As unspectacular as it may be, almost everyone in a low-tech society needed a way to make fire, stay clean, and carry his possessions.
The simplest fire-starting gear is two pieces of wood. Vigorously rubbing one against the other produces heat, fine sawdust, and eventually an ember, which may be placed on tinder (dry leaves, wood shavings, etc.) to set it alight in turn. Any attempt to start a fire without dedicated equipment takes 6 minutes and a Survival or Housekeeping skill roll. Double fire-lighting time if any of the components aren’t completely dry – and kindling that’s actually damp to the touch won’t catch fire at all with low-tech methods! More-sophisticated tools speed the ember-lighting process, but still require a skill roll unless otherwise noted. Friction techniques cost 1 FP per 3 minutes of effort.
Firebow (TL0). A firebow is a bow drill (p. 28) adapted to fire-starting, producing friction with a dull point rather than drilling a hole with a sharp one. Base fire-starting time: 2 minutes. $5, 0.75 lb.
Flint (TL0). A piece of flint, plus a bit of metal or mineral against which it can strike a spark. Makes a loud noise, which can ruin concealment attempts! Base fire-starting time: 30 seconds. $2, 0.2 lb.
Prepared Block (TL0). A wooden shaft and a block with resin-treated grooves. The user rubs the shaft’s tip in a groove to produce friction. Base fire-starting time: 3 minutes. $3, 0.5 lb.
Enhanced Tinder (TL1). Dried fungi soaked in a nitrate solution, which catch fire more easily than dry wood. Halves firestarting time (thus, enhanced tinder cancels out the doubling for damp conditions). Per use: $2, 0.1 lb.
Burning Glass (TL2). Handheld lenses and mirrors were occasionally used to focus sunlight. They’re fragile, expensive, and only useful in clear sunlight. Polished metal mirror or natural quartz ground into a lens (TL2): $40, 1 lb. Clear glass lens (TL3): $20, 0.5 lb.
Fire Piston (TL2). The fire piston, from Southeast Asia, is a narrow 5“ shaft that fits tightly into a cylinder. The shaft has a niche for a bit of tinder at the tip. Sharply slapping the shaft into the cylinder compresses the air in the chamber, heating it enough to ignite the tinder. Base fire-starting time: 30 seconds. $15, 0.5 lb.
Sulfur Matches (TL3). Sulfur-impregnated pine slivers appeared in China in the sixth century A.D., and had spread to Europe by the 12th century. These matches weren’t self lighting; rather, they would light quickly at the touch of any spark. Thus, they were simply very good tinder. Divide firestarting time by four. Bundle of 20: $5, neg.
Self-Lighting Matches (TL4). In 1680, a scientist invented self-lighting matches by stroking a sulfur-laden match across a paper impregnated with recently discovered phosphorus. The discovery of the reaction didn’t lead immediately to commercial self-lighting matches (phosphorus was far too expensive!). However, an alchemist could produce such “lighting paper.” Paper good for 50 matches: $75, neg.
Comb (TL0). Often made from wood or bone, combs were frequently left in the hair, used for adornment as well as grooming. $3, 0.2 lb.
Razor (TL0). Stone blades were used for cutting hair by 30,000 B.C. Metal blades for shaving, often half-moonshaped or oval, appeared around 3000 B.C. $18, 0.2 lb.
Bathtub (TL1). The earliest Minoan portable bathtubs were small, similar to early modern hip baths. Earthenware tub: $160, 60 lbs. Metal tub: $1,600, 80 lbs.
Brush (TL1). The earliest Egyptian hairbrushes used reed bristles, like a modern broom. Use of stiff animal hair developed later. $6, 0.5 lb.
Strigil (TL1). This tool resembles a dull knife with a badly bent blade. Before the advent of soap, a bather was covered with oil, which was scraped off using the strigil, carrying dirt with it. While usually thought of as a Greco-Roman tool, examples go back to around 3000 B.C. Some strigils come in sets of different sizes to clean different body parts, connected like keys on a ring. Each strigil: $6, 0.5 lb.
Tweezers (TL1). Originated around 2000 B.C., probably to remove body hair. $5, neg.
