Moderator: Stik
Good point, one that I didn't really even remember to consider.TigerStripedDog wrote: Keep in mind as well if they want to hunt while traveling that takes up arrows.
That's why we always differentiate between hunting and combat arrows and split the total, but with an emphasis on combat arrows. Also, the ranger or druid can always trap animals without the need to waste arrows, so it usually doesn't become an issue.Keep in mind as well if they want to hunt while traveling that takes up arrows.
Quite a few actually, if you know what to pack. Chia seed, pemmican or jerky, etc. Lasts forever, doesn't spoil, takes little space, and is nutrient dense. I'd say easily a month's worth, without adding much bulk.But how many weeks of rations can one really carry??
Yes and no. The caloric requirements for meaningful overland travel are pretty extreme. To maintain strength and avoid exhaustion characters would want to pack around 2200-3500 calories. Even with caloric rich foods like you mentioned, it is some bulk. I know what you mean about survival rations - you can get a lot out of a little. But thats survival. If the SHTF I can afford to shed 20lbs over the next month living on survival caloric allotment. And by personal bug-out bag is packed appropriately (as is my family's).Halaster-Blackcloak wrote:Quite a few actually, if you know what to pack. Chia seed, pemmican or jerky, etc. Lasts forever, doesn't spoil, takes little space, and is nutrient dense. I'd say easily a month's worth, without adding much bulk.
True, but trapping requires some degree of stationary work - meaning its tough to do if you're trying to make quick progress overland. Fine for overnight stuff - but then you'd better not have the Ranger or Druid trying to take watch, make/break camp, etc. It cuts into personal care time (bathing, sharpening weapons, tending to gear, caring for mounts, sleep) and again that can add up to exhaustion. The 5th Edition rules have a great way to deal with levels of exhaustion, and I make use of it, liberally.Halaster-Blackcloak wrote: Also, the ranger or druid can always trap animals without the need to waste arrows, so it usually doesn't become an issue.
See above about considering weight of rations, etc. But yeah, my players definitely do that when they can.RPG Dinosaur wrote: Good point, one that I didn't really even remember to consider.
If I was a player in your campaign, I would have my character stock up on a lot of iron rations before heading out on an extended adventure,(and encourage all the other players to do the same), in order to save as many arrows as possible for the dangerous encounters.
I see what you're saying. But keep in mind, the Native Americans endured harsh conditions at times subsisting on nothing but rations like pemmican. The Incas would run literally all day in the high, oxygen-depleted mountains while consuming nothing more than a handful of chia seeds. And remember, the PCs are not the medieval equivalent of the modern Average Joe, or even the average modern outdoors-man. They're characters of legend, heroes - more in the mold of Merlin and Conan than Joe at the office. So it shouldn't be much of a problem for them.Yes and no. The caloric requirements for meaningful overland travel are pretty extreme. To maintain strength and avoid exhaustion characters would want to pack around 2200-3500 calories. Even with caloric rich foods like you mentioned, it is some bulk. I know what you mean about survival rations - you can get a lot out of a little. But thats survival. If the SHTF I can afford to shed 20lbs over the next month living on survival caloric allotment. And by personal bug-out bag is packed appropriately (as is my family's).
But adventurer's living their lives? Not something they can afford.
Not saying you're wrong - calorie dense foods do exist, only that I think there is a lot to consider there.
That's true. If they're on the move, trapping isn't that convenient or inn some cases even possible. But they can forage for fruits, nuts, and berries for additional food (on top of their rations). That's not very time intensive. Plus if there's water nearby, there are food sources (such as fish) that can be caught easily. And of course, we have the create food and water spell for those who want to cheat!True, but trapping requires some degree of stationary work - meaning its tough to do if you're trying to make quick progress overland. Fine for overnight stuff - but then you'd better not have the Ranger or Druid trying to take watch, make/break camp, etc. It cuts into personal care time (bathing, sharpening weapons, tending to gear, caring for mounts, sleep) and again that can add up to exhaustion. The 5th Edition rules have a great way to deal with levels of exhaustion, and I make use of it, liberally.
I'm a little late getting back here. All three of you have good points, and in some cases counterpoints. As for the question you brought up Garhkal, I guess one factor that would determine this question is if the PC(s) have any kind of mount or pack animal. One would think that having such an animal would allow more iron rations to be brought along, but then again you have to consider that feed for that animal has to be brought along also!! Is there enough room for really stocking up on extra iron rations after packing the feed?garhkal wrote:But how many weeks of rations can one really carry??
