032013 dm guidelines.pdf

7/27/2019 032013 DM Guidelines.pdf

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ConfidentialinformationofWizardsoftheCoastLLC.

Donotdistribute.

D&DNextPlaytest 2013Wizards 1

DMGuidelinesAstheDungeonMaster,youshouldfamiliarize

yourselfwiththeHowtoPlaydocument,aswell

asthisdocument.HereyoullfindguidanceandDM-specificrulesusefulforrunningthegame.

IntheDUNGEONS&DRAGONSgame,aDungeon

Mastermusttakeanumberofroles,allatthe

sametime.ADMservesasareferee,interpreting

therulesandresolvinganyconflictsthatarise

becauseofthem.TheDMbuildstheworld,

createsadventures,andplacesmonstersand

treasure.TheDMisthecharacterseyesandears,

describingwhatthecharacterscanseeandhear

totheplayers.

ThefirstruleofbeingagoodDMisto

rememberthattherulesareatoolthatyouand

theplayersusetohaveagoodtime.Therules

arentincharge.You,theDM,aretheonein

chargeofthegame.Guidetheplayexperience

andtheuseoftherulessothatasmanyofyour

playershaveagoodtimeaspossible.Therewill

besetbacks,suchasacharacterbeingslainbyan

unluckydieroll,butlookforwaystoturn

setbacksintointerestingcomplicationsinthe

gamesstory. ThesecondruleistorememberthattheDMs

powercomeswithresponsibility.Befairand

impartialwiththeplayers.Dontforceyourstory

uponthemorgivethemagamewheretheir

choicesdontmatter.Bythesametoken,

challengetheircharacterswithdeadlymonsters,

fiendishtraps,andvexingpuzzles.AgoodDMis

nopushover,butagoodDMisalsoneversimply

outtoslaughterthecharacters.

ResolvingTasksTherulesforabilitychecks,savingthrows,and

attacksformthebasisoftheD&Dgame.Asa

DM,yourmostimportantresponsibilitywhenit

comestotheserulesisdetermininghowtouse

themand,justasimportant,whentousethem.

WhentoUseDice

CharactersintheD&Dgamefrequentlyattempt

atremendousvarietyoftasks,fromrunning

acrossaswingingropebridgetotalkingtheir

wayoutofastickyspotwithanorcchieftain.All

thesetasksareresolvedinaninteraction

betweenyou(theDM)andtheplayerwhose

characterisattemptingthetask.

Whenaplayerwantstotakeanaction,its

oftenappropriatetojustlettheactionsucceed.A

characterdoesntnormallyneedtomakea

Dexteritychecktowalkacrossanemptyroom,

oraCharismachecktoorderamugofaleinatavern.Onlycallforarollifyouthinkitsworth

takingthetimefortherulestocomeintothe

flowofthegame.Askyourselftwoquestionsto

aidyourdecision.

Istheactionbeingtakensoeasy,sofreeofstress

orconflict,orsoappropriatetothesituationthat

thereshouldbenochanceoffailure?Soeasy

shouldtakeintoaccounttheabilityscore

associatedwiththeintendedaction.Itseasyfor

someonewithaStrengthscoreof18toflipover

atable,thoughnoteasyforsomeonewitha

Strengthscoreof9. Istheactionbeingtakensoinappropriateor

impossiblethatitwouldneverwork?Hittingthe

moonwithanarrowis,forinstance,impossible

inalmostanycircumstance.

Iftheanswertobothofthesequestionsisno,

somekindofrollisappropriate.

IgnoringtheDiceIfyoureanexperiencedgamer,youhaveseenthe

followingsituationhappenbefore.Rachel,playingher

halflingcleric,deliversaperfectspeechrallyingthe

barbariantribestoaidabesiegedcity.Whenshesdone,everyoneeruptsinspontaneousapplause.Whenshe

rollsherCharismacheck,though,thediecomesupa

natural1andpointstofailure.

AsaDM,rememberthatthediceareliketherules.

Theyreatooltohelpkeeptheactionmoving.Atany

time,youcandecidethataplayersactionis

automaticallysuccessful,eveniftheDifficultyClass,or

DC,wouldnormallybesomewhereabove20.Bythe


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sametoken,abadplanorunfortunatecircumstances

cantransformeventheeasiesttaskintoanimpossibility.

Thediceareneutralarbiters.Theycomeintoplay

whensuccessandfailurearefarfromclear.Thinkof

themasimpartialjudges,readytodispenseayesorno

answerbasedonacharactersbonusandtheDCyou

haveselected.Thedicedontrunthegame.Youdo. AsaDM,youshouldthinkabouttherolethediceplay

inyourgame.Doyoupreferthevagariesoffate,ordo

youprefertorewardagoodeffortwithsuccessanda

pooronewithfailure?Useyourstyletohelpguide

whenyoucallforrollsandwhenyousimplydeclare

successorfailure.

AbilityChecksAnabilitycheckisatesttoseeifacharacter

succeeds.Ifacharacterattemptsanactionthat

hasasignificantchanceoffailure,havethe

playermakeanabilitycheck. Abilitychecksarethemostcommonlyused

mechanicinthegame.Attacks,contests,and

savingthrowsare,inessence,specializedforms

ofabilitychecks.

Whenindoubt,callforanabilitycheck.

ContestsAcontestisakindofabilitycheckthatmatches

twocreaturesagainsteachother.Useacontestif

acharacterattemptsanactionthateither

directlyfoilsorisdirectlyopposedbyanother

creaturesactions. Whenyoucallforacontest,youpicktheability

thateachsidemustuse.Inmostcontests,both

sidesusethesameability,butthatisnotalways

thecase.Forexample,whenacreaturetriesto

hide,itengagesinacontestofDexterityagainst

Wisdom.Butiftwocreaturesarmwrestle,orif

onecreatureisholdingadoorclosedagainst

anothersattempttopushitopen,bothwould

probablyuseStrength.

Whenyoucallforacontest,keepinmind

whatsatstake.Whataretheintentionsofeach

side?Usethatintenttodeterminewhichabilitiesareinvolvedinthecontestandtheconsequences

ofthecontest.

Callforacontestwhen...

acharacterwantstodosomethingthatanothercreaturecouldpreventwithanaction

ofitsown.

successrequiresacharactertoovercomeanothercreature.

twocreaturesattemptthesamethingatthesametime,andonlyonecansucceed.

SavingThrowsSavingthrowsarequickreactions,andtheytake

theformofrollsmadeinresponsetosomeone

elsesactionsoranevent.Youcanthinkofa

savingthrowasareactiveabilitycheck.

Asavingthrowmakesthemostsensewhen

somethingbadhappenstoacharacterandthe

characterhasachancetoavoidthateffect.

Callforasavingthrowwhen...

acharactersarmorisofnouseinavoidinganattack.

anattackersskillhasnobearingontheoutcomeofanattack.

aneffectrequiresacharactertomakeanefforttoresistsomethingwhenitisnotthat

charactersturn.

Anabilitycheckissomethingacharacter

activelyattemptstoaccomplish,whereasa

savingthrowisusuallyasplit-secondresponse

tosomething.

Attacks

Anattackisperhapstheeasiestruletoresolve.Inessence,anattackisachecktoseeifone

charactercanhittheotherwithaweaponora

spell.TheDifficultyClass,orDC,foranattackis

thetargetsArmorClass,orAC.

Callforanattackwhenacharactertriestohit

anothercreaturewithaphysicaloramagical

attack,andthetargetsarmororshieldcouldfoil

thatattempt.

AbilityChecksasaDMTool

Abilitychecksareanincrediblyflexibletoolyoucanusetoadjudicatealmostanypossibletaska

charactercouldattemptintheworldofD&D.

Youcandecidewhichabilityscoreismost

relevanttotheattemptedtask,setaDifficulty

Classbasedonhowhardyouthinkthetask

shouldbe,andapplyavarietyofmodifierstothe

checktoreflecttheparticularcircumstances.

Thissectionhelpsyousettheparametersofan


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abilitychecktoresolveacharactersactsinthe

world.

SettingaDCADifficultyClassisanumericalratingthat

measuresatasksdifficulty.ThehighertheDC,

themoredifficultthetask.AsaDM,itisupto

youtosetmostDCs.Insomecases,suchasa

charactersspecialabilityorataskinapublished

adventure,aDCisprovidedforyou.

Trivial(DC5):Innormalcircumstances,aDC

of5orlowerrepresentsataskthatissoeasy

thatitisnotworthanabilitycheck.An

adventurercanalmostalwayssucceed

automaticallyonatrivialtask.

Easy(DC10):Aneasytaskrequiresa

minimumlevelofcompetenceoramodicumof

lucktoaccomplish. Moderate(DC15):Amoderatetaskrequires

aslightlyhigherlevelofcompetenceto

accomplish.Acharacterwithacombinationof

naturalaptitudeandspecializedtrainingcan

accomplishamoderatetaskmoreoftenthannot.

Hard(DC20):Hardtasksincludeanyeffort

thatisbeyondthecapabilitiesofmostpeople

withoutaidorexceptionalability.Evenwith

aptitudeandtraining,acharacterneedssome

amountofluckoralotofspecialized

trainingtopulloffahardtask.

VeryHard(DC25):Onlyespeciallytalentedindividualsneedeventrytheirhandatveryhard

tasks.

Formidable(DC30):Onlythemosthighly

trained,experienced,andtalentedindividuals

haveachanceatsuccessataformidabletask,

andeventheyprobablyneedmundane

equipmentormagicitemstoaidthem.

NearlyImpossible(DC35):Tasksofthis

difficultyaresochallengingthatonlydemigods

andtheirpeerscansucceedwithoutassistance.

UsingTheseDCsThesenumbersareprettyeasytokeepinyourhead,

becausewereallydontwantyoutohavetolookata

tableeverytimeyouhavetodecideonaDC.Hereare

sometipsforusingthematthetable.

Ifyouhavedecidedthatanabilitycheckiscalledfor,

thenclearlyitsnotatrivialtaskyoucaneliminateDC

5.

Thenaskyourself:Isiteasy,moderate,orhard?If

theonlyDCsyoueveruseare10,15,and20,yourgame

willrunjustfine.

