Maps From Adventures

[Richards]

I used to use the backs of desk calendar pages: measuring off 1" squares with a yardstick, then drawing the map features as needed. Those are stored in a dresser drawer in my game room, rolled up in a cardboard toilet paper roll with the name of the adventure written on the roll.

When my desk calendar sources dried up, I made an 8" x 10" grid on a Word document and now print off sheets of those to line up as needed. Those are easier to store for potential future reuse, as well: I stick them in a Manilla envelope with the adventure title written on it, and store it with the others in an under-the-bed storage box.

Johnathan

 

[Distracted DM]

This is a good point, red and green tend to stain. There is cleaner you can use, but I assume it makes staining easier over time.

You know what's funny, I found that blue stained more than any else. Maybe it depends on the markers?

 

[el-remmen]

Maybe it depends on the markers?

Staedler broad tip FTW, but Crayola washable markers work in a pinch (and I like them b/c they are very broad and good for thick walls or coloring areas in).

Staedler used to make "very broad" markers (can't recall if that was the actual size name) but I have not found one for sale anywhere (even on their site) since the early 00s.

 

[aramis erak]

Question for you experienced GM's out there:

I just got Dragon Delves and it will be my first RPG sessions that I will run in person from an adventure book. How do YOU go about transferring the maps from the book to the table?

Obviously this has been easy on a VTT with maps being provided (for the most part) when you buy an adventure online.

I generally use PDF, so I print the page to measure accurately, then poster-print them at a suitable scale to be table use size - that said, I use 1/2" squares, and most maps in adventures I've used are 1/5", 1/4", 1/2", 5mm, or 10mm... and I'm aiming for 12.7mm. 1/5 is 250%, 1/4 is 200%, 1/2 is 100%, 5mm is 254%, and 10mm is 127%. I have once encountered 1/3" grids, which are 150% to get to my desired 1/2" aka 12.7mm
If you want 1" squares, double those percentages.

Poster printing is half the reason I keep Acrobat Reader installed; the other is verifying page size intended.

 

[aramis erak]

I used to use the backs of desk calendar pages: measuring off 1" squares with a yardstick, then drawing the map features as needed. Those are stored in a dresser drawer in my game room, rolled up in a cardboard toilet paper roll with the name of the adventure written on the roll.

As an FYI, there are both presentation pads and desk blotters with squaregrids, in 1", 1/2", and 1/4", commonly available.

alternate terms for presentation pads: chart pads, easel pads, flip chart paper

 

[Lanefan]

I have a chessex battlemat and use wet erase markers to draw the map out as the players discover areas.

Gridded chalkboard and chalk here, to much the same effect.

Usually the players draw the map on the board form my description; if it's complex or uneven I'll draw it myself.

 

[Lanefan]

As an FYI, there are both presentation pads and desk blotters with squaregrids, in 1", 1/2", and 1/4", commonly available.

alternate terms for presentation pads: chart pads, easel pads, flip chart paper

Gridded flipchart paper is good but can get costly in a hurry, and isn't as easy to find these days as it once was.

 

[aramis erak]

Gridded flipchart paper is good but can get costly in a hurry, and isn't as easy to find these days as it once was.

My local officemax has 1/4" and 1" as routine in-stock items.