House Rules for The Bleak Harvest Campaign
In addition to the basic rules in the Players Handbook [PHB] 2014 we will be using the rules below:
Each time the character gains a level, he or she loses any unspent hero points and gains a new total equal to 5 + half the character's level.
Hero points provide players with a way to influence the game positively, allowing them to perform extraordinary feats or avoid negative outcomes.
A player can spend a hero point whenever he or she makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw. The player can spend the hero point after the roll is made but before any of its results are applied. Spending the hero point allows the player to roll a d6 and add it to the d20, possibly turning a failure into a success. A player can spend only 1 hero point per roll. In addition, whenever a character fails a death saving throw, the player can spend one hero point to turn the failure into a success. A player may use a Hero Point to perform a heroic action the result of which wll be determined by the GM.
Fear
When adventurers confront threats they have no hope of overcoming, you can call for them to make a Wisdom saving throw. Set the DC according to the circumstances. A character who fails the save becomes frightened for 1 minute. The character can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of his or her turns, ending the effect on the character on a successful save.
Horror
Horror involves more than simple fright. It entails revulsion and anguish. Often it arises when adventurers see something completely contrary to the common understanding of what can and should occur in the world, or upon the realization of a dreadful truth.
In such a situation, you can call on characters to make a Charisma saving throw to resist the horror. Set the DC based on the magnitude of the horrific circumstances. On a failed save, a character gains a short-term or long-term form of madness that you choose or determine randomly, as detailed in chapter 8, "Running the Game.”
If one creature wants to jump onto another creature, it can do so by grappling. A Small or Medium creature has little chance of making a successful grapple against a Huge or Gargantuan creature, however, unless magic has granted the grappler supernatural might. As an alternative, a suitably large opponent can be treated as terrain for the purpose of jumping onto its back or clinging to a limb. After making any ability checks necessary to get into position and onto the larger creature, the smaller creature uses its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the target’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If it wins the contest, the smaller creature successfully moves into the target creature’s space and clings to its body. While in the target’s space, the smaller creature moves with the target and has advantage on attack rolls against it. The smaller creature can move around within the larger creature’s space, treating the space as difficult terrain. The larger creature’s ability to attack the smaller creature depends on the smaller creature’s location, and is left to your discretion. The larger creature can dislodge the smaller creature as an action—knocking it off, scraping it against a wall, or grabbing and throwing it—by making a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the smaller creature’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. The smaller creature chooses which ability to use. Disarm
A creature can use a weapon attack to knock a weapon or another item from a target’s grasp. The attacker makes an attack roll contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) check or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If the attacker wins the contest, the attack causes no damage or other ill effect, but the defender drops the item. The attacker has disadvantage on its attack roll if the target is holding the item with two or more hands. The target has advantage on its ability check if it is larger than the attacking creature, or disadvantage if it is smaller. Overrun
When a creature tries to move through a hostile creature’s space, the mover can try to force its way through by overrunning the hostile creature. As an action or a bonus action, the mover makes a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the hostile creature’s Strength (Athletics) check. The creature attempting the overrun has advantage on this check if it is larger than the hostile creature, or disadvantage if it is smaller. If the mover wins the contest, it can move through the hostile creature’s space once this turn. Shove Aside
With this option, a creature uses the special shove attack from the Player’s Handbook to force a target to the side, rather than away. The attacker has disadvantage on its Strength (Athletics) check when it does so. If that check is successful, the attacker moves the target 5 feet to a different space within its reach. Tumble
A creature can try to tumble through a hostile creature’s space, ducking and weaving past the opponent. As an action or a bonus action, the tumbler makes a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the hostile creature’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If the tumbler wins the contest, it can move through the hostile creature’s space once this turn.
Potion Sampling Rules:
You may attempt to identify a potion by taking a sip. If the magic is benign, its secrets are revealed to you. However, if the potion is malicious (poison or curse), you suffer the full effect immediately. Note: An alchemist’s signature is consistent; their potions of the same type will always look and feel identical.Optional Feats Rule PHB P165
When your class gives you the Ability Improvement Feature, you can forgo taking that feature to take a feat of your choice instead. Variant human traits PHB p.31 Ability Score Increase: Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1. Skills: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice. Feat: You gain one feat of your choiceHero Points Dungeon Masters Guide [DMG] 2014 p.264
Players start with 5 hero points at level one.Each time the character gains a level, he or she loses any unspent hero points and gains a new total equal to 5 + half the character's level.
Hero points provide players with a way to influence the game positively, allowing them to perform extraordinary feats or avoid negative outcomes.
