Labyrinth Lord.pdf

Classic Fantasy Roleplaying Game of

Labyrinths, Magic, and Monsters

By Daniel Proctor

Goblinoid Games

FOREWORD

Labyrinth Lord is not new or innovative. This game exists solely as an attempt to help breathe back life into old-school fantasy

gaming, to do some small part in expanding its fan base. Labyrinth Lord follows in the footsteps of other „retro-clone‰ game systems.

One might think of it as an emulator, meant to employ game rules (algorithms) from early 1980s games by using new presentation in

combination with terms that are open game content, provided under the Open Game License Version 1.0a, by Wizards of the Coast,

Inc. Labyrinth Lord is a restatement of a set of rules that are otherwise out of print and no longer commercially supported. This work

follows the idea that game rules themselves are not subject to copyright, only the specific presentation of those rules are. The goal of

Labyrinth Lord and other retro-clone systems is to make rules currently available, using a common reference, for third-party publishers

to create gaming material that is not only compatible with the particular retro-clone system, but also with the system which it seeks to

emulate. By doing this we hope to help build a market for games that have otherwise been allowed to fade into the past. For further

information, please visit our website at www.goblinoidgames.com.

This effort is meant to complement, not replace, the fine work that came before it. If Labyrinth Lord succeeds in being a good

representative of old-school fantasy roleplaying, it only does so because it lies on a solid foundation. I cannot, and would not, pretend

to take any of the credit.

This is a game about imagination. It represents what was, for most of us, our first tentative steps into the monster-filled labyrinths of

our youth. We learned some of our first lessons about life, death, and reaching for impossible goals as we rolled strange dice we had

never seen before, and went to worlds we otherwise would never have imagined. Old-school gaming isnÊt just about nostalgia. We go

back to these game rules not just because they might be easier to learn or play compared to their modern derivatives, but also because

there is a fresh element to the game. We open a portal to a simpler fantasy world, and we check our adult disillusionment at the door.

As I enter that door I become my old dwarf character again, swinging my axe against a fresh wave of orcs on my way to defeat the

evil orc chief. IÊll kill that chief and save the local village, only to fall in a battle to trolls later. But it doesnÊt matter. As long as we have

this game and our sense of wonder, the adventures never end.

As I was writing Labyrinth Lord, I learned from the Internet gaming community at DragonÊs Foot (www.dragonsfoot.org) that Tom

Moldvay had died. He was the editor of the first set of game rules that inspires Labyrinth Lord, and his many writings made him one

of the pioneers of fantasy role-playing. Those who knew him report that he was a nice, hard-working man. I only met him through his

writings, but it is clear that we owe him a great debt. This work is therefore dedicated to his memory.

Dan Proctor

July 2007

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks are owed to Tom Moldvay, Dave Cook, Steve Marsh, E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Frank Mentzer, J. Eric Holmes,

Rob Kuntz, Tim Kask, and many, many other individuals who created the foundation of fantasy role playing games. Special thanks

also to Ryan Dancey and Wizards of the Coast, Inc., for making the Open Game License and system reference documents available.

This work would not have been possible otherwise. Deep appreciation is offered to Bill Ellis and Cameron DuBeers for calculating

monster experience points, and to the community at the Goblinoid Games forums for their support and help in pointing out errata.

Thanks to Trent Foster, William D. Smith Jr., Matthew Finch, Stuart Marshall, and Allen Shock for looking over this manuscript and

offering advice. The person I must thank the most is my wife, for putting up with my obsessive writing over the last many months.

Dedicated to the memory of Tom Moldvay

Cover illustration and interior illustrations by Steve Zieser ¡ Layout and design by Daniel Proctor ¡ Editing and continuity by Lavanya

Future TM are trademarks of Daniel Proctor ¡ This product is released under the terms of the Open Game License Version 1.0a,

Revised Edition (Fourth Release)

September 2009

www.goblinoidgames.com

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ........................................................................ 3

SECTION 1: Introduction ............................................................. 4

How to Play ........................................................................... 4

Adventuring ....................................................................... 4

Dice .................................................................................. 4

Terms ............................................................................... 5

Common Abbreviations ...................................................... 5

SECTION 2: Characters ............................................................... 6

Creating a Character: An Overview.......................................... 6

Character Abilities ................................................................... 6

Ability Prime Requisites ...................................................... 7

Choosing a Class .................................................................... 7

Hit Points ............................................................................... 7

