D&D 5E (2014) Good Sandbox Size for a Region in Forgotten Realms

[aco175]

I said 100x100 but I guess it could go more. The current campaign started in Phandelver and traveled to Neverwinter, Leilon, and Westbridge. They travel in 2 forests, a mountain range, and several towns. So far they are hitting 9th level and still have several ideas they are working on. They may go to Waterdeep, so the range should probably be 200x200.

 

[Shiroiken]

It really doesn't matter that much, IMO. I would start with a smaller area (say 10 miles by 10 miles), detailing out various adventure locales. As the players start completing the locals, then you start expanding the area by dropping adventure hits beyond to the 50 miles by 50 miles. By expanding outwards like this, you don't have to detail out so much at the beginning, giving you more time to prepare (and possibly adjust if the situation calls for it).

As an example, I've worked out a sandbox setup potential for my next campaign. There's urban plots at the town, lizardfolk and other hazards in the swamp to the north, various orc and goblinoid tribes in the nearby hills and mountains, and an abandoned castle who's dungeons supposedly hold ancient treasure. I know there is a fey forest beyond the swamp, plus a small seaport downriver, and a desert beyond the mountains, but I won't consider anything with them until later.

 

[Psikerlord#]

It really doesn't matter that much, IMO. I would start with a smaller area (say 10 miles by 10 miles), detailing out various adventure locales. As the players start completing the locals, then you start expanding the area by dropping adventure hits beyond to the 50 miles by 50 miles. By expanding outwards like this, you don't have to detail out so much at the beginning, giving you more time to prepare (and possibly adjust if the situation calls for it).

As an example, I've worked out a sandbox setup potential for my next campaign. There's urban plots at the town, lizardfolk and other hazards in the swamp to the north, various orc and goblinoid tribes in the nearby hills and mountains, and an abandoned castle who's dungeons supposedly hold ancient treasure. I know there is a fey forest beyond the swamp, plus a small seaport downriver, and a desert beyond the mountains, but I won't consider anything with them until later.

Sounds goodly

 

[Charles Rampant]

Another opinion: when I made my own homebrew setting, I made it the same size as the British isles.

This seemed like a good size. For a start, my group and I all had a vague impression of how big the island is, so that kept things easy mentally. In addition, an area the size of Britain is manifestly big enough for multiple separate kingdoms, a la medieval Scotland and the English Heptarchies, but also is a small enough area that one can cross it in a couple weeks of hard travel, which is enough time for me to feel satisfied with the Exploration pillar.

I think that unless you really want some kind of FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE style epic plot, an area the size of a typical medieval kingdom will probably do just fine.

 

[Psikerlord#]

Another opinion: when I made my own homebrew setting, I made it the same size as the British isles.

This seemed like a good size. For a start, my group and I all had a vague impression of how big the island is, so that kept things easy mentally. In addition, an area the size of Britain is manifestly big enough for multiple separate kingdoms, a la medieval Scotland and the English Heptarchies, but also is a small enough area that one can cross it in a couple weeks of hard travel, which is enough time for me to feel satisfied with the Exploration pillar.

I think that unless you really want some kind of FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE style epic plot, an area the size of a typical medieval kingdom will probably do just fine.

Yes I really like this size actually. A few weeks hard travel to cross seems like a good size to me.