Last updated: 2025/09/27

Backported Optional Classes

At the player’s option, the following additional classes are available, sourced from or inspired by OSE Advanced, The Necromancer Zine, the setting Land of Mist, and ACKS, among other places:

• Acrobat (Thief variant; more agile and showy)
• Bard (Inspirational rogues)
• Forester (Fighter variant with survival skills and late-game Illusion magic)
• Gnome (Halfling-sized Illusionists with some fighting prospects)
• Halfling Burglar (Variant Halfling, obviously)
• Illusionist (Magic-User specialising in illusions; has its own spell list)
• Mystic (Fighting monk with some mystical abilities)
• Necromancer (Magic-User specialising in death magic; has its own spell list)
• Rake (Thief variant; swaps out backstab and pickpocket for some charm and defences)
• Shadow Elf (Elf variant; a warrior-shaman)

Note also that this overrides the weapon selection for Magic-Users, granting them the ability to wield a staff. Note also that descriptions above are relative; none of the above are sub-classes of the original classes and are treated completely independently.

Additionally, inspired in part by Rules Cyclopedia, the following classes are available as Prestige Classes:

• Druid (A nature-oriented Cleric with an additional spell list)
• Knight (Honour-obsessed royal vassals)
• Paladin (Holy champion with late-game divine spells)

Prestige Classes

Lawful and Neutral Fighters, and Neutral Clerics have the option of, any time after reaching level 9, but before reaching level 10, taking special, transformative vows that allow them to change their class, exchanging some of their freedoms or abilities for new powers. Lawful Fighters with sufficient Charisma may become Paladins, Lawful or Neutral Fighters of sufficient Dexterity and Constitution may become Knights, and Neutral Clerics may become Druids.

Intentionally breaking these vows will permanently revert the character to their former class, with a loss of levels equal to half of those gained as the new class, rounding up. The character will not gain additional Hit Points until their highest prior level is surpassed.

Unintentionally breaking these vows will universally result in a freeze on gained experience points until a redemptive quest has been undertaken.

Consequences for Alignment changes will be covered under each class.

Class Listings

All of the new classes are described below, listed in alphabetical order.

Acrobat

Acrobats are trained in skills of balance, gymnastics, and stealth. They often work in conjunction with thieves and may belong to a Thieves’ Guild.

Adjust ability scores: In step 3 of character creation, acrobats may not lower STR.

Encumbrance: Evasion, falling, jumping, and tightrope walking cannot be performed if encumbrance reduces the acrobat’s movement rate to less than 90’ (30’).

Acrobat Skills

Acrobats can use the following skills with the chance of success shown below:

• Climb sheer surfaces (CS): A roll is required for each 100’ climb. If the roll fails, the acrobat falls at the halfway point, suffering falling damage.
• Falling (FA): When able to tumble, acrobats suffer no damage from the first 10’ of any fall. Damage due to falling from a greater height is reduced by the listed percentage (rounding fractions down).
• Hide in shadows (HS): The acrobat must be be motionless – attacking or moving while hiding is impossible.
• Move silently (MS): A acrobat may attempt to sneak past enemies unnoticed.
• Tightrope walking (TW): Acrobats can walk along tightropes, narrow beams, and ledges at up to half their normal movement rate. A roll is required every 60’. Failure indicates that the acrobat falls and suffers falling damage. Windy conditions may reduce the chance of success by up to 20%. Holding a balance pole increases the chance of success by 10%.

Combat

Acrobats cannot wear armour bulkier than leather and cannot use shields. They are able to use all missile weapons. Their use of melee weapons is restricted to light blades and staff weapons.

Evasion

When retreating from melee, an acrobat’s ability to tumble negates the opponent’s usual +2 bonus to hit.

Jumping

With a 20’ run-up, an acrobat can jump across a 10’ wide pit or chasm (or 20’ wide when aided by the use of a pole). Also when using a pole, an acrobat can jump over a 10’ high wall or onto a 10’ high ledge. Suitable poles for jumping include: 10’ poles, pole arms, spears, staves.

Tumbling Attack

Using the falling or jumping abilities, an acrobat can make a tumbling melee attack. The attack inflicts double damage if successful. Against an unaware opponent, the acrobat also gains a +4 bonus to hit.

Rolling Skill Checks

All skills except falling are rolled on d%, with a result of less than or equal to the listed percentage indicating success.

Player Knowledge

The referee should roll for hide in shadows and move silently on the player’s behalf, as the acrobat always believes the attempt to be successful. If the roll fails, the referee knows that the acrobat has been noticed and should determine enemies’ actions appropriately.

After Reaching 9th Level

An acrobat can establish a training school, attracting 2d6 apprentices of 1st level. The apprentices will serve the character with some reliability; however, should any be arrested or killed, the character will not be able to attract apprentices to replace them. A successful acrobat burglar might use these followers to start a Thieves’ Guild.

Acrobat Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Acrobat Titles

Bard

Successful adventurers live forever in the sagas and songs about their deeds. Remembering and recounting these sagas is the profession of bards. Most bards are content to recite the deeds of others, but some bold few participate in the dangers themselves and become inspiring heroes in their own right.

Prime requisites: Bards with at least 13 in one prime requisite gain a 5% bonus to experience. If both DEX and CHA are 13 or higher, the bard gets a +10% bonus.

Arcane Casting From Scrolls

A bard of 10th level or higher can cast arcane spells from scrolls. There is a 10% chance of error: the spell does not function as expected and creates an unusual or deleterious effect.

