Aug. 13th, 2008
refreshedJul. 29th, 2008
Terrain for Sale!
I finally got my painting table under control again, and was able to sit down and work on a few projects that have been piling up. I had a few that were all but complete, so I slapped on the paint, and took some photos.
awakeMar. 20th, 2008
eBbay Sale Ends Tomorrow!
A gentle reminder, in case you've forgotten: I've got a couple of terrain pieces up for sale on eBay:
The one on the left is a freestanding fireplace, with a removable fire (in case, y'know, you want to put some goblin minis in there, like they're springing a trap or something).
The one on the right is a pool of water, or perhaps a cistern (there's no telling how deep it really is), set into the corner of a dungeon wall.
Well, this sale ends tomorrow at around 2:30 Pacific time. If you're interested in these, the bids are still fairly low, though I expect the bidding will pickup tomorrow.
And, remember: If you get the winning bid, and you mention that you heard about this auction on my blog, I'll throw in an accessory piece!
I also expect to have more items up for sale starting tomorrow, so stay glued to that LiveJournal! ::grin::
But for now, I'm back to work ...
JD
busy The one on the left is a freestanding fireplace, with a removable fire (in case, y'know, you want to put some goblin minis in there, like they're springing a trap or something).
The one on the right is a pool of water, or perhaps a cistern (there's no telling how deep it really is), set into the corner of a dungeon wall.
Well, this sale ends tomorrow at around 2:30 Pacific time. If you're interested in these, the bids are still fairly low, though I expect the bidding will pickup tomorrow.
And, remember: If you get the winning bid, and you mention that you heard about this auction on my blog, I'll throw in an accessory piece!
I also expect to have more items up for sale starting tomorrow, so stay glued to that LiveJournal! ::grin::
But for now, I'm back to work ...
JD
Mar. 14th, 2008
Items for Sale on eBay!
As you may remember, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
krenolds, seankreynolds, and I have been converting some Dwarven Forge and putting it up for sale on eBay.
We sold some recently, including these two pieces:
krenolds, seankreynolds, and I have been converting some Dwarven Forge and putting it up for sale on eBay.We sold some recently, including these two pieces:
Selling those two got us a little more motivated to make some more. So, today, at about 2:30 this afternoon (Pacific time), these two items will go on sale:
The one on the left is a freestanding fireplace, with a removable fire (in case, y'know, you want to put some goblin minis in there, like they're springing a trap or something).
The one on the right is a pool of water, or perhaps a cistern (there's no telling how deep it really is), set into the corner of a dungeon wall.
I'll come back later in the day with the precise URL of the sale.[EDIT: ADDED!]
AND! If you have the winning bid, and you mention this blog post, I will throw in a bonus terrain accessory: a coal shovel for the fireplace, or a water bucket for the cistern.
JD
The one on the left is a freestanding fireplace, with a removable fire (in case, y'know, you want to put some goblin minis in there, like they're springing a trap or something).
The one on the right is a pool of water, or perhaps a cistern (there's no telling how deep it really is), set into the corner of a dungeon wall.
I'll come back later in the day with the precise URL of the sale.[EDIT: ADDED!]
AND! If you have the winning bid, and you mention this blog post, I will throw in a bonus terrain accessory: a coal shovel for the fireplace, or a water bucket for the cistern.
JD
Feb. 20th, 2008
More GameScapes on eBay!
After a long break, I finally have some more modified Dwarven Forge "GameScapes" up on eBay:
The first was created by my fiancee,krenolds; the other three by her brother and my good friend seankreynolds!
If you like some fancy terrain mixed in with your standard Dwarven Forge, go check 'em out!
JD
The first was created by my fiancee,
krenolds; the other three by her brother and my good friend seankreynolds!If you like some fancy terrain mixed in with your standard Dwarven Forge, go check 'em out!
JD
Nov. 9th, 2007
Have I Mentioned This?
I've been using the TileSystem software for quite a while now to create Dwarven Forge setups (though I've barely touched our Master Maze stuff in quite a while now). When I took over savageplanet's "Classic D&D" campaign--just as the characters were preparing to enter the Caves of Chaos in Keep on the Borderlands--I knew that I'd have the opportunity to use it again.
