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SURPRISElost to the surprised party, and during the lost time the surprising party canfreely act to escape or attack or whatever. If both parties are surprised,then the effect is negated or reduced:TRAPS, TRICKS, AND ENCOUNTERSrooms which flood are examples of killing areas. Again, observation andsafety measures (poles, spikes thrown ahead, rope, etc.) will be of somehelp, and luck will have to serve as well.Surprise DiceDifference01 (2-1,3-2, etc.)2 (3-1,4-2, etc.)3 (4-1,5-2, etc.)LostSegments0123In summation, any trap can be bad and many can mean a character's orthe entire party's demise. Having proper equipment with the party, a clericfor healing, a dwarf for trap detection, and a magic-user to knock opendoors and locks go a long way towards reducing the hazard. Observationand clever deduction, as well as proper caution, should negate asignificant portion of traps.Assume the party of characters, moving silently and invisibly, comes upona monster. They have 4 of 6 chances to surprise, and the monster has 2 in 6.A six-sided die is rolled for the party, another for the monster. Both sidescould be surprised, neither could be surprised, or either could be surprised.This is shown on the table below:Party'sDie3to6121 or23 to 612Monster'sDie5or6125or61 to42 to 41SurpriseEffectnoneboth surprisedboth surprisedparty surprisedmonster surprisedmonster surprisedparty surprisedNoise or light can negate the chance c surprising a monster. Simi rly, ifthe party is aware of a monster, the party cannot be surprised by it unless itis also aware of them - in the latter case, it might be able to hide andambush the party.If surprise exists, the surprising party can use the time segments toflee/escape, close, or attack. Distance of 10' or less con usually be closedand an attack made in 1 segment. Physical attacks during surprisesituations are also possible on o 1 per segment basis, whether the form isby weapon, projectile, or method intrinsic to the creature (claws, fangs,etc.), even a breath weapon use; magic spells require the proper numberof segments of casting time, regardless of surprise.See also INITIATIVE hereafter.TRAPS, TRICKS, AND ENCOUNTERSDuring the course of an adventure, you will undoubtedly come acrossvarious forms of traps and tricks, as well as encounter monsters of one sortor another. While your DM will spend considerable time and effort tomake all such occurrences effective, you and your fellow players must doeverything within your collective power to make them harmless,unsuccessful or profitable. On the other hand, you must never allowpreparedness and caution to slow your party and make it ineffective inadventuring. By dealing with each category here, the best approach tonegating the threat of a trap, trick, or encounter can be developed.Traps: Traps are aimed at confining, channeling, injuring, or killingcharacters. Confining traps are typified by areas which are closed by barsor stone blocks, although some might be pits with valves which close andcan then only be opened by weight above. Most confinement areas willhave another entrance by which o capturing or killing creature(s) willenter later. It is usually impossible to avoid such areas, as continual minutescrutiny makes exploration impossible and assures encounters withwandering/patrolling monsters. When confined, prepare for attack, searchfor ways out, and beware of being channeled. Channeling traps are oftenrelated to confining ones. Walls that shift and doors which allow entry butnot egress are typical. While they cannot be avoided, such traps can bereacted to much as a confining trap is. However, they also pose theproblem of finding a way back. Careful mapping is a good remedy.Injuring traps, traps which wear the strength of the party away prior to theattaining of their goal, are serious. Typical injuring traps are blades whichscythe across a corridor when a stone in the floor is stepped on, arrowswhich fire when a trip rope is yanked, or spears released when a door isopened. Use of a pole or spear as a prod ahead might help with these, andlikewise such a prod could discover pits in the floor. The safest remedy is tohave some healing at hand - potions or spells - so os to arrive relativelyundamaged. Killing traps are typical of important areas or deep dungeonlevels. Deep pits with spikes, poisoned missiles, poisoned spikes, chutes tofire pits, floors which tilt to deposit the party into a pool of acid or beforean angry red dragon, ten ton blocks which fall from the ceiling, or lockedTricks: So many tricks can be used that it is quite impossible to thoroughlydetail any reasonable cross-section here. As imagination is the onlyboundary for what sort of tricks can be placed in a dungeon, it isincumbent upon the players to use their own guile. Many tricks areirksome only; others are irksome and misleading. Assume that there areseveral rooms with a buzzing sound discernible to those who listen at thedoors and/or enter them. Does this cause the party to prepare for battleonly to find nothing? Or is there some trick of acoustics which allows soundfrom a