Request for help: If your PC had to spend 2 years in the wild, how would he survive?

[Edena_of_Neith]

The DM was very surprised when the group decided not to stay.

Had the group stayed, we could have built our own fortress in the area, and fought off the monsters that came.

(sighs)

 

[JohnBrown]

Hey Edena,

I think your character has a great chance to survive. Not guaranteed certainly, but even a first level Ranger or Druid would have a difficult time all alone. There is plenty of good survival advice already posted, and basic wilderness survival information is easily found on the Internet or at your local library. Prestidigitation is your friend. Don’t be afraid to push it to its limits. The purpose of it was to allow the wizard to use magic to make his life easier and more comfortable as well as impress commoners. Bend it until it breaks

As far as wondering encounters are concerned, remember, most creatures, even dire creatures, want easy prey to hunt. Just by being careful, you can decrease your chance of encountering them. As far as the intelligent creatures -- such as orcs -- are concerned, it is unlikely that they will be specifically out hunting for you, so any little signs of your being there (such as small cook fires, or the odd footprint) will probably be overlooked. Even legendary trackers and hunters don’t notice things that they aren’t looking for. Again, careful is the key (or at least that’s how I would rule it if I was your DM).

By eating well, and staying as warm, dry and clean as you can, you will be able to stave off most illness. Shelter, water, and food are your priorities, worry about security after you have secured them. Monster encounters are a die roll anyways and no plan is foolproof. A good place to live, clean water and food you can control. The dice you can’t. In real life, people have survived worse, and they can’t cast spells.

All that said, Piratecat had the best idea of all -- sell the secret, make a fortune, and gain your abilities to boot.

Good Luck,

John

 

[Jack Haggerty]

Re: Ashebrannor

Edena... Unless your DM is using a house rule, 0-level spells-per-day don't benefit from high ability scores.

You should get 3 0-level and 3 1st level spells per day, plus any bonus spells from specializing.

Spells in Spellbook: Detect Magic, Magic Missile, Read Magic, Sleep, All Cantrips from the Player's Handbook
(Spells Memorized: Magic Missile, Sleep x 2)

And it looks like you got short-changed here. First, Detect Magic and Read Magic are included in the "All Contrips from PHB". Second, according to the PHB, a Wizard begins at 1st level with 2 + Int bonus 1st-level spells in his spellbook. Aside from Sleep and Magic Missile, you should get to pick another 4 1st-level spells.

If it is deadly to eat raw meat (which has only JUST been unfrozen, by the way) why is it so deadly?

And also, if meat will not stave off scurvy, how do the eskimos survive?

Thorough cooking kills any bacteria and parasites that may be living in that raw meat. Eating raw meat runs the risk of contracting disease and infestations.

Traditional Eskimos, however, didn't get scurvy, because they ate their meat raw or severly undercooked, and they ate a lot of raw animal bits that we normally don't (like beluga whale skin, and the stomach contents of caribou). Cooking, you see, tends to destroy vitamin C. Learn more here.

 

[The Forsaken One]

Will Saving Throw: + 2

Should be +2 *G*

Ambidexterity.... creative.

And indeed many more spells are at your disposal.

 

[Bagpuss]

A fire would be vital, no matter what danger you think is about.

You don't cook your meat and boil your water you risk all sorts of dieases and parasites.

You don't have a source of heat in autumn through to spring you will die from the cold.

It is possible to build concealed and smokeless fires.

Your priorities are, water, heat, shelter and food. Setting snares and fish traps should be done ASAP as they can be catching food while you work on a shelter.

Sheltering close to a river (even in a cave) is a bad idea. First rivers flood so you would find your home soaking wet during the spring. More importantly if you see the river as a good resource then so will all the animals that come there to drink, the preditors that hunt those animals and any orcs or goblins that live in the area.

The river will probably be used for travel as well so no matter how well you hide your cave it will be discovered due to the heavy traffic around a river.

 

[Ashtal]

Hey Jack ... that's a really cool site. Thanks for the new bookmark!

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Bumping this up once.
I can always use more good advice - if not for Ashbrannor, then for another character when another deadly situation occurs.

 

[mythusmage]

The last PC of mine who actually got anywhere was Aleena de Auberville. In 2e a 15th level Priestess of Chauntea, with special bennies. In 3e she'd be a 20th level character; Cleric 5th, Druid 5th, Agent of Chauntea 10th (Druid spellcasting 10th). If she found herself suddenly "marooned" in the boonies, she'd first drop in on Chauntea to get some idea of what's going on. Once apprised of the situation she'd set up shop and start to work. Set up a grove, build a comfy little cottage. Make some new friends (Animal Friendship). Awaken a few of them. (Awakened crow rogue 3rd anybody?)

Between her skills, spells, and buds a couple of years in the great outdoors would give her no problem.

So if you're lost in the Western Heartlands (or a similar place on some other world than FR), look for a middle aged Druidess/Chosen of Chauntea. Fresh bread, hot soup, and a dire wolf ranger who knows more limericks than most bards.

 

[William Ronald]

Edena,

Gen Con was fun, and I hope you can make it next year. (It was good running into Black Omega and so many other people from the boards.)

Piratecat has a good idea. Possibly a few select people can be told the secret of the glade and help set up a fortress. (The leaders of the Silver Marches Alliance would consider it worthwhile, I suspect. They may well mount an expedition to the ruined city.)

Your character could find himself joined by NPCs to help defend the glade, and adventure in the ruined city. This would give your DM or someone else a chance to run another secondary campaign.

As for tactics, I would perhaps recommend a lot of snare traps. Remember, your character's intelligence is one of his greatest weapons.