CHAPTER 8: EQUIPMENT

A character without equipment is a collection of ability scores. Equipment is what makes those scores useful — the armor between a character and a sword, the rope between a character and the pit, the coin between a character and the next day's food.

This chapter covers what things cost, how much they weigh, and what they do. The prices are guidelines. They reflect the average value under normal supply conditions. The GM should adjust freely for scarcity, politics, and the particular economics of any specific settlement. Haggling down or being gouged up are both possible, especially for unusual items.

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Currency

Five coins circulate in the Known World. The gold piece is the standard unit for adventurers, and most prices in this chapter are given in gold. The names used here are generic — the GM may rename currencies to fit specific nations or regions.

All coins weigh 0.5 kg per 50 units regardless of metal.

Table 8.1: Exchange Rates

	CP	SP	EP	GP	PP
Copper Piece (CP)	1	1/10	1/50	1/100	1/500
Silver Piece (SP)	10	1	1/5	1/10	1/50
Electrum Piece (EP)	50	5	1	1/5	1/10
Gold Piece (GP)	100	10	2	1	1/5
Platinum Piece (PP)	500	50	10	5	1

The copper and silver pieces are common currency — the coins that change hands in markets, taverns, and daily trade. The gold piece circulates among merchants, banks, and adventurers. Electrum and platinum are no longer minted; they survive only in old treasure hoards and private collections. Most merchants will accept them, but not without calculating the exchange rate and probably applying a discount for inconvenience.

Metal bars also function as portable wealth. A 500-gram gold bar is worth 50 gp. Objects, land deeds, livestock, and rare goods serve as currency in many transactions where large coin transfers would be impractical.

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Starting Money

Starting funds represent accumulated savings, gifts, windfalls, or anything else that fits the character's background. These funds are personal — they cannot be shared or pooled during character creation, even if the characters know each other. Multiclass characters use the most favorable row.

Table 8.2: Starting Money by Class

Class Group	Starting Funds	Average
Warrior	5d4 × 10 gp	100 gp
Wizard	(1d4 + 1) × 10 gp	30 gp
Rogue	2d6 × 10 gp	60 gp
Priest	3d6 × 10 gp	90 gp

Priests retain only 1d3 gp after purchasing equipment. The rest is donated to their religious institution or church — either before play begins or immediately upon completion of character creation.

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Standard Equipment Lists

Prices reflect average availability. Unusual items are annotated with descriptions below their tables.

Table 8.3: Containers and Carrying Capacity

Item	Capacity	Volume
Backpack	25 kg	3
Basket, large	10 kg	2
Basket, small	5 kg	1
Belt pouch, large	4 kg	6
Belt pouch, small	2.5 kg	4
Chest, large	50 kg	3
Chest, small	20 kg	2
Sack, extra-large	40 kg	4
Sack, large	15 kg	2
Sack, small	7.5 kg	1
Sack, tiny	2 kg	6
Saddle bags, large	15 kg	18
Saddle bags, small	10 kg	1

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Table 8.4: Clothing

Item	Cost
Belt	3 sp
Boots, riding	3 gp
Boots, soft	1 gp
Breeches	2 gp
Cap or hat	1 sp
Cloak, good cloth	8 sp
Cloak, common fur	50 gp
Girdle	3 gp
Gloves	1 gp
Gown, common	12 sp
Hose	2 gp
Mittens	3 sp
Robe, common	9 sp
Robe, embroidered	20 gp
Sandals	5 cp
Shoes	1 gp
Silk jacket	80 gp
Surcoat	6 sp
Sword scabbard, hanger, baldric	4 gp
Tunic	8 sp
Vest	6 sp

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Table 8.5: Miscellaneous Equipment

