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Encumbrance

Encumbrance

Encumbrance rules are controversial in rpgs. A few people like the rules, but many ignore them. These rules are an attempt to strike a balance between ease of tracking the numbers and keeping players equipment lists in check. I do not use Encumbrance rules in my game unless a player is getting ridiculous about how much they carry.

So, these rules are very optional. Stunts that affect Encumbrance are noted with the special Keyword “Encumbrance,” so that they can be easily added or removed from your game.

Encumbrance really should not be a priority in an rpg. It is included here as an optional rule for those who need it. There are a couple of reasons to need it. First, players will always try to take advantage from a lack of encumbrance rules and want to carry the world with them. Second, it forces a bit more simulation into the rules, if you like that. The rules are kept simple, but realistic. These rules do not use weight or mass as the sole arbiter of encumbrance.

Bulk

Encumbrance of objects is represented by Bulk. Each item has a Bulk which is a number, usually from 0 to 5. Bulk takes into consideration weight and awkwardness of the object. An object could be fairly light, but be difficult to carry because of its size or shape.

Load

Load is how much Bulk a character can carry. Calculate Load as follows:

Load Stat = (Might + Endurance + Strength) * Size Multiplier

Common Bulk Stats

ItemBulk
Knife0.25
Potion0.25
Dagger0.5
One-Handed Weapon1
Light Armor1
Musical Instrument1-2
Two-Handed Weapon2
Bow and Quiver2
Crossbow and Quiver2
Shield1-2
Medium Armor2-3
Heavy Armor4
Person4 + Size + Might

Encumbered

A character can carry an amount of Bulk equal to his Load Stat. Once you carry more than your Load, Encumbrance penalties accumulate. Each multiple of your Load accumulates a particular penalty. Bulk carried in excess of your Load, but less than or equal to twice your Load, incurs only a -1 Stealth Skills penalty. Bulk carried in excess of twice your Load, but less than or equal to three times your Load, incurs the previous penalty and an additional -1 to Athletics Skills, including your Move Skill which reduces your Movement Stat. Bulk carried in excess of three times your Load, but less than or equal to four times your Load, incurs a -1 to all Fight Skills. This is where encumbrance really affects combat. Beyond carrying four times your Load, each multiple after four incurs a -1 Movement Stat until it is reduced to zero.

Encumbrance Penalties

BulkPenalty
<= LoadNone
>Load, but <= 2*Load-1 Stealth Skills
>2*Load, but <= 3*Load-1 Athletics Skills
>3*Load, but <= 4*Load-1 Fight Skills
Each Multiple after 4-1 Movement

Encumbrance Example

If Hans the fighter has a Load Stat of 7 and currently carries a total Bulk of 7, he has no penalties. If his friend Jen the Halfling is wounded and needs to be carried, he will suddenly be burdened by penalties. Jen is Size -1 with a Might of 2, so her Bulk is 5. Hans carrying her would have a total Bulk of 12. That’s not two multiples yet, so he gets a -1 to Stealth Skills while carrying her. If he had to carry the big barbarian out of combat (at Bulk 8) instead, he would be carrying a total Bulk of 15 which is more than 2 times his Load, thus giving him a -1 to Stealth and Athletics Skills.

Encumbrance Stunts

There are many Stunts that can affect both the Bulk of items and the Load a character can carry. All these Stunts are labeled with the Keyword Encumbrance. Some only affect Load or Bulk for a limited time like until the next rest.

Containers, Masterwork, and Bulk

There are Masterwork Stunts that affect encumbrance of objects. Scabbards and quiver can reduce Bulk, as well as, Masterwork weapons and armor. Certain Stunts allow containers like backpacks and bags to reduce the Bulk that is carried in them.

