Tarnhelm’s

Terrible Tome
House Rules For 0e Games
 Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome
House Rules For 0e Games
Version 1.0 (March 17, 2013)
Copyright © 2013 Randall S Stukey
All Art is in the public domain.

Compatible with Swords & Wizardry

and other 0e-based games

Swords & Wizardry, S&W, and Mythmere Games are

trademarks of Matthew J. Finch. Neither Randall Stukey nor
RetroRoleplaying.com are affiliated with Matthew J. Finch,
Mythmere Games or Frog God Games..
Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................... 1
Special Terminology ........................................................................................ 2
Characters ............................................................................................................ 3
General Stat Bonus ......................................................................................... 3
Arcane Caster Special Abilities ........................................................................ 3
Divine Caster Special Abilities ......................................................................... 4
Backgrounds .................................................................................................... 5
Skills ................................................................................................................ 5
Alignment ......................................................................................................... 7
Body Points, Hit Points, and Healing ............................................................... 8
Magic .................................................................................................................. 11
Spell Knowledge ............................................................................................ 11
Direct Spell Casting ....................................................................................... 11
Ritual Magic ................................................................................................... 12
Counterspells ................................................................................................. 13
Combat ............................................................................................................... 14
Combat Stance .............................................................................................. 14
Critical Hits .................................................................................................... 14
Critical Misses ............................................................................................... 15
Combat Stunts ............................................................................................... 16
Special Combat Situations............................................................................. 16
Special Shield Defense.................................................................................. 17
Weapon Damage ........................................................................................... 17
Monsters............................................................................................................. 18
Monster Reactions ......................................................................................... 18
Mooks (aka “Cannon Fodder”) ....................................................................... 18
Optional Rules .................................................................................................... 21
Character Goals and Personality Traits ......................................................... 21
Strike Speed Initiative and Order of Battle ..................................................... 24
Armor for Everyone........................................................................................ 25
Deities and Divine Intervention ...................................................................... 26
Mnemonic Mage Class .................................................................................. 28
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a ................................................................ 32
 INTRODUCTION
This booklet is full of house rules – modern versions of the house rules I
first used in my 0e campaigns in the 1970s and still use today. While
each GM may certainly pick and choose which rules will be used in their
campaigns, many of the rules sections assume that other rules in this
tome are being used. For example, the magic rules assume the Hit Point
and Body Point rules are in use as using hit points as spell points/fatigue
only makes sense if the Hit Point and Body Point rules from this tome are
also in use.

The rules in this booklet (or at least those the GM elects to use) override
any contradictory rules in the 0e rulebooks. In cases of direct conflict, the
rules in this booklet should be used unless the GM decides otherwise.

There is one completely new rule in this booklet: Special Shield Defense.
This rule, in one form or another, has become common in old school
game over the past four years. I like it, so my version is included here.

Important Note: The rules in this booklet change the way 0e works in
both major and minor ways. Some people will probably claim that some
of the more major changes turn the game into something that is no
longer “really 0e”. This point-of-view would have been alien to at least
90% of the groups of 0e players I was familiar with in the 1970s.

Back then, each 0e campaign was different, often very different, from
other 0e campaigns. Groups borrowed rules from magazines like The
Dragon and Judges Guild Journal, from fanzines, from third party
products like Warlock and the Arduin Grimoire, and from other
campaigns. To top it off, most campaigns had house rules that
campaign’s GM had thought up. There were no game police declaring
campaigns that used spell points, percentile combat rolls, playing cards
instead of dice, etc. were “not real 0e”.

So, if you believe that the rules changes in this booklet would turn a
game into “not really 0e,” don’t use these rules. However, please don’t
try to convince others that games using these rules would have normally
been considered “not really 0e” back in the 1970s when 0e was standard
version of the game -- as that is nothing but revisionist history.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -1-

Special Terminology
Class Groups: These rules refer to various groups of character classes
as shorthand to avoid long lists of classes in every rules section. Classes
are divided into three major groups: Fighting Classes (those who have a
lot of training in combat), Arcane Classes (those who focus most of their
training in magic), and Specialist Classes (whose training is focused on
things other than combat or magic). There are also two minor groups:
Spellcasters and Divine Classes.

Fighting Classes include Fighting-Men, Rangers, Paladins, and Monks.

Arcane Classes include Magic-Users and Illusionists.

Specialist Classes include Clerics, Druids, Theives, Assassins, and

Bards.

Spellcasters incude any class able to learn and cast spells: Magic-Users,
Clerics, Druids, Illusionists, Bards (and Rangers and Paladins in some
versions of 0e).

Divine Classes include Clerics and Druids.

Fighter Bonus: Fighting Men have a Fighter Bonus equal to 1 plus their
Level/4, rounded up. Other Fighting Classes have a Fighter Bonus equal
to their Level/5, rounded up.

Armor Class: Armor class is listed for both Descending AC and

Ascending AC systems in this form AC: 5 [14] where the number in
brackets is the Ascending AC.

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 CHARACTERS
General Stat Bonus
While each stat has a specific set of effects/modifers in the standard
rules, many of the rules in this setof house rules also use the following
general stat bonus.

Stat General Stat Bonus

3 -3
4-5 -2
6-8 -1
9-11 0
12-14 +1
15-16 +2
18 +3

When “stat bonus” is mentioned in these rules, the general stat bonus
should be used unless otherwise indicated.

Arcane Caster Special Abilities

All Magic-Users and Illusionists (arcane casters) have the following
special abilities. All require the use of a special wand hand-made by the
arcane caster.

Create Handmade Wand – An arcane caster knows how to create the

handmade wand required for arcane special abilities. The wand must be
made by the arcane caster using it to function. Creating the wand
requires a knife, a living tree to cut the wand from, and 12 minus the
arcane caster's level hours (minimum of 1 hour) of uninterrupted time.

Magic Dart – An arcane caster can shoot a 1d4 dart of magic energy
from the tip of their handmade wand once per round provided no other
action is taken. The arcane caster must roll to hit the target normally.
Range: short 60; medium 120; long 180. Usable once per round if no
other action taken. Requires pointing a handmade wand at the target and
costs 1 HP per use. The visible effects can be whatever the Magic-User
desires. This does not affect damage, it only adds color to the ability.

Minor Magic – Arcane casters can cast minor "everyday/non-combat"

magic at will. Attempting something the GM considers abusive fails and
causes the arcane caster’s wand to explode (doing 1d6 backfire damage
Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -3-
to the magic-user unless a save is made). Usable once per round if no
other action taken. Requires waving a handmade wand. Cost 1 HP per
use.

Some examples: Light a candle or pipe with a flame from the finger tip.
Dust things – at first level a minor magic spell might be needed for each
shelf or piece of furniture, while at third level a single spell might dust a
room and at sixth level the magic-user's the entire floor of a house or
tower. Tie or untie a knot. Float coins from the magic-users coin purse to
a merchant's hand.

