B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #4 Common Stables & #5 Warehouse

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. While these maps aren't really needed by anyone, per se, I just did them to complete the set of floorplans for the Outer Bailey. I mean c'mon, they're just basically big rectangular boxes as you can see here.

COMMON STABLE: This long building is about 15’ high, with a 3’ parapet atop its flat roof, so that it can be used in defense of the gate. The gateside wall is pierced for archery. There are always grooms inside tending to horses and gear.

I added some of the contents for the warehouse, so that it didn't look so pathetically empty. Otherwise it would have just been a legend with a big, empty rectangle next to it.

COMMON WAREHOUSE: Visiting merchants and other travelers who have quantities of goods are required to keep their materials here until they are either sold to the persons at the KEEP or taken elsewhere. This long building is about 15’ high, with a 3’ parapet atop its flat roof, so that it can be used in defense of the gate. The gate-side wall is pierced for archery. Its double doors are chained and padlocked, and the corporal of the watch must be called to gain entry, as he has the keys. Inside are two wagons, a cart, many boxes, barrels, and bales - various food items, cloth, arrows, bolts, salt, and two tuns of wine.

B2 The Keep on the Borderlands Map Index

A couple of days ago as I was busily posting the various maps for the buildings inside The Keep on the Borderlands, Zach H. over on Zenopus Archives suggested I put up an index post so that it would be easier for folks to dig through this info. Now, while I try to be diligent about labeling all my posts, I can see the merits of putting a dedicated post where folks can go and jump directly to what they're looking for without having to wade through all the rest of the muck and mire.

So here it is folks, the index to my B2 posts up 'till now and (hopefully) any future missives that might come out will get indexed here as well.

Maps

• B2 kick-off post with the Greyhawk environs map, wilderness surrounding the Keep hexographer map, and my take on the map of the Keep itself.
• #4 Common Stables
• #5 Warehouse
• Private Aptarment # 7a Jewel Merchant 
• Private Apartment # 7b Priest
• Private Apartments # 7 c/d/e
• Smithy/Armorer # 8
• Provisioner # 9
• Trader # 10
• Loan / Bank # 11
• Travellers Inn # 14
• Tavern # 15
• Guild House # 16 - my old school blue version
• Chapel # 17
• Fortress # 24
• Caves of Chaos colorized re-spin

B2 - Caves of Chaos - My Spin

In my continuation of B2 posts and since I'm overly fond of maps I give you the following. Inspired by the colored Caves of Chaos map from Telecanter and the "Caves of Chaos is a One-Page Dungeon" map by Zach S. as well as this guys annotated version, I've modified and made my own mash-up version of all of the above.  Why did I do this, because the sum of the parts make up a greater whole, I felt. With labels showing what areas belong to which tribe, which guards/monsters are in what rooms, and what directions they will take upon being alerted as well as what surprises the party's likely to encounter upon a second visit to the same cave. For me this map represented 90% of what I needed to run this module in a concise manner.

Here is a DM non-colorized version with no trees shown for those who might want to make their own notations and scribbles or what-not.

And here is a player's version of the map with no room numbers or secret doors/passages shown. Also, sans trees.

Just borrowing the best parts from here and there to make my job of DMing easier and thereby (hopefully) more enjoyable for the players.
If for some reason someone wants any of these files in an even larger/more detailed format just PM me. I just uploaded a somewhat conservative file size to avoid hogging anyone's bandwidth.

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #17 Chapel

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the final map in this series the Chapel (#17) alongside the Inner Bailey wall behind the warehouse and opposite the Guild House (#16).

The spiritual center of the Keep is located in a building that has a peaked roof two stories tall; the interior is one large room. The altar is located at the eastern end, with a colored glass window above it; the window is 20’ tall and 8’ wide. An offering box is fastened securely atop a heavy pedestal in the southeast corner.

With this last building my series on the buildings inside the Keep comes to a close. I will put up a index post with all of the relevant posts linked so that it is easier for folks to locate these maps and info. For now just select B2 in the labels at the bottom of the post to get the relevant articles listed.

These maps are all of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit: DM map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #15 Tavern

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Tavern (#15) located across from the Fountain Square and alongside the Travellers Inn.

