Version 1 (to be updated with all core, Player’s
Companion and bythisaxe.co classes)
Version 2 posted 20 September
2013
In this post, I thought I would share my rules as they
develop for “apprentice” level (or level 0) characters. In the short run, I
plan to use these rules to inform the advancement of mercenaries and level 0
henchmen up to level 1 henchmen. In the long run, I hope to develop a level 0
adventure (or adventures/encounters) for both stand-alone play and as a
different way to kick off future campaigns.
Pity the poor peasant conscript, equally bad with all
weapons and armor. Beginning (Build Point 0) human characters are unrestricted
in their choice of weapon and armor, but attack and save as a 0th level human. Fighting
with whatever they are provided with or can scavenge, beginning human
characters may choose one trained Fighting Style, usually either weapon and
shield or two-handed weapon. Additionally, all characters may use a single
weapon or missile weapon. Conscripts who survive to become regulars improve
their fighting ability through focused training. Upon becoming a 2nd line
regular, a Fighter in training may choose between a heavy infantry (Fighting
1a) or a light infantry (Fighting 1b) focus, with related weapon and armor
restrictions. Also, such a Fighter in training may choose an additional
Fighting Style. Often these choices are made by his commander or employer.
Judges may implement the improving single Hit Die at
their discretion, for example: maximum hit points per Hit Die, allowing a
re-roll, or adding +1 to the initial hit point value (i.e. d4+1 for a Green
Fighter).
Fighter
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
|
75
|
Regular, 1st line
|
Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1
|
d8
|
F1
|
2
|
|
100
|
Veteran
|
Hit Dice 2, Fighting 2
|
d8
|
F1
|
3
|
1st lvl Fighter
|
Cleric
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a
|
d6
|
F1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
|
63
|
Deacon
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 1
|
d6
|
C1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
Turn Skeleton 13, Zombie 16, Ghoul 19
|
75
|
Catechist
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 2
|
d6
|
C1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Cleric
|
Thief
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
10
|
Hoodlum
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0, Thievery 1
|
d4
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
3 Skills, as a 1st lvl Thief
|
35
|
Hoodlum
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 1b, Thievery 1
|
d4
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
|
45
|
Hoodlum
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 1b, Thievery 2
|
d4
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
+2 Skills
|
63
|
Footpad
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 1b, Thievery 3
|
d4
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
1st lvl Thief
|
Mage
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Level 0 Spells
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Arcane 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
0
|
31
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Arcane 1
|
d4
|
M1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1
|
63
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Arcane 2
|
d4
|
M1
|
two-handed weapon
|
2
|
94
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Arcane 3
|
d4
|
M1
|
two-handed weapon
|
3
|
125
|
Arcanist
|
Hit Dice 0, Arcane 4
|
d4
|
M1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Mage
|
Assassin
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
|
60
|
Brawler
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
Move Silently, Hide in Shadows, and Backstab as a 1st
lvl Thief
|
85
|
Thug
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 2, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
3
|
1st lvl Assassin
|
Bard
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
35
|
Carouser
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
Arcane Dabbling, Loremastery, and Perform as a 1st lvl
Bard
|
60
|
Carouser
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
|
70
|
Reciter
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b, Thievery 2
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
1st lvl Bard
|
Bladedancer
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a
|
d6
|
F1
|
two-handed weapon, two weapons
|
leather armor or lighter, blade-dancing, bladedancer’s initiative
|
63
|
Deaconess
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 1
|
d6
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon, two weapons
|
Turn Skeleton 13, Zombie 16, Ghoul 19
|
75
|
Blade-Initiate
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 2
|
d6
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon, two weapons
|
1st lvl Bladedancer
|
Explorer
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
a narrow weapon and armor selection, accuracy, animal reflexes
|
60
|
Rover
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
difficult to
spot, avoid getting lost, and evade wilderness encounters
|
100
|
Scout
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 2, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
3
|
1st lvl Explorer
|
Meeting a dwarf less experienced than a doughty 1st line
regular outside of the safety of a dwarven vault is quite rare – dwarves do not
have the lives to squander of the more prolific races. However, when a vault
falls to Chaos or there is some other tragedy, less experienced dwarves may
find themselves in a hostile world earlier than planned. Upon becoming a 2nd
line regular, a dwarf with a broad or narrow weapon selection must include at
least four axes, flails, hammers and/or maces among his selections.
Dwarven Vaultguard
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
1
|
All Dwarf 0 powers
|
35
|
Green
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
1
|
|
60
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
D1
|
2
|
|
85
|
Regular, 1st line
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1
|
d8
|
D1
|
2
|
|
110
|
Sentry
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 2, Fighting 2
|
d8
|
D1
|
3
|
1st lvl Dwarven Vaultguard
|
Dwarven Craftpriest
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
1
|
All Dwarf 0 powers
|
35
|
Green
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
1
|
|
60
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Dwarf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a
|
d6
|
D1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
|
83
|
Dwarven Craft-Deacon
|
Dwarf 1, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 1
|
d6
|
C1 +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
+1 to proficiency throws, Craft proficiency, Turn
Skeleton 13, Zombie 16, Ghoul 19
|
120
|
Dwarven Craft-Catechist
|
Dwarf 3, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 2
|
d6
|
C1 +3/+4 per Hardy People
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Dwarven Craftpriest
|
Upon becoming a 2nd line regular, an elf with a broad or
narrow weapon selection must include at least two bows, crossbows, swords, or
daggers among his selections.
