thereclusivecartographer

🎃 A Cozy (and Definitely Not Cursed) Pumpkin Patch! 🎃

Hey everyone!

Today’s my first day back to work after taking two weeks of paternity leave, and I thought I’d mark the occasion with something special — a bonus free map release in the spirit of the spooky season! 👻

This one’s a cozy little pumpkin patch and tumble-down farmhouse, the kind of peaceful rural spot where absolutely nothing unusual or terrifying could possibly happen… right? 😉

I’m sure that creepy scarecrow in the field is just for decoration and definitely not some unspeakable horror waiting for nightfall.

You can grab the Free Map Here.

And for Journeyman Surveyors and above I have a few more variants for you to sink your teeth into.

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

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If you enjoy my maps and want exclusive variants, and high-res versions for your games, consider joining the Patreon. Every sign-up helps me keep creating these worlds (and keeps me in coffee during late-night map sessions with a newborn 🍼).

Happy haunting,
The Reclusive Cartographer

🚢 October Release #2 – Sky, River & Sea!

Hey everyone!

I'm poking my head out of the newborn trenches to bring you a brand new release for you to feast your eyes upon. Please enjoy our second major release for the month, and it’s a set I’ve been excited to revisit for a long time!

These three new maps were originally created as commissions for Arcane Minis’ Monsoon Kickstarter last year. You might remember the Dark Elf Ship and Dirigible I released from that collection, so you can check those out too.

Since then, I’ve gone back over more of the original maps, adding new details, refining them in my updated style, and weaving in a bit of my own background lore to bring them to life.

Patreon Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Here’s what’s sailing your way today:

🛳 Hei Shin, The Golden Carapace - 12 variants
An exotic turtle ship from distant lands, this massive, metal-hulled titan drives forward with a great water wheel, ramming foes with its turtle-headed prow.

☀️ Sol Mator, The Guardian of the Shining Sky - 10 variants
A mystical flying machine of gold and light, shaped like a mythical beast from ages past. Its magic hums softly as it glides through the heavens, part wonder, part weapon.

🚤 The Water’s Breath - 10 variants
A humble river craft, perfect for ferrying cargo (or a few daring adventurers) along broad, winding rivers. Simple, practical, and full of storytelling potential.

These maps are available now for all patrons!
If you’re enjoying my work and want access to high-resolution versions, variants, and adventures, consider becoming a paying patron, it’s the best way to support my ongoing worldbuilding (and to help this new dad keep the creative fires burning!).

Thank you all again for your support — I’ll be back to full steam next week!

— The Reclusive Cartographer 🗺️

A new member of the RC team! - No Map Release Today

Hi all!

So I've been a bit quiet since Monday eve and this is why!

There I was, attending a TTRPG event in the local pub when I got a message from my wife that led to my prompt exit.

I certainly wouldn't have guessed i was on my way to attend a very special Session Zero!

(All ill say is that his backstory is awesome and he has rolled his stats and nailed it!)

Both mum and baby are healthy, happy and back at home.

With that in mind Im sure you'll forgive we postponing this weeks release till next week. Fear not! There are still 3 big releases to come this month so you wont miss out on any map fun!

Cheers from all of us at the recently enlarged RC team :)

🚂 The Ironheart Locomotive Rides Again! - Bonus Release - Animated Map + Modular Train System

Now some might say, that with my baby’s arrival fast approaching, I should probably be focusing the limited time I have left on the main releases rather than bonus content.

To that I say, “Why not both?” 😄

Because honestly… how could I not make this one?

🛠 The Ironheart Locomotive

Forged in the heart of the mountains and built to thunder through the Deepways — the vast subterranean tunnels of the ancient dwarves — the Ironheart Locomotive is more than just a train. It’s a moving fortress, a marvel of dwarven engineering, and perhaps the fastest way to travel beneath the earth!

This release includes 23 unique carriages, each with its own flavor and function:

• The Engine, roaring with industrial fire

• Barracks for weary guards and mercenaries

• A Mail car packed with secret messages and cargo

• Dining and Bar cars for those who prefer comfort with their adventure

• Cannon cars, because dwarves believe in being prepared

…and many more!

What You Get

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

All Patrons

🎨 The complete map of the Ironheart Locomotive

Journeyman Surveyors and above

All 23 carriages + 5 more not featured in the main map as separate PNGs – mix and match to build your own train!

🌄 Plus an exclusive Surface Version of the Ironheart (because sometimes you need to bring that dwarven steel topside)

Master Cartographers and above.

🎞 The fully animated version of the map
⚙️ A ready-to-use Foundry VTT scene, complete with rigging and setup
Head over to the Foundry Archive to grab it!

💎 Hop Aboard

If you’ve been thinking about joining or upgrading your tier, this is a perfect time.
This is one of my most ambitious creations yet — a blend of motion, mechanics, and dwarven grit — and premium patrons get access to the full experience.

So grab your gear, hop aboard, and let the Ironheart carry your party to adventure deep below the world’s surface!

SIGN UP HERE!

Cheers!

George - The Relcusive Cartographer

🌊 October Week 1 Map Release – Saltmere Town, Astrid's General Store & the Sirendian Isles 🗺️

Hey everyone!

October’s first major release is here. As a quick reminder, I’ll be heading off on 👶 paternity leave in the second half of the month, so there’s no official theme this time around. Instead, I’m sharing a mix of maps I’ve been working on in the background over the last few months.

You might remember our recent adventure release, Snuffed Out—part of the Reclaiming the Light series. While that adventure largely centers on the 🏰 Last Light Lighthouse, the story begins in a small, windswept port called Saltmere, found deep within the Sirendian Isles (a region of our Fallen Kingdom setting).

Patreon Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

With that in mind, this release features three brand new maps:

The Sirendian Isles (Regional Map) 🏝️ - 2 Variants– A storm-wracked island chain where the “Penny Barons” (minor nobles who are little more than wealthy thugs 💰⚔️) rule through coin and cruelty.

