Acdin Atlas

On Acdin, the following procedure is used for character generation. This procedure is essentially the same as the standard AD&D procedure, but the flavor of Acdin has been built into it.

Roll 3d6 (re-roll any ones until no ones are present in the score.) Record the number on a scrap paper.

Repeat this procedure until SEVEN numbers are generated.

Discard the lowest score.

Arrange the remaining six scores however you wish among the six attributes (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA)

No attribute may ever exceed 18. Note:racial modifiers may take an ability to 19, but never 20. Exceptional Strength is never used.

The default race for the World of Acdin is human. If you wish to play a human character, you may skip this step.

You may make up to three attempts to play a race other than human. To do this select a race from the table below and roll a d20. If the result on the d20 is in the target range, you may play that race. NOTE-- You may only roll for each race once. If you fail the roll, you may not try for that race again.

Most races have special abilities, and/or talents that are common among all members of that race. Other abilities may be found only in certain members of a race-- such as those in whom those talents have been especially fostered. Even humans have special abilities to some extent.

NOTE-- Infravision does not exist on Acdin. Night vision is used instead. This vision enables a character to see better in low-light conditions, but not in total darkness.

Wood Elf: Wood Elves come from the larger, more dense forests of Acdin. Most player Wood Elves come from Sunwood in the Kingdom of Acdin. They are renowned archers, wizards, statesmen, and woodsmen.

Description: (See Elves in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: +1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution

Special Abilities:

Wood elven characters have a 90% resistance to sleep and charm related spells.

Elves move so silently when not wearing metal armor, that they gain a -4 to all surprise rolls.

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Graceful (+1 to rolls where grace, or balance is a factor)

Cold OR Heat Resistance (+1 to SAVES) (counts as two choices)

Speak with animals (counts as two choices)

Longbow Bonus (+1 to-hit)

Longsword Bonus (+1 to hit)

Stealth in the woods

Mountain Dwarf: Mountain Dwarves are hardy folk who live in deep caves and mines in the mountains of northern Acdin.

Description: (See Dwarves in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: +1 Constitution, -1 Charisma

Special Abilities:

Constitution Saving Throw Bonuses as outlined in PHB for magic resistance.

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Hate Goblinoids (+1 to hit rolls when fighting goblinoids)

Cold OR Heat Resistance (+1 to SAVES) (counts as two choices)

Mining skills as outlined in PHB

Axe Bonus (+1 to-hit)

Crossbow Bonus (+1 to hit)

Close to Earth (2x healing while underground)

Hill Dwarf: Hill Dwarves are clever folk who are distantly related to dwarves. They are more mechanically clever, and more inclined to use magic (illusions) than dwarves.

Description: (See Gnomes in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: +1 Intelligence, -1 Wisdom

Special Abilities:

Constitution Saving Throw Bonuses as outlined in PHB for magic resistance.

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Mining skills as outlined in PHB

Crossbow Bonus (+1 to hit)

Defense Bonus (+1 to AC Bonus underground)

Potion Identification

Gadgetry (as Cantrip spell once per day) (Counts as two choices)

Halfling: Halflings are clever folk who are distantly related to humans. They are found living in the Tibbit Hills in the Kingdom of Acdin.

Description: (See Halflings in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: +1 Dexterity, -1 Strength

Special Abilities:

Constitution Saving Throw Bonuses as outlined in PHB for magic & poison resistance.

Halflings move so silently when not wearing metal armor, that they gain a -4 to all surprise rolls.

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Sling Bonus (+1 to hit)

Defense Bonus (+1 to AC Bonus)

Taunt (as spell once per day)

Gelfling: Gelflings are a diminutive race of woodland dwellers found in the ravine filled hills near Storm Mountain in the V'Larrian Forest. Though they are seldom seen away from their home, a few brave souls have succumb to their naturally high curiosity about the outside world and gone off adventuring.

