Justin Andrew Mason - Paths to Adventure: February 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Cartographer's Cache #004: Ice Caves of the Frost Drake

The fourth issue of Cartographer's Cache is here! This issue features a map of glacial caves caught in the deep freeze of the arctic -- and the frigid frost drake that inhabits them. Versions o the map include both gridded and non-gridded with and without map icons (perfect for virtual tabletop gaming).

Cartographer's Cache is a monthly RPG map series that I am releasing via this blog. Each month I will create a new map and release it as a pay-what-you-want product on DriveThruRPG.com. Usually the theme of each month's map is decided by public vote via my various social media accounts; primarily Facebook. However, to "catch up" with the publication schedule after a heavy workload I selected this month (December 2016) simply around a "winter" theme.

Each map is released as a compiled PDF that is sized to a full-page 8.5" x 11 template at 600 dpi resolution. Versions for each map included in each release will be suitable for campaign planning, game table handout, and virtual tabletop (VTT) play will be included with each issue.

You can get this product for Free (pay what you want) exclusively at DriveThruRPG.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Cartographer's Cache #003: Ascension Isle & Highport: City of Airship Pirates

The third issue of Cartographer's Cache is here! I apologize for the delay on this series -- this issue was supposed to be released more than three months ago, but my cartography orders from publishers suddenly skyrocketed with a few large upcoming publications. So, now I'm backtracking and getting the series caught up. I plan to be back on schedule for March 2017.

This issue features a map of a the floating island known as Ascension and its lone settlement, Highport -- city of airship pirates. This map is done on the "overworld" scale so offers no grids. However, this issue does come with a layered TIF graphic file that allows the floating isle to be repositioned, rotated, or pasted over top of a different "ground" map. Daytime and nighttime versions of the maps (both labeled and unlabeled) are included in the PDF.

This month's theme was suggested by Robert D Smith via Facebook.

You can get this product for Free (pay what you want) exclusively at DriveThruRPG.

Friday, February 24, 2017

The Perils of... VTT Cartography Series

Recently I was asked to create three new "map packs" to be included within the content marketplace of a world-building software. Not really given any specific guidelines, I decided to make three series each of 24 themed maps (72 maps in all) that I would want to have access to when world-building.

Series I and Series II are both interconnecting geomorphic sets that can be rotated, flipped, and mirrored to create hundreds of potential dungeon and cavern layouts. For the third series I decided to create a group of detailed landmasses. Once the series was completed and submitted to the publisher for inclusion I was informed that they couldn't be used due to their "interconnecting" features, and asked to put together another series of "map packs" that are not linked to each other.

While I work on creating another set of maps for that publisher, I decided to turn an unfortunate miscommunication into an opportunity, and I am now using this blog to self-publish the unused series.

I'm very happy to present the "Perils of..." VTT Cartography Series:

Perils of the Endless Megadungeon; Series I: Dungeon Complex ($6.95) [Video Preview]
Perils of the Endless Megadungeon; Series II: Caverns ($6.95) [Video Preview]
Perils of the Mysterious Lost Lands: Series III: Landmasses ($6.95) [Video Preview]
Perils of... VTT Map Bundle Deal [Series I, II, & III] ($15.96) - 23% Bundle Discount

Each of these map-pack titles are available for purchase via DriveThruRPG.

3 Sample Maps from Series I: Dungeon Complex

3 Sample Maps from Series II: Caverns

3 Sample Maps from Series III: Landmasses

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Cackling Madness of Umberstone Manor

Another Mini-Dungeon adventure that I authored is now available for purchase. The Cackling Madness of Umberstone Manor (published by AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com) is an adventure for 3-4 PCs of levels 13-15.

A cursed manor house, a brood of ancient vampires, and a brave heroine determined to free an unsuspecting city by any means necessary collide in the ancient struggle between good and evil. The Cackling Madness of Umberstone Manor is a Pathfinder RPG compatible adventure for 3-4 PCs of levels 13-15.

Can the adventurers solve the mystery of the Cackling Madness that has befallen the city of White Oak’s Shire? What secrets might they uncover? This Mini-Dungeon covers several detailed locales in the valley below Mount Shalefor, and an opportunity to explore the setting from urban streets, to shadowy forest, to dank caves, and even up to the mountain summit. Peril, mystery and reward await the brave and stalwart in this horror mystery.

This adventure is available for purchase via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, and Paizo.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Dungeon Builder's Deck

The huge deck of geomorphic dungeon map cards I created is now available for purchase! I'm very excited to see this deck released, and they come in the newly designed OBS tuckbox. Available in print as a deck of 114 cards, or in digital format (for use in VTT platforms).

The Mini-Dungeon Collection from AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com brings you the new Dungeon Builder’s Deck suitable for use with any gaming system. This collection of 114 double-sided full-color standard poker-sized cards–each printed with a different interconnecting geomorphic dungeon map–allows you to quickly build a dungeon for your tabletop roleplaying game with the placement of only a few cards.

