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The Mineral Pools - Launch
🕑 Added 2019-06-21 18:45:48 +0000 UTC- Edit - Forgot to add the example images into this post before pressing the go button. They are all added below now, thanks again you wonderful people!
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.
Next map
The last map of the month with be a combination of two of the ideas on the list, the Hill Fort and the Fortified Bridge. I want to make a Fort in the middle of a bridge, which is actually kind of what a fortified bridge is anyway. I like the idea and I think it will be a more unique map than a standard fort or bridge. Expect that to launch around the end of the month.
That's about it for this launch, as always, it's wonderful to have you aboard, thanks so much for the support! Expect an update post coming shortly (tomorrow), with some news about future Patreon goals (free stuff for you!), plus the hotly anticipated map suggestions request post :) Have a wonderful weekend and happy adventuring!
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
- 30x30 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
Comments
Afternoon Maps
Nice! Sounds like a really fun encounter and campaign :)
You are an absolute lifesaver, you know that? I've been trying to figure out a good battlemap for an encounter I have coming up for a space western game I'm running. The desert planet it's set on is heavily inspired by a lot of freaky marine phenomena, and I wanted to have the players run into a bizarre oasis based on deep sea brine pools, surrounded with the bones and husks of unfortunate creatures that attempted to stop for a drink. This works perfectly! There's going to be a nightmarish hag-like aberration that makes a living from trying to lure weary travelers into the "water," so my usual brand of theater of the mind combat won't work well to determine which PCs are suffering from the hypersaline fumes. Or for directing the brine hag's horrific AoE spells. Thanks for the cool map, Afternoon!
Afternoon Maps
Ah thanks Midgardia :) Now that sounds like a fun campaign. Also I'll see what I can do :D
Midgardia
Oh maaan if you made a lava version this would be per for our Hyrule game. Even so I will have to back you soon to get some of your beautiful maps for our game!
Troy White
Figure I could use it for a faction quest out of the city. It's too good to not be used.
Afternoon Maps
Thanks! Mmm its not very Waterdeepy is it :D But hey that's what pocket plains are for! And I suppose the variants would work as part of the Undermountain.
Troy White
That's just gorgeous. Now I need to shoehorn it into my urban Waterdeep game
