Modular Dungeon - Bloated Blowfish :Commons Tavern

7 December, 1977:

The Blowfish Commons Tavern is the meeting place for most people, given it's proximity to the Lake Elise harbor, and being on the lower hillock overlooking the town of Troyen. The tavern features 2 floors; a lower level with large fireplace, and upper balcony region (with 2 private rooms) and outer balcony for solitude.

Roof:

 Second Floor - with Balcony, 2 private rooms, and outer balcony

 First Floor with Fireplace entrance and Steps leading up to the Regal Tavern/Inn

Basement with passage leading North to Barred Portcullis (Adventure Path 1)

Cheers,

Modular Dungeon - Bloated Blowfish Tavern - Finished

7 December, 1977:

After 48 hours of work, I'm proud to present the finished Bloated Blowfish Tavern/Inn. The next few posts will focus on the individual buildings, and includes floor plans (where applicable).

My original notes and maps included the following info:

The Blowfish was originally built on the ruins of a unfinished castle in the Crestfallen Mountains, and began operation in the only finished building, the guard tower. The tower was the first stronghold in the Troyen region, standing as both shelter and trading post to and from the Lake Elise region. Some 106 years later, the tower fell in disrepair as the result of a major quake that killed 14 guards and 23 peasants.

This particular quake led to the formation of two major features in the realm; the destruction of the 12000 foot peak known as Herald's Peak - which blocked the original Salt Route (altering the flow of the Soulease River), and caused the formation of Landsdrop. 

Lord Silverleaf, with son in tow made the journey shortly after news reached his court of the disaster. After surveys of the region deemed the event to have settled, a retainer by the name of Horace "Flatfoot" Feshel came forward with a bold plan - which led to to the construction of the series of buildings that have come to be known as "The Blowfish".

An overview of the complex:

 Blowfish Commons: Tavern

 Blowfish Regal: Tavern/Inn (Upper Promontory)

Blowfish Tower - Tavern/Inn (Upper Promontory)

Blowfish Stables - Upper Promontory

Cheers,

Modular Dungeon - Bloated Blowfish Tavern

7 December, 1977:

 

In 1977 the Bloated Blowfish was hand drawn on brown rolled paper, and included 3 separate taverns/inns situated on a hill side overlooking Lake Elise. Then I transferred it to graph paper.

 

When I started mapping it in Sketchup I had considered reworking some of the features. But I decided the design deserved to be preserved on this blog, and thus, included below are in-progress images of the very tavern this blog is named for. 

 

The familiar Sign:

 Approach on Tavern 1, commoners tend to flock here, and includes an upper level balcony 

 Entrance to Tavern 2, in the foreground, Tavern 1 in the background:

 Another view showing external rooms, and 2nd/3rd floors of Tavern 1:

Cheers,

Modular Dungeon - Blacksmith

23 December, 1978:

 

Continuing the Modular building designs I wanted to recreate my first Blacksmith Shop. This was a key point in the evolution of my campaign because this was the 2nd building I ever created - after the slightly famous tavern this blog is named for. 

Overview:

Close-up up of Anvil and Bellows:

More to come,

Modular Dungeon - Watermill

20 December, 1978:

Continuing the Modular Buildings, I decided to mash together a Watermill, which features a Gristmill for grinding flour. Originally I wanted to do a full river with inboard region where the water was directed into the feeding trough, but decided it was a feature I didn't need for this particular model.

An overview of the completed Gristmill with flowing water:

 Rear view with stairs/entrance:

Look inside with gears and mechanism:

Closeup of the waterway:

Cheers,

Modular Dungeon - Finished Outpost

19 December, 1978:

In my original notes from December of '78 I wrote:

"This outpost is approximately 50' tall and includes wooden stairs, crenelations, and arrow slots and doors near the top. It sets near a cliff edge, protected by water on the front and a sheer drop of some 33 feet to the back. The main entrance is protected by a drawbridge and includes a wheel mechanism to raise and lower it and a dungeon entrance is located in the basement, running off into the nearby foothills.".

Wheel Mechanism for the drawbridge with rope leading outside:

Stair/Railing, and arrow slot/door detail:

 Finished model with early afternoon shadows in place:

 Another view:

 Cutaway of the 6 level Outpost:

Cheers,

Modular Dungeon - Outpost- In Progress

This is a snapshot of in progress work on a Outpost Tower in Sketchup. Unlike the previous post, this is strictly a columnar design.

Drawbridge:

 Overview:

 Sectional view showing interior, drawbridge mechanism, dungeon and stairs

View with Drawbridge up:

Cheers,