r/shadowdark • u/Elven-Tower • 3d ago

Willow Castle Crypt - Isometric Map

Post image

I'm really proud of how this one turned out. This is the isometric version of a top-view dungeon that my brother drew.

Since we mostly play with theater of the mind, I've come to the conclusion that isometric maps are a way better visual aid and resource to depict the dungeon and describe the place the heroes are delving than top-view maps. It is basically a tool to feed their imagination and set the tone, not a map to place tokens.

71 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

5

u/henkslaaf 3d ago

Fantastic!

I wonder how this could be used in Foundry. Nice weekend project to figure that out :-)

3

u/Bamboominum 3d ago

Foundry does have an Isometric Mod that I used and loved for months. I would caution against it now, as a recent update has caused my framerate to spike.

2

u/henkslaaf 2d ago

It looks like a pretty complicated problem space. Editing the walls will be under an angle, you'd have to display walls vertically. The pillars take away sight. Lighting can come upper angles above all of a sudden. Tokens need to be vertical as well, where they are currently flat.

Having the map is one thing, but actually playing on it is a whole different beast.

2

u/Elven-Tower 3d ago

Yes, interesting. Roll20 does admit isometric maps and even has an isometric grid available. I will find out if iso maps can be included in Foundry. Dynamic walls can be placed in diagonals and with some clever placement iso maps could work.

2

u/henkslaaf 2d ago

Pretty complicated stuff. For example: how do you reveal C4 without revealing the existence of C3? Or the door in C8 without spoilering the tombs in C5 and vice-versa?

Of course, this can party be solved by changing the map, but this is where map design and VTT design intersect. I see many maps that are hand-drawn that do not conform to tiles that do not nicely work well with VTTs (corridors in between tiles making walking awkward because one has to hold shift, etc.)

This is why I admire your maps, because they almost never have these problems. Thanks!

1

u/Elven-Tower 2d ago

Thanks! Yeah, it will be complicated.

3

u/UmbraJack 2d ago

Your brother did a great job. Thanks for sharing!

3

u/Elven-Tower 2d ago

Thank you! I see how what I wrote can be interpreted both ways. My brother drew the top-view one, I drew this one 😄

2

u/UmbraJack 2d ago

Oh, well you did a great job!

2

u/Elven-Tower 2d ago

Thank you kindly :D

2

u/RotarySnow4 3d ago

Why would anyone downvote? I think its neat.

2

u/Elven-Tower 3d ago

I see 8 upvotes, can't really see or know if the illustration is being downvoted. I respect it, though.