03c - Travel & Complications

Travel & Complications

When you zoom in on travel, use complications to create memorable moments and tactical choices.

d20 Travel Complications

d20	Complication	Prompt
1-2	Blocked Route	Bridge out, landslide, flooded ford
3-4	Hostile Encounter	Bandits, territorial creatures, aggressive locals
5-6	Environmental Hazard	Storm, fog, extreme heat/cold, quicksand
7-8	Resource Depletion	Out of rations, water tainted, pack animal injured
9-10	Getting Lost	Landmarks don’t match map, trails diverge
11-12	Social Encounter	Fellow travelers, refugees, merchant caravan
13-14	Omen or Warning	Abandoned campsite, old battlefield, warning signs
15-16	Minor Discovery	Draw from the seeded pool, or a shortcut
17-18	Rumor or Hook	Overhear gossip, find message/map, see something in adjacent hex
19-20	Major Discovery	Draw from seeded pool—a significant find tied to a PC goal

Using Complications

One per journey is usually enough. More for long or dangerous journeys. Frame as choices: “The bridge is out—do you take the long way (+1 day) or risk the rope crossing (dangerous but fast)?“

d12 Travel Encounters

d12	Encounter	Prompt
1	Bandits	Demand toll, offer “protection”, or set ambush
2	Refugees	Fleeing disaster, carrying rumors, need help
3	Merchant Caravan	Willing to trade, share news, hire guards
4	Patrol/Guards	Checking papers, investigating crime
5	Pilgrims	On religious journey, share legends
6	Hunter/Trapper	Knows local area, warns of danger
7	Wilderness Creature	Territorial, curious, or hungry—not immediately hostile
8	Rival Adventurers	Seeking same goal, friendly or hostile
9	Messenger	Carrying urgent news, being pursued
10	Local Noble/Official	Traveling with retinue, has request
11	Strange Traveler	Fey, undead, shapeshifter, or just very odd
12	Someone from the Past	NPC from previous session, consequence of earlier action

Every encounter should offer at least one of: information, choice, resource trade, or future hook.

Quick NPC Generation (for travel)

Using Street Magic’s speed variant:

1. Title & Pronouns (30 sec): “The Weary Merchant” (he/him)
2. One Defining Trait (30 sec): Talks too much when nervous
3. What They Want Right Now (30 sec): Safe passage to the next town

Waypoint Locations

When complications result in discoveries or you need a memorable stop:

d12 Waypoint Types

d12	Type	Examples
1	Roadside Structure	Inn, waystation, toll gate, bridge
2	Religious Site	Shrine, chapel, standing stones
3	Ruins	Collapsed tower, ancient battlefield
4	Natural Feature	Waterfall, cave mouth, ancient tree, hot spring
5	Campsite	Abandoned camp, hunter’s blind, bandit hideout
6	Memorial	Graveyard, cairn, gallows, monument
7	Farmstead	Remote farm, mill, quarry, logging camp
8	Crossing	Ford, ferry, rope bridge, stepping stones
9	Lookout / Vista Point	Watchtower, lighthouse, hilltop overlook
10	Workshop	Charcoal burner, tannery, forge, hermit’s workshop
11	Strange Landmark	Obelisk, arcane circle, fairy ring
12	Shelter	Cave, lean-to, hollow tree, rock overhang

Vista Points

Lookouts and high ground let characters see 2-3 hexes out. This seeds more discoveries without requiring the party to physically enter those hexes.

Example Waypoints:

• The Weeping Bridge: Stone bridge over gorge, constant drip from moss creates eerie whispers
• Blackroot Inn: Roadside tavern, hearth smoke smells of pine, proprietor never smiles
• The Hanging Tree: Ancient oak with rope still attached, ground won’t grow grass beneath it

d12 Weather & Conditions

d12	Condition	Effect
1-4	Clear & Calm	Good visibility, easy travel
5-6	Overcast	Gray skies, moderate visibility, moody
7	Light Rain/Snow	Damp, slightly slower travel
8	Heavy Rain/Snow	Poor visibility, slippery surfaces
9	Fog/Mist	Very poor visibility, easy to get lost
10	Wind	Difficult conversation, blown debris
11	Storm	Dangerous lightning, must seek shelter
12	Extreme/Supernatural	Heat wave, blizzard, unnatural weather