brightsword6.5

BrightSword 6.5 06/09/2012h

1

[logo removed for size]

BrightSword Core Rulebook

BrightSword is Copyright 2012 DGS LLC

This is a prepublication playtest copy. Permission is granted to those receiving this from the author

to make photocopies for convenience in playtesting.

BrightSword would not be possible without the assistance and companionship of:

Keith (Andelor the Healer) Matthews, Dave (Asher the Beastmaster) Hayes, Rich (Lovar the

Wizard) Staats, Dave (Sven the Soldier) Wood, (Springbuck the Hunter) Steve (Blast it to a Cinder) Rolston, Chris (Wake up, Celefin) Jackson, Jeremy (Windstor

Sauronbait) Barker, 'Mac' (Turvagor Swordcollector) McCollum, Mike (Where'd Gil -Galen go?) Reinken,

James (Roland the Haunter) Causey, 'Doc' (Atan Nobleslayer) Burgess, Alex (Shade Celefinbane) Vaeth, Rob (Angrac the Black Hand) Harding, Hans (Tenlor Dartchucker) Schnople.

Brian (Up the rope, Benadril) Linvill, Marc (Nice shorts, Jubal) Lago, Mike (You go first, Frago) Andersen, Bryan (Cormallen will handle this) Hamilton, John (Nicodemus or Balthazar?) Cantwell, Steve (Valacar Pettymage) Moore, Derek (Rothien the Impressive) Carson, Eric (Put down the chicken leg, Tox) Zichella, John (Nice Door!) Frieda.

Marshall (UrbanElf) Bass, Eric (Scatterbolter) Lauterbach, Kelly (Blah, Blah, Blah) Wilkinson, Mike (We need a new mage) Woods, Jeff (the Volcano) Jones. Mike (the Witch) Turner, Woody (Sure, Ill go down there) Walton, Tobe (See the light) Tennyson, Matt (Team Ailea) Bogart, Bill (Doctor Death) Corr, Shawn (Its a deal) Blevins.

Paul (Open another keg) Leuschen, Matt (Can I have another adventurer sheet?) Johnson, Charles (Sorry, Marshall) Yaw, Tom (Spider-bait) Gillman, Todd (Dragonslayer) Schneider.

Chris (The Augerer) Campbell, Josh (Dare to be Different) Campbell, Steven (Black Troll)

Hollowell Craig (Battleelf) Maksimik, Tim (Casters suck!) Gaffney, Jason () Condon, Max () Hardenbrook,

Brady () Kopek, Richard () Lonski, Mike Puma Lesniowski, Adam Fennema


2

WELCOME TO BRIGHTSWORD


3

BRIGHTSWORD

Credits Welcome to BrightSword Chapter 1 World of Faelon The World of Faelon

The People of Faelon The Factions of Faelon Chapter 2- Game Basics What You Need to Play Basic Concepts The Tiered Dice System

Example of Play Chapter 3 Adventurers Adventurer Creation Choose a Race Choose a Faction (should these be switched?)

Determine Your Attributes General

Primary Attributes Secondary Attributes Attributes and Skills Determine Your Starting Adventure Points Choose Your Path

Choose Skills Choose Talents Determine Your Look Determine Your Backstory Choose Your Name Social Class and Birth Order

Flaws and Perks Start Situation Chapter 4 Paths Choosing a Path The Paths Path of the Blade

Path of the Coin Path of the Horn Path of the Mask Path of the Scroll Path of the Wheel List of Professions

Chapter 5 Skills How Skills Work Acquiring Skills Skill Development Using a Skill Skill descriptions

The Master Skill List Chapter 6 Talents How Talents work Acquiring Talents

Natural Talents Path Talents Chapter 7 Equipment Rules and Equipment Lists Encumbrance

Chapter 8 Actions Taking an action Free Play Sequence Action Sequence Types of Actions Actions and Time

Movement Jumping and leaping Climbing Riding Swimming Movement in the countryside Flying

Combat Combat and the Action Sequence Attack Ratings Defense (DEF) Shields Movement and Combat

Mounted Combat Aerial Combat Charging Fatigue Facing and Multiple Opponents Multiple/Fewer Attacks Two Weapons

Ranged attacks Surprise Weapons Damage Armor Critical Hits

Shock Exceptional Situations Free Attacks Standoff Special Combat Actions Chapter 9 Magic


4

Introduction

Spellforms Spells Casting Spells Countering Spells Energy magic Wizardry Illusion

Rune Magic Spirit Magic Grey Magic White Magic Black magic Magic Items

Chapter 10 Religion The Creator The Old Gods Totems Varan Runah

Koromai and Koromen The Faces Chapter 11 Adventuring Experience

Improvement and Adventure Points

AP Costs Attribute Potential Light and Visibility Defenses and Resistance Injury, Healing and Recovery Dangers Damaging Things

Economics Aging Fear The Supernatural Chapter 12 Gamemastering Faelon Sample adventure Chapter 13 Creatures Dralal Witchcats

[dryads] Mountain spiders Velozar Perak


5

THE BRIGHTSWORD GAMING EXPERIENCE

QUOTE

BrightSword is a set of fantasy roleplaying rules set in the world of Faelona world of great beauty and great danger, of politics and religion, intrigue and honor, people and power, magic and mystery.

More than a dozen factions strive for domination and survival across Faelons two known continents. Strange creatures move along the fault lines of civilizationsome from a past that never passed out of reckoning, some from portals between Faelon and Mervael, the Spirit World, and some from Faelons heavens and hells. The gods have sundered Faelons magic in twainCasters are divided between spells that influence the inorganic and inanimate and those that influence creatures both living and recently alive. Only an immortal may learn the secrets of both, leading some to seek immortal ity through pacts with abominations.

Above all, Faelon is the story of its peopleresonant characters who seek power and peril each in their own way against a backdrop that is as full of life as it as it is fraught with menace. Come join us in Faelon. WHAT IS ROLEPLAYING? Role-playing games consist of a group of players each acting out the role of an alternate persona. They do

so within an imaginary world created by another participant known as the Gamemaster (GM). Role-playing games come in many forms, usually defined by the type or genre of environment in which the action takes place. In BrightSword, the action takes place in a fantasy setting where the players act out the roles of heroic adventurers. If this is your first time role-playing, congratulations! You have chosen a fascinating and rewarding hobby shared by millions. Do not worry too much about the rules. Your GM will explain whatever else you

need to know to begin. If you and your friends have never played an RPG before and currently have no gamemaster, one of you should read Chapter 12 Gamemastering Faelon carefully and take the rest of the group through the sample adventure there before starting out from scratch. To get an idea how a role-playing game works, an example of a scene from a BrightSword game follows. This example employs many BrightSword concepts that you may not have read about yet. Simply return to it periodically as you read this guide and it will all come together.

WHY PLAY BRIGHTSWORD? With so many RPG choices out there, why should someone play this one? Lots of reasons

Faelon Emphasis on Role-playing. The BrightSword game system is designed to put the role-playing back in RPGs. This is accomplished by minimizing player reference to charts, tables, the Adventurer Data Sheet and complicated procedures and rewarding the player for acting out the performance of skills and actions. The Tiered Dice System

Your dice. Experience. Experience and gaining levels is solely based on regular participation. You play, you advance. No points for killing that last giant rat. Paths Talents and Mastery

Magic of Faelon


6

Spellforms. The magic system is quite unlike all other standard FRPGs.

The Elements. Most FRPG systems that have a strong elemental component have four elements (air, earth, water, fire). BrightSword has five, adding ice (or endothermic reactions) to balance fire (exothermic reactions). Spirit. Most FRPGs do not represent the soul or life-force component of an Adventurer as an Attribute. No resurrection. This principle eliminates the need for player morale tests. No second chance for an Adventurer who dies is quite the motivation to survive.

Teamwork. Succeeding as a team is the goal. Individual performance, for its own sake, is not important. The BrightSword system is somewhat unforgiving to groups who do not work as a team.

WORLD OF FAELON (# of pages) CHAPTER 1

Faelon is a purse full of sparkling gemstones, any one of which would make a man

wealthy. But it is the whole bag of them we seek. Tak-abar, Tribune of the Scorpion Legion.

This includes information on the timeline of Faelon, its current seven races and current fourteen factions. Playtesters reference the race and faction info on the website for the time being. Chapter 2 will be X pages when complete.


7

GAME BASICS CHAPTER 2

WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY In order to play a game of BrightSword, you will need the following,

- At least one copy of this rulebook. - Players [number, role, etc] - Game Master (GM), [MTF]

- An Adventurer for each player. [MTF] - Dice. BrightSword uses the standard conventions for indicating the type of dice to be rolled such as d6, d10, etc. (where d6 is a six sided die, d10 is a ten sided die, etc.). The core game mechanic of BrightSword is the Tiered Dice system. The Tiered Dice system uses multiple different die types: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d14, d16, d20, d24 and d30. [MTF].

Dice Photo? - A tape measure marked in inches. Many game effects require a measurement on the game table. - Game Markers. While these are not required to play, its easier to mark common game effects with a marker to help the players remember what is going on. We have for sale a set of basic game markers for

your use that include: life points, power, panic, charge, treasure counters, objectives, fate stones and destiny stones. The use of these markers will become clear once you have read the rules. Marker photo? - Possibly an encounter area. [MTF]


8

BASIC CONCEPTS

Actions. The things that Adventurers do (fight, pick locks, cast spells, ride horses, etc.) during the play of the game. Action Sequence. The game structure used to resolve detailed, primarily combat, activities. Action is resolved in 6 second 'rounds'.

