Encounter Sequence

Any time characters encounter something unusual, or which may require combat or other time sensitive action, the gamemaster must begin to keep very accurate account of the time. The Energion combat system uses seconds as the basic unit of time during an encounter. The encounter sequence describes combat, but may be used for other timed events.

  1. Check perceptions, taking environmental skill and covert actions into account. When the first member of any party to an encounter spots one of another the counting of seconds begins. (See Chapter 3.)
  2. Check reaction times. Any time a character has not prepared a set reaction, so that he or she must decide and then react, reaction time is required. Reaction time begins AFTER perception! (See Chapter 3.)
  3. Take Battle Initiative times. This is the time taken in preparing for an action. It may be reduced or increased by circumstances, such as a sword already drawn, or perhaps one which is not in its accepted place. Battle Initiative is a minimum of 0 seconds, no matter what the results of modifications to the roll are.
  4. Attack. Assuming the characters have decided to fight rather than talk, combat begins. Do not consider the speed gap before the first attack.
    • Roll hit
    • Roll parries or dodges
    • Check hit success by comparing your roil to your chance to hit minus your opponent armor value.
    • Figure damage. This is based on the quality of hit and the potential damage of the weapon
    • Take weapon speed, a minimum of one (unless character is a martial artist) as a delay before the next attack.
  5. Continue to repeat 4a-e until an interruption occurs in combat which might require change of actions.

Speed and Initiative Calculation (Step 3)

Weapon speed is taken from the chart and indicates how fast a weapon may he wielded or used. Characteristics such as agility, coordination and strength affect this value. One handed speed adjustment is used for weapons wielded with one hand, or any for which strength is not a major consideration in speed. Two handed speed adjustment is used for those wielded with two hands, or where strength is the key consideration. Two handed weapons include crosshows cocked with a winch/pulley arrangement and most artillery.

Speed Adjustment Formulas

1H speed adj=AGbonus/10+CObonus/30
2H speed adj=STbonus/10+CObonus

Your initiative adjustment is half that figure. Initiative is tne time in seconds it takes a person with 100 stats to prepare the weapon for first action. Speed is the time in seconds between uses of the weapon. Both figures are designed to show how effective the weapon is in use by a character with 100 stats (average human).

A weapon may he defined as 1) in hand, 2) at hand or 3) unready. A weapon which is in hand may be used immediately and with normal speed penalties for following attacks. A weapon which is at hand (not in holster, etc) may be used after its modified speed. Any unready weapon requires its full initiative prior to use.

Changing weapons in combat may be accomplished in two ways: 1) drop current weapon and grab another, which simply requires one second plus the initiative of the new weapon; or 2) put previous weapon away safely, which requires the initiative period of each weapon. Intermediate steps may take various amounts of time in accordance with the care taken with each weapon.

Hit Chance Calculation (Step 4a)

Your base cnance to hit is the Skill% calculated under your combat skill. Your base chance to hit with a general category of weapons will differ. Melee weapons are those weapons which you wield directly with your hand, while missile weapons are those fired mechanically. Hurled weapons, thrown by hand, and thus automatically counting your strength, also use the same bonuses as melee weapons.

Bonus for Melee/hurled:

MeleeBonus=STbonus/2+CObonus/4

Bonus for mechanical:

MechBonus=COBonus/2+STbonus/4

Shields:

Shields are rated in four sizes, each varying in speed and protection. There is no particular benefit to hardening a shield in terms of the basic parry, hut that improvement will be very significant in keeping the shield from breakage or damage.

The following figures apply to all shields. The plus to parry also applies to the character’s basic armor class:

Buckler+10% parrySpeed 2
Small+20% parrySpeed 4
Medium+30% parrySpeed 6
Large+40% parrySpeed 8

A shield without significant weight, such as a forcefield used as such would a remain at speed 2. These speeds are modified in the same manner as for weapons. A shield may he used for a parry only as often as it could be used for attacks if it were a weapon. Figure Speed for shields in the same way as for weapons.

