Is There a Better Way to Illustrate Water on a Dungeon Map Than This?

[Circa 1976]

As I stated in my introductory EN World post, my TTRPG of choice is retro: DragonQuest (and not the Japanese video game) invented by Strategic Publications Inc, acquired by TSR, passed on to WotC and, ultimately, Hasbro Inc.

When I write DQ material, I make every attempt to stick to established format. In that regard, when I place a body of water on a map, I employ the 'double shoreline' method which is probably best illustrated in DQ's Adventure One: The Palace of Ontoncle. Here's a body of water I've placed into my map using the same method:

All that being said, I remain unconvinced that any TTRPG gamer who looks at this map feature as pictured above and has not played DragonQuest would immediately take it to be a body of water. On many other fantasy RPG grid maps, a double line is usually a river or stream. To be fair, SPI published this adventure module back in 1980.

Nonetheless, I'm seeking suggestions for alternative methods of illustrating this feature. I already tried to use the symbol for waves:

but it just doesn't look right, particularly when placed over a map grid. I tried lightening the line hue from black to dark gray or even light gray, but it didn't make a difference in my view. And yes, I am trying to avoid the use of non-B&W hues if at all possible. And yes, I realize that B&W maps are passe, but - you know, established format. Plus my gaming mind may just be fossilized.

So, any tips? If it wasn't clear, I'm willing to stray off the set path a bit if it will fix the issue.

Pat
Pflugerville, Texas

 

[Composer99]

Rather than try to change the boundary, what if you just introduced some light shading or cross-hatch for the water?

 

[zottel]

You could try to use the wave symbol, but shorter and scattered around the body of water.

 

[Bagpuss]

If the inner line broken up looks a little clear as to what it is.

Drawing Cliffs on Coastlines in Top Down Perspective for Your Fantasy Maps — Map Effects

One of the biggest challenges with fantasy maps in a top down perspective is they tend to look a bit flat. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks you can use to build up the layers of the landscape to give a sense of depth. In this Map Tip we’ll be looking at how to draw cliffs on a coastline in

www.mapeffects.co

 

[aramis erak]

I'm fond of light blue wave symbols evenly spread within the triple border, or light blue dots. I don't much care for full fill, tho', as it's hard on ink budgets.

 

[aco175]

I tend to have two styles with one for a pond edge or standing water shown here, except I hardly color things in.

The other style is more for moving water with the lines in the middle more.

 

[Ramza]

Nonetheless, I'm seeking suggestions for alternative methods of illustrating this feature. I already tried to use the symbol for waves:
View attachment 380808
but it just doesn't look right, particularly when placed over a map grid. I tried lightening the line hue from black to dark gray or even light gray, but it didn't make a difference in my view. And yes, I am trying to avoid the use of non-B&W hues if at all possible. And yes, I realize that B&W maps are passe, but - you know, established format. Plus my gaming mind may just be fossilized.

Can you show us what your attempt to use the wave line looked like? It would help to understand both the "look" that you did not like and a description of how you actually used the wave line. At the least this might, or at least hopefully might, reduce suggestions you will dislike.

It might also be worthwhile to show us how you would present the running water scenario (like the second scenario above) in the traditional way that you prepare maps. (The first scenario from the post above looks analogous to the scenario you presented in the OP.)

 

[GMMichael]

Rather than try to change the boundary, what if you just introduced some light shading or cross-hatch for the water?

Crosshatch sounds pretty authentic, so, +1. If you don't like symbols, just leave it as-is and expect the GM to actually read the room description that mentions "here thar be water."

Failing that, draw a couple fishes in there. Alive or dead.

 

[Wofano Wotanto]

I do the same thing as aco175, usually sans color. Ripples or current lines depending on how static the liquid is. If I'm feeling fancy or the map is supposed to a diegetic item I might add some little fishes, frogs, whales or sea monsters (depending on what makes sense) like a proper old-timey map.

With lava the border is a made of "broken ground" (like a bunch of scattered charcoal) and the liquid gets marked with some stylized flames. Acid and similar goop gets treated like water but with some scattered skeletal bits and corroded weapons/armor in it.

I might add depth contour lines if I expect them to matter, eg a shallow stream/pool with some deep holes here and there.

 

[Circa 1976]

If the inner line broken up looks a little clear as to what it is.

Drawing Cliffs on Coastlines in Top Down Perspective for Your Fantasy Maps — Map Effects

One of the biggest challenges with fantasy maps in a top down perspective is they tend to look a bit flat. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks you can use to build up the layers of the landscape to give a sense of depth. In this Map Tip we’ll be looking at how to draw cliffs on a coastline in

www.mapeffects.co

I may just go with this; I hadn't even considered breaking up the shorelines to indicate waves, even if the water in question is deep in a living cave system and quite still. Thank you for sharing this link.