In 'Beast of Burden', Dragon #100, I can't seem to find #5 (Gnu-Dalcom's Pod) anywhere on the map (pg. 81). There doesn't seem to be any errata for that omission that I've been able to find.
So my questions are: Am I just missing it?
-If I'm not missing it, where does it belong on the map?
-What is the interior layout?
-Is there some online resource that answers these questions or provides corrected map(s)?
Thanks in advance for the help.
The map for Beast of Burden is generally messed up. I ended up redrawing the map entirely when I ran the adventure. I don't know of a place to find the correct map.
That was going to be the backup plan.
Drat.
Thanks!
In 'Beast of Burden', Dragon #100, I can't seem to find #5 (Gnu-Dalcom's Pod) anywhere on the map (pg. 81). There doesn't seem to be any errata for that omission that I've been able to find.
So my questions are: Am I just missing it?
-If I'm not missing it, where does it belong on the map?
-What is the interior layout?
-Is there some online resource that answers these questions or provides corrected map(s)?Thanks in advance for the help.
M.Balmer,
You didn't miss it - area 5 (the pod) is missing from the maps of the Kadtanach on p.81. And, I think "Beast of Burden" pre-dates web enhancements. So, as far as I know, we're out of luck this time.
However, since I have the luxury of the pre-publication maps stashed in an old dresser drawer maybe I can help.
If you can envision the beast, the giant, wooden, sphere-shaped, open-topped pod actually hangs off of the back-left corner of the base platform of the saddle. The pod should nestle in-between the beast's left hind leg and its tail. The sphere is slightly suspended, similar to the hanging rear saddle basket in area 4.
Looking at the maps on p.81, you would not be able to see the pod on the sketch of the beast itself because the sketch only shows the right side. Maybe it would be visible if the sketch was translucent, but then the beast might not look as intimidating.
Looking next at the 'top-down view' map of the saddle, go to where the number "2" is on that map (the map's upper left hand corner). Just add a 15 diameter circle to that corner, approximately about the same size as the circle used to represent area 7. The rear-left corner of the deck would jut a bit overtop of the circle. Unlike most of the other map locations, there are no magical wards on Gnu-Dalcom's pod.
The pod interior is simply a pool, approximately a foot deep in the center. The walls are filled with wood-shaped crannies, littered with nasty looking plants. A few of the crannies actually contain potion gourds if I recall correctly. And of course there is a lengthy creeping plant wrapped around the inside of the pod (the assassin vine).
The spatial relations for this mobile dungeon were particularly challenging and, since there's a lot going on in the adventure, word count limitations necessitated that some of the spatial descriptions had to be abbreviated in some spots.
Hopefully that won't detract too much from the adventure's enjoyment. I recollect that in playtesting the DM used a plastic dinosaur from time to time to help orient the players.
As long as we're sort of on the topic, I should throw in my biased two cents that I thought the cartographer's work was great, particularly the high detail maps of the different howdahs.
-MwK
Thank you very much!
I had figured area #5 was somewhere on the left flank of the kadtanach, but wasn't sure. Thanks for looking that up.
Hmmm... Area 51 doesn't officially exist, now Area 5 doesn't show up on the map. Maybe Dungeon doesn't want us to know about Area 5.
Coincidence or conspiracy?
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Maybe I'm misremembering, but it seems like there were some other issues with the maps - I want to say that a black tenticle trap wouldn't fit in the dimensions given (or would require that the gnolls entirely disregard the deck). It also seems like some of the howdahs were off a little in terms of diameter.
Generally though, it was a very good adventure.
Maybe I'm misremembering, but it seems like there were some other issues with the maps - I want to say that a black tenticle trap wouldn't fit in the dimensions given (or would require that the gnolls entirely disregard the deck). It also seems like some of the howdahs were off a little in terms of diameter.
Generally though, it was a very good adventure.
Thanks Sebastian,
Any other map-issues that might still be kicking around are probably my fault. Hopefully, the adventure will still present an enjoyable session (or two).
Looking back at this, two of the three wards, "Warning Cry" and "Black Tentacles" are actually only triggered by the presence of non-gnolls. Though, admittedly, once triggered there is nothing to prevent the tentacles from lacerating every gnoll within reach into blender product (I suppose that could potentially even be incorporated as part of a party's strategy).
The third set of wards, "The Smear" can be triggered by gnoll sentries, but since it's primarily on the howdah roofs, it's unlikely to occur, unless the party is whipping-up some serious chaos with a roof-top battle.
Anyways, this thread brought back some cool memories for me, so thanks. I hope the H'Jyord (the adventure's Big Bad) didn't go down too quick for your players' PCs and that "Beast of Burden" was worth the extra time you invested in the maps.