Calculation:

Hit determination is fairly simple. Subtract the target’s armor value versus the weapon used from the character’s chance to hit, then subtract the value rolled from the result. If the number is positive, a hit has been scored, go on to figure damage.

The formula for determining hit success is:

HitQuality=WeaponHit%-TargetArmorValue-HitRoll

Calculating Damage (Step 4d)

Damage Bonus for Strength

DB=STBonus/20

DB is Damage Bonus.

When you roll a hit, you subtract your roll and your opponent’s armor value, plus any bonuses for cover or evasion from your chance to hit, in order to produce a multiplier for your damage (See Step 4c).

Damage Calculation Formula:

DMG=TRUNC((HitQuality+1O)/1O)/1O*D

D=BaseWeaponDamage+DB+WpnDmgBonus+SkillDmgBonus
Roll=amount of percentage roll
DMG=damage done. This results in a sequence of multipliers from .1 to about 3 times the base damage given.

In addition, hit chances and damage vary with range. Base values, as described above, are for short range. For each range other than short there is a factor for damage and hit cnances. These are: PointBlank=1.1; Short=1.0; Medium=.9; Long=.8; and Extreme=.7

The Formula is:

RangeWeaponHit%=WeaponHit%*RangeFactor

Armor Chart

NameField PlateForce FieldPlateChain SuitStudded LeatherLeather SuitCloth
18540754025155
27030603020101
35025402015100
4701555151052
56015451015101
66030453015101
75025352015100
81307511075704510
910040804035206
10602550201552
118545754020101
1240153015753
13701560151052
1440153015750
159030753015104
168540704015102
1711560954530208
Weight35035201061
Encumbrance
Factor
201.31.5222
Damage740602920125
Maneuver
Factor
0.800.70.8111

Weapons

Weapon descriptions consist of the following information:

  1. Initiative – the time to draw the weapon from normal carry
  2. Speed – the time required to recover from one attack before engaging in another.
  3. Hands required whether the weapon is one or two handed
  4. Type – the type of weapon for armor resistances (see Armor)
  5. Mechanical/Melee – is the weapon primarily driven by the strength of the wielder or -is it mecnanical?
  6. Ranges – divided into five: Point Blank, Short, Medium, Long, and Extreme. Note that Point Blank is not usea technically, out simpiy means a “can’t miss” range. All Melee weapons are used at point blank obviously
  7. Base damage – the damage which the weapon will do when unenhanced and wielded by a person with 100 ST.

On the following page are descriptions of a number of weapons usable -in a fantasy campaign.

Weapon Chart

Weapons are organized by training classes. Some weapons will occur in more than one training class. The weapon definition appropriate for the character’s training class should be used.

Daggers

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Dagger, Normal11064136912100
Use normal dagger for all not listed.
Dagger, Parrying11064123451320
This is a common item throughout Energion.
Dagger, Assassin11065136912120
Tanto11064136912910
Dagger, Throwing11063148121680
Dart161053148121650
Poniard12105413500115
Kris, Wavy11053136912110
If this is a straight bladed weapon, treat as normal dagger.
Sword, Short (Dagger Skill)2108612000150
This is a short sword as the high end of dagger skill. For a character with sword skill, use the alternate short sword if you are using the training class rules.
Knife1105313691270

Thrown light missiles

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Shuriken16105313691250
Rock, Small15105313691250
Rock, medium15105413691260
Rock, Large15106513691280
Dagger, Thrown10063148121680
Kris, Wavy11053136912110
When straight, use as normal dagger
Dagger, Normal11064136912100
Someone with dagger skill should use a thrown dagger at an unskilled level unless they have taken the time for the thrown light missiles skill.
Knife1105313691270

Blowguns

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Blowgun, Small13111412520508011040
Blowgun, Medium13111613725609513550
Blowgun, Large1311181410408011014060

