[CONAN] All the little things...

[Supplement Four]

All the little questions that come up in a game....

Here's one that came up at the end of last game, and I need an answer for it before we play again next Saturday.

The PCs ended the game by following a dry river bed down into a fairly tight canyon (15-30 feet across, 85 feet high). This is during an incredibly bad rain storm. In fact, they were using the canyon as a guide not to get lost.

The spend the night in a small cave they found in the canyon's side. It rained the entire next day. I described how the dry river bed became wet, then hand ankle deep water. A little later, I reminded them that the water was rising--it was knee deep. Finally, it becomes waist deep.

All the while, it is storming, heavily, for most of the day. I'm sure the intensity of the storm varies. There are some hours when it is drizzling and some where it's like someone is pouring a bucket over you.



The PCs need food. And, in deed, on of them has a bone fish hook and some line among their equipment.

The question is this: Is there any fish in the river?





It cracks me up sometimes when I consider all the off-the-wall things that I consider after a game. Is this or that possible...how long does it take to do this....how should I implement that in the game.

I'm not that much of an outdoorsman, and I really have no idea if a dry canyon experiencing a flash flood will carry fish with it.

And, if does....with the storm....that's some fast, rushing water. Even if there is fish, is fishing possible?





So...

Question 1 - Is there fish.

Question 2 - If so, would you say the fishing is Poor, Fair, or Good?

Questin 3 - Is fishing even possible under those condidtions?

 

[Spectator]

As some one who grew up in the canyonlands of utah and in Nevada here's your answer:
1. If its a dry bed, the answer is no (unless the now wet bed links up two giant bodies of water.)
2. There may be fish (most likely not, though); but due to the water conditions; super turbulent and muddy/ debris choked as all get out, any fishing would be near impossible.
3. Fishing would be impossible not so much due to lack of fish, but due to pressing needs of survival; namely those tight canyons are the drainage area for dozens of square miles. Numerous people get caught in these and die every year.
See http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/flash-floods.htm
If they are cimmerians they need to hoof it up the canyon wall or go to where the box canyon opens up. If not the little cave they are chilling in will be underwater.

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/price/recreation/river_inf/know_blackboxes.html

The river will be so choked with branches, dead animal carcasses (really, yes!), and silt that your line would get snagged and fouled in two shakes of a lambs tail.

 

[Supplement Four]

Excellent reply, Spec. Thanks!

 

[Supplement Four]

What about this: Can you swim with stuff in your hands? A dagger? A sword? A shield? A spear? A sack of equipment?

I'm thinking "no", but I'd entertain an argument for something small, dagger size or smaller.

If someone swims with something in their hands, what do you think I should penalize them? -2 (-4 if both hands)? -4 (-8 if both hands)?

Thoughts?

 

[Supplement Four]

What about your gear while swimming? If a knife is in a sheath on your weapon belt, what's the chance that you'll lose it while swimming? What if you're in a flash flood being dragged 200 feet down a canyon? Undertow. Possibly flipping around under water?

Chance that, anything not secured to your body, will get lost?

 

[Spectator]

The problem with swimming is that you are thinking it will be just turbulent water which is tough enough.
But remember in a flash flood, the first several hours of that deluge, the water will be filled with logs and stuff knocking around your head as you bob in the water.

see these pictures for just a small creek and flood and look how much debris accumulated:
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/Flash-Flood!.htm

Long story short: climb to safety if you can.
There is no rational way to ride it out unless you make them a burn a fate point or two and have them banged up and without any gear (my preference for stupid/ ignorant maneuvers).