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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gilladian" data-source="post: 5792450" data-attributes="member: 2093">In a sandbox, you need to have a fairly detailed world starting point. You can use that to help show the players their options AND some of the possible results of those options.Don't just say "oh, you can explore the dungeon of dread, or visit the ruins of rebellion or hunt for the Grey Monster in slithy swamp." They'll stare at you with a blank look and debate endlessly. Instead, offer them: "the bard at the Inn tells a tale of three green adventurers who entered the dungeons of dread in search of Sir Silver's lost bow. Unfortunately, the Dire Rats of Doom who dwell there inflicted horrible diseases upon them with every bite.""The ruins of the castle on the hill belonged to a rebellious duke who tried to murder the king during his coronation a hundred years ago. It is said that the ghosts of his Duchess and children, who burned to death when the castle was razed, still haunt the East Tower.""The Grey Monster of Slithy Swamp is the bane of merchants who try to take the short road through them each summer. In winter the Grey Monster sleeps, but by late spring each year, it begins to prowl, and does not rest again until the first hard freeze." This gives the PCs some clear indications of WHAT they'd be getting into in each scenario. It's the wrong time of year for the Grey Monster, but that might mean the swamp is a GOOD place for them to go now, hunting for the herbs the town Alchemist wants. Later, then, they'll know the swamps lesser dangers when they choose to hunt the Grey Monster. Etcetera.</blockquote>

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