Converting Characters

    The first step in converting an AD&D Trinalia character to Fantasy Hero is converting their characteristics. While Fantasy Hero provides guidelines for doing this, it does not take into account the Player's Option system or Trinalia house rules which make a more complete picture of the character.
    Accordingly, characteristics can be converted as follows:

• STR = Strength / Muscle. For each percentile category above 18, add one to the STR characteristic. For each point above 18, add up to an additional 4 points.
• DEX = Dexterity (average). If you have a character with a Balance / Aim split, you may wish to represent it by setting DEX equal to the smaller of the two, and then converting the points you saved into combat skill levels of the appropriate type (missile or melee).
• CON = Con / Health. Fitness will end up working into body.
• BODY: Take the character's hit points. If hit points are 10 or less, body is the same. If hit points are 11 or more, the converted character's BODY should be a base of 10 plus 1 BODY per 2 hit points the character had over 10.
• INT = Intelligence
• EGO = Wisdom
• PRE = Cha / Leadership
• COM = Cha / Appearance

Skills, abilities, and disadvantages

    In converting the rest of your character, you will likely exceed the character point limits normal for a starting character in a fantasy hero campaign. However, as discussed in the Fantasy Hero appendix, you get 20 points of "experience" per level of the converted character. This should be interpreted as "20 points per level past first." Thus a 4^th level character would get 60 points for the conversion.
    For characters with 2 or 3 classes, take the CPs of the primary class and ½ of the CPs of all other classes. This reflects the fact that there are overlapping abilities between classes, and that points in the HERO system pay for skills and characteristics that are not covered by classes in AD&D.
    Fantasy Hero includes guidelines for converting classes and proficiencies to specific skills, abilities, and packages. However, there are some specific guidelines for my campaign when converting magic-using classes.
    There will be a great degree of interpretation required on the GM's and player's part. Disadvantages should be created based on kit, class, alignment, background, and personality.
 

Martial Arts:

    The Trinalia campaign already features a variety of martial arts maneuvers. In addition, it is useful to express certain dueling styles as martial arts. Characters who have a high degree of mastery in their weapons should take some points in weapon maneuvers.
    Some may question my extensive use of martial arts in a heroic fantasy campaign. However, I think using the HERO system martial arts rules has multiple benefits in this type of setting. It helps portray the martial prowess of epic figures, yet keeps such figures distinctive. It allows more alternatives in character creation since with martial arts, being a strong fighter is no longer the end-all and be-all to being a good fighter. It gives martial type characters things to spend their points on while the mages are buying their spells. And, finally, it may give the PCs a fighting chance against what I'm likely to throw against them.
    Aside from that, the Trinalia game has always had a strong martial arts tradition among various priesthoods. However, the HERO martial arts rules allow me to put masters of weapons alongside the more esoteric martial artists.
    Note that many of these styles use maneuvers that are not in the basic maneuver list of the Ultimate Martial Artist. Such maneuvers have been added to make certain styles more distinctive, but usually no more than two such maneuvers have been added to any art.

Aborian Fencing
    This style is the central fencing style practiced throughout most of the Aborian region of Trinalia. It actually encompasses several fighting schools practice with hand weapons, primarily blades.
    Not all characters converted to FH should take this style, but those who had specialization in a weapon or fighting style under AD&D should take some maneuvers to represent it.

Fast Draw (talent)
KS: Aborian Fencing
WF: Common Melee Weapons*
WF: Karate Weapons
WF: Off Hand

+1 Use Art with Clubs
+1 Use Art with Axes, Maces, and Picks
+1 Use Art with Two Handed Weapons
+1 Use Art with Karate Weapons
+1 Use Art in Armor
+1 Use Art Barehanded

Optional Rules: The precision strike and sacrifice slash take a 3d6 location roll. The charge takes a 2d6+1 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Aborian Fencing Substyles
    There are a great variety of variations in the Aborian Fencing style. These substyles should be used as a guide in converting characters.
 

Classical Style
    This style represents the classical styles that are often used by the typical soldier or adventuring warrior from the mainland. Characters who had specialization under the old system should pursue this style. To be considered a classical Aborian Fencer, the character should take the Charge, Parry, and Precision Strike maneuvers.

Sword Cities Fencing
    A basic fencing style identical to the historical "Florentine style", this style is common to swashbuckling fencers in the sword cities of the south as well as some areas in the free cities.
    To be considered a practitioner of Sword Cities Fencing, the character should take the Disarm, Parry, and Precision Strike maneuvers, as well as WF: Off hand. Stylists should also pursue the ambidexterity talent.

Majenkan Knife Fighting
    This style originated in the rough streets of Majenka, where only the wealthiest duelists can afford a large metal weapon. Accordingly, it concentrates on the use of small bladed weapons in one or both hands. This style is now common throughout the islands of the Kylopean sea.
    To be considered a majenkan knife-fighter, the character should take the Disarm, Precision Strike and Cautious Strike maneuver, and should take the ambidexterity talent.

Young Baronies Style
    Also known as Orion Blade style, this style is known for being practiced by the monastic knights of central northern Trinalia, as well as many human kingdoms on the inner coast.
    To be considered a practitioner of Young Baronies Style, the character should take the Parry, Disarm, and Precision strike maneuvers, and take the barehanded element.
 

KS: Aborian Fencing
Riding
WF: Common Melee Weapons*

+1 Use Art with Lances
+1 Use Art with Two Handed Weapons
+1 Use Art with Shield

Optional Rules: The slash and sacrifice strike take a 3d6 location roll. The windless strike and charge takes a 2d6+1 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll. Use the relative location rules when mounted.

Black Snake

    This style is the style of the assassin's guilds and various sects of dark monks and enclaves of spies. It is primarily used to facilitate the assassin's discrete passage into or out of an area where a target lies. It is believed that this art originated in the Order of Samoti, a group of monks that train and operate as assassins.
    Black snake primarily relies on nerve strikes, throws, and holds to disable or distract an opponent quickly. Movement abilities also aid the assassin's abilities in tight spots.
    This art is loosely based on the real life art of taijutsu, more commonly known as ninjutsu.

Acrobatics
Breakfall*
Combat Sense
KS: Black Snake
Stealth*
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Common Martial Arts Melee Weapons
WF: Off Hand

+1 Use art with blades
+1 Use art with chain / rope weapons
+1 Use art with fist loads
+1 Use art with clubs

Optional Rules: The smash kick maneuver takes a 3d6 location roll. The snap punch and nerve punch maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The snap kick takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The choke hold is automatically a head shot but receives no bonuses for being such. The joint strike may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Bladesinging

    This is the highly evolved style of the elves. Extremely flexible, the elves learned to use it with a wide variety of weapons. However, the technique is most famous for its use with the sword.
    Elves who know this art will avoid teaching the art to anyone that is not of elven blood. The character may take the 5 point disadvantage "secretive about art" (uncommon, strong.) Such a character will never consider teaching it to a non-elf, and will react negatively to anyone who seems to be performing an analyze style roll on the character.
    This style is well known for its highly defensive nature and the agility of its practitioners. Practitioners usually buy combat levels with called shots. Note that it is much more defensive than Aborian Fencing.

Skills:

Combat Sense
Defense Maneuver
Fast Draw (talent)
KS: Bladesinging
WF: Common Melee Weapons*

+1 Use Art with Clubs
+1 Use Art with Two Handed Weapons
+1 Use Art with Staff
+1 Use Art in Armor

Optional Rules: The precision strike and sacrifice slash take a 3d6 location roll. The charge takes a 2d6+1 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
Special Abilities: A character with spellcasting ability who has mastered the Bladesinging style who has the defensive strike maneuver and the style KS at 11- may use that maneuver's bonuses when casting a spell, as long as the spell does not have the concentrate 0 DCV limitation.

    A character may select a different weapon than sword for the free group; in that case, simply take one of the other weapon groups for free.

