Dungeons and Dragons Writer

[BlackLotus]

Hello, My real name is David J Zewalk, and I'm the author of a 3.5 Module named, The Temple of Ka Mon Ra. I have joined this sight so that I could gain some insight in how to create Dungeon Maps just as good as what Wizards of the Coast does.

Right now I'm slowly working on a 4.0 module and I wish to create maps for the D&D minis. However, I really want my maps to standout and there is alot I need to learn. Hopefully, this website can help me create totally fantastic maps that will completely WOW, my role-playing audience.

Thank you

[BlackLotus]

Here is the Module Cover.

[Sigurd]

Welcome to the site!

There are some great tutorials and lots of good work done here.

[NeonKnight]

Welcome to the guild.

First you should decide what kind of software you want and then learn to use.

There are things like GIMP, which is free, as well as specific software like Dundjinni and Profantasy's Campaign Cartographer suite of software.

[Sigurd]

I never saw your module but on August 13, 2008 5:52 AM

Ernie Noa said...

"Yup, I think you've got it right. He's posted on this blog once or twice too if I recall correctly. Very nice guy."


This is the link

Always happy to welcome a very nice guy .

[BlackLotus]

Thanks for making me feel welcome! First of all I'm planning to use Photoshop for my maps. Wizard's of the Coast mapper guy, who ever he is, uses Photoshop, so am I. So If there are any tutorials based on photoshop map making, can you place a few of those links in this thread? Thanks a Bunch....

Here is a town that I made, it's hand-drawn and then it was cleaned up within Photoshop. Please note, the map that is posted is copy-written for my purposes only, you can however use it for personal use provided that it not used in any published material. Preview of my next Module....

[Gamerprinter]

There's lots of effort in this illustration, especially getting the perspective right in relationship between the foreground and background - noting the angling of the towers from central viewpoint. I like the detailing in the different structures, especially the non-houses.

Still there's a definite "cartoon" quality to this map, that really isn't my aesthetic, though I appreciate its value in the proper context. Perhaps its the garish colors used (the purple roofs and glowing blue windows). Also the oversized scale of the drawbridge and wall machiolation compared to the size of the buildings within, or the paper-thin machiolated walls on the structure at the top of the map.

I do like the painterly grass used throughout.

This "map" really looks like it belongs as an illustration to a children's book, which is not a bad thing, just not my aesthetic.

Nice style though.

GP

[BlackLotus]

There's lots of effort in this illustration, especially getting the perspective right in relationship between the foreground and background - noting the angling of the towers from central viewpoint. I like the detailing in the different structures, especially the non-houses.

Still there's a definite "cartoon" quality to this map, that really isn't my aesthetic, though I appreciate its value in the proper context. Perhaps its the garish colors used (the purple roofs and glowing blue windows). Also the oversized scale of the drawbridge and wall machiolation compared to the size of the buildings within, or the paper-thin machiolated walls on the structure at the top of the map.

I do like the painterly grass used throughout.

This "map" really looks like it belongs as an illustration to a children's book, which is not a bad thing, just not my aesthetic.

Nice style though.

GP

The name of my next module is, The Rat Children of Mullbury Hill; hence the cartoon style that I have used for the village is appropriate for the module that I am writing. The heroes of this adventure must save the children of the village from being transformed into humanoid rat-like creatures called, Ratlings. An ancient enemy named Craven has been resurrected from the dead to stop the word of the True God from spreading throughout the world. Craven is the evil that is transforming the children into his minions that he could control and use them to attack those who would dare to worship the True God.

[Gamerprinter]

Well, then its appropriate. Since you were trying to give it that fairy tale look, you must have nailed it, because that's exactly what I saw. Good job!

GP

[Badger]

Greetings BlackLotus, and Welcome to the Guild. As stated that are plenty of tutorials out there for mapping and mapping with PS which a number of users (myself included) use regularly. Plenty of stuff to do that's for sure, butif you can't find something specific you are looiking for ... feel free to post up a question, I'm sure it won't stay unanswered for too long.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work around the board...