So I've been toiling away on mapping the Caves, with the intent of using the map to help me figure out the layout well in advance of when I actually need it. Obviously, pretty much all of my players read this blog (as may many other players who are about to play through this classic module), so I can't post the actual map I've created for the Caves.
I can however, show you an example of the program's output (which comes with the program, along with several others), in case you get the hankering to try it out for yourself.
If you do decide to check out the link, don't be put off by the navigation tags (which are in German). The bulk of the site is in English.
JD
sleepysavageplanet's "Classic D&D" campaign--just as the characters were preparing to enter the Caves of Chaos in Keep on the Borderlands--I knew that I'd have the opportunity to use it again.So I've been toiling away on mapping the Caves, with the intent of using the map to help me figure out the layout well in advance of when I actually need it. Obviously, pretty much all of my players read this blog (as may many other players who are about to play through this classic module), so I can't post the actual map I've created for the Caves.
I can however, show you an example of the program's output (which comes with the program, along with several others), in case you get the hankering to try it out for yourself.
If you do decide to check out the link, don't be put off by the navigation tags (which are in German). The bulk of the site is in English.
JD
Oct. 12th, 2007
Another Work in Progress
I put off working on the "elven door" project to finish up a slightly smaller project--sort of a companion piece to the elven door:
I'm also using this as an opportunity to brush up on my brush techniques.
My eBay auctions are still going on, by the way!
JD
creativeI'm also using this as an opportunity to brush up on my brush techniques.
My eBay auctions are still going on, by the way!
JD
Oct. 8th, 2007
GameScapes for Sale!
Last week, I showed you photos of three unfinished Master Maze/Hirst Arts conversions I'd been working on.
Today, I have two of those, plus a third, up on eBay!
First up is the Forgotten Reliquary--a perfect place to put that skeleton that suddenly animates and attacks!
Next is the Fireplace--with a removable log fire!
And finally is the Fireplace, version 2--also with a removable log fire!
Here are the photos of the finished pieces, to whet your appetites and get you in a bidding state of mind ...
Remember: Bid early, and bid often!
JD
Today, I have two of those, plus a third, up on eBay!
First up is the Forgotten Reliquary--a perfect place to put that skeleton that suddenly animates and attacks!
Next is the Fireplace--with a removable log fire!
And finally is the Fireplace, version 2--also with a removable log fire!
Here are the photos of the finished pieces, to whet your appetites and get you in a bidding state of mind ...
Remember: Bid early, and bid often!
JD
Oct. 1st, 2007
Hirst Arts Meets Dwarven Forge
Being a longtime fan of Dwarven Forge's Master Maze, and of scratch-building and converting miniatures terrain, it was only a matter of time before I heard of, and started experimenting with, Hirst Arts Castle Molds. I heard of them through Sean Reynolds, and then Keri discovered that there was someone doing conversions of Master Maze pieces. And that got all three of us thinking.
So, we've been tinkering with Master Maze and Castle Molds, and I thought I'd share some images of the pieces I've been working on.
These are just rough versions, still in progress, but I'm thinking the final results will be fairly impressive. I'll post more images when I've finished more work on them.
JD
So, we've been tinkering with Master Maze and Castle Molds, and I thought I'd share some images of the pieces I've been working on.
These are just rough versions, still in progress, but I'm thinking the final results will be fairly impressive. I'll post more images when I've finished more work on them.
JD
Sep. 29th, 2007
Thought-Mapping Adventures
Ever hear of thought-mapping? Rich Redman showed me an article on it back when we worked together at Wizards of the Coast, and I always found it helpful when I was trying to organize my thoughts on a large process.
Recently, I was designing a new dungeon-delve-style adventure, and I decided I wanted to have some specific set-pieces to act as thematic hooks for the overall adventure. But I wanted to tie them together on the map, which meant that I needed to decide at what point they would occur in the delve. After I made a list of all of these set-pieces, I started to sketch out a rough diagram of how to get to them from other encounters and such. Before I knew it, I had created this thought-map:
Pretty straightforward: The PCs enter at "Entrance," and then have an Encounter, after which they can move on to one of two Set-Pieces. Each of those has branching decisions, one from each of which can lead to a "back door" to the other. Eventually, the PCs' path leads back to a single point, from which they can again move into two more areas, and on to the finale.
