Climbing Into A Ravine

[ender_wiggin]

Alright, I'm trying to make an small encounter out of this. The ravine is about 150 feet deep and the PCs will probably want to get down into without killing themselves. Falling will probably kill them -- they are level 1. Thus, forcing a simple, failable climb check I think is out of the question.

Any ideas?

 

[Mark]

With rope, even if they lose their grip, they won't go far. Are there trees and whatnot in the rivine to keep them from falling all the way to the bottom if they don't use ropes?

 

[ender_wiggin]

In my mind it's like a straight cliff. There's probably trees growing out the side, but that's a questionable way to break your fall.

 

[Jdvn1]

If they tie the rope around themselves (assuming there's a lot of rope or possibly the have harnesses), then it'd make the climbing much easier. You could throw in birds or swarms of stuff to make it interesting.

 

[Mark]

In my mind it's like a straight cliff. There's probably trees growing out the side, but that's a questionable way to break your fall.

In your mind it could be lined with razor blades, too, but you're running a game for first level characters so maybe you should change your mind. Save the "straight cliffs" for when they get up to level two...

 

[fafhrd]

Well a knotted rope will make that climb check DC:0. The issues would then be do they have enough rope to get all the way down. Perhaps a number of shallow ledges at 50' intervals. Put some natural burrows near the ledges with some critters, giant ants or centipedes, that get agitated when the first PC lands. The first one to the landing needs to hold out until the others can make their way down. If you want to be mean, knotting and securing the rope shortens it to the point where a tumble or jump check is needed to avoid damage on the drop to the ledge. If the group has 3+ coils of rope, they'll likely try to tie them together and descend all the way. Give them survival checks to determine how difficult it will be with a good draft running through the ravine. If they proceed in trying for the long haul, give the wind a bull rush strength of +0. Each 5 feet they get dragged, the rough face does 1d3 subdual.

Getting back up is another matter.
My 2c

 

[ender_wiggin]

I like the straight cliff too much. It gives a closeness feeling to bottom; I need that.

I"m thinking about changing the height. Well, not the cliff. I'll have a rope ladder (no climb check required), but when they get 3/4 the way down a bird will get pissed and attack them, forcing either a concentration or a climb check. If fail, I'll give them a 40 foot fall.

Any thoughts?

 

[loki44]

Alright, I'm trying to make an small encounter out of this. The ravine is about 150 feet deep and the PCs will probably want to get down into without killing themselves. Falling will probably kill them -- they are level 1. Thus, forcing a simple, failable climb check I think is out of the question. Any ideas?

It seems to me that it's up to your players to devise a way to get down without killing themselves, other than straight "climb". As others have mentioned, ropes seem like a good solution. Also, what is the motive? Why must they climb down into this ravine? Can they avoid it by going around? Is there some urgency?

 

[ender_wiggin]

No urgency; they'll probably want to get down to examine a corpse at the bottom (dead from falling). It's not much of a motive, but I figure it's enough. They're actually looking for some people who disappeared a week ago.

 

[Mark]

No urgency; they'll probably want to get down to examine a corpse at the bottom (dead from falling). It's not much of a motive, but I figure it's enough. They're actually looking for some people who disappeared a week ago.

If it's only forty feet and they have rope with them, they have only themselves to blame if anyone dies. Unless you add some ravenous, ravine rats...