16 KiB
HikeMap RPG System Design
Overview
Transform the hiking/geocaching experience into a full RPG adventure. Players earn XP by finding geocaches, walking trails, and completing quests. Level up, learn skills, and become the ultimate trail legend.
Core Stats
| Stat | Description | Base Value |
|---|---|---|
| HP (Hit Points) | Health/Stamina - depletes from trail hazards, recovers at rest points | 100 |
| MP (Mana Points) | Energy for skills/spells - regenerates over time or at power spots | 50 |
| STR (Strength) | Physical power - affects carrying capacity, climbing ability | 10 |
| DEX (Dexterity) | Agility - affects movement speed bonus, balance on difficult terrain | 10 |
| INT (Intelligence) | Mental acuity - affects puzzle solving, cache finding radius | 10 |
| WIS (Wisdom) | Awareness - affects danger detection, nature knowledge | 10 |
| CHA (Charisma) | Social skills - affects party bonuses, NPC interactions | 10 |
| LCK (Luck) | Fortune - affects rare finds, critical successes | 10 |
Stat Bonuses by Race/Class
- Race provides base stat modifiers
- Class provides growth rate modifiers per level
Races
1. Granola Elf (Classic: Elf)
"I was hiking this trail before it was on AllTrails."
Slender, insufferably enlightened beings who have achieved oneness with nature (and won't shut up about it). Often found doing yoga poses at scenic overlooks.
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| DEX | +3 |
| WIS | +2 |
| INT | +1 |
| STR | -2 |
Racial Abilities:
- Plant Whisperer - Can identify edible plants (passive)
- Sunrise Attunement - +20% MP regen before 7 AM
- Leave No Trace - Invisible to park rangers when breaking minor rules
2. Craft Dwarf (Classic: Dwarf)
"I brewed this IPA at 8,000 feet elevation."
Stout, bearded enthusiasts of artisanal everything. They carry way too much gear and have strong opinions about hiking boot brands. Their backpacks weigh 60 lbs but they don't complain.
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| STR | +3 |
| CON | +2 |
| WIS | +1 |
| DEX | -2 |
Racial Abilities:
- Gear Hoarder - +50% carrying capacity
- Beard of Warmth - Immune to cold weather penalties
- Craft Appreciation - Can identify quality of any handmade item
3. Crossfit Orc (Classic: Orc)
"BRO, this incline is NOTHING. I did 400 box jumps this morning."
Massive, protein-shake-fueled creatures who treat every hike as a workout. They wear sleeveless shirts in 40-degree weather and grunt loudly when passing other hikers.
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| STR | +4 |
| CON | +2 |
| INT | -2 |
| CHA | -1 |
Racial Abilities:
- BEAST MODE - Can sprint uphill without stamina penalty (1/day)
- Protein Synthesis - HP regenerates 2x faster when eating
- Intimidating Presence - Wildlife gives you a wider berth
4. Snackling (Classic: Halfling)
"Are we there yet? I brought seventeen different kinds of trail mix."
Small, perpetually hungry folk whose backpacks are 90% snacks by volume. They have an uncanny ability to find the comfiest sitting rocks and know exactly when it's snack time (always).
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| LCK | +3 |
| DEX | +2 |
| CHA | +1 |
| STR | -3 |
Racial Abilities:
- Snack Sense - Can locate nearby food sources
- Smol & Sneaky - +20% stealth, can fit through small spaces
- Second Breakfast - Gains bonus HP from food items
5. Basic Human (Classic: Human)
"I saw this trail on TikTok!"
The most common species on trails. They come in all varieties but share a tendency to be unprepared, wear cotton in the rain, and play music from phone speakers.
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| All stats | +1 |
Racial Abilities:
- Adaptable - Can learn skills from any class tree
- Main Character Energy - +10% XP from all sources
- Phone Battery Anxiety - Gains speed boost when phone is below 20%
6. Tech Gnome (Classic: Gnome)
"According to my Garmin, Strava, AllTrails, AND my Apple Watch..."
Tiny beings obsessed with gadgets, metrics, and optimization. They can't enjoy a hike without knowing their exact heart rate, elevation gain, and estimated calorie burn.
| Stat Modifier | Bonus |
|---|---|
| INT | +4 |
| LCK | +1 |
| STR | -2 |
| WIS | -1 |
Racial Abilities:
- Data Overload - Access to detailed trail statistics
- Battery Wizard - Devices drain 50% slower
- Analysis Paralysis - Can reroll any failed skill check (1/day)
Classes
1. Trail Runner (Classic: Warrior/Fighter)
"I'll meet you at the summit. I'm going to run up and back twice first."
Elite athletes who view hiking as "too slow." They carry nothing but a hydration vest and have mastered the art of endurance. The Trail Runner excels at stamina management, pushing through adverse conditions, and maintaining peak performance over long distances.
Primary Stats: STR, CON HP per Level: +12 MP per Level: +3
Trail Runner Skills
Level 1: Second Wind
| MP Cost | 15 |
| Cooldown | 30 minutes |
| Type | Active - Self |
"Just gotta catch my breath..."
