RPG Backpacks +
Below is a list of Backpacks along with their slot capacity.
A slot based system for quick inventory space calculation.
RPG Backpacks + is a slot based inventory system created
with a survival & exploration style of game in mind. It aims to
create problems that the player needs to address when
carrying loot or provisions. And adds the ever needed depth
a Backpack deserves.
The system proposed within was created with Virtual
Tabletops in mind where weight is calculated automatically. It
is designed to be used in addition to normal encumbrance
rules provided by your game system of choice.
For tabletop play ignore weight requirements and instead
progress encumbrance level by 1 stage when a Backpack is
half-full.
The system was designed with games like Pathfinder in
mind, however, it is easily adaptable to other systems.
Slots
A slot represents the space an item occupies within a
Backpack. A large slot represents a space an item occupies
when strapped to a Backpack.
As a general rule of thumb, 2 slots make up 1 large slot but
not vice versa. The reason for this, is in order to represent an
item like 50’ of Hemp Rope (2 slot item) fitting inside a
Backpack, while a Greatsword (1 large slot item) cannot due
to its length. Conversely, almost any space that a Greatsword
can fit, so can the Hemp Rope.
Slot Types
Slot Type Description
Free¹ Small items weighing less than 3lb.
1 slot Medium-sized items weighing between 3lb–9lb.
2 slot Bulky items weighing more than 10lb. Light Armor.
3 slot Any Medium Armor.
5 slot Any Heavy Armor.
1 large slot Long items exceeding 3ft in length. Weapons.
2 large slot² Large bulky items such as ladders and anvils.
¹Many small items add up to a slot. For instance 8 Potions.
²When carrying an item, bigger than 1 large slot (except for
tower shields), increase encumbrance level by 1 stage.
Special Items
Weapons. Sharp weapons must be stored in a scabbard or
appropriately secured to be carried on the Belt or Backpack.
Alternatively they can be stored on a Weaponrack Backpack
without a scabbard. Weapons effectively take up 1 large slot.
Material. Different types of materials have varying levels
of density. 1 slot is equal to 5lb of light material (wood, cloth),
15lb of moderately heavy material (rock, mithral), 50lb of
heavy material (iron), 100lb of premium material (gold,
platinum, adamantine).
Small Items. Occasionally you may wish to carry a lot of a
small item. Decide on a fair amount to represent 1 slot. (see
Deciding on a Slot Value p.5).
Coins. 500 coins makes up 1 slot.
If you are not using weight encumbrance, increase
encumbrance level by 1 stage for every 2 slots of heavy
material and 1 slot of premium material (or twice those
slots if using a Backpack with a Heavy Load trait).
Copyright © 2023 by Story Peddler, youtube.com/@storypeddler, reddit.com/u/StoryPeddlerYT. All rights reserved.
Backpack Options
Backpack cost is listed as a multiplier to allow for use in
various systems. Exceeding the slot limit (up to a maximum of
4 slots or 2 large slots) of a Backpack increases the
encumbrance level by 1. If the player is already at the highest
level of encumbrance, they are instead unable to move. Only
Backpacks with large slots can be exceeded in such a manner.
Simple Backpacks may be folded and stored taking up 1 slot
of space. Special Backpacks on the other hand, often contain
rigid components, which prevent them from being folded. If
carried, it must be empty, and is treated as a 2 large slot item.
Simple Backpacks
Cost Backpack Slot Capacity
- Basic 10 slots + 2 large slots
x2 Sling 4 slots (extended march)¹
x10 Pilgrim 16 slots
x50 Masterwork 4 slots (1 slot max each) + Bedroll & Blanket
? Magical² 10 large slots OR 20 slots
¹The Masterwork trait only adds 2 slots instead.
²Contents of a magical bag do not contribute to encumbrance.
Special Backpacks
Cost Backpack Slot Capacity
x5 External Frame 10 large slots (heavy load)
x15 Weaponrack 8 slots + 4 large slots (Weapons¹, quick access)
x20 Hydration 8 slots + 2 large slots + 2 gallons of water
x25 Healer’s 6 slots + Healer’s Kit (20 uses, quick access)
x30 Scholar’s 6 slots + 2 Scroll Boxes + Spellbook (waterproof)
x40 Dungeoneer’s 10 slots + 10 slots (+1 encumbrance level)
¹Only weapons may be stored in these slots.
Extended March. A character with this Backpack is classed
as “Travelling Light” (see Encumbrance p.4), as if they weren’t
wearing one.
Quick Access. Items stored in the quick access slots of the
pack may be retrieved without penalty by nearby allies. The
pack may also be dropped and used by the owner in a similar
manner, but may not be picked up until the next round of
combat. Retrieving an item from a pack normally takes the
whole round.
Waterproof. Any item stored within the pack is protected
from water as long as it is sealed. However, unsealing the
pack takes an additional round of combat to open, for the
purpose of retrieving an item. Similarly, sealing the pack also
takes a full round.
Heavy Load. This pack is suited to carrying large bulky
items or materials. It is only able to store items, which occupy
2 large slots each or materials such as wood or rock. A
character wearing this pack, with at least 1 item stored, is
considered to always be at encumbrance level 2, is unable to
dodge area of effect attacks or perform acrobatic feats.
Melee attacks against a character encumbered in such a way,
are always treated as critical (dealing double damage) and
knocks them prone. Setting down or picking up the pack
takes a full round of combat.
Rounds of Combat
A full round of combat requires a character’s full attention.
A character typically can not move or take any other
actions when focusing on a task in such a manner. An
example of this is a character rummaging through the
contents of their Backpack to find a specific item.
1
 Deciding on a Slot Value
Items List Sometimes an item in the game you are running may not have
a listed value in the Common Items table. For such an
Special Containers occasion, use the information provided by the Slot Types
Item Capacity table p.1, and compare it against existing examples on the
Waterskin ½ Gallon of Water (half a day of water) left.
Quiver 20 Arrows/Bolts OR 5 Javelins Once a slot value has been determined, it is important to
Ammo Pouch 20 Darts OR 20 Bullets OR 10 Cartridges/Shells keep a record of it to maintain consistency between players
and play sessions. For intuitive items this can be skipped,
Case, Scroll 4 Scrolls OR 10 Sheets of Paper/Parchment
however, for large quantities of free items, particular care
Box, Scroll 10 Scrolls OR 25 Sheets of Paper/Parchment should be taken.

