Core Rules

Start Here

Nimble is a fast-paced, heroic fantasy TTRPG where bold choices and epic stories take center stage.

At least one player should familiarize themselves with the base rules in this book (no need for everyone to read through unless they really want to). The adventure included in the GM’s Guide is designed to introduce the rules as you play.

If you’re new to TTRPGs, use one of the pre-made heroes (included in your digital downloads or at nimbleRPG.com/start). Level 1 for all of the classes is designed to be easy to pick up, giving a small flavor of the class and introducing the rules gradually without being overwhelming. Complexity and tactical depth is layered on as you level up and progress through an adventure.

If you’re experienced with RPGs, feel free to create your own hero from scratch (see “Character Creation” on pg. 18). When building your hero, perhaps what will have the largest impact on how you interact with the world is your hero’s class. Start there. Then you can flesh out other important aspects of your character’s ancestry, background, and what languages you know, as well as your stats and any equipment you have. You can do these steps in any order, filling out your character sheet as you go. Now, go start playing!

Videos, Digital Downloads, FAQ, and More Visit nimbleRPG.com/start for everything you need to jump into the game: pre-made characters, step-by-step instructional videos, answers to FAQs, and other handy downloadable resources!

How to Be a Good Player

Be heroic. Create a hero eager to dive into the adventure with the party. Reluctant, anti-social loners can drag down everyone’s fun. Your games will shine when you lean into the shared adventure.

Pay attention. Ask questions. Take notes. The more questions you ask, the more information you’ll have to work with, and you’ll be able to make more interesting decisions.

Be creative! Frequently, the answer to a problem isn’t found on your character sheet. A hammer (or anything else) can be used in lots of ways!

Embrace failure. You shouldn’t try to fail, but some of the best moments in a game can come from a failed roll or bad decision. Go with it!

Respect everyone else’s time. Swift, suboptimal decisions are better than slow, optimal ones. They will tend to be more fun anyway! If you can’t decide what to do on your turn, attack and pass. Think when everyone else isn’t waiting on you. Also, arrive on time.

Share the spotlight. If you’ve been rolling or talking more than everyone else, call on your party mates to help you; shine the spotlight on them. Sneaky characters shouldn’t spend a bunch of time sneaking around a dungeon without the rest of the party. A charismatic hero might be taking the lead in a negotiation (that’s fine!), but he may want to call on his Berserker pal for a bit of extra leverage*. “Ragnar, would you like to have a word with this stubborn gentleman while the rest of us step outside?”*

Treat the world realistically. If you insult (or kill) other characters you come across, expect consequences! If you negotiate and haggle with every merchant, your reputation as penny pinchers will likely become widespread. If you do something foolish in front of a king, expect to be jailed (or worse). If you heal an ally, deal lots of damage, or always use the same tactics, expect the bad guys to catch on and adapt.

Describe your actions, not mechanics. The Game Master (GM, the player running the game) will tell you if you need to roll any dice. If your idea is good enough, you may not need to!

No: “Can I make an Examination check?”
Yes: “I want to search the books and paintings on the walls, looking for a secret door.”

No: “I make an attack roll.”
Yes: “I smack that goblin with my sword!”

No: “Save your reaction, I’m only at 2 Wounds, I can take three more.”
Yes: “Leave me be, I can take the hit!”

Note. If these examples don’t mean anything to you, that’s okay, you’ll get the hang of it after playing once or twice.

Be gracious to the GM. They put a lot of effort into running the game; avoid arguing over rulings. Give them a break sometimes and offer to run a ses-sion for them! Bring snacks.

Core Rules

Stats

Heroes have 4 stats that impact their effectiveness in various tasks: 2 Key Stats crucial to their class and 2 Secondary Stats. The maximum a hero’s stat can typically go is +5 .

KEY. When an ability or spell references “KEY,” use one of your Key Stats. If a stat is listed before a die roll, roll a number of dice equal to the stat. For example, “WIL d8” means that if your WIL is 2, you roll 2d8 (two eight-sided dice).

Strength (STR) Your raw physical power and resilience, endurance, and resistance to harm. Affects STR weapon damage, resistance to Wounds, HP recovery, Concentration, STR saves, carrying capacity, Grappling, and the Might skill.

Dexterity (DEX) Your agility, reflexes, and precision with blades or bows. Affects DEX weapon damage, Initiative, DEX saves, Grappling, and can contribute to Armor, as well as the Stealth and Finesse skills.

Intelligence (INT) Your Intelligence reflects knowledge and reasoning across fields like the arcane, tactics, or street smarts. Affects languages, spellcasting, use of wands, spell scrolls, INT saves, as well as the Arcana, Examination, and Lore skills.

Will (WIL) Your force of personality, courage, and wisdom. Will shapes your interactions with both nature and society. Affects spellcasting and WIL saves, as well as the Insight, Influence, Naturecraft, and Perception skills.

Skills

Skills gauge how well your hero interacts with the world. Whenever you tell the GM what you are doing, they may ask you to use one of your skills.

Arcana (INT) Your understanding of magical phenomena, spells, and enchantments. With Arcana, you can identify magical effects, decipher arcane symbols, and discern the properties of magical items. It also grants insights into the abilities and weaknesses of magical beings like Aberrations, Elementals, and Oozes.

Examination (INT) Your aptitude for thorough analysis and deduction. Use Examination to diagnose injuries, determine causes of death, uncover clues, and unravel the workings of traps or mechanical devices. It also grants insights into the abilities and weaknesses of Constructs.

Finesse (DEX) Your ability to use your hands and feet in careful ways. Use Finesse for activities such as picking locks, disarming traps, piloting vehicles, tinkering, card tricks, stealing or planting items, climbing a mossy wall, or any other task that requires precise, careful movement.

Influence (WIL) Your persuasiveness, charm, and ability to influence others through charisma or cunning. Use Influence to convince or deceive people, negotiate deals, build trust, win allies to your cause, or put on a captivating performance.

Insight (WIL) Your ability to understand people and situations beyond the obvious. Use Insight to sense motives, detect lies, read hidden emotions, make sense of clues, and when faced with uncertainty—you can think ahead or just “get” what is happening.

Remember! Insight can be used to retroactively change situations: Player: “Oh no! I forgot to buy rope back in town!” GM: “Give me an Insight check; maybe your hero would have thought about it.”

Might (STR) Your ability to apply strength effectively. Use Might for lifting heavy objects, breaking through obstacles, climbing, swimming, jumping, or performing feats of strength.

Lore (INT) Your understanding of the history of civilization, kingdoms, and religions. Use Lore to recall historical events and grasp the significance of cultural practices. It extends to knowledge of the abilities and behavior of Celestials, Dragons, Fey, Fiends, Giants, Humanoids, and Undead.

Naturecraft (WIL) Your expertise in wilderness survival, navigation, tracking, and the handling of animals. Use Naturecraft to thrive in the wild, identify flora, fauna, and track creatures with precision. It encompasses knowledge of Beasts, Monstrosities, and Plants, providing insights into their behavior, habitats, and characteristics.

Perception (WIL) Your overall ability to notice subtle details in your surroundings. Use Perception to spot hidden objects, detect secret passages, sense subtle environmental changes, and sense when you’re being followed or observed. It encompasses your ability to pick up on non-obvious cues, and hidden threats.

Stealth (DEX) Your proficiency in staying unseen and moving quietly. Use Stealth to hide, slip past guards, evade detection, and move without drawing attention.

Skill Checks & Saves

When you want to affect the world (convince an NPC, spot a trap, pick a lock, etc.), the GM may call for a skill check. Roll 1d20 and add your skill (the max bonus a skill can ever have is +12). If the total meets or exceeds the Difficulty Challenge (DC), you succeed; otherwise, you fail. A roll of 1 always fails regardless of any other bonuses, while a roll of 20 always succeeds. The DC varies based on the task:

Easy: Spotting a large Ogre crouched behind a small bush might be a DC 8 Perception check.
Medium: A hidden doorway behind a bookcase might be a DC 12 Examination check.
Challenging: Calming an injured Owlbear stuck in a trap may be a DC 15 Naturecraft check.
Very Difficult: Intuiting the true intentions of a trained Spy may be a DC 18 Insight check.
Extremely Difficult: Disarming an ancient legendary trap may be a DC 20+ Finesse check.

Saves When the world affects you, roll a save instead of a skill check. Roll 1d20 and add the relevant stat. A roll of 1 always fails, 20 always saves. You can choose to fail any save instead of rolling.

STR Save. When your overall fitness and physicality is tested. STR helps resist forced movement,restraint, poison, and extreme temperatures.
DEX Save. When your agility or speed is tested. DEX helps you dive for cover in an explosion or stay on your feet while running across icy terrain.
INT Save. When your intelligence is tested. INT helps you see though tricks and illusions.
WIL Save. When your courage or personality is tested. WIL helps you resist charm or fear effects.

Heroes and Saves

Unless otherwise noted, the DC for effects a hero causes is 10+KEY.
When making saves, each hero has 1 advantaged save (+), 1 disadvantaged save (-), and 2 neutral saves.

Example. A Berserker (STR+, INT-) would roll all of his STR saves with advantage and all of his INT saves with disadvantage.

Size

Some spells and abilities affect differently sized objects or creatures. For size, use the following guidelines:

Tiny can be carried in a typical pocket (many can comfortably fit in 1 space).
Small can be carried in a backpack (2 can comfortably fit in 1 space).
Medium is the average human size (1 can comfortably fit in 1 space).
Large is roughly the size of a bear (1 can comfortably fit in a 2x2 area).
Huge is roughly the size of a small house (1 can comfortably fit in a 3x3 area).
Gargantuan can be as large as a castle keep (1 can fill a 4x4 area or greater).

Advantage & Disadvantage

If you are ever in a favorable situation, the GM may allow you to roll with advantage. To do this, roll 1 additional die of the same type and remove the lowest (see examples below). Alternatively, if the situation is grim or your idea is a long shot, you may have to roll with disadvantage (removing the highest die instead).

If you have multiple instances of advantage or disadvantage, for each one, roll an extra die and remove the lowest (for advantage) or the highest (for disadvantage). Each instance of advantage cancels out one instance of disadvantage before you roll.

Example 1. Greataxe (2d6) with advantage. Roll 1 additional die and remove the lowest. You hit!

Example 2. Greataxe (2d6) with disadvantage 2. Roll 2 additional dice, remove the 2 highest. If there is a tie, always remove dice from left to right. You miss!

Hit Points & Dying

Hit Points (HP) represent your ability to endure damage. Damage reduces your HP (which can’t go below 0). When reduced to 0 HP, gain 1 Wound; you also gain the Dying condition until you regain HP. While Dying, actions are limited to 1, Concentration is broken, and you are at risk of further serious harm:

Attacking/casting spells causes 1 Wound unless you make a DC 10 STR save.
Taking damage while Dying causes 2 Wounds; a crit causes 3 instead.

Wounds

Wounds are serious injuries you’ve taken; they are a long term gauge of how close you are to death. HP can usually be recovered quickly, but Wounds may take many days of resting to fully recover from (usually 1/Safe Rest).

Death

You die when you have taken 6 Wounds (unless you have an ability that changes this number). There are ways to revive a hero who has died, but they are rare and often come at a very steep cost.

