Thestwick Watch - Complete Variant Set

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KEY & DESIGN NOTES
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This is the complete set of variants for this weeks maps. It includes Day, Night, Snow, Desert, Cliff, Clean (unfurnished), and Transparent Tiles (no background) versions of the maps.
Please note, the Transparent Tile variants are only available using the download links above, as the files are too large to attach as ZIPs.

This map set is part of the Hideouts & Lairs series

You can also get the ruined version of this map set HERE 

Background

Thestwick is Alderham Fen’s southernmost population centre. Beyond it lies 20 more miles of murky marshland. Somewhere in this stretch of fen lies the border with Talmouth, a far wealthier duchy. The exact location of this border is occasionally disputed, but as it sits somewhere in an unliveable marsh, the two duchies mostly ignore the unclear border.

However, the new Duke, Fandry I, was so concerned that the Talmouth knights would attempt to annex his worthless marsh that he erected the Thestwick Watch, an enormous stone garrison. Its Commander, Sir Ranulf, and his Squire Kenric have been posted to the Watch along with a garrison of soldiers to maintain the border and patrol the surrounding fens.

Most of the guards have succumbed to boredom over the many months with little action, and Sir Ranulf is concerned about their battle readiness. He is looking for a band of mercenaries to ‘test’ his men. If anyone can make it into the fort, through the keep and onto the rooftop without being captured, he will pay them a tidy sum of gold as a reward. As it turns out, the Duke of Talmouth is willing to pay double for the same feat, so long as Ranulf and Kendric are also ‘removed’.

Grid Information

GRID SIZE – 44x34 (300DPI)
VTT SIZE – 6160x4760 (140DPI)
RECOMMENDED PRINT SIZE – A0/ANSI E

Design Notes

Thestwick Watch - Gatehouse

• 01 – Gatehouse – Secure heavy wooden gate doors are held in place mechanically. Levers in each gatehouse must be pulled in tandem to open them. A portcullis provides secondary protection, the winch to raise it is located on the ramparts above (20). Stairs lead up (^) to 20.
• 02 – Courtyard – Large open area used for drills and combat training. A well in the NW corner provides a clean water supply to the fort. Large stairs in the SW corner lead up (^) to 25. A ladder in the SE corner leads up (^) to 24.
• 03 – Blacksmith – Forges and maintains the weapons and armour for the fort.
• 04 – Dry Storage
• 05 – Stables
• 06 – Watchtower – The watchtower is the tallest part of the keep, and the highest structure visible in any direction. It provides uninterrupted views to every horizon.
• 07 – Lower Ramparts – Protection for the keeps outer bailey.
• 08 – Barracks – Primary living quarters for the fort’s soldiers. Some also camp around the outer ward and on the raised inner bailey. Beds are shared between watches, so the fort is always fully manned.
• 09 – Storage Shed
• 10 – Servants Quarters – A small staff of men and women hired from the local town do most of the menial labour. Some live on site in the fort itself, while those with families live in town.
• 11 – Food Storage – The Fort is well provisioned in case it comes under siege.
• 12 – Stewards Quarters – The steward is head of the serving staff and offers council to the Commander.
• 13 – Bathroom
• 14 – Servants Dorms
• 15 – Kitchens – Food is prepared here to be taken up to the Great Hall (29) where the soldiers eat. There are also tables for the staff to take meals. Stairs lead up (^) to 30
• 16 – Small Food Storage – Contains perishable items and anything that is needed on hand on a regular basis, like herbs and spices.
• 17 – Gaol – Prison cells are kept in case any enemy soldiers are captured and require ‘questioning’. Stairs in the NE corner lead up (^) to 27.
• 18 – Main Storage Cellar – Enough food and supplies for both the watch soldiers and townsfolk are kept in the fort cellar in case of a long siege.
• 19 – Trash Pile – Empty or broken crates and barrels are moved outside the fort walls, either to be re-used or broken down into firewood. Ladder leads up (^) to 23.

