Section Five: Adventuring Equipment
Money
Most people deal in a world in which there is no need for money. Poor peasants rarely trade in coin. A once monthly fair in the nearest walled settlement may be occasion for the exchange of a few household wares, vegetables, and raw cloth for a few quarter pennies.
City dwellers, artisans, and merchants drive the limited money economy. And the money economy runs on silver.
A few well organized and highly developed cities may issue and accept letters of credit between merchant houses and wealthy nobles.
Unit of Account
The standard unit of measure for value is the silver penny. A silver penny weighs 1/240 of a pound.
All prices listed in this book are quoted in silver pennies.
The size and purity of silver pieces varies with time and region. The exchange values between the silver pieces and coins made from other metals also varies over time and distance.
Gold is rare and is used for large exchanges between wealthy merchants and nobles. Gold is used for transactions such as the sale or purchase of land, monopoly rights, retainers, and dowries. This may take the form of gold coins, but more likely, because of the enormous sums involved, gold bars or letters of credit.
Coins and Denominations
Realms mint their own coins. While each coin of the realm is unique, below are several examples:
| Name of Coin | Value | Weight |
| Quarter penny (copper) | ¼ silver penny | 1/60lb. |
| Half penny (copper) | ½ silver penny | 1/120lb. |
| Silver penny | 1 silver penny | 1/240lb. |
| Twopence (silver) | 2 silver pennies | 1/120lb. |
| Fourpence (silver) | 4 silver pennies | 1/60lb. |
| Half-crown (gold) | 6 silver pennies | 1/480lb. |
| Crown (gold) | 12 silver pennies | 1/240lb. |
| Half-sovereign (gold) | 24 silver pennies | 1/120lb. |
| Sovereign (gold) | 48 silver pennies | 1/60lb. |
Adventuring Gear
| Item | Value |
| Blanket, woolen | 5sp |
| Bucket, wooden | ½sp |
| Candles (one dozen) | 1½sp |
| Chalk (one dozen pieces) | ¼sp |
| Chain, steel (ten feet) | 25sp |
| Artisan’s tools | 3,200sp |
| Crowbar | 11sp |
| Fishhooks (one dozen) | 1sp |
| Fishing net | 7¼sp |
| Flask, steel | 2sp |
| Grappling hook | 14sp |
| Hammer | 8sp |
| Ink (per vial) | 24sp |
| Jar, glass | ½sp |
| Ladder, wooden (six-foot) | 1¾sp |
| Lantern, hooded | 23sp |
| Lock, common | 10sp |
| Lock, quality | 14sp |
| Magnifying glass | 650sp |
| Nails (one pound) | 192sp |
| Needle, steel | ¼sp |
| Oil (per flask) | 1sp |
| Paper (one sheet) | 2sp |
| Pickax | 8sp |
| Pot, iron | 12sp |
| Quill, writing | ½sp |
| Quiver (holds two dozen arrows) | 9½sp |
| Rations, one day | ½sp |
| Rope, hempen (fifty feet) | 9¼sp |
| Shovel | 3sp |
| Tent, canvas with wooden poles, two-man | 20sp |
| Tent, canvas with wooden poles, four-man | 34sp |
| Thief’s tools | 210sp |
| Thread, sewing (fifty yards) | 1¼sp |
| Timber ax | 5sp |
| Timber saw, two-hand | 8sp |
| Torch | ¼sp |
| Trap, small animal | 12sp |
| Trap, large animal | 17sp |
| Twine (fifty feet) | ½sp |
| Vial, glass | ¼sp |
| Waterskin | 2sp |
| Wax, sealing (one pound) | 6½sp |
| Whetstone | ¼sp |
| Whistle | ¾sp |
Trade Goods
| Item | Value |
| Apples (one pound) | 2sp |
| Beer, common (one quart) | ½sp |
| Beer, fine (one gallon) | ¾sp |
| Barley (one pound) | ½sp |
| Canvas (square yard) | 1¾sp |
| Cheese (one pound) | 1¼sp |
| Copper (one pound) | 48sp |
| Firewood (one cord) | 9½sp |
| Gold (one pound) | 2,880sp |
| Iron (one pound) | 2sp |
| Leather skin, common (small) | 3 to 4sp |
| Leather skin, (large) | 10-20sp |
| Linen (square yard) | 2sp |
| Oats (one bushel) | 24sp |
| Oil (one flask) | 1sp |
| Olives (one pound) | 2¼sp |
| Rye (one bushel) | 32sp |
| Salted fish (one pound) | 3½sp |
| Silk (square yard) | 125sp |
