Player Characters
When the character has accumulated a
Game Statistics
Player characters are described, in game
terms, by a set of statistics that de ne their
abilities, strengths, and weaknesses in the
game world.
Ability Scores
The basic physical and mental strengths
and weaknesses of the character. There are
6 ability scores: Strength (abbreviated STR),
Intelligence (INT), Wisdom (WIS),
Dexterity (DEX), Constitution (CON), and
Charisma (CHA). A character is ranked in
each ability score by a number between
3–18. (3 being the worst score possible and
18 the best.)
Race
A character may be human or one of a
number of demihuman races. See
Character Races.
Class
An adventuring profession to which the
character belongs. A character’s class
de nes their main abilities. See Character
Classes.
Level
The character’s experience as an
adventurer is denoted by their experience
level. Characters typically start play at 1st
level (the lowest level of adventurer) and
can increase in level through successful
adventuring. As a character goes up in level,
they gain more powerful abilities, as
de ned by their class.
Experience Points (XP)
The character’s advancement in the game is
tracked by the accumulation of experience
points. Experience points are awarded by
the referee after a successful adventure.
certain number of experience points, the
character’s level increases. Each class
speci es the number of experience points
required to achieve each experience level.
Armour Class (AC)
The character’s ability to avoid damage in
combat. Armour Class is determined by the
character’s Dexterity score and by the
armour they wear. Higher AC scores are
better.
Attack Bonus (AB)
The character’s ability to hit foes in combat,
determined by their class and level. Added
to a d20 to get the attack roll (see Combat).
Hit Dice (HD)
The number of dice used to determine the
character’s maximum hit point total. The
character’s class determines the type of
dice rolled (i.e. d4, d6, d8) and the
character’s level determines the number of
dice rolled. Classes grant a at bonus to hit
points after 9th level instead of extra HD.
Hit Points (hp)
The character’s ability to avoid dying. The
character has a maximum hit point total
and a current hit point total, which are
tracked separately. When a character is
harmed, their current hit point total is
reduced. If this number reaches 0, the
character is dead! Rest or healing can
restore lost hit points, but never above the
character’s maximum hit point total (this is
only increased when the character
increases in level).
Saving Throw Values (SV)
The character’s ability to avoid being
affected by certain types of dangerous or
detrimental effects. There are ve saving
throw categories: death (or poison), wands,
paralysis (or petri cation), breath attacks,
spells (or magic rods or staves). The
character’s saving throw values are
determined by class and level. See Saving
Throws for full details.
Movement Rate (MV)
The speed at which the character can move
when exploring, travelling, or during
combat. Every character has a base
movement rate and an encounter
movement rate (noted in parentheses). The
encounter movement rate is one third of
the base movement rate. The default
movement rate for characters is 120’ (40’).
▶ Overland: Characters can travel one fth
of their base movement rate (24 by default)
in miles per day in the wilderness,
assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
▶ Exploration: When exploring unknown
areas of a dungeon, characters can move
their base movement rate in feet per turn
(10 minutes), assuming they are mapping
and looking for traps or hidden features.
▶ Encounter: In combat, characters can
move one third of their base movement rate
in feet per round (10 seconds).
Alignment (AL)
The character (and every other creature in
the game world) is aligned with one of
three cosmic principles: Law, Neutrality, or
Chaos (see Alignment). This alignment
determines how certain magic in uences
the character and should be used by the
player as a guideline for role-playing the
character.
Race and Class Features
The character’s race and class denotes a set
of special skills that the character may use
and restrictions they must abide by,
including the ability to use certain types of
armour and weapons.
Skills
The character's skills are determined by
their race and class. All skills start at rank 1.
At 1st level, characters get 4 points to
allocate to their skills, either racial or class
ones, each point increasing a single skill
rank by 1. Each time they gain a new level,
they get 2 additional points to allocate to
skill ranks. No skill may be raised above
rank 5. Some skills require a skill check to
be successful, while others use their rank as
a bonus to another roll, as a duration or as a
number of times they can be used per day.
Skill Checks
Generally, when characters attempt to use a
skill, they roll a d6, with a result less than
or equal to the skill rank indicating success.
Player Knowledge
The referee should roll for some skills on
the player’s behalf (e.g. Augury, Purify,
Sense aura, Detect magic, Sneak, etc.), as
the character does not always know
whether or not the attempt was successful.
Creating a
Character
To create a character, you’ll rst need a
character sheet—a sheet of paper on which
to record all information about the new
character.
1. Roll Ability Scores
Roll 3d6 for each of your character’s ability
scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom,
Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma.
Sub-Par Characters
If you roll a character with an 8 or less in
every score you may discard the character
and start again.
2. Choose a Race
Select one of the races available and adjust
your character’s ability scores as indicated.
Bonuses that would raise an ability above
18 or penalties that would lower it below 3
are ignored. To randomly pick a race, roll a
d6: (1) Dwarf; (2) Elf; (3) Hal ing; (4-6)
Human.
3. Note Ability Score Modifiers
Now that your character’s ability scores are
xed, make a note of any associated
bonuses or penalties.
4. Choose a Class
Select one of the classes available to your
race, bearing in mind the minimum ability
score requirements of some classes.
5. Note Level and XP
Unless told otherwise by your referee, your
character begins play at 1st level with 0 XP.
6. Attack Bonus and Saving Throws
Record your attack bonus and saving throw
values from your class progression table on
your character sheet.
7. Note Racial and Class skills
Record your racial and class skills. They all
start at rank 1. Then distribute the points
that you get (4 at 1st level) to increase the
rank of skills that you want to improve.
Each point increases a single skill rank by 1.
8. Roll Hit Points
Determine your character’s hit points by
rolling the die type speci ed for your class
and adding your Constitution modi er (see
Constitution). Characters always start with
at least 1 hit point, regardless of CON
modi er.
Re-Rolling 1s and 2s (Optional Rule)
If you roll a 1 or 2 (before applying any CON
modi er), the referee may allow you to
re-roll. This is in order to increase the
survivability of 1st level PCs.
9. Choose Alignment
Decide whether your character is Lawful,
Neutral, or Chaotic (see Alignment).
10. Note Known Languages
Your character’s race determines their
native language. They also get the
languages from their class. Characters with
high Intelligence may choose additional
languages (see Languages).
11. Roll for Equipment
Roll for random starting equipment and
note what you possess. Calculate your load.
12. Note Armour Class
Your character's Armour Class is
determined by their armour worn (see
Weapons and Armours) plus their
Dexterity modi er (see Dexterity).
13. Name Character
Finally, choose a name for your character.
You are now ready for adventure!
Ability Scores
A character’s score in each ability
determines whether they have any bonuses
or penalties associated with various actions
in the game. The table opposite lists the
modi er associated with an ability score.
What rolls the modi er applies to is
described under each ability.
Strength (STR)
Brawn, muscle, and physical power.
▶ Melee: Applies to attack and damage
rolls with melee weapons.
▶ Might: Modi es the base chance of
success on a d6 to force open a stuck door
(2-in-6), lift heavy objects such as gates
(1-in-6) and bend iron bars (0-in-6). On a
chance of 0 or less, the character is simply
not strong enough to perform this deed. See
Dungeon Adventuring for more details.
Intelligence (INT)
Learning, memory, and reasoning.
▶ Spoken languages: Denotes the number
of languages the character can speak in
addition to their native one. A negative or
nil modi er indicates that the character can
only speak their native language, although
in a broken manner at a modi er of -3.
▶ Literacy: Indicates the character’s ability
to read and write their languages. At a
modi er of -3 or -2, the character is
illiterate. At -1 or 0, the character has basic
literacy. Any positive modi er indicates
that the character is fully literate, probably
well read at +2 or more.
Wisdom (WIS)
Willpower, common sense, perception, and
intuition.
▶ Magic saves: Applies to saving throws
versus magical effects. This normally
excludes saves against breath attacks, but
will apply to any other saving throw
category as long as it is provoked by magic.
Ability Modifiers
Score Modifier
3 -3
4-5 -2
6-8 -1
9-12 0
13-15 +1
16-17 +2
18 +3
Dexterity (DEX)
Agility, re exes, speed, and balance.
▶ Armour Class: Modi es the character’s
AC.
▶ Missile: Applies to attack rolls (but not
damage rolls) with ranged weapons.
▶ Initiative: Modi es the character’s
initiative roll, if the optional rule for
individual initiative is used.
Constitution (CON)
Health, stamina, and endurance.
▶ Hit points: Applies when rolling a
character’s hit points (i.e. at 1st level and
every time a level is gained thereafter). A
character always gains at least 1 hit point
per Hit Die, regardless of CON modi er.
Charisma (CHA)
Force of personality, persuasiveness,
personal magnetism, physical
attractiveness, and ability to lead.
▶ NPC reactions: Applies to reaction rolls
when hiring retainers and when
interacting with monsters.
▶ Max # of retainers: Modi es the number
of retainers a character may have at any
one time, with a base of 4.
▶ Retainer loyalty: Modi es retainers’
loyalty to the character, with a base of 7.
Alignment
All beings, whether PCs, NPCs, or monsters,
adhere to one of three philosophies or
spheres of behaviour, known as
alignments. These spheres are Law,
Neutrality, and Chaos. A player must
choose one of these paths when creating a
character.
▶ Law: Lawful beings believe in truth and
justice. To this end, they will follow laws
and believe all things must adhere to order.
Lawful beings also believe in sacri ce to a
greater good and will choose the good of a
larger group over the good of an individual.
▶ Neutrality: Neutral beings believe in a
balance between the ideas of Law and
Chaos and, in their actions, tend to do what
will serve themselves. They might commit
good or evil acts in order to further their
own ends and generally will not put others’
needs ahead of their own.
▶ Chaos: Chaotic beings are in direct
opposition to Law. These beings should
seldom be trusted, for they tend to act in
sel sh ways. Chaotic characters believe in
chance and that there is no innate order to
life.
Revealing Alignment
The player must inform the referee of their
character’s alignment, but does not have to
tell other players.
Role-Playing Alignment
When determining the character’s actions,
players should do their best to adhere to
their chosen alignment. The referee will
take note when a character’s behaviour
deviates too much from the norm of the
chosen alignment and may assign a new
alignment more appropriate to actual
character actions. Deviation from
alignment may also be penalised, as the
referee sees t.
Languages
The languages spoken by a player character
are determined by the character’s race and
class. Characters with high intelligence
may learn additional languages.
The Common Tongue
The common tongue (sometimes simply
called Common) is a language which is
widespread among intelligent species. All
player character races—as well as many
monsters—are able to speak Common.
In some settings, the referee may rule that
different cultures in the campaign world
have different languages, in which case a
particular language must be chosen instead
of Common.
Other Languages
Many demihuman and intelligent monster
species have their own language, which
player characters may be able to learn.
Below is a (d10 for random) list of these
languages and their native speakers.
1. Abyssal: Demons, gargoyles, gnolls. Used
in Chaotic verses and dark rituals.
2. Celestial: Celestials. Often used in
religious texts and ceremonies of Law.
3. Draconic: Dragons. Traditionally used by
all races to record arcane spells.
4. Gobblyak: Goblins, hobgoblins,
bugbears and ogres. Derived from Abyssal.
5. Jotun: Dwarves, giants and trolls.
Derived from Primordial.
6. Orcish: Orcs. Never written, only spoken.
7. Primordial: Elementals, genies, gnomes,
merfolk, salamanders and sylphs.
8. Scalywug: Kobolds, lizardfolk, snake
people, troglodytes and other scaly folk.
9. Sylvan: Elves, centaurs, dryads, pixies,
nixies, sprites, treants and other fey.
10. Undercommon: The common tongue of
underworld creatures such as drow and
duergar.
 Character Races
Dwarf
Ability scores: –1 CHA, +1 CON
Language: Jotun
Dwarves are stout, bearded demihumans,
about 4’ tall and weighing about 150
pounds that typically live underground and
love ne craftsmanship, gold, hearty food,
and strong drink. Although they cannot see
in the dark, dwarves light their homes and
tunnels with oil and gas they extract from
the ground. They have skin, hair, and eye
colours in earth tones. Dwarves are known
for their stubbornness and practicality.
They are a hardy people and have a strong
resistance to magic.
Diminutive
Due to their short height, dwarves can only
use small or normal sized weapons. They
cannot use heavy weapons or longbows
and must have armour tailored to them. On
the other hand, due to their small size,
dwarves gain a +2 bonus to Armour Class
when attacked by very large opponents
such as giants, ogres and trolls.
Dwarf skills
Dwarves have the following racial skills:
▶ Fortitude: Dwarves’ natural toughness
and resistance to magic grants them a
bonus equal to this skill rank to saving
throws versus poison, spells, and magic
wands, rods, and staves.
▶ Stonecunning: As expert miners and
builders, dwarves have an increased chance
to detect new construction, sliding walls,
sloping passages and mechanical room
traps. Add this skill rank to their chance on
a d6 (normally 1-in-6) to do so when
searching, up to a maximum of a 5-in-6
chance (see Dungeon Adventuring).
Elf
Ability scores: –1 CON, +1 DEX (wood elf)
or –1 CON, +1 INT (high elf)
Language: Sylvan
Elves are slender, fey demihumans with
pointed ears. They have extremely long
lifespans, being nigh immortal. This long
term perspective gives them a tendency to
seem aloof to the concerns of humans, or
even frivolous. Elvish music, arts, and crafts
are renowned as the nest among all folk.
Above all, they love nature and magic. Elves
typically weigh about 120 pounds and are
between 5 and 5½ feet tall. In darkness,
their keen eyes and ears let them perceive
the position and size of things and
creatures (but no ne details).
Fey blood
As fey blooded, elves are completely
immune to the paralysis that ghouls can
in ict, but are also unfortunately affected
by magic that would affect fey creatures.
Elf skills
Elves have the following racial skills:
▶ Detect secret doors: Elves have keen
senses that let them detect hidden and
secret doors more easily. Add this skill rank
to their chance of success on a d6 (normally
1-in-6) when actively searching for these,
up to a maximum of a 5-in-6 chance (see
Dungeon Adventuring).
▶ Hear noise: In a quiet environment (e.g.
not in combat), elves may attempt to listen
at a door or to hear the sounds of creatures
approaching. Add this skill rank to their
chance of success on a d6 (normally 1-in-6)
when actively listening. Elf rogues start
with two ranks in this skill since they get it
from both race and class.
Halfling
Ability scores: –1 STR, +1 DEX
Language: Gobblyak (goblin), Primordial
(gnome), Scalywug (kobold) or Common
Hal ings are not a single race but a general
moniker for small humanoids that tend to
live in burrows, such as hobbits, gnomes,
goblins, kobolds or even ratfolk. They
usually weigh about 60 pounds and are
around 3’ tall. Though all culturally
different, these folk share a lack of temerity
and a love for easy life, especially when it
comes to food.
Diminutive
Due to their short height, hal ings can only
use small or normal sized weapons. They
cannot use heavy weapons or longbows
and must have armour tailored to them. On
the other hand, due to their small size,
hal ings gain a +2 bonus to Armour Class
when attacked by very large opponents
such as giants, ogres and trolls.
Halfling skills
Hal ings have the following racial skills:
▶ Resilience: Hal ings’ natural
constitution and aversion to danger grants
them a bonus equal to this skill rank to
saving throws versus poison, magic wands
and breath attacks.
▶ Sneak: Hal ings are extremely quiet and
hard to spot when they want to. They may
attempt to hide motionless or sneak
silently past enemies unnoticed with a
chance of success equal to the skill rank on
a d6. Hal ing rogues and wardens start
with two ranks in this skill since they get it
from both race and class.
Human
Ability scores: You may swap the scores of
two abilities of your choice.
Language: Common
Humans are renowned for the deep
passions that drive them through their
short lives. They have the potential to
become great leaders, forging alliances
between other races, but they are easily
corrupted.
Human skills
Humans have the following racial skills:
▶ Fellowship: Humans generally trust
others more readily, which makes it easier
to nd people willing to work with them.
They increase their maximum number of
retainers and their loyalty (see Charisma)
by the rank of this skill.
▶ Passionate: As humans are driven to
experience life to the fullest, they increase
all experience points awarded to them by
5% for each rank in this skill.
Half breeds
Some rare humans have a parent from
another race, such an elf or orc. Although
human in stature and appearance, they
might have a feature that marks their
heritage, such as pointed ears or fangs.
Variant skills (Optional Rule)
Half-elves may replace their Passionate
skill with the elven Detect secret doors skill.
Half-orcs may replace their Fellowship skill
with the Primal Rage skill (see below).
▶ Primal rage: Once per turn, half-orcs can
enter a primal rage for 1 round per level.
During that time, they add this skill rank to
their saving throws and damage rolls, but
decrease their AC by the same amount.
Half-orc warriors start with two ranks in
this skill since they get it from both race
and class.
 Character Classes
These character classes for Old-School
Essentials are meant to replace the ones in
the original game. They were inspired
mostly by the of cial OSE zine, Carcass
Crawler and follow two principles:
▶ Removing the spell aspect from
"spellcasting" classes, which can be useful
for a low-magic campaign, or, more
speci cally, for a world where magic is
unreliable and prone to failure. Spells can
still be found on scrolls but not memorized.
▶ Using a d6 to handle skills (as opposed to
percentage dice) and letting characters
focus on the skills they want when leveling
up. This makes skill specialization an
important choice for players, at least until
higher levels when all skills get close to the
maximum rank.
This gives us the Acolyte, a mystic follower
of Law similar to the Cleric and Paladin, the
Mage, a skill based alternative to the
Magic-User, the Rogue, a replacement for
the Thief, the Shaman, a nature mystic
similar to the Druid, the Warden, a
replacement for the Ranger, the Warlock, a
mystic that makes pacts with the forces of
Chaos and the Warrior, a replacement for
the Fighter with a variety of combat skills.
This ain't very old school
The classes listed here have more options at
lower levels than the classes in Old-School
Essentials. The author is aware that skills
and character building are de nitely not in
the spirit of the old school, but their
implementation here is still much, much
simpler than in newer editions and might
help bring modern players over to the OSR
camp.
Experience
All characters who make it through an
adventure alive receive experience points
(XP), awarded by the referee. XP is gained
from two sources: treasure recovered and
monsters defeated.
Levelling Up
When a character gains enough XP to reach
the next experience level, the player should
consult the description of the character’s
class and note any improvements in attack
bonus and saving throws, and then select
the racial or class skills that will increase in
rank (two skills ranks can improve by one
or a single skill rank can improve by two). If
the character’s Hit Dice increase, a new Hit
Die of the speci ed type should be rolled
and the result added to the character’s
maximum hit point total.
Maximum XP in One Session
Characters cannot advance more than one
level in one session. Any additional XP that
would take a character two or more levels
above their current level are lost, leaving
the character at 1 XP below the total for the
next level.
Level 0 characters (optional)
The referee may decide to run level 0
characters (usually 2-4 per player) through
a deadly adventure called a funnel. Level 0
characters do not choose a class, get only
racial skills at rank 1, have 1d4+CON
modi er hit points, have all their saves at 16
and only get one random (d12) weapon and
adventuring gear. When the funnel ends,
the (few) survivors graduate to 1st level
adventurers, choose a class and reroll their
hit points; if lower than their previous
amount, they can keep the old number.
Acolyte
Requirements: Minimum WIS 9, Lawful
alignment
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Any, including shields
Weapons: Any blunt weapons
Languages: Common, Celestial
Acolytes are adventurers who have sworn
to serve Law. They are trained for battle
and can channel their devotion to manifest
bene cial effects.
Combat
Acolytes can use any armour and shield. As
they aim to redeem their opponents rather
than maim or kill them, they may only use
blunt weapons such as: club, mace, sling,
staff, warhammer.
Mystic Magic
Acolytes cannot memorize spells, but can
use items that may only be used by mystic
spell casters, such as mystic spell scrolls
and some magic staves.
Holy symbol: Acolytes must carry a holy
symbol of Law to use their skills.
Devotion to Law: Acolytes must be faithful
to the tenets of Law. Those who perform
chaotic acts may incur penalties (e.g. -1 to
all skill ranks per act, until redeemed).
Acolyte Skills
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, acolytes
get 4 points to allocate to their skills, each
point increasing a single skill rank by 1.
They get 2 additional points to allocate
each time they gain a new level. No skill
may be raised above rank 5. Acolytes can
use the following skills with a chance of
success equal to the skill rank on a d6. Most
acolyte skills require willpower and thus
can only be attempted once per turn each.
▶ Augury: The acolyte obtains a simple
"yes" or "no" answer to a single question.
The accuracy depends on the skill check (by
the referee). May only be used once per day.
▶ Bless: Grants +1 to attack, damage and
morale rolls of allies within 30' for one
round per level of the acolyte, and removes
all magical fear effects from them.
▶ Command: Forces a creature within 30'
who can hear and understand the acolyte
to follow a single word command ( ee,
hold, kneel, silence, etc.) for 1 round per
level if it fails a saving throw versus spells.
▶ Lay on Hands: By laying hands on a
creature, heal 2 hit points per level or
remove a condition (such as blindness,
deafness, curse, disease, paralysis or
poison). This skill is always successful but
can only be used a number of times equal to
the skill rank per day.
▶ Purify: Makes rotten, poisonous, or
spoiled food and drink suf cient for up to
12 people pure and safe to consume.
▶ Sense Aura: Can sense the presence,
number, nature and alignment of
supernatural creatures within 30'.
▶ Smite: This skill is always successful and
active and adds its rank to the acolyte's
damage rolls against undead and chaotic
creatures.
▶ Turn Unholy: On a success, roll 2d6 +
the acolyte's level; this is the number of HD
of undead or ends forced to ee at least
30' away without harming or making
contact with the acolyte for 1 round per
level, if possible. If the roll is twice their HD
or higher, they are destroyed (undead) or
banished ( ends) instead. Only affects
monsters of up to 1 HD greater than the
acolyte’s level. Against a mixed group of
monsters of different types, those with the
lowest HD are affected rst.
After reaching 9th level
An acolyte may establish or build a temple
at half the normal price, due to community
involvement. Once a temple is established,
the acolyte will attract loyal followers (3d6
acolytes of level 1–2) that will serve
faithfully.
Acolyte Level Progression
Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d6 +0 11 12 14 16 15
2 1,500 2d6 +0 11 12 14 16 14
3 3,000 3d6 +1 10 11 13 15 14
4 6,000 4d6 +1 10 11 13 15 13
5 12,000 5d6 +2 9 10 12 14 12
6 25,000 6d6 +3 8 10 12 14 12
7 50,000 7d6 +3 7 9 11 13 11
8 100,000 8d6 +4 7 8 10 12 10
9 200,000 9d6 +5 6 7 9 11 10
10 300,000 9d6+1* +5 5 7 9 10 9
11 400,000 9d6+2* +6 4 6 8 10 8
12 500,000 9d6+3* +6 4 6 8 9 8
13 600,000 9d6+4* +7 3 5 7 8 7
14 700,000 9d6+5* +7 3 5 7 8 6
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.