Encumbrance Stunts

Lighten LoadEnduranceCantrip, Encumbrance, Feat, Action, Range: Touch, Dur: 1 rollIgnore Load penalties for 1 roll or action
Hauling LitterMightEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueHalf the Bulk for carrying a Load in a litter
Enduring StaminaEnduranceEncumbrance, Feat, Action, UniqueReduce your Encumbrance Penalty by 1 until your next Long Rest
StaminaEnduranceEncumbrance, Feat, Action, UniqueAdd your Endurance Aptitude to your Load Stat until your next Long Rest
Tighten StrapsMightEncumbrance, Feat, Reaction, Masterwork, Limit Strength or ArmorAdd 1 to bearer’s Strength Skill when deterining Load for 1 Encounter for a container or Armor
Armor StaminaEnduranceEncumbrance, Feat, ReactionIf you are wearing armor, add your Armor Skill to your Load Stat for 1 Encounter
Battle StaminaEnduranceEncumbrance, Feat, Reaction 2Reduce your Encumbrance Penalty by 2 for 1 Encounter
Proper Carrying TechniqueMightEncumbrance, StanceWhile active, reduce Movement Stat by 1 and ignore half your Bulk
Rescuer’s LiftMightEncumbrance, Stance, Proper Carrying StyleWhile active and carrying a person, reduce Bulk by 1 and you may have the Proper Carrying Technique Stance active
Carrying CapacityEnduranceEncumbrance ,TalentAdd 1 to your Load Stat
Awkward SizeStealthEncumbrance ,Talent, Unique ,Defect, ItemAdd 2 to the item’s Bulk
BulkyMightEncumbrance ,Talent, Unique ,Defect, ItemAdd 1 to the item’s Bulk
Heavy HorseshoesMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique ,Masterwork Horseshoes, Limit RideAdd the horse’s Haul Skill to its Load Stat
Strong PocketsThieveryEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork Light Armor, Limit ArmorThis Light Armor can store 1 Bulk worth of items in a pocket. This Bulk does not count toward your Load limit.
Featherlight QuiverAimEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork Quiver, Limit ArcheryReduce the Bulk of a Bow and Quiver by 1
Double SaddleMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork Saddle, Limit RideReduce the Bulk of an extra rider by half
Light ShieldMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork Shield, Limit ArmorReduce a Shield’s Bulk by 0.5
Lighter MaterialsAthleticsEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit ArmorReduce a Light or Medium Armor’s Bulk by 0.5
Load-Distributing DesignMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit ArmorReduce a Heavy or Medium Armor’s Bulk by 1
Master ScabbardMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit BladeReduce the Bulk of a Blade by 1
Double-Wrap BeltThieveryEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit StrengthReduce the Bulk of 1 item on a belt by 1
Load-Bearing HangerMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit WeaponReduce the Bulk of a one-handed weapon by 1
Load-Bearing BaldricFightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork, Limit WeaponReduce the Bulk of a two-handed weapon by 1
Bulk-Reducing BagAimEncumbrance, Talent, Masterwork, Limit StrengthFor each Rank of this Stunt, reduce the Bulk of items in a bag by a total of 1
Bulk-Reducing PackAimEncumbrance, Talent, Masterwork, Limit StrengthFor each Rank of this Stunt, reduce the Bulk of items in a backpack or slingbag by a total of 1.5
Athletic FrameAthleticsEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Athletics Aptitude to your Load Stat
Fighting EnduranceFightEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Fight Aptitude to your Load Stat
Healthy PowerEnduranceEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Health Skill to your Load Stat
Heavy Armor ExpertEnduranceEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueReduce the Bulk of Heavy Armor you wear by 1
Large StatureMightEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Size to your Load Stat
Low Center of GravityAthleticsDwarf, Encumbrance, Talent, UniqueReduce the Bulk of Medium or Heavy Armor you wear by 0.5
Strong BackMightEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Strength Skill to your Load Stat
Willful StrengthPowerEncumbrance, Talent, UniqueAdd your Willpower Skill to your Load Stat
Climbing PackMightEncumbrance, Talent, Unique, Masterwork Backpack, Limit StrengthReduce the Bulk of items in this pack by 2
Light IronAthleticsSpell Elemental, Feat, Action, Encumbrance, Range: Touch, Dur: Rest, Circle 1Ignore the Bulk of the target metal item that they can lift until the end of your next Long Rest
BurdenStealthSpell, Wizard, Feat, Action, Encumbrance, Range: 10, Dur: Enc, Circle 2Double the Bulk the target is carrying
FeatherweightMightSpell, Wizard, Feat, Action, Encumbrance, Range: Touch, Dur: 1 Day, Circle 3Target triples their Load Stat
UnencumberEnduranceSpell, Wizard, Feat, Action, Encumbrance, Range: Touch, Dur: Enc, Circle 1Target doubles their Load Stat for the Encounter

