The Forsaken Rift

[Dagobert]

First, Dungeon editors, I've noticed that the Map of Mystery is usually not attributed to the artist. Or is that the signature of Chris West in the compass rose?

Second, if you haven't done so already, Dungeon readers, flip to the back of Dungeon #136 and check out "The Forsaken Rift". I look forward to the Map of Mystery every month, but this month: Wow!

The thing about a Map of Mystery is that it inspires the DM's imagination for an encounter or maybe for a whole adventure. "The Forsaken Rift" inspires an entire campaign!

Let's see a Backdrop article to accompany this great map... and why not an adventure to go with it!

[Sebastian]

I completely agree. I was so inspired by the map that I sat down and took a few hours plotting a mini-campaign around it. Good stuff.

[Heathansson]

How about some editorial notes to tell me where to put it in Eberron? Just kidding.
Yeah, that's got to be one of the coolest maps of mystery I've seen. Now I'm really glad I scored Frostburn at halfprice books. I see Neanderthal volcano worshippers, dire cavebear people, and degenerate humans a la Red Nails by Robert E. Howard, who are the scions of a failed radium mining consortium.
The whole "magic glowing rocks" thing didn't go over too well back in civilization when everyone who bought one got sick.

[Sebastian]

Heathansson wrote:

How about some editorial notes to tell me where to put it in Eberron?

I know exactly where a person could put some editorial notes about an Eberron conversion. ;-)

Heathansson wrote:

I see Neanderthal volcano worshippers, dire cavebear people, and degenerate humans a la Red Nails by Robert E. Howard, who are the scions of a failed radium mining consortium.
The whole "magic glowing rocks" thing didn't go over too well back in civilization when everyone who bought one got sick.

That's a hilarious and cool idea.

[James Jacobs]

The compass rose is indeed Chris West's signature. He's done all of our maps of mystery of late, with a few exceptions.

[DitheringFool]

James Jacobs wrote:

The compass rose is indeed Chris West's signature. He's done all of our maps of mystery of late, with a few exceptions.

Three cheers for Mr. West! His work is phenomenal, with Mike Schley's work in The Red Hand of Doom a close second... I don't want to say I read Dungeon only for the pictures, but good cartography and design, as stated above, can kick start creativity like nothing else.

[Christopher West]

I don't know how I missed this thread when it first came along, but thanks for the compliments!

The Forsaken Rift is one of my personal favorite Maps of Mystery, and I'm very pleased that it has been inspiring campaigns! Some Maps of Mystery are "fire and forget", meaning that I don't dwell on them too much once they're finished, but the Forsaken Rift has certainly been holding onto my interest. The Cinderforge Map of Mystery from a later issue is related to it, and since that one met with much approval, I'm presently working on another MoM based on a location from the Rift.

[Skech]

I am using the Forsaken Rift in conjunction with its companion piece Cinderforge to represent the great glacier at the headwaters of the Davish River in Greyhawk's Sterich region. It makes a great lair for the lost dwarven princes and the invading humanoids.

Thank you, Mr. West. Please continue to expand this.

[Justin Fritts]

I LOVE The Forsaken Rift. I just don't much know what to do with it. But I'm sure to think of something.

[Christopher West]

I've recently handed in a Map of Mystery of the Drakebourn Sanctum, so those of you looking for more Forsaken Rift locations to build a campaign around can expect to see it soon.

Each map I create for this little setting fleshes it out a bit more in my mind, so a backdrop article about it isn't out of the question. I don't know offhand if that's somethign Paizo would be interested in, but I'll discuss it with them and write something up if they want me to.