Instantly restore 25% of your maximum HP. Can be used while moving. The quintessential runner's recovery - that moment when your body remembers it's actually capable of continuing.
Effect: +25% Max HP restored instantly
Level 2: Steady Pace
| MP Cost | Passive |
| Cooldown | - |
| Type | Passive |
"It's not about how fast you go, it's about not stopping."
Your efficient movement style reduces stamina drain from all activities. You've learned that consistency beats intensity on the long trails.
Effect: -15% HP drain from distance traveled and terrain penalties
Level 3: Trail Legs
| MP Cost | 10 |
| Cooldown | 10 minutes |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 20 minutes |
"Mud? Rocks? Roots? My legs don't care."
Your legs have seen every type of terrain and laughed. Activate to ignore movement penalties from difficult terrain (mud, steep inclines, rocky paths, stream crossings).
Effect: Ignore terrain difficulty penalties for duration
Level 4: Push Through
| MP Cost | 20 |
| Cooldown | 45 minutes |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body. Or an injury. Probably fine though."
Temporarily suppress one negative status effect (Exhausted, Blistered, Hangry, etc.). The effect returns after duration if not otherwise cured. Mind over matter - at least temporarily.
Effect: Suppress one negative status effect for duration
Level 5: Elevation Crusher
| MP Cost | Passive |
| Cooldown | - |
| Type | Passive |
"Flat trails are just lazy mountains."
You've developed a strange love for climbing. Gain bonus XP for elevation gain and take reduced stamina damage from uphill travel.
Effect:
- +25% XP bonus for elevation gained
- -20% HP drain from climbing/elevation gain
Level 6: Recovery Stride
| MP Cost | 8 |
| Cooldown | 5 minutes |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 10 minutes |
"I don't need to stop to rest. Resting is just slow walking."
Enter a recovery state while continuing to move. Regenerate HP gradually over the duration. Cannot be used while stationary (that's just regular resting, and Trail Runners don't do that).
Effect: Regenerate 3% Max HP per minute while moving
Level 7: Iron Will
| MP Cost | Passive |
| Cooldown | - |
| Type | Passive |
"I've run 50 miles on a sprained ankle. Your 'exhaustion' means nothing to me."
Your mental fortitude provides resistance to exhaustion and fatigue-based status effects. Exhaustion effects are reduced and take longer to apply.
Effect:
- 50% resistance to Exhaustion status
- Exhaustion threshold increased by 25%
Level 8: Marathoner's Resolve
| MP Cost | 25 |
| Cooldown | 2 hours |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 1 hour |
"Mile 20 is where the real race begins."
Enter a state of focused endurance. For the duration, you gain significant bonuses to stamina management and cannot be reduced below 1 HP by gradual drain effects (you can still be knocked out by sudden damage/events).
Effect:
- -50% HP drain from all sources
- Cannot be reduced below 1 HP by passive drain
- +10% XP from distance traveled
Level 9: Trailblazer's Instinct
| MP Cost | 30 |
| Cooldown | 1 hour |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
"The map says it's 3 miles. I know a better way."
Your extensive trail experience lets you identify optimal routes. Activate to reduce the required distance to reach nearby objectives (geocaches, waypoints, quest targets) by finding more efficient paths.
Effect:
- Required distance to objectives within 1km reduced by 20%
- Reveals any hidden shortcuts in the area
Level 10: Unstoppable
| MP Cost | 50 |
| Cooldown | 4 hours |
| Type | Active - Self |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
"I am become endurance, destroyer of trails."
The ultimate expression of the Trail Runner's philosophy. For the duration, you become a force of nature - immune to negative status effects, ignoring all terrain penalties, and gaining enhanced regeneration.
Effect:
- Immune to all negative status effects
- Ignore all terrain penalties
- +5% HP regeneration per minute
- +50% XP from all sources
- Party members within range gain +25% of these bonuses
2. App Wizard (Classic: Mage)
"Hold on, I'm optimizing our route using three different algorithms."
Tech-savvy magic users who bend reality through the power of apps, gadgets, and strong WiFi signals. Their spells require battery life instead of mystical energy.
Primary Stats: INT, WIS HP per Level: +6 MP per Level: +15
Skills:
| Level | Skill | MP Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GPS Ping | 5 | Reveal exact location + nearby POIs |
| 3 | Cache Sense | 15 | Highlight all geocaches within 500m |
| 5 | Signal Boost | 20 | Get cell service anywhere for 10 min |
| 8 | Satellite View | 35 | Bird's eye view of surrounding area |
| 12 | Digital Omniscience | 60 | Reveal all hidden objects on map |
3. Urban Explorer (Classic: Rogue)
"The sign says 'No Trespassing' but it doesn't say 'No Exploring.'"
Sneaky adventurers who find paths where none exist. They know every shortcut, secret entrance, and technically-not-illegal way to access restricted areas.