Character Classes ................................................................... 8

Choosing Alignment.............................................................. 14

Character Languages ............................................................ 14

Character Inheritance ............................................................ 14

Money and Coins .................................................................. 14

Equipment ............................................................................ 15

Equipment Descriptions.................................................... 16

SECTION 3: Spells .................................................................... 19

Spell Casting Constraints ....................................................... 19

Saving Throws ...................................................................... 19

Reversible Spells ................................................................... 19

Cumulative Spell Effects ........................................................ 19

Beginning Spells ................................................................... 19

Spell Descriptions ................................................................. 20

Cleric Spells..................................................................... 20

Magic-User and Elf Spells ................................................. 27

SECTION 4: Adventuring Rules.................................................. 43

Labyrinths & Monsters .......................................................... 43

Adventuring Groups .............................................................. 43

Group Organization ......................................................... 43

Labyrinth Rules ..................................................................... 44

Time and Movement ........................................................ 44

Rest ................................................................................ 44

Carrying Capacity and Encumbrance................................. 44

Light and Darkness .......................................................... 44

Doors.............................................................................. 44

Traps and Trap Detection ................................................ 45

Wilderness Adventures .......................................................... 45

Time and Wilderness Movement ....................................... 45

Losing Direction .............................................................. 45

Climbing.......................................................................... 46

Rations and Foraging ....................................................... 46

Swimming ....................................................................... 46

Air Travel ........................................................................ 46

Water Travel.................................................................... 46

Hiring Retainers.................................................................... 46

Checking Morale.............................................................. 47

Retainers and Experience ................................................. 47

Hiring Specialists and Mercenaries ......................................... 47

Kinds of Mercenaries ........................................................ 47

Kinds of Specialists .......................................................... 47

Awarding Experience ............................................................ 49

SECTION 5: Encounters and Combat......................................... 50

Encounters ........................................................................... 50

Encounters and Time ....................................................... 50

Labyrinth Play Sequence .................................................. 50

Wilderness Play Sequence ................................................ 50

Monsters Encountered ...................................................... 50

Movement in Encounters ....................................................... 52

Chases in the Labyrinth .................................................... 52

Chases in the Wilderness .................................................. 52

Combat ................................................................................ 52

Combat Movement .......................................................... 53

Attacking ......................................................................... 53

Unarmed Combat ................................................................. 53

Aerial Combat ...................................................................... 53

Damage and Healing........................................................ 54

Missile Attacks ................................................................. 54

Saving Throws ...................................................................... 54

Item Saving Throws (Optional Rule) ....................................... 55

Morale Checks (Optional Rule)............................................... 56

Stronghold Encounters .......................................................... 56

Adventures at Sea................................................................. 56

Water Vessels .................................................................. 56

Ship Weaponry ................................................................ 57

Water Conditions ............................................................. 57

Encounters at Sea ............................................................ 58

Waterborne Chases .......................................................... 58

Waterborne Combat......................................................... 58

Encounter and Combat Example............................................ 58

SECTION 6: Monsters............................................................... 61

Abbreviations........................................................................ 62

Monster Listings ................................................................... 63

Wandering Monster Tables .................................................. 104

Wilderness Encounter Tables ............................................... 105

SECTION 7: Treasure.............................................................. 106

How to Roll for Treasure ..................................................... 107

Gems ............................................................................ 107

Jewelry.......................................................................... 107

Finding and Using Magic Items ............................................ 107

Treasure Tables .................................................................. 107

Magic Item Descriptions ...................................................... 110

Potions.......................................................................... 110

Rings ............................................................................ 113

Scrolls ........................................................................... 114

Rods, Staves, and Wands ............................................... 115

Miscellaneous Magic Items.............................................. 116

Weapons, Armor, and Swords ........................................ 120

SECTION 8: Labyrinth Lord Lore............................................. 123

Labyrinth Design................................................................. 123

Labyrinth Scenarios ....................................................... 123

Stocking the Labyrinth ................................................... 123

Groups of NPCs ............................................................ 124

Wilderness Design ............................................................... 125

Wandering Monsters ........................................................... 125

Wilderness Wandering Monsters...................................... 125

Magic Research .................................................................. 126

Creating a Stronghold ......................................................... 126

Structure Prices ............................................................. 127

Advice for the Labyrinth Lord .............................................. 127

Characters of Different Levels ......................................... 127

Characters and Treasure ................................................ 127

Character versus Player Knowledge................................. 127

Impossible Tasks ............................................................ 127

