Splatbook*

Load

Items that have a ◇ or ◇◇ in front of them contribute to your load. Count the total number of ◇ that you have marked. If you have...

  • ... up to 3 ◇, then you have a light load, able to move quick and quiet;
  • ... 4 to 6 &, then you have a normal load;
  • ... 7 to 9 ◇, then you have a heavy load—you're noisy, slow, hot, and quick to tire.

You (Caradoc, the apprentice tanner, impetuous youth, and Would-be Hero) Outfit for an expedition to the Ruined Tower, marking your Inventory as shown on the opposite page. You have 6 ◇, which means that you're carrying a normal load. You are traveling with Vahid (the Seeker, a different PC); he's also carrying a normal load (6 ◇), but he's carrying different items (of course).

Your load has no specific effect, but it's part of your fictional positioning. For example, the GM might say, "Vahid, you're carrying a heavy load, right? That seems like Defying Danger to me, the danger being that you exhaust yourself in this heat." Or, "Ooh, a 7? Well, you slip past without them getting spotted, but your gear jingles and one of them looks up, suspicious. She's coming to investigate. What do you do?"

If you carry 10 ◇ or more, or something very heavy or awkward, then not only do you have a heavy load but you risk exhaustion, accident, and injury. The GM will tell you the consequences and/or requirements of being overloaded.

If you use up or discard any items, or give them to someone else, then clear the ◇ next to them. They no longer count towards your load.

If you pick up any items in the field (like loot), or if an ally gives some of their gear to you, add it to your Inventory, marking the appropriate ◇ . This might change your load!

You and Vahid arrive at the Ruined Tower that night, and you use up your

The next morning, you leave your ◇ shovel with Vahid at the campsite and explore the upper levels of the ruin. You're now carrying only 3 ◇ total, so you have a light load and you're able to move about quietly.

You discover a ◇◇ half-buried plaque in the courtyard, made of bronze and etched with Maker-runes. The coast appears to be clear, so you go get Vahid and your ◇ shovel. You spend a few minutes digging the plaque out of the dirt. Vahid confirms that it's a valuable artifact, so you bring it with you. You add "◇◇ bronze plaque" to a blank line of your Inventory insert, and you're back up to 6 ◇ total.

All that digging, though, draws the attention of a beznpol—a great big armored stoat! After a quick but bloody fight, you kill it! Its scales sure seem valuable, so you skin the beast and add "◇ beznpol hide" to your Inventory. You're now at 7 ◇ total, which is a heavy load.