Grittier

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ALTERNATE RULES
AND OPTIONS

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Grittier
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.............................3
Leveling...................................4
Classes....................................5
Masterwork Items.....................8
Magic Items.............................10
Spells......................................11
Ritual......................................11
Combat...................................13

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CREDITS

Design: J.M.Beraldo
Layout: K4
Cover Lineart: Draco

Compatibility with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game requires the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game from Paizo
Publishing, LLC. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG for more information on the Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game. Paizo Publishing, LLC does not guarantee compatibility, and does not endorse this product.

Pathfinder is a registered trademark of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and
the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility Logo are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and are used
under the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility License. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/com-
patibility for more information on the compatibility license.

Open Content: The following elements in this book is hereby designated as open game content, in ac-
cordance with the open game licence: Rules described under Masterwork Items, Magic items, Rituals and
Combat.
Product Identity: the following elements in this book are hereby identified as “product identity”: Eri-
danus Books identifying marks and product titles, rules texts and artwork.

The reproduction or retransmission of this book, except for his open gaming content, without written permission of the
copyright holder is expressly forbidden, except for the purpose of reviews.
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INTRODUCTION
Grittier is an alternate rules set for The Path-
finder Roleplaying Game aimed at a darker,
low-magic style of game. It is by no means
a stand-alone book, as it depends complete-
ly on the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core
Rulebook.
What is it about?
There is a reason why low-level gameplay can
be so satisfying. There is an intrinsic need for
players to figure out ways to deal with chal-
lenges that are no simply cast a spell or use
an item. Crossing a chasm could be an en-
counter when you have no access to fly spells
or magic carpets. Defeating a golem could be
an adventure in itself, as the party searches
for a weak spot and then plan an ambush.
Many people complain of how most fantasy
RPGs are too magical in nature. The infamous
Christmas tree effect, added to the high de-
pendence on spellcaster classes and the fact
that spellcaster classes tend to become very
powerful as levels go up are among the main
reasons why players and game masters alike
complain of these games.
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Grittier is about thinking before acting. It’s
about learning to be resourceful and working
as a team. It takes away the non-sense hack
‘n slash and replaces it with strategy and im-
provisation. It’s also about danger: players
will soon learn that a Grittier world means
there is always the risk of loss. And that only
helps fuel up the adrenaline as the ten-foot
tall giant strides into the village demanding
all the livestock.
The mood
Magic exists, but it is a wonder that most
people do not understand. Inquisitions, witch
burnings and charlatans may be common, but
so is the fear of the powerful wizard who hides
away in his secluded tower. Guardians pro-
tect ancient crypts, and reaching the fabled
gold of the lost king is not a matter of sim-
ply killing everything on its path: it includes
learning the location of the tomb, figuring a
way to enter it and, then, a plan to deal with
its guardians. Even the murder of a powerful
warlord may resort to throughout planning,
as an ambush on the forest helps take out his
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escort without risk of unnecessary damage to

the party. After all, magical cure is not exactly
accessible.

A MATTER OF CONTEXT

Sometimes there is little need for mechanical changes. Fluff may be all that is needed
to make a high-magic element look more acceptable in a low-magic, gritty environment.
This rules set takes this approach before any other approach. Can a ranger’s spells be
considered as exceptional abilities instead of magic? Could a healing potion be replaced
by an herbal medicine? Could I use the stats of a wyvern as that of a dragon? If instead
of potions an alchemist made clockworks, would he be a tinker?
Context may be enough to fit various cases. And, when it is not enough, simple changes,
like replacing one skill for another, may be all that is necessary to give something magical
a more fitting look.
We suggest you try it with any element not treated in this book before modifying any
given rules that might cause game imbalance.