Soap (TL2). The first soaps, possibly appearing in the first century A.D., were semi-liquid and harsh, made by mixing lye (see Other Chemicals) with oils. At TL3, as early as the ninth century, Mediterranean soap-makers processed liquid soap with salt water, separating the solid soap – which was pressed into bars – from the harsher impurities. Pint of liquid soap: $20, 1 lb. Bar of solid soap: $27, 1 lb.
Carrying Frame (TL0). A rudimentary backpack used by Native Americans, this is a broad board with shoulder straps. The frame doesn’t contain anything itself, but gear can be strapped to it. Untying and removing an article takes 1d+10 seconds; tying something on takes 2d+10 seconds. Holds 100 lbs. of equipment. $60, 7 lbs.
Carrying Straps (TL0). Any container – basket, bottle, leather bag, etc. – can have a carrying strap, which may be carried in hand or over a shoulder. This costs an additional $1 for containers up to 10 lbs. full weight, or $5 for anything heavier.
Carrying Yoke (TL2). This consists of two wooden hooks connected like a curving letter W, sometimes used by the Greeks. The frame’s center is balanced over a shoulder and baggage is tied into the curve on the rear hook, resting on the hook and against the bearer’s back. A hand or more gear on the front hook balances it. This rig holds 80 lbs. of gear, but requires a hand on it at all times to keep it steady. Dropping it is a free action. $70, 3 lbs.
Hunter-Gatherer’s Kit (TL0). A hide bag or a small wicker basket holding a flakable stone core; two hammerstones; two foot-long bones or straight sticks; two tiny punches made of bone, horn, or wood; and several yards of thin cord. If the stone isn’t flint, add two fire-making sticks. Many of these items are multipurpose: the hammerstones can be used to produce stone tools, or to crack open nuts and marrowbones; a long stick is good for light digging, or can serve as a shaft for fitting microliths to create a sickle or similar cutting tool. $10, 5 lbs.
Pilgrim’s Kit (TL2). A bundle of necessities carried by someone traveling through civilized areas but facing poor accommodations and unpredictable food at inns and/or aboard ship: a straw mattress, a blanket, a coat, a knife and whetstone, a jug of wine, a 5-lb. sack of flour or dried peas, and 1 lb. of spices (intended for medicinal use). $210, 40 lbs.
Luxury Kit (TL4). This compact case of luxuries – carried by a traveling aristocrat – is of little use for survival but indispensible for a wealthy person’s comfort! Includes a full set of grooming equipment (razor, brush, comb, soap, fragrances, and cosmetics), a writing box (p. 47), and serving and drinking vessels for tea, coffee, or alcohol (as suits the culture), all neatly arranged in a purpose-built cabinet. Relatively plain model, with unremarkable contents: $225, 25 lbs. Use Luxury Pricing (LT p. 37) to reflect a case holding brandy instead of cheap wine, ivory hairdressing implements rather than wooden ones, etc.
The right accessories are vital when dressing to impress. Some of these items are worn or carried; others are used to straighten up before stepping out. All are marks of the neat, the stylish, and the well-heeled, and are likely to take advantage of Styling.
Belt (TL5). A belt can be incredibly useful. It can retain holsters and sheaths, conceal money or a survival kit in its lining (+4 to Holdout), or act as an improvised climbing harness. The buckle can hide a dagger, a push knife, or a small gun. $10-$50, neg. LC4.
Cane (TL5). A walking stick – possibly with ornate carvings, exotic woods, a sculpted or silver handle, etc., all of which would count as styling. It’s useful for pointing, poking, and, if necessary, fighting (for rifle canes, see p. 98; for sword canes, see p. 197). $5, 2.5 lbs. LC4.
Cigar or Cigarette Case (TL5). Holds half a dozen cigars or 20 cigarettes, a box of matches, a cigar cutter, etc. Ulysses S. Grant was known to smoke 20 or more cigars a day. $30, 0.1 lb. LC4.
Collapsible Cup (TL5). Usually pewter or steel. $3, neg. LC4.
Grooming Kit (TL5). A leather Gladstone, vanity, or toilet bag holding comb, hairbrush, razor, toothbrush, soap, aftershave, shoe polish kit, etc. $25, 0.5 lb. LC4.
