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Message: <blockquote data-quote="not-so-newguy" data-source="post: 6964175" data-attributes="member: 6786140"> TL;DR   I'm experimenting with a new way to calculate XP that involves exploration and loot with focus on the Isle of Dread module.My next foray into DMing a major campaign will be the Isle of Dread and I'd like to change the way we've been doing experience. Rather than killing monsters or hitting certain plot points, I'd like to focus on exploring and gaining treasure.The treasure part is simple: 1 gp worth of loot = 1 XP. I will be reducing the loot found in the module. Right now, it seems like dividing the gp value by 10 is good. That may change after further reading.Exploration, however, is a tough nut to crack. To help solve this I'm developing the exploration bonus. I extracted the xp required to gain each level from 3rd through 10th in the table below in parentheses. 5% of the xp required to gain a level becomes the exploration bonus. For example, it takes 1,800 xp to get from 3rd to 4th level, so the 5% Exploration Bonus will be 90 xp.5% Exploration Bonus (XP required to gain level)3rd 90 (1,800)                     4th 190 (3,800)                   5th 375 (7,500)                  6th 450 (9,000)7th 550 (11,000)8th 700 (14,000)9th 800 (16,000)10th 1,050 (21,000)                 A character gains 5% Exploration Bonus for following actions: *Crossing an unexplored hex *Encountering a monster *Exploring a structure (half bonus, full bonus, 150% bonus, Double bonus). Must exit structure for bonus to apply.*Changing hostile creatures' attitudes to friendly during an encounter.(charm spells or abilities do not apply)[EXAMPLE 1] Tiamat decides to take a small vacation on the Isle of Dread. She telelports there, summons a small cottage with a warm fire and comfortable bed, then takes a nap.Here comes the 5th level adventurers who are exploring the area with weapons out, ready to pounce. They discover the cottage and encounter a pissed off tiamat recently awaken from a nap. A fight ensues, but the PCs miraculously survive.The Exploration Bonus for 5th level is 375.*Hex exploration*Encountering a monster*Exploring a small structure, half bonus (rounded to 190)Total experience points: 940[EXAMPLE 2] A kobold shaman has recently lost his bid to become chieftain. Facing death by the hands of his political rival, the shaman decides to hide away in some deep, forgotten cavern.Here comes the same group of 5th level adventurers. They explore all the rooms in the cavern and discover the hidden door to the shaman's lair. Being outnumbered 5 to 1, the shaman pleads for his life in Common. Seeing no contest, the group decides to take it prisoner.OTOH the group may decide to converse with it rather than taking it prisoner (or killing it). Passing a difficult charisma check (probably persuasion); the shaman warms up to the group, seeing potential allies that can help with his political ambitions.*Hex exploration*Encountering a monster*Exploring a large structure,  150% bonus (565)*Changing attitude to friendlyTotal Experience Points: 1315 + 375 (changing attitude to friendly)[EXAMPLE 3] Fifteen pirates have built a crude fortress on a rocky island.Here come the 5th Level adventurers. They defeat the pirates in several skirmishes and take over the fortress.*Hex exploration*Encountering a monster (1)*Encountering a monster (2)*Exploring a structure, normal bonusTotal Experience Points: 1,500Note: If the PCs decided to take on the monsters all at once or in fifteen separate battles, then they would still receive experience for two monster encounters. DM's discretion on what constitutes a monster encounter.</blockquote>

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