Morale (Optional Rule)🔗
The referee decides whether monsters or NPCs surrender or run away in combat. The following system may be utilized.
Morale Rating🔗
Monsters are rated for morale with a number from 2–12. This represents their courage in battle. Higher morale scores indicate more fearless monsters.
A score of 2: Means the monster will not fight. No morale checks should be made.
A score of 12: Means the monster fights to the death, never checking morale.
Morale Checks🔗
The referee rolls 2d6 and compares the result against the monster’s morale score:
- Higher than morale score: The monster will surrender or attempt to flee.
- Equal to or lower than morale score: The monster will continue to fight.
Two successes: If a monster makes two successful morale checks in an encounter, it will fight until killed, with no further checks necessary.
When to Check Morale🔗
Monsters make morale checks (rolled by the referee) in two circumstances:
First death on side: The first time one of their number is killed in battle.
Side half incapacitated: When half the monsters are incapacitated (slain, paralyzed, etc.).
Situational Adjustments🔗
Based on the situation, the referee may apply morale modifiers from –2 to +2. For example, the side losing a battle might suffer a –1 morale penalty, while the side winning may gain a +1 bonus.
Scores of 2 or 12: Adjustments are never applied to monsters with a morale of 2 or 12.
Mercenary Morale🔗
Mercenaries (see Mercenaries) have a morale rating and check morale exactly like monsters.
Morale rating: Determined solely by the type of troops; see below. The CHA of the hiring character has no influence.
Modifiers: The referee may penalize mercenaries’ morale in poor conditions (e.g., low wages, abuse, frequent death) or raise it in good conditions (e.g., riches, glory in battle).
| Troop Type | Morale |
|---|---|
| Untrained, militia | 6 |
| Barbarian horde | 7 |
| Trained warriors | 8 |
| Mounted | +1 |
| Elite troops | +1 |
| Fanatics, berserkers | +2 |
Retainer Morale🔗
Retainers signed up to work as adventurers, so are not frightened off at the first sign of danger. Retainers do not make morale checks in combat, but a loyalty check may be required in extreme peril (see Retainers).