Rules FAQ

Overview

The following is a list of frequently asked questions that players have sent us. If you have any queries about Empire then it is worth checking the FAQs first, to see if the answer to your question is here. Otherwise email us at rules@profounddecisions.co.uk with any questions about the rules or empire@profounddecisions.co.uk with any other questions about the game. We'll answer as quickly as we can and we'll add your question to our FAQ if we think it is likely to be of interest to other players.

Skills and Characters

Why have I only got 1xp after two events?

If you attend one or two events in a year - then you get one xp in total after the first event.

If you attend three or four events in a single year - then you get two xp in total - one after the first event and one after the third event.

Do I have to spend all 8 character points?

You do not have to spend all eight character points when making your character. Unspent points are saved and can be spent on that character later. However you cannot spend those points on a different character in the future. Only unspent points that have been earned by attending events can be spent on a new character.

Can I master a new ritual I just performed?

It's not possible to master a ritual by casting it. A ritualist can attempt to cast any ritual effect at an event - effectively working without having mastered the spell. If the ritual is part of the Imperial Lore (it is on the wiki) then it is easier to do that. But successfully casting the ritual does not make the ritual part of the Imperial lore - that takes a major effort and only certain characters can achieve it (the Dean of the Lyceum of the Imperial Conclave or the Urizen Provost of the Halls of Knowledge).

Once a ritual has been added to the Imperial lore (put on the wiki) anyone can spend xp to master it.

It is possible to master a ritual that is not part of Imperial Lore - but doing so requires access to a special item called a ritual text that contains the details of how the ritual is performed. It is not possible for a character to simply teach a ritual that is not part of Imperial Lore to another character.

Can I use Stay With Me or Get It Together at range?

No. These are personal skills and require close, personal roleplaying. You must be close enough to touch the target to use these skills - shouting across the battlefield is not sufficient.

Can I use weapon master to wield a quarterstaff?

Both the battle mage and weapon master skills can be used to wield a staff in combat. However, neither allows the wielder to employ heroic calls using a staff (see below).

Weapons, Armour, and Fighting

What are the restrictions on bows and crossbows?

All bows must have a maximum draw weight of 30 lb at 28" (72 cm). All crossbows must have a maximum draw weight of 30 lb. We do not use bow competency tests at Profound Decisions events. You cannot parry or catch arrows that are fired at your character.

Bows and crossbows must be wielded in two hands. Pistol crossbows and wrist-mounted crossbows cannot be used in Empire.

Characters in Empire cannot use a crossbow that loads more than one bolt at once - you can use a phys-rep crossbow that has more than one channel for a bolt, provided that you do not load more than one bolt at once.

Can I use steel armour that doesn't cover my torso?

To gain the benefit of increased hits, your armour must cover your torso and one other location, either your head, legs, arms or half your arms and legs. But you still gain the protection provided by the individual piece of armour, appropriate for its type, if it is struck.

E.g. I am wearing a soft leather vest and helm which counts as light armour and provides me with two extra hits. In addition I am wearing steel vambraces and a hardened leather hero belt. If a CLEAVE or IMPALE strikes my steel vambraces then I just lose one global hit. If a CLEAVE strikes my thick leather hero belt then I just lose one global hit. If the blows strike me anywhere else, then I am affected normally.

Can I wear mail under my costume?

Yes, you can wear armour under costume, or even other armour. Your armour does not have to be visible. If you wear a steel vest of mail under your costume or other armour then it would protect against IMPALE or CLEAVE as normal.

What happens to my hits when I swap armour?

If you are wearing armour and you have lost any global hits, then you drop to one hit when you remove your armour. If you have lost any hits when you put a suit of armour on, then you do not gain any hits by donning a suit of armour, until you are healed.

In theory it would be possible to use fractions to calculate how many hits you have, in practice this is needlessly complicated for a situation that will almost never arise (people removing armour while wounded and in danger). The rules above are as simple as they can be and ensure that there is never any advantage to swapping one set of armour for another.

Can I use a one-handed spear as a polearm?

A one-handed spear can be used as a two-handed polearm. You can't use a two-handed bill or a halberd or the like as a one-handed spear - because it isn't a spear.

Can my magician wear pieces of armour?

A character cannot cast spells while wearing any piece of regular armour. A magician with the battle mage skill may wear mage armour which provides two additional global his but does not protect against CLEAVE or IMPALE.

You may not cast spells while wearing pieces of armour, such as greaves or vambraces. You cannot wear anything that would protect against a CLEAVE or IMPALE and cast spells at the same time. You can wear costume or mage armour that includes some metal if it is part of your costume but it is better to avoid it looking like armour and it does not protect against CLEAVE or IMPALE. If you wish to wear a helm for safety reasons then you may do so.

Can you be fed a potion if you are dying?

Yes. You cannot drink a potion yourself if you are dying on zero hits, but you can have one fed to you.

Can I use a quarterstaff and make heroic calls?

A staff is not a suitable phys-rep for a lethal battlefield weapon capable of delivering a heroic blow nor a suitable physrep for a magic weapon such a magic spear.

A staff can be used with the battle mage skill to cast offensive spells and is a suitable physrep for a magical staff or ritual staff.

