HOUSERULES

Houserules are found throughout the site, usually in a small font italic note labeled "Campaign Rules". I'll try to compile these here (just using cut and paste) but it may end up being out of date from time to time.

The rules below do not include the added "input" to rules by Dispel Confusion or Sage Advice or similar. I include those inline with the text from the rulebooks to help adjudicate around conflicts or vague wording (it is normally obvious where I include such text what the ruling will be be). In some cases, I'll include the text but then will add a Campaign Rule that overrides.

CHARACTER CREATION

Players can select from any class combinations for demi-humans in RACE TABLE I even if restricted to NPCs.A player can select to be a high elf or the player can roll to determine elf sub-race: d%; 01-80 = high, 81-90 = wood, 91-00 = gray. Wood elves add +1 to their Strength score and have a maximum Intelligence of 17, Gray elves add +1 to their Intelligence score and those with a 19 Intelligence can become 11th level magic-users.A single class demi-human can add 2 to their class level limit (up to the class maximum).Demi-human fighters must spend two proficiency slots at 1st level if choosing a weapon not noted in their Race description (unless there are no weapons noted, in which case any may be chosen).You can choose to reroll a character if your scores do not include two scores that are 15 or higher. Rerolls must use the same method as the original roll. However, if you reroll, you must subtract 1 from your highest score. You can keep rerolling in like fashion, by continuing to subtract an additional point from the highest score. If equal, the score is selected randomly, or one that has not been lowered already. You can do this a maximum of three times and you must use the most recently rolled character.

Education: A single class magic-user can roll on the tables for Sages to determine one major field of study and one minor field of study, within the major field, they can select two special categories with especially deep expertise. A single class cleric will have one major field of study based on their deity and can select two special categories within. These will be used in the style of knowledge checks.Alignment Language. Think of this speech as a dialect of Common but taught by religions or regional organizations. Those that are drawn toward supporting the organization (mainly through proclivity, influenced by alignment), will have a working knowledge. Certain religions will have similarities based on their ethos (e.g. Heironeous and Moradin). This language uses the first available bonus language available to the character according to their Intelligence score.Languages. All characters, based on where they live, will know the most prominent regional language when beginning play if they have an Intelligence score that allows a bonus language. If not, the character can replace a known language (if demi-human) with this regional tongue. Any character beginning play at middle-age will be able to know up to 1 additional language if their Intelligence score allows. If this middle-age character is a dwarf, elf, gnome, or half-elf, they will gain one additional language at the start. Most clerics except those worshiping particularly war-like deities will can add 1 additional language (according to Intelligence). Monks can add 1 additional language when beginning play (according to Intelligence). All magic-users and illusionists can add up to 2 additional languages at the start. These are all cumulative. The player may select the language in collaboration with the GM.

If creating a character higher than 1st level, you cannot create a dual-class human or bard character.

ABILITY SCORES

INTELLIGENCE

Ignore Minimum Number of Spells per Level. Magic-users and illusionists only roll for comprehension for a spell upon encountering it. We will not pre-determine comprehended spells as the list of spell may change over time and pre-rolling for spells limits the spell caster to the existing list (and counts toward their maximum).

CHARACTER RACES

See Character Creation above.

A single class demi-human can add 2 to their class level limit (up to the class maximum).

Alignment Language. Think of this speech as a dialect of Common but taught by religions or regional organizations. Those that are drawn toward supporting the organization (mainly through proclivity, influenced by alignment), will have a working knowledge. Certain religions will have similarities based on their ethos (e.g. Heironeous and Moradin). This language uses the first available bonus language available to the character according to their Intelligence score.Languages. All characters, based on where they live, will know the most prominent regional language when beginning play if they have an Intelligence score that allows a bonus language. If not, the character can replace a known language (if demi-human) with this regional tongue. Any character beginning play at middle-age will be able to know up to 1 additional language if their Intelligence score allows. If this middle-age character is a dwarf, elf, gnome, or half-elf, they will gain one additional language at the start. Most clerics except those worshiping particularly war-like deities will can add 1 additional language (according to Intelligence). Monks can add 1 additional language when beginning play (according to Intelligence). All magic-users and illusionists can add up to 2 additional languages at the start. These are all cumulative. The player may select the language in collaboration with the GM.

