Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Rituals for AD&D and Tactical Simulation Ruleset

Rituals

Almost any known spell can be performed in ritual form. This negates the needs for the normal method of memorization or preparation. A ritual requires three elements: time, space, and materials.

1. Time: A ritual will take 10 minutes (one turn) per level of the spell, or 6 times the normal casting length, whichever is longer. During this time the magic-user or cleric can take no other actions, just like normal spell casting.

2. Space: A ritual may require the celebrant to move in circles, make gestures, light candles, or face certain directions. 5 square feet of space per level of spell must be available and clear of obstacles or anyone not involved in the rituals. Other magic-users or clerics that know the spell may participate, but no bonus effects are granted.

3. Materials: Special materials, expended in the performance of the ritual are required. The cost of these materials is Spell Level squared x 100gp (thus 2nd level materials would cost 400 gp), and their encumbrance is equal to their cost. Ritual material have limited compatibility: they are specific to the school of magic, but can be used for rituals of a lower level. Thus a set of 3rd level Evocation ritual materials could also be used to perform 1st or 2nd level Evocation rituals, but not Necromantic rituals.

Table A1Cost MultiplierAvailable? Amount FoundTest Frequency Time to Find
Village90% 40% - 10%/level 1d4MonthlyOne hour
TownNormal55% - 5%/level1d6WeeklyOne hour/level
CityNormal100% - 5%/level 2d6WeeklyOne hour/level
Guild125%100% - 2%/level 3d6WeeklyOne hour
Wilderness10%25% - 2%/level1WeeklyOne Week

Availability of materials: Tests for the availability of materials are made on a school by school basis. You may find 2 sets of Alteration ritual materials one week, but no sets of Conjuration ritual materials. Time spent finding materials is NOT cumulative. Example: In three hours, a magic-user can make a test to find ritual materials for 3rd level spells and lower of any number of schools of magic. Acquiring materials at a Magic-User's guild requires membership in good standing. Acquiring materials in the wilderness requires an active search of a week's time.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Quick and Dirty Skills

The OSR crowd generally frowns on skill systems, with the exception of LotFP. I understand the concerns about player immersion and seek ways preserve that. Likewise, I have friends that cringe at the absence of something under the hood.

Some people will cry out "D20!", but think of these guidelines like armor classes. Filthy ascending armor classes. If your adventurous, make a chart with a repeating 20 like the AD&D attack matrices so the system scales more gracefully.

What to roll:

  • Regular Tasks: D20 + Skill bonus vs 10 (like an unarmored guy of AC10)
  • Challenging Tasks: D20 + Skill bonus vs 15
  • Hard Tasks: D20 + Skill bonus vs 20 (like hitting someone with platemail and a magic shield)
  • Impossible Tasks: D20 + Skill bonus vs 25

How do I get a skill bonus:
  • Class skills: Equal to your level. You class provides one of more class skills. You never spend points on these. The skill bonus is always equal to your level.
  • Secondary skills: Start at 3, requires a skill point to increase. These are minor skills from your past or upbringing. Roll on the DMG table, choose Education or a Tradecraft. You can only increase them by spending skill points.
  • Other skills: Start at 0, requires a skill point to increase. Everything is an "other" skill. You spend a skill point to gain a increase their bonus. The skill bonus can not be higher than your level.
You get one skill point at first level and each time you gain a level.

Here's a draft skill list:
Animal Handling - Riding, training, controller animals
Arcane Lore
Athletics - Running, swimming, jumping
Climbing
Construction
Coordination - Dodge, balance, acrobatics, juggling, dance, knots, ropework
Diplomacy - Leadership, Negotation
Education- history, geography, reason, philosophy
Find Traps
Folk Lore - creature lore, regional lore, geography, superstitions, local customs
First aid
Insight - includes detect lies, estimate sums, evaluation, gauge opponent
Intimidate
Locks
Searching
Stealth
Streetwise
Survival - encompasses hunting, fishing, foraging, nature lore
Theology
Tradecraft (specify type) - smithing, carpentry, jewellery making, brewing, engineering, performance

Monday, August 8, 2011

Shield Rules - Tactical Simulation Ruleset DRAFT

So saith Gary:

"Large Shields: Although a large shield such as a Norman kite shield or a large Viking round shield covers much more of the body, employing one of these shields is far more difficult, as they are cumbersome and fatiguing."

Attacks from the primary-hand flank or rear negate the benefits of a shield. Construction of the shield may contribute to encumbrance, secondary or tertiary uses (shield bashes, shining to reflect light) and cost but does not significantly impact it's use in defense.

The Shields Shall Be Splintered rules are also in effect.

Definitions:
Base Defense: The bonus granted in the same round while attacks or other actions are taken.
Full Defense: The bonus granted in the same round when the bearer is dedicating himself to defense, and no other actions.
Parry: The bonus granted to Parry rolls when used for such purpose.
Cover: When used in full defense as cover against normal sized missiles attacks.


Buckler
Base Defense: +2 to AC
Full Defense: +2 to AC
Parry: +5 to Parry
Cover: 10% cover
Use: Can be strapped to arm - hand is free to hold torch or lantern, or operate crossbow.
Small/Normal Shield:
Base Defense: +2 to AC
Full Defense: +3 to AC
Parry: +5 to Parry
Cover: 50% cover
Use: Torch and be held, but not lantern.

Large Shield:
Base Defense: +2 to AC
Full Defense: +4 to AC
Parry: +5 to Parry
Cover: 75% cover
Use: Shield hand/arm can not be used for other purposes.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Purpose of Mapping...

The purpose of mapping is to allow the possibility of the characters getting lost. Anything else is pixel-bitching.