Item	Cost	Weight
Backpack	2 gp	1 kg
Barrel, small	2 gp	15 kg
Bell	1 gp	—
Belt pouch, large	1 gp	0.5 kg
Belt pouch, small	7 sp	250 g
Block and tackle	5 gp	2.5 kg
Bolt case	1 gp	0.5 kg
Bucket	5 sp	1.5 kg
Chain, heavy (per 30 cm)	4 gp	1.5 kg
Chain, light (per 30 cm)	3 gp	0.5 kg
Chest, large	2 gp	12.5 kg
Chest, small	1 gp	5 kg
Candle, tallow	1 cp	50 g
Candle, wax	1 sp	50 g
Chalk	1 cp	50 g
Crampons	4 gp	1 kg
Component pouch	15 gp	1 kg
Fishhook	1 sp	—
Fishing net, 3 m square	4 gp	2.5 kg
Flint and steel	5 sp	50 g
Glass bottle	10 gp	50 g
Grappling hook	8 sp	2 kg
Holy item	25 gp	50 g
Hourglass	25 gp	0.5 kg
Iron pot	5 sp	1 kg
Ladder, 3 m	5 cp	10 kg
Lantern, beacon	150 gp	25 kg
Lantern, bull's-eye	12 gp	1.5 kg
Lantern, hooded	7 gp	1 kg
Lock, good	100 gp	0.5 kg
Lock, poor	20 gp	0.5 kg
Magnifying glass	100 gp	50 g
Map or scroll case	8 sp	250 g
Merchant's scale	2 gp	0.5 kg
Mirror, small metal	10 gp	50 g
Musical instrument	5–100 gp	250 g
Oil, Greek fire (per flask)	10 gp	1 kg
Oil, lamp (per flask)	6 cp	0.5 kg
Paper (per sheet)	2 gp	—
Parchment (per sheet)	1 gp	—
Perfume (per vial)	5 gp	50 g
Piton	3 cp	250 g
Quiver	8 sp	0.5 kg
Rope, hemp (per 15 m)	1 gp	10 kg
Rope, silk (per 15 m)	10 gp	4 kg
Sealing wax (per 500 g)	1 gp	0.5 kg
Sewing needle	5 sp	—
Signal whistle	8 sp	50 g
Signet ring or personal seal	5 gp	50 g
Soap (per 500 g)	5 sp	0.5 kg
Spyglass	1,000 gp	0.5 kg
Tent, large	25 gp	10 kg
Tent, pavilion	100 gp	25 kg
Tent, small	5 gp	5 kg
Thieves' picks	30 gp	0.5 kg
Torch	1 cp	0.5 kg
Whetstone	2 cp	0.5 kg
Wineskin	8 sp	0.5 kg
Winter blanket	5 sp	1.5 kg
Writing ink (per vial)	8 gp	50 g

Holy Items. Religious symbols, blessed water, sacred scripture, and other items sanctified by a faith. Holy items are powerless without priestly blessing through a formal ceremony. Most cannot be purchased outright — they must be requisitioned through the appropriate religious institution. Non-faithful may obtain them only when need is pressing, and the institution reserves the right to decline.

Lanterns. Hooded lanterns project light in a 9-metre radius and include a shutter to dim the light. Bull's-eye lanterns project a 20-metre cone 6 metres wide from a single shutter. Beacon lanterns project a 70-metre cone 30 metres wide and are mounted to buildings, ships, or wagons rather than carried. Hooded and bull's-eye lanterns burn one flask of oil every 6 hours. Beacon lanterns burn a flask every 2 hours.

Locks. Quality determines the difficulty for a Thief attempting to open them.

Table 8.6: Lock Quality

Quality	Modification to Open Locks
Wretched	+30%
Poor	+15%
Good	0%
Excellent	−15%
Superior	−30%
Masterful	−45%

Thieves' Picks. A professional collection of metal rods, picks, a clamp, wedge, hammer, and a small saw. Required to pick locks and remove traps without penalty.

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Table 8.7: Provisions

Item	Cost
Ale (per gallon)	2 sp
Banquet (per person)	10 gp
Bread	5 cp
Cheese	4 sp
Common wine (pitcher)	2 sp
Dry rations (per week)	10 gp
Eggs or fresh vegetables	1 cp
Honey	5 sp
Inn lodging, common (per day/week)	5 sp / 3 gp
Inn lodging, poor (per day/week)	5 cp / 2 sp
Meals, good (per day)	5 sp
Meals, common (per day)	3 sp
Meals, poor (per day)	1 sp
Meat, one meal	1 sp
Small beer (per gallon)	5 cp
Soup	5 cp

