Excelsior Entertainment Forums

Chronopia => Painting & Terrain => Topic started by: Glenn M on October 28, 2008, 03:53:13 PM

Title: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on October 28, 2008, 03:53:13 PM
Alright, this thread will be for my Erie's Day of Games '09 gameboard.  Right now, the plan is to build a 4x6 board, 4x2 of which will be a cavern system with 4-8 entrances, each entrance will be between 2" and 4" wide to allow passage of most models.  The caves will be widely open, with a fair few walls and obstacles to provide an interesting game experience. 
The outside will be a forest of giant mushrooms, land will be largely obscured and LOS will be a challenge.  It will not be possible to get on top of the mountain over the caverns (ease of play issue)  Prominent features will include a mushroom large enough to climb and place figures on/in as the outer edge will be grooved deep enough to securely hold a 1.5" base.

Other possible options would be removing the shrooms and making a forest of Crystals.
Sketches and proof of concept pieces to come.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Manic _Miner on November 09, 2008, 08:19:03 AM
 Great idea Glenn.Cant wait to see this board.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Alxbates on November 09, 2008, 09:53:48 AM
That does sound pretty awesome, Glenn - do you have a sketch or map showing what the basic layout will look like?

-Alex
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 09, 2008, 01:29:46 PM
Sorry, been swamped with other stuff (and my scanner is broke), essentially if you were looking down at the board, with it being 4' high and 6' long, there would be caves for the first two feet, followed by a huge jungle of giant shrooms.  One of the shrooms will be larger enough to have a path running around the exterior that is climbable for stashing archers.  I need to think of some more key locations to draw attention to though.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Manic _Miner on November 10, 2008, 05:30:00 AM
 You could have the mushrooms linked by bridges.A bit like the Ewok's tree villages in Star Wars.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: joshuaslater on November 10, 2008, 07:46:19 AM
Glenn this sounds good.  We know you've got a move and other stuff to contend with, so take your time, and post pics when you can.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on November 11, 2008, 01:57:30 PM
Perhaps this will...properly motivate you:

(http://www.ironhands.com/endor1.jpg)

http://www.ironhands.com/endor.htm (http://www.ironhands.com/endor.htm)
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 11, 2008, 02:35:39 PM
That is pretty sweet, I am thinking about buying some of thanksgiving gourds and casting them for huts actually.Perhaps if I mounted the halves upside down under the cap, that'd be pretty convincing as Swamp Goblin homes.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Petru5 on November 11, 2008, 07:51:32 PM
Or you could go to Hobby Lobby or Micheals and get the papier mache ones and cut them to fit your purposes.  Already made, not messy like real gourds, easy to cut & paint.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 12, 2008, 07:05:32 AM
I was going to put paper mache over the real gourds and then peel it off, not use real gourds.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Petru5 on November 12, 2008, 03:39:26 PM
You could do that, too.  Either way, there's papier mache involved for the benefit of everyone!  My (and most likely yours, too) art teacher would be proud!!!
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on November 12, 2008, 04:54:41 PM
Mmmmm...paper mache...
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 22, 2008, 02:16:12 PM
I am considering what kind of building should be added to this board.  I am currently planning a cathedral style building that will be placed along the edge of the table, giving the illusion of depth. 

Picture something along these lines:
http://atlantica.ndoorsgames.com/center/pds/image.asp?media_type=2&loguid=1960596

Though I'll be running water along the frontal buttresses.

I am not certain of coloration so far, but I am leaning towards a green tinge to the stone.  I am currently sketching the floor plans, it is looking at being around 16" wide and maybe 11" deep, possibly deeper.  When I am done with my hand drawn sketches, I'll generate some files for the computer to show the floorplans.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 23, 2008, 02:59:47 PM
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g213/Biokanan/CastleFront.jpg)

The blue areas are water ways, the small blue rectangulars are waterfalls. 

I intend to build it primarily out of fieldstone with solid brick corner areas.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Alxbates on November 25, 2008, 09:06:20 AM
I like that design - a LOT.  Very nice idea, I love boards with water features incorporated into them.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 26, 2008, 08:11:18 PM
Well, I was going to drystack the first layer, however it appears I am missing all my plaster . . .

So I need to stop at the store and buy some more before I can begin.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Coil on November 27, 2008, 06:22:44 AM
I am really looking forward to see how this turns out.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on November 30, 2008, 08:08:39 PM
Found my plaster, I am going to whip up a few casts here soon. 

Now, has anyone seen any good tutorials for making giant crystals, I considered buying a bunch of real Quartz crystals, but it appears to be far too expensive.  Same with Armorcast (though they look great)  I am currently thinking about taking a chunk of insulation board, then sanding it down to make a hex shape, then cut the top down and paint like you paint gemstones, darker on top lighter at bottom, with a sharp highlight at the top.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Topkick on November 30, 2008, 08:43:11 PM
Have you a Hobby Lobby or other craft store near you? You could try there for some of the larger beadwork type stuff for crystals.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on December 01, 2008, 04:26:21 AM
Two options:

Make your own by going to a craft store and buying rubber molding solution and clear resin.  You use the rubber molding stuff (it paints on layer by layer-don't expect to be done overnight) over a real crystal and make copies then use the resin + accelerant and pump out as many as you want.  Advantages; realistic crystals Disadvantages; cost, time to make molds.

Alternately, carve your own out of pink insulation foam using a hot wire foarm cutter.  Advantages; potentially really cheap Disadvantage; time (and mess) involved with carving, crystals will be painted and not clear.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on December 01, 2008, 08:12:38 AM
I need 3"-4" crystals.  I could grab a real one and mold it, I had considered that actually, however it would use a lot of resin.  I think insulation board will be the cheapest route, though it will be fairly messy.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on December 01, 2008, 08:52:52 AM
Having gone down this road somewhat sucessfully, it uses much less than you might think.  Which turns out to be a problem because you mixed more than you actually needed.  The other disadvantage is that by the time you work it out, you could have carved a dozen or so of the foam ones.  Sorry that this is probably not helping.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on December 06, 2008, 05:19:33 PM
Well, here is a small foam sample. 

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g213/Biokanan/Fantasy%20Figures/S6300372.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g213/Biokanan/Fantasy%20Figures/S6300371.jpg)

I have a large one made, I simply need to get it painted.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Manic _Miner on December 07, 2008, 03:33:07 AM
 Very nice Glenn.Like the Elf too.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on December 07, 2008, 10:40:16 AM
That turned out extremely well!
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on December 07, 2008, 03:21:55 PM
Thanks, here is a larger one.  So I have what, maybe 20 more to make . . . . . . :headdesk:

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g213/Biokanan/Fantasy%20Figures/S6300373.jpg)

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g213/Biokanan/Fantasy%20Figures/S6300374.jpg)
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Alxbates on December 10, 2008, 01:07:17 PM
Very nice work on the crystals!
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: luckyone on December 12, 2008, 09:50:49 AM
Awesome job so far!
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Glenn M on December 12, 2008, 02:05:54 PM
Thanks, I still may make a Giant Shroom and decide which I like better.  I keep putting off my casting for the building though, as I am not a big fan of it, it is awfully tedious.  But I am getting there.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: joshuaslater on December 12, 2008, 04:06:39 PM
Faster than I'll ever be, Glenn.  Keep'em coming.  If you make Talamania you'll have to pack some terrain.  I never thought I'd say this but the world famous Excelsior boards get old after a while.   :o

Shocking, I know.
Title: Re: EDOG '09 Game Board
Post by: Veez on December 13, 2008, 06:02:36 AM
Is that a crystal on your computer desk or are you happy to see me?