Bows, Short/Medium

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Bow, Self, Short131110552575120150150
Bow, Compound, Short14111051050120200260180
Bow, Compound, Medium13111051170140210275190

Bows, Long/Giant

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Bow, Self, Long14111051040100150200180
Bow, Compound, Long14111051280160240290200
Bow, Compound, Giant141110550140220380450400

Crossbows

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Crossbow, Hand1311865206010013080
Crossbow, Light1311108860120180210150
Crossbow, Medium13111191070140210250180
Crossbow, Heavy142120151280160240290240
Crossbow, Repeating1311122104080110150100
Crossbow, Siege1421282015100180280340300
Ballista1421353050140220380450400

Siege Weapons

No weapons in this training class are in the database at this time.

Slings

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Sling15118884090180210140
Sling, Draw15115451020407080

Maces

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Mace, Small410121012345120
Mace, Large410151210000160
Mace, 2 Handed520201610000220
Club, 1 Handed410151212345130
Club, 2 Handed520201610000190

Hammers

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Hammer, 1 Handed410141012345150
Hammer, 2 Handed520181410000200
Hammer, Throwing1510108136912120

Swords, 1 hand

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Sword, Short2108612000150
Sword, Long21010810000180
Sword, 1 1/2 Hand220151010000205
Rapier2108510000160
Scimitar2109710000180
Use for any non-straight sword.

Swords, 2 hand

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Sword, 1 1/2 hand (2 hand)220151010000290
Sword, 2 Handed320251610000250
Sword, Zweihander320252010000260
Simply a larger version of a two handed sword.
Sword, Flammard320201410000240

Axes

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Axe, hand610108136912140
Axe, 1 hand610141012000200
Axe, 2 hand720181210000260

Spear

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Spear, throwing1310128136912180
Spear, stabbing1010149136912180
Trident1020161113579210

Body Weapons

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Hand1710111000040
Foot1710111000060

Staff

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Staff910231000090

Bullwhip

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Bullwhip820500000080

Lance

NameTHMINSPPTBSHTMEDLNGEXTDMGParry
Lance1020201010000300
Account for actual length of lance

Weapon Types:

For purposes of determining how they interact with various types of armor, Energion weapons are divided into 17 types. Gamemasters may wish to modify this list, and this is done simply. Just modify the armor chart to reflect the new groupings. The Armor values and the weapon types work together.

1Daggers and KnivesIncludes swords up to 5 decimeters
2Swords,One HandedIncludes hand-and-a-half, one hand
3Swords,Two Handed
4Bludgeon,One HandedClubs
5Bludgeon,Two HandedSame as 4 but 2 handed
6Axes, One hand
7Axes, Two hand
8Whips
9StavesThin bludgeon
10Pointed, LongSpears, lances, etc.
11Bladed, LongAny blade at end of pole
12Pointed, ShortShort stabbing spears
13Missile, LightUp to medium crossbow
14Missile, HeavyHeavy crossbow, longbow
15Missile, BluntSling stone
16Missile, BladedThrown knife or dagger
17Body (Hand/Foot)

Weapon Proficiency

Most characters will at one time or anothoer try to gain skill in various weapons useful in combat. Each weapon so learned takes practice time for the initial skill, and continued use to maintain this proficiency. Since weapons use is so closely connected with combat skill, however, weapons are not each considered a separate skill. Proficiency maintenance is instead covered by modifying the Level Factor of the character’s combat skill. All training points earned in weapon skill apply to combat (100% overlap) but not all combat skill is in weapons.

A character may maintain as many weapon proficiencies as he/she desires. Basic weapon skill is free. Any ;luses to skill, which are possible up to 40%, result in one half their value being added to the Combat Skill level factor. Thus a grand master of a weapon would add 20% to the lefel factor, resulting in an 86% level factor for a normal combat specialist, or a 96% factor for a martial artist.

