Combat Basics: Attack Rolls and Damage with 4d6 & d6s

Welcome back to “Mastering Morgalad”! In this third article of our series, we’re diving into the heart of the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG: combat. Combat in Morgalad relies heavily on the 4d6 mechanic for attack rolls and various d6 rolls for determining damage. This guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how to engage in battles, calculate damage, and emerge victorious!

Initiating Combat

When characters traverse the world, not every moment will be wrought with perilous combatants. Adventuring can encompass many aspects. According to “The Cult of Bashrokul 4D6”, the players may be on a mission to investigate strange occurrences in a small coastal town.

The Attack Roll: 4d6 + Bonuses vs. Defense

The core of Morgalad’s combat system revolves around the attack roll. When you attack an opponent, you’ll roll 4d6, add any relevant bonuses, and compare the total to your target’s defense.

• Bonuses: These can come from various sources, including your character’s Finesse attribute, weapon proficiencies, and special abilities.
• Target’s Defense: This is a numerical value representing how difficult it is to successfully land an attack on the target. Base defense measures a character’s natural ability to dodge attacks.

To determine if your attack hits, use the following formula:

4d6 + Attack Bonuses ≥ Target’s Defense

If your total equals or exceeds the target’s defense, your attack hits! If it fails, your attack misses, and no damage is dealt.

Damage Rolls: Determining the Impact

Once you’ve successfully hit your target, it’s time to determine how much damage you inflict. Damage rolls typically involve rolling one or more six-sided dice (d6s) and adding relevant bonuses. The number of d6s you roll and the bonuses you add depend on your weapon and your character’s attributes.

Damage Modifiers

Your character’s Power attribute can also modify damage.

Attribute Score	Damage
-4 to 0	0
+1	+1
+2	+2
+3	+3
+4	+4
+5	+5
+6	+6
+7	+7
+8	+8

Putting It All Together: An Example of Combat

Let’s illustrate the combat system with an example:

• The Scenario: Braditz the dwarf is facing an Enforcer of Bashrokul. Braditz is wielding a longsword.
• The Attack Roll: Braditz rolls 4d6 for his attack. He gets a total of 12. He adds +2 for his finesse. The total is now 14.
• The Enforcer’s Defense: The Enforcer has a defense of 19.
• Does the Attack Hit?: Braditz’s attack roll of 14 does not exceed the Enforcer’s defense of 19, so the attack misses.

Special Abilities and Combat

Many creatures possess special abilities that can significantly impact combat. For example, the Adlet has the “Call of the Wild” ability. Some special abilities modify attacks, some modify damage, and some may give a bonus to the character.

Conclusion

Mastering the combat system is essential for success in Morgalad. By understanding the 4d6 mechanic for attack rolls and how damage is calculated with d6s, you’ll be well-prepared to face any foe. In our next article, we’ll explore how Hosts can design challenging and engaging encounters using Difficulty Ratings and the 4d6 system!

Character Creation: Rolling Your Stats with 4d6 in Morgalad

Welcome back to “Mastering Morgalad”! In this second article of our series, we’ll guide you through the exciting process of character creation in the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG. A crucial step is determining your character’s attributes by rolling a d6 for each one. Let’s dive in and learn how to create a character ready for adventure!

Character Creation Steps

According to the “Morgalad Fantasy RPG Revised” core rulebook, character creation involves these steps:

1. Determine Attributes: As we’ll detail below, this involves rolling d6 for each of your character’s six attributes.
2. Choose a Species: Your choice impacts your character’s appearance, characteristics, genetic strengths and weaknesses, Health, Energy, and base defenses.
3. Select a Profession: This determines your character’s available abilities, spells, and skills.
4. Flesh Out Your Character: Consider your character’s motivations, background, and how they came to be the person they are.
5. Select Equipment: Use your starting currency to purchase equipment.

Understanding Attributes

Attributes are the foundation of your character, representing their physical, mental, and spiritual capacities. In Morgalad, there are six main attributes:

• Power: Brute force and strength.
• Finesse: Malleability, dexterity, and ability to adapt under pressure.
• Essence: Internal fortitude and constitution.
• Knowledge: Intellect and inherent problem-solving skills.
• Consciousness: Spiritual awareness and potential wisdom.
• Allure: Natural leadership abilities, charismatic representation, diplomatic potential, and physical beauty.

