tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post5677736619326828259..comments2024-03-25T21:52:03.310-05:00Comments on Hill Cantons: Crawling Without Hexes: the PointcrawlChris Kutalikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-54414177197248074672023-03-28T15:30:15.311-05:002023-03-28T15:30:15.311-05:00It is too bad that Shamus left us in mid 2022.
S...It is too bad that Shamus left us in mid 2022. <br /><br />So many losses in the gaming community this last seven or eight years....Lux Mentishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16188286486649909678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-47705035366146902392021-12-01T10:01:00.029-06:002021-12-01T10:01:00.029-06:00If I may, just adding a little essay on the topic
...If I may, just adding a little essay on the topic<br /><br />https://alchemistnocturne.blogspot.com/2021/12/wilderness-pointcrawls-vs-hexcrawls-vs.htmlJack Tremainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12906068267967864239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-31529096729384460472021-12-01T10:00:20.303-06:002021-12-01T10:00:20.303-06:00Searching for secret paths just as if they were do...Searching for secret paths just as if they were doors. Jack Tremainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12906068267967864239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-6977827767722237422020-11-23T11:03:04.134-06:002020-11-23T11:03:04.134-06:00Frederick is completely missing from that MD map. ...Frederick is completely missing from that MD map. We have so many battlefields around here. Raging Owlbearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10556804177905125874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-13133217639008203762020-10-09T05:23:27.512-05:002020-10-09T05:23:27.512-05:00I was wondering, how do you handling discovery unk...I was wondering, how do you handling discovery unknown locations using this system? It looks very interesting.Red Dice Diarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16518202580306013414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-46038725245837193522016-12-21T23:21:15.775-06:002016-12-21T23:21:15.775-06:00I much prefer the idea of a point crawl vs a hex c...I much prefer the idea of a point crawl vs a hex crawl. Reminds me of most RPGs, in particular original Dragon Age and it's quest points. Couldn't you just make these handwritten notes straight onto your region map? (assuming there is one)Psikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744089998921613315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-8113551699321487252015-09-24T02:29:07.545-05:002015-09-24T02:29:07.545-05:00I used to own "A House Divided" but the ...I used to own "A House Divided" but the gameplay of grinding attrition was rather dull. :)<br />I think Pointcrawl structure is great when you don't want to use detailed maps, it would work for eg Underdark caves (and I've used it for that), for a mostly-empty megadungeon like Moria, and for a big city. It reminds me a lot of how Fighting Fantasy gamebooks are structured. What it does not help me do is describe a large-scale overland journey; I find that regular maps or detailed hex maps are best for that, with the particular points of interest called out. If hex map then I want a scale like 1 mile/hex or 2 miles/hex that gives a detailed view of the terrain, not 30 mile hexes.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-13811541278741978172014-11-18T15:30:08.676-06:002014-11-18T15:30:08.676-06:00I think your struggle sounds exactly like my own d...I think your struggle sounds exactly like my own dilemma when creating sub-systems. Chris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-10378923770637908752014-11-18T15:25:49.249-06:002014-11-18T15:25:49.249-06:00It's up here: http://hillcantons.blogspot.com/...It's up here: http://hillcantons.blogspot.com/2014/11/reader-query-random-solo-wilderness.htmlChris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-91675015681313825982014-11-18T15:10:09.224-06:002014-11-18T15:10:09.224-06:00CHris,
THanks! :) I'd love a link to the post...CHris,<br /><br />THanks! :) I'd love a link to the post whenever you make it—assuming it wasn't going to just be here in the comments. I'd appreciate any notions I can get with this question. I think my struggle is mostly finding a place to start which I'm comfortable with, and which won't require so much prep I lose steam halfway through. Kind of contradictory goals, on the surface.Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528493618886338079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-12740403119868263262014-11-18T09:10:36.682-06:002014-11-18T09:10:36.682-06:00Hey Zack, a couple ideas come to mind. I am going ...Hey Zack, a couple ideas come to mind. I am going to post about this in a little bit. Chris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-89093909639148499052014-11-16T17:27:31.302-06:002014-11-16T17:27:31.302-06:00Relatively old post, I know, but this is an area w...Relatively old post, I know, but this is an area which is pretty interesting to me lately, so I hope the necromancy is okay.