Generate random dungeons or pick-and-choose the configuration
Rotate or flip the cards to access over 450 unique map segment configurations
Card faces include pre-designed map icons to inspire creativity on the fly
Card backs include the same map layout without any map icons
Each card depicts between 1 – 9 uniquely designed dungeon rooms
Over 720 dungeon rooms of various shapes and sizes represented, and endless corridors
Utilize standard polypropylene 9-pocket card display pages to create convenient 3x3 card maps that fit in any binder and are dry-erase compatible

This deck of cards is available for purchase via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, and Paizo.

Preview of 9 cards (front and back) from
the 114-card Dungeon Builder's Deck

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Featured Reviews

Endzeitgeist reviewed Maw of the Dark Tide published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason’s “Maw of the Dark Tide” requires a bit of templating work, but oh boy is it worth it! The floating fortress is unique, the artifacts are cool and the super-boss is BRUTAL when built according to specifications... 5 stars + seal of approval..

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Wrath of the Jötunn published by AAW Games.

This module at once manages to evoke themes of old-school masterpieces, the sense of myth, the sense of plausibility and the new-school focus on a captivating narrative, with tons of read-aloud text, diverse challenges... My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars + seal of approval and this is furthermore a candidate for my Top Ten of 2017.

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Winter's Roar - Vikmordere Bestiary published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason and developer Stephen Rowe are both names that I associate with quality; in this instance, however, they delivered something that exceeded my expectations. My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars + seal of approval and this is furthermore a candidate for my Top Ten of 2016. Get this!

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed The Vikmordere published by AAW Games.

This is a really good, system-neutral first look at the Vikmordere, one that does not SPOIL any of the modules featuring them, while giving players a good first grasp of these peoples. My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars + seal of approval.

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Raider’s Haul – Vikmordere Magic Item Compendium published by AAW Games.

I love this book and while it may not be 100% perfect, it is very close to that... at least for me. My final verdict will hence clock in at 5 stars + seal of approval.

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Madam Margareth's Magic Potion published by Playground Adventures.

Fun, educational and suitable for children of all ages (and even open-minded adults who enjoy this kind of thing), this little educational adventure is absolutely awesome – 5 stars + seal of approval. We need more of them! Seriously, so much more! "

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed The White Wyrm Awakens published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason’s fifth mini-dungeon for ITWG is friggin’ AWESOME. High-concepts, awesome benefit, evocative culture and dungeon – superb. 5 stars + seal of approval, given sans any hesitation."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Assassin's Breach published by AAW Games.

"...this has the potential to be pure, unadulterated awesomeness and elicit multiple WTF-reactions from your players. My final verdict will hence clock in at 5 stars and I’ll add my seal of approval as well... now to plot how to integrate the inn in my next campaign..."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Summoner's Remorse published by AAW Games.

"Justin Andrew Mason pushes the boundaries of the series in this module, providing a rather atmospheric, awesome mini-dungeon for your perusal – from cool adversaries to nasty atmosphere, solid challenges and a sense of urgency, this one delivers more than a file of its length conceivably has a right to – excellent job, well worth 5 stars + seal of approval."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Stowaway on the Singing Sea published by AAW Games.

If you have good roleplayers in your group, this’ll be pure gold... My final verdict will hence clock in at 5 stars.

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed The Unreachable Terror published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason’s “The Unreachable Terror” pushes the envelope of the format in a great way. Concisely written and flavorful, this is well worth a final verdict of 5 stars. clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Mysteries of the Endless Maze published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason’s Mysteries of the Endless Maze is an amazing little puzzle-dungeon... All in all, a well-crafted mini-dungeon worth of a final verdict of 5 stars.

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed The Burning Tree of Coilltean Grove published by AAW Games.

Justin Andrew Mason’s mini-dungeon here is simply awesome – beyond the obvious roleplaying potential... This is a great use of the format and well worth a final verdict of 5 stars.."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed The Lapis Maiden of Serena Hortum published by AAW Games.

"Justin Andrew Mason’s Mini-Dungeon is compelling – either as straight-forward hack and slay or as an infiltration, this one offers a nice story, a cool backdrop, diverse challenges and even a bit of social interaction, this is a great example of what can be done with a straight-forward, smart application of the limiting mini-dungeon-formula. My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Endzeitgeist reviewed Ways of the Old published by AAW Games.

"Justin Andrew Mason’s fourth mini-dungeon does it right: We have a great, flavorful build-up; evocative read-aloud text…and non-combat means to resolve the danger. Traps and even a bit of investigation set-up (optional) are provided – this is great and makes the formula work in spite of its brevity. My final verdict 5 stars."

You can read this full article and other product reviews by clicking here.

Be sure to check out Endzeitgeist's Patreon for Roleplaying Game Reviews.

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