Title: Mad Scientist's Compound
Introduction
Unleash forbidden knowledge and gothic horror with the Mad Scientist's Compound map. This multi-building battlemap is the perfect setting for grim investigations, desperate confrontations, and strange alchemical encounters. Inspired by classic Frankenstein films, the compound is a secluded place of grim work and dark genius. Rendered with rich, atmospheric detail and enhanced with the free "Map Shine" module for Foundry VTT, the scene comes alive with crackling lightning, buzzing flies over disturbed earth, and eerie, animated light casting shadows through the windows.
Map Breakdown & Key Areas:
The Main Laboratory:
The heart of the compound, this large northern building is dedicated to the scientist's unholy research.
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Main Chamber: A massive laboratory space dominated by lightning-generating electrodes that periodically arc bolts of energy, illuminating the grim work being done on the central operating table.
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Study & Library: A well-appointed study for researching forbidden texts, complete with a massive pipe organ for dramatic pronouncements.
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Master's Bedroom: A private chamber for the compound's master to rest and scheme.
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Autopsy Room: A grim and bloody chamber for the harvesting of necessary materials.
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Conservatory: Home to unsettlingly large and strange-looking flora, perfect for an ambush or the discovery of a rare alchemical ingredient.
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Annexed Shed: A place for cruder work, storage of failed experiments, or a discreet way in or out of the lab.
The Servant's Quarters:
Two smaller residences house the scientist's staff, located in the southern part of the compound.
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Servant House: A surprisingly comfortable and nicely appointed home for the general servants, located in the southeast.
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Igor's Room: North of the main servant house lies a strangely decorated, tribalistic room belonging to the master's peculiar assistant.
The Grounds:
The compound is enclosed by a tall wall, isolating it from the dense surrounding forest.
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Compound Wall: A high wall with a single, large iron gate provides a formidable obstacle for any uninvited guests.
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Graveyard: A small graveyard in the northeast contains several old tombstones and one freshly exhumed grave, hinting at the nature of the scientist's work.
GM Tools & Technical Details:
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"Map Shine" Module Integration: This map is enhanced with the free "Map Shine" module for Foundry VTT, which adds animated lightning bolts in the lab, buzzing flies over the open grave, and animated light cast from the windows. While not required, installing the module and its dependency will bring the map to life as seen in the previews. It can be found for free at https://foundryvtt.com/packages/map-shine.
Suggested Uses:
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Creature Feature: The party is hired by a panicked village to hunt down a monstrous "beast" that has been terrorizing the countryside, leading them back to this compound.
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Gothic Investigation: Following a string of disappearances or grisly murders, players must infiltrate the compound to uncover the scientist's horrifying experiments. This is an ideal scenario for systems like Call of Cthulhu.
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The Rescue: An important NPC has been kidnapped for the scientist's work. The party must storm the compound and save them from the autopsy table before the experiment is complete.
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Forbidden Knowledge: The players seek a rare alchemical formula or anatomical text and have tracked it to the scientist's private library.
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Escort Mission: The scientist, fearing their creation, hires the party to protect them and help them escape the compound before the monster seeks its revenge.
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Sci-Fi Anomaly: The compound can be easily adapted to a science fiction setting as a rogue genetics lab, a cybernetics chop-shop, or the lair of an AI gone mad.
