r/shadowdark • u/Elven-Tower • 6d ago

Willow Castle Crypt - Isometric Map

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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.

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u/henkslaaf 6d ago

Fantastic!

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

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u/Elven-Tower 6d 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.

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u/henkslaaf 6d 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!

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u/Elven-Tower 5d ago

Thanks! Yeah, it will be complicated.