Which path would you take --Swamp or Forest?

[Mark1733]

Risk -- that's what its all about

I'm actually for this (but really, screw YOLO ). Playing it safe and having precaution is incredibly boring. The best adventures have some risk. That's one of the things I regret from my past games: not taking the challenges before me, especially if there was risk. A lot of good could have come from those circumstances in hindsight.

This has been really helpful. The last comment really sums up my goal. It's not about figuring out which is the lesser risk, it's about NOT BEING ABLE TO FIGURE OUT which is the lesser risk. It's about having to make a choice between two really crappy choices (from a pragmatist's POV, not a gamer's). Again, only I know that neither path is better. I just need to appropriately deliver good challenges--and danger is a good thing--being nervous about characters is the game! That will make success that much more exhilarating. As for the mountain, my plan is to clearly rule it because of the overwhelming danger, but then have a reason where they will have to eventually venture into the mountain and brave it anyways.

 

[Mark1733]

If you want to really confound them, offer them a choice between the Fire Swamp and the Dead Marshes.

I like your suggestion. I will rethink the names of the locales. I guess there is a little bit of a giveaway if they have to choose between the Moors of Evil Death or the Forest of Love and Peace. ;-)

 

[Mishihari Lord]

Forest, because walking through swamps sucks.

 

[Orius]

Forest. I HATE swamps.

The only potetial problem is the river, but you're in a forest. Shouldn't take much to make a raft to cross it. Only problem is if it's been raining heavily, or there's a lot of early spring snow melt, but this is the sort of information the DM should be providing to the players unless they're being really oblivious.

 

[roundviper]

the forest has more monsters that the pc are used to. The river could be the deciding factor. If there is no bridge and the pc are low level falling into the river could be the end for them if they cannot swim. I would most likely take the forest just for the feeling of knowing what to expect. Not very many people like the swamp route.

 

[Mark1733]

Just FYI. They took the swamp path. When given the straight up choice, they started deciding swamp before I gave them any information about either. Then I gave them rumors from some galeb duhr they awakened at the crossroads. Comparing knowns vs unknowns, there was less information about the swamp and more information about the forest. What was good was that there was discussion for about 5-10 minutes, but they stated with their first choice. The great thing is that, my intentions is to send them back into the forest at some point anyway. My ideas are not going to waste