Ifyoufindyourselfthinking,Well,itsreallyhard,

thenyoucangouptothehigherDCs,butdosowith

cautionandconsiderthelevelofthecharacters.ADC25

taskisextremelyhardforlow-levelcharacterstoaccomplish,butitbecomesmorereasonableafter10th

level.A1st-levelcharactercanhardlyeverhitDC30,so

usethatverysparingly.Ifyouthinkthetaskreallyisnext

toimpossible,then35isyourDC,butbearinmindthat

evena20th-levelcharacterwhoisskilledatthetaskin

questionneedssomelucktoaccomplishsuchatask.

Heresanothersecret:Youdontactuallyhavetoset

theDCbeforetheplayerrollstheabilitycheck.Decide

whetherthecharactersucceedsbasedonthecheck

result.Youllprobablyfindthatyourgutfeeling(andthe

players)squaresprettywellwiththesetDCspresented

here.Anumberbelow10isnevergoingtomakeit

unlessthetaskistriviallysimple.Anumberinthelow

teensisgoodenoughforaneasytask.Anumberinthe

highteenswillsucceedatamoderatetask.Andwhena

playerrollsa20orbetter,theresusuallylittlequestion

thatthecharactersucceeds.

Yourplayerswillneverknow.

HazardsIsthereachancethatfailingataskmightleadto

adisastrousoutcomeforthecharacter?You

decidewhetherahazardappliestoaparticular

checkandwhenthehazardapplies.

Ahazardmightaffectacharacterwhofailsacheck.Forexample,acharacterwhoattempts

andfailsaStrengthchecktojumpacrossapit

thatheorshecouldntnormallyclearprobably

fallsintothepit.Sometimes,though,ahazard

kicksinonlyifthecharactermissesthechecks

DC(orlosesacontest)byasignificantmargin,

suchas5or10.Examplesofhazardscanbe

foundintheTasksandSkillssection.

RequirementsAtaskmightrequireaspecifictoolor

circumstanceforacharactertohaveanychance

ofsuccess.Forexample,youmightneeda

magnifyingglasstoaccuratelyappraiseagem.

Acharacterwhocannotmeetthe

requirementsforataskautomaticallyfails.One

whomeetsthemcanattemptanabilitycheckas

normalforthetask.


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Youcandecidetowaivethisrequirement,but

thetaskshouldbehardtocompletewithoutit.

Youmightgivethecharacterdisadvantageon

theabilitycheck,orsettheDChigherthanyou

wouldforacharacterwhomettherequirement.

Otherwise,requirementsshouldcomeuponly

rarely.Usethemtoencouragetheplayerstocomeupwithcleversolutions,nottopunish

themfortryingtodointerestingthings.

EngagingthePlayersAsaDM,youcouldmemorizetheseguidelines,

applythemflawlessly,andstillmissoutonthe

pointofD&D.Unlikesomeothergames,D&Disa

flexiblesetofguidelines,notarigidsetoflaws.

Whenyouaskaplayertomakeanability

check,anattack,orasavingthrow,youfirst

shouldfocusonengagingtheplayersimaginations.Describethescenetothem,and

pullindetailssuchassights,sounds,andeven

smellstomaketheactionvivid.

Moreimportant,youwanttheplayersto

becomefullyengagedinthegame.Reward

inventiveplayerswholookbeyondgameoptions

todescribetheircharactersactions.Roleplaying

gamesstandoutfromothertypesofgames

becausetheyallowforthistypeofcreativity.

Encourageitwheneveryoucan.

Theeasiestwaytodosoistomake

imaginativesolutionstheeasiestpathtosuccessfortheadventurers.Considerthefollowing

options.

AbilityChecks:Whenaplayermakesan

abilitycheck,invitehimorhertodescribethe

charactersaction.Iftheplayermakescleveruse

ofthesituationinthedescription,consider

eithergrantinganautomaticsuccessor

advantageontheabilitycheck.

Contests:Inacontest,aningenious

descriptionthatpointstoakeyadvantagethata

charactermightgaincouldleadyoutograntthe

characteradvantageonthecheck. AttacksandSavingThrows:Acolorful

descriptionisniceforattacksandsavingthrows,

butshouldrarelybetheavenuetogaininga

concretegamebenefit,sinceitistooeasyto

abusesuchanapproach.Youmighthaveplayers

endlesslydescribinghowtheyresistamind

flayersmindblastortryingtonarrateevery

detailofaswordblow.Inmostcases,spellsand

specialabilitiesservetograntcharacters

advantageontheirattacksandsavingthrows.

Thatsaid,ifthesituationwarrantsit,use

advantagetograntacharacteranedge.

Disadvantage:Noteveryideaisagoodone.A

charactermighttrytowintheprincesfavorby

braggingaboutallthebanditsheorsheslew,notrealizingthattheprinceisanavowedpacifist.If

anideabackfiresonaplayer,applydisadvantage

totheabilitycheckorattack.

TalkingaboutAbilityChecksandSkillsAbilitychecksaretheprimaryruleselementofthegame.

Muchofthetime,whenaplayerscharactertriestodo

something,yourresponseis,Makea____check.

Youcanqualifythatbyspecifyingaparticularuseof

thatabilitycheck:Makemea____checkto____.

Thatsthelanguageusedthroughouttheserules.

So,forexample,ifaplayersays,Iwanttotrytoslip

theamuletintomypouchwithoutanyonenoticing,

youmightsay,OK,makeaDexteritychecktoconceal

theamulet.Specifyingthenatureofthetaskletsthe

playerknowthattheConcealanObjectskillappliesto

thischeck,anditreinforcesthewaytheruleswork:this

isaDexteritycheck,butaskilldiemightcomeintoplay.

MultipleAbilityChecksSometimesacharacterfailsanabilitycheckand

wantstotryagain.Youhaveacoupleofoptions

inthiscase.

Inmostcases,thecharactercansimplytryagain.Theonlyrealcostisthetimeittakes.The

characterkeepstryingand,afterenoughtime

passes,eventuallysucceeds.Tospeedthingsup,

youcanassumethatacharactercan

automaticallysucceedatataskifheorshe

spendstwentytimesthenormalamountoftime

neededtocompleteit.Thisexceptiondoesnot

allowacharactertoturnanimpossibletaskinto

asuccessfulone.

Inothercases,thefirstfailurerenders

subsequentchecksimpossible.Forinstance,a

roguetriestotrickatownguardintothinkingthatthegroupmembersareundercoveragents

oftheking.Theroguelosesthecontestof

CharismaagainstWisdom.Thesamelietold

againclearlywontwork.


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TasksandSkills

Thissectionprovidesanoverviewofthesortsof

thingsthatcharacterstypicallyattemptinD&D,

asaguidetosomeofthemostcommonways

thatabilitycheckscanbeusedinthegame.For

eachofthesixabilityscoresandthecommon

tasksassociatedwiththem(seeHowtoPlay),

thissectionoffersguidelinesforhowdifficult

varioustasksmightbe.Someexamplesoftasksa

charactermightimprovisearealsoincluded.As

always,useyourgoodjudgmentwhenapplying

theseguidelines.Theyaremeanttoprovide

storytellingandadjudicationoptionstoyou,not

totieyourhandscreatively.

Askillgivesacharacterabonusonability

checksmadetoperformaspecifickindoftask,

suchasaCharismachecktobluff.Theskillsinthegamematchtothecommontasksoutlined

here.Itsuptoyoutodecidewhetheraskill

appliestoaparticulartaskthatacharacter

mightundertake.

StrengthStrengthmeasuresacreaturesphysicalpower.

UseaStrengthcheckforanyattempttolift,push,

pull,orbreaksomething,toforceone'sbody

throughspace,ortootherwiseapplybruteforce

toasituation.

ThemostcommonStrengthchecksareusedtobreakanobject,toclimb,tojump,ortoswim.

Certaincombatactions,includingdisarm,

grapple,knockdown,andpush,alsocallfor

Strengthchecks,usuallyasacontest.

BreakanObject

Easy(DC10):Forceopenastuckwoodendoor

Hard(DC20):Breakopenasoliddoorheldbyalock

Hard(DC20):BreakfreeofropebondsVeryHard(DC25):Breakopenasoliddoor

heldbyawoodenbarorelaboratelock

Formidable(DC30):Breakchainsormanacles

Formidable(DC30):Breakopenaheavydoorheldbyametalbaroramasterworklock

Contest:Pushadooropenwhensomeoneelseisholdingitclosed(againstStrength)

Climb

Easy(DC10):Scaleacliffwithplentyofhandholds

Moderate(DC15):ClimbaroughstonewallHard(DC20):Climbasheersurfacewith

scanthandholds

Formidable(DC30):ClimbanoiledropeJump

Easy(DC10):Jumpafewfeetfartherthanyounormallycould

Hard(DC20):Throwagrapplinghookinthemiddleofalongjump

Swim

Easy(DC10):Treadwaterinroughconditions

Hard(DC20):SwiminstormywatersFormidable(DC30):SwimfreeofavortexImprovisedTasks

Moderate(DC15):Pushthroughanearthentunnelthatistoosmall

Hard(DC20):Hangontoawagonwhilebeingdraggedbehindit

VeryHard(DC25):Tipoveralargestonestatue

VeryHard(DC25):Keepaboulderfromrolling

Hazards:Climbingorswimmingindangerous

conditionscanpresenthazards(fallingor

sinking,respectively)forfailedchecks.Avery

heavyobjectcouldfallontopofthecharacter

whostryingtoliftorpushit.Acharactermight

getstuckhalfwayinatunnelwhiletryingto

forcehisorherwaythrough.

Requirements:Youmightdecidethata

charactercantattemptaStrengthcheckwithout

havingsomeamountofleverageorasolid

foothold.


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DexterityDexterityrepresentsacreatureshand-eye

coordination,agility,reflexes,andbalance.Usea

Dexteritycheckfortasksthatrequirephysical

finesseoragility.

ThemostcommonDexteritychecksareusedtobalance,toconcealanobject,todisableatrap,

todriveavehicle,toopenalock,topickapocket,

torideamount,tosneak,ortotumble.Certain

combatactionsinvolveDexteritychecks,oftenas

adefenseagainstanothermaneuversuchas

grapple,disarm,orpush.

