Squawk Computer Game Design

Copyright 2005, Seth Galbraith all rights reserved



Squawk Equipment:

Clothing and Armor

Cloth

Ordinary clothes do not provide significant protection. Most characters will own several sets of clothes and rotate them between washings, but this can usually be ignored unless the characters need to take all their possessions with them. Clothing is available in many different materials, styles, colors and patterns. Cloth and clothing is cheap on Xanadu, thanks to advanced agriculture, manufacturing and global trade.

A ninja will often have 3 sets of clothes: A uniform or formal clothing for getting noticed; Work clothes in muted colors that provide a +1 stealth bonus and +3 to blend into a crowd; Dark (not black!) clothes that provide a +2 stealth bonus but stand out in a crowd. Gargoyles do not need this type of clothing.

Spider Silk

The Empire maintains a strict monopoly over Spider Silk production. Loyal servants of the empire can purchase spider silk directly, but even second-hand spider-silk clothes are highly valued. The fibers are stretchy, stronger than steel, and very light. Spider Silk clothing styles are designed to be light and comfortable, so spider Spider Silk clothes for Kobolds are relatively thicker than Spider Silk clothes for Minotaurs, Titans or Rocs. Spider Silk is also used in Xanadu Lamellar armor.

Lamellar

Lamellar armor is made from small plates stitched together, forming a strong and springy composite effective for deflecting missiles and grazing attacks. Xanadu lamellar armor made with Spider Silk is strong enough to stop bullets, but very expensive.

Bioarmor

Bioarmor is a living symbiont worn like clothing or armor by it's host. Skins are usually lightweight, thin and flexible. Carapace's are heavy but add muscle power to carry their own weight - increasing the wearer's absorption and power by 1, while reducing their agility by 1. (The carapace mass is not included in encumbrance while it is active.)

Bioarmor is cultivated by Gargoyles in the Shadow region, and usually has to be grown to fit a specific host. The host may have to accept some modification too, like an internal bacteria or algae that helps the bioarmor extract energy from it's host. Getting fitted with gargoyle armor may require a special gift or favor such as valuable documents, information or artifacts.

Special Features

Gas Mask means the armor makes you immune to inhaling poison gas.
Nightvision reduces vision penalties when it's dark.

Gargoyle Armor

Gargoyle armor is designed for stealth. It's all bioarmor except for the plate, lamellar and spider silk cape, which have dark, camoflage coloring. The bioarmor has active camoflage similar to the Gargoyle's natural color changing ability. Capes can be worn over armor. The outermost layer's stealth bonus is the only one that applies. This stealth bonus replaces the Gargoyle's natural stealth bonus, so a stealth bonus of "1" actually has a -2 effect compared to the Gargoyle's natural +3 stealth bonus.

ARMOR          Mass Tgh Abs Cvr Stealth
Ghost Skin      10   3   1   6   5 (+2)  bioarmor
Hunting Skin    20   3   2   5   3 (+0)  bioarmor, +2 detection
Plate Armor     40   4   3   4   1 (-2)
Lamellar Armor  30   4   4   4   1 (-2)  contains spider silk
War Skin        60   3   6   7   2 (-1)  bioarmor, gas mask
CAPE           Mass Tgh Abs Cvr Stealth
Shadow Cape     10   3   2   4   3 (+0)  bioarmor
Silk Cape        5   4   1   4   1 (-2)  contains spider silk

Kobold Armor

Kobold clothing and armor is designed in 3 layers, plus head protection (which does not overlap the other layers.)

CLOTHES         Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Cloth             1   1   0   0
Padded            2   2   1   5
Leather           2   3   1   5
Spider Silk       3   2   2   5   contains spider silk
Skin              4   3   2   5   bioarmor
ARMOR (worn over clothes)
Studded Leather   2   3   1   4
Scale Armor       8   3   2   4
Steel Plate      10   4   3   3 
Lamellar         15   4   4   4   contains spider silk
Carapace         15   3   3   5   bioarmor
ROBES AND CAPES (worn over clothes and armor)
Robe (cloth)      1   1   0   0
Cape (cloth)      1   1   0   0
Silk robe         2   2   1   4   contains spider silk
Camoflauge Cape   2   2   1   4   contains spider silk, +2 stealth
Ghost Cape        2   3   1   4   bioarmor,             +3 stealth
HEAD PROTECTION
Helmet            4   4   3   2
Spider Mask       6   3   5   2   bioarmor, gas mask, nightvision

Minotaur Armor

Minotaurs wear 2 layers (clothes and armor) overlapping their natural armor plus head protection. Spider Armor is Carapace style bioarmor (+1 pow/abs, -1 agility) that covers the head, so it can be worn over clothes, but not with other head protection.

