After generating, tweaking and fudging the basic UDP, generate the Peril level. Roll 1d6 and add the following modifiers.
Peril
| | Challenge | Denizens | Size | Type* | Reputation | Protection | Strategy |
| 0 | | | +1 | -2 | +1 | -2 | -3 |
| 1 | | | | -1 | +1 | | -2 |
| 2 | | | | | | | -1 |
| 3 | | | | +1 | | | |
| 4 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | | | | +1 | | | |
| 6 | | | | +1 | | | |
| 7 | | | | | | | +1 |
| 8 | | +1 | | +1 | +1 | | +1 |
| 9 | | +1 | | +1 | +1 | +1 | +2 |
| A | +4 | +1 | +1 | +2 | +3* | +1 | +2 |
| B | +2 | | | | | | |
| C | +1 | | | | | | |
| D | | | | | | | |
| E | | | | | | | |
| X | -2 | | | | | | |
Peril is a very subjective rating of the average danger of a typical member of the protection team. Assuming that it isn’t a fish story, peril rages from -6 (the minimum value) to 18.
At a very rough quantification, the peril level corresponds to a normal person with the given number of terms in an appropriate career –such as , say, barbarian, soldier or mage. As a rule of thumb, use the peril as the total number of skills and stat advances added to a normal human (777777). Negative values subtract from stats, but regardless of the peril rating, all denizens have enough level-0 skills to be able to act appropriately. In general, no more than half the adds should be applied to skill levels. Note too, that the actual d6 roll is the maximum possible skill level for one skill –which may or may not actually be achievable. All other skills must be less than the maximum, no matter how many.
As an example, consider an average dungeon (C-556555). A series of catacombs sheltering the remnants of an unspeakable snake cult, which has broken up into several mutually opposed sects, each defending their own turf against all comers.
Given a roll of 4, it would be peril 5, and would have a typical denizen (let us say evil human cultists minions) with stats of 987777 (three advances) and one key skill at 2, or two at level 1. All would have “worship huge-ass snake god” at level -0. Some acolytes would have access to one or two spell levels (say, dwemomer-1 and mesmerism-1, or perhaps skinshifting -2; both options would also would have dagger-0).
A truly epic campaign ending dungeon site might be AAA99A: An underground lost kingdom ruled by the terrible sorcery using dragon that destroyed it. A roll of 6 gives a final peril of 18; good luck ! A dragon the size of 18 men, with appropriate stats lurks deep in the ruins of the elven kingdom it destroyed; it has 9 levels of magic: mesmerism-5 nad several others at one or two. Its stats would be determined by its size rather than by upping a human, and the creature building tables should be consulted, using appropriate modifiers. Possibly, (as per challenge level A) it also has the disturbing spirits of grief stricken dead elves, physically harmless, but importantly, loud; with a few being insane and violent. Some few enslaved goblins may be on hand to run errands and get groceries (such as adventurers). As I said, good luck.
Obviously, not all denizens will be human, or directly comparable, so considerable input from the DM will be required for this to work in a sane manner –although pure gonzo is also a possibility.
The Hoard
Finally, the reason we are here ! The sites’s horde rating is the final measure of its value, both in the main cache of the biggest boss,, and spread around and hidden throughout. Basic procedure is: roll (1d3-1d3) and add the peril. The below table suggests some modifiers based on some of the authors favorite S&S tropes; feel free to ignore or modify them. Indeed, the horde should always be modified if the reward is inappropriate to the danger level and/or the type of campaign. ALWAYS.