Table 8.8: Living Conditions

Lifestyle	Cost per Month
Squalid	3 gp
Poor	5 gp
Middle-class	50 gp per level
Wealthy	200 gp per level

Table 8.9: Services

Service	Cost
Bath	3 cp
Clerk (per letter)	2 sp
Doctor, leech, or bleeding	3 gp
Guide, city (per day)	2 sp
Lantern or torchbearer (per night)	1 sp
Laundry (per load)	1 cp
Messenger, city (per message)	1 sp
Minstrel (per performance)	3 gp
Mourner (per funeral)	2 sp
Teamster with wagon	1 sp per 1.5 km

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Animals and Mounts

Animals listed here are domestic and trained — livestock, mounts, and working animals. Dangerous animals that the GM may pit against a party (wolves, bears, hunting cats, warhounds turned hostile) have full entries in Book III.

Table 8.10: Animals

Animal	Cost
Boar	10 gp
Bull	20 gp
Camel	50 gp
Cow	10 gp
Dog, guard	25 gp
Dog, hunting	17 gp
Dog, war	20 gp
Donkey, mule, or ass	8 gp
Elephant, labor	200 gp
Elephant, war	500 gp
Falcon, trained	1,000 gp
Goat	1 gp
Horse, draft	200 gp
Horse, heavy war	400 gp
Horse, light war	150 gp
Horse, medium war	225 gp
Horse, riding	75 gp
Hunting cat (jaguar, panther)	5,000 gp
Messenger pigeon	100 gp
Ox	15 gp
Pig	3 gp
Pony	30 gp
Ram	4 gp
Sheep	2 gp

Table 8.11: Horse Quality Modifiers

Quality	Movement	Carrying Capacity	Cost
Nag	×0.50	×0.75	−50%
Broken-down	×0.75	×0.50	−25%
Average	—	—	—
High-spirited	×1.33	×1.25	+33%
Charger	×1.50	×1.33	+50%

Horses require adequate forage or quality grain daily, plus water. Heavy warhorses cannot survive on grazing alone. Saddles and packs must be removed at night, and horses must be tethered to prevent wandering.

Ponies, donkeys, and mules are hardier. They survive on grass and forage, don't need tethering, and can travel through rugged terrain at one less their normal movement rate. They gain +2 on Fortitude saves when double-moving.

Camels come in two varieties: Dromedary (sandy desert) and Bactrian (rocky desert). Each reduces movement penalties in their respective terrain by 1. Camels require water every four days and must be tethered.

Elephants require dense vegetation for adequate feeding. In sparse terrain they spend most of the day eating and can only move at one-quarter normal rate. They cannot navigate steep declines without a Fortitude save against falling.

Table 8.12: Tack and Harness

Item	Cost	Weight
Barding, chain	500 gp	35 kg
Barding, full plate	2,000 gp	42.5 kg
Barding, full scale	1,000 gp	37.5 kg
Barding, half brigandine	500 gp	22.5 kg
Barding, half padded	100 gp	12.5 kg
Barding, leather or padded	150 gp	30 kg
Bit and bridle	15 sp	1.5 kg
Halter	5 cp	50 g
Horseshoes and shoeing	1 gp	5 kg
Saddle, pack	5 gp	7.5 kg
Saddle, riding	10 gp	17.5 kg
Saddle bags, large	4 gp	4 kg
Saddle bags, small	3 gp	2.5 kg
Saddle blanket	3 sp	2 kg
Stabling (per day)	5 sp	—

Barding provides AC protection for mounts at the cost of movement. Full barding gives the listed AC bonus; half barding provides one less. Barding must be removed for the animal to rest properly. Donning leather barding takes 30 minutes; metal barding takes 60. Removal takes half as long. Flying mounts can wear only leather or lighter. Unusual mounts require custom barding at modified cost and weight.

Table 8.13: Transport

Item	Cost
Canoe, small	30 gp
Canoe, war	50 gp
Carriage, common	150 gp
Coach, ornamented	7,000 gp
Chariot, riding	200 gp
Chariot, war	500 gp
Galley, great	30,000 gp
Galleon	50,000 gp
Longship	10,000 gp
Raft or small keelboat	100 gp
Wagon or cart	10 gp
Wagon wheel	5 gp

Carts and wagons. A hitched mount's speed is automatically halved. Each additional mount triples the vehicle's carrying capacity. The vehicle's weight is not counted against the mount's carrying limit.

