Anyone else think food upkeep is tedious?

[Creamsteak]

In 1st edition, food upkeep seemed fun. Not so much in 3rd, but that's probably because my players are not willing to worry about it.

However, I can't stand it when I'm forced to "know" things I don't. Like, how to take care of a horse on a winter hike up a mountain. I, the player, don't know anything about horses, but I'm sure my Ranger/Cleric knew a thing about taking care of animals. Of course, I made a point out of this, and the DM killed my horse. Whatcha gonna do? You can't role-play knowledge you don't have.

 

[Chauzu]

On the flip-side, a more heroic game should ignore food- just like all the stories of epic adventure and heroism. The problem of such champions is always the sinister dark lord, not their supply wagon. But I'm a fan of author David Gemmel, and that type of heroism is not what I generally play or DM.

Except for Frodo's and Sam's epic adventure where they almost starved to death.

 

[hong]

Surviving in the wild is not DC 10 unless you are in fairly standard terrain- a forest with wild berry bushes and small game around. In a blasted wasteland, that DC is going to skyrocket.

Well, if you want to whack N circumstance modifiers on the roll, that's your business, I guess. Me, I want to get on with killing monsters and taking their treasure.

Sustenance is such a basic part of traveling, and such a major concern for any but the wealthiest of wandering people, that a game going for realism should probably trot it out whenever finding food and rest would be a challenge.

Screw realism.


Hong "getting all chaotic again" Ooi

 

[Stalker0]

I'm with Hong, if the party is going into a blasted wasteland, then I might care about food. Otherwise, I'll assume they get along

 

[tabrumj]

I usually ignore food consumption in game unless I have a real reason to make an issue of it. Whenever my PC's are goingg more than a few days into the wilderness I tend to keep a closer eye out though.

 

[Seule]

I pretty much ignore food in games, except in exceptional circumstances. Of course, my game sidesteps the entire issue by being set in a city, so food and water are always available.

--Seule

 

[Celtavian]

Re

Unless it is important to the adventure, then I just make them take off a certain amount of gold for upkeep. I certainly don't want to assume they eat and drink for free, but I don't want to spend too much time on it either.

 

[hammymchamham]

shhhh, don't tell my players, but I don't pay atention. Its usually them that bring it up

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

I am way too damn lazy as a DM to keep track of player food supplies. If an adventure depended on it, I could theoretically do it.

 

[MythandLore]

Anyone else think food upkeep is tedious?

I think it is most of the time.

"My fighter eats a ration" isn't much of an adventure.

Erasing a half-a-loaf of bread from your character sheet isn't a bold heroic action.

It's borring reality based game mechanics.

Unless it is a central part of the adventure.

If the party was crossing an expansive arid wasteland, you better believe water is a big deal.

That could be a major plot device.

If the party became stranded on a mysteroius uncharted island you can understand food can be a factor.

That could be a major plot device.