Vanvlak: thank you! The key will be whether I can paint them nicely - in my head I see the creepy details as not being immediately obvious, but making the viewer shudder when they look closer and spot them.
Dr Mathias: thanks, and it is a good point about the implied narrative. I did consider whether what I was adding was making the build too specific and limited as a gaming surface (i.e. There is
always someone in the cupboard and at the window) but I decided that it was better to be specific and interesting rather than bland. And to be honest this is a bit of a novelty game environment that I suspect will not be fought over regularly and repeatedly. If this build provides the setting for at least one fun game I will be satisfied!
I have now applied an undercoat to the build (I have not done the well and the bucket yet as these will be added later once I have painted the ground level background and the interior of the well shaft). So this is the last update photo before the competition closes.
It struck me that my intentions in relation to the design of the levels in this board might not be clear to readers so I have prepared the picture below showing in red the path players must take to gain access to the lair, and in green the route of escape.
I have added a description below corresponding to each number In yellow on the picture:
1. The investigating character and prospective vampire slayer approaches a wooden building, passing a well on their way, enters the building through a door and after investigating the front room discovers a trapdoor In the floor.
2. The trapdoor reveals stone steps leading down to a stone cellar containing a cupboard and another trapdoor, this time made of metal.
3. Beneath the trapdoor In the cellar is a rope ladder that takes the investigating character down into what looks like a mine.
4. Any character proceeding along the dimly-lit passageway must take care not to fall down any holes In the tunnel floor (particularly those with an array of sharpened stakes at the bottom!).
5. The end of the tunnel connects to a well shaft. If the investigating character looks up they will be able to see a small circle of the night sky above them (undoubtedly it will be a full moon). The character can reach out and grasp the rope hanging down In front of them and climb down the rope until they reach the bucket below (as mentioned above, the rope and bucket is still to added). At the bottom of the well shaft is an entrance to another passageway.
6. This final passageway leads past the skeletal remains of an unfortunate prisoner chained to the wall and a gruesome a cluster of spikes to a large coffin. As the investigating character approaches, the lid of the coffin starts to move...
7. In the event that the investigating character survives their encounter with the Voordalak, the quickest route back to the surface is to climb all the way up the well shaft. After emerging they can return to base to claim a well-earned cup of tea and Silver Bayonet medal (or equivalent depending on nationality).
Now I need to do some painting.