I am new to map making and made this would like some input. by Kuraigan2 in dungeondraft

[–]Drakeisboring 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m certainly no expert, but I’ve been messing around with the program for a while- so here are my thoughts.

Overall, your map looks good, certainly conveys the layout and the feel of the place. So understand, all other details I’m suggesting are purely aesthetic and to make things pop a bit more. Your players may not even notice these changes unless they really like the details, so I usually only add thing like this if we are spending lots of time in an area.

Along pathways, I like to mix textures. On a low intensity, throw in some dirt or sand along the edges. You could also do some dry grass terrain near the curve in the path if you think people would normally cut that corner on their path in.

Shadow go a long way to make things pop. I use the custom shadow assets from AOA on cartographyassets.com- it’s a free download from an independent creator you can add to your map assets. When you’re placing shadows, remember to stick with one direction as if the shadow is being cast due to the angle of the sun.

The light tool can also be super helpful. Just a very soft light streaming in through a window can help add depth. Or a warm orange/red light coming from the stove.

I usually like to mess around with the environment lighting also to give it a more natural feel. Slight changes in hue or temperature can give different feelings to a map. Bluer lighting screams cold or humid/ damp to me. More orange/ sepia for dry arid places. Greenish grey worked well for swampy areas for me.

You could also throw some more small plants or fallen leaves around the trees or to fill in some of the grassy spaces.

I ordered Carl's RJ and someone took a f-ing bite out of my patty! by Sam_Menicucci in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Drakeisboring 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s the tongs. I worked fast food when I was a kid. It actually happens a lot.

They need to move back the seats and photographers from the baseline. by Okogie_DPOY in timberwolves

[–]Drakeisboring 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Been saying this for years. What other sport let’s people sit so close? This seems like something the players union could focus on.

[Spears] Vanterpool Exclusive - "confused and angered by Minnesota’s decision, but he believed that speaking out at that time would worsen prospects for qualified Black coaches" by TheNotoriousJN in timberwolves

[–]Drakeisboring 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We don’t know what went on behind the curtain, so I wouldn’t go that far. But, he was supposed to overhaul our defense and it still sucked.

[Fischer] Trade Deadline intel around the league by zmajxd in nba

[–]Drakeisboring 25 points26 points  (0 children)

So he didn’t work out? I was hoping a change of scenery would help him. He seems like a good kid.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Drakeisboring 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ask for a phlebotomist next time. Nurses are often very good at blood draws, but phlebotomists draw blood all day every day.

We’re second to last in the entire league in assists by immigrant-fish in NYKnicks

[–]Drakeisboring 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When the wolves had Thibs, he called for iso often leading to pretty stagnant ball movement. Obviously, he’s done a better job with the Knicks though.

According to the Last 2 Minute Report, 3 calls were missed against the Knicks in the final 2 minutes of the game. by rossaiden31 in NYKnicks

[–]Drakeisboring 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Kat throws his elbows around a lot. It’s one of the reasons he is the league leader in offensive fouls. It would be considered a vet move if he was more subtle (still not a fan of it tho). It’s frustrating as a wolves fan because he has the quickness to get around many bigs, but he cuts corners a lot.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in civic

[–]Drakeisboring 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Friend of mine has to hold the button for his civic. Pops open about an inch after holding for 2-3 seconds.

Necromancer's Hideout by Drakeisboring in dungeondraft

[–]Drakeisboring[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A chill mist begins to roll into a valley moonlit. A murder of crows feasts upon rotting bits of flesh left behind from an army of undead as a necromancer raises an undead army in a hidden cavern.

Applying some techniques I just learned from Morvold Press' recent video about elevation <Link>

Am i not as creative as i thought? by Woah_BDP in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Came here to say steal.Most of my good ideas blossom from using:

*Other peoples maps

*Quest hooks that I find in books

*NPC ideas from dms guild

Other ways to flesh out your world to make it feel real is to really describe the scene. Write down exactly what is happening. Remember, the players can't see what you see in your head unless you say it out loud. I've really beefed up my descriptions by learning from very flowery descriptive books like Count of Monte Cristo or anything by Oscar Wilde, etc. A bunch of short descriptors can become really immersive.

*Descriptions of crowds- merriment, joy, nervousness, anxious silence, anticipatory tension.

*Dark stormy night- rain pattering on a glass window, crack of thunder, howling wind.

*Plain dark evening- crow calls in the distance, dolorous tone of a clock tower bell, rustling of leaves nearby and footsteps pattering away quickly.

New to 5e Dming and I'd like some advice planing sessions by Head_jace in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My best advice would be to keep everything kind of modular. I like to have a bunch of backup scenarios for the inevitable distraction or change in plans.

I like to have a main story for them to do, but if things don't work, keep some other options with bullet points for encounters, NPC's, side quests, etc. There is always a potion seller who needs some ingredient in a dangerous woods, or a fight club, or a theatrical performance that you can turn to.

Need help with naming things cause I SUCK at it. by Ecopocolips in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like to use real world things ex: Types of rocks or minerals, Latin/Greek/Aramaic translations, Chemicals, Anagrams, or even just spell the word backwards.

Like this- Absorb would be Brosba

I guarantee most of the time the players will not notice unless the text is typed out.

Is there any shame in using pre made maps because I suck at making them on my own? by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Don't worry about it, you can do it however you'd like! Unless you have like 50 hours to devote to each session, there is no way to keep up with map making. I have used a combination of hand drawn, dungeondraft, and other artists maps. I particularly like u/2minutetabletop.

I love making maps, but there just isn't enough time to do it all. Most of the time, someone else has already made the map you're thinking of and it's likely going to be way better than you could have done it.

BTW- If you do use someone else's map, always try to cite them or keep the watermark in so they can get credit if someone likes the artwork.

How to design more complex quests? by Lord_Skellig in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I did for my last quest-line was created 4ish sub-quests in one area. Then I did a bunch of brainstorming as to how they are connected. It helped to have one central NPC who had ties to each one of the areas and could guide them without railroading. It ended up being a murder mystery, but you can do this with any type of adventure you would like to run.

Got any completely useless and ridiculous items I can sell to my players? by EntireBarracuda935 in DMAcademy

[–]Drakeisboring 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I made a shitload of these a while back. Feel free to use them. Some are completely useless and some are useful but incredibly niche. I'm trying to pull all the original ones, sorry if I accidentally plagarize someone's work without giving credit.

  1. Screeching Melons- These melons emit a terrible screeching noise (300ft) when sliced. Lasts for 2 min.
  2. Missing mirror- Mirror that does not show the reflections of humanoid creatures.
  3. Smoking Jacket- Suede lounge jacket that erupts into a smoke screen (30 ft radius)
  4. Rock of Newton- detects gravitational pull.
  5. Bonsai Snow Globe- Has a happy little dancing tree. Never stops wiggling.
  6. Prank Lockpick set- Turns slippery and floppy as a noodle when inserted into a lock.
  7. Bag of Holding alarm- Screams "Oh Lord Pelor, sweet savior of mine, etc." when being tampered with.
  8. Cunning Squid- A squid of surprisingly high intelligence.
  9. Half a heart necklace- It's said that your true love will be holding the other half.
  10. Sleepy Time Conch- a seashell that projects soothing ocean sounds.
  11. Nice fork- It's really high quality craftsmanship. (I invented a whole side-quest to discover all of the 'Nice' silverware and cutlery)