Butterfly

    This gentle art was created by the immortal Queen Ariel in ancient times. It was once thought lost, but with her return has been re-introduced into the land. It is the only art practiced on a wide scale in the Principality of Athos, and even there it is mostly limited to priests and courtiers there.
    This art is characterized by sweeping, multi-functional circular motions and throws, and is very effective.
    Butterfly is basically an amalgamation of the real world arts of Wing Chun (a Chinese art characterized by circular and weaving motions, locks and blocks), and Jujutsu (the forerunner to modern Judo, which is primarily blocks and throws)

Acrobatics*
Breakfall
Combat Sense
KS: Butterfly
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Common Martial Arts Melee Weapons

+1 Use art with blades

Optional Rules: The smash kick maneuver takes The circle punch and nerve strike maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The circle kick and legsweep maneuvers take a 2d6+7 location roll. The choke hold is automatically a head shot but receives no bonuses for being such. The joint strike may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Coiled Dragon

    This highly offensive art is one of the two major arts associated with the Dragon-knights. The art emphasizes hand strikes, blocks, and speed.
    This art is based on real life arts of Karate, the modern unarmed art what was originally developed on Okinawa, and Kempo, the Japanese version of Shaolin Kung-fu.

Acrobatics*
KS: Coiled Dragon
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Common Martial Arts Melee Weapons

+1 Use Art with Blades
+1 Use Art with Polearms
+1 Use Art in Armor

Optional Rules: The punch, elbow strike, and Dragon Claw maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The knee strike takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The choke hold is automatically a head shot but receives no bonuses for being such. The joint strike may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Dark Banner
    This art is the most prevalent in the Empire of Drakkar. It is primarily practiced by the Bloodhounds and monks of Idan, Masters of the art are very selective about who they select as pupils.
    Practitioners of this art are become deadly with both weapons and unarmed combat. Their flowery leaping maneuvers can send devastating blows to an opponent from any angle and from any position. Also unusual - and effective - is the emphasis on ground fighting. Practitioners prefer taking an opponent to the ground (usually landing on top of them) and finish the fight from that position.
    This style is based on the real world art Pentjak Silat, a powerful and diverse art practiced in the Malaysian Archipelago.

Acrobatics*
KS: Dark Banner
KS: Drakkarian Theology
KS: Torture
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Whip

+1 Use Art with Blades
+1 Use Art with Whips

Optional Rules: The kick and killing strike maneuvers takes a 3d6 location roll. The punch maneuver takes a 2d6+1 location roll. The knee strike takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The joint strike may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Drakkarian Pole Fighting

    This style is practiced mainly by polearm wielding Drakkarian troops, but also some hobgoblins and other humanoids who do not use the hobgoblin pole style. It teaches unarmed attacks in addition to armed maneuvers to provide flexibility and surprise in combat. This style may be used with quarterstaves, bo sticks, spears or polearms

Skills:

Defense Maneuver
KS: Drakkarian Pole Fighting
WF: Common Melee Weapons*
WF: Staff

+1 Use Art with Staff
+1 Use Art Barehanded
+1 Use Art with Two Handed Weapons
+1 Use Art in Armor

Optional Rules: The Pole Slam and Offensive Slash maneuvers take a 3d6 location . The punch maneuver takes a 2d6+1 location roll. The kick maneuver takes a 2d6+7 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Drakkarian Wrestling

    This art is most commonly seen in the arenas in Drakkar. Bouts involve brutal clashes between the tall, powerfully built practitioners of this art.
    This art relies on sweeps. stunning slaps. and throws to crush opponents. The combination of fighting technique with such sheer mass results in a lethal and often underrated martial arts style. Practitioners of this art are nearly always massive male fighters.
    This art is based on Sumai, or sumo wrestling, the national sport of Japan, but I picture it a bit like professional wrestling as well.

Breakfall
KS: Drakkarian Wrestling

None

Optional Rules: The slap and slam maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The crush maneuver does generalized damage. The remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Dwarven Axefighting

    This time-honed method has served the Dwarves through the years. Unlike bladesinging, there is no great secrecy about it. It is simple, brutal, and effective. Some humans in lands near those of the dwarves may know it as well.
    Though this art is usually known with the axe, it may be used with other long hafted weapons or large swords. Thus it is often called "Dwarven Smashing Style."

Defense Maneuver
KS: Dwarven Axefighting
WF: Common Melee Weapons

Elements:

+1 Use art with blades
+1 Use art with clubs
+1 Use Art with Two handed weapons

Use Art with Axes, Maces, and Picks Weapon Group; Axes, Maces, and Picks Weapon Element is Free. Armor Element is also free.

Optional Rules: All attacks with this style take a 3d6 location roll, but the GM may wish to use the relative position rules to modify this if the dwarf is much shorter than the target (see Ninja Hero, page 79). All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Emerald Shadow
    This art is fairly new in the land of Trinalia. It combines various techniques from Butterfly style, Springing Legs, and Black Snake. It was developed and is used by members of the emerald brotherhood.
    The style combines kicks, locks, and defensive maneuvers. This combination proves excellent for wandering agents in defending themselves and helping out in a pinch where they have no weapons. The style is also taught with staff and sword, similar to Steel Serpent.

Skills:

Acrobatics*
Breakfall
KS: Emerald Shadow
Stealth
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Staff
Traveler (skill enhancer)

+1 Use Art with blades
+1 Use Art with Staff

Optional Rules: The hand strike and counterstrike maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The snap kick takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The choke hold is automatically a head shot but receives no bonuses for being such. The joint strike and joint lock maneuvers may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Greenwood Archery

This is the archery skill of the humans in the west. It was first taught at the ranger's academy is Skabrae, combining some basic elements from simpler human archery forms with elements of elven Thornwood Archery (c.f.). Since then, its use has been spread throughout the west by rangers and the emerald brotherhood.

Skills:

KS: Greenwood Archery
PS: Bowyer
WF: Bows*

Used with Bows Weapon Group; Bows Weapon Element is free.

Optional Rules: All attacks take a 3d6 location roll. Disarm does not take a location roll.
 

Hobgoblin Polearm Style

Superficially similar to Drakkarian Pole Fighting, this style is practiced mainly by hobgoblins and other humanoids, as well as some spear using human warriors who face them. It is also similar to styles used by oriental humans in the far off land of Khitan and some elite warriors of the Materan amazons.

It teaches use of the whole pole, not just the blade. This style may be used with quarterstaves, bo sticks, spears or polearms. It's most distinctive maneuver is the whirling takedown, in which the practitioner spins the pole to build leverage and momentum.

Skills:

Combat Sense
KS: Hobgoblin Polearm Style
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Polarms*
WF: Staff*

+1 Use Art with Staff*
+1 Use Art with Two-Handed Weapons
+1 Use Art in Armor

Use art with Polarms Weapon Group; Polearms Weapon Element is Free.

Optional Rules: The Slash and Thrust maneuvers take a 3d6 location . The Spear Charge maneuver takes a 2d6+1 location roll. The Whirling Takedown maneuver takes a 2d6+7 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Mintaran Wrestling

This style is an outgrowth and combination of more typical boxing and wrestling techniques. It was formerly one practiced in ad hoc matches in backstreets of the free cities, but in recent years it has gained a more mainstream acceptance as an arena sport in Mintar West, and to a lesser extent, other Free Cities.

This style is based on pankration, a gladiatorial fighting art that was practiced in the arenas of ancient Greek and Rome.

Skills:

Breakfall
KS: Mintaran Wrestling

+1 Use with fist loads

Optional Rules: The punch maneuver takes a 2d6+1 location roll. The kick takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The throws do generalized damage. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Springing Legs

This art has been passed down through the years among the followers of Orion, both lay and ordained. It has attracted the attention of some lower class communities in the free cities, where it has become a brawling sport. However, after the razing of Mintar East, bouts have been difficult to come by.

This style has a strong emphasis on kicking and movement. The springing legs practitioner undergoes rigorous physical training to harden their bodies. It is a powerful, flashy, effective art.

This art is loosely based (very loosely) on the real life arts of Thai Kick Boxing, a brutal arena kickboxing sport practiced in Thailand, and Tai Kwon Do (a Korean art notable for its kicking and breaking techniques.)

