When we started working on the map, we looked at how rooms were arranged in old castle blueprints, though we simplified them a lot. We wanted players to feel a natural flow as they walk around while keeping the layout believable. That is why there is a courtyard, the kitchen and pantry are placed to the left of the great hall, and the throne room connects directly to it.
The Whisper Castle was inspired by the way real medieval castles were organized. Below, you can see the first sketch of the final version of the map. Do you think it feels like a castle you would want to explore?