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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kaptain_Kantrip" data-source="post: 228624" data-attributes="member: 546">Here is the latest version of my work in progress to create a set of House Rules to utilize the low magic Harn setting from Columbia Games. Your feedback is needed and appreciated! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />ABILITY SCORESAll abilities begin at 8 points each. You now have 25 abilityscore points to spend any way you wish using the StandardPoint Buy method of character generation (DMG, p.19). Allscores between 9-14 points may be bought on a 1-1 basis;scores between 15-16 cost 2-1, and scores of 17-18 cost 3-1.Changes to Ability Scores:Intelligence is used to learn magic, called  invocations (clerical)or spells (wizards).Wisdom determines your Sanity, which you sacrifice to learnmagic or lose when you experience terror or trauma. Charisma determines your Aura, which you sacrifice in order tocast magic. Charisma no longer has anything to do withphysical attractiveness.Comeliness now solely determines physical attractiveness. Abonus for high Comeliness stacks with all Charisma based skillchecks involving the opposite sex, or those attracted to yourgender. Comeliness is only relevant when used againstmembers of your own species or those creatures who areattracted to your species.HIT POINTS: At level one, you have 8 hit points + Con mod + anyToughness feats. At level two and every level thereafter, youreceive 1d8 hit points + Con mod.DEATH FROM MASSIVE DAMAGE:If a human takes 10 hit points of damage from a single injury,he must make a Fort save (DC 15) or be immediately reducedto -1 hit points and dying. If it is subdual damage, he mustmake the same Fort save but failure results in 2d6 minutes ofunconsciousness.     Creatures (Demons, Ivashu, etc.) only check for death frommassive damage if they take 50 hit points of damage from asingle injury.SANITY SCORE:Your Sanity score = Wis score x 5. Sanity points are lostwhenever you encounter something terrifying  or traumatic, orwhen you first learn an invocation or spell (the Sanity Pointcost is equal to the Aura Point cost for casting). You receive1d6 + Wis mod in Sanity Points each time you gain a level. Ifyour Sanity ever drops to zero, you become insane until cured.AURA SCORE:Your Aura score = Cha score x 5. Aura is used to castinvocations and spells; you must have an Aura of 60+ tobecomeeither a member of the clergy or shek-pvar. You receive1d6 + Cha mod in Aura Points each time you gain a level. Ifyour aura ever reaches zero, your soul is sucked dry and youbecome a catatonic vegetable. If you were channeling thepower of Morgath or the Asagvra, you instantly die and rise asa Gulmorvrin instead.Base Save and Attack Bonuses: Pick either Defense or Offense option. * Defense Option: Pick two saving throws; these each receive a +2 bonus, but the third saving throw receives +0. Your Base Attack Bonus is also +0. * Offense Option: Pick one saving throw; it receives a +2bonus but the other two receive a +0 bonus. Your Base AttackBonus is +1. Defense Bonus: Pick the Defense or Offense Option. * Defense Option: +2 AC bonus (scales with level) * Offense Option: +0 AC bonus (scales with level), but youget to pick one fighter bonus feat.FEATS: Pick any two. If you chose the “Offense Option” for yourDefense Bonus, you receive a third feat taken from the list offighter bonus feats. SKILL POINTS AT 1ST LEVEL: 8 + Int mod x 4. SKILL POINTS AT 2ND LEVEL AND BEYOND: 8 + Int mod. SKILLS:Choose an Occupation Template below or create your owntemplate by modifying an existing one or designing a new onewith the DM’s permission. In this case, pick any twelve skillsas your core skills and select one bonus feat for your template.All other skills are non-core skills and cost two skill points toraise one rank. OCCUPATION TEMPLATES:Each of the twelve templates below gives the ten core skills  foreach occupation and allows room for minor customization byleaving two core skill slots empty, to be filled with skills of theplayer’s choice. Each template also provides one preset bonusfeat in addition to any others at level one.     