Surprise periodic checks

trooper6 · 08-14-2016, 06:53 PM

I don't know if "traveling and camping" is the same thing as "living off the land." Basic says the survival skill, "is the ability to 'live off the land,' find safe food and water, avoid hazards, build shelter, etc. You may look after up to 10 other people. To live safely in a wilderness situation, you must make a successful Survival roll once per day. Failure inflicts 2d-4 injury on you and anyone in your care; roll separately for each victim."

This sounds more like that reality show Survivor or people stuck in the Andes after a plane crash than it does an adventuring party with full gear and rations stopping to sleep for the night, or family goes camping at a camp site. As a GM, I don't think I'd make them roll when they aren't actually trying to survive, but just spend the night. The roll also seems to me to be an abstraction in lieu of gaming out the encounter for the day. I'd also be happy to, rather than have them use one roll, game out the entire day if they are so inclined.

Also, if as a GM, you plan on having campers and people spending the night with all their gear make these rolls or suffer damage, then just tell your players ahead of time so they know to get the skill, and then it is no gotcha.

08-14-2016, 06:53 PM	#4
trooper6 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Re: Surprise periodic checks I don't know if "traveling and camping" is the same thing as "living off the land." Basic says the survival skill, "is the ability to 'live off the land,' find safe food and water, avoid hazards, build shelter, etc. You may look after up to 10 other people. To live safely in a wilderness situation, you must make a successful Survival roll once per day. Failure inflicts 2d-4 injury on you and anyone in your care; roll separately for each victim." This sounds more like that reality show Survivor or people stuck in the Andes after a plane crash than it does an adventuring party with full gear and rations stopping to sleep for the night, or family goes camping at a camp site. As a GM, I don't think I'd make them roll when they aren't actually trying to survive, but just spend the night. The roll also seems to me to be an abstraction in lieu of gaming out the encounter for the day. I'd also be happy to, rather than have them use one roll, game out the entire day if they are so inclined. Also, if as a GM, you plan on having campers and people spending the night with all their gear make these rolls or suffer damage, then just tell your players ahead of time so they know to get the skill, and then it is no gotcha. Last edited by trooper6; 08-14-2016 at 06:59 PM.