I've created a small dungeon experience that I'm not personally likely to use for any of my games but I've taken steps while making it so that it's a very "real" dungeon. I've gone through the same thought processes I would normally for making a dungeon like, "Start here, end there. Interesting terrain and trap there."
However, this time, I've added a couple more prerequisites to the process: use all of the tiles available currently in the abstract tile set and go crazy with the layout.
As you know, dungeons aren't always boxes connected by rectangles. I'm aware of that and Dungeon Mapper is capable of making dungeons more interesting for your Dungeons and Dragons, GURPS or what ever other square based system you're using.
So let's talk about the dungeon.
Starting from the bottom of the dungeon we head Down (or Up, as the arrows really don't mean anything unless your group has a standard in place). Right away you might notice that the walls are "thicker". This is done by starting the path with a corridor piece and, on both sides, having corners to make the rooms on either side. I could have avoided this by placing just floors on the other side.
After proceeding down we're met by a fork and mirrored hallways. At the end of these hall ways I placed a "four corners" piece that acts as pillars; this piece fills in gaps left by perpendicular walls and gives the appearance of pillars. It gives a subtle difference in the appearance that in almost all cases will not impact actual game play.
This hallway is met by a door to a small room and another hallway leading up to a grand room. The grand room is 16 (whole) squares wide or 80 feet in D&D measurement. (Remember, the tile setup, 2"x2", was designed after seeing Dwarven Forge 3d gaming tiles because of their versatility.) Additionally, the room is more than 45 feet deep. Quite the room for some epic battles. The room even has a few cubby holes for sneak attacks.
This dungeon's grand room leads to a diagonal stairway down into a final room that would likely hold some plot information. The player(s) fulfilling the role of thief may be lucky enough to find a secret (and trapped) hallway leading to great rewards.
Wrapping this up
I'd imagine that most people expect the app to be able to make simple dungeons. I want them to know it can handle unusual shapes, too.
Please, leave any comments (about this write up, or the app) or questions here at the blog.
As always, don't forget to rate the app itself on the Play store. So far, two people have rated the app (both at 5 stars!). Do you agree with them?
