Early Water #GeomorphMapContest Entries
We’ve only got two entries so far (although one has two versions) so please spread the word about the contest if you can! The rules are in the second half of the announcement of the prior contest edition’s winners.
Our first entry by Gregory MacKenzie of Busy Game Master has two versions:
Gregory includes a map key/encounters:This area is damp and water can be heard rushing and gurgling. Air is also drawn from the tunnels into this watery cavern. The ceiling here is 50 feet high from the floor but the leftmost area from map key a through h is 20 feet higher than the underwater lake and tunnels to the right. The ceiling is 30 feet high on the left side of the map, 50 feet to the right. If anything is dropped into the water it is immediately investigated by a school of savage biting fish who are not subject to the draw of the whirlpool. The lake is 30 feet deep.
a. This platform is 20 feet above the level of the water. A steady stream of air is drawn in a breeze from this tunnel into the swirling whirlpool of water at map key b.
b. The whirlpool sucks all into its deadly swirling vortex. Should anyone or thing fall into the water here, or the flow indicated by the arrows at map key g., it or they are sucked immediately into the vortex, circling three times (three rounds) before plunging irreversibly into the depths below. The current is strong and there is no escape without outside aid.
c. A bridge made of stone planks and a rope of leather hide span the gap between map key c and e. The leather creaks if anyone steps on the bridge. The bridge is quite strong. From this vantage point something rectangular can be seen below the water at map key f if a torch or other light is brought here. It would take several blows from a sharp object, at least 5, to sever the leather rope holding the bridge together.
d. If there was a sloping path to map key p. here it has long since crumbled and been drawn into the whirlpool. The platform is 20 feet above the surface of the water. The ceiling is 30 feet high.
e. The crank here reduces the flow of water flow by restricting the opening of the mouth of statue at map key h. or it would if the crank were not horribly rusted. Turning the crank in its present condition causes it to squeal loudly (possibly attracting monsters) and then it jams. It must be oiled to be freed, and a check roll is required to unstick it, after which it will work without further trouble. Unless jammed in the fully cranked position the crank will unwind and water flow will be restored in 3d6 rounds.
When the flow of water is reduced the whirlpool drains the lake in 6 rounds by 10′ revealing the slippery island at map key f.
f. An slippery and slimy iron strongbox is chained to the rock here. The 5 foot chain ensures the strong box cannot be pulled to the surface. It contains the personal treasure hoard of the goblin king. The island is covered in slippery underwater weeds making footing unsure at best. Of course the school of biting fish await anyone unlucky enough to fall into the water.
g. The current from map key h. is shown by the arrows on the map.
h. The open mouth of the head of a goblin spews a torrent of water with considerable pressure. It has iron teeth which close when the crank is turned at map key e. A rather large ruby is jammed in the teeth which prevents the mouth from closing completely. It would require a check roll to remove. Even so, the mouth will not shut completely allowing water to shoot out between them and opens automatically in the time indicated by map key e.
k. The goblins have left a coffin here which they are using as a boat. It has two paddles made of bone and leather. It will only support the weight of two medium persons or three small persons or it will capsize. A half skull is used to bail this makeshift boat. It will support the weight of one person and one chest from map key n.
m. A coffin has washed up here, it has no paddles, and it is somewhat leaky. Inside is a fishing pole and hook.
n. Toadstools grow here on the island in relative safety, they are poisonous to touch or eat. There are three chests piled here which contain treasures and a pile of coins and other valuables simply dumped on the island.
p. Poisonous toadstools choke this passageway. If cut down they emit deadly spores. They are poisonous to touch or eat.
r. A secret rotating door is marked with a goblin rune painted on the wall. It means poison.
Andrew C Durston of Campaign Nook also gets a design in early:
