"Building the Hive for the Conventions" Topic

I will be taking the Hive on the road to several conventions this summer. I'm still trying to figure out how to make a standard convention table look like a giant termite mound

I dyed a number of sheets reddish brown. I may need to streak them somewhat. I am still volume limited in terms of how much the little Ford Ranger can hold. I can't do a lot of foam sheeting or other 3D scenics.

So will colored sheeting be enough?

I would think that the sheeting, along with something to delineate appropriately colored tunnel walls, should work just fine.

I saw those in Western Australia, and really wanted to make some up for my colonial games!

What will you be doing with the hive? I thought of them being many stories high, so climbing them is an option. If that's the case, the compressed mountains from the old Major General Tremorden Rederring website might be a good idea. If it is just a backdrop, then definitely the sheets would do the job. If you are planning on tunnel fighting, then draping the sheets over a framework with the tunnels marked inside would be necessary.

Just as a general philosophy thing, for volume, you could cut back the amount of other stuff you bring (bring as few dice, tape measures and figures as possible, but don't leave the deodorant behind) and go for the "Best Table" award at the convention.

Grelber

Bring a couple of cans of expanding foam and a couple of reddish brown spray paint.

Terry is a rules author, and will be demo'ing his own work, so assume whatever he takes, he'll take it as necessary to do the job.

I'd think maybe something to stiffen the sheeting, though may I assume you intend to 'fold and lie flat?'

Reminds me a bit of the old Guns of Navaronne playset mountains we've used in Martian games as edge-of-table Kraag aeries. They're big, but hard plastic means you can store a b***-load of stuff in them, as long as you protect the painted side.

Doug

Some great ideas here, THANKS!

Rubberized undercoat rattlecans to paint the cloth? Or maybe silicone caulking worked into the cloth?

More good ideas! At least I have until May to get all this ready!

Actually, a box used to carry everything, some carved styro to 'undulate' the top, sides, and corners, and blu-tac on day of game.

Doug

So right now I am thinking of using fabric over a number of the boxes I use to move miniatures and terrain around. The weights for the squadron movement stands fit into the plastic tubs from which clean cat litter comes. Those and some of the other boxes should would perfectly for higher levels of The Hive.

I'll still need to see if I can texture the fabric to give it more visual appeal

I could have sworn I replied to this…

I'd stiffen the drop cloth with some brown/tan silicone caulk. Use a squeegee to force it into the weave of the fabric, and you can then sprinkle some grass or other ground cover onto it before it sets. Use a couple different makers to get different colors.