Magic Shop, Adept & Expert (Patreon)

Hello Adepts/Experts! This week your alternate versions are Subdued and Sunset, a version I haven't made for a very long time! I think I remember it being well received, so I don't know why I haven't made any more, but once again it came out looking excellent, with a heavy atmosphere about the map. I can imagine the combat being a little more dramatic with this lighting, or at least chronologically correct in your campaign. 

1. My original idea for this map was simply a very cluttered bookstore with plenty of glowing baubles here and there for spice. At the end of the day though I decided that bookstores just weren't that interesting to fight in, and I thought that a neat centerpiece would really make the store a lot more exciting- and what's more magical than plants springing forth from the ground? It's a nice way of getting those magical vibes and working with a 2 story layout in a way that should wow your players. 

2. As it turns out it ain't easy populating a magic shop with unique and interesting items. I had high hopes for how magical I would make this place feel with exciting and recognizable magic items, but unfortunately there just isn't enough time in the week for that kind of detail work. Instead, I went with the old artists' trick of giving minimal detail and allowing for the viewer to figure it out themselves, but also peppered with recognizable props like swords and scrolls. Even so, my time has been a hot commodity this week, though that's partially because I DM 2 groups. 

3. Color-wise, I picked the wood color from the free pirate ship map from a while back, though with a lot of improvised elements for the whole assortment of props downstairs. The lighting turned out to be a little tricky, as I usually like to give interiors a little extra lighting so that everything is easily decipherable, but most interiors don't also have a tree cutting out half the light. I chose to leave a corner of the 1st floor shadowy, though I don't like leaving things that dark unless it's clear that it is an area of deep darkness. Still, I gotta say it came out looking very nice!