Pied Piper Publishing announces DUNGEON SETS™

[yesmar]

Tomorrow Pied Piper Publishing will launch the new DUNGEON SETS line. DUNGEON SETS #'s 1 & 2 will go on sale at PPP's online store tomorrow at 12:00 noon CST.

DUNGEON SETS™ was an idea conceived to bring maximum game value to each DM’s table, whatever FRPG system they are currently using. These are un-keyed, color maps with integration notes and a comprehensive legend that are presented as a contiguous, and exacting, dungeon setting. In studying the needs of DMs who all have specific campaigns with real histories, characters and plots of their own, it became apparent that the idea of mainstay adventure modules, such as many based upon TSR’s old model of assumed expediency, has shifted greatly with the contraction of that market and an ever present need over the years for specific game material created by each DM. In keeping with that honored ideal, PPP will make a leap in two areas: in presenting challenging maps for expansion along different creative lines by individual DMs; and in offering supportive materials for these, such as booklets containing new and innovative monsters, NPCs, spells, magic items, magical areas and set pieces which can be incorporated into the map designs as each DM sees fit, thus expanding the range for them to continue “branding” their own campaigns as creatively unique.

Read more about DUNGEON SETS:
lordofthegreendragons.blogspot.com/2009/11/dungeon-sets-product-line.html
lordofthegreendragons.blogspot.com/2009/11/sample-updates-to-ds-line.html

This is but the start of an eager endeavor for Pied Piper Publishing to bring a line of products to bear that will creatively grow with the needs of the DM and his or her players.  We look forward to your participation.

[thegreyelf]

"un-keyed" means not populated? As in, all the rooms are empty, no treasure, no traps, no monsters, and it's up to the DM to fill them up?

[yesmar]

That's right. These are full-sized, interconnected dungeon levels that are crying out for a DM to populate them with monsters & treasure. The maps are drawn in a style similar to that of the levels beneath Greyhawk Castle. They should prove to be challenging for players--especially mappers.

[thegreyelf]

Hm. Honestly I'd much rather see fully-fleshed-out adventure modules. But it's an interesting approach.

[benoist]

I think it's a fascinating idea.

When creating games for my table, I get inspired by a wide variety of sources. Sometimes it's a piece of art, sometimes it's some module I pick and choose encounters from, sometimes it's a movie, or some scene from a book, and more often than not, it's from innocuous things in life I take a second look at for one reason or another.

Dungeon Sets present another take on the conundrum of bringing game elements to a table as a publisher for a DM to play with, while at the same time trying not to force a prefab, stale, linear adventure "plot", or content on a particular gaming group with its own campaign, play style and specificities. It's an input, as far as I understand, that is destined to spark the DM's imagination instead of putting it on the back-burner to use the works others have designed in your stead.

Not to mention, it'll de facto solve mapping issues, and thus probably will save time, at many a game table for many DMs prepping their game.

I find it intriguing to say the least. It's definitely worth a try!

[Deleted]

Good News!

For me, it's always been easier to create a module based off an existing map. I guess it's just because I wasn't good at creating maps.

[kersus]

Nov 20, 2009 10:51:38 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

Hm. Honestly I'd much rather see fully-fleshed-out adventure modules. But it's an interesting approach.

I prefer the fleshed out ones myself. I quite enjoy adventure modules that are easy to use. I especially lean on low level modules as I find them easier to modify for any level.

Map sets are interesting, but maps seem to draw themselves for me if I have a concept already.

Still, I'm interested in anything PPP puts out