Enjoy :)

A small but somehow cosy flat in a typical hive city, with also a story to be told.

Hello travelers! This is the free version of my new Patreon-funded map pack and illustration, 'Shinden Zukuri'! You can download this entire map and illustration set HERE!

This illustration is part of a new, ongoing series of fully hand painted interior scenes to help you set the scene for your players and add an extra level of immersion and atmosphere to your games.

If you want to grab the stand-alone battlemap set for free you can find this multi-level hotel on my website, HERE!

During his time in Katamori’s dungeons, Takano learned that one of the key members of the Emperor’s retinue is currently residing in his country estate rather than in the capital, his chief advisor Matsura Chikamoto.

The estate is only a few days' ride by horse, and Takano is keen to legitimize the town’s dismantling of Katamori’s leadership. He hopes to be able to do this by negotiation, but he has also seen the effectiveness of force and if it comes to that he needs to strike while the townsfolk are still behind him.

He suggests sending a small, somewhat neutral party ahead to scout the location and get a feel for Chikamoto’s leanings on the matter.

Sign up to the Tom Cartos Newsletter for a free pack of TTRPG content every month! Maps, tokens, assets, illustrations, magic items and more! Head over to http://www.tomcartos.com/ now for you free starter pack of goodies.

If you would like to see more, and help support me, my Patrons can get the hi-res day, night and characterless variants of this scene and the full set of matching battlemaps and variants that accompany it! I create all assets and maps by hand, from scratch in photoshop.

If you are interested, please check out my Patreon, Bluesky, or Instagram for updates.

Many of my map sets and asset packs are also available to buy on the Roll20 Marketplace.

Until next time!

Tom Cartos

Puzzles, riddles, mysteries and many dangers await you in this old cave. Be careful of everything you touch, so as not to awaken the ancient spirits that lay deep beneath the rock… 🔥❄️🪨⚡

Patreon | Roll20

Hey,

I'm just about done with this map. This is gonna be an encounter/chase concept. I'm having a metal infused Minitour that will have insane AC chase them through the Spiral toward the Maze Engine.

I want it to be terrifying and really milk this. The final area will have the creatures heart flowing in stasis that is slightly protected. They can destroy it and kill the beast or just fully escape.

Or they can Gandalf-Balrog is lol. But even then I might have it jump back up when they feel safe and continue the chase.

I homebrew and add a lot of twists to the book so this to me was just another opportunity. Just like how I had the Drow ambush the group during the battle in the Purple Wyrm Nursery.

Check that out if interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q5aPSnN1gU&t=2961s

Heil og sæl, and welcome to the far North!

Whether it's storm-swept Ruathym, the winter-whipped lakes of Icewind Dale, the northern reaches of Rashemen, land of Berserkers —or the harsh and unforgiving Norsca.

Long nights, illuminated by the aurora borealis. Fierce frost, deep snow, piercing winds—these lands create a unique and distinct breed of people.

On the fringes of civilization, where monsters don't hide from humans, where ancient magic and old gods are still present in memory and blood—dwell warriors and pioneers, quick to anger—but also willing to open their homes and hearts to guests in need... at least until they break the sacred laws of hospitality.

For gallery, description and 72DPI day/night maps in grid/gridless version - visit this free post on Patreon.

For 150DPI 3 variants map - subscribe for free and enjoy the growing collection of maps and lore.

Video presentation on YT.

Map description:

• In the middle of the rocky, cliff-like coast lies a comfortable and safe bay, where a naust/boathouse with a basin was carved into the rocks to protect the longship from winter storms and ice. The tall structure protects against gusts of wind, also allowing for the hoisting and securing of sails and rigging, as well as for making necessary repairs.
• Next to the naust/boathouse is the longhouse – a place where the jarl and his most distinguished warriors or relatives live and feast. Only the leader has a separate chamber – the rest sleep in the great hall, on benches that serve as tables during celebrations.
• Less distinguished members of the household live in a wooden building, in another room of which goats are kept – it's warm, and as for the smell - the goats have somehow become accustomed to it...
• Jokes aside, the next room is the steam bath – a small, low stone building where a fire heats hot stones, on which hot water is occasionally poured. Then, all you have to do is open the door, run a few steps, and jump into the bay...
• The buildings are completed by a pantry and a woodshed, as well as a stone wall protecting the household.
• Stairs carved into the rock lead to a rock platform on which we find two megaliths – the first with a phosphorescent figure representing an ancient deity or demon...
• And the second, with a circle carved into its center, surrounded by runes. On long winter nights, a greenish light radiates from it – and the shackles visible beneath the megalith reveal that it has other uses...