Encumbrance Equipment

Item NameLimitCostStuntsDescriptionBulkCulture
Elven Sash Sling3Bulk-Reducing Bag x10Elf
Equipment Frame3Carrying Capacity x20.5
Ranger QuiverArchery3Featherlight Quiver x1, Quick Quiver x2Holds 20 arrows.1
Slingbag3Bulk-Reducing Bag x20.5
Sword Belt3Double-Wrap Belt x10.25
Toolbag3Bulk-Reducing Bag x10
Traveler’s Pack3Bulk-Reducing Pack x21
Wilderness HarnessStrength or Armor3Tighten Straps x1, Carrying Capacity x10.5
Healer’s ValiseHeal3Bulk-Reducing Bag x2, Healer x2Compact and organized traveling bag for healers0.5
Warrior’s BaldricWeapon3Load-Bearing Baldric x1, Quick Baldric x1 or Quick Scabbard x1 0.25 
Double Belt4Double-Wrap Belt x20.5
Elven QuiverArchery4Featherlight Quiver x1, Quick Quiver x3Holds 30 arrows.1Elf
Great BaldricWeapon4Load-Bearing Baldric x1, Quick Baldric x2 or Quick Scabbard x20.25
Hiker’s PackStrength or Armor4Bulk-Reducing Pack x4, Tighten Straps x11
Master ScabbardBlade4Master Scabbard x1, Blade Langet x1, Quick Scabbard x20.25
Druid’s SlingbagNature5Bulk-Reducing Pack x2, Carrying Capacity x1, Extra Herb Doses x20.5
Lord’s ScabbardBlade5Quick Scabbard x2, Ornamental Additions x1, Master Scabbard x10.25
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Subcultures

Subcultures

I use the term “culture” to refer to a character’s background. This usually means their ethnic stock, but also how and where they grew up. I created Subcultures to further delineate a character’s culture and zoom in on details of the circumstances of their upbringing. If you want more specific Stunts to define your starting character’s story, these Subculture Stunts will probably help.

Gateway

To get access to a set of Subculture Stunts, a character needs to get the Subculture Member Stunt. This Unique Talent that can be chosen as a Cultural Stunt for any Culture gives you the choice of access to one Subculture Keyword. The chosen Keyword becomes part of your Culture Stunt choices during character generation too. So, Subculture Stunts can be chosen as part of your 10 Cultural Stunts when creating your character.

Subculture Member Stunt

This Unique Talent Stunt is available to any Culture and grants access to one Subculture Keyword. It also gives the character one Rank in a new Subculture Stunt too. Stunts like the one below are called Gateway Stunts because they grant access to new Stunt Keywords. In this case the new Keywords are Subculture, and the Keyword you choose for your subculture.

Subculture MemberResources, Any, Talent, UniqueChoose 1 Subculture. You get access to Stunts of the chosen Subculture and gain 1 Rank in a Subculture Stunt.

The Subcultures

Below are five Subcultures of varying types that can be chosen using the Gateway Stunt above: Outsider, Privileged, Provincial, Refugee, and Traveler. These are, of course, examples. Make up some of your own subcultures. I’d love to see what you all come up with.

More Subcultures to come soon: Borderlander, Cannibal, City-Rat, Communal, and Frontier.

Outsider: This subculture is all about being a foreigner or someone outside of the normal castes. They are usually people with unusual appearances and strange customs and often the lowest social class.

Blasphemous OutlanderLoreSubculture, Outsider, Feat, ReactionAdd your Religion Skill to your Contacts Skill for 1 roll
Exotic AppearanceInfluenceSubculture, Outsider, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to your Charm Skill for 1 roll
ForeignerThieverySubculture, Outsider, Feat, ReactionExpend 1 Influence or Resources Stunt to get +1 Skill on 1 Thievery roll
From the BottomAwarenessSubculture, Outsider, Feat, ReactionAdd your Wealth Skill to your Empathy Skill for 1 roll
Strange CustomsPowerSubculture, Outsider, Feat, ReactionAdd your Language Skill to your History Skill for 1 roll
Wary of the CrowdsAwarenessSubculture, Outsider, Inconspicuous Style, StanceWhile active, you add 1 to your Alertness Skill and you may have the Inconspicuous Stance active
High-Demand CraftResourcesSubculture, Outsider, Talent, UniqueFor items you crafted, you get +1 Diplomacy Skill when haggling over their price
Language AdeptLoreSubculture, Outsider, Talent, UniqueYou gain 1 Common language and reduce the XP Cost for Common languages by 1 (minimum of 1 )

Privileged: The character with access to this Subculture is from an upper social class with many privileges. This can be nobility or just upper-crust, moneyed families or those with great reputations.

