If you spend any time reading or posting in the Dungeon Scrawl Discord server, there’s a good chance that you’ll recognize the name Opal for Harmony. They’re a regular poster whose maps are very special, not only as a highlight of technical execution, but for the way they draw you in with their sense of story. Each scene is accompanied by narrative and has been designed as a place that feels lived in, explored, and loved.
When I reached out to chat with Opal, I expected to discuss shadow layers. To my surprise, I instead discovered so much more: a worldbuilder who treats every project as a chance to step inside a new place and show others what life might look like there. Read on to learn more and snag a FREE fall-themed map to use in your adventures!
An Autumnal Snapshot
For our chat, Opal created a thematic map featuring a sprawling, multi-level farm setting: complete with a barn and storage, stables, food or vendor stalls, a pen with pony-ride infrastructure, a silo, and, naturally, a corn maze. They’ve graciously agreed to provide the map file to readers so they can explore, play around with the techniques we’ll discuss, and use it for a topical campaign encounter this month.
Textures and Layers
One of the first things you’ll notice when looking at this map is the sheer volume of layers that have been employed, not only create a sense of organization but to leverage preset and custom Layer Styles that reinforce the theme of the scene. The corn maze, for example, takes advantage of the Interior Wall Fill Layer Style with custom colors to provide an organic, chaotically natural look.
The Layer Panel shows dozens of grouped, clearly labeled layers, each describing its function (roofs, fences, shadows, etc.). This deliberate structure allows Opal to build depth step by step, crafting scenes that feel architectural rather than symbolic, and makes editing or altering even the most minute details a breeze.
Handmade Assets
Throughout the map, you’ll find examples of custom assets (hay bales, barrels, and other props) that don’t exist in Dungeon Scrawl’s built-in image packs. That’s because Opal creates their own assets using shape tools, keeping reusable copies neatly tucked off-canvas in their map files. This clever workflow is a perfect example of balancing consistency with creativity.
Details Support Worldbuilding
Opal treats scale and proportion seriously in their mapmaking. Every structure’s dimensions and heights are chosen to emulate realistic space. Railings, gate latches, and doors can be found where you would expect, and tracks in the ground outside of large buildings show you not only how those doors open, but also the weight of the material used.
The closer you look, the more you see:
- The roofs vary in material and geometry, with tiles and shingles drawn in perspective
- Shadows are shaded and cast at deliberate angles to evoke the time of day
- Hay is scattered unevenly in each stable stall (presumably by pitchfork)
- Translucent water fills each trough
- Bale seats are tucked into the corn maze to provide seating for visitors who need a break
- Support beams hold up the roofs and stories within buildings
- The entire carousel infrastructure was built by hand after Opal researched how real-world pony rides are constructed.
Their blend of imagination and authenticity sets their maps apart.
Craftsmanship Meets Creativity
Opal’s maps show what’s possible when technical skill meets passion for storytelling and worldbuilding. They’re a reminder that tools like Dungeon Scrawl are more than utilities… they provide the foundation for unleashing your imagination.
Explore Opal’s Map
If you’d like to explore this map yourself, you can download the .ds file HERE, and take a look under the hood.
Try:
- Toggling layers to reveal the interiors of buildings
- Create your own custom assets, using Opal’s barrels and hay bales as inspiration
- Add animals or a Hayride to the map (there’s room for it to travel around the perimeter of the corn maze!), or organic elements like bushes or trees
Prepare a Seasonal Adventure
Once your map is exactly how you want it, you’re ready to play. Here are some options for using this map in a campaign:
- Connect to Roll20 to add it as a page in your current campaign. Here’s a video showing how to do this easily:
(remember that this map is 10ft per square scale, so you’ll want to adjust your grid or make your tokens smaller on Roll20!)
- Export as a PNG to use in your VTT of choice (tip: export versions with the roofs and 2nd story hidden for multi-level adventures or to take advantage of Roll20’s Foreground Layer)
- Export as a High-Res or PDF to print for in-person gaming (Dungeon Scrawl Pro)
Enjoy!