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LEVELING
There are two main elements important to a
Grittier game. First is the use of the slow XP
progression. Let’s face it: what matters in an
RPG is the stories the players and master craft
together. It’s the experience of playing. It’s
not about leveling up and gaining new pow-
ers (even if that is part of the fun). If play-
ers progress too quickly, they never get the
chance to get used to what resources they
have available in each level. Also, as they
earn new resources, the feeling of improve-
ment is greater.
The second rule is actually borrowed from
another source. It is E6, written by Ryan
Stoughton and easily found online for free.
Ryan follows a very simple (and effective)
premise: After level 6, game-breaker rules
and powers quickly seep away the low-magic,
gritty feeling. So, Grittier follows Ryan’s guide
and limit character level progression to level
6. A level 6 party is greatly superior to the
common folk, but still just in the tip of the
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After reaching level 6, characters continue
to gain XP. For every 5.000 XP accumulated,
they are able to choose 1 new feat. For Chal-
lenge Rating purposes, add one level per 5
feats awarded in this way. In that case, a level
6 character who has accumulated 5 additional
feats (i.e, awarding 25.000 xp after level 6),
should be considered level 7 for CR calcula-
tion.
The following feats, also created by Ryan
Stoughton, may help add an extra element of
progression after level 6. The game master
should decide which ones to allow.
Ability Training
You spend time honing one of your Abili-
ties: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intel-
ligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Benefit: Choose one Ability; you qualify for
the Ability Advancement feat for that Ability.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple
times, its effects do not stack. Each time you
take this feat it applies to another ability.
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Ability Advancement
Your training pays off, and one of your Abili-
ties increases.
Benefit: Choose one Ability. You gain a per-
manent +2 bonus to that ability.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple
times, its effects do not stack. Each time you
take this feat it applies to another ability.
Expanded Spell Knowledge [General]
Benefit: You learn 1 or more new spells
known, with spell levels totalling to half of
your caster level (round down, and treat a
new 0th-level slot as 1⁄2). Thus, a sixth level
Sorcerer could gain one 3rd level spell known,
one 1st and one 2nd level spell, three 1st level
spells, or 6 0th-level spells. This feat cannot
provide spells known of a level higher than
you can already cast.
Special: You may take this feat multiple
times; each time you take it it provides more
slots.
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Expanded Caster Stamina [General]
Prerequisite: Character Level 6th
Benefit: You gain 1 or more new spell slots,
with spell levels totalling to half of your cast-
er level. Treat 0th level spells as 1⁄2. Thus,
a sixth level Wizard could gain one 3rd level
slot, one 1st and one 2nd level slot, three 1st
level slots, or 6 0th-level slots. This feat can-
not provide spell slots higher than you can
already cast.
Special: You may take this feat multiple
times; each time you take it it provides more
slots
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CLASSES
A Grittier game needs some tweaking on class
availability and how they work. Focus turns
towards both feeling and mechanics that fit
into a darker game where real danger awaits
at every corner.
For this reason, some of the classes players
are used to should either be replaced or modi-
fied to fit into the new mood.
Special attention was given to spellcasting
and abilities that are supernatural in nature.
These, like divine spellcasting and familiars
lend too much to high-magic. The same ap-
plies to powers that easily eliminate potential
challenges, like excessive healing. Ultimatelly,
there is always the matter of feeling: if that
ability or power does not seem right in your
Grittier campaign, do not allow it.
Following we explain how each class chang-
es and why in Grittier. If a variant class is
refered, see “Core Classes” section in Chap-
ter 2 of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ad-
vanced Player’s Guide.
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Alchemist
It is the game masters’ choice if he keeps the
Alchemist or not. It lends greatly in a Dr. Je-
kyll and Mr. Hyde, Victorian style game. An al-
ternate for the Alchemist is the Tinker, which
uses basically the same rules, but trades con-
text. Instead of brewing potions, the tinker
creates clockwork. Replace elixirs and muta-
gen for mechanical devices and give bombs
a more technological outlook, and it is basi-
cally done. Rules wise, there are the following
changes:
• Replace any mention of Craft (alchemy)
for Craft (clockwork)
• Level 1: replace ‘Brew Potion’ for ‘Trap-
finding’
• Level 2: replace ‘Use Poison’ and ‘Poi-
son Resistance’ for ‘Trapsense’
Barbarian
This class fits perfectly with Grittier.
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Bard
The Bard as it is has two problems in a Grit-
tier game: First it lends to the idea that magic
is easy to learn and access. Second it focuses
too much on artistic use for any of its pow-
ers.
But the Bard is a great basis for a Grittier
player character spellcaster that replaces the
context of an artist for this of a researcher
who uses knowledge and oratory instead of
music. This variant dubbed Occultist replac-
es the Bard’s class abilities by the following
ones:
• Level 1: Bardic Knowledge and Bardic
performance.
o Uses Spellcraft for Countersong and
Distraction
o Uses Knowledge for Fascinate and Nat-
uralist
• Level 2: Lore Master 1/day and Magic
Lore
o Magic Lore: character gains a bonus
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items or decipher scrolls and may take
10 on such checks. An archivist can use
Disable Device to disarm magical traps
as per a rogue’s trapfinding ability and
gains a +4 bonus on saves against mag-
ical traps, language-dependent effects,
and symbols, glyphs, and magical writ-
ings of any kind.
• Level 3: Inspire Competence
• Level 5: Arcane Bond to an object
• Level 6: 2 extra 3rd level spells known,
1 extra 3rd level spell slot, Lore Master 2/
day
Cavalier
This class fits perfectly with Grittier and, in
fact, may serve to replace the Paladin.
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Cleric
The cleric has a contextual role and a me-
chanical role. Both may be replaced by other
classes and both have effects that would go
against a Grittier game.
Contextually, the cleric is a religion’s herald
