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<blockquote data-quote="Reynard" data-source="post: 5443160" data-attributes="member: 467">The key to a good exploratory adventure is * relevant detail*. Otherwise, I prefer -- whether I am purchasing it or writing it -- concise descriptions: a) as you noted, sparse detail doesn't get in the way of one adapting the material to a specific campaign milieu, and b) less detail allows for more content in the same word/page count.However, I think basic information, like the height of ceilings, is relevant, but that can usually be summed up rather shortly at the beginning and only ever mentioned again when in changes. Given that players tend to be canny sorts, things like ceiling heights, door materials and states, wall construction and lighting can all be very important!But even the most efficient and clean presentation can fall flat if there is nothing interesting to find or do. Players should push their characters deeper into the site simply because it is fun to do so -- greater challenges and/or rewards, to see what is around the next corner or behind the next door, to discover one more secret in the place's history. The remains of previous, unsuccessful explorers littered about the place are a simple but effective tool, in my experience: 1) they are nice way to to transfer information (adventurers' journals) or important items (keys or puzzle pieces) and 2) they motivate PCs to do better than the poor schlubs mouldering in the dark.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Reynard, post: 5443160, member: 467"] The key to a good exploratory adventure is * relevant detail*. Otherwise, I prefer -- whether I am purchasing it or writing it -- concise descriptions: a) as you noted, sparse detail doesn't get in the way of one adapting the material to a specific campaign milieu, and b) less detail allows for more content in the same word/page count. However, I think basic information, like the height of ceilings, is relevant, but that can usually be summed up rather shortly at the beginning and only ever mentioned again when in changes. Given that players tend to be canny sorts, things like ceiling heights, door materials and states, wall construction and lighting can all be very important! But even the most efficient and clean presentation can fall flat if there is nothing interesting to find or do. Players should push their characters deeper into the site simply because it is fun to do so -- greater challenges and/or rewards, to see what is around the next corner or behind the next door, to discover one more secret in the place's history. The remains of previous, unsuccessful explorers littered about the place are a simple but effective tool, in my experience: 1) they are nice way to to transfer information (adventurers' journals) or important items (keys or puzzle pieces) and 2) they motivate PCs to do better than the poor schlubs mouldering in the dark. [/QUOTE]

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