Divine Caster Special Abilities

All Clerics and Druids (divine casters) have the following special abilities.
The divine caster must have a holy symbol of his religion in hand to use
these abilities.

Minor Divination - A divine caster may spend 10 minutes in prayer asking

his deity whether or not a specific action would have generally good or
generally bad results from the deity’s point of view. The cleric will have
vague feeling of rightness or wrongness. A cleric may do this at most
once per per day (+1 additional time per day every 5 levels). Example: A
cleric wishing to know whether attack a demon temple would have good
or bad results might be told “good results” even though the cleric’s entire
party would be wiped out because from the deity’s point of view an attack
on the temple has a good result as it will interrupt an important ceremony
even though the cleric and his party are killed in the attack.

Minor Healing Prayers - Immediately after combat, a divine caster may

touch the wounds and pray over a being severely injured in that combat.
This costs the divine caster 1 HP and will restore 1d2-1 (0-1) body points
-- or 1d4-1 (0-3) hit points for beings without body points. Even if 0 body
points (or hit points) are restore, minor healing prayers will stop any
bleeding This may only be done once per being per combat and takes
one minute per being. Only damage taken in the current combat can be
healed.

Smite - A divine caster may imbue his normal weapon with holy power
allowing it to hit monsters that normally require silver or even magical
weapons to hit. Spending 1 HP before making the attack roll will allow
hitting monsters that require silver (or other special non-magical)
weapons to hit. Spending 2HP before making the attack roll will allow
hitting monsters that require magical weapons to hit.

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Backgrounds
Characters may select, with the approval of the GM, a one or two “word”
background that represents a broad base of skills and knowledge, e.g.
Farmer, Merchant, Desert Nomad, Noble, Shaman, Templar, Thyatian
Mercenary, Ritualist, etc. Backgrounds need not be related to the PCs
class, e.g. a player who creates a deeply religious fighter skilled in the
arts of vision interpretation, divination and oration might pick 'Prophet' as
a background. Backgrounds may not duplicate a class.

The GM will consider the character's background just as he would the

character's class when deciding if a character will succeed with an
action. For example, a character with an “Engineer” background should
have a much better chance of damming a creek or building a bridge over
it than a character with a “Courtier” background.

The word “word” should be taken loosely. For example, the name of a
culture/location should be considered “one word” even if it is “Holy
Panamon Imperium” “Blue Knight of the Holy Panamon Imperium” could
count as “two words” if such clearly describes a single background in the
campaign world.

Skills
There are no specific skills in 0e. Instead players are expected to think
like adventurers, tell the GM what they are doing and the GM decides if it
will succeed in the situation, taking into account the characters’ classes
and backgrounds. If the GM decides a random success chance is truly
needed he may resolve the situation with a roll of his choice or he may
call for one of the following rolls:

Primary Skill Roll: 1d20 + Stat Bonus + Class Level if the character is
attempting something directly related to their class or background.

Secondary Skill Roll: 1d20 + Stat Bonus + (Class Level/2, round up) if
the character is attempting something only loosely related to their class
or background.

Minor Skill Roll: 1d20 +Stat Bonus + (Class Level/3, round down) if the
character is attempting something not really related to their class or
background.

When the GM calls for a skill roll, he will declare the type of skill roll,
which stat the skill roll falls under, and any situational modifiers and the
player will make a skill roll. (The GM should make the roll in secret if
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seeing the result would give the player more information than his
character should have.)

Roll higher than the GM assigned Difficulty Class to succeed. Unless the
GM rules otherwise, a natural roll of 20 always succeeds for a Primary
Skill Roll. Suggested Difficulty Classes: Easy - 8, Normal - 12, Difficult -
16, Hard - 20, Very Hard - 24, Legendary - 28, Unbelievable - 32.

Basic Adventuring Skills: Unless a player specifies otherwise about a

character at character creation, all characters are assumed to have basic
practical adventuring skills such as maintaining weapons and armor,
riding a horse, setting up a camp, swimming, climbing, cooking, first aid,
etc., and have a rough idea of the value of common coins, trade goods,
gems, and jewels. Success should simply be assumed unless there are
unusual conditions.

Languages: All character races speak common. Other intelligent beings

speak their own languages (20% chance of also speaking common).
Beings with a INT over 10 may speak one additional language per point
of INT over 10 (these are in addition to any languages known by race).

Talents (Optional): At level 2 (and every 2 levels thereafter), characters

may select one narrow area of skill where they are better than average:
something they are “Good at.” This talent should be either something
directly related to their class or background -- or something they have
spent game time and/or money learning. If the player wishes (and the
GM approves), instead of selecting a new talent a talent the character is
already “Good at” be improved to “Expert at” at a later even-numbered
level and a talent the character is “Expert at” may be improved a final
time to “Master at” at yet a later even-numbered level.

Talents let characters choose to be better than average in some specific,

limited field. For example, while any character can try to swing from
vines, a character that is “Good at: Swinging from Vines” is going to be
more successful at it than the average character. The GM will consider
the character's talents just as he would the character's class and
background when deciding if a character will succeed with an action. If
you need to assign numerical benefits to talents for when a success roll
is needed, +2 per level is a good place to start for most talents (i.e. Good
at +2, Expert at +4, Master at: +6).

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Alignment
Basic Alignment: There are three basic alignments: Light, Dark, and
Neutral. Only intelligent beings have alignment and the vast majority of
those tend to be neutral. Player Characters should select an alignment
for their characters.

Light: Light aligned characters try to avoid unnecessary harm to others

by their actions or inaction. They often put the good of society/everyone
over the immediate good of themselves and their friends. They are
usually willing to help others/society even if doing so is somewhat
inconvenient. If given power over others, they tend to use it for the good
of all.

Dark: Dark aligned characters only care about themselves and those
who are currently useful to them. While they may not go out of their way
to harm others, they do not care if others are harmed as long as they
succeed at their personal goals. They are generally only willing to help
others/society if they get something they want or need out of it. If given
power over others they tend to abuse it and use it mainly to help
themselves.

Neutral: Neutral characters tend to put themselves and their friends first,
but will generally not allow others to come to unnecessary harm or
inconvenience in order to succeed. They are willing to help
others/society so long as doing so is not inconvenient. If given power
over others, they tend to use it for good, but they and their friends come
first.

Converting Published Alignments: Other 0e publications have

different alignment systems (e.g. Lawful/Neutral/Chaotic,
Good/Neutral/Evil). In general, Law and Good translate as Light and
Chaos and Evil translate as Dark. However, GMs should use their
common sense and knowledge of the beings in question.

