FORAGING every three gallons being transported in a single container. A typical waterskin holds one gallon, but larger containers can be obtained or fashioned if so desired. In most cases, the minimum daily requirement for water means just that: A character will become weakened from dehydration if he consumes less than a full ration of water for a number of consecutive days equal to his tolerance level. (For purposes of simplicity -and to keep characters always cognizant of the need for a supply of water - not having enough is just as bad as having none at all.) Naturally, the Dungeon Master is free to take circumstances into account and may relax this stipulation to some degree if the situation warrants such action.
Of course, it is possible to consume more than the minimum daily requirement of food, either all in one meal or in more than one meal spaced throughout the day. However, overeating does not offer any significant benefits in game terms; a character’s physical condition does not improve, nor can he go for a longer time before eating again, just because he has stuffed himself. It is also possible to conserve food by not always eating the minimumdaily requirement. A character can “cheat” by as much as half of the recommended amount (eating only one-half pound of meat or one pound of vegetables or greenery per day) without immediately suffering adverse effects. However, he can only remain on this restricted diet and still perform normal activitiesfor a number of days equal to 1’12 times his tolerance level (rounded down). After that much time has passed, the character will become weakened and will remain in that condition as long as he stays on half rations. All it takes to offset this condition is the consumption of a full ration during any single day, after which the character is back at full strength. A character who does not engage in any significant physical activity (strenuous or otherwise) can subsist on half rations indefinitely.
FOOD GATHERING Foraging It is exceedingly simple for any character to step off the beaten path or walk a short distance from the campsite and find plant life that is probably edible, as long as he is located in a type of terrain where vegetation grows in some abundance. At the other extreme, it can be practically impossible for a character to find edible plants if there just isn’t any greenery to be seen.
Minimum Daily Requirement of Water The amount of water a character needs is highly variable, depending mainly on where he is and what he does. The following figures are minimum daily requirements, in pints, for a human male of average size and weight.
Table 30: FORAGING SUCCESS Winter
Table 29: WATER REQUIREMENTSFOR CHARACTERS Activity Inactive Light Moderate Heavy
. . . . . . .. .Effective Temperature ...,. . . . . Below 50 5 6 8 9
50-70 6 7 9 10
71-90 7
a
10 12
010
Spring 5175 10160 010
Summer 5/50
Above 90
Autumn 010 515
O/(I 51f 50 101;75
a
10 12 16
Modifiers Elves need one-fourth less (rounded up to nearest half-pint). Dwarves, gnomes, and halflings need one-third less (rounded up to nearest pint or half-pint). Food with high water content accounts for one-fourth to onethird of a character’s daily requirement of water.
010 70140 20150 10150
5150 85/40 30150 15150 30140 35150 20160
50140
60140 65140 35150
15150 io0150 40140
5175 75/40 25150
F H M
A character has remainedinactive during any day when he has spent one hour or less performing significant physical acvitity. Riding a mount at its normal movement rate, preparing a meal, or engaging in any other sedentary pursuit are allowed. Moving on foot (even at a slow pace), engaging in combat, or performing any strength-related task are not. A character has engaged in light activity on any day during which he has spent more than one hour on something other than non-sedentary pursuits. A character has engaged in moderate activity on any day during which he has spent more than two hours on something other than non-sedentary pursuits. A character has engaged in heavy activity on any day during which he has spent more than four hours on something other than non-sedentary pursuits.
txropical
u F H
M
I VVILJ
40140
55130 90130 90140 50150 51 1001 1001 90130
For the purpose of determining how many days’ worth of water is provided by a create waterspell or similar magic, one cubic foot of water contains seven gallons, and there are eight pints in a gallon. Of course, in order to be able to make full use of magically created water, characters must have a way of containing it and transporting it (assuming they are traveling). Water has an encumbrance value of 50 gp per gallon, plus an extra 50 gp for
65150 35/60
JJ1L.J
75/30
60140
90140
90135
Each entry on this table consists of two numbers. The number 53