in the game. In that role, it gives credence to
divine power among men, not to mention the
notion of divine knights. In that sense, the
cleric may be replaced by the Inquisitor.
Mechanically, the cleric is the buffer and
healer. It serves both to empower other char-
acters and prevent them form dying. In that
capacity, the Oracle replaces the Cleric.
In either case, the Inquisitor and the Oracle
have a darker, Grittier feel than the Cleric. In
that case, the Cleric should not be a player
character class. It may be used as a NPC class
in an appropriate case, but with care as its
powers greatly tilts balance towards its side.
Druid
This class should not be allowed as a play-
er character class. Druids have both as con-
text and mechanics elements that may inject
too much mysticism into a low-magic game.
Aside from the somewhat large access to cure
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spells, the Druid’s Wild Shape ability deviates
from the Grittier mood.
This class may serve a good purpose as a
NPC class both for allies and enemies of the
party. Like the Witch, the Druid should be a
recluse and mysterious character that the
party seeks or faces as part of a plot.
Fighter
This class fits perfectly with Grittier. A sugges-
tion is to, instead of using the basic Fighter,
allow players to use any of the official Path-
finder Roleplaying Game variants.
Inquisitor
This class fits perfectly with Grittier and, in
fact, may serve to replace both the Cleric and
the Paladin.
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Monk
Allowing or not this class as a player charac-
ter class depends on the game master. Up to
level 6, the Monk’s abilities do not range too
much out of what would be attainable through
training and self-discipline. There is, though,
the case of the Ki pool, which allows a Monk
to emulate a magical attack, which may cause
game imbalance if not properly checked.
Oracle
This class fits perfectly with Grittier and, in
fact, should be used to replace the Cleric both
as buffer and healer. Game masters must be
sure to bring Oracle’s curses into play as plot
device and game mood.
Paladin
Both conceptually and mechanically, the Pala-
din is one of the classes that do not fit in a
Grittier game and should not be allowed as
a player character class. While there is pos-
sible for the existance of a devote champion
of any religion in a Grittier game, it’s divine
response should be greatly toned down. The
paladin brights into play the concept that
nears the avatar: a physical representation
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fact that there are good gods in the world and
they act directly through mortals. Elements
like smite evil, lay of hands and even the Pal-
adin’s save bonus lean too much towards a
high-magic epic game of knights in shinny
armor and gods walking the earth.
Like in the Cleric’s case, it may be used for
a rare NPC with extreme care. A chosen gen-
eral or king might truefully be a god’s chosen,
or just a pawn in some outsider’s plans.
Ranger
The only element to the Ranger that may not
fit a Grittier game is its spellcasting ability.
In that case, the game master has three
options: disallow the class, keep it as it is
(maybe in a context of exceptional abilities
instead of divine magic) or replace it the non-
spellcaster variant Skirmisher as presented
in “Core Classes” section in Chapter 2 of the
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Play-
er’s Guide.
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Rogue
This class fits perfectly with Grittier. A sug-
gestion is to, instead of using the basic Rogue,
allow players to use any of the official Path-
finder Roleplaying Game variants.
Sorcerer
This class should not be allowed as a player
character class due to its overwhelming pow-
ers as it levels up and its concept. It is, though,
a great class for various kinds of NPCs. Fol-
lowing are a few examples:
• (Aberrant) Beast-men who haunts the
forest
• (Abyssal) The result of an evil cult’s
summoning of a demon
• (Arcane)A young child who seems to
be possessed
• (Celestial) A girl worshiped as a living
god
• (Destined) An iconic leader, raised
from anonymity to kingship
• (Draconic) A reborn dragon of old, re-
incarnated
• (Elemental) This world’s dwarves
• (Fey) This world’s elves
• (Infernal) The tainted result of an al-
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chemist’s experiments
• (Undead) A hero brought back to life
by dark rituals
Summoner
Allowing or not this class as a player character
class depends on the game master as it may
not fit all styles of Grittier games. Having a
player character with the ability to create life
and manipulate it at its own desire casts the
party (or at least this particular character) to-
wards a more magically-powered light. Game
masters may use context as a weapon here, if
necessary. For instance, describing the eido-
lon’s summoning as turning a doll or piece of
clay alive, and making the Summoner’s Sum-
mon Monster abilities just a variant of the ei-
dolon, where she creates temporary eidolons
out of the same clay or type of dolls. A sum-
moner who walks around with several puppets
that come to life lend into a Grittier game.
As an NPC, the Summoner fits well as a kind
of Sorcerer or Wizard, either as a villain or
pure flavor.
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Witch
Allowing or not this class as a player charac-
ter class depends on the game master. While
its context may fit many Grittier games, its me-
chanics may take away some of the low-magic
elements. Still, it is a better option than the
Sorcerer or the Wizard and even the Cleric.
As an NPC the Witch fits in the mood of a
Grittier game both as an enemy and an unex-
pected help. Use her as part of a plot. She is the
one who knows a cure for a wasting disease.
She has the secret to bring back from the dead
a hero. She curses the players who thrall her
plans. She is the evil witch who kidnaps children
for her own experiments.
The Witch’s powers should fit into the story,
with the land she dwells in reflecting her per-
sonality.
Wizard
This class should not be allowed as a player
character class due to its overwhelming pow-
ers as it levels up. The Wizard is, though, the
perfect class for specific NPCs, both patrons and
villains. They should be used as the powerful
evil mage or the wise sage.
Learning wizardry is no easy feat in a low-
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For that reason, wizards tend to learn their trade
secretly either in tight groups or travelling the
world for a few years before disappearing for a
lifetime, as they study and research magic. For
that reason, wizards in a Grittier game are often
long-lived, especially through their own magical
rituals that may include undeath.
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MASTERWORK ITEMS

