New DM - need help with exploration

[dyll]

Hey guys. I'm a first-time GM trying to prepare for a Jade Regent path campaign with basically first-time players.

I've realized that while dungeons and combat aren't that hard for me to manage and roleplay, the overworld, cities, and other meta-game related stuff like establishing camp, eventually running the caravan, and basic exploration of the overworld as opposed to encounters and dungeons really intimidate me as a GM (though they intrigue me the most as a player)

What would you guys recommend I do to prepare for this part of the play, or where might I find some useful help for a first-time GM?

[Azaelas Fayth]

Google Trollsmyth and read his blog posts on hex mapping. Also LS of Papers & Pencils talks about travel and such. I would try to post links but im on a phone that doesnt like their blogs very much.

Hope this helps,
RogueMG

[Muad'Dib]

dyll wrote:

Hey guys. I'm a first-time GM trying to prepare for a Jade Regent path campaign with basically first-time players.

I've realized that while dungeons and combat aren't that hard for me to manage and roleplay, the overworld, cities, and other meta-game related stuff like establishing camp, eventually running the caravan, and basic exploration of the overworld as opposed to encounters and dungeons really intimidate me as a GM (though they intrigue me the most as a player)

What would you guys recommend I do to prepare for this part of the play, or where might I find some useful help for a first-time GM?

Dungeons are controlled environments so things seldom deviate far from expectation. When you hit the freedom of the open road things can get a bit rough. Players often zig when you think they were going to zag.

My recommendation is to only detail out as much as you need for the upcoming play session. Be spontaneous and take advantage of any story opportunities the players might give you. For instance: The players might interact with an NPC in such a way that you can develop the NPC into a villain or a contact.

Make sure to have a good GM’s map and that the players have their own map.

And above all have fun

-MD

[dyll]

After giving it some thought, I imagine that I can get a good mental image of the different hotspots on the map, quite detailed, then during the game, I can sort of Zork style describe the area they see while they travel the overworld, using clues and rumours to get an idea of where they are and where they need to go. Then, once they enter an actual "encounter" area, I can use a battlemap to draw out the area as they see and explore it.

i.e. "After heading southwest out of town, you travel for a couple of hours before you see a divide in the road. The split goes off west into what appears to be the swamp you've come to find, but it also continues on a ways. What do you do?"

"Crossing the bridge leads through a thick grove, but after a few minutes you've come to a clearing. You see a small cottage in front of you, the door is left open, and there's a storage shed to the east. *I draw a representation of these buildings* What do you do?"

Thoughts?