Some Thoughts on Encumbrance

Oswald the Overladen, Reaper Bones
Continuing my shameless rip-offs, I had some thoughts on Encumbrance.
Warren and Delta have laid some groundwork for this concept, but I’m trying to get it to fit, aesthetically, into the Low Fantasy Gaming Campaign. The Basic LFG rules don’t really have granular rules for encumbrance. I want to be able to track what PCs are carrying, keep them from carrying too much, and at the same time not count every coin and arrow. And maybe, just maybe, make it worthwhile to hire some porters and men-at-arms…
Sources: Delta’s Stone Encumbrance System
I Cast Light – The Character Sheet Framework
I have monkeyed around with both, then massaged what came out to fit into the Rules-style of LFG.
Please let me know what you think in the comments.
Encumbrance
A PC may carry a number of items depending on their Strength. Each point of Strength equals one “Slot” of carrying capacity. A backpack may be worn, taking two slots, but is able to be loaded with five slots worth of capacity. A “Slot” is about five – ten pounds.
Example: A PC with a STR of 12 may carry up to 11 item/slots on their person, or nine item/slots and a backpack with up to five item/slots packed inside. This PC would be able to act normally (though swimming may be tricky with a loaded backpack!). Adding one more item/slot, for a total of 12, would make the PC Encumbered. If the PC has a CON of 13 or more, they can carry a few more item/slots equal to their CON bonus. This PC will still be encumbered.
A PC carrying a full load is Encumbered:
- -5’ movement penalty, (base Move is 30′)
- Run at ½ speed,
- no DEX bonus in combat (for attacks or AC)
A PC may exceed their Strength score by a number of slots equal to their CON bonus. This PC is overloaded, and suffers the following penalties:
- -10’ movement penalty,
- Run at ⅓ speed,
- -1 To Hit penalty
- -1 AC penalty
- All DC and Ability checks are Hard (-3 penalty)
- Gain one level of Fatigue per hour moving with this load.
A PC without a CON bonus carrying more load than their STR allows may only move at ½ speed for up to one hour, before gaining two levels of Fatigue and being forced to rest for at least six turns/one hour. Any further movement will require passing a Hard WIL check to continue, they will also incur a further level of Fatigue every hour. After this kind of exertion, a full, Long Rest will restore the PC to 1 Level of fatigue, until their next Long Rest.

Don’t be like this guy
“Slots” are described as follows:
- “Free”: Regular clothing, rings, one Amulet/necklace, hat
- One-fourth Slot: Potion/Oil flask, Knife/dagger, Jewelry, Torch, Cloak/Coat, Wand
- One-Half Slot: One Spell, one set of Clothing (stowed), Food for one day, Rod or Bowl (magical focus)
- One Slot: 5# coins, One Level of Fatigue, Staggered, Obligations, Curses, Tools/Kit, Spell Books, Water (1 day) 50’ Rope, Lantern, Shield, Helmet, Heavy Clothing for cold weather, Staff, Bow and Quiver
- Variable: Small or Medium Hand Weapons (1-2), Armor (Light 1, Medium 2, Heavy 3), Magic Items (1-3), Crossbow and quiver (1-2)
- For any items not specifically listed, use your best judgement (about five to ten pounds per slot) or consult the GM
This is what it looks like on the draft character sheet:

Custom Low Fantasy Gaming Character Sheet – Draft
I am looking for a way to encourage a specific style of play, and I believe this will take us one step closer.
The World of Weirth on WorldAnvil
You can check out the World of Weirth lore on the WorldAnvil site.
Hobby Progress 2021
Models Painted:
Final for 2020: 58YTD for 2021: 11
WIP on the workbench (Jan '21): 9Writing projects:
World of Weirth - WIP
* Magic in the World of Weirth - In playtest "beta"
* Tower of Zenopus - Complete
* B1 - In Search of the Unknown re-boot - Complete (Maps ✓, NPC re-skin ✓, Backstory update ✓)
* B2 - Keep on the Borderlands re-boot - WIP (Maps WIP, NPC re-skin WIP, Backstory Updated ✓)
Order vs Entropy - An Alternate Alignment System
Gygax75 - Building the Faerie Realm Gary's way! - WIPTweets from World of Weirth
Categories
- AD&D
- Appendix N
- Art
- Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea
- Books
- Gaming Community
- Grimdark Greyhawk
- health
- Journaling
- Kings of War
- Low Fantasy Gaming Compatible
- Miniatures
- Music
- OSR – Old School Rules
- Paper Planner
- Periodic Review
- Personal Updates
- Philosophy
- politics
- Pulp Alley
- Social Media Networks
- Uncategorized
- Warhammer 40k
- Warhammer Fantasy Battle
- Workbench
- World of Weirth
Blogroll
- Cianty's Tabletop
- Cry Havoc…
- Dances with Hippos
- Eudaimonic Geekery
- Give'em Lead
- Governor General of Sector Six
- Grumpy Wizard
- Miniature Mayhem
- Musings of a Maverick Referee
- My Wargaming Craziness
- OSR Grimoire
- Preascher by Day
- Pulp Alley Forum
- The Leadpile
- Usul's Homeworld
- Wargaming Tradecraft
- Welcome to the Deathtrap
- Zenopus Archives
Recent Comments
- Trevor Stamper on Zine Review – Tales from the Smoking Wyrm
- Stephen Smith on Law vs Chaos – Thoughts on Alignment
- Travis on Law vs Chaos – Thoughts on Alignment
- Law vs Chaos – Thoughts on Alignment | Stephen's Hobby Workshop on Ability Scores vs DC – Rambling Thoughts
- Travis on Gygax 75 – Week Two – The Home Area
Archives
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- July 2019
- January 2019
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- January 2016
- November 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- September 2014
- December 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012