RuneStar

10/01/2024

The ruins of Dragonwatch Tower, high on the moors between Fairhold and Market Greenbury, are a desolate place with the creeping ivy and a few spiders being the only signs of life for generations. But has something more sinister taken up residence there? Perhaps not life, but certainly an intelligence, an evil, a seething malevolent spirit.
HiRes 8K maps in gridded and ungridded, labelled and unlabelled available on the store (https://payhip.com/RuneStar) for just 99p
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/rHWaP
And lifetime memberships still available to get every map on the store for just £15 at https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

10/01/2024

Special offer time - For a little while the world map of my campaign setting (and location for the bulk of the other maps on the store) the 'Rune - updated full colour map' in all it's versions, is priced at "pay what you want" even if that's zero.
It has four versions in HiRes 8k - labelled and unlabelled, both either full colour or faded parchment look.
If you end up using it for you campaigns, I'd love to here back what adventures you had there.
Store: https://payhip.com/RuneStar

09/01/2024

The Dhormgast Archipelago
Very little is known about the Islands that make up the Dhormgast Archipelago. Although what civilisation used to exist on the islands has long gone and its cities and town lie in ruins, some power still resides within Dhormgast Isle itself, the biggest of the archipelago, and ships no longer travel near as most that veer to close to its shore mysteriously disappear.
And then there is the Pillar of Inddor, the one building from ages past that does not lie in ruins but is unblemished by age or weather; an intricate and towering structure that can be seen on the shore from leagues away. Some say they have explored the island and report that the tower has no entrance and the obsidian walls are warm to the touch, but few believe their stories.
On the southern Isle of Brocladhan an outpost of the goblin nation of Ankh’Ranagresh guards the straits of Larank, and their pirate ships plunder any who try to use that route between east and west on the Inner Sea.
And on the northern Isle of Khiriss the fortified town of Port Paxmare, provides a similar base for the Varlam naval forces, that have a similar stranglehold on those whose ships sail between the north of the archipelago and Varlam on the northern Mainland. Although the Varlam forces just extract taxes for trade between east and west through their territory, most traders will still mutter about ‘legalised piracy’ under their breath.
The only other passage between east and west, are the treacherous Forstine Narrows, a stretch of water that passes too close the lethal whirlpool called ‘Captain’s Folly’. Only the livewood ships of Uthmand can safely navigate through that route.
Full HiRes 8k map available on the store – https://payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct Link: https://payhip.com/b/acBCW
Also available as part of the Lifetime Membership bundle (all maps on the store, now and forever for a one-off payment of just £15) - https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

06/01/2024

The Fritham Pyramid
A ruin in lost in the deep forests around Fritham town, this ruin was once a mausoleum to a great dwarven general who lead a great victory against the armies of undead centuries ago. Perhaps his magical weapons are still hidden within? But perhaps too are evil creatures that have made the ruins their abode.
Full 8k HiRes maps available on the store for just 99p https://payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/bLtrz
Available as part of the lifetime membership bundle: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

02/01/2024

Some of my favourites from the last year. All available from https://payhip.com/Runestar
Also open for commissions - price list at https://payhip.com/b/GOJlF

01/01/2024

UPDATED - to make use of the new wizard assets in Inkarnate - specifically the 'rounded' desks and benches - which were long over due considering how many wizards choose towers as dwellings - lol.
NB if you already bought this from the store, your original link should get you to the new versions without having to re-purchace.

