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Rope

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A rope was a thick, flexible cord of braided fibers that was used for climbing and other purposes.[10]

“
Ropes and chains are the sinew of civilization.
”
— An old dwarven proverb[11]

Description[]

These fibrous cords were usually made out of hemp or silk.[7][8] Though in the land of Zakhara, some constructed ship ropes from coconut fibers.[12][13]

As well as for climbing and tying creatures or items up, ropes could be used as weapons. Though weak, a strong and tight rope in the hands of combatant could be used to slash others.[14]

Hemp rope

Rope made from hemp is durable and rugged. The diameter of hemp rope varied, from as small as 0.25 inches (0.64 centimeters) to more than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters). Hemp rope with large diameters was commonly used aboard ships. Hemp rope was heavy. A 50 feet (15 meters) length of hemp rope could weight up to 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms). However, a 50 feet (15 meters) length of hemp rope could hold over 500 pounds (230 kilograms) in weight.[15]

Silk Rope

Rope made from silk was not as strong as hemp rope but was much lighter. Silk rope was made from long threads of silk, which were braided together into cords, and multiple cord braided together to make the rope. It had a smoother texture than hemp rope. A 50 feet (15 meters) length of silk rope weighed only 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) but could only hold up to 500 pounds (230 kilograms) in weight. It was also much more expensive than hemp rope.[15]

Rappelling down Revel's End

Caution: slippery surface!

Powers[]

There were several magical ropes that were used in the Realms, such as:

  • Ropes of climbing, enchanted ropes that could support over a ton of weight and even knot or unknot themselves.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
  • Ropes of immutable binding, enchanted ropes that would constrict around those that attempted to break or escape from being bound by them.[23]
  • Ropes of mending, wondrous ropes that could be easily cut apart into smaller lengths and mended back together with ease.[24]
  • Ropes of entanglement, ropes that could lash forward and bind several creatures.[25]
  • Spider ropes, ropes that could be commanded to grow in length and tie their ends to inanimate objects.[26]

Notable Rope Merchants[]

  • Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold strong hempen ropes and elven silk ropes, each priced per 50 ft (15 m). The thinnest hemp ropes had 0.0625 in (1.59 mm) diameters and sold only for 5 cp each, whilst the thickest hemp ropes had 4 in (10 cm) diameters and cost 28 gp each. The thickest silk ropes cost 50 gp.[27]
  • The shop known as Ropes for All Uses, which was located in the Zakharan city of Huzuz, sold many different types of ropes, both normal and extraordinary.[note 1][28]
  • The city of Tantras was well known for having a number of expert ropemakers. A typical rope shop was owned by one or more masters, with six to eight skilled workers and a handful of apprentices in their employ that all worked to ‘weave’ the ropes by hand.[29]
  • In the city of Waterdeep, the vast amount of ropes used by ships were supplied by the Most Diligent League of Sail-Makers and Cordwainers, though they struggled to keep up with demand.[30] Alternatively, the Master Mariners' Guild kept emergency stocks of rope that its members could purchase at bargain rates.[31]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Canon material does not provide dating for the Al-Qadim campaign setting. For the purposes of this wiki only, the current date for Al-Qadim products is assumed to be 1367 DR.

See Also[]

Gallery[]

External links[]

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.

References[]

  1. ↑ Alana Joli Abbott (March 2012). “Talking the Talk”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #409 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
  2. ↑ Inside cover included in Ed Greenwood (November 1991). Anauroch. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 1-56076-126-1.
  3. ↑ Aurelio Locsin (October 1982). “Thieves' Cant: A primer for the language of larceny”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #66 (TSR, Inc.), p. 38.
  4. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
  5. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  6. ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 40. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 91. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  9. ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  10. ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  11. ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 73. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  12. ↑ David Cook (October 1992). “Al-Sartan”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), pp. 2–3. ISBN 978-1560763314.
  13. ↑ David Cook (October 1992). “Home Port: Wherein the Tale Begins”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), p. 15. ISBN 978-1560763314.
  14. ↑ David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 56. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 116. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
  16. ↑ Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 266. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
  17. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
  18. ↑ Andy Collins, Eytan Bernstein, Frank Brunner, Owen K. C. Stephens, John Snead (March 2007). Magic Item Compendium. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 176. ISBN 978-0-7869-4345-6.
  19. ↑ David Wise (1992). AD&D Trading Cards 1992 series, #54, "Dathan of Thunderstone". TSR, Inc..
  20. ↑ David Wise (1992). AD&D Trading Cards 1992 series, #560, "Jadethread". TSR, Inc..
  21. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  22. ↑ Richard Baker, Eric L. Boyd, Thomas M. Reid (July 2007). Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 135. ISBN 07-8694-039-5.
  23. ↑ Troy Denning (March 2001). “Rogues Gallery: Heroes of the Summoning”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #281 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80.
  24. ↑ Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls, Robert J. Schwalb, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Matt Sernett (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
  25. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark. (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
  26. ↑ Mike Ferguson (February 1999). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Tools of the Trade”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #256 (TSR, Inc.), p. 92.
  27. ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 74. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  28. ↑ Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). “Gem of Zakhara”. City of Delights (TSR, Inc), p. 48. ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
  29. ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2004-03-24). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2004). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-06-11.
  30. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
  31. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
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