Saltmere (Town Map) ⚓ 11 Variants – A bleak little salt-trading port under the watchful eye of Astrid Waveborn.

Astrid’s General Store & Parlour (Building Map) 13 Variants – The heart of her small empire, equal parts shop, bar, and seat of power.

I hope these maps help you bring the Isles to life in your own campaigns! ✨

Also, like I did with our recent release: The Ironhelm Mountains, I've include the heraldry I created for each of the major factions so you can use them in your own campaigns! I'll continue to do this moving forward for Journeyman Surveyors and above!

👉 If you’re not yet a Premium Patron, now’s a great time to sign up—you’ll get access to the full-resolution versions of these maps (and hundreds more). 🌟

And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts 💡. Do you have ideas for future maps or regions you’d like to see explored? Drop them in the comments—I’ll be diving back into new projects after my leave, and your feedback helps shape what’s next.

Thanks as always for your support, and happy adventuring!

—The Reclusive Cartographer

⚔️ New Adventure Release – Forged Anew Part One: Enemies Above

The sails are set and the drums of war echo across the Sirendian Sea—our 3rd full adventure is here, and it marks the beginning of a brand new trilogy of dwarven adventures: Forged Anew!

🌊 Adventure Summary

The party find themselves aboard the merchant vessel Coincatcher, hired on as security during her return voyage from the glittering markets of Giltport to the ever-hungry dwarven port of Hurak-Durm.

But as the port comes into view, so too does danger: an orcish blockade chokes the harbour, and the Coincatcher is forced to run the gauntlet. When a jagged greenskin raider smashes into their hull, the party must fight to repel the boarding and survive the clash.

Safely docked—but not yet safe—Captain Katra Sternhelm calls the party to attend an urgent Harbourstone Assembly. Messengers to Khaz Narak have gone missing, and the port cannot spare soldiers. Instead, the adventurers are tasked with joining a dwarven expedition through the Deepways, ancient tunnels beneath the mountains.

Cut off from the warband in a deadly ambush, the party must carve their own path through collapsing tunnels, treacherous passes, and finally the gatehouse of Var Torum—where the truth is revealed: Khaz Narak has fallen. To save the expedition, the gate must be seized and held against a marauding warboss… or the dwarves’ last hope will be lost.

🗺️ Brand New Maps Included

This adventure features 4 new battlemaps from September’s theme: Dwarven Strongholds:

• Ship Boarding – Two ships locked in deadly combat. (Free for everyone today!)

  Download for Free HERE

  

• Hurak Durm – The sprawling dwarven port.

  

• The Deepways – The ancient underground roads of the dwarves. (Releasing later this week!)

• Tor Varum – The stout dwarven gatehouse.

  

🎁 How to Get It

This adventure is free to all Master Cartographers and above, alongside our huge archive of past releases. We release a brand-new adventure every month, so there’s never been a better time to jump aboard!

Grab the Adventure from Here

Sharpen your axes, steady your shields, and get ready to carve a path through the mountains—
The Forged Anew Trilogy begins now.

Enjoy!

George - The Relusive Cartographer

🎉 Bonus Map Release – The Ironhelm Mountains! 🗺️ & Update for November

Adventurers, I’ve got something special for you to round out our theme of Dwarven Strongholds!

From our Fallen Kingdom setting, I bring you the Ironhelm Mountains – once the proud home of the 15 great dwarven clans. This map predates the kingdom’s fall, meaning many of these mighty holds have since been abandoned, razed, or even occupied. It’s up to your players to discover which halls still ring with dwarven steel and which lie in ruin.

Patreon Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

You’ll also notice some familiar locations woven into this release:
⚓ Hurak Durm – the dwarven port
🛡️ Var Torum – the great gatehouse
🏔️ Khaz Narak Part 1 / Part 2 – the sprawling, 5-level dwarven hold

And as a little extra, I’ve released the clan banners of the 15 dwarven families that once ruled these mountains. Perfect for use in your own campaigns or world-building projects!

A Note About Next Month - New Team Member Incoming!

Some of you may have noticed there hasn’t been a poll for October’s theme. That’s because I’ll be stepping away for part of the month to help Mrs. The Reclusive Cartographer welcome a brand-new addition to our family. 🍼✨

But fear not, brave adventurers! When have I ever failed to deliver maps? While I’m away, I’ve been preparing a lucky-dip style collection of maps for you to enjoy. Think of it as rummaging through a treasure hoard—you never know what gem you’ll pull out! Regular themed poll will return in November.

Thank you all so much for your continued support. Whether you’ve been here for years or just joined last week, you make this cartographer’s journey possible.

👉 If you’re enjoying these maps and want access to premium releases like the Ironhelm Mountains, along with all the bonus content, banners, and special map sets, consider joining as a premium member today!

Adventure awaits,
– The Reclusive Cartographer

Dwarf Hold: Khaz Narak is Complete – Final Maps Released!

Greetings, travelers!

This is our fourth and final release of the month, bringing to a close our theme of Dwarven Strongholds. And what a way to finish—today we complete the hold of Khaz Narak, home of the legendary Ironvein Clan.

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Last week we unveiled the first two levels of this mighty stronghold, and now we’re excited to share the final three maps that bring Khaz Narak fully to life:

• The Forge Level 🔨 9 Variants – The beating heart of the hold, where the Ironvein Clan forges their renowned weapons, armor, and rune-bound creations. The forges never rest, and the halls echo with the song of hammer on steel.

  Free Wartermarked Version

  Forge level of the dwarven hold, Khaz Narak

• The Palace Level 👑 10 Variants – High above the forges lies the seat of dwarven authority, where the Lord of Khaz Narak presides over his people in a hall of stone, steel, and pride.