GAINING LEVELS AND TRAINING

Characters can gain experience up to 1 less than the next highest level. eg. A 1st level character can gain experience up to 1 less than required to attain 3rd level before they stop being able to earn experience without taking the time to train to 2nd level. The maximum training expense (in gp) for gaining a level is equal to the XP nessesary to gain the level. eg. A 3rd level cleric requires 3,000 xp to attain 4th level, so the maximum training expense regardless of rating is equal to 3,000 gp (the time is still required). Any character that has enough XP to train to a new level will, after a long rest, gain the basic benefits of the level: Hit Dice, Hit Points, Attack Matrix, and Saving Throws even if training has not yet begun. No other abilities or proficiencies or spell slots will be gained until training is completed.

DWARF

Dwarves have a base movement rate of 9".

ELF

If unencumbered and wearing non-bulky armor, an elf fighter proficient in a bow can move 10-ft make a single shot with a bow and then, at the end of the round, can move another 10-ft.

There is a small chance that a PC may be either a Gray Elf or Wood Elf. See Character Creation.

Wood elves not wearing metal armor are treated as if wearing a cloak of elvenkind when in a forest environment. Wood elves cannot become magic-users or multi-class clerics.

GNOME

Gnomes have a base movement rate of 9" and a bonus to poison saves based on their Constitution score.

HALFLING

Halflings, excluding Stouts, gain a +3 bonus to attack rolls when using short bows or slings.

Halflings are treated as if wearing a cloak of elvenkind when in natural terrain with dense vegetation (per the GM).

Haflings have a base movement rate of 9".

HALF-ORC

Most player character half-orcs are orc-human crossbreeds that are among the 10% that can pass a fully human.

CHARACTER CLASSES

Starting hit points are maximum. For each level gained beyond the 1st, players can choose to roll hit points or gain half of the hit die plus 0.5 hp (plus any modifiers for Constitution). Fractions are carried forward and will round down if single class (see Multi-Class Characters for multi-class character hit points). If rolled, the player cannot alter this choice (even if rolling a "1"). The minimum granted even if a penalty exists, is 1 point per hit die.

Multi-class characters gain weapon proficiencies for all classes but must choose weapons associated with the class giving the proficiency. They use the most favorable non-proficiency penalty. They can attack normally using their most favorable attack matrix for any weapon used. Thieves/assassins must use a thief weapon to backstab. Multi-class characters roll hit dice and apply Constitution modifiers to the hit dice as normal for each class (as if they were single class) but then divide by the number of classes. Any fractions are rounded up and kept for future calculations. Multi-class characters gain access to starting wealth for all classes.

All characters use the most favorable Attack Matrix they have achieved for whatever weapon they are using.

Dual Class. All characters use the most favorable Attack Matrix they have achieved for whatever weapon they are using.Once a character has achieved an Exceptional Strength score, they will not lose it unless by age, ability damage, ability drain, or magic.

CLERIC

Turning Undead requires only line of sight to the cleric's holy symbol which must be presented (in hand), forcefully to the undead (ie. so technically somatic and material) as an innate ability (a major action) taking only 1 segment during ranged abilities in Initiative. Commanding undead requires the undead to hear the commands (ie. so technically adding a verbal component).Attacking Turned Undead. This passage deals with Evil clerics working around commanded undead. There is no text stating that attacking turned undead will cause them to become un-turned.

FIGHTER

The Attack Matrix table has been updated to show progression allowing a 5% per level advancement.

PALADIN

If a monster's attack lists an effect as "contracting a disease" and can be cured with a cure disease spell, immunity to disease will protect against it (eg. a mummy's rotting disease).

RANGER

The find familiar spell works the same way for any class that can cast it.

MAGIC-USER

A spell book has encumbrance of 200 gp and can hold 50 spell levels worth of spells. Up to two such books can be (tightly) fitted into a special back pack wrapped in tied oilskin sacks.A 1st level magic-user can select one spell from the list rather than rolling from that column. Comprehension for selected spells is automatic.Acquiring Name Spells. Comprehension is automatic for spells gained during advancement in level. No "name" spell can be selected by a magic-user or illusionist for inclusion in their spellbook when gaining a level of experience. Furthermore, these spells are normally not available for random treasure determination (subject to the DM based on circumstances). A "name" spell is one where the name of the caster is included in the name of the spell; ie. Bigby's Hand spells, Tenser's spells, Evard's, Tasha's, etc.

