3D Dungeons

[Cheomesh]

So, I used to be a Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy player/collector guy.  I loved their 28mm plastics, and how I could customize them to look how I wanted.  I liked Fantasy over 40k for more in depth rules, and even liked Mordhiem with "Empire in Flames" rules.  But then the new Empire came out, and they were so bad I quit.  Ugh.  I've heard they've redone Britonnia as well, making them even more silly than before.

Anyways, I enjoyed scenery making, and while I didn't have the most steady income, I would do the best I could with what I had, and would buy various goodies to paint up on my table.  After I got out of WHF, I sold off most of my figs, but retained a large part of the scenery.  The trees I bought (at a high price :| ) were kind of shoddy in nature, but the best trees out there (couldn't find ready made ones that didn't suck, and the "build your own" ones are CRAP), but the rest of it was still good.  The other day, I was looking at them, and the tiles I used for DnD, and realized something.

My group and I love using tiles, but I never *quite* have the exact right tile I'm looking for.  I often run out, limiting the size and consistency of my battlefield.  Since WotC doesn't look like they're going to be putting out more generic tiles for open spaces, I'm SOL.  I found a site called "Hirst Art" ages and ages ago during my WHF days.  These guys produce rubber mold sets for plaster of Paris casting.  Each set seems to be based around a theme, and individual pieces seem to build something (a building, a type of corridor, etc), but are somewhat abstracted and don't need to be totally used for just that.  My mates and I want to gather up a bunch of these and cast 3D dungeon tiles.  Squares can be done with the "floor tile" molds they make, or perhaps I may find a grid map.

Anyways, Luminous Crayon wanted me to post up a thread discussing this.  It may seem a bit jumbled, but that is because I have not organized all my thoughts.  Anyways, I'm going to go and work on my setting, or maybe watch some LOTR.  Post up your feelings/experience/etc here.

M.

[Nomadic]

Best of luck, it sounds awesome. I know of someone else who did something similar (see: here).

[Kaptn'Lath]

Sounds similar to my game table...

A friend bought me (and my wife has added a couple)one of those WOTC Tiles. However i like large outside battles (i like people to be able to notice each other from over 50m ;)) and like you i dont have enough to cover my table. What does cover my table is a large 3ft x 6ft Vinyl Dry Erase Grid Map. Which is what i used exclusively before the Tiles. Now i just lay the grid map down and use the tiles as features, with every square that isnt a tile square is assumed featureless grass, rock or whatever. A square on a tile has whatever is shown.

I also use miniature modeling trees, and place them around the grid map, usually not on a tile square. Any "Tree" shown on a tile is assumed to be a short tree or bush, while the trees that stand are tall.

Basically i used the dry erase grid map i always used, but i use the tiles so i dont have to draw small features (fallen trees, rocks, bushes) and use mini trees or replicas for large battlefield features (toilet paper rolls spray painted with faux marble or granite paint make for great as columns BTW)

I think i am going to look at this Hirst Art site... looks good.  

[Cheomesh]

I actually built a 4' by 8' table for WHF and other miniature games I don't really play, so I can have really large battles if I want.  8' is 450' in DnD terms (8 * 12 * 5).

M.