  Free Wartermarked Version

  Palace level of the dwarven hold, Khaz Narak

• The Vault Level ⚒️ 10 Variants – Long sealed and abandoned, this level is said to hold a darkness the ancestors dared not confront. Few speak of it, but all feel its weight—the secrets buried deep beneath Khaz Narak.

  Free Watermarked Version

  Vault level of the dwarven hold, Khaz Narak

Together, these maps give you the full stronghold to explore: a living, breathing dwarven hold above… and a shadowed mystery below. Perfect for campaigns of intrigue, exploration, or delving into the whispered curse of the sealed Vault.

We’ve had a blast bringing Khaz Narak to life, and we can’t wait to see how you use it in your games.

👉 If you’re not already a patron, now is the perfect time to join us! Gain instant access to Khaz Narak and our full archive of maps, including all the strongholds, dungeons, towns, and battle maps we’ve released over the years.

Thank you all for supporting this journey—your adventuring tables make these creations truly come alive.

— The Reclusive Cartographer

Variations

🗺️ New Map Release – Our descent into Khaz Narak Begins!

Greetings travelers,

We’re now in Week 3 of this month’s theme: Dwarven Strongholds, and I’m especially excited about today’s release. So far this month we’ve explored a dwarven gatehouse, a dwarven shrine, and even a port city carved into the mountain rock. But today, we take our first steps into a true dwarven hold—Khaz Narak, home of the Ironmantle Clan

This release includes the first two levels of the mountain stronghold (five levels total are planned).

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

⚔️ The Entrance Hall - 12 Variants

A vast, fortified passage that serves as the hold’s gateway to the outside world. Strong walls, sturdy gates, and vigilant guards ensure no unwelcome guests enter unchallenged. A handful of trusted human traders are allowed this far—but no deeper.

FREE WATERMARKED DOWNLOAD

🏘️ The Commons - 11 Variants

Something I feel is often overlooked in fantasy maps—where do the inhabitants actually live? The Commons is the beating heart of Khaz Narak: rows of living quarters, a bustling market, a hearty tavern, a halls of records, and even access to a subterranean lake. This level is full of daily life and rich roleplay opportunities for your players.

FREE WATERMARKED DOWNLOAD

And this is just the beginning! Still to come are:

• 🔨 The Grand Forge & Mines

• 👑 The Palace Level

• 🕯️ The Sealed Vaults

Stay tuned for more—Khaz Narak will be one of the most ambitious dungeons we’ve ever mapped.

If you’re not yet a patron, now’s the perfect time to join. You’ll get instant access to all the maps in this dwarven series (and our full archive of hundreds of fantasy maps). And keep an eye out—we’re also preparing a Dwarven Adventure Trilogy, a connected set of adventures that will use these maps (and more!) to bring your dwarves to life at the table.

👉 Join the Patreon here and start your journey into Khaz Narak!

—The Reclusive Cartographer

Variants

⚒️ New Map Release – Hurak-Durm, the Dwarven Port City ⚒️ Includes Stonefather Shrine Battlemap

Greetings, adventurers!

This month’s theme is all about Dwarven Strongholds, and I’m excited to share the second release: Hurak-Durm, a bustling dwarven port city carved into the western tip of the Ironhelm Mountains. Inspired by Barak Var from of Warhammer Fantasy.

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

🗺️ About Hurak-Durm

Founded by the twin brothers Marek and Snorri Karrison in the final years before the Fall in our Fallen Kingdom setting, Hurak-Durm is a young city by dwarven reckoning. Built to open trade between the mountain clans and the wider realms, it thrives under the stewardship of the Firemantle Clan, renowned for their masterful forges that serve both smithing and shipcraft.

Free Download

At the heart of the city lies a shrine to the Stonefather, the revered ancestor-god of the dwarves. This sacred place stands as a reminder that even while Hurak-Durm looks outward to the sea, its soul remains bound to stone and tradition.

Free Download

I’ve included a battlemap of the Stonefather Shrine for you to drop right into your games—perfect for pilgrimages, ceremonies, or battles in sacred halls.

🔮 Coming Soon

This is only the beginning of the dwarven theme! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be releasing:

• A fully mapped dwarven hold spread across five vast levels.

• Sections of the legendary The Deepways, the underground arteries that link the mountain kingdoms together.

There’s a lot of dwarven stonework ahead, so if you’re not already a patron, now is the perfect time to sign up and get access to the full suite of maps as they roll out!

⚒️ Thank you all for supporting my work and helping me bring these worlds to life. May your dice roll true and your forges burn bright!

Enjoy!

– The Reclusive Cartographer

Variations

Fighting Back Against Art Theft (and a Free Map for you all)

Free Map Download

Hey everyone!

Some of you might have already seen this on my socials or in the Discord, but I wanted to talk about something that really pissed me off over the weekend.

I discovered that a few of my older maps—along with the work of other creators—had been stolen by one of those AI slop scam outfits. You know the ones: promising thousands of maps for pennies and delivering nothing but uncanny, unusable rubbish.

At least two of my maps from years ago were directly fed into their generator of choice, spat back out with some meaningless stylistic tweaks, and then bundled up as if they were brand new. To know they were making money by ripping off my work, (and packaging it as part of a scam) was a real kick in the teeth.

Thankfully, after some well-deserved backlash from the TTRPG community, the company has since removed the stolen art from their socials. Whether they’ve actually taken my maps out of their bundle? I can’t say, and I won’t be paying them a penny to dig through their archive of AI junk to find out.

I’m still not sure if I want to pursue the matter further, but I do know this: the best catharsis for me is to keep creating. So this morning I sat down and redrew one of the stolen maps in my current style.

And I want to share both a Day and Night version with all of you— FOR FREE

Consider it a little reminder that real human creativity and passion can’t be replicated by an algorithm, and that the TTRPG community is stronger when we support genuine creators.