Balance

Easy(DC10):WalkacrossanicysurfaceModerate(DC15):Walkonanarrowledge

Hard(DC20):Crossawildlyswayingropebridge

VeryHard(DC25):WalkacrossatightropeVeryHard(DC25):Slidedownastaircase

whilestandingonashield

ConcealanObject

Easy(DC10):Performsimplefeatsofsleightofhand

Contest:Palmanobjectwhileundercloseobservation(againstWisdom)

DisarmaTrap(requiresproficiencywith

thievestools)

Easy(DC10):Keepapittrapfromopeningwhenitstriggered

Moderate(DC15):Keepascythingbladetrapfromtriggering

Hard(DC20):Preventapoisonneedleorgastrapfromspringing

VeryHard(DC25):DisarmanintricatetrapFormidable(DC30):DisarmamagictrapDrive

Moderate(DC15):Controlaheavilyladencartonasteepdescent

Hard(DC20):Steerachariotaroundatightturnoraroundanobstacleinyourpath

OpenaLock(requiresproficiencywith

thievestools)

Moderate(DC15):PickasimplelockHard(DC20):PickatypicallockVeryHard(DC25):PickanelaboratelockFormidable(DC30):PickamasterworklockFormidable(DC30):Pickamagicallock

(requiresfeat)

PickaPocket(requiresfeat)

Contest:Picksomeonespocket(againstWisdom)

Ride

Easy(DC10):Keepyourseatonarearinghorse

Sneak

Contest:Hideinanobscuredarea(againstWisdom)

Tumble

Moderate(DC15):SwingfromachandelierVeryHard(DC25):Somersaultovera

creatureofthesamesize

ImprovisedTasks

Easy(DC10):SecurelytieupaprisonerHard(DC20):WrigglefreeofropebondsVeryHard(DC25):SlipoutofmanaclesContest:Wrigglefreeofagrapple(against

Strength)

Hazards:Balancingonanarrowsurfaceand

otheracrobaticfeatspresenttheveryreal

dangeroffalling.Whenattemptingtodisarma

trap,abungledcheckoftencausesthetrapto

trigger.Ahazardwhilepickingsomeonespocket

isthatthetargetnoticestheattempt.

Requirements:ThePickPocketsfeatallows

characterstoattemptaDexterity-relatedtasktheyotherwisecouldntperform.Proficiency

withthievestoolsallowsacharactertoattempt

aDexteritychecktodisableatraporopenalock.

Someacrobaticfeatsmightrequireacertain

amountofmovement,orrequirethecharacterto

bewearinglightornoarmor.


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ConstitutionConstitutionrepresentsacreatureshealth,

stamina,andvitalforce.Constitutionsaving

throwsarefarmorecommonthanConstitution

checks,becausetheendurancethisability

representstypicallycomesintoplayinreactiontoexternalevents,notasaneffortacharacteris

making.Ifacharacterattemptsataskthat

clearlyreliesonphysicalresilienceandfortitude,

useaConstitutioncheck.

Therearenocommontasksthatrequire

Constitutionchecks.Usethefollowingguidelines

ifcharactersattemptsomethingthatwarrantsa

testoftheirendurance.

ImprovisedTasks

Easy(DC10):Quaffanentiresteinofaleinonego

Moderate(DC15):Marchoverlandfortwelvehoursinaday

Moderate(DC15):Rolldownasteepslopewithouttakingdamage

Hard(DC20):StayawakeforfortyhoursHard(DC20):SwimforanhourstraightVeryHard(DC25):Marchoverlandfor

eighteenhoursinaday

VeryHard(DC25):Swimforthreehoursstraight

Formidable(DC30):Marchoverlandfortwenty-fourhours

Hazards:AbadlyfailedConstitutioncheckcan

meantakingdamage.Aswimmingcharacter

mightsufferacrampthatmakesfurther

swimmingimpossible,oracharacterattempting

aforcedmarchmightsustainaninjury.

Requirements:Youmightrulethatsome

Constitutionchecksareimpossibleunlessthe

characterremovesheavyarmor.

IntelligenceIntelligencemeasureshowwellacreaturelearns

andreasons.UseanIntelligencecheckwhena

characterneedstodrawonlogic,education,or

deductivereasoning.

ThemostcommonIntelligencechecksare

usedtorecallloreortosearch.

RecallLore

Easy(DC10):Recallcommonly-knownfactsEasy(DC10):IdentifyacommonsymbolModerate(DC15):Recallspecificdetails

aboutcommonly-knownfacts,orvague

informationaboutslightlyobscurefactsModerate(DC15):Identifyanuncommon

monster

Hard(DC20):Recallspecificdetailsaboutobscurefacts,orvagueinformationabouttruly

esotericfacts

Hard(DC20):Identifyaspellasitisbeingcast(higher-levelspellsmightbeharder)

Hard(DC20):Understandadialectofaknownlanguage

VeryHard(DC25):Recallspecificdetailsabouttrulyesotericfactsknownonlytoafew

VeryHard(DC25):Identifyanespeciallyraremonster

VeryHard(DC25):Decipherasimplemessageinanunfamiliarlanguage

VeryHard(DC25):Identifythepersistenteffectsofaspell

Formidable(DC30):Identifyauniquemonster

Search

Easy(DC10):Findasimpletripwireorapitcoveredwithbranchesandleaves(when

searching)

Moderate(DC15):Findthesignsofacreaturepassingacrossdrygroundand

deduceitsnatureandthedirectionofitstravel

Moderate(DC15):Findahiddencompartmentinachest

Hard(DC20):FindasecretdoorHard(DC20):Findapressureplateinthe

floororlocateatransparenttripwire

VeryHard(DC25):Findaparticularlywell-hiddensecretdoor

VeryHard(DC25):Findawell-disguisedpressureplate

ImprovisedTasks

Easy(DC10):Communicateasimpleideatoacreaturethatdoesntshareyourlanguage


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Moderate(DC15):Deducewhatkindofweaponcausedaninjury

Moderate(DC15):Estimatethevalueofapieceofjewelry

Moderate(DC15):Pulltogetheradisguisetohelpanallypassasacityguard

Hard(DC20):Determinehowtocausepartofatunneltocollapse

Hard(DC20):Estimatethevalueofagemstone

VeryHard(DC25):Estimatethevalueofarare,antique,orexoticitem

Contest:Passoffaforgeddocumentasreal(againstIntelligence)

Hazards:Anattempttorecallinformation

presentsthechanceofrecallingfalse

information.Acharactermightmakedangerous

mistakesaboutamonstersresistancesor

capabilities,collapseatunnelinthewrongplace,

ordiscardapreciousitemafterbelievingthatit

isworthless.Acharactersearchingforatrap

runstheriskoffindingitthehardway:by

accidentallytriggeringthetrap.

Requirements:TheUseMagicDevicefeat

allowscharacterstoattemptanIntelligence-

relatedtasktheynormallycouldntperform.You

mightrequirethatacharacterhaveamagnifying

glasstoappraisegemsorjewelry.Fortruly

obscureinformation,sometimesthebestknowledgeiswheretofindtheinformation,but

actuallyunearthingthefactsmightrequire

accesstoaspecifictomeorlibrary.

WisdomWisdommeasuresacreaturescommonsense,

perception,self-discipline,andempathy.Usea

Wisdomcheckinsituationsthatcallforintuition,

gutfeelings,orsensitivitytotheenvironment.

ThemostcommonWisdomchecksareusedto

administerfirstaid,tohandleananimal,tolisten,

tosensemotive,tospot,ortotrackcreatures.

AdministerFirstAid

Easy(DC10):Identifyacommonailmentorpoisonfromitssymptoms

Moderate(DC15):Stabilizeadyingcreature Moderate(DC15):Identifyanuncommon

ailmentorpoisonHard(DC20):Identifyarareailmentor

poison

HandleanAnimal

Moderate(DC15):Getananimaltokeepmovingwhiletired

Hard(DC20):Trainananimalforaspecifictask

Hard(DC20):CalmanaggressivewildanimalVeryHard(DC25):CalmapanickedanimalVeryHard(DC25):RearawildanimalFormidable(DC30):TameawildanimalListen

Moderate(DC15):Eavesdroponaconversationthroughadoor

Contest:Hearsomeonewhostryingtobesilent(againstDexterity)

SenseMotive

Moderate(DC15):Discernwhoamongacageygroupistheleader

Moderate(DC15):Readapersonsmotivesorattitude

Hard(DC20):InterpretenemieshandsignsVeryHard(DC25):Senseanoutside

influenceonaperson,suchasanenchantment

spell

VeryHard(DC25):Eavesdroponawhisperedconversationthroughadoor

Contest:Recognizealie(againstCharisma)Contest:Seethroughadisguise(against

Charisma)

Spot

Hard(DC20):Findatinyitemsuchasageminthemidstofalotofotheritems

Contest:Spotacreaturethatishiding(againstDexterity)


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TrackCreatures(requiresfeat)

Easy(DC10):Trackacreaturethroughsnowormud

Moderate(DC15):Trackacreaturethroughaforest.

Hard(DC20):Trackacreatureacrossdirtorgrass

VeryHard(DC25):Trackacreatureacrossbarestone

Formidable(DC30):Trackacreatureacrossdirtorgrassafterarainfall

ImprovisedTasks

Easy(DC10):Huntandforageforfoodwhiletravelinginthewilderness

Moderate(DC15):Avoidnaturalhazards,suchasquicksand

Hard(DC20):Keepfromgettinglostwhiletravelinginthewilderness

Hazards:Judgingapersonsmotivespresents

theriskofdreadfullymisreadingthosemotives.

Acharactermightendupfollowingthewrong

setoftracks.

Requirements:TheTrackfeatallows

characterstoattemptaWisdom-relatedtask

theynormallycouldntperform.Otherwise,its

rareforWisdomcheckstohaverequirements.

CharismaCharismameasuresapersonsforceof

personality,persuasiveness,andleadership.Use

Charismachecksinsituationsthatrequiresocial

skillsandtheabilitytoinfluenceothers.