CLOTHES       Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Cloth          10   1   0   0
Spider Silk    20   2   1   5
Brigandine    120   3   2   5
Skin          150   3   3   5  bioarmor
ARMOR (worn over clothes)
Plate         150   4   3   4
Lamellar      150   4   4   4
Spider Armor  300   3   5   7  gas mask, nightvision, +3 stealth
HEAD PROTECTION
Head Plate     20   4   4   1
Horned Helmet  50   4   4   2

Roc Armor

Roc armor is lighter so it doesn't interfere with flying. On the other hand, it does not provide as much absorption. Rocs only wear one layer of clothing or armor and a mask.

ARMOR         Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Clothes        0.5  1   0   0
Spider Silk     1   2   1   5  contains spider silk
Wood            2   1   2   4
Lamellar        6   4   3   4  contains spider silk
Carapace       10   3   5   5  bioarmor, +2 agility
HEAD PROTECTION
Flight Mask    0.2  3   1   1
Altitude Mask  0.5  3   1   2  gas mask
Sniper Mask     1   3   2   1  +1 detection and missile weapons

Titan

Titans wear light or heavy armor over their natural armor. They also wear light or heavy gloves and masks that do not overlap the other armor. Camoflage Netting can be worn over any combination of armor.

Titan Skin can be worn by itself or over light armor (and light gloves.) This bioarmor has a built-in synerga beam that allows synerga touch attacks to be used with a successful hand to hand attack up to 6 meters away or a successful firearms attack up to 60 meters away.

LIGHT ARMOR       Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Clothes            20   1   0   0
Apron              50   3   1   3
Rope Armor        150   3   2   4
Work Gloves        30   3   2   1
HEAVY ARMOR       Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Chain Armor       250   4   3   4
Plate Armor       250   4   4   3
Lamellar Armor    300   4   4   4
Bracers            50   4   3   1
Gauntlets         150   4   4   2
Spiked Gauntlets  150   4   4   2  -4 sharpness
OTHER ARMOR       Mass Tgh Abs Cvr
Iron Mask          50   4   4   1
Titan Skin        500   3   6   7  bioarmor, synerga beam
Camoflage Netting  50   2   0   0  +2 stealth

Short Weapons

Short Weapons can be used with one hand (although most can also be used with two hands for better control.) Minotaurs do not use short weapons. Although Rocs are lighter than Kobolds, they often use Gargoyle-sized weapons because they weild the weapons with their large talons.

Stick

A simple weapon that extends your reach. This light weapon cannot be used with 2 hands.

Club

A heavier stick that can be swung with one or two hands.

Cane

A short walking stick - longer than a typical stick or club. Canes sometimes have a right-angle or hook-shaped handle.

Hammer

A short, heavy, pounding tool.

Maul

A longer, heavier, pounding tool.

Pick

A short tool with a hard point.

Mattock

A very large heavy pick with a two-ended head for balance. Mattocks are used for breaking up rocks and soil. Sometimes one end of the mattock's head is an axe or maul.

Tail Mace

A special Titan weapon that makes their tail club heavier and adds spikes.

Tail Axe

A special Titan weapon that adds sharp edges to their tail club.

Hatchet

A short, heavy, chopping tool that can be used as a Short Weapon or Thrown Weapon.

Axe

A longer, heavier, chopping tool that can be used as a Short Weapon. Axeheads are double-edged, which requires less frequent sharpening and makes the tool more powerful and balanced.

Saw

A large cutting tool which can be used as a gruesome weapon. To be used as a weapon, the saw needs to be the smaller type that can be operated by a single user.

Sickle

A bladed tool for cutting plants. The typical Xanadu sickle is a staight stick with a slightly curved blade attatched at a right angle - like the Japanese kama.

Knife

This is a short knife or a dagger. It can be thrown (mainly as a distraction) or used in close combat with natural weapons or short weapons ability. A knife can be single-edged, double-edged or even have multiple points. It can be straight or have almost any kind of curved shape. A knife cannot be used with two hands.

Butterfly Sword

A large knife, usually single edged with a short, deep blade and a hand guard. This weapon combines the strength and versatility of a sword with the speed and concealability of a knife. Butterfly swords are usually paired.

Cane Sword

A thin, lightweight, medium-length blade concealed as a walking cane. An assassin may use a cane sword, but this trick is so familiar that cane swords are more often used as a discreet self-defense weapon.