Labyrinth Lord as Judge................................................. 128

Monsters and NPCs in Play ............................................ 128

Random Rolls ................................................................ 128

Ruling Wishes ................................................................ 128

Sample Stocked Labyrinth ................................................... 128

Taking it to the Next Level .................................................. 131

Sample Wilderness Map ...................................................... 131

Index....................................................................................... 133

Character Sheet....................................................................... 134

Introduction

Labyrinth Lord

Section 1: Introduction

Alexandra the Elf lashes out with her sword again, but the

goblins keep getting closer. The dark pit looms behind her,

the crevasse that had only moments earlier consumed her

companion. She turns and makes a desperate leap toward the

pit, hoping to land safely on the other side ⁄

You are about to enter an entirely new world. Unlike board or

card games that have highly structured play options and little

flexibility, most of the action in Labyrinth Lord takes place in

your imagination. There are no limits!

Labyrinth Lord is a roleplaying game. When you play a role

playing game it is like acting in a play. You take on the role of

an alter ego, and progress through an interactive story. But in

a role playing game, there is no script or predetermined

ending. You get to determine your fate, while seeking fame,

wealth, and power by conquering foes, gathering treasure, and

accumulating levels of experience!

with the characters played by the players, but the Labyrinth

Lord decides on their actions, personalities, and motivations.

No one in this game „wins.‰ Characters do sometimes die;

this is a fact of the game, but it does not indicate failure or

„losing‰ in the sense that someone loses at, say, a card game.

One can measure „success‰ in this game in many ways, such

as achieving treasure, levels of experience, or powerful

magical items. However, the one common measure of success

that everyone should strive for is to have fun. Everyone can

win at this game, because everyone can have fun playing it.

So while a character may die, or riches may be lost, it is the

game play itself that matters. Winning is in being able to

suspend disbelief long enough to be immersed in a fantasy

world.

Adventuring

Many adventures the characters undertake will take place in

monster-filled labyrinths, in the wilderness, or in a town.

Labyrinths may be large or small, but they are usually

underground locations that are mapped and have the contents

determined and described by the Labyrinth Lord. While the

Labyrinth Lord may design these areas, published pre-made

labyrinths or other areas might be used. The Labyrinth Lord

has the hardest job of all, because he must be prepared ahead

of time to inform the players of what lies ahead and how the

results of their choices unfold.

YouÊve taken the first step on your adventure, but you are still

a 0 level human. DonÊt despair, because you become 1st level

when you create your first character, and progress from there.

Gaining a level is a special occasion, because it incrementally

marks your success as your alter ego. Each time a character

gains a level, he becomes more powerful and capable of

taking on the dangers of deeper and more exciting labyrinth

levels.

⁄ Alexandra fails to clear the pit, and plummets within! She

feels the cold, slimy walls of stone slide against her, and begins

to tumble and glide along the curved wall as she slips into the

darkness. She fals a great distance before coming to a

sudden, squishy halt. A gasp escapes her as she realizes the

slide is stopped by the corpse of her companion, Nles the

halfling. He is impaled on a wall of spikes with his mouth still

open, as if to scream a warning or produce a shriek of

surprise.

How to Play

Although all of the people who sit down to play Labyrinth

Lord are „players‰ in the traditional sense, they are not all

referred to as „players‰ in this gameÊs terminology. One game

participant is referred to as the „Labyrinth Lord,‰ for which

this game is named. This person is the moderator of the

game, and is the person who should understand the rules

better than any other participant. The other participants are

called „players,‰ and they take on the role of a character (or,

rarely, more than one character). Characters played by players

are referred to as player characters (PCs). The players act in

the role of their characters in the setting or world designed

and presented by the Labyrinth Lord. Characters each have a

class, which might be thought of as a profession, and the class

will dictate what sorts of capabilities characters have.

Dice

Labyrinth Lord primarily uses six different kinds of dice to

determine the results of actions and situations, but these same

dice might be used to generate numbers of varying ranges.

These different dice and the terms employed to use and

describe them are detailed below.

Dice and Notation

Dice rolls are described with expressions such as „3d4+3,‰

which means „roll three four-sided dice, sum them, and add

3‰ (resulting in a number between 6 and 15). The first number

tells you how many dice to roll (adding the results together).