Temporary HP

Some abilities or effects may grant temporary HP (temp HP); these are reduced first when taking damage. Temp HP do not combine: If a hero has temp HP and would gain more, they instead choose which amount to keep. They expire after a Safe Rest.

Hit Dice

Hit Dice (HD) represent your ability to quickly recuperate from minor injuries and are spent to regain HP. Heroes start with a max of 1 Hit Die at level 1, and this limit increases by 1 each time they level up. Hit Dice are recovered during a Safe Rest.

Gritty Dying Rules. Optional rules for a more challenging or “old school” style of game: You can reduce the max number of Wounds heroes have. Any- where from a max of 5 Wounds for slightly harder, all the way down to 1–2 Wounds for a very lethal game!

You can also have each Wound impose a cumulative –1 penalty to rolls: skill checks, saves, or even ALL rolls! (If you’re a real glutton for punishment.)

Speed & Range

A character’s Speed is how fast they can move, which, unless otherwise noted, is 6. Often play is done on a grid with 1 inch squares or hexagons representing roughly 5 ft. or 1 meter each. So a hero with a speed of 6 can travel up to 6 spaces horizontally or diagonally.

You can move through spaces occupied by allies (or enemies as difficult terrain: half speed), as long as you don’t end movement in an occupied space.

Alternate Options. For a quicker, more loose game, you can forego counting spaces and measure typical movement roughly from pinkie to thumb. Slightly less for players with large hands (or slower characters), a bit more for our tiny-handed friends (or faster characters).

Range & Reach

Certain abilities, weapons, and spells have a specified Range or Reach, which determines how far away your target can be affected. If none is specified, default to Reach 1.

In Melee. If any enemy is adjacent to you, your Ranged attacks are made with disadvantage (Reach attacks are not so affected).
Long Range. You can gain disadvantage 1 to gain +2 Range on any Ranged attack (max +6).

Falling & Forced Movement

When a character is forcibly moved but stopped by an obstacle, they take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every space this movement is shortened. If they hit another creature, both creatures split this damage. Falling inflicts 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 ft. fallen (2 spaces).

Abstracted Distances. If preferred, you can use a more abstracted system of distance just as well. Use Close, Midrange, and Far. A move from Midrange can traverse to Close or Far. Close creatures can be affected Reach/Range 4; Midrange, up to 6; beyond that is Far. As always, the GM will adjudicate unclear situations and which creatures are affected by abilities with an area of effect.

Concentration

Some activities require Concentration to maintain. A character can only concentrate on one activity at a time. Whenever a character is crit while concentrating, they must make a DC 10 STR save. Failing this means Concentration is broken and the activity fails. Concentration is automatically broken whenever a character drops to 0 HP or is incapacitated.

Cover & Hiding

A creature mostly obscured from line of sight (standing behind a tree, a larger ally, a knocked over table, in poor lighting, etc.) has Cover and imposes disadvantage on attacks against them. A creature completely obscured from view has Full Cover and cannot typically be targeted by an attack.

To hide in combat, you must have Cover from the creatures you are attempting to hide from and use an action to make a DC 15 Stealth check (if you have Full Cover, you succeed automatically). The first attack you make while hidden is made with advantage, then you are no longer hidden. If this attack kills the enemy and no other enemy can see you, you may remain hidden instead.

Monsters Are Smart! They may catch on to heroes using the same tactics over and over again!

Grappling

You can attempt to grab another creature provided you are within Reach and have at least 1 arm free (or some other way to grab them). On a failed STR or DEX save (DC 10+STR or DEX), a target:

your size or smaller, is Grappled.
larger than you, you gain the Riding condition.

Forced movement (pushing a grappler away), incapacitation, or spending an action and succeeding on a STR or DEX save can end it.

Restrained. Functions like Grappled, but is caused by objects (e.g., chains, rope, roots) and ignores size restrictions. It can also be ended through any logical means, such as picking a lock or cutting/burning rope.

Conditions

Some attacks, traps, spells, or other effects can also inflict conditions—usually negative effects other than damage. Some conditions are temporary, lasting as little as a single round; others may last until cured in some way, and some can be ended by using an action to make an appropriate save.

Blinded. Can't see. Attacks against you have advantage, and your attacks have disadvantage.
Bloodied. At half HP or less.
Charmed. Sees the charmer as an ally. Charmer has advantage on social interactions with you.
Dazed. Heroes: lose 1 action; monsters: can perform one less action on their next turn.
Dying. At 0 HP. Taking damage while dying causes 2 Wounds, a crit causes 3 instead.
Frightened. Disadvantage on rolls when source of fear is nearby; speed halved when moving closer to it.
Grappled/Restrained. Cannot move. Attacks against you have advantage.
Hampered. Any creature with their actions or movement reduced (e.g., Dazed, Grappled, Prone, Difficult Terrain).
Incapacitated. Can't do anything. Attacks against you have advantage, and melee attacks that hit, crit.
Invisible. Cannot be seen. Your attacks have advantage, and attacks against you have disadvantage.
Petrified. Incapacitated. You have all the benefits and drawbacks of being a rock! Immune to most damage except from large explosions, picks, or similar tools.
Poisoned. Disadvantage on rolls.
Prone. Movement costs twice as much, and disadvantage on attacks. Melee attacks against you have advantage; Ranged have disadvantage. Spend 3 spaces of your Speed to stand up.
Riding. You move with the creature you are riding. Any attacks that miss you, strike them.
Slowed. Speed halved during your next turn.
Taunted. Disadvantage on attacks except against the most recent taunter.
Wounded. Has any Wounds (typically 6 Wounds and a hero is dead).

Other Minor Statuses. Minor statuses (Smoldering, Charged, Distracted, etc.) do nothing on their own and end whenever combat does. Some spells and abilities have additional effects against such targets.

Combat

Heroic Actions

On your turn, heroes get 3 actions to attack, move around the battlefield, cast spells, etc. Generally doing any single thing in combat costs 1 action. Some very strong spells or special abilities may take more time and thus cost more actions.

All 3 actions recharge at the end of your turn, so there’s no need to save them up. Spend them all on your turn and when you’re done, you get them all back!

Attack

Any spell or ability that can harm an enemy counts as an attack. Roll the die listed on the spell, weapon, or ability, and deal that much damage. However, if you roll a 1, you miss, and the attack has no effect. For attacks with multiple dice, the leftmost die is called the Primary Die. It determines whether the attack is a hit or a miss.

Exploding Critical Hits

Rolling the max on a Primary Die is a critical hit (crit). When you crit, roll the Primary Die again, and add the result to the total. Repeat this each time you roll the maximum—there’s no limit, except your luck! Crits also ignore monster armor.

Rushed Attacks

A hero may attack more than once on their turn, but these additional attacks are rushed, imposing cumulative disadvantage for each additional attack after the first—increasing the chance to miss and lowering the average damage for subsequent attacks. For abilities that trigger a save (e.g. Grappling), enemies roll with increasing instances of advantage instead.

Cast Spell

Casting a spell requires a hero to have 1 hand free (or a held spellcasting focus), the ability to speak, and may require mana as well. A spell’s mana cost is equal to its spell tier; cantrips cost no mana (see “Spells” on page 44 for more).

Upcasting Spells

Some spells have a greater effect for each additional mana spent on them. A hero can upcast a spell only up to the tier they have unlocked.

Move

A character can move up to their speed (6 spaces, unless otherwise noted). This movement can be broken up with other actions if desired, and a hero can use multiple actions to Move multiple times in one turn. When in Difficult Terrain, movement speed is halved. Moving on a climbable surface (trees, a cliffside, certain buildings, etc.) counts as Difficult Terrain.

Assess

A great way to include creativity and role-playing in combat. Choose one of the following and then make a DC 12 skill check to:

Ask a Question. About a weakness, ability, or immediate plans of enemies, the environment, story, etc. The GM will answer honestly.
Create an Opening. Increase the next Primary Die Roll against a target by 1 this round.
Anticipate Danger. Reduce all Primary Dice rolled against you by 1 this round.

Which Skill To Use? Whatever skill you use must make sense based on the circumstances. For example, if you’re close to an enemy, you could use Might to create an opening, but against an enemy that is far away, that may not make sense. Or if you want to ask a question about the weaknesses of an elemental, you’d likely use Arcana.

Monsters Are Smart! You cannot assess using the same skill more than once in a single encounter, as your foes adapt to your tactics. You’ll need to stay creative!

Free Actions

These do not cost an action or any other resource (e.g., mana) unless otherwise specified. Heroes can do simple tasks (open an unlocked door, shout a simple phrase, drop an item, end concentration, etc.) for free 1/ turn.

Heroic Reactions

Reactions cost 1 action and are performed when it is not your turn. A hero can perform each reaction no more than 1/round, and they will start their turn with fewer actions. The reactions are:

Defend

Reduce damage from any single attack by your Armor whenever you use this reaction. At the GM’s discretion, some damage may not be avoidable (e.g., psychic damage, or some areas of effect).

Interpose

If a creature within 2 spaces would be struck with an attack, you can push them out of the way and become the new target of the attack. You enter their space and move them to an adjacent space of your choice.

Interpose AND Defend? Yes! As long as you have enough actions to spend, you can Interpose and Defend at the same time. However, you won’t be able to do either reaction again until your next turn is over since each of those is limited to 1/round.

Opportunity Attack

A melee attack made with disadvantage against an adjacent enemy as it willingly moves away. Monsters do not make opportunity attacks, only heroes can.

Help

Grant an ally advantage on a roll if you can reasonably explain to the GM how you could help in a given situation (limit: one Help reaction for each roll). The GM may call for a skill check or grant advantage automatically, depending on how good the idea is.

Teamwork! Help as a Heroic Reaction is a fantastic way to bring teamwork, role-playing, and creativity into a combat encounter. Did your buddy fail? Maybe not! Think quickly and see if you can help them succeed.

Monsters & Armor

Most monsters are unarmored, but some tougher foes might have Medium Armor: they take damage from only the dice rolled, ignoring all damage modifiers (unless they are negative). Monsters with Heavy Armor take only half the damage from the dice, likewise ignoring damage modifiers.

Crits and damage vulnerabilities ignore monster armor. This means that different heroes and different weapons, spells, and abilities will be more or less effective against various kinds of armor.

Minions

Minions are weak enemies that will die from any amount of damage. They move and attack at the same time, cannot crit, and their feeble attacks can be Defended against as if they were a single attack. Dealing a large amount of damage to a minion can (at the GM’s discretion) overflow to other minions within range as well.

Starting Combat

A combat encounter begins when the GM tells the party to “Roll Initiative!” Each hero rolls 1d20 and adds their Initiative bonus (typically their DEX). A single digit means they start combat with 1 action. 2 digits, they start combat with 2. A result of 20+ (or a natural 20) means they get all 3 actions! Regardless of what a hero rolls on Initiative, at the end of their turn they gain all 3 actions back.

Surprise

Occasionally a party may maneuver themselves so adeptly that their enemy is completely caught off guard. In this case, the GM may grant the party advantage on Initiative, or in extreme cases, they may not need to roll Initiative at all—the GM can allow each Hero to start with all 3 actions!

