From publisher blurb:
Rope may be the most important invention of all time. It is strong, yet flexible. It built ancient monuments and powered the sailing ships that began global commerce. Rope is also a staple of fantasy role playing games, whether climbing ice cliffs, tying up prisoners, or keeping the party from getting separated in a blizzard.
In Rope and Chain you'll find:
A real-world history
Variant ropes and chains made from fantasy materials
New weapons like the lasso, rope dart, and harpoon
Optional rules
A random rope generator
A new power: animate rope
2 new spells: animate rope and Raska's restrictive ribbons
4 new magic items: ghost chain, lasso of honest, living rope, and Surtr's meteor hammer
3 new monsters: chain golem, rope golem, and smimic (half-snake/half-mimic)