What’s the Crock Pot? Just a simmering bowl of lentils and herbs, with a dash of DMing observations. Don’t be afraid to dip in your ladle and stir, or throw in something from your own spice rack.

Gotta Know When to Fold ‘Em

Card stock buildings, erasable battlemaps, D&D brand Dungeon Tiles, homemade encounter areas drawn with crayon. Those have been my tools in trade ever since I landed on the other side of the DM screen. For me, I think those aids and accompanying miniatures help D&D players jump into tactical combat and really utilize the abilities and feats on their character sheets.

Know when to walk away

Each has their advantages, whether it be 3-D representation, quick’n’easy utility, top-notch graphics or made-to-order designs. Their drawbacks are well-known, too, whether it’s burning through printer ink cartridges, the same color beige, organization of tiles, or prep time.

Know when to stir the (craft) pot

So I’ve taken the plunge. I’ve ordered some CastleMolds from HirstArts out of Sedalia, Mo. (Gotta talk up Missouri, the homestate of my beloved Mrs. Taylor). I’ve not much experience with plaster casts and silicon molds, but the aforementioned Mrs. Taylor has done such things for years, namely for Sunday School craft projects and the like. 

So the plan is to use these molds to creature a modular dungeon I can take to my gaming sessions. I won’t have to rely on cardstock or tiles or even the battlemap, anymore. With a set of these, I’ll have all the benefits of a 3-D dungeon, with the durability and adaptability to convert it into most nearly anything a Dungeon Tile can create.

Of course I have to build the thing, first. Oh, look, it’s time to cast another mold.

I’ll provide updates on the project as we go, and I’ll share what little I learn.