Tavern Taking Shape

Another WIP Wednesday installment as we’ve noticed how much y’all seem to enjoy when we post gameboard builds from recent DnD games here at 3DRPG Studios. So, grab a fresh mug of ale, and let’s take a deeper dive into one of our recent Tavern setups!

Your local tavern – an iconic meeting place in an iconic game. We love ’em. Our adventurers seem to walk into one at least every four game sessions or so. DM Ben wanted to ensure he had a fun and engaging go-to setup at the ready anytime the group decided to wander in and grab a fresh pint.

Today, we’ll focus on our beloved Milestone Heroes Village Inn FDM tiles, but if you need a quick and easy setting, consider grabbing Loke Battlemats’ Towns & Taverns Books of Battle Mats. DM Ben loves this high-quality map book and uses it in a pinch or when they go into a hole in a wall in a new town.

Let’s start with a wide shot. In terms of overall size, this setup utilizes the space of a Dwarven Forge Terrain Tray. We’re obsessed with their Terrain Trays because we keep a completed build on a shelf and just reach for it if the players make an unexpected diversion. They also make DM prep time so much easier.

You’re probably noticing our Hirst Arts door here (basically, what many of us used to build before 3D printers). Milestone Heroes has awesome workable doors, but we haven’t painted them quite yet. #shame

For the focal point of the tavern, we used two nifty pieces. The bar is by STL Miniatures, and the kegs/shelves piece is by EC3D Designs. As long as you have a bar to belly up to and some kegs behind the bartender, you’re in business.

Our absolute favorite tavern or inn table also comes from STL Miniatures’ fab Fantasy NPCs 2 Winemakers set. You’ll start to see a theme developing on many of our gameboard scatter piece reveals with this talented crew of designers. They make STL-themed sets for nearly every situation you can think of…and we own them all. 😉

We wanted to inject the rowdy atmosphere of a high-stakes card game gathered in a seedy corner of the bar. Once again, we looked to STL Miniatures and printed out this poker table from their Card Players set. This printed piece always gets an “oh my” from at least one player at the game table.

Besides, our players can never resist a couple of hands of Griffon’s Fork or Sixer Elixer. DM Ben always wants the players to have something to do when they walk into a tavern. Make it fun!

We’ve printed more fireplaces in all shapes and sizes than we can count. DM Ben usually lets the scenario decide which 3D print to use, but his default version is this smaller one by EC3D Designs. Space, more often than not, seems to be at a premium when setting up a tavern scene.

Lastly, we love the subtle touches. These stand-alone lantern posts, also by EC3D Designs, are charming and help immerse the group into the setting. We also love the Milestone Heroes wall tiles that include quaint things like curtains, which allow us to introduce little spots of color throughout the wood-dominant theme.

Don’t forget we published a comprehensive, step-by-step paint guide to help you get your printed tiles onto your own game table as fast as possible. Be sure to check it out!

Pretty fun, though, right?! So, come on -pull up a chair, buy DM Ben a drink, and stay awhile. 😉