tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post1965402577983747736..comments2024-02-27T01:17:39.925-08:00Comments on The Nine and Thirty Kingdoms: To Map Or NotTalysmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-80014047000751664742010-04-25T11:08:02.305-07:002010-04-25T11:08:02.305-07:00One of the reasons I see for mapping is to know wh...One of the reasons I see for mapping is to know where you were and what you did last session. I play in 2 different games that meet (more or less) regularly every 2 weeks and 1 game that meets 3 times a year or so (so it doesn't really count)... and having a map (as well as some notes as to what has occurred before)is an invaluable continuity tool.<br /><br />The player maps can be the sketchiest of sketchy things, with just lines for halls and squares for rooms with a note or two scrawled here or there. As a player, I usually try to take charge of remembering/noting where we were when last we met and what we were doing because with family and work obligations we seem to be able to meet to game so infrequently, and I like to be able to get back to things as quickly as possible. Maps and notes can be like the clips from the previous episode on your favorite TV show.<br /><br />Maybe it makes me an old 'stick in the mud' player, but I also like to explore dungeons rather than my character. I'm not saying that is the "right" way or the only way to play it, but I've been playing long enough to know that it is the way I prefer.Stefan Poaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192911890556534923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-67794201521199475882010-04-25T06:54:26.289-07:002010-04-25T06:54:26.289-07:00A large reason for mapping is removed if there is ...A large reason for mapping is removed if there is no reason to consult the map again. If the party never leaves the dungeon until they "complete" the adventure and never go back there is little to motivate mapping.JDJarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-68910849119562998982010-04-25T03:36:44.090-07:002010-04-25T03:36:44.090-07:00To be clear I don't think players conflate the...To be clear I don't think players conflate the two, I think *modern* (meaning young) players conflate the two. Because the only games they've ever played are all modern storypath/using minis and battle maps types and not sandbox/exploration style games. The point being is they come to the table with the expectation that "the DM will map".<br /> <br />I agree with you about mapping/exploration. I disagree with you about forcing players to map.<br /><br />> you make it back to the entrance<br /><br />Is an extreme method of handwave. Another would be to look at your map and (like many other aspects of the game) interpret for the players their characters knowledge. Saying you are at a four way, left is the way you came straight ahead is where you found the spider webs and to the right is unexplored.<br /><br />The nuclear option is don't run any "exploration" style adventures. Which is probably the better solution since players who say "we hate mapping" probably really mean "we hate exploration style adventures where 1/2 the point is drawing a map so we know where we've been and how to get home".Norman J. Harman Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01319655075997712313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-48616994140906274292010-04-25T01:48:09.325-07:002010-04-25T01:48:09.325-07:00Old Sckool Adventuring Rule #7
If you dungeon cra...Old Sckool Adventuring Rule #7<br /><br />If you dungeon crawl, you map.Pukakohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604000793097504083noreply@blogger.com