D&D General Mapping: How Do You Do It?

[SkidAce]

I think the player should make a map if the character would be making a map.

If the character thinks the area is simple enough to not need a map, then one is not made. If the character is incorrect and gets lost, they get lost (based on DC in my games).

 

[Blue]

As a generality (and not true of all groups), there are other uses of session time that bring more joy then players mapping. So in general if they tell me that their characters are mapping, I'll be glad to shorthand it all. And even if they aren't a skill or Intelligence check can clear things up.

My classic example of this is I'd never run a maze as a series of information-free choices about which way to go.

A caveat is summed up by how I deal with encumbrance and tracking inventory. Most of the time I just do common sense -- if you're carrying that big marble statue you're encumbered sort of thing. But for that once-a-campaign lost in the desert or shipwrecked on an island where supplies become part of the minigame I'll be more formal. Same for mapping. I'd still never do it information-free choices like a maze, but I could see where, for a specific and limited period, exact mapping will enhance or even allow a minigame, I might ask the players to do it.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

As a generality (and not true of all groups), there are other uses of session time that bring more joy then players mapping. So in general if they tell me that their characters are mapping, I'll be glad to shorthand it all. And even if they aren't a skill or Intelligence check can clear things up.

My classic example of this is I'd never run a maze as a series of information-free choices about which way to go.

A caveat is summed up by how I deal with encumbrance and tracking inventory. Most of the time I just do common sense -- if you're carrying that big marble statue you're encumbered sort of thing. But for that once-a-campaign lost in the desert or shipwrecked on an island where supplies become part of the minigame I'll be more formal. Same for mapping. I'd still never do it information-free choices like a maze, but I could see where, for a specific and limited period, exact mapping will enhance or even allow a minigame, I might ask the players to do it.

Yes!