[DF] Turning bodies to loot

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Varyon

It's your game, so you can run things however you'd like, but do note that the 2 lb rations are likely meant to represent a meal of jerky, cheese, and bread (probably in the form of an entirely-too-hard and possibly-moldy biscuit).

I'm actually very aware of this, almost to the point where I'm mildly annoyed that everyone feels the need to point this out as if I don't actually know this. (Pet peeve. Not to go off on anyone.) I'm using the 2 lb. number to stick with published GURPS rules, which indeed is to possibly leave things open for a Pyramid article.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Varyon

It's your game, so you can run things however you'd like, but do note that the 2 lb rations are likely meant to represent a meal of jerky, cheese, and bread (probably in the form of an entirely-too-hard and possibly-moldy biscuit). It leaves room for alternative foodstuffs, such as Dwarven Rations (cram?) which weigh 1 lb per meal, or Elven Rations (lembas?), which only weigh around 0.167 lb per meal, so having fresh meat be 1 lb per meal would hardly be breaking from DF rules.

Though certainly ahistoric. As far as realism goes, its largely an issue of water content, the dry weight of a 1,000 calorie meal (reasonable for adventurers) is about 0.5 lb if it's mostly carbs and protein, maybe 0.3 lb if it's quite fatty but still provides adequate protein.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Though certainly ahistoric.

We're starting to thread-drift here. However, there was an article from S.E. Mortimer from the second-generation of Pyramid about all this, making me again rue the day my hard drive with my archives of that generation of Pyramid died an unrecoverable death.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

But regardless, the rules in DF8 only talk about keeping gutted parts a few days to sell them in town, while having them being lasting trade goods would need some salt (another trade good) and another skill roll.

DF2 has general rules for using your skills to make stuff during downtime.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

I'm actually very aware of this, almost to the point where I'm mildly annoyed that everyone feels the need to point this out as if I don't actually know this. (Pet peeve. Not to go off on anyone.) I'm using the 2 lb. number to stick with published GURPS rules, which indeed is to possibly leave things open for a Pyramid article.

Apologies if you were already aware, I'm just confused by your "published GUPRS rules" stance, considering the LTC3 rules for 1 lb meat = 1 meal are, in fact, published GURPS rules.

Actually, while composing a response to Anthony, I decided to recheck DF1... and found that the rations there actually do match his 0.5 lb value. The cost is $2. 1 lb per meal is for fresh meat, as you'd get from a carcass, while the 0.5 lb value is more appropriate for, well, the jerky+cheese+bread default.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

DF2 has general rules for using your skills to make stuff during downtime.

That isn't the question. What skill do you use to preserve a fur? And often, this isn't happening during downtime, but before you get back to town, as the fur will spoil?

(Cracks open LTC3). Professional Skill (Tanner) is the answer to my question. It has a Leatherworking default, but few characters will have either skill. Guess the party scout is going to be disappointed.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Actually, while composing a response to Anthony, I decided to recheck DF1... and found that the rations there actually do match his 0.5 lb value. The cost is $2. 1 lb per meal is for fresh meat, as you'd get from a carcass, while the 0.5 lb value is more appropriate for, well, the jerky+cheese+bread default.

(Cracks open a character sheet.) You're right. Apologies.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

(Cracks open LTC3). Professional Skill (Tanner) is the answer to my question. It has a Leatherworking default, but few characters will have either skill. Guess the party scout is going to be disappointed.

I would also allow Survival or IQ at -4 at that TL.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

That isn't the question. What skill do you use to preserve a fur? And often, this isn't happening during downtime, but before you get back to town, as the fur will spoil?

(Cracks open LTC3). Professional Skill (Tanner) is the answer to my question. It has a Leatherworking default, but few characters will have either skill. Guess the party scout is going to be disappointed.

Does the party have access to magic? evileeyore's post (#17 in this thread) makes note of some Food College spells that should handle this for the party. You might also be able to have magic items with similar effects - for DnD I once created a Bag of Preservation (using Gentle Repose, as there was no Preserve Food type spell) that would have worked well here (in the game I GM'd I used it as an excuse to give the characters some perishable goods that would help them in the desert, as I hadn't read the supplement for desert travel and hazards until they were already in the desert; in the game I played I wanted my Ranger to have fresh fruit to supplement all the game he was catching for the party).

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

I would also allow Survival or IQ at -4 at that TL.

I think that would be fine for basic rawhide or minimally tanned leather. Even I know that there's generally enough brains in a mammal to tan its own hide.
But I believe that preserving fur is much trickier, and not something that even a well educated layman, which I am not at all, could realistically attempt.

Also I wouldn't want such an overarching skill like Survival to step too hard on the toes of other skills of less adventuring utility like Leatherworking.