If there are few magical items, there is the
need for some sort of replacement. Instead
of an assortment of magical items, there are
several levels of masterwork, each one allow-
ing the crafter to add one or more properties
to a given item.
Each level of masterwork has a number
of craft points. These points are used by the
crafter to define the item’s properties. Higher
quality means more craft points.
Before the first craft roll, the crafter must
spend the indicated craft points in any of the
following properties. Any left-over points are
lost and no property may be changed after
the item is finished. Each property may be
selected up to three times per item. Cost of
the same property doubles each time it is se-
lected anew (i.e., Accurate costs 1 for +1 bo-
nus, 2 for +2 bonus, 4 for +3 bonus).
Note that poor quality items do not have
craft points. Instead, said item has a set pen-
alty to several of its attributes.
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Disguised (2 Craft Point): Item looks like
another type of similar item. +4 Disguise or
Sleight of Hand to conceal its true nature.
Distance (2 Craft Point): Any ranged
weapon or ammunition that is crafted with
this property increases its range by 25%.
Flexible (1 Craft Point): Replacing rigid
parts for flexible ones, this set of armor re-
duces Armor Check penalty by -1.
Fortified (2 Craft Point): Made to protect
vital organs, this armor suit gives its wielder
a 10% chance that critical hits, sneak attacks
and ambush death are negated.
Guard (2 Craft Point): This weapon is set
with special guards that help its wielder de-
fend himself. It adds +1 to the users AC.
Heavy (2 Craft Point): This weapon or
shield is made of heavy material so that,
when it hits a target, it not only causes lethal
wounds, but also +2 of non-lethal damage.
Light (1 Craft Point): Replacing heavier
materials for lighter ones, this item weight
10% less than usual. 530929