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT COLLIS HEAD
The lighthouse had stood on the rocky outcrop at the headland close to Collis Town for almost 150 years but had fallen into ruin in recent times. It had been used as a smuggler’s staging point with the lighthouse keeper in the employ of the smugglers; his light developing a ‘problem’ at inopportune moments for certain cargo ships.
The smugglers boat made use of a hidden cave behind the lighthouse and storage rooms were built between the cave and the foundations of the lighthouse. A further tunnel was built out under the seabed so the sunken wrecks could be looted without anyone noticing on the surface.
But the smugglers were eventually discovered and in a brief battle with the Salidorian guard that subdued them, the lighthouse itself was damaged and sat idle and crumbling for the years that followed.
In the last summer though, the Zyvarkarian Wizard, Halvis Dorland, and his wife, Julisanne, a priestess from Khorvasch, took on a contract from the Yel’arch of Salidor to rebuild and run the Lighthouse.
A few months later and the locals wondered at the brilliance of the light that shone forth from a sun crystal that replaced the old signal fire at the top of the tower. And the tower seemed to hum with the workings of the arcane devices inside that powered this dazzling light.
Then all of a sudden a new device whirred into life and a sphere of force appeared around the whole of the lighthouse shielding it from anyone who sought to enter and now the locals start to wonder what else might be going on in this somewhat particular Wizard’s Tower.
Map available at the store for just 99p https://Payhip.com/RuneStar either Labelled or unlabelled, with or without grid.
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/boLIy
Or get Lifetime membership for access to every map now and in the future on the store: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

01/01/2024

Hope everyone has a great new year.

29/12/2023

A bit of silliness for the holiday season as requested by a friend - this was a quick fun regional map converting my hometown into a little fantasy world. Full 8k version available for free on the store Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link https://payhip.com/b/bud8m

28/12/2023

New Year sale time!
Life time membership (https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm) is discounted to just £9.99 from the regular £15 price, until the 2nd of January.
Gain lifetime access to all maps on the store both existing and any added in the future for the one off payment. No monthly cost, no extra payments, for ever.
Just use the coupon code NEWYEAR24 at checkout to get the discount.

Just £15 to access everything on this store - and more maps will be added to this bundle as they're added to the store, so you can keep coming back for new maps and updates as and when they are available.

27/12/2023

The City of Khostovakis
The ancient Temple of Emdhus sits on the riverbank by the original fording point of the river Vandhaluc and its existence meant that Khostovakis (the settlement that grew around it), though little bigger than the average town, is technically a city by proclamation of the Zyvakarian priesthood.
The city is dominated by the Palace of the Rector of Emdhus, a hereditary position currently held by Lord Marounitha IV. The palace is many times bigger that the quite modest temple itself, and together with its garden and Harem have become a destination of its own for travellers to say they have witnessed.
The coffers of the priesthood are filled with the tolls of those passing over the bridge across the river, although as Emdhus is the God of chance, each year on the festival of fate every traveller can flip their toll coin before crossing and if the heads it displayed, they may save their toll and they and their wagons can cross for free.
The map is available in gridded or un-gridded, both labelled and unlabelled. All four version in 8k Hires files for just 99p from the store https://Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link - https://payhip.com/b/SY57w
Also available as part of the Lifetime membership plan that gives acess to all maps on the store past present and future for ever for a one-off fee of £15 -
Khostovakis is a city in the world of Rune (https://payhip.com/b/pQO4r )in the nation of Zyvarkaria.

24/12/2023

If anyone knows the artist please comment so I can credit them.

21/12/2023

Time to update another bundle offer with the Crowston Pack, now with 6 maps packs included - Crowston Village, where the locals seem nervous, the Barton Tavern where rumours can be discovered from the locals, the Hillstone Coaching House where the passing merchants make deals and trade news, the Church of Oleas God of beer, the general store to stock up on supplies, and the nearby Crow Stone ruins where a dangerous encounter might await!
These Map packs are usually 99p each, but on offer by buying the bundle for almost half price at just £2.99 for all six at the store at PayHip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/pYEoA
And remember lifetime membership are still great value at just £15 (especially now if you’re not in the UK as the £ plummets even further 😳)
https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

