Tournament Ground Battle Map - Launch

Hello Adventurers! It's time for another map release, and we are going to the Tourney! It's Tournament day, and you’ll find a jousting field, fighting arenas, spectator stands, and lots of colourful tents. I’ve tried to fit in as many different areas as possible while keeping to my standard large map size. I’ve researched medieval tournaments and left you some information in the notes and tips section so you can run encounters on this map with some knowledge of how things work!

Next Maps

I’m working on the Pit of the Beast next (should be with you around the end of the month), with the Djinn’s Palace coming later!

• Pit of the Beast
  I want to create an underground pit with connecting tunnels and entrances that could be used as a lair during a wilderness encounter. It will have steep sides and a bottom full of bones, where some dangerous creature brings its prey to feast.

• Djinn’s Palace
  I want to create a fun supernatural map for October. I’ve already got a few crypts and graveyards. So, I will make a Djinn’s Palace that could be used as a desert-themed palace/residence or a pocket dimension for a Genie. There’ll be a courtyard with a pool, rooms running around the outside, a throne room and some other features I’ll add once I’ve researched further!

Thanks so much for your support and your ideas for new maps. Please do suggest away! The more unique, the better! Have a wonderful rest of the week, and as always, happy adventuring! Now, let's enter some events! I just hope we don’t get paired with that Black Knight fellow. Rumour has it it's the King in disguise, and he really doesn’t like to lose.

Downloads

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

Map Descriptions

Colourful tents are pitched around the field, creating a temporary village of canvas and ropes. Campfires burn among the tents, filling the air with a haze of wood smoke. In the centre of the field is an open area packed with people. Some are watching fighters spar in two fenced-off square fighting arenas. A stage has been erected to one side, presumably for performances and prize giving.

To the left is the ‘List Field’ for jousting. Spectator stands run the length of one side of the field. Simple wooden planks make up the tiered seating, with a central royal box for the nobles to watch in comfort.

You climb the steps to the top of the stands, reaching the royal box entrance. A red velvet curtain and an intimidating guard block your view inside.

Inside the royal box is a reception room. Against the walls are tables filled with sweetmeats and confectionaries. There is also a decent amount of drink, including mead and spiced wines. Toward the front of the box, you can see an ornate wooden throne and plush seating under a colourful awning, with a prime view of the jousting field.

Notes and Tips

• 30x45 Grid Map

• A Tournament, also called a Tourney, is used to help train and motivate knights and enlisted men to improve their combat and martial skills.

• The Melee: Not all Tournaments would look like the classic Hollywood depiction. Often, Tournaments would resemble two separate camps on either side of a field. Each ‘side’ would square off throughout the day, with individual bouts consisting of hand-to-hand fighting and jousting. The final ‘Melee’ is a full-on mock battle between both sides. Try adding a ‘Melee’ into your Tourney.

• Jousting could be the highlight of the Tournament. However, I’ve also added two fighting pits for single-combat encounters and a stage for entertainment for those more inclined to perform.

• As well as a crowd of peasants and nobles milling around the field, you’ll find hawkers selling their wares. Make sure to add people pushing carts around with street food and souvenirs. Make street food relevant to the region and make it fun! The souvenirs should also be themed to the knights and contestants.

• Jousting Rules: A match is won on points after several runs (at canter or gallop). You can modify the number to change the encounter length. You win points for hitting the opponent's shield, +1 for a hit, +2 for a hit that breaks the lance tip, and +3 points for a hit that shatters the lance. Simply roll to hit, with the higher rolls giving a better result. The initiative will determine who hits first, which could increase the difficulty of the round for the contestant going second. Penalties are given to rule infractions, including not presenting a good target (your shield), not cantering or galloping, and striking off target. Unseating your opponent is NOT the goal of the joust, even if it is fun!

• Adding Complexity: You can add animal handling to your rolls to determine whether the horse can be controlled or stays at a canter or gallop. Depending on the quality of the horse, this could be harder or skipped. Add dex saves to stay mounted after a hit. Being dismounted will result in no points for that run and possible injury. Intimidation checks during or between runs. Low rolls to hit could mean missing the target (shield) and result in penalties.

• Not all judges are fair! Having biased judges could spice up an encounter.

• I’ve added a map variant without the central partition, replacing the jousting field with a melee field.

• The Black Knight: This is your player's first Tourney, and the Black Knight will soon become their mortal enemy. He dismisses their pedigree and fighting skills while being frustratingly good at everything. To win the Tourney, your party must participate in the one-on-one combat, Ballard recital, jousting, and the ‘Melee’, which could be team combat between your party and the Black Knight’s henchman.

• An Assassin in the Crowd: An attempt will be made to assassinate a royal at the Tourney. The party's job is to investigate and find the assassin before it's too late. The royal could stay in the royal box or could be taking part in the Tourney.

• Opposing Armies: Knights from across the realms have come to take part in this Tourney. However, two warring armies are participating, and the matches become deadly. Start with some early provocations with a full-on battle between both sides, with civilians and your party court in the middle.

Variants

Day/Night variants for all maps. Imagine a medieval fantasy metal band playing on the stage after a day of violence!

I wanted to allow you to change which matches are being played during the Tournament, so I've made a Melee variant without the central partition on the Jousting field. I imagine this could be used for group combat.

I also made an Archery variant because recreating the Disney Robinhood Tourney sounds like a lot of fun! Tabaxi Robin Hood, anyone?

 I also wanted to make a Winter variant of all these maps. It would be fun to have a winter games vibe. The smell of hot spiced wine, roasting chestnuts, and the sounds and sights of bloody martial combat seem to fit!