ILLUSIONIST

See Magic-user.

THIEF

Weapons allowed for thieves are as follows: bow (short), club, crossbow (hand or light), dagger, dart, garrote, knife, sling, staff, and sword (broad, long, and short). [UA, p. 13]. Thieves can also use caltrops. A backstab attack is allowable (for any class) only if wielding a club, dagger, knife, or sword (broad, long, or short).A thief may backstab any creature that cannot see the thief. A thief cannot backstab using a charge attack or free attack. Opponents can only be attack from the rear if surrounded. A backstab attack is allowable (for any class with the ability) only if wielding a club, dagger, knife, or sword (broad, long, or short). Damage multiplication includes the weapon's normal damage plus any magical enhancement bonus on the weapon (but not Strength, spells affecting the thief, etc.). If not surprised, the attack bonus is +2.

ASSASSIN

Back stabbing can only be performed with a melee weapon.

MONK

The monks extra open hand attacks are handled as extra attacks granted to high level fighters. The exception is that monks get their extra attack at the end of the round sequence, as stated above. See the Fighter.Monks apply Strength and Dexterity adjustments to armor class and attacks with the following exception. Monks do not apply Strength damage bonuses to natural weapon attacks (ie. open hand attacks). Monks can use healing and extra-healing potions (only).

BARD

Once bard status is attained, bards lose bard/druid abilities if wearing armor types other than those proscribed. In regards to weapon use once bard status is attained, treat the bard as you would a dual-class until the bard level exceeds the class that granted the weapon proficiency (ie. loss of experience for that "encounter" episode if the weapon is used). Note that only thief weapons may be used to backstab. Thief abilities can be performed by bards even when wearing magical chain mail.Half-elf fighters may only dual-class as thieves if they possess all of the prerequisites to be become a bard.Charming. Creature that make their save will only spend the time listed listening to the bard's music if not in a combat situation prior to the singing having started. ie. Assuming hostilities have not already begun, once a bard begins singing, creatures not associated with the bard in the area of effect that made their save will pause for one round while they listen to the music. During this time, they may be attacked by the bard's associates. Listening to music does not affect the listener's ability to defend itself in any way.

EQUIPMENT

SELLING TREASURE (CAMPAIGN RULES)

As per rules under Gaining Levels, experience points are given for coin, gems, and jewelry (1 gp = 1 xp). Magic items kept by a PC/NPC grant the XP value to that character. Exception: One-time curing items grant XP divided among the party. Magic items, Valuables, and Mundane Gear sold grant the final sale price in gp as xp to the party.

The table below lists the various TYPICAL fees and taxes for treasure found and liberated. In the Campaign world, there are two regional exchanges: Grimaldi & Drake (in just about every settlement of town-size or larger) and the Church of Zilchus temples located in Greyhawk, Kalstrand, Nulbish, Zelradton, Thornward, Dyvers, Chendl, Willip, Hookhill, Irongate, Niole Dra, Gradsul, Rel Mord, Oldred, Scant, Schwartzenbruin, Istivin, Radigast City, Veluna City, and Verbobonc. All major cities also have local exchanges/banks governed-backed by the local ruler/government. An exchange will give a writ (letter of credit) for funds deposited and the "float" will cover the taxes/fees if held for at least one month (this can be less if new money is being deposited within that span).

Gems and Jewelry is treated as cash for goods and services except in the case of expensive (over 1,000 gp) goods/items where it must be used as coin or collateral. Magic Items, Valuables, and Unused Gear will have a an immediate sale discount unless the broker is given a wait time of at least 4 weeks (2 weeks in a major trade city). Used mundane gear is typically a straight 50% discount which covers all other fees, but some rough items will be worth "scrap" (value equals 10-20%). eg. Most items possessed by humanoids such as goblins or orcs including weapons and armor.

LOANS (CAMPAIGN RULES)

Loans are normally available at an interest rate of 5% per week (APR 260%). A cleric of Zilchus can secure loans at an interest rate of 10% per month. A landed noble in good standing borrowing from their ruler can secure a loan with an interest rate of 1% per week (APR 52%).

