I created a patreon ! Other versions like a night version and one without sails are under a paid tier on there.
Some of the content I put with it from patreon: I hope will help you out being a DM!
New Battlemap! This map offers multiple types of terrain, different levels of high-ground, multiple choke points, opportunities for acrobatics, heavy weaponry, and more! Whether you need background scenery for a nice relaxing dinner or an assassination attempt (or both!) This map works great!
There are a few good ways to use this map:
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have the party enjoying a lunch and have to either defend or escape the boat (or escape with the boat) from attackers on higher ground.
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Have the parties attack the ship/people on the ship. You can start them off on the high ground or in the water.
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The party must sneak aboard the ship and steak some goods/check out nefarious activity without being noticed. The choke points make this delightfully difficult and encourage creativity
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Something else entirely!
Features to use as a DM or player of this map:
Encourage your players to use these features in combos that make combat super cool! Ex: cover + Terrain: Have an enemy be on level ground behind cover. if the player gets to higher ground, they can see over the cover!
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For cover: there are trees or a bush at the top cliffs, a stone wall above the second set of cliffs , and the ship Railings. You can rule these as 1/2 cover, full cover, or whatever makes the most sense given the defender and attacker's height difference. Improvised cover can be made by flipping tables on their side.
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Terrain: There are 3 levels of terrain on land, and then there is the boat and the crows nest. The top cliffs at the very bottom of the map are above the whole scene and can see all other people, except those who are hiding pressed against the cliff, or under an awning. The cobble boardwalk path can be considered level with the boat, and not see attackers above if they are lying flat. By the water is the lowest level that is generally seen by everyone. The highest level either level to or above the bottom most cliffs is the crows nest on the front mast of the ship. a tall ladder must be climbed to reach this high ground, but it's exposed!
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Nooks and hiding spots: There are rope ladders up the side of the boat that can be used to hide from people on the boat or to board it. There is a hammock off the front that cannot be seen into by people on the boat. Carts rolling by along the cobble path can be used to hide in/behind, and get close to the boat, or make a sneaky escape! The small row boat can be used as an escape, or flipped upside down and hidden under as you walk away Pirates of the Caribbean style.
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Acrobatics and Athletics: The rope tying the boat to shore can be crossed (DC 13-15 Acrobatics check) for a quick escape if the wooden ramp is too exposed/occupied/being watched. The cliffs can all be climbed. If using the map version with Sails, they can be unfurled and climbed, or cut to entangle people on the boat.
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Weapons: The small, portable catapult can be operated with anything the players can find, from small barrels to stinky fish.
How to Shake up combat: (Either as the instigation, or every 1d4 rounds, throw a new complication at your players (don't go too overboard):
- River Monster or Water elemental attacks! Maybe it's pissed at folks eating all the fish, or it's just new to the area and wants a ginormous hug.
- A shark comes and bites off part of the wooden ramp, cutting off one of their escapes! they either need to use the boat, tightrope walk the rope line, or brave the waters with the shark to escape!
- It starts to thunder and lightning, and the boat starts to move vigorously with the waves! all of the boat is now difficult terrain!
- A lighting storm strikes the mast of the ship, causing it to fall onto the skip. everyone in its way or up in the crows nest needs to make a save to avoid it!
Bonus Non-combat encounter idea:
- Some fish swim up to the boat. It's a mad rush for the fishing poles as each player tries to beat out the other guests for one of these notoriously hard to catch fish. Their meat is worth a lot/eating them is a powerful drug/their scales are magical.
Map Inspiration to send your players:
Other map variations and information: A map with and without sails and a Night time version is on patreon. Let me know if you have any requests in this regard.
Map Info: This map was made as a 40 square wide by 30 square tall map. Feel free to use any other grid (or not) that you like! HD downloads are below. 2k versions are 2048x1536, and 4k are 4096x3072. All Downloads are gridless. Let me know if you want gridded versions.
Let me know how you have used it and if you have any cool ideas for others on how to run a session with this map. I really want to help you if you need it cause I love helping people with D&D and am so thankful for everyone who helped me as I started learning. Also if financials are hard just pm me and I can send you what you need.