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Weapons

Characters may own as many weapons as they can carry, subject to encumbrance. The GM should apply reasonable judgment about what a character can realistically have accessible in combat.

Type indicates damage kind: Bludgeoning (B), Piercing (P), Slashing (S). Some weapons deal multiple types; a knife deals both P and S. Damage type has no general effect but matters in specific circumstances.

Combat Speed determines priority when initiative results tie. Lower speed strikes first in a tie. A weapon's combat speed is reduced by its enchantment bonus (minimum 0).

Damage (M/L) indicates dice rolled against medium-sized targets and large targets respectively.

Rate of Fire (ROF) for ranged weapons: two numbers separated by a slash. ROF 1/2 means one attack every two rounds; ROF 2/1 means two attacks per round.

Range for ranged weapons: three numbers in metres (short/medium/long). Attacks at medium range suffer −2 to the attack roll; at long range, −5. A weapon cannot be used beyond its maximum range.

Table 8.14: Melee Weapons

Weapon	Cost	Weight	Size	Type	Speed	Dmg M	Dmg L
Battle axe	5 gp	3.5 kg	M	S	7	1d8	1d8
Club	—	1.5 kg	M	B	4	1d6	1d3
Dagger/dirk	2 gp	0.5 kg	S	P	2	1d4	1d3
Footman's flail	15 gp	7.5 kg	M	B	7	1d6+1	2d4
Footman's mace	8 gp	5 kg	M	B	7	1d6+1	1d6
Footman's pick	8 gp	3 kg	M	P	7	1d6+1	2d4
Hand axe	1 gp	2.5 kg	M	S	4	1d6	1d4
Harpoon	20 gp	3 kg	L	P	7	2d4	2d6
Horseman's flail	8 gp	2.5 kg	M	B	6	1d4+1	1d4+1
Horseman's mace	5 gp	3 kg	M	B	6	1d6	1d4
Horseman's pick	7 gp	2 kg	M	P	5	1d4+1	1d4
Javelin	5 sp	1 kg	M	P	4	1d6	1d6
Knife	5 sp	250 g	S	P/S	2	1d3	1d2
Lance, heavy †	15 gp	7.5 kg	L	P	8	1d8+1	3d6
Lance, light †	6 gp	2.5 kg	L	P	6	1d6	1d8
Lance, jousting	20 gp	10 kg	L	P	10	1d3−1	1d2
Lance, medium †	10 gp	5 kg	L	P	7	1d6+1	2d6
Morning star	10 gp	6 kg	M	B	7	2d4	1d6+1
Quarterstaff	—	2 kg	L	B	4	1d6	1d6
Scourge	1 gp	1 kg	S	—	5	1d4	1d2
Sickle	6 sp	1.5 kg	S	S	4	1d4+1	1d4
Spear	8 sp	2.5 kg	M	P	6	1d6	1d8
Sword, bastard (one-handed)	25 gp	5 kg	M	S	6	1d8	1d12
Sword, bastard (two-handed)	25 gp	5 kg	M	S	8	2d4	2d8
Sword, broad	10 gp	2 kg	M	S	5	2d4	1d6+1
Sword, cutlass	12 gp	2 kg	M	S	5	1d6	1d8
Sword, khopesh	10 gp	3.5 kg	M	S	9	2d4	1d6
Sword, long	15 gp	2 kg	M	S	5	1d8	1d12
Sword, scimitar	15 gp	2 kg	M	S	5	1d8	1d8
Sword, short	10 gp	1.5 kg	S	P	3	1d6	1d8
Sword, two-handed	50 gp	7.5 kg	L	S	10	1d10	3d6
Trident	15 gp	2.5 kg	L	P	7	1d6+1	3d4
War hammer	2 gp	3 kg	M	B	4	1d4+1	1d4
Whip	1 sp	1 kg	M	—	8	1d2	1

Pole Arms are listed separately below due to their variety.

