Wilderness Travel

Wilderness Travel

More than a line between two points

Travel is often summarised with a quick description or a few rolls for random encounters. While this approach keeps the game moving, it can overlook valuable moments for storytelling and immersion. Without context or consequence, these encounters may feel disconnected from the narrative, reducing the journey to little more than a line between two points on a map. 

Adding some detail to the journey is invaluable. It can add weight to rests, make a hard slog through Neverwinter Wood feel like there is danger to it, and give the players more buy-in to the world. 

The level of detail to add to the journey is entirely customisable, from adding a little flair with some ambient travel mood to driving sleet and having to find proper shelter or suffer exhaustion. 

This guide provides high-level mechanics to enhance journeys off the beaten path. 

What’s in this Guide 

This guide provides modular, optional mechanics to enhance wilderness travel. Use as needed to add immersion, challenge, and variety to journeys. 

• Ambient Travel Mood. A daily mood that shapes roleplay and atmosphere, influencing interactions, tone, and the feel of encounters. 
• Terrain. Travel pace and activity DC by environment. 
• Pace of Progress. Tracking travel, activities, and rest by dividing the day into six four-hour periods. 
• Travel Tasks. Rules for navigating, tracking, searching, foraging, and keeping watch. 
• Sleeping Rough. Conditions required for safe rest in the wilderness. 
• Sustenance. Daily food and water needs and the effects of going without them, including exhaustion for those who fall short. 
• Weather. Dynamic rain, wind, and temperature rules that evolve during travel. 
• Quick Reference Sheet. Refer to the rules at a glance with this one-page reference.

Each section can be used independently or combined to create meaningful, engaging travel.