Stay vigilant out there folks, these map scams are out there and if something sounds too good to be true, it almost definitely is.

Thanks, as always, for being here and supporting my work. It means a lot to me!

– The Reclusive Cartographer

Var Torum – The Dwarven Gatehouse 🛡️🏔️ - 4 Levels - 16 Variants

Greetings travellers!

We’re kicking off this month’s theme — Dwarven Strongholds — with the first release: Var Torum, the Dwarven Gatehouse.

Rewards

Free Download / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

For centuries, Var Torum has stood guard at the southwestern neck of the Valley of Spines, where sheer, impassable rock faces form a natural barrier on either side. This mighty gatehouse is the sole western approach to Khaz-Nara, the ancient hold of the proud Ironmantle Clan.

Though its towering gates and fortified walls are first and foremost a bulwark of defense — a fortress that has never fallen in war — Var Torum is also a bustling waypoint. Caravans of traders from the lowlands and from the nearby human realm of Mytos must pass through here, paying the Ironmantle dwarves their famously lucrative tolls.

This release is yet another piece of our Fallen Kingdom setting, and it will play a role in an upcoming dwarven-themed adventure we’re excited to share soon.

What’s Next?

• ⚓ Next week: The Dwarven port city of Hurak-Durm — keep an eye out!

  

• 🗺️ We’re also hard at work on a regional map of the Ironhelm Mountains, once the heart of an ancient dwarven kingdom.

  

Join the Journey

If you’re not already a patron, now’s the perfect time to join! By becoming a supporter, you’ll gain instant access to our entire archive of maps — hundreds of battle maps, regional maps, and setting lore — plus all future releases the moment they’re published.

👉 Become a Patron today and help us continue bringing the world of the Fallen Kingdom to life.

Variations

✨ Reclaiming the Light Part 2 – Into the Twilight - Fallen Kingdom Adventure! ✨

The vortex opens — will your players survive the shadowed seas of Umbra?

As we step into a new month, I want to start with a huge thank you to each and every one of you who supports The Reclusive Cartographer. Your encouragement and enthusiasm are what keep these worlds alive — I couldn’t do this without you. 💛

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Last month, we took the first step into a brand-new kind of project for us: a fully commissioned adventure series written for our own setting, The Fallen Kingdom. Thanks again to the talented folks at Shadow Steel Studios for weaving our maps into something truly special.

You can find Part 1: Snuffed Out here.

✨ Into the Twilight - Part Two has arrived! ✨

Download Here - Master Cartographers ($5+) and above

The story continues as your players plunge through the vortex beneath The Last Light, emerging in the shadowed realm of Umbra. There, amidst the shifting mists of the Duskfall Archipelago, they must search for the missing family and uncover the trail of an ancient artefact bound to the fate of the Fallen Kingdom.

This strange and alien land teems with danger and mystery, leading ultimately to the threshold of the Midnight Chambers — the hidden stronghold of the Dark Elven Cult of the Shattered Sun.

📘 Part 2: Into the Twilight is now available for Master Cartographers ($5+).
If you’ve been considering upgrading, now’s the perfect time to dive deeper into the adventure!

Thank you again for making projects like this possible. I can’t wait for you and your players to explore the shadowed seas of Umbra — and see what awaits in Part Three.

Cheers!

G

Monthly Round Up: August

Hi all!

With our theme of Lizardfolk coming to an end, I just wanted to quickly look back at everything we released this month so you don't miss anything!

We released:

1 Free map

8 Premium Maps with dozens variants,

2 Flying Dinosaurs,

1 awesome collab with James' RPG Art

and 4 new Foundry Modules!

If you haven't already grab your rewards here:

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

For September we will be doing: Dwarven Strongholds so make sure to let me know what suggestion you have!

August Releases:

The Brinewake - Schooner Class Ship - FREE

Needle's Bones

Lizardfolk Village

Swamp Barricade

Flying Dinosaurs

Forbidden City of Xal'Zerica

Thalen Vor

Great Temple of Xal'Zerica

Swamp River

Sun Temple

Jungle Streets

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Find more maps here: Cartographer’s Archive List

If you enjoy my work please consider supporting me to gain access to my entire archive and to all of you that already support, thank you very much!

Cheers!

George

The Sun Temple & Jungle City Streets - Lizardfolk Week 4 Release

Hi all!

We’re closing out August with two final maps from the ruined city of Xal’Zerica, continuing our month-long Lizardfolk Theme. This month has been a blast, if you are a Journeyman Surveyor or above, make sure to vote in next month's Map Theme Poll to decide what we are doing next!

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

☀️ The Sun Temple - 12 Variants

Free Watermarked Version

Once a sacred place of worship to the sun, this temple now lies in ruin—its stones cracked, its chamber abandoned, and the jungle slowly reclaiming the surrounding area. Like the city itself, it stands as a haunting reminder of what was lost when the lizardfolk fled their homeland.

🌿 Jungle City Streets - 11 Variants

Free Watermarked Version

A zoomed-in encounter map drawn straight from the Xal’Zerica city map released earlier this month. These overgrown streets and crumbling dwellings are perfect for ambushes, exploration, or desperate chases among the ruins of the ancients.

Upcoming Adventure Release

Both maps tie directly into the lizardfolk adventure trilogy we’re currently writing. The first part will be released next week, and across the full series you’ll see every map from this month—woven together into an epic race against time and dark ritual.

✨ Join our Patreon today to unlock these maps, get early access to the new adventure, and support the ongoing expansion of the Fallen Kingdom.

Variants

Map Theme: September

Hi all!

Time to vote for you map theme for next month! Happy voting!

I've pulled suggestions from the last few months that haven't quite got the votes to give them a second chance.