Adventurer (ADV). The game persona assumed by the player.

Agility (AGL). An Attribute defining the Adventurers ability to move quickly, lithely and accurately.

Armor Value (AV). A measure of the ability of personal armor to reduce the amount of physical harm to an Adventurer caused by an opponent's successful strike.

Attack Rating (AR) A measure of an Adventurer's ability to hit a target with a weapon. Attribute. A fundamental quantitative measure of an Adventurer's abilities. The primary Attributes are: Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX), Agility (AGL), Endurance (END), Spirit (SPR), Knowledge (KNW). The secondary Attributes are: Frame (FR), Damage Points (DP), Fatigue Limit (FL), and Carrying Ability (CA).

Carrying Ability (CA). A secondary Attribute that defines how much an Adventurer may carry before being encumbered. Contact. Two models whose bases are touching are in contact. Critical Success (Crit). Exceeding the target with a test by some number usually 10 results in a Critical Success or Crit, which provides the Adventurer with significant additional benefits over and above simply succeeding.

Damage Bonus (DB). The modifier to a damage roll that increases or decreases the amount of damage done by a hit. Damage Roll. A measure of an Adventurer's ability to cause damage after he has successfully stuck an

opponent. A die is rolled based on the weapon types and any Damage Bonus (DB) is added to it and the targets Armor Value is subtracted from it for the total damage caused. Defense (DEF). A measure of an Adventurer's ability to avoid an opponent's attacks. Dexterity (DEX). An Attribute defining the Adventurers hand-eye coordination and ability to execute precise tasks. Die Level (dl). +/- dl (die level). This means to increase or decrease the die rolled to the next greater or lower die size. Example text box. A Haradelan Apprentice Knight has a d10 melee attack rating (MAR) and is the target of a Grular Warlocks Curse spell. This spell reduces the MAR of the Knight by -2dl, so the d10 becomes a d6 (d10 down to d8 down to d6) for the duration of the spell. Directly Toward. A model is facing directly toward a model or object if a line formed by the center of the models base and the center of the models front arc model extends out to touch the distant model or object.


9

Directly Away. A model is facing directly away from a model or object if a line formed by the center of the

models base and the center of the models rear arc extends out to touch the distant model or object.

Enemy. A model from an opposing freeband or NPC model. Engaged. A model in contact with one or more enemy models is engaged.

Example 2 Photo Engaged Encounter Area. [MTF]

Encumbrance Level (EL) (Chapter 7) A measure of how weighed down an Adventurer is. Endurance (END). An Attribute defining the Adventurers general health and ability to resist physical adversity. Fatestones. Fatestones are tokens that permit an Adventurer the ability to affect things that happen to it.

Adventurers acquire Fatestones through various game effects and a Fatestone is assigned to the particular Adventurer that acquires it and cannot be used on behalf of any other Adventurer. When a Fatestone is used, it is removed from play. Fatestones can be represented by any convenient token.

A Fatestone may be used to reroll a die rolled for the Adventurer.

Destiny Stones, Destiny Stones are exactly like Fatestones with the exception they may be used for any Adventurer in the freeband.

Summoned, Feral and non-player creatures cannot normally gain or employ Fatestones or Destiny Stones.

Fate and destiny stone marker photo?


10

Fractions. Unless otherwise noted, round all fractions of 0.5 up and 0.49 down. Free Move. A Free Move is a move of a specified distance to which all movement rules apply. A Free Move is made separately from and does not count toward the Adventurers movement action for that turn. Free Moves may include the use of any ability that can be used in conjunction with a Maneuver action and all of the restrictions of that ability apply to the Free Move. A Free Move may not be used to contact an enemy model.

Free Play Sequence (FPS). The interaction of players and GM outside of the Action Sequence. Friendly. A model from the same freeband, or from another from the same team designated as such before a multi-player game.

Game Master (GM). The individual who: runs the game; designs the background, scenario and encounters; and acts out the roles of NPC. Knowledge (KNW). An Attribute defining the Adventurers education and knowledge base at the time he begins his adventuring career. Life Point (LP). A measure of an Adventurer's ability to withstand physical harm.

Magic Armor Value (MAV). The ability of various creatures and items to resist physical damage caused by magical sources. Uses the same mechanics as AV. Non-Player Characters/Creatures (NPC). The roles played by the GM representing beings who come into contact with the Adventurers.

Placed. Some game effects place an Adventurer. A placed Adventurer is picked up from its current location and set down where it is to be placed. It does not cross the intervening table space and is not subject to any effects tied to the intervening table space. Placed Adventurers do not trigger reactions when placed. An Adventurer may not be placed in impassable terrain. Player. The actual human being playing out a role as an Adventurer.

Premeasuring. Premeasuring is allowed. Any distance on the tabletop can always be measured. When a measurement is made between two models, the distance is from one base edge to the other.


11

Random Direction

When a game effect calls for something to move or be placed in a random direction follow these steps. 1. Pick a direction as 1. 2. Roll a d8.

3. Move or place the model or effect in the indicated direction.

Skill. A measure of an Adventurer's ability to perform tasks of a specific type.

Special Combat Action (SCA). See Chapter X.

Spike. An action roll of a single die that results in the highest numbered face of that die. Strength (STR). An Attribute defining the physical strength of an Adventurer. Stack. Stack is a game term for game effects that are cumulative. If a game effect is cumulative with

another game effect, those effects are said to stack. Unless otherwise indicated, game effects stack in BrightSword. Example text box. In the Magic Phase, the Fist of Vidunar casts an Aileas Light spell on an Apprentice Knight of Barek. The Apprentice charges a Trilian Enforcer and the Enforcer fails the Bull Rush opposed test. The Aileas Light spell makes any melee attack on the Apprentice -2dl. The successful Bull Rush makes the Enforcers attack -1dl. The two effects stack to make the Enforcers attack a combined -3dl. Within. When measuring a distance, within includes exactly that distance. A model, for example, is within 6 of another model if its base is any distance away from 0 to exactly 6.


12

TIERED DICE SYSTEM

The Basic Rule

As an Adventurer gets better at accomplishing a task, it will have a larger die type assigned to the

rating in that particular ability. How to Succeed

Roll the appropriate die or dice based on the appropriate rating (melee attack, ranged attack, magic, attribute or skill)

Add or subtract any bonuses or penalties

If the roll is equal to or greater than the target number, the test is successful (a hit is achieved, spell cast, morale test passed, etc.)

Ratings A Rating is the die type that a player uses to make a test of a specific type. The Tiered Dice

System makes use of 10 different die types to reflect skill and attribute ratings: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d14, d16, d20, d24, and d30. A rating can never be reduced below d4. If a game effect calls for a reduction to a d4 rating, the rating remains d4. Unless otherwise specifically excepted, a rating can never be raised above d30. If a game effect calls for such an increase, and there is no exception made, the rating remains d30.

Target Numbers A Target Number (TN or simply, target) is the number that must be equaled or exceeded by the players roll in order for a test to succeed. The rules provide guidelines for the assignment of a target to a given test.

Base Target Number. Unless otherwise specified, the target number for any given test is 4.

Table 8-1 Target Numbers Very Easy 2 Easy 3 Basic 4

Tough 5-8 Very Tough 9-11 Extremely Tough 12-14 Nearly Impossible 15-17 Impossible 18-20 EXAMPLE. Asira, a Koronnan archer, has a rating of d8 in her Bow skill. This means that when she fires

her bow, she rolls a d8 to determine the outcome of the shot. The game master, or the game system itself in non-roleplaying games, assigns a Target Number to the action to be performed. The Target Number (TN or simply, target) is the number that must be equaled or exceeded by the actors dX roll in order for the action to be a success. Lets say Asira wants to shoot a sentry guarding the entrance to a bandit camp and the sentry is 40 paces away. The GM determines this is a basic task the sentry is on the lookout, but not directly aware of Asira, there is full moonslight, he is at short range, has no shield and is not behind any sort


13

of wall or other cover therefore the target number is 4. Asira shoots by rolling a 5 on her d8 and therefore has hit the target. She has succeeded because her result a 5 equals or exceeds the target of 4. Rolling the Dice

Rerolls. On occasion, the player is permitted to reroll an unfavorable die. Any given specific die result may only be rerolled once, no matter how many rerolls a player possesses. The player must accept the result of any reroll as final he cannot choose to accept the original roll instead Spike. Action rolls in the Tiered Dice System explode (also known as open-ended). This means that when the die rolled to determine the outcome of an action - after any reroll is applied comes up on its highest valued face, the die may be rolled again and the result of the new roll added to the overall result. Rolling the highest value on a die and being allowed to roll it again is called a Spike or Spiking. This must be achieved naturally. Dice do not spike through being modified to the equivalent of the highest valued face. To determine, the result of a spike, roll the die again and add that result to the initial roll. A player may continue to roll a die on which he has achieved a spike so long as the die continues to result in its highest value. All the results from this one die are added together.

Example text box. If a player rolls a d6 that results in a 6, and rolls another 6 and another 6 and finally a 3, the result of the roll is 21 (6+6+6+3). Any modifiers that apply to a spiked die are only applied ONCE, no matter how many times the die spikes. Example text box. If a test is d8+2 and the first die is an 8, then a 3, the result is 13 (8+3+the modifier of 2 applied once).

[[spike record Inset box. We keep records on spikes for each die type that occur during our sponsored events and will publish them on our website. The very first time a d30 was rolled in one of our playtest events, it spiked to 51!]] The Rule of Tarch: A natural one, after all rerolls, is always a failure regardless of modifiers. This does not extend to subsequent rolls of a spiked die, only an original roll.