Gelflings live in small matriarchal communities that consist of low buildings made from mud and branches. Some structures are actually built in trees, but these are few, and mostly nurseries. Gelflings are skilled artisans, and rely on farming for their strictly vegetarian diets.

They are clever, playful creatures who spend very little time in sadness, or worry. They prefer to chase and frolic in the woods. They are renowned keepers of lore as well. They love to hear news, and they love to write it down. Their natural curiosity, while useful when it comes to their species' survival, is more often a source of trouble, and danger it their short lives.

Gelflings are short lived creatures. They rarely live longer than thirty years; although it has been known to happen that a Gelfling can live up to forty years.

Description: (They are smaller than humans, usually between three and four and a half feet tall. Gelflings are very light creatures and seldom weigh more than sixty pounds.

One important distinction among Gelflings is between the males and females of the species. The females have large dragonfly style wings; the males do not..

Ability Adjustments: -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity

Special Abilities:

Gelflings also have acute senses of hearing and smell. This gives them a +2 to ALL perception rolls.
They also have very strong wills, and quite a constitution for a creature their size. This gives them a +1 to ALL Saving Throws.
Gelflings share a very special ability with one another. This ability is known as the Dream-fast. When two, and only two, Gelflings hold hands, they form a psychic link. While in this link, the Gelflings can not only communicate, they can fully explore each other's memories. This ability does not allow them to learn skills and abilities from each other, but they can share all of their mundane knowledge. While linked, they loose complete track of time, and what is going on around them. Only physical contact with someone else can bring them out of the link before they are ready.
Gelfling rogues gain the following bonuses to their thieving skills.
- Pick Pockets +5%
- Open Locks +0%
- Find / Remove Traps +5%
- Move Silently +10%
- Hide in Shadows +10%
- Detect Noise +15%
- Climb Walls +5%
- Read Languages +0%

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Sling Bonus (+1 to hit)
Gelfling Lore
Empathy for creatures within 10 feet. (choose between humanoids, small animals, large animals, or birds for its empathic affinity. This empathy allows the Gelfling to know what its target entity is feeling. This will allow the Gelfling to respond appropriately. When consulting the reaction table the Gelfling may alter the die roll by +2, or -2.) (counts as two choices)
Nightvision 60 feet
Taunt (as spell once per day)
Stealth in Woods
Forest Survival
Female Gelfling Wings-- Females can use their wings to fly at a speed equivalent to a galloping horse for up to two hours per day. If they carry an amount of equipment equal to one half their body weight or more, they cannot gain altitude in flight, and may only glide, or slow their fall. If they carry weight that is more than their own body weight, their wings are useless. (counts as two choices)

Half-Elf: Wood Elves and humans have come into such frequent contact, that cross racial breeding has become somewhat commonplace. Most player Half- Elves have an elven parent who comes from Sunwood in the Kingdom of Acdin.

Description: (See Half-Elves in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: None

Special Abilities:

Wood elven characters have a 30% resistance to sleep and charm related spells.

Additional Special Abilities: Choose THREE

Graceful (+1 to rolls where grace, balance, or stealth are a factor)
Cold OR Heat Resistance (+1 to SAVES) (costs 2 slots)
Speak with animals (costs 2 slots)
Longbow Bonus (+1 to-hit)
Longsword Bonus (+1 to hit)
Wood Elven Lore
Human Region Lore
Nightvision 60 feet
Forest Survival
Move silent when not wearing metal armor, gain a -4 to all surprise rolls.

Shapeshifter: Shapeshifters are members of any of the humanoid races who have acquired the ability to shift their form into that of an animal. Beyond this ability, they are normal to their race in every other way. This shapeshifting ability is in no way related to the lycanthropy disease.