| Silver (one pound) | 240p |
| Soap (one pound) | ½sp |
| Steel (one pound) | 15sp |
| Wheat (one bushel) | 30sp |
| Wine, common (one gallon) | 3½sp |
| Wine, fine (one gallon) | 8sp |
| Wool (square yard) | 3sp |
Clothing
| Item | Value |
| Boots, common | 24sp |
| Boots, fine | 120sp |
| Cloak, common | 120sp |
| Cloak, fine | 240sp |
| Fur, common | 50-100sp |
| Fur, fine | 150-300sp |
| Gown, ladies, common | 550sp |
| Gown, ladies, fine | 2400sp |
| Necklace, bronze, solid | 8sp |
| Necklace, silver, solid | 96sp |
| Necklace, gold, solid | 1,152sp |
| Necklace, bronze, w/ pendant | 12sp |
| Necklace, silver, w/ pendant | 144sp |
| Necklace, gold, w/ pendant | 1,728sp |
| Ring, bronze, solid | 6sp |
| Ring, silver, solid | 108sp |
| Ring, gold, solid | 864sp |
| Ring, bronze, signet | 9sp |
| Ring, silver, signet | 162sp |
| Ring, gold, signet | 1,296sp |
| Ring, silver, w/ gemstone | 189sp |
| Ring, gold, w/ gemstone | 1,512sp |
| Robe, linen, common | 40sp |
| Robe, linen, fine | 60sp |
| Robe, silk, common | 140sp |
| Robe, silk, fine | 210sp |
| Robe, wool, common | 50sp |
| Robe, wool, fine | 75sp |
| Trousers, linen, common | 20sp |
| Trousers, linen, fine | 30sp |
| Trousers, leather, common | 56sp |
| Trousers, leather, fine | 84sp |
| Trousers, wool, common | 25sp |
| Trousers, wool, fine | 37sp |
| Tunic, linen, simple | 8sp |
| Tunic, linen, fine | 24sp |
| Tunic, wool, simple | 12sp |
| Tunic, wool, fine | 36sp |
| Shoes, common | 6sp |
| Shoes, fine | 24sp |
Animal Husbandry
Animals are a part of everyday life.
Raising and caring for animals is expensive. For common people off the farm, animals are out of reach.
Animal Costs
The costs shown below are for the money value of buying an animal of the listed type at a town market.
Note that mastiffs and warhorses are the only animals listed that are trained and capable of combat: all other animals will flee or fight wildly (cannot be controlled by people) if threatened.
| Animal | Value |
| Chicken | 1sp |
| Cow | ½sp per pound |
| Donkey | 80sp |
| Horse, draft | 500sp |
| Horse, riding | 750sp |
| Horse, war | 3,000sp |
| Mastiff | 200sp |
| Mule | 190sp |
| Pony | 300sp |
| Ox | ¾sp per pound |
| Pig | ¼sp per pound |
Animal Upkeep
The costs shown below are for the money costs of feed, stabling, and other expenses related to the upkeep and maintenance of animals for 1 week.
| Animal | Value |
| Chicken | 1sp per 10 chickens |
| Cow | 1sp per 3 cows |
| Donkey | 1sp per 8 donkeys |
| Horse, draft | ½sp per horse |
| Horse, riding | ½sp per horse |
| Horse, war | ½sp per horse |
| Mastiff | ¼sp per mastiff |
| Mule | 1sp per 6 mules |
| Pony | ¼sp per pony |
| Ox | 1sp per 2 oxen |
| Pig | ½sp per pig |
Equipment
Below are shown costs for various riding and teaming equipment.
| Item | Value |
| Barding | 5,100sp |
| Bit and bridle | 20sp |
| Carriage | 1,000sp |
| Cart | 150sp |
| Chariot | 2,500sp |
| Saddle, pack | 50sp |
| Saddle, war | 200sp |
| Saddlebags (pair) | 40sp |
| Sled | 200sp |
| Wagon | 350sp |
Melee Weapons
Melee weapons use the Melee Skill to make attacks against enemies in close combat.
These weapons are classed into three categories: light, medium, and heavy.
Light Melee Weapons
Light melee weapons are easily obtainable by common people.
Many of these double as tools used by peasants.
Light melee weapons add 0D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value | |
| Billhook or sickle | 6sp | |
| Club or quarterstaff | 2sp | |
| Dagger or knife | 9¾sp | |
| Hand ax | 16sp | |
| Mattock | 8sp | |
| Peasant’s flail | 5½sp | |
| Short sword | 66sp |
Billhook: These tools are used by common people for agricultural and forestry work. Billhooks are used to slash crops, branches, and light pieces of wood.