Thestwick Watch – Great Hall

• 20 – Gatehouse Ramparts – Two ballistae overlook the only road to the fort. Machicolations allow fire directly down onto anyone who assaults the main gate head on. A winch raises and lowers the portcullis below. Stairs lead down (V) to 01
• 21 – Watchtower - The watchtower is the tallest part of the keep, and the highest structure visible in any direction. It provides uninterrupted views to every horizon. Arrow slits on each side allow defensive forces to fire out with little danger. Stairs lead down (V) to06. Stairs leads up (^) to 48.
• 22 – Southwest Ramparts – Connects the watchtower (21) to the hoarding (23) and main keep (28). A ladder connects to the NW corner of the inner bailey (25)
• 23 – Hoarding – Provides a lookout platform to the South. Ladder leads down (V) to 19
• 24 – Northeast Ramparts – Connects the Gatehouse Ramparts (20) to the main keep (31). A ladder leads down (V) to the courtyard (02)
• 25 – Inner Bailey – A raised section of the courtyard that leads into the main keep. It is a secondary defensive position should the main gates fall. Additional tents for soldiers and general supplies are also kept here. A ladder in the NW corner connects to the Southwest Ramparts (22)
• 26 – Keep Entrance
• 27 – Northwest Tower – A prison guard keeps watch over anyone coming up or going down to the Gaol. Stairs lead down (V) to 17.
• 28 – Southwest Tower – Connects to the Southwest Ramparts (22). Stairs lead up (^) to 45
• 29 – Great Hall – The main hall where the commander and soldiers eat. It is also occasionally used for hosting visiting dignitaries. Two roaring fires are always present at the Eastern end. The legions banners are hung around the walls. Stairs lead up (^) to 35
• 30 – Kitchen Access – Stairs lead down (V) to 15
• 31 – Northeast Tower – Connects the main keep to the Northeast Rampart (24). It is also used as a break room for the guards.
• 32 – Rear Lobby – Stairs lead up (^) to 40
• 33 – Armoury
• 34 – Toilets

Thestwick Watch – War Room

• 35 – Landing – Stairs lead down (V) to 29
• 36 – Balcony – Overlooks the courtyard and main approach to the fort.
• 37 – Commanders Quarters – A secret doorway (s) leads to 39
• 38 – Commanders Private Bathroom - A secret doorway (s) leads to 40
• 39 – Treasury – Although no great treasure hoard is kept at the Watch, enough coin needs to be kept on hand to pay the staff and soldiers, and procure whatever goods are needed. Accessed via a secret door in 37
• 40 – Rear Lobby – Stairs lead down (V) to 32. Ladder leads up (^) to 50. A secret doorway (s) leads to 38.
• 41 – Squires Quarters – Private quarters of the commander’s squire. Usually vacated for visiting dignitaries when necessary.
• 42 – Squire’s Private Bathroom
• 43 – Library
• 44 – Toilets
• 45 – Southwest Tower – Stairs lead down (V) to 28. Stairs lead up (^) to 49
• 46 – War Room – Military strategy and patrol plans are devised here by the Commander, Squire and Captains of the Guard.
• 47 – Northwest Tower - Stairs lead up (^) to 49
• 48 - Watchtower - The watchtower is the tallest part of the keep, and the highest structure visible in any direction. It provides uninterrupted views to every horizon. Arrow slits on each side allow defensive forces to fire out with little danger. Stairs lead down (V) to 21. Stairs leads up (^) to 51.

Thestwick Watch – Lookout

• 49 – Roof Access – Stairs lead down (V) to 45 and 47
• 50 – Rooftop – Ballistae look out over the walls. A large trebuchet is mounted in place to repel large attacking forces and siege equipment. A trapdoor in the East side leads down (V) to 40.
• 51 - Watchtower Lookout - The watchtower is the tallest part of the keep, and the highest structure visible in any direction. It provides uninterrupted views to every horizon. A large bell hangs from the rooftop to be rung in case of danger. Stairs leads down (V) to 48.