Handbag or Waist Pack (TL5). A woman’s purse, a doctor’s medical bag, or a day-hiker’s fanny pack. Holds up to 10 lbs. $10, 1 lb. LC4.
Hip Flask (TL5). Holds 1 pint. Holdout -1. $10, 1 lb. (full). LC4.
Mirror (TL5). Handy when applying makeup – and for peering around corners and signaling. At TL5-6, it will break if dropped! At TL7-8, it’s made of nearly indestructible plastic. $5, neg. LC4.
Pocket Watch (TL5). The pocket watch is a TL4 invention, but it isn’t until TL5 that it’s accurate to within a minute a day. The second hand becomes common at TL6, by which time watches sometimes include other features, such as calendars and moon-phase indicators. Other innovations at TL6 are the so-called “perpetual,” which is self-winding, and the ultra-reliable “railroad” watch, which is certified as being accurate enough for train engineers. A good-quality pocket watch is $100, neg. LC4.
Pocketknife (TL5). A small knife with one or more short, folding blades. The largest pocketknife blade might count as a small knife at -1 to damage; the shortest aren’t useful weapons. See Multi-Function Knife for a more utilitarian alternative. $5, neg. LC4.
Religious Symbol (TL5). A small crucifix, rosary, ankh, etc. $1, neg. LC4.
Sewing Kit (TL5). Travelers and soldiers have long carried a “housewife” to mend torn fabric. This includes a needle, several colors of thread, a thimble, etc. It counts as basic equipment for sewing. $1, neg. LC4.
Tobacco Box (TL5). Holds 1-2 oz. of tobacco. The removable lid on 18th-century Hudson’s Bay Company models has a built-in burning glass for lighting a smoke in sunny weather! $20, neg. LC4.
Umbrella (TL5). A folding umbrella keeps the rain off and is useful for prodding suspicious items. $5, 1 lb. LC4.
Attaché Case (TL6). A briefcase with a simple lock. $20, 2 lbs. LC4.
Wristwatch (TL6). Initially, the “wristlet” – a small watch worn at the wrist – is a lady’s accessory. At mid-TL6, though, soldiers fit pocket watches to leather wrist straps in order to keep their hands free in combat. These “trench watches” feature leather or pierced-metal “shrapnel guards” to protect the crystal face under harsh conditions.
A TL6 wristwatch might be self-winding or waterproof, have luminous hands or a date function, or show the time in several time zones, but a given watch seldom has multiple features – pick two, if it matters. The best mechanical watches lose 10 seconds a day through TL6; “synchronizing the watches” is an important part of military operations. At TL7, battery-powered quartz watches appear; digital displays follow. This is the first time a watch can be said to be accurate to within a second, day after day. A good basic watch is $25; a luxury watch, such as a Rolex, can go as high as $40,000! Weight is negligible. LC4.
Gadget Wristwatch (TL8). At TL8, miniaturization lets wristwatches contain a bewildering array of gadgets. Some common features are altimeter, barometer, calculator, cell phone, compass, digital camera, digital storage device, dosimeter, GPS, pepper spray, and thermometer. Treat such watches as improvised equipment (-5 quality) for relevant technological skills. To reduce the penalty, the operator must spend extra time fiddling with the controls (see Time Spent, p. B346). Prices start at $100 and rise quickly; minimum cost is that of the built-in gadget. Weight is negligible. LC4.
A towel is valuable to any adventurer – interstellar or not. Besides being useful when bathing, it can serve as a blanket, a fire tender, clothing, or a head covering. Attached to a stick, it’s a legionnaire’s pack – or a sail. It’s a privacy screen, a signaling device, or a cushion for an uncomfortable seat. Lashed to a foot and stuffed with newspapers, it’s a passable arctic boot. A soldier can use it to keep body armor from chafing or to cushion his helmet, or cut it into strips for bandages or a weapon sling.
At TL5-6, a 2’x4’ towel is $5, 1 lb. At TL7-8, a 2’x4’ microfiber towel – quick-drying and highly absorbent – is $30, 0.25 lb.