Do you track rations?

[sircaren]

Just wondering how many groups actually track rations throughout an adventure? I tend to only bother if it's going to be a problem for the PCs (long dungeon expiditions, sparse wildlife, etc). In general it seems to be a lot of work for not much gain otherwise...

 

[The Edge]

In my campains I follow each day and its events, most events go by in a few words, but i make sure that things arent missed. More important things get full attention, and most new NPCs get an introduction. something like meals are normaly covered mearly by the players saying so and joting a note of cost to worry about latter. As for rations and such my group decided on puting them on the back of the character sheet rather than the gear list. To some it probably seems a waste of time and something to slow the pace. But it has the advantage that the players feel more like being in the game world, rather than a set of dungeons laid out like levels. They remeber the tavern that served the giant omlete, or Iman the fishermans son, who has no place in an 'adventure' whatsoever, but is there all the same.

I actualy have no idea of how people play their games outside of my little group and friends. It would be interesting to know how others play.

 

[diaglo]

encumbrance, rations, water, ammo...

we keep track of it all.

 

[sircaren]

encumbrance, rations, water, ammo...

we keep track of it all.

Got any tips to share on tracking all of that? Usually I have to remind my players about it constantly, and it's always met with looks of disgust. Is all ammo lost when used? I usually do a 50/50 for non magical ammo, magical ammo is almost always recoverable (if they remember to do it hehe )

 

[Numion]

encumbrance, rations, water, ammo...

we keep track of it all.

All? You also keep track of when the character needs to take a dump?

 

[diaglo]

do they keep track of gold, silver, copper?

do they keep track of other items?

it is no different.

it fits on a piece of paper and is easily tracked by session number or date.

an adventure log may help.

 

[diaglo]

All? You also keep track of when the character needs to take a dump?

yes...

best time to kill a PC is when his pants are down around his ankles.

 

[edemaitre]

Keeping track of rations

I usually require lower-level parties to set standard operating procedures, such as orders of march and watch, pitching and breaking camp, and feeding/watering steeds. Keeping track of rations and ammunition is part of this. At higher levels, we don't need to role-play out such scenes, and rations only become important when spoiled, stolen, or lost.

It's assumed that each Player Character keeps track of these things, and when they level up, I tend to charge a "mundane provisions" fee of say, 100 gold pieces each when they're in major cities to replace torn clothing, get fresh water/wineskins, and buy new armor straps/belts/sheaths. This doesn't include lodgings, which vary too much, or tithes, guild fees, and taxes, nor does it cover any enchanted items or spell components.

That way, when a midlevel party is ambushed at night, has ridden across a desert, or stumbles into an Elven garden, we can focus on the role-playing or cinematic aspects of their travels.

 

[Numion]

yes...

best time to kill a PC is when his pants are down around his ankles.

or up ..

DM: "when did your character last took a dump?"
Player: "Maan .. I dunno, but so then I say to the King .."
DM: *rolls dice*
DM: "The king is not pleased"

 

[Pseudonym]

best time to kill a PC is when his pants are down around his ankles.

I think I just found my new sig quote.

We track encumberance, but since several of us ahve haversacks or bags of holding, it is not usually an issue. As a PC, I usually buy three weeks of rations to drop in the haversack and replenish as needed.

The only time we seriously tracked every last shred of food and water was when our group entered the Mournlands, since there was no way to just make a Survival roll and handwave it.