Hey all, I’ve done a lot that I’m proud with in the past for random tables while traveling. Weather, encounters, and even the environment are all dynamic and changing in ways that my players enjoy.
What I feel like is missing is a fun way for the players to feel like they are plotting a course through my hexcrawl. They have a mostly blank map with points of interest that get added days or even weeks from their central location. While my players enjoy roleplaying around the fire, fighting monsters, and filling in the map as they go, a train ride could accomplish the same result.
Does anyone know an RPG system, or have some mechanics that facilitate the PC’s trailblazing a path? Using their survival skills to find a safe way forward, that kind of thing. Thanks!
You can also use the 4e skill challenge format for navigation. For example, I had my party engage in a skill challenge to find a secret enemy fortress, requiring five success before three failures. They rolled initiative and then took turns describing which skill their character would like to use to assist the party on the journey. One used Arcana to detect divination magic emanating from a clockwork ornithopter, allowing the party to hide from its view. Another used Athletics to scale the cliff of the canyon they were in to scout the path ahead. Everyone got to participate and they had the opportunity to be creative with some rarely used skills.