Character Creation

Encumbrance is pretty confusing in this one, but you should be able to look at the number beneath the word itself in the table, and compare it with your Str score.

There are effectively three levels of Lightly Encumbered, three levels of Moderately, etc. The middle one seems to be the more important one.

And to add to confusion the numbers in strength table (table 1.1 - for 8 str the non-ecumb is 35lbs) are not the same as the one in encumbrance table (table 7.24 - for 8 str you seems to become lightly at 45lbs based on middle column)...

What the Encumbrance table is trying to (confusingly) convey is that, with the exception of being Severely encumbered, each of the encumbrance stages (Light, Moderate, Heavy) has 3 sub-stages that affect your speed, based on whether your normal movement value is 12 (elves, humans, half-elves), 9 (dwarves) or 6 (gnomes and halflings).

For example, if you have a STR 16, any load between 110 and 130lbs is moderate encumbrance, imposing a -1 penalty to attacks. However, within that weight range, your Movement is affected in stages. So, in the same example, if you're a STR 16 dwarf (MV 9) carrying 120-129lbs, you're in the middle column of moderate encumbrance and dropping down to the MV9 row at the bottom, you see your new speed is 5.

I hope that makes sense. The sequence is
- Use your Strength score to find which row you're looking at.
- Go along the row to see which spot you're in, based on the weight you're carrying.
- Look up to see which encumbrance category you're standing in (Unencumbered, light, moderate, heavy, severe).
- Remaining in the same column, drop all the way down to the bottom rows and find the one corresponding to your base MV to figure out your adjusted MV.

While we're on encumbrance, you might want to calculate and tell me who's carrying the chest (it is my understanding that Almadel carries the contract). If it's too much for one person, you can split the weight between two carriers, each holding a strap on one of the sides.

It ain't gonna be the gnome. He's slow already, and that weight will bring him to a crawl.

Aldeera can help, but you probably don't want her carrying it alone...

As an addendum to the encumbrance rules, I'm only really interested if you get to the point where it gives you penalties to your rolls etc. Don't really sweat the movement aspect, as we won't be doing combats strictly on a grid. Movement in this game will mostly be used to calculate overland travel times and you can only travel as fast as the slowest member of the group (which I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Umbar the gnome), plus I would expect you to invest in horses at some point, which should get you all on the same high overland travel speed (and help with carrying stuff around).
Well according to his sheet, he's carrying 43.3lbs and with a STR 16, he can go up to 80lbs without suffering any movement penalties to his (admittedly, low) MV. With that STR he can carry up to 180lbs actually.

Same point to the others, except maybe Scarlet. Don't let the encumbrance table scare you, look at the max weight you can carry based on your STR. The average human with a STR 10-11 has a 115lb max, this shouldn't be too big of an issue. Plus, if combat starts and you need the mobility, you can always drop it, fight and pick it up afterwards. Assuming it wasn't stolen in the meantime.... *innocent look*

Wanderone and exiting the game.

Let's see how bad this could be...

Well - interesting group of normal :) not one positive or negative modifier except only 1 language and -1 loyalty on henchmen.

Human Fighter

Sigh - of course 1 HP

@DarK_RaideR - I've completed the mechanics of the character and submitted the sheet. I still need to wrap up a description and background.

Character approved. Once the group's had a chat with Jelenneth in the game, feel free to hop on and talk to them. With Scarlet leaving and their latest combat experience, they might appreciate some added help going forward ;)

Thanks.

lol - not sure how much help 1 hp is going to get me :)