DEEP CARBON OBSERVATORY MAPS
A few posts
ago I lamented the fact that the excellent adventure Deep Carbon Observatory
(link to purchase on RPGNOW) lacked classic top down maps, because it was hard for me to visualize running a
couple of its areas using only the elevation or isometric maps provided. Since I like the adventure, like drawing
maps, like the author, like the artist and especially like the strange and evocative
environment that the adventure manages to create without departing too far from
a standard fantasy world, I have decided to draft maps for the Deep Carbon
Observatory.
I chose the adventure’s ultimate destination and location because it seemed the most complex and most in need of reference. This becomes especially true as there’s a good chance that the observatory will end up being run as a chase. The map is nicely set up for this, with only a few dead ends and many loops.
I chose the adventure’s ultimate destination and location because it seemed the most complex and most in need of reference. This becomes especially true as there’s a good chance that the observatory will end up being run as a chase. The map is nicely set up for this, with only a few dead ends and many loops.
I was not
able to replicate the measurements described in the adventure itself, as these would make some
areas very very small and others oddly huge.
Instead I tried to keep my scale in line with that of the elevation
map.
 |
| DCO - Lvl 1 |
Level 1 – AREAS 1,2 , 26 and 39 – 44
 |
| DCO - Lvl 2 |
Level 2 AREAS
3-12, 26 – 28
 |
| DCO - Lvl 3 |
Level 3 RIGHT STALACTITE, AREAS 13 -17
 |
| DCO - Lvl 4 |
Level 4 RIGHT STALACTITE, AREAS 18 -21
 |
| DCO lvl 5 |
Level 5
AREAS 22 – 25, 29
 |
| DCO - Lvl 6 |
Level 6 LEFT STALACTITE, AREAS 30 -32
 |
| DCO - Lvl 6 |
Level 7 LEFT STALACTITE, AREAS 33 -34
 |
| DCO - Level 8 |
Level 8 LEFT STALACTITE, AREAS 35-37
 |
| DCO - Lvl 9 |
Level 9 LEFT STALACTITE, AREA 38
Cool, I will link to this in the product page if its ok with you?
ReplyDeleteOf course - I'll cross link it. I'll send you all the files if you feel like wrapping it up in any way as a PDF to offer more directly.
DeleteWell done! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThese have a nice hoary feel to them... good maps like these can really set the mood in my mind as I run the thing... vs. some sterile computer generated thing with no character.
ReplyDeleteThey are my attempt to rip off Scrap Princess' style - albeit with Dyson hatch to prove my OSR bonifieds
DeleteGood job then... because they hit me in the same happy place as her illustrations do.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you draw maps with? Pencil, pen, marker, ?
ReplyDeleteI draw my maps in pencil, then ink over it with a variety of pens, mostly Sharpie micropoints and thin points. I use a grey marker for any water, and then scan them in greyscale. Through a dubious photoshop/picasa/gimp (whatever is handy) process mostly involving filters I give them a variety of distressed looks.
DeleteGreat stuff! I just picked up Deep Carbon Obs and can't put it down. Your maps add just what I need for my 2D brain. I think my players are in for an unexpected side trip.
ReplyDeleteGlad the maps are a help, I found drawing them gave me a much better understanding of the observatory structures.
ReplyDeleteThese will be very helpful, thank you.
ReplyDeleteSincere thanks for these stellar looking & quite useful maps!
ReplyDelete-=A
DCO was a hairs-breadth away from perfection. Now, it's there. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFor the slow-witted among us; The map for Level 7 LEFT STALACTITE, AREAS 33 -34 has room 33 mislabeled. It is 35, and should be 33, I believe.
ReplyDeleteJust picked up DCO and google for maps, super glad to see these, they look great.
ReplyDelete