D&D General DIY xps foam terrain. Videos? Pics? Advice?

[not-so-newguy]

Welp, here it is warts and all!

This little experiment:

He takes super fine grade (0000) steel wool pads and soaks them in vinegar for 3 days. The liquid is strained of metal bits and then the wooden pieces are soaked in this liquid, staining them a grayish brown.

I have 65 or so Jenga* pieces that will be stained this way and plan to use them to mark walls. It's not a great solution, but it seems like an easy one.

Turned into this (65 pieces):

I like how they turned out and it is satisfying that I made it myself, but not worth the trouble. Next time I'll just buy a stain for the Jenga bricks.

My next project is creating a bunch of stone bricks (72 pieces)

 

[el-remmen]

It is looking amazing, @not-so-newguy! And personally, I think the "warts" (if you can even call them that) are part of what give these projects charm and a sense of identity.

 

[el-remmen]

My Keep-on-the-Marshes is coming along.

After I finish the crenellations on the top, I can figure out where to install the upper walkway (at what height), and then I have wooden barricades to install on the lower towers (the idea is this is a recent addition to cover up the broken stonework beneath), the texturing on the outside (and maybe inside) and I have to work out a system for stairs because I do not like how the spiral steps I made came out. I also need to make some ladders from toothpicks.

Here is a shot of the interior as it stood a little bit earlier than the previous image (I have slightly more, but it has not been installed yet - and I am getting rid of the spiral stairs).

 

[not-so-newguy]

That's huge!

Do you try to stick close to maps and drawings in the module?
Are there any good tutorials on working with single corrugated cardboard?
Where did you get your single corrugated cardboard?

I'm thinking about creating some cardboard huts on Jenga-piece stilts. It'll be for the Isle of Dread campaign that I'm running.

 

[el-remmen]

That's huge!

Do you try to stick close to maps and drawings in the module?
Are there any good tutorials on working with single corrugated cardboard?
Where did you get your single corrugated cardboard?

I'm thinking about creating some cardboard huts on Jenga-piece stilts. It'll be for the Isle of Dread campaign that I'm running.

In my case, I just find stuff that suggests something and I run with it. I already had a keep on the regional map the PCs have a hold of and some side plot stuff has made them interested in maybe visiting there, but it is not that important a place and this is meant to be a kind of generic keep I can use for other stuff. There is no module with any of the stuff I make. I make stuff and I find uses for it or have a need and I try to fill it by making a thing - but that need has so far never been "recreate something exactly to specifications." That said, I do have a desire to create the underwater gladiatorial arena from U3 - The Final Enemy out out of foam!

As for videos for working with cardboard, while I have watched some specific ones (like how to make those spiral steps - which I will keep as generic set dressing), I have not found any videos about working with cardboard generally. I get my cardboard from Amazon packages or other boxes.

 

[not-so-newguy]

In my case, I just find stuff that suggests something and I run with it. I already had a keep on the regional map the PCs have a hold of and some side plot stuff has made them interested in maybe visiting there, but it is not that important a place and this is meant to be a kind of generic keep I can use for other stuff. There is no module with any of the stuff I make. I make stuff and I find uses for it or have a need and I try to fill it by making a thing - but that need has so far never been "recreate something exactly to specifications." That said, I do have a desire to create the underwater gladiatorial arena from U3 - The Final Enemy out out of foam!

As for videos for working with cardboard, while I have watched some specific ones (like how to make those spiral steps - which I will keep as generic set dressing), I have not found any videos about working with cardboard generally. I get my cardboard from Amazon packages or other boxes.

What's wrong with the original staircase?

______________________
My next project involves a major encounter the next time we play. The group was about to ambush some cannibals.

Ko'koresh and the Jawalaas are originally from the Enshrouded Island. They now live south of the main Isle. They've built their huts on stilts in the shallows just off the shore.

This can be either Ko'koresh's hut or the hut where they keep the prisoners. Ko'koresh is a Were-Shark and the Jawalaas like to sacrifice outsiders to their Shark Immortal (can't remember the name).

 

[not-so-newguy]

 

[el-remmen]

What's wrong with the original staircase?

They just look too janky. I am gonna try some other options to see if I like them better - I just haven't figured out what they are yet.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I bought a bunch of pink insulation from Home Depot and then used a textured roller on it, painted it can now fill a 6’ x4’ table! It’s customizable for each new dungeon as I have many many walls of various lengths. The stand up well when placed and don’t fall over with normal care. My big problem is no curved walls…yet. Thinking I may have to get foam and apply heat to make curved walls.

I bought a proxxon hot wire table cutter to make the industrial scale possible! Sadly have not used it due pandemic but looking forward to filling this with minis….

 

[not-so-newguy]

Great details! I really like all the furniture, barrels, etc
Is a Texture roller something you purchase or make?