Grim’s Dungeons of Doom: The tables are turned (or constructed…)

Now I’m back off my recent holiday, I wanted to get back into the further adventures of fleshing out my dungeon creation. Since my last related post was the Free Books PDF, I wanted to show you how to make stuff that you can display your newly constructed pieces upon.

This project is easy-peasy, really simple and will get you loads of nice tables for your dungeons, RPGs and Wargaming. This is just one simple way out of many. Remember we are just creating a flat top with four legs, I’m just putting the creation of tables here, because its for completists sake (Plus there would be those out there who ask me to give a run through, so here they are.)

For this, you’ll need some lolly sticks, cardstock, glue (PVA, Superglue) and something to form the legs (we’ll get to those in a bit)

First,cut your lollysticks to form your tabletops. I used 3 lengths here,but you can use two. It depends on just how big you need the tables. You don’t need to measure, I do this by eye, but if you prefer measure them if you like (if they are uneven you can trim them after the next bit.)

Cut a piece of cardstock and white glue it on to join the slats.It should be smaller than the width, but still wide enough to glue all the slats. You can join the pieces side on, but this way is quicker and makes the tops sturdier (Plus, you wont see the underside anyway) You can trim them up when the glue has set.

For the legs, I’m using skull beads that I got for a couple of pounds from over on ebay. Stick on the legs with strong glue (superglue I used here)

Since the height wasn’t sufficient enough, I added some little glass squares I had, taken from a christmas bauble that was destined for the bin, although its up to you what use as risers or legs for that manner,use what you have (matchsticks, dowel, cigarette filters, junk etc) Since theres not much to the tables, adding character to the legs is a good move.

Now, stick them down with superglue or any strong glue to the base (cardstock) and leave to dry.

Next, Spray/paint them with a black undercoat (or your preferred method) and leave to dry.

Base coat with a dark brown (mine was Burnt Umber) or your choice, and slowly build up your desired wood colour to lighter shades.

When the basic table is finished, paint in the base to match your set up.

Now its time to add your decorations. I added my patented homemade mini candles since I’d imagine if there were something being used on them, they’d need light to see! Then just add your books, scrolls or maps to your hearts content! After this, they are ready to go. I made a few tables, and from the PDF I got quite a few variations as you can see below.

The table above is straight out of Fighting Fantasy! A dungeon map and a map of the FF gameworld Allansia. A few scrolls and maps and books and its all ready for any dungeoneers to come across it on their adventures!

This arcane table has magic books and tarot. I think Mr Crowley would approve!

See, easy as pie. You can add all sorts of bits and pieces in addition to the books from the PDF, Skull beads can be used, as can weapons or anything you like. Its an easy and quick project that can give a great end result,so why don’t you give it a go?

I’ll be back next, with more tiny furniture, and more to stick your PDF books on, so I’ll see you then!

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