Tags
AD&D, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Cavern, DSG, Dungeoneer's Survival Guide, Dungeons & Dragons, Fantasy, Isometric, Maps, Perspective, RPG
When I got a copy of the Dungeoneer’s Survival Guide some 33 years ago, it was a flood of information, rules I would consistently ignore, scraps about the underdark for the first time since the D series of adventures…
And a collection of pages at the back on drawing perspective-based maps. Not the isometric (axonometric) projections of Castle Ravenloft, but grids set at various perspectives and rotations along with instructions on photocopying and cutting them up, or tracing them in order to draw multi-tiered maps of some of the larger spaces in the underdark.
33 years later, I finally did it.
I ended up choosing a grid that looks a lot like an isometric projection instead of a perspective piece, and following the directions for tracing the grid for a section, then moving the grid and tracing the next section produces very… vertical separations between elevations.
Dungeoneer Survival Guide Projection 1
The end result is a multi-tiered open space to explore – a large uneven “cave” (that has definitely been modified by the residents over the ages) with ramps and stairs between sections.
I’m definitely going to take another shot at this using a grid that has a stronger perspective and probably a smaller space to try to make something more like a traditional cavern. But I’m spectacularly happy with this piece, and glad that I finally drew it after 33 years of “planning to draw it”.
The maps on Dyson’s Dodecahedron are released for free personal use thanks to the support of awesome patrons like you over on Patreon. Every month 400 patrons come together to make these releases possible. You can help too in order to keep the flow of maps coming and to improve their quality – and even get a map of your own!
Dyson's Dodecahedron 
Extremely cool. Not as easy to use as a standard top-down drawing, but the “wow-factor” still makes me want to use it. I guess you could use it in VTT, but you can’t do the standard face-to-face game with a player cartographer. Like so many cool maps, only the DM really gets to see the thing.
With it being a large open space, it wouldn’t be at all out of place to just put it on the table when the group entered the space – more as an illustration than a “battle map”.
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I’m going to try to make some maps based on the DSG! Thanks for the post
Huh…that’s pretty cool. Now I want to dig out my copy of DSG that’s been gathering dust on MY shelf for three plus decades. Knew there was some reason I was hanging on to it…
Reblogged this on DDOCentral.
This I want to print out ant lay on the game table. “You exit a doorway….”
Wow!!
I’m planning my big campaign-ending BBEG battle space. And this has my mind churning with ideas!
I know I want to have a Harry Potter-like anti-magic waterfall for them to go thru (they would stay wet, so no magic, for 1d4+1 rounds), so non-magic minions can harass them.
Tthey’re up against a Vampire Lord who’s special ability is to acquire spells, SLAs & even skills & feats temporarily from Blood Knowledge. So I need an unhallowed area & a lot of mists, fogs & such filling the cavern above, for him to hide & transform into mist (final escape if needed).
Going to keep reviewing your plethora of maps for more ideas!