Hi all,

I'm trying a Thoumont's build and while I absolutely -love- the set, I'm trying to work out a way to do an 'accessible' attic without having to use a trap door- I'd like to put an objective up there. Unfortunately I can't work out how to do that- it's a small building, either 2 6x6 or 1 6x6 and a 3x6 tile, depending on what I want to use it for, and I can't work out a way to orient the stairs so that a) the end truss is secured with both tabs, and b) there's no weird gap so that you have to be an acrobat to 'get through' the door in the floating truss. Is there some way to do this, or am I going to have to go bigger or just use the trap door? Below is a PNG from the planner on the two layouts I've found that just don't look right, but I'm drawing a blank as to how to work this one out.

The 3x3 gaps are where I'd be putting stairs.

Welcome to the forums! I am sure there are people here who can help with this...I have not had the need to do this yet but i can see where there may be an issue. Hope to see some pics when built!

Hey Aref-naa,

Welcome to the forums.

I understand the problem you are having here. It was a problem I also encountered while designing the set. I have been mulling it over and over, but couldn’t find a good way to tackle this. I have been thinking about slot-in pieces to make the gaps for the stairs smaller. I have even been thinking about making floor tiles with parts cut out, to allow for stairs. The problem with all of this is that it gets really complicated really fast, because you would need a solution that works on grid less, 1" grids and 1,5" grids. And that would mean a lot of extra elements to provide (and trying to convey to you guys when to use what en what the little differences were)... A nightmare in other words.

That’s when we took a step back and decided for a different approach. On the last page of props, there are some stairs overlays to use. I know it isn’t as nice as having a real stairwell, but in a roleplaying game it works just as well (even better, because you can keep the different floors separated). You put the 3d stairs wherever you want them on the floor below, and just put the stair overlay in the corresponding position on the attic floor.

I am in the process of making 'spiral' stairs for the Friar. They essentially wrap around 2 sides of a 3"x3" tile. This may very well solve your issue. It's not high on my list of things to do, but I do have prototypes printed off. I may see about finding some time this weekend to see if they work.

I have a similar building I am in the process of making. See This Thread. The attic is going to be accessible from the tower....which is where I needed the spiral stairs.

I started mocking up some smaller pieces to fill in the 3x3 holes:

http://paperdungeon.blogspot.com/2011/07/stairwell-kitbash.html

The thing that always got in my way were the posts. The wall posts keep the stairs from fitting nicely in the corners, so they didn't line up with the openings. I think there was a kitbash to help remedy that by making the stairs slot into the posts, but I haven't pursued that. Instead I ended up realizing that it just wasn't necessary for effective gaming to have this level of detail in the terrain. As menace pointed out, the overlays work well.

the spiral stairs I am working on have a wall along one side. I need to cut out a couple spots for the posts to fit in, but the prototype is all cut out and folded.

Thanks for the tips- I actually found the prop stairs yesterday, while I was assembling props- 3 weeks of assembly, and I -think- I have enough for a small house in the Hinterlands I'll probably end up using that, with a smaller staircase- that should at least place the stairs -sensibly-. Though that spiral is -pretty-. I may see if I can work up something similar in the future- that'll give more options with a larger building, as well- I can see those fitting in beautifully with a post connector and a second wall on top, to get to a loft level.