As my RPG group prepares to embark on a new campaign in the coming months, I’ve been thinking a lot about maps. There are many symbols that fantasy RPG maps should really have, which, strangely, don’t seem to exist on most of them. Here are the most useful non-existent fantasy map symbols:
5. Vital Information Here
Strangely, no cartographer ever seems to think to put this one on there. How handy would it be to have a symbol telling you exactly where the clue unlocking the bad guy’s plans is? Somebody should get on this.
4. Flavor Quest That Isn’t Actually Part of the Main Story
How many times have you barreled off on an adventure, sure you had discovered the secret thread the GM had left for you. Only to realize a few sessions later that you’ve been pursuing a side quest the GM keeps having to expand to accommodate your laser-like focus on it? I’ve neeeever done that. Nope. Not me.
3. Certain Doom/Slightly Less Than Certain Doom
Hey, how come these dungeon cartographers never slap on an “un-slayable monster who will team kill the entire party this way” symbol? I mean, the interior decorator already dropped the ball, not putting the hallway sign up. Really, people, come on!
2. Place You Can Actually Use That Skill That Basically Never Comes Into Play
We all have one. That skill that sounds soooo cool and sooo useful, you just have to spend points on it. Secretly, we all know we’ll probably never use it. I mean, really, what are the odds that not only will the GM throw a situation where it could apply our way, but that it will pan out where we get to use it? Before someone else in the party decides to start going all stab crazy on everyone, that is? But still, if it happens… oh, that moment will be sweet. Well, as long as we don’t fail the roll.
1. Awesome Treasure Here
Wait a minute? Not only do I have to sneak into this enemy base undetected, save the king’s daughter, assassinate the evil cleric, recover the village wizard’s arcane tome of frog based enchantments, AND somehow convince all these bandits to become my allies in the battle against overpowering darkness. Now you expect me to actually SEARCH for the chest that contains the kick-ass magic sword I came to find? Someone call the map maker’s union!