Skills:

Acrobatics*
KS: Springing Legs
KS: Aborian Theology

+1 Use art with blades
+1 Use art with clubs
+1 Use art with staves
+1 Use art with karate weapons

Optional Rules: The sprining kick and roundhouse kick maneuvers take a 3d6 location roll. The backfist strike, punch, and elbow smash maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The circle kick and knee smash takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The knee snap kick and legsweep automatically hits the legs, but legsweep takes no penalty for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.

Special Abilities: Springing Legs practitioners should buy extra inches of superleap with the "requires acrobatics skill roll" limitation (-½). Additionally, those who wish to develop the breaking maneuver ability may wish to take the armor piercing advantage on kick or smash attacks with the limitation only against inanimate objects (-1).
 

Steel Serpent

This is one of the two major arts practiced by the Dragon-knights. It's emphasis on the use on quick blades and defensive nature have made it appealing to some fencers of the free cities who have seen the Dragon-knights in action. However, the Dragon-knights have not been as sharing of their knowledge as some others would like.

This art is based on the real-world martial art Aikijutsu, with a stronger emphasis on weapon elements.

Maneuver	Phs	Cost	OCV	DCV	Effect
Binding Serpent	½	4	+1	+0	Bind, +10 STR
Darting Block	½	5	+1	+3	Block, Abort
Dodge	½	4	-	+5	Dodge all attacks; Abort
Escape	var.	4	+0	+0	+15 STR vs. Grab
Grapple	½	3	-1	-1	Grab Two Limbs; +10 STR or Holding on.
Joint Break	½	5	-1	-2	Grab One Limb; ½d6 HKA (2 DC), Disable.
Joint Lock Throw	½	4	+1	+0	Grab One Limb; 1d6 NND (3); Target Falls
Strike	½	4	+0	+2	STR +2d6 Strike
Throw	½	3	+0	+1	STR +v/5; Target Falls
Wavering Serpent Block	½	4	+2	+0	+10 STR vs. Shove; Block, Abort

Skills:

Breakfall*
Defense Maneuver
KS: Steel Serpent

+1 Use art with blades
+1 Use art with polearms
+1 Use art with staves

Optional Rules: The strike takes a 3d6 location roll. The snap punch and nerve punch maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The joint break and joint lock throw may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. The throw does generalized damage. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Thornwood Archery

This is the archery skill of the elves of silver, sun, sea, or forest heritage. It is nearly universal among the elves, and dates back to times that the elven races were as one.

This art does not share near the same secrecy as bladesinging does. Elves can and do teach it to half-elves, and even some humans. Humans have incorporated various techniques of this art into their own Greenwood Archery (c.f.).

Skills:

KS: Thronwood Archery
PS: Bowyer
Stealth
WF: Bows*

Used with Bows Weapon Group; Bows Weapon Element is free.

Optional Rules: All attacks except ranged throw take a 3d6 location roll. Ranged throw takes a 2d6+7 location roll. Ranged disarm does not take a location roll.
 

Turanian Style

This style evolved from primitive techniques practiced by old Turanian clansmen in the northeast peninsulas of Trinalia. It the time of the Barean Empire, the art evolved into the advanced, effective style that it is today.

Also called northern smashing style, Turanian style takes advantage of the power of large weapons.

Skills:

KS: Turanian Style
WF: Common Melee Weapons*
WF: Off Hand

+1 Use Art with Clubs
+1 Use Art with Axes, Maces, and Picks
+1 Use Art with Blades
+1 Use Art in Armor

Use art with Two Handed Weapons Group; Two Handed Weapon Element is Free.

Optional Rules: The strike and bash maneuvers take a 3d6 location roll. The overbearing strike takes a 2d6+1 location roll. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Twin Talons

This is another art spread by the priesthood of Orion. It is a primarily weapon based martial art practiced throughout the Aborian populated regions of the world. A student of twin talons initially trains with paired clubs. After learning the associated intricate striking techniques on which the style is founded, the student moves on to the use of daggers, swords, and the empty hand.

This art is based on the real life art of Escrima. Escrima is more a stick fighting art and less an unarmed and sword-fighting art than Twin Talons.

Skills:

Acrobatics
Ambidexterity*
KS: Twin Talons
KS: Aborian Theology
WF: Off-hand*

+1 Use art with clubs*
+1 Use art barehanded
+1 Use art with karate weapons

Used with blades weapon group; blades weapon element is free.

Optional Rules: The slashing strike maneuver takes a 3d6 location roll. The quick strike and counterstrike maneuvers take a 2d6+1 location roll. The joint strike may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Veiled Fist

This fighting art has been slowly developed in Lerendia. After the Oligarchs seized power there, they decided to draw down the size of the standing army, and train a militia, but leave them unarmed except in times of need. Strict laws restricting ownership of weapons were passed to limit possibility of an uprising.

With the aid of Bloodseekers, resistance elements interested in putting the monarchy back in power and throwing off the shackles of the Oligarchs trained in secret in the use of mundane objects that could be used as weapons - staves, grain flails, clubs, churn handles, and other farming tools that could be used as weapons.

This art is both stylistically and historically based on that of kobojutsu, the Okinawan weapons martial art.

Skills:

Acrobatics
KS: Veiled Fist

+1 Use art with staff
+1 Use art barehanded

Used with karate weapons group; karate weapon element is free.

Optional Rules: The defensive strike maneuver takes a 3d6 location roll. The legsweep automatically takes leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

White Flower

This style is practiced in the Young Baronies by the aristocratic warriors, Bloodguard, and dynastic knights. It combines a wide variety of techniques into a complete and diversified system.

White Flower is a very practical art, stressing practical vice flashy moves. The style's philosophy stresses loyalty, courage, and willpower.

The real world style this is based on is Hwarang-do.

Skills:

Breakfall*
Defense Maneuver
KS: White Flower
KS: Aborian Theology
Stealth
WF: Common Melee Weapons
WF: Staff

+1 Use Art with Blades
+1 Use Art with Clubs
+1 Use Art with Polearms
+1 Use Art with Staff

Optional Rules: The thunder strike (which may be a punch or kick) and killing throw maneuvers take a 3d6 location roll. The hand strike maneuver takes a 2d6+1 location roll. The snap kick takes a 2d6+7 location roll. The choke hold is automatically a head shot but receives no bonuses for being such. The joint break or joint lock may take arm or leg as a location, but receives no penalties for this. All remaining maneuvers do not take a location roll.
 

Special Skills:

After you have converted your character if you have some extra points, or during the campaign, there is the possibility of buying abilities which are beyond the norm for characters. Some abilities described in Ninja Hero are allowed in the Trinalia campaign. These abilities, and a brief summary, are as follows:

• Acrobatic defense: you can buy combat skill levels linked to your acrobatics skills. By making an acrobatics roll, you can pump up your defense value.
• Acrobatic leaping: a character with the acrobatics may buy extra inches of leaping based on their acrobatics skill.
• Analyze Style Aid: this aid is linked to the analyze style skill. It allows a character to study an opponent for weaknesses in their martial technique in order to improve their abilities against a studied opponent.
• Chi Aid: This ability allows a characters to "focus their Chi" to enhance their physical characteristics. This is an Aid as described in Ninja Hero.
• Coordinating skill levels: no, this has nothing to do with fashion. These are cheap combat skill levels that come from training with your team-mates, and can only be used by coordinating attacks with your team-mates.
• Counterstrike: this is a special attack that you can automatically perform whenever you are hit.
• Damage Reduction: this is the REAL reason AD&D characters have hit points. Damage reduction is for those hardy fighters, and allows you to shrug off a portion of all damage you take.
• Damage Resistance: this lets you use your normal PD and ED against killing attacks. However, this can only be purchased for use against unarmed killing attacks.
• Duress Skill levels: you can normally use skill levels at any time. Under this option, you may take some skill levels that cost you endurance that are cheaper to allow you fight above your normal capability.
• Enhanced senses: very canny or aware characters may have certain enhanced senses. This is especially appropriate for special character concepts.
• Kiai: This is the traditional Asian war-shout. It acts as an Aid that pumps up your PRE to help you intimidate opponents.
• Lack of weakness: In case you missed it, there's an ability called "Find Weakness" that lets you cut through an opponent's defenses. This ability is the antithesis of that ability.
• Mental defense: this is the ability to shrug off mental attacks.
• Missile Deflection: Miss your first edition OA monk's ability to swat arrows aside like so many flies. He's baaack!
• Special Attacks: this is the kind of neat-o thing you see in the high-level campaigns book as well as martial arts video games and cheesy martial arts flicks. This is things like whirlwind attacks, autofire attacks (think Taki's triple stab), armor piercing attacks and so-forth. You will have to have many points in combat levels and martial arts before I let you in on this one.
• Targeting skill levels: If you like called shots this is the talent for you. These are cheap combat levels that can only be used for offsetting penalties to strike specific locations.
• Throwing mastery: Anything harder or sharper than a nerf ball or a pastry is a weapon as far as you are concerned.

