This is the twenty-seventh Rules Variant, part of an ongoing series about Earthdawn Fourth Edition. Introduction and Index.
Everything contained here is the work of a fan and not associated with FASA Games.
Another topic I've been thinking about for quite a while, though it was rarely pressing compared to other aspects as there's less to dig into and the current system doesn't have anything inherently wrong with it. However, I don't like it.
Armor:
Light: Up to Initiative Penalty 1/Hindrance 2 (no blood magic or crystal)
Medium: Up to Initiative Penalty 2/Hindrance 3 (no blood magic or crystal)
Heavy: Up to Initiative Penalty 3/Hindrance 4 (no blood magic or crystal)
Shield: No crystal
Note: Obsidimen characters treat stone armor as one Initiative Penalty/Hindrance less.
Special options available to everyone:
Booster potion (may be selected multiple times)
Physician’s kit (must have Physician skill)
Small light quartz (can be weapon mounted)
Depending on character background and starting skills, players may attempt to convince their gamemaster to use a special choice for an option which isn’t listed. This “off-list” choice shouldn’t exceed 30 silver pieces in value.
Yes, this is less than the value of many special options. However, that’s literally the price you pay for it and to discourage taking advantage of special options.
Adventurer's kit
Artisan tools for their starting artisan skill
Dagger
Traveler's garb ×2
Trail rations, 1 week
10 silver pieces
Air Sailor
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two):
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Navigation charts (requires Navigation)
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit
Miscellaneous
Rope, 10 yards
Archer
Weapon (choose one):
Bow or crossbow of choice and 100 ammo
Throwing weapon(s) ×5 (total, may be different types)
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two)
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Healing kit
Navigation charts (requires Navigation)
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit
Beastmaster
Armor:
Light
Special (choose three):
Animal companion (First Circle, requires Animal Bond)
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Healing kit
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Cavalier (Cavalryman)
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed or lance and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and one special choice
Medium
Special (based on armor selection)
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit
Miscellaneous
Feed, 1 week
Mount
Elementalist
Armor:
Light
Special (choose one):
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Elfweave robe
Fire starter
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Healing kit
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Gallant (Swordmaster)
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and an additional special choice
Medium
Special (choose one)
One-size hat
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Gauntlet
Armor (choose one):
Light and three special choices
Medium and two special choice
Heavy and one special choice
Special (based on armor choice):
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Illusionist
Armor:
Light
Special (choose one)
Disguise kit
Elfweave robe
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Nethermancer
Armor:
Light
Special (choose one):
Absorb blow charm (comes equipped to the character)
Elfweave robe
Healing kit
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Scout
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Bow or crossbow with 100 ammo
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two)
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Divining rod (requires Wilderness Survival)
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Healing kit
Thieves’ picks and tools (requires Disarm Trap)
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Miscellaneous
Navigation charts
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Shaman
Armor:
Light
Special (choose one)
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Elfweave robe
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Healing kit
Navigation charts (requires Navigation)
Rope, 10 yards
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Sky Raider
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and an additional special choice
Medium
Special (choose one):
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Healing kit
Fishing kit (requires Wilderness Survival)
Navigation charts (requires Navigation)
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Thief
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Bow or crossbow with 100 ammo
Throwing weapon(s) ×5 (total, may be different types)
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two):
Climbing kit (requires Climbing)
Disguise kit
Rope, 10 yards
Thieves’ picks and tools (requires Disarm Traps or Lock Picking)
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Troubadour
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Throwing weapon(s) ×5 (total, may be different types)
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two):
Disguise kit
One-size hat
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler's garb (additional set, may be selected multiple times)
Miscellaneous
Musical instrument, portable
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit
Warrior
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and two special choices
Medium and one special choice
Heavy
Special (based on armor choice):
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Weaponsmith
Weapon (choose one, crafted by the character):
One-handed and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one, crafted by the character):
Light and two additional special choices
Medium and an additional special choice
Heavy
Special (choose one):
Craftsman's tools (choose one, may be selected multiple times)
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Thieves’ picks and tools (requires Disarm Traps)
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multple times)
Any kit (may be selected multiple times)
Miscellaneous
Craftsman’s tools (choose one)
Forge tools
Wizard
Armor:
Light
Special (choose one):
Elfweave robe
Fire starter
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Bladeweaver
Armor (choose one):
Light and a special choice
Medium
Special (based on armor selection):
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Miscellaneous
Grimoire
Writing kit
Lancer
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed or lance and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and one special choice
Medium
Special (based on armor selection):
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit
Miscellaneous
Feed, 1 week
Mount
Seeker
Armor (choose one):
None and an additional special choice
Light
Special (choose three):
Elfweave robe
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Shadow
Weapon:
Throwing weapon(s) ×5 (total, may different types)
Armor:
Light
Special (choose two):
Disguise kit
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb (may be selected multiple times)
Writing kit
Spirit Rider
Weapon (choose one):
One-handed or lance and shield
Two-handed
Armor (choose one):
Light and a special choice
Medium
Special (based on armor choice):
Rope, 10 yards
Tent
Wealthy traveler’s garb
Writing kit