nearby hive of giant wasps to permeate the rooms? If the lotter, theparty might grow careless and enter yet another "buzzing" roomunprepared so as to be surprised by angry wasps. Illusions can annoy,delay, mislead or kill a party. There can be illusionary creatures, pits, fires,walls and so on. But consider an illusion of a pile of gold cast upon a pit ofvipers. Slanting (or sloping) passages, space distortion areas, andteleporters are meant to confuse or strond the party. They foul maps, takethe group to areas they do not wish to enter, and so on. The same is true ofsinking/rising (elevator) rooms, sliding rooms, and chutes. As an exampleof the latter, consider a chute at the bottom of a pit, or one at the end of acorridor which slopes upwards - so that the effect is to deposit the partyon the original level but seemingly on one deeper. Rooms can turn so OS tomake directions wrong, secret doors can open into two areas if they areproperly manipulated, and seemingly harmless things can spell death.Tricks are best countered by forethought and discernment. They can bedealt with by the prepared and careful party, but rashness can lead to realtrouble. Your DM will be using his imagination and wit to trick you, andyou must use your faculties to see through or at least partially counter suchtricks.Encounters: A "monster" can be a kindly wizard or a crazed dwarf, afriendly brass dragon or a malicious manticore. Such are the possibilitiesof encounters in dungeon, wilderness, or town. Chance meetings areknown as encounters with wondering monsters. Finding a creature whereit has been placed by the referee is usually referred to as a set encounter.Wondering monsters can be totally random or pre-planned. A partywandering in the woods outdoors or on a deserted maze in the dungeonmight run into nearly any sort of monster. If the woods were the home of atribe of centaurs, or the dungeon level one constructed by a band of orcs,certain prescribed encounters would randomly occur, however. Atprescribed intervals, your DM will generate a random number to find ifany meeting with a wandering monster occurs. Avoiding or fleeing suchencounters is often wise, for combat wears down party strength, andwandering monsters seldom have any worthwhile treasure. If monsterspursue, you can consider hurling down food or treasure behind. Thus, thepursuing monsters may be lured into stopping to eat or gather coins orgems. When confrontation is unavoidable, be wary of tricks, finish offhostile creatures quickly, and get on with the business of the expedition.As determination of chance encounters is usually a factor of time, do notwaste it - and your party - endlessly checking walls for secret doors,listening at every door, etc. As noise is a factor your DM will consider in theattraction of additional monsters, never argue or discuss what course ofaction your party is to follow in an open place or for long periods. A fightwill take time and cause plenty of noise, so move on quickly after combatwith wondering monsters. Pre-planning and organization are essential toall successful play, no less here than elsewhere.Set encounters are meetings with monsters placed by your DM. All suchencounters will be in, or near, the monster's (or monsters') lair; so, unlikeencounters with wandering monsters, these incidents promise a fairchance for gain if the monster or monsters are successfully dealt with. Asuccessful expedition usually is aimed at o particular monster or group oflairs discovered during previous excursions Note: a lair is wherever themonster dwells - even such places as o castle, guard house, temple orother construction.All encounters have the elements of movement and surprise (previously103
TRAPS, TRICKS, AND ENCOUNTERSdiscussed), as well as initiotive, communication, negotiation, and/orcombat. These aspects of adventuring, as well as damage, healing, savingthrows, obedience, and morale must now be considered.INITIATIVEThe initiative factor affects who can do what and when during the courseof an encounter of any sort. Surprise, already covered heretofore, obviatesthe need for initiative checks, as the surprising party has completefreedom of action for a time. However, surprise eventually wanes, andthen, just as in other circumstances, the relative weight of action must bedetermined. Initiative allows one group, the party or the monster(s), tobegin some course of action prior to the other group.Actions affected by initiative are many and include slamming a door,fleeing, moving to grapple or melee, a call for a truce or surrender, firingwands, discharging missiles, beginning a spell, and so on.The initiative check is typically made with 2 six-sided dice, ld6 for theparty, and another of a different size or color for the creaturesencountered. This check is made each round of play where first action is afactor. Because a round is a full minute long, dexterity seldom is a factor inthe determination of which side acts first. However, if one group is slowedor hasted, or one or more members of the group are, the initiative willalways go to the non-slowed or hasted side. In most other cases, the groupwith