Map Tools Advice

[rpewin01]

Not sure if this is the best forum, but here goes.

Ran my second session of Runelords yesterday and I used the interactive maps PDF to print out the maps for the areas the characters explored. I went to Kinkos and had them blown up to 1" squares, and then put a sheet of plexiglass over the maps so we could still mark on them, move minis without tearing paper, etc.

The only problem is that I need to cover up the unexplored areas with something I can quickly remove to reveal the room when they get there. Yesterday I did that by taping pieces of paper over each room that I could peel back when the characters entered or looked into that room. This took some prep time, but no more than drawing each room on a battlemat during the session.

The two problems I ran into were:

1. In one dungeon that was a few large rooms connected by long and twisting hallways, the paper I cut out was shaped to the room, so it was obvious to the players whether there was a hallway or room behind a door. I could try and solve this by using larger pieces of paper for a hallway, but it starts to become difficult depending on layout.

2. The taped paper just doesnt look very nice. The players liked it when everything was revealed and the map looked really nice, but before then it is just a bunch of pieces of paper of random sizes taped to plexiglass.

Anyone have any ideas for how I can improve this?

[Fleshgrinder]

I do all my mapping digitally, so my suggestion may not be as easy for you, but I keep two sets of maps.

I have my DM map. This includes the full dungeon/area, traps, secrets, etc.

Then each potential combat area becomes its own more detailed map. I add details, furniture, etc. When the players enter combat, they see that map.

Out of combat they draw their own map while I dictate the scenery.

Obviously this method would be more expensive for you since you're printing out the maps, and you'd need one print out for each room.