An unsecured loan to a reputable member of the community is available beginning at 2nd level at an amount of 1,000 gp per experience level (or hit dice in the case of multi-class characters). A cosigner can double this if they possess the appropriate collateral (or can help one get a loan if not yet "reputable").

One can also get a loan using collateral - if the collateral used to secure the loan is considered to be retrievable upon default. Thus, property (80%) can be used or transport (50%) or magic items/valuables (25%) but only if these are held at an exchange that honors the writ of pledge.

ARMOR

Magic armor weighs 50% of the same type of mundane armor and is one class better in terms of encumbrance.Scale Mail Bulk (Edited). Based on relative weight and other factors, the original Base Move rating of 6" has been changed to 9" (ie. 6" was a mistake).Shields. We follow the rule that shields only protect against a set number of attacks per round, determined by the shield’s size. However, the definition of "attacks per round" with respect to a shield means a successful attack or an attack that missed by the protective value of the shield. With respect to bucklers, ignore the "one opponent" rule—a buckler is effective against a single attack (as defined here). This means the shield/buckler will be effective against any number of attacks per round so long as none hit or miss within the protective value added to AC by the shield (including magic).

WEAPONS

Brace. If you declare melee or missile and you are holding a brace weapon, you can set it to recieve a charge if you are the target of the charge attack.Disarm: A weapon held in two hands cannot be disarmed. The target is granted a Dexterity save vs Petrify with a bonus equal to 20 minus their THAC0 to avoid the disarm. If the save fails, the weapon falls at the target's feet or 1d10 feet away if smaller than the disarming weapon.Primary and Secondary Weapons:Humans, Half-elves, and Half-orcs. Useable as Primary: battle axe, hand axe, club, cutlass, dagger, horseman's flail, gauntlet/cestus, hammer, mace (any), horseman's or footman's pick, rapier, scimitar, sickle, jo stick, broad sword, longsword, and short sword. Useable as Secondary: hand axe, club, dagger, gauntlet/cestus, hammer, horseman's mace, horseman's pick, shield, sickle, jo stick, and short sword.Elves. Useable as Primary: hand axe, club, dagger, horseman's flail, gauntlet/cestus, hammer, horseman's mace, horseman's or footman's pick, rapier, scimitar, sickle, jo stick, broad sword, longsword, and short sword. Useable as Secondary: hand axe, club, dagger, gauntlet/cestus, horseman's mace, horseman's pick, shield, sickle, and short sword.Dwarves. Useable as Primary: hand axe, club, dagger, horseman's flail, gauntlet/cestus, hammer, horseman's mace, horseman's pick, sickle, and short sword. Useable as Secondary: hand axe, dagger, gauntlet/cestus, shield, and sickle.One-handed weapons for the above include all Primary weapons plus falchion, lance (any, if mounted), morning star, nunchaku, scimitar, short spear, jo stick, and whip. With the exception of dwarves: bastard sword, broad sword, and longsword.Gnomes and Halflings. Usable as Primary: hand axe, dagger, gauntlet/cestus, hammer, horseman's mace, horseman's pick, sickle, and short sword. Secondary: hand axe, dagger, and gauntlet/cestus.One-handed weapons for Gnomes and Halflings include all primary weapons plus club and horseman's flail. Two-handed weapons include the footman's mace, morning stars, short spears, (shorter) staves, and jo sticks.Humanoids of like sizes use these rules (humans=hobgoblins, elves=orcs, dwarves=norkers, gnomes=goblins, etc.). Larger humanoids use weapons as described in their statistics.

