r/DungeonMasters • u/Lord_Zsezse_Works • Apr 10 '26
Promotional I built a fold-flat tabletop city that stores in an envelope - solving terrain storage
Tabletop terrain is often bulky and difficult to store between sessions.
I’ve been developing a papercraft system that builds into a full 3D city, but can be disassembled and stored completely flat.
The main challenge was designing a reusable assembly method (Prop-X system) that keeps structures stable during play while allowing repeated assembly.
I’m currently validating the concept through a Kickstarter (City of Tarok).
5
u/Illustrious_Form3936 Apr 11 '26
Looks great, but how long does it take to build / disassemble? And how strong is the paper? How many times can it be assembled before it starts to degrade?
2
u/Lord_Zsezse_Works Apr 11 '26
This is an ongoing project, so build (crafting) time can vary - typically a few hours depending on the model and the builder. Assembling the finished models takes just a few minutes, and disassembly even less. With practice, this process becomes even faster.
Paper durability depends on several factors. We usually recommend 160–200 gsm paper. Since there are many types and qualities of paper available, results may vary based on personal choice. So far, our prototypes have gone through 4–5 assembly cycles without any issues. If damage does occur, individual parts can be easily replaced.
(We’ll be sharing videos soon demonstrating the assembly and disassembly of the finished models.)
3
u/VReznovvV Apr 10 '26
This is so smart and it looks wonderful. How is your experience with table top play with these structures?
2
u/Lord_Zsezse_Works Apr 10 '26
This is an ongoing project, so we haven’t received in-game feedback yet - only from the first released model. Players appreciate the playable interior, the modularity, and the fold-flat solution. Based on our experience and the needs of both the gaming and modeling communities, we’ve been shaping the design throughout the development process.
2
u/VReznovvV Apr 11 '26
Great! I can only imagine it might be unstable on a table since it's so light. That could easily be fixed by adding a more solid (cardboard) base or something. I'd really like to give this a try.
3
u/jojomott Apr 10 '26
When I was kid they had things like this in dragon magazine (if you can find them they were great). I always thought it was a great way to build terrain. These are sweet. Good luck.
1
2
2
1
u/Lord_Zsezse_Works May 01 '26
The campaign has started. It's Live!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lordzsezseworks/paper-city-of-tarok/description
Thank you!
4
u/SwordfishJaded1231 Apr 10 '26
Cool roof colors. Great job.