Mage
Requirements: Minimum INT 9
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum level: 14
Armour: None
Weapons: Dagger, sling, staff
Languages: Common, Draconic
Mages are adventurers who study the
secrets of deep magic, making them
powerful allies.
Arcane Magic
Mages cannot memorize spells, but can
transcribe spells they nd or are taught in
their spellbook, cast spells from arcane
scrolls and use any items that may only be
used by arcane spell casters such as some
magic wands and staves.
Scribe scrolls: Mages may spend one day
and 50gp per spell level to scribe a scroll of
an arcane spell from their spellbook of up
to half their mage level (rounded up).
Arti ce: From 9th level, mages may create
magic items of other kinds. See Creating
Magic Items in Old-School Essentials, p59.
Combat
Mages can use slings, staves and daggers,
but cannot wear armour or use shields.
Mage Skills
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, mages
get 4 points to allocate to their skills, each
point increasing a single skill rank by 1.
They get 2 additional points to allocate
each time they gain a new level. No skill
may be raised above rank 5. Mages can use
the following skills with a chance of success
equal to the skill rank on a d6. Most mage
skills require concentration and thus can
only be attempted once per turn each.
▶ Arcane armour: This skill is always
successful and active as long as the mage is
conscious. It grants a bonus to Armour
Class equal to the skill rank.
Detect magic: Reveals all enchanted
▶
objects, areas or creatures within 30'.
▶ Dispel magic: Counters a spell as it is
being cast, cancels a temporary magical
effect or suppresses a permanent one for 1
round per level, up to 30' away.
▶ Mage hand: Lets the mage manipulate
things up to 30' away for 1 round per level.
It can open or close unlocked doors or lids,
lift, push or pull objects of up to 1 load per
rank.
▶ Phantasmal Force: Manifests a visual
illusion up to 240' away in a 20' cube area,
as long as the mage concentrates (no other
action possible). This illusion vanishes if hit
or touched. Creatures generally disbelieve
obviously impossible illusions, especially
ones with movement but no sound.
▶ Pyromancy: The mage can light or
extinguish combustibles within 30', make
an open ame spew smoke to cover a 10'
radius area or send a aming ball up to 240'
away that detonates in a 20' radius sphere,
dealing 1d6 damage per mage level to
everything caught in it. Creatures that
make a successful save versus spells only
take half damage.
▶ Staff song: This skill is always successful
and active. It adds its rank to the mage's
melee damage with a staff. In the mage's
hands, a normal staff can harm creatures
that are immune to mundane attacks. In
addition, once per day per skill rank, they
may cause their staff to radiate light in a
30’ radius for 1 turn per level.
▶ Suggestion: Up to one HD per level of
creatures within 30' who can hear and
understand the mage must save versus
spells or follow the mage’s suggestion for 1
round per level, as long as it does not
endanger them. Subjects realise they have
been tricked afterwards.
After reaching 11th level
A mage may build a stronghold, often a
great tower. 1d6 mage apprentices of levels
1–3 will arrive to study under the mage.
Mage Level Progression
Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d4 +0 13 14 13 16 15
2 2,500 2d4 +0 13 14 13 16 14
3 5,000 3d4 +0 13 13 13 16 14
4 10,000 4d4 +1 12 13 12 15 13
5 20,000 5d4 +1 12 12 12 15 12
6 40,000 6d4 +2 11 12 11 14 12
7 80,000 7d4 +2 11 11 11 14 11
8 150,000 8d4 +3 11 11 10 13 10
9 300,000 9d4 +3 10 10 10 13 10
10 450,000 9d4+1* +4 9 10 9 12 9
11 600,000 9d4+2* +4 8 9 8 11 8
12 750,000 9d4+3* +5 8 9 8 11 8
13 900,000 9d4+4* +5 8 8 8 11 7
14 1,050,000 9d4+5* +6 8 8 8 11 7
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
Rogue
Requirements: Minimum DEX 9
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, no shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Common
Rogues are adventurers who live by their
skills of deception and stealth. Their range
of unique skills makes them very handy
companions in adventures. However,
rogues are not always to be trusted.
Combat
Because of their need for stealth and free
movement, rogues cannot wear armour
heavier than leather and cannot use
shields. They can use any weapon.
Rogue Skills
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, rogues
get 4 points to allocate to their skills, each
point increasing a single skill rank by 1.
They get 2 additional points to allocate
each time they gain a new level. No skill
may be raised above rank 5. Rogues can use
the following skills with a chance of success
equal to the skill rank on a d6:
▶ Backstab: This skill is always successful
and active. When attacking an unaware
opponent from behind, a rogue receives an
attack and damage bonus equal to the skill
rank. Using a light weapon (see Weapon
Qualities) doubles any damage dealt. A
surprised opponent is considered unaware
for one round.
▶ Climb sheer surfaces: Rogues have the
skill to climb sheer surfaces (i.e. vertical or
very steep surfaces with only minimal
handholds) without special equipment. A
skill check is required for each 100’ to be
climbed. If the check fails, the rogue falls at
the halfway point, suffering falling damage.
▶ Find or remove treasure traps: A skill
check is required to nd a treasure trap and
then another to remove it. This may be
attempted only once per trap and is
normally rolled by the referee.
▶ Hear noise: In a quiet environment (e.g.
not in combat), a rogue may attempt to
listen at a door or to hear the sounds of
creatures approaching.
▶ Open locks: Rogues’ expertise with
small, complex mechanisms allows them to
pick locks with thieves’ tools. If the check
fails, the rogue may not try the same lock
again before gaining an experience level.
▶ Pick pockets: Rogues are trained in the
subtle art of picking pockets. The chance of
success is reduced by 1-in-6 per three levels
of the victim (e.g. a 6th level victim reduces
success by 2-in-6). A roll of 6 means that
the attempted theft is noticed. The referee
determines the reaction of the victim
(possibly using the reaction table under
Encounters).
▶ Read Languages: A rogue can attempt to
read scripts in any language (including
dead languages and basic codes). This lets
them cast spells from arcane or mystic
scrolls. If the check does not succeed, the
rogue may not try to read that particular
text again until they reach a higher level of
experience. Rolling a 6 while trying to
decipher a spell scroll could create an
unusual or deleterious effect.
▶ Sneak: A rogue may attempt to hide
motionless or sneak silently past enemies
unnoticed, something often required to
backstab an opponent.
After reaching 9th level
A rogue can establish a guild, attracting 2d6
rogue apprentices of 1st level. These rogues
will serve the character with some
reliability; however, should any be arrested
or killed, the PC will not be able to attract
further apprentices to replace them.
Rogue Level Progression
Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d6 +0 13 14 13 16 15
2 1,200 2d6 +0 13 14 13 15 15
3 2,400 3d6 +1 13 14 13 15 14
4 4,800 4d6 +1 13 14 12 15 14
5 9,600 5d6 +2 12 13 11 14 13
6 20,000 6d6 +3 12 13 11 14 12
7 40,000 7d6 +3 11 12 10 13 12
8 80,000 8d6 +4 11 12 10 13 11
9 160,000 9d6 +5 10 11 9 12 10
10 280,000 9d6+2* +5 9 11 9 12 10
11 400,000 9d6+4* +6 9 10 8 11 9
12 520,000 9d6+6* +6 8 10 8 11 8
13 640,000 9d6+8* +7 8 9 7 10 8
14 760,000 9d6+10* +7 7 9 7 10 7
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
Shaman
Requirements: Minimum WIS 9, Neutral
alignment
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, wooden shields
Weapons: Club, dagger, sling, spear, staff
Languages: Common, Sylvan
Shamans are mystics of nature, protecting
wild lands from the encroachment of
civilization and the corrupting touch of
Chaos. They worship the forces of nature in
the form of various spirits and animals.
Combat
Shamans' beliefs prevent them from using
and thus can only be attempted once per
metal armour or shields (wooden shields
turn each.
may be purchased at the same price). Their
▶ Beast shape: When wearing the skin of a
choice of weapons is limited to clubs,
daggers, slings, spears, and staves. beast, the shaman can take its shape for up
to 1 round per level, keeping the same stats
Mystic Magic but gaining its physical capabilities.
Carried equipment is absorbed into the
Shamans cannot memorize spells, but can
animal form and reappears when the
use items that may only be used by mystic
shaman changes back.
spell casters, such as mystic spell scrolls
▶ Commune with nature: Attempt to
and some magic staves.
speak with an animal, a plant or a nature
Holy symbol: Shamans must carry their spirit (of the forest, the river, etc.) Those
totem (as holy symbol) to use their skills. spoken to are limited by their ability to
Devotion to nature: Shamans regard the perceive their surroundings.
ways of the natural world as the ideal state ▶ Growth: Attempts to cause vigorous
of things. They see the concepts of Law and growth of a normal animal or vegetation
Chaos as extremes that are both equally within 30', doubling its size (as well as
damaging to nature. Those who perform damage and load carried) for one turn.
acts against nature incur penalties (e.g. -1 Overgrown areas are considered dif cult
to all skill ranks per act, until redeemed). terrain (half movement rate).
▶ Herbalism: By applying medicinal herbs
Shaman Skills on a living creature, heal 2 hit points per
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, level or cure disease, paralysis or poison.
shamans get 4 points to allocate to their This skill is always successful but can only
skills, each point increasing a single skill be used a number of times equal to the skill
rank by 1. They get 2 additional points to rank per day.
allocate each time they gain a new level. No ▶ Nature lore: Attempt to locate or identify
skill may be raised above rank 5. Shamans plants, animals or potable water or pass
can use the following skills with a chance of through natural environments without
success equal to the skill rank on a d6. Most leaving any tracks.
shaman skills require harmony with nature
▶ Protection from the elements: This skill
is always successful and active as long as
the shaman is conscious. It grants a bonus
to saving throws against cold, re and
lightning equal to the skill rank. In
addition, the shaman is not bothered by
rain or hot and cold temperatures.
▶ Sanctuary: This skill is always active as
long as the shaman is conscious. If the
shaman does not attempt to harm a
creature, there is a chance equal to the skill
rank on a d6 that the creature will ignore
the shaman when it comes to choosing a
target in combat.
▶ Storm bringer: Outdoors, the shaman
can attempt to improve or worsen the
weather, bringing clouds, fog, precipitation
or high winds or even calling lightning
from an overcast sky to strike a single target
for 1d6 damage per level. Creatures that
make a successful save versus spells only
take half damage.
After reaching 9th level
A shaman may establish a grove at no cost
that will attract 2d6 animal followers. They
will be friendly with the shaman and will
guard the grove with their lives.

