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Staying Alive

The Game Master says...

A Guide to Health in the World of Medieval

To show players how much I want their characters to 'live' I have decided to embark on a database of information that will hopefully give you the necessary information to enable your character to survive. This thread will be updated regularly with information. Look for it.



First off... What is the ultimate goal?

Each character wants gold... that is what will enable survival, so that should be your prime purpose - get as much gold as you can! The more you have, the more you can buy, the more armor you buy... the better off you are in this world. There will come a day when you will have so much goal that you won't know what to do with it... not really, this is where the World of Medieval becomes the most fun! You can create your own village, town or keep and run it! If you are really big the GM will open a sub board for your world alone! Yep, but you got to be smart to reach that far! Gold alone won't get you there, you need experience, both real and in the game.

Alive Staying

The Game Master says...

Wooden Trap Door

A wooden trap door is usually embeded into a floor, but they can be placed anywhere. They serve as an entrance to a passageway that could not have a normal sized door. Always beware of the mechanism of trap doors... for instance where are the hinges, does it have a lock or handle? Wooden trap doors usually indicate that it blocks the entrance to something important else why the reason to take the time to make a wooden trap door? The great thing about wood is that it is not sound proof... don't forget that.

Staying Alive RPG PBP Medieval World

The Game Master says...

Metal Trap Door

A metal trap door is usually embedded into a floor, but they can be placed anywhere. If you ever find one, then you have found a rare thing indeed. They serve as an entrance to a passageway that could not have a normal sized door. Such trap doors are built to keep intruders out, but beware, they may also be keeping something locked within. In greater technology kingdoms such trap doors are used to go to complexed sewer systems or to trap water.

Alive Staying

The Game Master says...

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Hidden Trap Door

The idea behind a hidden trap door is to conceal it from anyone that is not supposed to know about it. Usually these trap doors have as its' 'door' something natural to the environment such as a rock in the wilderness, a mat in a home, etc. Hidden trap doors may also serve as a trap in itself by capturing an unsuspecting passer by that happens to cross it without knowing it is there. As shown in the picture above, some of these entrances have a lader or rope to descend.

Alive Staying

The Game Master says...

Cave Entrance

Caves are usually natural formations in mountains or underground. A typical cave is usually made of solid rock. It is easy to detect man made structures here since they fall out of sync with the rest of the environment... use that to your advantage, but do not be silly in thinking that there cannot be no traps in natural formations.



Reinforced Cave Entrance

When a cave has a mixture of set rock and natural formations then you know it is usually a dwelling place. In other words... something lives here!

Staying Alive

The Game Master says...

Mine Cave Entrance

Mines are usually temporary structured holes in the earth formed by man, they are dug with the idea of extracting mineral ore and then being abandoned - this may make them unsafe - beware! Be sure to mark the areas that seem to be braced by beams... this usually means an unstable area. If you see the mouth of a mine filled with fallen rock then you know that the surrounding earth may be unstable, lingering in mines may get you trapped so be careful. Certain mines may have gaseous scents that are poisonous, but not readily apparent. Using a bird in a cage will help you detect this... if the bird suddenly dies, then you know the air is bad. Another gas that could escape through the earth is the flammable type - when you carry a torch you can ignite this, but it is very rare, the best approach is to ensure that the lead person scouts with no torch before the rest follows - do this only if you are suspicious about a flammable gas seeping through a crack.

Staying Alive

The Game Master says...

The Magic of the Rod

A long stick or rod can do wonders at setting off traps. Poking at an object or place that you suspect has something that can hurt you is best done with an object that is long enough to keep you at a safe distance yet sturdy in order to do the job, such is the wooden rod. These are often available at the market place for a mere gold piece, hardly a cost factor when you consider it may save your life.

Staying Alive World Medieval PBP RPG

The Game Master says...

Mapping

One of the most important items you can have with you is feather pen, ink and scroll. If you have a map case to keep it all together then that is just as good too. So, you are off to fight the evil dragon, you descend the depths of the underground dungeon, but can you remember how to get out with all the turns, levels and steps? This is where mapping is very important, it helps you to make notes about where you are and where you came from. Drawing a map may also help you gain a perspective about where 'hidden' passages might be or where treasure could be located. If you have characters are low on wisdom and intelligence (mind & soul) then you will definitely need a map. If you do decide to go with this kind of safe play make sure the most intelligent character maps, and he/she does it when you are not in the middle of a trap or battle because it takes awhile to unwrap a scroll, dip a feather and then start drawing.