Fantasy hero contains rules for a wide variety of standard AD&D races. There are, however, a few races new and unique to Trinalia.

Dragonblood

These are the Trinalia version of AD&D half-dragons. They are the offspring of humans or demi-humans and shape-shifting dragons. The primary difference is in the fact that dragonblood may be several generations old. They have the basic characteristics of their strains, but may select their dragon powers from the overall list.

The dragon special powers are a special case. A character may take abilities of the racial package of the demihuman parent (if any). Then, as the half dragon increases in age and gains character points, the half dragon may buy half dragon abilities. However, half of the cost of any such abilities must be transferred from the character's other racial abilities, if any.
 

Dragonblood Racial Packages:

Dragonblood Claw and Breath Attacks

    A dragonblood may have razorlike talons. These may be bought with as an HKA with as many active points as the character's STR, but must be bought with the reduced penetration limitation.

    A dragonblood may buy a breath attack. These may be a RKA or EB attack with as many active points as 1½ the character's strength. It must have one of the following sets of special effects and advantages:

• Fire: Area effect line
• Cold: Area effect line
• Lightining: Area effect line
• Gas: Area effect any (cube only), NND (gas)
• Flesh corrosive spray: Area effect cone
• Sparks: Area effect line

    All breath attacks must be purchased with 3 or less charges. A character may buy multiple breath weapon attacks as part of a mutlipower, and fixed slots are an option.

Draconic Magic

    Dragonbloods may gain innate abilities inhereted from their Draconic line. These are purchased using the innate abilities rules under magic, and must be purchased with charges. As the charges are not usually purchased on the multipower pool, such abilities are fairly expensive compared to spells. Some draconic powers and their HERO equivalents are:

• Bless: aid, area effect, 2- charges
• Cloud Walk: flight, may not exceed running speed, only where clouds or mist present, area effect, 1 continuing charge.
• Cold immunity: LS extreme cold, damage reduction vs. cold.
• Charm, sleep, hold immunity: mental defense vs. charm, sleep, or hold effects only.
• Create Food and Water: Minor Transform, create food and water, 2- charges.
• Detect lie: detect, discriminatory, 2- continuing charges.
• Detect magic: detect, sense, discriminatory.
• Dragon fear: PRE Aid, for PRE attack only, 3- charges.
• Electrical Immunity: LS electricity, damage reduction vs. electricity.
• Feather Fall: Gliding, usable by others, range, only to slow decent, 1 charge.
• Fire immunity: LS extreme heat, damage reduction vs. fire only.
• Gas immunity: LS gas, damage reduction vs. gas attacks only.
• Heat metal: RKA, NND (defense is not wearing metal armor), continuous, 2- charges.
• Infravision: IR Vision
• Magic Resistance: Suppress, no range, continuos.
• Regenerate: Regenerate.
• Sleep: area effect, NND stun only EB, 2- continuing charges.
• Speak with animals: mind link.
• True seeing: Detect true form, detect illusion, sense, targeting, 2- continuing charges.
• Wall of Fog: Darkness vs. Sight Group
• Water breathing: LS, breathe water

Dragonblood Cultural Packages

    There are three dragonblood cultural packages: exile, dragon-knight, and ward. The character may only take one of cultural packages, but may also take a profession package.
 

Wizard Magic:

Traditional wizards in AD&D are transferred into Fantasy Hero by judicious use of the Variable power pool framework. Wizards, when translated to Fantasy Hero, should buy a VPP with the following limitations on the control cost:

Traditional Mage VPP:

    If the character is a specialist, they may take an additional -¼ limitation on their control cost: spells in pool cannot be from barred schools and ½ of pool must be in specialized school.

Channellers use this scheme instead:

Channeller VPP:

    The size of the variable power pool should be large enough to accommodate the active cost of the spell the character can cast, which as a rough guideline should not exceed 20 points plus 20 points per spell level. See the section on converting wizard spells for more details.

    As described in the tables above, the converted mage character requires a 1 point familiarity with each spell that he wants to be able to put in his VPP. However, there is another requirement. Each school has a knowledge skill associated with it (e.g., KS: Divination, KS: Necromancy, etc.) In order to learn a spell, the character must pass a KS check for that school to learn it.

    It follows, then, that the wizard character should buy all KSs for the schools that were available to the character in AD&D. Fortunately, characters are allowed to buy the wizard skill enhancer to reduce the cost. This skill enhance will reduce the cost of school knowledge KSs by 1 and also reduces the cost of the spell slots to ½ each. All wizards who are not merely dabblers should take this skill enhancer.

    Spellcasters should take a few combat skill levels in magical attacks. Three point levels are sufficient to give the caster +1 with most spell attacks. It is recommended that when converting a character, you purchase 1 combat level with attack spells per 2 levels of the character, not to exceed the campaign maximum.

    When converting spells, in addition to the above guidelines on active points, the final real cost of the spell should fall into the following ranges:

    The spells must take the required limitations described per the VPP control cost per the type of caster. What components are required will tell you if gestures, incantations, or foci are appropriate.

    Other than the components, the limitations of the spells are dictated by the limitations on the VPP, plus any other limitations appropriate to simulate the effects of the spell. Non-instantaneous spells will need continuing charges modifier to simulate the duration of the spell.

    Attack spells that do not need "to hit" rolls in AD&D, or that ignore armor, should take penetrating, NND or AVLD advantages. Attacks that render a target unconscious should be STUN only attacks.

    Note that there is no mechanic in HERO for automatic improvement of spell abilities. The GM may allow characters to improve a spell by increasing it's DC, range, area of affect, or duration. However, such improvements should never take the spells active cost above the beginning guidelines for maximums of the next higher level spell. The GM may require rolls in the KS of the appropriate spell school to make such improvements to a spell.

    The Player's Option book allows player's signature spells (Spells & Magic) or Spell Sculpting. In HERO, these skills are paramount to improving the character's capabilities.

    Signature spells are spells the character has become known for. If the character desires a spell to be a signature spell, he should use it at every opportunity. Then, with the GM's permission, the character may buy the spell outside of the VPP, as it is written up. If the character has not already maxed out his disads, some of this cost may be offset by concurrently taking a reputation with the use of the spell. Then the player may freely modify the spell to increase its effects, range, etc. The character is not allowed to modify the limitations or advantages of the spell other than to increase range or area of effect. However, the character can (and should) continue to use his personalized version of the spell in his VPP.

    Spell sculpting should be considered similar to the above, but once the character has faithfully used the signature spell and has increased the real cost of the spell by 25% or, the GM may allow him to take it a step further. The character may then absorb some of the advantage or limitation levels into the variable advantage or variable limitation advantages. Note that the variable special effect is not allowed. The character must justify any variations in effects in the context of the spell's existing special effects.

    In order to ensure that the character does not create excessively powerful versions of the given spells, the character should not be allowed to adjust the active cost of modified spells above the cost of the character's VPP.

    Example: let's say that Meleck (see the character creation example below) gets really handy with the magic missile. With the GM's permission, he may take the spell as written as a power independent of the VPP. This costs him 8 points. He cannot get points from a reputation disad to offeset this cost since he has already maxed out his disadvantages. The spell may now be cast one time per day in addition to any times that he has taken the spell in his VPP.