Cheers

G

New Map Release: The Great Temple of Xal’Zerica & Swamp River

This week’s release takes us deeper into the Swamp of Claws with two exciting new maps for your campaigns:

🌑 The Great Temple of Xal’Zarica - 10 Variants
At the heart of last week’s ruined city, Xal,Zerica, lies this Aztec-style ziggurat, a towering monument of stone and shadow. In our upcoming lizardfolk adventure, this temple becomes the stage for a desperate race against time—your players must stop a rogue shaman’s dark ritual before it engulfs the world in darkness.

Free Watermarked Version

🌊 Swamp River - 7 variants
A murky stretch of swamp water, perfect for aquatic battles or treacherous travel through the marshlands. To make journeys more interesting, we’ve also included a lizardfolk battlebarge—ideal if your players earn the trust of friendly locals. Combine it with the flying dinosaurs from last week, and your adventurers will be spoiled for choice when braving the perilous swamplands.

Free Watermarked Version

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

For Journeyman Surveyors and above, I have also included a token for of the Battlebarge for you to drop into your own naval encounters. Enjoy!

And this is just the beginning. Our adventure series Reclaiming the Light, has Part 2 coming soon! It will feature some of our latest maps, including The Netherstones and The Midnight Chambers.

✨ Join our Patreon today to unlock these maps, early access to adventures, and help us keep building the Fallen Kingdom for your stories.

Sign Up Today!

Cheers

George - The Reclusive Cartographer

Variants

New Map Release: The Forbidden City of Xal’Zarica & Thalen Vor

Adventurers and cartographers, we have something truly special this week!

Introducing the forbidden city of Xal’Zarica, one of the sacred cities of the lizardfolk, now long crumbled into ruins. Hidden deep within the Swamp of Claws in the Fallen Kingdom, Xal’Zarica is steeped in ancient mystery—and dark magic.

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Thousands of years ago, the Priest Kings of the lizardfolk performed a remarkable feat: they transported their entire civilization from a distant land through magical portals to save them from a great threat. While their people were saved, the cities themselves became tainted by a lingering, potent darkness. The Priest Kings forbade anyone from entering, sacrificing their own lives to keep the evil contained. Today, Xal’Zarica remains a place of haunting ruins, lost knowledge, and untold secrets waiting for brave explorers.

Free Watermarked Version

This release also includes a regional map of Thalen Vor, the southeastern reaches of the Fallen Kingdom, including the Swamp of Claws. Thalen Vor is home to the wood elves and will see even more expansion in future releases, giving you the perfect foundation for adventures in this lush, mysterious land.

Free Watermarked Version

More Adventures to come!

And like last month, these maps are fully integrated into our new three-part adventure, designed to bring your tabletop stories to life. Explore, uncover secrets, and let the world of the Fallen Kingdom inspire your campaigns.

Unlock the maps and adventure today by joining our Patreon—your support not only gives you exclusive content but also helps us continue building this world one map at a time.

Join us now on Patreon!

Cheers!

George - RC

Variants

🦎 Flying Dinosaurs! - Free for all Patrons

Sharpen your obsidian spears and check your saddle straps, today we’re taking to the skies!

Here at The Reclusive Cartographer we are of the Warhammer Fantasy school of thought when it comes to Lizardfolk—ancient, mighty, and more than capable of riding terrifying winged beasts into battle. So of course, flying dinosaur mounts are a must!

Rewards

Free Watermarked Version / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

This release features not one, but two airborne titans of the swamp skies:

A fully kitted-out Quetzalcoatlus – complete with a fighting platform so your players can rain javelins, spells, or sheer terror from above.

The nimble Pteradon – the perfect escort, harrier, and ambush hunter, diving out of the clouds with deadly precision.

And the best part? This release is free to all patrons!

But if you’re looking to take your encounters to the next level:

• Journeyman Surveyors will also get access to beautifully rendered tokens for your VTT battles. Find them in the Monster Vault

• Master Cartographers and above will unlock animated tokens and modular sky maps, letting you craft your own pulse-pounding aerial encounters. Find them in our new Foundry Module - RC Animated Sky - in the Foundry Archive

• As always we are also offering the SD, watermarked versions of all of these maps for FREE TO ALL

These dinos are the perfect way to soar across the Swamp of Claws—the perilous route to the lost city of the Lizardfolk (a sprawling city map currently deep in the works!).

If you’ve been thinking about joining our ranks, now’s the time! Your support keeps the maps coming, the dinosaurs flying, and the adventures rolling.

🗺️ Become a Patron today and claim your ride through the clouds!

Join The Reclusive Cartographer on Patreon

🦎 New Map Release: Lizardfolk Village + Swamp Barricade Battlemap 🐊

This month, we’re diving deep into the Swamp of Claws with a Lizardfolk-themed release, and the first two maps are ready for you!

📌 This week's maps:

• Lizardfolk Village – A dense, humid settlement nestled among tangled swamp trees and wooden platforms.

• Swamp Path Barricade – A narrow trail through the wetlands blocked by a crude barrier of mud, and logs… perfect for a tense encounter or ambush.

As with last month, a full adventure will accompany this theme – currently in the works!

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Free Watermarked Version

Free Watermarked Version

🐊 Adventure Sneak Peek:

Trouble is brewing in the Swamp of Claws, part of our community-created setting, The Fallen Kingdom.

Whispers from a nearby trading outpost tell of:

• Increased attacks on traders and hunters.

• Missing caravans swallowed by the mist.

• A rogue shaman uniting scattered lizardfolk tribes for a mysterious cause.

• And most mysteriously... the ancient, forbidden ruins of the lizardfolk are beginning to stir. The stone cities, long lost and shunned, are waking up.

One of these ancient cities will be featured in next week’s map – so stay tuned!

If you love worldbuilding-rich maps, narrative hooks, and ready-to-use battlemaps for your campaigns, now’s the perfect time to jump in and join our community!

