Chain of Islands, Adept & Expert (Patreon)

This week's map is a bit bigger than usual (and significantly bigger than last week's map) so hopefully it will accommodate you long-range people better. Also, check out the bonus version of this map, an alternate stormy weather version (perfect for when bad weather sweeps away your players' boats when they're at sea).

1. It took me a couple iterations to get to this point, a couple different arrangements of islands of all sorts of sizes. Originally the map was just 1 huge islands, but I cut it up into 3 pieces and spread it out a bit. What's the point of an island map if there isn't danger of falling in?? 

I messed with the big island after this point if you didn't notice the differences. I wanted the natural flow of the map to guide the players to the center of the map, to a place where the map feels like it ends.

2. So, I goofed up. I used a brush significantly larger than I wanted. The size of the map threw me off and I didn't notice until it was way too late to change anything. Eventually you just have to acknowledge that there's nothing you can do and just lean into it I guess, yeah? 

Anyway, ignoring the thicker outlines, I tried something different with the rock walls. I used a lot more horizontal lines than usual and tried to keep them thicker and more noticeable. I didn't have the guts to follow through with that last bit, but there's still much more texture in the rock walls than usual! Looks good.

3. I wanted to keep the color scheme tropical, but it was honestly a struggle for me. I kept straying off course and eventually I just googled island battle maps for help (2 Minute Tabletop is a great source of inspiration). I think the colors still aren't quite right, but the colors are satisfying and therefore are good enough.