[Basic Fantasy] Overland map for JN1--Chaotic Caves

[_Jester_]

Hello Everyone,

Recently I was taking a look at J.D. Neal's work on JN1 The Chaotic Caves and I really enjoyed what I saw. It was very much a homage to one of my favorite modules B2 Keep on the Border lands and did an excellent job of recapturing the spirit of it. I was so impressed that I decided to take some time and recreate the overland map in color with GIMP and put it on a hex grid. Here is the finished product with the original square grid map overlaid for comparison. I tried to be as faithful to the original map as possible but to add my own little touches as well.

Please let me know what you think of it.

Peace All
Jester

I have removed the images as they are now a part of the module.

[Torctref Spleenkiller]

This looks so good...very nice work.

I like how you've spread things out and created other adventure locations within the overall location. Very nice work.

[_Jester_]

This looks so good...very nice work.

I like how you've spread things out and created other adventure locations within the overall location. Very nice work.

High praise indeed considering some of the work I've seen you do.

By the way I didn't add the new locations there were already there, but only added after the last few revisions. So, they are new.

I'm hoping to do some more when this semester is over and I really have some time.

[SmootRK]

Very nice!

Do you have a DM map without the square grid overlay?

[_Jester_]

Very nice!

Do you have a DM map without the square grid overlay?

Yes I do, but it will be a while before I have access to a broadband connection to post it. Once I have access to that connection I will post them online in this thread.

What I was hoping for was that either Chris or Mr. Neal would see this work and be interested in using the images for the module itself, so that they don't need to be hosted on this site. However, if the image I created needs to be cleaned or updated, in some way, I'd be happy to correct it for them or just provide the GIMP file for them to work from.

[Solomoriah]

The maps are nice; however, we can't use them in color in the module. Lulu charges a significant premium for color interiors. I'd be willing to offer them as additional downloads on our website, though.

[SmootRK]

The maps are nice; however, we can't use them in color in the module. Lulu charges a significant premium for color interiors. I'd be willing to offer them as additional downloads on our website, though.

Special downloads to support the module(s) is a great idea.

Perhaps the Player's map could be the Front Cover Artwork?, or perhaps the back cover if we do a minimal 'blurb' about it. Morgansfort has a map on cover, but it is background stuff.

Nice, Big, and Quality digital maps would be an ideal little piece of fluff to enhance the other modules...

[Solomoriah]

Actually, I'd love to do a watermark of this player's map on the cover, paralleling BF1's layout, with a cover art piece in front.

[_Jester_]

The maps are nice; however, we can't use them in color in the module. Lulu charges a significant premium for color interiors. I'd be willing to offer them as additional downloads on our website, though.

I'll send you the GIMP files when I get a chance. It's 13Megs so I'll need to upload it someplace for you to download, because it's too large for an email attachment. Should I email, PM, or just post the link for it here?

Let me know
Jester

[_Jester_]

Since you cannot use the colored version of the map how about a black and white version? All I need is some black and white hex brushes for GIMP. Or I could just turn down the color saturation to make the image shades of grey. I'll post that here as well.

Anyone know where I can find black and white hex brushes for GIMP?

[Hywaywolf]

I don't know much about GIMP but a google search came up with this http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/Color2BW/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; does that help?

and this http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/Custom_Brushes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Solomoriah]

The maps are nice; however, we can't use them in color in the module. Lulu charges a significant premium for color interiors. I'd be willing to offer them as additional downloads on our website, though.

I'll send you the GIMP files when I get a chance. It's 13Megs so I'll need to upload it someplace for you to download, because it's too large for an email attachment. Should I email, PM, or just post the link for it here?

Email me the link, if you don't mind. Address below.

[_Jester_]

The maps are nice; however, we can't use them in color in the module. Lulu charges a significant premium for color interiors. I'd be willing to offer them as additional downloads on our website, though.

I have removed the file as it is now part of the module.

I need to darken the water, to make it stand out a bit more, in contrast with the rest of the picture.

[PapersAndPaychecks]

I hadn't seen this module before. It's one of the best things I've read this year.

Packed with content and 46 pages long, but it still feels like it needs expansion.

[Solomoriah]

I think I'll need to up the contrast for printing. Grayscale doesn't always reproduce well on printers... it's why I don't use it much in BFRPG projects.