Shaman Level Progression

Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d6 +0 11 12 14 16 15
2 1,500 2d6 +0 11 12 14 16 14
3 3,000 3d6 +1 10 11 13 15 14
4 6,000 4d6 +1 10 11 13 15 13
5 12,000 5d6 +2 9 10 12 14 12
6 25,000 6d6 +3 8 10 12 14 12
7 50,000 7d6 +3 7 9 11 13 11
8 100,000 8d6 +4 7 8 10 12 10
9 200,000 9d6 +5 6 7 9 11 10
10 300,000 9d6+1* +5 5 7 9 10 9
11 400,000 9d6+2* +6 4 6 8 10 8
12 500,000 9d6+3* +6 4 6 8 9 8
13 600,000 9d6+4* +7 3 5 7 8 7
14 700,000 9d6+5* +7 3 5 7 8 6
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
Warden
Requirements: Minimum CON 9
Hit Dice: 1d8
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, chainmail, shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Common
Wardens protect their native lands from
invasion and the in uence of its enemies.
They are skilled skirmishers who are
adapted to life in the wilds.
Combat
Wardens can use all types of weapons and
can use leather armour, chainmail, and
shields. Because of their need for mobility,
they cannot use plate mail.
Warden Skills
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, wardens
get 4 points to allocate to their skills, each
point increasing a single skill rank by 1.
They get 2 additional points to allocate animals, goblins, orcs, etc.) chosen at
each time they gain a new level. No skill character creation.
may be raised above rank 5. Wardens can ▶ Sneak: A warden may attempt to go
use the following skills with a chance of unnoticed by hiding motionless or silently
success equal to the skill rank on a d6: sneaking up on a target, surprising them.
▶ Animal friendship: On a success, the ▶ Spot snares and pits: In the wilderness,
warden can approach an animal and have it a warden can spot snares and covered pits
behave in a friendly manner, as long as it is with a successful check. Those simple traps
not subject to any aggression. do not usually require any roll to set or
▶ Mounted combat: This skill is always disarm.
successful and active as long as the warden ▶ Survival: Add this skill rank to the
is conscious. While mounted, add this skill party's chance to nd suf cient food when
rank as a bonus to their mount's AC and foraging or hunting. Decrease the party's
saving throws, as well as any roll to avoid chance to lose direction by this skill rank
being dismounted. (see Wilderness Adventuring).
▶ Nature lore: Attempt to locate or identify ▶ Tracking: Wardens can identify and
plants, animals or potable water or pass follow tracks. The chance of success may be
through natural environments without modi ed by the following factors: soft/hard
leaving any tracks. ground (+1 to -3), size of group being
▶ Slayer: This skill is always successful and tracked (+1 per doubling in number or size),
active. The warden adds this skill rank to passing through an area where other tracks
attack and damage rolls against foes of a mingle (-3), age of tracks (-1/day), rainfall
speci c type (e.g. undead, dragons, giants, (-1/hour), efforts made to hide tracks (-2).
After reaching 9th level (shamans, wardens, animals, fantastic
mounts and fey creatures) that will protect
A warden may build a fastness in the
it and patrol the surrounding lands.
wilderness. Once a fastness is established,
the warden will attract 4d6 loyal followers

Warden Level Progression

Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d8 +0 12 13 14 15 16
2 2,000 2d8 +1 11 13 13 14 16
3 4,000 3d8 +1 11 12 13 13 15
4 8,000 4d8 +2 10 11 12 13 14
5 16,000 5d8 +3 9 11 11 12 14
6 32,000 6d8 +4 9 10 11 11 13
7 64,000 7d8 +5 8 9 10 10 12
8 120,000 8d8 +6 7 9 9 9 12
9 240,000 9d8 +6 7 8 9 9 11
10 360,000 9d8+2* +7 6 7 8 8 10
11 480,000 9d8+4* +8 5 7 7 7 10
12 600,000 9d8+6* +8 5 6 7 6 9
13 720,000 9d8+8* +9 4 5 6 5 8
14 840,000 9d8+10* +10 3 5 5 4 8
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
Warlock
Requirements: Minimum CHA 9, Chaotic
alignment
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Any, including shields
Weapons: Any
Languages: Abyssal, Common
Warlocks and witches are mystics who
made a pact with the forces of Chaos. They
know how to handle themselves on a
battle eld and can channel their patron's
power to manifest nefarious effects.
Combat
Warlocks can use all types of weapons and
armour.
Mystic Magic
Warlocks cannot memorize spells, but can
use items that may only be used by mystic
spell casters, such as mystic spell scrolls
and some magic staves.
Holy symbol: Warlocks must carry a holy
symbol of Chaos to use their skills.
Pact with Chaos: Warlocks must be
embodiments of Chaos, never letting
civilization turn them soft. Those who
perform acts that reinforce lawful rule may
incur penalties (e.g. -1 to all skill ranks per
act, until redeemed).
Warlock Skills
All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level,
warlocks get 4 points to allocate to their
skills, each point increasing a single skill
rank by 1. They get 2 additional points to
allocate each time they gain a new level. No
skill may be raised above rank 5. Warlocks
can use the following skills with a chance of
success equal to the skill rank on a d6. Most
warlock skills require willpower and thus
can only be attempted once per turn each.
▶ Blight: Incurs a –1 penalty to morale
checks, attack rolls, and damage rolls of
enemies within 30' that fail a save versus
spells for one round per level of the
warlock.
▶ Demonic tutor: The warlock obtains a
simple "yes" or "no" answer to a single
question from his patron. The accuracy
depends on the skill check (by the referee).
May only be used once per day.
▶ Envenom: Poisons food or drink
suf cient for up to 12 people, or a single
living creature within 5'. A poisoned
creature, whether directly or by consuming
poisoned food or drink, must make a save
versus poison or die within 1d6 turns.
▶ Fear: Causes a living creature within 30'
to ee for 1 round per level if it fails a save
versus spells.
▶ Fiendish Resistance: This skill is always
successful and active. It grants the warlock
a bonus to saving throws against death,
disease, poison, paralysis and petri cation
equal to the skill rank.
▶ Hex: Places a curse upon a creature
within 30' if it fails a save versus spells. The
curse in icts a -2 penalty to saving throws,
attack rolls and AC for 1 round per level.
▶ Life drain: This skill is always successful
but can only be used a number of times
equal to the skill rank per day, and only
against living targets. The warlock makes a
melee attack. If the attack hits, in addition
to the weapon damage, the target loses 2
hit points per warlock level and the warlock
is healed by the same amount.
▶ Rebuke Unholy: On a success, roll 2d6 +
the warlock's level; this is the number of
HD of undead or ends forced to stay at
least 30' away without harming or making
contact with the warlock for 1 round per
level, if possible. If the roll is twice their HD
or higher, they are forced to obey the
warlock's orders instead. Only affects
monsters of up to 1 HD greater than the
warlock’s level. Against a mixed group of
monsters of different types, those with the
lowest HD are affected rst.
After reaching 9th level
A warlock may establish or build a lair.
Once established, the warlock will attract
chaotic creatures (3d6 × 10 cultists, goblins,
orcs or gnolls) that will populate the lair
and raid the region.

Warlock Level Progression

Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d6 +0 11 12 14 16 15
2 1,500 2d6 +0 11 12 14 16 14
3 3,000 3d6 +1 10 11 13 15 14
4 6,000 4d6 +1 10 11 13 15 13
5 12,000 5d6 +2 9 10 12 14 12
6 25,000 6d6 +3 8 10 12 14 12
7 50,000 7d6 +3 7 9 11 13 11
8 100,000 8d6 +4 7 8 10 12 10
9 200,000 9d6 +5 6 7 9 11 10
10 300,000 9d6+1* +5 5 7 9 10 9
11 400,000 9d6+2* +6 4 6 8 10 8
12 500,000 9d6+3* +6 4 6 8 9 8
13 600,000 9d6+4* +7 3 5 7 8 7
14 700,000 9d6+5* +7 3 5 7 8 6
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
 Warrior Skills
Warrior All skills start at rank 1. At 1st level, warriors
Requirements: Minimum STR 9 get 4 points to allocate to their skills, each
Hit Dice: 1d8 point increasing a single skill rank by 1.
Maximum level: 14 They get 2 additional points to allocate
Armour: Any, including shields each time they gain a new level. No skill
Weapons: Any may be raised above rank 5. The following
Languages: Common warrior skills do not require a skill check:
▶ Cleave: When in melee with multiple
Warriors are adventurers dedicated to foes, warriors that strike a killing blow may
mastering the arts of combat and war. In a immediately make an attack against
group of adventurers, the role of the another foe. The skill rank is the maximum
warrior is to battle monsters and to defend number of additional foes that can be
other characters. attacked in this way in a single round.
▶ Defend: When the warrior is in melee
Combat with a foe, any attacks the foe makes at
Warriors can use all types of weapons and characters other than the warrior are
armour. penalised at this skill rank.
▶ Leader: Mercenaries or retainers under
the warrior’s command and within 60’ gain
a bonus to morale/loyalty equal to this skill
rank. The warrior and their allies within
60’ gain the same bonus to saves against
fear effects.
▶ Mighty deed: This skill rank is the
chance on a d6 that a combat maneuver
such as disarming, parrying, pinning,
shoving or tripping an opponent will
succeed, if at all possible (as opposed to
parrying a boulder, tripping a dragon or
shoving a giant). Other actions are possible
at the referee's adjudication, but they
should not increase the damage in icted by
an attack.
▶ Mounted combat: While mounted,
warriors add this skill rank as a bonus to
their mount's AC and saving throws, as
well as any roll to avoid being dismounted.
▶ Primal rage: Once per turn, warriors can
enter a primal rage for 1 round per level.
During that time, they add this skill rank to
their saving throws and damage rolls, but
decrease their AC by the same amount.
▶ Slayer: The warrior adds this skill rank to
attack and damage rolls against foes of a
speci c type (e.g. undead, dragons, giants,
animals, goblins, orcs, etc.) chosen at
character creation.
▶ Weapon specialist: The skill rank is After reaching 9th level
limited to half the warrior's level, rounded
A warrior may build a castle or stronghold
up. The warrior is an expert with one
and control the surrounding lands. Once a
speci c type of weapon (e.g. maces,
stronghold is established, the warrior will
longbows, two-handed swords, etc.)
attract loyal followers (5d6 × 10 warriors of
chosen at character creation. They add their
level 1–2) that will protect the stronghold
skill rank to attack and damage rolls when
and patrol the region.
using this type of weapon.

Warrior Level Progression

Saving Throws
Level XP HD AB D W P B S
1 0 1d8 +0 12 13 14 15 16
2 2,000 2d8 +1 11 13 13 14 16
3 4,000 3d8 +1 11 12 13 13 15
4 8,000 4d8 +2 10 11 12 13 14
5 16,000 5d8 +3 9 11 11 12 14
6 32,000 6d8 +4 9 10 11 11 13
7 64,000 7d8 +5 8 9 10 10 12
8 120,000 8d8 +6 7 9 9 9 12
9 240,000 9d8 +6 7 8 9 9 11
10 360,000 9d8+2* +7 6 7 8 8 10
11 480,000 9d8+4* +8 5 7 7 7 10
12 600,000 9d8+6* +8 5 6 7 6 9
13 720,000 9d8+8* +9 4 5 6 5 8
14 840,000 9d8+10* +10 3 5 5 4 8
XP: Experience Points required for level; D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
HD: Hit Dice; AB: Attack bonus. P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
*: Modi ers from CON no longer apply. S: Spells / rods / staves.
 Equipment
Starting Equipment Random Armour
▶ Basic equipment: All characters have: a
d6 Armour
backpack, a tinder box, 1d6 torches, 1d6
iron rations, a waterskin and 3d6 gp. 1 Leather
▶ Class-speci c equipment: On the next
2 Leather + shield
page, the Equipment by Class table shows
the adventuring gear, armour, weapons, 3 Chainmail
and extra items that characters of each 4 Chainmail + shield
class have. A dice notation means to roll
that combination on the corresponding 5 Plate mail
random table on this page (reroll if you get 6 Plate mail + shield
the same item more than once).
Random Weapon
Random Adventuring Gear d12 Weapon
d12 Item
1 Dagger
1 Bedroll + cooking pots 2 Staff
2 Chalk (10 sticks) + marbles (bag) 3 Sling + 20 Stones
3 Crowbar 4 Club
4 Hammer (small) + 12 iron spikes 5 Mace
5 Lantern + 3 asks of oil 6 War hammer
6 Mirror (hand-sized, steel) 7 Short sword
7 Pole (10’ long, wooden) 8 Sword or two-handed sword
8 Rope (50’) + grappling hook 9 Spear or polearm
9 Sack, large (2) + twine 10 Short bow + 20 arrows
10 Sack, small (2) + shovel 11 Hand Axe
11 Stakes (3) + mallet 12 Battle axe
12 Wolfsbane (bunch) + garlic
Equipment by Class
Class Adventuring Gear Armour Weapons Extra Items
Acolyte 1d12 twice 1d6 1d4+2 Holy symbol (Law)
Mage 1d12 twice None 1d3 Spellbook
Rogue 1d12 twice Leather 1d10 + dagger Thieves' tools
Shaman 1d12 twice 1d2 1d4 Holy symbol (Totem)
Warden 1d12 three times 1d4 1d6+6 twice -
Warlock 1d12 twice 1d6 1d8 Holy symbol (Chaos)
Warrior 1d12 twice 1d6 1d8+4 twice Silver dagger