ThemostcommonCharismachecksareused

tobluff,togatherrumors,tointimidate,to

perform,ortopersuade.

Bluff

Contest:Fast-talkorconsomeone(againstWisdom)

Contest:Adoptadisguise(againstWisdom)Contest:Impersonatesomeonesvoice

(againstWisdom)

Contest:Givefalseassurancetodullsuspicion(againstWisdom)

Contest:Tellaconvincinglie(againstWisdom)

GatherRumors

Easy(DC10):Gatherthecommongossipinatownorneighborhood

Easy(DC10):Learnaboutthelocalpowerfigures

Moderate(DC15):Findwhatyouneedinanunfamiliarcity

Moderate(DC15):Findoutwhosreallyinpower

Hard(DC20):Weaseloutlocalinformationonlyafewotherpeopleknow

VeryHard(DC25):Digupobscurenewsorlorefromacommunity

Intimidate

Hard(DC20):Getanunrulycrowdtomoveoutoftheway

Hard(DC20):Badgeralliedsoldiersintoafightingmood

Hard(DC20):GoadapersonintoactionContest:Pryinformationoutofaprisoner

(againstWisdom)

Perform

Easy(DC10):EntertainacrowdwithatalltaleEasy(DC10):GiveapleasingspeechModerate(DC15):Givearousingorinspiring

speech

Persuade

Moderate(DC15):Calmandcomfortadistraughtperson

Contest:Persuadesomeonetodosomething(againstWisdom)

Contest:Convincesomeonetobackdownfromaconfrontation(againstWisdom)Hazards:Themostlikelyhazardsassociated

withaCharismacheckareattractingunwanted

attention,arousingsuspicion,orangering

someone.

Requirements:Youmightdecidethata

Charismacheckrequiresbribesofsomesort,


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fromslippinganofficialsomegoldtobuyingan

informantadrink.

AbilityChecksand

Interaction

Fightingmonstersandnavigatinghazardous

environmentsareonlypartofanadventurers

career.Characterswilloftenfindthatwordsare

abetterresourcethanswords,spells,orbrute

force.

Thereareseveralschoolsofthoughtwhenit

comestohandlinginteractionsinaroleplaying

game.SomeDMsprefertospeakincharacter

andadoptthemannerismsofanonplayer

characterinthesamewaythatanactordepictsa

character.

OtherDMsprefertodescribeanNPCsdialogue,givingabasicoutlineofwhatanNPC

hastosay,ratherthannarratingtheexact

dialogue.

Playersfallintosimilarcamps.Donttryto

forcetheplayersintooneapproachortheother.

Justassomepeopleliketoplayfightersand

otherspreferrogues,sotoododifferentplayers

takedifferentapproachestoportrayingtheir

characters.

Nomatterwhichapproachyouuse,an

interactionshouldbedrivenbytheback-and-

forthbetweenanNPCandthecharacters.Diceshouldcomeintoplayonlywhenyouareunsure

aboutaconversationsoutcome.

Playerswhoshyawayfromroleplayingprefer

toletthedicedothetalkingforthem.Forsuch

players,itsprobablybesttorelyonthedice,

ratherthanforcethatplayertogoagainsthisor

herpreferences.

CallingforAbilityChecksAdventurersdontneedtomakeabilitychecksor

enterintolengthyinteractionswhentheybuy

suppliesororderfoodinatavern.Significant

interactionsinanadventureinvolvechallenges

andobstaclespersuadingsomeone(or

something)todosomethingheorsheisnot

initiallyinclinedtodo,ornotdosomethingheor

shewantstodo.Asignificantinteractionhas

objectives(thingsthecharacterswantto

accomplish)andobstacles(reasonswhythe

NPCsdontwanttoacquiescetothePCs).

Whenacharactermakesafirmargument,

whetheritsinsupportofanobjectiveoran

attempttonegateanobstacle,thatsthetimeto

askforanabilitycheck.Typically,theplayer

charactersandNPCswillexchangeseverallinesofdialoguearoundeachabilitycheck.

AbilityCheckorContest?Inmostcases,you

useabilitychecksforsocialinteractions.

Contestsshouldcomeintoplayonlyiftwo

partiesareindirectconflict,suchasinan

argument,adebate,oranegotiation.

DeterminingDCsPickingaDCforaninteractioncheckfollowsthe

normalguidelinesfordeterminingaDC,anditis

importanttoconsiderthecontextofthecheck.Aconversationisafluidthing.BasetheDCon

whatishappeninginthemoment.Howhasthe

conversationebbedandflowed?Whatdoesan

NPCthinkofthecharacters?Astilted,awkward

exchangecanturnasimplerequestintoahigh

DC.

Thinkofwhomthespeakeristryingtoswayor

impress.Youcandoworsethanstartwithan

NPCsWisdomscoreorCharismascoreasabase

DC.UsethetargetsWisdomscoreforattempts

toblufforintimidatesomeone,whilethe

Charismascoreisagoodchoiceinmostothersituations.

Withthatasastartingpoint,considerthe

NPCsattitudetowardthespeaker.Apositive

attitudecangrantadvantage,whereasanegative

attitudeorafauxpascanimposedisadvantage.

MiscellaneousRulesTheserulescoveravarietyofsituationsthat

mightcomeupascharactersdelveintoancient

tombs,sneakintomerchantsmansions,walkthe

ruinedstreetsofancientcities,striveinbattleagainstfearsomedragons,brokerpeacebetween

warringcities,andalltheotherthings

adventurersdo.

IncidentalTasks

Thebasicrulesforthegameallowacreatureto

moveandtakeanactiononitsturn.An


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adventurerislikelytodomanythingsthatare

notdescribedintherulesasanaction:picking

upagem,readyingabow,andthelike.Thegame

assumesthatsuchincidentaltasksaresosimple

thattheydontrequireactionsoftheirown.

Mostoften,incidentaltasksoccurinthe

processofdoingsomethingelse,suchasopeninganunsecureddoorwhilemovingorremovinga

pieceofequipmentfromapackinordertouseit.

Forexample,afighterdrawsaswordandattacks

anorc.Drawingaswordtypicallytakesnoaction,

sinceittakesonlyamomenttocompleteandis

usuallypartofamorecomplexactivity.

Thatsaid,imaginethesamefightertryingto

drawaswordwhiletiedup.Inthissituation,the

taskismorecomplexandrequiresfocusand

effort.Drawingaswordwouldrequireanaction

inthiscase,andthefightermightneedtomakea

checkaswelltoseeifheorshecanwiggleoutof

therope.Thatswhyincidentaltasksareunder

yourcontrol.

Ataskthatmeetsoneormoreofthefollowing

criteriaisprobablynotanactionundermost

circumstances.

Itdoesntrequireadierolloranyotherrules. Itiseffortless. Itispartoforenablesanactionoramove.Hereareexamplesoftasksthatareusuallytoo

incidentaltorequireanaction.

SpeakingDrawingaweaponWithdrawingapotion,arope,orotherpieceof

equipmentfromapack

PushingopenanunsecuredandunstuckdoorPullingadoorclosedwhilepassingthroughitPickingupasmallitemDroppinganitemTippingoveraflimsypieceoffurnitureAlwaysRoundDown

Wheneveryoudivideanumberinthegame,

rounddownifyouendupwithafraction.Doso

evenifthefractionis0.5ormore.

CreatureSize

Duringabattle,creaturestakeupdifferent

amountsofspaceonthebattlefield.Aloneogre

canblockoffa10-foot-widebridge,whileovera

dozengoblinscouldsurroundastormgiant.A

creaturessizedetermineshowmuchspaceit

takesup,howfaritsattackscanreach,andhow

manyenemiescanganguponit.

Size Space Surround Fills

Tiny 2.52.5ft. 8 1

Small 55ft. 8 1

Medium 55ft. 8 1

Large 1010ft. 12 1.5

Huge 1515ft. 16 2

Gargantuan 2020ft.* 20 2.5

*orlarger

Space:Thisistheareainfeetthatacreature

occupies.Acreaturesspaceisnotanexpression

ofitsactualphysicaldimensions,buttheareait

effectivelyownsinthegame.Ahumanisnt5

feetwide,butitdoesownaspacethatwide,

particularlyincombat.Ifahumanstandsina5-

foot-widedoorway,othercreaturescantget

throughthedoorwayunlessthehumanlets

them.

Acreaturecansqueezethroughaspacelarge

enoughforacreatureonesizecategorysmaller

thanitself.Whensqueezingthroughsuchaspace,every5feetofmovementcosts5extrafeetof

movement.Whilesqueezing,acreaturehas

disadvantageonattacksandonDexteritysaving

throws,andattacksagainstithaveadvantage.

Surround:Thiscolumnrepresentsthe

numberofMediumcreaturesthatcanfitina5-

footradiusaroundthecreature.

Fills:Whencreaturesofdifferentsize

surroundoneopponent,acreaturecountsasthis

manyMediumsizecreatureswhendetermining

howmanycanfitinthethreatenedarea.

Forexample,eightMediumcreaturescansurroundafellowMediumcreature.Apairof

Gargantuancreatures(worthtwoandahalf

Mediumeach)andtwoLargecreatures(worth

oneandahalfeach)couldalsosurrounda

Mediumcreature.


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Illumination

Charactersfacethreebroadcategoriesof

illuminationinatypicalD&Dgame.

BrightLightBrightlightisalsocallednormallight.Evengloomydaysprovidebrightlight,asdotorches,

lanterns,fires,andothersourcesofillumination

withinaspecificradius.

Effect:Mostcreaturescanseenormallyin

brightlight.

DimLightDimlightisalsocalledshadows.Anareaofdim

lightisusuallyaboundarybetweenasourceof

brightlight,suchasatorch,andsurrounding

darkness.Dimlightisalsocommonattwilightandjustbeforedawn.Aparticularlybrilliantfull

moonmaycoverthelandbeneathindimlight.

Effect:Creaturescanseeindimlight,but

creaturesandobjectsarelightlyobscuredwithin

it.

