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Clan Crannog Battle Map - Launch
🕑 Added 2024-11-30 21:14:06 +0000 UTCHello Adventurers! I’ve been having fun researching Iron Age history and creating a roundhouse called a Crannog for you. It's a large thatched round house on stilts built off the coast of a loch or lake. It should be perfect for a clan of warriors or fishermen. It's time to break out the Scottish accents!
Next Maps
I’ll create the Village of Bones map next, with the Narrow Path coming later. I’m not 100% sure about the timings for December as I’d like a week off for Christmas, but I’m hoping to get both out in the month or, at the latest, very early January.
Camp Frost Bone (Village of Bones)
I love the idea of using unusual/locally available materials for building shelters, and bones are an obvious choice for a fantasy setting. This will be a rough group of huts and tents created from large bones and animal skins. They would be useful for encounters with tribes of monsters and humanoids alike.The Narrow Path
I want to create a crack or cavern with a narrow rock walkway running across or through it. Either side of the path drops away into the depths (I’ll also draw in the bottom). On either wall, openings of various sizes lead into darkness. Something terrible lives in those holes, but this is the only path.
I hope all of you Americans had a nice Thanksgiving. I know this time can be stressful, so please take care of yourselves. Thanks so much for your support and kind words. It's a weird time to be an artist, which makes me even more grateful for you lovely people. You all rock! If you have ideas for future maps, please let me know! And as always, happy adventuring! Now let's get those kilts on, and no underwear! You're not some lily-livered sassenach, are you?
Downloads
The files, thumbnails, and tags can be accessed on the Map List Page. You must be logged in to Patreon and signed up to the correct tier to access them. Remember, you are only charged for map releases; you can download all the old maps at no extra cost!
You get an Exterior and Interior version of the map.
Here is a sample of the interior, obviously you get it without the watermark ;)
Map Descriptions
Outside
Mist spirals slowly across the loch's dark waters, its surface rippling, stirred by an icy wind. Along the shoreline are several well maintained fishing boats. Ahead of you, at the water's edge, is a large circular structure built on stilts connected to the shore by a crudely constructed wooden walkway. The building is roughly sixty feet in diameter, with a walkway surrounding it. Its roof is thatched with reeds, and smoke drifts from its peaked top. Sturdy double wooden doors lead inside.
Inside
The inside of the building is dark and smoky, illuminated by the dim light of a central hearth. Built from clay and stone, the hearth crackles steadily while smoke drifts into the shadowy rafters. Surrounding the hearth are roughly made benches draped with animal skins and coarse woven blankets. Along the sides of the building, areas are sectioned off by panels of woven sticks and reeds. Some appear to be sleeping spaces, while others serve as storage or house animals. Herbs and grasses hang from the rafters to dry, while fish and meat are arranged on racks along the walls. The scent of peat smoke and animal dung mingles with the aroma of whatever simmers on the hearth.
Notes and Tips
30x45 Grid Map
A Crannog is a large roundhouse (or group of structures) from Iron Age Scotland or Ireland. They came in different variants. I decided to depict a Scottish Crannog built on stilts over the water with a long walkway leading out to it.
Being built on water, a Crannog was easier to defend. Chieftains could have used these buildings as a status symbol or entire families could have lived together in them.
The Crannog is built on stilts and is a few feet above the water. Below it are wood pillars, a location where a monster could hide.
The water could be icy cold, and falling into it could quickly cause hyperthermia.
Undead Underneath: A wise woman of the clan has foretold that on a special night (some relevant anniversary), a long-dead rival clan will return to take revenge on their blood enemies. On this night, an undead horde will march on the Crannog and try to invade it. Have them try to breach the walkway and then walk out under the water and climb the stilts under the Crannog, breaking through the floor and climbing over the fences around the walkways.
A Serpent of the Deep: A Sea Serpent has taken up residence under the Crannog, wrapping itself around the stilts. Obviously, the clan inhabiting the Crannog doesn’t like this and hires the party to remove it.
Beasts within (the Crannog): This clan of warriors is renowned for its ferocity in combat. Some say they even change forms when in a battle frenzy. Obviously, these are just myths. However, once the party is invited to spend a night in their home, it's clear the rumours are true. They worship some evil blood god and want the party to join them by performing some craven blood ritual.
Variants
Day/Night variants of all relevant maps.
A Tropical beach hut for your very own Robinson Crusoe moment.
A Snow variant makes the cosy health even more inviting.
And a Dark Forest variant for the obvious Werebear vibes this place gives off.
You also get the Roof assets to drop over the Interior map!
Comments
Afternoon Maps
Thanks Evan, and yes a fey variant would be fun :)
Evan TM
Amazing map as always! It seems like it's begging for a feywild variant, with some weird fey living out there on the water!