Properties Ornate (1 Craft Point): Made for show, this

Accurate (1 Craft Point): Made to strike
true, this weapon or ammunition has a +1
bonus to hit its targets.
Balanced (1 Craft Point): Striking first may
be the greatest advantage in most combats.
A weapon, shield or armor with this property
adds +1 on the wielder’s initiative rolls.
Deadly (2 Craft Point): This weapon was
made with swift, messy death in mind. This
property increases the weapon critical multi-
plier by 1.
item impresses those who see it. It grants its
user +2 bonus on any Charisma-based skill
checks.
Rugged (1 Craft Point): Crafted to resist
damage, an item with this property has +2
bonus on Hardness and Break DC.
Sharp (1 Craft Point): Made with an ex-
ceptionally sharp blade or head, this slashing
or piercing weapon provides +1 damage on
hits.

Table 1: Masterwork Items Quality

Quality Cost Modifier DC Time Craft Points
Poor x2/3 -3 x1/2 -1 Attk, Dmg, AC, max Dex, hardness;
+25% weight
Mundane - +0 x1 0
Good +50 gp +2 x2 1
Excellent +150 gp +4 x3 2
Exceptional +300 gp +6 x5 4
Superior +600 gp +10 x8 6
Masterpiece +800 gp +15 x12 8
Masterwork +1,000 gp +25 x20 10