Remember that most characters not of the clergy or   nobility are illiterate and do not possess the Script (Literacy)skill. 1. BarbarianCraft (any)HideIntuit DirectionKnowledge: LocalKnowledge: NatureKnowledge: Weather SenseListenMove SilentlySpotWilderness Lore+ two skills of player's choiceBonus Feat: Toughness.2. Clergy Concentration Diplomacy Knowledge: Religion Knowledge (any one) Listen Script (native) Script (temple tongue) Sense Motive Speak Other Language Spot + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Holier Than Thou. 3. Criminal (Bandit) Appraise Bluff Gather Information Hide Knowledge: Underworld Move Silently Open Lock Pick Pockets Profession: Gambler Wilderness Lore + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Street Smarts. 4. Freeman Craft or Profession (any one) Craft or Profession (any one)Craft or Profession (any one)Knowledge: Folklore Knowledge: LawKnowledge: LocalKnowledge: Weather Sense Listen Spot Wilderness Lore + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Any one of player’s choice. 5. Mercenary Climb Hide Jump Knowledge: Mercenary Knowledge: Military Listen Move Silently Spot Use Rope Wilderness Lore + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Any fighter feat. 6. Merchant (Guilder) Appraise Bluff Craft (any one) Diplomacy Gather Information Knowledge: Trade Knowledge (any one) Listen Profession (any one) Spot + two skills of player’s choiceBonus feat: Barter. 7. Noble (Knight) Diplomacy Gather Information Knowledge: Administration Knowledge: Heraldry Knowledge: History Knowledge: Law Knowledge: Military Perform (dance)Perform (any musical instrument)Ride Script (native) + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Wealth (CoC). 8. Serf, Male (Cottar, Villein) Craft (any one) Handle Animal Heal (First Aid) Knowledge: Folklore Knowledge: LocalKnowledge: Weather Sense Listen Profession: Farmer Spot Wilderness Lore + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Skill Focus (any one Craft or Profession:Farmer).  9. Serf, Female Craft: Cooking (includes salting)Craft: Textilecraft Heal (First Aid) Knowledge: FolkloreKnowledge: Local Listen Nursemaid Profession: Farmer Spot Wilderness Lore + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Skill Focus (any one Craft or Profession) 10. Shek-Pvar (Wizard)BluffConcentrationDiplomacyIntimidateKnowledge (Arcana)Knowlege (any)Script (Native)Sense MotiveSpeak Other Language (any)Spellcraft+ two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Spell Focus.11. Slave Craft or Profession (any one) Craft or Profession (any one) Craft or Profession (any one) Diplomacy Hide Listen Move Silently Profession: Servant Sense Motive Spot + two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Skill Focus (any one Craft or Profession).12. Ivinian (Viking Raider)ClimbCraft (any one)JumpKnowledge (Law: The Ljarl)Knowledge (Military)ListenProfession: SailorSpotUse RopeWilderness Lore+ two skills of player’s choiceBonus Feat: Toughness.CHARACTER CLASSES: There is only one character class: Adventurer. Characters withthe Clergy or Shek-Pvar (Wizard) occupation template beginplay witha handful of common knowledge spells, but must finda master or spell book to learn more.