MISCELLANEOUS

Campaign Rules. Crowbars. A crowbar costs 1 gp and has an encumbrance value of 60. While it does not provide any bonuses for opening things, in some cases, it is required (eg. trying to force open a chest), and in other cases, it grants another attempt (such as opening a stuck or locked door). A crowbar can be used as a club (including for those with proficiency).Scroll Cases. If sealed to prevent water from spoiling the writing, it is a delaying activity to access a scroll plus 2 segments are added to the casting time of the scroll. Otherwise a scroll (or wand) in a case just adds the 2 segments to the casting time.Water skin (wine skin). This item will hold up to 4 pints of liquid. If filled with air (as an air bladder, with an encumbrance of 25), it will provide one breath of air to a creature holding its breath.Wrapping Breakables. Most liquids (potions, oils, etc.) are found or purchased in ceramic or glass containers (flasks are typically ceramic, while vials are crystal or glass). You can carefully wrap such items to protect them from breakage during a short fall or other types of violent movement. Wrappings are typically cloth and increase the encumbrance weight of the item by 50%. A wrapped item takes longer to retrieve and use than one that is unwrapped. A wrapped item gains a +4 bonus to applicable saving throws (such as the possessor taking a fall).

Campaign Rule. Ingesting a vial of holy water (not unholy) will delay death by poison for 1 hour. The character is still in a coma during this time. See also Campaign Rule for Poison Saves.

ENCUMBRANCE

Creatures that are "slowed" or "slowed greatly" are "delayed" - they always use the losing Initiative roll (or if tied, use half the result rounded up).

ADVENTURING

TIME & MOVEMENT

Melee Range is just UNDER 1" (10-ft indoors/30-ft outdoors) for most weapons. Second rank can strike with weapons measuring at least 8-ft. and third rank using weapons measuring 12-ft or longer. Because melee is so fluid, attempting to stay just out of melee range for over one round is the only action one can perform during the round (unless allies control the space and enemies cannot move past them). This does allow for movement then activity requiring a maximum of 1" range without entering melee (assuming the next action is movement directly away).Weapon Space. Given the nature of virtual tabletop gaming, ground scale of 1" equals 5-ft indoors and a 10-ft wide corridor is made of 2 squares. One man-sized creature can control this (1 square) space, using weapons requiring up to 5-ft of space. If more space is required (and the nature of the weapon will dictate whether this requirement is forward-backward or side-to-side) the weapon cannot be used.

VISION, HEARING, & LIGHT

Creatures unable to see their opponent have a -4 penalty to attack rolls targeting them. Attacking/targeting an invisible opponent is impossible unless the attacker has detected them as per the table above, or the invisible opponent has previously attacked them in the same round using a melee attack or other attack mode easy to trace back to the invisible attacker (missile weapon, ray, etc.). Other than spell casting, some minor movement is allowed after the attack and, thus beginning in the new round, targeting is impossible unless detection or an attack is made. An invisible creature that casts a spell making their location plain can be attacked at the beginning of the next round unless their declared action is to move or charge. (Typically, invisible creatures become visible once they attack, these rules are for times when that is not the case or for times when a creature casts the spell, invisibility, during the round. ie. cannot move away.)

ITEM SAVING THROWS

Item saving throws are required for exposed items in the following circumstances: A failed save vs a damaging area of effect that does a material amount* of damage. Exposed items include anything in hand or worn and excludes hard metal items, items with resistance to the effect (including those exposed to an effect "in its own mode") and/or a modified item save of 0 or 1. A resistance to the effect by the creature attending an item only requires items saves on a natural 1 on the failed save. "Resistance" must be fairly specific. ie. wearing a ring of protection is not considered "resistance" to any effect.If a creature dies as a result of the area effect, all items worn or carried must make items saves.Any fall of 10-ft or more requires breakables to make items saves (only).The GM may overrule and require an item save based on circumstances. ie. Even with resistance to fire, an individual missing a fireball save holding an unfurled scroll must make an item save for the scroll.* A material amount of damage typically means 30+% of the individual's hit points and over 12 points in any case. Exceptions to this rule are certain types of monster effects, such as oozes that corrode or other abilities that specifically discuss damage to items/objects. Unattended items exposed to damage will always be required to save unless the save is a modified 0 or 1.

POISON

While this section does not specifically cover “contact poisons”; i.e. poisons that are effective by simply touching the skin, the DM may use the same table for insinuative poisons (perhaps increasing the cost by 3 or 5 if the DM makes them available at all). The DM may choose to allow contact poisons to be effective on a blade (or not). Finally, the DM must rule how long blade venom (insinuative) is effective after being applied to a blade. e.g. 1-24 hours = full potency; 25-48 hours = half; 49+ hours = inert/no effect.