[[Tarch inset box. Originally, an automatic failure in the Tiered Dice System was termed a crash. During playtesting of our roleplaying game, an assassin adventurer surprise-attacked a key enemy NPC and rolled a 1 on his attack. Using a Fatestone to reroll the attack, the adventurer rolled 1 again. The assassin dispatched soon after by the now aware enemy leader - was named Tarch]]

Modifiers Dice rolls may be modified by either altering the die level (dl) or an addition or subtraction to the roll or both. Various game effects provide both sorts of modifiers. Key things to remember about modifiers:

- A dl modifier changes the type of die used. - A bonus or penalty adds or subtracts to the result. - A bonus or penalty is only added or subtracted once, no matter how many times that roll spikes.

- Modifiers stack unless otherwise indicated. - A Tarch is always a failure regardless of bonuses or penalties.

Split Dice

Some actions in the game permit the player to split a die roll into multiple dice. When this is

permitted the player may roll a number of dice such that the total of the sides of the dice rolled is equal to


14

or less than the number of sides on the original single die. For example, in some cases a model may split

melee attacks. If a model has a MAR of d12, it may instead roll two d6s (6+6=12) each counting as a separate attack in its own right. Or, the player could have chosen a d4 and a d8 (4+8=12) instead. Each die of a game effect that permits split dice is a separate die roll l existing game effects apply fully to each individual die roll in the same way they would if the base die had been rolled singly. Critical Hit

If the final result of a roll exceeds the Target Number by the Threshold (TH) or more, then the player has achieved Critical Success.

The number by which a target has to be exceeded to achieve a Critical Success is called the

threshold (TH) and is normally 10. Some game effects lower or raise the threshold. For example,

As many rolls in BrightSword are combat tests, or attacks, this is typically referred to as a Critical Hit, also known as a Crit. All three terms are interchangeable. Critical Successes that occur in combat are often called Critical Hits, and in this case the terms are synonymous. Note however, that Spikes and Crits are two different things. A Spike may result in a Critical Success and often a player will *need* to Spike in order to achieve a Critical Success. But just because a player has Spiked does not, in and of itself, mean that he has achieved a Crit.

The rules on Tests and Combat will describe what effects a Critical Success has on the game. Example: Kalor is attempting First Aid on a fellow Adventurer. His First Aid skill rating is d6 and the GM determines there are no bonuses or penalties to the action roll and that the final target number is 4. Kalor

rolls a 6 and then a 6 and then a 4 for a spiked result of 15, which is a Critical Success as it exceeds the Final Target Number by 10 or more. Example:

Haphos decides to jump a moat on his horse. He has Riding Skill d8 and the base Target Number is 6.

If the roll is a 16 or more, Haphos achieves a Critical Success. The GM might rule that the castle guards are so stunned by the adroitness of the move that they do not fire their crossbows this round.

If the roll is a 6-15 Haphos enjoys success and lands safely on the far side of the moat, ready for action.

If the roll is a 2-5, Haphos fails and he and his horse plunge into the middle of the moat. If the roll is a 1, Haphos suffers automatic failure and might be knocked unconscious by the fall into

the moat. Super Crits A Super Crit occurs when a roll exceeds a Target Number by a multiple of 10 after the first 10. For

example, if a rolls TN is 4 and the player rolls a 27, the roll has exceeded the TN by two multiples of 10 (is 20 or more over the TN). Each multiple of 10 the roll has exceeded the TN is known as a level of crit. Example text. Continuing the example from before, lets say that instead of a 4, the Marauders second roll was another 10, and his third roll was an 8. This would result in a 28, which is more than 20 over what was needed. As this is two multiples of the TH over what was needed, the player has achieved a super crit

resulting in two levels of crit, one for each TH achieved.


15

Opposing Thresholds If two or more game effects alter the TH of a die roll in different directions, average them and round

fractions down to establish the new TH of the die roll.

If two or more game effects alter the TH of a die roll in the same direction, owner of the effects chooses

one to use and ignores the other. Thresholds do NOT stack. Example text. A Grular Kor-Khan attacks a Trilian Starseeker with his Spikedrakh. A Spikedrakh is Deadly and so its TH for a crit is 8. But the Trilian has the Deflect talent an crits against him need a TH of 15. The average of the two thresholds is 11.5 (8+15)/2. Rounded down this means the TH for the attack is 11. Crits and Fatestones

If the rules do not otherwise indicate a benefit for achieving one or more critical successes (crits) on a test, each level of crit provides the Adventurer one Fatestone (pg x). If the rules provide for a benefit for one or more levels of critical success on a test, but not all of the levels of critical success achieved, the Adventurer gains one Fatestone for each level of success not otherwise providing a benefit.

Example text. Rich makes a roll to put his Bandit Highwayman on Delay. The Highwaymans DISC is d10 and the target number to put a model on Delay is 4. Rich rolls a 16 (after spiking) and has achieved one level of crit. There is no specific game effect to placing a model on Delay and achieving a crit, so the Highwayman acquires a Fatestone. Destiny Stones

During its activation or during the End Phase, an Aventurer may turn in two Fatestones in order for the freeband to gain a Destiny Stone. As this makes a Destiny Stone worth two Fatestones, a player may resolve two levels of crit for which there is no game effect by acquiring a Destiny Stone instead.

Example text. Instead of a 16 on a delay roll, lets say Richs Highwayman achieves a 26. As that is more than 20, two thresholds, above the target number of 4, he has achieved two levels of crit. He could take two Fatestones, but chooses instead to take one Destiny Stone. Attribute Generation Rolls Do not spike. More TBP.


16

TESTS

A test is a dice roll using the Tiered Dice System described on page x. The player selects a die

appropriate to the rating involved, determines the target number and rolls. The result of the die roll is not final until after any applicable reroll is decided upon and taken, and the result includes any applicable modifiers.

If the result is equal to or greater than the target number, the test succeeds. If the result is 10 or more over the TN, the test results in a critical success, or crit. If the result is lower than the TN, the test is a failure. If the result is a natural one, a tarch, the test is a failure regardless of any modifiers.

COMBAT TESTS

Combat tests are either ranged or melee. Combat tests are also known as attacks. The rating used for attacks is either the models Ranged Attack Rating (RAR) or Melee Attack Rating (MAR). Attacks are described in Making a Ranged Attack, page x, and Making a Melee Attack, page x. The target number of an attack is the target models Defense (DEF). Attacks resulting in crits typically do more damage to the target, page x.

CASTING TESTS

A Casting Test is a special type of Test that permits the casting of spells. For the rules on Casting tests, see pg x.

DISCIPLINE TESTS

Discipline Tests are tests using the models Discipline Rating (DISC) to accomplish military-like

tasks in dangerous situations. Types of Discipline Tests

Morale Test to avoid panicking when something goes badly wrong (pg x). Fear Test to resist the effects of Fear (pg x). Rally Test to stop panicking and return to the encounter (pg x). Evade Test to evade an enemy trying to come into contact (pg x). Delay Test to place a model on Delay (pg x). Targeting Test to shoot a target of the models choice (pg x).

If a model crits a DISC Test, the model receives a Fatestone (pg x) for each level of crit.

ABILITY TESTS Types of Ability Tests

There are three types of Ability Tests: Attribute Tests, Mobility Tests and Skill Tests. Unless otherwise specifically noted, the target number for all ABL tests is 4. Ability tests are written as: TYPE test X, where X is the target number if it is not 4.

For example: Climb test 6 This is a Climb test, which is a type of Ability test, and the target number for this particular Climb

test is 6. Attribute Tests


17

Attribute tests in Freeblades are a type of Ability test and will have keywords such as AGL, SPR,

etc.

Strength (STR) Dexterity (DEX) Agility (AGL) Endurance (END) Spirit (SPR) Knowledge (KNW)

If a model crits an Attribute Test, the model receives a Fatestone (pg 29) for each level of crit.

Mobility Tests

Mobility tests are discussed on pg 52. Most mobility tests provide some benefit for a Critical Success. For every level of crit achieved on a mobility test for which a benefit is not assigned, the model receives one Fatestone. Mobility tests are:

Climb Test Swim Test Jump Test

Skill Tests

Skills are listed on page x. - The rules will indicate when a model can take a skill test to accomplish some task.

- Unless otherwise noted in the skill description, skill tests are Free Actions. - Skills marked with a (t) require training. If the model does not possess this skill, a test in

that skill cannot be made. Otherwise a test made in a skill for which the model has no skill rating is made using a d4.

- If a model crits a Skill Test, the model receives a Fatestone for each level of crit.

OPPOSED TESTS

Some game effects call for an opposed test. An opposed test is a test in which the target number is set by the opponent also taking a test. Typically, each side is taking the test using the same rating type. For

example, an opposed STR test, each side uses the STR rating of the model involved to take the test. In an opposed test, the test is taken by the model attempting to succeed at employing some game effect. The target number in an opposed test is set by a model granted the ability to attempt to oppose the enemy model. For example, the use of the Parry talent permits a model to cause an enemys use of a melee attack to become an opposed test.

For example, Haphos the spy is trying to hide in the shadows of a corridor alcove from a nearby

guard. The GM has Haphos make a Stealth action roll and provides a +1 bonus for the dim lighting in the castle. Haphos rolls his Stealth skill, a d8, and gets a 6 which with the modifier results in a 7. The GM rolls for the guards Perception, a d6, and the guard rolls a 4 and fails to notice Haphos in his hiding place. Note that once Haphos achieved a result above 6, the guard would have had to spike his roll to succeed. The GM may also apply the rules for complex and multi-round actions to an opposed test.


