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Post by curufin on Dec 4, 2015 1:32:29 GMT
I decided it's time to get back to dungeon crafting. And I'm going to take a bite out of another classic B series module... B4: The Lost City. I am starting with the sand covered step pyramid.   
I will be doing sand texture over all the cardboard and I still need to figure out what to do for the statues of Gorm, Usamigaras, and Madarual. I think something in the 5-6" range will work well. I saw a wrestling action figure at Dollar Tree that I think I could make work for the Gorm... though Im not sure about the rest. Im going to try to hammer this whole module (tier 1-5) out pretty quickly, but we all know how that tends to go. |
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Post by Draklith on Dec 4, 2015 2:00:02 GMT
good luck witdat 
already wanting to see it finished lol |
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Post by ogrestamp on Dec 4, 2015 6:52:34 GMT
I liked this as soon as I saw the heading. I am running that as well (we are kind of stuck at the moment since a couple guys have decided to get back into WoW and leave the rest of us high and dry).
Man, I do like how you've got the top of the pyramid so far. That looks way cool.
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Post by ogrestamp on Dec 4, 2015 6:55:28 GMT
I will be interested in your underground cityscapes.
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Post by michka on Dec 4, 2015 7:30:02 GMT
Gorgeous work already. Is that sheet Styrofoam with texture covering a cardboard shell? It's very effective however you did it. The cardboard hills works too. I especially like the small opening in the side of the steps. You know this hole will intrigue some poor unsuspecting PC into climbing inside. (I would.) Something tells me this is going to be another epic Curufin build.
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sadric
Paint Manipulator
crafting not enough, not enough time. :-(
Posts: 199 
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Post by sadric on Dec 4, 2015 8:20:57 GMT
I love the Cardboard covering of the backside. Could you explain how do you do it? I guess simply onelayer corrugated cadrboard hotglued over all parts.
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Post by wilmanric on Dec 4, 2015 14:38:16 GMT
SOOOOO looking forward to the progress on this one. B4 is a visionary masterpiece -- if run as a sandbox.  Best of luck! |
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Post by curufin on Dec 4, 2015 14:43:50 GMT
Thanks, everyone! The foam is dollar store foam core in classic DM Scotty style. I used a rock to texture it up. The form core is backed with a single layer of cardboard to add some rigidity. Why did I used card board for the top? Im not sure... I think I was thinking that the statues would be up there and it didn't matter. I probably should have done foam core too  I only built the portions of the pyramid that would be protruding from the sand dunes. I had a couple of card stock shoe inserts (you can see one in the fist picture on the left). I used two to start the sand dunes by hot gluing them to edges on the bottom tier of the pyramid. The rest of the sand dunes are single layer cardboard... the junkiest cardboard I had. I crumpled them up as best I could to make them pliable. I cut them into smaller pieces and just hot glued them in interesting forms around the pyramid, trying to keep the charade of the dessert swallowing the structure going. Im not too worried about seams because the whole dune section will be covered with PVA glue/water paper towels to help it all flow together. And then a sand coating on top of that. I suppose the real question everyone should be asking (especially myself) is: "Why are you spending so much time on a piece that will only be on the table for 20 minutes?" ...I just dont have a valid answer...insanity? |
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Post by wilmanric on Dec 4, 2015 14:46:04 GMT
I suppose the real question everyone should be asking (especially myself) is: "Why are you spending so much time on a piece that will only be on the table for 20 minutes?" ...I just dont have a valid answer...insanity? Use it later in the scenario. They have to return to it to find something or to uncover hidden runes or something... |
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sadric
Paint Manipulator
crafting not enough, not enough time. :-(
Posts: 199
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Post by sadric on Dec 4, 2015 15:37:13 GMT
I had a couple of card stock shoe inserts (you can see one in the fist picture on the left). I used two to start the sand dunes by hot gluing them to edges on the bottom tier of the pyramid. The rest of the sand dunes are single layer cardboard... Yes, I noticed the things at the side, but not at the first picture. I thinked they were TP-rolls. Shoe insert! Didnt see something like that at german shoestores, only some bowed cardstock, but indeed they sometimes look like a sanddune. Great Idea! |
