Bamboo Forest Battle Map - Launch

Hello Adventurers! Here is our latest map release, the Bamboo Forest. This is a wilderness map with a path leading through a watercourse. I imagine there are Koi carp swimming in the pool, probably the pets of some forest spirit or hermit. Obviously, the party will want fish for dinner which could become a problem ;)

Maps for September

I’m doing just two paid releases this month, trying to take it a little easier and actually have a few days off. With that in mind, I’ll be creating one more map for September, I’m thinking of a Castle’s Courtyard, with the plan to expand it in the future into a full series that will focus on different areas within a gothic style Keep/Castle. Should be a fun one to create and hopefully useful for you lot.

I’ll also be putting together a small Free to Patrons Asset pack with some useful stuff for the end of the month (as thanks for your support). Some crates, a boat or two, and some general items you may want to add to a map.

Thanks so much for your support, I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Have a wonderful weekend and as always, happy adventuring!

Map descriptions

The trail leads you further into the wilderness, where huge thickets of Bamboo grow. As you make your way along the trail the bamboo becomes thicker, until it towers above you creating a dense tunnel of green and yellow foliage. The way ahead is littered with brown leaves and broken bamboo, wherever sunlight hits the ground, an explosion of emerald green plantlife erupts towards the sky. A breeze ripples through the canopy above, creating a constant rustle and making the segmented bamboo canes sway gently back and forth.

As you climb, the trail weaves through a landscape pitted with ravines and rocky outcrops. Ahead you hear the sound of running water and soon after reach a clearing filled with a shallow pool. To the side is a small mountain stream that runs down the bare rock cliff. Plants grow along the edge of the water, reeds, lilies, and ferns fight for every inch of space. The trail ends at the water’s edge, replaced by a string of stepping stones and ancient-looking wooden planks.

Notes and Tips

• 30x30 Grid Map
• Bamboo groves can be very dense and difficult to move through, even more so than more standard foliage.
• Pick creatures that could climb Bamboo. Giant Tree Frogs, Giant Insects, ‘Tree’ Bullywugs. Have creatures outfitted with Bamboo spears and armour.
• Oh look, the path forces the party across this pool. I’m sure there is nothing to jump out at them when they try to cross ;)
• The pool could be full of cursed Koi carp, they float above the water, trailing green wisps of evil-looking smoke, they attack anything that crosses the pool.
• A forest spirit sits in meditation under the waterfall. Any attempt to cross the pool will trigger an encounter. Maybe it has some minions in the water that attack first, only once they have been defeated does the spirit stand and take action. Does it fight? Or maybe presents these worthy travelers with a riddle, a challenge, or a task.
• Place Wood Woads (Plant Guardians) in the pool, standing stock still throughout the water. They look like primitive wooden carvings in the shape of people. As the party starts to cross the pool they begin to awaken. Have them begin to move very slowly, a finger twitch, a creak of a limb, a leaf fluttering onto the water’s surface.
• A creature comes here to drink, maybe it’s a mystical creature that is prized somehow (Unicorn or Kirin horn). Is the party tasked with protecting it from hunters? If so, they find it in a trap, the hunters getting ready to slaughter the defenseless creature. Or is the party hunting the creature for a nefarious reason?

Variants

A snow-covered winter bamboo forest

Or how about an Oasis in a desert!

Or a dry path through a desolate land

Or maybe you just need that very standard classic blood river that appears in every campaign ;)