Sometimes I convert a D&D map into just a node edge graph. The graphs strip away the graph paper and just let the rooms and corridor connections float and cascade down.
(Image 1) is of the four levels of The Temple of Elemental Evil.
(Image 2) is of all the caves of chaos from The Keep on the Borderlands.
(Image 3) is all the maps connected from WG7 Castle Greyhawk.
Experiment trial number 2, with combining level 1 and level 2 of Temple of Elemental Evil. (Image 1) The idea is the players can come down into the temple via one of the elemental factions, Earth, Wind, Fire, Earth and they are all situated around the ways down.
(Image 2) A few rooms had to be cut out to get the pieces to fit together, but they can be worked back into the map by expanding it, taller or wider.
Very rough draft of what lies beneath the 4 elemental temples of the last map (see https://social.vivaldi.net/@randomwizard/116302861387673932)
The idea is, you get an elemental robe from either the earth, wind, fire, earth temple and you get to go down into the dungeon wearing that robe.
So cutting up the faction areas of the old temple and placing them right beneath their various above ground entrances, the adventuring party can wander their elemental area freely.
It is just hacked up pieces at the moment, to get the idea across.
I am not an artist. But I decided to sketch out an alternate Temple of Elemental Evil. And as I started thinking about it and scribble down some ideas of the layout, I realized, I would not have one giant church like building at all.
Instead, I think the actual four elements should factor into the area more from the start.
One tower has an eternal flame burning at the top of it. The other tower has a horn. In between, a waterfall cascades down into a lake that flows into a flooded grove. In the center of the grove is an ancient worn down statue.
A stone hedge with a small pool in the center lies to the west.
A small encampment of merchants and soldiers lies to the east.
The south is a cave to the underworld. At the entrance is a small graveyard with two mausoleums.
The idea is that the elemental priest factions all have a presence on the surface. The players can just stroll into the area and interact with them. Maybe they will even give the players a mission to further their faction.
Right from the start. Players often need some guidance or the adventure just sort of meanders and the goal is not very apparent.
Once again, ScottyG, long ago, pointed out something interesting about T1-4 ToEE. The dungeon beneath the moathouse has rooms shaped like letters, E, L, M, N, T, A, I, and V.
With those letters you can spell ELEMENTAL EVIL.
Used some icons from https://game-icons.net/ to spruce up the circular demonweb map.
Was messing around with Dave Sutherlands Demonweb map. Was thinking of ways to make it more like a spiderweb. Spent a bunch of time coming up with (Image 2) but it looks more like a space portal from Buck Rogers than a web.
Thinking more of Dave Sutherland's rendition of the Demonweb and how that would tie back into Temple of Elemental Evil. At various points on the map, the party just encounters room where they must defeat what is there (usually demons) and then must have one of the 4 elemental keys, and at that point they teleport to another part of web. I drew arrows to show the jump.
It feels to me, just a bit too convenient. Too linear, even though, it is a maze of meant to confuse people. It also seems so... un-realistic for actual use. Why are there demons just waiting around? And why does defeating them and holding the key just BOOM, you teleport. I know, I know... MAGIC! But still, it just seems all very gamey. Here are the set piece battles you will have to get through. Step by step, to get to Lolth.
Just another Gary Gygax quote from enworld concerning #toee
As for Q1 , Ask Dave Sutherland and Brian Blume about that. It was taken out of my hands by the latter when Sutherland discovered the
"Demonweb" pattern in a hand towel and talked Brian into using it as the main theme for the concluding module. I had no creative control over it.
I had hoped to get to the Elder Elemental god in a sequal to the ToEE, but...
Bah,
randomwizard