I haven’t run a wilderness exploration session in quite some time, but I’m quite taken with the idea of making it mandatory to have returned to a safe location by the end of the session. I’m going to reward parties who make it back under their own steam with a Haven Turn between sessions, while those that leave themselves half-in half-out will have their adventurers make an attempt to return to safety. This also means there is strong encouragement to create permanent outposts if they wish to explore further, which is a bit more realistic than a single small party heading out on their own. Therefore, I have this list in process.
Roll 1d20 + the number of days travel required to reach safety
-1 if you were already on the way home
-1 if the route is well-travelled
-1 if the route is controlled
+1 per danger the route leads you through
+2 If you are being pursued
+5 if you are lost
- or less. Home in time for Supper. Take a Haven Turn anyway, even if you aren’t in a town
- Riotous. All party members are in the mood for carousing
- Bedraggled. All party members desperately need a bath
- Close Escape. Route used to return to safety is now impassible
- Bad Memories. All present gain a Stress if they go back to the same location
- Hungry Marchers. Lose half rations remaining
- Lost Supplies. Lose a random item each
- Poisoned. Random member suffers from a minor poison and gains no benefit from food or rest until cured
- Tormented. Random member suffers a phobia
- Infection. Random member suffers a disease
- Marked. Random member suffers a Curse of the Wild
- Trespassers. Add a Wrathful Guardian to the Wandering Encounter list until it is appeased
- Never Again. A member is desperate to retire, for at least one session. If there isn’t a volunteer, this is at random
- Straggler. Random member is left behind and must be rescued
- Shattered Ranks. Half of the party is left behind and must be rescued
- or more. Taken by the Dark. Add the whole party to the Wandering Encounter list. They have been Changed
If anyone would like to suggest outcomes, it would be greatly appreciated!