Adventuring Gear Candle: Casts dim light in a 5’ radius and

Descriptions
Antidote: A vial containing one dose of
antidote that will neutralize poison if
ingested before death.
Acid: Can be used to weaken metal or
thrown at enemies (see Weapons). A vial
contains enough acid for one use only.
Backpack: Has two straps and can be worn
on the back, keeping the hands free. Holds
up to 4 load, plus 2 load strapped to it.
Barrel: A wooden barrel that holds 40
gallons (320 pints) of liquid.
Bedroll: A heavy woollen blanket with a
small pillow.
Belt pouch: A leather pouch that holds up
to 200 coins.
Block and tackle: Used for hauling/lifting
heavy objects. Reduces the effective weight
by 75% but requires 4 times as much rope.
Box, iron: A solid iron casket. A large box
can hold up to 8 load; a small box can hold
up to 2 load.
Bucket: Holds 5 gallons (40 pints).
Caltrops: Small metal spikes suf cient to
cover a 5’ × 5’ area. Creatures moving
through the area have a 2-in-6 chance of
treading on a spike. Victims without boots
suffer a 50% reduction of movement rate
for 24 hours (or until magically healed).
burns for 1 hour.
Chain: A 10’ length of heavy, iron chain.
Chest, wooden: A large chest can hold up
to 10 load; a small chest can hold up to 3
load.
Chisel: Used with a hammer for chipping
away stone.
Crowbar: 2–3’ long and made of solid iron.
Can be used for forcing doors and other
objects open.
Firewood: A bundle of dry wood. Burns for
8 hours.
Fishing rod and tackle: A rod, line, hook,
and bait box.
Grappling hook: Has 3 or 4 prongs. Can be
used for anchoring a rope.
Hammer: Can be used for construction or
as a mallet with iron or wooden spikes.
Holy symbol: A mystic spell caster is
required to own a holy symbol of their
alignment, often worn as a necklace.
Standard holy symbols are assumed to be
made of silver.
Holy water: Water from a holy font stored
in a blessed vial. It is used in some religious
rituals and in icts damage on undead
monsters (see Weapons). Holy water does
not retain its power if stored in a container
other than its blessed vial.
Ink and quill: A vial of black ink and a large
feather sharpened into a writing point.
Coloured ink costs double. Suf cient for
about 50 pages of writing.
Iron spikes: May be used for wedging
doors open or shut (see Dungeon
Adventuring), as an anchor to attach a rope
to, and many other purposes.
Lantern: Can be closed to hide the light.
Burns one oil ask every four hours (24
turns). Casts light in a 30’ radius.
Lantern, bullseye: Casts light in a narrow
beam, 60’ long and 20’ wide at the end.
Can be closed to hide the light. Burns one
oil ask every four hours (24 turns).
Lock: A basic iron lock with a key.
Magnifying glass: Used for studying ne
details.
Manacles: Iron manacles with a chain.
Used for binding hands or feet.
Marbles: A bag of colourful glass beads
suf cient to cover a 5’ × 5’ area. Creatures
running through the area have a 2-in-6
chance of sliding and falling prone.
Mining pick: For breaking rock.
Mirror: Useful for looking around corners
or for re ecting a gaze attack.
Musical instrument: A stringed
instrument (e.g. a lute or mandolin) or a
wind instrument (e.g. a ute or pipe). The
listed price is for an instrument of basic
quality. Higher quality instruments can
cost up to 10 times as much.
Oil ask: A ask of oil fuels a lantern for
four hours (24 turns). Oil can also be lit on
re and thrown (see Weapons) or poured
on the ground and lit, covering a diameter
of 3 feet and burning for 1 turn, in icting
damage on any character or monster
moving through it.
Poison: A vial containing enough poison
for one use. A living creature ingesting or
wounded with an edged weapon coated
with poison must make a saving throw
versus poison or die within 1d6 turns.
Pole, 10’: A 2” thick wooden pole useful for
poking and prodding suspicious items in a
dungeon.
Rations, iron: Dried and preserved food to
be carried on long voyages when securing
fresh food may be uncertain.
Rations, standard: Fresh, unpreserved
food. Spoils after 3 days.
Rope: Can hold the weight of
approximately three human-sized beings.
Sack, large: Can hold up to 6 load. Can be
used as a saddlebag.
Sack, small: Can hold up to 2 load.
Saw: A hand saw for cutting wood.
Scroll case: An oiled leather tube with a
cap. Not completely watertight.
Sledgehammer: A big heavy hammer for
breaking rock.
Spade or shovel: For excavating earth.
Stakes and mallet: A wooden mallet and
three 18” long stakes. Valuable when
confronting vampires.
Tent: Large enough for 2 adult humans.
Thieves’ tools: This kit contains all of the
tools needed to pick locks and disarm traps.
Tinder box: Used to light res, including
torches. Using a tinder box takes one round.
There is a 2-in-6 chance of success per
round.
Torch: A torch burns for 1 hour (6 turns),
clearly illuminating a 30’ radius. Torches
may also be used as clubs in combat.
Twine: A wound ball of thin cord or string.
Can support up to 3 load of weight.
Vial: A glass vial that can hold up to half a
pint of liquid.
Waterskin: This container, made of hide,
will hold 2 pints (1 quart) of uid.
Whistle: Useful for signalling or faking bird
calls.
Wolfsbane: This herb can be used to repel
lycanthropes. The creature must be hit with
the herb in melee combat.
Adventuring Gear
Item Cost (gp) Load Item Cost (gp) Load
Acid (vial) 15 * Lock 20 1
Antidote (vial) 25 * Magnifying glass 3 *
Backpack 5 * Manacles 15 1
Barrel 1 14 Marbles (bag) 1 1
Bedroll 2 1 Mining pick 3 1
Bell, brass (miniature) 1 * Mirror (hand-sized, steel) 5 *
Belt pouch 1 0 Musical instrument (string) 20 2
Block and tackle 5 1 Musical instrument (wind) 5 1
Box (iron, large) 30 3 Oil (1 ask) 2 *
Box (iron, small) 10 1 Paper/parchment (2 sheets) 1 0
Bucket 1 1 Pole (10’ long, wooden) 1 3
Caltrops (bag of 20) 1 1 Poison (vial) 25 *
Candles (10) 1 1 Rations, iron (per day) 2 *
Chain (10’) 30 2 Rations, standard (per day) 1 1
Chalk (10 sticks) 1 * Rope (50’) 1 1
Chest (wooden, large) 5 2 Sack, large / saddlebag 2 0
Chest (wooden, small) 1 1 Sack, small 1 0
Chisel 2 1 Saw 2 1
Cooking pots 3 1 Scroll case 1 *
Crowbar 10 1 Sledgehammer 5 3
Firewood (bundle) 1 2 Spade or shovel 2 1
Fishing rod and tackle 4 1 Stakes (3) and mallet 3 1
Garlic 1 * Tent 20 3
Grappling hook 25 1 Thieves’ tools 25 1
Hammer (small) 2 1 Tinder box ( int & steel) 3 1
Holy symbol 25 * Torches (6) 1 1
Holy water (vial) 10 * Twine (100’ ball) 1 *
Ink and quill 2 * Vial (glass) 1 *
Iron spikes (12) 3 2 Waterskin (full) 1 1
Ladder (wooden, 10’) 5 5 Whistle 1 0
Lantern 10 1 Wine, cheap (2 pints) 1 1
Lantern, bullseye 20 1 Wolfsbane (1 bunch) 10 *
* Normally counts as 0 load but 5 of these items count as 1 load.
Weapons and Armour
All weapons deal a base of 1d6 damage, but weapon qualities might affect this.

Weapons
Weapon Qualities Cost (gp) Load
Acid vial Missile (10/30/50), Splash 15 *
Battle axe Edged, Melee, Versatile 7 2
Club Blunt, Melee 1 1
Crossbow Edged, Missile (80/160/240), Reload 30 1
Dagger Edged, Light, Melee, Missile (10/20/30) 3 1
Hand axe Edged, Melee, Missile (10/20/30) 4 1
Holy water vial Missile (10/30/50), Splash 10 *
Javelin Edged, Missile (30/60/90) 1 1
Lance Charge, Edged, Melee, Reach 5 3
Long bow Edged, Missile (70/140/210), Two-handed 40 2
Mace Blunt, Melee 5 1
Oil ask, burning Missile (10/30/50), Splash 2 *
Polearm Brace, Edged, Heavy, Melee, Reach, Two-handed 7 3
Short bow Edged, Missile (50/100/150), Two-handed 25 1
Short sword Edged, Light, Melee 7 1
Sling Blunt, Missile (40/80/160) 2 1
Spear Brace, Edged, Melee, Missile (20/40/60) 3 1
Staff Blunt, Melee, Two-handed 2 1
Sword Edged, Melee, Versatile 10 2
Two-handed sword Edged, Heavy, Melee, Two-handed 15 3
War hammer Blunt, Melee, Versatile 5 1

