My friends, there exists premade maps of labyrinthian proportions that twist and turn, with multiple larger and smaller rooms, shortcuts and hidden passages, and yet still in a format that encourages a natural flow through the area.
It’s called IKEA and you can use their floor layouts to trap your players in an inescapable hell.
“as you turn the corner you hear in a deep voice ‘LÅNGARYDBESTÅ MACKAPÄRSTÄLL!’” and in front of you lies three boxes and one simple tool. A voice comes into each of your heads telling your party they must build the items only using this universal tool, It must feel solid and you can not argue."
A good idea, but what came to mind: You enter a small well lit cave. The walls have assorted moccasins, chopines, poulaines, and other footware spiked to them. A goblin in a colored shirt runs out and greets you in a croaking voice. “What can I help you with today?”
You continue down the vast hallway. You try not to make eye contact with a pair of kobolds near a tiny hut. Despite trying to ignore them the kobolds still approach you and speak “Hello traveler, do you wish to remove years from your life and return to the appearance of youth?”. They motion to the tiny hut with shelves lined with lotions, eye cream, and makeup.
What do you do?
I’m GMing Cyberpunk right now. Battlemaps are reskinned screenshots of Google Maps or floorplans of actual businesses.
I still burn tens of hours translating them into a gridded map, but still. It is sort of easier.
A group of pale, unhealthy humanoids approach. There are armed with Orange Julius and wearing JNCO jeans
Roll for initiative
Using airport maps could give you really nice layouts too.
