Starting a modular cave system.

[beefcake]

After looking at Captain Blood's awesome cave sustem I thought I have a go at making a sub-par modular cave system.
I bought some underfloor insulation 50mm thick. It's basically just polystyrene though. I would have liked to have gotten something a bit more dense. It didn't break the bank but driving home was a bit strange as I couldn't see too well out the side window.
It will be 9 sections all with 4 entrance/exits although some of those will lead to nothing.
I've got plans to make up 12ish rockfalls to block off exits that lead off the formation.
Here are the first few roughed out.
I have done a test paint on one of these and the glue/sand/paint mix has worked well. It will be grey but for some colour variation I think I may do the ground in brown.
Each tile is 40cm by 40cm. Great for skirmish games I hope. I plan on making them a bit more interesting than just bare rock though so any ideas would be great. One will have some skulls in some wall sockets (just to make my GW figures feel at home). Comments and criticism welcome.


I also plan on making a small underground settlement area and maybe even an insert for castle walls (underground) Some doors as well from popsicle sticks.

[Vanvlak]

Here's some criticism: I want to see MORE pics, go on, do some more  
The modular approach is VERY tempting.

[Eric the Shed]

I did this about five years ago but based mine on 30cm square hardboard tiles - the polystyrene base is just not robust enough and too light to stand up to gaming...

good luck it will be a fun project

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

This is looking very good, will follow with interest.

[Andym]

Good start!

Sitting here watching patiently.

[Mason]

Good start!

Sitting here watching patiently.

Me too.
 

[beefcake]

Thanks all.
I've covered the floor in a mix of PVA and sand so hopefully that should stop it from wearing through. I'll also varnish it to keep it a bit stronger. Four more boards to rough out tomorrow then onto the more detailed work.

[beefcake]

A lot more progress. I've finished roughing out all of the dungeons and am now out of Insulation (Except for a huge amount of cutoffs)
Here is a set of undergound ruins. I reckon this one will turn out the best. I've made some wall sections that are crumbling down. Since the photos have been taken I've also put a whole lot more cobbles down on this one and am going to put more on later today.



Ignore the bricks over the cobbles in that last photo.

This final photo shows all of them lined up with each other. There are some gaps in between some of the sections but they line up pretty well.

Next up I'll be putting more cobbles down and after that is done I'll then work on putting the sand/PVA/paint mix down. Following that I'll be giving the ground a coat of brown. I plan on sculpting some mushrooms to go on some walls and the ground. The stalamites will be made of the same stuff but I'll dip them in my sandy PVA mix first.
Any ideas for little extras?

[Vanvlak]

This is grand! I like the mix of cavern and walled underground areas.
Ideas - is there anything going in the middle? Would be nice to have a dragon's lair right there.
That would be a big extra; some little ones could be rings in the walls, for captives; vertical columns or ruins of columns; a pool - or, taking things farther: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern
That way you can even have a boat!

[beefcake]

Great ideas. I'll definitely do the rings in the wall (if I remember  ) with columns I may do them so that they are removable to add to the diversity I can get out of this.
That cistern looks really cool. If I make more I may incorporate that idea. I think maybe in the ruins I may make some wall fountains with faces, thanks for the link giving me some inspiration. I'll need to order some more instamold I think.

[OSHIROmodels]

Looking promising 

cheers

James

[Constable Bertrand]

Beefcake, thats awesome, I am totally planning this as well at some point. I like the modularity you have got going there. A good generic cave has so many uses!   

Any plans to incorporate your BuildSomething cave?? Because you totally should. 

Cheers
Matt

[Dr. Zombie]

I am totally following this. That is a great start.

[beefcake]

Beefcake, thats awesome, I am totally planning this as well at some point. I like the modularity you have got going there. A good generic cave has so many uses!   

Any plans to incorporate your BuildSomething cave?? Because you totally should. 

Cheers
Matt

I've thought of using the Build Something as the entrance to it. I guess the next Build something should have me make a whole mountain to go over the top of this (that won't be happening).

I am totally following this. That is a great start.

Cheers, now to keep the enthusiasm flowing!

Tomorrow I'll start on the texturing I think.

[Phil Robinson]

Excellent start.