Balanced Sword

A medium-length blade suitable for both military use and street fighting, such as a katana or jian (double edged straight Chinese sword often used in tai chi.) The balanced sword adds a little reach and power, not to mention a sharp edge and point. Balanced swords can be single or double-edged, straight or curved.

Broad Sword

A heavier medium-length blade such as a cutlass or chinese broadsword (dan dao.) A broad sword is usually curved and single-edged, with the handle curved forward for better hacking leverage, but it can be straight or double-edged.

Long Sword

A long blade that is often used with two hands. A Long Sword can be used with Short Weapons or Long Weapons ability. A Long Sword has a proportionally longer handle, and is often gripped in front of of the main guard for more control.

Synerga Whip

Usually a stiff, metal baton that extends the reach of synerga touch attacks. The Roc version of this weapon has a hidden switch which transforms it into a flexible synerga-conducting weapon with 2 to 9 segments.

SHORT WEAPON    RACES           PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                                    lb  kg       ft  cm 
stick           kobold               2   1   1    2  60      3  -2  -5   3
stick           gargoyle/roc         2   1   0    3  90      5   0  -5   3
stick           titan               44  20  -3    4 120     12   7  -5   3
club            kobold               4   2  -1    3  90      3   2  -5   2  
club            titan               88  40  -5    5 150     12  11  -5   2
cane            kobold/roc           2   1   1    3  90      2  -2  -5   2  Grp 1
cane            gargoyle             2   1   0    4 120      4   0  -5   2  Grp 1
cane            titan               44  20  -3    7 210     11   7  -5   2  Grp 1
hammer          kobold               7   3   0    1  30      3   0  -5   3  
hammer          titan              140  65  -4    2  60     12   9  -5   3
maul            kobold              13   6  -3    3  90      4   6  -5   3
maul            titan              240 110  -7    6  80     13  15  -5   3
pick            kobold               2   1   0    2  60      4   0  -3   3  Grp 1 
pick            titan               44  20  -4    4 120     13   9  -3   3  Grp 1 
mattock         kobold              11   5  -2    3  90      3   4  -3   3
mattock         titan              220 100  -6    6  80     12  13  -3   3
tail mace       titan              150  70  -6    *   *     14  12  -3   3
tail axe        titan              140  65  -6    *   *     13  12  -1   3   
hatchet         kobold               4   2   0    1  30      3   0  -1   3  Grp 1
hatchet         titan               88  40  -4    2  60     12   9  -1   3  Grp 1
axe             kobold               9   4  -1    3  90      4   2  -1   3  Grp 1
axe             titan              180  80  -5    6 180     13  11  -1   3  Grp 1
saw             kobold               4   2   0    3  90      2   0  -2   3
saw             titan               66  30  -4    6 180     11   9  -2   3
sickle          kobold               2   1   1    2  60      2  -2   0   3  Grp 1
sickle          titan               33  15  -3    4 120     11   7   0   3  Grp 1
knife           kobold               0   0   2    0   0      1  -4   0   1
knife           gargoyle/roc         0   0   1    1  30      3  -2   0   1
knife           titan               11   5   2    2  60     10   5   0   1
butterfly sword kobold               2   1   0    1  30      3   0   0   3  Par 1
butterfly sword gargoyle/roc         2   1  -1    2  60      5   2   0   3  Par 1
butterfly sword titan               44  20  -4    6 180     12   9   0   3  Par 1
cane sword      kobold               2   1   0    2  60      3   0   0   3 
cane sword      gargoyle/roc         2   1  -1    3  90      5   2   0   3 
cane sword      titan               44  20  -4    5 150     12   9   0   3  
balanced sword  kobold               5   2   0    3  90      3   1   0   3  Par 1 
balanced sword  gargoyle/roc         7   3   1    4 120      5   3   0   3  Par 1 
balanced sword  titan              110  50  -4    6 180     12  10   0   3  Par 1 
broad sword     kobold/gargoyle      7   3  -1    3  90      4   2   0   3  Par 1 
broad sword     titan              140  65  -5    6 180     13  11   0   3  Par 1 
long sword      kobold/roc           9   4  -2    4 120      5   4   0   3  Par 1 
long sword      titan              180  80  -6    8 240     14  13   0   3  Par 1
synerga whip    kobold               2   1   1    2  60      3  -2  -6   4
synerga whip    gargoyle             2   1   0    3  90      5   0  -6   4
synerga whip    roc (collapsed)      2   1   2    4 120      2  -4  -6   4
synerga whip    roc (extended)       2   1   1    5 150      2  -2  -6   4

Long Weapons

Long Weapons, like staffs and spears, are usually held in two hands. Rocs do not use Long Weapons. Long weapons have more reach than short weapons, although a long weapon can be as short as a walking stick or an assault rifle with bayonet. Some Long Weapons are designed for striking with both ends.

