Adventures in Verbosh

Rules Cyclopedia Classic with the following house rules:

Advantage/Disadvantage mechanics will be utilized.

For convenience, here is a pdf list from Dragon Magazine with an expanded list of general items and various starter packs. If you opt to use a starter pack, instead of rolling for gold as normal and deducting the pack, just use the pack and roll 1d4+1 and multiply by ten.

For wizards and clerics, a document regarding bonus spells based on INT/WIS respectively.

Fighters gain an additional attack per round every 4th level; thus, a 4th level fighter can make two standard attacks per round, an 8th level fighter strikes thrice, etc. Caps out at 5 attacks per round at 20th level.

Thieves use second-edition skill rules.

General Skills will be used, convert to percentile scores as described in Chapter 2: Classes under the Mystic class details (regarding their acrobatics as a class skill converted to percentage). In short, Skill% = ([Ability Score*3]+[Level*2]). In addition, each character receives 10+([INT+WIS]/2) skill points per level. These are entirely separate from Thief skills, but otherwise are handled essentially the same way. A player may place ALL general skill points earned on leveling up into a single skill, but MUST spend all points. They may not 'save' any for later.

Druids may be played from First Level, may shape-shift into a natural animal based on level. Animal forms must have equal or lower Hit-Dice than the Druid. Once per day at first level, Twice at 4th level, thrice at 8th, etc. A Druid may turn into an animal up to 2.5 times their size (Typical large animal examples - Bears, Tigers, Giant Lizards, Large Eagles etc), but no larger. They may also cast some Cleric spells in addition to Druid spells, but only ones from the list of Shaman spells on RC page 216.

Lawful Fighters of exemplary conduct and heroism of no less than fourth level may choose to take the Oath of the Paladin. Chaotic Fighters of nefarious renown and power of no less than fourth level may become Avengers. Fighters of any alignment may become a Knight at 9th level. All three options are mutually exclusive.

Mystics get Dexterity Bonus to AC and no experience penalty for having Acrobatics, it is a free class skill for them and it is encouraged to be used cinematically. Mystic thief skills are handled like 2e AD&D Bard thief skills.

Verbosh City Map:


Verboshian History Lesson:
"Nestled along the banks of the river known as "The Great Source". stands the mighty fortress City of Verbosh. Built ages ago by the great "Lord Verbosh I", who founded the great and noble royal line of Verbosh - a line of great kings which lasted until the birth of Verbosh II, whose first great act was to lead his proud legion into "The Battle of Dead-end Canyon"; where they were overwhelmed by a host of Kobolds fully half their number. From there on, the line of Verbosh went steadily downhill. Verbosh XXI managed to lose the family castle and holdings in a game of dice. This proved to be the high point of Verboshian history.
The castle then passed from owner to owner through various unsavory deals into the hands of its present owner, Hargor the Complainer."

You and your group of travelers, journeying together for whatever reasons, have arrived at the crossroad between the Village of Verbosh and the City Verbosh from the south. What now?