A tabletop role-playing aid, primarily for Dungeons and Dragons, designed to represent a wooded area suitable for combat encounters. These aids are often gridded or hexed surfaces that allow players to track character movement and positioning during tactical gameplay. The visual depictions may range from hand-drawn sketches to digitally rendered images, depicting varying levels of forest density, terrain features, and potential obstacles.
These visual representations offer significant benefits to gameplay. They enhance the immersive experience, aiding in the visualization of the fictional environment. Furthermore, they provide a clear, consistent framework for adjudicating movement rules and resolving line-of-sight issues during combat, leading to a more balanced and fair gaming experience. The practice of employing such visual aids dates back to the early days of tabletop role-playing, growing in sophistication alongside advances in artistic techniques and technology.