But I do like it... very nice. Someone needs to tell JD about it.

EDIT: So I just did.

[_Jester_]

I hadn't seen this module before. It's one of the best things I've read this year.

Packed with content and 46 pages long, but it still feels like it needs expansion.

I whole heartedly agree with the idea, that this is a very nice bit of writing for an adventure module, and it's well on its way to being a full-on sand box setting. Heck, it already is if you spread out the caves a little. I think with the amount of space that the overland map shows, and the readymade village this would be a good base for a full campaign. I'm very excited to run it when I get some time to play around with the module and flesh it out for my group.

I think that one overarching theme or a couple of smaller themes would go a long way to giving this setting a life beyond the just clearing out the caves.

[PapersAndPaychecks]

Well, yes, but the "theme" is for the GM to add or the players to decide on. The published version ought to stay what it is: a huge, enormous great big sandbox.

When I said "expansion", I was thinking that the Abandoned Manor needs a dungeon, and wouldn't it be nice if there was a roughhewn "caverns" level under the Chaotic Caves, and the swamp ought to have a former bandit stockade, and somewhere there ought to be a little temple with a cleric who can raise dead if paid enough money, and ... well. It's very expandable.

[_Jester_]

Well, yes, but the "theme" is for the GM to add or the players to decide on. The published version ought to stay what it is: a huge, enormous great big sandbox.

When I said "expansion", I was thinking that the Abandoned Manor needs a dungeon, and wouldn't it be nice if there was a roughhewn "caverns" level under the Chaotic Caves, and the swamp ought to have a former bandit stockade, and somewhere there ought to be a little temple with a cleric who can raise dead if paid enough money, and ... well. It's very expandable.

Ah, I see where you're goin' with this.

I guess I was just overzealous about wanting to work on the module.

I was going to submit some additional content for it, from the stuff I've been thinking about adding to the module for my group, but I see now, that would ruin it for other GMs, wanting to do their own stuff.

Thanks for keeping me in check bud.
Jester

PS. Just for the record, I was thinking that the swamp should house a small coven of Hags, like two with an estranged sister in the southernmost swamp, a small enslaved group of lizardmen under the two Hags spell, and a very honked off young adult black or green dragon, that was just starting to establish his/her territory, before the Hags moved in.

[PapersAndPaychecks]

That's a nice idea for the swamp!

[jdn2006]

I think I'll need to up the contrast for printing. Grayscale doesn't always reproduce well on printers... it's why I don't use it much in BFRPG projects.

But I do like it... very nice. Someone needs to tell JD about it.

EDIT: So I just did.

I like the maps and if they have enough contrast they'll work well as a replacement.

[jdn2006]

Special downloads to support the module(s) is a great idea.

Perhaps the Player's map could be the Front Cover Artwork?, or perhaps the back cover if we do a minimal 'blurb' about it. Morgansfort has a map on cover, but it is background stuff.

Nice, Big, and Quality digital maps would be an ideal little piece of fluff to enhance the other modules...

Actually, I'd love to do a watermark of this player's map on the cover, paralleling BF1's layout, with a cover art piece in front.

I've used some maps as cover art and was happy with it: it helped people see what they were getting. These are good ideas.

[_Jester_]

I think I'll need to up the contrast for printing. Grayscale doesn't always reproduce well on printers... it's why I don't use it much in BFRPG projects.

But I do like it... very nice. Someone needs to tell JD about it.

EDIT: So I just did.

I like the maps and if they have enough contrast they'll work well as a replacement.

Cool let me know if they worked out. I've emailed them to Chris for him to review and manipulate if need be.

Peace
Jester

PS. Your module is great bud. I cannot want to run it for my group.

[Solomoriah]

I got the maps, thanks! I'll try to get them looked over soon.

[jdn2006]

I think I'll need to up the contrast for printing. Grayscale doesn't always reproduce well on printers... it's why I don't use it much in BFRPG projects.

But I do like it... very nice. Someone needs to tell JD about it.

EDIT: So I just did.

I like the maps and if they have enough contrast they'll work well as a replacement.

Cool let me know if they worked out. I've emailed them to Chris for him to review and manipulate if need be.

Peace
Jester

PS. Your module is great bud. I cannot want to run it for my group.

Thanks. I'm hoping they work; the outdoor map I had is the best I could do but not what I really wanted.