20/12/2023

The first level of the Dungeon Crawl of Voltarna's Forge is 'The Hidden Entrance'.
The Legends of Voltarna are well known in the north of Rune, and one of those stories tells of his latter years after the undead wars when the Dwarven General retired from battle to forge weapon's of power for those warriors that would replace him in the new age. Voltarna's forge was lost to the mists of myth, but in more recent times an enterprising family that owned the land that included some abandoned ruins and caverns, in vaguely the right area that many scholars believed the forge to have been located, decided that there was money to be made from this.
And hence Rune's first theme tourist attraction was created, and the family have been running tours up to the ruins in the mountains for the last three generations. Unknown to them of course, is the fact that by destiny, or random chance, the mines they guide tourist to, are indeed the entrance to the real forge of Voltarna, long ago sealed by the Dwarven Priest against the evil that remains in the lower levels. Fortunately, to date no one has yet discovered the secret gateway from the upper mine chambers (that visitors are told is the actual forge), and broken it's seal to release the horrors that lurk in the dark.
Full 8k resolution versions of the map available in gridded and non gridded, lit and unlit, labelled and unlabelled on the store: payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/49Br7
The other four levels to the dungeon are also available on the store, but as my players haven’t finished them yet I’m not currently posting the images.
And all are part of the Lifetime Membership bundle too: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

17/12/2023

Not the Usual Places - pack 2

A second set of the more unusual building plans in the collection. It need not always be a tavern, a temple, a castle or a crypt that you encounter takes place it - why not try the Theatre? Or the Bath House, or even the Nexilitheum, the meeting place of astral portals?

All 3 map packs in this bundle are usually 99p so save now with all three for just £1.99.

Maps are all 8k resolution is various forms - see individual listing for full details.

Or why not consider the Lifetime membership for a one off payment of only £15, get every map that is currently on the store and all that will get added in the future. Never pay again.

the store is at https://Payhip.com/RuneStar
the direct link for this pack is at https://payhip.com/b/ajQZq
or the lifetime membership is at https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

16/12/2023

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT COLLIS HEAD
The lighthouse had stood on the rocky outcrop at the headland close to Collis Town for almost 150 years but had fallen into ruin in recent times. It had been used as a smuggler’s staging point with the lighthouse keeper in the employ of the smugglers; his light developing a ‘problem’ at inopportune moments for certain cargo ships.
The smugglers boat made use of a hidden cave behind the lighthouse and storage rooms were built between the cave and the foundations of the lighthouse. A further tunnel was built out under the seabed so the sunken wrecks could be looted without anyone noticing on the surface.
But the smugglers were eventually discovered and in a brief battle with the Salidorian guard that subdued them, the lighthouse itself was damaged and sat idle and crumbling for the years that followed.
In the last summer though, the Zyvarkarian Wizard, Halvis Dorland, and his wife, Julisanne, a priestess from Khorvasch, took on a contract from the Yel’arch of Salidor to rebuild and run the Lighthouse.
A few months later and the locals wondered at the brilliance of the light that shone forth from a sun crystal that replaced the old signal fire at the top of the tower. And the tower seemed to hum with the workings of the arcane devices inside that powered this dazzling light.
Then all of a sudden a new device whirred into life and a sphere of force appeared around the whole of the lighthouse shielding it from anyone who sought to enter and now the locals start to wonder what else might be going on in this somewhat particular Wizard’s Tower.

Map available at the store for just 99p https://Payhip.com/RuneStar either Labelled or unlabelled, with or without grid.
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/boLIy
Or get Lifetime membership for access to every map now and in the future on the store: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

13/12/2023

Had great fun on this last commission recently finished of a world map and then a regional one that zoomed in on one of the islands.
Payhip.com/RuneStar

