afternoonmaps

Pit Of The Spider Queen Battle Map - Launch

Added 2021-07-18 21:30:46 +0000 UTC

Hello Adventurers! Here is our latest map, Pit Of The Spider Queen. It’s a mini-dungeon with a few rooms to explore, but mainly it’s all about the show going on in the main chamber. Webbing is one of those things that seems easy to create but is actually harder than it looks to get right, I think the funnel-web style structure works quite well and the humanoid-shaped cocoons help with the overall aesthetic. I imagine this could work as a ruined drow structure taken over by some of their abandoned pets, or as a prison with a sacrificial chamber for when the cells get a little overcrowded ;)

The next map on our list is a Warehouse with a storage yard. Which should be very useful for anyone running city encounters. The end of the month should still be the Forest Boundary Watchtower, a nice little wilderness map inspired by the opening of Princess Mononoke. And finally, thanks to all you wonderful new and old Patrons for your support, have a wonderful week and as always happy adventuring! Now let’s go explore this completely empty and definitely abandoned drow dungeon.

Introduction

Your cell is filthy, the floor covered in old hay, bits of rotting cloth, and decomposing rubbish. Each cell contains two sleeping cots constructed of roughly hewn wood, the bedding is stained and greasy. A small barred window at the rear of the cell is open to complete darkness beyond. The only light in the prison comes from flickering torches or candles, lit sparingly by your drow captors. The cells are generally quiet with only the odd whimper and wail from the other prisoners. You have been here for what seems like days, although your wizard companion insists it’s been less than 48 hours. The cell opposite contains one lone prisoner, an emaciated old dwarf dressed in rags, his beard white with age contrasting his dark leathery skin. He mutters to himself and refuses to answer your questions or even acknowledge your presence.

Time passes and you try to rest. At some point you hear a commotion, opening your eyes you find two drow guards dragging the old dwarf from his cell. His eyes dart to you, terror etched into every crack of his ancient face. You watch him being dragged away, hear doors being unlocked, heavy gates dragged open. Your wizard companion lets out a gasp, turning you see him looking through the small window at the rear of your cell. Dim light can be seen through the opening, beyond is a scene from your worst nightmares.

Before you is a huge cavernous chamber, its walls a mix of natural rock and masonry. The tiled floor has fallen away into a dark pit, only the edges of the floor remain. At the center of the pit is a platform hanging from four massive chains, although these chains are almost completely hidden by the thick grey/white webbing that covers almost every surface. The two drow guards drag their prisoner out across a makeshift walkway and onto the platform. They place a single torch at the center, drop the dwarf and hurriedly make their way back. Below, you begin to hear clicking and chittering, something large and dark moves in the depths of the pit, something with too many legs. You turn away as the guards return. They smirk at you, one shouts in broken common “She’ll be wantin’ desert soon enough! I hear human is the sweetest meat?”, he cackles and walks away.

Notes and Tips

30x45 grid map
The main chamber has a lot of treacherous ground. The edges of the pit (tiles and planks) can be walked on but may need checks once in a while.
There are plank assets that can be used to connect the platform with the prison.
The main part of the webs can be walked across as difficult terrain. Getting off the webbing and back onto the edges of the pit would require climbing checks.
Obviously, there are lots of tunnels around the edges of the pit, these could be home to smaller spiders, the ‘Princesses of the Pit’ maybe.
Have the spiders come in waves, first the smaller ones, then a couple of larger ones, and finally the Queen.
The side chambers have cocoons that may contain living victims, undead, or bodies with loot on them. However, disturbing them will trigger the combat encounter. Skill checks could be used to determine if they attract attention.
This could be an abandoned ruin with some drow pets left to grow to horrifying size. Or it could be a prison where the prisoners are used as sacrifices to the spider queen. Or simply as a way to clear cells for new inmates.