I spent way too long making this table version of my hex map only to realize, hang on, shouldn’t the players’ map be completely blank? Damn. Maybe I can figure out a way to make physical fog of war for the players to remove as they go? Ideas?
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That's just plain lovely.
aug 30, 2025, 2:42 pm • 2 0 • view
Ok this looks sweet af! Are the markers permanent? I'm imagining a tapestry like this on the wall, with the sheets of dead characters as trophies
aug 30, 2025, 3:25 pm • 1 0 • view
I sure hope they’re permanent haha
aug 30, 2025, 3:39 pm • 1 0 • view
Perhaps it’s fine to have their map like this just without labels and POIs…
aug 30, 2025, 1:34 pm • 14 0 • view
I just let my players have the map!
aug 30, 2025, 4:42 pm • 1 0 • view
Give the player characters an in-game map of the region, and then give the players the physical map.
aug 30, 2025, 1:38 pm • 2 0 • view
That’s probably the best idea. Give them an almost blank map at the start, with just the nearest, known locations marked. And then they can spend some gold on a world map when they reach the first proper city. And that’s this.
aug 30, 2025, 1:40 pm • 3 0 • view
Just make sure that amazing art work doesn't go to waste. That's the most important thing.
aug 30, 2025, 1:42 pm • 1 0 • view
Also I’m fully aware that that peninsula looks like a dick. (Penisula?)
aug 30, 2025, 1:33 pm • 4 0 • view
Don't they all, really?
aug 30, 2025, 2:42 pm • 0 0 • view
If this is just for the tabletop, construction paper works well to cover broad swaths of terrain, though it's still susceptible to wind (natural and player-generated). Post-it notes give you finer control, but it looks like you'll go through a pad or two to cover this beast.
aug 30, 2025, 1:36 pm • 3 0 • view
Confetti - just blanket the map and shove it out of the way as needed when they go
aug 30, 2025, 8:54 pm • 0 0 • view
1. Layer a see-through plastic film over it, 2. Spray paint it with chalk paint, 3. Erase areas as needed (chalk paint can be removed with water) you can still lift the plastic to see where they're going, but on their end there'll be an actual fog of war
aug 30, 2025, 4:54 pm • 1 0 • view
There's been this example of scratch-off map recently: mekhami.substack.com/p/scratch-of...
aug 30, 2025, 1:37 pm • 2 0 • view
A pad of tracing paper and washi tape to hold it down? It's easy to tear through when you need to. A friend of mine uses it in art to partially obscure stuff.
aug 30, 2025, 1:50 pm • 3 0 • view
I mean, just because they have the hexes doesn't mean they've explored it. Leave it as is and let them drive the exploration 🤷♀️
aug 30, 2025, 2:37 pm • 2 0 • view
Its far too late but you could have Felt Board'd it
aug 30, 2025, 2:33 pm • 2 0 • view
label the big dungeons, tear the map into pieces, and hand them out as parts of a larger incomplete treasure map
aug 30, 2025, 6:07 pm • 7 0 • view
This is the way Also add fake shit to it first
aug 30, 2025, 6:10 pm • 3 0 • view
Is there a reasonable chance that cartographers came thru? You could give them the map and then just add notable locations as they go?
aug 30, 2025, 4:34 pm • 2 0 • view
Fog of war - depending on your paper there are some soft kinds of tape that don't tear off the paper when you remove it. I usually find it in art supply stores for watercolours, or maybe washi will work. Depending on the size of hte map might be a pain to cover it though.
aug 30, 2025, 1:48 pm • 0 0 • view
Hehe yeah this is drawn on one of those giant chessex vinyl mats so I might need a lot of tape. Don’t mind it though, might do that. Or post-its.
aug 30, 2025, 1:45 pm • 2 0 • view
Combine both approaches? Put postits for far away areas to cover large swathes quickly (as PCs won't get there soon) and tape for close ones, for more gradual reveal.
aug 30, 2025, 2:02 pm • 0 0 • view
I often give my players outdated or partial map and so far it worked well - gives them some starting options and me something to ground them in; - doesn't have to be correct (i.e. gives a layer of history) - they still need to either research to avoid nasty surprises or take risks venturing blind.
aug 30, 2025, 1:45 pm • 1 0 • view
You can always use the old tried and true, pieces of strategically placed papers 😂
aug 31, 2025, 4:53 am • 1 0 • view
Johan, that’s a beautiful map! I’d gladly print that out to play my solo campaign with 😌 I recently printed out a Dyson logos map and got laminated for another game going to start soon
aug 30, 2025, 1:38 pm • 4 0 • view
I just cover it with paper and reveal what they need to see
aug 30, 2025, 2:12 pm • 0 0 • view
Wait wait wait. You drew that map? Incredible!
aug 30, 2025, 3:11 pm • 5 0 • view
@paulsgameblog.bsky.social made a map like that with magnetic hexes covers that could be lifted & revealed as players entered each space. Worked great!
aug 30, 2025, 1:50 pm • 1 0 • view