👉 Join us on Patreon to get immediate access to this month's releases and hundreds of previous maps!

Thank you for continuing to support The Reclusive Cartographer – I can't wait to show you what’s coming next.

Cheers!

George

🗺️✨ Collaboration Drop: Needle’s Bones x James’ RPG Art

Hey adventurers!

I'm thrilled to share something special with you all — another collaboration between myself and the incredibly talented James' RPG Art!

We’ve teamed up to bring you a stunning version of Needle’s Bones, the iconic location from the official adventure: Tomb of Annihilation. I’ve created a new detailed battle map of the site, and James has lent his amazing skills to illustrate a breath-taking piece of scenery art that brings this place to life!

Free Download / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

But that’s not all...

🎁 FREE BONUS ADVENTURE – FOR ALL PAID PATRONS!
James has also included an original adventure he has just released!

🌀 The Lady of the Crystalline Depths
A system-neutral, one-shot or drop-in adventure, designed to let the art guide your storytelling.

"When a sleepy mining town is thrown into chaos by a host of fey, the heroes are called upon to investigate the problem! Diving into a strange underground land of crystalline beauty, they may find themselves between a rock and a hard place unless they utilize quick wit, strength of arms, and more than a little diplomacy."

This is Part 2 of James’ “Long Road to the Long Night” adventure path, but works perfectly as a standalone too.

🔐 This entire collaboration is FREE to all paid patrons (any tier)!
If you're not signed up yet, now's the perfect time to join and gain access to this and a huge library of other fantasy maps, assets, and extras.

👉 Join The Reclusive Cartographer on Patreon and get instant access!

Thank you as always for your support — and huge thanks to James for lending his art and storytelling to this collaborative release. Let’s make some adventures.

– The Reclusive Cartographer

Collaboration Details

Cartographer: The Reclusive Cartographer

The Reclusive Cartographer creates content that you can drop straight into your campaigns, give your players a little more inspiration, and to help bring your adventures to life!

Here you will find maps for Encounters, Dungeons, Settlements and whole Regions; everything you will ever need.

Scene Artist/Animator: James RPG Art

James' RPG Art makes animated scenes to help players visualise environments and add immersion and tone to your games.

He has created over 300 scenes from official WotC adventures and many unique locations that are often found in a D&D adventure.

He releases 4 new locations each month for his patrons.

🗺️ Free Map Release – The Brinewake Schooner!

Ahoy, adventurers! ⚓

As a special thank you for all your incredible support—especially those of you who helped fill in my survey in July—I’m releasing a FREE bonus battlemap for everyone, premium and non-paying patrons alike.

This is The Brinewake, a nimble schooner perfect for high-seas intrigue, pirate skirmishes, or a dramatic arrival in our latest adventure, Snuffed Out. Whether your party's sailing into danger or making a stylish entrance, this sleek ship is ready for action.

Use it in your campaigns however you like—it’s yours!

Download the map here

🐊 What’s Next?
August is going full Lizardfolk! Expect swamps, ruins, strange idols, and sun-drenched rituals as we gear up for a month of wild terrain and epic encounters.

🙏 Thank you again for the support. These maps wouldn’t exist without this amazing community.

⚓ Now hoist the sails and bring your story to life on The Brinewake!

– The Reclusive Cartographer

✨ Reclaiming the Light Begins – Fallen Kingdom Adventure! ✨

As the month wraps up, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for all your continued support. Whether you’ve just joined or have been a patron since the early days, you’re what keeps The Reclusive Cartographer going strong. 💛

Today marks a big milestone — something brand new for us:

🗺️ We've released collaborative and community-written adventures before, but this is the first time we've created a fully commissioned adventure, set in our very own custom setting: The Fallen Kingdom. Written by the fantastic Shadow Steel Studios, you're going to love it!

Reclaiming the Light

This three-part series weaves together recent maps like The Last Light, The Netherstones, The Midnight Chambers, and The Temple of the Shattered Sun into a full campaign arc.

Your players will journey through eerie dungeons and forgotten places to rescue a kidnapped family, uncover their link to a powerful ancient artefact, and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

📘 Part 1: Snuffed Out is available today for all patrons!
Parts 2 and 3 will be exclusive to Master Cartographers ($5+), so if you're thinking about upgrading, now’s a great time!

Bonus Map Incoming - Thank you for the Feedback!

🎁 Tomorrow, I’m also releasing a free bonus map as a thank-you to everyone who filled out the survey a few weeks back. Your feedback helped guide this new direction — and this adventure exists because you asked for it!

Downloads

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

🔮 Looking Ahead: August Map Theme

Next month, we’re heading deep into untamed jungles, ancient ruins, vine-choked ziggurats, and crumbling lizardfolk temples. If you love that Lost Civilization vibe, you're in for a treat.

🌿 Got a map idea that would fit this theme? Drop it in the comments! I’d love to include some patron-suggested content.

📌 Dive into Snuffed Out today, and don't miss the next chapters of Reclaiming the Light.
Thanks again for being here — here's to more stories, more maps, and more adventures.

– The Reclusive Cartographer

Map Theme Poll: August - my birthday month (just saying)

Hi all!

It's time for another map theme poll!

This time around I decided to go for a species angle, you will notice that 'human' is missing. It's time to some the other fantasy folks some love :D

Happy voting!

Cheers

G

🌑 New Map Release – The Temple of the Shattered Sun 🌑

Greetings adventurers!

Today, the descent into darkness reaches its climax…

The Temple of the Shattered Sun is here — the fourth and final map in our Darkest Dungeon series. Following the perilous paths of The Last Lighthouse, The Netherstones, and The Midnight Chambers, this ancient and dark temple marks the epic conclusion to a growing shadow that threatens to consume the realm.

This isn't just another dungeon — it's the final battleground.

