I know it’s been quiet on here for a couple of days. Much to the relief of everyone I would imagine.

So what have I been doing? Not much really, hence the lack of posts. I did hit the video by Colville talking about the West Marches format for running D&D.

It’s an interesting idea for running D&D for a large group of players interested in playing the game.

The problem with the majority of Colville’s videos are that they make you want to go and try it for yourself. Which I suppose is the whole purpose of them.

Although I like the sound of running a version of a West Marches style game assuming that enough players are interested, in reality it’s not likely to happen in the foreseeable future. I’ve still to DM my first game (it’s getting closer).

However I did like the idea of a treasure map to give to the players at the start of the West Marches campaign. I think it’s something that could be utilised elsewhere.

So using Adobe Sketchbook I’ve decided to attempt to create a treasure map, and develop my rather poor drawing skills. It’s also working on my Sketchbook skills. An app that has been on my iPad for a long time, but I’ve not used. So there is a learning curve there too.

The plan would be to have two versions of the map. The initial basic map (minus the hexes) showing the general locale and maybe the location of one or two known landmarks/dungeons. It would then be up to the players to keep the map updated as they progress further out into the world. If they make mistakes on the map, the idea is not to correct them.

The second version of the map would be for me the DM. Naturally this will be more informative, have notes, and the hexes. The hexes will allow me to judge distance, set up zones/areas. It would also be the accurate map naturally.

The nice thing about this is it can be used in not just a West Marches game but also in a “regular campaign” at the start. It’s interesting that none of our party in the game I am a player has bothered to create a map. The first map we have was given to us!