A Note on Surprise. Merely being hidden or punching first is not sufficient to gain Surprise! If an enemy is on guard or at all aware of your presence, they cannot be surprised.

If the heroes are surprised, they may have to roll with disadvantage. Or, in extreme cases, the heroes may automatically start combat with only 1 action, or the monsters may all go first.

Turn Order

When combat begins, by default, the heroes go first. Whichever player is ready first goes first (or whoever makes the most sense story-wise), with play proceeding around the table clockwise.

Monsters will typically act last, though some monsters may be fast enough to act sooner in the round. A monster (or monster group) should act at the same time each round.

Encourage teamwork, be flexible. If players want to strategically switch their turns for one round to facilitate teamwork or execute a tactical plan, the GM can allow this at his/her discretion. This should be done only occasionally, though, to avoid slowing the game down or losing track of who has taken their turn.

Playing virtually? You can go in webcam order, alphabetically, or however is easiest to track!

Turns, Rounds, & Encounters

A Turn is when 1 individual hero or monster group acts. A typical turn takes roughly 6 seconds of “in-world“ time. A Round is when all players and monsters have taken a turn acting. An Encounter is all of the rounds in a particular combat.

1/Turn Abilities. If you perform one on your turn, and can find a way to perform it on another creature’s turn, you can do it again (e.g., Sneak Attack combined with Opportunity Attack or Coordinated Strike!).

1/Round Abilities. These reset whenever your own turn begins (e.g., when you Defend, you cannot do so again until your turn comes back around).

Acting Over Multiple Turns

For activities that cost more than 1 action, your actions can be spent over multiple turns in combat as long as Concentration is maintained and you do not perform other actions or reactions in the meantime (unless they are free).

Example. Book, the Mage, wants to cast Glacier Strike (3 actions), but only has 1 action left. He’ll spend 1 action on this turn to start casting the spell, and on his next turn spend 2 more to finish casting it. He’s taking a risk, though: he can’t Defend himself and may need to rely on his party to protect him.

Resting & Downtime

Field Rests

While out adventuring, heroes can take Field Rests to regain HP.

Catch Breath

Requires at least 10 minutes to tend to your injuries. Expend any number of Hit Dice one at a time (roll them and add your STR to each), and regain that many HP.

Make Camp

If you rest for at least 8 hours with food and sleep, take the maximum value for each Hit Die you expend instead of rolling. Add your STR to each Hit Die as usual.

What if I Have Negative STR? Your frail body doesn’t recover as quickly as others. Subtract your STR from each HD you expend.

Safe Rest

Safe Rests take place in a safe location designated by your GM, typically lodging at an inn overnight — but could also be at a secret oasis, a well-stocked cabin in the woods, near a sacred shrine, or the like. Camping in the open wilderness or in a dungeon is not sufficient for gaining the benefits of a Safe Rest.

After a Safe Rest, heroes recover all of their HP, Hit Dice, mana (and other class-specific resources), and heal 1 Wound. Safe Rests are a great opportunity for downtime activities as well.

Rest for HOW Long?! If your table prefers to largely skip downtime activities and narrate past a week of resting, that’s okay too! For a more realistic convalescence time, 1 week per wound recovered may make more sense.

Lodging

The cheapest rooms at an inn save you money but may lead to complications. On the other hand, some inns may allow you to pay a premium for a nicer room and amenities, giving you a Temporary Boon. Typical prices (each person/day): Poor (5 sp), Comfortable (2 gp), and Lavish (10 gp). Lavish inns allow players to gain one Temporary Boon the following day.

Downtime

The time you aren’t out adventuring is called Downtime. You can spend Downtime to recuperate from your adventures and partake in Downtime Activities. Not every moment of Downtime needs to be narrated or roleplayed. Much Downtime can be skipped over to get back to adventuring if desired.

Example Downtime Activities:

Retrain. Spend time doing activities to retrain any of your chosen abilities, features, or if it makes sense in the story, possibly even your subclass.
Gather Information. Meet NPCs, pick up news, or collect rumors and job leads.
Personal Goals. Pursue goals from your back-story or other smaller quests you've chosen.
Buy & Sell. Get new equipment, and sell treasures you've collected while out adventuring.
Perform. Play music, tell stories, compete, or perform in public to earn gold or fame.
Craft. Create weapons, armor, or simple items using materials you've acquired.
Socialize. Build alliances, make new friends, or make new enemies.
Invest. Use your gold to invest in businesses or trade ventures for future profit.
Mentor. Teach a skill or ability to another character or NPC.
Research. Investigate a mystery, study ancient texts, or uncover hidden knowledge.
Serve. Aid a patron or a deity in exchange for a favor, or perform charity for townsfolk.
Build. Establish a home base, start a business, craft siege weapons, or build anything else you can imagine (GM and setting-permitting, of course).

Character Creation

Your hero is how you will make your mark on the world. Here’s how you can make your own hero:

Step 1: Choose Your Class

This will have the largest impact on the other character choices you make and how you interact with the world:

BERSERKER. An unstoppable force of wrath and ruin.
THE CHEAT. Sneaky, backstabbing, dirty-fighting rogue.
COMMANDER. A battlefield tactician, leader, and weapon master.
HUNTER. Resourceful survivalist, bow master, and skilled tracker.
MAGE. Wield and shape the elements of fire, ice, and lightning.
OATHSWORN. Faithful guardian, protector, and avenger of the weak.
SHADOWMANCER. Summon hordes of expendable minions.
SHEPHERD. Master life and death. Lead a faithful companion.
SONGWEAVER. Inspiring presence, sharp wit, sharper tongue.
STORMSHIFTER. Master of weather, beast, and nature.
ZEPHYR. A disciplined martial artist with swift hands and swift feet.

Step 2: Choose Your Ancestry & Background

(and optionally, choose your adventuring motivation).

What made your hero want to start adventuring? How do you know the other heroes?

Step 3: Fill in Your Character Sheet

This handy sheet of paper helps you track your stats, abilities, loot, and other important game info.

The Character Sheet

1. Basic Details & Stats

Fill in your character details: Name, Ancestry, Class, Level, Height, and Weight. Fill in the arrow for your advantaged (+) and disadvantaged (-) Saves, and choose a stat array (recommended: place the highest numbers in the KEY stats for your class).

Standard: +2, +2, +0, -1
Balanced: +2, +1, +1, +0
Min-Max: +3, +1, -1, -1

Example. The Cheat has DEX and INT as their KEY stats. With the Min-Max array, you might put +3 in DEX, +1 in INT, and -1 in WIL and STR. You’d also mark ▲ for DEX saves and ▼ for WIL saves.

2. Skill Points

At level 1, mark your stat bonuses into each of your respective skills (e.g., a hero with +2 DEX would mark +2 in Finesse and Stealth), and then may place 4 additional skill points wherever you like.

Example. If you have -1 INT; mark -1 for Arcana, Examination, and Lore. Repeat for your other stats. Then, with your 4 extra points, you could increase Stealth and Finesse by +2 each; any 4 skills by 1 each; or dump all 4 points into your favorite single skill. Up to you!

3. Secondary Stats

Mark your max HP and Hit Dice size (see your class), Hit Die amount (default: equal to your level), Initiative (default: DEX), Size, Speed (default: 6), max Wounds (default: 6), and inventory slots (10+STR).

4. Equipment & Money

Heroes start at level 1 with the equipment listed for their class and background OR 50 gp to buy their starting equipment. If starting at a higher level, multiply that by the level you are starting at.

But my character is a wealthy noble! That’s fine, but your character only has access to this amount of gold for now. Why your wealth is currently inaccessible is up to you and your GM; unlocking your full riches could be a great quest!

5. Languages

All heroes speak Common by default. Each point of INT grants you an additional language known. These languages are typically spoken by:

Common. Most intelligent creatures.
Dwarvish. Dwarves, Gnomes, and Giants.
Elvish. Elves, Fey, and Sylvan.
Goblin. Goblins and Orcs.
Infernal. Various Fiends and cultists.
Thieves' Cant. Scoundrels and rogues.
Celestial. Celestials and priests.
Draconic. Dragons, Dragonborn, and Kobolds.
Primordial. Elementals and Ancient Beings.
Deep Speak. Underworld dwellers.

GROFWINT DRAZLON! Speaking another creature’s language can open doors that weapons alone cannot — being heavily armed without the ability to communicate often leads to hostility.

6. Other Abilities

Mark any other special abilities you get from your class, ancestry, background, etc.

7. Inventory Slots

Each hero has 10+STR inventory slots for carrying equipment and loot (held, worn, or in a pack).

1 slot can hold a one-handed weapon, shield, worn armor, stack of javelins, 500 gp, or 2 potions.
2 slots can hold a 2-handed weapon, unworn armor, or similarly bulky items.
Small, related items can be grouped into one slot for simplicity (e.g., Camping Supplies: soap, blanket, brush, rations).

On Ammunition. In most games, there’s no need to track ammo. If you have a quiver, you have enough arrows. Assume the hero collects fired arrows, crafts more, or buys them in town.

Alternatively, your GM may allow you to carry what you want without the bookkeeping, so long as you’re reasonable!

Leveling Up

The GM may allow you to gain a level (LVL) whenever you complete an appropriately challenging quest or adventure. At level 1, this may be as simple as clearing some angry rats out of a basement or rescuing someone from the woods. Each subsequent level will generally take more effort (and therefore more time). When a hero gains a level:

HP Increase. Roll your Hit Die with advantage and increase your max HP by that much.
More Endurance. Your Hit Die max increases by 1 (it is typically equal to your level).
More Skilled. Gain 1 skill point. Additionally, you may move 1 point from one skill to another (as long as the skill doesn’t become negative), reflecting your hero’s evolving expertise and priorities.

Note. The maximum bonus a skill can have is +12.

Class Features. Gain new class features for your level. This may mean increasing your mana pool, new spells, or even selecting a subclass!
Other Adjustments. If any of your base stats increase, remember to adjust other elements of your character sheet as needed (skills, damage, Initiative, armor, mana, languages, etc.).

Ancestry & Background

Elves epitomize swiftness and grace. Their tall, slender forms belie their innate speed, grace, and wit. Formidable in both diplomacy and combat, elves strike swiftly, often preventing the worst by acting first.

Lithe. Advantage on Initiative, +1 Speed. You know Elvish if your INT is not negative.

What About Half-Elves? Mix the ancestries however makes sense in your world. You can pick one ancestral bonus and use it instead of both, or use both half as effectively or half as often.

Halfling

(Small)

Kind of like a human, but smaller (except for the feet). Where does our luck come from? Well…you know what they say about rabbit feet? Well, we've got feet for days compared to them. Imagine the amount of luck you could fit into these bad boys!

Elusive. +1 to Stealth. If you fail a save, you can succeed instead, 1/Safe Rest.

Gnome

(Small)

Eccentric, curious, and perpetually optimistic, gnomes are cheerful—especially when compared to their typically grumpier and larger kin, the dwarves. Known for their tinkering, spreading cheer, and playful antics, gnomes pursue their passions with a scatterbrained enthusiasm.

Optimistic. Allow an ally within Reach 6 to reroll any single die, resets when healed to your max HP. -1 Speed. You know Dwarvish if your INT is not negative (but you call it Gnomish,of course).

