[Mechanics] House Rules - my own little thing

[jj_wolven]

New Houserules - WIP

 

IRL Knowledge: Any knowledge from "current" (read: what you know in real life) is more or less unknown. Knowledge of the last war and anything before require Knowledge(Ancient History), which is hard to find with very high DCs. Humanoid races were dragged back to the stone age for nearly 10,000 years. Clear any use of this with the GM first. UnRAW prerequisites: Some Feats, Skills, Prestige Classes, etc will require additional prerequisites. Usually this will be an instructor or learning guide of some sort. Modern Language: Modern languages are Dead Languages. They have not been used for over 5000 years. Specialists, who do nothing but study a single language, still cannot translate everything. For a modern reference, see Olmec writing (it still cannot be translated)

 

It is recommended to have the Knowledge skill at least at high as the Craft skill, or it will have odd results. Craft(mechanics) Constructing, troubleshooting, and fixing things based on advanced science. This includes clockworks, steamworks, and basic physics. Knowledge This is required for basic knowledge of the specified categories, as well design and building devices. (Clockworks): springs, mechanics, basic physics (Steamworks): torque, hydraulics, mechanics, basic physics (Engines): pressure, power sources, tolerances, mechanics, basic physics. Linguistics(specific) - IRL modern languages require a I realize that this is very rough, but it is designed to be - these languages have been dead and unspoken for longer than any in IRL modern society. Also, the 'current' languages are not based-on or similar to these languages (such as Romance or Germanic based languages).very difficult specialization A book found would be understood to a degree based on a specialized linguistics - Linguistics (language). That is because this is one of the ancient lost languages that has not been spoken in over 5000 years. Ability to read is a difficult scale. You would need to know that these languages exist before you can take them. Additionally, this will be used with some history, theories, etc based on rank. Rank 1 - recognizing the language Rank 3 - knowing the letters Rank 7 - easily recognize conjunctive words (and, or, the, but, etc) Rank 13 - Similar to 1 semester of high school foreign language Rank 20 - Can read slowly with references, but not speak correctly (no reference) Knowledge: Creature knowledge (and similar checks) In most cases, which Knowledge skill is used will be the same as RAW. Alternate Knowledge skills might be allowed at higher DCs. The DC for Knowledge check will not match what is listed in the RAW. It did not make sense to me that Knowledge about the creature would be related to how tough they are (CR). Instead, it will be related to rarity and often modified based on character background.

 

House Rules: Alignment: Fuzzy alignment, alignment is not hard-and-fast. You may run into good demons or evil gold dragons. Good creatures may be opposed to you or agent of evil may become useful allies Combat Criticals: Critical hit and critical failure charts are used in combat. It is possible to lose an arm or an eye from a lucky hit, even die. When you have a crit or fumble thread, please roll an additional d20, and 2d100. Save Criticals: A critical or fumble roll (20 or 1) on a save may have additional consequences. For example, a crit may give a bonus to others and fumble may have additional or increased effect. Other Criticals: A roll of 1 or 20 is not an automatic failure or success, but may have additional effects. Godcall: If you die, there is a possibility that a greater power happens to be watching. The player and the DM roll percentile dice. If they are within (character level + Cha or Wis mod + 10), then the player can make a God Call. Write a prayer to the power and make it good. Remember nothing is for free. Natural Weapons: A PC can only have two primary natural attacks, all other natural attacks are made at a cumulative -5 penalty. Gaseous Form: Gaseous Form is treated as incorporeal in addition to it's normal properties. Psionics: Psionics are not allowed without special permission and Playtest has shown them to be easily overpowered.adjustments. Psychics: I will consider the beta version of Pathfinder Psychics. Firearms: No longer touch attacks. Firearms will half armor and natural armor bonuses. Firearms: Early Firearm Pepperbox: this can be shot one handed, but the cartridge must be rotated manually and requires a second hand. Called Shots: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemasterin...s/called-shots Piecemeal Armor: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemasterin...iecemeal-armor

 

Make a Luck score for your character. This will be used occasionally to save your butt. Luck score = average all base ability scores (Str+Dex+Con+Int+Wis+Cha/6)(round up). The Luck roll is Luck Mod + HD/3. EX: Bob: Fighter 7: Str 15, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8 Luck = 13 = (15+12+16+10+14+8)/6 (no bonuses from items or spells) Luck roll = 1d20+3 (+1 for mod +3 for levels(7/3)) If Bob had Divine Favor cast on him, he would receive an addition +1 to the roll due to the fact that the spell provides a luck bonus

