tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727301007280965202.post2514138010964327484..comments2024-02-25T08:15:34.559-05:00Comments on The Society of Torch, Pole and Rope: A Look Behind the ScreenMichael Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13217338828086458862noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727301007280965202.post-89129009613580658092008-10-15T11:59:00.000-04:002008-10-15T11:59:00.000-04:00Thanks!The design is a bit of a departure from my ...Thanks!<BR/><BR/>The design is a bit of a departure from my normal method, which is similiar to the one you use. Normally, I'll have the overall design and theme in my head before I start in with a map, but the upper levels of Ol' Nameless are supposed to be a chaotic mix of design, with no set pattern. So taking inspiration from the map works well in this case. The lower levels will be more design, then map.<BR/><BR/>My intent is for this to be an evolving dungeon, so the actions of the characters will alter the appearnce of the dungeon over time. I figured that I'd have to update the notes from time to time to create a "most current" description. I wish I had thought of the index card method. Sounds like it's going to be easier than monkeying with the whole draft.Michael Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13217338828086458862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727301007280965202.post-53935931461254894002008-10-15T09:52:00.000-04:002008-10-15T09:52:00.000-04:00Good read. I enjoy seeing how others come up with ...Good read. I enjoy seeing how others come up with their own dungeon levels. My design approach is a bit different in that actually drawing the map is somewhere in the middle of the process.<BR/><BR/>I first begin with the region or area of the dungeon, and it's prevailing theme or flavor. Then I consider what monsters will be found upon that level, based on what's above, below, and what level the map is located on.<BR/><BR/>Next is a list of ideas...I have a master list of one or two word ideas I use a lot. I then decide which of these ideas will be 'major rooms'. I draw these major rooms first, then I play connect the dots and add halls, rooms, pits, etc. <BR/><BR/>Then I fill it. At this point other than the major rooms, there are no monsters or treasures. The rest is diced using the OD&D method, along with the tailor made Wandering Monsters table for that level. All of this is written on index cards.<BR/><BR/>So far it's working well, and is a major departure from my old method of writing one-shot dungeons, with the monsters and their HP right in the text. Once those HP's were marked off during play, the dungeon was used and filed away.<BR/><BR/>I call the above an Archival dungeon, and the index cards allow me to reuse and restock the whole thing without having to make changes to the Archival, typed description.<BR/><BR/>Nice map, btw!Sham aka Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14329116400656617173noreply@blogger.com