<br /><br />I happen to be interested in the hex crawl sort of gaming, particularly in a sandbox fashion. I also happen to be totally blind, so hex paper and so on isn't super helpful for me. In fact, maps in general are kind of a pain in the neck, because I can't read them easily, and I always feel like I'm missing setting info of one sort or another.<br /><br />So I'm wondering if anybody has ideas for combining the point crawl approach, or one which avoids maps, with randomized terrain generation? I'd love to run something solo, like Scarlet Heroes from Sine Nomine, for instance, but they all seem to presume hexes. Another way to look at it would be an experience kind of like the Elder Scrolls video games, which I can't play. It could be a lot of work doing something like that solo, but…<br /><br />Any ideas appreciated. :)Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528493618886338079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-77745846705251168302014-03-18T18:29:01.010-05:002014-03-18T18:29:01.010-05:00Nice :)Nice :)Lukahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18210941654513813581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-52691140980416040092012-01-24T11:41:59.874-06:002012-01-24T11:41:59.874-06:00More thoughts here:
http://untimately.blogspot.co...More thoughts here:<br /><br /><a href="http://untimately.blogspot.com/2012/01/musings-on-mapping.html" rel="nofollow">http://untimately.blogspot.com/2012/01/musings-on-mapping.html</a>Necropraxishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716340801054739658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-43816266704315558572012-01-17T04:15:42.965-06:002012-01-17T04:15:42.965-06:00Daaaaaamn.
This is a great idea. I'm running ...Daaaaaamn.<br /><br />This is a great idea. I'm running a game in emulation of the classic "West Marches" right now, so I'm using the vector style of mapping you mentioned. I like this so much, I'm going to start doing it as of now and see how my maps turn out.HDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13506175636615989219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-76841311490865662872012-01-11T11:08:44.195-06:002012-01-11T11:08:44.195-06:00This kind of blew my mind. I've been hesitant ...This kind of blew my mind. I've been hesitant to take my game into the wilderness because I didn't know how to narrate traveling through multi-mile hexes in a way that wasn't boring. I think you just showed me how. Thank you.Telecanterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238356788092725244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-64981710876524489452012-01-11T09:34:13.650-06:002012-01-11T09:34:13.650-06:00I will draw rough maps for my players during the p...I will draw rough maps for my players during the play session to help them record...<br /><br />1. Landmarks they've seen from their path of travel, and their approximate relationships to each other.<br /><br />2. Things they've been told about by NPCs or read in books or inscriptions, or heard in tales/legends.<br /><br />3. Things and places that the characters might know about but the player doesn't.<br /><br />When it comes to them looking for somewhere specific, they'll actually have to follow directions they've been given or that they've puzzled out (which can lead to die rolls and/or roleplaying to see if they stick to the right path). If they get lost, they need to find high ground to survey the area (at which point I'll draw a map of what they see... depending on system, die rolls and/or roleplaying will determine if this new view gets planted accurately onto their world map).<br /><br />I've found this system gets rid of undue recordkeeping and preparation on my part as a GM, and adds a layer of uncertainty and danger to overland travel bringing the tension level up to that of traversing a dungeon. I think it also simulates to some extent real world orienteering (not to mention the unreliability of maps and directions in worlds where nobody has accurately surveyed every square mile of land), and further encourages the players to pick up wilderness skills if they are appropriate for their character.Steven Rokiskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14011453947393713631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-2879561084069880832012-01-11T09:18:06.460-06:002012-01-11T09:18:06.460-06:00@Eric