Arcane Dabbling

Bards are able to draw upon their lore to attempt to use magical items normally only usable by mages, such as rods and staves. A 1st level Bard must roll an 18 or above on a d20 to successfully use the item, with a failure causing an unusual or deleterious effect. The required roll decreases by 2 for each level of experienced gained, to a minimum of 3.

Chronicles of Battle

A bard of 5th level or higher may inspire his hirelings to strive for glory. Any henchmen or mercenaries hired by the bard gain +1 to their Morale if the bard is present to witness and record their deeds. This bonus stacks with that gained from high Charisma scores or Inspire Courage (below).

Combat

Bards can only use leather armour and are untrained in shields. They are, however, well-trained in weaponry, being able to use any one-handed melee weapon and any missile weapon.

Inspire Courage

By reciting epic poems and heroic lays, bards are able to inspire their allies. Inspiring courage requires one round (pre-battle) and grants all allies within 50’ a +1 bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, morale rolls, and saving throws against magical fear. These bonuses last for 1 Turn. A bard can inspire courage in any given character but once a day, and cannot encourage any characters already engaged in combat.

Loremastery

Due to their studies and collections of obscure lore, a bard has a chance of deciphering occult runes, remembering ancient history, identifying historical artefacts, providing insight on monsters, and similar tasks. A 1st level bard must roll an 18 or above on a d20 to invoke this ability, with the required roll decreasing by 1 for each level of experience gained. This may be attempted once per item per level.

Read Languages

A bard of 4th level or higher can read non-magical text in any language (including dead languages and basic codes) with 80% probability. If the roll does not succeed, the bard may not try to read that particular text again before gaining an experience level.

Reaching 9th Level and Above

Upon reaching 9th level (Bard), a bard can build a hall and become a ruler. When he does so, up to 1d4+1x10 0th level mercenaries and 1d6 bards of 1st-3rd level will come to apply for jobs and training. If hired, they must be paid standard rates for mercenaries.

Bard Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Bard Titles

Druid

Druids are priests of nature, protecting wild lands from the encroachment of “civilised” Law and the corrupting touch of Chaos. They worship the force of nature itself, personified in the form of various nature deities. A Druid will not willingly stay in a city for longer than necessary, and will make permanent residence in a woodland home.

Alignment: Druids regard the ways of the natural world as the ideal state of things. They see the concepts of Law and Chaos as extremes that are both equally against nature. Thus, druids must be neutral in alignment. Should a druid change alignment, he will only be able to use normal Clerical spells, will lose all of his Druidic abilities, and will not be able to gain experience points until such time his alignment reverts to Neutral and a quest is undertaken to regain his status as a Druid. He may also at this time wilfully return to being a normal Cleric, being treated as though he intentionally broke his vows.

Charm Immunity

Druids are immune to the charms of fairies and Sylvan creatures (e.g. dryads, nixies).

Combat

The holy doctrine of the druids stipulates that they may not use metal armour or shields (wooden shields may be purchased at the normal price). Their choice of weapons is limited to anything blunt and with no metallic parts; wooden versions of otherwise acceptable weapons may be commissioned for 50% more than the usual price and are functionally identical.

Divine Magic

Holy symbol: A druid must carry a holy symbol: a sprig of mistletoe which the character must harvest.

Deity disfavor: Druids must be faithful to the tenets of their alignment and religion. Druids who fall out of favour with their deity may incur penalties.

Magical research: A druid of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to create new spells or other magical effects associated with their deity. A Druid can also create magic items.

Spell casting: A druid may pray to receive spells. The power and number of spells available to a druid are determined by the character’s experience level. Druids use a unique spell list, but also have the option of using the standard Clerical spells, save for those which affect good or evil (e.g. Protection From Evil). Where the spell lists coincide, use the Druid spell level. The restricted spells and Druidic spell level also applies to Druids who have fallen from grace, e.g. from changing Alignment.

Using magic items: As spell casters, druids can use magic scrolls of spells on their spell lists. They can also use items that may only be used by divine spell casters (e.g., some magic staves). Druids may not use magical books or tomes.

Energy Resistance

Druids gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against electricity (lightning) and fire.

Identification

Druids can identify all plants and animals and can discern pure water.

Languages

Druids speak a secret tongue known only to their sect. At each level above 10th, a druid also learns to speak a language used by creatures of Sylvan forests (e.g. dryads, green dragons, pixies, treants).

Pass Without Trace

A druid can pass through natural environments without leaving any tracks. The character is also able to move through overgrown areas at normal speed and without impediment.

Path-Finding

A party with a druid has only a 1-in-6 chance of getting lost in woodlands.

Shape Change

A druid has the power to change into the form of a reptile, bird, and mammal (once per day each). The animal may be of any size up to around twice the bulk of the druid’s normal form. If a druid has lost hit points, they regain 1d4 hit points per level upon changing into an animal. All equipment carried by the druid is absorbed into the animal form and reappears when the druid changes back.

Reaching 12th Level and Above

There can only be nine druids of 12th level. When a druid has enough experience to reach 12th level, they must challenge an existing 12th level druid. The character only advances to 12th level if the other druid is defeated. Such challenges may take any form that is agreed by both parties, including combat (which need not be fatal). Likewise, there can only be three druids of 13th level and a single druid (known as the Arch Druid) of 14th level. Should the character be defeated, they may try again in one month, though they may gain no further experience points in the meantime.