Primary Stats: DEX, LCK HP per Level: +8 MP per Level: +8
Skills:
| Level | Skill | MP Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sneak | 5 | Become undetectable for 1 minute |
| 3 | Lockpick | 10 | Open locked gates/caches |
| 5 | Shortcut Finder | 15 | Reveal hidden paths |
| 8 | Urban Camo | 25 | Blend into any environment |
| 12 | Ghost Protocol | 45 | Pass through barriers, leave no trace |
4. Wellness Cleric (Classic: Cleric/Healer)
"Have you tried putting crystals in your water bottle? It's life-changing."
Healers who draw power from essential oils, positive vibes, and an unshakeable belief in their own wellness journey. They can cure ailments but will also tell you about their gut health.
Primary Stats: WIS, CHA HP per Level: +8 MP per Level: +12
Skills:
| Level | Skill | MP Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good Vibes | 5 | Heal party for 15 HP |
| 3 | Essential Blessing | 10 | Remove one negative status effect |
| 5 | Meditation Circle | 20 | Full party MP restore while resting |
| 8 | Crystal Resonance | 30 | Party-wide stat buff for 30 min |
| 12 | Enlightenment | 50 | Full heal + resurrect party member |
5. Bird Watcher Ranger (Classic: Ranger)
"EVERYONE STOP. I think I see a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker."
Nature specialists who know every bird call, animal track, and plant species. They will stop the entire group to look at something you can't see, and get unreasonably excited about it.
Primary Stats: WIS, DEX HP per Level: +10 MP per Level: +8
Skills:
| Level | Skill | MP Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wildlife Spot | 5 | Detect nearby animals |
| 3 | Nature's Ally | 15 | Befriend a wild animal temporarily |
| 5 | Camouflage | 15 | Party becomes invisible to wildlife |
| 8 | Apex Knowledge | 25 | Know all hazards in area |
| 12 | Call of the Wild | 40 | Summon animal companion |
6. Trail Bard (Classic: Bard)
"This is going to get SO many views. Make sure you're in the background looking natural."
Content creators who document every moment of every adventure. They provide buffs through encouragement and debuffs to enemies through cringe-worthy commentary.
Primary Stats: CHA, LCK HP per Level: +7 MP per Level: +10
Skills:
| Level | Skill | MP Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hype Up | 5 | Boost party morale (+10% all stats) |
| 3 | Viral Moment | 15 | Capture perfect photo for bonus XP |
| 5 | Podcast Mode | 20 | Talk so much enemies flee in confusion |
| 8 | Influencer Aura | 30 | Attract followers, gain helpers |
| 12 | Main Character Moment | 50 | Dramatic scene - massive party buff |
Experience & Leveling
XP Sources
| Activity | XP Reward |
|---|---|
| Find geocache (Easy) | 50 XP |
| Find geocache (Medium) | 100 XP |
| Find geocache (Hard) | 200 XP |
| First finder bonus | +50% XP |
| Complete trail | Distance × 10 XP |
| Discover new area | 150 XP |
| Daily login | 25 XP |
| Party activities | Shared XP pool |
Level Thresholds
| Level | Total XP | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Trailhead Newbie |
| 2 | 100 | Path Finder |
| 3 | 300 | Trail Walker |
| 4 | 600 | Ridge Runner |
| 5 | 1,000 | Summit Seeker |
| 10 | 5,000 | Mountain Maven |
| 15 | 15,000 | Wilderness Wanderer |
| 20 | 35,000 | Legendary Explorer |
| 25 | 75,000 | Trail Demigod |
| 30 | 150,000 | Nature's Champion |
Status Effects
Positive
| Effect | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Well-Rested | +20% HP/MP regen | 2 hours |
| Caffeinated | +15% movement speed | 30 min |
| Snacked | +10 HP regen/min | 15 min |
| Inspired | +25% XP gain | 1 hour |
| Group Synergy | +5% all stats per party member | While in party |
Negative
| Effect | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Exhausted | -30% movement speed, -20% HP | Until rest |
| Lost | No map visibility | Until found |
| Hangry | -20% all stats | Until fed |
| Blistered | -50% movement speed | Until healed |
| Doomscrolling | MP drain, can't focus | Until phone put away |
Party System
- Maximum party size: 6 players
- Shared XP for nearby activities
- Party chat and location sharing
- Combo skills require multiple party members
- Party roles: Leader (sets destination), Scout (reveals ahead), Support (heals)
Future Considerations
- Crafting system (trail snacks, gear upgrades)
- Guild/Club system
- Seasonal events & limited quests
- PvP trail races
- Boss encounters (legendary geocaches)
- Achievement system
- Cosmetic rewards (trail badges, hat skins)
- Pet companions
Questions to Resolve
- How does HP actually work? Does it deplete over time/distance, or only from events?
- Should mana regenerate passively or only at specific locations?
- How do we handle PvP interactions (if any)?
- Do we want equipment/inventory systems?
- Should class abilities be unlocked linearly or allow choice?
- Balance: How powerful should racial abilities be vs class abilities?
Document Version: 0.1 Last Updated: January 2026