^(Variant 1: Human offerings)

^(Your party member/favourite NPC was chosen as an offering to long-forgotten demon, kidnapped and shackled to the monolith. Would you stop the ritual and slay the beast?)

^(Variant 2: Odin's sacrifice)

^(To gain wisdom or knowledge you have to endure the fasting and shackles for days - piercing by a spear optional. Useful in grim-themed campaign or just to set the mood for harsh and unforgiving north...)

Adventure hooks:

We Were Bears... or how the people change

In the far north, danger lurks around every corner – so people gather in larger groups, and solitary farms are inhabited by those brave enough to dare – or... Surprise your players, exhausted by their journey through the icy wilderness, with hospitality and a feast that changes slightly in the moonlight...

VARIANT: Lycanthropes does not attack first, bound by rules of hospitability.

Looted and Found

The party searches for an artifact lost in a raid of axe- and shield-wielding sea raiders. The trail leads to the Jarl's residence – will they choose negotiations or take the treasure by force?

Mead, poetry and a path to forgotten world...

Yearly festival gathers the best and most ambitious minstrels, skalds and bards. Only here the tale of Myrkviðr, an enchanted forest is being told - and you yearn to find it's location...

The catch is - only recognized skalds and heroes are allowed to enter. Would you get acces through poetry - or through the trials of steel?

VARIANT: you can use any place/location/artifact as a bait.... err, reward

^(Credits and attribution:)

^(Map created in Dungeon Alchemist, with additional assets.)

^(Great thanks to DA asset uploaders: SAC, Centimar DeVarion, smashbear76, DangerWeasel, OgreSmash, Luminuus and others!)

^(As well as for sketchfab creators: Modbuff, massive-graphisme, nofaced3d, eb78, Studio Lab, kEam, CharlieCatling, Medv3D, Razzhivin_Ivan, Valery. Li, Andrei.D and Tolibjon)

Hey all!

Enjoy our free More than a Map encounter - Noble Tavern!

Patrons get immediate access to our back catalogue of 2000+ maps, over 10 new themed maps monthly, and adventures!

Are you a user of Foundry VTT? Our entire catalogue is available as advanced map modules using canopies, walls, lights, sounds, and third party modules for dynamic elements and built-in map levels!

Want more details? Check out https://themad.network/!

- The MAD Network Team

If the World Tree falls in the forest and everyone is around to hear it, does anything survive? Perhaps this devastating fall took place eons ago, and life somehow managed to find a way, or perhaps your party have found their way here from another plane, another crystal sphere, or an alternate reality where the Tree still thrives. Either way, a path now runs through the torn and broken stump, a way to navigate between the massive roots and whatever new perils lurk there. Fully animated and available in two additional variants, one with the broken roots smouldering, the other with verdant life sprouting and heralding renewal, this map will have your party wishing every day was Arbor day! 

My maps are hooked up to work with Foundry VTT and Fantasy Grounds.
My maps are available on my patreon and my website.
Buy me a coffee!

>"In the market district, one particular herb shop runs day and night. Widely renown for its tea, hookah, and its pipe tobacco, it had become a required stop for travelers of any time of day.

>It has been said that Dar'hen's House of Herbal Respite can provide any service needed to any traveller, whether providing a strong tea that reinvigorates the senses and the body, or providing a tincture to help a weary traveller get a good night's rest.

>While much of her clientele payed a pretty coin for her establishment's much-sought-after teas, tinctures, tobacco twists, and shisha, she was known for her generosity in providing the local denizens a quality, however more pedestrian selection at affordable prices."

Hey all! You know the deal by now, you can check out this map and it's may variations over here!

Enjoy,

Matt

Ship is intended to be 80 feet from stern to the very end of the prow. But do whatever you want with it!

Greetings World-builders!

Welcome to the Forgotten Crypt!

6 custom maps including - Webs, Night, Lush, Empty, Lit and Ruin! As well as a Foundry VTT-ready) pack with pre-built walls, dynamic lighting, and ambient sounds!

18x22 - gridded and gridless

What will you use it for?

Join my Fantasy Patreon and Sci-Fi Patreon community to get instant access to my entire map catalogue, my FoundryVTT catalogue, encounters, and a new map pack every week!

All map packs also available on Roll20!

Physical Map packs here!

How will your world evolve?

Happy gaming!