| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Snow |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 09:04:23
I recently had a friend of mine (he's a blacksmith) make me a flint-striker forged from steel and a knapped piece of flint. Of course, I've had a ton of fun learning the ideosyncracies of how flint-&-steel works.
Since flint-&-steel is the easiest and most common source of low-level firemaking while adventuring in F.R. D&D, I'm curious to see if there are any F.R.-based fan fiction, homebrew game material, or general discussion on flint-&-steel firemaking in the Realms.
I did a search here at Candlekeep, and this is a topic never before discussed.
Thanks for your time!
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 23 Aug 2011 : 01:07:05
ROFLMAO!!! |
| Eltheron |
Posted - 23 Aug 2011 : 00:06:12
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Kentinal, are you perhaps referring to the wood-rubbing method? I've tried it, and one has to move the rod very fast indeed ot get even a spark. It also makes quite a bit of noise, IIRC. Like the sound of a squeaky bed.....
*cough* wood-rubbing... very fast... lots of noise... squeaky bed...
Yep, definitely the ticket to a roaring fire!
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 22:54:04
Kentinal, are you perhaps referring to the wood-rubbing method? I've tried it, and one has to move the rod very fast indeed ot get even a spark. It also makes quite a bit of noise, IIRC. Like the sound of a squeaky bed..... |
| Daviot |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 21:42:35
quote:
Originally posted by MisterXIn Pathfinder, they got a special cantrip for that iirc (maybe so. here knows the exact name).
Yup, the cantrip in question being spark, which is simple enough to work backwards with the 3.0-era cantrips for those interested.
Also, since Gond okay-ed starwheel (wheellock) pistols, there could be wheellock-based firestarters, that is, a small spring-wound box with a pyrite-lined wheel against steel, and a small lever or trigger to release the tension and use it. Such things were made in our own world, albeit apparently as expensive novelties, and ill-recorded in the historical record. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 18:23:36
quote:
Originally posted by Snow
Thanks Halidan, Galuf, Diffan and Lady S! I'll track those references down ....
Yes, I realize the Prestidigitation magic is a superior fire-starting source. But I love the real-world history of the flint-&-steel (it was a primary firemaking source in Earth's history for about 1,100 years!). So anything Realmsian related to this important piece of firemaking gear is definitely welcome!
Hmm, some years ago I read about another fire making method that might be longer then flint and steel.
The fire caused by friction. Basic concept you need two pieces of wood, a curved stick and a cord. One piece of wood being a stick or rod like, the other piece being larger with a hollow in it. The trick is the use the handle with cord warped around the rod, and spin the rod back and forth in order to cause a fire the start.
The article I read about it, indicated most people found it better to carry fire with them then make a new fire. The researchers though asked many to make a fire by this traditional process and some tried. It appeared most could not generate the speed to get friction heat high enough to start a fire. One however did do so. After seeing done a few times it was discovered that that person added sand or other some grit to the hollow, which increased the friction factor. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 18:13:14
I can't think of too many stories, Realms or otherwise, where the ability to create a fire was an important plot point. Often, it's too minor a detail to mention, like tying your shoes. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 18:12:15
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Shadowflame
quote:
Originally posted by MisterX
I always allowed magic-users to light up fires with the Prestidigitation-Spell. It's just cool to make fire just by muttering a few words and clapping your hands…
In Pathfinder, they got a special cantrip for that iirc (maybe so. here knows the exact name).
Ah, Prestidigitation, what can't it do?
Our DM allows us cantrips at-will and repeatable, so I've had a character serve as an impromptu laundry service for the party, using the spell to clean their clothes.
And I do tend to have my characters carry flint and steel; it's just too useful not to.
I had a character do similar stuff with cantrips in 2E, under a variant system that made them actually useful.  |
| Eltheron |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 17:32:36
There's also the handheld "Sparker" that's available from Aurora's Whole Realms Emporium (and catalog).
It's basically flint and steel mounted into a small handheld device, and with a small movement the two will strike each other to create sparks.
And for speedy fire-lighting, "tindertwigs" are essentially matches made through an alchemical process; they've been available at least since the core 3.5E player's handbook. |
| Snow |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 17:29:55
Thanks Halidan, Galuf, Diffan and Lady S! I'll track those references down ....
Yes, I realize the Prestidigitation magic is a superior fire-starting source. But I love the real-world history of the flint-&-steel (it was a primary firemaking source in Earth's history for about 1,100 years!). So anything Realmsian related to this important piece of firemaking gear is definitely welcome! |
| Lady Shadowflame |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 16:48:27
quote:
Originally posted by MisterX
I always allowed magic-users to light up fires with the Prestidigitation-Spell. It's just cool to make fire just by muttering a few words and clapping your hands…
In Pathfinder, they got a special cantrip for that iirc (maybe so. here knows the exact name).
Ah, Prestidigitation, what can't it do?
Our DM allows us cantrips at-will and repeatable, so I've had a character serve as an impromptu laundry service for the party, using the spell to clean their clothes.
And I do tend to have my characters carry flint and steel; it's just too useful not to. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 16:30:42
I let a PC put a spring-loaded fire starter on the handle of his bow so he could light the wicks of fire arrows. It required a utility rig in the bow to allow for multipul attachments from pin-sights for increased range, spool of wire to shoot grappling arrows to fising attachments. |
| Quale |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 15:45:56
There's also a cantrip like the light spell, only focused. Ideal for the drow as well. |
| MisterX |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 14:58:19
I always allowed magic-users to light up fires with the Prestidigitation-Spell. It's just cool to make fire just by muttering a few words and clapping your hands…
In Pathfinder, they got a special cantrip for that iirc (maybe so. here knows the exact name). |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 14:26:33
There is the Instant Campfire item featured in Races of Faerun. I think that's meant for getting an adequate fire started in a hurry, particularly where a lot of food and/or warmth is needed for a large group of people (ex: an army). |
| Halidan |
Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 13:49:59
In the module that takes place in the Border Forest (part of the Zhentil Keep boxed set), it says that sawdust is collected and filled into pouches to be used as fire starters for those who are too lazy or too unskilled to use flint and steel. While that is all it says, I would assume that the sawdust is combined with either wax or a small amount of lamp oil and that the pouch itself is lit with a match (i.e. tindertwig). |