18

Example

Solon is involved in a friendly arm-wrestling match with a patron of the Blue Falcon Tavern. The

GM rules that each contestant will make an Action Roll on their STR and the first one to make three unanswered successes is the winner.


19

EXAMPLE OF PLAY

Steve has read BrightSword and has decided to act as the GM for his gaming group. He has developed a story line taking place just after the Grular invasion of Falkaar and he and four of his friends have been playing in it for several weeks. Tonight, the group is exploring a crypt. The Adventurers are: Kalor, a Trooper played by Keith Benadril, a Thief played by Brian

Galen, a Scout played by Mike Tabitha, an Enchantress played by MacKenzie As the action begins, the group has discovered a trap door hidden under a gravestone in a cemetery.

Benadril: I will check to make sure the door is not trapped. GM: (makes a Perception roll for Benadril). It is not. Kalor: I think Galen should be first in. Galen: Why me? Tabitha: Youre the scout, so get scouting. Galen: Why dont you send the lizard in first? (Tabitha has an iguana familiar named Kazul) Tabitha: He doesnt like holes. Besides, we need to save that for when we really need it. Benadril: Shes right, Galen, its your turn. Galen: Oh, all right. [to the GM:] Ill open it and look down. GM: Your torchlight shows a rusty ladder leading down into the darkness. Tabitha: I will lower a lantern on a rope. GM: The light from the lantern reveals the shaft opens into a larger room about 20 paces down. Galen: Here goes. Im climbing down the ladder. GM: It creaks, but supports your weight. At the bottom is a chamber with an iron bound oak door in the north wall. The chamber is a ten by twenty pace room that is longer north-south. Galen: Come on down, folks. Kalor: Well join him, first me, then Tabitha, then Ben. Benadril: I will pull the trap door closed after me. Tabitha: Shall I summon a warding spirit to guard our escape route? Kalor: Good idea, but no. I have a feeling we are going to need all your magic later.

GM: The climb down is uneventful. Kalor: Ben, check the door. Benadril: [to GM] I check the door to see if the lock is trapped or if there is any sound coming from beyond. GM: (makes Bens Perception rolls). There are no traps and you can only hear the breathing of the rest of the group. Benadril: Ok, Ill pick the lock. (he makes a Devices Action Roll). A 12! I succeed unless this is a special lock. GM: It is not. The door is unlocked. Benadril: I am readying my bow. Galen: Me too. Kalor: I am drawing my sword. As I got us into this, I will go in first. Tabitha, hold up that lantern. Tabitha: Right. Kalor: I open the door.

GM: Dust fills the beam of the lanterns light. It shines into a large, long chamber with a vaulted ceiling and many man-sized cavities carved into the walls. In each cavity rests an ancient skeleton. Kalor: How many cavities total? GM: Twelve. Two rows of three on each side wall. Kalor: Ok, they are sure to be guardians of some sort. Guys, put your bows away and draw swords. Galen: Uh, shouldnt we be going? Kalor: You want the crown, dont you?


20

Galen: Sure, but fighting skeletons Tabitha: What did you expect to fight down here, bunnies? Benadril: What else is in the room? GM: Nothing. Across from you is another closed door. Kalor: Ben and I will head over to the door. You two watch the skeletons. Galen, Tabitha: Right. GM: Kalor, as you start across the room, a stone you step on sinks a few centimeters. The skeletons begin to stir.

Kalor: Should have thought of that. Ill get the nearest. Benadril: Ill put my back to his and face the skeletons from the other wall. Galen: Oh, well, looks like that time again. Tabitha: The guys might need a little help. Ill summon a warrior spirit to join the fray. GM: Ok, got it. The skeletons begin to advance. Kalor, one is close enough to attack. Kalor: (rolls) I got a 7.

GM: Thats a hit. The creatures AV is 5. Whats your damage? Kalor: d8 for the weapon [a longsword] and +1 for my strength. (He rolls a d8) Its a 5, plus 1 is 6. [He does 1 LP to the skeleton] GM: You chip a shoulder bone. Kalor: Its going to be a long night


21

ADVENTURERS CHAPTER 3 Oh, lad, Ive pretty much seen it all these past years. Ive ridden a scorpion the size of a horse. One of those snake-people tried to kill the lieutenant once and we chased it off. I was nearly captured by Kandoran slavers. And the women of Zenodeem.well, lets just say you want to meet one before you die. Yes, yes, people get killed in our business, but we live a hundred days for every one a farmer or shopkeeper lives. A fine bargain it is, I say. Larkol, sergeant in the Dark Sky mercenary company, to a potential recruit.

Players of BrightSword take on the role of one of the many people of Faelon. These roles are called Adventurers. An Adventurer is an in-game persona or avatar of the player. The Gamemaster (GM) places the Adventurers in a setting and describes it to them and the Adventurers interact with the people and creatures the GM describes. Depending on the setting, the back story, the tasks the Adventurers are to accomplish and, most importantly the players and GMs desires and imaginations, an Adventurer can be chosen from a nearly limitless set of possibilities: a Falkaaran Wizard, a Haradelan Knight, a Thormenalan Mercenary, a Kandoran Necromancer, a Koronnan Spy, a Traazorite Legionnaire the realms of Faelon provide a fascinating and dangerous world in which to live and find ones fortune. The heart of an Adventurer is how she is viewed by her player. No matter what this rulebook says, nothing is as important as the Adventurer being the embodiment of the players imagination. All this rulebook attempts to do is help a player merge her vision of her Adventurer with the world the GM creates and the imaginations of the other players. ADVENTURER CREATION

This chapter tells you how to translate your vision of your Adventurer into terms that allow it to interact with the creatures, people and settings of the GMs vision of Faelon and the actions and activities of the other Adventurers in the players group.

In each step of the Adventurer creation process, you will be determining one or more of the

features of your Adventurer. These features are: race, faction, attributes, path, skills, talents, look, personality and back story. The decisions a player makes as he develops his Adventurer are numerous and one decision can

affect the outcome of another. We take you through this process in a specific order, but you are free to look ahead and make changes and study options all you want. As you become comfortable with the process, youll speed through it. Indeed a player familiar with role-playing games in general will likely know pretty much what to look for from the get-go. We recommend that new players work through their first Adventurer in the order features are presented in the rules and follow the examples of Adventurer creation. Detailed information on each of the features of an Adventurer is contained in the appropriate chapter, with summaries located here.

Equipment Required: To create an Adventurer, a player needs the following:

This rulebook.

2 d4 and 2 d6.

Pencil and scratch paper.

A blank Adventurer Data Sheet.

Background information from the Gamemaster, to include in what part of the world of Faelon the adventure will take place and any additional options and restrictions.

[Box] Adventurer Creation Summary


22

Select Race and Faction Determine Attributes Determine Starting Adventure Points Select Path Select Skills Select Talents Determine Look

Determine Back Story [box] SELECT FACTION AND RACE

Chapter 2 describes key characteristics of each faction and race. Part of the information (physical description, culture and homeland) is back-story. This information has importance in the narrative flow of the game. Race is the physical, ethnic nature of the Adventurer. Faction is the nation, tribe or other group to which the Adventurer belongs. An Adventurers faction is one of her most defining characteristics. It describes her homeland and her political and religious identity. Some factions represent all the people of a given race, while other races are found in many factions. Choosing the combination of faction and race for

an Adventurer will determine his native language, natural talents and attributes. Table 3-1 Adventurer Race and Faction

Faction Race Native Language

Koronna Chaler Chalish

Traazor Chaler Chalish

Falkaar Faeler Faelish

Haradel Faeler Faelish

Thormenal Faeler Faelish

Urdaggar Faeler Faelish

Kuzaarl Kuzaarik Symkish

Mershael Mershael Faelish

Shakrim Shakrim Chalish

Grular Symker Symkish

Kandor Symker Symkish

Symidia Symker Symkish

Varkraal Symker Symkish

Trilias Trilian Trilian

Table 3-2 Faction Skill and Talent Tables (see sep spreadsheets for now)

The faction tables identify which skills get a skill break 10 less AP when first taken. They also identify which exotic weapons are counted as other categories for that faction.


23

FALKAAR Race: Faeler Native Language: Faelish

Natural Talent: Random

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Kolekar: Military Pike

Horn Longbow

Scroll Magic [Fire]

GRULAR Race: Symker Native Language: Symkish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Spikedrakh, Anghara: Military

Morningstar, Flail Impaler: Military

Horn Composite Bow

Scroll Magic [Shadow] Shadowspear:

Basic

HARADEL Race: Faeler Native Language: Faelish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Lance Longsword

Horn

Scroll Magic [Varan] War Mattock: Basic

KANDOR Race: Symker Native Language: Symkish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Halberd Scythe: Military

Horn Composite Bow

Scroll Magic [Necromancy]

Skullstaff


24

KORONNA Race: Chaler Native Language: Chalish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Saber

Horn

Mask Moonsknife: Special

Scroll Magic [Moons] Moonsglave: Basic

KUZAARL Race: Kuzaarik Native Language:

Kuz

Natural Talent:

Die Hard [1]

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Warhammer

Horn Crossbow Shatterbow: Special

Mask Arbahlyet: Special

Asp Baton: Special

Kubotan: Special

Scroll Magic [Rune] Warhammer: Basic

MERSHAEL Race: Mershael Native Language: Faelish

Natural Talent: Quick

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Taumari: Military Mershael Armor Martial Arts

Horn Longbow Mershael Armor

Mask Martial Arts

Scroll Magic [Illusion] Mershael Armor Martial Arts

SHAKRIM Race: Shakrim Native Language: Chalish

Natural Talent: Amphibious or Slither

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Scourge: Military Trident: Military