Druids who attain 12th level or above may build a stronghold integrated into a natural setting.

Druid Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Druid Titles

Forester

Foresters are elf-trained humans dedicated to protecting the woodlands, skilled in fighting, stealth, and illusion magic.

Alignment: As protectors, foresters must begin play lawful or neutral.

Prime requisites: Foresters with 13+ INT and STR get a 5% XP bonus; those with 16+ INT and 13+ DEX get +10% XP.

Arcane Magic

From 8th level, due to his elven training, a forester gains the ability to cast spells. The power and number of spells available to a forester are determined by the character’s experience level. Foresters use the illusionist spell list.

Combat

Foresters can use all types of weapons and can use leather armour, chainmail, and shields. Because of their need for stealth, they cannot use plate mail.

Foraging and Hunting

A party with a forester succeeds at foraging with a 2-in-6 chance and finds prey when hunting with a 5-in-6 chance.

Huntsman

A forester is exceptionally skilled with long and short bows, gaining +1 to their attack rolls with such.

Limited Possessions

A forester may only keep wealth and possessions that can be kept on their person or mount.

Pursuit

When the forester’s party pursues an opposing group in the wilderness, the chance of evasion is reduced by 10%.

Self-Sufficient

Foresters are unwilling to hire servants or men-at-arms.

Stealth

In the wilderness, a forester has a 90% chance of hiding and a 5-in-6 chance of moving silently.

Tracking

Foresters can identify and follow tracks. This skill improves as the character gains levels (see the table below). Success may be modified by the following factors:

• Soft/hard ground: +20% to –50%.
• Size of group being tracked: +2% per creature beyond the first.
• Passing through an area where other tracks mingle: –50%.
• Age of tracks: –5% per 12 hours.
• Rainfall: –25% per hour.
• Efforts made to hide tracks: –25%

After Reaching 9th Level

A forester may construct a stronghold in the depths of the forest, blending in with the natural environment. This might be in the treetops, beside a serene valley, hidden behind a waterfall, or near any other site of great beauty. Forest animals within a 5 mile radius of the completed stronghold will become friends with the forester. They may warn of intruders, carry messages, and so on. In exchange for this friendship, the forester must protect the animals from harm.

Forester Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Forester Titles

Gnome

Gnomes are a race of short demihumans with long noses and beards. They are cousins of the dwarves and the two races are on friendly terms. Gnomes prefer to dwell in underground complexes in forests or foothills. They love mining, precious stones, and machinery – from miniature marvels of clockwork to great construction engines. Gnomes are also famed for their penchant for pointy, red, felt hats. Gnomes are typically around 3.5’ tall and weigh around 100 pounds.

Prime requisites: A gnome with at least 13 DEX and INT gains a 5% bonus to experience. A gnome with at least 13 DEX and at least 16 INT gains a 10% bonus.

Arcane Magic

Magical research: A gnome of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to add new spells to their spell book and to research other magical effects. When a gnome reaches 8th level, they are also able to create magic items.

Spell casting: Gnomes carry spell books containing the formulae for arcane spells. The level progression table shows both the number of spells in the gnome’s spell book and the number they may memorize, determined by the character’s experience level. Thus, a 1st level gnome has one spell in their spell book, selected by the referee (who may allow the player to choose). Gnomes have the same spell selection as Illusionists.

Using magic items: As spell casters, gnomes are able to use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by arcane spell casters (e.g. magic wands).

Combat

Gnomes can use leather armour and shields. Armour must be tailored to gnomes’ small size. Similarly, they can use any weapon appropriate to their stature (as determined by the referee). They cannot use longbows or two-handed swords.

Defensive Bonus

Due to their small size, gnomes gain a +2 bonus to Armour Class when attacked by large opponents (greater than human-sized).

Detect Construction Tricks

As expert tunnellers, gnomes have a 2-in-6 chance of being able to detect new construction, sliding walls, or sloping passages when searching.

Hiding

Gnomes have an uncanny ability to disappear from sight:

• In woodland cover, a gnome can hide with a 90% chance of success.

• In dungeons, a gnome can hide in shadows or behind other forms of cover. The chance of success is 2-in-6. Hiding requires the gnome to be motionless.

Infravision

Gnomes have infravision to 90’.

Listening at Doors

Gnomes have a 2-in-6 chance of hearing noises.

Speaking with Burrowing Mammals

Gnomes often keep burrowing mammals such as badgers and moles as pets. They know the secret language of such creatures.

After Reaching 8th Level

A gnome has the option of creating an underground stronghold that will attract gnomes from far and wide.

Because of gnomes’ connection with burrowing mammals, all such creatures within 5 miles of the stronghold will become friends with the gnomes. They may warn of intruders, carry messages and news, and so on. In exchange for this friendship, the gnome must protect the animals from harm.

Gnome rulers can hire members of other races in the capacity of retainers or specialists, but only soldiers of gnomish stock may be hired.

Gnome Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Gnome Titles

Halfling Burglar

Halflings are small, rotund demihumans with curly hair on their heads and feet. They weigh about 60 pounds and are around 3’ tall. Halflings are friendly and welcoming folk. Above all, they love the comforts of home and are not known for their bravery. Halflings who gain treasure through adventuring will often use their wealth in pursuit of a quiet, comfortable life. Halfling burglars generally do not pursue their career out of malice, and will never steal from their own people; they prefer to be thought of more as treasure-hunters.