Ammunition Armour
Ammunition Cost (gp) Armour AC Cost (gp) Load
Arrows (quiver of 20) 5 None 10 - -
Crossbow bolts (case of 30) 10 Leather 12 20 2
Silver tipped arrow (1) 5 Chainmail 14 40 4
Silver bolt (1) 10 Plate mail 16 60 5
Sling stones Free Shield +1 10 1
Horse barding 14 150 6
Weapon Qualities
Blunt: On a critical hit, stuns a living
opponent for one round.
Brace: Bracing against the ground doubles
damage against charging monsters.
Charge: If mounted, moving at least 60’ in
a round and attacking doubles any damage
done with a successful hit.
Edged: On a critical hit, deals double
damage.
Heavy: In icts +2 damage but the attacker
acts last in each combat round.
Light: May be used in the off hand; on a hit,
roll the damage of both weapons and use
the best one. Deal more damage when used
by rogues to backstab an opponent.
Melee: Close quarters weapon (5’ or less).
Missile: Thrown or red weapon (greater
than 5’ distance). The distances for short
(+1 to hit), medium, and long (–1 to hit)
range in feet are shown in parentheses.
Reach: Can be used against opponents up
to 10' away but not in cramped spaces.
Reload: Requires a round to reload
between shots; can only be red every other
round.
Splash: On a successful attack, the
container smashes and douses the target
with the liquid. The damage is in icted on
the round it hits and the next round, as the
liquid drips off.
Two-handed: Requires both hands; the
character cannot use a shield.
Versatile: May be used with one or two
hands. When wielded with two hands (no
shield), in icts +1 damage.
Wealth
Successful characters accumulate wealth
from the spoils of their adventures.
Treasure may take many forms, but often
the most useful form of treasure is coins.
Coins
The most common coin is the gold piece
(gp). Coins made of other metals such as
platinum (pp), electrum (ep), silver (sp),
and copper (cp) are also used. The
conversion rate of coins is:
1 pp = 5 gp = 10 ep = 50 sp = 500 cp
Regardless of value, 200 coins weigh 1 load.
Inheritance
Faced with the possibility of character
death, players may wish to create a will for
their characters, to leave wealth behind for
an heir, a new 1st level character. If the
referee allows this, any treasure left as an
inheritance will be taxed at 10% by the
regional authorities.
Assets and Domains
When characters have amassed suf cient
wealth, they might wish to construct a
stronghold and possibly found a domain.
They could also invest in mounts and
vehicles, for trade and travel.
Hirelings
Hirelings are NPCs hired by a character to
perform certain services. As opposed to
retainers, hirelings do not accompany
characters on adventures. Hirelings are
divided into two types:
▶ Mercenaries: Hired soldiers who will
guard, patrol, and otherwise serve in
wilderness settings, but only as part of a
larger force, not an adventuring party.
▶ Specialists: Hired individuals who have
a particular trade or who have special
knowledge. These individuals are usually
hired for a speci c task.
 Adventuring
Party
Organisation
Size: The ideal size of a group is between 6
and 8 characters—large enough to confront
the challenges of the adventure, while not
so large as to be disorganised. If not enough
PCs are present, the players may wish to
hire retainers.
Classes: It is wise for a party to consist of a
mix of characters of different adventuring
classes. Combat-focused characters are
essential for protecting the group from
danger, while other classes each have
magic or other special abilities which are
useful for handling different situations that
may arise in an adventure.
Level: As new PCs join play, the experience
levels of the characters in the party may
diverge. It is recommended that characters
more than four levels apart should
adventure separately, as challenges and
rewards suitable to characters of greatly
different experience levels do not match.
Marching Order
Before starting an adventure, the players
should determine the normal arrangement
of their PCs when exploring. This is known
as the party’s marching order. For example,
players may decide to move in a two
column formation, with well-armoured
characters in front, weaker characters in
the middle, and a rear guard. The group
may de ne different standard marching
orders for common situations (e.g.
standard exploration, combat, opening
doors, searching, etc.)
The Caller
If the players wish to, they may nominate
one of their number as the spokesperson of
the group, known as the caller. This player
is responsible for informing the referee
about the actions and movements of the
party as a whole. Delegating this role to one
player—rather than having each player
informing the referee about their PC’s
individual actions—can speed up play. The
caller’s character usually takes on the role
of party leader and should thus have a high
Charisma score and be located near to the
front of the party.
The Mapper
One player should create a map of the areas
being explored, based on the referee’s
descriptions. Details such as monsters or
traps encountered, clues to puzzles, or
possibly interesting unexplored areas may
be noted on the map as it is drawn.
Dividing Treasure
The spoils of an adventure may be divided
between surviving characters in whatever
way the players agree on. Non-magical
treasure is typically divided evenly between
player characters. For magic items, the
players must decide which character keeps
each item. One method for doing this is for
each player to roll a die and compare the
results. The highest rolling player gets to
pick a magic item rst, the second highest
rolling player gets the next pick, and so on.
Retainers usually get half a share of
treasure (or whatever has been agreed
upon when they were hired) and get to pick
leftovers, if any, when it comes to magic
items.
Time, Weight and
Movement
Time
When an adventure is under way, the
referee should keep track of the time that
elapses in the imagined world, known as
game time. This is distinct from real time:
what may take the players and referee mere
seconds to describe may take PCs hours or
even days to complete.
For example, when characters are exploring
a dungeon, the referee tracks the number of
turns that have elapsed; when characters
are exploring the wilderness, the number of
days elapsed is tracked.
The referee must adjudicate what may be
accomplished in a given period of time.
Resources
As game time passes, the referee should pay
attention to resources that the party
consumes. For example: food, water, fuel
for light sources, durations of magical
effects, poisons, etc.
Time units
Aside from everyday time increments
(minutes, hours, days, and so on), the
following units are used in the game.
▶ Turns: 10 minutes of game time. There
are 6 turns in an hour. Time is measured in
turns when exploring dungeons (see
Dungeon Adventuring).
▶ Rounds: 10 seconds of game time. There
are 6 rounds in a minute. Time is measured
in rounds during encounters, especially in
combat (see Encounters and Combat).
Distance
Staying true to its origins, this game uses
imperial or customary US units. Distances
are measured in inches (notated with a ”),
feet (notated with a ’), yards, and miles. For
reference, 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet
and 1 mile = 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet.
Weight
Items and weight are tracked in terms of
load. An item about the size of a human
head, 5 pounds or 200 coins (or gems) is
considered 1 load. The load value of various
items is shown in the equipment tables.
Most items count as 1 load. Some lighter
items (marked as *) normally count as 0
load but add up and count as 1 load for each
5 carried.
Encumbrance
Characters are able to carry a total load
equal to their Strength score without issue.
For each point of load above that, decrease
their base movement rate by 15'. When it
reaches 0', they can no longer move until
they drop some things.
Movement
As player characters explore the imagined
world, the referee should keep track of their
location on a prepared map. The map is
usually kept secret from the players, who
must rely on the referee’s descriptions of
the areas they explore.
To determine how long it takes for
characters to move from one area to the
next, the referee should refer to the
characters’ movement rates.
▶ Overland: Characters can travel one fth
of their base movement rate in miles per
day in the wilderness, assuming 8 hours of
travel per day.
▶ Exploration: When exploring unknown
areas of a dungeon, characters can move
their base movement rate in feet per turn,
assuming they are mapping and looking for
traps or hidden features.
▶ Encounter: In combat, characters can
move one third of their base movement rate
in feet per round.
Group Movement Rate
An adventuring party will usually want to
stay together. The movement rate of the
party as a whole is determined by the speed
of the slowest member.
Damage and
Saving Throws
Damage and Healing
All characters and monsters have a hit
point total, which represents their ability to
avoid death. Successful attacks, including
those with weapons in combat, subtract hit
points from this pool.
Death
A character or monster reduced to 0 hit
points or less is killed.
Destruction of Items
If a character is killed by a destructive
magical effect or special attack (e.g. a
lightning bolt or a dragon’s breath), their
equipment is assumed to be destroyed.
Carried magic items in the possession of a
character who is killed by such an effect
may survive if they succeed on a save made
using the character’s saving throw values.
Items that grant a bonus in combat (e.g.
magical weapons and armour) may also
apply this bonus to the saving throw.
Healing
Natural: Characters normally recover 1 hit
point for a full night (8 hours) of rest. For a
complete day (24 hours) of rest, characters
and monsters recover 1d3 + CON modi er
hit points, with a minimum of 1 hp. If the
rest is interrupted, the character or monster
will not heal during that period.
Magical: Healing may also occur through
magic, such as potions, class skills or spells.
This kind of healing is instantaneous.
Saving Throws
All characters and monsters can make
saving throws (or saves) to avoid the full
effects of certain magical or special attacks.
The appropriate saving throw to make and
the effects of a success or failure are
indicated in the description of the spell,
monster attack, or adventure scenario.
Categories
There are ve saving throw categories, used
in the following situations:
▶ Death or Poison: When targeted by a
death ray or exposed to poison.
▶ Wands: When targeted by an effect from
a magical wand.
▶ Paralysis or Petri cation: When
targeted by an effect that paralyses or turns
to stone.
▶ Breath Attacks: When targeted by the
breath of a dragon (or other monster with a
breath attack).
▶ Spells, Rods, or Staves: When targeted
by a baneful spell or an effect from a
magical rod or staff.
Rolling a Saving Throw
When affected by an effect which requires a
saving throw, the player or referee must roll
1d20 and compare the result to the
appropriate saving throw value:
▶ Greater or equal: A result greater than
or equal to the save value is a success.
▶ Lower: A result of less than the saving
throw value is a failure.
Successful Saves
Damaging effects: A successful save
against an effect that causes damage means
that the damage is halved.
Other effects: A successful saving throw
against an effect that does not cause
damage means the effect has been entirely
avoided or negated.
Saving Throws Versus Poison
Failure: Living creatures that fail a saving
throw versus poison will die within 1d6
turns if the poison is not neutralized within
that time. Players and characters are not
aware of the time left before death (rolled
by the referee) when they are poisoned.
Damage: If a poisonous attack also in icts
damage, the damage is not affected by the
success or failure of the saving throw versus
poison.
Hazards and
Challenges
Climbing
When characters are climbing in a dif cult
or tense situation, the referee may require
them to make a check with a 3-in-6 chance
to succeed adjusted by their Dexterity
modi er. If the check fails, the character
falls at the halfway point, suffering falling
damage (see below) if not anchored.
Sheer Surfaces
Very steep or sheer surfaces are normally
impossible to climb without specialised
equipment. Rogues have a class skill which
allows them to do so.
Darkness
Characters will usually want to bring a
source of light with them on underground
expeditions. Typical light sources enable
normal vision within a 30’ radius.
Infravision
Most nocturnal or subterrestrial monsters
have a special kind of vision, called
infravision, that allows them to see the heat
energy that radiates off of living things.
Generally, living things will be visible as
bright tones, while cool items are grey and
very cold objects are black. Reading is not
possible in the dark with infravision,
because ne detail cannot be perceived.
Range: Infravision works within a limited
range (60’ unless speci ed otherwise in a
monster’s description).
Disruption: Infravision only functions in
darkness. Visible light (normal or magical)
and large heat sources will disrupt it.
Light and Surprise
Characters or monsters that carry a light in
a dark environment are usually unable to
surprise opponents (see Encounters)
because the light gives their presence away.
Falling
Falling from a height onto a hard surface
in icts 1d6 damage per 10’ fallen.
Losing Direction
Characters can con dently follow trails,
roads, and other well-known landmarks
without fear of becoming lost. Likewise,
travelling with a reliable guide prevents
becoming lost. However, when travelling
through untracked, open regions, it is easy
to lose direction.
The chance of the party becoming lost
depends on the type of terrain being
explored (see Wilderness Adventuring and
Waterborne Adventuring).
E ects of Being Lost
If the party becomes lost, the referee will
decide which direction they are actually
travelling in. Most of the time, this will be
slightly off course, but it may take some
time for a lost party to realise that it is
moving in the wrong direction.
Deprivation and fatigue
If characters go for a full day or more
without food, water or sleep, they gain 1
point fatigue for each de ciency. Each
point of fatigue counts as 1 load (see
Encumbrance) even though the character
is not carrying anything, and is removed
once the need is satis ed. Referees may
apply penalties to attack rolls and saving
throws, or even deduct hit points in cases of
long term deprivation.
Swimming and drowning
It is assumed that every character knows
how to swim, unless there is some obvious
reason why they would not have learned.
Characters move at half their normal base
movement rate when swimming, but their
load is doubled while doing so. If this
reduces their movement rate to 0', they
begin to sink and drown. Drowning or
suffocating deals 1d6 damage per round
after the rst minute without air.
Dungeon
Adventuring
Sequence of Play Per Turn
1. Wandering monsters: The referee
makes checks as applicable.
2. Actions: The party decides what action
to take (e.g. moving, searching, listening,
entering rooms).
3. Description: The referee describes what
happens. If monsters are encountered,
follow the procedure described in
Encounters.
4. End of turn: The referee updates time Doors Swinging Shut
records, with special attention to light Doors opened by adventurers (by whatever
sources, magical effects durations, and means) have a weird tendency to swing
the party’s need to rest. shut after they pass. To prevent this, doors
may be held open using iron spikes or other
wedges.
Doors
Dungeons often have many doors, some Monsters and Doors
secret and others obvious. Many are locked Monsters that live in the dungeon can
and many are stuck. usually open doors (even stuck doors),
unless they are blocked, magically closed,
Secret Doors or wedged shut with spikes.
Secret doors can normally only be spotted if
characters are speci cally looking for them. Listening at Doors
If a character is searching in the right Chance of success: PCs have a base 1-in-6
location, they have a base 1-in-6 chance of chance of detecting subtle sounds beyond a
nding a secret door. Elves have an door. Some racial or class skills increase
increased chance to do so. this chance of success.
Referee rolls: The referee should always
Locked Doors roll for the character listening so that the
Locks may be picked by a rogue with player never knows if the roll failed or if
thieves' tools or opened by magic. there simply is no sound behind the door.
One chance: This attempt may only be
Stuck Doors
made one time at any door by a character.
Forcing: The chance of forcing open a stuck
Silent monsters: Some monsters, such as
door depends on the character’s Strength.
undead, do not make any noise while idle.
Surprise: A failed attempt to force open a
door eliminates any possibility of surprise
(see Encounters) that the party may have
against any monsters on the other side of
the door.
Movement in Dungeons
Exploring the unknown: When exploring
unknown areas of a dungeon, characters
can move their base movement rate in feet
per turn. This (very slow!) rate of
movement takes account of the fact that
PCs are exploring, watching their footing,
mapping, and trying to be quiet and avoid
obstacles.
In familiar areas: When PCs are moving
through dungeon areas with which they are
familiar and that have been thoroughly
secured (monsters dispatched, traps
disarmed, doors held open, etc.), the referee
may allow them to move at six times their
base movement rate per turn (720' by
default).
Resting
Frequency of rest: Characters must rest for
one turn every hour in the dungeon (i.e. 1
turn out of 6 is spent resting).
Penalty for not resting: If characters press
on without resting, they gain 1 point of
fatigue every hour until they have rested
for one turn per point of fatigue.
Searching
Dungeons often include hidden features
such as secret doors and traps. Adventurers
can spot these by searching.
Area: The player must declare the
particular 10’ × 10’ area to be searched.
Time: Searching takes one turn.
Chance of success: If a character is
searching in the right location, there is a
base 1-in-6 chance of nding a secret door
or room trap. Some racial or class skills
increase this chance of success.
Referee rolls: The referee should always
roll for the character searching, so that the
player never knows if the roll failed or if
there are simply no hidden features in the
area searched.
Attempts: Characters can make multiple
attempts to search an area, but each of
these attempts takes one turn.
Traps
There are two kinds of traps:
▶ Treasure traps: Small traps placed on an
item, to prevent it being tampered with or
stolen (e.g. a poison needle on a chest or
lock).
▶ Room traps: Large traps that are
designed to affect anyone who enters a
certain area (e.g. a pit that opens in the
oor when walked over).
Triggering Traps
Each trap is triggered by a speci c action
(e.g. opening a door or walking over a
particular area).
Chance of triggering: Every time a
character makes an action that could
trigger a trap, there is a 2-in-6 chance of the
trap being sprung.
Trap damage: Damage in icted by a
triggered trap is usually automatic, without
an attack roll although characters may get a
save to decrease or prevent that damage.
Monsters: Monsters may be able to bypass
traps that they are aware of without risk, if
the referee wishes. It is assumed that they
know the tricks to survive in their living
environment.
Searching for Traps
Room traps: Adventurers may choose to
search a 10’ × 10’ area for room traps. If the
search succeeds, the trap is discovered. See
Searching.
Treasure traps: Unlike rogues, most
adventurers do not have the requisite
knowledge of subtle mechanisms to locate
small traps such as poisoned needles.
Wandering Monsters
Frequency: A check is typically rolled once
every two turns in the dungeon.
Chance: There is typically a 1-in-6 chance
of encountering a wandering monster.
Distance: Wandering monsters are
generally encountered 2d6 × 10 feet away,
moving in the direction of the party.
Wilderness
Adventuring
Sequence of Play Per Day
1. Decide course: The players decide on
their course of travel for the day.
2. Losing direction: The referee determines
whether the party gets lost.
3. Wandering monsters: The referee
makes checks as applicable.
4. Description: The referee describes the
terrain passed through and any sites of
interest that the party comes across,
asking players for their actions, as
required. If monsters are encountered,
follow the procedure described in
Encounters.
5. End of day: The referee updates time
records, with special attention to rations,
spell durations, and the party’s need to
rest.
Distance and Measurement
The open spaces of the wilderness mean
that characters and monsters can move
more freely than in a dungeon.
Ranges and movement rates: Are
measured in yards, instead of feet. This
means that ranges and movement rates are
tripled.
Areas: Of magical effects, breath weapons,
etc. are still measured in feet.
Flying
Miles per day: The distance a creature can
y in a day is double the distance it can
travel overland (see Overland Travel).
Terrain does not affect air travel.
For example, a creature with a movement
rate of 120’ could travel 24 miles in a day
overland, but could y 48 miles in a day.
Flying Mounts
In general, a winged beast may carry riders
or other burdens based on its HD:
▶ 3 HD creatures: May carry a being about
half the size of an adult human.
▶ 6 HD creatures: May carry an adult
human.
▶ 12 HD creatures: May carry a large
animal like a horse.
▶ 24 HD creatures: May carry a very large
animal like an elephant.
Foraging
Foraging for herbs, fruits, nuts, etc. can be
performed alongside normal movement
(see Overland Travel). The party has a
1-in-6 chance per day of nding enough
food for 1d6 human-sized beings.
Hunting
Hunting must be engaged in as the sole
activity for a day—no travelling or resting
is possible. When hunting, there is a 1-in-6
chance of encountering animals which may
be suitable for eating (if they can be
caught!). This is in addition to the normal
chance of random encounters (see
Wandering Monsters).
Losing Direction
At the start of each day of travel, the referee
should roll to determine if the group loses
direction. The probability depends on the
terrain being traversed:
▶ Clear, grasslands, plains: 1-in-6.
▶ Barren lands, hills, mountains, woods:
2-in-6.
▶ Desert, jungle, swamp: 3-in-6.
Effects: See Losing Direction in Hazards
and Challenges.
Overland Travel
Miles per day: The number of miles a
character can travel in a day is determined
by dividing their base movement rate by
ve. This assumes 8 hours of travel per day.
For example, a character whose base
movement rate is 120’ could travel up to 24
miles in a day or 3 miles per hour.
Terrain Modifiers
Some types of terrain modify the speed at
which characters can travel:
▶ Broken lands, desert, forest, hills: 33%
slower.
▶ Jungle, mountains, swamp: 50%
slower.
▶ Maintained roads: 50% faster.
Forced March
If characters need to travel further in a day,
they may engage in a forced march. The
distance travelled is increased by 50% but
this requires a full day of rest afterwards.
Detailed forced march (optional): For
each hour of forced march (beyond the
standard 8 hours of travel per day), the
characters or their mounts gain 1 point of
fatigue but may travel another 12.5% of
their overland movement rate (3 miles by
default, at least at the start). As they
accumulate fatigue, their movement rate
might decrease, further slowing them
down, up until a point where they can no
longer make a single step. This fatigue
requires one hour of rest per point to be
removed.
Resting
Frequency of rest: Characters must rest for
one day per six days of travel.
Penalty for not resting: If characters press
on without resting, they gain 8 points of
fatigue per day until they have rested for
one full day.
Surprise
Surrounded: If a party is surprised by three
or more monsters, the monsters may have
moved to encircle the party.
Visibility
Characters can usually see for three miles
around them, in open terrain. This range
may sometimes be reduced (e.g. in
overgrown terrain such as a forest) or
increased (e.g. looking out from the top of a
mountain).
Wandering Monsters
Frequency: A check is typically rolled once
per day, but the referee may choose to make
more checks: up to three or four per day.
Chance: The chance of encountering a
wandering monster depends on the terrain
being explored (see below).
Distance: Wandering monsters are
encountered 4d6 × 10 yards away. If either
side is surprised (see Encounters), this is
reduced to 1d4 × 10 yards.
Chance by Terrain
▶ City, clear, grasslands, settled lands:
1-in-6.
▶ Aerial, barren, desert, forest, hills:
2-in-6.
▶ Jungle, mountains, swamp: 3-in-6.
Waterborne
Adventuring
Sequence of Play Per Day
1. Decide course: The players decide on
their course of travel for the day.
2. Losing direction: The referee determines
whether the party gets lost.
3. Weather: The referee determines the
Wind Conditions.
4. Wandering monsters: The referee
makes checks as applicable.
5. Description: The referee describes the
regions passed through and any sites of
interest that the party comes across,
asking players for their actions, as
required. If monsters are encountered,
follow the procedure described in
Encounters.
6. End of day: The referee updates time
records, with special attention to rations,
spell durations, and the crew’s need to
rest.
Distance and Measurement
Ranges and movement rates: Are
measured in yards instead of feet, meaning
that ranges and movement rates are tripled.
Areas: Of magical effects, breath weapons,
etc. are still measured in feet.
Losing Direction
With a navigator aboard: The chance of
getting lost is 2-in-6 on the open seas, or
1-in-6 within sight of land.
Without a navigator aboard: The chance
of getting lost is 100% on the open seas, or
2-in-6 within sight of land.
Effects: See Losing Direction in Hazards
and Challenges.
Surprise
Aquatic monsters are usually not surprised
by ships. Special circumstances (e.g. thick
fog) may alter this.
Travel on the Water
Miles per day: The number of miles a
creature or vessel can travel in a day is
determined by dividing its base movement
rate by ve. For example, a vessel with a
base movement rate of 360’ could travel up
to 72 miles in a day.
Modifiers
The distance travelled in a day may be
affected by the prevailing water and
weather conditions:
▶ River travel: Water currents may
increase (when moving downstream) or
decrease (when moving upstream) the
distance travelled by 1d6+6 miles per day.
▶ Sailing: The movement rate of sailing
vessels is affected by the prevailing wind
conditions. See Wind Conditions.
Wandering Monsters
Frequency: A check is typically rolled once
per day, but the referee may choose to make
more checks: up to 3 or 4 a day.
Chance: The chance of encountering a
wandering monster is 2-in-6 on oceans or
rivers, 3-in-6 in swamps.
Distance: Wandering monsters are
encountered 4d6 × 10 yards away. If either
side is surprised (see Encounters), this is
reduced to 1d4 × 10 yards.
Location: Aquatic encounters may occur
either on the open water or on land, if the
party docks at some point during the day.
Visibility
Land: On a clear day, land can be spotted at
a distance of 24 miles. This may be reduced
based on light and weather conditions.
Ships and monsters: May be sighted and
identi ed at 300 yards on a clear day or as
little as 40 yards in dense fog.
Wind Conditions
Wind conditions at sea affect the rate at
which a sailing vessel can travel. Extreme
winds can also make travel hazardous. The
referee should check the wind conditions at
the start of each day, rolling 2d6:
▶ 2: No wind; sailing is not possible.
▶ 3–11: Normal sailing is possible.
▶ 12: Gale or storm; sailing vessels’ speed
tripled (see Gales and Storms).
Effect of taking on water: The ship’s
movement rate is reduced by one third until
repaired at a dock.
Gales and Storms
Seaworthy vessels: Sailing vessels can
attempt to move with the wind to avoid
damage. This is handled as follows:
▶ The vessel travels at three times its
normal speed in a randomly determined
direction. (The referee may roll 1d6, with 1
indicating the intended direction of travel,
2 indicating 60° to the right, 3 indicating
120° to the right, and so on.)
▶ If the ship encounters land during this
travel, there is a 4-in-6 chance of it
wrecking against the shore.
Unseaworthy vessels:
▶ There is a 5-in-6 chance of the vessel

Variable Wind Conditions (Optional Rule) being overrun with water and sinking.
Groups who prefer a slightly more detailed ▶ If the vessel is in sight of land when the

system of sea travel may use the table
below, which adds extra detail to the daily
2d6 wind conditions roll.
Near Gales
Seaworthy vessels: Have a 1-in-6 chance of
taking on water.
Unseaworthy vessels: Have a 2-in-6
chance of taking on water.
gale hits, it may attempt to beach. If the
shore is relatively clear of physical dangers
(rocks, cliffs, etc.), this is automatically
successful; otherwise there is a 2-in-6
chance of nding a safe harbour to weather
the storm.

Variable Wind Conditions

2d6 Wind E ect
2 No wind Sailing impossible. Movement by oar at 1/3 rate (due to fatigue).
3 Faint breeze Sailing movement rate reduced to 1/3 normal.
4 Gentle breeze Sailing movement rate reduced to 1/2 normal.
5 Moderate breeze Sailing movement rate reduced to 2/3 normal.
6-8 Fresh breeze Normal sailing movement rate.
9 Strong breeze Sailing movement rate increased by 1/3.
10 High wind Sailing movement rate increased by 1/2.
11 Near gale Sailing movement rate doubled. See Near Gales.
12 Gale or storm Sailing movement rate tripled. See Gales and Storms.