DarknessDarknessiscommonatnightunderanovercast

skyorwithintheconfinesofanunlitdungeonor

subterraneanvault.Sometimesmagiccancreate

regionsofdarkness.

Effect:Normalcreaturescantseeanythingindarknessandareeffectivelyblinded.Someonein

darknessisheavilyobscuredfromcreaturesthat

donthaveenhancedsenses.

HoldingYourBreathand

Drowning

Ifacharacterisswimmingunderwater

intentionally(notasaresultofafailedcheck),

thecharactercanholdhisorherbreathfora

numberofminutesequaltohisorherConstitutionmodifier(minimum30seconds).

Acharacterwhorunsoutofbreathwhile

underwater(usuallyasahazardofafailed

check)isdrowning.Whiledrowning,the

characterisrestrained.Asanaction,adrowning

charactercanmakeaStrengthchecktostop

drowning.TheDCtodosoisatleast13,possibly

higherifthewaterconditionswarrantamore

difficultcheck.Thedrowningcharactermust

breathebeforeanumberofroundspassequalto

hisorherConstitutionmodifier(minimum1)or

fallunconscious.Onceunconscious,the

drowningcharacterlosesallhisorher

remaininghitpoints.Thecharacterisdyingandcannotbestabilizedorrecoverhitpointsuntil

heorshecanbreathe(eitherbybeingbroughtto

thesurfaceorbygainingthemagicalabilityto

breatheunderwater).Oncethecharactercan

breathe,normalmeansofrestoringlosthit

pointscanrevivethecharacter.

Encountersand

RewardsCreatingadventuresisoneofthegreatjoysofbeingaDungeonMaster.Itsyourwaytoexpress

yourselfthroughimaginativeelementsofyour

owndesign.Whenyoudesignanadventure,you

calltheshots.

Atthesametime,youllusuallywanttodesign

adventuresthatarenttooeasy,ortoodeadly,

foryourplayers.Whenyoudecideonthe

locationsyourplayerswillexplore,theNPCs

theywillencounter,andthemonsterstheywill

fight,itsbesttodosowithaplanofwhatyou

wanttoaccomplish.

BuildingCombatEncounters

Buildingacombatencounterisamatterof

choosingthreatsappropriatetothecharacters

generallymonstersandotherdangerous

creaturesandcombiningthemininteresting

andchallengingways.Encounterbuildingisa

mixtureofartandscienceasyoucombinethese

threatstogether.

Whenyousetouttocreateacombat

encounter,firstdecidehowchallengingyou

wantittobe.Easyencountersarespeedbumps

onthecharacterspathastheymaketheirway

throughadventures,whiletoughencounters

oftenformtheclimacticmomentofanadventure.

Thebulkoftheencountersinanadventure

shouldfallintheaveragerange.

Thedifficultyyouchoosefortheencounter,

combinedwiththenumberofcharactersinthe


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partyandtheirlevel,givesyouatarget

experiencepoint(XP)valuefortheencounter.

ThesumoftheXPvaluesofallthethreatsinthe

encountershouldfallintheneighborhoodofthis

target,soyoucanselectthreatsuntilyoureach

thattargetnumber.

YoucanthinkofthisprocessasspendingXPagainstabudget.Thedifficultyyouchoosegives

youanXPbudget,andyoubuyindividual

monstersorotherthreatstobuildyour

encounteruntilyouveexhaustedyourbudget.

TofindyourtotalXPbudget,multiplythe

numberofcharactersinthepartybytheXP

valueshownonthetablebelow.Forexample,if

youwanttocreateanaverageencounterforfour

3rd-levelcharacters,useabout240XP(604)

fortheencounter.

Level Easy AverageTough1 10 20 40

2 20 40 70

3 40 60 120

4 80 130 250

5 150 250 500

6 200 300 600

7 250 350 700

8 350 550 1,050

9 400 700 1,300

10 600 900 1,700

11 900 1,300 2,600

12 1,400 2,100 4,10013 1,700 2,600 5,100

14 2,000 3,000 5,500

15 2,500 5,500 7,000

16 3,500 6,000 10,500

17 4,000 7,000 12,000

18 4,500 7,500 14,000

19 5,000 7,500 15,000

20 6,000 9,000 17,500

Ifthecharactersinyourpartyareofdifferent

levels,youcaneitherusetheiraveragelevelor

choosetheappropriatenumberforeachcharacterandaddthemtogether,asyouplease.

So,ifyourpartyhastwo3rd-levelcharacters,

one4th-levelcharacter,anda1st-levelcharacter,

anaverageencounterforthemwouldhave

about270XP(60+60+130+20).

LargeNumbersofMonsters: Ifyouwantto

buildanencounterusingalotofmonsters,bear

inmindthattheencountermightbemore

difficultthanthetableaboveindicates.Ifthe

charactersareoutnumbered2to1,aneasy

encounterbecomesaverage,andanaverage

encounterbecomestough.Ifthecharactersare

outnumbered3to1,whatlookslikeaneasy

encounterisprobablytough.Usesuchlargenumbersofmonsterswithcaution.

TheAdventuringDayWhenyouredesigninganadventure,yourarely

havetheabilitytopredicthowmuchorhow

littletheplayercharacterswillaccomplishinany

givenstretchoftime.Asaruleofthumb,youcan

figurethatthecharacterswillprobablyget

throughfouraverageencounters,sixorseven

easyencounters,ortwotoughencountersbefore

theyhavetotakealongrest. Sinceyoucantpredictthepathyourplayers

willchoosethroughanadventure,youcant

reallydesignanadventurearoundthisdaily

target.Butitmightbehelpfultobearitinmind,

soyoudontforcethecharactersintothree

toughfightsinaroworsendmonsterstoclose

offthedungeonbehindthemaftertheyve

alreadyfoughttheirwaythroughfouraverage

encounters.Keeptheadventurersneedtorest

inmindasyousetupyouradventures.

RewardsExperiencepoints,treasure,andmoreintangible

rewardskeepcharactersmovingonfrom

encountertoencounter,leveltolevel,and

adventuretoadventure.Smallrewardscome

frequently,whilelargerewardsprovideabig

boostonceinawhile.Bothareimportant.

Withoutfrequentsmallrewards,playersbegin

tofeelliketheireffortsarentpayingoff.Theyre

doingalotofworkwithnothingtoshowforit.

Withoutoccasionallargerewards,encounters

feellikepushingabuttontogetamorseloffoodarepetitivegrindwithnomeaningful

variation.

ExperiencePointsExperiencepointsarethefundamentalreward

ofthegame,justasencountersarethebuilding

blocksofadventuresandcampaigns.Every


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encountercomeswithanexperiencerewardto

matchitsdifficulty.

EverymonsterhasitsownXPvalue,specified

withtherestofitsstatistics.Anencounteris

worthXPequaltothesumofallthemonsters

andotherthreatsthatmakeuptheencounter.

Whencharactersovercomeanencountertypicallybykilling,routing,orcapturingthe

opponentsinacombatencountertheydivide

thetotalXPvalueoftheencounterevenlyamong

them.

XPforNoncombatEncounters: Itsuptoyou

todecidewhethertoawardXPtocharactersfor

overcomingchallengesoutsideofcombat.If

characterssuccessfullycompleteatense

negotiationwithabaron,forgeatrade

agreementwiththesurlydwarves,ornavigate

theirwayacrosstheChasmofaThousandDeeps,

youmightdecidethatsanencounterworthan

XPreward.DontawardXP,though,unlessthere

wasameaningfulriskoffailure.

Asaruleofthumb,gaugethedifficultyofthe

encounter(easy,average,ortough)andaward

thecharactersXPasifithadbeenacombat

encounterofthesamedifficulty.

YoucanalsoawardXPwhencharacters

completesignificantadventureobjectives.You

cantreatmajorobjectivesasaverageencounters,

andminorobjectivesaseasyencounters.

TreasureTheresnoassumedamountofgold,jewels,

magicitems,andothertreasureforD&D

adventures.Youcangiveoutasmanyorasfew

rewardsasyoulike,thoughyoumightwantto

adjusttheadventuredifficultytocompensatefortheleveloftherewardsyouprovide.Youcan

alsousethefollowingguidelinesforamore

middleoftheroadamountoftreasureoffered.

Youcanthinkoftreasureonanencounter-by-

encounterbasis.Bythiswayofthinking,agood

targetis12.5gppercharacterperlevelforan

averageencounter.(Soapartyoffour3rd-level

characterswhoovercomeanaverageencounter

mightexpectabout150gpasareward.)Foran

easyencounter,useabout7.5gppercharacter

perlevel.Foratoughencounter,youcangiveout

about25gppercharacterperlevel. Alternatively,youcanthinkabouttreasure

spreadoutoveranadventuringday,usingthe

abstractmeasurementofadaydiscussedearlier.

Agoodtargetforanadventuringdayisabout50

gppercharacterperlevel.Youcanspreadthat

treasureoutovercombatencountersaswellas

secretvaults,ancientchests,andthebottomsof

spikedpits.

Whicheverapproachyouchoose,breakupthe

treasurevalueintocoins,gemstones,artobjects,

andothervaluablebutnonmagicitems.Hereare

somesuggesteditemstofilloutyourtreasurehoards.


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GEMS

d% Value Average Examples

0125 4d4gp 10gp Banded,eye,ormossagate;azurite;bluequartz;hematite;lapislazuli;malachite;

obsidian;rhodochrosite;tigereye;turquoise;freshwater(irregular)pearl

2650 2d410gp 50gp Bloodstone;carnelian;chalcedony;chrysoprase;citrine;iolite;jasper;moonstone;

onyx;peridot;rockcrystal(clearquartz);sard;sardonyx;rose,smoky,orstarrose

quartz;zircon5170 4d410gp 100gp Amber;amethyst;chrysoberyl;coral;redorbrown-greengarnet;jade;jet;white,

golden,pink,orsilverpearl;red,red-brownordeepgreenspinel;tourmaline

7190 2d4100gp 500gp Alexandrite;aquamarine;violetgarnet;blackpearl;deepbluespinel;golden

yellowtopaz

9199 4d4100gp 1,000gp Emerald;white,black,orfireopal;bluesapphire;fieryyelloworrichpurple

corundum;blueorblackstarsapphire;starruby

100 2d41,000gp 5,000gp Clearestbrightgreenemerald;blue-white,canary,pink,brown,orbluediamond;

jacinth

ARTOBJECTS

d% Value Average Examples

0110 1d1010gp 55gp Silverewer;carvedboneorivorystatuette;finelywroughtsmallgoldbracelet

1125 3d610gp 105gp Cloth-of-goldvestments;blackvelvetmaskwithnumerouscitrines;silverchalice

withlapislazuligems

2640 1d6100gp 350gp Largewell-donewooltapestry;brassmugwithjadeinlays

4150 1d10100gp 550gp Silvercombwithmoonstones;silver-platedsteellongswordwithjetjewelinhilt

5160 2d6100gp 700gp Carvedharpofexoticwoodwithivoryinlayandzircongems;solidgoldidol(10

lb.)

