How weak is 5 str??

[AuraSeer]

It won't be too bad. You'll just need to keep your limitations in mind when you go out adventuring.

As a Small character with 5 Str, your light load allowance is just 12 pounds. Regular clothing doesn't count toward that, but you'need to be careful about what else you carry around. (Note that you can't do without your spellbook and component pouch, which together weigh 5 pounds.) You'll have to trust the other PCs to carry the sacks full of treasure.

Don't bother carrying a weapon larger than a dagger-- especially not a melee weapon. You won't be able to use it effectively, and it'll use up lots of your weight allowance. Even the dagger will be more for utility, like cutting ropes and whatnot, rather than combat.

You'll want to buy yourself a riding dog, or at least a pack mule, so you can stash most of your gear in the saddlebags. If you tried to carry rations and bedroll and all that stuff in your pack, you'd suffer big movement penalties from encumbrance.

You will suck at skill checks like Climb, Jump, and Swim. In situations where such things may be necessary, be prepared to aid yourself with spells (like feather fall) or invest in helpful magic items.

 

[Thunderfoot]

I would suggest a pack mule, but if he gets stubborn, you'll lose the drag battle and likely get drug around yourself. How about a pack cat, maybe a dire tabby or something...
(Yeah that 5 is gonna stink)

In all seriousness a riding dog (pack dog), a mule/donkey/pony, or other beast of burden is going to be a must. Someone mentioned clothing, wand and your spellbook, but it is quite likely you'll need help lifting/carrying your spellbook, you are as they say a glorified girly-man, my 11 year old daughter could probably best you in a wrestling match (and she be petite). On the other hand the role playing options are nearly endless, wussified nerd-boy, effeminate "fab 5" gnome - "Oh these cave are attrocious, they could use a swag or something, I mean moss and slime are SOOO last year.", crippled sage (was once a great warrior but after a battle was crippled and picked up the books to pass the time).

Hope this helps and happy gaming.

 

[Klaus]

Note that a Bag of Holding always has a fixed weight, even when empty, and a Small character with Str 5 will be encumbered by it (IIRC, it's 15 lbs.).

So the best advice given above is to have a riding dog/warpony, slap a couple of Saddlebags of Holding on it and let it drag you around. A Glove of Storing with a light crossbow is never a bad idea either (since your Str penalty has no impact on crossbows).

 

[Venport]

"Glove of Storing with a light crossbow "

I like that idea... i think every wizard should have a cross bow but the golve of storing will help... Thanks eveyone is is really helpful

 

[iwatt]

You will suck at skill checks like Climb, Jump, and Swim. In situations where such things may be necessary, be prepared to aid yourself with spells (like feather fall) or invest in helpful magic items.

He's suck at these skills without the bad strength anyways unless he goes fighter/barbarian. So don't worry. Seriously, in a normal game there wil be someone with enough strength to carry you in those situatations. You'll just have to deal with the indignity of being part of someone's encumbrance.

In my case (str 5/con 20 Gnome illusionist) I've embraced the fact that I need my goliath to survive (any type of barbarian will do in any case though). I cast reduce person before combat as a buff (keep movement, gain +2 AC (dex + size), +4 to hide for another -2 to str, -4 to grapple is very cool). I think of myself as in a symbiotic relationship (I cast spells on the goliath, feed him potions, etc...). I'm like those fishes that swim around sharks...