#environmental features

2025-01-16: Forest Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Forest Environmental Features (d8)

Timber from some of the trees here could make a good canoe.

Leeches from the water can help remove poisons from the blood if allowed to feed for long enough.

Hollow reeds and plants sticking out above the water can be used to craft flutes and blowguns

Thick mats of algae or peat can be used to filter water to drinkable purity

Food can be preserved in the acidic peat by burying it in a closed wooden container.

Strips of peat can be applied like bandages to function like a healing kit, though the peat is only usable for this purpose for 24 hours after collecting.

If dried, chunks of peat can function as great firestarters.

2025-01-26: Taiga Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Taiga Environmental Features (d8)

Fallen limbs from evergreen trees have resin that makes them ideal for torches.

Peeling bark from some of the trees can make a substitute for parchment or paper.

Fresh pine needles from some of the young trees can be boiled into a tea that will remove a single level of exhaustion during a short rest.

The frozen corpse of a large creature sits here; its pelt is still intact and usable for protection from the elements if you can find a way to remove it

Stunted trees with brittle limbs make good firewood

Plants here can be brewed into a stout drink that may or may help someone become more charismatic (for a while at least)

Crushed berries from the area can make a sour-tasting drink that provides advantage on CON saving throws for the next 24 hours.

2025-09-10: Coastal Wilderness Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Coastal Wilderness Environmental Features (d8)

The fishing is good right now; you may make a fishing attempt before this watch ends.

Years of salt have built up on the rocks; it's not edible, but it might be usable in rituals to halt or bind the restless dead.

Abrasive sand from the beaches here is good for scraping away stains and sticky things

Shark teeth can be collected from the beach and assembled into jewelry or arrowheads

Jellyfish washed ashore can be used to create a paste that causes weapons coated in it to do additional damage

Although not suitable for consumption, recently-deceased marine life could be used as bait to attract other creatures

Large shells can be used as makeshift shovels or pails for liquid

2025-08-20: Settlement (City) Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Settlement (City) Environmental Features (d8)

Someone who "knows a guy" can get you in touch with anyone in the city, though probably not for free

Performers and festivities in the area can increase morale if an additional watch is spent here.

Conveniently located to several parts of the city, an extra settlement turn can be spent here for free.

Knowledgeable people can provide information to bypass the requirements of a Secret in an adjacent hex

High energy in the city gets the blood pumping; gain the benefits of a full night's rest in only one Watch (only available once a week)

Favorable circcumstances can be taken advantage of this Settlement Turn to halve recruiting costs with respect to time or money

The folk here are more educated than most; recruited hirelings and mercenaries are fluent in an additional language at no cost if they are recruited on the next settlement turn.

2025-01-01: Desert (Hot) Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Hot Desert Environmental Features (d8)

Small lizards scuttle through this area, perhaps serving as an emergency source of food for hungry travelers.

Venomous critters lurk here but keep their distance. Crafty individuals can harvest their venom to create poisons or healing elements.

A small spring burbles water to the surface, allowing travelers to refill waterskins.

Cacti grow here and some of their spines can be collected to function as needles.

Large fossils of ancient creatures are visible in the rock and can be excavated if given enough time.

Flecks of useful metals are present in the sand. A hot enough fire can extract 1GP of semi-pure metals merely by cooking the sand.

Deposits of salt left behind by evaporation are plentiful enough to potentially preserve some foods.

2025-01-11: Forest Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Forest Environmental Features (d8)

Many trees have long, uniform branches that would be perfect for bushcraft projects.

There's an area here that looks like it is largely protected from rain and bad weather

A young sapling nearby is perfect for a snare trap and guaranteed to provide food it properly set up.

A tiny stream of clean water trickles out from the ground, barely enough to make the surrounding area muddy.

Soothing mud here functions like a salve and has a 50% chance to double the amount of healing received

Soft leaves on the forest floor can make a passable bedroll.

Plentiful insects skitter across and burrow through the fertile soil. Harvesting some would be advantageous for fishing.

2025-01-06: Desert (Cool) Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Cool Desert Environmental Features (d8)

Something is sticking out from the cold ground here; it is an object (subject to DM approval) with a value of 5GP or less.

The freeze-dried corpse of a large creature sits here; its pelt is still intact and usable for protection from the elements if you can find a way to remove it

Limbs from a dead shrub can provide fuel for a fire

Many of the rocks in the area produce a spark when struck with a metal blade.

A fine carpet of moss can provide a bit of protection from the elements if placed inside clothes

Plumes of vapor rise from the ground as a thermal vent releases enough heat to take the chill out of the immediate area.

A small hot spring relaxes tired and chilled travelers; resting here can recover wounds, though the water isn't drinkable.

2025-07-01: Grassland Encounter Map Environmental Features

These are a list of things that may have a small use outside of encounters, but probably aren't very useful in the heat of combat.

Grassland Environmental Features (d8)

A signpost points the way to an unexplored settlement at least 36 miles (6 hexes) away, ideally in a hex that hasn't been filled yet. Otherwise it replaces a natural or constructed landmark in a filled space and becomes a newly-created thorp.

An old stump can be burned to produce a thick smoke that is useful as a signaling device

Supple grasses growing here can be woven together to create rope (20 feet/hour)

Rich clay can be extracted from the ground that can be shaped and fired into useful ceramics

Given a bit of time, a wild beast of burden like a horse could probably be captured here

Certain plants found here produce a dark, camouflaging paste when collected and burned

Fragrant herbs here can be turned into a poultice that stops itching and rashes