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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: robh on February 21, 2015, 10:46:34 AM

Title: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: robh on February 21, 2015, 10:46:34 AM
Has anyone here built their own modular caverns and caves terrain sets?

I am looking at making up a set (based on the Acheson KS pieces) but want to do something other than the Hirst/DF "Water Cavern" style walls.

I have seen the Ainsty boulder walls but am looking for ideas for other natural stone faces.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: Constable Bertrand on February 21, 2015, 12:15:39 PM
I've seen a few on here that are rather good. I personally am very tempted to make my own, as a catacomb is very fantasy, and a metro is very post apocalypse, but a cave, well that is universal!!

Did blueVT do one? If you search In the workbench or fantasy forum some come up. :) and I remember seeing some outstanding ones! Caverncrawl/trapdoor is a ruleset which was played on an awesome looking board.

I'm pondering mdf rectangles as bases, and cork/bark walls. Making it with modular windy corridors and larger 'halls'. Possibly doing half height walls to save on space without loosing too much aesthetic.

Cheers
Matt.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: robh on February 21, 2015, 01:13:59 PM
I'm pondering mdf rectangles as bases, and cork/bark walls. Making it with modular windy corridors and larger 'halls'. Possibly doing half height walls to save on space without loosing too much aesthetic.

I am think along similar lines. I have a lot of the superb ITARS workshop lightweight resin dungeon pieces with 2" high walls so will be making something to match those.
I reckon to make a dozen or so larger caverns and a selection of twisting corridor/passageways to link them. Will not be totally modular but should be enough to approximate most D&D style maps well enough.

Cork bark is a good idea for rock faces, I have also seen some great looking carved blue foam rocks.
My concern is how to make twisting corridors with a +/- 2" wide passageway that do not need to be 6" wide to allow for the twisting walls. I had thought of cutting foamcore strips and only texturing 1 side with bark/sand/gravel etc.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: Mister Rab on February 21, 2015, 06:01:55 PM
I have a lot of the superb ITARS workshop lightweight resin dungeon pieces with 2" high walls

I'm still waiting on mine from the kickstarter :( Only seventy pledges ahead of mine still to be fulfilled...
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: Dewbakuk on February 21, 2015, 06:12:18 PM
I did one with hex tiles so it was all solid and rotatable in alignment. I'll see if I can find the BLAM report that had pictures.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: timlillig on February 22, 2015, 03:37:56 PM
My cavern walls are blue foam on hard board.  I used my fingernails to gouge chunks of the foam away and rough up the surface of the walls.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: fastolfrus on February 22, 2015, 06:33:55 PM
I recall seeing a tunnel system a few years back for Starship Troopers.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: AndrewBeasley on February 22, 2015, 09:11:57 PM
I found walls a right pain when using figures due to having ham fists on the end of my arms lol

Have a look on YouTube for DM Scotty and his 2.5D sets.  These are simple to make and work lots better than 3D ones.

If you do not fancy painting you can mix the process with http://www.heroicmaps.com/?page_id=501
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: robh on February 22, 2015, 11:41:24 PM
Thanks for the replies, would love to see some pictures if you have them:

MR:  Stick with it, the pieces are superb. I am amazed that he has kept plugging away with the horrible health problems his wife and daughter are going through.
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: Constable Bertrand on February 23, 2015, 07:36:58 AM
Hi,

My favourite threads on this topic you may find helpful:

Jaques Modular Caves/Sewers
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=30403.0

Modhail's Display cave system
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=45968.0

Funghy-Fipps' Trapdoor dungeon crawl
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=33667.0

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: Mister Rab on February 23, 2015, 12:03:31 PM
MR:  Stick with it, the pieces are superb. I am amazed that he has kept plugging away with the horrible health problems his wife and daughter are going through.

I'm hanging in there! I can't imagine the combined stress of having ill family and having to find funds for it  :(
Title: Re: Dungeon caverns & natural caves?
Post by: SotF on February 25, 2015, 01:00:09 AM
I recall seeing a tunnel system a few years back for Starship Troopers.

I've seen one near where I live as well.

They used vertical balsa along the center and then glued the blue or pink foam to it before using a spray primer to melt it down.

After painting, the walls looked a lot like a limestone cave