exploration

name	exploration
description	Runs the OSE dungeon exploration turn loop: movement between keyed areas, wandering monster checks, resource tracking, searching, doors, and traps. Use when actively exploring a dungeon or wilderness location during an adventure.
allowed-tools	WebFetch Bash AskUserQuestion Read Edit Glob Skill

Dungeon exploration for Old-School Essentials

Run the exploration turn loop for keyed module adventures. Each turn is 10 minutes of in-game time.

Core principles

The referee's constitution governs all behavior. Read it before beginning play if it is not already in context. Additionally:

1. Look up rules from SRD — read the SRD map to find the right file, then Read it; roll dice with roll.py
2. Use AskUserQuestion only for administrative setup (marching order, light sources). During gameplay, describe the scene and wait — the player will type what they want to do

Tool paths

• Dice roller: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/scripts/roll.py
• SRD map: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_map.md (rules, classes, equipment, treasure)
• SRD monsters: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_monsters.md
• SRD spells: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_spells.md

uv run plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/scripts/roll.py "1d6"

Setup (on entry)

1. Determine the active adventure directory from conversation context. If not available, read the game root path from conversation context or AskUserQuestion, then Glob <game-root>/adventures/*/SESSION.md

2. Read SESSION.md — current location, turn, hour, game root, and the module file path

3. Read PARTY.md — cache party composition, HP, equipment, light sources, movement rates

4. Read LOCATIONS.md — available keyed locations with page/section references

5. Read the SRD Encounters page: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd/Encounters.md

6. If no marching order established: AskUserQuestion for marching order (front to back)

Reading module content

The module file stays at its original location. SESSION.md records its path. To read a keyed location, use the Read tool with the reference from LOCATIONS.md:

• PDF modules: use the pages parameter (e.g. pages: "8-9")
• Markdown modules: read the file and locate the relevant section

When moving to a new area, always read the relevant content before describing anything to the player.

Per-turn sequence

Each turn follows this loop:

1. Wandering monster check

• Per srd/Dungeon_Adventuring.md (Wandering Monsters section)
• If triggered: consult the module's wandering monster table, roll on it, then call Skill "encounter" immediately — do not resolve the encounter yourself
• After encounter resolves: re-read PARTY.md to pick up HP/status changes, then resume

2. Party action

Wait for the player to state what they do. Do not offer a menu of actions. Common actions include movement, searching, listening, opening doors, interacting with features, and resting — but the player may attempt anything.

Turn economy

A 10-minute turn covers a sequence of cautious exploration, not a single action. Multiple quick actions in the same area fit within one turn. Only advance the turn counter when the party does something that genuinely takes ~10 minutes.

Consumes a full turn:

• Movement through unexplored areas (up to base MV in feet, e.g. 120')
• Searching a 10'x10' area
• An encounter (including aftermath)
• Resting
• Extended activities specified by the module (e.g. "takes 2 turns to recover the oil")

Free/quick actions within the current turn:

• Opening or forcing a single door
• Climbing a short ladder or flight of stairs (within the same movement turn)
• Brief conversation or reporting to the party
• Examining something in plain sight
• Drawing a weapon, lighting a torch, drinking a potion
• Pulling a lever, pressing a button, picking up an item

3. Resolve action

Movement:

• Read the destination location from the module file
• Present the player-facing description only (read-aloud / boxed text)
• Keep DM notes, hidden features, and trap triggers hidden until relevant
• Check for monsters in the room — if present, call Skill "encounter" immediately — do not resolve the encounter yourself

Search:

• Check module text for hidden features in the current area
• Searching takes 1 full turn
• Use search and secret door rules from srd/Dungeon_Adventuring.md

Listen at door:

• Use listening rules from srd/Dungeon_Adventuring.md

Doors:

• Use door rules from srd/Dungeon_Adventuring.md (stuck, locked, closing behaviour)

Cast a spell (non-combat):

When a PC casts a spell outside of combat:

1. Deduct spell slot: Mark the spell slot as used in PARTY.md using Edit. If the PC has no remaining slots of the required level, the spell cannot be cast.
2. Read spell details: Use the spells submap (plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_spells.md) to find the spell file, then Read it. Note range, duration, area of effect, and saving throw.
3. Saving throws (if applicable): Roll 1d20 via roll.py against the target's save value. Do not reveal the target number (Article II). Narrate success or failure.
4. Apply effect: Resolve the spell's effect as described in the SRD page. Narrate the result.
5. Track duration: If the spell has a duration measured in turns, record it in SESSION.md. Decrement each turn in step 4 (Update tracking) and announce when it expires.

Casting a spell takes a full turn (the caster is concentrating on the ritual).

4. Update tracking

• Increment turn counter
• Decrement light source turns (see resource tracking table below)
• When light runs out: warn the player; see darkness rules in srd/Hazards_and_Challenges.md
• Track spell durations in turns where applicable
• Resting: per srd/Dungeon_Adventuring.md (Resting section)
• Encumbrance: when the party picks up treasure, drops items, or uses consumables (torches, oil, rations, potions), recalculate the affected PC's encumbrance and movement rate:
  • Coin weight: 1 cn per coin of any type
  • Treasure weight: per the treasure encumbrance table in srd/Time%2C_Weight%2C_Movement.md (gems 1 cn, jewellery 10 cn, potions 10 cn, etc.)
  • Update ENC and MV on the PC's stat block in PARTY.md using Edit
  • If encumbrance bracket changes, announce the new movement rate
  • Party movement rate is the slowest member's rate

5. Loop

Return to step 1.

Encounter handoff

When monsters are encountered (wandering or room-based):

• Determine monster type and count from module text or wandering table
• Skill "encounter" "<monster> <count> dungeon"
• The encounter skill handles surprise, distance, reaction, and routes to combat if needed
• After resolution, re-read PARTY.md for updated state

Resource tracking

Resource	Duration	Notes
Torch	6 turns	30' radius light
Lantern	24 turns	30' radius light
Rest	After 24 turns	Party should rest 8 hours
Rations	1 per day	Track food supply

Saving mid-exploration

If the player asks to save or stop: Skill "adventure" "save"

SRD page slugs

• Encounters — encounter procedures, wandering monster frequency
• Dungeon_Adventuring — exploration procedures, doors, searching
• Evasion_and_Pursuit — fleeing rules