Prime requisites: A halfling with at least 13 in one prime requisite gains a 5% bonus to experience. If both DEX and STR are 13 or higher, the halfling gets a +10% bonus.

Backstab

When attacking an unaware opponent from behind, a halfling burglar receives a +4 bonus to hit and doubles any damage dealt. However, the damage doubling only works on opponents of human-size or smaller.

Burglar Skills

Halfling burglars can use the following skills, with the chance of success shown below:

• Climb sheer surfaces (CS): A roll is required for each 100’ climb. If the roll fails, the halfling burglar falls at the halfway point, suffering falling damage.
• Find or remove treasure traps (TR): A roll is required to find a treasure trap and then another to remove it. This may be attempted only once per trap.
• Hear noise (HN): In a quiet environment (e.g., not in combat, a halfling burglar may attempt to listen at the door or to hear the sounds of something (e.g. a wandering monster approaching).
• Hide in shadows (HS): Requires the halfling burglar to be motionless – attacking or moving while hiding is impossible.
• Move silently (MS): A halfling burglar may sneak past enemies unnoticed.
• Open locks (OL): Requires burglars’ tools. A halfling burglar can only try this skill once per lock. If the roll fails, he may not try the same lock again before gaining an experience level.
• Pick pockets (PP): If the victim is above 5th level, the halfling burglar’s roll is penalized by 5% for every level above 5th. There is always at least a 1% chance of failure. A roll of more than twice the percentage required for success means that the attempted theft is noticed. The referee should determine the victim’s reaction.

Combat

Halfling burglars can only use leather armour and it must be tailored to their small size. Similarly, they can use any weapon appropriate to their stature (as determined by the referee). They cannot use longbows or two-handed swords.

Defensive Bonus

Due to their small size, halfling burglars gain a +2 bonus to armour Class when attacked by large opponents (greater than human-sized).

Hiding

Halfling burglars have the ability to avoid detection, apparently vanishing from sight:

• In woods or undergrowth, a halfling burglar can hide with a 90% chance of success. The halfling burglar must remain motionless and silent.
• In dungeons, a halfling burglar can hide in normal lighting conditions with a 33% chance of success starting out. There must be some form of cover (e.g. shadows) and the halfling burglar must remain motionless and silent.

The latter ability is subsumed into “Hide in shadows” below.

Initiative Bonus

On a tied initiative roll, halfling burglars may move first, being treated as a separate side.

Missile Attack Bonus

Halfling burglars’ keen coordination grants them a +1 bonus to attack rolls with all eligible missile weapons.

After Reaching 8th Level

Any time a halfling burglar wishes (and has sufficient money), they may build a stronghold, which will form the basis of a new community of halflings. Halfling communities – known as Shires – are typically located in the gentle countryside of little rivers and rolling hills. The leader of the community is called the Sheriff. A Halfling burglar will never steal from his own people.

Halfling Burglar Level Progression

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Halfling Burglar Titles

Illusionist

Illusionists are adventurers who study the arcane arts of illusion and deception. Through this study, they have learned to cast magic spells.

Arcane Magic

Magical research: An illusionist of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to add new spells to their spell book and to research other magical effects. When an illusionist reaches 9th level, they are also able to create magic items. Researched spells, effects, and magic items must be within the scope of the illusionist class, as judged by the referee.

Spell casting: Illusionists carry spell books containing the formulae for arcane spells. The level progression table shows both the number of spells in the illusionist’s spell book and the number they may memorize, determined by the character’s experience level. Thus, a 1st level illusionist has one spell in their spell book, selected by the referee (who may allow the player to choose). Illusionists use a unique spell list.

Using magic items: As spell casters, illusionists can use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by arcane spell casters (e.g., magic wands). They are, however, not able to use magic items with effects that cause direct damage (e.g. a wand that shoots fireballs).

Combat

Illusionists can only use daggers and staves and are unable to use shields or wear any kind of armour. This makes them very vulnerable in combat.

After Reaching 11th Level

An illusionist may construct a stronghold, often a great tower. 1d6 apprentices of levels 1–3 will then arrive to study under the illusionist.

Illusionist Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Illusionist Titles

Knight

Knights are warriors who serve a noble house or knightly order, carrying out their liege’s command and upholding the honour of the liege at all costs. They are masters of heavily armoured, mounted combat, preferring the lance above all other weapons. Knights are often members of the noble classes, but a person of lowlier origin may be initiated as a knight as a reward for noble deeds.

Knighthood: The character is knighted by their liege and gains the right to bear a coat of arms (typically emblazoned upon the knight’s shield).

Alignment: A knight must have the same alignment as their liege. If this changes intentionally, they may have their knighthood revoked, being treated as intentionally breaking their vow, otherwise a special quest might be given to regain the status (and alignment); until this quest is completed, no further experience points may be earned.

Chivalric Code

Knights are bound by a stringent code of honour, which they strive to uphold in all their deeds. A knight does not earn any experience points for deeds performed at odds with this code. The fundamentals of this code are: preference of death over dishonour; service of the knight’s liege as the greatest honour; glory in single combat; defence to the death of any in the knight’s charge; honouring of superiors; respect of equals; demanding obedience from inferiors; scorning the ignoble.

Dishonour: A knight who brings dishonour upon themselves or their liege may have their knighthood revoked, as above. It may be possible to regain the status of knighthood by performing a special quest if this was unintentional, also as above.

