Horishijin
First Post
I'd also wonder at the tech level of the game in question, and how much the GM is willing to dip into modern equipment and techniques. Rappelling, as it is done in the modern manner, requires specialized rope (one that is fairly smooth and not too thick..) some sort of harness and a rappell brake (a figure-8, ATC, braking plate or something like that..) With that gear, rappelling is extremely easy (although still dangerous, which is what makes rappelling the most common fatal mountaineering accident..) and only requires one hand (go ask Aron Ralston, who made a 60' free-hanging rap after he cut his own arm off, or read his book about the experience...)
The gear =could= exist in a fantasy setting I suppose. A braking plate is nothing more than a metal plate with a slot in it, through which the rope runs after looping through a carbiner (another piece of modern hardware, but one that a smith could make I guess....) Your rope could be some special weave spider-silk rope. But, this almost becomes a metagaming issue in a way. Because you have seen Army Rangers zipping down out of a helicoptor, it does not mean that your character has seen it, and would be able to direct a smith to make the necessary hardware. But, I guess it depends on the style of your game. I maintain a very medieval model, and therefore would not allow it.
Without this gear it is more problematic. You need to apply a great deal of friction to a rope to slow a person sliding down a rope. It would take an amazing feat of strength to simply apply this friction with your hands. Your gloves would even be likely to catch fire due to the extreme friction generated. Even ATCs and figure-8s are hot as hell after a long rap. Without a braking device of some sort, mountaineers need to resort to wrapping the rope across the hip, over the shoulder and across the back in a position known as a "dulfersitz". Even then, it cannot be done on a free hanging rap, and your feet must remain braced (otherwise you twist out of the rope..) Even though the friction is applied to a large area of the body, I can tell you it still hurts like hell.
The gear =could= exist in a fantasy setting I suppose. A braking plate is nothing more than a metal plate with a slot in it, through which the rope runs after looping through a carbiner (another piece of modern hardware, but one that a smith could make I guess....) Your rope could be some special weave spider-silk rope. But, this almost becomes a metagaming issue in a way. Because you have seen Army Rangers zipping down out of a helicoptor, it does not mean that your character has seen it, and would be able to direct a smith to make the necessary hardware. But, I guess it depends on the style of your game. I maintain a very medieval model, and therefore would not allow it.
Without this gear it is more problematic. You need to apply a great deal of friction to a rope to slow a person sliding down a rope. It would take an amazing feat of strength to simply apply this friction with your hands. Your gloves would even be likely to catch fire due to the extreme friction generated. Even ATCs and figure-8s are hot as hell after a long rap. Without a braking device of some sort, mountaineers need to resort to wrapping the rope across the hip, over the shoulder and across the back in a position known as a "dulfersitz". Even then, it cannot be done on a free hanging rap, and your feet must remain braced (otherwise you twist out of the rope..) Even though the friction is applied to a large area of the body, I can tell you it still hurts like hell.
