Swim with hands full?

[Water Bob]

Lots of thoughtful replies.

I'm leaning towards a -2 penalty for a hand with something in it (-4 if both hands have something in them).

 

[Ashtagon]

3.0e gave a skill check penalty of -1 per 5 lb of weight carried (3.5 dropped this clause). I'm inclined to believe this is a realistic penalty.

 

[kitcik]

3.0e gave a skill check penalty of -1 per 5 lb of weight carried (3.5 dropped this clause). I'm inclined to believe this is a realistic penalty.

That's too brutal. You could have a "light load" and be unable to swim. 5lb isn't much in the water. With that penalty, lifeguards dragging victims would drown like half the time.

And, yes, you can swim carrying a cannonball.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

3.0e gave a skill check penalty of -1 per 5 lb of weight carried (3.5 dropped this clause). I'm inclined to believe this is a realistic penalty.

Off the top of my head, I'm thinking -2 for light load, -4 for medium, -8 for heavy. However, you might check the movement and encumbrance rules- there might actually be an answer.

 

[jonesy]

That's too brutal. You could have a "light load" and be unable to swim. 5lb isn't much in the water. With that penalty, lifeguards dragging victims would drown like half the time.

And, yes, you can swim carrying a cannonball.

http://www.historiclakes.org/graphics/vbrp_news/chris_6_ pounder.jpg

I'd xp you if I could, I would.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It seems there are three main ways to swim with something heavy:

Wrap one arm around it and swim with your other three limbs
Wrap both arms around it and swim with only your legs
Wrap your legs around it and swim with only your arms

All of them are obviously slower and more awkward than swimming without the heavy thing, but anyone who can swim reasonably well should be able to accomplish any of them (some people being naturally better at arms or legs than others)