Severity

When a Critical Hit is made, or when a Backstab or Called Attack hits, the character gains Severity.

Severity Points

The character gains an amount of Severity dependent on the nature of the attack.

If the attack was a Critical Hit, the character gains 1d4 points of Severity. If the attack was a Backstab, the character gains Severity equal to their Backstab level -1 - if the attack was a Sneak Attack, the character gains Severity equal to their Backstab level instead. If the attack was a Called Attack, the character gains 1d3 point of Severity. If the target has no Natural Armour or Equipped Armour, the attack gains 2 points of Severity. If the target has Natural Armour but no Equipped Armour, the attack gains 1 point of Severity.

All of the above stack. For example, a Level 10 Thief makes a Called Attack against a target with a Backstab of 5 would gain 4 points for a Backstab (that isn't a Sneak Attack) and an additional 1d3 for it being a Called Attack. They roll 2 and thus gain 6 points.

Limitations

Points gained from Called Attacks may only be spent on Severity Effects that are available to them. If it is also a Backstab, it can be spent on anything that a Backstab can be spent on. If it is also a Critical Hit, it can be spent on anything.

Similarly, a Backstab cannot be spent on effects that a Critical Hit may qualify for, unless it is also a Critical Hit.

Severity Effects

Severity Points can be spent on a number of effects, based on the least limited type of attack it was as per the table.

Quick Severe Attacks

To speed things up, a Backstab or Critical Hit may always deal Maximum Damage or deal +1d6 damage for 1 point and add 1d6 per 2 points of Severity. Any remaining points are converted to 2 damage.