Club: Clubs are fashioned from smoothly shaved pieces of wood and measure between 18” and 24.”
Clubs deal Fatigue instead of Wound damage.
Dagger: These weapons are fashioned as triangular wedges of iron or steel with a finished grip and pommel.
These weapons measure between 10” and 12” overall.
Daggers don’t have cutting edges and are designed to puncture armor and flesh. In many places, possession of daggers is illegal.
Daggers may be thrown with the Ranged Skill.
Hand ax: These axes are used to cut firewood, ropes, and other common farm and household tasks. Hand axes have shafts that measure 12” to 18” and ax heads that weigh 1lb. to 2lb.
Hand axes can be thrown with the Ranged Skill.
Knife: Knives are common tools used for all sorts of work. Because of this, knives are rarely a problem for common people to own.
Knives may be thrown with the Ranged Skill.
Mattock: These digging tools have a wooden haft of between 36” and 48” capped with an iron pick. Mattocks are commonly found among farmers and miners.
Peasant’s flail: These two-segmented wooden staffs are held together by rope. These flails are used in agriculture to thresh grain.
Peasant’s flails deal Fatigue instead of Wound damage, ignore up to 1 Parry (to a minimum Parry of 0), and require two hands and a Full Action to attack.
Quarterstaff: These shaved wooden poles measure between 48” and 72”. They are used as walking sticks, canes, and simple defensive weapons.
Quarterstaffs deals Fatigue instead of Wound damage.
Short sword: These one-handed blades are used by common militia. The use of these weapons is tightly regulated among peasants, if not outright forbidden.
Sickle: These tools are used to harvest grain and make for a convenient form of self-defense for the peasantry.
Medium Melee Weapons
Medium melee weapons are reserved for the martial classes of society.
These weapons are restricted by law or tradition to soldiers, nobleman, and knights. Peasants or other people found in possession of these weapons are often imprisoned.
Medium melee weapons add 1D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value |
| Arming Sword | 120sp |
| Battle ax | 90sp |
| Bill, poleax, or spear | 12sp |
| Falchion | 94sp |
| Horseman’s pick | 83sp |
| Lance | 80sp |
| Mace or morning star | 40sp |
| War hammer | 72sp |
Arming Sword: These swords are knightly weapons, and their possession and use is perhaps the most tightly controlled of any other hand weapon. Longswords measure from 3 to 4 feet in overall length and weigh between 2.5 and 4 pounds. These weapons are double-bladed and provide for excellent balance and cutting power. Longswords mark the bearer as a nobleman. The mere sight of one commands respect, among others.
Battle ax: These weapons vaguely resemble the axes used by common people for work tasks. Battle axes are specifically designed for combat and often have an ax head flanked by a pike on the opposite side; many also have pikes crowning the end of the haft for thrusting.
Bill: These polearms have wooden hafts between 4 and 6 feet in length capped by a curved, steel blade. The weapon is designed to slash enemies and rake them off horseback with the hook.
Bills require the use of two hands.
Falchion: These one-handed swords have blades shaped like a meat cleaver that grow wider away from the grip. Falchions are less elegant than the longsword but cut more like an ax or machete and make quick work anything they cut into.
Horseman’s pick: These picks are similar in design and shape to war hammers, though they have a longer haft (between 24” and 36”). Horseman’s picks—as their namesake suggests—are made for use by cavalrymen to pierce armored opponents.
Horseman’s picks ignore up to 1 Armor (to a minimum of 0).
If used unmounted, horseman’s picks add only 0D Weapon Dice (instead of 1D Weapon Dice for medium melee weapons).
Lance: These long poles (7 to 9 feet in overall length) are made for use on horseback. Lances are used as part of charges: the rider bears the lance under the arm and braces for impact while the horse’s speed helps drive the pointed tip into the enemy.
When used on a mount while part of a Charge Maneuver, this weapon adds 3D Weapon Dice (instead of 1D Weapon Dice for medium melee weapons).
If used unmounted, lances require two hands, a Full Action to attack, and add 0D Weapon Dice (instead of 1D Weapon Dice for Medium Melee Weapons).
Mace: These hafted weapons are capped with an iron, steel, or bronze head. The mace head take on a variety of shapes designed with ridges and spikes meant to inflict serious damage on those struck by the weapon.