Staff

A long stick used with two hands. A staff can be used as a walking stick.

Log

A huge club about the same length as a staff.

Pole

A very long stick (longer than a staff.) A pole is an ackward weapon and too long to use as a walking stick.

1-2-3 Staff

A versatile Titan weapon that transforms from a short, concealable club into a long staff, and into a flexible 3-section staff. This allows it to be used with Short Weapons, Long Weapons or Flexible Weapons skill - depending on it's current form.

Lance

A stout, medium-length spear. Lances are sometimes used by guards, armies and hunters.

pike

A very long spear, mainly used by armies against cavalry.

Two-Ended Spear

This special Minotaur weapon has a spearhead on both ends. This allows repeated swiping attacks and quick thrusts in opposite directions.

Glaive

Similar to a halberd, this is a staff with a long cutting-and-slashing blade fixed to one end. There are many pole weapons fitting this description, such as the Japanese naginata or Chinese kwan dao.

Giant Sword

A Long Weapon with a heavy blade and a short handle (compared to other Long Weapons), such as a Ghost Head Sword. The Giant Sword is one of the most dangerous weapons, but also one of the most difficult to wield. The Gargoyle Giant Sword is actually an extremely long sword rather than just extremely heavy.

Two-Bladed Sword

Two sword blades pointing in opposite directions, sharing a long handle in the middle, and used as a Long Weapon by Minotaurs. This design allows repeated slashing attacks or thrusts in opposite directions.

Synerga Staff

A conductive metal staff that extends the reach of synerga touch attacks. The Kobold version of this weapon can transform into a concealable short weapon and a flexible flail. The Gargoyle version gets longer when a hidden switch is triggered. The Minotaur version is double-ended.

LONG WEAPONS       RACES     PPV   Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                                  lb  kg       ft  cm 
giant sword        kobold    ___  18   8  -3    5  150      3   6   0   3  Par 1
giant sword        gargoyle  ___  22  10  -3    8  240      3   6   0   3  Par 1
giant sword        titan     ___ 350 160  -7   10  300     12  15   0   3  Par 1
lance (spear)      kobold    ___   7   3  -1    6  180      3   2  -1   3
lance (spear)      gargoyle  ___  13   6  -2    9  270      5   4  -1   3
lance (spear)      minotaur  ___  77  35  -4   11  330      9   8  -1   3
lance (spear)      titan     ___ 130  60  -5   12  360     11  10  -1   3
pike (long spear)  kobold    ___  22  10  -3    8  240      2   6  -2   2
pike (long spear)  gargoyle  ___  44  20  -4   12  360      4   8  -2   2
pike (long spear)  minotaur  ___ 220 100  -6   14  420      8  12  -2   2
pike (long spear)  titan     ___ 440 200  -7   16  640     10  14  -2   2
glaive (halberd)   kobold    ___  11   5  -2    5  150      3   4   0   2
glaive (halberd)   gargoyle  ___  22  10  -3    7  210      5   6   0   2
glaive (halberd)   minotaur  ___ 110  50  -5    9  270      9  10   0   2
glaive (halberd)   titan     ___ 220 100  -6   10  300     11  12   0   2
staff              kobold    ___   4   2  -1    4  120      4   2  -6   3
staff              gargoyle  ___   9   4  -2    6  180      6   4  -6   3
staff              minotaur  ___  44  20  -4    7  210     10   8  -6   3
staff              titan     ___  88  40  -5    8  240     12  10  -6   3
pole (long staff)  kobold    ___   7   3  -1    7  210      3   2  -6   2
pole (long staff)  gargoyle  ___  13   6  -2   10  300      5   4  -6   2
pole (long staff)  minotaur  ___  77  35  -4   12  360      9   8  -6   2
pole (long staff)  titan     ___ 130  60  -5   14  420     11  10  -6   2
log (long club)    titan     ___ 330 150  -7    8  240     15  14  -6   2
synerga staff      kobold    ___   4   2  -1    5  150      4   2  -6   3
synerga staff      gargoyle  ___   9   4  -2    7  210      6   4  -6   3
synerga staff      minotaur  ___  44  20  -4    8  240     10   8  -6   3
2-bladed sword     minotaur  ___ 150  70  -6    6  180     12  12   0   4  Par 1
2-ended spear      minotaur  ___  88  40  -4   10  300     10   8  -1   2
1-2-3 staff        gargoyle  ___  11   5  -2    8  240      5   4  -6   2

Flexible Weapons

Also known as articulated or soft weapons, flexible weapons may be made of flexible materials like rope or hard materials. Flexible weapons can freely swing at one or more joints, making their movements difficult to control but also difficult to predict and parry. Some flexible weapons can also be used as thrown weapons for extra reach, using the rope or chain part of the weapon to retrieve the part that was thrown.

