The Basics of Survival

Characters must be able to survive in the wild, but not every PC is designed to survive while exploring with minimal gear and a limited supply of food or water. Here are some basic tips to help your PCs stay healthy and more importantly alive.

### **Daily Intake Requirements**

*A character must drink 1 gallon of water and consume 1 ration a day to remain healthy.*

In addition to a character's daily intake requirements there are other factors that may need to be factored in. They include:

* If conditions are hot then water rations are doubled.
* If you can only get a half day's ration of food *OR* water, then you must make a DC (10 + the # of days marching) Constitution Saving Throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion.
* With no food or water at all, you will automatically gain a level of exhaustion at the end of the day.
* The 8 hour short rest will not rid a character of 1 level of exhaustion.
* Only a long rest or magical healing can rid a character of exhaustion.

### **Short & Long Rests**

*Characters can safely earn long rests in designated safe zones. When in the wild, characters can attempt to take an 8 hour short rest or a 24 hour long rest.*

Characters are exploring harsh uncharted environments that are filled with dangerous creatures. It is implied that the wilderness is never completely safe and you always have to sleep with one eye open. As a result the following rules apply:

#### **Declaring The Party's Rest Option**

* The party must first decide whether they are taking a short or long rest.

#### **Short Rest Rules**

* Characters can take as many short rests as they would like, while exploring outside of designated safe zones.
* There will be 1 random encounter roll during the party's attempt to take a short rest.
* If there is no encounter then the party will be awarded a short rest at the end of the 8 hours.
* If there is an encounter the party must first resolve the scenario before earning their short rest.

#### **Long Rest Rules**

* Characters will fully regain all of their health, magical energy, magic item recharges and class/race features, etc. after a long rest in a designated safe zone like base camp, the village of an ally, a trustworthy inn, etc.
* While in the field, if the party remains at one camp and rolls 3 successful no encounter rolls over the course of 24 hours they will earn a long rest.
* If the party breaks camp after 8 or 16 hours they will not be awarded a short or long rest.

### **Encumbrance in the Wild**

*Due to the implementation of the variant encumbrance rules, it is unrealistic to think that every character and/or party will be able to carry all of necessary food and water for long over land marches into the unknown.*

Characters must plan, pack and travel based on their strength limitations and mission objectives. Here are some things to consider:

* Pack light! Try to carry only what you need to successfully complete the session's primary mission/objective!
* Leave gear at camp! (Make a separate section on your character sheet & unclick the items from your inventory.)
* Rations & water are heavy! Considering hunting & foraging instead of carrying the excess weight!
* Give your gear to a stronger party member. Get creative!