The Tower of Dawn: Realm Maps and Adventures

Hello, explorers - welcome to this discussion of realm maps and the Tower of Dawn adventure!

In today’s video, we’re stepping into the vast world of realm maps. Unlike gridmaps, which focus on individual encounters, realm maps cover expansive territories—perfect for exploration-heavy campaigns.

Whether your party is trekking across kingdoms, navigating unknown frontiers, or chasing myths in distant lands, a realm map is your ultimate tool for adventure.

This week, I revisited one of my older maps from last year, and created an adventure - and a whole section of the new Atlas Project - based on the giant Tors. And you can check the video out here: Best Way to Draw GRIDMAPS for D&D

Because in the video, I show a method for creating gridmaps on a larger scale, combining an open-world dynamic with something fairly-low effort, which you can download on the Red Quills Patreon site for FREE.

But I've talked about gridmaps a fair amount in the recent past, both here on the Red Quills Journal and on the YouTube channel, so I thought that, in preparation for our next topics, I'd revisit the staple of TTRPGs: the realm map.

What Are Realm Maps?

Realm maps are large-scale maps that represent regions, kingdoms, or even entire continents. They allow players to explore freely, make meaningful decisions, and feel the scale of the world they’re adventuring in.

Here’s how realm maps can enhance your campaign:

• Encourage player agency: Give your players the freedom to decide where to go and what to pursue.
• Provide context: Help them understand the political, geographical, and cultural layout of the world.
• Spark curiosity: Fill your map with intriguing landmarks and leave their stories open-ended.

Step-by-Step Guide to Designing a Realm Map

Realm maps might seem daunting, but they’re surprisingly fun to create. The tutorials I've done in the past walk you through the process, covering:

• Starting with a Theme: Decide on your map’s purpose—exploration, political intrigue, or adventure seeds.
• Sketching the Basics: Draw coastlines, mountain ranges, rivers, and forests to establish the geography.
• Adding Key Locations: Mark settlements, dungeons, and points of interest, leaving room for player-driven discovery.
• Detailing and Labeling: Use fine liners for clean lines and labels. Add decorative features like compass roses or borders.
• Color and Texture: Use acrylic markers to bring life to the map’s terrain, making it visually engaging.

In the past, I've demonstrate each step in real-time, sharing tips and tricks to streamline the process.

Bringing Exploration to Life

Realm maps aren’t just visual tools; they’re story generators. A well-crafted map can guide your campaign in unexpected ways:

• Add mysterious symbols or locations players must investigate.
• Include geographic challenges (e.g., impassable mountains or stormy seas) to test their ingenuity.
• Highlight political boundaries or faction territories to add intrigue and conflict.

These elements transform a simple map into a living, breathing world for your players to immerse themselves in.

Realm maps are one of my favorite tools for encouraging exploration and discovery in tabletop games, and I hope this tutorial inspires you to create your own!

Let me know how your realm maps turn out, and don’t forget to share your creations with the community. Until next time, happy adventuring!