Underdark Basin, Adept

I'm back! this map is the Underdark Basin (35x35), a pool where 2 streams seem to meet and therefore drain somewhere in the center.. so a deathtrap for unwary swimmers. Or, you know, don't sweat it and just let this be a normal pool of water without hidden dangers beyond the horrible creatures you'll place inside it.

 1. This one is a pretty simple concept- a chamber split by a big body of water. Lately I've been feeling like my maps are a little over-designed whereas simpler concepts could be just as effective. So, this time I wanted the design to be straightforward with an easily understood layout and a clear obstacle to overcome- it's a big map with a bunch of water in the middle and some dry land around the edge, nothing too crazy, just 2 levels with 2 types of terrain.

Also, I thought that the split layout might make for interesting combat. You enter in the bottom right and the baddie is at the top left with an arsenal of ranged attacks and maybe a few close-range fighters in your way. Again, it's a simple setup but effective.

 2. It's almost a shame that I won't be drawing new maps for a while (paternity leave, don't worry), because I think I'm starting to get pretty good at drawing up these cave maps at high speeds! By the time I'm back I'll probably have lost the knack for it, but maybe I'll return with new insight on how to improve? Unlikely, but possible!

The little ledges especially have been a lovely addition to these maps- they've replaced the awkward and ugly little rock walls that have always bugged me while being quicker and easier to draw. They're really just another take on the outer cave wall but with somewhat different levels of detail, but truly they've made this series possible.

 3. I can't wait until I've come back from my paternity leave and can't stand the look of any of my old maps- it happened during during my first paternity leave and I expect it to happen again. I think I came back and made some truly unhinged maps for a while as I tried some new things out but I promise I'll try to hold myself back this time... but I bet I'll have lots of new opinions on coloring these Underdark maps at least- they really do feel like something I'll revisit in 3 months and find super ugly. Hopefully not, but I know how I am, I'm my worst critic by a huge margin.