Description: (See appropriate race in PHB)

Ability Adjustments: None

Special Abilities:

Shift their shape twice per day into that of an animal. The type of animal that a character shifts into is chosen below.
One Special Ability chosen from their racial list

Additional Special Abilities: Choose 2d3

Small Creature (1HD: common bird, mouse, ferret, house cat, small dog, bat, etc...)
Medium Creature (3HD: wolf, cougar, bird of prey, etc33;) (counts as two choices)
Large Creature (5HD: bear, tiger, alligator, giant wolf, etc33;) (counts as four choices)
All creatures in size class. (double original choice cost)
One extra shift per day.
May choose from Special Abilities, and Additional Special Abilities lists from the appropriate race. (choices cost is as the special ability chosen)

Human: Humans are the norm on Acdin. They are found in most areas of the world..

Description: (See Humans in PHB)

Classes: Any

Ability Adjustments: None

Special Abilities: As Origin (see below)

1: City dweller: Danger Sense in Cities
2: Country dweller: Hunting & Animal Handling
3: County of Drahkar: Mountain Survival & Hate goblinoids (+1 to hit rolls when fighting goblinoids)
4: Thursin: Weather Sense & Blacksmithing OR Weaving
5: Vythot: Seamanship & Navigation
6: Bazad: Desert Survival
7: Kaltir: Etiquette
8: Horse Clans: Riding, Land-based
9: Ravenlands: Seamanship & Berserker ( once per day, in battle, +1 Strength (may not exceed 19) SAVE verses Intelligence to not maintain control)

Additional Special Abilities: Choose d6-4

May become multi-classed
Naturally Lucky (+1 to any roll once per day)
Riding, Land-based
+5% experience bonus (counts as two choices)
Regional Human Lore

Adventurers on Acdin have enough to keep them busy without having to worry about the every day mundanities of maintaining themselves in the manner to which they are accustomed. To this end, wealth is monitored based on a character's current Social Status, and level of experience.

Use the following table to determine a character's initial Social Status. Note the D20 roll in the Wealth box on the character's Record Portfolio for later use.

Using the Wealth number during play is much like a proficiency check. If a character wishes to perform a wealth-type action that is somewhat beyond his normal means, make a Wealth check with a D20. If the result is equal to, or less than the character's wealth number, he may perform the action.

NOTE- Wealth Actions are totally at the DM's discretion, and the DM may apply any modifiers that he feels are appropriate.

Example:A player with a wealth number of 6 wishes to buy an exceptional quality horse. This is beyond the means of someone with a wealth of 6, so the DM disallows the action entirely. If the player had a wealth number of 12, the DM might make the character roll for it. If he rolls a 12 or less on a D20, he buys the horse. If a character with a wealth number of 17 tries the action, the DM may not even require a roll at all, because someone of that level probably has enough money on him to buy a horse.

All characters are assumed to have any equipment that is appropriate to their class, and its day-to-day functioning. The quality and extravagance of these items is dependent on Social Status and level, but not a lot of emphasis is placed on what exactly a character has beyond this:

Certain races have limited choices for a character class. The following chart indicates which races may choose which class character. Level limits due to race are never used on Acdin. All normal AD&D rules apply unless otherwise noted.

Characters gain proficiencies based on their class. Non-weapon proficiencies may be spent on acquiring, and improving any Non-Weapon Proficiencies (NWPs) from the Non-Weapon Proficiency Tables appropriate to the character's class.

* Characters also gain a number of bonus NWPs equal to the bonus number of languages from the Intelligence attribute.

On Acdin, Weapon Proficiencies are purchased in groups, rather than on a per weapon basis as in normal AD&D. Thus, a character proficient in single handed swords, knows all basic single handed swords. The Weapon Proficiency groups are as follows.

Unarmed combat (brawling, boxing, karate, etc)

Light weapon (rapier, dagger, etc)

Single handed mass weapon (axe, mace, etc)

Two-handed short-hafted weapon (up to 7 feet long )

Thrown weapon (sling, spear, javelin, knife, etc)

Flexible weapon (flail, morning star, etc)

Special weapon (by type)

Proficiencies affect combat on Acdin as well. In general, the more a person has studied a weapon form (ie, invested additional weapon proficiency slots in the same weapon form), the better he is with weapons of that category. The following rules apply

Up to three Weapon Proficiency slots may be spent on each weapon form during a character's lifetime. No more than two may be spent on a single form during character creation.

