D&D General Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan complaint

[Clint_L]

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.

 

[Atomoctba]

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

 

[mamba]

As long as I was told, in Australia, they are over, not under
View attachment 279233

you are holding the map upside down

 

[el-remmen]

As long as I was told, in Australia, they are over, not under
View attachment 279233

On no you've revealed my secret for tracing out maps for homebrew settings: flip it and change the scales up or down.

 

[Sabathius42]

Our GM inserted it in the middle of us running through Out of the Abyss. The entire party failed their save to not fall asleep for 1000 years.

End Campaign

 

[Stormonu]

On no you've revealed my secret for tracing out maps for homebrew settings: flip it and change the scales up or down.

Well, the map of Greyhawk is mostly Europe flipped East/West and slightly rotated North/South.

And then there's all of Mystara....

 

[SkidAce]

Well, the map of Greyhawk is mostly Europe flipped East/West and slightly rotated North/South.

And then there's all of Mystara....

 

[Eyes of Nine]

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...

 

[Hussar]

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.

 

[LordEntrails]

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.

 

[Stormonu]

I was looking at a book of old city maps, and in the middle ages a lot of maps were orientated with the top being East - I guess compasses weren't very popular back then and the rising sun was an easier landmark to orient to.

 

[James Gasik]

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]

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.

 

[Bacon Bits]

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...."

 

[James Gasik]

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

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

 

[el-remmen]

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!

 

[Eyes of Nine]

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...

 

[mamba]

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.

Isn't that the same thing?

For who knows what reason, the map has North pointing to the left, not up

 

[Laurefindel]

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

I know, right!

Everyone knows bookcases are to be put on south walls..,

 

[Rabulias]

Everyone knows bookcases are to be put on south walls..,

Isn't that the feng shui rule?