Encounters
An encounter begins when the characters
stumble onto a monster, either because the
referee has planned an encounter in the
area the PCs are exploring or because a
random die roll indicates an encounter (see
Wandering Monsters below).
Encounter Sequence
1. Surprise: The referee rolls for surprise, if
applicable.
2. Encounter distance: The referee
determines how far away the monsters
are from the PCs.
3. Initiative: Any sides that are not
surprised roll initiative to determine who
acts rst.
4. Actions: Any sides that are not surprised
decide how they will respond to the
encounter. The encounter is played out
accordingly.
5. Conclusion: One turn has passed.
Wandering Monsters
Besides the monsters speci cally placed in
certain regions of a dungeon or wilderness,
PCs may randomly encounter monsters on
the move between areas. These are known
as wandering monsters. See Dungeon
Adventuring, Wilderness Adventuring,
and Waterborne Adventuring, for speci c
details about the frequency and chance of
wandering monsters checks.
Monster type: Each area should have its
own table of wandering monsters, which
the referee rolls on when an encounter
takes place.
Noise or light: If the party is making a lot
of noise or carrying bright light sources in a
dark environment, the referee may increase
the chance of wandering monsters being
encountered.
Hiding: If the party rests quietly in an
out-of-the-way location, the referee may
decrease the chance of wandering monsters
being encountered.
Surprise
When to Check
A check for surprise is made for any side
that is not expecting the encounter. For
example, if a monster is waiting quietly for
an approaching party that is making a lot of
noise, the monster would not have a chance
to be surprised, but the party would.
Surprise Checks
Each side that is not already aware of the
other’s presence rolls 1d6. The referee rolls
for monsters and one player (the caller)
rolls for the adventuring party as a whole. A
result of 1 or 2 means the side is surprised.
E ects of Surprise
If both sides surprised: There is simply a
momentary confusion—neither side has
any advantage.
If one side is surprised: The side that is
not surprised gains a one round advantage.
The surprised side cannot act during that
round.
Encounter Distance
The situation in which the encounter
occurs often determines how far away the
monster is. If there is uncertainty, the
encounter distance may be determined
randomly:
▶ Dungeon: 2d6 × 10 feet.
▶ Wilderness: 4d6 × 10 yards (or 1d4 ×
10 yards if either side is surprised).
▶ Waterborne: 4d6 × 10 yards (or 1d4 ×
10 yards if either side is surprised).
Initiative
(See Combat for full details.)
Roll 1d6 for each side, at the start of each
round. The side with the highest roll acts
rst. Other sides act in order from highest
to lowest roll.
Ties: Either both sides roll again, or actions
on both sides are resolved simultaneously.
Actions
Player Character Actions
The players decide how they will act.
Monster Actions
The referee determines the monsters'
reaction to the party. Most of the time,
circumstances make it obvious how a
monster will react. Otherwise, the referee
may roll on the table below to determine
how a monster reacts to the party.
Parley: If one speci c character attempts to
communicate with the monsters, that
character’s charisma modi er may be
added to the reaction roll.
Reaction Roll
2d6 Result
2 or less Hostile: Immediate attack,
will not listen to attempts
to communicate
3-5 Threatening: Will try to
extort food or valuables
and then get the party to
leave. Might resort to
violence if unsuccessful.
6-8 Uncertain: Will observe
warily and look for
weakness or opportunity
9-11 Cordial: Will attempt to
trade goods, information or
services for mutual bene t
12 or more Friendly: Will actively try
to help, expecting the same
Common Actions
Any action is possible in an encounter, but
the following are common:
▶ Combat: If one side attacks, casts spells,
or makes tactical movement, begin tracking
time in rounds, following the combat
procedure.
▶ Evasion: If one side decides to ee, the
other may decide to pursue. See Evasion.
▶ Parley: PCs may attempt to
communicate with monsters. Opening an
encounter in this way can in uence the
monsters’ behaviour (see Monster
Actions). If both sides decide to talk, the
negotiation may be role-played.
Movement
Encounter movement rate: During
encounters, a character can move up to one
third of their base movement rate per
round in feet (in the dungeon) or yards (in
the wilderness). For example, a character
whose base movement rate is 120’ could
move 40’ per round during a dungeon
encounter or 40 yards (120') per round
during a wilderness encounter.
Maximum duration: Characters may move
at this rate for at most 60 rounds (one turn)
and mapping, searching or listening for
noise is not possible during that time.
Evasion
If one side wishes to avoid an encounter, it
may attempt to ee. This is called evasion
and is only possible before combat has
begun. When a side decides to attempt an
evasion, the opposing side must decide
whether or not to pursue.
Players: May decide freely whether they
wish to pursue eeing monsters.
Monsters: The referee must decide
whether monsters pursue eeing PCs. (A
low roll on the Monster Reactions table
may be taken to indicate that the monster
will pursue.)
No pursuit: If the opposing side decides to
let the other side ee, then the evasion
automatically succeeds; the encounter is
avoided.
Pursuit: If the opposing side gives chase,
the chance of the evasion succeeding
depends on the environment being
explored. See Evasion and Pursuit.
Conclusion
An encounter is assumed to take at least
one full turn to complete, including time to
rest, regroup, clean weapons, bind wounds,
loot corpses and so on, afterwards.
Evasion and
Pursuit
In the Dungeon
Evasion
Compare the two sides’ movement rates:
▶ Fleeing side faster: The evasion
automatically succeeds, unless the eeing
side is forced to stop.
▶ Fleeing side not faster: A pursuit occurs.
Pursuit
Time is measured in rounds (see Time,
Weight and Movement).
Running: Each side is assumed to be
running at full speed (see below).
Line of sight: Most monsters will not
continue a pursuit if the characters get out
of the monster’s range of vision.
Dropping treasure: If the monsters enjoy
treasure, there is a 3-in-6 probability that
they will stop pursuit to collect any
treasure the characters drop.
Dropping food: Hungry or less intelligent
monsters may stop pursuit if characters
drop food (3-in-6 chance).
Obstacles: Burning oil or other obstacles
may also slow or stop a pursuit.
Running
Movement rate: During a pursuit,
characters run at their full movement rate
in feet per round (as opposed to the usual
one third their base movement rate).
Mapping: Is not possible while running.
Exhaustion: Characters gain 1 point of
fatigue per round while running. This
fatigue lasts until the characters have
rested for a full turn.
In the Wilderness
Evasion
The chance of evasion is rolled on a d6. If
the evasion check fails, a pursuit occurs.
Surprise determines the chance of evasion:
▶ No surprise: If neither side is surprised,
the chance of evasion is determined by the
relative size of the two groups. Assuming
nobody is left behind, the chances are in
favour of the smaller group, as larger
groups cannot move as fast or as quietly.
The table to the right indicates the base
chance of evasion, and the modi ers that
may apply.
▶ Surprised side: May generally not evade.
The referee may rule that environmental
conditions give a small chance of evasion
even when surprised (as above). For
example, dense woodland may give a
surprised side a 1-in-6 chance of evasion.
▶ Surprising side: If one side has
surprised the other, the side with surprise
may evade automatically as the surprised
side is not even aware that the encounter
occurred.
Pursuit
The following procedure is followed, day by
day, until the pursuit is over:
1. The eeing side moves in a random
direction, determined by the referee (no
mapping is possible).
2. If the pursuing side’s movement rate is
greater than that of the eeing side,
there is a 3-in-6 chance of it catching
up. If the roll succeeds, the eeing side
has been caught; the pursuit is over.
Otherwise, continue to step 3.
3. The eeing side must decide whether to
continue eeing. If it decides to
continue, it may make another evasion
attempt (see above). If the attempt to
evade fails, return to step 1. If the eeing
group decides to stop eeing, it is
caught (the pursuit ends).
Wilderness Evasion Base Chance
Fleeing Group Size Chance of Evasion by Number of Pursuers
1-4 1 pursuer: 3-in-6 2-3 pursuers: 4-in-6 4+ pursuers: 5-in-6
5-12 1-3 pursuers: 2-in-6 4-8 pursuers: 3-in-6 9+ pursuers: 4-in-6
13-24 1-6 pursuers: 1-in-6 7-16 pursuers: 2-in-6 17+ pursuers: 3-in-6
25+ 1-10 pursuers: 0-in-6 11-30 pursuers: 1-in-6 31+ pursuers: 2-in-6

Wilderness Evasion Modifiers Environment: The referee may modify the

One side twice as fast: If the pursuing
side’s movement rate is double that of the
other, the chance of evasion is decreased by
1-in-6. If the eeing side’s movement rate is
double that of the other, the chance of
evasion is increased by 1-in-6.
probabilities based on the conditions and
environment. For example, in a densely
wooded area, the chance of evasion may be
increased by 1-in-6.

Waterborne
Evasion
The chance of evasion is determined by the
difference between the two sides’
movement rates, listed in the table below.
Success: If the evasion roll succeeds, the
pursuers cannot attempt to catch up with
the eeing side until the next day—and
then only if a random encounter roll
indicates an encounter.
Failure: If the evasion roll fails, a pursuit
occurs.
Pursuit
Time is measured in rounds (see Time,
Weight and Movement).
Initial distance: The two sides begin a
pursuit at normal encounter distance (see
Waterborne Adventuring).
Closing in: The distance between the two
sides decreases by the difference between
their two movement rates each round (a
minimum of 30’ per round).

Waterborne Evasion
Fleeing Side’s Movement Rate Chance of Evasion
Faster than pursuer 5-in-6
Same speed as the pursuer 4-in-6
1’–30’ per round slower than pursuer 3-in-6
31’–90’ per round slower than pursuer 2-in-6
91’+ per round slower than pursuer 1-in-6