Rolling for Attributes: The d6 Table

To determine your attribute scores, roll a single six-sided die (d6) for each attribute. Consult the table below to translate your d6 roll into an attribute score:

Dice Roll	Attribute Score
1	-3
2	-2
3	-1
4	0
5	+1
6	+2

As the table shows, attribute scores range from -3 to +2.

The Impact of Attribute Scores

Your attribute scores directly influence various aspects of gameplay. For example, Power affects your carrying capacity and damage. Allure modifies your diplomacy bonus. Furthermore, certain attributes correspond to specific abilities:

• Power corresponds to Swimming.
• Finesse corresponds to Ambidexterity, Dual Wield, Fishing/Hunting, Reflex, and Stealth.
• Essence corresponds to Dual Cast and Fortitude.
• Knowledge corresponds to Spoken Language, Read/Write, Smithing, Woodcrafting, and Spot.
• Consciousness corresponds to Listen and Will.
• Allure corresponds to Diplomacy.

Species Attribute Bonuses

Some species are naturally more adept in certain attributes. For example, Dwarves (Calemdour) get a +1 bonus to Power and Essence. Make sure to factor in any species-related attribute bonuses when finalizing your character’s stats.

Example

Let’s create a character named Braditz. Braditz is a dwarf. He rolls the following for his attributes:

• Power: 5 (+1 bonus for being a dwarf = +2)
• Finesse: 3
• Essence: 4 (+1 bonus for being a dwarf = +1)
• Knowledge: 2
• Consciousness: 6
• Allure: 4

Conclusion

Rolling your attributes is a crucial first step in bringing your Morgalad character to life. By understanding the d6 system and how attributes influence your character’s abilities, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your TTRPG adventure. In the next article, we’ll cover the combat system, explaining how 4d6 rolls are used for attack rolls and other d6 rolls determine damage!

In the realm of basic fantasy RPGs, the creatures that populate your world can make or break the immersion and challenge for your players. One such creature, perfect for a basic fantasy setting, is the Adlet. This article delves into the Adlet, providing you with everything you need to know to incorporate this monster into your campaigns effectively.

What is a Basic Fantasy RPG?

Before diving into the details of the Adlet, it’s important to define what we mean by “basic fantasy RPG“. A basic fantasy RPG typically focuses on straightforward gameplay, classic fantasy elements, and accessibility for new players. These games often emphasize adventure, combat, and character progression without overwhelming complexity.

Adlet Origins: A Werewolf’s Curse

The Adlet’s origin story is steeped in classic fantasy lore. According to the Morgalad Fantasy RPG, the Adlet was created when a werewolf was cursed mid-transformation. This dark origin immediately ties the Adlet to traditional themes of lycanthropy and the dangers of dark magic.

Physical Traits of an Adlet

• Hybrid Form: The Adlet has the torso and upper body of a human combined with the legs of a canine.
• Size: Standing between 6 and 8 feet tall, the Adlet is an imposing figure.

These features make the Adlet a visually striking and memorable monster for your basic fantasy RPG.

Cannibalistic Nature and Pack Behavior

Adlets are cannibalistic and carnivorous, preying on anything smaller than themselves, including humans. They typically live in packs of 5-11 individuals, consisting of a mated pair, juveniles, and younglings. Exceptionally large packs can reach up to 42 Adlets.

This pack dynamic can create challenging and engaging encounters for players.

Territoriality and Combat

Adlets are highly territorial, defending their hunting grounds through scent marking, direct attacks, and howling. When intruders enter their territory, an Omega Adlet will test their strength. If the intruders defeat the Omega, the Alpha and the rest of the pack will join the fray.

Adlet Stats in Morgalad Fantasy RPG

According to the Morgalad Fantasy RPG, the Adlet has the following statistics:

• Difficulty Rating (DR): 3
• Attributes: Pow: +1, Fin: +2, Ess: +2, Kno: -1, Con: -2, Alr: 0
• Health: 4d6x3
• Energy: 4d6x2
• Defenses: 13
• Experience: 75
• Movement: 30 feet/rnd
• Attacks: Two Claws: 4d6+3
• Damage: Two Claws: 3d6
• Special Abilities: Call of the Wild

These stats make the Adlet a suitable challenge for low- to mid-level characters in a basic fantasy RPG campaign.

