So it looks like I /may/ finally get to run this. I've been working on things for a while and most stuff is ready to go. The one thing that I am still nervous about are some of the encounter maps. They are just so huge I don't know how to translate them to the table. Even just the last two encounter maps in book one are a bit rediculous in size. What did you guys do? Just draw them out as you go? Print out 8x11 sheets to put together? Spring for huge poster prints?
Any input is apreciated. Thanks!
Even just the last two encounter maps in book one are a bit rediculous in size. What did you guys do? Just draw them out as you go? Print out 8x11 sheets to put together? Spring for huge poster prints?
Any input is apreciated. Thanks!
Over the course of the adventure path, I have tried all sorts of approaches. For the last 2 encounters of book 1, I ended up getting some poster size 1" grid paper. I had to tape a couple of poster sheets together for the last encounter. That last encounter area is huge I drew the entire encounter area on the poster sheets. The guys like it and it worked well although it required a fair amount prep.
For some encounters, I printed on 8x11 and taped everything together. That's OK. Some encounters I drew on a friend's grid mat with dry erasers.
For about a year, we were playing with one of the guys out of town. He would use skype and webcams and such. That's when I started to try to figure how to prepare thing on the computer. I stumbled upon roll20.net and it is the only tool I use now. Roll20.net would have been perfect for Book 1. You could easily import those 2 encounters, adjust the grid to match the software and your done. If all your players are in the same room, you would then display the area on a spare computer or on a TV. We use the latter.
The trouble is when you reach book 3... There are no encounter maps and I had to make most of these using the drawing tools of the software. Some trial and error and I found tiles that were good enough. I found some Ziggurats online and I also used the one in book 3, changed them around made them my own. The guys are really enjoying this new tool. There is no going back. I'm still using only the free version, it does everything I need but I may decide to support these guys because the tools are so useful for us.
Thanks for input!