You might want to make the numbers smaller and place them in corners. Here is an example of how this ends up looking.

Move up to the next circle and repeat step 2.

Add the next number in a clockwise direction around the center. You can number the grid any way you want - all that matters is that each hex has a unique number.įor the purposes of this walkthrough, I recommend copying the approach from Mausritter: These numbers provide a set of hex keys you can use to refer to what each hex contains. If you are using blank hex paper, you need to add some numbers. If you are using the template from, this is already done for you! The center hex is numbered 1, then the numbers spiral outwards from there.

Fill the rest of the hexes with one-line descriptions.

Place a friendly settlement in the centre.

In Part 1, we need to turn blank hexes into a map filled with interesting places to explore. If you are interested in learning more about the travel mechanics, and other game systems that usually come along with hexcrawls, I recommend you read the 5e hexcrawl article on The Alexandrian. At minimum, you still get a nice map with a convenient grid for figuring out distances. You don't need to learn new rules to make good use of a hex map.

But the goal of this newsletter is to create a world - not learn new game mechanics. Hexcrawls usually involve travel mechanics that provide the GM with rules around how the party can explore the space. You can think of hexcrawls as a gridded map that's designed for exploring a world, rather than running a combat encounter. Some paper, a journal, or LegendKeeper to write notes in.The hexcrawl template from OR any hex-grid paper with hexes large enough to sketch in.You will need a few basic materials to follow along: step-by-step instructions) from an RPG called Mausritter, and sprinkle in our own random tables with a Winter Solstice theme, to rapidly generate a small open world setting you can run adventures in immediately.Įven if you don't want to run an open-world game, you'll find that following these procedures is a great way to generate your own D&D campaign ideas. In this newsletter, we will use procedures (ie. Open world settings like those take large teams of people thousands of hours to create. You might think of popular open world settings that represent the pinnacle of this craft - places like Skyrim, the Continent from The Witcher, or Hyrule from Breath of the Wild. The idea of homebrewing your own open world setting is daunting.

Hex crawl dnd map maker