    Over time, Meleck improves his magic missile to 1D6+1 RKA and applies the increased maximum range disadvantage (+¼). This brings the total active cost of the spell to 55 and the real cost of the spell to 12. Maleck may use this spell in his VPP as any other spell he knows as well. He would have to increase his VPP by one point (to 55 points) in order for this spell to be permissible.

    After a time, the GM decides he may learn to sculpt this spell. Maleck's player re-writes the spell. He takes the 1¾ points of advantages already available to the spell, and instead of applying it as specific advantages, he takes the variable advantage advantage at +2¾ level. This allows him to use the 1¾ advantage in any way he chooses. He may make the spell a usable by others (+¼), invisible power effects to sight (+½) armor piercing (+½), area effect one-hex (+½) attack is he feels like it - and if the GM allows it. This modified version of the spell has an active cost of 75 and a real cost of 17. Meleck must have a 75 point spell by this time in order to modify the spell to this extent.

Priest Magic

    Priest magic is a little different from Wizard magic. Unlike wizards, priests do not have to maintain spellbooks or memorize specific spells. This makes them a little closer to traditional FH spellcasters than wizards. Similar to wizards, priests spellcasting ability will be purchased using the following VPP:
 

Priest VPP:

    When converting priest spells, follow the same general guidelines as for wizard spells, using the above described limitations instead of the normal limitations. Priest spells will be slightly less powerful in many aspects, but priests should have sole access to healing-type AID effects.

    Priests also frequently have special abilities that their deity allows them to use. Typically, these emulate spells. Simply convert these spells into special abilities purchased outside of the VPP. Modify the charges and other abilities as appropriate.

    If the priesthood has a suite of such special abilities, the GM may, at his discretion, allow these abilities to be purchased in a multipower framework. Remember, however, that the character cannot use multiple powers at full blast at one time with the multipower framework. You can't use your charm priestly ability at the same time as your defensive bonus modifier under this scheme.

    Priests are not required to take a 1 point familiarity in each spell they want to know how to cast. However, they are required to take a 2 point KS with each major sphere they are able to cast and a 1 point familiarity with each minor sphere they are able to cast.

New Forms of Magic

    The above shows how we can emulate existing AD&D magic and spellcasters using the HERO system. But why stop there? HERO opens up a whole new world of possibilities with magic. So without further ado...
 

Backplot: The Cataclysm

    There is a campaign related reason that all this new magic became available. Recently, a magical cataclysm occurred when Fyre was slain when he was impaled on a meteor fragment called the prism-star by his own goldrune staff. The resulting magical backlash destroyed the prism-star and unleashed massive earthquakes all over the world of Varisha.

    The cataclysm also sent magical energy surging through the once-feeble ley line network that cris-crossed the world of Varisha, and created permanent magical gates to the faelands and other magical planes of existence. The resulting alteration in the ambient magical energy opened the door for new forms of magical arts.
 

Converting Mage Types

    So let's say you convert a mage to fantasy hero using the above rules, and you decide you like one of the other types of magery better. What are you to do?

    Do not lose hope. There is a way. A basic assumption is that the new types of magery are based on the same principles as the old types of magery. On a basic level, they are compatible. This means you can convert your experience as one type of mage into experience as a new type of mage. There is a catch however.

    Learning the new magic type is a slow process. For every experience point you spend in new magic skills and powers, you may shift one point from your old style into the new style.
 

    Example: Meleck is a converted evoker channeller. He decides that he would like to learn the way of high magic. The character receives 6 points at the end of an adventure. Meleck pulls 6 points out of his VPP (5 out of the pool, 1 out of the control cost.) This gives him 12 points to play with. He spends 3 of these points on the High Magic skill at 9+INT/5. This leaves him 9 points for High Mage spells. Seven of these point will buy him a 20 active point multipower pool. He buys two spell slots with the remaining two points.

Tapping into Ley Lines

    With the release of magical energy of the cataclysm, magical energy now courses through the ley lines that cris-cross Varisha. This magical energy is a ready source of power for magi willing to learn how.

    Any mage may buy the ability to tap into ley lines as a gift - in actuality, it is a learned ability. Use the following ability to represent tapping:
 
 

Tap Ley Line

    1d6 Aid to REC, 0 END (+½), fade at 5 / minute (+¼), self only (-½), gestures (-¼), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), extra time, full phase (-½), REC only to restore END lost to spells (-½), requires magic skill roll (-½).

    This is the basic ability. 4d6 must be bought this way. The first d6 is exactly as shown. The next d6 is activation roll 12-. The next 10-. The final 8-. This ability costs 9 points. Alternately, the character may buy the ability in ½d6 point increments for a total of 2d6 and a cost of 4 points.

    The activation roll represents the proximity to a ley line. Anywhere on the planet may use 1d6. In the proximity to a ley line (i.e., 12-) allows 2d6. On a ley line (10-) is 3d6. At a ley line nexus allows 4d6 of aid. Half these amounts for the 2d6 version.

    Any spellcaster that uses endurance to cast spells may buy this ability. However, it may not be purchased as part of a magical framework as it is considered a meta-magical ability.

A Note on Spell Mutlipowers

    Many of the new forms of magic are built as multipowers. In the Trinalia campaign, it is not permissible to buy any of the slots as fixed ("ultra") slots unless all of the slots are the same or similar powers.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Some of the basic ideas for the following magic systems were derived from FH campaign rules by: Clay Luthor, Justin J. Richt, and (as much as I hate to admit it) Mark Hughes.

Alchemy

    This alchemical method allows you to create an alchemist a la arcanum, vice the more questionable version that was produced in the Spells & Magic.

    Alchemist's powers are built as a VPP. The power pool control cost is built with the limitations: only changes in lab (-½), only to formulas that the alchemist knows (-½). In addition, the powers have the standard limitations: expendable, fragile focus (-1+), charges (at least -½ worth) (-½), requires alchemist skill roll (-½), side effects (-½). The standard limitations are -2½, and the VPP control limitation is -3½.

    Additional limitations might include a difficult to recover expendable focus, activation roll, or mental powers based on CON.

    The side effects should be bought with an activation roll. The effect is that when the alchemist made the potion, he goofed. There is only a chance that this goof will be deleterious. However, this limitation will increase the active cost of the side effect. You can also buy a power with the burnout roll - a failed roll means that the alchemist screwed up the whole batch.

Dabbling Alchemy

    The above arrangement is meant to provide for an alchemist who might have a variety of potions available. For a dabbler, or an alchemist who has a variety of standard tricks, you might build a single or multipower. Such a power would be built with the same limitations as above, plus limitations of extra time (representing the time it takes to mix the potions) and a limited power with proper alchemical equipment (-½), and the usable by one other plus either delayed effect or trigger advantage (the trigger being "drinking the potion").

    The GM may wish to restrict the multipower or require the limitation may not change power while another one is still in effect (-½). It doesn't make too much sense to apply some of the limitations of multipowers to alchemical formulas unless you assume that there is the standard AD&D negative synergy.

    Note that this is not the same as magic item creation.

    Example: Ken wants to make an alchemist to replace the last one he blew up. This time he will be taking additional standard fire resistance and healing potion powers. His VPP and additional powers are as follows:
 
 

    25 Alchemy VPP

    3 Control cost: only changes in lab (-½), only to formulas that the alchemist knows (-½). Powers require: expendable, fragile focus (-1), charges (at least -½ worth) (-½), requires alchemist skill roll (-½), side effects (-½). Total limitation: -3½.

    4 Healing elixers: 3d6 healing aid. Usable by one other only (+¼), trigger (+¼). Active points: 22. Expendable, fragile OAF (-1½), 6 charges (-¾), requires alchemist skill roll (-½), side effects (7d6 EB Stun, activation 15-) (-½), extra time: 5 minutes (-2). Total limitations: -5¼.

    4 Fire resistance: 20 ED forcefield, Usable by one other only (+¼), trigger (+¼). Active points: 30. Only effective against fire (-1), expendable, fragile OAF (-1½), 1 continuing charge, 1 hour (-½), requires alchemist skill roll (-½), side effects (6d6 EB Stun), extra time: 1 hour (-2½). Total limitations: -6.

