Useful Game Aids


Shackled City Adventure Path


What sorts of things have you used to add interest and value to the storyline? How have you made use of the resources in the adventure itself (such as the big city map, the "who's who" pictures, etc.) What else have you developed to improve on the existing material?

One bit I've implemented, starting with Flood Season...I have taken a combination of pictures from the various Monster Manuals and scans from the module itself to hammer together a powerpoint presentation with all the significant images from Flood Season (Tongueeater, Triel, the Harpoon Spider, the pictures of the Kopru and Ettercap, etc.). I have them set up with a numbered guide and a legend for that guide in my DM notes.

When a given creature comes up that's unusual or hard to describe, I flip the monitor on and click on the appropriate image to show them what they're facing.

Any other ideas/tips/useful resources?


Quote:


Any other ideas/tips/useful resources?

I'm planning on using the foldup paper models from Wizard's website for some of the dramatic scenes in cauldron, such as the umber hulk rampage, the tax riot and the vulcano's eruption. I think that will make quite an interesting set of encounters.

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

I have used the beginning of the Vollenweider-CD "Behind the Garden, behind the wall, under the Tree" in a loop for the mask room in Jzadirune... very good atmosphere...

I have detailed the house of Elethor Ashstaff, as my players were curious after meeting with those two elves.

I have also detailed the Lantern Street Orphanage.

Since my players did not to spend so much money in the Drunken Morkoth Inn, they moved to the Rolling Barrel (I gave some details about this in another thread).

The city map is used extensively. I am going to make a copy of it (of the same size), where we can make some notes about the different locations, without ruining the original map.

The back side of the Cauldron city map can be used for the umber hulk rampage and the tax riot...


Actually, Chef's Slaad, if you want to use cardstock construction for your adventures, you might want to take a peek at www.worldworksgames.com They've got some first-rate cardstock construction.

I've already printed out a standard paper sized map of the city as a player handout, which they've appreciated having. I'm looking at developing another one with a full legend of where EVERYTHING in town is, but I've never quite gotten that one done.


Andorax wrote:

Actually, Chef's Slaad, if you want to use cardstock construction for your adventures, you might want to take a peek at www.worldworksgames.com They've got some first-rate cardstock construction.

damned, they removed the models from the wizards site. I guess I'll have to use your link (which looked really good b.t.w.) Unless someone else knows if the models have been archived anywhere els?


Some of the models are still there. Google for "foldup paper models site:wizards.com"

However, you'll need to turn off Javascript in your browser settings or you'll get forwarded off to their Map Folio 3D product page.


Astos wrote:

Some of the models are still there. Google for "foldup paper models site:wizards.com"

However, you'll need to turn off Javascript in your browser settings or you'll get forwarded off to their Map Folio 3D product page.

Thanks for the tip. I found a few models. I think I'll go with the Worldworks models They look extremely cool and have some gorgeous details. I was really hoping to use some of the more interesting buildings, like the inn and the blacksmith's workshop. Ah well, too bad.


I have jpg's of scans from the modules and such that I then publish to my TIVO. When an encounter comes up then I pull it up on the big screen. Very cool actually...


http://p075.ezboard.com/fwinoswanderersfrm24.showMessage?topicID=102.topic

Here is a copy from the Jzadirune Player's Map I edited in Photoshop. A little fooling around goes a long way!


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

I tend to hit those cheesy little jewelry machines you find in front of department and grocery stores. You can find a ton of cheap magic item representations there. My players seem to like it whenever I've given them a physical object. I got a whole boxful of little trinkets.

Another thing I've done in the past is search through some of my old re-enactment magazines for pics of weapons, clothing, etc. and give them to my players so they have a real good visual of what their character is wearing. Some good mags are Museum Replicas, Bud Kay, Atlanta Cutlery, Renaissance, etc.


Annayla Thorntip wrote:

http://p075.ezboard.com/fwinoswanderersfrm24.showMessage?topicID=102.topic

Here is a copy from the Jzadirune Player's Map I edited in Photoshop. A little fooling around goes a long way!

I couldn't open the link. What happened?


Looks like it somehow saved a (SPACE) somewhere in-between:

topicID =102.topic

Just close the loophole and I'll edit the above link if I'm able.

Thanks for the *smack*. Sorry for not seeing that last night.