Virtues and Vices (Optional): As in real life, each character has virtues
(admirable character traits) and vices (not so admirable character traits).
Players select six traits from the lists below before play starts. Neutral
characters must select three from each list. Light aligned characters
must select at least one (but no more than two) vices. Dark aligned
characters must select at least one (but no more than two) virtues.
Players can select virtues and vices not on the list with GM approval.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -7-

 Virtues Vices
Academic Arrogant
Austere Bigoted
Bold Capricious
Cheerful Cowardly
Compassionate Egoistical
Courageous Fearful
Daring Hateful
Determined Hidebound
Fair Impulsive
Faithful Insensitive
Friendly Lazy
Generous Manipulative
Gregarious Miserly
Honest Petty
Hopeful Power Hungry
Industrious Rude
Just Self-Centered
Kind Spendthrift
Patriotic Stubborn
Thoughtful Thoughtless
Thrifty Vengeful

Players should select virtues and vices they are willing to roleplay when
appropriate. While there is no mechanical penalty for failing to do so,
GMs who award XP for roleplaying will likely consider how when the
character roleplays his virtues and vices when awarding suc XP.

Body Points, Hit Points, and Healing

Hit Points (HP): Hit Points are determined by charactrer class as in the
standard rules. If Hit Points reach 0, the character is unconscious and
begins to take severe physical injury. Further damage, including any
remaining points of damage the attack that reduced hit points to zero,
directly reduces Body Points. Hit Points represent stamina, luck, minor
cuts and scrapes, etc. Optional: To avoid confusion, “Hit Points” may be
renamed “Fatigue Points.”

Body Points (BP): All characters have 20 Body Points. If Body Points
reach 0, the character is dead. Each two points of body damage a
character has suffered gives a -1 to all attack, success, saving, and
similar D20 rolls.

Option: Body Points for Fighting Classes equal 20 + (Level/2) (round

down, maximum 30). Body Points for Arcane Classes equal 20 –
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(Level/2) (round up, minimum 10). This has fighting classes slowly
becoming tougher while arcane classes lose physical conditioning as
they become more magically powerful.

Recovering Hit Points: All characters recover all hit points after six
hours of total rest. If a character has lost Body Points due to wounds,
only 50% of total hit points lost are recovered per six hours of rest.

Healing Body Point Damage: Body points lost recover at a rate equal
to the character’s CON Bonus (minimum of 1 point regained) per full day
of complete rest. If a character with up to 50% Body Point damage (up to
10 points of BP damage if base 20 BP is used) performs more than very
light activity or careful, slow travel during a day, he has a 50% chance of
losing an additional body point. If a character with more 50% of Body
Point damaged (11 or more points of BP damage if base 20 BP is used)
does anything other than rest quietly in bed during a day, he has a 50%
chance of losing an additional body point.

Healing Magic: Cure spells or their equivalent no longer affect hit points
on characters (but continue to do so on creatures who only have hit
points). A Cure Light Wounds (or equivalent) will cure 1d2+1 Body
Points. A Cure Serious Wounds (or equivalent) will cure 3d2+3 Body
Points. In either case, 1 point will be cured per 10 minutes of rest after
the spell is cast (up to the maximum the spell will cure), if the rest in
interrupted any remaining points of healing are lost.

Bleeding (optional): A character who has been reduced to 0 hit points

by weapon or other trauma-related damage will eventually bleed out and
die if their wounds are not bound. A bleeding character must make a
Save every minute or suffer one body point of additional damage.
Binding wounds takes 1 minute per point of body damage taken, but no
further bleeding rolls are needed (including while the wounds are being
bound). Any healing spell cast on a bleeding character will effectively
stop the bleeding.

Second Wind (Optional): Once per day, characters may regain 20% of
their total hit points (round up) by resting in a safe place for an hour while
eating a meal. This amount is reduced by 2 hp per point of body damage
(to a minimum of 0 hp recovered).

Monster Body Points (Optional): Body Points should generally only be

used for player characters and important NPCs. If the GM does not mind
the added complexity, monsters may have Body Points as well. A
monster’s Body Points are equal to twice the number of hit dice the
monster has. This option is not recommended as it adds a lot of pointless

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -9-

GM bookkeeping to every combat. If the GM does not want to use this
option, but still feels that the addition of Body Points gives player
characters too much of an advantage over monsters, the GM may simply
increase the HPs rolled for monsters by twice the number of hit dice the
monster has.

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 MAGIC
Spell Knowledge
Arcane and divine casters can memorize and cast spells from their
respective spell lists up to the maximum spell level listed for their
character level. Arcane casters record spells they know in spell books.
Divine casters record spells they know in prayer books.

Arcane casters start with Read Magic and 1d2 additional first level spells
in their spell book (which must be approved by the GM) and can add
more spells by finding (or buying) them on scrolls or books and copying
them into his spell book.

Divine casters start with 1d2 first spells in their prayer book (which must
be approved by the GM) and can add more spells by finding (or buying)
them on scrolls or books and copying them into his prayer book.

An arcane caster can memorize up to Level + INT bonus spells and

these spells can be directly cast (others spells may be cast via a casting
ritual). An arcane caster requires his spell book and 1 hour of time to
change the spells he has memorized.

A divine caster can memorize up Level plus WIS bonus spells and these
spells can be directly cast (others spells may be cast via a casting ritual).
An arcane caster requires his spell book and 1 hour of prayer to change
the spells he has memorized.

Direct Spell Casting

Casting memorized spells is direct spell casting. Memorized spells can
be cast very quickly, even in combat. Ritual magic allow a spellcaster to
cast any spell recorded in their spell books (even if not currently
memorized) but requires a time-consuming ritual lasting minutes or even
hours.

Casting Cost: Direct casting a spell of any kind costs Hit Points. The
cost is 1 + the level of the spell being cast if the spell is cast with an
implement and 1 + twice the level of the spell being cast if the spell is
cast without an implement:

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -11-

Spell Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
HP Cost with 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Implement
HP Cost without 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
Implement

Although there are ways to reduce the cost of casting spells, the casting
cost cannot be reduced below 2 Hit Points.

Signature Spells: Both arcane and divine casters select one ‘signature’
spell per spell level from first upward that they prefer to use over any
other. These spells are easier to cast due to familiarity, costing 1 less HP
to use. Signature spells are always in memory and do not count against
the number of spells a caster can memorize.

Implement Use: Spells cast through an implement (a wand or staff for a

Magic-User, Illusionist or other arcane caster, a holy symbol for a cleric,
druid, or other divine caster) cost less to use. The implement must either
be a magic item or be made by the caster (12 hours, wood, and carving
tools needed). The implement must be undamaged and in the caster’s
hand at the time the spell is cast.

Combat Casting: In combat, if a character is hit and takes damage (or

other effect that could interfere with spell casting like paralysis) before
casting a spell, the spell fizzles. The fizzled spell costs caster only 50%
of the normal HP casting cost of the spell and the caster loses his action
for the round.

Ritual Magic
Both arcane and divine casters can perform ritual magic to cast spells of
any level (and other special rituals that might be found in old books or
scrolls) provided the caster has a written copy of the spell or ritual, any
needed materials (mainly required by special rituals), and the time and
space needed to perform the ritual.

