Health (Derived Attribute)

Health is divided into several elements - Hit-Dice, HP, VP and System Shock.

Hit-Dice

Hit-Dice refers to the dice used to determine the overall health of a character and, from it, their relative strength and power. From this, one can determine the HP of the character; a 12 -1 HD Hill Giant has anywhere from 11 to 95 HP.

Hit-Dice Size

Hit-Dice Size refers to the size of dice used to determine HP from Hit-Dice. This defaults to d8, though many characters may have a different size based on Class, Size or Template - a Fighter, for instance has a d10 HD Size.

Base HD

Base HD refers to the initial number of Hit-Dice the character has from their Race and Template. As d8 is the standard size for characters, a breakdown of Base HD is included in brackets for characters with a different size of HD. For example, an Ogre has 4 +1 HD whilst a 4th level Fighter has 4 HD (4d10).

Base Hit-Dice Modifiers

Modifiers to HD apply to total HP. For example, an Ogre rolls 5, 4, 8 and 2 for their HP on their 4d8 +1 HD. This gives a total of 19 HP before the additional +1 is factored in, giving them in reality 20 HP. Similarly, a Hill Giant with 12 -1 HD could roll 49 on their 12d8 but would, in fact, have 48 HP.

For every +3 listed to HD, increase the character's effective HD for purposes of Saves and THAC0 by 1. Inversely, for every -3 received, a character lowers their effective HD by 1 for these. These modifiers also determine the character's effective HD for determining how HD and Levels interact. Note this only applies to Hit-Dice; if a Hit-Dice's Size has a modifier to it (from Toughness or otherwise), it has no effect on Saves or THAC0.

Toughness

This is a modifier received from Constitution and it is applied to the Hit-Dice Size of the character. It applies to Base HD, however, regardless how many HD the character has but positive modifiers may only apply for up to 10 Levels of Classes. After this point, only penaltioes apply.

For example, a character with a d10 Hit-Dice and +3 Toughness would d10+3 HP every level up to and including 10th Level. If they were level 5, they would have 5d10 + 15 HP, for a maximum of 65.

Total HD and Class Levels

1+2 HD or Less

If a character has HD of 1 +2 or less, use their Level for determining HD and Size - at 1st Level, however, they may use either Hit-Dice Size from Class or from Race, whichever is greater. If HP is being rolled for, they may roll both and take the higher value. Any modifiers a Race or Template has are considered; ergo, a character with an HD of 1 +2 receives 2 additional HP.

For example, a Human taking a level of Wizard has an option of using either d8 HP from Human or d4 from Wizard. They roll 3 for Human and 2 for Wizard - they opt to take 3 HP from Human. A Hobgoblin, meanwhile, opts to take Cleric - they would receive d8 from either and roll both, receiving a 5 from Hobgoblin and a 7 from Cleric. As such, they opt to begin with 7 HP from Cleric but still receive the +1 bonus from Hobgoblin's 1 +1 HD.

1+3 or More

If a character has 1 +3 HD or more, their total HD is based on a combination of BOTH Base HD and Levels. Each preserves its own size; as such, a character taking Wizard levels receives d4 per Level whilst a Fighter would receive d10 per level. A character may use the Total HD to determine their thac0 and Saves but only from the relevant class table; if they wish to use another table, they must use their Base HD.

For example, a Mountain Giant Leader is a 5th level Cleric. Their Base HD is 15 +3, this gives them a Total HD of 20 +3. As Cleric and basic HD have a d8, this would give them 20d8 +3 HP and cause them to attack and save with an effective HD of 21 using the Priest Tables or 16 from their normal tables.

Saving Throw and thac0 Table

A character's Total HD is used to determine thac0 and Saving Throws.

If a character has 1 HD or Less and no Class Levels, they Save and have a thac0 as though their HD is 0 on the relevant table. If a character has 1 +1 or 1 +2 HD or a single Class Level, they may treat their HD 1 on the relevant table. Otherwise, use their Total HD to determine Saves and thac0 - use the highest value they qualify for on any tables they may use. For example, a

Divided HD

If a character has divided HD, typically due to Multi-Classing, divide the results accordingly. A Level 10 Fighter/Level 12 Thief, for instance, has d10/2 and d6/2 HD size, meaning for every Fighter level they gain up to 5 HP and for every Thief level they gain up to 3 HP. As HP gain drops to 2 HP per level for Thieves after 10, this is halved to 1. With maximum HP, they would have 50 + 32 HP, for a total of 82 HP at most.