The Labyrinth Lord is the final arbitrator of rules and rules

decisions. He guides the progress of the game, and plays the

roles of monsters and non-player characters (NPCs). Non-

player characters are characters that share many similarities

Labyrinth Lord

Introduction

The number immediately after the „d‰ tells you the type of die

to use (sometimes this is not a „real‰ die, see below). Any

number after that indicates a quantity that is added,

subtracted, or multiplied with the result. Labyrinth Lord uses

the following die notations:

travel into the top-most level of a labyrinth, they are in the

level closest to the surface of the earth. If the labyrinth has

multiple levels, the next level down is the second level, then

the third, and so on. The deeper the labyrinth level, the

greater the dangers that await the characters.

Notation Meaning

d2 A result of 1 to 2 is obtained by rolling 1d6.

A result of 1-3 = 1, and 4-6 = 2.

d3 A result of 1 to 3 is obtained by rolling 1d6.

A result of 1-2 = 1, 3-4 = 2, and 5-6 = 3.

d4 Four sided die

d6 Six sided die

d8 Eight sided die

d10 Ten sided die, a „0‰ indicates a result of 10

d12 Twelve sided die

d20 Twenty sided die

d% or d00 Percentile dice (a number between 1 and 100

is generated by rolling two different ten-sided

dice. One (designated before rolling) is the

tens digit. The other is the ones digit. Two 0s

represent 100.)

One term that is frequently used is adventure. An adventure is

often used to describe one play session. It may also be used in

reference to a full scenario that may take several play sessions

to finish. Many published adventures will use the term

adventure and module interchangeably. When many

adventures are strung together, often with the same characters

in play, this is referred to as a campaign.

Experience points (XP) are used to measure the progress of

characters. These points are assigned based on how powerful

monsters that have been defeated are, and on how much

treasure is found. As more experience points are gained,

characters go up in level. As characters go up in level, one

thing that changes is their number of hit points (hp).

Characters gain more hp as they advance in levels, and this

allows them to suffer greater damage and survive. Characters

most often take damage from monsters while engaged in an

encounter. An encounter is a situation in which the PCs and

monsters or NPCs are interacting. Time and movement are

measured differently during encounters, and this will be

covered in depth later.

Terms

Some important terms have been described already, and more

will be described later, but to avoid confusion a few more

clarifications are in order. Whenever the term „Labyrinth

Lord‰ is presented in italics (Labyrinth Lord), it is referring to

the name of this game. When the term is presented without

italics, it is referring to the game moderator discussed

previously.

If you are confused about what some of the terms used so far

mean, many terms are explained as they are presented in later

sections of this book.

Common Abbreviations

Below are some of the most common abbreviations that will

be found in this book or Labyrinth Lord supplemental books.

Another important concept is to understand different usage of

the term levels. There are four instances when the term levels

might be used. One instance is when we are discussing levels

of experience for characters, or class level. Characters begin at

1 st level in a particular class. As they accumulate experience

points through fighting monsters and gaining wealth, they will

reach higher levels (2 nd level, 3 rd level, and so on). With each

level comes more hit points and additional class capabilities

(discussed later). While we are talking about characters,

another term that might be used is spell level. Characters who

can cast spells will have access to more spells and spells

referred to as being of a higher level as the characters increase

in class level. For instance, some spells are 1 st level spells, and

some are 2 nd level, and so on. Spell levels do not directly

correspond to class levels; they are only a relative measure of

the power of spells.

Abbreviation Meaning

Abilities

STR

Strength

DEX

Dexterity

CON

Constitution

INT

Intelligence

WIS

Wisdom

CHA

Charisma

Other

Attack Value

Hit points

shp

Structural hit points

Hit dice (or hit die)

Another way in which the term „level‰ is used is when

discussing the level of a monster. This corresponds directly

with how many hit dice monsters have. For instance, a 2 hit

die (2 HD) monster might be thought of as a 2 nd level

monster. This is a direct measure of how many hit points a

monster will have, and how challenging an opponent it is.

Finally, the term „level‰ will be used in the context of labyrinth

level. The primary adventuring locations in Labyrinth Lord are

labyrinths, or underground mazes, that are filled with many

monsters, treasures, and treacherous secrets. A labyrinth level

could be thought of as a floor of a building. When characters

Armor class

Experience points

Player character

NPC

Non-player character

Copper pieces

Silver pieces

Electrum pieces

Gold pieces

Platinum pieces

THC

Treasure Hoard Class

Labyrinth Lord

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