Let's look at exploration as a wilderness activity, apart from searching or traveling. When exploring a hex, there is no preset goal, as there is when searching. When the party elects to explore a hex, follow the procedure below to determine what they find.
What did you discover?
For each group exploring separately, roll 1d6.
| 1d6 | Type of Discovery |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | Trail |
| 4-5 | Clue |
| 6 | A Find |
Trails
Trails are paths that lead somewhere...
| 1d6 | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | Clue |
| 4-5 | A Find |
| 6 | A Secret |
Alternatively, see "Where does this path lead?" for a table of 36 options.
Clues
Roll 1d6 for the clue and a second d6 for where it leads.
| 1d6 | Clue | To... |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A marker | Another clue |
| 2 | An old campsite | Another clue |
| 3 | A kill-site | A Find |
| 4 | A half-buried cache | A Find |
| 5 | A trackway (footprint, hoofprint, pawprint, etc.) | A Secret |
| 6 | Unburied remains | A Secret |
Amassing clues : For every clue gathered, roll an extra die when using the other tables during subsequent searches in this hex until a find or secret is uncovered.
Finds
Roll 1d6 for the type of find then a second d6 for the column of find discovered.
| 1d6 | Finds | Supply | Reagents/Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supply | 1d3 Turns worth of fuel | 1 dose |
| 2 | Supply | 1d3 Turns worth of fuel | 1 dose |
| 3 | Supply | 1d3 Turns worth of fuel | 1 dose |
| 4 | Resource | 1d3 meals worth of food or water | 1d3+1 doses |
| 5 | Resource | 1d3 meals worth of food or water | 1d3+1 doses |
| 6 | Reagent | 2d3 Turns of fuel, meals of food or water, or 1d3 of 2 | 2d3+1 doses |
Resources : these are ordinary natural materials that might have a social, cultural, or practical value, such as wildflowers, honey, or medicinal herbs.
Reagents : these are rare natural materials that have magical properties, such as belladonna, mandrake, or nightshade.
Secrets
Roll 1d6 for the type of secret then 1d6 for each of the other columns to determine protectors or inhabitants and traps.
| 1d6 | Secret | Protected/Inhabited | Trapped? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Lair | Yes, by a single strong creature | Yes, magical |
| 3-4 | Dungeon | Yes, by multiple weak creatures | Yes, mundane |
| 5-6 | Treasure Hoard | No | No |
Example: Exploring a secluded valley
A party of adventurers decides to explore a secluded valley. The first Turn spent searching reveals a trail. They decide to follow the trail (exploring for a second Turn) and it leads to a set of tracks (clue). They follow those tracks (a third Turn) to a kill-site. Investigating the kill-site (fourth Turn) leads them to unburied remains (clue). Growing around the remains are a cluster of belladonna (3 doses worth).