Horde
| | Challenge | Denizens | Size | Type* | Reputation | Protection | Strategy |
| 0 | | | | | | -2 -1 | -1 |
| 1 | | | | | | -1 | |
| 2 | | | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | | | | +1 | | | |
| 7 | | | | | | +1 | |
| 8 | | | | | | +1 | |
| 9 | | | | -1 | | +2 | |
| A | +2 | | | +1 | +2 | | |
| B | | | | | | | |
| C | | | | | | | |
| D | | | | | | | |
| E | +1 | | | | | | |
| X | -2 | | | | | | |
*Remember, it’s a fish story…….
| 1d6 + mods | Metal | Gems : d6 x (rating+1) | Jewelry: d6 + rating | Minor magic: d3 | Magic item: H -L | Artifact: 1 |
| 0 | Copper 2d6 *10 | 10+ | 12 + | 10+ | 12 + | 12 + |
| 1 | Copper 2d6 *100 | 10+ | 12 + | 10+ | 12 + | 12 + |
| 2 | Bronze 2d6 *100 | 9+ | 11+ | 10+ | 12 + | 12 + |
| 3 | Silver 2d6 *100 | 9+ | 11+ | 10+ | 12 + | 12 + |
| 4 | Bronze 2d6 *1000 | 8+ | 10+ | 9+ | 11+ | 12 + |
| 5 | Silver 2d6 *1000 | 8+ | 10+ | 9+ | 11+ | 12 + |
| 6 | Gold 2d6*100 | 7+ | 9+ | 9+ | 11+ | 12 + |
| 7 | Silver Talents 2d6 | 7+ | 9+ | 9+ | 11+ | 12 + |
| 8 | Silver 2d6 *10000 | 6+ | 8+ | 8+ | 10+ | 12 + |
| 9 | Gold 2d6 *1000 | 6+ | 8+ | 8+ | 10+ | 12 + |
| A | Silver Talents 2d6 *10 | 5+ | 7+ | 8+ | 10+ | 12 + |
| B | Gold Talents 2d6 | 5+ | 7+ | 8+ | 10+ | 12 + |
| C | Gold 2d6 *10000 | 4+ | 6+ | 7+ | 9+ | 12 + |
| D | Silver Talents 2d6 *100 | 4+ | 6+ | 7+ | 9+ | 12 + |
| E | Gold Talents 2d6*10 | 3+ | 5+ | 7+ | 9+ | 12 + |
| F | Silver Talents 2d6 *1000 | 3+ | 5+ | 7+ | 9+ | 12 + |
| G | Gold Talents 2d6 *100 | 3+ | 4+ | 6+ | 8+ | 12 + |
| H | Silver Talents 2d6 *10000 | 3+ | 4+ | 6+ | 8+ | 12 + |
| J | Gold Talents 2d6 *1000 | 3+ | 3+ | 6+ | 8+ | 12 + |
The main horde consists of final number on the Hoard table; this result is in one place, or at least in a concentrated sub area of the site This is the big one, the one the whole thing may be protecting – or the main dumping ground for undead who dislike silver (say).
Final reward
All lower coin values are also found, but spread out through the rest of the dungeon and its denizens. Thus, a hoard type 5 also contains loot equal to hordes 4, 3, 2,1 and 0-. Whereas the main treasure trove will tend to be concentrated, the remainder will tend to be spread out throughout the site, some guarded by lesser foes, some simply hidden or lost.
Similarly, roll once more on the gems, jewels and magic items at Hoard -1, and distribute any that result as with coins. Now that’s a place worth getting you neck snapped for, right ? Hmmmmm. Your characters neck. Sound better ?
Gems typically have negligible weight and value d6xd6 xd6 coins:1bronze coins, 2-4 silver coins , 5 gold coins, 6 Special, reroll: 1-5 gold, 6 determine the value as if jewelry (below); this result represents the ruby the size of a mans fist, the mountain of light diamond, or the pearl the size of a plovers egg.
Jewelry have a value per piece of d3 talents: 1-3 Bronze talents, 4-5 Silver Talents 6 Gold Talents. Remember, 1 Talent = 6000 coins of that type.
Minor magic: this covers a variety of helpful but not decisively powerful items. As a rule, they should never approximate or contain spells of greater than second circle or equivalent mystery spells; nor should they have more than 1d3 specific powers, with 1 such power being the most common. Only the weakest should have constant effect or unlimited use. A rough guideline is that number of spells + circle of highest spell must be no greater than 3. And yes, that is very limited. Spells with expendable charges or single use can have more spells and power, such scrolls of d3 spells of 1-2nd circle; potions; small weapons; item bound spells of 1st circle.
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