Performance Cost: Ritual casting of a spell of a level the caster is able

to cast normally takes 1 minute per level of the spell being ritually cast.
The HP Casting Cost is equal to casting the spell with an implement
(spell level + 1 HPs). Ritual casting of a spell of a level the caster is not
yet able to cast normally takes 10 minutes per level of the spell and costs
twice as much in hit points as it would to cast directly. Ritual casting of a
special ritual takes as long and costs as many HP as the ritual states
(that is, the GM assigns these as needed when he creates the special
ritual). Multiple casters may participate in a casting a special ritual with
the HP cost of casting divided among them. Spell casters participating in
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a ritual casting of any type may not wear armor or be armed with combat
weapons. (Required ritual items like sacrificial knifes do not count as
weapons.)

Sacrifices (Optional): One or more beings with human or better

intelligence may be sacrificed during ritual magic. Each sacrifice made
adds 10 minutes to the ritual and provides 10 plus the being’s level or hit
dice in HP to power the ritual. This amount is tripled if the being is truly a
willing sacrifice. Some special rituals may require the sacrifice of
intelligent beings. The sacrifice of intelligent beings is normally against
the law in civilized societies.

Counterspells
Arcane spell casters have the ability to disrupt other arcane casters by
attempting to counter the spell. Casters can attempt to counter any type
of arcane spell; however they get a -1 penalty when countering spells
cast by a class different from their class.

The moment that a spell is cast, any caster within range (10 feet per
level) and who has not yet acted that round may abandon their planned
action to try to counter the spell. In order to succeed the countering
caster must make a magic attack roll and beat a DC equal to 20 + (spell
caster's level) at a cost of 3 + the level of the spell being countered in
HP. Before rolling they may choose to use their magical energies to
improve their chances of success: for each additional 2 HP spent (for
each 3 HP spent if the caster is of a different class), their roll gains +1
bonus.

If an arcane caster was casting a spell and stops doing so to counter a

spell, the spell the arcane caster interrupted to counterspell costs the
caster 50% of the normal casting cost in HP

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -13-

 COMBAT
Combat Stance
Any character able to act may select a combat stance. Any character
who has not announced their combat stance before initiative is rolled
automatically selects “Standard.” Combat Stances (and their effects) are
Full Defense (Attack: no attack possible; AC: +2 bonus, +4 bonus with
shield, +6 bonus with large shield; Strike: -5), Active Defense (Attack: -2
penalty; AC: +1 bonus, +2 with shield; Strike: -2), Standard (Attack:
Normal; AC: Normal: Strike: normal), Active Attack (Attack: +1 bonus;
AC: -1 penalty; Strike: +1), and Full Attack (Attack: +2 bonus; AC: -2
penalty; Strike: +2). Spell casters casting a spell cannot select the Full
Defense or Active Defense Stance. The Stance Strike modifier is
optional (and can only be used if the optional Strike Speed Initiative rules
are used).

Critical Hits
A natural 20 that would otherwise hit is automatically a critical hit doing
maximum damage and doing a number of body points damage equal to
the number of damage dice rolled (normally 1). Most monsters do not
have body points, so a critical hit will do maximum damage plus a normal
damage roll to them and cause them to lose their next attack.

Option: Fighting Men (only) do a critical hit on a natural roll of 19 or 20

that would otherwise hit.

Critical Hit Special Effects (optional): When an Fighting Class

character (or a monster, at the GM’s option) has selected the Active
Attack or Full Attack combat stance for a round and scores a critical hit in
melee combat during that round, one of the following special effects may
be imposed at the attacker’s option:

 Trip: Target is knocked prone.

 Disarm: Target's weapon or shield is knocked away in a random
direction a number of feet equal to half the damage you dealt.
 Reposition: Force your target to move to a new location of your
choice, up to a number of feet equal to half the damage you
dealt (plus attacker’s STR bonus). Attacker may move with target
if attacker desires.

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  Shield Slam: If wielding a shield, bludgeon your target with it,
dealing damage as a shield bash. Target is then forced back
from you a number of feet equal to half the damage dealt by the
original attack (plus the attacker’s STR bonus).
 Disorient: Blow leaves your opponent off-guard. Until the end of
his next turn, target is confused.
 Hinder: Target is briefly slowed, reducing his speed to five feet
until the end of his next turn.

If the movement effect of Reposition or Shield Slam would force the

target over a cliff, into a pool of dangerous liquid, or the like, the target
gets a DEX save to stop safely at the edge.

Critical Misses
A natural roll of 1 is a critical miss. Unless the optional rule below is
used, the only effect of a critical miss is that the attack always fails,
regardless of modifiers.

Critical Miss Special Effects (optional): When a Fighting Class

character (or a monster, at the GM’s option) has selected the Active
Defense or Full Defense combat stance for a round and an enemy
attacking him during that round rolls a natural 1 on their attack roll, one of
the following special effects may be imposed at the defender’s option:

 Counterattack: You make a melee attack against your attacker.

This is in addition to any other attacks you might make during the
round.
 Disengage: You dart away from your attacker, moving up to your
movement, but you cannot engage another by doing so.
 Blind: You spit, throw sand, or otherwise attack your enemy's
eyes. Until the end of the next round, he is blinded.
 Redirect Attack: Your opponent's attack automatically strikes
another creature of your choice within reach of your enemy’s
weapon.
 Feint: You quickly feign an attack against your foe. Until the end
of his next turn, your enemy is has a negative modifier equal to
your level to all actions.
 Steal: You pluck a small unprotected item--usually no more
cumbersome than a weighty coin purse--from your foe.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -15-

Combat Maneuvers
At a cost of 1 hit point, Fighting and Specialist classes may adjust their
armor bonuses, attack bonus, damage done, etc. for an attack to create
a combat maneuver. For each -1 a character takes, he may take a +1 in
another area. A Fighting Class may take up to 2 plus Level/3 (round up)
in penalties on a single attack roll. A Specialist class may take up to his
level/3 (round up) in penalties on a single attack roll.

For example, a 5th level fighter (maximum combat stunt penalties of -4)
might want to do a great blow causing 4 points extra damage in
exchange for reducing his AC until his next action and reducing his
chance to hit with the attack. For example, +4 to damage, -2 to AC and -
2 to hit would balance the bonuses and penalties.

The GM should require the player using a combat maneuver to describe

what his character is doing and deny any combat maneuvers that do not
make sense in the situation (no tripping a gelatinous cube, for example)
or whose bonuses and penalties do not match up well to the player’s
description of the stunt. The GM may some intelligent opponents
(including some monsters) may use combat maneuvers.

Special Combat Situations

Opportunity Attacks: Anyone not surprised and with a ready weapon
who is not already involved in a melee combat gets a free attack on
opponents trying to move past them (within reach of their weapons) –
this attack is in addition to their normal attack for the round. If the attack
is successful, the opponents takes damage and can move no further that
round.

