D&D 4E noob 4E GM - module doesn't include all the maps. suggestions?

[Jaja]

Hi everybody, new here / first post.

I am new to GMing and I'm stuck:

I am trying to get a game going using the 4E level 1 "The Slaying Stone" module and there is a nice fold out poster with three battle maps on it that is at the one-inch scale so we can use the pieces on the map.

My issue is that the rest of the settings in the module are represented by tiny grid maps inside the booklet.

Am I supposed to re-draw them up to scale before we play?

Do I show them to the players from inside the book? How would we track movement that way? The small maps are annotated with letters inside circles, and I think that might give away information.

Should I go get a dry-eraseable battle map and re-draw the rooms as we get to them? (though that ends all hope of us playing tomorrow).


My assumption was that all of the maps would be in there like the old days. The fact that there are 3 of 13 is really strange, especially when the other 10 are already created and printed in the book, just not at a scale that we can use.

I'd hate to have to re-draw everything before we play. Any advice on how to proceed? Am I just missing something about the basic workings of the game?

help a noob GM out =)

tia.

-Jaja

 

[the Jester]

Either draw as you go on a wet or dry erase battlemat, pre-draw the maps on paper or skip minis entirely (which I don't recommend with 4e).

 

[That Darn DM]

You could always draw it out on graph paper and not use minis for those battles, like they did in the days of old.

Otherwise, chessex battlemat sounds like something you might want to invest in, sir.

 

[DracoSuave]

Also, a lot of the maps in 4e adventures are designed not only to be used with the foldout maps inside, but with the addition of dungeon tiles. Generally, there's a specific set of tiles you can buy for that adventure. Like, one might require the city tile set, another might go for the pyramids or whatever. They usually say somewhere inside of it.

 

[cpendlet]

You can also get graph paper that has one inch grids on it at office supply stores (designed to be hung on a wall, etc) that are 2.5-3 feet per side. These work well if you like to draw the maps before hand. Obviously a chessex mat would be cheaper over time as they are reusable (just make sure to keep the permanent markers away from them - did that once by accident and could not get it off).

 

[Nullzone]

Alternately, depending on the size of the template in the book...scan the page with the grid layout, blow it up with photoshop, and eliminate any DM notes therein. Print out with posterizer or similar software.

 

[Keldryn]

As others have said, a wet-erase battlemat is a great investment.

Dungeon Tiles Set 1: The Dungeon (D&D Essentials) contains most of the tiles used in that adventure, I think. It's also fairly cheap.

 

[The Little Raven]

My assumption was that all of the maps would be in there like the old days.

Not sure what you mean, since I've got a ton of 1e, 2e, and 3e adventures and the vast majority of them only come with maps inside the booklet, no poster maps.

 

[gjnave]

Yeah, I had this surprise as well. I downloaded a "D&D Grid" sheet and then printed those out. I then drew the map and taped the pieces together. Definitely ugly, definitely low quality, but it worked.

Another thing i did (and I liked) was used a whiteboard (non-gridded) and drew the map as the players went.

lastly, "The Dungeon - Essentials tile set" isn't too shabby.. .although you wont find all the pieces you need and will have to use inaccurate tiles at times to, say, make a large pool of water (ie. "this here is actually water"), its STILL nicer than a hand drawn map. Also, it seems the set takes care of much of whats in Dungeon Delve.

 

[jbear]

Google is your friend

Cartographer's Guild is a brilliant place for finding RPG Maps. I think you have to join to download them.

Here's the link to what you are looking for though, courtesy of 'Wonko the Sane':

Maps for HS1 The Slaying Stone