The tone and grainy quality provided by the background texture get to stay. The "naked" variant is, however, a strong contestant: if I were to guess the lava texture somehow informs how I look at the rest.

But, no, not killing this darling. Just yet.

I may end up trimming the rock face a bit but, by and large, I'll think I'll chalk this one down as a success.

Next up I think it's on to the tunnels on the north side; south will feature the accessway and battlements: I reckon the dwarves built it to keep things away from reaching their settlements above. So that means there will be large, magical runes carved into the ground and specific locations - which means in turn there will be some blue light as well.

Or, just procrastinate for a month.

It practically draws itself! Now working on the perspectives, the idea being that areas exposed to the direct light of the lava below get a brighter colour. These parts also get the radiance treatment. With the darker topside, this should - in theory - create the desired contrast and establish a sense of elevation/overhang.

The sollution to the font issue can be seen at the bottom right: a very accurate representation of my actual handwriting abilities.

Will probably need more light features for the rock walls. Other than that: bang on what I was hoping to achieve - softsharp cartoonish qualities. Will keep the canvas texture showing for sure!

"But I don't know how to do lava dungeons!"

Which is a great reason to do just that for the competition.

Progress so far

Brief concept of the map: 250 x 250 ft battlemap, mixing natural cave and dwarf-built structures.

Three sheets of lava seems to do the trick. Perhaps too red currently, but I mean to also flood it with a transparent, blurred sheet of yellow with the (theoretically) added benefit of "illuminating" the rock walls.

They need to make some "Polygons made me do it"-hoodies for the webshop.

The Jonathan Roberts Dungeon kit comes with some great textures. Using one here for my "canvas". Not sure I'll end up showing too much by way of style specific fills, but it's great for morale to have it around: makes one focused on keeping those polygon-made textures cool (or hot, as it were).