Combat
Combat Sequence Per Round
1. Declare spells and retreats
2. Initiative: Each side rolls 1d6.
3. Winning side acts:
a. Monster morale
b. Movement
c. Missile attacks
d. Melee attacks
e. Skills other than attacks
f. Spells casting (from items)
4. Other sides act in initiative order.
Declare Spells and Retreats
Characters who wish to cast a spell from a
scroll or item or move out of melee must
declare this (because these actions can be
interrupted). Likewise, the referee must
declare if a monster or NPC is attempting to
cast a spell or move out of melee. Other
actions need not be declared.
Initiative
Roll 1d6 for each side at the start of each
round.
Winner: The side with the highest roll acts
rst. Other sides act in order from highest
to lowest roll.
Ties: Either both sides roll again or actions
on both sides are resolved simultaneously.
(This means that both sides may in ict
deadly blows on each other!)
Slow Weapons
Characters attacking with heavy weapons
(see weapon qualities) always act last in
the round, as if they had lost initiative.
Individual Initiative (Optional Rule)
Instead of an initiative roll per side, a roll
may be made for each individual involved
in a battle, adjusted by their Dexterity
modi er. The referee may determine an
initiative modi er for monsters that are
very fast or slow, since they have no ability
scores.
Monster Morale
See Morale.
Movement
Outside of Melee
Movement rate: A character can move up
to their encounter movement rate each
round in addition to attacking or using a
skill (but not a spell).
Maximum duration: Characters may move
at this rate for at most 60 rounds (one turn)
and mapping, searching or listening for
noise is not possible during that time.
In Melee
When in melee with a foe, only the
following forms of movement are possible:
▶ Fighting withdrawal: The character
moves backwards at up to half their
encounter movement rate. There must be a
clear path for this movement.
▶ Retreat: The character turns and ees
from melee, moving up to their full
encounter movement rate. This round, the
character may not attack and the opponent
gains a +2 bonus to all attacks against the
character and ignores any AC bonus due to
the character’s shield (if applicable).
Missile Attacks
Are possible when opponents are more
than 5’ from one another. See Attacking.
Range Modifiers
All missile weapons have three ranges,
noted in the equipment lists.
Short range: +1 bonus to attack rolls.
Medium range: No bonuses or penalties.
Long range: –1 penalty to attack rolls.
Beyond long range: Attack not possible.
Targets Behind Cover
Complete cover: The target cannot be hit.
Partial cover: The referee may apply attack
penalties of between –1 and –4 (e.g. a small
table might incur a –1 penalty; dense woods
might incur a –4 penalty).
Melee Attacks
Are possible when opponents are 5’ or less
from each other. See Attacking.
Skills
Racial and class skills that are not passive
or indicated as "always active" require an
action from the character to take effect.
Disrupting Skills
As opposed to spells, skills cannot normally
be interrupted and do not preclude
movement. While active, some skills (e.g.
Phantasmal Force) require concentration,
which can be broken by the character being
successfully attacked or failing a saving
throw.
Spell Casting
Some classes can cast spells from scrolls,
wands or staves. As opposed to skills which
are second nature to them, spell casting
requires complex gestures and
incantations.
Freedom: The character must be able to
speak and move their hands. A spell caster
cannot cast spells if gagged, bound, or in an
area of magical silence.
Sole action: When casting a spell, no other
actions may be taken in the round.
No movement: The character cannot move
and cast a spell in the same round.
Line of sight: Unless noted in a spell’s
description, the intended target (a speci c
monster, character, or area of effect) must
be visible to the caster.
Disrupting Spells
If a spell caster loses initiative and is
successfully attacked or fails a saving throw
before their turn, the spell being cast is
disrupted and fails. It uses up a charge or
the scroll as if it had been cast.
Other Sides Act
Repeat steps 3a to 3f for each side, in order
of initiative (highest rst).
Attacking
Attack Roll
1. Roll 1d20
2. Add the character or monster's Attack
Bonus to the roll.
3. Apply modi ers: STR for melee; DEX,
range and cover for missile attacks.
4. Result: If the total is equal to or higher
than the opponent’s AC, the attack hits.
Roll for damage.
1s and 20s
Unmodi ed attack rolls of 20 always hit.
Unmodi ed attack rolls of 1 always miss.
Invulnerabilities
Some monsters are immune to certain
attacks. In this case, even if an attack hits,
damage is not rolled.
Attacks Per Round
PCs normally attack only once per round,
although warriors may get additional
attacks. Some monsters have multiple
attacks per round. Each attack requires a
separate attack roll.
Rolling for Damage
Weapons: generally in ict 1d6 damage (see
weapon qualities for exceptions). Damage
of melee attacks is modi ed by STR.
Monsters: deal the damage indicated in
their description.
Apply damage: Subtract the damage
in icted from the target's hit points.
Death: A character or monster reduced to 0
hit points or less is killed.
Shields shall be splintered!
(Optional rule)
A character wielding a shield can let it take
the brunt of a hit, splintering it (unusable)
and preventing all damage from that hit.
This can be declared after the damage is
rolled. Magical shields can take such abuse
a number of additional times equal to their
bonus (+1, +2, …) before splintering.
Miscellaneous
Combat Issues
Attacking from Behind
AC bonuses from shields are negated.
Blindness
A blind character gets a -4 penalty to attack
rolls and gets no AC bonus from Dexterity.
Bombing and Boulders
Flying creatures may pick up rocks or other
objects and drop them from (up to 300')
above. Giants are also known to throw
boulders at adventurers.
Chance to hit: The monsters do not make
an attack roll. Instead, targets that fail a
saving throw against breath attacks suffer
the damage indicated (no damage on a
successful roll).
Affected area and damage: Depend on the
size of the bomb—larger creatures can
carry larger bombs. For example, a bomb
from a ying creature able to carry a human
might in ict 2d6 damage to all creatures hit
in a 10’ × 10’ area.
Invisibility
Invisible characters and monsters can be
attacked but they get a +4 bonus to Armour
Class and to melee attack rolls against
opponents that rely on sight.
Invulnerabilities (Optional Rule)
Some monsters can only be harmed by
magical or silver weapons. The referee may
allow such monsters to also be harmed by
attacks from:
▶ Another invulnerable monster.
▶ A monster with 5 HD or greater.
Paralysed Opponents
Helpless opponents, such as those
magically paralysed or frozen, can be
automatically hit in melee. Only a roll for
damage is required.
Spacing
The referee should judge how many
attackers can strike at a single opponent,
bearing in mind the size of the opponent
and the available space around it. Normally
at most 2–3 characters can ght
side-by-side in a 10’ wide passageway.
Subduing (Optional Rule)
Characters that wish to subdue an
intelligent opponent must announce that
they are attacking without the intent to kill.
Blunt blows: Edged melee weapons may
be employed to deal blunt blows with the
at of the blade, but deal half damage.
Blunt weapons deal full damage.
Subdual damage: Combat and damage are
calculated normally, but subdual damage is
noted separately from actual damage.
Effect at 0 hp: An intelligent character or
monster reduced to 0 hit points due to
subdual damage will surrender, realising
that its opponent could have killed it.
Unarmed Attacks
Attack rolls: Unarmed combat is handled
the same as melee combat.
Damage: Unarmed attacks by characters
in ict 1 blunt damage, modi ed by STR.
Unstable Surfaces
Characters on an unstable surface, such as
a ship in rough seas or riding ying mounts
or magic items, are affected as follows:
▶ Missile attacks: Suffer a –4 penalty.
▶ Spells: Cannot be cast from scrolls.
▶ Magic items: Can be used normally.
Note that magic that grants ight (e.g.
wings of ying or the y spell) generally
does not count as unstable.
Water
When ghting in or beneath water:
▶ Penalties: Attack and damage rolls
should be penalised by at least -2.
▶ Missile weapons: Usually do not work at
all underwater.
Morale
In combat, the referee decides whether
monsters or NPCs surrender or run away.
The following system may be utilised.
Morale Rating
Monsters have a listing for morale, rated
from 2 to 12, which represents how likely
they are to ght or ee. Higher morale
scores indicate more fearless monsters.
A score of 2: Means the monster never
ghts (unless absolutely cornered).
A score of 12: Means the monster will ght
until killed.
Morale Checks
The referee rolls 2d6 and compares the
result against the monster’s morale score:
▶ Higher than morale score: The monster
will surrender or attempt to ee.
▶ Equal to or lower than morale score:
The monster will continue to ght.
Two successes: If a monster makes two
successful morale checks in an encounter, it
will ght until killed, with no further
checks necessary.
When to Check Morale
The referee usually makes a morale check
for monsters under two conditions:
First death on side: The rst time one of
their number is killed in battle.
Side half incapacitated: When half the
monsters have been killed or otherwise
Incapacitated.
Situational Adjustments
The referee may decide to apply bonuses or
penalties to morale (from –2 to +2),
depending on the circumstances. For
example, the side that is losing or winning
might receive a penalty or bonus to morale
of –1 or +1, respectively.
Scores of 2 or 12: Adjustments are never
applied to monsters with a morale of 2 or
12.
Mercenary Morale
Mercenaries have a morale rating and
check morale in exactly the same way as
monsters.
Morale rating: Determined solely by the
type of troops, see below. The charisma of
the hiring character has no in uence.
Modi ers: The morale score of a group of
mercenaries may be modi ed based on
working conditions, at the referee’s
discretion. If mercenaries from the group
are being killed frequently or subjected to
other abuses, morale will be low. If the
mercenaries are enjoying riches and
excitement, it might be higher.
Mercenary Morale
Troop Type Morale
Untrained, militia 6
Barbarian horde 7
Trained warriors 8
Mounted +1
Elite troops +1
Fanatics, berserkers +2
Retainer Morale
Retainers signed up to work as adventurers,
so are not frightened off at the rst sign of
danger. Retainers do not make morale
checks in combat, but a loyalty check may
be required in extreme peril.
 Hired Help
Retainers
Retainers are NPCs that are hired by
characters to accompany them on an
adventure. (NPCs hired for
non-adventuring tasks are treated as
hirelings)
Limit per PC: Each character is limited to a
nite number of retainers, as indicated by
the character’s Charisma score.
Duties: Retainers are not mindless slaves
and, although they will usually share the
party’s risks, they will not willingly act as
battle fodder. If abused in any way,
retainers will typically warn others of this
and the PCs will soon nd it dif cult to hire
other retainers.
Class, Level and Experience
Although retainers are played by the
referee, they acquire experience in the same
way PCs do, can advance in level, and are
affected by all of the same class rules as
PCs. Because they usually get only half a
share of treasure, they tend to level up
more slowly than PCs.
Retainers can be of any class, but must be of
equal or lower level to the hiring PC. If
retainers somehow become higher level
than their employer, they will leave the
party and strike out on their own, possibly
assembling their own rival party.
Hiring Commoners
Level 0 retainers (sometimes called
commoners) upgrade to 1st level and
choose a class at the end of their rst
adventure - if they survive, of course. They
will expect their employers to pay for the
equipment required by their new class, as
well as a pay raise for higher skills.
Recruitment
Potential retainers may be located by
frequenting drinking establishments or by
paying to post notices of help wanted.
Applicants are recruited through
negotiation, with the referee playing the
roles of the NPCs a character attempts to
hire. The PC should explain what the job
entails and the wages paid.
Wages and Upkeep
The referee should determine the rate of
pay desired by potential retainers, taking
the following factors into account:
▶ Competence: More experienced
retainers will want a higher rate of pay.
▶ Competition: Retainers may accept
lower rates of pay if there are many
applicants, but may demand higher rates if
there is little competition for the job.
Standard Rate
Retainers will usually want a guaranteed
fee (per day or per adventure) and a share
of treasure recovered (at very least a half
share). For example: a fee of 1 gp per level
per day plus a half share of treasure.
Upkeep
The hiring PC must also pay for the
retainer’s daily upkeep (food and lodgings)
and for any new adventuring gear,
weapons, or mounts the retainer requires.
Shares of Treasure
Fractional shares of treasure are calculated
by dividing the treasure by the total
number of shares. For example, a party
consisting of 5 PCs (who receive full shares)
plus one retainer (who is paid a half share)
discovers 2,750gp of treasure. The total is
divided by 5.5 ( ve full shares plus one half
share): 500gp per share. Thus, each PC
gains 500gp and the retainer gains 250gp.
Applicant Reactions
Once an offer is made, the referee
determines the potential retainer’s reaction
by rolling 2d6 on the table below, modi ed
as follows:
▶ Charisma: The roll is adjusted by the
hiring character’s charisma modi er.
▶ Generosity: The referee may apply a
bonus or penalty, depending on the
attractiveness of the deal (+1 or +2 for
generous offers, –1 or –2 for poor offers).
▶ Reputation: A penalty of –1 or –2 may be
applied, if the hiring PC has a bad
reputation.
Retainer Hiring Reactions
2d6 Result
2 or less Ill will, –1 penalty to
further rolls while in the
same town or area
3-5 Offer refused
You can try again, with a
6-8
better offer this time
9-11 Offer accepted
12 or more Offer accepted, +1 loyalty
Loyalty
Retainers have a loyalty rating, determined
by the hiring character’s charisma. This
rating may be adjusted at the referee’s
discretion: increased if the PC has been
particularly good to the retainer (e.g. has
repeatedly given additional treasure) or
reduced if the PC has been cruel or contrary
to their word.
Loyalty Checks
To make a loyalty check, the referee rolls
2d6 and, if the result is lower than or equal
to the retainer’s loyalty rating, accounting
for any adjustments, the roll has succeeded.
When to Check Loyalty
Loyalty checks are made in two
circumstances:
▶ Peril: Each time the retainer is exposed
to a particularly perilous situation. If the
roll fails, the retainer will likely ee.
▶ After an adventure: If the roll fails, the
retainer will not work for the PC again.
Mercenaries
Hired soldiers who will guard, patrol, and
otherwise serve in wilderness settings, but
only as part of a larger force, not an
adventuring party.
Note that as mercenaries are hired by a
character to perform speci c services, they
are not treated as retainers and thus do not
count toward a character’s maximum
number of retainers.
Locating Mercenaries
Mercenaries can be located by posting
notices of help wanted. The response will
depend on the availability of suitable
troops in the area and the offer made.
Wages
Outside of wartime: As listed below.
During wartime: All wages are doubled.
Upkeep
The monthly rate of pay includes food and
basic gear. Most mercenaries already have
weapons and armour when hired, though
their employer may give them additional
gear. Note that armourers are required to
repair mercenaries’ armour and weapons
after battle (see Specialists).
Mercenaries Descriptions
Archer: Equipped with a shortbow, leather
armour, dagger and a shield.
Archer, Mounted: Mounted on a riding
horse. Equipped with a shortbow.
Crossbowman: Equipped with a crossbow
and chainmail.
Crossbowman, Mounted: Mounted on a
mule. Equipped with a crossbow.
Footman, Light: Equipped with a sword,
leather armour, and a shield.
Footman, Heavy: Equipped with a sword,
chainmail, and a shield.
Horseman, Light: Mounted on a riding
horse. Equipped with a lance and leather
armour.
Horseman, Medium: Mounted on a
warhorse. Equipped with a lance and
chainmail.
Horseman, Heavy: Mounted on a
warhorse. Equipped with a sword, a lance,
and plate mail.
Longbowman: Equipped with a longbow,
a sword, and chainmail.
Wolf Rider: Mounted on a wolf. Equipped
with a spear and leather armour.

Mercenaries
Wage per Month
Type AC Morale Human Dwarf Elf Orc Goblin
Archer 13 8 5 gp - 10 gp 3 gp 2 gp
Archer, mounted 10 9 15 gp - 30 gp - -
Crossbowman 14 8 4 gp 6 gp - 2 gp -
Crossbowman, mounted 10 9 - 15 gp - - -
Footman, light 13 8 2 gp - 4 gp 1 gp 5 sp
Footman, heavy 15 8 3 gp 5 gp 6 gp 15 sp -
Horseman, light 12 9 10 gp - 20 gp - -
Horseman, medium 14 9 15 gp - - - -
Horseman, heavy 16 9 20 gp - - - -
Longbowman 14 8 10 gp - 20 gp - -
Wolf rider 12 9 - - - - 5 gp
Specialists Alchemist
Recreating potions: Based on a sample or
All types of characters that PCs may wish to recipe, an alchemist can produce a potion
hire for non-combat and non-adventuring at twice the normal speed and for half the
purposes (i.e. not mercenaries or retainers) normal cost (see Magical Research,
are termed specialists. Old-School Essentials p59).
Note that as specialists are hired by a Researching potions: An alchemist may
character to perform speci c services, they also research new potions, but this takes
are not treated as retainers and thus do not twice as long and costs twice as much as
count toward a character’s maximum normal.
number of retainers.
The most common types of specialists are
described, along with their typical monthly
pay rates. This list is not exhaustive and the
referee may create additional types of
specialists as needed.
Locating Specialists
Specialists can be located by posting
notices of help wanted. The response will
depend on the availability of suitable
specialists in the area and the offer made.
Animal Trainer
Wages and Upkeep Trainers are not required for small numbers
The monthly rate of pay includes food and of common animals like dogs, horses, or
basic gear. mules, but more exotic animals or larger
numbers of normal animals require a
Specialists specialized trainer.
Specialist Wage per Month Speciality: All animal trainers are
specialized in a particular kind of animal.
Alchemist 1,000 gp Number of animals: A trainer can have up
Animal trainer 500 gp to six animals under their care at a time.
Armourer 100 gp Time required: The referee decides how
long an animal must be trained, based on
Assistant armourer 15 gp the nature of the training. It will take a
Blacksmith 25 gp minimum of one month to teach an animal
the rst new behaviour or trick. After this
Engineer 750 gp rst month, an animal has become
Navigator 150 gp accustomed to the trainer and can be
Oarsman 2 gp taught additional behaviours at twice the
rate (two weeks per behaviour).
Sage 2,000 gp Interruptions: If training is interrupted, all
Sailor 10 gp time already spent on that particular
behaviour is lost and the animal becomes
Ship’s captain 250 gp unable to learn further behaviours.
Spy 500 gp (or more)
Armourer
Producing weapons and armour: Per
month, an armourer can make one suit of
armour, three shields or ve weapons.
Maintaining mercenaries’ gear: A
dedicated armourer is required per 50
troops.
Assistants: An armourer’s output (either in
terms of arms produced or troops
maintained) may be doubled by hiring two
assistant armourers and one blacksmith. If
four assistants and two blacksmiths are
hired, the armourer’s output may be
quadrupled. An armourer cannot
coordinate more assistants than this.
Assistant Armourer
Apprentices who may work under an
armourer to increase the rate of production.
See Armourer.
Blacksmith
Craftsmen trained in the art of forging
metal. Blacksmiths may be hired to work
under an armourer to increase the rate of
production. See Armourer.
Engineer
Engineers plan and oversee large
construction projects such as building
strongholds (see Construction).
Number required: One engineer is needed
per 100,000 gp cost of the project.
Specialty: Humans usually handle
overground structures, while dwarves may
be hired for underground construction.
Navigator
A navigator is a sailor who understands
how to read charts and navigate based on
instruments and the position of the stars.
Any time a ship ventures beyond sight of a
coastline, it becomes lost if a navigator is
not aboard (see Waterborne Adventuring).
Oarsman
Unskilled commoners who man the oars of
sea vessels. Not trained for combat.
Sage
Sages are very rare individuals who devote
their lives to the study of obscure
knowledge. A sage may be consulted to
answer unusual questions.
Time and cost: The referee must judge the
time and cost required to research the
answer to a question.
Chance of success: There is never a 100%
chance of success in nding an answer.
Sailor
Skilled normal humans who can handle a
ship. Sailors can ght to defend their ship,
typically being equipped with a sword,
shield, and leather armour.
Ship’s Captain
A captain is required for any large ship, is
skilled like a sailor, and has an intimate
knowledge of the particular coasts they
frequent.
Spy
A spy is hired to gather information about a
person or group. The spy may be an
outsider who tries to in ltrate or may be a
traitor already connected with the person
or group to be spied upon.
Class: Spies are often NPC thieves, but may
be of any character class.
Time: The referee will determine the time
required for the job.
Chance of success: The referee judges the
probability of success in the mission, based
on the circumstances.
Reliability: Spies may or may not be
reliable and could stab the hiring character
in the back (perhaps literally!).
 Strongholds
Construction
When PCs wish to construct strongholds or
any other type of building, the following
procedure should be used:
1. Permission: It may be necessary to
secure permission to build from an
existing authority over the land. This
may not be required if the land is
uncharted wilderness.
2. Clear land: If the construction site is in
the wilderness, all monsters in a 6-mile
area (i.e. one hex on a typical small-scale
wilderness map) must be killed or driven
off.
3. Design: The player creates a plan for the
stronghold and calculates the costs (see
Structures).
4. Review: The referee should review and
approve the player’s plans.
5. Hire engineers: For every 100,000gp
cost of the stronghold, the PC must hire
one engineer (see Specialists).
6. Construction: Once the land has been
cleared and construction materials
delivered, construction may commence.
The time required depends entirely on
the stronghold’s total price: one day of
game time per 500gp.
7. Prepare for settlers: If the PC wishes to
found a dominion and attract settlers, a
wider area around the stronghold should
be cleared of dangers.
Building in Towns
Permission: While local rulers may allow
PCs to build in a town, it is unlikely that
they will grant permission for the
construction of castles or forti cations.
Costs: When building in an existing town
or city, the proximity of materials and
labour greatly reduce the costs.
▶ Stone buildings: Reduced by 60%.
▶ Wooden buildings: Reduced by 80%.
Domain
Management
Maintaining Cleared Lands
To prevent monsters from returning to
cleared lands, mercenaries may be hired to
conduct patrols. These patrols can cover a
maximum radius of 18 miles around a
stronghold (6 miles, in inhospitable terrain
such as swamp, mountains, or thick
jungle). If the area to be maintained is
larger, additional garrisons must be
stationed at intervals.
Settlers
The PC may wish to attract settlers into a
cleared area. In addition to ensuring the
safety of surrounding lands, the character
will have to fund construction of other
buildings (e.g. accommodation,
commercial facilities, transport
infrastructure, etc.) to attract settlers.
Advertising may also be necessary. The
referee will determine the costs involved
and how many settlers are attracted.
Taxation
If settlers move into the PC’s domain, the
character can expect to gain 10gp of taxes
per year from each settler.
Structures
Building, stone: Two levels; wooden stairs,
doors, oors, and roof; attic. Outer wall 120’
long (e.g. 30’×30’), walls 1–2’ thick.
Structure Prices Building, wood: Two levels; wooden stairs,
doors, oors, and roof; attic. Outer wall 120’
Hull long (e.g. 30’×30’).
Structure AC Points Cost (gp) Drawbridge: Raisable wooden bridge
Barbican 17 150 37,000 crossing a moat. May be attached to a
gatehouse. 10’ long.
Bastion 15 40 9,000 Gatehouse: Forti ed entry/exit point in a
Building, stone 15 30 3,000 castle wall. Includes a portcullis. 30’×30’
Building, wood 12 20 1,500 base, 20’ high, walls 5’ thick.
Keep: Forti ed, central building of a castle.
Drawbridge 12 15 500 60’ square, 80’ high, walls 10’ thick.
Gatehouse 15 120 6,500 Moat: Defensive ditch, often lled with
Keep 17 500 75,000 water. 100’ long, 20’ wide, 10’ deep.
Tunnel: Typical 10’×10’×10’ dungeon
Moat - - 400 passageway dug underground. A section
Tower, large 15 60 30,000 that reaches 0 hull points collapses.
Tower, small 15 40 15,000 Tower, large: Round tower, either
freestanding or built into a castle wall. 30’
Tunnel, hard earth 17 200 1,000 base, 40’ high, walls 5’ thick.
Tunnel, soft earth 15 100 500 Tower, small: Round tower, either
freestanding or built into a castle wall. 20’
Tunnel, solid rock 19 400 2,500 base, 30’ high, walls 5’ thick.
Wall, stone 17 100 5,000 Wall, stone: Stone wall with battlements.
100’ long, 20’ high, 10’ thick.
Game Statistics
Non-Standard Dimensions
Armour Class (AC)
The structure’s ability to resist damage Castle Walls
from attacks. Higher castle walls may be constructed at
increased cost. A 100’ length of 30’ high
Hull Points (hp) wall costs 7,500gp. Every additional 10’ of
The structure’s integrity. Analogous to a height beyond this (up to a maximum of
character’s hit points. A structure that 60’ high) costs 5,000gp.
reaches 0 hull points is destroyed. See
Damaging Structures and Vehicles for the Towers and Bastions
rules on how structures are affected by Towers and bastions of dimensions other
different attacks, and Siege Weapons for than those listed may be constructed. The
the effects of siege weapons. cost is determined by the height of the
tower and the diameter of its base (in feet).
Structures Descriptions ▶ Maximum height: Twice the base
Barbican: Heavily forti ed entry/exit point diameter.
in a castle wall: two small towers, a ▶ Up to the base diameter: Each 10’ of
gatehouse, and a drawbridge. height costs 200gp × the base diameter.
Bastion: Semi-circular tower built against ▶ Above the base diameter: Each 10’ of
a castle wall. 30’ base, 30’ high, walls 5’ height costs 400gp × the base diameter.
thick. ▶ Bastions: Divide the cost by two.
Interior Features stairs, agstone ooring, tile roo ng,
windows or arrow slits, bars and shutters
The common interior features of a
on windows, and standard furnishings.
stronghold are listed in the table below.
Detailed Approach
Simple Approach
If the group wishes to perform more
For simplicity, the cost of a stronghold may
detailed calculations or if additional
be increased by 25% to account for interior
features are desired, the table below may be
details, including: reinforced doors, stone
consulted.

