While I like the Bullywug Gambit, I found a few things odd about the map of Vanderboren Manor (which I would change):
(I happen to be an architect, so I notice details like these)
The Kennel is only accessible from the office and the outside, but not from the adjacent servants quarters (for feeding and cleaning).
The kennel is the only exit other than the main entrance.
Bringing in provisions will be cumbersome and probably messy. A servants exit would help here.
This is not made any better by putting the kitchen in the first floor, far away from the huge cellar, which could be used to store goods, even with watercooling.
I would put the kitchen in the place of the Trophy Hall, and vice versa. It would make much more sense to have the balcony accessible from the trophy room than from the kitchen.
I think the Laundry misplaced as well - that could be situated in the cellar as well, turning the whole northeastern first floor into a leisure zone, with direct access to the balcony. The balcony might be expanded to catch the sight of those tropical dawns. Add one in the west, and it gets even better.
I would surround the courtyard with porches, to take advantage of the tropical weather while holding some festivity in the ballroom or just a family dinner. Imagine opening the Atrium and the Ballroom to the courtyard while having a ball at a tropical night - why would you not want to take advantage of this ?
And come on, just _one_ Washroom and Privy in the whole Manor ? You must be kidding :-)
Stefan
While I haven't had the chance to read the adventure as my flgs hasn't got it yet, I liked your approach.
Perhaps because as I study architecture. :)
Good suggestions, Stebehil. I suppose most players won't notice the difference, but I find that our dungeon designers, however brilliant, sometimes overlook these small details that improve verisimilitude. At least Vanderboren Manor has a privy--the cultists in Three Faces of Evil were forced to pee in the corner (or maybe that's what the black pool of filthy badness in the Dark Cathedral was for). ;)
Creative Director
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Don't forget about chamberpots. They're portable, and generally don't require their own rooms.
I think perhaps a good premium would be a sheet of stickers of lavatories. If a map shows up without enough bathrooms, you could just use one of those toilet stickers and plop it right down on the map!
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While I like the Bullywug Gambit, I found a few things odd about the map of Vanderboren Manor (which I would change):
(I happen to be an architect, so I notice details like these)
The Kennel is only accessible from the office and the outside, but not from the adjacent servants quarters (for feeding and cleaning).
The kennel is the only exit other than the main entrance.
Bringing in provisions will be cumbersome and probably messy. A servants exit would help here.
This is not made any better by putting the kitchen in the first floor, far away from the huge cellar, which could be used to store goods, even with watercooling.
I would put the kitchen in the place of the Trophy Hall, and vice versa. It would make much more sense to have the balcony accessible from the trophy room than from the kitchen.
I think the Laundry misplaced as well - that could be situated in the cellar as well, turning the whole northeastern first floor into a leisure zone, with direct access to the balcony. The balcony might be expanded to catch the sight of those tropical dawns. Add one in the west, and it gets even better.
I would surround the courtyard with porches, to take advantage of the tropical weather while holding some festivity in the ballroom or just a family dinner. Imagine opening the Atrium and the Ballroom to the courtyard while having a ball at a tropical night - why would you not want to take advantage of this ?And come on, just _one_ Washroom and Privy in the whole Manor ? You must be kidding :-)
Stefan
Es ist sehr gut, mein Freund.
Ich hatte es nicht gesehen.
Vielleicht können wir alles Zimmer wächseln ?!
Ok, I stop here, that's all I could find...
I tried to think about "changing" in place of "wächseln, but it's more fun with that word.
Nice shot indeed.
BTW, I need an architect for several things in my house !!
;-))
BTW, I need an architect for several things in my house !!;-))
Sorry, but I can´t help you there, I fear. I think I would not be allowed to work in France (thats where you are from, right ?), and anyway, I´m not quite working as an architect (I´m working in city government, tasked with aiding and advising people owning old houses protected by law as historical monuments, in case you should be curious).
Stefan
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BTW, I need an architect for several things in my house !!;-))
Sorry, but I can´t help you there, I fear. I think I would not be allowed to work in France (thats where you are from, right ?), and anyway, I´m not quite working as an architect (I´m working in city government, tasked with aiding and advising people owning old houses protected by law as historical monuments, in case you should be curious).
Stefan
I was kidding, but I guess with a diploma-equivalence, you could work anywhere in the EU (i.e. in France ?!).
However, the house I live in with my wife and (in less than 5 months) baby-to-come was built around 1865-1875...
But it's not protected by law (yet !).
I'll look closely at your suggestions on the manor in this great 2nd installment.