Into The Dark Forest Battle Map Pack - Launch

Hello Adventurers, some of the most useful maps for DMs are quick, general-use travel maps. At the same time, one of my favourite locations for atmospheric encounters is dark, eerily quiet pine forests. So, in this release, I’ve created some spooky dark forest maps. A simple path or road, a clearing in the woods and a river crossing. All ready to throw into a VTT or onto a tabletop when you need a quick encounter location.

Next Maps

I’ll be working on the Useful Assets for Adventurers! pack next. A set of assets for use with all my previous maps. And starting next month, I’ll be working on the Labyrinth of Confusion

• Useful Assets for Adventurers!
  I realise sometimes you’d like to add some extra details to an existing map, so I’m going to create an asset pack with a bunch of useful items, such as chests, barrels, trap doors, rock piles, creature nests and a bunch more. Some will be updated assets I’ve used in previous maps, but many will be new. If you have specific requests, I’d love to hear your ideas. But be quick, I’ve already started on this one!

• Labyrinth of Confusion
  A Labyrinth, filled with twists and turns, a few weird mind-bending passages, collapsed tunnels and some traps. What awaits at the centre? I don’t believe I’ve created a maze like Labyrinth mini dungeon, so with this one, that's what you’ll get. It will most likely have a central area for a final confrontation.

Upcoming Maps

I thought you’d like to see a little further ahead. These, along with a few other ideas I have, are likely to be added to the Next Maps list soon, but I have no set schedule for these as of yet.

• Heart of the Colossus
  I like the idea of a large cavernous space within some fallen colossus, maybe a construct or creature with a magical artefact at its centre, a heart if you will. Basically, it's an organic cave (maybe flesh or grown) with a weird artefact in the middle.

• Dark Sage’s Lighthouse
  I love lighthouses. I’ve already created a little lighthouse island, but I want to create something on a larger scale, so I’ll create a wizard tower with a lighthouse theme. It will have a few floors and a cave network under it.

Thanks, as always, for your support. You’re just the best! I couldn’t do any of this without your help! Also, I’ve been relying on your map suggestions more and more recently, so please do drop your ideas in the comments or a message to me on Patreon.

And with that, it's time to get going again. It's just an easy hike through this normal and not spooky pine forest. Sure, you’ve heard of the disappearances and the strange howls at night, but those are just locals being locals. I’ll admit the complete lack of nature sounds and the whispering is disconcerting, but I’m sure we’ll be fine.

Downloads

The files, thumbnails, and tags can be accessed on the Map List Page. You must be logged in to Patreon and signed up for 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!

You get three different layouts in this pack: A simple path.
A clearing among the trees.
And a river crossing.

Map Descriptions

The pines create long shadows across the path as you make your way through the forest. It's dark below the trees, even during the day, the sun barely makes it through the thick, needle-covered canopy. A soft loamy soil, pine needles and vibrant green moss cover the forest floor below the trees. Where gaps in the trees appear, scrub and thorny thickets spring up, creating lush patches of impenetrable foliage. Grass meadows grow in the larger open places. The long grasses are a mix of yellowing stems, feathery tips and lush green leaves. Animal trails weave through the forest's understory, crossing your path, leading off into the depths of the strangely quiet trees.

Ahead, you hear running water and glimpse sunlight on meadow grass through the dark pillar-like tree trunks. A breeze carries the scent of meadow flowers and the freshness of crisp running water. Pollen floats on the breeze, catching the sun as it strikes through the canopy in shafts of yellow light.

Notes and Tips

• 30x30 Grid Maps

• I’ve created three maps for this release (plus multiple other variants available to Delver Tier patrons): a simple path, a clearing, and a river crossing. If you need to reuse them in the future, try spinning them 90°. The new orientation will help disguise they are the same map layout. I also have multiple other maps in this style in my back catalogue.

• When describing the location, use some of these atmosphere descriptors:

  • The tree trunks are like dark pillars, obscuring your view deeper into the forest.

  • Thorny scrub grows below the trees, creating a thick understory of foliage that makes it hard to travel off the paths or animal trails.

  • The wind in the trees makes for a low roaring sound, similar to surf crashing on a beach. The trees creak and crack as they sway in the wind.

  • Once in a while, a branch will fall or snap in the depths of the forest.

  • The forest is quiet, but even still, there is the odd bird call, rustling among the underbrush, and occasionally a rodent squeak or a deer's call.

  • The air is fresh, with a scent of pine and damp soil.

  • Riverlets snake their way across the forest floor.

• A Wolf on All Twos: An enormous wolf is stalking the party. They catch glimpses of it in the woods, crossing the path ahead or behind them. Finally, it appears ahead of them in a particularly dark part of the forest. Its silhouette is huge. While the party watches in horror, the silhouette stands upright on two legs, its powerful humanoid form visible in the cool, dappled light of the moon (or sun, it doesn’t have to be at night). Werewolf fight!

• Wisps in the Night: Travelling at night through the forest, the party starts seeing flickering lights in the trees moving parallel with them. If they try to approach, the lights will vanish. Something will trigger the “Will O’ Wisps” to attack, maybe a lantern being lit (they could be angered by false light), a magical spell being used or a loud noise like a shout.

• The Elk King and the Maiden: A massive elk is rumoured to inhabit the forest. Deep in the trees, the party comes across the creature led by a maiden in white glowing robes. With good perception, the party can notice a silver leash chaining the Elk. If the maiden notices the party, she will wail, her completely black eyes opening far wider than it seems possible. The maiden, maybe a Banshee or other spirit, attacks, also directing the elk to attack. Freeing the elk will stop its attack. It may even turn on the maiden.

Variants

Day/Night variants of all maps. You also get a full set of Moorland map variants. (All three layouts). And a set of Snowy maps for the forest theme. (Again, all three layouts). And a Snowy Moorland set as well.
I also created a Desert set, again with all three layouts. Overall, there are 12 map variants here, with night versions for all.