A player can spend a hero point whenever he or she makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw. The player can spend the hero point after the roll is made but before any of its results are applied. Spending the hero point allows the player to roll a d6 and add it to the d20, possibly turning a failure into a success. A player can spend only 1 hero point per roll. In addition, whenever a character fails a death saving throw, the player can spend one hero point to turn the failure into a success. A player may use a Hero Point to perform a heroic action the result of which wll be determined by the GM.
Dropping to Zero HP
The following changes will be made to the dropping to zero rules in the Player's Handbook. Each time a player regains 1 hit point after falling unconscious in combat he will suffer one level of exhaustion. The levels are cumulative in the same combat, but the effects are not. For example: if a player falls unconscious three times and regains one hit point three times they will be at level 3 exhaustion on this chart and suffer the effects listed there. LEVEL EFFECT- -1 to ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws, -1 to the DC of any spells or spell-like abilities you cast.
- -2 to ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws, -2 to the DC of any spells or spell-like abilities you cast.
- Disadvantage and -3 on ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws, -3 to the DC of any spells or spell-like abilities you cast, speed reduced to half.
- Disadvantage and -4 to ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws, -4 to the DC of any spells or spell-like abilities you cast, speed reduced to 10 feet.
- Disadvantage and -5 on ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws, -5 to the DC of any spells or spell-like abilities you cast, speed reduced to 5 feet.
- Incapacitated until your wounds are tended to by another and/or you complete a long rest.
Experience and leveling up
Milestone experience will be used.Inspiration
Inspiration can be used before or after you roll the dice and it can be used for any single die roll of your choice.Surprise
When the PC's or monsters are surprised in combat, they will roll with disadvantage for initiative.Fear and Horror Rules [DMG] 2014 P. 266
We will be using these optional rules from the DMG.Fear
When adventurers confront threats they have no hope of overcoming, you can call for them to make a Wisdom saving throw. Set the DC according to the circumstances. A character who fails the save becomes frightened for 1 minute. The character can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of his or her turns, ending the effect on the character on a successful save.
Horror
Horror involves more than simple fright. It entails revulsion and anguish. Often it arises when adventurers see something completely contrary to the common understanding of what can and should occur in the world, or upon the realization of a dreadful truth.
In such a situation, you can call on characters to make a Charisma saving throw to resist the horror. Set the DC based on the magnitude of the horrific circumstances. On a failed save, a character gains a short-term or long-term form of madness that you choose or determine randomly, as detailed in chapter 8, "Running the Game.”
Action Options [DMG] 2014
Climb onto a Bigger CreatureIf one creature wants to jump onto another creature, it can do so by grappling. A Small or Medium creature has little chance of making a successful grapple against a Huge or Gargantuan creature, however, unless magic has granted the grappler supernatural might. As an alternative, a suitably large opponent can be treated as terrain for the purpose of jumping onto its back or clinging to a limb. After making any ability checks necessary to get into position and onto the larger creature, the smaller creature uses its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the target’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If it wins the contest, the smaller creature successfully moves into the target creature’s space and clings to its body. While in the target’s space, the smaller creature moves with the target and has advantage on attack rolls against it. The smaller creature can move around within the larger creature’s space, treating the space as difficult terrain. The larger creature’s ability to attack the smaller creature depends on the smaller creature’s location, and is left to your discretion. The larger creature can dislodge the smaller creature as an action—knocking it off, scraping it against a wall, or grabbing and throwing it—by making a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the smaller creature’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. The smaller creature chooses which ability to use. Disarm
A creature can use a weapon attack to knock a weapon or another item from a target’s grasp. The attacker makes an attack roll contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) check or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If the attacker wins the contest, the attack causes no damage or other ill effect, but the defender drops the item. The attacker has disadvantage on its attack roll if the target is holding the item with two or more hands. The target has advantage on its ability check if it is larger than the attacking creature, or disadvantage if it is smaller. Overrun
When a creature tries to move through a hostile creature’s space, the mover can try to force its way through by overrunning the hostile creature. As an action or a bonus action, the mover makes a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the hostile creature’s Strength (Athletics) check. The creature attempting the overrun has advantage on this check if it is larger than the hostile creature, or disadvantage if it is smaller. If the mover wins the contest, it can move through the hostile creature’s space once this turn. Shove Aside
With this option, a creature uses the special shove attack from the Player’s Handbook to force a target to the side, rather than away. The attacker has disadvantage on its Strength (Athletics) check when it does so. If that check is successful, the attacker moves the target 5 feet to a different space within its reach. Tumble
A creature can try to tumble through a hostile creature’s space, ducking and weaving past the opponent. As an action or a bonus action, the tumbler makes a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the hostile creature’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If the tumbler wins the contest, it can move through the hostile creature’s space once this turn.
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