In White Dwarf 29 (when it was a Gaming Magazine not just a catalogue) the rules for having Brownies as Player Characters in AD&D. Here presented are a conversion of those rules, allowing Brownie NPC's (or Characters if you so desire) in Castles & Crusades.Brownies are distant relatives of Halflings. They are smaller than their shire dwelling cousins, averaging out at just one and one half feet tall.
As a player character and Brownie can be a Fighter, Wizard, or Rogue. They aren’t religious by nature, and see the world as a series of magical causes and effects – so the Cleric and Druid classes are prohibited.
As a non-human, a Brownie can multi-class; but is restricted when doing so to two classes only. He may opt to be a Fighter/Wizard, Fighter/Rogue, or Rogue/Wizard.
RESISTANT TO MAGICBrownies by nature are highly resistant to magic. Like Dwarves they receive a +5 bonus to all saving throws against arcane spells and spell-like effects. This also applies to spells and spell-like effects that a Brownie WANTS to have cast upon him (although at a reduced level, the Brownie must still make a save vs. arcane magic – but because he WANTS the spell effect to take place no +5 bonus is applied to the roll), this ‘benefit’ also applies to rings, wands, rods, staves, and potions that infer such arcane magical effects on such hapless Brownie Player Characters.
DARKVISIONIn a similar manner to Gnomes, Brownies can see in complete darkness for up to 60 feet. Darkvision produces images that are in shades of gray, but it is otherwise like normal sight. Brownies can function well with no light at all. Bright lights, such as from a lantern or other light source, spoil darkvision. A Brownie requires one turn to adjust his or her eyes when a light source is extinguished before gaining full use of darkvision.
MOVE SILENTLY (Dexterity) Due to a Brownies small size and natural nimbleness, they have the ability to Move Silently (as if a member of the Rogue Class) even if they are not a Rogue. This ability allows a Brownie to move silently. The Brownie can move up to one-half normal speed at no penalty. At more than one-half, and up to the character’s full speed, the character suffers a -5 penalty to the check. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to move silently while running or charging. Brownies, who are Rogues, get a +5 Bonus to all checks when moving silently.
HIDE (Dexterity) Due to a Brownies small size and natural nimbleness, they have the ability to hide (as if a member of the Rogue Class) even if they are not a Rogue. This ability allows a Brownie to hide in the smallest of places. A Brownie can move up to one-half normal speed and remain hidden. Hide checks suffer no penalty in this circumstance. At more than one-half and up to full speed, the character suffers a -5 penalty to the check to remain hidden. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to hide while running or charging. If the character is being observed, even casually, they cannot hide. If observers are momentarily distracted, though, the character can attempt to hide. While the observer averts its attention from the character, the Brownie can attempt to get to a hiding place. This check, however, is at a –10 penalty because the character has to move quickly to the hiding place. A Brownie cannot hide if there is nothing to hide behind or conceal oneself with. Deep shadows can count as concealment at the Castle Keeper’s discretion. Brownies can hide and move silently at the same time IF they are a member of the Rogue Class - a Brownie can attempt both but must make a successful conceal and move silent check at-3. In this case, movement is reduced to one quarter the normal movement rate. This ability is affected by wearing armour not on the armour list for a rogue. Brownies, who are Rogues, get a +5 Bonus to all checks when hiding.
LISTEN (Wisdom)A Brownie can use this ability to listen intently and hear noises that others might not detect as if a member of the Rogue Class, even through an obstacle such as a door. Generally, a successful check indicates that the Brownie has detected some sort of noise. Success indicates the Brownie can hear soft sounds, like a whisper or cat stalking, while outside or in the open and up to a range of 30 feet. It also indicates success if the rogue is listening for sounds on the other side of a door, but the Brownie must be adjacent to the door. However, exactly what is heard is up to the Castle Keeper’s discretion as each case is unique. If listening through a stone wall, the rogue suffers a -10 penalty to the check. For other materials, vary the penalty as appropriate. A Brownie can retry this ability once a round. A Brownie who is also a Rogue, may try twice per round – and get a +5 Bonus to all listening checks.
DETERMINE DIRECTIONThe world’s great outdoors is the natural home for a Brownie. Brownies can sense the correct direction as naturally as a human can sense which way is up.
SURPRISEDue to a Brownies superior senses and small size, they receive a +6 bonus to checks when attempting to surprise others and a +3 bonus to all checks when being surprised.
MASTER REPAIRMENBrownies are very industrious, and have the ability to repair non-magical items of cloth, wood, rope, leather, or metal automatically (no roll required) given an appropriate amount of time and providing the correct tools and materials are at hand.
HARD TO HITDue to a Brownies small size and naturally evasive nature, they receive a bonus to their AC when fighting Bugbears, Ettins, Giants, Gnolls, Ogres, Ogre-Magi, Titans, and Trolls. When fighting such creatures, Brownies receive a +6 bonus to their armour class.
LANGUAGESElven, Pixie, Sprite, Brownie, Common, and Halfling
ALLOWED CLASSESFighter – 5th / Wizard – 15th /
Rogue – USIZETiny
MOVEMENT15 feet
ATTRIBUTE MODIFIERS+1 Dex, +1 Con, –2 Str
A Brownies lifespan is around 250 Human years.
