My method was purely on the computer. I made a photoshop (or I use GIMP) image with 2 layers: the dungeon floor plan, and an all black layer on top. I pre-erased the black around the entrance to designate the starting area and when the party moved, I’d fold my laptop down on the table so they could look onto it like a tablet and direct my mouse (by verbal command) as to where the party wanted to go and, based on my judgment of how far they could see, I would erase the black layer that hid the floor plan. I also had little images of treasures and creatures drawn on the floor plan to make it indicate when something of interest was found.

The plan worked great, and there are still plenty of parts on the map that went unexplored. In fact, the concept itself scared the party so much that they split up into 3 groups based by Move Silent ranking (figuring that since they couldn’t see, they best not be heard at all). Often they’d start to walk down one path but get too nervous and turn around, fearing the dark. Some times, they’d see one creature and charge into battle, allowing me to expand the fog of war to reveal 3 or 4 more creatures they hadn’t seen much to their surprise (this also caused them to be more bold with their scouting before battles).

Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and whenever it was time to move the party, everyone would get up out of their seat to get a view of my laptop screen. I’d be interested to hear of other ways this can be accomplished.

the only thing that worries me about this idea is if the players start over compensating for their lack of knowledge. my group tend to have over exagerated survival instincts (can’t think why =P) and i worry that their 5 person group might start buyingwagons and donkeys to carry supplies that they might need, in case say they get lost in a desert or something

Now in my campaign the players can obtain a number of maps of an area and they have to try and guess which map is the most accurate, and even which area of which map is most accurate. Not unlike asking a bunch of strangers in an Inn what lays beyond the mountain range.

In my campaign which I am running in WotC’s Forgotten Realms, the world has gone through a climactic change and the map is different and even innaccurate and the adveturing party is going to end up in an airship mapping the known world. At this point they have no idea this is where it is going, and maybe they won’t want to play the same characters anymore, with all the cool new character classes coming out, so it may never happen. But if it does that is where it is going.

And before you know it, a new game world has evolved right before your eyes……..

Stormgaard – if you haven’t got Campaign Cartographer or similar on your PC – use paper and pencil……….. it’s amazing the worlds you can create with such simple tools……. we have a decent artist in our group and he makes the world maps as we go along on A3 paper. Not only is it fun but they look authentic as they are drawn through the eyes of the explorer rather than the creator (DM).

Looks like we have a follow-up article to write! We’ll try to hook you up with more on this topic. Thanks for the feedback.

I’m currently playing a fog-of-war campaign and having a blast. It is really well executed by our DM and the sense of wonder is everywhere: the terrain, the monsters, the history, even the plants and animals :)