Gnomish Mega Train Battle Map - Launch

Hello Adventurers! I'm very sorry for the late releases this month. I’m currently in the process of moving to a new home, which has disrupted my work schedule quite a bit. I’ll try to fit the next map in for the end of the month, but it will more likely come shortly into April. 

This map was fun to create and very unique. It's a Gnomish steam train with various rolling stock for different purposes. I collected a lot of references for this. Google now thinks I’m a train nerd! :D I hope to continue adding new items to this in the future, so please give suggestions for new carriage types!

Next Maps

As mentioned above, I'm currently in the process of moving house. So my schedule is a little behind. I'll try to get the Teetering Lava Shrine out for the end of the month, but it will most likely arrive in the first few days of April, followed by the Giant Cactus Forest.

• Teetering Lava Shrine
  I recently watched a video on buildings falling into the sea due to erosion. It gave me an idea for a map with a ruin falling into the ocean, which was fun, but I decided to make it lava, as that would be just badass!

• Giant Cactus Forest (The Spikest Forest)
  I have a bunch of desert variant maps available, and I think it's time I expanded my desert themes a little. So, I will draw a few different giant cacti to create a spiky and unique forest location.

Thanks as always for your support. I love researching these maps and adding in crunchy, obscure details I’ve learnt. Without you, it wouldn’t be possible to nerd out so hard! As always, please suggest new map ideas. Patrons have suggested quite a few of the recent map themes, so go ahead and comment or message me privately.

And now… All aboard! This train is for Dragon’s Hole, calling at the Desert of Despair, Crystal Forest and the Swamps of Madness. Please change at the Swamps of Madness for the Necromancer’s Hideout and routes to the Forbidden Citadel. Please do not leave Adventuring packs unattended, or they will be removed and disintegrated. 

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!

Using the Assets

The base map release includes a simple track background map, which should hopefully work in most settings, and a station map. You also get cutout images of different carriages and the steam engine to drop onto the backgrounds. Below, you can see an example. This should work in most VTTs or image software.

You get a range of carriages to mix and match as you see fit.



You also get a simple station map.

Map Descriptions

Standing on the platform, you hear distant chuffing and wooshing, followed by a high-pitched whistle. You see plumes of smoke and steam billowing into the sky before an unusual vehicle trundles into view. A massive iron and brass engine on wheels clatters along the tracks towards the station, steam and smoke gushing from vents, pipes and a giant smoke stack protruding from its top. A tiny figure leans out from the side of the engine and waves frantically to someone on the platform. A gnome dressed in a sharply tailored blue uniform runs along the platform, ushering people away from the edge. The engine begins to slow as a high-pitched metal screeching fills the air. For a moment, you are engulfed in steam as the engine roars past. The air clears, revealing the engine ticking and clicking before you. To its rear are wooden carriages with brass fittings. The uniformed gnome steps forward, opening the doors to each carriage, shouting, “All Aboard!” as he continues down the line of passenger carriages.

Carriages

Passenger
The inside of the passenger carriage is full of cushioned benches, some facing each other and some facing towards the front of the carriage. The cushions are upholstered in deep red velvet, and on the backs are brass handles. Baggage shelves line each wall above large windows.

Dining
The carriage walls are lined with tables neatly laid out with silver cutlery, porcelain plates, and napkins folded into the shapes of swans. The smells of roasting meat, fish, and vegetables fill the air. People talk quietly while they eat, while a waiter in a red formal suit moves from table to table, filling glasses and serving food from gleaming silver platters.

Postal
Down one carriage wall is a long desk with hundreds of small drawers filled with letters. Several neatly dressed postal workers quickly sort large sacks of parcels and letters. Two large safes made from dark grey iron are securely attached to the carriage floor with rivets.

Freight/Cargo
This carriage is full of boxes stacked to the roof. A narrow passage weaves along the centre of the carriage. There is a distinct scent of leather, chemicals, dried foods, and dozens of other smells you can’t quite place. Hay and woodchips litter the floor, crunching underfoot.

Livestock - Delver Tier
The carriage floor is covered in hay and dung, and the air is warm and humid with a musky scent of animals. Hay bales are stored along the walls of the carriage. There are only small slits for windows at the top of the walls. Large sliding doors are situated in the centre of both walls. On the ceiling are vents and hatches for ventilation and roof access.

Sleeper - Delver Tier
The walkway for this carriage is offset along one wall, with windows running along the outer wall. On the inner wall are openings covered by curtains, allowing access to cabins with bunk beds on either side. Further along is a private cabin with a lockable door.

Notes and Tips

• 30x45 Grid Map

• This map pack contains a station platform map, a track map, an Engine and several carriages, depending on your Patreon Tier. Simply drag and drop the engine and carriages onto the track or platform maps to get the configuration you want.

• I’ve added a roof (or 3 for Delver Tiers) so you can have cool rooftop battles!

• At the end of each carriage is a door leading from one to another. From there, you can also climb onto the roof.

• Carriages can be separated but may need a unique tool to uncouple them. Your players need to find the tool before they can uncouple the carriages.

• Fighting on the roof will require balance and dexterity. Also, remember the train can travel under obstructions and tunnels. Have the combatants negotiate these while they fight.

• Dragon Vs Train: OK, so ever wondered what it would be like to fight a Dragon while on the top of a train? Me neither, until now! Add some ballistas on the top of the train and use Tunnels and other obstacles to make it more fun. The Dragon will take a number of flying runs at the train before landing on one of the carriages.

• Train Heist: A classic train robbery. Have your party ride horses to reach the back of the train and then fight their way to the postal carriage before blowing open the safe or stealing the diamonds from the duchess travelling in first class!

• The Bridge is Down: Another classic. It's made clear that the train is heading towards a collapsed bridge, but no one is driving it. Have the party go to the engine to use the brakes, or have them decouple the carriages before it is too late! Add any number of obstacles, from combatants to specific dexterity challenges.

• Murder on the Elfwood Express: A murder mystery on a train, how original! Shut up! It’s a classic for a reason. It's an enclosed environment without an easy escape. Someone is killed, and your party is the closest thing to ‘the law’ they have.

Variants - Delver Tier

You get extra carriages, including:
 You also get grass and forest versions of the tracks and station.