Game props and pictures

[Dirt]

In another thread, alsih2o posted a comment saying that he was using Thomas Moran paintings to give his players visuals of the landscape.

So, it got me wondering what other GMs use (both visuals and props).

Okay, I'll start:

I haven't used landscape visuals yet, but I have started using visuals for NPCs.

WOTC has a PC Portraits section where I can sometimes find good sketches.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/pc/pc20030218b

Also, Elmore produces a booklet (and a cd) that contains images for use.

On both accounts, I sometimes pull them into Photoshop and make any changes that I need.

In terms of props, a favorite of mine is maps.

I use brown wrapping paper (you can get a decent stock at Kinkos or Staples...or if you really want to save money, you can use the back of a paper grocery bag). I frequently use the brown paper roll at kinkos because then I can use a scan of a map and print it out.

Then, I ink in portions of it, and burn along the edges (just so that it looks more like a skin and doesn't have straight edges).

Then, I purchase the wax pellets from a craft store and iron them into the paper (using tin foil between the iron and the wax). I've found that red wax seems to work the best.

I'll post a picture of this later...it looks great though.

Alright...those are mine. Anyone else?

 

[MarauderX]

I used and hope to use pictures in the future. Some players really dwell on them and refer to places and NPCs by the pictures rather than name, and I kept a separate 'Player foler' full of all the maps, pics, treasure lists and such. They like the organization and the pics so I hope to do it again in the future.

 

[trentonjoe]

Being a special education teacher, I have found that people really like pictures. I try to get pictures from google before every game.

You'd be suprised what comes up. I just found neat pictures of an Ettercap today. Who knew?

I also try to use miniature tables, chests, chairs and other props. It has taken awhile collecting all this stuff but I now have a conastoga wagon and row boat that are pretty close to D&D miniature scale.

Some games are great for "harvesting" these parts: battle masters, hero's quest, and the various lincoln log like cowboy and indian games. Try yard sales and flea markets.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

We use Lego!!

Consider Lego. You can use it to make things such as wagons, buildings to scale, crates, anything...

Also, books on medieval Castles, Cathedrals and other cool looking buildings, with pages printed out as visuals is pretty cool.

But really, Lego is awesome.

~Sheri

 

[Southern Oracle]

((Deleted due to the extreme frustration of trying to attach a pic, then posting a link that wouldn't work, and finally giving up on trying to show an example of a prop I use.))

 

[Ampolitor]

my territory

Wow, this is one area I always do good in as a DM. I also do Haunted houses on the side as a hobby every year, making monsters, animatronics, props etc..
Lets see a few used are.
We created a hologram of a ghost using a projector,
PC and SPEAKERS! a couple well placed monster roars to a hidden speaker will make a player want to change his shorts.!
Maps, minis,
Music, and atmosphere music, like a CD of rain and thunderstorms.
The coolest props can be found from halloween shops. I found the PERFECT prop for the Mimir from planescape. it has a mic and anything that goes over the mic causes the skeletons mouth to moce and eyes to light up. Well put a speaker next to the mic under the table and walaa you now have a functional Mimir from planescape. My players loved it!
We used a bunch, from halograms to other props.

 

[Dirt]

In terms of sound effects, I've liked some of the Toxicbag Productions sound effect cds as well.

 

[Vaxalon]

For my Nobilis game, I have a binder with about 300 printouts of pictures I found on the 'net.

 

[Arravis]

I've made a number of props for my games. I made a Necronomicon-esque book, bound it myself (since I'm a graphic designer, I was able to make all the type and illustrations fairly authentic looking), aged the pages, etc. Also, I've made several letters complete with wax seals; medicine bags; menus; and countless numbers of props (hollowed out books, fake ID's, organizers, etc) for my Call of Cthulhu game. Additionally I probably have over 3,000 fantasy style pictures that I use for major NPC's.