Weapon training is accomplished through points, and is figured in the same way as any other skill. The major difference is that the training points earned for a weapon also apply to the combat skill level–the figure required for the individual weapon simply represents the extent of specialization. Also, use only coordination or strength as applicable for the prime stat for a weapon. This will help to even the number of skill points for mechanical and/or melee weapons.

Most weapons have a basic training point cost of 1000. Some more difficult ones have a higher cost, up to 4000 base for a long composite or giant bow. The chart follows:

Daggers1000
Thrown light missiles1500
Blowguns2000
Bows, Short/Medium2000
Bows, Long/Giant4000
Crossbows1500
Siege Weapons2000
Slings1500
Maces1000
Hammers1000
Swords, 1 hand1000
Swords, 2 hand1500
Axes1000
Spear800
Body Weapons800
Staff1000
Bullwhip2000
Lance2000

Modifications for Martial Artist Combat:

  1. Martial Artists have a minimum of 1 on initiative (the same as other characters) and a minitmam of 0 on speed (1 less than other characters).
  2. Their open hand attacks are treated as one handed bludgeon for weapon type, while their kicks are two handed bludgeon.
  3. They may dodge in combat to avoid damage as per Acrobatics. (AGbonus/4+1% per level).
  4. They gain 1% per level chance to hit with open hand attacks and 1 point of damage bonus per 5 levels (also to open hand). Treat this as automatic weapon training required for their combat style, but don’t modify their level factor.
  5. They may choose to kick or punch in any one second, but they may only attack twice (as in the use of two weapons) in any one second.
  6. The second following any kick is considered to be recovery time. The character may attack with punch only, and use of any attack will require an AGbonus roll.
  7. Double kick requires a two second recovery, but has a knockdown effect (see combat procedures chart below.)

Grappling and Non-standard Combat

It is possible to strike to subdue. If you do, a damage point total greater than the target’s damage points will knock that person out. If the attacker fails to strike the target unconscious, only half damage is done, and the procedure is repeated as necessary.

The following combat procedures have special effects:

ProcedureApplicable
Armor
DamageEffectAvoidanceModNote
Double KickNormal2*FootKD.5AGNone2 sec recover
Flying TackleAG/LuckFKDParry Roll-202 sec recover
OverbearAG/Luck1KD/PinParry Roll-30one time dmg
Hold DownAG/Luck1/2sPinParry Roll-1optional dmd
TripAG/LuckFall(1)KDAGNone
Partial HoldAG/LuckNoneP/DisableParry RollNone
Full HOldAG/LuckNoneDisableParry Roll-1

KD=Knock Down; 1/2s=1/2 point per second.

A person falling in an uncontrolled fall for one to three meters, such as in a trip will take 1d10 of damate.

A person who is holding someone down successfully may inflict 1/2 point per second if desired, or if possible in connection with the method of hold, may do other things. Simply holding someone down does not do the damage.

Avoidance is by rolling under the appropriate number, such as .5*AG, or full AG, or making a standard parry roll. The avoidance may be rolled subsequently each second that the character has an action until the hold is broken.

Luck armor refers to god blessing, or any type of luck charm the character may have. Non-tangible armor, which operates without regard to penetration by weapons comes under this heading. Agility is counted, because the character may still dodge. Heavily armored characters are often vulnerable to this type of attack.

Pin (abbreviated P) means to pin the part of the target’s anatomy aimed at and immobilize it.

Special Combat Situations

Cover:

Cover is treated the same way as target size–cover affects the available target size which may be hit. Cover may be either random, such as that provided when running through woods, or stable, such as that provided by a parapet or a tree behind which the character is hiding. In the case of random cover, a die is randomly roiled to determine which part of the target is hit. In the case of stable cover, the individual situation will indicate which portions of the target were visible to the attacker. In particular, it should be noted that persons firing from cover may have full cover between shots and only be visible to an attacker for the second of an attack.

