Headed to a Dark Place – Chapter 7, Act 4, Strip 32

Navigation tends to be tricky in a forest environment, or at least tended to be, before the advent of GPS and similar systems.

And since this is set in a fantasy world, I think we can be reasonably sure that no satellite navigation system is available. Magic and technology is exchangeable, to a degree, in fiction – but placing a network of wizards in orbit so that they can send out magic locator beams is just not a practical idea. The wizards are bound to object, and objections raised by wizards necessarily carry some weight, being backed up by delayed blast fireballs and other advanced debate tactics.

So, normally our friends might be facing a serious navigational challenge, trying to find their way in the Ever,evergreenest Forest – but that would only be the case if they weren’t headed to a climactic confrontation with the forces of evil. Special rules apply when you’re walking into that sort of showdown, and they make finding the place a lot easier: Just look around yourself, and check in which direction the forest looks least inviting. Then head into that direction for a while, and repeat step one. If the atmosphere gets ever more dark and oppressing as you advance, you’re on the right track. If the forest gets lighter and more friendly, you’re walking into the wrong direction – look around for some bleaker direction to head into.

It might seem simplistic, but consider the logistics – the forces of evil are waiting for you*, and they can hardly do that in some pleasant, sun-lit clearing in the forest, with a joyous little stream gurgling along and colorful butterflies dancing in the air. That would totally cramp their style before you even get there. In fact, should you encounter the forces of evil in such a setting, spend some time considering if it might be that evil is actually good, and you were somehow tricked into doing actual evil’s bidding. Again. >_>

More on Thurs…uh, Monday.

* They’re traditionally not very proactive in a situation like this.

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