Fortress of the Ur-Mage

Hail cartophiles!

I wanted to spread the word about a great new tournament module for use with Dungeon World published by SVD Press.

Written by Dungeon Oracle, the same guy that wrote such fourthcore classics as Murder of the Maelstrom Queen, Vault of the Wyrm Prince and Tower of the Ascendants, this adventure features maps and art by your favourite Crypt Thing!

Fortress of the Ur-Mage

It is said that the gods tasked Death with keeping the secrets of magic locked behind his Black Gates. And so the fallen races remained blind to the ways of magic, until one man challenged and defeated Death in a battle of wits.

In victory he claimed Death's wand and became the first mortal to perceive the mysteries of the black art, only to be driven mad by the revelations. These half-remembered legends tell too of his sundering of the world and his construction of a dread fortress.

The Ur-Mage opens the doors of his fortress once each decade, allowing the heroes and demigods of the realm to enter. Legend has it that a great prize waits within the fortress, the Wand of Death itself, and a crusader bearing the wand could command the dead, shatter the planes, and slay gods.
Today, the games begin. Today, the gates open. 

Fortress of the Ur-Mage is the first SVD Press adventure to feature a competitive head-to-head mode, where multiple parties delve the dungeon at the same time. Competing bands of crusaders can hinder each other by stealing relics, laying traps, freeing monsters, and manipulating the dungeon environment itself.

Check it out and help spread the word!

Old School Dungeons: Volume 1

Hey everyone, the Crypt Thing stirs again!

I've recently put a pack of dungeon maps up for sale over at DrivethruRPG.com

Old School Dungeons: Volume 1

The pack contains 3 multi-level dungeon maps:

• Kobold Hall: a killer dungeon filled with twisting halls and deadly traps

• Caves of the Under Dwellers: a system of natural caves and subterranean ponds

• Fane of the Twin Godlings: a mysterious temple devoted to twin deities

If you are in need of some quick dungeon maps for your games, go check it out!

Kingdom of Auctoria

I've been spending a lot of time world-building of late. After quite the hiatus, I'm going to start Dungeon Mastering again, running a monthly D&D Next campaign set in my homebrew world of Serantum.

 

It's been 20 years since the great wizard-kings of Glindor set their continent afloat and disappeared from the world below. In the wake of this great ascension the great Demon Rift was created, an enormous scar left upon the surface of the world and a gateway to the Underworld beneath. The demons of the Underworld have surged forth in unending numbers and savaged the surface world. The world of Serantum is now a grim and dangerous place, a ruined reflection of past glories.

 

To the west of the Rift Sea lies the kingdom of Auctoria, a lone bastion of civilization in an otherwise ruined world. This is where our story will begin. 

 

I'm pretty pleased with how this map came out and look forward to mapping the rest of my world and getting back into the DM seat. I hope you enjoy!

Cheers,

Crypt Thing

Tower of the Storm Lord

The Crypt Thing still stirs.

I recently submitted my work to a cartography contest over at Kobold Press. The challenge was to create a map of a flying tower; a difficult mapping challenge for sure!

Unfortunately, the contest received few submissions, so instead of putting it to a vote, they went ahead and selected a winner. Sadly, it was not my day.

Instead of letting my efforts go for naught, I present to you my submission for your viewing pleasure, The Tower of the Storm Lord!

Game on friends,

Rob

Pit of the Void Locust

 

 

Greetings Cartophiles,

I've recently had the pleasure of working on the mapping and illustration for an upcoming fourthcore dungeon, Pit of the Void Locust. Designed by Anthony Franchini (@DeuceDM), this tournament module promises to be over-the-top, evocative, and ludicrously difficult -- everything a good fourthcore dungeon should be!

The first playtest will be held at Albany Game Day on June 8th; if you're in the area I strongly suggest you go check it out.

When the Void Locust rises, all mortal life will be lost; look upon its majesty and despair!


Cheers,

Crypt Thing

Iddy the Lich - Contest Entry

I recently entered an art contest over at the Id DM. The contest called on artists to send in their incarnation of the site's beloved mascot, Iddy the Lich. Here is my entry:

I call on you, oh wretched cartophiles of the unfathomable depths! Cast your vote for the Crypt Thing's entry or let the cowardess of your disloyalty forever curse your fetid soul!

Go forth my children and KILL Vote!

p.s. - I also command you to have a happy Canadian thanksgiving! 

The Three Little Pigs

Today I'm sharing with you something that isn't game or map related.

Recently, Sorcerer_Blob was waxing nostalgic on twitter about drawing comics growing up; it got me thinking about my own childhood as an aspiring comic book artist. Going through my portfolio of old work, I stumbled upon this absurd little gem:

The Three Little Pigs

Flatt_World and I co-wrote this comic for a media class back in highschool. Although the art was crude and rushed (I was 15 at the time and we only had a week to turn it around), I'm still very proud of it.

I hope you enjoy!