Flavor Is Free. Want to play a Stout Halfling instead of an Elusive one? An Optimistic Human instead of Tenacious? As long as it makes sense and the GM is on board, go for it!

Turtlefolk take their time in everything they do; they are patient, sturdy, and slow to anger. They rely on their thick shells for protection, making them difficult to harm, but their cautious movements come at the cost of speed.

Slow & Steady. +4 Armor, –2 speed.

Wyrdling

(Small)

Unpredictable and chaotic, Wyrdlings are the result of magic gone awry. Their bodies pulse with raw arcane energy, and their mere presence often disturbs the balance of magic around them.

Chaotic Surge. Whenever you or a willing ally within Reach 6 casts a tiered spell, you may allow them to roll on the Chaos Table. 1/encounter.

Flavor Is Free. Want to be a leaping Frogfolk instead of a Bunbun? A Flameborn Kobold? A winged Fairy instead of a Birdfolk? A Badgerfolk instead of a Stoatling? As long as it makes sense and your GM is game, go for it!

Backgrounds

Backgrounds provide a glimpse into your character’s past—how they were raised, the skills they honed before becoming an adventurer, or even their defining personality traits. Feel free to adapt or reimagine these backgrounds to suit your character’s story. Choose 1 background:

Back Out of Retirement. You've forgotten more than most adventurers these days know! Talk with your GM, what made you come out of retirement? - **Let's see if I remember how to do this...** You may gain 1 Wound to use an ability or cast a spell as if you were 1 level higher. - **These old bones.** Your age has long since started to show. –1 max Wounds.

Devoted Protector. Choose 1 ally in your party. You can survive +3 max Wounds as long as they are nearby. Whenever they take a Wound, you do too.

Academy Dropout. School just isn't for everyone! You learn by experience in the _real world_ (or at least that's what you tell yourself). Learn any 1 Utility Spell.

Made a BAD Choice. Start with 500 or 1000 extra gold, or an uncommon/rare magical item (that your GM allows). Gain an equally powerful curse or enemy who wants it back. If you choose this background, your GM may allow you to choose another.

Haunted Past. You are haunted by voices that occasionally give you cryptic advice. The voices are sometimes VERY helpful. Other times they only want to see you suffer. Advantage against fear.

Ear to the Ground. Advantage on checks to know or obtain gossip for events that will soon happen or have happened less than 1 year ago.

What? I've Been Around. _1/per location_ (or at the GM's discretion). You happen to know JUST the person who has the information you're looking for, or could get you out of a jam, and… Roll 1d20: - **1–5.** They want you DEAD. - **6–12.** You owe them money. - **13–19.** They can be convinced to help you.. - **20.** They are your biggest fan/are madly in love with you.

Acrobat. Can be thrown by a larger ally, REALLY far. Half damage from falling and forced movement.

Wild One. Whether it is the sticks or flowers in your hair, your smell, or the way you carry yourself, wild creatures are less frightened of you and more willing to aid you. +1 Naturecraft. While Field Resting, roll your Hit Dice with advantage while in the wild.

Fey Touched. You take half damage from all magical effects, double from weapons made of metal (before armor is applied).

Survivalist. You never run out of your own personal rations. Anything can be food if you try hard enough! Advantage against poison saves. +1 max Hit Die.

Home at Sea. Recover twice as many Wounds and HP while resting on a ship or near water. You can fill in for a first mate or captain in a pinch. Advantage on water-related skill checks.

At Home Underground. You can dig twice as fast as others. Safe resting locations underground always count as Lavish lodging for you. You struggle to rest (INT save) while it's raining. “Water… from the SKY?!“

Raised by Goblins. You speak Goblin natively (much better than one who has learned it later in life). You automatically notice and can avoid crudely-made traps and have advantage to notice and disarm more sophisticated traps.

Change It Up!. > You can choose any other ancestry to be raised by instead, and exchange the known language and get 1 helpful/iconic ability those people would inculcate (e.g., Dwarves know Dwarvish and are very good with smithing or stonecraft).

History Buff. Advantage on all Lore checks related to knowledge about items, facts, or events that happened more than 100 years ago.

(Former) Con Artist. You can forge most documents or mimic voices flawlessly. You have a criminal contact in most major cities. However, your reputation often precedes you—until you prove yourself to be trustworthy.

(Secretly) Undead. Unnatural Resilience: You are immune to disease and do not need to eat, drink, or breathe. Children, animals, and Celestials are uneasy in your presence; many will be horrified to discover your true nature.

Taste for the Finer Things. You always have up-to-date knowledge of the customs and dress of the upper classes and may even know many of their secrets. Advantage on Influence checks with the upper class.

Fearless. You are immune to the Frightened condition. +1 Initiative. –1 Armor.

So Dumb I'm Smart Sometimes. (Req. 0 or negative INT at character creation.) Reroll an INT-related skill check, 1/day. Reroll a failed INT save with advantage, 1/Safe Rest.

Wily Underdog. (Req. 0 or negative STR at character creation.) Reroll a failed STR-related roll (e.g., STR attack, STR save, Might check) and use another stat instead, 1/day.

Bumblewise. (Req. 0 or negative WIL at character creation.) A result of 1 or less on any WIL-related roll counts as a natural 20 (WIL save, Naturecraft, Perception, Influence, or Insight check).

Accidental Acrobat. (Req. 0 or negative DEX at character creation.) Whenever you fail a DEX-related roll (e.g., DEX attack, DEX save, Stealth check, Finesse check), you may roll again. If you still fail, the consequences are BAD.

Tradesman/Artisan. Choose a profession (Baker/Cook, Smith, Stonemason, Weaver, Leatherworker, etc.). Checks you make related to that profession are made with advantage. You also retain special knowledge related to your profession.

Make It Your Own!. > Remember, backgrounds are just a starting point—you're free to adjust, reimagine, or completely rewrite them to suit your character's story. If you want to know a Utility Spell but don't like the Academy Dropout flavor, come up with a different reason why your character might know it. Maybe they learned it from a traveling bard or discovered it etched into an ancient relic. > > Feel free to swap traits, change the flavor text, or blend backgrounds together. Haunted Past might become Blessed by Spirits if your character views their other- worldly voices as guardians rather than tormentors. > > Work with your GM to ensure any changes align with your game's setting and are balanced with other backgrounds. These are here to inspire creativity—what you build with them is entirely up to you!

Adventuring Motivation

The world is a dangerous place—people don’t usually just “go adventuring” without a reason. Your motivation should make your character want to work with the rest of the group.

I owe a life debt to someone in my party. Chat with your party: Who else needs help with their backstory? What did they do to help you?

I owe a LOT of money to some very dangerous people. What did you do with the money? Your GM probably has some GREAT ideas of bad guys you’re in deep with.

I need to grow in power to defeat someone who has wronged me. Do you know who wronged you, or are they unknown? Is it an individual or a larger group? Chat with your GM; they’ll love to help fill in the blanks.

I am searching for a way to bring a loved one (or someone I hate) back from the dead. Who even told you this was possible? What if they don’t remember you?

I am trying to get back home. Where is home for you, do you even remember? What caused you to leave? Chat with your GM; they can give you some options of homelands.

I am searching for the one who stole something valuable from me. Is it an object? A person? A memory? Was it really stolen or did you make a bad bargain?

I was polymorphed into another kind of creature by a wizard. Hah! How would it feel for a cute halfling to become an ugly goblin? What did you do to anger the wizard?

Duty calls. I am honor-bound to serve. Who calls you? Your king? Your family? An ancient alliance or grudge? Talk with your GM and other players for ideas and mutual connections.

I was best friends with (and betrayed by) __. Do you want to win them back? Get even? Warn others of their backstabbing? Talk with your GM about who this might be.

I’m lost. Physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? Are you in the wrong country or even plane of existence?

Wanderlust/Pilgrimage. What amazing thing do you want to see or experience? Have you spent too much time away from the road? Your GM probably has some fantastic locations in mind for you.

My home town is in danger. Are you looking for a cure? Mercenaries? Personal strength?

Curiosity! I want to learn the DEEP secrets. Which secrets? Magical, lore, politics, what really happened in history?

To prove my worth. You were always underestimated—by your family, your village, your peers, or yourself. What will it take to show them you’re more than they thought? What kind of recognition do you seek?

I’m following a prophecy. A mysterious figure or ancient text foretold that you would play a crucial role in the fate of the world. What do you know of the prophecy? Do you believe it?

Or Make Your Own! A great character background has connections with the world, its people, your fellow heroes, or even the bad guys. Work with your GM and fellow players to find a motivation that will cross paths with where the story goes. Every good hero has a desire. What’s yours?

Equipment

Equipment Proficiency. Heroes can use any equipment they like; however, each class has a list of weapons and armor types they are most skilled with. Weapons used without proficiency cannot crit. Defending while wearing armor worn without proficiency costs 1 additional action.

Swapping Equipment. A hero can sheathe weapons or shields they are proficient with and equip a different one for free 1/round.

Armor

Armor represents your hero’s ability to dodge or block damage when you use the Defend reaction. While unarmored or wearing regular clothes, your Armor is equal to your DEX. Some items may grant additional Armor while equipped.

Defend Yourself! If you’re standing right next to a baddie with an axe and you’re not doing anything to defend yourself, chances are, you’re going to get axed!

Cloth

*ITEM*	*ARMOR*	*COST*
Adventurer's Garb	2+DEX	10 gp
Minor Enchantment	3+DEX	100 gp
Major Enchantment	4+DEX	1,000 gp
Epic Enchantment	5+DEX	10,000 gp

Leather

*ITEM*	*ARMOR*	*COST*
Cheap Hides	3+DEX	5 gp
Ox Hide	4+DEX	45 gp
Hard Leather (Req. 1 STR)	5+DEX	300 gp
Wyrmhide (Req. 1 STR)	6+DEX	2,000 gp

Plate

*ITEM*	*ARMOR*	*COST*
Rusty Plate (Req. 2 STR)	10	25 gp
Half Plate (Req. 3 STR)	14	200 gp
Full Plate (Req. 4 STR)	18	2,000 gp
Mithril Plate (Req. 5 STR)	22	5,000 gp

Mail

*ITEM*	*ARMOR*	*COST*
Rusty Mail	6+DEX (max 2)	15 gp
Chain Shirt (Req. 2 STR)	9+DEX (max 2)	60 gp
Scale Mail (Req. 3 STR)	12+DEX (max 2)	700 gp
Dragonscale (Req. 4 STR)	15+DEX (max 2)	3,000 gp

Shields

*ITEM*	*ARMOR*	*COST*
Wooden Buckler	2	5 gp
Iron Shield (Req. 2 STR)	4	80 gp
Tower Shield (Req. 3 STR)	6	1,500 gp
Dragon Shield (Req. 3 STR)	8	9,000 gp

Deflect! An optional rule for additional defensive flexibility: instead of adding your shield’s armor to your total armor as normal, you may reduce the damage of an attack by your shield’s armor value for free 1/round.