Combat

Knights can use all melee weapons but cannot use missile weapons (they regard these as dishonourable). They can wear any metal armour but scorn non-metal armour as only suitable for peasants and villains.

Cleave: If a melee attack kills or incapacitates an enemy, the Knight is permitted to attack a new valid target in range with the same weapon, being allowed to move up to 5’ between cleaves, provided his movement per round has not been exhausted. This may potentially be done a number of times equal to the Knight’s level.

Prowess of arms: Knights regard armour as a symbol of prowess and status, always favouring the most impressive and impervious-looking armour available.

Single combat: In a battle, a knight must attack the most powerful or worthy foe in single combat.

Flying Mounts

A knight can train fantastic, flying monsters as mounts. This takes one month. In general, a knight may train flying monsters of Hit Dice at most equal to the knight’s level. The use and training of flying monsters as mounts is at the referee’s discretion.

Horsemanship

Assessing steeds: Knights are expert riders and can assess the worth of any steed. This allows a knight to determine whether an animal has low, average, or high hit points for its type.

Urging great speed: A knight can urge their steed to great speed, increasing its movement rate by 30’ (10’) for up to 6 turns, once per day.

Hospitality

A knight can expect hospitality and aid from nobles and other knights of the same alignment or social affiliation (e.g. order, religion, noble house, etc.). A knight is expected to extend such hospitality in kind.

Mounted Combat

Knights gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls when mounted.

Strength of Will

Beguilement: Knights gain a +4 bonus to saving throws against hold spells, charms, mind control, hypnotism, suggestion, etc. They gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against illusion, and gain a saving throw (one is not normally allowed) against sleep spells.

Fear: Knights are immune to all supernatural fear effects. Companions within 10’ of the knight gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against fear effects, and retainers and mercenaries under the knight’s command within 10’ gain a +2 bonus to loyalty or morale.

Stronghold

Any time a knight wishes (and has sufficient money), they can build a castle or stronghold and control the surrounding lands. The permission of the knight’s liege is always required. A knight may be granted a title such as Baron or Baroness. The land under the knight’s control is then known as a Barony.

Knight Level Progression

Knight Titles

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Mystic

Mystics are warriors who have undergone intense physical and mental training to unlock their inner potential. Through deep meditation and the spiritual practice of martial arts, they are able to exceed their mundane physical limits. Their incredible speed and agility provides them with unsurpassed ability in unarmed combat.

Prime requisites: Mystics with 13+ DEX and STR get a 5% XP bonus; those with 16+ STR and 13+ DEX get +10% XP.

Awareness

Mystics are only surprised on a roll of 1.

Combat

Mystics may use any weapon, but usually prefer their unarmed attack. They may not use any armour or shield, nor use any protective items. As they advance in level and perfect their martial arts, their base Armour Class (AC) improves as shown in the table Mystic Abilities.

Heal Self

At level 2, once per day, a mystic can heal themselves 1 hit point per level.

Languages

At level 4, a mystic can speak with any animal. At level 10, a mystic can speak with any plant.

Mind Blank

At level 6, mystics become immune to Charm, ESP, Geas, Hold, Quest and Slow spells and spell-like effects.

Movement Rate

Mystics increase their movement rate (MV) as they increase in level as listed in the table Mystic Abilities.

Resistance

At level 8, a mystic takes half damage from all spells, spell-like abilities, and breath weapons. Quarter damage is taken when a saving throw reduces damage.

Seclusion

At level 12, once per day a mystic can fade from existence for one round per level. While secluded, no creature or magic can perceive them. If the mystic attacks or speaks, the effect ends.

Unarmed Attacks

A mystic’s unarmed damage (UD) and number of unarmed attacks (UA) increase as they level. At level 2, they are able to damage creatures only harmed by silver (S) weapons. At level 5, they can also damage creatures usually only harmed by magic (M) attacks. Their progression is listed in the table Mystic Abilities.

Vow of Truth

A mystic must always remain true to their word and never break an oath or speak falsely. If they ever do so intentionally, they lose one full level of experience and their XP is reduced to the minimum for the lower level. If they do so accidentally, they will be unable to gain further XP until they apologise or otherwise make amends with the other party or someone relevant to the situation; if no such person is available, they must confess to a like-aligned Mystic or (non-PC) Cleric of the same alignment and make an offering of 100 GP per character level.

Wealth

Mystics must donate their excess wealth (what they do not need to maintain themselves or any hirelings for a month) to a worthy cause. Furthermore, they may only own such possessions that they can personally carry.

After Reaching 9th Level

A mystic can establish a monastery, attracting 3d6 1st level mystics as disciples. These disciples will donate all of the required materials and perform all of the labour to build and maintain the monastery.

Mystic Abilities

Mystic Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Mystic Titles

Necromancer

Necromancers are adventurers who study the arcane arts of death and the undead. Through this study, they have learned to cast magic spells.

Alignment: Being allied with the macabre forces of death and undeath, necromancers are usually neutral or chaotic. Lawful necromancers may exist in some campaigns, at the referee’s discretion, possibly as wardens of the dead.

Arcane Magic

Magical research: A necromancer of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to add new spells to their spell book and to research other magical effects. When a necromancer reaches 9th level, they are also able to create magic items. Researched spells, effects, and magic items must be within the scope of the necromancer class, as judged by the referee.

