1. Battlemap Layout: The Plaza of Artifice
This map is about a fortified position in a cluttered, open space. The key is providing cover and creating chaotic crossfire.
- Overall Shape: A large rectangle, roughly 80 feet wide and 120 feet deep. The party enters on one of the short 80-foot edges.
- Back Wall (Opposite the Party): This is the imposing facade of the main Cannith Tower. In the center of this wall are the massive, sealed adamantine doors of the Cargo Lift. This is the objective the enemies are defending.
- Centerpiece: In the middle of the plaza, place the shattered base of a colossal statue. This should be a large, irregular area of rubble, about 20-30 feet in diameter. It counts as difficult terrain and provides half cover to anyone standing behind its larger chunks.
- Scattered Debris: Place two or three smaller fields of debris and shattered marble around the plaza. These should be about 10x15 feet each. They also count as difficult terrain and provide half cover. A good placement is one to the left and one to the right, midway up the map, to break up sightlines.
- Enemy Placement:
- Defensive Line: The Warforged Blade-Bearer and his 3 melee Soldiers are positioned in a line about 20 feet out from the Cargo Lift doors, using the central statue for cover if needed.
- Ranged Support: The 2 crossbow-wielding Soldiers are positioned further back, one on each side of the main doors, already taking advantage of the smaller debris piles for cover.
- Chaos Element: The 2 Animated Armors start in the open area between the party’s entry point and the central statue. They act on their own initiative and will move to attack the closest creature, PC or Warforged.
- Party Starting Zone: The party begins anywhere along the 80-foot edge opposite the Cannith Tower.
2. Battlemap Layout: The Chasm & The Slaad’s Lair
This map is all about a precarious crossing and a terrifying ambush.
- Overall Shape: A long, rectangular cavern, roughly 60 feet wide and 120 feet long.
- The Chasm: A 40-foot wide chasm splits the map in half lengthwise, creating a “Near Side” and a “Far Side.” The chasm is dark and deep; falling in is a serious hazard.
- The Makeshift Bridge: A single, narrow path crosses the chasm at its midpoint. Describe it as a 5-foot wide bridge made of a single fallen stone pillar and twisted metal beams. It is difficult terrain, and any character who takes damage while on it must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall.
- The Near Side (Party’s Entry): This side is cluttered with rubble from the collapsed tunnel entrance. It offers a few spots of half cover.
- The Far Side (The Lair): This is where the objective is.
- The glowing Power Junction Beta is on the back wall of this side.
- This side has more significant cover: two or three large rock formations and more rubble piles.
- The Green Slaad (polymorphed as a Cyran survivor) starts near the Power Junction, appearing trapped and vulnerable.
- Enemy Placement:
- Green Slaad: As the “survivor” on the far side.
- Blue Slaad: Is hidden behind one of the large rock formations on the far side, ready to ambush the first character who makes it across the bridge or gets near the edge.
- Party Starting Zone: The party starts at the entrance to the cavern on the “Near Side.”
3. Battlemap Layout: Aegis’s Lair (The Epicenter)
This is your epic, circular boss arena with interactive elements.
- Overall Shape: A massive circular chamber, at least 150 feet in diameter.
- The Entrance: The party starts on a shattered observation platform on one edge of the room, about 20 feet above the main floor. A sturdy iron ladder or a collapsed ramp leads down.
- The Floor: The floor is made of fused black glass.
- Glowing Fissures: Crisscross the floor like a spiderweb. These deep cracks glow with a faint orange light. You can rule that ending your turn on a fissure deals 1d6 fire damage.
- Difficult Terrain: Designate 2-3 large patches of the floor as being covered in shattered glass shards, making them difficult terrain.
- Central Wreckage: In the absolute center of the room is a huge, multi-level pile of twisted metal, broken machinery, and crystal shards – the ruined apparatus. This area is about 40 feet in diameter, 20-30 feet high, is difficult terrain to climb, and provides three-quarters cover or full cover depending on positioning.
- The Heart of Radiance shard is visible, nestled near the top of this wreckage.
- Interactive Elements (Containment Overload Protocol): Place two interactive Control Terminals on opposite sides of the room, perhaps near the outer walls. They should be clearly described as glowing Cannith consoles. A character must be adjacent to one and use their Action to activate it.
- Initial Positions:
- Aegis: Starts dormant, coiled around the base of the Central Wreckage.
- Living Cure Wounds: Starts drifting slowly near one side of the room.
- Living Misty Step: Starts zipping erratically near the other side of the room.
- Party Starting Zone: On the raised observation platform, giving them a moment to survey the entire arena before descending.