Rockpool Shelf at Low Tide
Rockpool Shelf at Low Tide is a jagged reef-basin laid bare by the retreating sea—an exposed shelf of dark stone and bright, glassy pools that gleam like broken mirrors.
Channels cut through the rock in winding veins, filled with clear turquoise water and shaded hollows where kelp sways lazily even when the tide is out. Barnacles crust the stones, seaweed clings to every edge, and the whole place looks deceptively calm—until you notice how many routes end in sudden drop-offs into deeper pockets.
All around the shelf, the signs of coastal work and old caution remain: crab traps wedged between rocks, woven kelp lines strung like rough guides, and shell cairns marking safer paths—or luring the unwary toward a fall. The terrain is the true antagonist here: slick footing, narrow crossings, and uneven heights that turn movement into a constant decision. And when the tide begins to return, the map transforms—channels swell, routes disappear, and surges roll through low ground with enough force to knock a fighter off balance at the worst possible moment.
Intended Use:
This map is built for environment-first encounters where the battlefield changes over time. At low tide, the rock shelf offers many routes—but all of them are risky: difficult terrain from barnacles and kelp mats, precarious footing along pool edges, and narrow rock bridges that invite shoves, trips, and tactical blocking. It’s perfect for skirmishes that reward careful movement, positioning, and creative use of the environment rather than simple damage racing.
