Thoughts on Encumbrance
Random List Generator Illustration by Silex Art Studio Nicodeme III, a wizard, is carrying 3 bundles of ropes, 4 flasks of oil, 1 lantern, 15 torches, 3 potions, 1 lockpicking kit, 2 vials of acid, 1 extendable ladder, 2 leather armor, 4 daggers, 1 short sword, 3 bows, 1 quiver, 50 arrows, and 15,000 coins. There is no squeaky door, dark corridor, pit, or padlock that stands in the way of Nicodeme III. He is ready for anything and will be even more ready next time he visits the general store. Sorry Nicodeme III, you’re going to have to drop some stuff, it’s too much. I believe that encumbrance can be useful as a mechanism to encourage creative thinking. If a character is lacking a rope, it may have to get creative or take a risk to descend down a slippery cave. And, of course, if there is too much treasure in a dangerous dungeon, then being unable to carry it all in one trip may encourage new strategies or preparation. For those of us that lik...