Another combat encounter for my TTRPG campaign. In this one our Ranger will finally be able to utilize her beloved bow (in my woodland battle maps there is always so much stuff in the way, "it's not even funny anymore!!!" :D)

now I have to figure out, how to make fitting stairways. I was thinking about using colour key to cut into the natural stone slabs and then use some kind of black magic that I think @Loopysue once mentioned.

I think there is an effect one can use to create the illusion of a staircase by "just" make some shadow play on an entity.

At the moment I tried to make such an effect by hand, but it's not where I'd like it to be yet:

doing it by hand is a drag, but that's not the biggest issue with this approach: the stairs should get darker gradually when going down a level and I have no idea how to do this. I'd need a transparency effect with some kind of edge fade, but only in one direction...

I tried to search in the forum for "stairs" but that was not specific enough and I don't know how the effect is called that can be utilized to create such stairs.

If anyone could point me to a post/article/live mapping session where such effects are used/described that would be much appreciated!

Thanks for all your insights! Seems as if I'd have to step up my GM game a little bit then. I only make maps to spice up the battles I'm planning for and only very occasionally I make a map for illustration purposes. I once made a map of a town but we didn't do much with it. That's probably my fault, as I don't really get how to use illustrative works as a prop in game. It's just a lot of work for me with the result that everyone says: "oh, nice!" and then putting it into their handout folder and never looking at it again...

I totally have respect for your effort! Going to such length to get a realistic picture of how medieval towns might have looked like! That's awesome! I'm sure You'll make a great map!

May I ask how you've gotten this commission? Especially as you mentioned that something of this size was out of your comfort zone? Have you been asked and you thought: well, that'll be a challenge, let's try! Or did you apply for it? If so: how did you get to the decission to do so, if you where thinking that that might get over your head? I've no idea how this commissioning thing works and am really curious how that came along for you...