There’s a scene in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire when the heroes are stuck on a tropical island and really need water to survive. They’re saved by a “spigot”; a device that can be hammered into a tree, so that the water from behind the bark and flow out. It’s usually called a tap and you need the right sort of tree.
You’ve probably played in fantasy adventure games where characters have ropes, ten foot poles, mirrors and the like but but did they bring a spigot? A while back I asked Reddit’s /r/RPG if they could add to the list. What items should adventurers pack but usually forget to?
Here’s the abridged list from the discussion that followed. What do you think is missing? Would you add anything? Let us know in the comments below.
Block and Tackle
/u/vaqari noted;
Block and tackle. Tree on the path? Block and tackle. Giant gold statue too heavy to lift into the cart? Block and tackle. Half-orc barbarian falls into a pit and no one can lift him out? Block and tackle.
/u/ApokalypseCow added from the Adventure Gear section from Pathfinder;
Block and tackle costs 5 gp and weighs 5 lbs, adds a +5 circumstance bonus on Strength checks to lift heavy objects. Securing the pulley requires one minute.
Pitons
/u/steeltemper explained;
Pitons. They’re cheap and handy. Need to wedge a door open or closed, no prob. Stop a mechanical trap? Sure, and they are cheap so you don’t mid using them in a situation where you won’t get them back. Also, I suppose you could use them for climbing, but I never have.
Crowbar
/u/True_Bromance shared;
I had a player who carried next to nothing besides cooking gear, a crowbar, and some potions, and he just used the crowbar for everything. Need a blunt/piercing weapon? Crowbar will do in a pinch. Need to get that door open? Crowbar. Tired of looking for the switch that’s hidden behind a false wall? Start hitting the walls with the crowbar, the false one will break. Door handle that looks like it might be coated in poison? Open it with a crowbar. Need a grappling hook? Crowbar will do in a pinch. Need a giant fishing hook? Crowbar.
Seriously, this guy had so many uses for that stupid crowbar it was ridiculous. Props goes to him for being quite creative as a player, but still it impressed me enough that anymore during the few times I play, I always make sure my character has a crowbar on him at all times.
Davey safety lamp
/u/Nirriti_the_Black added;
You can even tell what type of atmosphere is in a chamber with it by observing the flame.
Cloak
/u/hkdharmon explained;
If you are playing in a game where exhaustion and environmental issues are considered, take a cloak. Cloaks keep you warm and dry.
The cloaks in the picture above are from Rolypoly Crafts and can be bought from their Etsy store.
Hatchet
Not the same as a handaxe, it was suggested. In the thread /u/johncfremont suggested;
Each would be less effective in the other’s role. A hatchet would be heavier and slower when used as a weapon, and a handaxe wouldn’t be great for chopping wood. Plus there’s also the possibility that you could damage the edge of your handaxe or dagger by using them for more utility type tasks.
Whetstone
Want your weapons to be sharp enough to damage? You’ll need a whetstone.
Spigot
Combine the spigot or tap with a bit of nature or survival skills and you will have a way to access water when you might need it the most.
Needle and thread
Straight foward enough that was there was no debate.
Beeswax Candles
Assumes your fantasy world has bees… but then not many gamer groups wonder about where the candles come from.
The colourful candles in the picture above can be bought from Izzywicks on Etsy.
Grappling hook
The picture above is an old Japanese style grappling hook called a Kaginawa.