Morning star: Morning stars are much like maces, though their construction tends to be cheaper. Morning stars have wooden hafts and iron heads capped with spikes.
Poleax: These long-hafted weapons (hafts of between 4 and 6 feet) are capped with iron or steel ax heads. Poleaxes are favored by guardsmen and some well-equipped militia.
Poleaxes must be used in two hands.
Spear: These are perhaps the most common weapon encountered on the battlefield. Spears are highly versatile weapons and are equally suited for use on both foot and horseback and against both opponents on foot and horseback. Spears have long (5 to 7-foot) hafts capped by sharp iron or steel spearheads designed to pierce flesh.
Spears must be used in two hands.
War hammer: Very distantly resembling hammers used by common people, war hammers are hafted weapons designed to pierce armor. One side of the hammer head bears a flat end for bashing while the other side bears a sharp point for piercing plate or mail.
Warhammers ignore up to 1 Armor (to a minimum of 0).
Heavy Melee Weapons
Heavy melee weapons are rarely seen outside of the battlefield.
These weapons are restricted to only members of martial classes and their possession by others is punishable by imprisonment or death.
Heavy melee weapons add 2D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value | |
| Flail | 98sp | |
| Long sword | 288sp | |
| Pike | 24sp |
Flail: These weapons have a design inspired by the peasant’s flail used in agriculture. Battle flails have a short haft (between 12” and 18”) and an iron or steel spiked ball tied to the haft by a chain. The bearer whips the ball overhead and brings it crashing into the enemy. Flails are unwieldy but because of their nature make it possible to circumvent shields by striking the enemy on the side or overhead.
Flails require two hands and a Full Action to attack. An attack with this weapon ignores up to 2 Parry (to a minimum of 0).
Long sword: These two-handed swords are found in the hands of some knights that use them while dismounted. Great swords are much longer (5 to 6 feet in overall length) and heavier (6 to 8 pounds) than longswords. Their size and expense makes them less favorable than longswords, though great swords are more powerful and, as importantly, more intimidating.
Great swords require two hands to attack and if the Melee Skill roll for an attack with this weapon scores two or more results of 6, this weapon deals +1 Wound damage.
Pike: Pikes are extremely long spears (between 10 and 20 feet in overall length) used en masse to drive into enemy formations. A single pike on its own is too unwieldy to be effective, but hundreds or thousands of pikes together make for a devastating attack.
Pikes require two hands and a Full Action to attack.
Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons are used to make attacks against distant (non-adjacent) enemies.
These weapons are classed into three categories: light, medium, and heavy.
Light Ranged Weapons
Light ranged weapons are easily attainable by common people. These weapons are simple enough to be made at home and their possession isn’t restricted.
Light ranged weapons add 0D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value |
| Dart | 1¼sp |
| Sling | 1sp |
Dart: These are simple ranged weapons made much like short arrows designed to be thrown with the hand. Darts are simple enough to be made by common people, often for games and entertainment.
Sling: These weapons are made from rope or leather cord with a fabric or leather pouch in the center. The user places a river stone or lead sling bullet in the open pouch, holds the cords in the hand, whirls the sling overhead, and releases one of the cords to send the projectile flying to its target. Slings are amusements for common people but also defensive tools for herdsman and travelers.
Medium Ranged Weapons
Medium ranged weapons are reserved for members of the martial class and their possession by others is punishable by imprisonment.
Medium ranged weapons add 1D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value |
| Light crossbow | 100sp |
| Javelin | 2½sp |
| Short bow | 80sp |
Javelin: These short, light spears (overall length of 4 to 5 feet) are made for throwing and often break (by design) upon impact to prevent an enemy from throwing an intact javelin back.
Javelins may be used with the Melee Skill but add 0D Weapon Dice instead.
Light crossbow: Crossbows use a locking mechanism to hold back the bowstring until the user is ready to fire. A trigger releases the bowstring, unleashing the weapon’s stored energy, that sends the bolt flying to its target. Light crossbows are found in the hands of well-equipped militia and town guardsman.
This weapon requires a Full Action to reload and when fired ignores 1 Armor (to a minimum of 0).
Light crossbows require two hands to load and fire.
Short bow: When unstrung, a short bow measures between 3 and 4 feet in length. Short bows are commonly used by huntsmen, well-equipped militia, and by wealthy landholders for hunting and target shooting.
Short bows require two hands to use.
Heavy Ranged Weapons
These weapons are rarely seen outside of the battlefield and their possession by common people is punishable by death.