By now, your players have uncovered the truth behind the Cult of the Shattered Sun — a secretive order bent on corrupting an Ember of the Light Undying, a sacred remnant of divine power. Their twisted ritual is nearly complete, and only your party stands between salvation and the encroaching Shadow Realm.

Rewards

Free Watermarked Version / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

🔥 Adventure Incoming: Reclaiming the Light

This dungeon is more than a map — it's the conclusion to a brand new, 3-part adventure currently in development:
Working title: Reclaiming the Light

This Patreon-only series will plunge your party into a bleak and mythic tale of corruption, forgotten relics, and desperate heroism. The first part drops in just a few weeks. The Temple of the Shattered Sun will serve as the final showdown — but what leads your party there will be a journey filled with danger, secrets, and choices that matter.

Want to Be Ready?

Join the Patreon now to unlock:

• All 4 maps in the Darkest Dungeon series

• Early access to Reclaiming the Light

• Animated versions, variants, VTT files, and more

Whether you're looking for maps to drop into your campaign or a full adventure to challenge your players at every turn, this is the time to jump in.

👉 Sign up on Patreon and prepare to Reclaim the Light.

Happy adventuring!

Cheers

George

Variants

IMAGE

🚨 New Free Animated Map Release: The Wagon Circle 🚨

The fires crackle, the water gently flows, and the night is alive with tension…

The Wagon Circle is a classic adventuring scene brought to life in 4K animation — perfect for your next ambush, camp defence, or tense midnight negotiation.

Set the Scene:
A handful of wagons are drawn into a rough circle beside a small stream, forming a makeshift defensive camp. Maybe it’s a merchant convoy resting for the night, a secret meeting point, or a last stand against approaching raiders. However you use it, this map brings the atmosphere — and the suspense.

📜 How to Download:

Free to Everyone

• 1080x1080 res

• Watermarked

• 5 min looped MP4

Free to Master Cartographers ($5)

• 4k res

• 10 min looped MP4

• 10 sec loop WebM - Foundry Optimised

• Additional Variants: Night, Mist and Rain

📬 Let Us Know:

What other classic Reclusive Cartographer maps would you love to see brought to life in animation? Drop your ideas in the comments!

And if you haven’t yet…
👉 Join the premium tiers to unlock the full resolution versions and help us keep bringing more dynamic, living maps to your game table.

Thanks as always for traveling with us,
— The Reclusive Cartographer

🕯️ The Darkest Dungeon – Week Three: The Midnight Chambers 🕯️ - 2 new Foundry Modules

Welcome back, brave souls — and welcome to Week Three of our latest theme: The Darkest Dungeon!

Taking the theme literally, today we descend deeper into shadow with our newest map release: The Midnight Chambers — the shadowy stronghold of the Cult of the Shattered Sun, a faction of dark elves who dwell in the eerie depths of the Shadow Realm.

🌀 After last week’s map, The Last Light Lighthouse, your players now plunge beneath it through the Vortex, straight into a forgotten realm of twilight. There, they'll face the Netherstones ambush and stand before the gloom-wrapped gates of the cult’s underground fortress.

Rewards

Free Watermarked Version / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Inside the Midnight Chambers, players will:

• Explore a mysterious stronghold steeped in darkness and secrets

• Search for the missing family taken from the Lighthouse

• Learn the truth behind the cult’s ritual, and the ancient Embers — lost fragments of the sacred Light Undying, once the spiritual heart of the realm

• Race against time to gain entry to the temple beneath (next weeks project) to hopefully save the family from a dark fate and safeguard the holy Ember

What do you folks think lies deeper within the dread sanctum of the Cult?
And what is the Light Undying, truly?

🗺️ The Midnight Chambers map pack comes with 14 variants, including night and shadowed versions perfect for Shadow Realm encounters.

Foundry Module News!

We’re thrilled to announce the release of two new Foundry VTT modules:

• The Last Light Lighthouse

• The Vault of Souls

Each comes pre-walled and fully lit, ready to drop into your game! If you've been holding off diving into our dungeons yet, now's the time.

📖 LegendKeeper Project: The Fallen Kingdom

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on our recent survey! Based on your input, we’ll be expanding our worldbuilding within LegendKeeper. As we release new maps, we’ll add lore entries, faction details, and regional context — all of which tie into The Fallen Kingdom, our campaign setting.

Did you know every single location we map exists within this world?

We’re also inviting YOU to help us build it. Want to name an ancient ruin? Add to a timeline? Flesh out a god or a faction?
👉 Join us in the Discord and help shape the living lore of the Fallen Kingdom!

🗣️ We'd love to hear from you:

• What do you think the Cult of the Shattered Sun really wants with the Ember?

• Would you like to see short lore handouts for players in future packs?

Drop your thoughts below — and if you're enjoying the journey into the darkness, consider sharing a story or a moment from your own table!

Until next week!

👉 Not a Patron Yet?
Now’s the perfect time to join and get access to this huge release (and everything else already in the vault). Help shape the next volumes and the future of our fantasy map!

Thank you so much for your support—you make this all possible.

— The Reclusive Cartographer 🗺️

Variants

Free Animated Map - The Netherstones

Hey Adventurers!

I'm excited to share a brand new animated map with you — The Netherstones!

Designed to tie in with our recent map The Last Light, this rather dangerous looking place to what lies in store for your players once they step through the Vortex in search of the missing residents.

Flying through the portal, the party slams down hard onto the cracked surface of the central stone. The air is thin and cold, filled with static. Strange gravity tugs at their bones as violet mist coils beneath the floating islands.

There’s barely a heartbeat to take in the alien sky before shrieking shapes descend from above — a pair of Gloomstalkers, their wings like torn shadow, dive from the murk. Their goal is clear: knock the intruders from the stone and into the void below.

But the void is not what it seems.

