Overland Travel modifiers

[nittanytbone]

Quick question about overland travel.

Normally, a party moves 1 MPH per 10' of movement speed. So, a bunch of unarmored humans cover 3 MPH, thus in an 8 hour day they cover 24 miles.

Let's say that they're using a trail in the hills. The DMG table says that cuts daily travel to 3/4 normal. Ok, easy enough, they now cover 18 miles in the day.

Now, what if they are moving at half speed, using the Survival skill to forage for food? Do they cover 12 miles (applying only the worst modifer) or 9 miles (stacking the unfavorable modifiers)?

What if they are also moving at half speed to gain bonuses to FORT saves vs. weather (also with the survival skill)? Do they halve their distance again?

What if the ranger with survival skills is mounted and moves at 60' -- can he move at half speed while the party trudges on at 30', thus effectively providing the food and bonuses to saves without slowing the party's progress?

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Christian]

I would say that all negative multipliers stack. And that the mounted ranger *can* supply all of their food without slowing the group, but that this means that he is riding around by himself hunting & gathering for much of the day, then rejoining the group; so any wandering monsters encountered may well be encountered by the ranger alone, or by the group without the ranger ...

 

[frankthedm]

Now, what if they are moving at half speed, using the Survival skill to forage for food? Do they cover 12 miles (applying only the worst modifer) or 9 miles (stacking the unfavorable modifiers)?

Why wouldn't both modifiers apply? Stacking is to prevent overloading magic bonuses. if the ranger slows down to look for food, that means he makes even less progress over bad terrain.

What if they are also moving at half speed to gain bonuses to FORT saves vs. weather (also with the survival skill)? Do they halve their distance again?

of course

What if the ranger with survival skills is mounted and moves at 60' -- can he move at half speed while the party trudges on at 30', thus effectively providing the food and bonuses to saves without slowing the party's progress?

Food, yes.

While it is not explicit, I strongly recommend treating the movement reduction as part of the bonus.

Gain a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saves against severe weather while moving up to one-half your overland speed, or gain a +4 bonus if you remain stationary. You may grant the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which your Survival check result exceeds 15.

 

[shilsen]

Re. the application of all negative modifiers, the section on Hampered Movement under Tactical Movement (PHB pg.163) says that "If more than one condition applies, multiply together all additional costs that apply" and points out that this "is a specific exception to the normal rule for doubling". I think that's applicable for overland movement too.