6170 3d6100gp 1,050gp Golddragoncombwithredgarneteye;goldandtopazbottlestoppercork;

ceremonialelectrumdaggerwithastarrubyinthepommel

7180 4d6100gp 1,400gp Eyepatchwithmockeyeofsapphireandmoonstone;fireopalpendantonafine

goldchain;oldmasterpiecepainting

8185 5d6100gp 1,750gp Embroideredsilkandvelvetmantlewithnumerousmoonstones;sapphire

pendantongoldchain8690 1d41,000gp 2,500gp Embroideredandbejeweledglove;jeweledanklet;goldmusicbox

9195 1d61,000gp 3,500gp Goldencircletwithfouraquamarines;astringofsmallpinkpearls(necklace)

9699 2d41,000gp 5,000gp Jeweledgoldcrown;jeweledelectrumring

100 2d61,000gp 7,000gp Goldandrubyring;goldcupsetwithemeralds

MagicItemsYoudeterminehowmanymagicitems

characterscanfindinyouradventures.The

gamedoesnotassumethatcharactersneed

themtosucceed.Magicitems,whenfoundatall,

simplymakePCsbetter.

Thus,youcanaddorwithholdmagicitemsinyouradventuresasyouseefit.Beingsomewhat

stingywithmagicitemplacement,especiallyat

lowerlevels,meansthatplayerswillappreciate

suchitemsallthemorewhentheyfindsome.

Ifyoupopulateyourtougherdungeonlevels

andadventureswithmoremagicitems,then

playerscaninfluencethekindofmagicitems

theyobtainbyacceptinggreaterrisks.

Youcanfindmoreinformationonusingand

awardingmagicitemsintheMagicItem

playtestdocument.


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ExplorationinDetailSometimesinaD&Dadventure,explorationis

purelyamatterofdescription.Playersdescribe

wheretheircharactersareheaded,andyou

narratewhathappensontheway.Atothertimes,

thejourneyisasimportanttotheadventureasitsdestination,andtheseexplorationruleswill

comeintoplay.

Thissectionprovidesaturn-basedsystemfor

exploringruins,dungeons,wildernessareas,and

otherpartsofthefantasyworld.Therules

includethebasicsofhowtomovethroughand

investigateanarea,thetasksthatcharacterscan

undertakewhileexploring,andhowthosetasks

work.

UsingTheseRulesTheserulesareintendedforepisodesoflong-

distancetravelandexploration,whenyouexpect

thecharacterstocoveralotofgroundorwhen

travelisakeypartoftheadventure.Someparts

oftheserulesarebettersuitedtodifferent

phasesofthegame.

DungeonExploration: Youcanusethese

rulesasaguidetodeterminehowfarthe

characterscanmovein5minutes,formapping

thedungeon,andfordeterminingsurprise.

Otherwise,theamountofabstractionintheserulesisalittletoogreatformovementdescribed

onaminute-by-minutebasis.

HourlyandDailyTravel: Theserulesareat

theirbestwhenthecharactersareplanningon

spendingatleastanhourmovingfromoneplace

toanother.Thatjourneycouldcrossaforest,

followaroad,ortraverseaseriesofhuge

caverns.Insuchasituation,theabstractionof

theserulesworks,sincecharactersarecovering

alotoftimeanddistanceinashortamountof

gametime.

IgnoringTheseRules: Aswithanyrulesthatprovidemoredetail,usetheseonlyifthey

improveyourgame.Inthiscase,theserulesaim

togivemorestructuretotravelandexploration,

keepingtheeventsoftheadventureorganized

andclear.IfyouarethetypeofDMwhoglosses

overtravelorexploration,dontusethem.

TheExplorationTurn

Thisisthesequenceofplayforanexploration

turn.

1.Youdeterminethelengthoftheturn.

2.Theplayersdecidewhatdirectiontheir

characterswillmovein,thenchoosetheir

groupstravelpaceandexplorationtasks.The

playersshouldalsodeterminetheir

formation:whoisinthefront,themiddle,and

thebackofthegroup.

3.Youresolvetheexplorationturn,callingfor

checksandotheractionsfromthecharacters

asappropriate.Determinethedistanceand

thedirectionthecharacterstraveled,taking

intoaccounttheirtravelpaceandwhetheror

nottheylosttheirway.4.Youcheckforwanderingmonstersand,ifany

areencountered,resolveanyinteraction

betweenthemonstersandthecharacters.

Ifexplorationcontinues,gobacktothefirststep

andrepeatthesequenceforanotherturn.

TurnLength

Whenanadventuringpartyexploresalocation

ofanysizewhetheritstheruinsofthree

buildings,aforgottenvalleythatismileswide,oranislandthesizeofIrelandyoudetermine

howmuchtimeeachexplorationturntakes.This

determinationisbasedgenerallyonthe

circumstancesoftheadventure,andmightalso

takethewishesofthecharactersintoaccount.

Therearethreebasiclengthsforsuchturns.

The5-minuteturnismostusefulindungeons,

ruins,andotherareaswheremanyinteresting

locationsareclosetogether.Thisturnlength

breaksajourneyintosmallpieces,givingthe

charactersachancetocarefullyexamineeach

areatheypassthrough. The1-hourturnisusefulforoutdoor

adventures,travelintheUnderdark,and

exploringdungeonsorruinsinwhicheach

chamberorlocationisseparatedfromothersby

aconsiderabledistance.Thisturnlength

assumesthatthecharactersspendmostoftheir

timetravelingfromonesignificantlocationto


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another,ratherthanexaminingeverynookand

crannyalongtheway.

The1-dayturnisbestfortraveloverlong

distances,withthecharactersfollowingapath,a

road,oramaptoaspecificlocation.Thisturn

lengthassumesthatthecharactersaremainly

concernedwithgettingtotheirdestinationandthatthattheywillcomeacrossnomorethanone

ortwoobstaclesorpointsofinterestduringthe

day.Duringa1-dayturn,thecharactersspend8

to12hourstravelingandatleast8hoursresting.

TravelPace

Thetravelpacethatthecharacterschoose

determinesthechancethatmonstersandother

threatssurprisethem,howmuchdistancethey

cancoverduringanexplorationturn,andwhat

taskstheycanperformastheytravel.

Explaintotheplayerswhattheirchoicesare

fortheircharacterstravelpace:Dotheywantto

getthroughthenextareaquickly,withoutmuch

careforpossibledangers,orarethey

determinedtomoveslowlyandkeepaclose

watchforanythingalongtheirpath?Whenthe

groupdecidesonatravelpace,usethelineon

theTravelPacetablethatbestcorrespondsto

theirintent.Ifthepartysplitsup,eachsmaller

groupchoosesitsownpace.

Thetravelpaceofanexploringgrouphelpsdetermineitsreadiness.Thisqualityis

expressedasaDCthatyoucanuseforseveral

circumstances,suchaswhenacharactermakesa

Wisdomcheckatthestartofabattletoavoid

beingsurprisedorwhenthecharactersarein

dangerofbecominglost.

Travelpacealsodeterminesthegreatest

distanceagroupcancoverduringanexploration

turnofagivenlength,asshownonthetable.

TRAVELPACE

Readiness Max.DistanceperTurn

Pace DC 5min. 1hour 1day

Rushed 15 1,800ft. 3miles 25miles

Fast 10 900ft. 2miles 15miles

Moderate 5 450ft. 1mile 10miles

Cautious 0 200ft. 0.5mile 5miles

Atarushedpace,explorersaremovingpell-mell.Theyarefocusedonmakingprogress

ratherthanonwatchingfordangers.Atthispace,

thecharacterscannotperformanyexploration

tasks,andthelikelihoodoftheirbeingsurprised

bywanderingmonstersishigh.

Atafastpace,charactersarestillmoving

briskly,andtypicallytheycanperformonlyone

explorationtask:navigating.Beingabletonavigatemeanstheyarelesslikelythanarushed

grouptolosetheirway,buttheyarentmoving

slowlyenoughtoundertakeothertaskssuchas

keepingwatchandsneaking.

Charactersaretravelingatamoderatepace

whentheytakefrequentbreakstorest,look

around,orperformexplorationtasks.Thereisa

chancethatmonstersmightsurprisethem,but

notasgreatasiftheyweretravelingmore

quickly.

Atacautiouspace,charactersmove

deliberately,takingheedoftheirsurroundingsat

alltimesandeffectivelyhavingnochanceof

beingsurprised.

YourOutdoorMap

Beforethecharacterscanexploreawilderness

orotheroutdoorarea,youneedtohaveamap

thatoutlinesitskeygeographicfeaturesand

terrain.Thissectionprovidessomeadviceon

howtocreatesuchmapsandwhatsortofscale

tousewiththem. Theoutdoorenvironmentyouremapping

mightbeanexpanseofwildernessoravast

subterraneanlocation,suchasthegreatcaverns

andpassagesoftheUnderdark.Eitherway,its

bettertouseahexgridthanasquaregrid,

becauseahexgridenablesmoreprecise

calculationofthedistancebetweentwopoints.

Thescaleofyouroutdoormapdependson

whetheryoureusing1-houror1-dayturnsas

thecharacterstravelacrossit.Fora1-hourturn,

eachhexorsquarerepresentsmile.Fora1-

dayturn,eachhexorsquarerepresents5miles.Thisscalegivesyouenoughdetailtomanage

eachturnwhilealsoallowingprecisetrackingif

thecharactersbecomelost.