Ruling ClassResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ActionYou regain 1 Resources Stunt
Better Than the RestResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ReactionAdd your Title Skill to 1 Gaming or Athletics roll
Cup Runneth OverResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ReactionAdd your Wealth Skill to your Charm Skill for 1 roll
Family ConnectionsResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to your Resources Aptitude for 1 Contacts Skill roll
Manifest NobilityResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to your Court Skill for 1 roll
Servants AboundResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Feat, ReactionThere is always a servant around to help you. Add 1 to your Skill for 1 Lore, Animal Ken, or Influence roll
Fail UpwardsAwarenessSubculture, Privileged, Feat, Reaction 2For 1 Influence or Resources roll, you may re-roll adding 1 to your Skill for the re-roll only. You must take the second roll.
Want for NothingResourcesSubculture, Privileged, Talent, UniqueYou get 1 item with Cost 6 or less for free

Provincial: This Subculture represents farm life. It includes many activities and skills common to an agrarian society like handling animals, growing foods and crafting.

Farm Fresh IngredientsLoreSubculture, Provincial, Meal, Feat, ReactionAdd your Farm Skill to your Cook Skill for 1 roll
Jarred PreservesEnduranceSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ActionAfter a Short Rest, you regain 1 Meal or Herb Stunt
Time HealsLoreSubculture, Provincial ,Feat, ActionAfter target rests for a full day, they regain your Nature Skill in Damage or Wound Severity
Animal HusbandryAnimal KenSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 Success to 1 Handle Animal roll involving breeding or herding
Barn RaisingAimSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to Aptitude and Skill when you provide help with a carpentry Craft roll
Draft Animal ExpertiseAnimal KenSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ReactionAdd your Handle Animal Skill to 1 roll involving a draft animal
Nature ProvidesLoreSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ReactionAdd your Nature Skill to your Farm Skill for 1 roll
Talented CrafterLoreSubculture, Provincial, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to a roll for a Craft Skill in which you do not possess any Levels

Refugee: Characters with this subculture have escaped terrible conditions in their homelands. Whether by plague or warfare, they have settled in a new land of hope.

Wounds of WarEnduranceSubculture, Refugee, Feat, ActionReduce 1 of your Wound Severities by 1
Food Is ScarceEnduranceSubculture, Refugee, Feat, ReactionAdd your Alertness Skill to your Survival Skill for 1 roll to find food
Beg for Your LifeInfluenceSubculture, Refugee, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 Success to 1 Diplomacy Skill roll to avoid fighting or avoid being attacked
Neighborhood ConnectionsResourcesSubculture, Refugee, Feat, Reaction 2Add 1 Success to 1 Contacts Skill roll when dealing with people of your original culture
Disease ExposureEnduranceSubculture, Refugee, Feat, Reaction 2Add 1 Success to 1 Health Skill roll against a disease you acquired from an ally or friend
Recognize Ill IntentAwarenessSubculture, Refugee, Stance, Inconspicuous StyleWhile active, you add 1 to your Empathy Skill and you may have the Inconspicuous Stance active
Blend into SocietyResourcesSubculture, Refugee, Talent, UniqueChoose 1 Subculture to which you do not have access. You gain access to that Subculture.
On AlertAwarenessSubculture, Refugee, Talent, UniqueAdd 1 to your Initiative Stat

Traveler: It is common for this subculture to move around a region. They do not settle for long and have much experience in moving from place to place, including new languages, repairing carts and wagons, and survival skills.

HikerEnduranceSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ActionAdd your Survival Skill to your Travel Stat for 1 Day’s travel
Bargain in Any LanguageInfluenceSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd your Language Skill to your Diplomacy Skill for 1 roll
Border CrosserInfluenceSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 Success to your roll when crossing a well-controlled border
Known DangersAwarenessSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd your Survival Skill to your Alertness Skill for 1 roll
Stranger’s GuileInfluenceSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to your Guile Skill for 1 roll against a native of the lands you are in
Travel Town to TownEnduranceSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to Orient or Survival Skill for 1 roll when travelling in civilized lands
Travel to Exotic LandsLoreSubculture, Traveler, Talent, UniqueYou gain 1 Rare language and 1 Uncommon language
Fast Vehicle RepairLoreSubculture, Traveler, Feat, ReactionAdd 1 to your Skill to repair a ground vehicle or small boat and half the repair time