[OSR] Real places to use in RPG [1]: Living root bridges

Real places to use in RPG [1]: Living root bridges

On Facebook, I recently joined a group named "RPG Worldbuilders Visual Inspiration and Prompts". What I've seen there triggered a lust for writing.

So i'll start a new series of posts, based on real places or things in our world, and how that would mean something or plainly exist in an OSR dungeonverse.

Living Root Bridges from India

A living root bridge is a type of suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping. It means that people weave the aerial roots of rubber fig trees to form a bridge.

Relevance in Fantasy

These images have a "magical" feeling to me.

Sure it probably took a long time of weaving ang letting the roots grow to obtain a suspended tree like this. 

But now imagine a ritual that would grow this kind of bridge within hours!

Would it not be the kind of magical feat you would expect from a druid?

Sure, "entangle" and "grow plants" are not rituals (in 5e), and getting this effect with these spells would need acceptance from the DM. But how could a DM not accept this kind of creative use of magic? Would refusing this kind of usage not lead to a disenchantment of the world for the player?

Place of druids in a fantasy army

Medieval armies (and greek/roman armies before them) always maintained at least one engineer on the payroll, to create siege weapons, siege engines, and in some cases: bridges!

Those weapons and bridges took a lot of time to saw and build before they could be used.

I don't think a fantasy army would spare the cost of an engineer, but a druid should be a must.

1. Druids can help "grow food" to nourrish the army
2. Druids can "grow trees" to acquire building material
3. With the right seeds in their pocket, druids can "grow bridges" within a night to take a shortcut to surprise the enemy, ambush, or flank them. 

Remember that wide river (something like the Mississipi, the Nile, or the Ganges) where the enemy is holding all the bridges? Well, that does not really impedes you long to create a bridge. If your druid is a good swimmer or you can build a raft, 2 druids could work in concert from each side of the river to create a sturdy bridge overnight.

Remember that deep, impassable Canyon between your duchy and the realm of Karham, the Undead's King? Maybe you should have this area patrolled on a regular basis, just in case he gets his hands on a wicked druid (for example a druid of the Circle of Spores?)...

Fantasy warfare

As you see, medieval warfare techniques, as fun as it is to use them in a high fantasy game, are deeply impacted by this ability to grow tree. And this is not even an offensive spell like fireball. This is grow plant, a 3rd level spell that seems more flavor than useful.

We need to rethink our approach of magical warfare, as it cannot (at least not in a high fantasy setting) be compared with our own medieval tactics.

In conclusion

I hope you liked how a simple root bridge from India could have strong repercussions on your fantasy gaming.

I hope you'll see the evil lurking in every druid, now *grin*

Feel free to leave a comment !

Real places in RPG post series

1. you are here
2. Cats' alley - Medieval cities & fire
3. Harihar Fort - endless staircases, fortifications & magic
4. Eternal Flame Falls
   
5. Fingal's Cave
   
6. Die Rakotzbrücke or the Rakotz / Devil's bridge
   
7. Izadkhast Caravanserai
8. Majlis al-Jinn Cave