Rope

While not a very effective striking weapon, a rope can help a grappler trap and choke an opponent. Rope is easy to find and also a useful tool and building material. Chain is stronger than rope - except for expensive Spider Silk rope - but noisier.

Rope Dart and Chain Dart

A metal dart tied to a length of rope or chain. It can be used as a Flexible Weapon like the Chain Whip, or the dart can be used as a Thrown Weapon and retrieved by tugging the rope. This is a difficult weapon to master, but it can be made from common items and it is easy to conceal. Chain is stronger than ordinary rope, but noisier. Minotaurs and Titans are more likely to use chain than rope. Spider Silk rope is less noisy and stronger than chain, but very expensive.

Grappling Hook

A climbing tool with one or more large hooks. The tool is tied to a rope - or sometimes a chain - and thrown to snag and anchor the rope when there is no way to tie the rope or loop it around something. The grappling hook can also be used as a Thrown Weapon or Flexible weapon.

Chain Whip

The Chain Whip or Whip Chain is a metal whip made from about 8 sections connected by chain links. It is a fast but powerful weapon that is difficult to weild but also difficult to parry.

Flail

A long handle attatched by rope or chain to another (usually shorter) stick. A flail is a tool for threshing grain, but it can also be used as a flexible weapon that adds reach.

Nunchucks

A symmetrical flail with a shorter handle than a typical threshing flail, such as the Japanese nunchaku. Typical nunchucks are made from wood and rope, but Titans use heavier, iron nunchucks connected by a chain.

3 Section Staff

A long flail with two rope or chain joints connecting 3 equally long segments. This versatile weapon can be used for both long and short range hand to hand fighting.

Ball and Chain

A heavy iron ball attached to a chain attatched to a handle. The Ball and Chain is essentially a massive flail that whips around defenses and crushes armored opponents. Because the ball is so massive, the user can store up energy by swinging the ball faster and faster.

Hook Swords

Hook Swords are a pair of Short Weapons that can be hooked together and used as a Flexible Weapon. The Hook Swords have short blades projecting from the pommel and hand guard, which are used for close range strikes and as the primary cutting surfaces when the swords are hooked together.

Synerga Cable

A conductive metal cord with a small weight on each end. The synerga cable can extend the reach of synerga touch attacks. It can be used as a short range Thrown Weapon, but more often as a Flexible Weapon, similar to a Rope Dart.

Synerga Flail

A minotaur weapon that extends the reach of Synerga touch attacks. The synerga flail is a conductive metal staff used as a Long Weapon that seperates into 3 equal-length sections connected by cables and used as Flexible Weapon.

FLEXIBLE WEAPON  RACES     PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                               lb  kg       ft   cm 
rope dart        garg/roc  ___  2   1  -3   20  600      6   6  -2   3  Grp 2
rope/chain dart  kobold    ___  2   1  -2   15  450      4   4  -2   3  Grp 2
chain/rope dart  minotaur  ___ 22  10  -4   30  900      8   8  -2   4  Grp 2
chain dart       titan     ___ 44  20  -6   30  900     12  12  -2   4  Grp 2
grappling hook   kobold    ___  4   2  -3   15  450      7   6  -3   3  G/C 2
grappling hook   gargoyle  ___  9   4  -4   20  600      9   8  -3   3  G/C 2
grappling hook   minotaur  ___ 55  25  -6   25  750     13  12  -3   3  G/C 2
grappling hook   titan     ___ 88  40  -7   30  900     15  14  -3   3  G/C 2
3 section staff  kobold    ___
3 section staff  gargoyle  ___
3 section staff  minotaur  ___
3 section staff  titan     ___
flail            kobold    ___
flail            gargoyle  ___
flail            minotaur  ___
flail            titan     ___
chain whip       kobold    ___
chain whip       gargoyle  ___
chain whip       titan     ___
nunchucks        kobold    ___
nunchucks        gargoyle  ___
iron numchucks   titan     ___
rope             kobold    ___
rope             gargoyle  ___
rope             titan     ___
hook swords      kobold    ___    7   3  -1   3  90      4   2   0   3  P/G 1 
hook swords      gargoyle  ___   11   5  -2   4 120      6   4   0   3  P/G 1 
hook swords      titan     ___  130  60  -5   7 210     12  10   0   3  P/G 1 
ball and chain   minotaur  ___  160  70  -6   8 240     12  12  -5   3  Grp 1
ball and chain   titan     ___  330 150  -7  10 300     14  14  -5   3  Grp 1
synerga cable    gargoyle  ___  
synerga flail    minotaur  ___

Thrown Weapons

Many kinds of weapons can be thrown. Some are powerful enough to kill a target, but others are only intended to distract or weaken the target before closing with hand to hand weapons.