the higher die score will always act first. For effects of initiative infighting, see COMBAT hereafter.COMMUNICATIONIn order to determine the intent of a possibly friendly or neutral monster orto pass along your intentions or desires, some form of communication isnecessary. Speech might do for human-types, as the common tongue isknown by most. But what of an encounter with a giant, blink dogs, ordozens of similar creatures'? An open and raised right hand is possible, andsimply refraining from hostile moves will possibly allow for furtherexchange. Remember though, that you cannot bribe a band of ogres toallow you to pass through unless you con communicate clearly.NEGOTIATIONMost DMs love communication and negotiations, for this allows them toassume an active role in actual play. Your referee will assume the personaproper to the creature your party is dealing with - be it shy and hostile,stupid, greedy, helpful, misinformed, or whatever. Intelligent monsterswill always balance the offer versus the expectation. A lone ogre is likely,even with his rather dim wit, to recognize that a strong party will kill him ifhe attacks or demands too much, so o small bribe is better than a riskycombat to get flesh to eat and pretty baubles to have. On the other hand,weakness will be exploited by any basically hostile monster unless itseems certain that more can be gained by other action. Be resigned to payamounts in excess of the actual value received. As a player, you must earnwhat you gain. Negotiation usually gives you o chance to get on with theearning process, or live to come back and fight another day. Always bewary and use your wits, look at a11 facets of the situation, and then useyour best judgment accordingly. In many cases a payment, bribe, toll,share or ransom fee will enable success or survival, and negotiation is auseful tool to the expert adventurer.COMBATThis broad heading covers all forms of attack and fighting. It includesclerical turning undead, magical control, spell attacks, breath and gazeweapon attacks, magical device attacks, missile discharge, and melee(hand-to-hand combat). Combat occurs when communication andnegotiation are undesired or unfuccessful. The clever character does notattack first and ask questions (of self or monster) later, but everyadventure will be likely to have combat for him or her at some point.Turning Undead:Clerics are empowered with the ability to turn away undead creatures, aswell as certain lesser demons, devils, godlings and paladins through thepower of their profession and holy/unholy symbols. The cleric's level ofexperience dictates the level of success he or she can expect to achieve inthis action. As level of experience increases, the cleric is actually able todestroy undead by the power of his or her religion; or in the case of evilclerics, destroy or command to service such undead if they are of the sameCOMBA Talignment as the cleric, or neutral such as skeletons or zombies. Successalso depends on opportunity, of course. The cleric must be in a position tostep before the undead, and he or she must have time to speak and holdforth the religious symbol in order to turn (or command) undead, ond thisof course precludes other spell activity.Magical Control:Magical control is given over certain creatures by means of potions, scrolls,rings and similar magical means. A pqtion ingested will allow a charactera chance to control the actions of a dragon, a scroll read will preventelementals from attacking, a ring will allow its wearer to commandmammals. All such actions affect monsters encountered ond are part ofcombat. Opportunity to employ the magical means of control must beavailable, so surprise, initiative, and melee situations must be considered.A potion cannot be found, opened and swallowed while a giant is beatingupon the character with a club. A scroll cannot be read in the whirlwind ofan air elemental's attack. And it is too late to command a hungry weaselnot to attack when it is already feasting on prey!Spell Combat:Unless combat is spell versus spell, many such attacks will happen near theend of a melee round. This is because the spell requires a relativelylengthy time to cast, generally longer os spell level increases, so highlevel spells may take over a full melee round to cast. Furthermore, if thespell caster is struck, grabbed, or mogicolly attacked (and fails to make therequisite saving throw - explained later), the spell will be spoiled andfail. Spell combat includes cleric and magic-user, as well as monsterorientedspells. Curative spells are handled likewise.Breath Weapon Attacks:Some creatures have breath weapons - notably dragons, gorgons, winterwolves, etc. - and some have gaze weapons - notably umber hulks,basilisks, medusae, catoblepas, etc. These attack forms will affect those inthe area of breath effect or those upon whom the gaze falls. Precautionscan be taken to ovoid or minimize breath and gaze weopons' effects. Mostallow the victim a saving throw which will reduce or negate the weaponeffect if successful. These attack forms ore speedy, and they will usually beunpreventable if the creature which generates