That is a good point. Also - these are fantasy realms, which may have exotic foods (e.g. in LotR the rations the Hobbits are given from the elves which Gollum later destroys - one bite can sustain for an entire day, etc). I just try to differentiate survival vs maintenance is all.Halaster-Blackcloak wrote:
I see what you're saying. But keep in mind, the Native Americans endured harsh conditions at times subsisting on nothing but rations like pemmican. The Incas would run literally all day in the high, oxygen-depleted mountains while consuming nothing more than a handful of chia seeds. And remember, the PCs are not the medieval equivalent of the modern Average Joe, or even the average modern outdoors-man. They're characters of legend, heroes - more in the mold of Merlin and Conan than Joe at the office. So it shouldn't be much of a problem for them.
Fishing - for sure. Something I make liberal use of in my campaigns. Not an option for my current group as they are in the desertHalaster-Blackcloak wrote: That's true. If they're on the move, trapping isn't that convenient or inn some cases even possible. But they can forage for fruits, nuts, and berries for additional food (on top of their rations). That's not very time intensive. Plus if there's water nearby, there are food sources (such as fish) that can be caught easily. And of course, we have the create food and water spell for those who want to cheat!
But one of the better options for typical overland travel. Fun contrast of pace as well. Also - that is one of the reasons I hate Create-Food and Create-Water. Takes a lot of the fun of it. Same goes for bags of holding full of iron rations. In 2nd there were many different proficiency checks that could be made (or if not using that optional system, basic ability checks). In 5th the "Survival" check sort of captures all of this - though I don't hesitate to throw a disadvantage (die penalty for those that don't know) to the roll if the character is unused to the setting.
Good point! I hadn't even thought of that!That is a good point. Also - these are fantasy realms, which may have exotic foods (e.g. in LotR the rations the Hobbits are given from the elves which Gollum later destroys - one bite can sustain for an entire day, etc). I just try to differentiate survival vs maintenance is all.
Fishing - for sure. Something I make liberal use of in my campaigns. Not an option for my current group as they are in the desert
Yeah, my players missed that in a recent desert adventure. 
It's funny - in all these decades of gaming, almost all of my players have worried about rations and finding food even if they could cast create food and drink or spells like that. Or had spoons of Murlynd. Oh, they would use that when they realized they were getting exhausted and starved. But they never seemed to either care or remember that they had those things to begin with, because they always focused on making sure they had food and water sources. Sometimes they went through crazy machinations on order to find food and water, when they could have simply cast a spell. I guess that's a good thing though. Like you said, it made the game a lot more fun!ut one of the better options for typical overland travel. Fun contrast of pace as well. Also - that is one of the reasons I hate Create-Food and Create-Water. Takes a lot of the fun of it. Same goes for bags of holding full of iron rations. In 2nd there were many different proficiency checks that could be made (or if not using that optional system, basic ability checks). In 5th the "Survival" check sort of captures all of this - though I don't hesitate to throw a disadvantage (die penalty for those that don't know) to the roll if the character is unused to the setting.
I think a lot of people miss that a big part of the fun of the game - maybe the greatest part of the fun - is overcoming adversity. There are always pseudo-cheats, spells, or optimizations which can make the game faster and easy for the characters (and the PC's). But by using these, we strip ourselves of the opportunity for the characters to overcome. Which is more epic? "Grimvore, Warrior of the Realms, Slayer of Afforet, crossed the wastelands on foot, a journey of 500 miles through the harshest terrain in the 8 realms - battling near starvation and thirst - overcoming with only his wits and his two hands - leaving blood, sweat, and tears behind him as a testament to his mighty struggle!" or "Steve, Warrior of the Realms, Slayer of Afforet, who crossed the wastelands with his bag of holding full of fresh mango, venison on ice, and his never-empty canteen of Kool-Aid, protected from harm by his +3 Plate-Mail of Comfort"?Halaster-Blackcloak wrote: It's funny - in all these decades of gaming, almost all of my players have worried about rations and finding food even if they could cast create food and drink or spells like that. Or had spoons of Murlynd. Oh, they would use that when they realized they were getting exhausted and starved. But they never seemed to either care or remember that they had those things to begin with, because they always focused on making sure they had food and water sources. Sometimes they went through crazy machinations on order to find food and water, when they could have simply cast a spell. I guess that's a good thing though. Like you said, it made the game a lot more fun!
It's the little things like that, that add flavor to the game and give memorable moments.