Weapon Properties

2-handed. Can be held in a single hand, but must be wielded in 2 hands to attack with it.
Load. Some weapons require extra actions to load before each shot.
Reach. How close an enemy must be to be affected by this attack. If unspecified, Reach 1.
Range. Attacks can be made from afar. If any enemy is adjacent to you, your Ranged attacks are made with disadvantage. Add 1 die of disadvantage to gain +2 Range.
Thrown. Treat a melee weapon as if it had Range. Once thrown, you no longer have it!
Vicious. Roll 1 additional die whenever you roll crit damage.

Remember! Only the Primary Die (the leftmost one) is used for determining whether an attack crits. Every time you roll crit damage, roll the additional Vicious die as well!

Remember! Only the Primary Die (the leftmost one) is used for determining whether an attack crits. Every time you roll crit damage, roll the additional Vicious die as well!

Dual Wielding

Heroes may wield 2 Light weapons at the same time. While dual wielding, you may gain advantage on an attack with those weapons, 1/round.

You may dual wield 1-handed weapons without the Light property if your STR is 3 or greater, or 1 weapon without the Light property if your STR is 2. If completely unarmed, fists/feet can be considered dual wielded.

Dual wielding different weapons? Roll dice for both weapons and choose either result instead (the 1/round limit still applies). Attacking with advantage? Add an extra die for one of the weapons.

Unarmed Strikes

To attack with your bare hands or feet, roll 1d4; on hit: deal 1+STR damage.

Improvised Weapons

Using an improvised weapon (e.g. a chair, a frying pan, a big rock), default to 1d4+STR or 1d6+STR. Your GM may allow you to use bigger dice or other properties if it makes sense. An improvised weapon may be likely to break if it lands a crit, though!

Customizing Weapons

Can you reflavor a staff as a greatclub? Sure! A sai instead of a dagger? Of course! Could you pay a blacksmith to make your 1d12 Greatmaul deal 2d6 or 3d4 damage instead? Since the dice all add up to 12, it won’t break the game; ask your GM! Can a blacksmith make your Dagger deal that much damage? No, sorry!

Melee Weapons

*ITEM*	*DAMAGE*	*PROPERTIES*	*COST*
Dagger	1d4+DEX Piercing	Light, Thrown 4	3 gp
Sickle	1d4+DEX Slashing	Vicious	10 gp
Club/Mace	1d6+STR Bludgeoning		2 gp
Hand Axe	1d6+STR Slashing	Thrown 4	8 gp
Short Sword	1d6+DEX Piercing	Light	10 gp
Rapier	2d4+DEX Piercing		60 gp
Staff	1d8+STR Bludgeoning	2-handed	8 gp
Longsword	1d8+STR Slashing	2-handed (1-handed: Req. 2 STR)	60 gp
Battleaxe	1d10+STR Slashing	2-handed	30 gp
Pole Hammer	1d10+STR Bludgeoning	2-handed, Reach 2	60 gp
Glaive	1d10+STR Slashing	2-handed, Reach 2	60 gp
Spear	1d10+STR Piercing	2-handed, Reach 2	60 gp
Greatmaul	1d12+STR Bludgeoning	2-handed (Req. 2 STR)	80 gp
Greataxe	2d6+STR Slashing	2-handed (Req. 2 STR)	100 gp
Greatsword	3d4+STR Slashing/Piercing	2-handed (Req. 2 STR)	120 gp

Ranged Weapons

*ITEM*	*DAMAGE*	*PROPERTIES*	*COST*
Sling	1d4+DEX Bludgeoning	2-handed, Range 12, Vicious	4 gp
Javelins	1d6+STR Piercing	Range 8, Stack of 4	20 gp
Throwing Hammers	1d8+STR Bludgeoning	Range 4, Stack of 3	25 gp
Shortbow	1d6+DEX Piercing	2-handed, Range 12	25 gp
Longbow	1d8+DEX Piercing	2-handed, Range 16 (Req. 1 STR)	30 gp
Crossbow	4d4+DEX Piercing	2-handed, Load: 1 action, Range 8	60 gp
Handheld Ballista	1d20+DEX Piercing	2-handed, Load: 2 actions, Range 8 (Req. 2 STR)	120 gp

Key Equipment

Healing Potions

Healing potions are deep, shimmering red elixirs with a refreshing, effervescent taste. These potions are crucial for quick recovery, though their availability is limited. Small towns may have only a few, while cities offer more (but they are not in unlimited supply). The wealthy often use healing potions as a display of affluence, incorporating them into elaborate mixed drinks at social events to showcase their status.

Potions require one action to drink or to administer to an adjacent willing creature.

Torches & Lanterns

Heroes cannot typically see in the dark. Fighting in the dark imposes the Blinded condition. Heroes can bring a lantern or torch to light their way in the dark as long as they have a hand free (or some other way) to hold it. A torch typically lasts for 1 dungeon (or 1 level of a very large one). A lamp with oil can typically last for 1 entire outing, until your next Safe Rest. Torches and lanterns cast light up to 6 spaces away; beyond this is darkness.

Be Warned. Denizens of the dark may not appreciate the light and may attack the light bearers first. Certain spells (e.g., Fire, Lightning, and Radiant) may cause flashes of light as well and draw unwanted attention!

Equipment Availability

Costs for mundane items typically range from a few silver pieces to a few gold pieces. If you can find an artisan, you can commission them to create something for you—basically anything you can think of that their level of technology could support. The more ornate, the higher the price. Commissioning the creation of a special item will typically start around 50 gp and only go up from there. Smaller towns will have fewer items and artisans than larger cities.

Misc Adventuring Equipment

What About…? These are not all of the items available for purchase, merely a sampling. If you can think of it, you can likely buy it!

Currency is made up of Silver (sp) and Gold pieces (gp). 10 silver = 1 gold. 1 sp is roughly the cost of a humble meal; 1 gp, a sumptuous feast. Most small towns will have equipment and items worth 50 gp or less. You’ll need to adventure to larger towns or cities or find a traveling merchant to purchase more valuable pieces of equipment.

*ITEM*	*PROPERTIES*	*COST*
Healing Potion (action)	Heal 2d4+4 HP.	50 gp
Greater Healing Potion (action)	Heal 3d6+6 HP.	150 gp
Supreme Healing Potion (action)	Heal 4d8+8 HP.	450 gp
Torch (stack of 2)	For when it’s dark. 1 use each.	5 sp
Lantern & Oil	Like a torch, but not as cool (refill: 1 gp).	10 gp
Vial of Pitch	Sticky, and VERY flammable.	2 gp
Rope (50 ft.)	You always need rope.	10 gp
Chain (10 ft.)	Like rope, but stronger (and heavy).	50 gp
Bucket	Also works as a hat in a pinch!	1 gp
Padlock & Key	Lock it or lose it.	3 gp
Mirror	For medusas AND spinach teeth.	4 gp
Telescope	Arrr.	10 gp
Magnifying Glass	Make the small, big.	5 gp
Chalk	Not JUST for kids.	1 sp
Shovel	Sometimes you need a hole dug.	3 gp
Pulley	Pull down, go up.	3 gp
Grappling Hook	For climbing or catching BIG fish.	4 gp
Quiver & Ammo	Don’t leave home without it.	10 gp
Saw	For cutting lumber.	4 gp
Soap	Useless.	1 sp
Strange Plant	Who knows?	5 sp
Shiny Object	Worthless, but VERY pretty.	1 sp
Lock Pick	It’s not mine, honest!	5 gp
Bell	For service.	2 gp
Dice	LOTS of fun.	5 sp
Blanket	Warm & fuzzy.	1 gp
Hunting Trap	Snap snap, don’t lose a finger!	10 gp
Camping Supplies	Bedroll, rations, simple tent.	5 gp
Crowbar	It’s LIKE a key.	2 gp
Pitons	Metal spikes, for sealing doors.	5 gp
Manacles	For when someone has been bad.	3 gp
Large Sack	Like a BIG pocket.	5 sp
Instrument	Drums, Horn, Lyre, Flute, etc.	5-50 gp

Magical Items

Though some magical items can be purchased, most cannot. Some special shops may have a very small selection of them to purchase, but more typically these powerful items are acquired through adventuring.

Typical Costs of Magical Items

*RARITY*	*TYPICAL AVAILABILITY*	*COST*
Uncommon	Typically found around levels 2-6	50–500+ gp
Rare	Typically found around levels 5-12	500–5,000+ gp
Very Rare	Typically found around levels 8-18	5,000–500,000+ gp
Legendary	Typically found around levels 15-20	1,000,000+gp or Priceless

Ball of Spiders

(Uncommon)

A black, palm-sized ball with faintly writhing patterns etched into its surface. Action: Throw this ball up to 6 spaces. Upon impact, it shatters, releasing a swarm of harmless but horrifyingly realistic spectral spiders that cover a 2x2 area. Creatures in the area must make a WIL save or be Frightened until the end of their next turn. Once used, the ball reforms at the next Safe Rest.

Bloodstained Quill

(Uncommon)

If you dip this quill into the blood of a dead intelligent creature, the quill animates and writes the last words spoken by that creature.

Button of Protection

Pocket Cauldron

(Rare)

While Safe Resting, use this to brew your choice of 1 potion, to be consumed immediately:

Elixir of Futuresight: This potion grants the drinker a brief, cryptic vision of a future event.
Elixir of Requiem: This potion allows the drinker to relive a crucial memory from their past.
Elixir of Time: Once every 100 years, the cauldron can brew a potion that can take the drinker back in time 1 day.

Resolute Fangs, Golden Bastion

(Legendary Shield)

+8 Armor. Reaction: When you reduce damage from a melee attack with this shield, it may Grapple the attacker regardless of its size (escape DC 20 STR, max 1 creature). Action: Speak this shield’s command word to make it immovable, fixed in place, until it is spoken again.

Skitter Shoes

(Rare)

While wearing these shoes, you can walk on vertical surfaces or ceilings as if they were flat ground, but only at half your normal Speed. If you end your turn upside down or on a vertical surface, you must make a DC 10 STR save or fall down, landing prone.

Trinket of Ill Omen

(Rare)

While equipped, you have –1 to saves you roll and +1 to your save DC.

Vindication

(Legendary Weapon of Animosity)

A jagged blade marred by scorch marks and dark stains, radiating a bitter, vengeful energy that punishes both wielder and foe alike. +1d12 damage. You take this damage on a miss.

Weapon of Animosity

Whenever you attack with this weapon, roll an additional animosity die. The weapon deals that much additional damage to your target on a hit. Whenever this weapon misses, you take that damage instead. A weapon that adds 1d4 is likely to be uncommon; 1d10 or greater, legendary.

Weapon of Many Hands

(Rarity varies)

While equipped, this weapon grants the wearer additional arms. The wearer can use the extra arms to perform any task their normal hands can do (wield equipment, Grapple enemies, climb, etc.) but does not allow the wearer to perform actions any faster. These extra appendages may be horrifying to people in polite society. A weapon that grants 1 extra hand is likely to be uncommon; 4 extra hands, legendary.

Extra Arms?! Yes, you can dual wield 2-handed weapons or wear more than 1 shield, or Grapple 2 different creatures while hitting them both at the same time! Or any number of creative things, provided you have the arms to perform the task.

Weapon of Slaying

Whenever you attack with this weapon, it deals an additional die of damage against a particular creature type. Those creatures may try to kill you first. A 1d4 weapon of slaying is likely to be uncommon; +1d10 or more, legendary.

