Bard’s Tale Trilogy – Tales of the Unknown is centered around a single town with dungeons and towers to explore.
“The dungeon unfolds in real-time. Explore every path. Solve the puzzles. Track encounters you want to grind. Draw a map.”
Cartographer supply
Mapping Tools
Real-time mapping can be fun with the right tools. Feel a sense of accomplishment after meticulously mapping a dungeon or castle. Manual mapping can add incremental reward where otherwise an adventure is just endlessly confronting enemies. The Bard’s Tales Trilogy remaster has real-time mapping built in. The original versions do not even have a map in-game.
Graph Paper
You only need some graph paper, a pencil, and the Scry Site spell to craft functional maps. As you take steps and turn corners you simply write it down. Notate doors, stairs, secret doors, elevators, sign clues, and encounters. All maps are 22×22. If you get teleported, write down where you were then cast Scry Site to see where you landed.
Software
Gridmonger
If you don’t want to use graph paper and pencil then go for a free mapping tool such as Gridmonger. This is a truly exceptional tool and I highly recommend it. Read the online manual it is very well written and clearly explains what you need to know. This tool is designed to use keyboard entry which makes it quite simple to Alt+Tab between the Game window and the Gridmonger window to map as you play, never needing to touch the mouse. Exceptional tool with themes and support for dungeon or overworld maps.
https://gridmonger.johnnovak.net/
Where are We?
Another exceptional tool is the Where are We? application. This is companion software that runs while you are playing The Bards Tale Original Trilogy. Real-time maps reveal as you explore and display an arrow for your party that moves around the map in step with your in-game movements. Check it out.
https://www.eskimo.com/~edv/lockscroll/WhereAreWe/
Find a Map
If a will to map fails you. You can find plenty of maps online or in the official clue book. I have curated a few below. But before you look… we still suggest you use real-time mapping. The dungeon can come alive as you reveal it, one square at a time. Ok, I have said my piece.
Click to reveal the maps
Skara Brae
Wine Cellar
Sewers – Level 1
Sewers – Level 2
Sewers – Level 3
Catacombs – Level 1
Catacombs – Level 2
Catacombs – Level 3
Harkyn’s Castle – Level 1
Harkyn’s Castle – Level 2
Harkyn’s Castle – Level 3
Kylearan’s Tower
Mangar’s Tower – Level 1
Mangar’s Tower – Level 2
Mangar’s Tower – Level 3
Mangar’s Tower – Level 4
Mangar’s Tower – Level 5
source: www.BardsTaleOnline.com
How to obtain a copy of this game
GOG link – Digital PC Bundle (Remastered Trilogy) (includes games 1-3)
GOG link – Digital PC Bundle (Action RPG Version 2004) (includes Original Trilogy 1-3)