Horn Blow-gun

Mask

Scroll Magic [Sea]


25

SYMIDIA Race: Symker Native Language: Symkish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Scimitar

Horn Composite Bow

Scroll Magic [Air]

THORMENAL Race: Faeler Native Language: Faelish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Foil, Rapier Heavy Crossbow Parry Dagger

Horn

Scroll Magic [Earth]

TRAAZOR Race: Chaler Native Language: Chalish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Sakhazet: Military Gadoru: Military

Horn

Mask

Scroll Magic [Sun] Mace: Basic

TRILIAS Race: Trilian Native Language: Trilian

Natural Talent: Reachers:

Starlight Vision Deepers: Arboreal

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Toloron: Military Herenkal: Military

Horn Longbow Herenkal: Special

Mask Herenkal: Special

Scroll Magic [Treespeaking]


26

URDAGGAR Race: Faeler Native Language: Faelish


Path Skill Breaks

Blade Ripper: Military Handclaws: Military

Horn

Mask

Scroll Magic [Totem] Barbed Spear: Basic

VARKRAAL Race: Symker Native Language:

Symkish

Natural Talent:

Random

Path Skill Breaks

Blade Dread Spear: Military

Zeradrakh: Military

Horn Dread Spear:

Special

Scroll Magic [Ice]


27

Native Language The Adventurers native language is determined by their choice of race and faction. Kuzaarik and Mershael do not share their true native tongue with outsiders. Adventurers of these factions may communicate with others of the same faction in their true native tongue if they choose. Adventurers receive a free skill rating of d8 in their native language. This does not cost AP, but any improvement to it will require an expenditure of AP.

Natural Talents Talents are game actions Adventurers can take. Talents are described in Chapter X. Natural Talents are based on the innate physical and mental development of the Adventurer.

Table 3-3 Natural Talents If an Adventurer rolls for a Natural Talent, it is a d30 roll. 1 Alert

2 Ambidextrous 3 Animal Calm 4 Darkvision 5 Dauntless 6 Enhanced Senses (Sight, Hearing, Smell) 7 Fast (+1SPD)

8 Genius 9 Heightened Agility 10 Heightened Dexterity 11 Heightened Endurance 12 Heightened Knowledge 13 Heightened Spirit 14 Heightened Strength

15 Lucky 16 Nimble 17 Quick 18 Quick Healer 19 Resistance [Cold] 20 Resistance [Heat]

21 Resistance [Poison] 22 Resistance [Energy Magic] 23 Resistance [Spirit Magic] 24 Starlight Vision 25 Sturdy 26 27

28 29 30 Witchsight


28

DETERMINE ATTRIBUTES

General

There are six primary and four secondary Attributes. These Attributes each define various physical characteristics of the Adventurer in game terms so that players and the GM can resolve player actions quickly and realistically.

Adventurers are assumed to be heroic individuals and are generally superior representatives of their society at large. Should a player want to play the role of a more average individual, she may always

choose to lower the start value of any Attribute.

Primary Attributes There are six primary attributes: Strength (STR). This attribute represents the adventurers physical power. Dexterity (DEX). Dexterity represents the adventurers hand-eye coordination. Agility (AGL). Agility is both the adventurers flexibility, ability to act quickly and ability to maintain

balance. Endurance (END). Endurance represents the adventurers general health and stamina. Spirit (SPR). Spirit denotes both life force and will power. Adventurers with high SPR values have

more mental energy and a greater will to live. Knowledge (KNW). The Knowledge attribute reflects the adventurers education level. Note that

KNW does NOT reflect the Adventurers intelligence, wisdom or common sense. Those attributes may be played as the player deems appropriate for the Adventurer.

Each attribute has a rating. The rating is shown as dX, where x is the number of sides of the die

the player rolls to undertake an action based on that attribute. The higher the number, the more capable the character is in that attribute.

Note that both Attributes and Skills use the Tiered Dice System. The Tiered Dice System is explained in Chapter 2.

Determining Attributes

There are two options open to the GM and players for the determination of the value of primary

Attributes.

Method 1 The random method

Based on the race of the adventurer, the player rolls two dice of the indicated type for each attribute and totals the result. If an even number, that is the number of the dice type of the attribute, e.g. a result of 8 results in an attribute rating of d8. If an odd number, round up to the nearest even number to get the final result, e.g. a result of 5 becomes an attribute rating of d6. Results of 2 become an attribute rating of d4.

The player gets 2 rerolls to allocate to either die of an attribute roll OR the frame roll. These rerolls may be applied no more than one to an attribute (including frame) unless otherwise noted. No single die roll may ever be rerolled more than once. With respect to an attribute roll, the player can reroll any given die AFTER seeing the entire initial roll of all dice. Because of this, the player should write down all dice results and then choose which ones to reroll, if any.

After all rerolls are taken into account, the player may switch any two attribute results. If she does so, an attribute with a base number of d4+d4 from Table 3-2 cannot be assigned a value greater than d8 and an attribute with a base number of d4+d6 from Table 3-2 cannot be assigned a value greater than d10.

Table 3-2 Determining Primary Attributes


29

Races: Attributes Faeler Chaler Kuzaarik Mershael Shakrim Symker Trilian

STR d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d6+d6 d4+d6 d4+d4

DEX d4+d6 d6+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d4 d6+d6 d4+d6

AGL d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d4 d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d6+d6

END d4+d6 d4+d4 d6+d6 d4+d6 d6+d6 d4+d6 d4+d4

SPR d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d4 d4+d6 d4+d4 d6+d6

KNW d4+d6 d4+d6 d4+d6 d6+d6 d4+d4 d4+d6 d4+d6

Frame (roll d6)

1: S 2-3: M 4-6: L

1-2: S 3-4: M 5-6: L

1-3: S 4-6: M

1-2: S 3-4: M 5-6: L

1: S 2-3: M 4-6: L

1-3: S 4-5: M 6: L

1-3: S 4-5: M 6: L

Primary Attribute Example: Keith determines Kalors attributes. As Kalor is Faeler, each of his six primary attributes are d4+d6 rolls. Keiths numbers look like this: d4 d6 current result

Strength: 2 4 d6 Dexterity: 4 3 d8 Agility: 3 3 d6 Endurance: 4 6 d10 Spirit: 2 1 d4 Knowledge: 1 5 d6

Frame: 3 = Medium Keith has 2 rerolls and can use one or two on any given attribute. He decides first to reroll the d6 for his Spirit. He gets a 2, which is better than the 1 he originally got, but does not change the final resu lt, unfortunately. He considers rerolling his frame, but knows that with a d10 Endurance, he is doing pretty well for Life Points (see Table 3-3) and doesnt see Kalor as being noticeably larger than others. He then rerolls the d4 for Knowledge and again gets a 2 which, although a low number, does indeed improve his rating. Kalors new results and ratings: d4 d6 final result Strength: 2 4 d6

Dexterity: 4 3 d8 Agility: 3 3 d6 Endurance: 4 6 d10 Spirit: 2 2 d4 Knowledge: 2 5 d8

Frame: 3 = Medium

Keith records the values of Kalors attributes on his Adventurer Data Sheet.


30

Method 2 - The point method

The player can assign a total of 40 points to the six Attributes as he sees fit. Each point is the same as one face on a die, so a d6 rating would cost 6 points but a d8 rating would cost 8. Each attribute must be assigned a value of d4, d6, d8 or d10. Using this method, no Attribute may be assigned a score of d12 or better. An Attribute with a base number of d4+d4 from Table 3-2 cannot be assigned a value greater than d8.

Example: point method Secondary Attributes: There are four secondary attributes: Frame, Life Points, Carrying Ability and Vitality.

Life Points (LP). Life Points reflect the adventurers ability to sustain bodily injury. Usually this occurs in Combat, see Chapter X.

Table 3-3 Life Points (LP)

The Adventurers END determines the amount of life points (LP) the Adventurer possesses.

END LP

d12 30

d10 25

d8 20

d6 15

d4 10

Optional: Carrying Ability (CA) (20-60 EP). CA = LP*2 Encumbrance Points (EP). Encumbrance Points are a measure of the amount of equipment an Adventurer carries. One EP is equivalent to roughly one

kilogram/liter. Carrying Ability is a number of EP equal to twice the Adventurers Life Points. This determines the amount of EP an Adventurer may carry before incurring additional penalties (Chapter X). Note that this does not determine how much weight an Adventurer may deadlift. An Adventurer may deadlift half his own weight as a basic (target number 4) Strength Attribute Action (see page X). Trying to deadlift more increases the target number. Optional: Vitality is the ability of the Adventurer to resist the effects of Fatigue and avoid becoming Tired or

Exhausted. Vitality is determined by taking the average of END and SPR. Add the two ratings together and devide by two. If an even number, that is the number of the dice type of the Adventurers Vitality, e.g. a result of 8 results in a Vitality rating of d8. If an odd number, round up to the nearest even number to get the final result, e.g. a result of 5 becomes a Vitality rating of d6.

Secondary Attribute Example: Keith cross references Kalors d10 END on Table 3-2 to get 25 Life Points.

His Carrying Ability is 50 EP (LP*2). Keiths END is d10 and SPR is d4. 10+4 is 14, divided by two is 7, rounded up is a Vitality of d8.

Keith records his LP, CA and Vitality on his Adventurer Data Sheet.