COMBAT

FUNDAMENTALS

Notation for this type of resistance is called "damage resistance" and is typically listed as "DR/+1 (magic-none)" to note that magical weapons are required to do any damage to a creature and "DR/+2 (magic-none)" to note that only magical weapons of +2 or greater are required to do damage. If listed like "DR +1/silver (magic-none)" it means either magic weapons or silver weapons will damage the creature. If listed like "DR/piercing (half)" it means the creature takes half damage from piercing weapons.

DAMAGE & DEATH

For any creature with a character class, death occurs at -10 hit points, otherwise death occurs at 0 hit points. Damage that brings a character to 0 or as low as -5 hp can be healed normally and does not cause a coma and, if healed, that character can act normally. Any character that drops to -6 hit points or below can be revived but will be in a coma for 1d6 turns and, even after being healed, cannot perform strenuous activity (fighting, casting spells, engaging in combat, etc.) other than walking. The character must rest for one week to resume normal activity. If healed to be above 50% of their maximum hit points, the character must only rest for 1 day (8 hours) to resume normal activity (the healing must be implemented BEFORE the rest occurs). See also the death's door spell.Energy Drain. Characters that lose class levels due to energy drain do not need to train to gain a lost level back. Once they have the appropriate experience points, all abilities and hit points return automatically.

MAGIC RESISTANCE

Unless stated specifically in the spell's description (cf. hold portal), this ability does not allow a magic resistant creature to shatter a magical effect. Magic resistance only applies to spells with a direct effect against the resistant creature. ie. spells in the area such as light, darkness, illusions, invisibility, etc. do not grant a resistance check. Non-permanent (ie. non-instantaneous) magical barriers grant a resistance check to pass through them.

In these rules, all Magic Resistance is expressed in a % which has been pre-adjusted for 11th level casting (ie. +55%) - the chance is adjusted downward for every level of the caster.

ATTACK MATRIX

As per the text, any value of 20 means a modified/adjusted value of 20 or better will hit. Do not use the "Optional Rule" below.

SURPRISE

In these rules, all Surprise is expressed in a % including a creature's chance to Surprise Others.

ie. A surprise result of over 1 segment of surprise is referred to as “Complete Surprise”.

INITIATIVE

Dexterity Adjustment. Additionally, any encumbrance over "Normal" gear or armor bulk of "Fairly Bulky" or greater will remove any Dexterity bonus to Initiative as per Encumbrance rules. See EQUIPMENT, Encumbrance.

Spells and timed activities: Spell commencement begins when the round begins (ie. on segment 1). ie. a spell that takes 1 round to cast will finish in the round it was begun. A casting time of 3 rounds means the spell will complete at the end of the third round. A spell that takes 7 segments to cast will complete in the round it was begun no matter the initiative result. Thus, we only need to know when untimed actions occur versus a timed action (casting a spell).If the caster wins/ties Initiative, versus ranged abilities, check the casting time vs. the caster's initiative die. If the casting time is equal to or lower, the spell is cast before the attack form. If the caster loses Initiative, ranged attacks occur before the spell is cast.If spell versus spell, the lower casting time goes first, if casting time is the same, use initiative and if tied, simultaneous.Declared movement (or a charge attack) occurs when the round begins and distance before the spell is cast is measured in segments. If a charge culminates before the spell is cast, the attack can be made before the spell.For Spell vs a melee attack, use the procedure above for ties, but if the caster wins Initiative, use the procedure noted in Melee vs Spell, below. If the caster loses Initiative, the melee attack always comes first.Using Magical Devices: If a casting time in segments is given, it operates as a spell does, as per above. The wielder does not become motionless and cannot be interrupted (unless using a scroll) so long as they are conscious.Untimed ActivitiesIn situations where the timing of an otherwise "untimed" action must be determined, such as a missile attack vs a moving creature, an attacker with HIGH initiative will use the LOW initiative die as the segment the attack happens on (and vice versa). Declared missile attacks targeting charging creatures occur anytime during the charge (as desired by the wielder) no matter the missile weapon wielder's initiative die.

