Swords against Wizardry

[Red Baron]

Real men live and die by the sword, axe, and dagger.


The only two classes:

Barbarian
Predator: Barbarians see clearly in complete darkness for to 30’, and can track most creatures.
Swashbuckler: Against foes of one hit die or fewer, barbarians get one attack per level each round.
Swords against death: Barbarians get +1 on saving throws against death.

Level Title	Experience	HD	BHB	SV
Savage	0	1+1	+1	16
Warrior	2000	2	+2	15
Swordsman	4000	3	+3	14

Thief
Cutthroat: Thieves can backstab for surprise, +4 to hit, and double damage.
Swashbuckler: Against foes of one hit dice or fewer, thieves get one attack per level each round.
Swords against death: Thieves get +1 on saving throws against death.

Level Title	Experience	HD	BHB	ST
Mouser	0	1	+1	16
Footpad	2000	2	+2	15
Cutpurse	4000	3	+3	14

“Healing Potions”: Once a day, a pint of wine heals 1d6 damage.

Law of the 13: For each animal kind there are thirteen individuals possessing manlike intelligence. Capturing the master of the inner circle gives control over all animals of that kind.

Villains: Frost giants, skeletons, guards, spider-gods, rat-people, and thugs.

The only monsters you get experience for killing are magic-users. All other experience is strictly from treasure.

[Finarvyn]

Not a bad concept, actually, except that I have players who really love playing magic users. That could be a problem for my group. Can I assume since you stopped the XP tables at 3rd level that this was intended as more of a "Holmes" style campaign?

For variety I suppose one could bring in the pure Fighter and maybe a Ranger.

Certainly this style would reinforce the style of Conan and similar stories, but not the Grey Mouser. I suppose with some sort of patron one might be able to simulate Elric type stories.

Must ponder.

[oakesspalding]

This brings up an interesting point. In a sense these classes don't differ by very much. And yet they seem to. So perhaps you can satisfy the desire to "be" a certain thing without the usual long list of differences that most people think are important.

[Red Baron]

Level titles are certainly a big part of it. Changing Veteran, Warrior, Swashbuckler to Freebooter, Buccaneer, Corsair (or First Matey) can make two mechanically similar fighting-men seem completely different.

[joseph]

The S&W variant CRYPTS & THINGS does this quite well IMO. The system has three classes - barbarian, thief, sorcerer - and a unique swords and sorcery inspired magic system. If you're into this you should check it out.