Questions re: Treasure Map Party Runs

Short Summary:
1. Do people expect the map owner to have already located the treasure chest before inviting people to party for map runs?
2. Is the expectation that everyone gets to need on stuff that drops? Or are the guests supposed to pass so the map owner can need/greed on everything?

More details:

I have been collecting several treasure maps that recommend a full (8-person) party. I will soon need to recruit some people to help me and my husband with these maps.

What is the community's expectation when being invited to a Treasure Map party? That is, do people generally expect the map owner to have ALREADY deciphered the map & located the treasure chest? So that the party just goes to the location & does the thing?

OR

Is there a general expectation that the party will wait while the map owner deciphers the map and locates the treasure chest?

I ask because we have several copies of the same unique map, spread across about 10 different retainers at the moment. When it comes time to run these maps, we will have to decipher and locate them one at a time. Sometimes I can find the spot within a couple minutes, but it once took me over an hour. So I'd just like to get a feel for what people in the community expect from the map owners.

Also, what's the general consensus on who gets the loot? Does everyone get to need/greed as they desire? Or are guests supposed to pass loot to the map owner?

I realize nobody can speak for everybody, I'm just wondering if there are generally accepted guidelines that the community tends to follow.

Thanks in advance! ^_^

You don't necessarily need to know where your map goes. It helps, sure, but most people will help you figure it out if you can't find it. Plus there are sites that tell you all possible map locations so it shouldn't take long to figure out, and most parties have several maps to run anyway, so you may have your first map figured out but you can't have your second/third/whatever map figured out until you've done the previous anyway.

As for loot rules it depends on the party. Most of them will do Map owner needs everyone else rolls greed. So if something drops the map owner gets first dibs, and if they don't want it then everyone else fights for it. Some parties do free for all though where everyone is allowed to roll need.

Excellent, thank you very much!! ^_^

Yeah, most map groups will have everyone bring a handful of maps(you can carry an open one in your key items, a sealed one in inventory, and another in your saddlebag - any trips to the retainer bell to clean up inventory allow you to restock). Then they take turns on whos map to do next. The most common loot rules are owner need/rest greed or FFA, but just discuss this as a party before you get started and it should be fine. Most people get quicker at identifying the chest location the more parties they join(both from practicing the skill and because there are a finite number of spots). But at a certain point it comes down to luck(with drops, portals, doors and spawns), so good luck!

Great info, thank you Frizze! :D