Weapon of Wounding

(Uncommon)

When you land a hit with this weapon, you may suffer 1d6 damage to deal twice that much additional damage to your target.

Spell Scrolls & Wands

Spell Scrolls

Spell scrolls are single-use inscribed magical spells. Casting a spell with a spell scroll does not cost mana, nor does it require magical ability. Anyone who can read the language the scroll is written in can utilize it. Reading one aloud takes the same number of actions the spell normally takes and consumes the scroll.

A character must succeed on a DC 10 Arcana check to cast it successfully if they do not already know a spell from that school; on a failure, it is wasted. Spell tier and typical price:

*SPELL*	*TYPICAL PRICE*
Cantrip	10 gp
Tier 1 Spell	35 gp
Tier 2 Spell	100 gp
Tier 3 Spell	300 gp
Tier 4 Spell	1,000 gp
Tier 5 Spell	3,000 gp
Tier 6 Spell	10,000 gp
Tier 7 Spell	25,000+ gp
Tier 8 Spell	75,000+ gp
Tier 9 Spell	200,000+ gp

Wands

Like spell scrolls, these can be used to cast spells without consuming mana and do not require magical ability. Unlike spell scrolls, wands can be recharged and used again. Characters proficient with wands can use one from any spell school, spending only the normal amount of actions to cast the spell.

Characters not proficient with wands must succeed on a DC 10+spell tier Arcana check to successfully cast the spell. Success or failure, the charge is spent. Typical wand prices and examples:

*SPELL*	*TYPICAL PRICE*
Cantrip	50 gp
Tier 1 Spell	175 gp
Tier 2 Spell	500 gp
Tier 3 Spell	1,500 gp
Tier 4 Spell	5,000 gp
Tier 5 Spell	15,000 gp
Tier 6 Spell	50,000 gp
Tier 7 Spell	125,000+ gp
Tier 8 Spell	375,000+ gp
Tier 9 Spell	1,000,000+ gp

Elderwyrm’s Majesty

(Legendary wand, Tier 9 (1 charge))

This wand can cast Dragonform, turning into the type of dragon that last charged it.

Recharge: Give an ancient dragon a gift it truly desires.

Heartwood, Splinter of the Tree of Life

(Legendary wand, Tier 9 (1 charge))

Cast Redeem with no required components.

Recharge: A sacred hymn must be sung over it ceaselessly for 100 years.

Wand of Barrier of Wind

(Rare wand, Tier 2 (3 charges))

Recharge: Hang the wand with wind chimes in a breezy area. Let it ring for 3 days.

Wand of Dread Visage

(Uncommon wand, Tier 2 (2 charges))

Recharge: Place the wand in a freshly slain corpse. Leave it until only bones remain.

Wand of Firestep

(Uncommon wand, Cantrip (3 charges))

Recharge: Heat the wand in a blacksmiths forge until it glows, then quench it in oil.

Wand of Glacier Strike

(Very Rare wand, Tier 8 (1 charge))

Recharge: Leave the wand at the bottom of a lake until it freezes over and thaws naturally.

Wand of Ride the Lightning

(Very Rare wand, Tier 6 (2 charges))

Recharge: Place at the highest point within 1 mile. Retrieve after 3 thunderstorms.

Wand of Sacrifice

(Very Rare wand, Tier 6 (1 charge))

Recharge: Plant it in a new garden, leave it undisturbed until the flowers bloom.

Spells

There are 6 main schools of magic. Each school has its own basic spells called cantrips and 9 tiers of progressively more powerful spells that can be unlocked as heroes level up. Heroes can cast any spell from the schools that they know within the tiers they have unlocked.

Mana. Powerful tiered spells require mana—a portion of the spellcaster’s life force—to fuel them. A spell’s mana cost is equal to its tier. See the Heroes book for more info on how different classes gain mana. Cantrips, cost no mana.

Upcasting. You can spend additional mana on tiered spells (up to the tier that you have unlocked) to make them stronger for each additional mana spent.

Multi-Target/Area of Effect (AoE). Multi-target/AoE attacks follow special rules to streamline play: they do not miss or crit, and a single roll is applied to all targets. (Ignore (dis)advantage from conditions on individual targets—such as Blinded or Grappled—though anything granting you (dis)advantage still applies to your roll as normal.)

Save Spells. A hero’s save DC is typically 10+KEY.

Range and Reach. Just like weapons, spells with “Range” can target creatures from a distance, but are cast with disadvantage if any enemy is adjacent to you. Add 1 die of disadvantage to gain +2 Range (max +6). Spells with “Reach” can’t do this, but they are cast as normal even when in melee.

Fire Spells. Spells deal high, consistent damage at medium range. Some fire spells can inflict the Smoldering condition and gain additional destructive effects against Smoldering enemies.
Ice Spells. Spells deal medium damage at long range, with a focus on controlling the battlefield and protecting the spellcaster. Some ice spells have additional effects against Hampered targets.
Lightning Spells. Spells deal high damage at long range with a focus on teleporting around the battlefield and taking advantage of creatures equipped with metal. However, some lightning spells may fail to find ground and damage the spellcaster instead.
Necrotic Spells. Spells summon horrible minions or manipulate and trap targets. Some risky necrotic spells prey upon damaged creatures, sapping their very life force—but frequently fail to distinguish between friend and foe.
Radiant Spells. Spells can obliterate the unholy, the fearful, and those who would dare harm you or your allies. Equally effective at a distance or in melee. Other spells can protect, mend wounds, and even restore creatures back to life!
Wind Spells. Spells aid in moving friend and foe alike around the battlefield. They can also slice and cut through entire groups of foes and viciously deal extra damage on critical hits.

Secret Spells. Some spells have been hidden or lost through the ages. Whether they are too dangerous to be common knowledge or for other reasons, adventurers can sometimes stumble upon new spells (or wrench them out of the undead hands of a defeated Lich).

Fire Spells

Flame Dart

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 8. Damage: 1d10. On crit: Smoldering. High Levels: +5 damage every 5 levels.

Smoldering. This condition does nothing on its own, though some spells and abilities have additional effects against Smoldering creatures.

Heart's Fire

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 4. Give an ally within Range an extra action. High Levels: +1 Range every 5 levels.

Ignite

Tier 1, 2 Actions, Single Target

Range: 8. Damage: 4d10 to a Smoldering target, ending the condition on hit. Upcast: +10 damage.

Enchant Weapon

Tier 2, 1 Action, Single Target

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. A weapon you touch is enchanted with magical flame. It deals +KEY damage and inflicts Smoldering on crit. Upcast: +KEY damage.

Flame Barrier

Tier 3, 1 Action, Self

Reaction: When attacked, Defend for free. Until the start of your next turn, melee attackers against you take KEY damage (ignoring armor) and gain Smoldering. Upcast: +KEY damage.

Pyroclasm

Tier 4, 2 Actions, AoE

Reach: 3. Others within Reach take 2d20+10 damage (ignoring armor) on a failed DEX save. Half damage on save. Smoldering creatures fail. Upcast: +1 Reach, +2 damage.

Fiery Embrace

Tier 5, 2 Actions, AoE

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. Reach: 8. While within Reach: 1 ally gains the effects of Enchant Weapon. Enemies gain Smoldering, lose damage resistance, and their damage immunity is reduced to resistance. Upcast: +1 ally.

Living Inferno

Tier 7, 3 Actions, Self

Gain the effects of Flame Barrier until your next turn. At the end of this turn and your next turn, cast Pyroclasm for free Upcast: Upcast Flame Barrier and Pyroclasm.

Dragonform

Tier 9, 5 Actions, Self

Transform into a Huge dragon. Gain 3 actions, a fly speed of 12, LVL Armor, 10xLVL temp HP, and:

Tooth & Claw. Action: (Reach 2) 1d20+LVL damage (ignoring armor). Inflicts Smoldering.
Immolating Breath. 2 Actions: (Reach: Cone 8). DC 20 DEX save, KEY d20 damage, half on save. Smoldering targets fail.

You can maintain this form for as long as the temp HP granted by this spell remain (max. 10 minutes). When it ends, you drop to 0 HP.

Ice Spells

Ice Lance

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 1d6 cold or piercing damage. On hit: Slowed.

High Levels: +3 damage every 5 levels.

Snowblind

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 1. Damage: 1d6. On hit: Blinded until the end of their next turn.

High Levels: +3 damage every 5 levels.

Frost Shield

Tier 1, 1 Action, Self

Reaction: When attacked, Gain 2×KEY temp HP and Defend for free. The ice melts and these temp HP are lost at the start of your next turn. Upcast: +2×KEY temp HP.

Shatter

Tier 2, 2 Actions, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 3d6. If any die rolls the max against a Hampered target, this counts as a crit. On crit: +20 damage. Upcast: Increase the result of ANY die by 1. +5 damage on crit.

Hampered. Any creature with actions or movement reduced; e.g., Dazed, Slowed, Grappled, Restrained, Prone, in Difficult Terrain.

Cryosleep

Tier 3, 2 Actions, AoE

Reach: 12. Creatures in a 2×2 area within Reach are Dazed. On a failed STR save, they fall asleep instead, becoming Incapacitated until their next two turns have passed, until damaged, or until an ally uses an action to wake them. Upcast: +1 area, +1 turn asleep.

Rimeblades

Tier 4, 3 Actions, AoE

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. Reach: 12. Conjure razor-sharp icy spikes in 5 contiguous spaces within Reach; this area is difficult terrain. Creatures that enter these spaces (or who are in the area when you conjure them) suffer 2d6 damage for each space they touch. Upcast: +1 space, +1 damage.

Arctic Blast

Tier 5, 2 Actions, AoE

Reach: Cone 4. Damage: 4d6+10 damage. This area is difficult terrain until the end of your next turn. Surviving creatures must make a STR save or be frozen in place (Restrained) until the end of their next turn; creatures already Hampered are Incapacitated for 1 turn instead. Upcast: +1 Reach.

Glacier Strike

Tier 8, 3 Actions, AoE

Range: 12. Damage: d66 bludgeoning to creatures in a 3×3 area. Creatures adjacent to that area take half as much. The entire area permanently becomes difficult terrain. Upcast: +1 initial area.

D66. Roll 2d6. The leftmost die is the tens place, and the second is the ones (e.g., 4 and 5 deal 45 damage).

Arctic Annihilation

Tier 9, 3 Actions, AoE

Reach: 12. Choose any number of objects or willing creatures within Reach to encase in ice. They are Incapacitated and immune to damage and negative effects until the start of their next turn. All other creatures and objects within Reach take d66 damage. Any surviving creature who took this damage must make a STR save or be Incapacitated for 1 round. Once you cast this spell, you must Safe Rest for 1 week before using it again.

Lightning Spells

Overload

Cantrip, 1 Action, AoE

Castable only if you are Charged, ending the condition.

Reach: 2. Damage: 2d8 to others within Reach.

High Levels: +4 damage every 5 levels.

Zap

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 2d8. On miss: the lightning fails to find ground, and strikes you instead.

High Levels: +6 damage every 5 levels.

Arc Lightning

Tier 1, 2 Actions, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 3d8. The bolt also damages the next closest creature to your target. On miss: the lightning fails to find ground and strikes you instead. Upcast: +4 damage.