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Sturdy (1 Craft Point): Made of hardy ma-
terial, this item has 50% more hit points than
usual.
Thick (2 Craft Point): This set of armor
does not only deflect attack: it also reduces
damage taken. An armor with this property
offers +1 RD/- to its wearer.
Threatening (1 Craft Point): Spikes, de-
mon heads and sigils of devilish gods strike
fear on anyone’s hearts. The item grants +4
on Intimidate checks
Vicious (2 Craft Point): Spikes and special
groves make of this weapon particularly dan-
gerous. Whenever it strikes a critical hit, the
wielder adds +2 to its Critical confirmation
rolls.
Well-crafter (1 Craft Point): A cloak that
hides the wearer, tools that improve crafting
and armor that easily slides out of bonds. This
property offers +2 any one skill.
Wounding (4 Craft Points): Build for last-
ing wounds, when this weapon causes dam-
age, it deals 1 point of bleeding damage per
hit. Bleeding may be cured only by cure spells
or a DC 15 Heal check.
Example items
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Assassin’s Cloak (Good Cloak): This
dark hooded cloak is made of a special soft
material that seems to blend perfectly with
the surrounding. Any one who uses it gains
+2 on Stealth checks.
Jewel Box (Good Case): As much a work
of art as the jewel kept inside it, this jewel
box attracts attention to its equisite hand-
craft. This item provides a +2 Diplomacy bo-
nus if given as a gift.
Brigadine Armor (Excellent Scale Mail):
Hidden beneath layers of padded cloth, this
scale mail goes unnoticed when wore, unless
someone is looking for it, provinding +4 Dis-
guise on checks to hide its nature.
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The Great Cleaver (Masterwork Bastard
Sword): A one-of-a-kind weapon forged for a
long-dead king of the north, the Great Cleaver
was known for how deadly it was. Provides +2
to hit and damage, causes x3 critical damage
and has +2 bonus to confirm critical hits.
Splinterskulls’ Banner (Exceptional
Banner): Infamous for it’s head hunters, the
Splinterskull barbarian chief always leads his
horde with his blood-read banner adorned by
the skulls of his most recent victims. When
present, the banner provides the barbarian
chief with +8 bonus on Intimidate checks. It
is also made of sturdy wood, providing it 50%
extra hp.
Brooch of the Order (Exceptional Jew-
el): Made of platinum and small emeralds,
this brooch makes any user immediatelly rec-
ognized as a member of the Order. Respect is
the other benefit for those who wear it. +4 on
any Charisma-based skills checks while wear-
ing this jewel.
Holdout Crossbow (Superior Hand
Crossbow): Made for assassins who need to
get close to their targets before the kill, this
miniature crossbow is not only easy to hide,
but also deadly. It provides +4 on Sleight of
Hand checks when hidden and also +1 on to 530930
hit and damage rolls.
Arrow of Wounding (Masterwork Ar-
row): If this arrow’s barbed sharp head is
not enough to demonstrate it’s deadliness,
maybe the messages of death and destruc-
tion inscribed on it’s shaft may be. This arrow
causes 1 point of wounding if it hits. Also, it
has +2 on to-hit rolls and causes x4 critical
damage.
Thief’s Chains (Masterpiece Chain
Shirt): A legend among thieves and guards
alike, this set of chain shirt is said to be ex-
tremely light and flexible, making of any bur-
glar invincible. It has no Armor Check penalty
and weights the same of Studded Leather. The
suit also provides its weared with RD 1/-.
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MAGIC ITEMS
There is no store selling magic items in a Grit-
tier game, neither there are tons of them on
any one place. Rings of Protection and Long-
swords +1 do not exist in great numbers. In
fact, most heroes have never touched one.
This may be the easiest rule of all: do not
include them in the game. In fact, better: in-
clude them rarely as plot devices or the pur-
pose of a quest. Obtaining the magic item
should be the adventure and using it must be
a necessity, not yet another bonus point.
As a rule of thumb, any magic item up to
1.000 gp cost should be something obtainable
in the game as a special reward or reason for
an adventure. Items up to 4.000 gp should be-
come available after a longer chain of events,
maybe a whole campaign. Other items should
be treated as artifacts and should exist only
as plot devices or for very specific uses. The
game master should decide which items do or
do not exist in the game.
An interesting way of using a powerful item
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without causing imbalance is giving it some
sort of limitation. There are three simple limi-
tations that could be applied to any such item
at the game master’s discretion. Any one of
them (or all of them) may be applied to any
magic item:
• Duration: The item works with charg-
es or for a given number of hours only. This
limitation may cause players to think be-
fore using (charges) or go in a race against
time to be able to use it before the item
expires.
• Mobility: The item exists, but it is
part of a larger structure or only works in
a specific place. They cannot take it with
them, because it is part of the foundations
of an ancient tower or work only when atop
the wizard’s castle. Reaching it is the ad-
venture, and it also introduces a place the
party may wish to return frequently, and a
place to protect from enemies.
• Ritual: The item works, but only in
very specific conditions. Conditions may
vary from weather patterns (heavy storms)
or specific times of the year (full moon, win-
ter solstice) to sacrifices (death of a virgin,
destruction of valuable gemstones).
10
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530931
Potions and Oils
While magic items must be rare in a Grittier
game, consumable items may be a simple way
of giving a special edge to players without it
lasting forever. Essentially both consumable
liquids, both are basically craftable items that
imbue characters (potions) and equipment
(oils) with some special temporary property.
In a Grittier game, any potion or oil up to
level 1 is safe to exist. While it should be the
most common form of magical item, the game
master must make sure potions are not too
abundant least it breaks both game balance
and mood. Potion level 2 and 3 may exist,
but should be used with caution. For instant,
obtaining a single invisibility potion should be
a reward a successful adventure. In this way,
players learn to use these items when they
are really necessary, valuing every resource
they obtain.
Aside from what already exists in the rules
book, oils may add an item a special ability
that emulates magical items. The purpose 530931
here is not only to give the party an edge,
but, sometimes, allow them to defeat a magi-
cal threat otherwise too difficult to deal with.
In that case, the effect lasts for 1 hour. These
sorts of items must be extremely rare. Better:
they should be crafter either by the player
characters themselves or NPCs who request
ingredients or recipes the party must locate.
Cost of such item (for crafting purposes)
should be the 1/10 cost of special abilities as
described on Chapter 15 of The Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game Rulebook.
The following special abilities fit a Grittier
game. As in other cases, it is up to the game
master deciding which ones should exist in
the game.
Available oil properties
• Armor and Shield
o Arrow Deflection, Blinding, Energy
Resistance, Ghost Touch, Invulnerability,
Reflecting, Shadow, Slick, Spell Resis-
tance
• Weapons
o Bane, Disruption, Flaming, Frost,
Ghost Touch, Holy, Shock, Unholy
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SPELLS
Magic is one of the main elements that make
a fantasy world fantastic. But that does not
mean necessarily that all magic must be avail-
able, much less that it must be at the players’
hands.
Leveling and class limitations already help
reduce the number of over-fantastic spells,
just as the rarity of magical items. But a game
master may be tempted to remove some spe-
cific spells or spell schools and domains alto-
gether.
Some spells are easy to control access to.
For instance, if in your game undead are ei-
ther rare or unknown (or, why not, nonexis-
tent), why should any player begin play with
access to spells like Hide from Undead or Con-
secrate? Make access to such spells a reward
or a quest in itself.
RITUALS
2948420
The spirit of a Grittier game means spells are
not a simple matter of making a gesture and
saying a few words. In the absence of spell-
casters and high-level spells, there are ritu-
als.
Rituals allow the introduction of more fan-
tastic spells into a Grittier game without re-
moving the low-magic feeling. On the con-
trary: it enhances the feeling as characters
search for the right material components and,
why not, sacrifice the living to earn some ad-
vantage. Success, of course, is never guar-
anteed.
Characters must first find the instructions
for a ritual before been able to reproduce it. It
works like a spell, but often so complex that
does not come as scrolls, but at least as part
of a tome.
Any spell defined by the game master may
be turned into a ritual, unless it makes no
sense (for instance, a magic missile ritual).
Rituals take a number of hours of preparation
equal it spell level, minimum 3 hours. Add
any relevant Casting time already described
as part of the spell. Any interruption causes
the ritual to fail. Material necessary for the
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530932
Alignment-related spells may also be lim-
ited or even forbidden. Learning a character’s
alignment may give out the plot too early. And
Protection for Evil may be a very powerful pro-
tection in some low-magic campaigns.
Summoning spells may be the greatest of-
fender of a Grittier mood. Outside an NPC’s
hands, the ability to summon beings from
other planes bound to your service is a ter-
rible mood breaker. We suggest removing this
spells from the game unless used by powerful
NPCs.
In any case, spells that are too powerful but
must be accessible due to plot, like raise dead
or banishment may be introduced in the game
as special elements, as described in Rituals
and Magic Items.
530932
ritual costs spell level times 1,000 gp plus
any special material on the spell description.
At the end of the ritual, the character respon-
sible (who must not be a spellcaster) for the
ritual must make a Spellcraft check DC 25 +
spell level. If successful, the spell works. If
the check fails for more than 5, something
terrible happens at the game master’s discre-
tion. See ‘Combat’ for an example.
Some elements of the ritual may be modi-
fied to allow special bonuses on the Spellcraft
roll, as described in Table 2.
Sacrifice bonus is per life sacrificed during
the casting time. The caster does not need to
kill the victims himself, but each victim must
be within at least 10 feet per caster level of
the place the ritual is under way.
Spell duration may also be modified, in-
creasing time scale. Modifier are accumula-
tive. Thus, for a spell that usually lasts 10
minutes/level to last months, the check mod-
ifier is a total of -22 (minutes to hours, hours
to days, days to months).
11
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 530933
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Table 2: Spellcraft Ritual Modifiers