24/11/2023

A bit about RuneStar. It’s not a company , it’s a hobby and the images in the store are the work of myself and one of my friends who helped me bulk out the opening site with some excellent battle maps.
At 99p each, with average sales of one map every couple of months, this is never going to be a business, but rather a bit of pin money to go towards the software subscriptions.
With the few people who buy the lifetime membership I reckon I break even each year and have enough extra for a coffee or two (OK you got me- a beer or two).
Also I do commissions for people from time to time. For those there is a price list available (see link at the bottom) for which people tell me I am very reasonable. This reflects what I wrote earlier - it’s a hobby, and I have a regular job that has to pay the bills, and so any mapping work has to take second place to work and family life, so I cannot commit to particular timescales or more that one commission at a time. If you are happy for things to progress at their own pace please do contact me, but if you have a specific deadline, others are probably better suited to help you.
So please do take a gander at the store (payhip.com/RuneStar) for maps at 99p, or lifetime membership at £15 (https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm) or download my commission price list (https://payhip.com/b/GOJlF).

08/11/2023

The last commission I was given was an interesting twist on a Tavern with a secret hideout beneath. But I can’t take credit for the great tavern name - “The Dragon’s Codpiece” -lol
Anyhoo- that means commissions are open again - world, regional, and city maps, and building or dungeon plans.
Check out the store for prebuilt maps at just 99p each or the contact page to find out more about commissions for specific stuff.
Payhip.com/RuneStar

19/10/2023

Bas-Navalle…the city could be conquered but never tamed. To its inhabitants it is the pinnacle of liberty and free living that encapsulates the very essence of what it is to be ‘Navallene’. To most outsiders it’s considered a hive of immortality and the proverbial den of iniquity. And so for many a traveller passing through, the quiet Wild Boar Tavern at the edge of the city is oft recommended to those that would rather not cope with the excesses of the city centre. Here the only excess is the range of guest ales on offer each night.
But as the Varlam guard enters, there’s a cold stare from several regulars in the bar, and the more jovial welcome from the bar keep seems just too forced. Is there a secret being kept here? Is there more to this sleepy tavern than meets the eye?

Map available now in the store in 8k resolution in 4 versions: day and night, with grid and without.
payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/aPf08
Also available as part of the lifetime membership: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

02/10/2023

The Hillstone Coaching house in Crowston Village is a favorite stop over for many traders on the Navallene Way not just for the spacious wagon field, and comfortable rooms, but mainly the extensive range of ales always on tap.
The region is better known for its wine production, but most merchants on the road seem to prefer a decent mug of ale, so although the much larger town of Market Greenbury is only a few more hours along the road, this small village manages to support this large Inn mainly due to its reputation for great beer.
Full HiRes 8k version of this map is available at the store for 99p.
https://payhip.com/b/Lom3u
Also included in the Crowston Bundle (£2.99)
https://payhip.com/b/pYEoA
and of course, as part of the Lifetime membership bundle that gives you access to all maps on the store for just £15.
https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm
NB If you have already bought either bundle, just logon and download the new map.

28/09/2023

The Celestial City of Jorkindhad is the Capital of the nation of Salidor. The HiRes 8k version is available on the store for just 99p
https://payhip.com/b/rLQA7
The city sits at the edge of the Tejhad Hills and is the most inland city that is still connected to the Inner sea via a navigable river, the Ba'Tajor. Hence it has become very rich from trade, and it's ruler is reputedly the wealthiest man in the whole of Rune. The Bank of Salidor, whose offices are based in Jorkindhad lend money to nations all over the continent.
It is also home to the Ziggurat of Kymabeth, the goddess of destiny, and many pilgrims make the journey here to learn something of their future from the oracle at its summit if they can afford the 'gift' to the church or from the multitude of lesser oracles throughout the city, if they are not as affluent.
This and several other city plans and maps available at:
payhip.com/RuneStar
Lifetime membership also available for a single one off payment for access to every map on the store now and every future map that gets added. https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

27/09/2023

The city of Haut-Navalle is the last major city until the western border of the Varlam empire, although the rich Lords of the eastern realms would probably view it as a provincial border town. But the local population are proud of their ancient capital even though they have been part of the Varlam empire now for hundreds of years - they are Navallene first; citizens of Varlam second.
HiRes 8k city map in versions with or without labels.
Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/voaW5