Common Items
Slot Value of Free Items
When deciding on a slot value for free items a couple of
Slot Item Slot Item things can be considered. Below are some examples used to
Free Soap 1 slot Crowbar determine the different slot values of the items found in the
Free Bell 1 slot Waterskin table on the left.
Free Compass 1 slot Quiver, Empty Torch & Rations. First, a typical 1 slot item weighs 5lb on
Free Map 1 slot Bandolier, Empty average. A single torch or ration weights 1lb, so carrying 5 of
them would total 1 slot.
Free Whetstone 1 slot Wand x2
Free Chalk 1 slot Torch x5 Potion & Vial. An item like a potion or vial often does not
have a listed weight. If we compare it to a scroll case, which is
Free Flint and Steel 1 slot Candle x10
able to carry 4 scrolls we can settle on a fair amount that
Free Animal Glue 1 slot Scroll x2 could be carried. A potion fulfills a similar purpose of a scroll,
Free Candle 1 slot Potion x8 but is usually less versatile. As a result, being able to carry
Free Torch 1 slot Ration x5 more is not likely to cause a major imbalance. If your system
Free Scroll 1 slot Arrow x10 does not offer magical scrolls or has powerful potions you
may wish to increase how much space a potion occupies.
Free Potion/Poison 1 slot Oil Flask x4
Free Ration 1 slot Hammock Arrows. When worn in a specialized quiver, arrows can be
carried in sets of 20. When stored loosely, their storage
Free Jewelry & Gems 2 slot Any Light Armor
efficiency decreases by half to a total of 10 per slot.
Free Arrow 2 slot Normal Tent (1 person)
Oil Flask. A flask of oil despite frequently only weighing 1lb
Free Oil Flask 2 slot 50’ Hemp Rope
occupies 1 slot every 4 items instead of 5. This is because
Free Tinderbox 2 slot Bear Trap when compared against, a waterskin (1 slot item), its content
Free Paper 2 slot 10’ Chain is ¼ of its amount (⅛ gallon of oil vs ½ gallon of water).
Free Parchment 2 slot Fresh Food (1 day) Candle. An item similar in purpose to a torch. They both
Free Ink 2 slot Animal Feed (10lb) often last about the same amount of time before expiring.
Free Sealing Wax 3 slot Any Medium Armor However, not only is a torch larger, it is also more effective.
Free Quill 3 slot Medium Tent (2 ppl.)
Free Charcoal 3 slot Firewood (1 day) Vehicles & Encumbrance
Free Wand 5 slot Any Heavy Armor When travelling between settlements connected by a road
Free Holy Symbol 5 slot Large tent (4 people) there is little reason to track encumbrance of vehicles.
However, vehicles should be used exclusively on roads.
1 slot Small Weapons 1 large s. Weapons Most vehicles aren’t suited to wilderness travel and would
1 slot Light Weapons 1 large s. 10’ Pole trivialize encumbrance if otherwise permitted.
1 slot Bucklers 1 large s. Shields
1 slot Light Shields 1 large s. Pickaxe/Shovel
1 slot Scroll Case
1 slot Hanging Tent (1 pers.)
1 large s. Staves
1 large s. Scroll Box
Should I Use It?
1 slot Efficient Tent (2 ppl.) 1 large s. Hand Instruments This system adds an extra layer of complexity to inventory
management, and heavily restricts what a player is able to
1 slot¹ Tool Kits 1 large s. Sledgehammer carry. It is great for a low-fantasy style of play but may be
1 slot Lantern/Lamp 1 large s. Small Game x2 (1 day) misplaced in a high/heroic-fantasy game or pre-written
1 slot Bedroll 2 large s. Tower Shields adventure. In such games it may only serve to add a layer of
1 slot Blanket 2 large s. Pavilion Tent (10 ppl.) bookkeeping, without offering any of its benefit.
1 slot Clothes 2 large s. Ladder To be a bit more specific, if elements such as travel are a
1 slot Spellbook 2 large s. Anvil trivial matter, nothing would hinder the player in taking
multiple round trips to collect all the loot they have left
1 slot Simple Backpack 2 large s. Portable Ram
behind. This isn’t very interesting for the players, and offers
1 slot Book 2 large s. Special Backpack no additional challenge or tension.
¹All Tool Kits occupy 1 slot at the minimum. However, some kits
may occupy more. For instance a Climber’s Kit is a 2 slot item. On the other hand, if travel is dangerous, with a real threat
of becoming lost, choosing which items to take with you, and
A 3 slot or 5 slot item may be carried as a 2 large slot item. later, which items to leave behind turns into a meaningful
When worn in this way, increase encumbrance level by 1. decision. Particularly if the location was difficult to find to
begin with, and returning there is not easy.