________________________MAGIC SECTION (rough draft)COMMON INVOCATIONSThese invocations are granted by all deities and taught to allclergy. They do not cause Aura or ability drain to cast.Baptism, Commune, Liturgy, Marriage, Divine Intervention,Passage of the Soul, Truesight.AGRIK is the LE god of destruction, plague, fire, tyranny, war in HarnWorld. I'm including Agrikan info below as an example of how different tomes provide different benefits to the reader, and how I intend for the spell system to work.Agrikan Invocations: There are twenty-four known “high invocations” remaining from the original fabled sixty-four,eight high invocations for each of the original eight acolytes ofIlpylen. Whether or not these legendary rituals ever existed or not is a matter of debate best left to scholars and theologians.Each high invocation cast “burns up” a bit of the Agrikancaster’s “inner fire” (the gifted spark of Manrasusha, the PrimalFire), so they must be used with caution. A caster who runs outof Aura while casting a high invocation is immolated in holyfire and burnt to ashes which scatter on the wind. “Borne on thebrimstone breeze” is the common expression for such a death;the soul is believed guaranteed entrance to Balgashang for suchself-sacrifice. The following cause aura and ability drain to invoke:1. Agannazar’s Scorcher (FR): 2 Str, 1d8 Aura.2. Ak-Syt’s Peace: 1 Con drain (permanent); subject (self orother) is permanently able to function as normal until dead at-10 hit points. This is a ritual that costs 100d in materials andrequires 1 hour to perform.3. Blind/Deafen (CoC)4. Bring Pestilence (CoC)5. Call Deity: Agrik (CoC): As Cthuga.6. Candle Communication (CoC)7. Circle of Nausea (CoC)8. Cloak of Fire (CoC)9. Clutch of Nyogtha (CoC)10. Contact Deity: Agrik (CoC): As Cthuga.11. Death by Flames (CoC)12. Dominate Person (CoC)13. Endure Fire (PHB): 1 Wis, 1 Aura.14. Fear (PHB): 4 Wis, 1d8 Aura.15. Healing Touch (CoC)16. Keen Edge (PHB): 2 Wis, 1d4 Aura)17. Power Drain (CoC)18. Produce Flame (PHB): 2 Str, 1d6 Aura.19. Protection from Fire (PHB): 2 Wis, 1d6 Aura.20. Summon/Bind Creature (CoC):  Servants of Agrik only,each type of servant requires a separate invocation.21. Tongue of the Tyrant: 2 Wis, 1d4 Aura; +2 profane bonusper level to Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate (+8 max) for 10minutes/level.22. True Strike (PHB): 2 Wis, 1d6 Aura.23. Weapon of Agrik: 2 Wis, 1d10 Aura; flaming mace, acidicsickle, or thundering whip.24. WrackAGRIKAN HOLY TOMES:THE BALEFIRE CHRONICLES (Six Versions)Balefire Chronicles. In Azeryani, by Moralin, First Acolyte ofthe Prophet Ilpylen, c. 1500 BT. Original form is unknown, butonly eight copies ever existed, each taken by an acolyte ofIlpylen to “the eight corners of the world” to spread the word ofAgrik after the prophet’s death. As early as 300 TR, thisversion was considered lost except for one copy believed to beMoralin’s, held by the Amanasurif (Agrikan Pontiff) in histemple at Lysara in Azeryan. Examination Period: 2d10 weeks(DC 25). Contains all common Agrikan invocations, ritualsand 4d6 Agrikan invocations. Sanity Loss: 1d10 Initial and2d10 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +3 ranks. Balefire Chronicles. In Azeryan, trans. by Eilar the Visionary,c. 500 BT. Early handwritten copies are unknown, butmanuscript copies were widely circulated among Azeryanischolars and theologians. Examination Period: 2d20 weeks(DC 25). Contains all common Agrikan invocations, ritualsand 3d6 Agrikan invocations. Sanity Loss: 1d10 initial and2d10 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +2 ranks.Balefire Chronicles. In Surikal, trans. by Ulankh VengusMakh, also known as “Vengus the Mad”, c. 108 TR. Firstcirculated in manuscript form, then printed in the kingdom ofLothrim the Foulspawner (c.112 TR), as a black letter folio.Four copies of it are known to remain, one with the GolothanPrimacy of Agrik. Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 25).Contains all common Agrikan invocations, rituals and 3d6Agrikan invocations. Sanity Loss: 1d10 Initial and 2d10 uponcompletion. Religion (Agrik): +2 ranks. Balefire Chronicles. In Surikal, trans. by Viriahn Iskmus Prel,c. 520 TR. An accurate but expurgated version of the Surikaltranslation. Printed in Menethos (now Golotha) in an octavoedition.  Examination Period: 1d12+1 weeks (DC 22).Contains all common Agrikan invocations, rituals and 2d6Agrikan invocations. Sanity Loss: 1d10 Initial and 2d10 uponcompletion. Religion (Agrik): +2 ranks.  