What's the most critical piece of dungeoneering equipment?

[DrunkonDuty]

roguerouge wrote:
Recently, it seems to be outfits. My recent characters want to have a change of clothes while adventuring, along with outfits for special occasions. As for magic items, the lowly Wand of Prestidigitation has become a favorite.

Playing a lot bards lately?

I like the 10' pole, if nothing else it allows you to make sure all the dungeons are built to union standard with proper 10'x10' corridors etc.

But I reckon Halflings and Gnomes are the most versatile. Need to carry extra stuff? Check for trapped floor? Burn something for a light? Gnomes and Halflings everytime. Gnome or Halfling on a 50' rope could be good. Sort of a yo-yo effect for finding pit traps. Goblins work too, if you don't mind mixing evil characters into the party.

 

[Mark]

What's the most critical piece of dungeoneering equipment?

A map.

 

[Jdvn1]

A towel.

 

[the Jester]

Rope, no question.

 

[Ashtagon]

A hireling.

They can fight, carry your stuff, carry treasure, make good human shields, give flanking bonuses, give enemies an alternative target, and in a pinch you can use them as an improvised weapon, as a substitute 10-foot pole, or even burn them as a light source!

There's probably ways you can use them as a rope, but that could get messy.

 

[Lanefan]

But I reckon Halflings and Gnomes are the most versatile. ... Gnome or Halfling on a 50' rope could be good. Sort of a yo-yo effect for finding pit traps.

My group did this - stuck a Hobbit on the end of a rope and lowered it from an underground passage into water known to be dangerous (there was a 10'-wide giant crab in there). The holder of the rope dismally failed no less than three perception checks - sure, she noticed the rope was jerking and bobbing, but thought it was just the Hobbit moving around; what she didn't notice was the rope was getting progressively lighter as the Hobbit on the end got killed and eaten!

Finally, someone else closer to the action noticed the water had gone somewhat red; the holder then reeled in the bloodstained end of a frayed rope.

Lan-"but it should have been a Gnome"-efan

 

[Plane Sailing]

I want to say 10' pole, but really I think it's either the humble rope or the torch.

In any event, you don't leave home without all three.

I'm with Celebrim on this one.

Cheers

 

[Silverblade The Ench]

Toilet paper!
Unless your a construct/undead, it sure beats using green-slime infested bits of rock...


Was long running gag in my games that TP was the most desired thing any adventurer with common sense, and was sold at huge profit in Undermountain, hehe.

 

[bouncyhead]

I'm with Celebrim on this one.

Cheers

And me.

 

[roguerouge]

Playing a lot bards lately?

Actually, no, a dervish and a cleric, but it may be the influence of DMing a bard.