Saturday 8 August 2020

Rats in the Cellar

Some time ago I picked up Glynn Seal's 'The Midderlands' setting - as it's a fantasy take on the area where I live (i.e. The Midlands) ...so it was hard to resist :)

It's an OSR setting (so it's compatible with most of those kind of games) ...and since I've just picked up Chris Gonnerman's Basic Fantasy RPG - it's got me thinking about setting a game in the Midderlands ...and putting a fantasy spin on some of the stuff/areas that are familiar to me (just for a little one-shot to give BFRPG a test run).

So, I got to thinking about an old church that I used to pass on my way to work some years ago (one that's since been pulled down).

The chapel itself had fallen into ruin (despite it only being around 100 years old) due to the fact that it had become unsafe - as it had been built on top of old mines (my area is riddled with them).

So, an old ruined chapel ...built on top of even older mines ...that's RPG gold right there - so I figured it would make a good adventure site - maybe as a nest of wererats/ratfolk/skaven-like creatures that are making a nuisance of themselves (as I also remember there being a 'rat problem' in a park just down the road from the same place a year or two ago).

So, as you can see, I've drawn a little map in the old 'blue' style (to match the feel of an old-school setting/system) - and, since blogger will likely shrink the image down somewhat, I've uploaded a full size version (with and without labels) over on my Patreon page (note that you don't have to be a patron to download them - they are not hidden behind a paywall or anything like that).

Anyway, here's some of the things I was thinking about when drawing the map:

  • The steps down from the chapel (into the crypts) are filled with rubble - though this can be cleared given enough time (though it's noisy work).
  • A crack in the floor of area 3 leads down into area 6 (there's even a handy pillar spanning the crack that folks could tie their rope to).
  • There is a secret trapdoor in area 5 that leads down into an evil altar (or similar) in area 9 (as I'm thinking the original builders weren't exactly what they seemed ...and maybe the new occupants are their 'cursed' descendants).
  • A large hole in the floor of area 6 overlooks area 10 of the mine.
  • The mines themselves are the main 'nest' of the ratfolk (or similar).

Anyway, I've rambled on for long enough - so here's hoping that you can put the map to use in your own game :)

TLDR: A full size map can be downloaded from the Patreon page for free.

6 comments:

  1. I'd like to see a video of you building this with your dungeon tile set. :)

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    1. I'm not sure if that will happen ...as the plan is to maybe run this online (hence the map :) ).

      Never say never though ;)

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  2. I wonder if you could perhaps do something similar to the Decorative Walls pdf, only with the various styles of the windows in that old chapel... I think those would make a wonderful addition to the collection.

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    1. Ruined walls are on the to-do list - but I have no idea when I'll eventually get around to them :S

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  3. Nice idea with the above maps.
    Note for area 9: perhaps a little expansion there (maybe 2-5 rooms?)
    Each room may contain undead of various sorts, and some treasure maybe?
    The 'escape' could be a door (secret or otherwise), to the 'outside'.
    This could be leading out to a riverbank, hillside, or even a sewer. Adventure ends or continues there.

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    1. Nice ideas ...but I've already got most of this one written up (I got most of it done while I way laying in bed ill for a few days) - so I'll probably leave it as it is for now :)

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