[30x30] Cliffside Road - Launch Post

Hi again! This time around I present to you the Cliffside Road!

The leading idea behind this map was "an assault while under constant fire". A good vantage point for the defenders, some natural obstacles, some cover, plenty of spots for traps... you get the picture. Whoever wishes to go down that road will be faced with a choice: to go the long route under fire, or to risk falling into the pool in hopes of getting across much quicker. The layout should work just fine for your party, regardless whether they'd be the attacker or the defender; a good tower defense scenario every now and then can be pretty fun.

Just to be clear, this launch post lags a few days behind the actual map release for the Patrons; the map for July is yet to come. See you sometime later this month!

With the warmth of the setting sun upon your backs, you follow a narrow, meandering path cutting through the cliffs that tower over a rather picturesque lake to the south. Your trek goes on completely undisturbed for a good while, with you listening to the ever-present song of nature and enjoying the cool breeze that is blowing from across the water.

This idyll comes to an end when you hear a booming laughter echoing from somewhere on ahead. Ready to reach for your weapons at the drop of a hat, you carefully inch forward along the road, eventually peeking from behind a corner.

Right beyond the corner the road takes a sharp turn, angling upwards and deeper into a sizeable crevasse cleft into the side of the cliff, rounding the ravine in front of you, then disappearing into a small cave before reemerging on the other side of the chasm. There, high on the other cliff, you spot the presumed source of the laughter from before - a group of bandits camping by the road. You are spotted in turn by their lookout - a tall, lanky man in a tattered chainmail and with a crossbow. As he notices you, a wry grin appears on his face.

"Oi mates, we've got new clients coming over 'ere," you hear the guard yell to his companions; with a low rumble of many chuckles, they promptly stand up and reach for their weapons.

Many winged silhouettes soar across the fiery sky as you march through the infernal landscape. You're never alone while navigating around the various lava pits and steep cliffs, though you can't say the company is a welcome one. Flocks of small, flying creatures regularly pass overhead; some of them circle around you and then fly away into the dark smoke for unknown purposes, while certain others perch upon the rocks above you, following your group wherever you go with their small, unsettling eyes. Whatever their objective might be, it's clear that this Hell is aware of your presence.

Your hands never leaving the grips of your weapons, you round the corner just in time to see two humanoid fiends emerging from a cave; both your group and the newcomers stop dead in your tracks as you spot one another. Then, the devils bark something in their native tongue and bring their long glaives low, readying to charge.

Afraid of getting lost in the labyrinthine caverns, you march down a narrow beaten path through the shadows. Neither bioluminescent mushrooms nor the faintly glowing crystals that protrude from the ground here and there do much to disperse the shadows of the Underdark. It is as much of a blessing as it is a curse - while it allows you to slither stealthily amidst the darkness, it offers the same courtesy to the creatures native to this place, most of which likely adapted to this dark and damp hunting ground of theirs much better than you. Though you do your best to stay confident, you're all aware that down here you are the prey.

You round a corner, and just as you're about to climb up a small incline, you hear voices off in the distance. Freezing in spot, you look around, nervously trying to spot any movement amidst the ever-present darkness. After a brief yet most unsettling while, you take notice of a few vaguely humanoid silhouettes on the cliff above you, illuminated in the soft light of nearby crystals. They speak to one another in a foreign tongue, their cold yet melodic voices hinting at them being Drow. They don't seem aware of your presence - yet.

Perched on a small vista overseeing the road, you carefully survey the area below. You all made sure to prepare accordingly for what was to come, and you can't help but feel some satisfaction as you take stock of the various "surprises" you've left along the path for the visitors that are about to come. 

Sadly, you don't have much time to admire your handiwork, as pretty soon the wind carries to you the sound of marching footsteps. On that cue, you make final adjustments to your armor and unsheathe your weapons, then promptly get in position as the noise grows nearer.

After all, you wouldn't want to keep your guests waiting, would you?