EXCEPTION I: Single-classed fighter characters (not paladins or rangers) may spend up to three slots on a single weapon form during character creation, and up to five slots during their lifetime.

EXCEPTION II: Any character may purchase weapon form proficiencies as a single-classed fighter if she first purchases the Weapon Master Proficiency from her Non-Weapon Proficiencies Table.

The following chart summarizes the benefits gained from additional slots spent on weapon forms.

Slots: Number of slots invested in the weapon form.

Proficiency: The title that describes the level of proficiency a character has attained.

To-Hit: The number that a character's d20 is modified by on a to-hit roll.

Dmg: The number that a character adds to his damage roll.

# Attk: This modifies the number of attacks a character receives during a combat round.

KO: This is the number that an unarmed combatant uses to modify the D4 roll on a knock-out check.

AC mod: The Armor Class bonus received when fighting with this weapon form in melee. This simulates how training affects defense as well as offense.

Proficiencies shown in italics are unique to Acdin and explained in this appendix. The rest are covered in the PHB.

Proficiencies shown in bold-italics, are restrictions. The slots column shows how many slots are acquired by choosing this handicap. Each handicap may be chosen once only, and only during the character creation process.

Purchasing additional slots for most skills gains an additional +1 when making a proficiency check roll. Any exceptions to this are noted in the description of the proficiency.

Danger Sense, by environment

Decrease Attribute

Decrease Social Status one level

Heightened Senses (for Perception rolls)

Increase attribute (not above 18)

Increased Movement (+1)

Increase prime requisite (not above 18)

Increase Social Status one level

Seamstress / Taylor / Cobbler / Weaver

Ambidextrous (as ranger)

Dead-Eye, Melee (Crit hit on 19-20)

Dead-Eye, Missile (Crit hit on 19-20)

Detect Noise (Ranger as thief)

Leadership (-1 per 50 men)

Limited Armor/Weapons Use(specify)

Resist Charm (Paladin Only +2SAVE)

Resist Poison (Ranger & Paladin +2 SAVE)

Stealth in Woods (Ranger)

Weapon Master (acquire as normal fighter)

Cantrip(as spell level=times per day)

Detect Magic, (as spell, once per day)

Focus for spells, non-obvious object

Focus for spells, obvious object

Metal Immunity (includes armor)

More Specialist Opposition

No Component Use Specialist School

Read Magic (once per day)

Resist Charm, Sleep (+2 SAVE)

Spell Casting, Wizard

Weapon Master (acquire as normal fighter)

Detect Evil (not druid, as spell)

Expert Healer(+2 all damage healed)

Purify Water (as spell once per day)

Resist Charm (+2SAVE)

Resist Cold OR Fire(druid only, +2 SAVE)

Spell Casting, Priest

Weapon Master (acquire as normal fighter)

Detect Magic (as spell, once per day)

Escape Bonds (thief only)

Resist Charm (Bard +2SAVE)

Weapon Master (acquire as normal fighter)

In normal AD&D, when a spellcaster wants to cast a spell, she must have pre-memorized the spell in advance, but all spells automatically take effect to make up for this cumbersome restriction. Spell casting on Acdin does not work like it does in AD&D however. The following details how magic on Acdin works.

Magic using characters gain spells as in normal AD&D.

Spells are never pre-memorized. A spell caster always has full access to her entire spell book. However, all spells take one full minute (round) longer to cast because they must be looked up / called to mind, or otherwise readied. Once a spell has been readied, a Spell Casting Proficiency check is made with a D20 and the following modifiers. Note that all modifiers are cumulative.

