guys! Here's a synopsis of the adventure:

"Windfoort is a town built upon the ruins of an ancient keep, on the verge of wilderness.
Over the last few weeks, a terrible rot is spreading miles around the town and the Players will have to investigate about it's true nature (two main leads and a lot of rumors).
Eventually, they will find out that under the town are lying the basements of an old keep, belonging to the forgotten empire of Balath (you can spot more ruins in my Laaka's Bog map).
But the basements aren't empty! (of course ) Actually, someone else have used them lately, until something went orribly wrong..."

In the adventure, before the dungeon discovering, the Players have to collect evidences and follow one or more leads that could cause a fight, requiring additional battlemaps (an ambush, a swamp zone, a cabin in the woods). This part is optional (as many other things in the adventure, the Game Master can change the approach to it as he needs) so it will be the last one I will focus on.

This is how I planned the “drawing” part of the project:
Maps and battlemaps of the Dungeon
Revised maps of the surrounding areas
Maps and battlemaps of the optional part

For now I will focus on the “juicy” part: the Balath Keep basements!

3 pages/maps, one for each underground level, with the same style and scale. Each with a title, a legend and several illustrations or schematics.
5/7 battlemaps, about specific rooms or zones where a fight encounter is highly predictable.
4/5 generic hallways and stairs of different lenght.

Here's the basic layout I will use for the 3 main dungeon maps, probably I will “mirror” the frame for the other levels, will see..
I choose to adopt a “parchment” style, with warm tones and few colors. I'm using a different brush for this one, something more “pencil-like”.


These are some wip of the progression and personal notes about the layout


The last one is an earlier sketch, probably I will have to include the upper view somewhere, while I abandoned the idea of an isometric version.


Next time I will show you some illustration!

P.s. actually the name isn't fixed yet, I'm still undecided between "The Balath forgotten Keep", "The forgotten balath Dungeon" or something else..

[Tom]

Here's the first level, almost finished, I'm still undecided about the title..
Please give me your best guesses, I need to know if the map is readable enough!
Then I will post a fixed and bigger version

Enjoy!

Tom

[RazielKilsenhoek]

Map is definitely readable enough, and it looks fantastic! Really like the artwork!

[Falconius]

Looks great. I'm not sure what the "Strange Pit" is supposed to be, maybe it's a mistranslation? In the picture it looks like a basin.

[Tom]

Looks great. I'm not sure what the "Strange Pit" is supposed to be, maybe it's a mistranslation? In the picture it looks like a basin.

Thanks Falconius, that's what I meant
I will fix it in "Strange Basin"

[Tom]

Well, I made some minor fixes, here's a bigger version:

You can find an even bigger version (.tiff, 25mb) on my Patreon page

Next one will be level two! That is still work in progress..

Tom

[ThomasR]

Downloaded That's gorgeous !