As we prepare for another end of week write-up we look to the old 5e DMG where we can find some hazards of mountaineering within. We would all be well aware now that there are other things that we can throw at our party other than creatures to fight. Hazards can be rewarding to overcome just like an encounter with a particularly strong creature, or solving a hard puzzle. Tonight we look at some such things and how we can weave them into this weeks adventure.
So let’s sit back, grab a hot coffee and roll into tonight’s content.
Hazards of Mountaineering
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The hazards for the Dusty Crag mountains are quite common place across many mountains and other environments. The first being weather.
Strong Wind
Now a particularly strong wind in the right circumstance or situation can be deadly. Trying to climb a shale filled cliff for example could lead to a fatal slip if one is trying to climb in strong winds. A strong wind however also carries other hindrances such as imposing disadvantage on all ranged weapon attack rolls and also perception checks (wisdom) that rely on hearing as the sound is carried away. A strong wind will also extinguish open flames (camp fires or torches) and it will disperse gases (cloud kill, fog, etc.). It will also mean that flying, via non-magical means is now impossible – so I hope you have a wizard with fly or magic broomsticks. Flying creatures also must land at the end of its turn or it will fall out of the sky – not a good result for the aarakocra ranger.
Heavy precipitation (or dust)
Much like the strong wind, heavy precipitation, or dust storms, can impose disadvantage on perception checks, but in this case it’s for those requiring sight not hearing. It will also extinguish open flames if it’s raining (or dust if there is enough of it) and depending on how violent the wind is it will also carry the same penalties as that.
Shale or slippery cliffs
Walking on shale is a dangerous hobby and for many it results in a painful fall onto one’s rump. However when coupled with vertical movement it can be devastating. When a creature attempts to walk across or climb onto a section of loose shale or simply slippery cliffs for the first time in their turn they must make a DC10 dexterity (acrobatics) check or fall prone. If you’re on the ground this isn’t such a bad thing but if you’re forty feet in the air that’s 4d6 bludgeoning damage. Now having climbing tools, a mountaineering kit or simply spider climb would either completely negate this or provide a bonus (Advantage) on the skill check.
Razor sharp stones
Now instead of being loose shale what about shards of obsidian, or blade like shards of rock, shattered volcanic stone or even glass. For this we can simply look at the spell spike stones. This results in the area being difficult terrain and anyone through the terrain suffers 1d8 piercing damage for every 5 feet they move. Now for climbing I would also have them roll for Shale/slippery cliffs as the pain could cause them to slip and fall. However, this could simply block the party from moving forward. Rewarding creative thinking such as binding hands, feet or padding them or simply taking longer to progress through the area, plotting a safe course through could be enough.
Nesting ground for nasties
Now inspired from a variety of childhood movies this one is a fun one. Have the hand hold or foot hold be the home for a lizard, snake, spider, centipede or scorpion who doesn’t like being intruded against. Having them being poisonous may be good for higher level parties but just the bite, shock, slip and fall may be enough to warrant a challenging trek for other level parties.
Now there is a few hazards we can include in our mountaineering adventures. But don’t forget that tomorrow is the fated zine day so don’t forget to come back for that and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 
Haha I can relate to this one.
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