House Rules and Miscellany

[vladtaltos]

Some House Rules for the game. This thread will be updated throughout the week. 

Rule for Two-Weapon Fighting: If you wish to attack with sword and dagger in the same combat round, state your intention before your first combat roll. The penalty is DX-2 for the weapon in your primary hand (rapier), and a penalty of DX-4 for the weapon in your offhand (the dagger).

Rule for attempting to break a foe’s sword with a swordbreaker: You bypass your attack. If your opponent misses and is using a sword, you catch his blade in the teeth of the dagger if you pass a 4/DX check. If you then pass a 4/ST check you snap off the blade. If either roll is missed, the attempt to break the sword fails, and your foe can use his sword next turn with initiative. If the attempt is successful, your opponent cannot attack on the following round, and must draw a backup weapon (if applicable).

In lieu of snapping off the blade, you may elect to Counterstrike with your primary weapon after trapping your foe’s sword. If you choose this option, the Counterstrike is at a bonus of DX+1.

After the Counterstrike, you can:

1) Maintain the trap on your foe’s sword. This requires winning a ST check against your foe, with the subsequent attack, again, being at DX+1.

2) Maintain the trap on the sword (win opposed ST check), and then attempt to break the blade (passing a 4/ST check).

3) Release the trapped blade.


Dagger--Swordbreaker


Addendum:

Karma:
In addition to the uses for Karma mentioned in the rules, Karma may also be used to obtain a Clue. The clue may pertain to the PC's current situation or to the another aspect of the adventure---GM's discretion.

[vladtaltos]

Poison Use
To be used in combat, poison must be applied to a weapon well before the encounter begins (this can be done hours in advance). One application lasts for the duration of one combat, and is good for one weapon. Each vial holds two applications. On a successful hit, damage is multiplied by 2, and your opponent also suffers a DX-1 penalty for the rest of the combat. The DX penalty doesn’t stack with subsequent hits.

To be slipped into a drink or food requires a successful 3/DX + Thief check. You can brew your own poisons with the Alchemist skill. The potency of the brewed poison is derived from a skill check at the time of creation.

[vladtaltos]

Death Strike
As a trained assassin, you have a chance to kill your target with one well-placed blow. During the Surprise round, a result of 3-7 on your 3/DX hit check results in the automatic death of your foe.

This chance increases as you progress in skill with that weapon:

Skill 1-2 (Surprise Round only. Roll of 3-7)
Skill 3-4 (Surprise Round only. Roll of 3-9)
Skill 5+ (Surprise Round, any successful hit. Normal Combat, roll of 3-5)

[vladtaltos]

Contacts
In your time with the Azzuri you’ve made some important contacts. Two of the following can be approached at the conclusion of each chapter for information, advice, or some combination of both.

Newspaper Boy: This little fella (nobody knows his name) hawks news scrolls in the city’s downtown plaza. He looks to be about thirteen years old, but somehow knows everything that’s happening in the city, including all the dirty little secrets. He’ll pass along to you the "word on the street" ... for a few silvers.

Anton: This acolyte at the Temple of Mercury (the god of thieves and tricksters) was once a journeyman thief. He now practices his skullduggery for his church and deity; he’s helpful when knowledge of a religious bent is needed. He’ll also pass-on news that’s making the rounds in the Church District.

Andreas Grumby: This young, ambitious mage was your closest friend during your time at the Wizards’ Guild Academy. After your expulsion, you’ve stayed in contact with him. More of a friend than an informant, he’s helpful in the way a friend and mage can be.

Marcelli, Sergeant of the Watch: Sergeant Marcelli is an invaluable resource when it comes to the daily activities of the Watch, as well as the scuttlebutt at the precinct. He’s kept Azzuri members out of trouble by redirecting night patrolmen away from the guild’s activities. He’s totally corrupt, which has been good for the Azzuri, but not so good for the citizens of the city.

[vladtaltos]

The Art Shop

Occupying a prime corner location in the city’s largest plaza is Cristiano’s Art Gallery. Through a series of doors in the back is a room that's accessible only by speaking a certain sequence of words to Cristiano himself. This is a private collection, where certain privileged people (e.g. Azzuri guild members, who seem to be the only ones who know the code-speak to get in) can obtain magical weapons and other special items.

All were obtained by legal means, of course. Why would you think otherwise? Well, it’s better not to ask too many questions.

The items come and go...they’re here today, gone tomorrow. Come by frequently, or you may miss out. This post will be edited/updated frequently as time goes by. No notice will be given. Any items purchased will be available for use in the next chapter.

Current Status: Empty