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Post by ogrestamp on Dec 5, 2015 8:28:36 GMT
Gorgeous work already. Is that sheet Styrofoam with texture covering a cardboard shell? It's very effective however you did it. The cardboard hills works too. I especially like the small opening in the side of the steps. You know this hole will intrigue some poor unsuspecting PC into climbing inside. (I would.) Something tells me this is going to be another epic Curufin build. Michka, that's the entrance into the dungeon itself. It's a secret door that's been propped open, so it SHOULD be easily found. I say that because I am running this module (we are in a hiatus atm) and the party sees this pyramid. They have been seeing clues that this was an old settlement of some type, but this pyramid is the only thing standing out of the sand dunes. So my party goes towards it (good) and starts to head up the stairs. I am waiting for them to get curious about their surroundings so they will look around and see the opening of the door. It took them 30 minutes to find that door! They literally were looking everywhere but in that spot. I wanted to help them but they kept saying they were looking in specific places and never thought to look on that one side of the pyramid. Finally the gnome, who was tired of trying to go up and down those steps sat down right over the secret door and casually looked around. That's when they found the door. They were pretty frosty with me but I kept reminding them that they were quite specific where they were looking and I couldn't really help them. I thought it was quite hilarious but it proved to me that what I think is obvious may not be to a group of others. |
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Post by michka on Dec 5, 2015 15:29:38 GMT
Cool Ogrestamp.
See Curufin, this encounter could take up to thirty minutes. Well, maybe not. This might be a good time to throw in a random encounter. Have you made any DM Scotty Stirges yet?
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Post by sunfishh on Dec 5, 2015 18:56:27 GMT
What a great start! The fact that it goes with one of the B modules is the icing on the cake.
Great Job!
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Post by Sleepy Hollow Mike on Dec 5, 2015 20:52:21 GMT
That looks really awesome!
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Post by DMScotty on Dec 6, 2015 15:25:44 GMT
Amazing work!
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Post by curufin on Dec 6, 2015 16:06:49 GMT
Thanks, Everyone! I've added the PVA glue/water paper towel to the dunes. Next step is to add the sand...  |
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Post by sgtslag on Dec 6, 2015 20:04:12 GMT
Wow... Absolutely gorgeous! I am continually amazed at what the tissue paper and PVA Glue can accomplish. Thank you, for sharing with us. Cheers!
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Post by Erasmas on Dec 6, 2015 20:27:15 GMT
I think draping some of it up and onto the stairs was a very good call!
When you go to "sand" it, I think it would look good if you put some gathered up against some more of the steps, as well as the other nooks and crannies. Now, I'm sure you are way ahead of me and had already thought of this... but just spitballing ideas here!
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Post by curufin on Dec 8, 2015 14:18:22 GMT
Wow... Absolutely gorgeous! I am continually amazed at what the tissue paper and PVA Glue can accomplish. Thank you, for sharing with us. Cheers! Im amazed too at the ease of the tissue paper/PVA glue/water combo and what it can do. There is definitely a reason why DM Scotty uses it for everything. It something I should be using it far more than I am. Thanks for the complement! More pictures coming soon. I think draping some of it up and onto the stairs was a very good call! When you go to "sand" it, I think it would look good if you put some gathered up against some more of the steps, as well as the other nooks and crannies. Now, I'm sure you are way ahead of me and had already thought of this... but just spitballing ideas here! I might get to sanding today. I'll scatter some sand in the corners and nooks and crannies. I like tips and suggestions. Thanks! |
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Post by curufin on Dec 8, 2015 20:40:36 GMT
The top of the pyramid is undergoing it's sand treatment. I think it will probably take 2 or 3 treatments because the area is so large. But... in the meantime, here is Tier 1 roughed in:  And Tier 2:  |
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Best of luck!
I only built the portions of the pyramid that would be protruding from the sand dunes. 
Cheers!
Cheers!