Cultus Agrikarum. In Thardic, trans. by Flavius Pompos, 697TR. A muddled, incomplete translation of the Prel version,printed in Coranan in a garish scarlet leather octavo. Thisunauthorized version was quickly suppressed by the AgrikanChurch and all but a handful of copies in private collectionswere burned in Coranan in 698 TR. Examination Period:1d10+1 weeks (DC 25). Contains 1d6 Agrikan invocations.Sanity Loss: all common Agrikan invocations, rituals and 1d3Initial and 1d6 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +1 rank.      Balefire Ceremonies. In Surikal, trans. by Viriahn HegrikKlesh, 700 TR. Eight hundred copies of this expurgated“official” version were printed in Golotha and widely circulatedamong the Agrikan clergy. It can be bought by Agrikan clergyonly from any temple for 100d.  Examination Period: 2d4 weeks (DC 20). Contains allcommon Agrikan invocations and rituals. Sanity Loss: 1d3Initial and 1d3 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +1 rank.  CODEX OF STEEL (Two Versions)Codex of Steel. In Surikal, by Senesharil Dramus of Reigrym,c. 577 TR. Printed as a sturdy quarto two years after thefounding of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel, in Golotha(then under the rule of the Theocracy of Tekhos). This workdeals with many mystical concepts alien to most other Agrikantheological texts; much of it is seemingly ambiguous andcontradictory, yet strangely compelling. Only four copies areknown to exist: two are held by Senesharil Klyrdes of Bisidrilin his private collection. Examination Period: 2d10 weeks(DC 24). Contains four Agrikan invocations: Keen Edge,Magic Weapon, True Strike, Weapon of the Deity. SanityLoss:  Initial 2d4 and 2d4 upon completion. Religion (Agrik):+1 ranks, Alchemy: +2 ranks, Ashekal (Mamakan secret signlanguage): +2 ranks, Bluff: +2 ranks.Mysteries of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel. InSurikal, trans. by Senesharil Klyrdes of Bisidril, 698 TR. Thisis an accurate but expurgated version designed for use by theclergy of the order. Twenty-four copies were printed inGolotha. Examination Period: 2d4 weeks (DC 20). Containsone Agrikan invocation: Magic Weapon. Sanity Loss:  Initial1d4 and 1d4 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +1 ranks,Alchemy: +1 ranks, Ashekal (Mamakan secret signlanguage): +1 ranks, Bluff: +1 ranks.V’hir Testimony. In Surikal, by Senesharil Merele of Kantar,714 TR. Written by the founder and current head of the Orderof the Eight Demons, this work serves to explain the splitbetween Herpa the Mace and Eight Demons in 714 TR, as wellas outline the goals, rituals and methods of the new order.Much of the work is devoted to incredibly bizarre and sadistictorture methods, supposedly passed down to the author from theV’hir themselves. Examination Period: 1d8+1 weeks (DC 25).Contains eight Agrikan invocations: Circle of Nausea, Deathby Flames, Dominate Person, Peace of Ak-Syt, Spectral Razor,Summon/Bind Kyton, Wither Limb, Wrack. Sanity Loss: Initial 1d8 and 2d8 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +2ranks, Intimidate: +2 ranks.Revelations of the Fuming Gate. In Surikal, by UlankhHodael of the Bloodied Mace, c. 388 TR. A Menethos printedquarto, this volume has long been referred to as “The RedDoor.” Eight copies are held by the Order of the Fuming Gate. Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 24). Contains 4d6Agrikan invocations and the following unique to the order:Kissing the Hook, Purification, Reaping the Harvest, Songs ofDestruction, Songs of War, True Visions. Sanity Loss:  Initial1d8 and 2d8 upon completion. Religion (Agrik): +3 ranks.HALEAN HOLY TOMES:PROMISE OF CORSILEA (Four Versions)Promise of Corsilea. In Harnic, trans. by Hilenea Aurelia,First Disciple of Meredyne the Prophetess, c. 372 TR. Printedin Livelis, this is the first time all of Meredyne’s visions werecompiled into one text. Only seven copies are known to exist:one with the Halean Hilenea (pontiff) at Helas, one with the Salara (primate) in Shiran, one with the Aramia of the Templeof the Queen of Pleasures in Livelis (birthplace of Haleanism),one with the Aramia of the temple at Coranan.Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 24). Contains allcommon Halean invocations, rituals and 4d6 Haleaninvocations. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d10 and 2d10 uponcompletion. Religion (Halea): +3 ranks, , Perform (SexualProwress): +3 ranks, Seduce: +3 ranks.True Promise of Corsilea. In Harnic, trans. by Keser of Beria,c. 383 TR. Printed in Livelis, this unathorized translation by“renegade” male aramia (and charismatic would-be pontiff)Keser of Beria, the publication of this work culminated inHilenea Aureila issuing the Temenesa Decree of 384 TR,banning all males from the priesthood forever. The author diedof a strange wasting disease shortly thereafter, which waswidely regarded as divine wrath. Only one copy is known toexist; the rest were seized and burned by Aurelia followingKeser’s death. The book is a fairly accurate translation ofMeredyne’s visions, but with a pro-male slant. Aurelia and herfollowers are blasted as “false harlots who defile the throne ofopulence.” The book is considered a dangerous heresy by theChurch of Halea.Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 22). Contains allcommon Halean invocations, rituals and 3d6 Haleaninvocations. Sanity Loss: Initial 1d10 and 2d10 uponcompletion. Religion (Halea): +2 ranks, Perform (SexualProwress): +2 ranks, Seduce: +2 ranks.Promise of Corsilea. In Harnic, trans. by Hilenea Aurelia, c.400 TR. Printed in Helas in an accurate but expurgatedversion. Seven copies are known to exist.Examination Period: 1d10 weeks (DC 20). Contains allcommon Halean invocations, rituals and 2d6 Haleaninvocations. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d10 and 1d10 uponcompletion. Religion (Halea): +3 ranks, Perform (SexualProwress): +3 ranks, Seduce: +3 ranks.Pleasures of Corsilea. In Harnic, trans. by Hilenea Milana, c.700 TR. Printed in Helas in a lavishly illustrated butexpurgated edition. Seventy-seven copies are known to exist.Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 20). Contains allcommon Halean invocations, rituals. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d10and 1d10 upon completion. Religion (Halea): +3 ranks,Perform (Sexual Prowress): +3 ranks, Seduce: +3 ranks.Golden Bargain. In Harnic, trans. by Aramia Imisylda, c. 698TR. Covers all the mythology, parables and advice offered byHalea and her handmaids. Printed in Livelis. Seventy-sevencopies are known to exist. Examination Period: 2d10 weeks(DC 20). Contains no spells. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d3 and 1d3upon completion. Religion (Halea): +1 rank.Illustratum Halea, or, An Illustrated History of HaleanRites and Practices in the Thardic Republic. In Thardic, byCorthina Aurilia, 715 TR. Printed in Shiran. Seventy copies areknown to exist. Examination Period: 1d4 weeks (DC 20).Contains no spells. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d4 and 1d8 uponcompletion. Religion (Halea): +1 rank, Perform (SexualProwress): +1 rank, Seduce: +1 rank.Seven Pleasures of the Palate. In Harnic, trans. by AramiaImisylda, c. 704 TR. Printed in Livelis. This work covers theHalean doctrine known as “Galopea’s Bargain.” Seventy-sevencopies are known to exist.Examination Period: 2d10 weeks (DC 20). Contains no spells.Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d3 and 1d3 upon completion. Religion(Halea): +1 rank.Ten Forgotten Acts. In Harnic, by Hilenea Aurelia, c. 392 TR.This work details the Ten Forgotten Acts, also known asTania’s Bargain. Seventy copies were printed, only a handfulare known to exist. Examination Period: 1d6weeks (DC 20).Contains the Halean invocations Ecstasy, Halea’s Apple andTania’s Pleasure. Sanity Loss:  Initial 1d8 and 2d8 uponcompletion. Religion (Halea): +1 rank, Perform (SexualProwress): +3 ranks, Seduce: +1 rank.</blockquote>

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