 

Rules

• Most crafting will also require one or more "special ingredients". For example, a bag of holding may require that the stitching be made from the web of a phase spider (or similar thread-like thing with dimensional properties). Special Ingredients for potions and scroll are more common.
• You cannot increase the Spellcraft roll for missing spells, levels or Item Creation feats. Base DC for Item Creation Spellcraft roll is 5 + caster level.
• You can substitute a reasonable spell for the required one, at GMs discretion, with a +5 DC.
• Missing feats may be bypassed at a +10 DC per feat, with an additional +10 DC per missing prerequisite to the feat.
• Missing class abilities may be bypassed at a +10 DC per class level needed.
• Assistants may be used to fulfill certain requirements as long as they have at least 1 rank in Spellcraft. They may be used to fulfill: spells, skill ranks, and class abilities.
• To assist, they must make an Aid Another action each day with a DC of 5 + 5/prerequisite supplied.
• Assistants supplying spells may provide them with a Spellcraft Aid Another check at DC 10 per spell. Ex: If Wiz1 is supplying two required spells, she much make two DC 10 Spellcraft Aid Another rolls.
• Any 'additional abilities' added to an item increase the cost by 1.5x, regardless of similarity to other abilities.
• Item not with the correct Body Slot Affinity increase the cost by 1.5x. This is a loose interpretation, subject to GM approval. This can and will be adjusted as we go.

Body Slot	Affinity
Headband, helmet	Mental, ranged
Hat	Interaction
Phylactery	Morale, alignment
Eye lenses, goggles	Vision
Cloak, cape, mantle	Transformation, protection
Amulet, brooch, necklace (throat)	Protection, discernment
Robe	Multiple effects
Shirt	Physical
Vest, vestment	Class ability
Bracers	Combat
Bracelets	Allies
Gloves	Quickness
Gauntlets	Destructive power
Belt	Physical
Boots	Movement

 

Put rolls in your posts using either the "Tool Tip" tag or a Spoiler button tag. Tool Tip: Here is how the TT tag works: I [tt="strike at"][dice=Attack and Damage]1d20+10 2d6+5 = 1464099007 [/dice][/tt] the goblin. I Dice Attack and Damage: (as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code) d20+10: (2) + 10 Total = 12 2d6+5: (2, 6) + 5 Total = 13 strike at the goblin. After I say "Roll Initiative" any action is part of the initiative. If you say "I draw my sword" along with your initiative roll it will be a move action in your first round. Always put the following information at the top of combat posts (consistant failure to do so will be penalized): Character Name, AC, HP. This will make your DM happy, and that is a good thing. Additional information is recommended, such as SR, DR, resistances, rage rounds, etc. It will be your responsibility to post ongoing effects and who it affects (such as Foresight effect on others, bardic music, etc.) I will always say "Round x - Go" in blue when we get to the next round. Posts and rolls will be made out of order to speed up combat. I will make a summary of all action at the end of each round. If a situation changes that isn't too large, such as an NPC is killed you were attacking and another is available, I will take the liberty of automatically switching the action if logical. Otherwise consider this a 'Fog of War' effect. Do NOT make statements that limit or force the actions of others, PC or NPC ("I slash the goblin's head off"). Don't assume you hit or miss. Just roll attack in the same post as damage in a secret marker. I will often add misc. or circumstance bonuses in my calculations. If you want a descriptive for your combat put in what he does (that doesn't force a result) and what he is trying to do. "Saren drives up from the ground as he lifts his sword above his head, whipping it down as he uses his momentum to put extra force behind his blade seeking to split the bugbear in half" If you try something special, I may require an extra check but might also bring about a circumstance bonus. "Horen tries to flip over the orc before landing and attacking" for example will require an extra Tumble check, but might cause a penalty on the orcs AC for showmanship. (this is encouraged if IC) You will have 24 hours from my post (not including weekends or holidays) announcing the round to post your action. If you have not posted by then I will NPC you for the round, which will usually be either full defense (most common) or full attack (if in rage/frenzy/etc). If you know you will not be able to post, then tell me what you want them to do ahead of time. Death Buffer: If your HP are reduced to your negative Con score or worse, you die one 1 round later. That means if your party member can heal you enough, you may yet live. Shooting Allies in Melee: Shooting ranged weapons into melee combat. If you do not have the Precise Shot then there is the standard -4 penalty to the attack. If you miss the target AC by less than 4 then there is a 25% chance you will hit someone else in that melee.