    An artificer type character a la spells and magic can be made by using the typical wizard powers and assigning a focus limitation to all spells.

    Combined or separate from this approach, you may create special focus items for a character. Unlike individual magic items, such a character would not have magic items with the independent limitation. An artificer-mage type character should take all personal foci. Each item should be a separate power or multipower.
 

    Example: Ugawa is a tribal hermit-sorcerer who casts his magic through various fetishes. His powers are as follows:
 

    20 Artifice VPP, 20 Active points

    2 Control cost, limitations: can only change spells through ritual with artifice skill roll (-½), requires 1 point familiarity with spell (-½), powers requires 1 charge limitation, but may buy up time (-1), not in armor (-½), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), OAF (-1), and either gestures, incantations, or expendable focus (-¼). Total control limitations: -4

    4 Shrunken head spirit fetish: 10 power defense, works on spirits (+½), 15 active points. Only against spirits or undead (-1), 1 charge, 1 hour (-½), not in armor (-½), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), incantations (-¼), gestures (-¼), expendable OAF (-1¼). Total limitations: -3.

    10 Lightning wand multipower, 30 active points: 8 charges (-½), not in armor (-½), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), incantations (-¼), gestures (-¼), expendable OAF (-1¼). Total limitations: -3.

    1m Lightining bolt, 6d6 EB. 30 Active points. Standard limitations, -3.

    1m Shocking touch, +6d6 HA, armor piercing (active 27 points). Standard limitations, -3.

    Ungawa will need to buy some spell familiarities as well as a decent skill in artifice.

    Since the magical catastrophe, those few magi who were both elementalists and channellers have found that those methods of magic have combined to make a powerful form of spellcasting. The limitations that they took on once gained them only a trifling advantage. Under the new laws of magic, elementalist channellers - now called warlocks - are the only type of spellcaster that can use the elemental control power framework.

    Elemental spells have some of the same basic limitations as channeling: all cost END (-½ limitation if it does not already cost END) and must take the x2 END limitation (-½). They must one or more of: gestures, incantations, or expendable focus (-¼). In addition, the elementalist must have the "requires elementalism skill roll" limitation (-½) and the the "must have source" limitation. In the case of air elementalists, this must be a volume of at least 20 cubic meters of air surrounding him. This limitation is worth -¼ for air and earth warlocks, -½ for water and fire warlocks.

    The FH sourcebook provides spell ideas for all the elemental spell colleges. Elementalists may also buy gifts appropriate to their element.
 
 

    Example: Goshikra is an Earth Warlock. His spell framework looks like this:
 

    6 EC - Earth powers, 15 active points: x2 END (-½), focus, gestures, or incantations (-¼), requires elementalism skill roll (-½), must have source (-¼). Total limitation: -1½.

    5 Stone Blast, 6d6 EB vs. PD (30 active, -15 for EC). Gestures (-¼), Incantations (-¼), requires elementalism skill roll (-½), contact with earth (-¼), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), x2 END (-½).

    5 Wall of Stone, 6 PD / 6 ED force wall (30 active, -15 for EC). Gestures (-¼), Incantations (-¼), requires elementalism skill roll (-½), contact with earth (-¼), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), x2 END (-½).

    5 Quagmire, 2d6, 2 DEF entangle, takes no damage (+½) (30 active, -15 for EC). Gestures (-¼), Incantations (-¼), requires elementalism skill roll (-½), contact with earth (-¼), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), x2 END (-½).

    7 Earthquake, 10 STR TK, Area effect 2" radius (+1), continuous (+1), (45 active, -15 for EC). Only to knock down and shake up (-1), Gestures (-¼), Incantations (-¼), requires elementalism skill roll (-½), contact with earth (-¼), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), x2 END (-½).
 

    The total cost of these abilities is 28 points. Had the character not had the EC framework, they would have cost 41 points.

Gifts

    Gifts are a variant form of magic. The special ability of priests and paladins should be considered a form of gift. However, under these rules, nearly any character who qualifies can have a gift, and it can make for a unique, special character.

    Gifts are the result of a divine blessing (or curse), a special heritage, or a magical empowerment (or, again, curse). This should be taken into account when deciding the ability. These powers are usually singular abilities outside of a framework. They may, at best, be part of a related set of powers within a multipower. If they originated from a deity, the religious restriction limitation may apply. As they are not usually spells (unless the character is a priest), the gestures, incantations, and expertise limitations are not usually applicable.
 

    Example: Normally, one expects a champion of a deity to be a bright-and-shiny Tick personality paladin type. Frank decides he would like to play a champion of Alyshia, the goddess of trickery and mischief. He consults with the GM, and comes up with this multipower for his character Carinia, blessed of Alyshia. To keep it from being to powerful, the GM requires a -½ charges limitation on each of the slots.
 

    12 Gift of Alyshia Multipower: 25 Active Points, Religious restrictions (-½), requires sleight of hand skill roll (-½).

    1m Artful Evasions: 4 Combat Skill levels (20 active points), only for DCV (-½), religious restrictions (-½), requires sleight of hand skill roll (-½), 4 charges, 1 turn (-½).

    2m Trickery: Images to sight, -5 PER rolls (25 active points), religious restrictions (-½), requires sleight of hand skill roll (-½), 3 charges, 1 minute (-½).

    2m Shapeshift, humanoid forms (20 active points). Religious restrictions (-½), requires sleight of hand skill roll (-½), 2 charges, 5 minutes (-½).

    2m Mischief: 10 STR TK, fine manipulation (25 active points), religious restrictions (-½), requires sleight of hand skill roll (-½), 3 charges, 1 minute (-½).

    That sure beats "lay on hands," thinks Frank.

    High magic is a merging of the chanelling method and various truename magic spells (see the Planescape Planes of Law boxed set.) With the increase in ambient magic in the land of Trinalia, the magical threads that tie all creatures to their surroundings have been made more substantial. This makes true name magic much easier to use.

    There are a few basic tenets of high magic. High magic spells do not allow you to get something for nothing. They all involve an exchange of some sort. Thus all spells must have the limitations x2 (or more) END, Charges (8 or less), or expendable focus, or side effects. All these constitute a -½ or more limitation.

    An additional limitation is that one cannot use their full power unless the target's true names are known. Since one cannot normally force a target to divulge their true name by any means, this is no trifling limitation. However, most beings have the true namee common to their species. A being may have their true name declared, but unless they do, it is the same as all other creatures of this species. Fortunately, this sort of knowledge is readily cataloged, and the mage might know the True Name of a type of creature by making a KS: True Names roll. This is considered a -1 ½ limitation. This limitation is only applied to 25% of the cost of a spell or multipower. If you cannot think how a true name would apply to a power in question, then you do not get to use that portion of the pool.

    High magic also requires concentrate (-¼), incantations (-¼) and a high magic skill roll (-½). It is purchased as a multipower. The above mentioned limitations apply to the multipower. In summary, 75% of the pool must be bought with the -1½ limitation; the remaining 25% is purchased with the -3 limitations.

    Spells withing the multipower must be regular slots. Fixed ("ultra") slots are not allowed. Note that the multipower framework restricts how many points of spells the caster has available at once. A character could not use both a full power attack and a full power force field at the same time. However, the size of the character's multipower pool can exceed the active cost allowed for spells as long as the active cost of any individual spell does not exceed the limit.
 

    Example: Quisnet is a high mage with the following multipower:
 

    11 High magic multipower: 30 active points (23 points with limitation: concentrate (-¼), incantations (-¼), high magic skill roll (-½), and one of: x2 END, 8- Charges, Side Effects, or Expendable Focus (-½); total limitations -1½; real cost 9; 7 points with the above limitations plus must know true name, -1½; total limitations -3, real cost 2; total real cost 11.)

    2m Flame Lance: 6d6 EB vs. ED. Gestures (-¼), concentrate (-¼), incantations (-¼), high magic skill roll (-½), Expendable OAF (tinder javelin) (-1¼); total limitations -2½. Last 7 points: must have true name (-1½, total -4.) Real cost: 8 (attack does 4 ½d6 if true name of target not known.)