Net

A weighted net can be used as a Flexible Weapon or as a Thrown Weapon. The net must be thrown in order to trap the target. If the throw is successful, it does no damage, but the target has a -2 modifier to all their actions, until they can remove the net. (Removing the net is a 1 hit point action with a difficulty of 2 that can be attempted once per turn.)

Spear

A medium length spear that can be used as a Thrown Weapon or a Long Weapon.

Javelin

A special lightweight spear for throwing, but not strong enough for hand to hand combat.

Throwing Knife

A small, sharp throwing weapon that flips end-over-end as it flies through the air, so there's a good chance the blunt end will hit instead of the sharp end. Add 1d6 to the success level of the attack and if the result is less than 5, the sharpness of the attack is reduced by 2. A throwing knife can also be used as a cutting tool, but it's not as effective as a regular knife.

Throwing Star

A small, sharp throwing weapon with points in multiple directions so it can stick into a target regardless of which point is currently forward.

Dart

A small, sharp throwing weapon with fletchings or a tassle that make it fly straight instead of flipping end-over-end.

Chakram

A sharp metal disk with the center cut out. The flat surface acts as an aerofoil allowing the weapon to be thrown very far. Spinning the chakram makes its flight very stable and the hole in the center prevents it from veering to the side like a frisbee.

Bearing

A smooth metal ball bearing used in machines, or any small weight of similar size, density and hardness can be used as a thrown weapon. Although usually too small to do significant damage, Titans are so huge that even such a small weapon can wound or kill a smaller creature.

Boulder

A big rock that can be used as a weapon by dropping it on a target. A Titan has enough size and arm strength to hurl boulders like a catapult.

Caltrops

A spike with multiple points so one point is always pointing up. A single caltrop is difficult to see and even if spotted, requires a roll to avoid for each step taken near the caltrop. Caltrops are often thrown into the path of an opponent to slow down, distract or disable them.

difficulty action +5 spot a single caltrop before stepping over it -1 for each additional caltrop in that area 0 avoid stepping on an unseen caltrop -5 avoid stepping on a caltrop you spotted. +1 for each additional caltrop in that area

Agility helps you avoid caltrops. Acrobatics can also be added to your roll to avoid caltrops if you spot them first. A group of caltrops are often used together. Each additional caltrop decreases the difficulty of spotting them by 1 and increases the difficulty of avoiding them by 1. The area where this bonus applies is either a space on a game board (in which case small characters have to roll to avoid the caltrops for each hit point they must use to cross the space) or a shape roughly as wide as your stride.

If the roll to avoid the caltrops fail, the caltrop sticks to you. Removing the caltrop takes a full turn. If you move without removing the caltrop, you receive one point of lasting damage. After that, each time you move without removing the caltrop, you receive one pont of stun. When the caltrop sticks to you, you may take additional damage depending on the caltrop's success level. Size and armor do not protect against this damage:

success  caltrop effect
 level
   1     1 stun
   2     2 stun
   3     1 stun, 1 lasting
   4     2 stun, 1 lasting
   5     3 stun, 1 lasting
   6+    2 stun, 2 lasting

Grenade

A basic fragmentation grenade. This weapon has a 4 second fuse. 2 turns after lighting the fuse it hurls pottery, glass or iron shrapnel in all directions. The grenade is light enough to be thrown further than it's lethal blast radius.

Fireworks

Fireworks that make a blinding flash and/or deafening noise without hurling deadly shrapnel can disable opponents without injuring them. Fireworks designed as a less-than-lethal weapon have a 4 second fuse. 2 turns after lighting the fuse, they explode (injuring anyone touching the firework) giving everyone nearby a blindness, deafness and disorientation penalty.

distance blind deaf disorient
 3m(10')  -4    -4     -1
 6m(20')  -3    -3     -1
12m(40')  -2    -2     -1
24m(80')  -1    -1     -1

The blindness and deafness effects wear off by 1 point per turn. The disorientation effect lasts for one minute (30 turns.) If the firework is spotted and recognized in time (difficulty 5) a victim can take action to protect themselves:

h.p. action and effect
 0   close eyes/+2(less)blindness
 1   cover eyes/no blindness
 1   cover ears and close eyes/
     +2 deafness and +2 blindness
 2   cover ears and turn around/
     +2 deafness and no blindness