31

Attributes and Skills

Attributes play a big role in the Adventurers use of skills. Each attribute provides a bonus or penalty to the use of skills based on those attributes. This value is called the Attribute Bonus and is determined by Table 3-4. Which attribute is used to determine the bonus for the use of a particular skill is noted in the skill descriptions (Chapter X). In addition, Strength determines a modifier to a melee weapons Damage Bonus (DB) (Chapter X) value.

NOTE THAT THIS MODIFIER IS TO SKILL TESTS MADE USING SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH

THE ATTRIBUTE. IT IS NEVER APPLIED TO A PURE ATTRIBUTE TEST.

Table 3-4 Attribute Bonuses and Penalties

Attr Rating: Bonus

D30 +4

D24 +3

D20 +3

D16 +2

D14 +2

D12 +1

D10 +1

D8 0

D6 0

D4 -1

Example: Kalor adds +1 to any roll he makes for an action based on his Endurance of d10. But he will add -1 to any action based on his d4 Spirit.


32

DETERMINE STARTING ADVENTURE POINTS

Skills and Talents are purchased with Adventure Points (AP).

What skills and talents are available at what cost is determined by the Path the Adventurer has chosen.

Each Adventurer receives 100 Adventure Points (AP) with which to determine her starting skills and

talents. Characters will receive more AP as they gain experience (Chapter X) [box] Starting with more than 100 AP. If a player is creating an experienced adventurer (one with more than 100 AP), the rules for Adventurer creation must be followed for the first 100 AP spent and then may be spent without further restriction

thereafter. Basically this means that the Adventurer may not purchase an advanced talent or more than three skills at d8 (and none higher) with the first 100 points spent. [box] AP Casters Bladesworn 100 Starting Adventurer Novice Novice Novice 250 Veteran Apprentice Bladesman 350 Elite Practitioner Bladebrother 500 Champion Adept Bladeseeker 750 Master Master Blademaster 1000 Lord Lord Bladelord


33

SELECT PATH

Once an Adventurers background and attributes have been determined, the Adventurer must choose a Path. A Path is the course of an Adventurers early life. It is the focus of her studies and training. Choosing a Path lifts a member of the cultures of Faelon out of the yeoman, serf or slave class and sets them on their way to greater understanding.

Adventurers in Faelon are guided by their intuition, aptitudes, mentors and cultures along one of six Paths of education, training and experience. They may and often do learn many things not directly on their chosen path, but at a greater expenditure of effort and time than those skills and talents associated with their principle calling. Chapter 4 explains the Paths in more detail. The Paths

There are six Paths to choose from: the Path of the Blade, the Path of the Horn, The Path of the

Mask, the Path of the Coin, the Path of the Wheel and the Path of the Scroll. Skills and Talents associated with the Adventurers Path can be selected by the Adventurer at the cost in AP shown. Skills and Talents taken from another path cost twice as much. In common usage, members of the various paths are often referred to by the path name: Blades, Horns, Masks, Coins, Wheels and Scrolls. The Path of the Blade [icon]

The Path of the Blade is the path of combat, weapons and war. Blades are warriors, knights, gladiators, siege engineers, military leaders, duelists, paladins and mercenaries. Blades often receive their training in military units and specialist weapons schools. The Path of the Coin [icon]

The Path of the Coin is the path of the making and selling of goods. Coins are craftsmen, engineers and merchants. Coins typically receive whatever formal training they come by in apprenticeships and guilds. The Path of the Horn [icon] The Path of the Horn is the path of hunting, harvesting and physical interaction with nature. Horns

are hunters, farmers, foresters and animal handlers. Horns typically receive whatever formal training they come by in apprenticeships and from family members. The Path of the Mask [icon] The Path of the Mask is the path of intrigue, subterfuge and chance. Masks are diplomats, thieves,

assassins, performers and spies. Masks typically receive whatever formal training they come by in apprenticeships and guilds. The Path of the Scroll [icon] The Path of the Scroll is the path of knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Scrolls are wizards, priests, scholars, and healers. Scrolls can be found studying their craft in universities and temples.

The Path of the Wheel [icon] The Path of the Wheel is the path of exploration, travel and discovery. Wheels are ship captains, conquistadors and caravan leaders. Wheels get any formal training they receive from apprenticeships, but much is done learning on the job.


34

[Box] The choice of path determines which skills and talents may be obtained at their base cost and which are obtained at increased cost. Skills and talents from the other paths cost twice as much. [Box] [Example]

SELECT SKILLS A skill is a task in which an Adventurer can gain measurable experience through training and practice. The use of a skill is an action where the Adventurer attempts to do something and either succeeds or fails. How likely the Adventurer is to succeed in the performance of the task is measured by

his skill rating. Skills differ from Talents in that the Adventurers ability to perform the skill (skill rating) may be

increased with experience. Talents always work the way they are listed and are not individually enhanced through experience. Instead some Talents work as prerequisites for even more powerful Talents that are purchased separately once the prerequisites are met. The detailed description of each skill can be found in Chapter 5.

The description of how skills work as Adventurers act in the world of Faelon can be found in Chapter 8.

Skills are purchased with AP according to these guidelines:

Each skill ratings cost is shown on Table 3-x. This cost applies to General Skills and Path Skills. An Adventurer may only have three skills at rating d8 to start and none higher without the

permission of the GM. Note that this does not include skill in an Adventurers native language. Skills taken from another Path cost an additional 10 AP for each rating increase.

Table 3-x Skill Costs

Skill Rating Cost for MAR/RAR/CAR To Buy directly Cost for Skill To buy directly

D4 - - - -

D6 10 10 10 10

D8 +10 20 +10 20

D10 +20 40 +10 30

D12 +20 60 +10 40

D14 +40 100 +20 60

D16 +60 160 +20 80

D20 +90 250 +30 110

D24 +100 350 +30 140

D30 +150 500 +60 200

[Example (include skill from another path] Native Language


35

All starting adventurers are a d8 in their native language. This does not count towards the

maximum number of d8 skills with which an adventurer may begin and does NOT require the expenditure of any AP. This skill can be increased normally through the expenditure of AP acquired through adventuring. Skill Lists

The Skill Lists below summarize the skills that are available to each path and the general skills

available to Adventurers of any path. The tables show the title of the skill, the attribute the skill is linked to and whether or not the Adventurer must be trained in that skill to attempt its use at all. Skills that do not require training to use may always be employed using a d4. Skills that have elements in [brackets] have specializations. The rules on specializations can be found in Chapter X. General Skills

Note that General Skills are available at base cost for Adventurers of any Path. Skill Attribute Trained? Skill Attribute Trained?

Climb AGL Ride AGL Y

Cook KNW Perception KNW

First Aid KNW Y Language [Native] KNW Y

Jump AGL

Instruct KNW Y Language [ONE Foreign] KNW Y

Swim STR Y MAR [Basic Melee] DEX

Path Skills

The following skills may be acquired by members of the listed path at base cost. An Adventurer from another path may acquire and gain experience in a skill from another path. Each skill rating increase for a skill from another path costs an additional 10AP. Blade Skills

Skill Attribute Trained? Skill Attribute Trained?

Command KNW Y Siege Warfare KNW Y

Gamble KNW MAR [Specialist, Military Melee]

DEX

Intimidate STR War Engine DEX Y

RAR [Basic, Special, Military

Ranged]


36

Coin Skills


Armory DEX Y Evaluate KNW

Brew DEX Y Find KNW

Commerce KNW Y Gamble KNW

Craft [Fletching, Jewelry, Smithing, Carpentry,

Clothwork, Stonework,

Leatherwork, Minting,

Cobbling, Pottery]

DEX Y Locksmith DEX Y

Deceive KNW Mining

Draw DEX Y Devices DEX Y

Engineering KNW Y Persuade KNW

Shipbuilding KNW Y

Horn Skills Skill Attribute Trained? Skill Attribute Trained?

Animal Handling KNW Y Mountain Climbing END Y

Animal Healing DEX Y Navigate KNW Y

Camouflage KNW Y Snares and Traps DEX

Farming KNW Stealth AGL Y

Forage KNW Survival [Forest, Sea, Plains, Desert, Mountain, Jungle,

Arctic]

KNW

Forestry KNW Y Track KNW

Herding AGL RAR [Specialist Ranged] DEX

Hunt KNW Y

Mask Skills Skill Attribute Trained? Skill Attribute Trained?

Acrobatics AGL Lip-read

KNW

Athletics [Diving, Skating, Skiing, Sports]

AGL/STR Entertain [Singing, Musical Instrument, Dance, Drama]

A/D/E

Circus [Juggling, Mimery, Stilt walking]

AGL/DEX Persuade KNW

Cryptography KNW Y Thievery DEX Y

Deceive KNW Poisons DEX Y

Devices DEX Y Sign Language DEX Y

Sleight of Hand DEX

Disguise DEX Stealth AGL Y

Find KNW Ventriloquism DEX Y

Gamble KNW RAR [Crossbow, Arbahlyet, Dart, Blow-gun, Throwing Star,

Throwing Knife]

DEX

Impersonate KNW MAR [Specialist Melee]

Scroll Skills


37


Alchemy DEX Y Humanities [Education, Journalism, Law, Linguistics,

Literature, Political Science,

Sociology, Philosophy]

KNW Y

Architecture DEX Y Lore [Astrology, (Culture), Demonology,

Wood, Metal, Nature, Herbalism,

Astronomy, Caves]

KNW Y

Art [Music, Painting, Poetry, Sculpting]

DEX/KNW Magic KNW Y

Find KNW Medicine DEX Y

Weapon [Longsword, Mace]

DEX Persuade KNW

Heraldry KNW Y Theology [Varan, Totems, Cycle, Moon, Sun, Old Gods]

KNW

History [Genealogy, Social, Economic, Political, Military]

KNW Y Language KNW Y

Wheel Skills


Animal Handling KNW Y Mountain Climbing END Y

Animal Healing DEX Y Navigate KNW Y

Evaluate KNW Persuade KNW

Cartography DEX Y Pilot KNW Y

Caving AGL Rappel AGL

Camouflage

Command KNW Y Ropes DEX

Drive [Chariot, Wagon] STR Signaling KNW

Find KNW Survival [Forest, Sea, Plains, Desert, Mountain, Jungle,

Arctic]

KNW

Gamble KNW Hunt KNW Y

Intimidate STR MAR [All] DEX


38

SELECT TALENTS

The Talent Lists below summarize the talents that are available to each path. The tables show the

title of the talents, its cost in AP and any prerequisites the Adventurer must possess in order to acquire the talent.