    2m Arrow command: Missile deflect / reflect / adjacent. Gestures (-¼), concentrate (-¼), incantations (-¼), high magic skill roll (-½), Costs END (-½), x2 END (-½); total limitations -2¼. Last 7 points: must have true name (-1½, total -3¾.) Real cost: 8 (missile deflect will not reflect an attack back at a target whose true name is not known)

    1m Detect magic: detect, magic, sense, discriminatory, +5 to roll. Active cost 20 points. 6d6 EB vs. ED. Gestures (-¼), concentrate (-¼), incantations (-¼), high magic skill roll (-½), Costs END (-½), x2 END (-½); total limitations -2¼. Real cost: 6.
 

    Note that these powers would have cost 22 points out of the framework and cost 15 points in the framework.

    This category is both a conversion and merging of psionics and the mentalism school of magic. Under the AD&D system, the official take on psionics is that it is completely and totally different than magic.

    Get over that notion.

    Psionics in Trinalia is just a different methodology of magic. However, it is separate from wizardly magic and clerical magic - and abilities that target those special effects will act accordingly. Further, the province of EGO-based attacks are more the territory of psionics than other magical effects are. However, for most other purposes, it is magic.

    Psionics is built as a multipower. It has the standard limitations: concentrate, ½ DCV (-¼), requires skill roll (psionics)(-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation per day to use(this is the equivalent of religious restrictions) (-½), and side effects (-½). The total standard limitation is -1¾. The character may take the use only in light armor limitation (-¼) for a total standard limitation of -2.

    The psionic skill roll is EGO-based rather than INT-based. Otherwise, it conforms to the characteristics of magic rolls, costing 3 for a bas 9+EGO/5 roll, and 2 points for each +1.

    Psionics is very taxing on an inexperienced psionicists. The side effects described is usually an EGO attack or drain against EGO, END, INT, CON, or psionic abilities.

    Psionic spells / powers may not take incantations or gestures. Many or most should take the invisible power effects advantage.

    Psionic abilities can include the typical mentalist abilities of the mental powers group. It may also include a variety of other abilities that affect self or a single other being, but most should be ego-based where appropriate. The Colleges of Mentalism, Body Control, and Sense and Exploration may serve as a useful source for psionic abilities.

    Psionic abilities are constructed, as described above, as a multipower. The slots of the main multipower must be variable slots; ultra slots are not allowed.

    The psionicist may also buy mental defenses. These defenses must be a part of a second multipower. This defense multipower cannot be more than one half the active power of the main multipower. It must automatically include the mental defense power with no advantages (this is the "mind blank" power). This multipower may also contain other versions of the mental defense power with modifications to make it more flexible, such as area effect or usable by others. All mental defense powers should take the costs END, increased END, or activation limitations. The total limitations should be equal to the advantages plus at least ¼.
 

Example: Fletcher is a psionicist. His multipowers are as follows:
 

    16 Mental Multipower: 45 active points, concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects (-½). Total limitation: -1¾.

    2m Mind Blast: 2d6 Ego Attack, area effect cone, non-selective (+¾). Active cost: 35. Concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), x2 END (-½). Total limitation: -2¼.

    3m Mind Thrust: 3d6 Ego Attack, armor piercing (+½). Active cost: 45. Concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½). Total limitation: -1¾

    2m Mind Bludgeon : 4d6 Ego Attack. Active cost: 40. Concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), extra time, 1 phase (-½). Total limitation: -2¼.

    2m Telepathy, 8d6 Telepathy. Active cost 40. Concentrate, 0 DCV (-½), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), x2 END (-½), extra time, 1 phase (-½). Total limitation: -3.

    2m Phobia Amplification: 8d6 Mental Illusions. Active cost: 40. Only to reproduce target's fears, which the psion must know of through telepathy or other means (-1), Concentrate throughout ½ DCV (-½), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), x2 END (-½). Total limitation: -3½.

    2m Mind Scan: 5d6, +10 on roll (45 active points) Concentrate, 0 DCV (-½), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), x2 END (-½), extra time, 1 turn (-1). Total limitation: -3½.

    3m Psychic Vampirism: 2d6 EGO transfer (½ to EGO, ½ to END), recover 5 / 5 minutes (+½). Active cost 45 points. Concentrate, 0 DCV (-½), requires psionics skill roll (-½), requires one hour of quiet meditation (-½), side effects, 2d6 Ego attack (-½), extra time, 1 phase (-½). Total limitation: -2½.

    16 Mental defense multipower (+4 points from EGO)

    2m Mind blank: 20 points mental defense. 16 Active points. Activation 15- (-¼).

    2m Thought Shield: 16 points of mental defense, hardened (+¼)(16 active points). Costs END (-½).

    1m Mind Fortress: 10 points mental defense, usable by up to 4 others (+1) (16 active points), costs END (-½), activation 12- (-¾).

    Rune smithing is an ancient art of the dwarves and Turanians. In the past, it has been solely the province of clergy, but the increase in ambient magical power has made it possible for practitioners to come forth that were not clergy, who practice rune smithing in and of itself.

    The art of rune magic involves inscribing a rune with magical power. The rituals involved in this can be quite extensive.

    The rune smith's magical powers are built as a multipower. As with other forms of multipower magic, no fixed slots are allowed. The standard limitations that apply to the multipower and all slots are: requires a runesmith skill roll (-½), incantations (-¼), gestures (-¼), concentrate, ½ DCV (-¼), extra time, 5 minutes (or more)(-2), and OAF (brushes or engraving tools)(-1). Total limitations: -4¼.

    Due to the very high standard limitation levels- and thus low point cost-Rune Smithing is an excellent choice for a "dabbler" type of character who just knows a little magic.

    Rune smithing is not a combat intensive magical art. However, one can make some ready powers by adding the delayed effect or trigger advantages. To keep this from being too powerful, the player is required to take an amount of additional limitations equal to the advantage total in delayed effect or trigger advantages.

    See Arcanum and Planescape: Planes of Chaos for ideas for runes.
 
 

Example: Gronor is a dwarven rune-smith / warrior. His multipower is as follows:
 

    5 Runesmithing multipower, 25 active points. Requires a runesmith skill roll (-½), incantations (-¼), gestures (-¼), concentrate, ½ DCV (-¼), extra time, 5 minutes (or more)(-2), and OAF (brushes or engraving tools)(-1). Total limitations: -4¼.

    1m Sharp-rune: 2d6 Aid to HKA. Fade at 5 / hour (+¾). Active cost: 17. Standard limitations: -4¼.

    1m Strength-rune: 2d6 Aid to STR. Fade at 5 / hour (+¾). Active cost: 17. Standard limitations: -4¼.

    1m Vigor-rune: 3d6 Aid to REC. Fade at 5 / 5 minutes. Active cost: 22 points. Standard limitations: -4¼.

    1m Luck Rune: 4d6. Usable by one other, only(+¼) Active cost:25 points. Standard Limitations, -4¼. 2 continuing charges, 5 hours (-¼). Total Limitations: -4½.

    This spellcasting methodology is meant to reflect the magic of both song mages and of bards. Bards may choose to either take this spellcasting method or merely be a "dabbler" type character.

    A spellsinger's abilities should be built as a multipower. As with all other magic multipowers, no fixed slots are allowed. The standard limitations are: incantations throughout (-½), concentrate ½ DCV(-¼), does not affect targets that cannot hear or inanimate objects which sound cannot reach (such as in a darkness field vs. hearing group) (-½), requires (spellsinging) skill roll (-½). Total limitations: -1¾.

    The spellcasting skill spellsigning in PRE based vice INT based, but cost the same as other magic skills.

    For ideas for spellsinger spells, see the sphere of song in the Spells and Magic, and the Somniomancy spells in FHC.
 
 

Example: After killing off his alchemist, Ken gets disgusted and makes a bard who can't fight. His spell powers are as follows:

    11 Spellsinging multipower, 30 active points. Standard limitations: incantations throughout (-½), concentrate ½ DCV(-¼), does not affect targets that cannot hear or inanimate objects which sound cannot reach (-½), requires spellsinging skill roll (-½). Total limitations: -1¾.

