ICRPG Travel Hack (LotR 5e inspired)

Index Card RPG
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Hello Shieldwall,

I’d like to share the travel mechanics inspired by Lord of the Rings 5e for our Realm of Graves campaign. These rules handle movement between locations, utilizing a scale where 1 cm represents 1 hex.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, additions, or feedback on this Hack.

1. Travel Style Selection

Travel Style Distance Modifier Effect on Event Phase
Cautious -2 Hexes Advantage
Normal +0 Hexes Normal
Hasty +2 Hexes Disadvantage

2. The Journey Check

The person at the front of the marching order (Position 1 = Leader) makes a TN 15 Wisdom Check.

Roll Result Distance to Event
10 or less 1 Hex (Today)
11 – 14 2 Hexes
15 – 19 3 Hexes
Natural 20 4 Hexes

Calculating Final Distance: Distance to Event + Travel Style Distance Modifier = Hexes Traveled

Critical Effects:

  • Natural 20: The player gains a Hero Coin and may heal 1d4 + CON HP.
  • Natural 1: Immediate Attribute Check against the TN:
    • Success: Character loses 50% of current HP.
    • Failure: Character dies instantly.

3. The Event Phase

Select Event: The GM rolls on the appropriate Biome table. Determine Target: The GM rolls 1d4.

  • 1: Frontmost Person
  • 4: Rearmost Person

The Challenge: Players roll against the Target Number (TN).

  • Easy (TN 10)
  • Normal (TN 12)
  • Hard (TN 15)

Advantage / Disadvantage Conditions:

  • Advantage (Roll 2d20, take higher): Roads, paved paths, bridges.
    • Effects:
  1. Reconnaissance (Danger spotted),
  2. Safety (Campsite found),
  3. Warning (Traps/Tracks detected),
  4. Detour (Hidden path found).

  • Normal (Roll 1d20): Open terrain, grasslands, light forests.

  • Disadvantage (Roll 2d20, take lower): Swamps, dense jungles, mountains, rivers.

    • Effects:
  1. Equipment (Loss or damage),
  2. Exhaustion (Sleep deprivation),
  3. Obstacle (Forces delay),
  4. Time Loss (Getting lost at night).

Outcome:

  • Success: The event is interpreted positively.
  • Failure: The event is interpreted negatively.
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