Element Spellcraft modifier
Rare ingreditent (dragon’s blood, manticore’s +7
spike, devil’s horn, etc)
Blood of the spell target +3
Per animal sacrifice +2
Per human sacrifice +5
Casting time in days instead of hours +3
Duration in minutes instead of rounds -3
Duration in hours instead of minutes -5
Duration in days instead of hours -7
Duration in months instead of days -10
Duration in years instead of months -15
Duration permanent instead of years -20

Example Rituals Greater Restoration (DC 32)

Consecreate (DC 27) Cost: 10.000 gp
Cost: 2.000 gp Casting Time: 7 hours
2948421
Casting Time: 2 hours Failure: Area comes under the effect of a 530933

Failure: The spell works backwards, caus- Holy Word spell, but against all living tar-
ing the effect of a desecrate spell. get, no matter their alignment.
Contact Other Plane (DC 30) Greater Teleport (DC 32)
Cost: 5.000 gp Cost: 7.000 gp
Casting Time: 5 hours Casting Time: 7 hours
Failure: The ritual draws the attention of Failure: Everything inside a sphere of 10
a rather angry Huge Elemental or similar feet of the caster are teleported to the des-
creature. The outsider’s disposition towards tination. Living things and object take 2d10
the caster is up to the game master, but points of damage.
should often be at least unfriendly. Mage’s Faithful Hound (DC 30)
Control Weather (DC 32) Cost: 5.000 gp
Cost: 7.000 gp Casting Time: 5 hours
Casting Time: 7 hours Failure: The spell summons an incorporeal
Failure: Areas comes under the effect of a advanced dog that attacks the caster until
Storm of Vengeance spell. destroyed or the end of the spell duration.
Create Greater Undead (DC 33) Simulacrum (DC 32)
Cost: 8.000 gp Cost: 7.000 gp + 500 gp per target HD
Casting Time: 8 hours Casting Time: 19 hours
Failure: The caster becomes the target of Failure: Instead of a duplicate, the spell
the spell and turns into an undead. creates a malformed creature with the stats
Dream (DC 30) of an Ice Golem. The creature is out of con-
Cost: 5.000 gp trol and attacks any living being it finds un-
Casting Time: 5 hours til destroyed.
Failure: Caster is affected by Nightmare
spell of the same caster level.

