TL;DR: Things are going great, and we’re moving forward at full speed. The content keeps getting better, there’s more of it than ever, and none of this would be possible without you, my Patrons. :)

August is over, and it was easily one of the most intense months we’ve ever had in the Dransky Battle Maps workshop.

I’ve changed the way I work a little. As long as I have the energy, I’m pushing the entire project forward at once: creating maps, improving the website, building new tools, working on promotion, and experimenting with new benefits for Patrons. Below, you’ll see what we created this month - and there is one important message I would like everyone to read.

So, let’s take it one thing at a time.

Three releases in one month

We had three releases in August, including two truly massive ones.

Temple of the Spider Queen

First came Temple of the Spider Queen, previously known as Temple of Lolth. I changed the name to stay safely clear of WotC-related intellectual property.

This map was also an opportunity to experiment with lighting, atmosphere, and the visual language of drow architecture. It helped me test several ideas that would later become an important part of the largest release of the month.

Gibbet Crossing

At the same time, another project was growing in a parallel corner of the workshop: Gibbet Crossing.

In terms of scale, it is an enormous dungeon built for exploration and a key location from the official Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk campaign.

Building the map itself was already a complicated process. Rendering it, editing all the different versions, and preparing the full VTT setup was another story entirely. It was a serious technical challenge, but the final result was worth the struggle.

Gibbet Crossing completes the maps for Chapter 6, which means that a complete downloadable Chapter 6 collection-including a Foundry VTT package-will be available soon.

Drow City: Webbed Heights

Finally, the biggest project of the month: Drow City: Webbed Heights.

This isn’t really a single map. It is an entire location made up of multiple connected maps and scenes-a projection of how I imagine a drow city could look and feel.

Platforms suspended above bottomless chasms. Narrow streets and towering structures. Enormous webs waiting below for anyone unlucky enough to fall. And, of course, all the friendly ;) inhabitants of the Underdark.

What could possibly go wrong?

This release also introduced a new experimental benefit for Champions: the Cinematic Intro. It is designed to give Dungeon Masters a way to begin the adventure with a genuinely cinematic moment and immediately establish the scale and atmosphere of the city.

The final pack is huge, and finishing it was one of the most satisfying moments I’ve had as a creator.

Drow City: Webbed Heights is available now for Patrons, together with the growing collection of static and animated battlemaps, POV scenes, and ready-to-use Foundry VTT content.

Improvements to the website

Maps weren’t the only thing keeping me busy in August. I also spent a lot of time working on our website https://dranskybattlemaps.com/

The biggest addition is the new Start Here section. It is designed to help newcomers find their way around the workshop and quickly understand what I create, what is included in the different map packs, and how these maps can be used during actual games.

You can visit it here: https://dranskybattlemaps.com/animated-battle-maps/start-here/

I also created a new FAQ section, where you can find answers to some of the most common questions about the maps, formats, memberships, and available platforms.

The FAQ is intended to grow over time, because I’m sure there will be many more good questions to add. https://dranskybattlemaps.com/animated-battle-maps/faq/

A new tool for the VTT community

The latest invention from the workshop is something created for the wider VTT community: a converter that transforms walls, doors, and lights from the Foundry VTT scene format into the universal UVTT format.

UVTT files can be imported into Roll20 and other virtual tabletops that support the format. (Check your VTT’s documentation to confirm UVTT support.)

The converter was created mainly for people who want to move their maps between different virtual tabletops-perhaps because another platform supports their chosen game system better, their group has changed platforms, or they simply want more flexibility.

The entire conversion happens locally in your browser.

You can try it here: https://dranskybattlemaps.com/animated-battle-maps/foundry-to-roll20-wall-converter/

Behind the scenes, I’ve also been doing a lot of SEO work and improving how the website is presented to AI-powered search engines.

Yes, I want AI-powered search engines - not just Google -to recommend my maps too.

How did all of this fit into one month?

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. This represents a gigantic amount of work, and I still don’t know how I managed to fit it into the few free hours I have each day.

But you are worth it, and I genuinely love creating great content for you. The release of Drow City: Webbed Heights, in particular, gave me an enormous sense of satisfaction. It reminded me exactly why I started building these worlds in the first place. <3

The message

If you’ve made it this far through this very long post, there is something important I want you to know:

If you are currently a Free Member or just visiting, consider becoming a Patron. It truly is worth it. You will gain access to a growing collection of maps and locations that can help you create unforgettable experiences for your players.

If you are already a Patron, thank you so much for your support. What we have achieved together is honestly difficult to believe. There are already 351 Heroes and Champions supporting this project! Your support allows me to spend more time creating, experimenting, improving the quality of every release, and turning increasingly ambitious ideas into real locations for your games.

The Enduring Circle

There is also a special place for the most loyal Patrons who have been supporting this project for six months, one year, or three years and beyond.

You are part of something much bigger. You are part of The Enduring Circle: https://dranskybattlemaps.com/animated-battle-maps/the-enduring-circle/

You have supported this project for so long that I honestly struggle to find words big enough to express my gratitude. If you would like to become part of this small, elite club, there is only one thing you need to do: Stay.

What’s coming in September?

My next major development project is connected directly to The Enduring Circle.

I want to do more to recognize the people who have stayed with me for so long. I’m planning a series of special gifts and rewards for Patrons who reach the six-month, one-year, and three-year milestones.

This is going to be a substantial project in its own right because, naturally, I already have a rather overcomplicated idea for how it should work ;P

More details will come once everything is ready.

And finally, a special thank-you to all the Champions whose names are displayed on the Champion Board in this post. Your support lets me push these projects even further and experiment with things like cinematic intros and increasingly ambitious locations.

But I also want to thank again every other Patron and every Free Member who follows, comments, downloads, shares, or simply watches this project grow.

You are all part of this journey.

August was huge. September is already waiting.

Let’s keep building.

Cheers!
~~The Dransky Battle Maps Team(Check your VTT’s documentation to confirm UVTT support.)