Hit-Dice from Level

After 10th level, Classes no longer gain any full Hit-Dice as HP, though HD continues to increase and thus impact Saves and thac0. Instead, they gain +3 if their HD Size is 10 or more, +2 if it is d6 to d8 and +1 if it is d4 or less per HD received.

old

Typically, when referred to in its abbreviated form of HD, it refers to the total amount of Levels or Hit-Dice the character has, regardless of how many Hit Points they currently possess. A 10 HD creature has, unless stated otherwise, 10 Hit-Dices that have a Hit-Dice Size of d8. This means they possess 10-80 HP by default.

NOTE - this is currently under revision owing to difficulties with Pseudoclass/HD. I may make it so that Class Levels can be added to Base HD to determine things like HP and Level HD, this means that 1st Level characters will actually start out with a few more HP. You get Base HD + Class HD for HP. Reduce Levels by 1 to determine Level HD.

This will, obviously, effect thac0 and saves as well. They may need to creep higher. Or we may need to let them pick between using their Base HD or Class HD to determine which saves they use, which is like it is in the book. In the case of a Cleric Giant with 8 Base HD and 2 levels of Cleric, they could save as Monster 8 or Cleric 9. If they were a Fighter, it'd be Monster 8 or Fighter 9 on the thac0 table. They'd get their Base HD + 2 Fighter Levels of HD for determining HP.

or... god, this kind of breaks down at HD 1 and lower. Work it out.

If a character has 1 HD or less and no Class Levels, they must use 0th Level Saves and thac0. If your base HD is 1 or less, you use Class for determining all saves, thac0 and HD, but may substitute the first Level's HP with your existing HP if its higher. Otherwise, class is additive

If a character has both HD and Levels, as per Pseudoclass, the HD they gain from their Race or otherwise is considered to be their Base HD but whatever gives the highest relevant value for something is used where appropriate. For example, if a character has 7 Levels of Fighter but 10d4 HD, they would use their higher Base HD for Saving Throws but would roll both Base HD and Fighter Levels HD to determine HP and then take the best result.

Hit Dice Size

This determines the size of the dice used when rolling Hit Dice to determine how many HP a character has. By default, it is 1d8 for 0th Level characters, Monsters and other characters without class levels.

If a character is described as 0th Level or has a HD below 1 (such as 1/4 HD or 1-1 HD), assume they have a d8 HD and then modify it accordingly.

A Hill Giant with 12-1 HD has 95 HP normally at maximum due to having a 1d8 HD Size. If their Hit Dice Size were 1d8+5, this would instead be 12 x 13 -1 HP, for a total of 155 HP.

A character may have multiple types of Hit-Dice. If this is due to a character having HD in addition to Level, roll both their Base HD and Class Levels HD to determine HP - take the highest value given.

Divided HD

If a character has divided HD, typically due to Multi-Classing, divide the results accordingly. A Level 10 Fighter/Level 12 Thief, for instance, has d10/2 and d6/2 HD size, meaning for every Fighter level they gain up to 5 HP and for every Thief level they gain up to 3 HP. As HP gain drops to 2 HP per level for Thieves after 10, this is halved to 1. With maximum HP, they would have 50 + 32 HP, for a total of 82 HP at most.

Saving Throw and thac0 Table

The total HD is used to determine thac0 and Saving Throws. If the character has a Class or Levels, use that. If a character has HD and Levels, use whichever grants the highest thac0 or save as given.

For example, a Mountain Giant Shaman is able to cast 3rd Level Priest Spells. This makes them considered as a Level 5-6 Priest, though this does not modify their HD as it is below their 15 HD.

Effective HD Modifiers

A modifier after this adjusts the total number of HP the character has. Every 3 additional HP received from Hit-Dice (but not other sources such as Toughness) increases the character's effective Level for Saves and THAC0 by 1. Inversely, for every -3 HP received, a character lowers their effective Level by 1 for these. Note this only applies to Total Hid-Dice; if a Hit-Dice's Size has a modifier to it, it has no effect on Saves or THAC0.

For example, a Hill Giant has 12-1 HD, meaning that, from Hit Dice, it has at most 12 x 8 -1 HP; 95 HP. If they had 12+6 HD, their maximum HP from HD would be 102 and they would Save and Attack as though they had 14 HD.

Characters with less than 1 HD are considered to have 0 HD for purposes of thac0 and Saves, unless they are multiclassed or have levels, in which case they can substitute HD for Class Level.

Hit-Dice from Level

After 10th level, Classes no longer gain any full Hit Dice as HP. Instead, they gain +3 if their HD Size is 10 or more, +2 if it is d6 to d8 and +1 if it is d4 or less.