Spell casting: Necromancers own spell books containing the formulae for arcane spells. The level progression table shows both the number of spells in the necromancer’s spell book and the number they may memorise, determined by the character’s experience level. Thus, a 1st level necromancer has one spell in their spell book, selected by the referee (who may allow the player to choose). Necromancers use a unique spell list.

Using magic items: As spell casters, necromancers can use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by arcane spell casters (e.g., magic wands). They are, however, not able to use magic items with non-necromantic effects that specifically affect living creatures, including humans (e.g. a ring of controlling animals).

Combat

Necromancers can only use daggers and staves and are unable to use shields or wear any kind of armour. This makes them very vulnerable in combat.

Death Ward

Necromancers gain a +2 bonus to saving throws vs Death and Poison (reflected on the progression table).

After Reaching 11th Level

A necromancer may construct a stronghold, often a great tower or necropolis. 1d6 apprentices of levels 1–3 will then arrive to study under the necromancer.

Necromancer Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Necromancer Titles

Paladin

Paladins are warriors sworn by sacred oath to the service of a Lawful holy order.

Alignment: A paladin must be lawful. If the character’s alignment ever changes, they lose all class abilities (except Cleave) and are unable to gain further experience points until such time their alignment reverts to Lawful and a quest is undertaken to regain their status as a Paladin. They may also at this time wilfully return to being a normal Fighter, being treated as though they intentionally broke their vows.

Prime requisite: A paladin with at least 13 in one prime requisite gets +5% to experience. If both STR and WIS are 16 or higher, the paladin gets a +10% bonus.

Combat

Paladins can use all types of weapons and armour.

Cleave: If a melee attack kills or incapacitates an enemy, the Paladin is permitted to attack a new valid target in range with the same weapon, being allowed to move up to 5’ between cleaves, provided his movement per round has not been exhausted. This may potentially be done a number of times equal to the Paladin’s level.

Divine Magic

Holy symbol: A paladin must carry a holy symbol.

Deity disfavour: Paladins must be faithful to the tenets of their alignment and religion. Paladins who fall from favour with their deity may incur penalties.

Spell casting: A paladin may pray to receive spells. The power and number of spells available to a paladin are determined by the character’s experience level. The list of spells available to paladins is the same as for clerics.

Holy Resistance

Paladins are immune to all disease.

Laying on Hands

Once per day, a paladin can heal 2 hit points per level by laying their hands on wounded characters. Additionally, a paladin may cure disease once per week by laying on hands.

Turning the Undead

Paladins can invoke the power of their deity to repel undead monsters encountered. To turn the undead, the player rolls 2d6. The referee then consults the table below, comparing the roll against the HD of the type of undead monsters targeted.

* 2 HD monsters with a special ability (i.e., with an asterisk next to their HD rating in the monster description).

Successful Turning

If the turning attempt succeeds, the player must roll 2d6 again to determine the number of HD affected (turned or destroyed).

Turned Undead: Will leave the area, if possible, and will not harm or make contact with the paladin.

Destroyed Undead: Are instantly and permanently annihilated.

Excess HD and minimum effect: Rolled Hit Dice that are not sufficient to affect a monster are wasted. However, at least one undead monster will always be affected on a successful turning.

Mixed groups: If turn undead is used against a mixed group of undead monsters of different types, those with the lowest HD are affected first.

Stronghold

With the permission of their holy order, a paladin can build a castle or stronghold and control the surrounding lands. The paladin may be granted a title such as Baron or Baroness. The land under their control is then known as a Barony.

Vow of Humility

A paladin may keep only a total of one suit of magical armour, one magical shield, and one magical melee weapon. They must also donate 10% of all income to a Lawful religious institution.

Warhorse

A paladin may summon a holy charger – a warhorse with AC 5 [14], 5+5 HD, and a movement rate of 180’ (60’). If the horse dies, another may not be summoned for 10 years.

Paladin Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Paladin Titles

Rake

Rakes are swashbuckling adventurers who live by their skill, wit, and charm.

Adjust ability scores: In step 3 of character creation, rakes may not lower STR.

Charm

A rake receives a +2 bonus on all NPC and retainer reaction rolls and loyalty checks.

Combat

Because of their need for stealth and free movement, rakes cannot wear armour heavier than leather and cannot use shields. They can use any weapon.

Detect Room Traps

Due to their acute sense of danger, rakes have a 2-in-6 chance of detecting room traps.

Dodge

A rake can attempt to dodge one melee attack per combat round by rolling their Hide in Shadows (HS) percentage. If successful the attack misses.

Poison Resistance

Rakes receive a +2 bonus to saving throws versus non-magical poison (not reflected on the progression table).

Rake Skills

Rakes can use the following skills, with the chance of success shown below:

• Climb sheer surfaces (CS): A roll is required for each 100’ climb. If the roll fails, the rake falls at the halfway point, suffering falling damage.
• Find or remove treasure traps (TR): A roll is required to find a treasure trap and then another to remove it. This may be attempted only once per trap.
• Hear noise (HN): In a quiet environment (e.g., not in combat, a rake may attempt to listen at the door or to hear the sounds of something (e.g., a wandering monster approaching.
• Hide in shadows (HS): Requires the rake to be motionless – attacking or moving while hiding is impossible.
• Move silently (MS): A rake may sneak past enemies unnoticed.
• Open locks (OL): Requires thieves’ tools. A rake can only try this skill once per lock. If the roll fails, the rake may not try the same lock again before gaining an experience level.