Should a player be cast off, gravity twists — and instead of plummeting into oblivion, they are flung sideways or upward, crashing onto a random floating stone. They take [Level]d6 bludgeoning damage from the hard landing (credit to DM Dan on Discord for this evil mechanic).

If the party survives the ambush and regroups, an observant adventurer might spot faint footprints in the dust. They lead to the very edge of the rock — and simply stop.

Whoever took the lighthouse family jumped. Will your players be brave — or reckless — enough to follow?

📜 How to Download:

Free to Everyone Animated / Still

• 1920x1080 res

• Watermarked

• 5 min looped MP4

Free to all Patrons Still

Free to Master Cartographers ($5) Animated / Still

• 4k res

• 10 min looped MP4

• 10 sec loop WebM - Foundry Optimised

🎲✨ Become a Patron today to unlock this map and many more — and bring your worlds to life with every adventure!

📌 Join here: www.patreon.com/thereclusivecartographer

Enjoy, and as always, happy adventuring!

🔦 Map Release: The Last Light – 9 Levels of Forgotten Depths 🔦

Well hello adventurers!

Our second major release for this month’s Darkest Dungeon theme is here—and it's a big one!

🗺️ The Last Light - Cliffside Lighthouse – 9 Levels

From the top of the weathered tower to the dark caverns far below, this map pack includes a full descent into a location steeped in history and shadowy secrets.

💡 Adventure Hook

Two hundred years ago, The Last Light stood as a beacon beside an unforgiving sea. Now, it’s home only to a few ragged descendants of the men that once guarded these shores. When the lighthouse suddenly goes dark, your players are called to investigate. What they’ll find beneath the cellar is a tunnel system crawling with goblins—servants of something older and darker. A shadow portal stirs...

Will your players stop the ritual—or follow the missing family into the portal beyond?

Rewards

Free Watermarked Version / Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

Buildable Adventures

Recently, many of you shared that you’d love to see maps that connect into short, playable adventures. This release is an attempt to do just that.

We’ve structured The Last Light to support a complete mini-arc, with story beats hidden throughout each level. This week's map covers the entire lighthouse and the goblin-infested under depths, but…

Next week’s release will pick up where this one ends. Into the vortex. Into the Shadow Realm.

🛠️ Help Shape the Next Chapter

If you're excited by this direction, we’d love your input!
Would you like the next map to focus on:

• A deeper part of the shadow tunnels?

• A ruin trapped between dimensions?

• Something else?
  

Leave your ideas in the comments—we'll use your feedback to guide next week's design!

Thank you for helping shape this world, and for keeping the light burning in these dark places.

👉 Not a Patron Yet?
Now’s the perfect time to join and get access to this huge release (and everything else already in the vault). Help shape the next volumes and the future of our fantasy cities!

Thank you so much for your support—you make this all possible. I’ll be back from holiday soon and can’t wait to share what’s next.

— The Reclusive Cartographer 🗺️

Variants

📜 Into the Depths: Darkest Dungeons, Week One / Initial Survey Feedback

Greetings, adventurers!

This week kicks off a brand-new theme: Darkest Dungeons, where we delve deep beneath the surface to uncover what lies in the shadows. Inspired by your favourite classic dungeon-crawling experiences, this release includes four fully detailed underground maps, designed to plug seamlessly into your ongoing campaigns.

These maps were created to pair beautifully with last month’s standalone City Interior maps!

Rewards

Initiate Mapmaker ($1) / Journeyman Surveyors ($3) / Master Cartographers ($5)

Make sure to join our Discord Community for more maps and TTRPG content!

🗺️ This Week’s Map Set:

Each of these maps is set in a basement or cellar—perfect for when your players decide to poke their noses where they don’t belong…

🔮 Necromancer’s Workshop - 11 Variants
Beneath a crumbling apothecary lies a chamber of forbidden rites. Rows of dusty tomes and half-formed horrors suggest something—or someone—is being prepared.
Plot Hook: A missing corpse turns up walking. Tracing its path leads to this grim undercroft… but who—or what—is doing the reanimating?

Free Download

🗡️ Thieves’ Guild Hideout - 11 Variants
A web of tunnels and backroom deals, this underground lair hums with tension, back stabbing and a gold or two.
💰 Plot Hook: A noble family’s heirloom is stolen. Clues point toward the underground lair—and the guild won’t give it up without a fight.

Free Download

☠️ Cultist Hideout - 11 Variants
Beneath a quiet bakery lies a blasphemous sanctum. Candlelight flickers on blood-stained altars, and something ancient watches from the dark.
🔺 Plot Hook: People are vanishing. Locals whisper of chants in the night and a strange smell of sulfur from the baker’s cellar...
Free Download

📦 Cellar Warehouse - 11 Variants
This deceptively mundane storage space hides a bustling black-market operation—if you can navigate the maze of crates
🚪 Plot Hook: A merchant’s goods keep disappearing. Surveillance reveals deliveries going into the warehouse—but never coming out.

Free Download

Map Enhancements & Community Updates

Thanks so much for the fantastic survey feedback! It's already helped shape some great improvements:

• Searchable Archive: You can now search the entire map archive by name directly on the website. I have also updated the site is 80 more maps to search through. There a few more to come to get completely up to date but I'm getting there!

  

• Better Downloads: Gridded maps for Foundry and Roll20 are now in separate folders to make things quicker and easier to access.

• Upcoming Improvements: Biome and monster filters, for website searching are coming soon, and we’re planning a return to Foundry conversion releases and even short adventures to tie maps together!

🎉 If you haven’t filled out the survey yet, please do—it really does help shape the future of this Patreon. Free Member Survey / Patron Survey

🔑 Unlock These Maps Now
If you're not already a patron, now’s the perfect time to join! These maps are plug-and-play, packed with atmosphere, and ready to drop into your next session.

➡️ Join the Reclusive Cartographer on Patreon and take your players deep into the darkness… if they dare.