12
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COMBAT
A Grittier game demands Grittier combat.
And, while the obvious solution would be to
make death an easier event, maybe reducing
hit points or so, death cannot be so easy that
the game is not fun anymore.
A Grittier game does not need to be lethal.
Death must be present, but as a looming pos-
sibility and not a fact that keeps the players
from having fun. In this way, players learn to
be careful and plan, choosing their battles,
and also are presented with tense moments
and decision-making in regard to their cur-
rent condition.
In that way, Grittier changes little of combat
rules, focusing more on additional rules and
slight modifications to healing and wounding.
Grittier Damage
Many complain of the fact that hit point’s ab-
stract system sounds unrealistic, as a charac-
ter that has lost 50 hp still acts as if he was
completely healthy. A Grittier game cannot
2948422
have such a thing.
Any system that increases the chance of
death as the character takes more damage
is called a Deathward Spiral. This sort of sys-
tem has a good and a bad quality: it makes
combat far more exciting, but it may feel like
punishment for the player.
While several systems have been designed
with an eye towards this sort of feeling, most
are either cumbersome to use or too deadly.
Grittier presents a simple rule that uses what
already exists in the game.
Whenever a character takes lethal damage,
is also takes non-lethal damage. Therefore,
when this character is roughly at 50% of his
total hit points, he gains the condition Stag-
gered per the non-lethal damage rules. In
this case, characters fall unconscious only if
non-lethal damage equals total hit points and
not as it exceeds current hit points.
Optionally, the game master may prefer a
less deadly game. In that case, every 2 points
of lethal damage cause 1 point of non-lethal
damage, rounded up. Characters get the con-
dition Staggered are roughly 25% total hit
points now.
Another option for this rule is to leave con-
version as a player decision. Lethal damage
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530934
does not cause non-lethal damage. Instead, a
player who takes lethal damage may choose
to convert any amount of it into non-lethal
damage. For example, if the character takes
7 points of damage, the player may decide to
take 3 lethal and 4 non-lethal points of dam-
age. This conversion is allowed only at the
moment of the damage roll, before it is ap-
plied to the character’s hit points. This option
increases combat time and adds a new re-
source management element into the game.
In order not to slow down game, the game
master should choose which NPCs may use
this rule.
Ambush
Why can not a party who plans an ambush
get a real advantage for striking his target
with an arrow on the back unless he is a high-
level rogue? Ambush is an additional rule set
for this kind of situation.
Whenever an attack is dealt against a flat-
footed target and done from hiding, it is con- 530934
sidered an ambush. If the attacker scores a
hit, the target must roll a Fortitude check DC
10 + damage taken. If it fails, the target is
reduced to -1 hit point and is dying. If it is
a success, the target takes damage normal-
ly and is stunned for 1d4 rounds. The game
master may decide that unimportant NPCs
die instantly if the check fails. In case of an
attack with non-lethal damage, if the check
fails, the character drops unconscious for 2d6
minutes.
Note that this rule applies only if the target
remains oblivious of the attack until it occurs.
Striking a flat-footed target from the back
with an arrow or dagger counts as an am-
bush, while leaping before the target scream-
ing does not.
Prolongued Combat
In a Grittier game, no character should fight
forever. Just like magic and the few magic
items at their disposal, stamina must be a re-
source that the players must manage.
Note down every round of combat or other
extenuous activity like carrying heavy weight,
digging, climbing, etc as a Fatigue score. If
Fatigue equals the character’s Constitution
13
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score, the character is considered fatigued.
As for the condition rules, a character who
is already fatigued becomes exhausted in-
stead.
If Fatigue reaches twice the character’s
Constituion score, the character is exhaust-
ed. If the character is already exhausted, she
falls unconscious.
One hour rest reduces Fatigue by 4 points,
accumulative. Fatigue may never be lower
than 0. Rest conditions may modify this val-
ue. Resting in poor conditions (light sleep,
outdoors and such) reduce only 2 points per
hour. Good rest conditions (good meal, bed,
silence) reduces 6 points per hour of rest.
Game masters should consider the use of
Restoration spells or potions to reduce Fa-
tigue. As a rule of thumb, either case reduces
a number of Fatigue points equal to the spell’s
level times two.
Heal Skill
In the lack of easy access to healing potions
and cure spells, the Heal skill needs great-
ed use. Replace the rules for ‘Treat Deadly
Wounds’ for this:
2948423
With a successful Heal check DC 15, a healer
is able to convert lethal damage into non-le-
thal damage. The number of points converted
equals the margin of success of the Heal roll,
minimum 1 point. So, if a character rolls 20,
5 points of lethal damage become 5 points of
non-lethal damage.
No character may receive this treatment
more than once before an 8 hours rest.
Magic Healing
At the spellcasters discretion, a cure spell
may either remove lethal or non-lethal dam-
age. It is up to the caster to decide how much
of each is cured based on his roll. In that way,
a caster the casts cure light wounds and rolls
8 may decide to cure 5 lethal damage and
3 non-lethal damage of his target instead of
curing 8 lethal. There is no limit to how many
times a character may be cured through spell-
casting.
Bringing a character out of death’s door is
another matter entirely. Near-death experi-
ences are traumatic and, while spells mend
wounds and broken bones, the mind bears
scars for longer. Any character that is brought
back from less than 0 hit points is considered
Stunned for 1 round and, afterwards, Fatigued
until rested.
14
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530935
Damage Reduction
The lack of magical weapons and rarity of
magic itself makes damage reduction a far
greater benefit than usual. For this reason,
in a Grittier game, DR filters lethal damage
only. That means that, while the target is not
wounded, he still takes non-lethal damage. It
means the party may be able to clubber down
the gargoyle just to discover minutes later
than the body has disappeared.
Raise Dead and similar spells
Death is a reality in a Grittier game. Maybe
even more than in other forms of the game.
For this reason there is always the possibility
that players may want to bring back some-
one.
Access to Raise Dead and similar spells
should be the objective of a quest and might
follow the rules described in Magic Items. Lo-
cating the scroll or the altar that allows the
return of the dead should be an event and not
just a quick stop at the local temple.
But finding the spell is just part of the chal-
lenge. After the spirit leaves the body, bring-
ing it back may not be so simple, especially if
it is too long since the character’s death. 530935
For that reason, as the spell is cast, the tar-
get must make a Will check DC 30 + the num-
ber of days he has been dead. If the check is
successful, result is per Raise Dead spell. The
character is considered Exhausted until after
an 8 hours rest.
If the roll fails for less than 5, the character
returns, but his mind is seriously damaged.
She suffers 1 point of Wisdom and Charisma
damage per day since his death, minimum 1.
If the roll fails for 5 or more, the spell has
failed to bring back the character’s spirit and,
instead, bounded the corpse to something
else. The raised creature is a wight who at-
tacks immediately or tries to flee. Capturing
the wight to either destroy it or reverse the
process should be a quest in itself.
In any case, a character, though, is never
the same. She might long for the afterlife she
discovered but can never remember, or her
mind may have been damaged by the experi-
ence of death. Death may chase her and she
hears whispers of the death or sees them ev-
erywhere. Insanity (or at least a great plot
device) may come out of raising a PC back
from the dead.
2948423
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