dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42 
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Apr 10, 2015 2:57:20 GMT
Okay, so I'm a History Major and I have this terrible thing where I have to keep some kind of accuracy in my dungeon designs... It's compulsive, and I know that it's not healthy. I've been looking through some of the posted resources, but haven't had any luck so far. Does anyone know of a site with basic castle layouts or floor plans so that I don't have to draw each castle in a feudal campaign by hand?
Seriously, I know I have a problem. Help me help myself. Also, if anyone has any burning (ha) questions about medieval Scandinavian history, or the Byzantine Empire, or mainland Europe for that matter, I'm full of answers.
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Post by friartook on Apr 10, 2015 3:01:37 GMT
Welcome to the forums dmgrendel! How are you with ancient Sumeria?  I've done a bit of searching for resources similar to what you are asking for, and for the same reasons. I haven't found anything promising yet, but if I so, I'll let you know. |
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Apr 10, 2015 3:09:18 GMT
Here are some Castle Floor Plans. This castle was built in the 1800, but hey. It is just one idea, but I'll try to find more. You could also convert it into a dungeon if you were so inclined. Which reminds me. I love your nickname! That has to be one of the greatest tales of all time. I'm not much of a History geek, but stick me in Anglo-Saxon Europe and I'll explode with information. Keep that arm Grendel! www.rpgbooster.com/detailed-floor-plans-of-neuschwanstein-castle-and-more/ |
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dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Apr 10, 2015 3:11:35 GMT
Once I have access to a scanner again, I'll post some of my drawings for others to use. It's only fair; I just copied what I knew from Capetian France. And it's good to know that I'm not the only one... Sometimes I'll be drawing a dungeon and I'll stop and just ask "Who the heck would build this?"
If only I'd known how much time I would spend writing stuff for D&D, I would have just majored in Medieval architecture.
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dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Apr 10, 2015 3:16:09 GMT
And thanks AlmarianKnight- those are supremely helpful! As for the name, I had to translate Beowulf from the Old English and instantly fell in love with the character.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 6:20:21 GMT
Once I have access to a scanner again, I'll post some of my drawings for others to use. It's only fair; I just copied what I knew from Capetian France. And it's good to know that I'm not the only one... Sometimes I'll be drawing a dungeon and I'll stop and just ask " Who the heck would build this?" If only I'd known how much time I would spend writing stuff for D&D, I would have just majored in Medieval architecture. A madman in a fantasy setting can excuse any odd architectural design choices. Also remember, you're probably the only one at your table who will question the dungeon design. As a player, I am only ever in the moment the DM is describing. Soon as we leave a room, it effectively does not exist (except somewhere in the back of my mind as a possible escape route). I probably won't think twice about a secret room filled with treasure... that's connected to the kitchen for some reason. Because treasure, yay! If there's a random pit trap in the hallway leading to the armory, I'm more concerned with the spikes over which my footsies are dangling than the mental acuity of the architect who put them there. As a DM, I'm the only person with the luxury to obsess on a sensible layout, because I'm the only one who can see it in its entirety. Soon as I realized this, I stopped obsessing. I build what's fun, and creates interesting obstacles. If you end up spending countless hours designing a location, be prepared for disappointment when your players fail to explore it thoroughly or notice the level of detail, or even bypass it entirely. |
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dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Apr 10, 2015 10:48:43 GMT
Wise words. Thank you very much.
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Post by DMC on Apr 10, 2015 15:19:03 GMT
Once I have access to a scanner again, I'll post some of my drawings for others to use. It's only fair; I just copied what I knew from Capetian France. And it's good to know that I'm not the only one... Sometimes I'll be drawing a dungeon and I'll stop and just ask " Who the heck would build this?" If only I'd known how much time I would spend writing stuff for D&D, I would have just majored in Medieval architecture. A madman in a fantasy setting can excuse any odd architectural design choices. Also remember, you're probably the only one at your table who will question the dungeon design. As a player, I am only ever in the moment the DM is describing. Soon as we leave a room, it effectively does not exist (except somewhere in the back of my mind as a possible escape route). I probably won't think twice about a secret room filled with treasure... that's connected to the kitchen for some reason. Because treasure, yay! If there's a random pit trap in the hallway leading to the armory, I'm more concerned with the spikes over which my footsies are dangling than the mental acuity of the architect who put them there. As a DM, I'm the only person with the luxury to obsess on a sensible layout, because I'm the only one who can see it in its entirety. Soon as I realized this, I stopped obsessing. I build what's fun, and creates interesting obstacles. If you end up spending countless hours designing a location, be prepared for disappointment when your players fail to explore it thoroughly or notice the level of detail, or even bypass it entirely. Well said!! Reminds me of the movie "Galaxy Quest", at the end when they were going through the bowels of the ship and came upon those metal stamper/crusher things and Sigourney Weaver's character was like "WHO WOULD BUILD THIS HERE?!?!". In real life, some stuff doesn't make sense. In fantasy...just do what makes for good story and suspenseful adventure! |
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Post by joatmoniac on Apr 10, 2015 22:02:36 GMT
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dmgrendel
Squire
Posts: 42
Favorite D&D Class: Barbarian on the table, Cleric at heart
Favorite D&D Race: Orcs!
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Post by dmgrendel on Apr 11, 2015 1:05:18 GMT
That article is really illuminating. I've tried to take cues from video game levels before, but they don't always translate very well. But I like the wheel and spoke idea of breaking up the exploration. Thanks for posting this!
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