LEANRNING Skill Feats Prestige Classes Feats: Most feats will require training but some feats require RP to get. EX: Dragonfriend requires the RP of befriending the dragon. Skills: Some new skills require RP to learn. Someone with at least 5 ranks in a skill can instruct you enough to get your first rank. EX: You won't suddenly know about history while you are out in the jungle or learn how to work metal without someone showing you how. Prestige Class Requirements: Most PrC’s require training or special situations. You will not be allowed to take them without this. Talk to me before trying to take one.

DOUBLE POSTING More of a preference/suggestion than a rule: If has been over 30 min since your last post, double posting is encouraged! This is in case someone (me in particular) has looked at it and you edit, that someone (me) will not miss the changes. If it requires you to edit the post, notify me first.

OPTIONAL header or footer Here is what I use in some of my games in each post. I simple "edit" a previous post, then copy/paste the last section into my new post, then write the new parts of the post. In this instance, I am using an asterisks and an underscore at the bottom of a post. If you hover over the asterisks, it gives a quick reference table. If you click on the underscore, it takes you to my character sheet. I do this because it is non-intrusive and does not affect the readability of the post. By using copy/paste, it makes it easy to add to every post. Borr Te'Khan Combat (HP max 44/52) HP 34/44 PP 16/19 Init +4 AC 18 Touch 12 Flat 16 F/R/W 8/6/8 CMD 18     Rage 1/18 used       Weapon Att Dmg Crit Description Gabrielle +9 1d10+8 20/x3 +1 Dwarven Waraxe. Rage: Att +11, Dmg 1d10+11 Billy +8 1d10+7 20/x3 Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe. Rage: Att +10, Dmg 1d10+10 Misc. Description Unknown Cloak umm...unknown. Thicken Skin Power. 3 rnd/use. +1 nat AC (incl.) Synthete Power. 3 rnd/use. Alter senses. +4 Perception (incl.) Blooded Does not get shaken Skill Score Skill Score Perception +15 Sense Motive +2 Know:Nature +5 Know:Psionics +5 * ___ For ease of copy/paste, here is the code to do this: Character Subtable Code [tt=*]Name[table][table="head;width=em;{css=cent}"]{colsp=6}Combat HP|8/8|Move|30'|Init|+4 AC|18|Touch|12|Flat|16 F/R/W|X/Y/Z|CMD|xx Other|{colsp=2}notes [/table]|[table="head;width=em;{css=cent}"]Weapon|Att|Dmg|Crit|Description Weapon1|+x|damage|20/x2|additional information Weapon2|+x|damage|20/x2|additional information[/table][/table] [table][table="head;width=em;{css=cent}"]Misc.|Description Note 1|Details 1 (Such as always on abilities) Note 2|Details 2 Note 3|Details 3 Note 4|Details 4[/table]|[table="head;width=em;{css=cent}"]Skill|Score|Skill|Score Perception|+x|Sense Motive|+x Skill 1|+x|Skill 2|+x Skill 3|+x|Skill 4|+x[/table][/table][/tt] [url=CharacterSheetURL]___[/url]

-me

[jj_wolven]

Posting Format:
For my convenience, please do a couple things in your posts for me.
1) Put your character's name somewhere in each post, even if in a character subtable (see above)
2) Bold = speach, Italics = thoughts.
3) When editing a post, do not edit the dice rolls, changed rolls are noted by the system.


Optional, easy to figure, standard adventuring gear.