Alacrity

Tier 2, 1 Action, Self

Range: 4. Reaction: When attacked. Defend for free. After damage is dealt, you gain the Charged condition then teleport anywhere within Range. Upcast: +4 Range.

Stormlash

Tier 3, 2 Actions, AoE

Line: 12. Damage: 3d8+4 (ignoring metal armor). Surviving creatures are Dazed on a failed STR save, or Incapacitated instead for 1 of their turns if they fail by 5 or more. Creatures with a large amount of metal (e.g., armor or a longsword) roll with disadvantage. Upcast: +4 damage.

Electrickery

Tier 4, 3 Actions, 2 Targets

Range: 8. Reaction: When an ally is attacked. Choose another creature within Range to swap places with your ally on a failed WIL save (they become the new target). Costs 1 Action while Charged, ending the condition. Upcast: +2 Range.

Electrocharge

Tier 5, 2 Actions, Single Target

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. A creature you touch gains the Charged condition, +1 max action, +5 armor, 2x speed, and advantage on DEX saves. Upcast: +4 Range.

Charged. Whenever you take lightning damage, you are Charged for 1 minute.

Ride the Lightning

Tier 6, 3 Actions, AoE

Teleport up to 12 spaces away to a spot you can see (if a willing creature is there, swap places with them). Adjacent creatures take d88 damage. Surviving creatures must make a STR save or be hurled back 3 spaces, knocked Prone, and deafened for 1 day. Upcast: +1 DC.

Next Closest. If you or an ally is the next closest, they are hit! If 2 creatures are equally close, the GM can roll for it or select the one wearing the most metal.

D88. Roll 2d8. The leftmost die is the tens place, and the second is the ones (e.g., 4 and 5 deal 45 damage).

Seething Storm

Tier 9, 3 Actions, AoE

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. Reach: 4. You become a cloud of tempestuous storm. You can fly, move for free 1/round, and attacks against you are made with disadvantage.

At the end of each of your turns, strike up to 4 creatures within Reach with a bolt of lightning for d88 damage (a creature can only be struck 1/round).
+2 Reach and number of bolts each round. Costs 3 actions each round to maintain.

Once you cast this spell, you must Safe Rest for 1 week before you can use it again.

Wind Spells

Breath of Life

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 6. Restore 1 HP to a Dying creature.

High Levels: +2 Range every 5 levels.

Razor Wind

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 1d4 slashing (Vicious: roll 1 additional die whenever you roll crit damage). Also damages up to 1 adjacent target.

High Levels: +2 damage every 5 levels.

Blustery Gale

Tier 1, 2 Actions, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 3d4 bludgeoning, advantage against flying, Small, or Tiny targets. On hit: Move a Med target 2 spaces away; Small/Tiny twice as far; Large half as far (round down). For each die you would roll due to forced movement from this spell, deal +5 damage instead. Upcast: +1 movement.

Barrier of Wind

Tier 2, 1 Action, Self

Reaction: When attacked at Range. Defend for free. Ranged attacks have disadvantage against you this round (including the triggering attack). Upcast: +3 Armor.

Fly

Tier 3, 1 Action, Single Target+

Concentration: Up to 10 minutes. Touch a creature, grant a flying speed of 12. Upcast: +1 target.

Eye of the Storm

Tier 4, 2 Actions, AoE

Reach: 3. Damage: 4d4+10 bludgeoning to enemies within Reach. You may place surviving creatures anywhere within 1 space of the storm’s Reach on a failed STR save. Upcast: +1 Reach.

Updraft

Tier 5, 3 Actions, AoE

Reach: 12. Enemies within a 5×5 area must repeat a DEX save until they succeed. For each time they failed they suffer 1d6 falling damage and land prone. Upcast: +2 Range, +1 area.

Thousand Cuts

Tier 6, 3 Actions, AoE

Range: 12. Damage: d44 slashing damage (roll with advantage), also damages enemies within Reach 1 of your target. Upcast: +1 Reach.

D44 with advantage. Roll 3d4 and drop the lowest die. The leftmost die is the tens place, and the second is the ones (e.g., 2, 3, and 4 deals 34 damage).

Boisterous Winds

Tier 7, 2 Actions, Multi-target

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. You and up to 12 allies within Reach 12 gain: Ranged attacks have disadvantage against you, a flying speed of 12, and can move for free 1/round. Upcast: +1 minute or +2 targets.

Radiant Spells

Rebuke

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 4. Damage: 1d6 (ignoring armor), does not miss. 2× damage against undead or cowardly (those Frightened or behind cover).

High Levels: +2 damage every 5 levels.

True Strike

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 2. Give a creature advantage on the next attack they make (until the end of their next turn).

High Levels: +1 Reach every 5 levels.

Vicious Mockery

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 12. Damage: 1d4+INT psychic (ignoring armor). On hit: the target is Taunted during their next turn.

High Levels: +2 damage every 5 levels.

Heal

Tier 1, 1 Action, Single Target+

Reach: 1. Heal a creature 1d6+KEY HP. Upcast: Choose one: +1 target, +4 Reach, +1d6 healing. If 5+ mana is spent, you may also heal 1 negative condition (e.g., Blind, Poisoned, 1 Wound).

Shepherd only

Lifebinding Spirit

Tier 1, 1 Action, Single Target

Summon a spirit companion that follows you and is immune to harm. It lasts until you cast this spell again, take a Safe Rest, or it heals a number of times equal to the mana spent summoning it.

Action: It attacks or heals a creature within Reach 4. It attacks for 1d6+WIL radiant damage (ignoring armor), or heals for the same amount.

Upcast: Increment its die size by 1 (max d12), +1 healing use.

Flavor is free. Your Lifebinding Spirit can take the form of any small friendly animal or similar creature (dog, lamb, rabbit, sparrow, etc.). Make sure you give your little buddy a name, too!

Outside of combat. Your companion is a spirit, so it can pass through walls and dangers harmlessly. It can briefly move away from you (but always prefers to be faithfully at your side). It cannot speak.

Warding Bond

Tier 2, 1 Action, Single Target

Designate a willing creature as your ward for 1 minute. They take half damage from all attacks; you are attacked for the other half. Upcast: +1 creature.

Shield of Justice

Tier 3, 1 Action, Self

Reaction: When attacked, Defend for free and reflect Radiant damage back at the attacker equal to the amount blocked (ignoring armor). Upcast: +5 Armor.

Condemn

Tier 4, 2 Actions, Single Target

Reach: 4. Damage: 30. Can only target an enemy that crit you or an ally since your last turn. Cannot be reduced by any means. The next attack against that enemy is made with advantage. Upcast: +1 Reach, +1 advantage.

Vengeance

Tier 5, 2 Actions, Single Target

Reach: 1. Damage: 1d100, to a creature that attacked a Dying ally or reduced one to 0 HP since your last turn. Upcast: +1 Reach, roll w/ advantage.

Sacrifice

Tier 6, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 4. Reduce yourself to 0 HP. You cannot have more than 0 HP until you Safe Rest. Heal a number of HP equal to your maximum HP, divided as you choose to any other creatures within Reach. You may revive a creature that has died in the past minute if you give them at least 20 HP (also healing 2 Wounds from them), provided they have not been revived with this spell before. Upcast: +4 Reach.

Redeem

Tier 9, 24 hours, AoE

Requires: A diamond worth at least 10,000 gp, which this spell consumes. Revive any number of deceased creatures you choose—within 1 mile—that have died in the past year, provided they have not died of old age or been revived with this spell before.

Necrotic Spells

Entice

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 8. Damage: 1d4 (ignoring armor). On hit: target moves 2 spaces closer to you.

High Levels: Increment the die size 1 step every 5 levels (d6 » d8 » d10 » d12).

Shadowmancer only

Shadow Blast

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Range: 8. Damage: 1d12+KEY. 1/round.

High Levels: +1d12 every 5 levels.

Summon Shadow

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Summon a shadow minion within Reach 1 (you can summon a max of INT or LVL minions this way, whichever is lower). Your shadow minions follow the normal minion rules: they have 1 HP, no damage bonus, and do not crit. They abandon you immediately outside of combat.

Action: (1/turn) you may command ALL of your minions to move up to 6 then attack (Reach 1, d12 each).

High Levels: +1 Reach every 5 levels.

Withering Touch

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 1. Damage: 1d12. On hit: Target is considered undead for 1 round.

High Levels: +6 damage every 5 levels.

Shadow Trap

Tier 1, 2 Actions, Single Target

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. The next creature to move adjacent to you suffers 3d12 damage; if Small or Tiny, it is also Restrained by shadowy tendrils for as long as you maintain concentration or until they escape. Upcast: +1 size category, +1d12 damage when they escape.

Dread Visage

Tier 2, 1 Action, Self

Reaction: When attacked, Defend for free. Melee attackers are Frightened of you and suffer 1d12 damage if they attack you this round. Costs 2 mana less while dying. Upcast: +2 damage, +2 armor.

Vampiric Greed

Tier 3, 2 Actions, AoE

Gain 1 Wound. 4d12 to all adjacent creatures, and heal HP equal to the damage done. Any surviving creatures make a STR save. Gain 1 additional Wound for each creature that saves. Upcast: +1 DC.

Greater Shadow

Tier 4, 2 Actions

Summon a 5d12 Greater Shadow minion (max 1 adjacent to you). When it dies, it explodes into 5 shadow minions (see Summon Shadow). Place them anywhere within 8 spaces. Upcast: +1d12 damage, +1 shadow minion on explosion.

Gangrenous Burst

Tier 5, 2 Actions, AoE

Reach: Up to 8. Other damaged creatures must make a STR save or take 3d20 damage (ignoring armor), half on save. The save is rolled with disadvantage while Bloodied. Upcast: +10 damage.

Unspeakable Word

Tier 6, 2 Actions, Single Target

Reach: 8. Damage: d66 (with advantage, ignoring armor, does not miss or crit) on a failed INT save. Target rolls with disadvantage if Bloodied or Frightened. On a success, you both take half of this damage instead. Upcast: +1 DC, +10 damage.

D66 with advantage. Roll 3d6 and drop the lowest die. The leftmost die is the tens place, and the second is the ones (e.g., 2, 3, and 4 deals 34 damage).

Creeping Death

Tier 7, 3 Actions, AoE

Reach: 8. Damage: 4d20. If this kills the creature, it violently erupts and you MUST deal the same amount of damage to another creature within 8 spaces of it that has not yet been damaged by this effect. Repeat until a creature survives this damage or no other creatures are within Reach. Upcast: +1d20 damage.

Utility Spells

Some classes can choose from among these additional spells as they level up.

Fire

Firebrand

Cantrip, 1 Action

Touch a surface and secretly mark it with a symbol or brief message. Speaking a chosen command word while nearby reveals it.

Fire Step

Cantrip, 1 Action, Self

Concentration: Up to 1 minute. Teleport to a fire source you can see.

Kindle

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Conjure a minor visual illusion.

OR: Ignite a small, unheld item within Range 6.

Ice

Ice Disk

Cantrip, 1 minute

Conjure a disk of ice that floats just above the ground and follows you. It can carry up to 250 lbs./115 kg of weight for 1 hour or until you cast this spell again.

