tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post411216390706545583..comments2024-03-28T05:12:54.089-05:00Comments on Uncle Matt's Blog: Keying the Map, or Mapping the KeyMatt Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678557558458924177noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post-41224553803085312232014-06-30T13:31:43.170-05:002014-06-30T13:31:43.170-05:00Map and key at the same time. Map and key at the same time. Flambeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00133131881423202010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post-45530032336941224672014-06-29T09:52:33.208-05:002014-06-29T09:52:33.208-05:00Map first for me. Then I can weave a backstory ar...Map first for me. Then I can weave a backstory around it. I've written an adventure first then mapped it, but for some reason it's a lot more difficult for me to make a map to create the adventure than it is to make an adventure that fits the map.Gothridge Manorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11371740532802642972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post-19308721166152129782014-06-29T02:45:52.014-05:002014-06-29T02:45:52.014-05:00I used to start with a map, where I tested system ...I used to start with a map, where I tested system rules and character abilities (mass combat in large rooms, lots of sheer drops to next level etc), then I changed to backstories aiming for a collage of different events/situations like How To Host A Dungeon, trying to get away from 'the wizard built it, he lived there, now it's monster zoo' . The backstories are hinted at through the environs, cultural debris and inhabitants but there's never any absolute confirmation - I simply believe the dungeon is there to raise questions rather than provide clear answers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post-84535001198504360662014-06-28T15:34:37.276-05:002014-06-28T15:34:37.276-05:00Usually an idea for a challenging situation just p...Usually an idea for a challenging situation just pops into my head ... often inspired by whatever real world thing I happen to be doing at the moment, and then my brain twists it into something rpg-ish. I write these down as soon as I can, so I don't lose track of them; I have pages and pages of these kinds of ideas in my general rpg notes file. Eventually, some of the ideas blossom into adventure sites of various sizes.<br /><br />... so it's not necessarily map-first or key-first. Sometimes the ideas are more about a place, and sometimes the ideas are more about people/creatures. Inspiration takes over from there and fills out whatever is missing.Guy Fullertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12034114718540912559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296104283452210018.post-48974149181996882532014-06-28T14:04:03.198-05:002014-06-28T14:04:03.198-05:00I start in one of two ways. If I have an idea (whi...I start in one of two ways. If I have an idea (which usually involves a "boss" monster conducting some particular operation), I make a short list of things, rooms, treasures, and other monsters associated with the idea. Then, I start drawing a map to incorporate those elements, and the process of mapping and arranging usually suggests other things to include. If I don't have an overall idea, I start drawing a map, and randomly stocking room until some random combination evolves into an idea.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096724870715714696noreply@blogger.com