Ranged Attack into Melee: Shooting or throwing into a crowded melee

is not a good idea: there is a 50% chance you'll hit a friend instead of an
opponent. Fighting classes may take -4 to hit to avoid hitting a friend.

Aid Another: A character who can make a melee attack on an opponent

engaging an ally in melee combat can help that character attack or
defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent instead of making a
normal attack. Make an attack roll against AC 9 [10]. If successful, the
ally gains either a +2 on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2
bonus (both are Fighter Bonus +1 if the aid comes from a member of a
Fighting Class) to AC against that opponent's next attack (aiding
character's choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of
the aiding character's next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same
ally.

-16- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome

Grapple: A character can make a grapple attack on an adjacent target.
A successful attack roll means they are then grappled with their target.
When grappled, both the attacker and the defender’s AC becomes 10
and neither can make move actions. When grappled, the defender can’t
make normal actions and must make opposed rolls (1d20 + PCB)
against the attacker to attempt to break free. As long as the defender is
grappled the attacker can make automatic unarmed attacks on the
defender..

Special Shield Defense

A character with a shield may choose to have it completely absorb all the
damage from any attack (including a critical hit). A non-magical shield
shatters when it does so. A magical shield permanently loses one point
of is magical AC bonus when it does so, becoming a non-magical shield
if its magical AC bonus is reduced to zero.

Weapon Damage
Characters of any class can use any weapon. However, because of
different levels of training, the amount of damage a character can do with
a given weapon varies the type of weapon and the wielder’s class. The
Weapon Damage Table below is used instead of any other weapon
damage given in the rules.

Weapon Damage Table

Class Type Light Wpn Medium Wpn Heavy Wpn
Fighting Class 1d6 1d8 1d10
Specialist Class 1d4 1d6 1d8
Arcane Class 1d4 1d4* 1d6**

*Arcane classes wielding a Quarterstaff using both hands do 1d6

damage.
**Arcane classes wielding a heavy weapon do so at -1 to hit.

Magic Weapons: A character only benefits from a magical hit or damage

bonus on a weapon if the character’s class is able to use the weapon
under the standard class rules.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -17-

 MONSTERS
Monster Reactions
Some monsters (like skeletons guarding a tomb) may always attack. In
cases where the reaction of the monsters to the party is not obvious, the
GM may opt to make a reaction roll for the monsters by rolling 3d6 (and
adding any other appropriate modifiers to the roll) and consulting this
table.

Adjusted Reaction Roll Result

4 or less Very Unfavorable
5-8 Unfavorable
9-12 Neutral/Uncertain
13-16 Favorable
17 or more Very Favorable

Interpretation of the results is left to the GM, however, these general

principles may prove helpful. Very Unfavorable means the monsters will
most likely attack unless the odds are overwhelmingly against them.
They will not help the characters. Unfavorable means the monsters are
hostile and might attack unless they are given a good reason not to.
They will not help the characters. Neutral means the monsters are
unsure of the party. They are not likely to attack immediately, but are not
friendly or helpful. Favorable means the monsters are willing to listen and
are open to negotiation. They might be willing to be slightly helpful. Very
Favorable means the monsters like the characters and are willing to be
somewhat helpful and are open to working with the party to mutual
advantage.

Note that a form of this rule was in the original 0e, but is not in some 0e
retroclones. It is listed as a house rule here because the author feels that
without it, many situations will automatically default to combat which isn’t
really in a good idea in 0e games.

Mooks (aka “Cannon Fodder”)

Sometimes a GM may want to use a large number of monsters but not
want to carefully track each one. Mooks are “cannon fodder” monsters
that have 1 hit point per hit die, never make a saving throw, and always
run away or surrender if the battle is obviously going against them. Any
hit from a PC or NPC (any being with a class level) will likely kill a mook,
therefore the GM can simply rule any mook hit is out-of-combat, either
-18- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome
dead or unconscious. Mooks cannot be told at a glance from normal
(non-mook) monsters. Mooks make excellent minions for powerful
leaders as they are very effective against the normal people in a
campaign world even if they cannot stand long against PCs and NPCs
with class levels.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -19-

 Donate to the
RetroRoleplaying Cancer Fund
and Get Some PDF Goodies
Many old school gamers know that Randall Stukey, the author of Microlite74
and other old school games is trying to raise funds to pay the bills from his
wife’s oral cancer treatments and that he worked on the original Microlite74 as
way to cope during her recovery from 6 weeks of radiation treatment in
2008. Randall and Donna are some of the 40 to 50 million people in the US
who do not have health insurance nor did they qualify for government aid as
they live in Texas and have no children. Donna (successful so far) cancer
treatments have cost over $110,000. While some of this has been absorbed
by hospital foundations and the like, they still owe a lot of it. You can donate
to the Retroroleplaying Cancer Fund (via PayPal) and help them pay their
bills.

Can You Help Pay the Cancer Bills?

Everyone who donates any amount at all get a password giving them access
to a number of special downloads. Some of the currently available
downloads include:

 Pdf copies of the two issues of The Grimoire Randall published in

the late 1970s (which Randall blogged about here: The Grimoire #1
( http://blog.retroroleplaying.com/2009/05/grimoire-1-spring-1978-d-fanzine.html )
and The Grimoire #2 (http://blog.retroroleplaying.com/2009/05/grimoire-2-
summer-1979-d-fanzine.html )
 Pdf copy of The Second Grimoire of Pharesm the Bright-Eyed, a set
of house rules for a BECMI campaign Randall ran at a game shop in
the mid-1980s.
 A copy of the Player’s Introduction to the Fourth Campaign Arn
(from about 1984)
 Microlite74 3.0 Extended Special Edition -- three PDFs designed to
be printed in booklet format from Adobe Acrobat. Artwork is by
Håkan Ackegård. The text has been reformatted into a single
column in a large enough font to easily read.

To get access to these downloads and access to a private donor forum where
you can get advance information on upcoming Microlite74 releases, help
Randall pay the cancer bills by sending a donation in any amount -- small or
large -- to the RetroRoleplaying Cancer Fund via Paypal at this link:

http://www.retroroleplaying.com/node/153

-20- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome

OPTIONAL RULES
Character Goals and Personality Traits
The alignment system is a simple way to handle character “personalities”
at a very simple level. While alignment is suitable for many types of
campaigns, a more flexible system is needed for others. If this system is
used, the GM will “enforce” it with Experience Point bonuses for using
the character’s goals and traits in play.

Character Goals: In order to individual characters, each player must

select four goals from the list below and arrange them in order of
importance to the character from first to fourth. Goals not on the list may
be selected with prior GM approval. The GM may award bonus XP for
goal achievements during a session. Characters can also earn points by
helping their friends (fellow PCS and associated NPCS) achieve their
goals, so long as their friends goals do not clash with their own goals.
Players may change a goal or change the order of their goals during a
campaign with GM approval.

Suggested Goals: (The player must select a particular aspect to stress

for those marked with an asterisk)

Furtherance of History, linguistics, literature, etc.

