Ratnyvarosh: Rules for NPCs (Part 1): The Commoner Class

THE COMMONER CLASS

Commoners represent the bulk of the world of Ratnyvarosh’s population. Typically commoners are tradesmen who do not qualify for the expert class and have not dedicated their lives to martial pursuits, as the warrior class. They are of base-born stock, with upper class-born using the noble class.

There are no specific requirements to be a commoner. 

Commoners have the following abilities and restriction:

* Limited dual experience use

* Inability to receive ability score bonuses

Commoners can gain proficiency in club, dagger, quarterstaff, scythe, sling, and spear. They begin the game with one weapon proficiency and earn a new one every five levels. They suffer a -6 penalty on “to hit” rolls with weapons they are not trained in. Commoners are proficient in only leather or padded armor. Commoners fight using attack column A and never advance in martial ability.

Table A-1: Commoner Level Advancement

X.P. Level HP.

0 1 1d4

1001 2 1d4+1

2001 3 2d4+1

4001 4 2d4+2

8001 5 3d4+2

16001 6 3d4+3

32001 7 4d4+3

64001 8 4d4+4

128001 9 5d4+4

192001 10 5d4+5

252001 11 5d4+6

+64000 +1 +1

Limited dual experience use

As a commoner gains experience (typically through the daily x.p. means, occasionally through the ill-advised adventure), for every two x.p. they gain, they are able to sink one experience point into a skill without sacrificing the point for leveling. For example, a commoner who has just reached 2^nd level has 500 free x.p. to spend on skills (usually buying back their initial skill in escrow).

Inability to Receive Ability Score Bonuses

Commoners have simply not developed the self-awareness to translate their natural abilities into benefits in combat. Commoners do not receive melee “to hit” or damage bonuses from strength, positive magical attack adjustments from wisdom, initiative, missile “to hit”, or armor class bonuses from dexterity, or hit point bonuses from constitution. Commoners with low scores, however, receive the penalties inherent.