11/09/2023

The Bath House of Patroclus Brachi in Haut-Navalle.
Edit: added a new picture to show the new version (frame added, export update to 8k) and to show the different versions

Maps in Gridded or Ungridded, Daytime and night, and labelled or unlabelled versions, all at 8k resolution
Available on the store: Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/WvynC
Also available as part of the Lifetime Membership that gives you access to every map current and future on the store for a one off payment: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

08/09/2023

Laundry area from my next little project, which will be the Bathhouse of Haut-Navalle.
payhip.com/RuneStar

05/09/2023

It’s been centuries since The Navalle has had a monarchy, much less a Queen, but the name of the tavern in Market Greenbury-on-Barre does not come from those regal figures of old, but rather in memory of the matriarchal leader of a brigand band of lizardmen that terrorised the region almost 20 years ago. This self-styled ‘Queen of Navalle’ roamed the countryside for the better part of a year and virtually shut down trade alone the Navallene Way
They were finally bought down by a group of mercenaries called The Silver Legion with the Queen fought and killed by Tacitus Harronine, a new recruit but a natural with a longsword.
Of course, the bonus for the kill was considerable, and Tacitus decided that running a bar was more his thing regardless of his skill with a blade, and he bought what is now The Queen of Navalle Tavern, with the trophy of his adventure, the Lizard Queen’s head, mounted above the fireplace, a fake crown affixed to its brow.
Maps in Gridded or Ungridded, in Daytime and night versions, all at 8k resolution
Available on the store: Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/4lEMw
Also available as part of the Lifetime Membership that gives you access to every map current and future on the store for a one off payment: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm

02/09/2023

I've not posted a lot that's new recently, and here's why. Still a work in progress, but this commission piece is the biggest city map I've attempted so far, with the final image being at 16k resolution.
payhip.com/runestar

31/08/2023

The first level of the Dungeon Crawl of Voltarna's Forge is 'The Hidden Entrance'.
The Legends of Voltarna are well known in the north of Rune, and one of those stories tells of his latter years after the undead wars when the Dwarven General retired for battle to forge weapon's of power for those warriors that would replace him in the new age. Voltarna's forge was lost to the mists of myth but in more recent times an enterprising family that owned the land that included some abandoned ruins and caverns, in vaguely the right area that many scholars believed the forge to have been located, decided that there was money to be made from this.
And hence Rune's first theme tourist attraction was created, and the family have been running tours up to the ruins in the mountains for the last three generations. Unknown to them of course is the fact that by destiny of random chance, the mines they guide tourist to, are indeed the entrance to the real forge of Voltarna, long ago sealed by the Dwarven Priest against the evil that remains in the lower levels. Fortunately, to date no one has yet discovered the secret gateway from the upper mine chambers (that visitors are told is the actual forge), and broken it's seal to release the horrors that lurk in the dark.
Full 8k resolution versions of the map available in gridded and non gridded, lit and unlit, labelled and unlabelled on the store: payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/49Br7

30/08/2023

The Nexilitheum of Khaalgach.
Khaalgach, a Demon Lord from a Hell-like dimension is the keeper of gates to many different worlds and planes of existence all accessed through this building. As Khaalgach's home dimension is a dark brooding place where the only light is the red glow of lava and fire, this hall is brightly decorated in blues and greens that they otherwise rarely see. In the main hall is a constant party of those in attendance paying respects to the gate keeper before heading to their own gateway in the wings of the building.
(And yes, the players in my own campaign have already made the "I am the Key Master" joke 😀)
8k maps of Labelled and Unlabelled, both gridded and ungridded, together with an extra 4 map set to cover the basement and tower levels at the same scale. All for 99p on the store: Payhip.com/RuneStar
Direct link: https://payhip.com/b/img4z
And available as part of the Lifetime Membership bundle: https://payhip.com/b/DZKwm