D&D General Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan complaint

Clint_L

Hero
We could get into the discussion about cultural expectations and why north is usually up, and globes always have Australia down under, and I might agree with those points, in theory. But in practice, I think we all probably just agree with OP's predicament: it's confusing when north isn't up, and so it should be avoided unless there are extenuating circumstances.
 

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Atomoctba

Explorer
We could get into the discussion about cultural expectations and why north is usually up, and globes always have Australia down under, and I might agree with those points, in theory. But in practice, I think we all probably just agree with OP's predicament: it's confusing when north isn't up, and so it should be avoided unless there are extenuating circumstances.
As long as I was told, in Australia, they are over, not under
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Hussar

Legend
One thing about world maps that I find kind of interesting since I live in Japan. In Japan, world maps place Japan in the center of the map. There's no reason why not, it's just something I find interesting.
 

I used to think north should always be up. But then I realized there is a legend for a reason. And north being up is just my own prejudice based upon my limited experience.
 


James Gasik

Blood War Profiteer
Supporter
To orient a map means to determine how directions on the map align to directions on the ground. The term comes from Medieval Europe where church scholars drew maps of the known world with the Orient (China) at the top, but today most maps are drawn with true north at the top.
 

jasper

Rotten DM
One thing about world maps that I find kind of interesting since I live in Japan. In Japan, world maps place Japan in the center of the map. There's no reason why not, it's just something I find interesting.
I talked with some people from other nations. Most remember their Geography books having their nation in the center.
 

There is no reason for North to be to the left. Yes, the map is long in one direction. But it is entirely underground, with no relation to anything else outside of it. So - why not have the long direction go West-East and the short direction go North-South?

I can't even...

The main issue with that is if the module says, "On the north wall of the room is a bookcase...."
 


el-remmen

Moderator Emeritus
Yeah, I remember a lot of old school flavor text using directions, as if the players have constant access to a compass, lol.

It assumed a party mapper. Though if their map was off, the boxed text could correct them. . . or cause further confusion! o_O:p
 
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Eyes of Nine

Everything's Fine
The main issue with that is if the module says, "On the north wall of the room is a bookcase...."
It's this that's the problem. As I read the box text, it says the "North wall of the room there's a door"; but the door is on the left side of the room in the Roll20 map.
If the directions had any bearing on anything outside the dungeon, I'd give them a pass - but they don't. The module is self-contained...
 




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