Elven Spellsword
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Level 0 Spells
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Elf 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl +1 Petrification/
Paralysis and Spells
|
1
|
0
|
All Elf 0 powers
|
63
|
Green- Apprentice
|
Elf 1, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl +1 Petrification/
Paralysis and Spells
|
1
|
1
|
|
119
|
Apprentice-Regular, 2nd line
|
Elf 2, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
E1
|
2
|
2
|
|
150
|
Apprentice-Regular, 1st line
|
Elf 3, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
E1
|
2
|
3
|
|
200
|
Arcanist-Guardian
|
Elf 4, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 2
|
d6
|
E1
|
3
|
1st lvl Elven Spellsword
|
|
Elven Nightblade
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Elf 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
All Elf 0 powers
|
31
|
Green
|
Elf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
41
|
Shade
|
Elf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
Move Silently, Hide in Shadows, and Climb Walls as a
1st lvl Elven Nightblade
|
66
|
Shade
|
Elf 0, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b, Thievery 1
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
|
139
|
Arcanist-Avenger
|
Elf 2, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b, Thievery 2
|
d6
|
T1
|
two weapons
|
1st lvl Elven Nightblade
|
Barbarian
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1
|
d6
|
F1
|
2
|
natural
proficiency, animal reflexes
|
75
|
Regular, 1st line
|
Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1
|
d8
|
F1
|
2
|
|
130
|
Hunter
|
Hit Dice 2, Fighting 2
|
d8
|
F1
|
2
|
1st lvl Barbarian
|
Priestess
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Level 0 Spells
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
0
|
|
13
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 1
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1
|
|
25
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 2
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
2
|
Turn Skeleton 13, Zombie 16, Ghoul 19
|
50
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 3
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
3
|
|
100
|
Novice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 4
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Priestess
|
|
Shaman
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
25
|
Green
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
50
|
Regular, 2nd line
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a
|
d6
|
F1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
|
63
|
Lodge Keeper
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 1
|
d6
|
C1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
totem animal
|
75
|
Spirit Whisperer
|
Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1a, Divine 2
|
d6
|
C1
|
weapon and shield, two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Shaman
|
Witch
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack/ Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Level 0 Spells
|
Special
|
0
|
Conscript
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
0
|
|
13
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 1
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1
|
|
25
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 2
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
2
|
1st lvl tradition power
|
50
|
Apprentice
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 3
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
3
|
|
100
|
Initiate
|
Hit Dice 0, Divine 4
|
d4
|
C1
|
two-handed weapon
|
1st lvl Witch
|
|
Upon becoming an adolescent, a bugbear with a broad or
narrow weapon selection is limited to choosing from morning star, short sword,
sword, two-handed sword, battle axe, great axe, hand axe, spear, javelin, and war
hammer.
Bugbear Warrior
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack Throw
|
Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
(runt)
|
Bugbear 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d8
|
Mnstr1
|
F1
|
1
|
All Bugbear 0 powers excluding Battleborn and Shaggy Hide
|
204
|
(juvenile)
|
Bugbear 1, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d8+d6
|
Mnstr1+
|
F1
|
1
|
Shaggy Hide
|
408
|
(adolescent)
|
Bugbear 2, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b
|
2d8+d6+1
|
Mnstr2+
|
F2
|
2
|
Battleborn
|
600
|
(adult)
|
Bugbear 2, Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1b
|
3d8+1
|
Mnstr3+
|
F3
|
2
|
1st lvl Bugbear Warrior
|
Upon becoming an adult, a goblin with a broad or narrow
weapon selection must include short swords, and at least two of darts,
javelins, slings, or spears among his selections.
Goblin Warrior
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack Throw
|
Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
(runt)
|
Goblin 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
All Goblin 0 powers
|
54
|
(adolescent)
|
Goblin 1, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
96
|
(adult)
|
Goblin 2, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b
|
d6
|
Mnstr1
|
0th lvl
|
2
|
|
150
|
Champion
|
Goblin 2, Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1b
|
d8
|
Mnstr1
|
F1
|
2
|
1st lvl Goblin Warrior
|
Upon becoming an adolescent, an orc with a broad or
narrow weapon selection is limited to choosing from swords (especially
scimitars), spears, axes, flails, pole arms, shortbows, and crossbows.
Orc Warrior
Experience
|
Title
|
Build Points
|
Hit Die
|
Attack Throw
|
Saving
Throw
|
Fighting Styles
|
Special
|
0
|
(runt)
|
Orc 0, Hit Dice 0, Fighting 0
|
d4
|
0th lvl
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
All Orc 0 powers
|
54
|
(juvenile)
|
Orc 1, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 0
|
d6
|
0th lvl
|
0th lvl
|
1
|
|
96
|
(adolescent)
|
Orc 2, Hit Dice 1, Fighting 1b
|
d6
|
Mnstr1
|
0th lvl
|
2
|
|
150
|
(adult)
|
Orc 2, Hit Dice 2, Fighting 1b
|
d8
|
Mnstr1
|
F1
|
2
|
1st lvl Orc Warrior
|
Designer’s Notes
I’ve not spelled out every detail in this post, but I thought
I’d share my approach sooner rather than later. I derived apprentice level
characters hewing as closely to the core rules and Player’s Companion as
possible. If you would like a longer (more challenging!) apprentice level
experience, you could increase the experience totals required by as much as x10
and still be within the framework provided by the class system; x2 to x5 may be
more survivable. I have not commented on proficiencies, assuming they are
gained as per the core rules. However, after I finish all of the classes, I
plan to consider an alternative for apprentice level characters gaining
proficiencies.