Traversing the wilderness is a common challenge in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), especially in fantasy settings. Whether the adventurers are exploring ancient ruins, hunting for treasure, or fleeing from enemies, they need to navigate the natural terrain and overcome its hazards.
Forests are large areas of land covered by trees and other plants. They can vary in climate, biodiversity, and density, but they generally share some common features and challenges for travelers. Here are some tips and rules for traversing forests in TTRPGs:
1. Determine the type of forest
Not all forests are the same. Depending on the location, season, and weather, forests can have different characteristics that affect the travel conditions. For example, a tropical rainforest is very different from a boreal forest in terms of temperature, humidity, rainfall, vegetation, and wildlife. As a game master (GM), you should determine the type of forest that the adventurers are traveling through, and use it to set the scene and create challenges. As a player, you should pay attention to the description of the forest and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Some common types of forests are:
- Temperate deciduous forest: This type of forest is found in regions with four distinct seasons and moderate rainfall. The trees are mostly broad-leaved and shed their leaves in autumn. The forest floor is covered by leaf litter, grasses, ferns, and flowers. The wildlife includes deer, squirrels, foxes, bears, wolves, and various birds. The temperature can range from below freezing in winter to above 30°C in summer.
- Temperate coniferous forest: This type of forest is found in regions with cool and moist climates. The trees are mostly evergreen and have needle-like leaves. The forest floor is covered by mosses, lichens, and fungi. The wildlife includes elk, moose, lynx, hares, owls, and eagles. The temperature can range from below -40°C in winter to above 20°C in summer.
- Tropical rainforest: This type of forest is found in regions near the equator with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. The trees are tall and diverse, forming several layers of canopy. The forest floor is dark and humid, with little vegetation. The wildlife is rich and colorful, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, parrots, snakes, frogs, and insects. The temperature is usually around 25°C, but can vary depending on the altitude and season.
- Boreal forest: This type of forest is found in regions with cold and dry climates, mostly in the northern hemisphere. The trees are mostly coniferous and have adaptations to survive the harsh winters. The forest floor is covered by snow, ice, and frozen soil. The wildlife includes caribou, reindeer, wolves, bears, wolverines, and ravens. The temperature can range from below -50°C in winter to above 10°C in summer.
2. Choose a mode of travel
Once you know the type of forest, you need to decide how you will travel through it. There are three main modes of travel: walking, riding, and flying. Each mode has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the terrain, the speed, and the stealth.
- Walking: This is the most common and versatile mode of travel. You can walk on any type of terrain, as long as it is not too steep, slippery, or obstructed. You can also adjust your speed and direction easily, and avoid or overcome obstacles. However, walking is also the slowest and most tiring mode of travel. You need to consume food and water, and rest regularly. You also need to watch out for traps, pitfalls, and ambushes.
- Riding: This is a faster and more comfortable mode of travel. You can ride on a horse, a donkey, a camel, or any other suitable animal. You can cover more distance in less time, and save your energy and resources. However, riding also has its limitations. You need to feed and care for your mount, and protect it from harm. You also need to find a suitable path for your mount, and avoid terrain that is too rough, narrow, or dense. You also make more noise and attract more attention when riding.
- Flying: This is the fastest and most convenient mode of travel. You can fly on a dragon, a griffin, a broom, or any other magical means. You can soar above the trees, and avoid most of the hazards and obstacles on the ground. You can also enjoy the view and scout the area. However, flying also has its risks. You need to have a reliable and safe flying method, and avoid flying too high, too low, or too fast. You also need to watch out for weather, wind, and aerial threats.
3. Roll for navigation
Once you have chosen your mode of travel, you need to roll for navigation. Navigation is the skill of finding your way and reaching your destination. In TTRPGs, navigation is usually represented by a skill check, such as Survival, Nature, or Perception. The GM sets the difficulty of the check, based on the type of forest, the mode of travel, and the visibility. The GM also determines the consequences of success or failure, such as the time, the distance, and the encounters.
Some examples of navigation checks are:
- Easy: You are walking through a temperate deciduous forest in spring, following a clear trail. The weather is sunny and calm. You need to roll a Survival check with a DC of 10. On a success, you reach your destination in the expected time and distance. On a failure, you lose your way and waste an hour before finding the trail again.
- Medium: You are riding through a tropical rainforest in summer, following a river. The weather is cloudy and rainy. You need to roll a Nature check with a DC of 15. On a success, you reach your destination in the expected time and distance. On a failure, you encounter a dangerous animal or plant and have to fight or flee.
- Hard: You are flying through a boreal forest in winter, following a compass. The weather is snowy and windy. You need to roll a Perception check with a DC of 20. On a success, you reach your destination in the expected time and distance. On a failure, you fly into a storm or a blizzard and have to land or crash.
4. Prepare for encounters
The last and most exciting part of traversing the wilderness is encountering something unexpected. Encounters are events that happen during the travel, such as meeting a friendly or hostile creature, finding a hidden or interesting location, or facing a natural or magical phenomenon. Encounters can be planned by the GM, or randomly generated by rolling on a table. Encounters can be combat, social, or exploration oriented, depending on the situation and the mood.
Some examples of encounters are:
- Combat: You stumble upon a band of orcs raiding a caravan. You can choose to fight, negotiate, or sneak past them.
- Social: You meet a group of elves hunting in the forest. You can choose to greet, ignore, or offend them.
- Exploration: You discover a ruined temple hidden in the forest. You can choose to explore, loot, or avoid it.
Celestial Saga 
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