A different way of handling equipment

[LostSoul]

This actually comes from something I did in a Star Wars game way back in 2000, but I figured that d20 is robust enough to handle it as well.

Instead of writing down each and every thing that you've got in your backpack, or the backpack of the goblin mooks that the PCs just killed, why not give a backpack a "handy code"?

This "handy code" is a + or - rating, determining the likelyhood of an object waiting in rest inside a container. This is rolled (d20 style) against a DC set by the DM.

Sample containers:

Typical adventurer's backpack
Handy rating: +4.
Ammo: 10. (Use this to determine how many new items you can pull out. When the ammo's out, you know all the items in the pack; there's nothing new there. Or not.)

Gnome pack-rat's backpack
Handy rating: +8.
Ammo: 10.

Bag of holding
Handy rating: +16.
Ammo: 30.

DCs would vary based on the type of equipment you're looking for and the type of container you're searching through. Looking for a rope in an adventurer's backpack might have a DC of 5, while looking for a rope in a noblewoman's purse might have a DC of 30.

 

[LostSoul]

Hmm... no replies. Well, it's a very cinematic way of gaming, not so tactical, so I'm not too surprised.

 

[Limper]

Once you got a useful bit of equip wouldn't you need to write it down anyway? For the DM this is a pretty good idea.... as a player if I gat the cool tool from teh bag of holding I'd still want to note it so I can use it again.

Do you have a "Handy" DC table? I'm curious to see it.

 

[Tonguez]

Could make a cool magic item though

Actually I tend to allow 'on the fly' back pack contents anyway (sans weapons, magic, specialist tools (lockpicks/alchemist lab) etc) which allow characters to have something of use when and if they need it. Your system codifies the system which might be good too

PS I like cinematic...

 

[LostSoul]

Once you got a useful bit of equip wouldn't you need to write it down anyway?

True dat... but then you only need to record the useful stuff and hope that you've got what you want when you need it. It's kinda different... more movie-ish, but it might be fun. And you're right, for DMs it would be a great tool.

I don't have any sample DCs (or even "handy codes"; I guess they should change based on equipment and owner) but I think doing it on the fly would be okay.

"I'm going to see if there's a +5 vorpal longsword in here."

[roll: 28]

"Nope, but you find a shiny sword. Probably masterwork."

 

[WSmith]

I like this. Just like I like the "no need to keep track of the ammo" rule in d20 SW and when a 1 is rolled you are out and need to re-load .