Aiming:

Aiming requires that the gap (your modified weapon speed) of the attack also he spent visible. Unaimed shots are treated as a standard 100% penalty to the attacker’s hit percentage, but may be profitable in any case.

Extra aiming will provide a bonus of ten points per second up to 10 seconds of aim time. The target and the attacker must be stationary or moving steadily. Any unusual or unpredictable movement will ruin the aim time.

Formula for aiming bonus:

Bonus=MIN(10*AimTime,100)

Target Size:

Standard target size is from 50 sq decimeters (1 meter * .5 meters, the minimum size for an Ertziu) to 1 sq meter (about the size of a Gerdlu). Sizes smaller than this are figured in percentages of the minimum (% of .5 sq meters) and those larger as percentages of the maximum (% of 1 sq meter). These target sizes apply to any direct fire weapons. Standard target size for indirect fire weapons is 9 sq meters. All modifications are made upward or downward from this one figure.

The formula for penalty/bonus to hit a specific target size is:

Penalty=(100-PercentageofBaseSize)*RangeFactor

Range Factors Are: PTB=1; SHT=2; MED=3; LNG=4; EXT=5

Subtract the resulting figure from the attackers chance to hit.

Relative Speed:

Relative speed is a penalty to the attacker’s chance to hit of 1 point per meter-per-second of relative speed. If the target is specifically maneuvering, this figure is multiplied by the defender’s AGB/8. Characters with Acrobatics or Martial Arts skill may also dodge. Cover advantage is combat skill/4% reduction of effective target size (use unmodified combat skill percentage.

When a character is running through potential cover, various parts of the body will be randomly presented as targets. Use the following chart to determine the target available on any particular second. Roll multiple times to fill out the percentage of the body which should be visible. The Percentage of DP column reflects the percentage of the character’s damage points which must be done to the particular part to cause that part to be unuseable. For certain body parts this results in a fatality.

The Percent column may also be used to show the approximate percentage of the body’s profile occupied by the part listed. This is used when a character is aiming at a portion of the target’s anatomy.

PercentTargetPercentage of DPDisabled
01-10Head25%Death
11-30Chest40%Death
31-50Abdomen40%Death
51-60Right Arm20%unusable
61-70Left Arm20%unusable
71-85Right Leg30%unusable
86-100Left Leg30%unusable
Joint 10% – unusable

Consider carefully before you use these rules on hitting specific body parts. It might be better to leave them out as once you get started, players will try to get more and more specific when it is advantageous to their characters. Choose something that works and stick with it.

Relative Speed and Charging Bonuses:

When a character is charging another, more damage may be inflicted due to weight and momentum. Be sure to consider the relative movement rate, that is, if two characters are charging each other, the multiple of damage will be increased. The formula is:

DamageMultiple=Speed/4

Speed must be stated in meters per second.

Armor and Hit Location:

Unless the target area is unarmored, such as in the absence of a helmet for a head hit, all targets on a person are treated as the same armor value. If the area is unarmored, the unarmored resistance is figured for that hit.

Spells:

Spells have casting times stated in real time units. Tactical spellcaster and manipulator spells have values from one to ten seconds. A character who desires to begin casting a spell must roll for battle initiative in the same manner as any other character, including time to prepare for casting. If focuses are in inaccessible places, the gamemaster must rule on the length of time taken to retrieve them. At least one second must pass between the completion of one spell and the beginning of casting for another. Unless speciai circumstances intervene, any taking of damage, or reaction to any situation outsiue of spellcasting win interrupt casting. Spell initiation requires one second.

Unable to React:

Characters may he unable to react to a situation because they are unaware of the event. Take care to make sure to limit the out of character knowledge the players may have in order to keep their actions appropriate to their knowledge. Unaware characters may not react to an attack, and their agility bonus to armor value will not be applied. Treat unaware characters as having an agility of zero for such attacks. characters who are disabled will have limited reactions. These must he handled individually according to the particular disability incurred. Characters who are unconscious obviously have no reactions. Passive armor will still apply, however.