Rolling Skill Checks

Hear noise: It is rolled on 1d6. The skill succeeds if the roll is within the listed range of numbers.

Other Skills: All rolled on d%, with a result of less than or equal to the listed percentage indicating success.

Player Knowledge

The referee should roll for hear noise, hide in shadows, and move silently on the player’s behalf, as the rake does not immediately know if the attempt was successful. If a hide in shadows or move silently roll fails, the referee knows that the rake has been noticed and should determine enemies’ actions appropriately.

Read Languages

A rake of 4th level or higher can read non-magical text in any language (including dead languages and basic codes) with 80% probability. If the roll does not succeed, the rake may not try to read that particular text again until they reach a higher level of experience.

Scroll Use

A rake of 10th level or higher can cast arcane spells from scrolls. There is a 10% chance of error: the spell does not function as expected and creates an unusual or deleterious effect.

After Reaching 12th Level

A rake can establish a tavern, earning a modest income and attracting adventurers of all types. The rake may call upon 2d6 of such adventurers to join them on quests as needed. The referee should determine the make-up of such a party, which should consist of NPCs no higher than level 3

Rake Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Rake Titles

Shadow Elf

Shadow Elves are slender, fey demihumans with notably large, pointed ears, extremely pale skin, white hair, and clear blue or grey eyes. Shadow elves, until recently, dwelt exclusively underground, carving great cities of stone and crystal. They are related to the elves of the surface world and share their love of nature and magic. Shadow elves typically weigh about 100 pounds and are about 5 feet tall.

They are talented fighters and gain powerful magic through the worship of their strange subterranean deities. They have a strong resistance to magic, as reflected in their saving throws. Shadow elves with a talent for priestly arts are marked at birth by a purplish birthmark that extends over the forehead and eyes (and sometimes more) in a symmetrical pattern.

Prime requisites: A Shadow elf with at least 13 STR and WIS gains a 5% bonus to experience. A Shadow elf with at least 13 STR and at least 16 WIS gains a 10% bonus.

Racial Preferences: Shadow elves have a shaky relationship with surface elves, though it’s mostly one-sided.

Racial Deity: Shadow elves revere Rafiel as their patron deity. Shadow elves who have fallen to Chaos lose his favour and all Clerical skills. Fallen shadow elves may undertake a quest of atonement to regain their status (and alignment).

Combat

Shadow elves can use all types of weapons and armour.

Detect Secret Doors

Shadow elves have keen eyes that allow them, when actively searching, to detect hidden or secret doors with a 2-in-6 chance.

Divine Magic

Holy symbol: A shadow elf must carry a holy symbol in the form of a specially-consecrated crystal.

Deity disfavour: Shadow elves must be faithful to the tenants of their alignment, clergy, and religion. Shadow elves who fall from favour with their deity may incur penalties.

Magical research: A shadow elf of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to create new spells or other magical effects associated with their deity. On reaching 9th level, shadow elves are also able to create magic items.

Spell casting:: A shadow elf may pray to receive spells from their deity. The power and number of spells available to a shadow elf are determined by the character’s experience level. Shadow elves cast spells from the cleric spell list. At 1st level, a shadow elf may only pray for the light (darkness) spell, but from 2nd level, the character may pray for any spell on the spell list. Shadow elves are also able to pray for the magic-user ESP spell, from 3rd level.

Using magic items: As spell casters, shadow elves can use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by divine spell casters (e.g. some staves).

Immunity to Ghoul Paralysis

Shadow elves are immune to the paralysing effect of ghouls’ attacks.

Infravision

Shadow elves have infravision to 60’.

Listening at Doors

Shadow elves have a 2-in-6 chance of hearing noises.

After Reaching 9th Level

A shadow elf may establish a subterranean stronghold or temple. If the shadow elf is in favour with their deity, the complex may be bought or built at half the normal price due to the direct intervention of the deity. Once a stronghold or temple is established, the shadow elf will attract followers (5d6 × 10 non-spell casting shadow elves of 1st or 2nd level). These troops are completely devoted to the shadow elf (never checking morale). The referee decides how many of the followers are 1st and 2nd level, and which are archers, infantry, etc.

Shadow Elf Level Progression

* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

† At 1st level, a Shadow Elf may only pray for the light (darkness) spell.

D: Death / poison; W: Wands; P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks; S: Spells / rods / staves.

Shadow Elf Titles

New Spells

The following spells are available for the expanded classes. If a spell is reversible, the name of the reversed version is noted in parenthesis.

Druid Spell List

1st Level

Animal Friendship

Detect Danger

Entangle

Faerie Fire

Invisibility to Animals

Locate Plant or Animal

Predict Weather

Speak with Animals

2nd Level

Barkskin

Create Water

Cure Light Wounds (Cause Lt. Wounds)

Heat Metal

Obscuring Mist

Produce Flame

Slow Poison

Warp Wood

3rd Level

Call Lightning

Growth of Nature

Hold Animal

Protection from Poison

Tree Shape

Water Breathing (Air Breathing)

4th Level

Cure Serious Wounds (Cause Sr. Wounds)

Dispel Magic

Protection from Fire and Lightning

Speak with Plants

Summon Animals

Temperature Control

5th Level

Commune with Nature

Control Weather

Pass Plant

Protection from Plants and Animals

Transmute Rock to Mud (Mud to Rock)

Wall of Thorns

Illusionist Spell List

1st Level

Auditory Illusion

Chromatic Orb

Colour Spray

Duration: Instant

Range: 20’ long cone, 20’ wide at end

A flurry of clashing, rainbow-hued colours erupts from the caster’s hand.

