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Post by markd1733 on Sept 6, 2013 0:15:21 GMT -5
Hey, folks, I am thinking of doing a druid Stonehenge-type circle of monoliths with some additional stones within the circle. This setting is a clearing deep within a dense, towering forest. I am thinking that making the tile is easy enough, but what to do with the border to give the sense of towering trees and also the ability for party and foes to run in from or out to the forest, as I plan a potential combat encounter. Watching the "dig site" video, I saw similarities, but not enough for me to get a vision of something that I could effectively "sell." I do know think that I don't need to surround 100% of the tile, but how much? Also, what would make an effective towering treeline? The best trees (simplicity/ease considered) were the ones that used the paper cones stacked on top of one another. But will that do? Seems like a lot.
I am very open to suggestions. Thanks in advance for helping to brainstorm.
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sgtslag
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 102
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Post by sgtslag on Sept 6, 2013 7:06:25 GMT -5
You could go with plastic model trees, available from multiple sources, but I found some 9" Pine Trees, on e-Bay, for around $1/tree? Amazon also has a good deal: 6 x 5"-6" pine trees for $15 ( link). You could use the tree models to mark the limits of the woods. Try visiting a local cake decorating supply store, if possible. To go uber-inexpensive, you can always use green construction paper, or yarn, to mark the limits of the forest. It really depends on how 'realistic' you want to go. Cheers!
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Post by skunkape on Sept 6, 2013 8:15:45 GMT -5
The problem I've always found when trying to do trees for use at the gaming table, is that if you full trees, they tend to get in the way/get knocked over while moving the miniatures! That's why I went to using just the trunks that you get from the trees that you can buy from WWG. They end up being only 2 inches tall, and if you put a washer at the bottom, are less likely to get knocked over. If a player wants to be up in said tree, the top of the trunk is flat and you can place a miniature on the top to show the character is up the tree.
Some of the other members of the forum have showed trees that they created that were just round circles of cardboard which also work well as they don't get in the way. Like sgslag says though, it depends on how realistic you want to be. Me, I want to make sure the area is always playable first, with realism taking second or third place!
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Post by belatucadras on Sept 6, 2013 8:17:20 GMT -5
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sgtslag
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 102
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Post by sgtslag on Sept 6, 2013 13:35:38 GMT -5
belatucadras, Your rivers (Sculpey?), and trees, gave me an idea for creating river sections (a modular river system) for my mini's games [ 2nd Ed. BattleSystem (mass combat, AD&D style) & BattleSystem Skirmish (AD&D lite, mini's based, with an RPG frosting on top)]: use the oh-so-common cardboard base, cut to river section shapes, with Hot Glue for texture, to represent the water; paint appropriately. I've been going round, and round, for years, trying to figure out something affordable (read: CHEAP!!!), as I would like to have plenty of it (9' x 5' ping pong gaming table to cover), and versatile. This could also be used to create a lava river for my upcoming Giant Series games, using Gygax's original modules, G1-G2-G3, which I plan to play out using the BS Skirmish rules. I appreciate your 'suggestion'! I may experiment and apply the Hot Glue to appropriate fabric strips, to create more flexibility? Roads can be made in a nearly identical manner, just use more brown/earth colors. Cheers!
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Post by belatucadras on Sept 6, 2013 18:00:34 GMT -5
The rivers are actually not quite finished in that photo. They are just cardboard cut to various stream shapes, primed white then painted with a watered down thalo blue to allow the white to peek through. It may not be recognizable as cardboard straightaway because if I think the item is going to be used more often, then I will seal the edges of the cardboard with hot glue to cut down on fraying and to and strength to the piece. markd1733 - Maybe making a tile in the typical sense is not the way to go in this case. Rather using several set pieces in unison would give you the desired result. Maybe a tile with the Stonehenge glued to a base, but then dress your table with various items: scattered flora, rocks and terrain. Then use a border piece, similar to the tree backdrops to give the sense of a clearing in the deep forest.
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Post by markd1733 on Sept 7, 2013 23:45:49 GMT -5
All great suggestions. I started putting some ideas down on cardboard, and I had some serendipity is always a good thing. I have large box I am starting with...this box is narrow in one dimension. What I can do is, without cutting extras stuff, simply fold up the narrow side 90 deg to give it that "boxed in" feeling. I can shape that fold up side to have a jagged treetop edge. Also, I may have figured out what I can do with craft foam...it can be used for this tree project as well. I will use your river technique for the other encounter...crossing a large river.
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Post by greyrick on Sept 15, 2013 10:00:09 GMT -5
Two questions. I noticed the texture of the glue gun was "stringy" instead of the normal thicker glue. 1.) How did you get it to do that for that long? 2.) How did you make the other tree's the lighter green ones? It looks like you used a real twig and some other material. Did you spray paint that color, dip in water?
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Post by belatucadras on Sept 15, 2013 13:54:09 GMT -5
Two questions. I noticed the texture of the glue gun was "stringy" instead of the normal thicker glue. 1.) How did you get it to do that for that long? 2.) How did you make the other tree's the lighter green ones? It looks like you used a real twig and some other material. Did you spray paint that color, dip in water? Second first: The leafy trees were made using twigs I picked up from the craft store. Interestingly, the bundles of twigs were quite expensive, but there was a decorative broom made from the same stuff that sold for a couple of bucks. I just bought the broom and dismantled it. I picked out the most treelike bits then added florist's moss (also from the craft store) for the leaves. The moss comes in a variety of colors and types. There are types of moss that make great ferns, vines and underbrush. I have used the twig material whenever I need a natural looking branch or bundle of debris. It also makes great leafless trees for a winter or blighted setting. First second: I did not do anything special with the glue. I just used Scotty's technique for adding texture with the glue gun. If there is a trick, it is to pull the trigger and move the gun quickly while drawing your lines. The will give you a thin line of glue. With practice you can vary the thickness of the glue lines.
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Post by greyrick on Sept 15, 2013 21:32:12 GMT -5
If I may ask another couple of questions. For the trees with the round thin cardboard did you spray paint that green, or did you use acrylic paint?
Thanks for all you help. Asking the questions, because I like it. Good job.
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Post by belatucadras on Sept 16, 2013 0:24:18 GMT -5
No worries. Thanks for the interest.
The evergreens are sprayed black then I used the dry brush technique in varying shade of green acrylic.
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