How to Incorporate Adlets into Your Basic Fantasy RPG Campaign

• Hunting Missions: Players could be hired to track and eliminate Adlet packs terrorizing villages.
• Territorial Conflicts: The party might get caught between Adlets and other groups fighting over territory.
• Cursed Lineage Quests: A player character could discover they are descended from the werewolf responsible for the Adlet race.

Conclusion

The Adlet is a versatile and compelling monster that fits seamlessly into any basic fantasy RPG setting. Its unique origin, striking appearance, and savage nature make it a memorable foe for players of all levels. By understanding its lore, behavior, and stats, you can craft engaging encounters and storylines that will enrich your basic fantasy campaigns.

Understanding the Core: 4d6 Mechanics in Morgalad

Welcome to the first article in our series, “Mastering Morgalad: A Guide to 4d6 Adventures!” In this installment, we’ll explore the core mechanic that drives challenges and combat in the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG: the 4d6 roll. If you’re new to Morgalad, or just want to understand the system inside and out, this guide will break down the fundamentals and help you navigate your adventures with confidence.

The Basic 4d6 Roll

At its heart, Morgalad utilizes a simple yet versatile 4d6 system. Whenever your character attempts an action with an uncertain outcome, you’ll roll four six-sided dice (d6) and add any relevant bonuses. This total is then compared to a Difficulty Rating (DR) set by the Host. If your roll equals or exceeds the DR, you succeed!

• Example: Juniper attempts to pick a lock to escape an old abandoned mine. The Host determines the lock has a Standard difficulty, which is a DR of 13. Juniper rolls 4d6 and gets a total of 10. Because this is less than the DR, she has failed to pick the lock.

Attributes and Abilities: Modifying Your 4d6 Roll

Of course, a straight 4d6 roll wouldn’t be very interesting. Morgalad allows you to modify your rolls using your character’s attributes and abilities.

• Attributes: Each character has six core attributes: Power, Finesse, Essence, Knowledge, Consciousness, and Allure. These attributes represent your character’s inherent strengths and weaknesses. During character creation, you roll a d6 for each attribute, which determines a numeric value between -3 and +2. This value will then modify any 4d6 roll that relies on the attribute.
• Base 8 Abilities: Every character also starts with eight standard abilities known as the Base 8: Will, Reflex, Fortitude, Diplomacy, Search, Spot, Listen, and Stealth.

Attribute vs. Ability Challenges

In Morgalad, challenges come in two types: attribute challenges and ability challenges.

• Ability Challenges: If a learned ability applies to the action you’re attempting, you roll 4d6 + any relevant bonuses against the given Difficulty Rating.
• Attribute Challenges: If no learned ability applies, you add +5 to the DR and roll the 4d6 using the corresponding attribute.

Difficulty Ratings: Setting the Stage for Success

The Host determines the Difficulty Rating (DR) for each challenge, reflecting how easy or hard it is to succeed. DRs come in two forms:

• Given Number: A specific number the player must meet or exceed with their 4d6 roll.
• Category: A word from the list that represents a number. Difficulty Categories include Easy (10), Standard (13), Hard (15), Difficult (17), and Extraordinary (19).

Difficulty Categories by Player Level

Difficulty	Levels 1-10	Levels 11-20
Easy	10	15
Standard	13	18
Hard	15	20
Difficult	17	22
Extraordinary	19	24

Putting It All Together

Let’s look at an example of how the 4d6 mechanic works in practice:

• Braditz wants to use his diplomatic skills to talk his way out of a hostile situation. Diplomacy is one of the Base 8 abilities, so this is an ability challenge. Braditz rolls 4d6, adds his Diplomacy bonus, and compares the total to the DR set by the Host.

Conclusion

The 4d6 mechanic is the engine that drives the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG. By understanding how attributes, abilities, and Difficulty Ratings interact, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge the game throws your way. In the next article, we’ll delve into character creation and show you how to roll your stats using d6!