Scholarly Studies*
Furtherance of Art* Music, architecture, crafts, etc.
Furtherance of Astrology, engineering, etc.
Science*
Wealth Accumulation of treasure or other
wealth
Earthly Pleasures Wine, women/men, drugs, etc.
Romance True love
Power over Others Political, religious, in criminal
underworld, etc.
Fame Personal renown far and wide
Rank* On social scale or in institution like
religion or military
Preservation of the Prevention of change (in
Status Quo government, religion, social
system, etc.)

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -21-

Preservation of
Nature
Preservation of Order Prevention of breakdown of law
and order
Comradeship Establishment and maintenance of
friendships
Risk Tasking Taking physical. financial, or
spiritual risks
Commercial Business Setting up and running profitable
businesses
Collecting* Jewelry, antiques, weapons. Etc.
(for pleasure of ownership, not for
actual use)
Religious Service Serving religions and Gods
Battle Glory Winning renown in battle
Image Cultivation Adopting a distinctive appearance
and style to impress others
Freedom Preservation of individual
freedoms
Chivalry Mercy, fairness, compassion
Honor Duty to liege, family, friends, or
own dignity
Mystic Power Finding spells, magic items, etc.
for own use
Patriotism Acting in country’s best interest
Discovery Bringing new knowledge to own
civilization
Experience Wonders Travelling through strange lands,
other planes, etc.
Intrigue Political/Social secret scheming
and plotting
Materialism Spending money on displays of
wealth: manors, castles, useless
expensive items, etc.
Welfare of Others
Responsibility Desire to carry out duties, take
care of charges, etc.
Expansion of Into new lands, etc.
Civilization
Wanton Destruction Desire to destroy things for the
pleasure of destroying
Cruelty Desire to cause pain in others
Persecution of Evil “Evil” as defined by your culture or
religion

-22- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome

Competition Desire to compete for
competition’s sake
Personal Feats The “do it because it’s there” spirit
Creation* Make magic items, works of art,
etc.
Self-Discipline Controlling one’s behavior and
emotions
Trickery* Thwarting authority, playing
practical jokes, etc.

Character Personality Traits: In order to further individualize

characters, players must select three of the following Personality Traits
for their character. Personality Traits other than those listed may be used
with prior GM approval. Players should be careful not to select traits that
they are not interested in playing or that strongly conflict with their goals
or religion (unless that is what the player wants). Players should also try
to avoid selecting conflicting Personal Traits for their characters. If such
traits are selected (for example, the first two on the list below), the
negative trait (passion for drink, in this case) is applied to the character
while the positive trait is directed toward the behavior of others – which
tends to make the character a hypocrite.

Suggested Personality Traits:

True passion for alcoholic beverages
Disapproves of drunken ways
True passion for gambling
Disapproves of gambling
Enjoy a good public brawl and will start one given a good reason
Disapproves of public brawling
True passion for members of the opposite sex
Disapproves of lewd and/or flirtatious behavior
Braggart who exaggerates his/her deeds
Modest about own deeds and disapproves of bragging
Gourmet who will not tolerate poor cuisine
Glutton who will eat just about anything and think it great
Rather crude and rough manners
Excellent manners, cannot tolerate bad manners
Will lie when it suits his/her needs
Truthful character who does not tolerate falsehood
Grasping and greedy
Miserly and begrudges spending money
Spendthrift whose money never lasts long
Tends to forgive (or forget) personal insults and injuries
Tends not to forgive or forget personal insults and injuries, and always
tries to get even – sometime
Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -23-
Social snob who demands due respect from his/her social inferiors
Social egalitarian that places little worth in social class differences when
a person has shown his/her worth
Character will not kill except in self-defense (and only after all else has
been tried and has failed)
Sexist who belittles the abilities of the opposite sex.
Mild prejudice against a specific race or class (belittles their abilities)
Overconfident of own abilities
Little confidence in own abilities
Mild phobia
Always optimistic
Always pessimistic

Strike Speed Initiative and Order of Battle

Initiative: Roll 1d20 for initiative for each side. The side with the higher
roll gets a +5 to strike speed for the round. Spell casters casting a spell
must declare the spell being cast and its target before initiative is rolled.

Strike Speed: Characters and monsters act in order of their strike speed
from high to low. Base Strike Speed is determined by their action type in
the table below. Characters/Monster add +5 to the Base Strike Speed if
their side has initiative. Fighting Classes add their Fighter Bonus.
Monsters add one-half their hit dice, rounded down if the GM classes
them as fighters. (Ties in Strike Speed are resolved by Character
Level/Monster Hit Dice, with the higher acting first.) The Strike modifier
from a character’s combat stance is added if the GM use this option.

SS Weapon/Attack Action
1 Read Scroll
2 Cast Spell
3 Short Length Weapon
4 Medium Length Weapon
5 Long Weapon
6 Very Long Weapon
7 Pole Arms
8 Missile Fire/Arcane Blast
9 Breath Weapon
10 Glance

-24- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome

Armor for Everyone
All character classes can wear armor; however, wearing armor has
negative effects on the abilities of some classes.

Base Armor Class: Each class has a base armor class that is in effect
anytime the character is conscious and not tied up to the point they can't
move at all. This base armor class takes into account the character's
combat training which allows him to dodge and parry blows.

Fighter -- Base AC of 5 [14]

Paladin/Ranger -- Base AC of 6 [13]
Cleric/Druid/Bard -- Base AC of 7 [12]
Thief/Assassin -- Base AC of 8 [11]
Magic-User/Illusionist -- Base AC of 9 [10]

Any character that is unconscious or heavily restrained has a Base AC of

9 [10]. Other classes should be slotted in on the level of the character
that makes the most sense. ONLY the fighting man should get a Base
AC of 5 [14], however. Other fighter classes/subclasses should come in
on the Paladin/Ranger line at best. The Monk is a special case. while
Monks can’t use armor as their training replaces it, the AC by levels
given in the monk class chart simply need to be replaced, starting with
AC 6 [13] instead of AC 9 [10].

Armor: Armor adds to the character's Base AC when worn. Armor may
have side effects for some classes.

Light Armor: +1 to AC. Magic-Users and Illusionists cannot cast their

highest level of spells known while wearing Light Armor.

Medium Armor: +2 to AC. Magic-Users and Illusionists cannot cast their

two highest levels of spells known while wearing Medium Armor. Thief
abilities are halved while wearing Medium Armor.

Heavy Armor: +3 to AC. Magic-Users and Illusionists cannot cast their

three highest levels of spells known while wearing Heavy Armor. Thief
abilities are unusable while wearing Heavy Armor.

Shield: +1 to AC, only when character is conscious and mobile. Magic-

Users and Illusionists cannot cast their highest level of spells known
using a shield -- if they are using a shield and armor the shield adds 1 to
the levels of spells they cannot use.