Can I fight while holding two items in one hand?

No. You may only have one weapon or one shield in each hand when you are fighting. You cannot hold more than one item in each hand.

If you are wielding a two-handed weapon, a polearm or a similar item that requires two hands then you cannot hold a dagger, a buckler or any weapon, shield or similar in the hand while you fight.

What do I do if I can't fall over?

All characters who choose to enter combat at Empire are expected to be able to follow the published rules. This includes falling over if their character is reduced to zero hits, or being hit with a STRIKEDOWN effect. The rules for strikedown have been updated to allow any character to take two steps before they fall to the ground if needed for safety reasons.

If you have any mobility or safety restrictions that make it unsafe or impossible to follow the normal rules for combat then you can use the rules for being non-contact at any point, including at the point where you are hit with a strikedown or reduced to zero hits. This will ensure the highest possible level of safety and because it doesn't advantage your character it ensures that nobody can question the need to do so. The point at which you feel it is necessary to become non-contact is absolutely your decision; it is not acceptable for any other participant to question this.

Can I swing two weapons at once in a combined strike?

Yes, providing you have the Ambidexterity skill. Note that the recipient of the attack should only take one point of damage however. Such an attack does not violate the one second rule.

What location is the backside?

At times, a CLEAVE or IMPALE will strike a connection point on the body between the torso and a limb. In these situations, we rely on the judgement of the receiving player as to which location was closer to the hit. The important point is that the effect is taken on one of the two locations.

Calls

Does CLEAVE or IMPALE have to hit armour to be stopped?

Yes. The armour you are wearing on your torso and body provides additional global hits. But to protect you against a CLEAVE or IMPALE, the physical blow must strike an actual piece of armour. If it hits a part of your body (other than your head or neck) which is not protected by armour then you take the full affect of the heroic blow. If the blow strikes the actual armour itself and the armour protects against that blow then you just lose one hit.

Can I hold on to something instead of being repelled?

If you are struck with REPEL, you can hold on to a solid, immovable object such as a tree for ten seconds during which time you may talk but may take no other actions including blocking with a shield or parrying.

Can I grab, or be grabbed by, a friend to resist a REPEL?

No. Only a solid, immovable object will stop you moving. See also our rules on grappling.

What can I do if I can't fall over when struck with STRIKEDOWN?

This is covered in the previous section here.

Unstoppable

When do I get my hits back from Unstoppable?

You get 3 hits back after the 5 seconds of appropriate roleplaying are complete. If you are using the skill when you are on zero hits then you will be left with 3 hits at the end of the roleplaying, regardless of any damage taken during that time (note that you can't attack your enemies while using this skill - see below).

What can I do while I am using Unstoppable?

You cannot take any offensive action or attempt to move from the spot while you are performing five seconds of appropriate roleplaying to use the unstoppable heroic skill.

If you do move or attack, then by definition of the rules any blow that hits you must have landed after the five second of appropriate roleplaying to restore your hits was complete and so counts in full.

Can I use Unstoppable while I am paralysed?

You cannot use the unstoppable skill if you are paralysed, and will not be able to use it once it wears off. If you are paralysed while you are using the skill then your roleplaying has been interrupted. You will not regain any hits, but do not expend the hero point.

General Rules

Can I pick the lock on a box?

If you find a lock, then you, as your character, may attempt to pick the lock - provided you are confident you know what you are doing and are not likely to damage their phys-rep. There is no open locks skill or spell - you can only open the box if you can pick the lock on the box.

Whenever you are interacting with other players at an LRP event, especially if you are in their tent stealing their stuff, you should take all reasonable steps to avoid damaging their kit and props. If you do break another player's LRP kit at an event, we expect you to be honest, let us known and to take responsibility for that.

Always remember that any phys-rep you take must be taken to GOD within 30 minutes.

Can I use recorded music in my IC tent?

We have asked all players not to use background music playing from an electronic source in the IC area. Using music like this remains a controversial issue, some attendees like it - but some don't. In Empire we have worked as hard as possible to encourage the presence of IC musicians at events - and we want to continue that by encouraging players to hire IC performers if they want IC music in their establishments.

Can I use a puppet to represent a creature?

You can use a puppet to represent a creature, but should be aware of your fellow players. Puppets are not everyone's cup of tea, so people should act accordingly. If you're in your group tent - then it's fine to be roleplaying with your puppet - because if someone isn't in to that they can just go and roleplay elsewhere. It's not appropriate however to bring a puppet into a public area and demand everyone interact with it. Ideally, don't force people to opt-out - make it a thing people opt into.

Basically respect your fellow players and be conscious of the fact that puppets enhance the game for some people, but they detract from the game for others. Be considerate and if you're doing something unorthodox then look to act in ways that don't force the roleplaying on other players if it's not their thing.

The reality is that we don't want to create a rule that says "puppet allowed" or "puppet not allowed" - because we want Empire to support players who enjoy that kind of roleplay - and also support players that don't. If people are respectful of other other players and appreciate this stuff is not everyone's cup of tea - and act accordingly - then we think Empire is big enough for everyone who does and doesn't like to play with these things to get along.