Maps for specials (GenCon)

[Rycaut]

How are other GMs handling maps for some of the specials that have lots of maps which may/may not be used by a given table? Especially some of the really really large maps which may only be used for a single encounter?

(I'm specifically think of 6-97 Siege of Serpents which has a LOT of maps many of which are custom)

I generally try to have maps pre-printed whenever I can (and I bought a bunch of the flip mats and map packs for various scenarios - but some of those are out of print - i.e. the Pathfinder Lodge map for example) and this scenario in particular has lots of large maps with lots of details but little reuse.

For a home or non-campaign game I would probably just run some of these adhoc, draw things on the fly or reuse other maps - but for a time-crunched special I'm trying to do the best i can - but printing out dozens of maps - each which I have to convert to Jpeg then turn into a PDF poster and print and hope I can reassemble quickly is getting to be a bit much...)

(not complaining - just want to have a good experience for all - which includes not packing too much weight...)

[Sniggevert]

The first year I pre-drew the maps on large easel sized pads of graph paper and colored and filled in detail as best I could. The last 3 I've used posterazor and printed them all. It may only be a one time thing, but this is someone's vacation and they're spending a lot of money to come to GenCon, so I try and give the best show I can.

It's a lot of work I know, it usually takes me several hours to do all of the maps for the various scenarios I end up running (even though it's general no more than 3 different ones). Do the best you can and provide a good game is all that can be asked really.

The only thing I can say is you really don't want to be drawing maps on the fly at GenCon, especially during a special. It eats up a LOT of valuable game time.

If you have an art store nearby, I recommend using art tubes (I think the main ones I have are called ice tubes). You can roll up all your maps into one easily carried container.

[Rycaut]

I'm flying so can't easily take maps in tubes and i have no way to print them other than as single sheets of paper (without spending a lot of money and time printing at a print shop) so I will have to lay the out at the table in any case. For some maps I may use flip mats or map packs I have that can approximate some of the more open maps and I am printing out as many core maps as I can - it is mostly that 6-97 has a LOT of maps - not just one or two custom maps but something like 10 (either custom maps or maps which are out of print). I'm also running 5 different scenarios which isn't helping matters - this one special is the one causing me the most headaches to prepare for (lots of different foes, lots and lots of maps, and I have to prepare for a range of tiers)

[Rycaut]

also Posterazor seems very very flaky to me - works but whenever i use it on my Macbook the images aren't actually viewable (displays junk but does eventually render PDF's correctly - but makes it very very hard to modify any of the default settings or try something like using a larger than letter paper - I may try to use legal paper but not sure if I can get the settings right)

[Sniggevert]

I feel for you. I really do. It's one of the perks of living close I can carry more down with me. I've got to run 6-97 as well.

I use posterazor to print out of single sheets, and then trim the edge and glue/tape the pieces together. For flying...yeah, you might just want to try and tape them together at the table. Unfortunately, I've not used the Mac version of Posterazor, so never had that issue come up so I can't offer any advice to that.

Sincerely, I hope something works out here.