Talents differ from skills in that the Adventurers ability to perform a skill (skill rating) may be increased with experience. Talents always work the way they are listed and are not individually enhanced through experience. Instead some Talents work as prerequisites for even more powerful Talents that are

purchased separately once the prerequisites are met. The detailed description of each talent can be found in Chapter 6. The description of how talents work as Adventurers act in the world of Faelon can be found in Chapter 8.

Talents are purchased with AP according to these guidelines:

Each talents ratings cost is shown on the Talent Lists. Talents taken from another Path cost TWICE the AP listed.

General Talents

Talent Cost Pre-requisite Talent Cost Pre-requisite

Bold 10 DISC d8 Retrograde 10 DISC d10

Die Hard [x] 20x - Steadfast [X] 20x -

Hardened 20 END d8

Tough [X] 10x+

10

END d8 Second Action

100 AGL d14, DEX d14

Quick Thinker 10


39

Path of the Blade Talents


Active Defense 10 AGL d8 Interrogate [X] 10x

Agile Charge 20 NHA, AGLd12 Iron Will 20 Leader

Armor: Medium 20 Joust 10 Mtd Cbt, Ride d12

Armor: Partial

Heavy

30 Killing Strike [X] 10x MAR d12

Armor: Heavy 40 Lash Attack 20 Whip

Armor: Extra Heavy

70 Leader 30 DISC d10

Armor: Super Heavy

90 Lure 10

Authority 10

Battlecry 20 Missile Parry [X] 20x MAR d12, AGL d12, Parry [X]

Battler 10 Mounted Combat

20

Bladedancer 20 Elude [1], AGL d10, Sword

Oppressor 10

Bladeflash 20 DEX d10 Overrun 10 Mounted Combat, Ride d12

Blind Parry 10 Parry [1], MAR d12

Parry [X] 30x

Bloodscent 10 Power Attack [X] 10x

Bloodseeker 10 Quick Dismount 5 Ride d8, NHA

Bloodstruck 10 Quick Draw 5

Bull Rush 10 STR d8 Rapid Fire 30 RAR d10, DEX d8

Bypass 10 Rapid Reload 10

Combat Mastery 20 Shadow 10 Sidestep, NHA

Combat Reflexes 20 Shield Bash 10 STR d8, Shield

Conquer 10 Shield: Small 5

Contain 10 AGL d10 Shield: Medium 10

Counterattack 10 DEX d10 Shield: Large 15

Covert Charge 10 AGL d10, Arboreal

Shield: Pavise 10

Deflect 20 AGL d10 Shoot Them! 10

Disarm 20 MAR d14 Sidestep 10 AGL d10, NHA

Dual Strike 10 2xMelee Wpns Stoic 10

Elude [X] 10x AGLd8 Swashbuckler 10 AGL d8, NHA

Feint 10 NHA Switch 10 MAR d10 {Hybrid Wpn}

Flurry 10 Swordcatcher 10 MAR d8 {Kolekar}

Follow-Through 10 Swordsman 20 2xMAR d10, DEX d8, Parry Weapon, NHA

Fortress 20 Taunt DISC d8

Frenzy 50 Teammate [Model type]

B

Furious 10 Wild Charge 10

Guarded Attack 10


40

Path of the Coin Talents


Barter [X] 10x Paymaster B

Diligence 10 Precision Work [Craft]

10

Forgery 10 Sonorous Voice

[X]

10x

Influence 20 Scrounge 10

Jury-Rig 10 Street Fight 10

Master Work [Craft]

20 Precision Work [Craft]

Streetwise 10

Merchant [X] X KNW d8

Path of the Horn Talents


Accuracy 10 Mounted Combat

20

Animal Companion

20 Animal Handling d8, Bond [Animal]

Precise Shot 20

Arboreal 10 Quick Dismount

5 Ride d8

Armor: Medium 20 Rapid Reload 10

Bloodscent 10 Scavenger 10

Bloodseeker 10 Scout B Infiltrate, NHA

Bond [Animal] 10 Sniper [X] 20x RAR d10

Extreme Shot 40 RAR d12 Stable Shot 10 Mounted Combat, RAR d10

Falconer 20 Falcon Stealth Shot 30

Far Shot [X] 20x DEX d8, RAR

d10

Treefall 20 Arboreal

Harasser 10 AGL d8

Heroic Attack 5

Hit and Run 20 AGL d10

Killing Shot [X] 10x RAR d12

Light Cavalry 10 Ride d10, NHA

Many Shot 10 RAR d12 {Bow Weapon}

Marksman 20 DEX d8, RAR d8


41

Path of the Mask Talents


Accuracy 10 Lure 10

Armor: Medium 20 Poisoner [X] 10 Poison d8

Blind Fighting 10 MAR d10 Quick Draw 5

Catfall 10 NHA Seduce [X] 10x

Chameleon 10 AGL d10 Shadow 10 Sidestep, NHA

Disguise 20 KNW d8 Sidestep 10 AGL d10, NHA

Dodge [X] 10x Sonorous Voice [X]

10x

Elude [X] 10X AGLd8 Stealth Attack 30

Flank Attack 10 Street Fight 10 Infiltrate B AGL d8, NHA Streetwise 10

Influence 20 Swashbuckler 10

Interrogate [X] 10x Trackless 10 NHA

Intrigue[X] 10x Trick Riding 20 Ride d12, AGL d10 NHA

Investigate 20


42

Path of the Scroll Talents


Adept Spells 40 Practitioner Spells, CAR d14

Negotiate [X] 10x

Apprentice Spells 20 Novice Spells,

CAR d10

Power Word 10 Attuned, CAR d12

Attuned 30 Practitioner Spells

40 Apprentice Spells, CAR d12

Bend Spell 20 Attuned, CAR d12

Precise Cast 20 Attuned

Chosen 30 Project Spell 20 CAR d12

Chosen Warrior 10 Varan or Sun Righteous

Prayer

10 Sun or varan

Cloak Spell 10 CAR d8 Selective 10 CAR d8

Delay Spell 20 CAR d16 Sense Weaver 10 Illusion

Devotees 10 Grey or Black Serpent Dance 10 Totem Magic

Eyebite 20 Chosen, CAR d12

Soultaker 10 Necromancy

Familiar 30 Chosen Spellbender 10 CAR d10

Fear Craver 10 Grey or Black Spellblocker [X] 10x CAR d10

Foresight 20 Spellhammer [X]

10x CAR d10

Intensify Spell [X] 10X CAR d10 Spellstretcher [X]

10x CAR d10

Investigate 20 Spell Riposte 10 CAR d12

Literacy 10 Total Recall 10

Logic [X] 10x Tree Bond 10 Treespeaking, CAR d10

Lord Spells 100 Master Spells, CAR d30

Totem Bond 10 Chosen

Master Spells 70 Adept Spells,

CAR d20

Armor Use Special

Moons Bond 10 Moons Magic

Mystic Dance 10 Totem Magic


43

Path of the Wheel Talents


Animal Companion

20 Animal Handling d8, Bond [Animal]

Frostfoot 10

Amphibious 10 Heroic Attack 5

Arboreal 10 Light Sleeper 10

Armor: Medium 20 Mountaineer 10

Armor: Partial Heavy

30 Negotiate [X] 10x

Armor: Heavy 40 Strider 10

Armor: Extra

Heavy

70 Swashbuckler 10

Authority 10

Barter 10

Bond [Animal] 10


44

DETERMINE LOOK

Gender

An Adventurer may be either gender, at the players choice. Appearance

The appearance (skin color, hair color, prevalence of beards in males and eye color) of the races of Faelon is shown in Chapter 2.

Height and Mass (or Weight)

Those with small frames will generally be 5-10% smaller and those with large frames will be 5-10% larger. Race Height Weight (lb)

Male Female Male Female Chaler 510 56 180 125 Faeler 6 58 190 135 Kuzaarik 48 44 150 100 Mershael 6 57 180 130 Shakrim 510 56 185 125 Symker 58 54 175 120 Trilian 6 58 180 125 Age

Unless otherwise determined by the player with the GMs consent, an Adventurer begins a campaign at the age at which his culture begins adulthood (18 in many cultures). To begin an Adventurer at another age, see Chapter X.

Race Lifespan Chaler Faeler 70-110 Kuzaarik 200 Mershael 300

Shakrim Blessed: 90-150, After: 60-90 Symker 55-85 Trilian 80-120


45

DETERMINE BACKSTORY

Name: The player should choose a name that suits his Adventurers personality and fits his race, homeland and background. The GM should assist the player in making a choice based on the environment he has developed for the game. The player may want to wait until more of the Adventurer creation process is complete, but a name should be chosen before the start of the first session!

