Poster Map Visual Index
by Mike Shea on 3 October 2011
The published poster map is one of the greatest tools of the lazy dungeon master. It gives lazy DMs a large, high quality map full of great details for environmental effects and terrain powers. Figuring out which map you might want to use can be daunting if you have a large collection of them. With that in mind, I give you the Poster Map Visual Index, a gallery of published maps that makes it easy for you to pick out the right map at the right time.
Download the Poster Map Index (23 megs .zip)
Making it your own
The maps in the map index are only the maps I happen to have in possession. Very likely your own collection is quite different. Use the images in this album to build a collection of the maps you have. Use your own index to make it easy for you to select the right map at the right time.
A tool for planning
A lot of DMs build their adventure from the story outward but sometimes you need some inspiration to fuel your encounters. Browsing through your own poster map index can give you those ideas. Maybe it's time your group went into a lava-filled chasm, headed into the desert, or got into an old-fashioned street brawl. When you find yourself stuck for ideas, browse through your own poster map visual index and come up with some interesting encounters.
A more flexible story
For the truly lazy DM, you might keep a pile of maps on hand during your game. As your group explores your small world, choose the right map for the encounter into which they stumble. Mixed with the Monster Vault and a box of minis, you can let your PCs head where they want without having to force them down the path you've already built up. This can save you a lot of time in preparation and give them a lot more freedom in their choices and actions.
If you found this useful, take a look at Sly Flourish's Dungeon Master Tips and Running Epic Tier D&D Games. The Monster Vault and Monster Manual 3 are great companions to your map index for the lazy dungeon master. You can also pick up some of these published maps and some great Gamemastery Flip Maps from Troll and Toad, an official Sly Flourish sponsor.
Send feedback to mike@mikeshea.net.
