Creative uses of Common Items (G)

Tips and tricks for using commonly available mundane equipment to survive your next dungeon crawl.

1. Chalk: Sticks of chalk can be used to mark dungeon walls, floors and ceilings for navigation purposes and warnings. Have multiple colors. Crushed and powdered chalk can be used to blind opponents, detect invisible enemies and spread on the floor to show direction of travel and number of enemies that have walked through it. Powdered chalk can be sealed in paper packets for improved throwing range. Flour can be used as powdered chalk.

2. Candles: besides use as an illumination source, candles can be used to detect drafts from hidden passages. Wax can be used to seal scrolls and messages, seal door jambs, keyholes and chests to detect tampering. Wax can be used to plug the dispensing nozzles on gas traps. Softened wax can be used to fashion ear plugs. Candle soot from smoke can be used to blacken blades and armor.

3. Pitons: metal spikes that can be used for climbing, construct trip wires and head/neck level decapitation traps , wedge doors shut or open. Wooden tent pegs or wedges can also be used in softer surfaces.

4. Water skins can be used to pour water on floors to detect trap doors/secret passages. They can also be inflated to use as flotation devices or used as a very temporary air supply.

5. Small mirror: can be attached to a stick to peek around corners and over/under walls. Can be used for silent, passive signaling.

6. Cayenne pepper can be used not only to season a spicy stew but to throw off dogs and other animals/monsters that track by scent. Can be thrown in enemies eyes to blind them.

7. Marbles and caltrops are under appreciated method of area denial and slowing down pursuers or setting traps. Marbles can be used to detect grade on a sloping passage. Marbles can be used like ball bearings to roll heavy objects. Ball bearings are not likely to be available in most fantasy settings with medieval level technology.

8. Charcoal make rubbings of raised or recessed markings or writing, draw on walls. Blackening exposes skin for concealment.

9. Bells attach to trip wires for early warning alarm. Bells can be placed on hirelings or animal companions to detect when they move or stop moving (dead or unconscious).

10. Collapsible canvas or leather bucket can be used to gather water, douse fires, bucket above the door trick will sand, ashes, chalk, water will smother a torch or blind and confuse an opponent.

11. Lard, Grease or soap can be used to slick poles, climbing surfaces and floors. Can be used as lubricant to help large objects, including characters, squeeze through small holes, passages or openings.

12. Rope, twine, metal wire can be used to make trip wires, decapitation wires, tangle foots, bind captives. Metal wires have strength and rigidity good for fashioning lock picks.

13. Quick lime (Calcium oxide) will neutralize acidic attacks and stop acidic from destroying armor/items/weapons. May do damage do acidic creatures like Gelatinous Cubes.

14. A hollow reed or pipe can be used as a snorkel or to fire spit wads (distraction).

15. A small pot of tar can be used to trap a door handles and floors with sharp shards of broken glass, nails, broken pottery. Tar will burn well and produce thick, black concealing smoke.

16. Stout Leather or canvas bags can be used for hauling treasure, a quick blindfold for prisoners, Packed with coins, rocks or sand and tied shut a bag can make a potent weapon when dropped from on high or wielded as a field expedient flail.

17. A small block of clay can be used to make a crude mould to copy keys and other small objects using a metal ladle and soft metals like lead over a campfire. Most PCs armed with slings

should carry this equipment to replenish lead sling bullets.

18. Unstuffed scarecrow, readily available in any farming community. In the dim light of dungeons and at night it can be used to create a dummy of a sentry to draw enemies attention. Can be stuffed with straw, rags, bedding and clothing and dressed in the clothing and/or armor of slain foes. Or used to pad out bedrolls and lure monsters into an ambush just when they think they have the upper hand over a sleeping party.

19. A blanket/cloak and 2 spear or polearm shafts can be used to build a makeshift litter as a stretcher or travois for carrying casualties or loot.

20. Hammocks can be used as nets to catch game and fish, cover pit traps and entangle enemies you want to take alive. As a last resort they can be cut up for rope.

21.???

~ZOZ