Averlorn House Rules for LL AEC (ONLINE GAME)

ABILITIES: 4d6 drop the lowest, assigning them in order (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA). Abilities for Prime Reqs may be adjusted as per p. 7 LL Choosing a Class. This is a relatively simple approach that produces relatively heroic OD&D characters, yet makes Rangers, Paladins and others quite rare and "fun to shoot for" when rolling up a new dude.

HIT DIE: Use the advanced ones in AEC (will be phased out in future campaigns)

HP AT FIRST LEVEL: Rerolls 1s & 2s for a primary character at first level. After that, well, it will all balance out as you go along.

SECONDARY SKILLS: Pick 1 or roll 2.

SIMPLE ALIGNMENT: You can have Good or Neutral tendencies, but keeping it simple is cool.

RACE AS CLASS: Dwarf, Elf, or Halfling can use either option. NPCs, hirelings, etc. are always racial class for simplicity.

DEATH AT 0 FOR EVERYONE BUT...: PCs, NPCs, Boss Monsters, Big Scaries, etc. (let's call 'em Star Players) get a chance to hang in there via the Death & Dismemberment roll HERE

SHIELDS SHALL BE SPLINTERED: Can be used by Star Players, basically you can allow your shield to soak an attack that would otherwise hit and damage you. Your shield is shattered of course. Very realistic and fluffy. Magic Shields (which are quite rare) can do this as well and even though it no longer will function, it retains its magical nature and could be repaired. This may require a master smith and considerable outlay of coin.

NO SHIELDS FOR ARCANE CASTERS: Arcane spell casters need to travel light, hands at the ready to cast, etc. In truth this is simply to limit their access to the previous house rule.

VARIABLE COMBAT DAMAGE: As per the B/X Companion, p 24, basically, use the weapon you find to be most fluffy, damage is determined by class and weapon size.

WEAPON SPECIALIZATION: The Fighter Column gains weapon spec at 2nd level, then again at 7th level but may not double specialize. One of the weapons chosen MUST be a cultural weapon detailed in the Player's Guide (or ask your DM). Bonus for all weapon spec is +1/+1.

SET SPEAR & LANCE ABILITY: As per RC all the Fighting Column may do this though no halfling may use the lance attack.

FIGHTER COMBAT OPTIONS: As per RC, kicks in at relatively high level, 12th for most of the Fighting Column, 11th for Elf and Halfling class.

THE FIGHTING COLUMN MAY CLEAVE: Swinging again is fun and heroic in HtH, though only once per round and you must be in range. Mooks are 1hd or less, at 7^th level, 1+ hd creatures get added to the list. At name level, you may cleave a number of time per round equal to 1+ your DEX bonus.

20 IS A CRIT FOR STAR PLAYERS: Double damage by rolling the damage dice a 2nd time BEFORE adding any bonuses. Alternatively, PCs (and PCs only) may choose to make an extra attack on anyone within reach. Against the Undead, the 2nd option is your only option.

DWARF, ELF & HALFLING CLASS: switch over to the RC level system (and benefits therein) once they achieve a level beyond their LL progression.

HIGHER LEVELS FOR DEMIHUMANS: May advance beyond LL AEC limits at a 50% penalty to bonus points, applied BEFORE any bonus from Prime Req.

RITUAL SPELLCASTING: From Beyond The Black Gate 2010 Compendium, available to both divine and arcane casters.

TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING: Roll your damage type (the highest of the two weapons usually) and take the higher roll. Secondary weapon must be small (ie dagger or the like), also adds +1 to Parry.

DWARVES & BATTLEAXES: Like peanut butter and jelly, dwarves may use them and in the hands of a dwarf, it functions as a Bastard Sword.