Exploration and Surveying Surveying of a land is a simple matter assuming there are no factors such as enemy forces, monsters or hazardous phenomena present. Surveying an area is generally done to reveal it's contents. Surveys are generally done in three distinct phases and methods.

A Preliminary survey can easily be completed by any person or group, and tend to be the most dangerous. Mounted groups can do a Preliminary survey of 10 square miles per day, while those on foot may survey 5 square miles per day. Preliminary surveys generally uncover topographical features, building, towns, roads, armies, and very obvious resources such as animal herds and such. Generally it is during Preliminary surveys that your characters will encounter any serious dangers or hazards. This allows either confrontation with these things at that time or their avoidance by later surveys.

In this type of a survey, professionals such as farmers, hunters and ranchers can be sent out to get a relatively reliable report about the types and quantities of plant and animal resources in an area. Resource Surveys can be done at a rate of 1 square mile per day. Information received from such a survey can be considered very reliable unless there are extenuating circumstances such as areas being avoided and such. If you want reliable information about what is in an area, it's best to send a variety of people who might know about things there. Send a bunch of farmers and you'll find all the fruits and vegetables, but you will likely miss any healing herbs or accurate information about animals present. Send only soldiers and the'll tell you about defensive and ambush positions. What you find often has a lot to do with who you send.

Unlike normal surveying of land for resources, most under ground resources are far more difficult to detect and identify. Searching for resources in a territory requires the labor of some very specifically trained professionals. Prospectors and Dowsers are absolutely vital in locating these resources. To do so, these characters must spend large amounts of time,(preferably under guard) practicing their craft in search of the earth's treasures.

Q: There are 3 types of Survey, Can I perform all three at once?

A: Sure. If they move as a group, it takes as long as the slowest group. If they split up, you must consider how that will effect whom is guarding whom.

Q: Why split up Surveying into these types rather than one large scouting.

A: #1 realism. #2 It allows leaders more specialized strategic search options.

Q: Can multiple Prospectors / Dowsers search the same area for redundancy and better odds?

A: Absolutely

Q: When a subterranean resource is located, can others go there to assist in Identifying and Quantifying?

A: Sure, it takes 1 day for any skilled person to make an assessment of a known deposit.