Bearworks

Coastal Bay

Tucked away from well-traveled sea lanes lies a hidden coastal bay whispered of in sailor’s tales—a place said to shelter both buried treasure and lurking danger. Adventurers might arrive chasing a smuggler’s trail, following a pirate’s map, or fleeing enemies across the open sea. But once ashore, the scent of salt, the cry of gulls, and the ever-present crash of waves hint at secrets long s...

Mapwrights Ledger - Free Patron Map Release

Greetings Traveler,

Wanted to share some recent work that I have put out into the world!

20x30 | Western/Desert - 5 Variants & 3 Floors

Off a dusty frontier road, where law is more suggestion than rule, the saloon rises like a beacon of mischief and mayhem. By day, it's a gathering place for thirsty travelers, wandering...

2025-06-18 14:40:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Notice Board — Mapwright's Musings

Hail Travelers—time for some updates. First, sorry for missing last month's updates. Dealing with the billing model transition took it out of me. But we are back to it now!

Monthly Theme: Coast & Ocean

With the changing of the seasons I wanted to shift to some more tropical venues! We are kicking things off in this set with a coastal bay. A perfect spot for your party to depart ...

Wild West Creek

On the western frontier, where the wild lands whisper secrets to the wind, a nameless creek carves a meandering path through grassland and oak groves. Once a lifeline to pioneers and bandits alike, it now carries the memories of hidden camps, lost treasures, and ancient duels along its banks. The air is thick with the scent of adventure, and the rustle of leaves masks the footsteps of those who dare...

Wild West Church

Perched atop a rolling hill in the heart of a rugged frontier, this small western church stands as a beacon of faith—and a magnet for whispers of unease. On clear nights, townsfolk speak of shadowy figures glimpsed beyond the graves, and strange sounds from within the church itself. Rumors swirl about secret rituals, buried pasts, and a preacher who knows more than he says. As tensions rise, the l...

Wild West Fort

Out in the dry, sunbaked wilds of the frontier, a lonely fort stands guard against the untamed edge of the world. Here, soldiers and settlers hold the line between lawless wilds and the creeping push of civilization. Dust kicks up in the wind, carrying whispers of outlaws, hungry beasts, and ancient spirits that stir beneath the scorched earth. Whether you're seeking shelter, staging a raid, or unra...

Billing Changes – Final Update

Hey everyone—This will be my final update regarding the transition from the “per creation” billing model to Patreon’s new mandatory monthly subscription model. If you missed the previous message outlining the plan, you can find it here. Or my previous update on the situation here.

The outcome is ...

Patreon Billing Update - 4/29/25

4/29/25

Just wanted to follow up and be as transparent as possible with everyone. Patreon has assured me that there will be a path forward before the first of the month, but I’m still waiting to see exactly what that will look like from their end.

As soon as I have concrete details, I’ll let you all know.

Thank you again—as always—for your patience and support while we navigate this.

--------------------

4/25/25

Hey everyone! I wanted to give yo...

Dustrock Pass | Wild West Pass

Dust hangs thick in the air as the sun beats down on a lone road winding through rugged hills and scorched mesas. Out here, law is a rumor and danger rides on the wind—be it from desperate bandits, mysterious travelers, or something darker hiding in the canyons. This stretch of badlands has seen ambushes, standoffs, and secrets buried just beneath the dry earth. Saddle up, because the next bend in the tr...

Wild West Saloon

Off a dusty frontier road, where law is more suggestion than rule, the saloon rises like a beacon of mischief and mayhem. By day, it's a gathering place for thirsty travelers, wandering gunslingers, and scheming fortune-seekers. By night, it's alive with music, laughter, and the clatter of dice—until a poker game goes sideways or a bounty hunter walks through the doors. Whether your party’s here...

Mapwrights Ledger - Free Patron Map Release

Greetings Traveler,

Wanted to share some recent work that I have put out into the world!

Animated Battlemaps Release

Our efforts on animating out maps continue with all of our village and highland maps:

A public version of these animations will be available but to...

Notice Board — Mapwright's Musings

Hail Travelers—time for some updates.

Billing Changes Reminder

As a reminder Bearworks should be migrating from a per creation billing model to a monthly subscription today April 2nd. (This is somethings that Patreon does, and based on other creator's experiences there is a chance the swap will occur later in the month. I have no control over this.)

Your tier and benefits stay the same, but you’ll now be charged a fixed amount...

Ruined Steps

Suspended high above an endless sea of trees, the ancient ruins drift, their purpose long forgotten. The floating stone platforms shift ever so slightly, held aloft by unseen magic, their surfaces cracked and overgrown with vines and wild grasses. Below, an impossibly thick forest stretches beyond sight, its tangled canopy swallowing all who fall into its depths. Here, among the ruins, every step is...

Barren Planet

Across the vast expanse of an unknown exoplanet, the land stretches out in desolate silence, untouched by time or familiar hands. The wind howls through the canyon, carrying the whispers of ancient forces that shaped this barren world. Footsteps here are fleeting, swallowed by shifting dust and the ever-present haze that lingers in the thin atmosphere. Whatever brought you to this forsaken place—whether ...

Impact Crater

The earth trembled as something tore through the sky, wreathed in fire and trailing smoke. Now, in the heart of the forest, the ground is sundered—a smoldering crater where once stood towering trees. The air is thick with the scent of burning wood and scorched earth, the distant echo of the impact still ringing in the bones of those who dare to draw near. Whatever fell from the heavens was not mea...

Astral Storm

The air hums with crackling energy as jagged stone islands drift above the raging maelstrom below, each floating shard a remnant of some long-forgotten cataclysm. Swirling gases churn in an endless spiral, pulling everything toward the chaotic heart of the storm, where reality itself seems to fray. Streaks of lightning arc through the void, illuminating the desolate landscape in flashes of brilliant...

