D&D 5E (2014) Expediting Exploration: keeping travel fun

[Imaculata]

Combat, traps and treasures are not the only meaningful content in D&D. Meaningful content can be lots of things. The players could encounter a shrine dedicated to a goddess of travel, during their long slog through the mountains. The players can make a meaningful choice here if they want to leave a tribute at the shrine, or perhaps light a candle, to have good luck during their journey. They'll have no clue whether it actually makes a difference, but that is entirely up to the DM (if I'm the DM, it definitely makes a difference). These little encounters are an excellent opportunity for you as a storyteller to convey a bit of lore, and bring your world to life.

 

[S'mon]

@OP, I definitely disagree about not using random encounters in 5e D&D. OK in 4e D&D they don't work, but in 5e many of my best parts of the campaign have been random encounters, especially the true procedurally generated ones rather than the 'thrown in' ones. Done right the uncertainty creates both excitement & the sense of a living world.

 

[Imaculata]

I think random encounters work just fine in 5th edition, as long as the DM follows these guidelines:

-The random encounter should be worked into the story in a way that feels right. It shouldn't feel random.
-The DM should not feel like he/she is forced to commit to what ever random encounter was rolled. By all means, roll again if you feel that the encounter does not suit the story or current location. You are not obligated to use what you rolled.
-The random encounter does not have to happen the moment you roll for it. It could happen much later in the day, or at night, or the next morning.

 

[Rhenny]

I think random encounters work just fine in 5th edition, as long as the DM follows these guidelines:

-The random encounter should be worked into the story in a way that feels right. It shouldn't feel random.
-The DM should not feel like he/she is forced to commit to what ever random encounter was rolled. By all means, roll again if you feel that the encounter does not suit the story or current location. You are not obligated to use what you rolled.
-The random encounter does not have to happen the moment you roll for it. It could happen much later in the day, or at night, or the next morning.

Good points. I agree.

I'm a fan of random encounters for a number of reasons. First, as a DM, sometimes I like to be surprised too. lol. Second, the more variety I can build into the game, generally, the more my players like it. Random encounters can add a lot of variety.

Of course, not all random encounters need to be combat encounters. They can just as easily be exploration (puzzle or problem solving) encounters, or interaction encounters, or they can be combat encounters that the party avoids somehow, or combat encounters that are just quick strike and run encounters, or combat encounters that turn into interactions, etc. They key is variety.

I love how 5e has put focus more on the adventuring day rather than merely encounters, and as a result, even what seems like an insignificant combat encounter can have a valid place in the adventuring day.

 

[Imaculata]

I agree completely. I always try to think of the players as if they are all Indiana Jones. What matters is not just the big set pieces, but also the journey.

Random encounters are a great aid for any DM to fill in the gaps. Say for example that your players set off on a journey to defeat a mighty dragon. You roll for a random encounter, and then work that into the story. The players then run into that encounter somewhere along the way. Sometimes a random encounter can give you just that little bit of inspiration you need to tie some plot points together. As a DM, I love making my own random encounter tables, and I use them all the time.