Bobs Backpack Cost: 25gp Weight: 20.5 lbs Backpack, pouch(2), bedroll, weapon cord, dagger hammer, piton(4), flint and steel, whetstone crowbar, fishhook, string(50'), hemp rope(50') flask, iron vial, clay mug, small steel mirror rations(4), waterskin, torch(5), candle(3) chalk(2), chalk bag(2), oil(5)

Critical hits and Critical misses
...they make life interesting

If you get a critical hit, in one post do the following:
1) roll another attack to confirm
2) roll 1d100 two times
3) attack the goblin with the arm you just cut off

If you get a critical miss, in one post do the following:
1) type "F/R/W" then your save bonuses in the same format EX: F/R/W 9/2/3
2) roll a d20
3) roll 1d100 two times
4) pray to the great DM on the other end of the line

[jj_wolven]

Spells & Abilities:

• Deathwatch: fragile is 10% or less HP, badly injured is 50% or less HP, injured is over 50% HP.
• Dispel Magic: All version of this will be a contested roll rather than a static number.
• Gaseous Form: This and similar spells and abilities are immune to all nonmagical attack forms. Even when hit by spells or magic weapons, it takes only half damage.
• Teleport: If you only have a picture or a description of a location, the On Target is 1-50; Similar Area is 51-75; and Mishap is 76-100.
• Teleport, Greater: If you only have a description of the location, roll 1d100; on 1-80 you are On Target, on 81-00 you arrive in a Similar Area.

Abilities

• Intimidate (demoralize): Target receives a Will Save rather than static target number.
• Timeless Body: This and similar effects do not cause the recipient to die until 10x their natural time.

Alignment

Spells and abilities that affect creatures based on their alignment need to be redone due to fuzzy alignments. Alignment based abilities (Smite Evil, Holy Smite, etc) affect creatures based on the following guidelines.

1. If they have a specific subtype, they are affected regardless of actual alignment.
2. Undead created by negative energy are considered to have the evil subtype unless otherwise noted.
3. The creature has a moderate aura (see Detect Evil).

Alignment Special Circumstances:

• Creatures can have multiple alignments along the same axis. Example: An evil astral deva will be affected by Smite Evil and Smite Good.
• Creatures with alignment based abilities (non-equipment only) are treated as clerics to be affected based on the ability. Example: A monk's lawful ki strike makes them treated as a Lawful cleric. Example: Summoner/Eidolon gains DR 5/evil makes then treated as a Good cleric.
• A creature can have a "minor" alignment, as determined by the GM based on the characters actions. This allows them to use half of their HD for aura purposes. Example: Fred the Fighter 15 is Lawful, but only barely. He follows the laws and his code, but is open for bending the rules. He is only treated as having 7 HD, thus not being affected by Smite Law.

That ahole GM:

• Some things (such as creature stats) are not by-the-book. Adjustments are within a reasonable range and/or their CR (and xp gain) is adjusted accordingly. Large increases or decreases will have a reason behind them and are usually apparent in some manner, depending on the source of change.
• Do not assume DCs, CMD, defenses, etc. unless I give the number (due to adjustments above)
• If I forget something, remind me in OOC. It could be an ongoing effect, a physical description (to see how wounded something is), etc.
• Feel free to ask questions such as 'why', though sometimes the answer will be "due to something EW specific" for reasons of mystery and surprise. I will try to give my logic in most cases.

-me

[jj_wolven]

Feat Tax/Superfluous Feats

Elephant in the Room feat tax document is good, but in my not so humblehumble opinion it is too many.
Here is my version:

Feat Adjustments Weapon Focus can apply to weapons groups Bladed Weapons (knives, swords) Heavy Weapons (axes, hammers) Polearms (staves, glaives) Chain (whips, chains) Bows (longbow, shortbow, crossbow) Thrown (knives, slings, javelins) Others may be so different they will need their own, just ask. Weapon Finesse Gone. All light weapons, as well as 'finesse' weapons, will allow you to use Dex for attack as a choice. Note: You will still need to take the feat to use Dex for damage - that would overpower the Dex ability too far. Agile Maneuvers Gone. See Weapon Finesse. Combat Expertise Gone. It's stupid - you already have the ability to fight defensively. Point-Blank Shot Merged with Precise Shot. It now give a +1 to attack and damage, as well as allowing you to shoot into a melee without the -4 penalty.

The rest remain as they are.
Power Attack and Deadly aim would take more training than most would get, and get powerful quickly.
Combat Maneuvers are also much more powerful than people give them credit. I have seen them turn a difficult encounter to a slaughter with only one of those, and I have seen it many times.

-me