Smoke Bomb

A small grenade-like bomb that creates a huge cloud of smoke instead of exploding. The cloud spreads in a circle quickly (3m/10' per second, 6m/20' per turn) until it runs out (about 10 seconds or 5 turns, with a radius of 30m/100'.) This smoke cloud gives everyone inside a -3 blindness modifier, and everyone outside the cloud a -3 modifier to aim attacks at targets inside the cloud. after running out, the cloud continues to spread, but it's effect is reduced by 1 point per turn. (Inside a room with poor ventilation the effect is -4 and wears off at a rate of 1 point per minute.) Smoke bombs have a very short fuse, so the cloud reaches it's initial (6 meter) radius one turn after being lit.

Pepper Bomb

Another grenade-like weapon that uses chemicals to disable an opponent without causing injury. Pepper bombs work like fireworks except they have 1/3 of the radius, cause stun damage by suffocation instead of deafness, and they dissipate more slowly.

distance blind stun disorient
 1m(3')   -4     4     -1
 2m(7')   -3     3     -1
 4m(13')  -2     2     -1
 8m(27')  -1     1     -1

The gas lingers in the air, but the blinding and stun effects dissipate quickly (+1 per turn) The disorientation effect goes away once the blinding and stun effects are 0. To prevent suffocation and blindness, different defensive reactions are required. These defenses must be kept up until the gas dissipates to avoid their effects. The blindness effect does not wear off for an hour or until the victim's eyes are flushed with water.

h.p. action and effect
 0   close eyes/+2(less)blindness
 1   cover eyes/no blindness
 1   cover mouth & nose/close eyes
     -2 stun and +2 blindness

Poison Gas

Other types of chemical weapons can be deadlier than fireworks, smoke and pepper bombs.

THROWN WEAPONS  RACES     PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                              lb  kg       ft  cm 
net             gargoyle  ___
net             minotaur  ___
net             roc       ___
spear           gargoyle  ___
spear           kobold    ___
spear           roc       ___
spear           minotaur  ___
spear           titan     ___
javelin         gargoyle  ___
javelin         kobold    ___
javelin         roc       ___
javelin         titan     ___
throwing knife  gargoyle  ___
throwing knife  kobold    ___
throwing knife  roc       ___
throwing knife  titan     ___     (big!)
throwing star   gargoyle  ___
throwing star   kobold    ___
throwing star   roc       ___
darts           gargoyle  ___
darts           kobold    ___
darts           roc       ___
chakram         gargoyle  ___
chakram         kobold    ___
chakram         roc       ___
chakram         titan     ___
bearing         titan     ___
boulder         titan     ___
caltrops        any       ___
grenade         any       ___
fireworks       any       ___
smoke bomb      any       ___
pepper bomb     any       ___
poison gas      any       ___

Bows

Long range weapons that fire arrows. Bows depend heavily on muscle power, so their range and power are limited compared to firearms.

Ninja Bows and Hunting Bows

These are small, short bows that are silent, easy to string and easy to conceal (especially Ninja Bows.) They are suitable for killing small prey or medium sized targets (about the user's size) with poison arrows, but they won't penetrate the hide of large animals. These are also the simplest bows to make, usually made from a single peice of wood and a plant or animal fiber string.

Rider's Bow

A more powerful, recurved bow with more range, made from steel or composite materials. The Rider's Bow is designed for maximum power while still being short enough to aim back and forth across the neck of the animal the archer is riding.

Long Bows and War Bows

The largest and most powerful bows, made from composite materials. These fire large arrows that easily penetrate light armor. These bows are strictly combat weapons. (An animal that requires such a large bow to kill it is probably too dangerous to hunt without special tactics or firearms.) The Gargoyle Long Bow is extremely long, designed for a gargoyle to use while standing with their body vertical. The Kobold Long Bow is assymetrical, like a Japanese yumi. Because Titans are herbivores, the only type of bow they use is a War Bow.

BOWS         RACES     PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                           lb  kg       ft  cm 
ninja bow    gargoyle  ___
ninja bow    kobold    ___
hunting bow  roc       ___
hunting bow  minotaur  ___
rider's bow  kobold    ___
long bow     gargoyle  ___
long bow     kobold    ___
war bow      roc       ___
war bow      titan     ___

Guns and Artillery

These weapons attack from a distance without depending as much on the user's muscle power as a bow. Most of these weapons use a spring-loaded pin to fire cartridges: projectiles wrapped in a shell with gunpowder. Guns and cartridges are difficult to make and expensive, but they are deadly even at great distances. Xanadu guns are usually equipped with bayonet blades and other features that make them useful as hand to hand weapons when you run out of ammo or time to reload.