Table 8.15: Pole Arms

Weapon	Cost	Weight	Type	Speed	Dmg M	Dmg L
Awl pike	5 gp	6 kg	P	13	1d6	1d12
Bardiche	7 gp	6 kg	S	9	2d4	2d6
Bec de corbin	8 gp	5 kg	P/B	9	1d8	1d6
Bill-guisarme	7 gp	7.5 kg	P/S	10	2d4	1d10
Fauchard	5 gp	3.5 kg	P/S	8	1d6	1d8
Fauchard-fork	8 gp	4.5 kg	P/S	8	1d8	1d10
Glaive ‡	6 gp	4 kg	S	8	1d6	1d10
Glaive-guisarme ‡	10 gp	5 kg	P/S	9	2d4	2d6
Guisarme	5 gp	4 kg	S	8	2d4	1d8
Guisarme-voulge	8 gp	7.5 kg	P/S	10	2d4	2d4
Halberd	10 gp	7.5 kg	P/S	9	1d10	2d6
Hook fauchard	10 gp	4 kg	P/S	9	1d4	1d4
Lucern hammer §	7 gp	7.5 kg	P/B	9	2d4	1d6
Man-catcher ★	30 gp	4 kg	—	—	—	—
Military fork ‡	5 gp	3.5 kg	P	7	1d8	2d4
Partisan §	10 gp	4 kg	P	9	1d6	1d6+1
Ranseur §	6 gp	3.5 kg	P	8	2d4	2d4
Spetum §	5 gp	3.5 kg	P	8	1d6+1	3d6
Voulge	5 gp	6 kg	S	10	2d4	2d4

‡ Deals double damage against a large or larger creature that charged during the current round. § Deals double damage when set against a charging opponent. † Lance deals double damage when charging on a mount. ★ See Man-catcher description.

Lances. Each lance is designed for a specific mount size. Using a lance larger than the mount can handle unseats the rider on a successful strike. Medium and heavy lances require breaking off after engagement — at least one round to resituate. Light lances allow continued engagement. On a successful hit, the GM rolls an item saving throw for medium and heavy lances; light lances save only when the modified attack roll equals exactly the target's AC.

Man-catcher. A long pole with spring-loaded arms designed to capture rather than harm. The target's AC is treated as 10 (modified by Dexterity) when attacked with a man-catcher. Once trapped, the victim loses their Dexterity and shield AC bonus, can only move when the wielder moves, and takes 1d2 damage automatically each round with a 25% chance of being pulled prone. The jaws can be removed with a Bend Bars roll (1d2 additional damage). The victim can pull the pole free with a Strength check; anyone can pick it up and continue using it the following round.

Spear. Can function as both melee and ranged weapon. If a thrown spear strikes a Huge or larger creature, or one with Strength 18/00+, the creature may attempt to break it. Intelligent creatures are 75% likely to pull the spear out and hurl it back, 25% likely to break it unless the spear saves vs. crushing blow. Unintelligent creatures have a 25% chance to break it.

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Table 8.16: Hurled Weapons

Weapon	ROF	Range (metres)
Club	1	9/20/30
Dagger/dirk	2/1	9/20/30
Dart	3/1	9/20/35
Throwing axe	1	9/20/30
Harpoon	1	9/20/30
Javelin	1	20/35/70
Knife	2/1	9/20/30
Spear	1	9/20/30

Cost, weight, size, type, speed, and damage for hurled weapons are identical to their melee counterparts, except the dart: it has combat speed 2, deals 1d3/1d2 damage (M/L), costs 5 sp, weighs 250 g, and is Small and Piercing. The dart is ineffective as a melee weapon.

