Here's my proof that the new signature setting of 4th edition D&D is closer in spirit to the Old School Renaissance (OSR) than its proponents or detractors might care to admit. It's also my gift to two unfortunately divided camps in the fandom of D&D - 4E'ers and OSR'ers.

Behold my gift of reconciliation:



The homebase "Loudwater" (M20) is described on pages 6 and 10-17 of the
Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (FRCG). Red crosses on the map mark
adventure locations described (and some even detailed) in the book's opening chapter.

HEX_____Entry (and FRCG page reference)
G13____Hidden Caves of Eryndlyn: lead to an outpost of drow traders
             worshipping Ghaunadaur (Menzoberr.Boxed Set: I,3).
G14____Dragonspear Castle: haunted by undead (36).
H14____Misha's Warren: a hobgoblin clan lairs here (37).
I16____Icy Court of Meiriona: ancient ruins (37).
K16____Ruins of Zelbross: slave traders (32-35).
L16____Dire Wood (28).
K18____Miyentar Towers (37).
M20____Loudwater: underworld crime afoot! (28-31)
M21____Highstar Lake (38).
M22____Hall of the Hammer: remants of a dwarven hall (36).
N18____Dragaurroch Tower (28).
N22____Barrow of the Ogre King: goblin raiders camp here (8-9, 18-27).

If some portions of the landscape look unfamiliar to you, that's probably due to my charcoals, watercolours, and of course - the spellplague!

Rob "Points of Light" Conley - this one's for you. Hope you like it.

(PS. Cross-posted on Enworld.)

UPDATE, March 16 2010: All Further Info to go with the Map now available for Download as PDF

I originally showed a scan of my (handwritten!) random encounter tables deeply buried in the thread, namely here. I have now made a neat layout of that which should be much more legible:

Random Encounter Tables for D&D 4E.

You still need to go to this link for instructions on how these tables work. In short, they don't give you individual monsters, but worked out 'encounter groups' which the tables reference by EL and (in parenthesis) page references to the MM1 or MM2 - so "3(19)" means 'EL 3 (check page 19 in MM 1)".

Other than that, I've collected all the hex entries into one PDF as well, which you can download here:

Hex Reference for the map above - 4E Silver Marches

I don't get it.  Do I have the dumb?

I dumb too.

I'm guessing its how the new Forgotten Realms lines up very nicely with a hex grid, ala Mystara.

Just more edition trolling

Hasbro games are a lot like Thai ladyboys. They might look good, and talk a good game, but appearances can be most deceiving.

Quote from: Windjammer;355021Here's my proof that the new signature setting of 4th edition D&D is closer in spirit to the Old School Renaissance (OSR) than its proponents or detractors might care to admit. It's also my gift to two unfortunately divided camps in the fandom of D&D - 4E'ers and OSR'ers.

4e and the OSR are practically twins. I read Grognardia sometimes and giggle at how much he's describing 4e. We ought to stand side by side, proud of our ability to live without detailed mechanics for social interactions and our love for stunts, but alas...

Good job on the map.

Quote from: RockViper;355038Just more edition trolling

Pretty sure his intent is the opposite.

Did you paint that map yourself, Windjammer? It looks good!

Quote from: Melan;355069Did you paint that map yourself, Windjammer? It looks good!

Thanks. Yes I did paint it myself, starting on a white A3 sheet with the hex grid + region names printed onto it (I can't do writing on maps well).

And yes the intent is the exact opposite of trolling. You can run a game in the spirit of the OSR off that map straight away. Minus the grid and my watercolour, that's the map of 4E's signature setting.

I think setting/edition bashing is fun when it's playful. But when people seriously start drawing battle lines in a niche hobby it starts to get stupid. This is different than having preferences and stuff. I've seen D&D players call each other names because they didn't play the same edition as one another.

Also: That's an amazing map, dude!

-=Grim=-

As a "Hey, check out my map!" thread, I'm totally digging the OP.

Hey there's my dungeon! (Vault of Xammux!)

That's one seriously cool map. Great work!