Justasyouwoulddoinadungeon,trackthe

charactersmovementonyouroutdoormapto

determinewhatsortofterraintheyencounter,

monsterlairs,settlements,orothernoteworthy

spotstheymightstumbleacross,andsoon.To


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keepthingssimple,assumethatthecharacters

findanoteworthylocationwhentheyenterits

hexorsquare,unlessthesiteisspecifically

hidden.Thecharactersmightnotwalkdirectly

uptothefrontdoorofaruinedcastleinthehex

theyjustentered,buttheycanfindoldpaths,

outlyingruins,andsuchsignsofitspresenceintheareawithease.

Visibility:Whentravelingoutdoors,the

characterscanseeabout2milesinanydirection

onaclearday,assumingthattrees,hills,and

otherobstructionsdontblocktheirview.Rain

cutsvisibilitydownto1mile,andfogcutsit

downtoafewhundredfeet.

Multiplythedistancethecharacterscanseeby

20iftheyareatopamountainoratallhill,orare

otherwiseabletolookdownuponthearea

aroundthemfromaloftyheight.

ExplorationTasks

Anexplorationtaskisadutyacharacter

assumesforthedurationofanexplorationturn,

adutythatusuallycontributestothegroups

overalldispositionandpreparedness.

Afterthegrouphasagreedonitspace,explain

totheplayerswhattheirchoicesarefor

explorationtasksandaskwhattaskeach

characterwillundertake.(Mosttaskscanbe

performedonlyifthegroupstravelpaceismoderateorcautious.)

Wheneachcharacterhaschosenatask,have

theplayersrollcheckstodeterminetheoutcome

oftheircharacterstasks,thenresolveany

situationsthatarisefromthesuccessorfailure

ofthosechecks.

Acharactercanperformuptothreetasks

duringanexplorationturn,butdividingones

attentionandenergyisrisky.Totakeona

secondtaskinthesameturn,acharactermust

succeedonaConstitutioncheckagainstthe

groupsreadinessDC+5.Ifthatchecksucceeds,thecharactercantrytoperformathirdtask,but

theDCforthisConstitutioncheckisthegroups

readinessDC+10.

Activitiesthatrequireanactionduringa

combatround,suchascastingaspell,dont

countasexplorationtasks.Duringa1-houror1-

dayexplorationturn,theresnohardlimitonthe

numberofsuchactivitiesacharactercan

perform.Duringa5-minuteturn,acharactercan

takeuptofiveactions,inadditiontoattempting

oneormoreexplorationtasks.

KeepingWatchIthelpstokeepaneyeandanearopenfor

danger.Whenacharacterchooseskeeping

watchasanexplorationtask,thecharacter

makesasingleWisdomchecktodetecthidden

creaturesasthegrouptravelsduringthecurrent

explorationturn.Anyonewhochoosesthistask

hasadvantageonthischeckifthegroupstravel

paceiscautious.Acharacterscheckresultis

usedtocontestthechecksofanycreaturesthat

areattemptingtohidefromtheexplorers.If

someonekeepingwatchdetectsacreature,it

cannotsurprisethegroup.

Characterscanchoosekeepingwatchonlyiftheirtravelpaceismoderateorcautious.

NavigatingTravelinginthewildernessoralarge,unfamiliar

citycarriestheriskofbecominglost.Acharacter

canreducethisriskbynavigatingforthegroup,

keepingacarefuleyeoutforlandmarksandthe

positionofthesun,themoon,andstars.

Whenacharacterchoosesnavigatingasan

explorationtask,thecharactermakesasingle

Wisdomchecktopreventthegroupfromlosing

itswayduringthecurrentexplorationturn.Ifmorethanonememberofthegroupchoosesthis

task,eachnavigatormakesacheck,andyouuse

thebestresulttodetermineifthegroup

becomeslost.

Characterscantchoosenavigatingiftheir

travelpaceisrushed.

Explorersdontnormallyneedtonavigate

duringa5-minuteturn,sincethedistance

traveledistoosmallforthemtohavelosttheir

way.Eveninsuchashorttime,though,agroup

mightbecomelostifadoorlocksbehindthem,a

trapteleportsthemelsewhere,andsoforth.Inthatsortofsituation,navigationisofnohelp.

MapmakingMakinganaccuratemapisvitaltoensuringthat

explorershavethebestsenseoftheir

surroundings.Itcanalsohelpkeepthemfrom

becominglost.


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Whenacharacterchoosesmapmakingasan

explorationtask,thecharactermusthavea

writinginstrumentandsomesurface(suchas

paperorparchment)onwhichtorecordthemap.

Themapacharactercreatesmightbesimilar

toyouractualmapofthearea,butnotas

complete.Whenyougiveoutinformationtoaplayerwhosecharacterismapping,restrictthat

informationtoonlywhatthecharacterwould

perceivewhileactuallyperformingthetask.

Ifmorethanonecharacterchoosesthistask,

thosewhodososimplycreatemultiplemapsof

thearea.(Thisstrategycanproveusefulifone

charactersmapislostordestroyedlaterinthe

adventure.)

Characterscanchoosemapmakingonlyiftheir

travelpaceismoderateorcautious.

SearchingSearchingallowsanexplorertouncoverhidden

pathways,secretdoors,forgottenobjects,and

traps.Itsagoodoptionwhenagroupis

exploringadungeonorruin.

Whenacharacterchoosessearchingasan

explorationtask,thecharactermakesasingle

Intelligencechecktonoticeanyhiddenitems

thatyoumightcomeacross.Anyonewho

choosesthistaskhasadvantageonthischeckif

thegroupstravelpaceiscautious.Youcompare

theresultofthatchecktotheDCsofhiddenitemsthegroupispassingby.

Characterscanchoosesearchingonlyiftheir


SneakingKeepingalowprofileisoftenthebestoptionina

dangerousarea.Whenacharacterchooses

sneakingasanexplorationtask,thecharacter

makesasingleDexteritychecktohideasthe

grouptravels.Anyonewhochoosesthistaskhas

advantageonthischeckifthegroupstravelpace

iscautious.Tonoticeasneakingcharacter,acreaturemustcontestthecharacterscheck,

usingWisdomorIntelligence,andwin.

Characterscanchoosesneakingonlyiftheir


ImprovisedTasksAcharactermightthinkofsomewaytocontributetoan

exploringgroupthatisntcoveredbythetasksdescribed

here.Ifso,youcanallowtheuseofanimprovised

explorationtask,butonlyifitsperformancerequiresno

morethanone-thirdofthetimeencompassedbyan

explorationturn.Also,animprovisedtaskcanbe

undertakenonlyifthegroupstravelpaceismoderate

orcautious.

WanderingMonsters

Iftheadventurersarejourneyingthrougha

regionwheremonsterswander,youcheckatthe

endofeachexplorationturntoseewhethera

monstercrossestheadventurerspathorvice

versa.

Themonsterpopulationdensityoftheregion

determinesthelikelihoodofcomingacrossmonsters(seethetable).Youcheckfor

wanderingmonstersbyrollingad20.Ifan

encounteroccurs,rollontheappropriate

wanderingmonstertabletodeterminewhatthe

heroesmeet.

Region EncounterChance(d20)

Desolate 1920

Sparselyinhabited 1720

Typicalregion 1520

Thicklyinhabited 1320

Denselyinhabited 1120

ResolvingExplorationEvents

Afterthecharactershavechosentheir

explorationtasks,younarratewhatthe

charactersexperienceduringtheexploration

turn.Youmightalsoaskfordirections,suchas

whichwaythegroupwantstoturnatan

intersection,andsoforth,allowingthe

characterstomoveuptothedistanceindicated

bytheirpace.Whenthecharacterstasksare

complete,updatethegroupslocationonyourmaptoaccountforthedistanceanddirection

traveledduringthecurrentturn.

EncounteringCreaturesIftheexploringgroupencounterscreatures

(whichmightbewanderingmonstersormight

bespecificparticipantsintheadventure),the


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characterscantrytoattackthem,avoidthem,or

interactwiththeminsomeotherway.

Stealth:Beforeaskingtheplayerswhatthey

wanttodo,youdetermineifeithergroupnotices

theother.Onegrouportheothercanavoid

detectioncompletelyonlyifallitsmembersare

sneaking.Otherwise,contestsoccurasnecessarytodetermineifanyonesneakingoneithersideis

detected.

Surprise:Ifonegroupishiddenfromthe

other,thatgrouphassurprise,asdescribedin

thecombatrules.Otherwise,eachcreatureand

charactermakesaWisdomsavingthrowagainst

aDCthatcorrespondstoitsreadiness.The

charactersreadinessDCisdeterminedbytheir

travelpace.Forthemonsters,youpicka

readinessDCbasedontheirdegreeofalertness.

BelowaresampleDCstoguidethisdecision.

Alertness ReadinessDC

Distracted 20

Unfocused 15

Disinterested 10

Vigilant 5

Paranoid 0

EncounterDistance: Typically,theterrainor

layoutoftheareadetermineshowfarthe

charactersarefromcreatureswhentheyfirst

detectthem.Ifthisdistanceisntpredetermined,

youroll1d20+20.Thatresultismultipliedby10iftheareaisinclearterrain(suchasagrassy

field,barrentundra,orafrozenlake)orby5if

theterrainismostlyclear(suchasrollinghills,

orameadowwithoccasionaltreesandshrubs).

Theresultingnumberisthedistanceinfeet

betweenthetwogroups.

FindingLocationsandObjectsWhenthecharacterscomeacrossalocationor

anobjectofspecialnoteduringtheperformance

oftheirtasks,describethediscoverytothemand

allowthemtotakeactionsasappropriate.

GettingLostThecharactersmightbecomelost,butonlyifthe

currentturnlengthis1houror1dayandthey

aretravelingthroughthewilderness.Explorers

whoarefollowingaroadorsomeotherformof

pathortrailcantbecomelostinnormal

circumstances.

