Climbing
Climbing an object requires a number of successes in an instant or extended action. Your character can climb 10 feet with each success rolled. Objects that are 10 feet or less in height can be climbed as an instant action. Rolls may be modified based on the availability of hand- and footholds, sheerness or slipperiness of the slope, and wind conditions, all at the Storyteller's discretion. By the same token, if the character chooses to take his time and pick his way carefully up the incline, each minute added to the roll provides a +1 modifier, to a maximum of +3. Thus, if a character takes his time and each roll represents three minutes of effort instead of one, a +2 modifier is added to each roll.
Example: Miles attempts to climb a tree to get his bearings while lost in a forest. He finds a suitable tree with lots of accessible branches and starts to climb. The Storyteller determines that the tree is 60 feet tall, and that it has been raining so the branches are slick. Miles' Strength is 3 and his Athletics is 2. He has no tools other than his hands and feet, so he takes his time; three minutes pass on each roll for a +2 bonus. The Storyteller imposes a -1 modifier due to the slippery conditions. Climbing to the top of the tree requires a total of six successes (one success per 10 feet) over the course of an extended action. If it takes four rolls to accumulate the required six successes, Miles reaches the top of the tree after 12 minutes.
Failure: Your character doesnÕt make any headway on his attempted climb. He doesn't lose altitude, but he doesn't gain any, either.
Success: Your character reaches the top of the object he wishes to climb (if performed as an instant action), or makes continued headway to the top (in an extended action).
Exceptional Success: Your character reaches the top with time and energy to spare. If successes gained exceed the amount required to climb the object (whether performed as an instant action or exceeding the total required for an extended action), your character may attempt another instant action at the top, such as a flip, at the Storyteller's discretion.
Suggested Equipment: Nylon rope (+1), climbing cleats (+1), grappling hook (+2), pitons and hammer (+3)
Possible Penalties: Lack of tools (-1 to -5), bad weather (-1 to -3), sheer slope (-1), lack of handholds (-3)
Example: Miles attempts to climb a tree to get his bearings while lost in a forest. He finds a suitable tree with lots of accessible branches and starts to climb. The Storyteller determines that the tree is 60 feet tall, and that it has been raining so the branches are slick. Miles' Strength is 3 and his Athletics is 2. He has no tools other than his hands and feet, so he takes his time; three minutes pass on each roll for a +2 bonus. The Storyteller imposes a -1 modifier due to the slippery conditions. Climbing to the top of the tree requires a total of six successes (one success per 10 feet) over the course of an extended action. If it takes four rolls to accumulate the required six successes, Miles reaches the top of the tree after 12 minutes.
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: Your character has lost his grip or footing and falls. It could be fatal depending on the height involved. See the rules on falling, p. 179.Failure: Your character doesnÕt make any headway on his attempted climb. He doesn't lose altitude, but he doesn't gain any, either.
Success: Your character reaches the top of the object he wishes to climb (if performed as an instant action), or makes continued headway to the top (in an extended action).
Exceptional Success: Your character reaches the top with time and energy to spare. If successes gained exceed the amount required to climb the object (whether performed as an instant action or exceeding the total required for an extended action), your character may attempt another instant action at the top, such as a flip, at the Storyteller's discretion.
Suggested Equipment: Nylon rope (+1), climbing cleats (+1), grappling hook (+2), pitons and hammer (+3)
Possible Penalties: Lack of tools (-1 to -5), bad weather (-1 to -3), sheer slope (-1), lack of handholds (-3)
Dice Pool: Strength + Athletics + equipment
Action: Instant or extended (one success is required per 10 feet of height; in an extended task each roll represents one minute of climbing)
Action: Instant or extended (one success is required per 10 feet of height; in an extended task each roll represents one minute of climbing)