Examples: An unarmored average DEX fighting man is AC 5 [14]. The

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -25-

same fighting man in plate armor and using a shield would be AC 1 [18].

An unarmored average DEX 10th level wizard would be AC 9 [10] and

could cast spells normally. If that tenth level wizard wears chainmail, she
would be AC 7 [12] but would not be able to cast any of her 4th or 5th
level spells. A 1st through 4th level magic user wearing chainmail would
not be able to cast any spells at all.

Deities and Divine Intervention

Characters will find it helpful to follow one of the gods. Although Clerics,
Druids, and Paladins have special access to the deities, other classes
may receive advice and assistance at times as well. A character may
select any deity (or pantheon in some campaigns) to follow from the
campaign allowed by the GM.

Divine Intervention: Deities will occasionally assist their followers when

petitioned for aid. There is a chance of angering the deity and a strong
possibility that the deity will not deign to take an interest in mortal affairs
at that time. The petitioner may thus receive aid, suffer harm, or get no
response at all. Petitioning for divine intervention more often than once a
week results in automatic retribution.

Petitioning for divine intervention can be done at any time provided the
character is capable of thought. A d100 roll on the appropriate table
using the column for the characters level below will determine the result.
Clerics, Druids, and Paladins add 5 to their level before consulting the
chart.

Greater Deity
Result 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Retribution 01-80 01-70 01-60 01-50 01-40
No Effect 81-95 71-90 61-85 51-80 41-70
Intervention 96-00 91-00 86-00 81-00 71-00

Major Deity
Result 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Retribution 01-70 01-60 01-40 01-30 01-20
No Effect 81-90 61-80 41-70 31-60 21-50
Intervention 91-00 81-00 71-00 61-00 51-00

Minor Deity
Result 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Retribution 01-60 01-40 01-30 01-20 01-15
No Effect 61-85 41-75 31-65 11-55 16-45
Intervention 86-00 76-00 66-00 56-00 46-00
-26- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome
Demi-God
Result 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Retribution 01-50 01-30 01-20 01-10 01-05
No Effect 51-80 31-65 11-55 11-45 06-35
Intervention 81-00 66-00 56-00 46-00 36-00

Characters may make an offering to their deity before rolling for divine
intervention. All offerings musty be in the possession of the petitioner at
the time of the request (deities do not accept IOUs). This table lists the
die roll modifier for various types of offerings:

Offering Die Roll Modifier

Treasure (1000gp) +1
Each Potion +2
Magic Weapon/Armor +Bonus
Magic Scroll (per spell) +2
Magic Ring, wand, or rod +5
Magic Staff +10
Miscellaneous Magic item +10
Minor Artifact +15
Minor Artifact +25
Accept Minor Quest +10
Accept Major Quest +20
Intelligent Being Sacrificed +Level or HD

Only evil deities accept the sacrifice of intelligent beings. A minor quest
will take 4 to 8 months. A major quest will take 1 to 3 years. The quest
will be imposed by the deity (and need not involve actual questing).

There is an additional modifier of -15 if the character does not regularly

donate at least 10% of income to the deity’s temple. Characters who
ignore their deity except when in need of help suffer a die roll modifier of
-10 to -30 as determined by the GM.

If the result is intervention, the deity will do the minimum needed to

answer the request. For Demi-Gods, the maximum would be about the
ability of a limited wish spell. For Minor Deities, the maximum would be
about the power of a single wish spell. For Major Deities, the maximum
would be about the about ability of several wish spells. There is no
effective limit for what Greater Deities can do.

If the result is retribution, the petitioner takes his level in D6 of HP

damage plus Body Point damage equal to the character’s level.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -27-

Conversion (Optional): Characters may not willingly change their
allegiance to another deity/pantheon except at a full temple of the new
deity and then only with a favorable reaction roll from the new deity’s
priests (large donations to the temple will give favorable modifications to
the roll). Lay people accepted by a new god must spend 1d4 weeks (at
their own expense) at the temple learning the basic rituals and dogma of
their new faith before they can receive any benefits from that faith.
Clerics and Druids must spend 1d6 months (plus their level in weeks) in
such study before they can cast divine spells above 2nd level again.
Druids can only convert to another nature deity.

Spell Level Availability (Optional): A character’s deity may limit the

level of Divine Spells the character may cast. If the character’s deity is a
Demi-God, the maximum level of Divine Spells the character has access
to is 5th level. If the character’s deity is a Minor Deity, the maximum level
of Divine Spells the character has access to is 6th level. If the character’s
deity is a Major or Greater Deity, the maximum level of Divine Spells the
character has access to is 7th level.

Special Spells by Deity (Optional): Deities may not offer all of the
standard Divine Spells (Cleric) to their clerics. They may simply not
provide some of the standard spells, substitute special spells for some of
the standard spells, or even add additional spells to the standard spells.

Mnemonic Mage Class

The Mnemonic Mage is a variant magic-user class based on the mages
in Jack Vance’s early Dying Earth stories. While 0e magic-users were
very loosely based on the same thing, the Mnemonic Mage class tries to
be a bit closer to the original source material while still using the
standard magic-user spell lists.

The Mnemonic Mage is a mysterious figure, a student of ancient arcane

powers lost to the modern world.Like the standard magic-user, a
Mnemonic Mage is usually cloaked in robes woven with mystical
symbols and can be devastating opponents. Also like the standard
magic-user, they are usually physically weaker than other adventuring
classes, and are untrained in the use of armour and weapons. Unlike a
magic-user, a Mnemonic Mage casts spells by forciably impressing
ancient incantations into their mind which must retain them by sheer
mental force. They cast magic by releasing the spell from their mind. The
spell fades from their mind and takes effect in the world. While a normal
person would go mad from trying to retain even one or two weak
mnemonic spells in their mind, a high level Mnemonic Mage can hold 6
or more powerful spells in their mind at one time. Compared to a
-28- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome
standard magic-user, a Mnemonic Mage has fewer spells available to
cast, but they tend to be more powerful.

Prime Attribute: Intelligence, 13+ (+5% experience bonus)

Hit Dice: 1d4 (Gains 1 hp/level after 11th level.)
Armor/Shield Permitted: None
Weapons Permitted: Dagger, staff, and darts (or by class)
Race: Only elves, half-evles, and humans may become Mnemonic
Mages.

Mnemonic Mage Class Abilities

Spell Memorization: A Mnemonic Mage has a number of memory slots

to hold spells equal to his level plus one. A first level Mnemonic Mage
therefore has 2 memory slots while a tenth level Mnemonic Mage would
have 11 memory spells. A Mnemonic Mage memorizes spells by reading
them in his spell book and forcing them into his mind. The amount of
time and effort this takes depends on the class of the spell. Each class of
spell requires a different number of memory slots to hold the spell and
takes a specific amount of time and energy (HP cost) to memorize.