This system allows characters to cast spells beyond schools, spheres, Spells per Day limits, and even their experience levels, but, there is an element of risk in this system. A Backfire possibility has been added to make a spell caster think twice about pushing herself too far beyond her capabilities.

On Acdin, combat takes place as in normal AD&D with only a few modifications.

Players are rewarded with die roll bonuses AND instant experience for describing, and carrying-out heroic actions when it is appropriate. This makes the game more colorful and interesting.

On Acdin, characters receive their maximum amount of hit points for their first two levels of experience. This includes figuring any constitution bonuses. Thus a second level fighter with a constitution of 17 would have 26 hit points (13 points from each first, and second levels). Beginning at third level, all characters roll their hit points normally. Acdin is a rough place, and players need any help they can get to begin with.

Prepare or recover a dropped weapon, use a magical item once, drink a potion, light a torch, drive a spike, open a lock, bind wounds prepare a spell, cast a prepared spell, or attack

Dodge all attacks this round (AC = AC - 2 - (level/2 (+1 if warrior))) and make no attack

Called Shot: -4 to THAC0 & Critical Hit on unmodified 19 or 20

Disarm or Grab: roll Vs AC0, opponent rolls Vs AC4

Overbear: +1 to-hit per additional attacker, opposed strength to drag down +1 per additional attacker.

Shield Punch or Rush: shield does not count toward AC this round. Dmg:D3

Wait-for-Opening: Make no attacks until the end of the round, but receive +2 on all to-hit rolls.

Damage from an unarmed attack is D3 plus (STR mods)

To determine if a Knock-Out has occurred, roll a D4, then a D20. If the D20 is equal to, or lower than the D4, a KO has occurred. The creature will remain KOed for D4 rounds. The D4 may be modified by proficiency.

Give a vivid description of how tumbling maneuvers are being employed, and their expected effects & make Proficiency check

If PASSED the character has +4 to divide between AC AND to-hit AND damage rolls. NOTE-- add +1 per additional tumbling proficiency slot.

If FAILED the character suffers a -2 to AC AND to-hit AND damage rolls

AC modifier: This number describes how much ability an armor has to deflect, glance, or otherwise prevent a blow from ever landing. Subtract this number from the wearer's Armor Class number.

Protection: This is the amount of hit points that the armor ablates, or absorbs each time the wearer takes damage. A character wearing chaimail has two points subtracted from his Armor Class, AND has two points of damage subtracted from any damage dealt to him. NOTE:damage is never reduced below one point.

An unmodified roll of 20 causes a critical hit. A SAVE vs Death means double damage, otherwise triple damage AND Critical Wound.

D20	Race
1-6	Wood Elf
1-6	Mountain Dwarf
1-7	Hill Dwarf
1-5	Halfling
1-4	Gelfling
1-10	Half-Elf
1-3	Shapeshifter
1-20	Human

D20	Social Status
20 +	Lesser Royalty (Prince)
19	Nobility (Duke, Count)
18	Aristocracy (Baron, Viscount)
17	Gentry (Lord)
16	Pirate Captain, Bandit Prince
15	Merchant Prince
6-14	Guildsman, Pirate, Bandit
4-5	Commoner, Soldier
2-3	Peasant, Serf
0-1	Slave

Class Table	Human	Half-Elf	Wood Elf	Mtn Dwarf	Hill Dwarf	Gelfling	Halfling
Fighter	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Ranger	Y	Y	Y			Y
Paladin	Y
Cleric	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y
Priest	Y	Y	Y			Y
Druid	Y	Y	Y
Mage	Y	Y	Y
Specialist	Y	Y	Y		Illus	Illu
Thief	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Bard	Y	Y	Y			Y
Fighter/Thief		Y	Y	Y	Y		Y
Fighter/Cleric		Y		Y	Y
Fighter/Mage		Y	Y		Illus
Cleric/Ranger		Y
Mage/Thief		Y