This place is the favorite of visitors and inhabitants of the KEEP alike. The food is excellent, the drinks generous and good. The place is always active, with patrons at any time of day or night. The barkeep, if talking with a good customer and drinking to his health, will sometimes talk about the lands around the keep.

The cellar is where drink and food are stored and prepared, and where the servants sleep. The family sleeps in the small loft. 

The cellar and loft, which houses the bedroom/living quarters for the Innkeeper, his family and staff is not detailed here, in the player's version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan.

We're down to the home stretch with only one more building, the Chapel, left to go. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit: DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #14 Travellers Inn

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Travellers Inn (#14) located across from the Fountain Square and alongside the Tavern.

This long, low structure has five small private rooms and a large common sleeping room for a full dozen. (Servants and the like always sleep in the stables, #4., of course.) Private rooms cost 1 g.p. per night, but sleeping in the common room is only 1 silver piece per night. The innkeeper and his family live in a small loft above the inn. This building is some 18’ high.

The 2nd story/loft, which houses the bedroom/living quarters for the Innkeeper, his family and staff is not detailed here, in the player's version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan.

We're down to the home stretch with only a couple more buildings to go. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

Edit: DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #11 Loan Bank

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Loan Bank (#11) located across the street from the Trader and alongside the Outer Bailey wall.

This low building houses all of the banking needs for the average dungeon adventurer. Here anyone can change money or gems for a small fee. The banker will also keep a person’s wealth stored safely at no charge if it is left for at least one month, otherwise there is a nominal fee. Unsecured loans can be obtained for up to 5 gold pieces; over 5 gold pieces requires some item of security deposit be left for the loan. A sign on the shop states clearly that this place is under direct protection of the KEEP.

Rates/fees are as shown on the floorplan. The strong room of the place is in the cellar. It is protected by a locked iron door which leads to a small vault with 12 compartments each protected by locks and other means. The cellar, which houses the bedroom/living quarters as well as the vault, is not detailed here, in the player's version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan.

Over the next several days I will be posting additional floorplans for most of the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit: DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #10 Trader

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Trader (#10) located next door to the Provisioner in the Outer Bailey.

This low building houses a shop where all of the equipment needed for dungeon adventurers are sold. This place deals in all armor, weapons, and large quantities of goods such as salt, spices, cloth, rare woods, etc. The trader is very interested in obtaining furs. Prices are as shown on the floorplan. The back rooms, which are the stock room and living quarters, is not detailed here, in the player's version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan. 

Over the next several days I will be posting additional floorplans for most of the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit:DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #9 Provisioner

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Provisioner (#9) located down the street from the Smithy in the Outer Bailey.

This low building houses a shop where all of the equipment needed for dungeon adventurers are sold. He does not sell weapons other than spears, daggers, arrows and bolts. He has a few (7) shields, but does not sell armor or mounts. He will direct any persons interested in such items to the trader next door. Prices are as shown on the floorplan. The back room, which is the bedroom/living quarters, is not detailed here, in the player's version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan. 

Over the next several days I will be posting additional floorplans for most of the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit: DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #8 Smithy/Armorer

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. This is the Smithy located alongside the Stables in the Outer Bailey.

This building is about 20’ high, the lower floor is occupied by a forge, bellows, and other items. Here horses and mules are shod, weapons made, armor repaired and similar work done. The smith is also an armorer, and has two assistants. The second floor is not pictured here, in the players version of the map. At some later point I will re-visit this post and put up the full floorplan. 

Over the next several days I will be posting floorplans for most of the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

edit: DM's map

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - Private Apts. #7 cde

My continuation of the mapping of the buildings inside the Keep. These are the Private Apartments located alongside the Inn as well as the southern wall in the Outer Bailey.

Over the next several days I will be posting floorplans for the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

B2 - Keep on the Borderlands - #7a Jewel Merchant & #7b Priest

These are the Private Apartments located behind the Inn in the
Keep. Apartment 7a is the Jewel Merchant and his wife, while Apartment 7b is the jovial Priest with his two silent acolytes.

Over the next several days I will be posting floorplans for the other buildings in the Keep. These maps are more of the old school blue I'm fond of, based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago over on Dragonsfoot by paleologos.