HP

HP stands for Hit Points or Health Points. These represent how close the character is to suffering lasting damage - when out of HP, the character is vulnerable and may not even be able to remain standing.

Current, Maximum and Temporary values are listed - when HP is referred to, assume Current HP is referred to. When a character takes damage, their Current HP is lowered. If more damage is dealt than the character has HP, apply the damage, reduce the character to 0 and then do any remaining to VP if available. Some forms of attacks do direct VP Damage or deal Insidious Damage, which damages HP and VP at the same time.

A character's HP cannot be raised above their Maximum HP. If something specifically describes itself as giving a character Temporary HP, it restores Current HP first and then increases Temporary HP.

Current HP is regained by Healing.

Determining Hit-Points

A character begins with a number of HP dependent on their Hit-Dice, Levels, Toughness and the Adventure Style. As discussed above, a character uses whichever gives effectively the highest HP from Base HD or Level - generally speaking, this is 1d8 for most races. A character may roll both their Base HD AND their Level to determine HP and then take the best result, though they must use the whole pool for one or the other.

Character rolls their Hit-Dice to determine HP for each HD they have. If the roll is lower than Minimum HP, use Minimum HP in its place. This is then modified this by Toughness, but it cannot be made less than 1 HP per HD.

Traditional Adventures - The highest bonus a character who does not have Warrior Levels can receive to their Hit-Dice is +2 from Toughness unless they have HD and/or Pseudoclass Levels. This does not alter Fatigue.

Heroic Adventures - Every character's first Level's HD is maximized. Minimum HP is doubled. No effect on Base HD - these must still be rolled for determining Base HP.

Epic Adventures - Every character's Hit-Dice is always maximized.

A character uses the largest effective HP pool they have, so if a Level 0 character in a Heroic Adventure rolls 1d8 and gains 5 HP and becomes a Priest, their HP increases to 8 from the 1st Level's HD being maximized. If they became a Mage, the 4hp they would have is lower and so they stick with 5hp.

Hit Point Increases

A character gains their Hit-Dice Size per Level or additional HD gained. Characters gain fewer HP after Level 10; +3 if their HD Size is 10 or more, +2 if it is d6 to d8 and +1 if it is d4 or less.

Note, a character CANNOT decrease in HP from Leveling or taking a Class. If a 0th Level character takes a class with lower Hit Dice Size and this replaces their HD, their HP will not go down. Instead, they use their initial HP gained from Hit Dice. As such, a Level 1 Wizard with -1 Toughness does not have a maximum of 3 HP but a maximum of 7 (1d8-1). At Level 2, they would normally have 6, but in this case their HP remains the same. Only at Level 3, where their HP would equal 3d4-3, do they increase in HP to 9 (12 -3).

Temporary HP

A character may gain Temporary HP from various sources - usually magic. When a character receives damage, Temporary HP is lost before reducing Current HP.

Temporary HP remains until it is lost by damage or until it's duration has expired. If no duration is listed, Temporary HP lasts for 24 hours. Once the duration has expired, 1 point of Temporary HP is converted into Current HP per round. Temporary HP is also converted into Current HP at a rate of 1 point per 10 minutes of rest, regardless of duration.

If a character cannot increase their Current HP with Temporary HP as it has reached Maximum HP and Temporary HP's duration has expired, then 1 point of Temporary HP is lost per round.

HP 0

When a character reaches 0 HP, they gain the Critical condition - in this state, all HP damage is also dealt to VP. As Insidious Damage does HP and VP damage, this means that it effectively does double damage. This condition is removed when the character's HP is above 0.

Traditional Adventures - Character is Dead at 0 HP, unless something prevents death or some effect has Destroyed them or caused them to be simply Gone.

Heroic Adventures - No change.

Epic Adventures - No change.

Negative HP

HP can be reduced below 0 but the only effect this has is to make it harder to remove the Critical condition from the character. For example, a character who is dropped to HP -10 has presumably lost 10 VP and must heal 11 HP (enough to take them up to 1 HP) before they can act normally again.

VP

VP stands for Vitality Points. These represent how close the character is to dying. when out of VP, the character cannot survive.

Current, Maximum and Temporary values are listed - when VP is referred to, assume Current VP is referred to. When a character takes damage once HP is 0, their Current VP is lowered instead. Some forms of attacks do direct VP Damage or deal Insidious Damage, which damages HP and VP at the same time.

A character's VP cannot be raised above their Maximum VP. If something specifically describes itself as giving a character Temporary VP, it restores Current VP first and then increases Temporary VP.

Current VP is regained by Healing.