These charts/tables may assist in understanding the general flow. (Like everything else, this is largely automated in game)

AVOID OR FLEE

Falling Back. If declaring a fall back maneuver (and it MUST be declared), you can back out of melee with up to two opponents up to 3" and free attacks are against your normal AC. Against one opponent, if you are wielding a weapon and possess a positive Strength modifier to attack rolls, you can parry. If facing more than two opponents, the rest gain normal free attacks against you (ie. No Dex, No shield, +4 bonus to attack roll). Once the free attacks are taken, opponents can move to re-engage (unless still in melee with allies of the one that used the fall back manuever).

MISSILE DISCHARGE & ABILITIES

Initiative, Missiles. Additionally, any encumbrance over "Normal" gear or armor bulk of "Fairly Bulky" or greater will remove any Dexterity bonus to Initiative as per Encumbrance rules. See EQUIPMENT, Encumbrance.

A missile weapon with a fire rate greater than 1 will produce all attacks on the wielder's turn in combat. A high level fighter can choose to divide attacks as if these were iterative attacks including gaining the initiative benefits for the "multi-attack" ability (for clairity, this does not mean the fighter gets additional iterative attacks, just that they can treat the fire rate as such if greater than 1).

SPELLS & ABILITIES

Spell commencement begins when the round begins (ie. on segment 1). While casting a spell, the spell caster is immobile (motionless). Scrolls are treated as spells (with the scroll being the material component) but, if interrupted, the scroll is not consumed. Using abilities or items do not make the individual immobile/motionless.

ENTER MELEE OR CHARGE

Movement from one place to another is typically a major action (all you can do during the round) unless you are charging to attack. Missile fire is granted to declared missile actions if anyone is charging (missile fire occurs first).

SET WEAPONS

Any creature with a brace weapon in hand (in use) that has declared melee or missile as their action can use the weapon to brace against a charging opponent that targets them with the charge attack. Weapon damage dice and any weapon magical bonuses are multiplied before Strength or other adjustments are added. See also Backstab.

STRIKE BLOWS (MELEE)

Iterative attacks for humanoids (persons) can only be taken with weapons in a character's Primary hand. ie. If wielding a Sword (P) and Dagger (S), a 7th level fighter attacks Round 1: S/D then S, Round 2: S/D, Round 3: SD then S; etc. A 13th level fighter attacks S/D then S every round.Parry. The parrying bonus to AC will affect all melee attacks targeting the one doing the parrying. Parrying makes one's AC better (it does not affect the attack roll). The minimum AC bonus is 1 (even if the parrying individual has no Strength bonus to attack rolls). The one doing the parrying can attempt to parry attacks targeting another individual in the same melee, but the parryer will lose all Dexterity and shield bonuses to their own AC.Targets Asleep. If attacking a helpless opponent that is not held or magically asleep, and desiring to slay such individuals, use the ASSASSINS TABLE FOR ASSASSINATIONS (refer to the Assassin). If unsuccessful, the attack does normal damage (and hits automatically). Otherwise, attacks hit automatically for normal damage.Disarm: A weapon held in two hands cannot be disarmed. The target is granted a Dexterity save vs Petrify with a bonus equal to 20 minus their THAC0 to avoid the disarm. If the save fails, the weapon falls at the target's feet or 1d10 feet away if smaller than the disarming weapon.

NON-LETHAL & WEAPONLESS COMBAT

When a target is granted "fend off" attacks, this is one attack routine as per a free attack. These do no damage (as per the rule above).Attacking Grappling Targets. Any non-grappling attack against any individual involved in a grapple will determine the target randomly. If creature size is highly divergent, the GM may allow larger individuals to be targeted normally or assign a weighting to the random selection. Creatures that are grappled do not gain Dexterity or shield modifiers to AC and suffer a -4 penalty to AC.Overbear. An Overbear attack can only be used as the attack portion of a charge. If the Adjusted Dice Score for the Overbear Attack is under 21, the target is granted a free attack if they have weapons ready. However, a successful "fend off" attack does not grant additional free attacks.Pummel. A pummeling attack by a typical humanoid is a melee attack using a fist. Whether using a fist, gauntlet, or other weapon, the attack can choose to attack using subdual rules. Ignore the pummeling rules given here.

