Why is the lowly tinderbox a favorite of mine? Well, because it caused me as a young gamer to think for the first time about the mundanities my character faced in the D&D universe. In basic D&D when we started, we told our DM we were lighting torches, and he never asked "how", we just did it. Upon discovering the need for a tinderbox with which to light torches and set campfires, my mind started drifting to all the other things my character needed to survive. Bedroll, hammer, spikes... Hey, a bullseye lantern could be REALLY useful for signaling as well as lighting our path. I could use a mirror, too. Hey, rope. And spikes while we're at it. Do I need a dagger for eating and utility use even though as a Cleric I can't fight with edged weapons?
The tinderbox got me thinking, and thinking got me immersing. And immersion made me a better player and Dungeon Master.
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