Handedness An Adventurer may be either left or right handed, at the players choice. An Adventurer may be

ambidextrous by obtaining the Ambidextrous natural talent (Chapter X). Social Class and Birth Order

Depending on the importance of social status in his world, the GM should determine where each

Adventurer stands. Other social issues, like caste systems and slavery, may also impact on the Adventurers place in society. Currency: Royal gold = 10 Marks Mark silver = 10 Pennies Penny bronze = 10 Farthings

Farthing copper

Generally speaking, peasants deal in farthings, artisans and craftsmen in pennies, merchants in marks and nobles in royals. A days wage for a peasant laborer is about 1-3 farthings. A carpenter can expect to make a few pennies for a simple cabinet. The cargo in a merchants wagon is worth a pouch full of marks. A mercenary is typically hired for a mark per day.

Start Situation

Unless the start situation includes special circumstances (like the group is in jail!), the Adventurer should begin the game with the following:

500 bronze Pennies (if rich or noble: 1500; if poor: 50)

Suit of armor and shield of a kind allowed by the Adventurers talents. One each of the weapons in which the Adventurer has skill. (with scabbards, quivers and

missiles)

A Horse, unless the Adventurers Ride skill = d4. Includes tack, two saddle bags and bedroll. Two sets of clothing.

Cloak, boots, belt.

Again, unless the start situation includes some special circumstances that would prevent it, the Adventurers should be allowed to spend their intial money, if they choose, on any items from Chapter 7.

[Example]

Steve, the Gamemaster, is running a game set just after the Grular invasion of Falkaar. Keith, one of Steves players, has decided to play a Falkaaran adventurer from the Barony of Karadal, as the background material Steve has provided on Karadal and its role in the story sounded the most compatible with the type of Adventurer Keith wishes to play. After looking through the material on the Faeler language Keith chooses the fine Faeler name of Kalor for his Adventurer. Knowing from the setting that a large part of


46

Karadal is rolling plains patrolled by the famous Kings Light Horse, he chooses the Path of the Blade for Kalor to help him play the role of one who has trained to be in this elite group.


47

CHAPTER 4 PATHS

[Path Fluff: TBP] Blademaster Commander High Priest Archmage

Master Thief Master Assassin Merchant Prince Loremaster Casters

Novice Apprentice Practitioner Adept Master Lord

[How to build a profession: TBP] LIST OF PROFESSIONS: Path of the Blade

Barbarian, Berserker, Crusader, Freeblade, Freelance, Zealot, Gladiator, Pit Fighter, Horseman, Cavalryman, Lancer, Nomad, Outrider, Trooper, Knight, Defender, Equites, Noble, Paladin, Samurai, Templar, Swordsman, Cavalier, Duellist, Swashbuckler, Tribesman, Amazon, Indian, Zulu, Warrior, Legionnaire, Man-At-Arms, Marine, Mercenary, Sellsword, Soldier, Militiaman, Warrior Monk Path of the Coin

Merchant, Trader, Craftsman, Armorer, Brewer Path of the Horn Archer, Bounty Hunter, Crossbowman, Shaikan, Slinger, Hunter, Ranger, Scout, Tracker, Trapper,

Woodsman, Witch Hunter Path of the Mask Assassin, Nightblade, Ninja, Shade, Stalker, Bandit, Brigand, Outlaw, Highwayman, Bodyguard, Rebel, Renegade, Ruffian, Scoundrel, Thug, Protagonist, Conman, Entertainer, Minstrel, Troubadour, Bard, Gambler, Enforcer, Grave Robber, Rustler, Charlatan, Fence, Forger, Racketeer, Spy, Agent, Infiltrator,

Thief, Burglar, Cutpurse Path of the Scroll Diplomat, Druid, Animist, Witch, Conjuror, Cultist, Enchanter, Enchantress, Mystic, Theurgist, Warlock, Illusionist, Mentalist, Mindmage, Sage, Scholar, Shaman, Healer, Medicine Man, Witch Doctor, Wizard,

Adept, Magician, Thaumaturge, Runemason, Symbologist, Monk, Priest, Cleric, Inquisitor, Theocrat, Dark


48

Priest, Evil Cleric, Necromancer

Path of the Wheel Explorer, Conquistador, Seeker, Pirate, Buccaneer, Raider, Slaver, Sailor, Seafarer, Seaman, Rogue, Teamster, Wanderer, Traveler,


49

CHAPTER 5 - SKILLS

HOW SKILLS WORK

Skills are abilities that adventurers learn and get more proficient with through experience. Skills are developed by purchasing a skill rating with Adventure Points (AP). Skill ratings are from d4 to d30. Skills are employed using the rules for actions in Chapter 8.

ACQUIRING AND DEVELOPING SKILLS

Skills are initially acquired by spending an Adventurers initial AP during Adventurer Creation Chapter 3. New skills are acquired and existing skills are improved by the use of AP gained from experience see Chapter X. SKILL DESCRIPTION FORMAT

Skills are presented in the following format: Skill Name Attribute: Each skill section will show which attribute bonus applies (if any) to action rolls using that skill.

Example: Attribute Bonus Skill Type: Skills will be listed as being one of three basic types: Creative (Cr), Physical (Ph) and Social (So). Training Required: If the annotation Tr appears in a skills listing, that indicates an Adventurer must be trained in that skill to make a skill roll in that area. Most skills may be employed untrained, meaning an Adventurer may attempt to accomplish an action using a skill even if not trained in that skill at a skill rating of d4. Skills that require training, cannot be employed in this manner. Specialization: Note that some skills have subheadings in brackets. These skills possess specializations. Each such specialization is a separate skill and must be developed separately. Thus, Art [Dance] and Art [Drama] are entirely different skills. Note that no set of specializations given here is exhaustive. GMs are

free to add any new ones they feel appropriate. The most common type of specialization is Weapon Specialization. Weapons specializations are listed in the weapons skill description. Weapons are grouped together in two ways: Category and Group. Weapon Categories: Categories help determine which weapon specializations are available to which

paths. They are:

Basic Melee (melee weapons common to all paths)

Specialist Melee (melee weapons used as much by masks as by blades)

Military Melee (hand to hand weapons used for heavy combat)

Specialist Ranged (weapons used as much by horns as by blades)

Military Ranged (ranged weapons used by military units)

Exotic Melee and Ranged (weapons from a specific culture or with a specific purpose or of unusual nature)

Example: Weapon Category


50

Weapons and all their characteristics are listed by Category in Chapter 7.

Text Description: How the skills works and what success and failure results in will be found here. Standard modifiers to the skill test for this skill may be included. Employing the skill is a standard action unless otherwise noted. Time: The time it takes to employ a skill is either one act/event/round or is noted in the description.

Critical Success:

The best form of Critical Success is that determined by the GM using his or her imagination and the player roleplaying the result. To help, we give some general guidelines on how to play critical success here and within many of the skill descriptions themselves.

Unless otherwise stated, Critical Success in a physical (Ph) Skill (Drive, Acrobatics, etc.) provides a +1 bonus to any action taken in conjunction with the use of that skill on the same or next round. Example: Critical Success For a creative (Cr) Skill centering on the making of a physical object (a leather jacket, a hand tool, a sword), Critical Success normally results in a work of Fine quality. For a creative skill in the area of lore or research, Critical Success often results in an insight above and beyond what the Adventurer was trying to achieve. At the GMs discretion, making exactly the target during a creative Skill test may result in an item of poor quality.

For a social (So) Skill, A Tarch (see page x) in a physical skill usually results in some damage to the Adventurer from a fall or other such catastrophe and an automatic failure during a creative action results in the Adventurer making a large error that he might not even be aware he made.

SKILL DESCRIPTIONS Acrobatics [AGL, Ph, Tr]: An Adventurer with this skill may make an Acrobatics test to perform extraordinary jumping and aerial maneuvers. Examples with difficulty

Alchemy [DEX, Cr, Tr]: Alchemy is the ability to understand and manipulate inorganic materials. Sample alchemy tasks are given below. For tasks not listed, GMs should use these guidelines to determine time required and difficulty. Task Time Difficulty

Identify inorganic substance 1 hour Tough Identify inorganic substance 1 minute Extremely Tough Identify inorganic substance 3 rounds Nearly Impossible

Make acid 1 hour Tough Make common compound 10 minutes Basic

Make fireworks 1 day Nearly Impossible

Make naptha 1 day Impossible


51

Make smokeoil 1 day Very Tough

Purify metal 1 day Basic Failure in an Alchemy task often destroys the materials used. A Tarch usually also results in injury to the alchemist. Naptha, smokeoil Animal Handling [KNW, Cr, Tr]: A successful Animal Handling test is required to command an animal to

perform a task it already knows. Such a test is +1dl if commanding an animal the Adventurer has trained herself to perform that task. A successful Animal Handling test is required to teach a tame animal a basic task. A tarch means that animal cannot be trained in that task. Each test requires one week of training, succeed or fail.

Basic Tasks: Come, Guard, Find, Follow, Entertain, Retrieve, Stay, Work Three successful Animal Handling tests are required to teach a tame animal an advanced task. If there are two failures before there are three successes, or a Tarch at any time, that animal cannot be trained in that task. Each test requires one week of training, succeed or fail. Advanced Tasks:

Attack (using its own weapons such as teeth, hooves, claws) Serve as Mount (carry a person and respond to riding commands) Track (follow a person or creatures trail)

Five successful Animal Handling tests are required to tame a wild animal. If there are two failures before there are five successes or a tarch at any time, that animal cannot be tamed. Each test requires one week of training, succeed or fail. These tests are -1 unless the animal is also being raised from birth at the same time.

Trained animals start at d6 in a trained task. To in

Documents

brightsword6.5