• Targets: 1d6 creatures in the area of effect.
• The effect: Depends on the HD of each target, relative to the caster.
  • HD less than or equal to caster: Knocked unconscious for 2d4 rounds. (Creatures of 6HD or greater may save versuss spells.)
  • HD 2 or more greater than caster: Save versus spells or be blinded for 1d4 rounds. A blind creature cannot attack.
  • HD up to 3 greater than caster: Save versus spells or be unable to move, attack, or make other actions for one round.

Creatures that cannot see: Are unaffected by this spell.

Dancing Lights

Detect Illusion

Glamour

Hypnotism

Duration: 1 round + 1 per level

Range: 30’

The caster’s gestures and droning syllables open the minds of one or more subjects within range to a hypnotic suggestion that is uttered as part of the spell casting.

• Number of targets: Up to 1d6 creatures are affected. The number of creatures affected is determined after the suggestion is made.
• Wording: The suggestion must take the form of a short phrase (at most one or two sentences) suggesting a course of action to the subjects.
• Comprehension: A language that is understood by the subjects must be used.
• Harmful suggestions: A suggested course of action that is obviously harmful to a subject causes the spell to automatically fail for that subject.
• Saving throw: Each subject may save versus spells to resist the hypnotic suggestion. If the save fails, the subject will follow the caster’s suggestion for up to the duration of the spell.
• Reasonable suggestions: A suggestion that is worded in such a way as to make it sound very reasonable incurs a -2 penalty to the saving throw.

Restrictions: Undead are not affected by hypnotism.

Light (Darkness)

Phantasmal Force

Read Magic

Duration: 1 turn

Range: The caster

Allows the caster to decipher magical script or runes, as follows:

• Scrolls: The magical script of a scroll of illusion spells can be understood. The caster is then able to activate the scroll at any time in the future.
• Spell books: A spell book written by another illusion spell caster can be deciphered.
• Inscriptions: Runes or magical words inscribed on an object or surface can be understood.
• Reading again: Once the caster has used this spell to decipher a magical inscription, they can always understand that script again without recourse to the use of this spell.

Spook

Wall of Fog

Duration: 1 turn

Range: 60’

A wall of roiling vapour is conjured at a location of the caster’s choosing within range.

• Area: The fog fills a 10’ cube area per level of the caster (1 or 2 dungeon squares depending on scale).
• Vision: The fog blocks normal vision and infravision.
• Strong Winds: Can clear the fog before the spell’s duration has expired.

2nd Level

Blindness / Deafness

Blur

Detect Magic

False Aura

Fascinate

Hypnotic Pattern

Improved Phantasmal Force

Invisibility

Magic Mouth

Mirror Image

Quasimorph

Whispering Wind

3rd Level

Blacklight

Dispel Illusion

Fear

Hallucinatory Terrain

Invisibility 10’ Radius

Nondetection

Paralysation

Phantom Steed

Rope Trick

Spectral Force

Suggestion

Wraithform

4th Level

Confusion

Dispel Magic

Emotion

Illusory Stamina

Improved Invisibility

Massmorph

Minor Creation

Phantasmal Killer

Rainbow Pattern

Shadow Monsters

Solid Fog

Veil of Abandonment

5th Level

Chaos

Demi-Shadow Monsters

Illusion

Looking Glass

Major Creation

Maze of Mirrors

Projected Image

Seeming

Shadowcast

Shadowy Transformation

Time Flow

Visitation

6th Level

Acid Fog

Dream Quest

Impersonation

Manifest Dream

Mass Suggestion

Mislead

Permanent Illusion

Shades

Through the Looking Glass

Triggered Illusion

True Seeing

Vision

Necromancer Spell List

1st Level

Chill Touch

Command Dead

Corpse Visage

Decay (Ward Against Decay)

Deathlight

Detect Undead

Marionette

Pass Undead

Protection From Evil

Read Magic

Skull Speech

Undead Servitor

2nd Level

Bone Armour

Choke

Death Recall

Detect Magic

Feign Death

Paralysing Touch

Seal Tomb (Open Tomb)

Skeletal Steed

Skull Sight

Silence 15’ Radius

Speak With Dead

Spectral Hand

3rd Level

Animate Dead, Temporary

Bone Staff

Carrion Stench

Crypt Sight

Death Ward

Drag From Death’s Door

Fear

Grave Breath

Hold Person

Protection From Evil 10’ Radius

Skull Trap

Vampiric Touch

4th Level

Command Undead

Corpse Clairvoyance

Corpse Mask

Curse

Dispel Magic

Inter (Exhume)

Reassemble

Rotting Touch

Skeletal Wings

Swarm Transformation

Wall of Bones

Wound Transference

5th Level

Animate Dead

Bonewrack

Cloudkill

Commune With Spirit

Gaseous Form

Guardian Spirit

Hold Undead

Magic Jar

Spirit Vision

Summon Undead

Veil of Life

Wall of Gloom

6th Level

Bonesteel

Deathlessness

Death Spell

Doomveil

Energy Drain

Eternal Quest (Remove Eternal Quest)

Necrotic Gaze

Protection From Undead

Sacrificial Resurrection

Skeletal Army

Spirit Shield

Undead Regeneration