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Table 8.17: Ranged Weapons

Weapon	Cost	Weight	Size	ROF	Speed	Range (metres)
Arquebus	500 gp	5 kg	M	1/3	15	45/140/190
Blowgun	5 gp	1 kg	L	2/1	7	9/20/30
Bow, composite long	100 gp	1.5 kg	L	2/1	7	55/110/190 (flight); 35/70/150 (sheaf)
Bow, composite short	75 gp	1 kg	M	2/1	6	45/90/160
Bow, long	75 gp	1.5 kg	L	2/1	8	65/125/190 (flight); 45/90/150 (sheaf)
Bow, short	30 gp	1 kg	M	2/1	7	45/90/150
Crossbow, hand	300 gp	1.5 kg	S	1	5	20/35/55
Crossbow, heavy	50 gp	7 kg	M	1/2	10	70/145/215
Crossbow, light	35 gp	3.5 kg	M	1	7	55/110/160
Sling	5 cp	50 g	S	1	6	45/90/180 (bullet); 35/70/145 (stone)
Staff sling	2 sp	1 kg	M	1	11	30/110/215 (bullet); 30/90/180 (stone)

Bows. A bow adds the character's Strength and Dexterity modifiers to attack and damage rolls. A standard bow's maximum pull is Strength +1/+2 (equivalent to 18 Strength). Warriors with exceptional Strength can commission custom composite bows built to their specific rating, increasing the maximum pull — and the price — proportionally.

Crossbows. Cannot benefit from Strength modifiers. Dexterity modifiers apply normally.

Arquebus. A matchlock firearm. Loading takes 3 rounds; taking damage adds a cumulative round to the loading time. Firing without bracing against a solid surface doubles range penalties (−4 at medium, −10 at long). A roll of 1 or 2 on the attack roll causes a backfire: 1d6 damage to the wielder and the weapon is jammed until cleaned (30 minutes). If the damage die rolls 10, roll again and add the result — this continues until a result other than 10 appears. Gunpowder and shot are rare outside major military forces; the GM determines availability and price for ammunition and supplies.

Staff sling. Has a minimum range — it cannot hit targets closer than 30 metres (its short range bracket).

Table 8.18: Ammunition

Item	Cost	Weight	Type	Dmg M	Dmg L
Arrow, flight (12)	3 sp	600 g	P	1d6	1d6
Arrow, sheaf (6)	3 sp	300 g	P	1d8	1d8
Blowgun dart, barbed (10)	1 gp	0.5 kg	P	1d3	1d2
Blowgun dart, needle (10)	2 sp	0.5 kg	P	1	1
Quarrel, hand (10)	10 gp	0.5 kg	P	1d3	1d2
Quarrel, heavy (10)	2 gp	0.5 kg	P	1d4+1	1d6+1
Quarrel, light (10)	1 gp	0.5 kg	P	1d4	1d4
Sling bullet (10)	1 sp	2.5 kg	B	1d4+1	1d6+1
Sling stone	free	250 g	B	1d4	1d4

An arrow that hits is destroyed. An arrow that misses has a 50% chance of being recoverable.

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Armor

Wearing armor sets a character's base Armor Class to the listed value. Higher AC is harder to hit. An unarmored character has AC 10.

If a character's AC from other sources exceeds what the armor provides, use the higher value — the armor provides no additional benefit in that case, but all other properties (weight, encumbrance, class restrictions) still apply.

The armor names here are generic. The GM may use specialized historical names where appropriate.

Table 8.19: Armor

Armor	Cost	Weight	AC
Padded	4 gp	5 kg	12
Leather	5 gp	7.5 kg	12
Studded leather	20 gp	12.5 kg	13
Brigandine	120 gp	17.5 kg	14
Scale mail	120 gp	20 kg	14
Chain mail	75 gp	20 kg	15
Banded mail	200 gp	17.5 kg	16
Splint mail	80 gp	20 kg	16
Bronze plate mail	400 gp	22.5 kg	16
Plate mail	600 gp	25 kg	17
Field plate	2,000 gp	30 kg	18
Full plate	(3d3+1) × 1,000 gp	35 kg	19

The full plate must be custom-fitted to the wearer. There is a 20% chance a given suit can be refitted for a different wearer. Each suit costs between 4,000 and 10,000 gp, depending on the maker's quality.

Armor Vulnerability and Resistance

Armor is not equally effective against all damage types. Rigid metal plates deflect or absorb a sword's edge but transmit the force of a hammer blow directly into the wearer. Chain resists slashing but gives way to a precisely placed thrust. These interactions are captured by two tags.

• Vulnerable: The attacker rolls the weapon's damage dice twice and uses the higher result.
• Resistant: The attacker rolls the weapon's damage dice twice and uses the lower result.