Memory Time to HP Cost to

Spell Class Slots Memorize* Memorize
Cantrip** 0 5 minutes 1 HP
Minor 1 10 minutes 2 HP
Lesser 2 20 minutes 4 HP
Greater 3 30 minutes 8 HP
Extraordinary 6 60 minutes 14 HP
Most Extraordinary 12 120 minutes 20 HP

* A Mnemonic Mage must spent at least one hour of time studying his
spell books to memorize any spells. Therefore, while it only takes 10
minutes to force a single minor spell into memory, if that is the only spell
the Mnemonic Mage wishes to memorize, it still takes him one hour to do
so.

** The Cantrip spell is special. While it takes no memory slots, a

Mnemonic Mage can only hold a number of Cantrip spells in memory
equal to his Intelligence. The Cantrip spell is known by all Mnemonic
Mages and casting the Cantrip spell has the effect of either one use of
the Minor Magic or Arcane Blast magic-user special ability. A handmade
wand is not required.

Spell Lists: The Minor spell class includes spells from the first and
second level magic-user spell list. The Lesser spell class includes spells

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -29-

from the third and fourth level magic-user spell list. The Greater spell
class includes spells from the fifth and sixth level magic-user spell list.
The Extraordinary spell class includes spells from the seventh and eighth
level magic-user spell list. The Most Extraordinary spell class includes
spells from the ninth level magic-user spell list.

Spell Books: A Mnemonic Mage can only memorize spells he has

personally studied and copied into his spell books. If he is copying the
spell from the books of another Mnemonic Mage, it only takes one week
to study and copy the spell. If he is trying to add a spell from a standard
magic-user’s books or scrolls, he must study the spell and try to convert
it to mnemonic form before he can copy it into his spell book. This
conversion process takes the Time to Memorize (in days instead of
minutes) and requires a successful INT-based primary skill roll against a
DF equal to 10 plus twice the spell level of the magic-user spell being
converted. If successful, the new mnemonic form of the spell can be
studied and copied into the Mnemonic Mage’s spell book in the usual
manner. If unsuccessful, the Mnemonic Mage can try again once he has
gained at least one level.

First level Mnemonic Mages start with a spell book holding the Cantrip
spell and 3 minor spells, 2 lesser spells, and 1 greater spell. The player
may select two of the minor spells from those the GM allows were
available to the mage during his apprenticeship, the others are selected
by the GM by whatever method he wishes.

10% of the arcane scrolls and spell books found as random treasure
should contain spells in mnemonic form. These items are useless to a
standard magic-user.

Spell Casting:To cast a memorized spell, all the Mnemonic Mage needs
to do is to recite it. This releases the spell from his memory and causes it
to take effect. Once cast, the spell is no longer in memory. A Mnemonic
Mage cannot cast spells through ritual magic although he may perform
special rituals (that do not duplicate spells) through ritual magic.

Memory and Lore: Due to the training required to hold spells in memory
a Mnemonic Mage can set easily memorize long passages of speech or
written text. As they must study ancient history and civilizations, they are
storehouses of historical information, and can often identify legendary
and magic items that appear in old tales.

Saving Throw Bonus: If using the single saving throw system from
S&W, Mnemonic Mages gain a bonus of +2 on all saving throw rolls
against spells, including spells from magic wands and staffs.

-30- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome

Mage’s Tower (11th): While a Mnemonic Mage often builds a
stronghold for himself or herself to house their libraries and laboratories
very early in their career, at 11th level, a Mnemonic Mage gains the title
of “Mage”. At this point, assuming they have a stronghold, they will
begin to attract a mixed bag of mercenaries, strange servants (some with
odd abilities and deformities), and even a few monsters, perhaps. This
motley crew will swear fealty to them and serve them with whatever
loyalty the Mage can inspire.

Table: Mnemonic Mage Advancement

Experience
Points S&W
Required Hit Dice Saving Memory
Level for Level (d4) Throw* Slots
1 0 1 15 2
2 2,500 2 14 3
3 5,000 3 13 4
4 10,000 4 12 5
5 20,000 5 11 6
6 35,000 6 10 7
7 50,000 7 9 8
8 75,000 8 8 9
9 100,000 9 7 10
10 200,000 10 6 11
11 300,000 11 5 12
12 400,000 11+1 hp 5 13
13 500,000 11+2 hp 5 14
14 600,000 11+3 hp 5 15
15 700,000 11+4 hp 5 16
16 800,000 11+5 hp 5 17
17 900,000 11+6 hp 5 18
18 1,000,000 11+7 hp 5 19
19 1,100,000 11+8 hp 5 20
20 1,200,000 11+9 hp 5 21
+100,000 +1
21+ per level hp/level 5 +1/level

* Ignore not using the single saving throw system from S&W.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -31-

 OPEN GAME LICENSE
VERSION 1.0A
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000
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-32- Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome
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15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors
Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan,
Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on
original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Microlite20 © 2006, Robin V. Stacey (robin@greywulf.net)
M20 Hard Core Rules © 2008, Alex Shroder
Microlite74 © 2008, Randall S. Stukey
Swords & Wizardry © 2008. Matthew J. Finch
Swords & Wizardry: Whitebox © 2008. Matthew J. Finch Authors Matt Finch and Marv
Breig
Labyrinth Lord © 2007-2009, Daniel Proctor
Dark Dungeons published 2010, no copyright is asserted on the original text found in this
work.
Microlite74 2.0 © 2009, Randall S. Stukey
Microlite75 © 2011, Randall S. Stukey
Microlite74 3.0 Extended © 2011, Randall S. Stukey
Microlite74 3.0 Companion I © 2011, Randall S. Stukey
Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery © 2012, Randall S. Stukey
Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome © 2013, Randall S. Stukey
[End of License]

This product is 100% Open Game Content except for Product

Identity, as per the Open Game License above. Product Identity
includes Randall S. Stukey, Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome, and all
illustrations and art.

Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome -33-

 Tarnhelm’s
Terrible Tome
Tarnhelm’s Terrible Tome is a set of house
rules for the original 1974 (0e) version of
the world’s most popular tabletop fantasy
roleplaying game (and modern clones, like
Swords & Wizardry). These house rules are
modern renditions of the house rules the
author used with his original edition games
in the 1970s.

Some of house rules included:

 A simple “skills” system based

on class and background instead of lists of
skills
 A Hit Point/Body Point system
where Hit Points represent fatigue and
Body Points represent actual wounds.
 Ritual Magic
 An alternate alignment system
 Critical Hits and Critical misses
 A class based weapon damage
system that ends class weapon restrictions.
 An optional Armor system that
ends class restrictions on wearing armor
 An optional class: the Mnemonic
Mage
 Optional Divine Intervention
rules

This digest-sized edition of Tarnhelm’s

Terrible Tome is designed to be printed
double-sided using the booklet-printing
feature of Adobe Acrobat, the pages can be
folded and stapled to create a “0e” style
digest-sized booklet.

Published by

RetroRoleplaying.com
http://www.retroroleplaying.com/