Chillcraft

Cantrip, 1 Action

Chill. Harmlessly freeze, thaw, or move a bath-sized amount of water near you.

OR: Craft. Conjure a sheet of opaque, mirror-like, or transparent ice the size of a window or small door.

Wintry Scrying

Cantrip, 10 minutes

Turn a small patch of water into a reflective icy mirror. Looking though it grants you vision of any desired location near this same body of water for 10 minutes.

Lightning

Spark Buddy

Cantrip, Casting Time: 1 minute

Conjure a Tiny (squirrel-sized) electrical helper for up to 1 hour. It can fetch Tiny objects (~1 lb./500 g max), open unlocked doors, illuminate a small area, or deliver a harmless shock. If it takes damage or moves further than 6 spaces away from you, it dissipates into sparks.

Spark Step

Cantrip, 1 Action, Self

Range: 4. Teleport to a metal object.

Tempest's Command

Cantrip, 1 Action

Dispel a minor magical effect, or temporarily suppress a stronger one (the more powerful an enchantment, the shorter the duration). OR: Voice of Thunder. Your eyes glow and your voice is amplified to a booming, thunder-like volume for 1 min.

Wind

Wind Whisper

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

You whisper a message into the wind and it will be secretly carried to a specified target within 100 miles/160 km.

Helpful Gust

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 6. Gently move a Tiny unheld item within Reach in any direction. OR: Generate an illusory scent.

Feather Fall

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Reach: 6. Reaction: When a creature falls, cause them to gently float to the ground, unharmed.

Radiant

Light

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Cause an item to brightly glow as a torch with radiant light for as long as you hold it.

Beautify

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Clean stains or repair a small tear/break in a non-magical item, or conjure tiny beautiful things: flowers, butterflies, etc.

Bond of Peace

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target/Self

Bond. Telepathically communicate simple thoughts or feelings with a friendly creature you can see. OR:

Peace. Imbue your spoken words with calming magic, granting advantage on any check made to soothe anger or fear in creatures who can hear you.

Necrotic

Gravecraft

Cantrip, 1 Action, Single Target

Gravemark. Action: Soil a surface with blood, filth, or other disgusting things. OR:

Gravework. Casting time: 1 minute: Shape/move a body-sized plot of earth.

False Face

Cantrip, Casting Time: 1 minute

Change your appearance to look like someone else for 10 minutes. Requires a piece of them.

Thought Leech

Cantrip, 1 Action

Reach: 6. Read the surface thoughts of a creature within Reach. Creatures can sense you doing this and may not like it.

Optional Variant Rules

If your playgroup likes extra little tactical nuggets, your GM can allow you to try out some of these additional variants to add some more spice to your game. You can always try out a rule for 1 session and see how you all like it before committing to it.

Multiclassing

If your GM wants to allow for additional creativity for experienced players (and potentially broken combos!), when heroes level up, they may choose any class. For example, when a level 4 Berserker levels up, he could pick Commander, and take the level 1 Commander features instead of the level 5 Berserker features. He would have 4 d12 hit dice and a single d10 hit die. A hero gains all the equipment proficiencies of all their classes but should use the advantaged/disadvantaged saves of whichever class has the highest level.

“Broken” Can Be Fun! Planning, building, optimizing, and “breaking” a class build IS the fun for many people. The GM may need to make the game substantially more challenging if multiclassing is allowed. The GM also may veto any particularly overpowered, unfun, or implausible combo for the sake of the story and overall fun of the table. If this happens, well done! Your hero was too powerful for reality.

Small Groups

A GM and a single hero can play with the aid of a sidekick. Sidekicks are NPCs that the hero’s player controls during combat and the GM controls outside of combat. Sidekicks get 2 actions and are always 1 level below the hero character. If the main hero dies, the sidekick can be upgraded 1 level, and hire his own sidekick to keep the adventure going! A GM can optionally allow one or two sidekicks with a party of 2–3 heroes as well.

Large Groups

3rd party adventures are typically balanced for parties of 3–5 players. Playing with very large groups (6–10+ heroes) can be made far more manageable simply by limiting each hero’s actions to 2 instead of 3. No other rebalancing needs to be done.

Fast Resting

For a much more heroic and fast-paced story, a Safe Rest can heal all Wounds.

Critical Healing

Treat healing just like an attack roll. Rolling the max is a crit (rolling again just like an attack crit), rolling 1 is a failure to heal (note: this variant is FUN for the right group that enjoys big, dramatic, swingy moments). Consider incrementing the die size by one step if you use this variant (d4 » d6 » d8 » d10 » d12).

I Had the High Ground

Taking a crit at a height may cause a character to fall down. A reasonable STR save may be called for, but a weak character (e.g., a kobold) may just fall automatically.

Thrown Potions

Treat potions like Ranged attacks (Range 8). The potion misses on a 1; otherwise it heals for half as much since some splashes away and is wasted.

Sucker Punch

A character standing up from Prone gives adjacent enemies the chance to take opportunity attacks (heroes and monsters alike).

Playing Dead

Whenever a Hero drops to 0 HP, they can attempt to play dead by falling prone and making an Influence check (or other skill check as the situation demands).

Inspiration

Whenever a hero does something memorable (role-plays a great moment, makes everyone laugh, miss an attack multiple times in a row, or otherwise engages in desired behavior), the GM can grant Inspiration: the ability to reroll any single die. Inspiration expires after a Safe Rest.

Retreat

The world is dangerous, and some fights may be unwinnable. Any hero may call for a retreat on their turn. If the party agrees—unless there is a good reason story-wise that a party can’t escape (e.g., they are trapped in nets and completely surrounded by a band of nasty kobolds)—the GM allows them to flee. Each hero describes their escape (e.g., casting a spell, using equipment, or making a skill check). Consequences may follow, such as taking damage, suffering a Wound, or failing a quest. If the escape is particularly clever, the GM may allow the party to escape without additional consequence. After all, the shame of retreating is often punishment enough!

Different Key Stats

Players can swap KEY or Secondary stats for a class if it makes sense (e.g., DEX and WIL for the Cheat).

Complex Characters

A GM may allow heroes to pick 2 backgrounds and/or ancestry bonuses.

Custom Weapon Dice

For larger weapon die sizes, you can try using dice of a different size as long as they add up to the same initial die size. For example: a 1d10 glaive could be 1d4+1d6 or 1d6+1d4 (using the first die as the primary die).

Measuring Spaces

Generally, speed is preferred above precision while playing a TTRPG—don’t make other people wait unnecessarily, close enough is good enough! However, if your table prefers precise rulings rather than fast but “good enough” ones, use the options below as a reference.

Diagonal Spaces

Treating diagonal spaces as adjacent is the default assumption, as it tends to be easier and faster (though it can cause some spatial “weirdness” that some may not prefer). Instead, you can treat diagonals as not adjacent at all or count every other diagonal as adjacent (fiddly, but a good balance). It’s up to your table, but whatever the heroes can do (moving or attacking diagonally), monsters can do as well.

Cones & Lines

For a cone, start at the character and extend X spaces outward. The cone can be up to X spaces wide at the farthest edge (you can make it narrower than X, but not wider). For a line, starting from the character, extend the area up to X spaces in a single direction (you can make it shorter, but not longer), and 1 space wide. If a space is at least halfway covered by the cone or line, it is included in the effect.

Glossary

Advantage X. Roll X additional dice and drop the X lowest dice (removing dice from the left to right in the case of a tie).

Ally. A friendly creature, not yourself.

Assess. An action to strategically analyze the situation in combat, see pg. 13.

Attack. Any offensive action. Swinging with a weapon, casting a harmful spell, Grappling, etc.

Blindsight X. You can sense creatures and obstacles normally within X spaces, ignoring Blinded, darkness, and invisibility.

Cantrip. A basic spell. Costs 0 mana to cast, and their power increases as you level up.

Climbing. A creature with a climbing speed can move across vertical surfaces as flat ground.

Concentration. Can only Concentrate on 1 thing at a time. DC 10 STR save when crit or lose concentration, see pg. 10.

Cone X. Starts at the character and extends X spaces outward, becoming up to X spaces wide at the farthest edge.

Cover. If partially obscured, incoming attacks have disadvantage. If completely obscured, cannot be targeted. See pg. 10.

d44, d66, d88. Roll 2 of the same dice, the leftmost die is the tens place, and the second is the ones. These rolls cannot miss or crit.

Darkvision X. Can see normally in the dark, up to X spaces.

Decrement/Increment. Use a die one size smaller or larger (d4 » d6 » d8 » d10 » d12 » d20).

Difficult Terrain. Speed halved while here. (e.g., moving through the space of an enemy).

Disadvantage X. Roll X additional dice and drop the X highest dice.

Distracted. A target is distracted if it is adjacent to or Taunted by an ally, or if it cannot see you.

Encounter. An encounter begins when Initiative is rolled and ends when hostilities do.

Falling. Suffer 1d6 damage per 10 ft. fallen.

Field Rest/Safe Rest. Spend time to recover some of your resources, see pg. 16.

Free. Does not cost an action or any other resource (e.g., mana) unless otherwise stated.

Hampered. Any creature with their actions or movement reduced (e.g., Dazed, Grappled, Prone, Difficult Terrain).

KEY. Use either of your KEY attributes.

Knockback/Push X. Forcibly move a creature X spaces, ignoring Difficult Terrain. Other creatures or the environment may halt movement prematurely and deal damage. See “Falling & Forced Movement” on page 10.

Line X. A straight line extending up to X spaces in one direction.

LVL. Replace this with your Hero's level.

Mana. Used to fuel spellcasting. See the Heroes book for more info on how classes gain mana.

Move X. Move up to that many spaces.

Paralyzed, Stunned, Unconscious. Incapacitated. Can't do anything. Attacks against you have advantage, and melee attacks that hit, crit.

Reach X. The area within X spaces around a character; forming your choice of a cube or sphere.

Range X. Ranged attacks are made with disadvantage if ANY enemy is adjacent. Range can be extended, see pg. 10 for more.

Resistance. Take half as much damage.

Restrained. Same effect as Grappled, objects Restrain, creatures Grapple. See pg. 10.

Round. The time in combat when each Hero and enemy has a chance to act.

Rushed Attacks. Attacking more than once on a turn imposes a cumulative disadvantage penalty (e.g., attacking with a short sword for the third time on a turn, you would roll 3d6 and take the lowest result). See pg. 13.

Skill Points. Use them to increase your skills. Start with 4 at level 1 and gain 1 each level.

Spellcasting Focus. Can be used instead of an empty hand to cast spells.

Stats. The core attributes of a character.

Surprise. When combat starts before all sides are aware, see pg. 15.

Target. A selected creature or object. It must be within Range/Reach and able to be sensed.

Teleport. Move instantaneously. Does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Temp HP. HP that do not replenish, see pg. 9.

Turn. The primary time allotted for an individual hero or monster group to act.

Unheld. Not touched, worn, or held by anyone.

Vulnerable. When a creature is vulnerable to a damage type, that kind of damage ignores its armor; if unarmored, they take double the damage instead.

Wound. A measure of how close a hero is to death. Typically 6 and you're dead, see pg. 9.