map

It seems that the latest item added to the 4E wish list for my group is maps. Jim is running our group through Thunderspire Labyrinth (adopted for Ptolus) and so far it has been excellent. Unfortunately the adventure only comes with a couple of fold out maps. They are very nice maps to be sure but are only for key areas. Are we really meant to slays hoardes of orcs on hand drawn maps up until to the DM reaches under the table and pulls out the big fold out map for the last encounter? Every time it happens for us we can’t help but think, “I guess this means combat time. Roll initiative!”

This sentiment seems to be echoing throughout the community. Gabe of Penny Arcade had very similar thoughts.

The only gripe I have is that the map they give you only covers a few of the major encounters. This wouldn’t be such a big deal except that the other encounters don’t really fit with any of the dungeon tiles WOTC has put out.

I understand that I can just draw the maps out on a grid but I like the tiles and I think my players do to. I don’t see why they wouldn’t design these pre-written adventures to work with their existing sets of dungeon tiles. Or even release a set of “Thunderspire Labyrinth” Tiles that were designed to work with the adventure but could also stand on their own.

Fortunately for us, there is The Cartographer’s Guild. It seems to be a pretty great community and one forum member, NeonKnight, even went so far as to map out Thunderspire Labyrinth. Jim was kind enough to print it out for us. So far it’s worked out brilliantly. Print the map, cut it up, mount to foam core with roll on glue and wallah, nice tiles. You can also organize them in little zip lock bags.

I would like to leave off with questions for the community. What do you expect of the maps for paid adventures? Are we getting everything we pay for? Would you pay more to have all combats mapped out and printed? Would you accept being able to print them out, at size, yourself? What would you want for especially large encounter areas?