Traditional Adventures - Characters do not have Vitality or VP.

Heroic Adventures - No change.

Epic Adventures - No change.

Determining Vitality Points

VP is determined by the number of Base Hit-Dice or Levels (whichever is highest) + Hit Dice Size + Vitality (based on Constitution) by default. The maximum VP gain from Levels is 10.

For example, a Level 4 Fighter with a d10 Hit Dice and a Constitution of 17 has 4 + 10 + 17, for a total of 31 VP. Meanwhile a Level 10 Wizard with a d4 Hit Dice and a Constitution of 6 has 10 + 4 + 6, for a total of 20 VP.

VP Increases

A character gains 1 VP per Hit-Dice or Level they possess, whichever gives the greater value. Multiclass characters divide this between the number of classes they have. Dualclass characters use the highest Level they possess. The most a character can receive from Levels is 10.

Size Alterations

Size has an effect on the total number of VPs a character has.

Size	VP Modifier
Tiny-	Half VPs for every Size Category below Tiny
Tiny	-1/2
Small	+0%
Medium	+0%
Large	+25%
Huge	+100%
Gigantic	+250%
Colossal	+500%
Colossal+	+250% for every Size Category above Colossal

Temporary VP

A character may gain Temporary VP from various sources - usually magic. When a character receives VP damage, Temporary VP is lost before reducing Current VP.

Temporary VP remains until it is lost by damage or until it's duration has expired. If no duration is listed, Temporary VP lasts for 24 hours. Once the duration has expired, 1 point of Temporary VP is converted into Current VP per round. Temporary VP is also converted into Current VP at a rate of 1 point per 10 minutes of rest, regardless of duration.

If a character cannot increase their Current HP with Temporary VP as it has reached Maximum VP and Temporary VP's duration has expired, then 1 point of Temporary VP is lost per round.

VP 0

At VP 0, the character is almost always Dead - they may only not be if they have something that specifically prevents it. If they are not, they are considered Unconscious and cannot have this removed until they are above VP 0.

VP Below 0 and Destruction Threshold

VP can be reduced below 0, but this only makes a difference for purposes of destroying the body, resurrection and regeneration.

A character has a Destruction Threshold equal to their Maximum VP. It is usually not necessary to write this down, however, as the player can just read their Maximum VP to determine it. Once a character is reduced to their Destruction Threshold, the character makes a Fortitude Saving Throw vs. Death with a penalty equal to the VP below their Destruction Threshold.

On a failure, they are Destroyed. For example, the above Wizard would need to have -20 VP before they must make a save to see if their body is destroyed beyond recognition. A character cannot be made Gone unless a specific attack or situation states that it is the case.

A character may avoid Destruction if they possess a specific trait that prevents (or alters) it, such as Total Regeneration - though usually some other effect is experienced.

Total Regeneration

If a character possesses Total Regeneration, they do not become Dead at VP 0 unless they are dealt damage that reduces them to below 0 of a type that their Regeneration has an Exemption to or something else occurs to void their Regeneration. Regeneration is, however, no protection against being rendered simply Gone.

A character with Total Regeneration receives a bonus on Saves to resist Destruction equal to twice their Base Regeneration per round against attacks that are not considered an Exemption to their Regeneration.

A character with Total Regeneration does, however, suffer penalties to their Regeneration rate when other characters might Die or be Destroyed. If below 0 VP, the character suffers Stunted Regeneration slowing them to half their normal rate whilst if they are below their Destruction Threshold, they suffer Glacial Regeneration, increasing the time per regeneration by one step (1 round to 1 turn, 1 turn to 1 hour, 1 hour to 1 day, 1 day to 1 week and so forth).

System Shock

A character's System Shock is a percentage used to determine how able they are to endure serious shocks such as receiving massive damage, extreme fright or heart attacks.

Current System Shock and Maximum System Shock are listed - when System Shock is referred to, assume Current System Shock is referred to.

When a character is called to make a System Shock roll, they roll d100. If it is equal to or less than their System Shock, they succeed. If not, they are fail. A roll of 1 is always a success and a roll of 100 is always a failure. In either case, they reduce their current System Shock by 10 points. System Shock CAN be pushed below 0% but this only has an effect on how long it takes to recover it.

Failing a System Shock roll always always imposes the Shock (Status) condition - if no specific effects are listed, assume it does.

Current System Shock is regained by Healing.

Traditional Adventures - Character is Dead if they fail a System Shock roll, unless something prevents death. Maximum System Shock is always used - there is no Current System Shock and the value is not reduced by making the roll.

Heroic Adventures - No change.

Epic Adventures - No change.