Copyright © 2023 by Story Peddler, youtube.com/@storypeddler, reddit.com/u/StoryPeddlerYT. All rights reserved. 5

 Picture/Notes Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork) Picture/Notes

Backpack, Basic
1 6

2 7

3 8

L1 4 9 L2

5 10

Large Slot Slot Slot Large Slot

M1 M3

M2 M4

Bonus Coins
Belt

Exterior Front Front Exterior

Provisions & Ammunition Tracking Sheet

Rations

Water

Quiver/Ammunition

Other

Chest: _______________ Pocket: _______________ _______________ Arm/Shield: _______________

Free Items, Notes & Scroll Case Contents

 Picture/Notes Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork) Picture/Notes

Backpack, Basic
1 6

2 7

3 8

L1 4 9 L2

5 10

Large Slot Slot Slot Large Slot

M1 M3

M2 M4

Bonus Coins
Belt

Exterior Front Front Exterior

Provisions & Ammunition Tracking Sheet

Rations

Water

Quiver/Ammunition

Other

Chest: _______________ Pocket: _______________ _______________ Arm/Shield: _______________

Free Items, Notes & Scroll Case Contents

 Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork) Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Backpack, Sling Backpack, Pilgrim

1 3 1 9

2 4 2 10

3 11
Slot Slot
4 12
M1 M2
5 13

6 14
Magical Bag 7 15

L1 L6 8 16

Slot Slot
L2 L7
M1 M3

L3 L8 M2 M4

L4 L9 External Frame
L1 L6
L5 L10

L2 L7

Large Slot Large Slot

L3 L8

Scroll Box

S S L4 L9

S S

S S L5 L10

S S

S S Large Slot Large Slot

Scroll Case Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

M1 M3
S S

S S M2 M4
 Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Backpack, Weaponrack
L1 1 5 L3

2 6

L2 3 7 L4

4 8

Large Slot Slot Slot Large Slot

M1 M3

M2 M4

Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Backpack, Hydration
1 5

2 6

3 7

4 8

L1 L2
_______________ / 2 Gal of Water

Large Slot Slot Slot Large Slot

M1 M3

M2 M4
 Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Backpack, Healer’s
1 4

2 5

3 6

L1 L2
_______________ / 20 Healer’s Kit

Large Slot Slot Slot Large Slot

M1 M3

M2 M4

Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Backpack, Scholar’s
S 1 4 S

S 2 5 S

S 3 6 S

Scroll Box Slot Slot Scroll Box

S M1 M3 S

S M2 M4 S

Chest, Bandolier
F1 F4

F2 F5

F3 F6

Free Slot Free Slot

 Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Dungeoneer’s Pack
11 1 6 16

12 2 7 17

13 3 8 18

14 4 9 19

15 5 10 20

Slot (Encumbering) Slot Slot Slot (Encumbering)

M1 M3

M2 M4

Bedroll & Blanket (Masterwork)

Dungeoneer’s Pack
1 6

2 7

3 8

M1 4 9 M3

M2 5 10 M4

Slot Slot

11 16

12 17

13 18

14 19

15 20

Slot (+1 Level of Encumbrance)