I saw a show on History Channel a little while ago (Wild West Tech, maybe) that detailed the Comstock Lode silver mine. The mine was dug in sandy ground, and so deadly cave-ins were frequent. The solution was something called Square-Set Timbering, in which old railroad ties were fashioned into cubes, and were put into the mine as it was excavated. There is a pic of it here. Or if you prefer, here's a pic of a model:
In a lot of ways, its a big open honeycomb. (Supposedly, that's where the inventor-- Philip Deidesheimer-- got the idea.) Watching the tv show I thought to myself, "What a bleeping great idea for a dungeon."
I wonder what the best way to represent the open nature of the 3D dungeon would be, particular on a 2D battlemat (short of breaking into whatever museum displays that model and stealing it, which is not off my options list just yet).
This site has some interesting info on it about the Comstock Lode in general. Apparently the way the veins of silver intertwined, leading to many conflicts between the owners of different veins. "Disagreements over mining rights followed the mines underground, and rival companies hired gunmen to fight when mining tunnels intersected." Aside from the idea of a honeycomb dungeon, having mine owners hire pc's to protect their claims is a neat idea.
Fans of the third season of Deadwood will remember George Hearst (as played by Major Dad, always happy to see that guy getting work), and the many references to the Comstock Lode.
In a lot of ways, its a big open honeycomb. (Supposedly, that's where the inventor-- Philip Deidesheimer-- got the idea.) Watching the tv show I thought to myself, "What a bleeping great idea for a dungeon."
I wonder what the best way to represent the open nature of the 3D dungeon would be, particular on a 2D battlemat (short of breaking into whatever museum displays that model and stealing it, which is not off my options list just yet).
This site has some interesting info on it about the Comstock Lode in general. Apparently the way the veins of silver intertwined, leading to many conflicts between the owners of different veins. "Disagreements over mining rights followed the mines underground, and rival companies hired gunmen to fight when mining tunnels intersected." Aside from the idea of a honeycomb dungeon, having mine owners hire pc's to protect their claims is a neat idea.
Fans of the third season of Deadwood will remember George Hearst (as played by Major Dad, always happy to see that guy getting work), and the many references to the Comstock Lode.