Tags apply only to the damage type listed. All other types deal damage normally. Full rules for applying these tags appear in Chapter 9: Combat.

Table 8.20: Armor Vulnerability and Resistance

Armor	Vulnerable	Resistant
Padded	—	—
Leather	Slashing	—
Studded leather	—	—
Brigandine	—	—
Scale mail	—	—
Chain mail	Piercing	Slashing
Banded mail	—	—
Splint mail	—	—
Bronze plate mail	Bludgeoning	Slashing
Plate mail	Bludgeoning	Slashing
Field plate	Bludgeoning	Slashing
Full plate	Bludgeoning	Slashing

Shields and helmets have no vulnerability or resistance tags. Armor worn without its associated helmet type (see Table 8.22) does not gain the helmet's AC contribution and is not affected by that absence in terms of vulnerability or resistance.

Table 8.21: Shields

Shield	Cost	Weight	AC Bonus	Attacks Covered
Buckler	1 gp	1.5 kg	+1	1 frontal attack (wielder's choice)
Small	3 gp	2.5 kg	+1	2 frontal attacks (wielder's choice)
Medium	7 gp	5 kg	+1	3 frontal attacks
Body/tower	10 gp	7.5 kg	+1 melee / +2 ranged	All frontal attacks

The AC bonus listed is added to a character's current AC. A buckler is strapped to the forearm and permits both hands to be used freely. A small shield is gripped by the hand but allows holding small items. A medium shield restricts the shield hand entirely. A body shield (also called pavise or tower shield) covers against all frontal missile and melee attacks.

Shields slung across the back provide +1 AC against attacks from behind, except bucklers.

Table 8.22: Helmets

Helmet	Cost	Weight	Armor Match	Penalty Without
Cap	4 gp	1 kg	Light (padded through studded)	−1 AC
Coif	8 gp	2.5 kg	Medium (chain, scale)	−1 AC
Open-face	15 gp	2.5 kg	Medium or heavy	−1 AC
Basinet/closed-face	20 gp	5 kg	Heavy (banded or better)	−1 AC
Great helm	30 gp	5 kg	Heavy (banded or better)	−1 AC

Characters wearing armor without its associated helmet type suffer −1 to their AC. Mismatched helmets with armor are functional but may impose Charisma penalties for appearing unprofessional, at the GM's discretion.

Armor for Non-Standard Sizes

Humanoids significantly larger or smaller than man-sized must have armor custom-fitted. Cost and weight scale by size category.

Size	Cost	Weight
Small (halfling-sized)	×0.75	×0.75
Large (ogre-sized)	×2	×2
Huge (giant-sized)	×4	×4
Gigantic (titan-sized)	×8	×8

Badaki and Ûrgon characters require custom armor by this table. Val'arian and Duardeen characters use standard sizing.

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Donning and Removing Armor

Armor takes time to put on properly. Donning hastily or removing quickly are both possible with trade-offs.

Armor Type	With Assistance	Without Assistance
Brigandine, leather, padded, studded	1 round	2 rounds
Banded, chain, scale, splint	2 rounds	4 rounds
Plate variants	1d6+4 rounds	Triple time

Hasty donning. Non-plate armor donned hastily takes 1 round but reduces the AC bonus by 1 (minimum AC 12 — no worse than leather). Plate armor hastily donned improves AC by 1 per round of effort — each round spent adds 1 AC above base 10 until fully donned.

Removing armor. Non-plate takes 1 round. Plate takes 1d4+1 rounds. Plate can be cut off in half the time (round up) by cutting straps, but the armor is useless until repaired.

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Encumbrance

Encumbrance measures the effect of carried weight on movement and combat effectiveness. There are two distinct limits to track: maximum weight and maximum carrying capacity.

Maximum weight is derived from Strength (Table 1.1). Exceeding it imposes movement penalties.

Maximum carrying capacity is determined by the character's size and the physical bulk of their possessions — the number and size of objects, not their weight. A character may hit their weight limit before their capacity limit, or vice versa. Additional attack and AC penalties only apply when both limits are reached simultaneously.

