Pillars of the Wind Battle Map - Launch

Hello adventurers! It's time for another battle map, this one is a fun travel map, Pillars of the Wind. I wanted to create an obstacle for your parties that would be dangerous and unique, with a fair amount of utility to slip into any campaign setting. So we have a route across a vast chasm, a set of pillars connected with rope bridges. I’m not a fan of instant death mechanics, so these rope bridges have a fun mechanic involving the wind. The updraft is so strong it propels anything that falls off into the air. It's not exactly ‘safe’, but it allows for some fun movement mechanics with consequences if you fail.

Next Maps

I’ll be working on the Kraken’s Pot next, and the Roadside Ruin will come later in the month.

• Kraken’s Pot
  This idea is weird but could make for a unique combat encounter. Imagine a giant cage attached to sea cliffs, waves breaking against it. It's used as a massive trap for unknown sea monsters. A colossal lobster pot would be a good analogy. I’ll add walkways across it, some mechanisms to close off the entrance, and some large weapons to dispatch whatever is caught.

• Roadside Ruin
  A simple ruin by the side of the road, maybe an abandoned Inn or Cottage. It's burnt out and mostly collapsed, but something has taken up residence there, preying on travellers on the lonely highway.

• Jousting Field (Tournament ground)
  The idea is to create a jousting field with stands and a place for the jousting to take place. I’ll see what else I can fit into the map. I may include tents for the knights and some fighting rings.

Thanks so much for your continued support. I say this every time, but it's always true: You make this all possible, and honestly, I can’t thank you all enough. I’ll also keep asking for new suggestions for map ideas. I’ve been doing this for a while, so new input always helps keep the creative juices flowing. I hope you have a wonderful week, and as always, happy adventuring!

Now, let's get moving. Don’t look down, and be careful where you put your feet. Yes, I know not looking down will make that difficult… just don’t fall off!

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!

Map Descriptions

The path has led you consistently upwards, weaving along the sides of rocky cliffs and narrow passes. The air has gotten colder, and whisps of mist obscure the pine forests that grow on the steep slope. As you make your way higher, the tree cover vanishes, replaced with scattered rock formations and windswept peaks.

The ground falls away ahead of you, the path ending at the edge of a vast chasm. A series of slender rock pillars rise from the mists below. Rope bridges connect each side of the chasm, linking the pillars together. Some of the bridges are in better condition than others. The wooden planks are slippery, and the ropes supporting them are frayed in places.

The updrafts coming from below are unusually strong. Just standing near the edge makes any loose piece of clothing whip up and flap in the air. This effect is only going to be stronger on the rope bridges.

Notes and Tips

• 30x45 Grid Map

• The bridges have rocks tied into their construction to hold them in place, preventing the winds from lifting them.

• Many of the bridge planks are old, so they may give way when stepped on.

• The ropes are also old and may fray and break if too much weight is placed on them. Give your players hints and pay attention to how many are on each section at once. During combat, any mobs on the bridge sections should also be taken into account.

• Strong gusts of winds could threaten to push the party off the bridges. Let's hope they have good grip strength!

• Falling mechanics: I don’t feel instant death through falling is fun for anyone, so this map is designed with a fun mechanic for this eventuality. Strong updrafts will catch players and mobs that fall off the bridges and throw them into the air, allowing them to catch hold of pillars or ropes. Using this mechanic deliberately to manoeuvre during combat could be possible, but the risk of being slammed into a rock and injured is quite high. I’ll leave the specific rules to you, just assume it will be quite random and painful!

• I’ve added clouds and mist, so it's unclear how deep the chasm is. A player falling off the bridges could land in the bottom of the chasm, surrounded by mists and maybe some unseen danger.

• Something below: Emphasise the undulating mists filling the chasm. It almost moves as if something is swimming around below. That's because something is swimming around below. I like the idea of a huge serpent’s back breaching the clouds at some point before vanishing, but only once the party is right in the middle of the bridges, of course.

• Ambush from below: Bandits hang from ropes below the clouds, waiting to ambush passing travellers. They could leap from the clouds (anime style) and attack the party. They could also run along the ropes or swing between pillars.

• Let sleeping dragons lie: A sleeping dragon is coiled around a pillar in the centre of the chasm. The party must make their way along the bridges, passing stealth checks. It's up to you if this will inevitably end in a dragon fight or a successful skill-based challenge. Add bells to the bridges to make it even harder!

Variants

You get a day/night version of the clouds map.

I've also made a lightning version that could work for a storm or some magical river.

 And because I like making everything glow! I made a lava/nine hells variant as well.

 And a snowy mountain pass!