Update on Patreon Billing

Important Billing Changes — Please Read

Hey everyone—I wanted to reach out to make you aware of an important upcoming change I’m having to make to comply with Patreon’s new policies. I will be switching from “per creation” to “monthly” billing in the near future. This means that every month you will have a consistent price for all of the benefits that I provide, and it won’t fluctuate based on the number of paid posts that month.

2025-03-05 22:51:31 +0000 UTC View Post

Highland Waterfall

Mist rises where the thundering falls crash against jagged rocks, churning the river into a frothing torrent that carves its way through the highland valley. The roar of rushing water fills the air, mingling with the scent of pine and wildflowers as the forest watches from the river’s edge. Here, hidden trails lead to forgotten ruins, hunters stalk elusive prey, and something stirs beneath the sur...

Highland Cliffs

Perched on the edge of the world, where the land meets the endless sea, these highland cliffs hold the echoes of adventure and mystery. Whether it’s a hidden smugglers’ cache, the site of an ancient ritual, or the stage for a desperate last stand, this windswept expanse is steeped in danger and discovery. The sound of crashing waves rises from below, a constant reminder of the perilous drop beyo...

Village Boatmaker

Nestled between towering cliffs and the restless sea, the boatmaker’s workshop stands as a testament to craftsmanship and adventure. Here, just beyond the village’s reach, the scent of fresh-cut timber lingers in the salty air, and the rhythmic echo of hammer on wood rings through the clearing. Half-built vessels rest on sturdy blocks, waiting for the day they’ll brave the waves. Whether seeki...

Village Apiary | Beekeeper

Nestled on the edge of the wilds, where the forest thins into a riot of color, the beekeeper’s apiary hums with life. The air is thick with the scent of wildflowers, their reds, purples, yellows, and whites painting the meadow in nature’s own mosaic. Travelers passing along the winding road might stop for a sip of fresh well water or a jar of liquid gold—if the bees, the wilds, or something mo...

Fishing Village

Tucked away in a rugged cove where towering cliffs rise like silent guardians above the crashing sea, this small fishing village thrives against all odds. Its people are hardy, their lives bound to the ocean’s rhythm and the wild lands beyond. Yet, there’s more here than meets the eye—whispers of ancient relics buried beneath the forest floor, strange shapes seen beneath the waves, and tension...

Notice Board — Mapwright's Musings

Hail Travelers

Happy New Year, hope your holidays were merry and warm! I'm excited to kickoff the year and keep moving on some of our long and short term projects. Thanks for sticking with me in 2024 and excited to have you all here for 2025.

But what's that...?

 Do you hear that distant murmur of village life? As I sit down to write this, I can almost imagine the sound of lapping waves and the creak of wooden docks swaying with the tide. This month, we’re trading sno...

Groundskeeper's Hut

Nestled at the edge of a sprawling pine forest, the Groundskeeper's Hut stands as a beacon of warmth in a frozen, unforgiving wilderness. Snow blankets the surrounding hills, muffling the sounds of the wild and turning the world into a quiet, glistening expanse. From the hut’s chimney, a steady plume of smoke spirals into the crisp winter air, inviting weary travelers to seek refuge. Beyond its st...

Let It Snow! - Animated Winter Maps for Your Table

Hey everyone—I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates about what’s happening behind the scenes at Bearworks.

I’ve teamed up with a fantastic new creator to bring even more amazing content to your tables. River Dog Maps is now helping to take my maps to the next level with animated variants! These will include weather changes, lighting, terrain and object movement, and a range of visual effects that will bring your gameplay to life like never before.

We're working hard o...

Hot Springs

Sore bones, weary feet, and eyes dulled by endless white—just as hope fades, a shimmer appears on the horizon. Steam curls skyward, hinting at a hot spring to soothe frostbitten skin and thaw frozen bodies. But the wilds are seldom kind. Is this a true haven of warmth or another peril cloaked in steam? Press on, but tread carefully—nothing in the frigid wilderness is as it seems.

2024-12-06 14:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Mapwrights Ledger - Free Patron Map Release

Greetings Traveler,

Hope you were able to find some use for the last month's maps at your table

Frozen Den | 20x20 | Cave - 5 Variants

Bleak and maddening, this icy pit seems utterly inhospitable to life. Its steep, unforgiving walls enclose the space, while jagged mesas jut defiantly from the frozen floor. A harsh m...

2024-12-03 04:15:49 +0000 UTC View Post

Notice Board — Mapwright's Musings

Hail Travelers!

Do you feel that crisp, icy bite in the air? As I write this, the first flurries of snow are falling outside my window. It’s time to embrace the chill and gather around the hearth for warmth and storytelling!

This month, I’m continuing our journey through snowy landscapes, but with a touch of warmth woven in. The first map of the set is nearly ready, and it’s the perfect blend of frost and fire—a serene winter hot spring. This colorful, volcanic-heated pool...

Winter Wilderness

Snow crunches beneath your boots, the chill sinking deep into your bones like an unwelcome guest. You pull your cloak tighter, but it’s little match for the biting wind that howls through the towering pines, their dark green boughs swaying and whispering in the cold. Each breath sears your lungs, and when you exhale, a plume of vapor escapes, curling like smoke into the icy air. Here, warmth feels...

Icy Dungeon

Deep beneath the frozen tundra lies a labyrinth of ice-carved halls, where the silence is broken only by the crackling hum of ancient magic coursing through glowing, geometric channels in the frosty ground. Braziers flicker with ghostly blue flames, their light casting eerie shadows on tombs long forgotten, each whispering secrets of those entombed within. This is no ordinary dungeon; it’s a place...