Ifthecharactersmightbecomelost,makenote

oftheWisdomcheckresultofanycharacterwho

chosenavigatingduringthecurrentexploration

turn(orthehighestresult,ifmorethanone

characterperformedthistask).Ifnoonedidso,treatthecheckresultas0.TheDCforthischeck

correspondstothereadinessofthegroup,as

determinedbyitstravelpace,plusamodifier

basedontheterrain(seethetable).

Ifanycharacterperformedmapmakingasa

taskduringthecurrentexplorationturn,theDC

isreducedby5.

Terrain DCModifier

Forest,swamp,jungle,mountains +5

Lightforestjungle,hills,desert,tundra 0

Plains,prairie 5

Success:IfthenavigatorsWisdomcheck

succeeds,thecharacterssuccessfullytravelthe

distanceandinthedirectiontheywant.

Failure:Ifthecheckfails,thecharacters

inadvertentlytravelinthewrongdirection.

Halfwaythroughtheirtravelinthecurrentturn,

yourollad4todeterminehowthegrouphas

deviatedfromitsintendedcourse.

d4 Deviation

1 90degreesleft2 45degreesleft

3 45degreesright

4 90degreesright

Forexample,foragroupintendingtomove

north,arollof1indicatesthatthecharactersare

nowactuallyheadingwest;arollof3meansthat

theircoursehas(unknowntothem)shiftedto

thenortheast.

Thischangeofdirectionappliesonlytothe

characterstravelduringthelasthalfofthe

currentturn.Onthenextturn,ifthechanceofgettingloststillexists,thecharactersmake

anothercheck.Ifthatcheckfails,theycontinue

tobeunawareoftheirchangeinheading.Ona

successfulcheck,thecharactersrealizethey

havemovedoffcourseandinwhatdirection.

Thecharactersmightnotrealizetheyarelost

unlesstheyencounteranobstaclethatindicates

theyareheadinginthewrongdirection.Ifthe


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charactersrealizetheyhavelosttheirway,you

stoprollingfordeviationintheircourseuntil

theyfailanotherchecktoavoidbecominglost.

ExamplesofPlay

5-MinuteTurnFourbraveadventurersKragothedwarf

fighter,Estrathehumanrogue,Raltthehuman

wizard,andWilberdthehalflingclericare

exploringthehallsofadungeon.Having

confrontedanddefeatedagroupofdragoncult

berserkersjustinsidethedungeonsentrance,

theypreparetotravelonward.

Sincetheactiontakesplaceinadungeon,the

DMoptsfor5-minuteturns.

DM:OK,whatsnext?Thepassagecontinuesto

thenorth. Estra:Theremightbemoreguards.Letsmove

slowlyandkeepourguardup.

DM:Thatsacautiouspace.Youcanmove

about200feetevery5minutes.Whattasksdoes

everyonewanttodowhilemoving?Youcanmap,

searchfortraps,sneak,orkeepwatch.

Estra:Illsneakandtakepoint.

Ralt:Ihaveinkandparchment,soIllmake

ourmap.

Krago:Illcarryatorchandkeepwatch,

behindEstraandinfrontofRalt.

Wilberd:IguessIllbringuptherearandsearchfortraps,butshouldntEstradothat?

Estra:CanItryboth?

DM:YoullneedtomakeaDC15Constitution

checktodobothtasksatonce.Otherwise,youll

failboth.

Wilberd:OK,Illsearchfortraps,then.Ihave

ahalf-decentIntelligence.

TheDMtracksthecharactersprogress.The

charactersmaketheirchecks,andtheDM

recordstheresults.Estra,Wilberd,andKrago

haveadvantageontheirchecksbecauseofthegroupscautiouspace.Thatpacemakesiteasier

tosucceedoncheckstohide,detecttraps,or

spotcreatures,butsincethecharactersare

movingslowly,theywillfacemorechecksfor

randomencountersastheytraversethe

dungeon.

DM:OK,youmove60feetandcometoan

intersection.Whichwaydoyouwanttogo?The

eastandwestpassagesbothextend30feet

beforeturningsouth.Tothenorth,thereare

doorsonbothsidesofthepassagewithin10feet

ofyou,asidepassagetothewest,andaside

passagetotheeast,plusthecorridorkeepsgoingnorth.

Estra:Letsgoeast.

DM:Thepassagegoes30feeteastandthen

about60feetsouth.Youcometoanother

intersection.Theareatothewestisa10-by-10-

footniche.Thepassagestotheeastandsouth

continueonintodarkness.

(Thereisasecretdoorinthisarea,buttheDM

notesthatWilberdscheckistoolowforhimto

becomeawareofit.)

Estra:Wellheadtotheeast.

DM:Youcomeacrossasidepassageheading

tothenorth,oryoucancontinueeast.

Estra:Eastagain.

Atthispoint,thecharactershavemoved200feet

atacautiouspaceand5minuteshavepassed.

ItstimefortheDMtocheckforrandom

encounters.Themonsterpopulationdensityof

thedungeonistypical,andad20rollof15

indicatesarandomencounter.TheDMrollson

theappropriatetablefortheadventure,and

determinesthatthepartywillmeetagroupofcultists.Thecultistswillapproachfromtheside

passageandwillattackonsight,becausethey

holdthisplaceassacredground.

Sincethepartyiscarryingalightsource,the

DMdecidesthatthecultistscantbesurprised

andthatthelightiswhatdrewtheirattention.

Thecharactersaremovingatacautiouspace,so

theycantbesurprised,either.(Ifthecultistshad

beenhiding,theycouldhavesurprisedthe

charactersifKragofailedtheWisdomcheckhe

madeaspartofkeepingwatch.But,sincethe

cultistshavealightsourceoftheirown,theDMrulesthathidingwouldhavebeenimpossiblefor

them.)

Estradidchoosetosneak,however,sotheDM

conteststhecultistsWisdomagainsthercheck

resultforsneaking.Thefivecultistsfailthe

check,sosheishiddenfromallofthematthe

startofthefight.


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DM:Youheartheclatterofweaponsand

armorbehindyou.Halfadozenhumanscladin

crimsonrobesandcarryingclubscomearound

thecorner.Onesnarlsatyouandshrieks,

Heretics!Defilers!Everyone,rollforinitiative.

Estra,itdoesntlooklikethesepeoplehave

noticedyouatthebackoftheparty.

Combatbeginsnow.Kragoneedstohandhis

torchtoRaltifhewantstowieldbothhisshield

andflail.Meanwhile,Raltiscarryingthe

parchmentandink.Theserulesencouragethe

playerstothinkabouttheirmundanegear,

travelformation,andlight-sourcemanagement.

Ifthatsoundslikeafunwrinkletoaddtothe

game,theserulesaredefinitelyforyou.

1-HourTurnLateron,thecharactershavesucceededin

defeatingthecultandlootingitstreasure.Their

nextdestinationisakeepseveralmilesaway

throughaforest.Astheypreparetoleavethe

dungeon,theDMshiftsto1-hourexploration

turns.Shecouldhaveoptedfora1-dayturnif

theterrainwasrelativelysafeorthecharacters

hadatrailtofollow,butneitherofthosefactsis

true:Theforestbetweenthedungeonandthe

keepisinfestedwithaninvadinggnollarmy,and

notrailthroughtheforestexists,makingitlikely

thatthecharacterswilllosetheirwayatsomepointduringthenextdaystravel.Shedecides

thattrackingeventsinmoredetail,hourbyhour,

isthewaytogo.

DM:Itsearlymorningasyouexitthedungeon.

Itscloudyandchilly,atypicalearlyspringday.

Youhaveabout15milesofthickforestto

traversebetweenyouandthekeep.

Krago:Wellneedtohustletomakeitthere,

unlesswewanttospendthenightinthewoods.

Estra:Letsnotdothatwiththosegnoll

raidersontheloose. DM:OK,Imassumingyouwanttomoveata

fastpace.Thatwillputyouatthekeepinabout8

hours.

Estra:Soundsgood.Illtakepointandsneak,

Kragowillkeepwatch,Wilberdwillnavigate,

andRaltwillmap.

DM:Whatdirectionareyouheaded?

Wilberd:Wellstrikewestwardforthefirstsix

miles,thenturnnorthforeightmilesoncewe

crosstheRunningBrook.Thatwillbringusto

themaintraderoad.

TheDMhasthecharactersmaketheirchecksas

appropriatefortheirtasks.SheusesWilberdschecktonavigatetoseeifthepartybecomeslost.

ThebaseDCis10forthepartyspace,+5forthe

forestterrain,5becauseRaltismapping,fora

totalDCof10.

TheDMhasthecharactersmakecheckseach

hour.Thefirstfourchecksforeachcharacterare

successful,allowingthegrouptoreachthe

RunningBrookandturnnorthwithoutincident.

Duringthatnextlegofthejourney,theDMrolled

forwanderingmonstersanddeterminedthatthe

characterswerespottedbyabloodhawk,thepet

ofagnolldruidactiveinthearea.Kragoscheck

tokeepwatchfailedtotakenoteofthecreature

asitwheeledoverhead,thenturnedtowarnits

master.

Compoundingthecharactersbadluck,Wilbert

failshisnextnavigationcheck.TheDMrollsad4

anddeterminesthatthecharactershave

accidentallyveered45degreestotheleftfrom

thewestwardcoursetheywantedtofollow.

Checkinghermap,sheseesthattheyare

venturingdeeperintognollterritory.

Fortunatelyforthem,thecharactersnextnavigationcheckissuccessful.

DM:Itsbeenafewhourssinceyoufordedthe

brook,andyourealizethatyouwanderedoff

courseawhileago.CheckingRaltsmap,yousee

thatyouhaveaccidentallyveeredtothe

southwest.

Krago:Thatsgnollcountry.Doesthatputus

fartherfromthetraderoad?

Ralt:Weshouldheadeastforonemile,then

turntothenorth.Ifwekeepgoingwestfrom

here,wellcomeclosertothatgnolloutpostthecastellanwarnedusabout.

Atthispoint,thecharacterswillmoveforhalfa

turninonedirection(movingamiletakeshalf

anhour),thenstrikeoutinanother.They

succeedontheirnavigationcheckinthemiddle

oftheturnandremainontheirdesiredcourse.


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