Heavy ranged weapons add 2D Weapon Dice.
| Weapon | Value |
| Heavy crossbow | 200sp |
| Longbow | 160sp |
Heavy crossbow: Heavy crossbows are larger versions of the light crossbow and are employed by mercenaries and professional soldiers. These weapons are harder to load since they require more force to pull back and lock the bowstring.
This weapon requires a Full Action to reload and when fired ignores 1 Armor (to a minimum of 0).
Heavy crossbows require two hands to load and fire.
Longbow: The longbow is the staple ranged weapon on the battlefield. When unstrung, longbows measure between 5 and 6 feet in length. Years of training are required to string and fire the longbow. These weapons are found in the hands of knights, the nobility, and well-equipped mercenaries.
Longbows require two hands to use.
Ammunition
Bows require arrows and crossbows require quarrels.
The costs assume adequate quality ammunition.
Inferior ammunition costs ¾ as much but gives a -1D penalty to Ranged Skill rolls.
Superior ammunition costs 1½ as much but gives a +1D bonus to Ranged Skill rolls.
| Ammunition | Value |
| Arrows (one dozen) | 8sp |
| Quarrels (one dozen) | 6½sp |
Armor
Suits of armor are worn only by members of the martial class and the nobility. Armor is rarely seen off the battlefield.
It is illegal and punishable by imprisonment or death for common people to possess or wear armor. The costs for armor are so prohibitive so as not to make this a common penalty.
Armor is classed into three categories: light, medium, and heavy.
Light Armor
These suits of armor are made from non-metallic substances and are worn by warriors of low rank and standing.
| Armor | Value |
| Leather | 180sp |
| Quilted | 110sp |
Leather: These suits of armor are made from pieces of boiled leather fashioned into hardened, overlapping plates to cover the body. A suit of leather armor typically provides a helmet, cuirass (plate covering the torso), and gauntlets.
Leather armor provides 1 Armor and reduces the wearer’s Movement by 1.
Quilted: These suits of armor are made from thick layers of quilted fabric. A suit of quilted armor typically comes in the form of a “gambeson” or heavy coat that covers the arms and torso and reaches down to the knees. A leather or steel helmet also accompanies such armor.
Quilted armor provides 1 Armor and reduces the wearer’s Movement by 2.
Medium Armor
Medium Armor is worn by both mercenaries and professional soldiers. It is too expensive (and often legally prohibited) for commonfolk.
| Armor | Value |
| 600sp |
Mail: This armor consists of iron or steel rings interwoven to form a tight but flexible pattern. Mail is usually worn in the form of a “hauberk” or mail coat that covers the arms down to the elbow, the torso, and reaches down halfway between the belt and the knee. A mail hauberk will be accompanied by a steel helmet.
Mail provides 2 Armor and reduces the wearer’s Movement by 3.
Heavy Armor
These suits of armor are prohibitively expensive and thus are worn only by elite warriors and the nobility.
This class of armor offers superior protection.
| Armor | Value |
| Plate | 1,950sp |
Plate: These suits of armor are the pinnacle of protective equipment. Plate mail consists of steel plates that cover the entire wearer’s body.
Plate armor provides 3 Armor and reduces the wearer’s Movement by 4.
Additionally, this armor gives the wearer a -1D penalty to all Physique Group Skill rolls.
Shields
Shields are used by warriors on the battlefield and their possession by common people is punishable by imprisonment.
Shields are classed into two categories: light and heavy.
Light Shields
These shields come in a variety of shapes: ovular, rectangular, round, square, and teardrop.
Shields are often painted on their face to show the bearer’s family’s or homeland’s coat of arms.
| Shield | Value |
| Steel shield | 72sp |
| Wooden shield | 32sp |
Steel shield: These shields are made from forged steel and are heavier (4 pounds or so) than wooden shields, but don’t suffer from swelling, rot, or other problems common to wood.
Steel shields provide the bearer with 1 Parry and reduce the bearer’s Movement by 1.
Wooden shield: These are common shields found in the hands of mercenaries and many knights. Wooden shields are light (about 2 pounds) and durable.
Wooden shields provide the bearer with 1 Parry and reduce the bearer’s Movement by 1.
Heavy Shields
These shields are rarely seen off the battlefield and are used by wealthy knights or highly specialized mercenaries, if at all.
| Shield | Value |
| Tower shield | 130sp |
Tower shield: These shields cover a large portion of the user’s body. Because of their size, tower shields must be made of wood. A series of long, shaped wooden planks are bound together by nails and steel bands.
Tower shields provide the bearer with 2 Parry and reduce the bearer’s Movement by 2.