Encumbrance Stages for Man-Sized Bipeds

Stage	Attack Modifier	AC Modifier
Non-encumbered	—	—
Lightly encumbered	—	—
Moderately encumbered	−1 (at max capacity)	—
Heavily encumbered	−2 (at max capacity)	−1 (at max capacity)
Severely encumbered	−4 (at max capacity)	−3 (at max capacity)
Overwhelmingly encumbered	−4 (at max capacity)	−3 (at max capacity)

At max capacity means both weight and bulk limits are reached. Either limit alone imposes only the movement penalty.

Table 8.23: Encumbrance by Strength (Man-Sized Bipeds)

Strength	Non-Enc	Light	Moderate	Heavy	Severe	Max
3	2.5	5	7.5	10	12.5	15
4	5	10	15	20	25	30
5	7.5	15	22.5	27.5	32.5	37.5
6	10	20	27.5	32.5	37.5	45
7	10	20	27.5	32.5	37.5	45
8	17.5	29	38	44	50	57.5
9	17.5	29	38	44	50	57.5
10–11	20	32	41	47	54	65
12–13	22.5	35.5	44	50	57.5	75
14–15	27.5	41.5	51.5	59	67.5	85
16	35	51	62	71	82.5	97.5
17	42.5	61	74.5	87.5	100	120
18	55	74	86.5	100	112.5	135
18/01–50	67.5	87.5	100	112.5	127.5	150
18/51–75	80	100	112.5	125	140	165
18/76–90	92.5	112.5	125	138	152.5	180
18/91–99	117.5	135	147.5	160	177.5	200
18/00	167.5	187.5	200	215	232.5	255
19	242.5	262.5	274	290	307.5	330
20	267.5	287.5	300	317.5	335	360
21	317.5	340	354	374	392.5	415
22	392.5	417.5	432.5	452.5	472.5	500
23	467.5	492.5	509	529	549	575
24	617.5	645	662.5	685	710	740
25	767.5	795	812.5	835	860	895

All weights in kilograms.

Movement Under Encumbrance

Encumbrance	MV 12	MV 9	MV 6
Non-encumbered	12	9	6
Lightly encumbered	11	8	5
Moderately encumbered	9	7	4
Heavily encumbered	7	5	3
Severely encumbered	5	3	2
Overwhelmingly encumbered	1	1	1

Encumbrance for Other Sizes

Size	Multiplier
Small-sized bipeds	×0.75
Large-sized bipeds	×2
Huge-sized bipeds	×4
Gigantic-sized bipeds	×8

Encumbrance for Quadrupeds

Size	Multiplier
Small-sized quadrupeds	×1
Man-sized quadrupeds	×1.5
Large-sized quadrupeds	×3
Huge-sized quadrupeds	×6
Gigantic-sized quadrupeds	×12

Pack animals and mounts use simplified tracking: non-encumbered, lightly encumbered, or heavily encumbered. An animal collapses if loaded beyond its maximum. The full table for domestic animal encumbrance by species appears in Chapter 18: Hirelings & Henchmen alongside mount movement rates.

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Spell Components

Arcane spells draw on the world through physical materials that correspond sympathetically to the spell's nature. These materials range from items so common they are assumed to be present to singular objects that require expeditions to acquire.

Component Tiers

Tier	Cost	Availability	Notes
Common	Free – 1 gp	Anywhere	Assumed present by default. Bat guano, sand, fleece, chalk, candle wax, common herbs. Do not track.
Uncommon	5 – 50 gp	Any town with a market	Powdered gemstones, rare herbs, preserved animal parts, and alchemical basics. Track as standard equipment.
Rare	100 – 500 gp	Cities and specialist vendors	Quality gems, refined alchemical compounds, dragon-adjacent materials. Significant acquisition cost.
Exceptional	1,000 gp+	Quests, specific locations	Singular or irreplaceable materials. Often tied to specific narrative events.

Component Pouch. A small belt pouch or satchel stocked with Common and a selection of Uncommon components appropriate to the owner's school or general practice.

• Cost: 15 gp
• Weight: 1 kg
• A component pouch covers all Common components automatically and up to 10 gp worth of Uncommon components. It must be restocked after each significant adventure or downtime period. Losing a component pouch while stripped of gear means losing all Common availability — the assumption of presence no longer applies until replaced.