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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 6324754" data-attributes="member: 92305">I"m setting up a sandbox, giving the players complete freedom on where they want to go.  We'll start the game around their village.  The plague as convinced them to leave.  First game session, I'm just going to spread out a map where I've detailed everything within days walk (maybe a little farther), and say, "OK, where do you want to go."I've got some pre-planned encounters, tied to specific locations.  I've got some some contingency encounters, that can happen anywhere (and will save my arse if they go in an unpredicted way, buying me time between games to create in the direction that they travel), and I've got a random encounter chart for the area.I'm going to put some towns on the map, which led to the question of how far the towns should be spread apart.  And, since this is the area where the PCs have lived their whole lives, they'll be familiar with the major long distance features and very familiar with the things close.  So, I've got to put a little work into any close villages.  The PCs will know about major homesteads and where roads and trails go.Setting up a sandbox requires a Ref to be on his toes, and it requires more prep time than a linear adventure.  But, once the Ref gets an idea of the PC's direction, and their interests, this type of game can be highly rewarding.I am looking forward to it.</blockquote>