Structure Interior Features

Detail Dimensions Cost (gp)
Arrow slit – 10
Door, iron 3’ wide, 7’ tall 50
Door, reinforced wood 3’ wide, 7’ tall 20
Door, stone 3’ wide, 7’ tall 50
Door, wood 3’ wide, 7’ tall 10
Floor, agstones or tiles 10’×10’ section 100
Floor, wood 10’×10’ section 40
Roof, tiled 10’×10’ section 100
Roof, wood 10’×10’ section 40
Secret door or trapdoor Normal 5 × normal
Shifting wall 10’×10’ section 1,000
Stairs, stone 3’ wide, 10’ long section 60
Stairs, wooden 3’ wide, 10’ long section 20
Trapdoor, iron 4’×3’ 120
Trapdoor, reinforced wood 4’×3’ 40
Trapdoor, stone 4’×3’ 120
Trapdoor, wood 4’×3’ 20
Window – 10
Window bars – 10
Window shutters – 5
 Vehicles and Animals
Rules for vehicles Damaging Structures and Vehicles
In combat, attacks and damage may be
Game Statistics directed at structures or vehicles in
addition to characters and monsters.
Hull Points (hp) Normal attacks: Attacks with normal
The vehicle’s structural integrity and ability weapons (e.g. bows, spears, etc.) do not
to keep moving when damaged. Analogous in ict hull damage. The referee may let
to a character’s hit points. A vehicle that versatile and heavy weapons (see weapon
reaches 0 hull points is destroyed. qualities) in ict one point of hull damage
Armour Class (AC) per ve points of normal hit point damage
the attack does, but rolling a 1 on the
The vehicle’s ability to resist damage from
damage die breaks the weapon instead.
attacks.
Magical attacks: Damaging spells or
Movement Rate magical attacks in ict one point of hull
The speed at which the vehicle can move. damage per ve points of normal hit point
Every vehicle has a base movement rate and damage the attack does.
an encounter movement rate (noted in Giant monsters: In ict one point of hull
parentheses). The encounter movement damage per ve points of normal hit point
rate is one third of the base movement rate. damage their attack does.
Mounted weaponry: Siege weapons are
Cargo Capacity speci cally designed to cause structural
The maximum load the vehicle can carry. damage. Such weapons in ict hull damage
This includes passengers or mercenaries directly. The rules for attacking with
apart from the crew — unarmoured and ship-mounted weapons are described in
unburdened humanoids generally count as Water Vessels.
10 load (half for hal ings), while mounts
count as much load as their Carrying
Capacity (e.g. 30 for a riding horse).
Required Crew
The number of people or animals (e.g.
sailors, oarsmen, horses) required for the
vehicle’s normal operation.
Usage
Water vessels vary in their seaworthiness,
behaving differently under different wind
conditions. Vessels that are listed with a
usage of "any" or "sea" are seaworthy and
suitable for use on the high seas, away from
coastal waters. Unseaworthy vessels are
restricted to rivers, lakes, or coastal waters.
E ects of Hull Damage Rowed Water Vessels
Movement rate reduction: When a vehicle Rowing Encounter Speeds
loses hull points, its movement rate is also
Some rowed vessels may have an increased
reduced in equal proportion (i.e. a vehicle
encounter movement rate. This represents
that lost 20% of its hull points has a
the great effort on the part of the oarsmen
movement rate reduced by 20%). This may
that may be exerted during combat. Such
be due to structural damage in uencing
speeds cannot be maintained for long
how the vehicle moves or, in the case of
periods, thus the per turn and per day
water vessels, due to taking on water.
movement rates of such vessels are much
Destruction slower.
If a vehicle is reduced to 0 hull points, it Reduced Oarsmen
will lose its structural integrity in 1d10
Having less than the required number of
rounds (e.g. a water vessel sinks) and any
oarsmen reduces a vessel’s speed.
mounted weaponry is no longer functional.
Movement rate reduction: Reduction in
Repairs the available rowing crew reduces the
In a workshop: Vehicle damage can be vessel’s rowing speed in equal proportion.
repaired by experienced technicians For example, if 10% of the oarsmen are
working in a suitable workshop or dock. being used to repair hull damage, the vessel
In the eld: A vehicle’s crew can repair up moves at 90% of its normal speed (i.e. 10%
to half of any damage sustained. Remaining slower than normal).
damage can only be repaired in a suitable
workshop or dock. Animals of Burden
Time: It takes ve crew-members one turn
to repair one hull point. This task requires The descriptions and statistics for animals
full attention, so any crew involved in of burden are found in the Monsters section.
repair cannot take any other action during They follow the same rules as characters for
a turn repairing a vessel. movement and fatigue. Their Carrying
Capacity (CC in the table below) is used
Boarding instead of a strength score to calculate
encumbrance. Mounts are sold with a
When the occupants of a vehicle wish to
saddle and bridle (included in the cost).
board another vehicle, the two vehicles
must be brought alongside one another. Animals of Burden
Forceful boarding: If the occupants of one
vehicle wish to forcefully board the other Animal MV CC Cost (gp)
vehicle, there is a 2-in-6 chance of being Camel 150' 30 100
able to successfully maneuver the vehicle
into a boarding position. The two vehicles Horse, draft 90' 45 40
may then be clamped together with Horse, riding 240' 30 75
grappling hooks.
Horse, war 120' 40 250
Mutual boarding intent: If the occupants
of both vehicles wish to board one another, Mule 120' 20 30
their mutual intent makes the action Dog, hunting 180' 0 17
succeed with no chance of failure.
Boarding characters: Characters who are Dog, war 120' 5 25
in the act of boarding another vehicle suffer MV: Movement Rate CC: Carrying Capacity
a –2 penalty to attack rolls and Armour
Class for one round.
Land Vehicles
Descriptions
Cart: A two-wheeled vehicle. Carts have an
AC of 10 and 1d4 hull points.
Wagon: A four-wheeled, open vehicle.
Wagons have an AC of 10 and 2d4 hull
points.
Required Animals
These vehicles must be pulled by a
minimum number of mules or draft horses.
If double this number of animals is
employed, additional loads may be carried.
Di cult Terrain
When travelling through dif cult terrain
(e.g. desert, forest, mountains, swamp),
these vehicles can only travel on
maintained roads.
Water Vessels
Descriptions
Boat, river: Riverboats are either rowed or
pushed with poles. The cost of the boat
increases by 1,000gp if it has a roof (to
protect passengers or cargo).
Boat, sailing: A small boat typically used
for shing in lakes or coastal waters.
Canoe: A small boat made of hide or canvas
stretched over a wooden frame. Because of
its small size and lightweight construction,
a canoe may be carried by one or two
people (10 load or 5 load each).
Galley, large: A long ship with a shallow
draft and a single, square-sailed mast.
Galley, small: A ship with a shallow draft
and a single, square-sailed mast.
Galley, war: A large, specially constructed
galley that is generally a eet’s agship.
War galleys are always tted with a large
ram (comes with the basic cost) and have a
full deck above the rowers. They have two
masts and 10’–20’ wide wooden towers
rising 15’–20’ above the bow and stern.
Lifeboat: A small boat with a mast that
folds down for storage. A small ship usually
has 1–2 lifeboats, while larger ships may
have 3–4. A lifeboat weighs 50 load and
reduces the cargo capacity of the ship on
which it is carried by this much. A lifeboat
is usually equipped with rations to feed ten
human-sized beings for one week.
Longship: A narrow ship which may be
used in rivers, coastal waters, or the open
seas. A longship may be rowed or sailed,
depending on the conditions. The crew
typically ll the role of oarsmen, sailors,
and ghters, as needed.
Raft, makeshift: Given suf cient wood,
characters may build a makeshift raft in 1–3
days per 10’ square section (up to a
maximum size of 10’ × 30’).
Raft, professional: A professionally built
raft has raised sides, a basic steering oar,
and some form of shelter for goods or
passengers. Such a raft may be up to 10’ ×
30’. Professionally built rafts are sometimes
oated downstream with cargo and then
broken down and sold for the value of their
wood (25 cp per square foot).
Sailing ship, large: A large, seaworthy
vessel with up to three masts. Usually has
multiple decks and raised “castles” at the
bow and stern.
Sailing ship, small: A small, seaworthy
vessel with a single mast.
Troop transport (large, small): These
ships have similar dimensions and
characteristics to normal sailing ships, but
are specially designed to carry troops,
mounts, and equipment of war as their
cargo.
Warship (large, small): These ships have
similar dimensions and characteristics to
normal sailing ships, but are specially
designed to carry mercenaries and war
gear.
Vessel Dimensions
A ship’s beam is its width and its draft is
the depth it extends beneath the water.
Land Vehicles
Movement Minimum Cargo Additional Cargo
Vehicle Rate Animals Capacity Animals Capacity Cost (gp)
Cart 60' 1 draft horse 40 2 draft horses 80 25
or 2 mules or 4 mules
Wagon 60' 2 draft horses 150 4 draft horses 250 100
or 4 mules or 8 mules

Water Vessels Usage, Dimensions and Cost

Cargo
Vessel Usage Length Beam Draft Capacity Cost (gp)
Boat, river Rivers, lakes 20'-30' 10' 2'-3' 300 4,000
Boat, sailing Lakes, coastal waters 20'-40' 10'-15' 2'-3' 200 2,000
Canoe Rivers, swamps 15' 3' 1' 60 50
Galley, large Coastal waters 120'-150' 15'-20' 3' 400 30.000
Galley, small Coastal waters 60'-100' 10'-15' 2'-3' 200 10,000
Galley, war Coastal waters 120'-150' 20'-30' 4'-6' 600 60,000
Lifeboat Any (seaworthy) 20' 4'-5' 1'-2' 150 1,000
Longship Any (seaworthy) 60'-80' 10'-15' 2'-3' 400 15,000
Raft, makeshift Rivers, lakes 10'-30' 10' ½' 50-150 -
Raft, professional Rivers, lakes 10'-30' 10' ½' 100-300 100-300
Sailing ship, large Sea, coastal waters 100'-150' 25'-30' 12' 3,000 20,000
Sailing ship, small Sea, coastal waters 60'-80' 20'-30' 8' 1,000 5,000
Troop transport, large Sea, coastal waters 100'-150' 25'-30' 12' 3,000 26,600
Troop transport, small Sea, coastal waters 60'-80' 20'-30' 8' 1,000 6,600
Warship, large Sea, coastal waters 100'-150' 25'-30' 12' 3,000 26,600
Warship, small Sea, coastal waters 60'-80' 20'-30' 8' 1,000 6,600

Siege Weapons: Ballistae and catapults

Crew
Vessels are propelled by rowing or sailing,
with some able to use either means. The
necessary crew and the resulting speeds are
given in the table opposite. The pay rates
for crew are listed in Specialists.
Ship Modifications
The following modi cations may be made
to an existing ship:
▶ Warship: A sailing ship may be
converted into a warship or troop transport
of the same size. The modi cation costs
one-third of the ship’s original cost.
▶
may be added to a galley, longship, or
warship. A large ram may be added to a
large galley or a small ram to a small galley
(a war galley already comes tted with a
large ram).
Historical Periods
The vessels described in this section span
various historical periods, from the ancient
period to the medieval. Not all types of
vessels may be available in a campaign
setting.
Water Vessels Crew, Movement and Combat Stats
Rowing Sailing
Requires Req. Req. Hull
Vessel Captain? Crew MV Crew MV AC Points Siege Weapons
Boat, river No 8 180' - - 11 20-40 -
Boat, sailing No - - 1 360' 11 20-40 -
Canoe No 1** 90' - - 10 5-10 -
Galley, large Yes 180 90' 20 360' 12 100-120 Up to 2 + Ram
Galley, small Yes 60 90' 10 450' 11 80-100 Up to 2 + Ram
Galley, war Yes 300 60' 30 360' 12 120-150 Up to 3 + Ram
Lifeboat No - - 1** 90' 10 10-20 -
Longship Yes 60* 90' 75* 450' 11 60-80 Up to 1
Raft, makeshift No 1** 60' - - 10 5-15 -
Raft, professional No 1** 60' - - 10 5-15 -
Sailing ship, large Yes - - 20 360' 12 120-180 -
Sailing ship, small Yes - - 10 450' 11 60-90 -
Troop transport, large Yes - - 20 360' 12 160-240 -
Troop transport, small Yes - - 10 450' 11 80-120 -
Warship, large Yes - - 20 360' 12 120-180 Up to 2
Warship, small Yes - - 10 450' 11 60-90 Up to 1
* Crew acts as rowers, sailors and ghters ** May be piloted by unskilled characters

Siege Weapons Siege Weapons

Can be used against ships, structures or Item Damage Cost (gp) Load
giant sea monsters. Individuals cannot be
targeted. Ballistae re large bolts. Catapults Ballista - 75 30
can re either large rocks or aming pitch. Ballista bolt 2d6 10 1
They both have the reload weapon quality.
Catapult - 150 60
Attack rolls: Are made using an Attack
Bonus of +0 and occur at the same point in Shot 3d6 5 2
the combat sequence as missile re. Shot, pitch* 1d6/turn 25 2
Modi ers may be applied for weather
conditions, manoeuvrability, etc. Ram, large 1d6/20' 10,000 40
Range: Ballista and catapults have a Ram, small 1d6/30' 3,000 20
medium range of 150 yards (450'), and a *A pitch catapult shot sets a 10’×10’ area on
long range (-1 to hit) of 300 yards (900'). re, doing 1d6 hull points of damage per
Damage: Is in Hull Points against vessels turn (for at least one turn) to wooden
and structures, and in hit points against structures and vessels and spreading to
giant monsters. Rams deal damage based other areas if not extinguished. A re may
on their movement rate. be put out by ve people in 3 turns, ten
Weight: The load of a ship's weaponry is people in 2 turns, or fteen people in 1 turn.
subtracted from its cargo capacity.