Crossbow

Pistol Dagger

An easily concealed small firearm for surprise attack and self-defense. A pistol holds one cartridge and has to be reloaded every time it is fired. Xanadu pistols are generally equipped with a blade on the handle that can be used as a reverse grip dagger using Natural Weapons or Short Weapons skill. These blades can be folding, retractable and/or spring loaded.

Carbine Sword

A powerful street-fighting weapon, the medium-length carbine sword is more acurate at a distance than a pistol, but not as accurate as a hunting rifle. This weapon fires versatile shotgun-style cartridges that may contain slugs, shot or other types of ammunition. The carbine sword holds 4 of these rounds and operates like a revolver. The carbine sword has a long, fixed sword-like bayonet, making it useful as a Short Weapon.

Rifle Lance

This is a long hunting rifle with a fixed bayonet used for stopping charging animals or keeping injured quarry at bay, and can also be used as a Long Weapon.

Rifle Pike

Some gargoyle rifles are extremely long. These are more likely to be used for sniping intelligent enemies rather than for hunting animals. They also have a fixed bayonet, allowing them to be used as a Long Weapon.

Mortar

Essentially a hollow tube for aiming self-propelled bombs (shells) or rockets. These are considered Artillery rather than Firearms.

Axe Cannon

A Titan is big enough to use a mortar as a Firearm, and so the Axe Cannon was invented, by attatching a straight wooden stock and a symmetrical axe head. It can also be thought of as an axe with a big hole in the head for launching shells. This weapon can be used as a Firearm, Artillery or Short Weapon, turning a Titan into a mobile siege machine.

Synerga Beam

Sometimes called a Lightning Whip, a synerga beam is a living, organic weapon that emits a pair of ultraviolet laser beams using bioluminescence. The beams ionize oxygen, making their path glow green. When the two beams touch a target, they form a complete electrical circuit. The weapon only extends the reach of Synerga touch attacks; it has no effect by itsefl. It can be used with Short Weapon skill at close range, or with Firearm skill at long range. As a living weapon, a synerga beam requires special maintainence. Without maintainence the weapon becomes dormant and eventually dies, becoming effectively useless.

Synerga Lance

A longer version of the Synerga Beam, especially designed for Minotaurs. This weapon can be used to extend the reach of Synerga touch attacks using Long Weapon or Firearm skill. Unlike a Synerga Beam, a Synerga Lance can also be used as a simple staff. A Synerga Lance is also called a Fire Lance.

GUNS AND       RACES         PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
  ARTILLERY                      lb  kg       ft  cm 
crossbow       kobold        ___
crossbow       gargoyle      ___
crossbow       titan         ___
pistol dagger  kobold        ___
pistol dagger  garg/min/roc  ___
pistol dagger  titan         ___
rifle lance    gargoyle      ___
rifle lance    kobold/roc    ___
rifle lance    minotaur      ___
rifle lance    titan         ___
rifle pike     gargoyle      ___
carbine sword  kobold        ___
axe cannon     titan         ___
mortar         kobold/roc    ___
mortar         titan         ___
synerga beam   kobold        ___
synerga beam   gargoyle/roc  ___
synerga lance  minotaur      ___

Other Weapons

Climbing Claws

Primarily a tool that gives a +2 bonus to climbing trees, soft wood and similar materials. They also give +1 to climbing hard wood and surfaces rough or soft enough to grip with the claws. These claws can also be used as a weapon using Natural Weapons skill.

Assassin Claws

A weapon specifically designed for use with Natural Weapons skill. These weapons are popular with assassins because they are easy to conceal and don't look like traditional weapons, even when they are being used.

OTHER WEAPON    RACES     PPV  Mass   Agi   Reach  Cvr Abs Pwr Shp Tgh Spec.
                              lb  kg       ft   cm
climbing claws  kobold    ___  0   0   2   0.0   0      0  -4  -3   4  Clm 2
climbing claws  gargoyle  ___  0   0   2   0.0   0      0  -4  -3   4  Clm 2
assassin claws  kobold    ___  2   1   0   0.3  10      2   0   0   4
assassin claws  gargoyle  ___  4   2  -1   0.3  10      4   2   0   4

Synerga Weapons

Synerga weapons extend the reach of Synerga touch attacks. They are usually made of conductive metal. Titans do not have as many weapons specifically designed for synerga use, but often modify common short and long weapons to conduct synerga.


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