"Interestingly, I also used a hex map ...@Eric <br />"Interestingly, I also used a hex map for the home county of the party (this is Pendragon and they're all landholding knights.)"<br /><br />I use the hex map a good deal more in the Domain Game as it's the basis for all kinds of mechanics: resource allocation, the number of square miles in cultivation, population density, etc. It's handy having it on that grid with its precise measurements and numbering system. <br /><br />@Lasgun<br />Yeah it's the notation and on-map information that make it much more the all-powerful tool while actually at the table. <br /><br />@Kelvin<br />Bingo. Those games where my only connection to D&D during my two decade laps--and I have been playing Planescape as of late--probably not a big surprise that they would influence my mapping.<br /><br />@Don<br />The stalwart lead ranks of the Hill Cantons await the oncoming Northland hordes.Chris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-46813305728140259112012-01-10T23:52:57.037-06:002012-01-10T23:52:57.037-06:00My scouts are mapping your area as we speak....see...My scouts are mapping your area as we speak....see you soon!Don Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230631364253238804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-63608884793061766192012-01-10T16:06:49.454-06:002012-01-10T16:06:49.454-06:00It is perhaps significant that the Baldur's Ga...It is perhaps significant that the <i>Baldur's Gate</i> games -- the first in particular -- use a system almost exactly like this for their wilderness travel segments.thekelvingreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928260185408072124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-89345407544234571872012-01-10T13:00:58.381-06:002012-01-10T13:00:58.381-06:00Very useful, in particular your explainations on h...Very useful, in particular your explainations on how you annotate the map, it takes it from a simple node map to something useful at the table.<br /><br />I actually used something like that in my last game, although the players have only gone down one path, it gave me the relationship to other places if needed.Lasgunpackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529298072677726064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-51502422808944437632012-01-10T12:00:17.946-06:002012-01-10T12:00:17.946-06:00Hmmm. the map pointer in the second paragraph real...Hmmm. the map pointer in the second paragraph really applies to the last paragraph. Cut&paste error.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508594597349248576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-35584933267550623142012-01-10T11:59:25.660-06:002012-01-10T11:59:25.660-06:00I've used both hex-based and non-hex-based map...I've used both hex-based and non-hex-based maps. In my last campaign it was a mixture of both.<br /><br />For travel along known routes I've never found use for hexes. So road/path/track/sea-route based travel the hexes have at best been superfluous. The technique you outline in your post is pretty close to what I use, usually with the addition of numbers indicating days or hours of travel between the points. Here's the map: http://hertfordshirekap5.wikidot.com/hertfordshire<br /><br />For travel in an unknown area the hexes have helped me keep track of player position as well as organize my own activities. For example, when fleeing through the hills of Normandy from Frankish axemen I tracked progress on hexes and used the hex organization to place random encounters/sites (one per 5km hex.)<br /><br />Interestingly, I also used a hex map for the home county of the party (this is Pendragon and they're all landholding knights.) This helped immensely as the campaign really took a wargaming turn when Saxon hordes tried to overrun the county and the knights moved their household forces strategically across the landscape.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508594597349248576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-6852985426890023062012-01-10T11:56:22.064-06:002012-01-10T11:56:22.064-06:00We've been using grid coordinates like on tour...We've been using grid coordinates like on tourist maps and such for a long time. It works fine, and places the emphasis on what will actually get encountered/used in a session, as opposed to a lot of wasted effort detailing areas where no one really goes. But hexes are a standard, so we also do some hex maps.<br /><br />Your approach up above is a lot like Node Mapping. It can work well for building flow-chart-like depictions of really big structures such as megadungeons. saves on paper and cuts down on the carpal tunnel as well...garrisonjameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544523186717576771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389986049507804094.post-1661648525449144492012-01-10T11:10:20.129-06:002012-01-10T11:10:20.129-06:00@Brad
Agree, in tactical wargames the hex reigns s...@Brad<br />Agree, in tactical wargames the hex reigns supreme. <br /><br />@Brendan<br />Remember this is movement along paths--I have a separate sub-system for off-the-grid travel that I will clean up and share some time. <br /><br />Getting lost it therefore more "organic" in the sense that it takes player error (they aren't seeing the grid, just getting the verbal clues from the sites): forgetting what direction they were travelling, getting turned around, or confusing similar-sounding landmarks. <br /><br />Was that the Ironwood tree tilting to the north or the one titling south? Didn't we enter this clearing from the northeast last time?Chris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.com