Cute way to provide an updating map to the players

I've tried a few times a thing where I published a Google Drawing as my character sheet, and then I could update the sheet by editing the drawing.

Making the map of a dungeon a GM Library character, then removing a mask from the map as the characters progress through the dungeon, would be a neat trick.

You can do this with otfbm as well.







.... and so on.

The issue with otfbm is that if a player knows how the code works, they can just reveal the map by excluding the fog of war code. I've started using GIMP to reveal my maps as the players make their way through the dungeon

GIMP is what I used to use, it is just a bit time consuming and you can't adjust on the fly from your phone. I tend to run modules anyway which also means that it's not super hard for my players to get the maps for themselves if they really want to do that.

I haven't yet used it in a game, but I've messed around with this a bit in the past.

The interesting part for me was the fact that, when you use this for a map, you can open it up to players so they can add landmarks and notes if they want to. Or move their character marker on the combat grid to where they want to be. Although, I think it does require everyone to log in with a google account. (Maybe for privacy reasons that would not be perfect)

I believe it also tracks changes, which could be useful.

If anyone wants to give it a try, I posted a short guide in Discord a while ago
https://discord.com/channels/383334180010065921/907079895925018675/960964330009010176

In my mad experiments, wrapping a huge ass otfbm link in a zoom map tag can help as well.

Edit: oh, npc tag. Smart

Talking of mad experiments... a little CSS and an animated gif can jazz up a battlemap.

That's niiiice.

otfbm is supposed to be able to do that but I've never really gotten into looking up all the integrations it has available. The google board would probably be easier for that.

That's awesome!

Ta. That's an extreme example that happened for one round when the battlefield was bombarded - if it was every battlemap it'd be very annoying. But I find snow, rain, and fog can help add some atmosphere.

It's not just for OtFBM, CSS will work on any image and zoommaps too.

1290,2400 | Party | Green
1670,2160 | Bremen
2830,2180 | Caer-Dineval
2806,2516 | Easthaven
3126,2350 | Skriip - "something suspicious" | Red
2530,3420 | Marked on duergar map | Red
2350,2644| Good Mead
2698,2483 | Torrga's camp
1756,2256 | Targos
2200, 1937 | Termalaine
1946,2384 | Bryn Shander
2082,3501 | Metal's source | Red
2835,1725 | Duergar fortress
598, 1449 | Dark Duchess | Red
3734,1875 | The Thorns | Red
2090,2147 | Anders' shack
2336,2118 | Oobok's resting place
2160,2560 | Anders' cave

Thanks for sharing Adam, that CSS is very cool. I'm definitely going to add that to my tool set of GP tricks.

tibbius, that's a good idea. I've been brainstorming something similar, I'll let you know if anything comes of it.

Have to admit, those examples are pretty epic, Adam! :O
I didn't know those things were possible.

Sweet, Adam! Impressive stuff!