Creative Director
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Dungeon has always featured lots of maps, usually in the context of adventures, but sometimes as unassociated "Maps of Mystery" that aren't tied to any particular plotlines. I'm wondering what everyone things is the best of the following three options:
1: All maps in Dungeon should be part of adventrues; there's no need for "Maps of Mystery" because you can use any of the maps from any of the adventures for just that purpose.
2: "Maps of Mystery" are more valuable when they're not tied to an adventure, because they're supposed to be mysteries.
3: A "mini-lair" would be best; a "Map of Mystery" that doesn't have an adventure tied to it, but does have a page of text listing several possible uses for the map, or might be linked to that issue's "Critical Threat" somehow.
I favor option 2, but a small (few sentences) reference in the Critical Threat section (if present) would be nice. That way, you can easily use the map with the villain, but the map can still be copied as-is. And you're not fed detailed ideas while looking at the map. (Therefore, it should be printed before a Critical Threat.)
Kylearan
I'm a big fan of the Maps of Mystery feature. I have used many of them. Personally I like the maps with no description, or very, very little. It is a great 1 page feature.
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FPQ
I know that one of the columns in the new format usually discusses various example encounters perhaps some of the Maps could be tied to those, otherwise I favor option 2 with the map taking up a full page.
I am glad they still are being considered because I think they are a great tool for the DM particularly the generic plop down anywhere maps.
Option 2 or 3.
Like Craig Clark, above, I favor option 2 with the map taking up a (single) full page.
As a side note - I'd prefer it if there were an advertisement on the back of the map, because I like to cut the maps out of my magazine. (Not critical, mind you - just a basic preference.)
I'm happy with *any* maps!
I think a Map of Mystery should stand alone as it allows fuel for thought on where I could place it in my own self created campaign. I know a lot of you guys don't have time to create your own campaigns(hence Dungeon Magazine) so a few mentioned themes along with the map is also a pretty good idea. Anyway it is surely a valuable article in Dungeon regardless.
I Like Maps of Mystery, I've managed to use the dwarven mine from the dungeon issue with strike on the rabid dawn 6 times now with the same group of players and i reckon i can still wring a couple more goes out of it, the reason it's so useful is because it is just a nice expansive floorplan that i had to do nothing but populate it and populate it i did, with Ilithids, Drow, Duergar, Pirates, Cannibal Cultists, Pirates, Half Orcs, Githyanki, Pirates, Goblins, Pirates and a Half Drow Half Githyanki Cleric, It got a tad hectic and involved a lot of novel uses for sunrods
I favor option 2 with maybe a short text tied to it. That's all I need.
I would go for the 2 option.
Maps of Mystery is my favorite feature in Dungeon. I am not a big fan of a single map split between different issues. If Chris West need 6 pages to map out a dwarven stronghold let him have it.
I would have to agree with Snotlord (I'm considering adopting that for my son's new nick-name), anything by Chris West is well worth it. I do not think that descriptive text is needed for Maps of Mystery, but if it ties in well to a particular Critical Threat, great.
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I greatly prefer Option 3!
In fact, someone mentioned a feeature along the lines of a one page side-trek in another thread. Something along the lines of the old Book Of Lairs' one/two encounter adventures would be GREAT!
I find maps without any kind of reference in my mind don't get used. I forget what the map of mystery was thre months before... or even one month before. Heck! a week or two, even. But I remember Critical Threats. I know where to find them and when I might use them.
Of course failing the Option 3 or the "Page of Lairs" feature, I'd have to say I like having a spare map. At least keep them in there in case other people want to use them. :)
I would go for the 2 option.
Maps of Mystery is my favorite feature in Dungeon. I am not a big fan of a single map split between different issues. If Chris West need 6 pages to map out a dwarven stronghold let him have it.
Not trying to hijack this thread (I think everyone loves the Map of Mystery) but is there more than two maps to the dwarven stronghold? I loved those maps.
2: "Maps of Mystery" are more valuable when they're not tied to an adventure, because they're supposed to be mysteries.3: A "mini-lair" would be best; a "Map of Mystery" that doesn't have an adventure tied to it, but does have a page of text listing several possible uses for the map, or might be linked to that issue's "Critical Threat" somehow.
I would really like #3: The reason being that I have a vault of 1000+ maps with no descriptions already. I think it would be nice to have a few that people have put some ideas into.
JK
On that note, it would be interesting if the readers could get involved and have their ideas published along with the map or in a free web supplement after the fact.