1) Do you know of some key icons for drawing maps?
2) Do you draw the whole map; or draw part of it and keep drawing as the players play; or draw the whole map and cover the parts not know (fog of war style)?
3) Do you put the flip mat out and just leave it till its used, or do you reveal the whole thing when it's tactics time?
4) What other embellishments do you use to make using a flip-mat interesting?
The reason why I ask these is:
1) I want to still give folks the same sense of wonder I get when I see a map in an adventure path.
2) There are consequences for the players, in terms of having knowledge their characters do not having, and the GM, in terms of effort ahead of time or during the game.
3) Putting the map out when it's time tells the plays....awww sh$* it's go time! Putting it out ahead of time let's them guess at what the big boss might be about.
4) I'm just looking for good ideas from folks.
Thanks in advance for your input folks.
I usually draw it as it is explored. I change it up sometimes though.
I use chart paper with a 1" grid from an office store, so I often make maps ahead of time in crayon. I put each map on the table as we get to it, but I have some blank ones just in case my players make unorthodox decisions, which they often do.
Unless your map needs to be incredibly detailed, I would draw it up when the PCs see it.
If you have more than one mat, you can draw the most detailed map and keep it covered until you need it.
Thanks for the feedback folks. I appreciate it.