EDIT: Weird. I can't edit my post above yours so I'll re-post the link without the (SPACE):

http://p075.ezboard.com/fwinoswanderersfrm24.showMessage?topicID=102.topic

EDIT 2: Apparently this forum likes to put spaces into links where none existed before. Everyone wanting to see it will have to manaully copy/paste the link into their ADDRESS BAR in their browser and 'doctor' the (SPACE) out. Sorry for the weirdness?

Paizo Employee Senior Software Developer

The spaces are getting added automatically by the messageboard to prevent page-widening problems with long lines of text.

The best way to put URLs into a messageboard post is to use the {url=http://whatever}my link text{/url} technique. (Use square brackets instead of curly braces as shown here, though).

So the link is actually here.

(And also, messageboard posts can only be edited for an hour after they're posted.)


Thanks Gary, that's exactly what went on.

It's amazing what reading the Help file does for 'Knowledge:Posting', heh.

Thanks again.


I love my recycle bin. I just found all my old paper models, including the tavern, the church, the cottages. Everything! I'm going to be busy the next couple of weeks!

Of course I'm hooked on the worldworks models too. I bought a whole bunch a week ago and started printing them like crazy. The models you can build are simply amazing.


Hey!...

If you download the Maiden of the High Seas, be careful, because it took a BRAND NEW set of my color ink cartiges (HP deskjet) to print out the sucker.

Frickin' awesome ship, though. Great for waterborne/pirate adventuring.

If you go to the Worldworks site and download stuff, their messageboards are a great source of discussion for upgrades, tutorials, and other web friendliness.


Just a few generics things I do for my players... most of these are things I do in any campaign, not just the Shackled City.

Maps... keep a notebook of graph paper, something where the pages don't fall out easily. Keep their maps, whether you draw 'em or they do, where they can access them.

Handouts. Whenever the party receives a riddle, divination, or important piece of script, I type it up and give them a physical paper they can handle, read, and pass around.

House Rules. These are always written up and printed for the player's easy reference, so they can have a written record on hand. Also good to have a list of any optional classes, races, feats, etc. from any source which is allowed, but not used in its entirety. For instance, if you allow a new feat found in Dragon magazine, or an Eberron race in a Greyhawk setting, it falls into this category.

Initiative Cards. I have a set of Index cards with each character's basic info on it... Name, gender/race/Class/Levels, Dex & Init. bonus, Hit points, AC (reg., FF, & touch), AL, Saves, and important skills (ones that you might have to roll for them from time to time without constantly asking... listen, spot, search, sense motive, etc.). Whenever a combat comes up, I have the player's roll initiative, and then I record it on the bottom right corner of the card, which are then placed in numerical order. The NPCs/Monsters also get a card (with relevant information or Stat Blocks, if you have time to make that, or just the name and Init. for simplicity's sake) and are placed in the initiative. Then as combat proceeds, I simply call the top card, then place it on the bottom of the pile. It also makes it easy to move a card for delayed or readied actions, and to make quick notes on spell durations & similar things. It really speeds things up, combatwise.

Group Folder. This is where the player's keep their maps, handouts, notes passed, wish lists, house rules, and their character sheets between games. The players may have access to the folder at any time, and aside from the folder materials, may only use the PH during sessions. It also allows them to easily find and refer to materials that may be several sessions old by now.

Well, those are just a few of the tools we use in my group to make things smoother.


I plan on using the D&D minitures to full effect. For re-occuring NPCs and monsters, I plan on designating specfic minitures as them, one for Jenya, two for the Striders, etc.


Maveric28 wrote:
Initiative Cards. I have a set of Index cards with each character's basic info on it... Name, gender/race/Class/Levels, Dex & Init. bonus, Hit points, AC (reg., FF, & touch), AL, Saves, and important skills (ones that you might have to roll for them from time to time without constantly asking... listen, spot, search, sense motive, etc.). Whenever a combat comes up, I have the player's roll initiative, and then I record it on the bottom right corner of the card, which are then placed in numerical order. The NPCs/Monsters also get a card (with relevant information or Stat Blocks, if you have time to make that, or just the name and Init. for simplicity's sake) and are placed in the initiative. Then as combat proceeds, I simply call the top card, then place it on the bottom of the pile. It also makes it easy to move a card for delayed or readied actions, and to make quick notes on spell durations & similar things. It really speeds things up, combatwise.

this is a great idea that i'm going to steel away. before i was using a grid on a loose leaf piece of paper. this should cut down on time and effert. thanks.

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