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Griffon Rider Outpost Map Pack!
🕑 Added 2023-11-08 05:55:18 +0000 UTCThe download URL for the map files can be found in a following "Tier Rewards" post specific to your tier, or on the Pinned post on the front page of the Patreon.
Welcome to Dun Thale, a dwarven outpost high in the mountains known for their excellent weaponry, ingenuity and legendary griffon riders.
The Griffon Riders of Dun Thule are one of the more prominent dwarven connections to the outside world, frequently being tasked with monitoring and interacting with neighboring Kingdoms, delivering messages, meeting with key diplomats and watching enemy movements from afar.
Dun Thale is a large outpost carved into the rock of a snowy mountain, with two Rooks (launching and receiving bays for Griffon Riders) and several other chambers, most of them dedicated to supporting the ~40 riders they boast.
I've included an illustrated scene by Patrick Zapata to help set the stage of the outer gates and exterior frozen lake before the outpost.
Here's a sample of the outpost map (download available at bottom of post):
The locations found within Dun Thale are:
[1] - Main Gate
[2] - Main Hall
[3] - Guest Quarters - these bedrooms are reserved for visitors to Dun Thale.
[4] - Griffon Caretaker Quarters - the two primary caretakers for the griffons have a private quarters located here.
[5] - Tinker Quarters - the tinker is responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of the various safety and utility pieces used by the riders.
[6] - Advisor's Quarters - the advisor to the Outpost Commander has a private quarters here, where they also author and deliver messages to be handed to the riders.
[7] - Griffon Pens - this area contains the several Griffon pens, as well as hay, water, buckets and tools for mucking out their stalls and caring for the animals.
[8] - Loading Station - once the griffon is cleaned, they have their saddle and equipment affixed here and are them raised to the upper level for distribution to one of the Rooks.
[9] - Rook - this circular tower is open to the mountainside on the east, with a sheer dropoff cascading down into the depths. Riders come and go from these towers, and it is one of the access points to the outpost.
[10] - Griffon Rider Captain's Quarters - the officer in charge of the Griffon Riders has a personal quarters here that doubles as their office.
[11] - Armory - Frequently stocked with the main components of the Griffon Riders, this armory is full of skylances, shields, armor, helms, gloves and more.
[12] - Griffon Rider Common Room - this large chamber serves as a kitchen, dining room and common area for the griffon riders stationed here.
[13] - East Griffon Rider Barracks - this large barracks sleeps up to 20 griffon riders.
[14] - West Griffon Rider Barracks - this large barracks sleeps up to 20 griffon riders.
[15] - Watch Tower - these 3 watch towers overlook the western lake and front gate of the outpost.
[16] - Storage Room - this chamber is filled with crates, barrels and other supplies delivered to the outpost via the western gate.
[17] - Shrine - this small shrine is dedicated to the dwarven deity.
[18] - Great Hall - this expansive chamber contains [5] hearths and seating for everyone in the outpost, including potential guests. Dwarven carvings line the walls, along with barrels of ale, tapestries and some dwarven texts.
[19] - Small Library - this small chamber boats shelves filled with books, scrolls and maps, as well as a large wooden wheel that operates the elevator to the northeast.
[20] - Deep Shaft Elevator - this elevator lowers riders deeper into the mountain, connecting with the Deep Roads that travel toward other dwarven settlements.
[21] - Forge - this large chamber is home to the local forge and the many supplies that go into allowing the smith to craft the specialized armor and weapons used by the griffon riders.
[22] - Blacksmith's Quarters - this master smith is responsible for the crafting, repair and maintenance of the griffon rider's weapons and armor.
[23] - Council Chamber - this large chamber contains a large statue of a griffon, bookshelves lining the walls and a broad table for when the Outpost Commander hosts guests or meets with their officers.
[24] - War Room - this smaller chamber contains a stone table and large set of maps used to discuss strategy for the riders' deployments.
[25] - Outpost Commander's Quarters - this small private bedroom belongs to the Commander of the outpost and contains a bed, hearth, small bath and storage.
How can I use this location?
There are a variety of ways that you could use this location in your campaigns:
Travel Location - if the party needs to fly somewhere difficult to reach by land, or more quickly than they could reach by land or sea, this location would be a great place for the party to visit. Coming here may require making some contacts, making a payment or providing some kind of the service to the dwarves here.
Player Rescue - sometimes the party bites off more than it can chew and you need an out. Perhaps they could be found and rescued by a patrol of griffon riders and returned to the outpost to be treated and healed.
Dwarven Background Story - one of your players may want to have their character come from this location, or have a contact located here they could visit to request a service.
Underdark Access - The Deep Shaft Elevator allows travel to and from the Underdark, which would let players coming from the Underdark arrive at this location, should you wish, or allow players that can get to this location to make their way down, if that is where the campaign is taking them.
I hope you guys enjoy this location and can make all kinds of fun stories!
Comments
Randy Anderson
Using this soon! Thanks Jeff! This will be standing in for Citadel Felbarr in our SKT campaign. This will be the first time my party has been to an active dwarven stronghold. ^_^
d20.pub
This looks so cool! I actually ran a campaign for a griffon rider years ago. I wish I had this map then. Gorgous work!