    2m Charming melody: 6d6 mind control (30 active points), only against humans or humanoid creatures (-½), standard limitations (-1¾). Total limit: -2¼.

    2m Aura of majesty: 3d6 presence aid, fade 5 / 5 minutes (+½). (27 active points). Limitations: self only (-½), standard limitations (-1¾). Total limit: -2¼.

    2m Audible glamour: Images vs. hearing sense group, -5 PER rolls (25 active points). Standard limitations (-1¾).

    Witches in Trinalia gain their powers by parleying with extradimentional beings, such as demons and spirits. To represent this, witches buy a VPP with the following limitations:

Witchcraft VPP:

    Witches power their spells from an END reserve. This END reserve cannot be larger in END points than two times the character's VPP. Thus a witch with a 50 point VPP could have a 100 point END reserve.

    The only way that the witch can recover END points is by negotiating with her other-planear masters via an extended ritual. Thus, the REC for this pool must be bought with the limitations: 1 continuing charge, 1 hour (-½), extra time, 5 hours (-3), gestures throughout (-½), incantations throughout (-½). Total limitations: -4½. The witch's active points of REC must be equal to the active points in the END reserve.

    The witches' limitations make them very vulnerable. A witch character might wish to take some combat ability, or a secondary magical sphere, such as alchemy or psionics.
 

    Example: Here is the VPP of Valesca, a Witch of Nocticula:

    50 50 Point VPP

    5 Control, limitations: only change with spell book (-½), requires 1 point familiarity with spell (-½), spells require: 5 charges per day each (-½), not in armor (-½), concentrate (-¼), requires witchcraft skill roll (-½), side effects (minor cumulative transform) (-½), spells require one or more of: gestures, incantations, or expendable focus (-¼). Total control limitations: -4
 

    10 100 Point END reserve

    2 10 Rec on END reserve, 1 continuing charge, 1 hour (-½), extra time, 5 hours (-3), gestures throughout (-½), incantations throughout (-½). Total limitations: -4½.

    Valesca will also have to buy a number of school KS's and spell familiarities.

    Are there any magic systems you have thought up or have read about in fantasy fiction? There's a good chance that we can duplicate it with the oh-so-flexible HERO System. Talk to me and we'll see what we can come up with.
 

An example of a character conversion.

    Meleck is a 4^th level channeling invoker / cavalier that we desire to convert to fantasy hero. He gets +2 save vs. mind affecting spells from his kit. He has the S&P / S&M advantages of spell point bonus, enhanced casting, learning bonus, d6 HD, and armored wizard (up to brigandine). His stats are: Str 13 (Sta 14 Musc 12), Dex 13 (Aim 11 Bal 15), Con 16 (Hlth 14 Fit 18), Int 18, Wis 13 (Int 11 Wil 15) Cha 14 (Ld 16 App 12). He has 18 HP and 21 DP.

    Converting to HERO statistics, Muscle is converted to STR and health is converted to CON. Dex is converted directly to DEX. Hits are converted to BODY. Leadership is converted to PRE, and appearance is converted to COM. Wisdom becomes EGO. He is allowed to convert up to one-third of his DP into additional STUN, and up to 6 CP of additional END. He can buy up to 2 additional PD or ED. The rest of his stats are figured. He chooses to optimize his stats by pulling the points back from END and STUN into CON. His stats are as follows:
 

    Next we have to convert his abilities. As an invoker, he has KS in all the standard schools except for enchantment and conjuration. However, he has a learning disadvantage with all of the other skills but invocation. We will represent this by buying all KSs but invocation as non-int based skills. On top of this, he will have the scholar skill enhancer. This will save us 5 CPs, but we will put 4 of those back in as skill levels in invocation.
 

3 Skill Enhancer: Mage
1 KS: Abjuration 11-
1 KS: Alteration 11-
1 KS: Divination 11-
1 KS: Illusion 11-
1 KS: Necromancy 11-

5 KS: Invocation / Evocation 15-
13 ST

    Before we get too far with magic, we should convert his proficiencies. He knows several languages, so will give him the linguist enhancer. His proficiencies translate as follows:
 

1 WF: Dagger
3 Linguist
2 KS: Heraldry 11-
3 Riding 12-
2 KS: Ancient History 11-
2 AK: Local History 11-
2 KS: Arcanology 11-
2 KS: Folklore 11-
1 Literate
3 Tactics (of magic) 13-
2 Language: Barbarian
2 Language: Islander
2 Language: Hobgoblin
2 Language: Luncan*
2 Language: Southern
2 Language: Trade*
33 ST

* - these languages are similar to his own language, Turanian. He gets one extra point in Luncan and one extra points in Trade.

    Now we get to the magic. He has up to 2^nd level spells. His most powerful active cost spell is Ice Knife with a total active cost of 54. This will be cutting deeply into his point pool as it is, so we arbitrarily give him a 54 point power pool. He is a specialist, has the armored wizard advantage, and is a channeller. The armored wizard ability will drop his limitations by ¼. He is an invoker so can take the specialist limitation for an additional -¼ limitation. The limitations on his control cost is 3¾ total. His variable power pool is purchased as such:
 

54 VPP

6 Control cost: can only change powers with spellbook (-½), must have familiarity with spell (-½), 5 charges, may be continuing (-½), requires END to cast (-¼), x2 to x4 to END cost (-¾), concentrate (-¼), limited armor (-¼), must take one or more of gestures, incantation, focus (-¼), cannot cast barred spells and ½ of spell pool must be invocation/evocation spells (-¼). Total limitation: -3¾.
 

 
½ Alarm
½ Change Self
½ Chromatic Orb
½ Copy
½ Dancing Lights
½ Detect Magic
½ Dictation
½ Enlarge
½ Magic Missile
½ Protection from Evil
½ Ray of Fatigue
½ Read Magic
½ Reduce
½ Shield
½ Tenser's Floating Disk
½ Wall of Fog
½ Blur
½ Detect Invisible
½ Flaming Sphere
½ Ice Knife
½ Knock
½ Web
6 +2 levels w/ attack spells
17 ST

    Finally, Meleck was a cavalier. That gave him 2 benefits, hospitality (which is a perk), and +2 saves vs. mind affecting spells. We'll translate this as mental defense.
 

6 Mental Defense (9 points)
2 Perk: Cavalier's Hospitality
8 ST

65 Characteristics
13 Spell schools
33 Proficiencies
60 VPP & Control
17 Spells & Spell Combat Levels
8 Cavalier abilities
196 Total

    Well, this is a bit more than we can muster with the 150 (75 base + 75 disads), but we also get 20 points per level past the first to call "experience." So we have 135 base points, but have to come up with 61 points of disadvantages OR trim points - or both.

    Meleck was a cavalier under the AD&D PO system - and lawful good. That spells out a lot of Meleck's disads right there.
 
 

15 Code of Chivalry (Common, Strong)
10 Honorable (Common, Strong)*
10 Reputation: Fight Honorably 11-
10 Public Identity
45 Subtotal

* - this is a 15 point disad, but the campaign only allows 25 points in one category, and we're there.

    Now we are over half way to the 61 points that we need.

    We don't have a whole lot more to go on rules-wise from here on out. But we can draw from what else we know of him. He is a member of the mage-knights, and has acquired a few enemies along the way. We might, with the GM's permission, make up a rival mage-knight for him:
 

8 Watched by mage-knights 8-, more powerful, NCI, limited geographical influence.
17 Hunted by Quintarium, more powerful, NCI, 8-*
5 Professional rival
30 Subtotal

* - again, we have bumped up against our limit of 25 points in a category.

    We have, with this, outdone ourselves. We now have 75 points, 14 more CPs than we needed. We can bank these points or go back and beef up a few skills or attributes. The conversion notes let us increase the characters prime requisites. For invokers, this is intelligence and constitution. Six more points will put Maleck's INT at 22. Four CPs will bring our con to 10 (and also increase STUN, END, and ED). We will bank our last 4 points. Hopefully we can combine these with some experience soon to raise his END and REC to help offset those high END spells.