SPELLS

PREPARING & ACQUIRING SPELLS

Spell casters can choose to prepare a spell in a higher level "slot. This will not change the spell in any way unless noted in the spell's description.Acquiring Name Spells. No "name" spell can be selected by a magic-user or illusionist for inclusion in their spellbook when gaining a level of experience. Furthermore, these spells are normally not available for random treasure determination (subject to the DM based on circumstances). A "name" spell is one where the name of the caster is included in the name of the spell; ie. Bigby's Hand spells, Tenser's spells, Evard's, Tasha's, etc.

CASTING SPELLS

Touch Spells. A touch spell will stay "on the hand" for up to 1 turn after being cast. It will NOT be discharged on an unsuccessful attack. "Touch" attacks, unless described differently, use the target's normal AC. The hand with an active touch spell cannot be used for anything without discharging the spell and any magical effect invoked by the caster with an active touch spell dispels the touch spell with no effect. Touch spells always appear on the caster's primary hand (the caster can move an object held in that hand to their secondary hand or they can drop the item as a free action before the spell casting is begun).

ENVIRONMENTAL RULES

DUNGEONS, STRUCTURES, & UNDERGROUND

Construction Defensive Values. Each defensive point requires 10 points of damage from an appropriate tool in a single strike. A woodsman's axe (not a battle axe, considered a hand tool in Equipment) or a maul will add a +4 bonus to damage rolls. Appropriate tools for wooden doors or gates include axes, picks, hammers, flails, and maces. For iron doors, gates, or portcullis' maces and hammers. Stone doors (typically 5 defensive points), hammers, maces, or picks (a pick adds +4 to damage rolls versus stone doors). Attacks hit automatically. Of course, many doors can also be opened with a successful Strength check.Falling Damage. As adventuring is difficult as is, we will stay with the linear 1d6 damage per 10-ft fallen. The following assumes falls onto a hard (stone) surface: Any fall over 10-ft will require any unwrapped breakables to make Item Saving Throws. Any fall that results in 12 points of damage or greater will require wrapped breakables to make saves. Any fall over 20-ft will require Item Saving Throws for any gear contacting the ground: anything in hand, armor, and items in pouches (as well as all breakables as per above). Any straight fall onto a hard surface of more than 50-ft will require a save vs Death at -2 per 10-ft over 50-ft. (save or die from the effects of the fall.)

ADVENTURES IN THE AIR

For all missiles fired in the air, treat short range as medium (-2 to hit) and medium range as long (-5 to hit) as pertains to chance of hitting. Fire at objects at long range will always miss. The range penalties also apply to missile-firing creatures such as manticores (treat as composite long bow as pertains to range).

UNDERWATER ADVENTURES

Breathing. Humanoids can hold their breath for the round they go under plus 1 segment per point of Constitution (10 segments for creatures with no listed score). This assumes strenuous activity, ie. melee combat. If not under duress, this time period is doubled: After the entry round, the humanoid can hold its breath for 1 round plus 2 segments per point of Constitution (20 segments for creatures with no listed score). Once the humanoid can no longer hold their breath, they will begin to asphyxiate, thrashing and drowning, for 3d6 segments. At the end of this time, they will die. If any cure spell is cast on the character within 5 rounds of death, the character will revive to the 1 hit point level. One breath of air taken, from a air bladder or other means, will enable a swimmer to remain underwater for another time period equal in segments to his or her Constitution score. An emptied water skin full of air provides 2 breaths and a specially-made air bladder holds three.

Swim speed is equal to land movement speed for those that can swim. Most adventurers will sink given their equipment and can move at half speed once "on the ground" assuming some debris (the GM will adjust for deep silt or other obstructions or blindness due to swirling muck or lack of light).

UNDERWATER COMBAT

Creatures without a swim speed are delayed.

EXTRAPLANAR ENVIRONMENTS

We use rules included from Deities & Demigods.

MAGIC ITEMS

SCROLLS

Scrolls Fading if Not Immediately Read. This rule is not used.

RINGS

Charges for Magical Rings. A ring of multiple wishes will have 2d4 charges. A ring of mammal control, human influence, and wizardry will have 2d12 charges. A ring of djinni summoning and telekinesis will have 2d6 charges. Any ring without charges will be worth double the xp/gp (triple if 10,000 gp or less) unless stated otherwise in the description.

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