	Weapon Proficiencies				Non-weapon Proficiencies
Group		Initial	#Levels	Penalty		Initial	#Levels
Warrior		4	3	-2		3*	3
Wizard		1	6	-5		4*	3
Priest		2	4	-3		4*	3
Rogue		2	4	-3		3*	4

Weapon Group	Damage
Unarmed combat (brawling, boxing, karate, etc)	D3
Single handed sword	D6
Light weapon (rapier, dagger, etc)	D4
Single handed mass weapon (axe, mace, etc)	D8
Two-handed sword	2D6
Two-handed short-hafted weapon (up to 7 feet long )	2D6
Polearm	D6
Bow (& Crossbow)	D6 (D8)
Thrown weapon (sling, spear, javelin, knife, etc)	D4
Flexible weapon (flail, morning star, etc)	D6
Shield	D4
Special weapon (by type)	see DM

Slots	Proficiency	To-Hit	Dmg	# Attk	KO	AC mod
0	Non-Proficient	-4	-1	--	--	-1
1	Proficient	--	--	--	--	--
2	Specialist	+1	+2	+1/2	+1	+1
3	Expert	+2	+3	--	+1	+2
4	Master	+2	+4	+1/2	+2	+3
5	Grand Master	+3	+4	--	+3	+4

Proficiency	# slots	Ability
Animal Handling	1	Wis -1
Artistic Ability	1	Wis
Blacksmithing	1	Str
Brewing	1	Int
Carpentry	1	Str
Cooking	1	Int
Dancing	1	Dex
Danger Sense, by environment	2	Wis
Decrease Attribute	1	NA
Decrease Social Status one level	1	NA
Direction Sense	1	Wis +1
Etiquette	1	Cha
Gaming / Gambling	1	Int
Heightened Senses (for Perception rolls)	1	Int +2
Heraldry	1	Int
Increase attribute (not above 18)	3	NA
Increased Movement (+1)	1	NA
Increase prime requisite (not above 18)	2	NA
Increase Social Status one level	2	NA
Languages, Modern	1	Int
Leatherworking	1	Int
Local History	1	Cha
Miner / Stonemason	2	Wis -3
Pottery	1	Dex -2
Riding, Airborne	2	Wis -2
Riding, Land-based	1	Wis +3
Rope Use	1	Dex
Seamanship	1	Dex +1
Seamstress / Taylor / Cobbler / Weaver	1	Dex -1
Singing / Speaking	1	Cha
Weather Sense	1	Wis

-1	Per additional Spell Casting Proficiency slot
-1	Per four levels of caster
*	Altering the casting time (see DM)
+6	From opposition school
-2	From school of specialization
*	Other modifiers as applied by the DM based on the situation.
+3	Exceeds Spells per Day limitations (this effect is compounded for each spell over limit)
+5	Exceeds caster's maximum spell level (counts as highest level spell for Spells per Day cost)
+6	Newly researched spell

D20	Backfire Effect
1-10	Spell fizzles spectacularly
11-15	Spell Reversal
16	Temporary affliction
17	Cursed: insomnia & nightmares
18	Cursed: arthritic wasting
19	Cursed: creeping senility
20	Cursed: total amnesia

Armor Type	AC mod	Prot	Old AC
Leather, Hides	1	1	8
Studded, Ringed Leather	1	2	7
Scaled Leather	2	2	6
Chainmail	2	2	5
Splinted Chainmail	3	3	4
Plate & Chainmail	4	4	3
Full suit of Articulated Plate	6	4	2
Small Shield	1	--	-1
Large Shield	2	--	-2
Elven Chainmail	4	2	3

D20	Critical Wound
1 - 10	Knocked off feet
11	Disfigured
12	Limb broken
13	Shoulder Broken
14	Hip / Groin trauma
15	Internal abdominal damage
16	Chest Trauma-- smashed ribs
17	Massive head trauma
18	Limb severed
19	Sucking chest wound-- Painful Death in D4 minutes!
20	Head lopped off-- Instant Death!