them is alive when itsaction during a melee round occurs.Magical Device Attacks:Magical device attacks include rods, staves, wands, some rings, and a fewother miscellaneous items. These devices are similar to breath and gazeattacks in that their area of effect is usually large and affects multiplecreatures, saving throws apply, and the attack is quickly accomplished bypointing the device and discharging it.Missile Discharge:This aspect of combat includes catapult missiles, giant-hurled rocks, thedischarge of spikes from a manticore's tail, throwing such things as flasksof oil, torches, vials of holy water, bottles of poison, magic weapons(javelins of lightning, fireball missiles from o necklace, etc.), poisonspitting, the hurling of axes, hammers, javelins, spears, etc., and shootingsling missiles, arrows, bolts and so forth from slings and bows.Melee Combat:This form of fighting includes the use of hand-held weapons, naturalweaponry (claws, horns, teeth, etc.), groppling, and special or magicaltouch attacks, i.e. poison, petrification, paralysis, energy level loss, etc. Asyith most other combat forms, the first "blow" will be struck by the sidegaining initiotive during the round. Surviving opponents will then beallowed their attacks. Note that haste and slow spells will have the effectsheretofore mentioned. Fighters able to strike more than once during around will attack once before opponents not able to do so, regardless ofinitiative, but if fighter and fighter melee, initiative tells. Position andweapon length will sometimesoffect the order of attack in melee combat.Participants in a melee can opt to attack, parry, fall back, or flee. attackcan be by weapon, bore hands, or grappling. Parrying disallows any returnartack that round, but the strength "to hit" bonus is then subtracted fromthe opponent's "to hit" dice roll(s), so the character is less likely to be hit.falling back is a retrograde move facing the opponent(s) and can be used1 04c0
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Players, players, and more players
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Encumbrance .......................
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There is a need for a certain amoun
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THE GAMECREATING THE PLAYER CHARACT
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CHARACTER ABILITIES (INTELLIGENCE)i
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CHARACTER ABILITIES (DEXTERITYCHARA
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CHARACTER RACESCHARACTER RACESCHARA
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CHARACTER RACES (DWARVES) CHARACTER
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CHARACTER RACES (HUMAN)than that in
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CHARACTER CLASSES (CLERIC)CHARACTER
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CHARACTER CLASSES (DRUID)Druids as
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CHARACTER CLASSES (RANGER)4. Ranger
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CHARACTER CLASSES (THIEF)than 15 ga
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CHARACTER CLASSES (ASSASSIN)An assa
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CHARACTER CLASSES (MONK)2. Find/Rem
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CHARACTER CLASSES (MULTI-CLASSES)pr
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CHARACTER LANGUAGESAll of the above
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WEAPONSWEAPONSWEAPON PROFICIENCY TA
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HIRELINGSHIRELINGSAt any time, a ch
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SPELL TABLES (DRUID)SPELL TABLES (M
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SPELL EXPLANATIONSCLERIC SPELLS (IS
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CLERIC SPELLS (2ND LEVEL) CLERIC SP
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CLERIC SPELLS (3RD LEVEL)Duration:
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CLERIC SPELLS (4TH LEVEL)CLERIC SPE
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CLERIC SPELLS (6TH LEVEL)control th
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Page 84 and 85: MAGIC-USER SPELLS (6TH LEVEL)normal
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Page 96 and 97: ILLUSIONIST SPELLS (IST LEVEL)area
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Page 102 and 103: SPELL CASTINGfireball, lightning bo
Page 106 and 107: COMBATin conjunction with a parry,
Page 108: EXPERIENCEor she has detailed infor
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Page 113 and 114: PSIONICSinjured creature, the posse
Page 115 and 116: PSIONICSunsolvable) unknowns become
Page 117 and 118: PSIONICSPSIONICSExplanation/Descrip
Page 119 and 120: BARDSNotes Regarding Bards Table I:
Page 121 and 122: THE KNOWN PLANES OF EXISTENCEAPPEND
Page 123 and 124: DIvISION OF TREASUREDIVISION OF TRE
Page 125 and 126: ~COMBINED WEAPONS TABLES (SELECTED
Page 127 and 128: MAG IC- U S E RSNumber 1 lt level 2
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