B2 Keep on the Borderlands - #16 Guildhouse - Blue Map

Yesterday I went over some of the maps and setup for my current online game. That mostly dealt with the surrounding areas and the Keep overview. Today and in the next few posts I'm going to get into actual buildings inside the Keep. As Gary put it;

Certain buildings of the KEEP will frequently be visited by the adventurers (such as the Travelers Inn, Tavern, and Provisioner). Floor plans are very useful in visualizing these areas. For information on their preparation, refer to the section entitled “Designing Floor Plans” near the end of the module.

 Now the one map of the buildings inside the Keep that is provided in the module is the Guild House (#16 on the map). It's a great starting point, but I like my maps old school blue, so I took it and adjusted the color as well as adding a cellar to the original plans. For anyone intimately familiar with the floorplan you'll notice that the secret doors/passageways have been removed from this, the player's version of the map. At some later point I will revisit these posts and put up the DM versions as well.

Over the next several days I will be posting floorplans for the other buildings in the Keep. My maps will be more old school blue based on some hand drawn maps I found some time ago.

edit: DM's map

New Campaign - B2 Keep on the Borderlands

A while back I was playing an AD&D 1ed game online set in Greyhawk. My favorite game and setting, in case that isn't obvious yet. Unfortunately that game dissolved after a short while along with a couple other online games I had been playing in. After a short stint looking for something suitable I decided to bite the bullet and just DM it myself. This was in part because the FtF campaign I've been DMing is starting to wind down after ~7 years of play.

So now I'm DMing a Google Hangouts game starting off in the Keep. Naturally I've set it in Greyhawk and will be taking the folks through B2 Keep on the Borderlands to start off. Believe it or not, except for a short foray into the Caves of Chaos just recently, I had never played or DMed this module.
Looking around on the web there is a metric ton of info, game reports, maps, conversions and the like for this module. So naturally I decided to add some more junk to the pile. If someone finds it useful, great, but really I'm just putting it up here as a sort of work in progress, for my own benefit primarily.

My first steps in setting up any new campaign is, and has always been, the maps. Looking around for maps of the wilderness and Keep I found a few that I liked but just weren't 'perfect', for me anyways. So, naturally I took the ones I liked and adjusted them to suit my own tastes and style.

The Hexographer map over on breeyark.org was the closest to what I had in mind, so that's the one I adjusted to my liking.
As you can see I've borrowed things from all over the place on this map.
The scale 'debate' I just sidestepped by making the caves ~2.5 hours to get to by an unencumbered man on foot and left it at that. You'll notice some farmhouses and fields located just outside the Keep. These I placed there because it seemed like a perfect place for the start of a new town, with some protection nearby. The farmers scamper into the Keep at nightfall when the raiding gets to be extreme. After all, they're brave not stupid.


Since this is situated in Greyhawk the next question was where was I going to place it, besides the suggested Yeomanry.
Since I'm planning on tying this in with The Temple of Elemental Evil later I decided to place it not too far away on the Wild Coast along the Jewel River. If you click on the environs map you'll see a spot towards the bottom in the middle of the Welkwood labelled Baridel Castle, the name for the Keep I adopted in my version of Greyhawk.

The next step was the keep itself. The Castellan Keep map over at halfblogre.com caught my eye, so that was the next to get incorporated into my milieu. As you can see I just adjusted it slightly to conform to my view of the Keep. You'll notice I've added some storage towers to the inner gatehouse, as well as switching the location of the stables and warehouse. I just figured the Smith would need direct access to the horses and putting it next to the Smithy/Armorer would make more sense. You'll also note that I added some barracks to the inner bailey since the 250+ inhabitants (mostly soldiers) of this castle needed someplace to sleep, too.

Next time is some old school blue maps of the different buildings inside the Keep itself.

Game of Thrones Interactive Map

If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, then this should help while away the days and weeks while we wait for the next season to arrive. Courtesy of the information documented by Game of Thrones Wiki, there is now an independently curated interactive map that allows users to plot individual character trajectories, royal house locations, and affiliated constituencies across the Known World of Westeros (according to the events from the first 6 seasons of the HBO drama). Before the program returns to the airwaves diehard fans and learned readers of GRRM’s original novels alike can now brush up on their Westerosi geography.

Fourth of July