Using this thought-map as a rough diagram, I can develop the basic map:
This one is unfinished, as you can see by the fact that I still have the thought-map notes on the lower right.
It's also lacking spaces between the various locales--partly because I only had a limited amount of space to design in, and partly because I'm planning on drawing out the final map using TileSystem. (If you use Dwarven Forge Master Maze, but haven't heard of TileSystem, I urge you to go download it right now.) After I recreate the map in TileSystem, I can easily grab entire sections of the map and separate them, to create more space between encounters, and to give the PCs more safe havens between fights, where they can rest, cast healing spells, and so on. Obviously, I also don't have the rough room descriptions marked on the map, because I may change my mind and move things around later.
My theory here is that, by thought-mapping my adventure, even on such a specific, small scale as a single dungeon, I can ensure that not only do I not leave out important bits, but I can also ensure that I create challenges for specific characters: traps for the rogue to disarm, monsters for the fighter to overcome, magic puzzles for the wizard to work out, and theological dilemmas for the cleric. If I know the PCs (as I do, in this instance), I can also design the adventure so that it presents them with challenges for the skills they have maximized, reminds them not to neglect important skills they may have minimized, and even provides them with information relating to their backgrounds. (For example, one encounter in here is going to be with someone the PCs have met in the course of the campaign; I've removed the name from the map, since I know they read my blog ...)
Ever done something like this with your adventures? (I know that James Wyatt did something similar in The Speaker in Dreams, for example.) If you have, drop me a line in the comments section, and let me know how it went! And, if not, give it a try, and let me know how it goes.
JD
Recently, I was designing a new dungeon-delve-style adventure, and I decided I wanted to have some specific set-pieces to act as thematic hooks for the overall adventure. But I wanted to tie them together on the map, which meant that I needed to decide at what point they would occur in the delve. After I made a list of all of these set-pieces, I started to sketch out a rough diagram of how to get to them from other encounters and such. Before I knew it, I had created this thought-map:
Pretty straightforward: The PCs enter at "Entrance," and then have an Encounter, after which they can move on to one of two Set-Pieces. Each of those has branching decisions, one from each of which can lead to a "back door" to the other. Eventually, the PCs' path leads back to a single point, from which they can again move into two more areas, and on to the finale.
Using this thought-map as a rough diagram, I can develop the basic map:
This one is unfinished, as you can see by the fact that I still have the thought-map notes on the lower right.
It's also lacking spaces between the various locales--partly because I only had a limited amount of space to design in, and partly because I'm planning on drawing out the final map using TileSystem. (If you use Dwarven Forge Master Maze, but haven't heard of TileSystem, I urge you to go download it right now.) After I recreate the map in TileSystem, I can easily grab entire sections of the map and separate them, to create more space between encounters, and to give the PCs more safe havens between fights, where they can rest, cast healing spells, and so on. Obviously, I also don't have the rough room descriptions marked on the map, because I may change my mind and move things around later.
My theory here is that, by thought-mapping my adventure, even on such a specific, small scale as a single dungeon, I can ensure that not only do I not leave out important bits, but I can also ensure that I create challenges for specific characters: traps for the rogue to disarm, monsters for the fighter to overcome, magic puzzles for the wizard to work out, and theological dilemmas for the cleric. If I know the PCs (as I do, in this instance), I can also design the adventure so that it presents them with challenges for the skills they have maximized, reminds them not to neglect important skills they may have minimized, and even provides them with information relating to their backgrounds. (For example, one encounter in here is going to be with someone the PCs have met in the course of the campaign; I've removed the name from the map, since I know they read my blog ...)
Ever done something like this with your adventures? (I know that James Wyatt did something similar in The Speaker in Dreams, for example.) If you have, drop me a line in the comments section, and let me know how it went! And, if not, give it a try, and let me know how it goes.
JD
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