Alternative Systems for AD & D^TM

Long-Distance Travel

In conjunction with the above, here are some estimates for movement speed over long distances. Note that, given the Fatigue rules, few creatures will be able to keep up speedy movement for long periods.

• ^* Creatures who are Heavily encumbered can't Run; creatures who are Severely encumbered can't Jog or Run.
• Travel off any trail or road is at half speed. Travel through very rough terrain (e.g. mountains, swamp) is at quarter speed. A successful Area Knowledge NWP check reduces this penalty one step. Certain local creatures (e.g. wolves) can be assumed to have high local Area Knowledge.
• Cold or unseasonably hot weather further halves speed; snow quarters it. A successful Survival NWP check reduces this penalty one step. Certain native creatures may be able to ignore these penalties.

Fatigue

Occasionally (mostly when pursuit is a factor), it will become necessary to find out just how far creatures can travel. Here are my ideas in that direction:

Time increments for travel are:

The Base increment may be travelled without any check. Each further Forced increment requires an Endurance NWP check, at a -1 penalty for each further period. Failure indicates that a rest must be taken. Certain hardy creatures will have high equivalent Endurance scores.

Waterborne Travel

Some of what follows is quite specific to Pangea, but it should be readily applicable to any campaign where travel on the water is possible.

There are three modes of movement - Sail, Sail and Row, and Emergency. The Emergency rate can only be sustained for 10 rounds at most; it represents frantic rowing with all sails unfurled, if applicable.

Storms and gales (see Weather, below) will necessitate an NWP check: roll a Boating / Seamanship NWP check, with the modifier as given below, or the vessel flounders and begins to sink. 'n/a' indicates no check is necessary; the vessel will be fine.

Speed in MPH

Weather

Again, the following table is designed for Pangea, but should serve as a template for your own world. Pangea is of relatively temperate / northern climate, and modifiers should be applied to the roll dependant on local conditions.

Weather should be checked every 8 hours or so, and the roll biased by ±20% towards the last result, so the weather shows some consistency. Roll once for weather type, and once for wind.

If the Weather type is foggy or misty, assume Wind is Calm. If Windy or stronger, clouds will clear in 1-2 hours.

Summer

01-02

Dense fog, cool

03-05

Mist, cool

06-10

Steady drizzle, cool

11-15

Patchy rain, cool

16-20

Steady rain, cool

21-30

Heavy showers

31-35

Thunderstorm

36-45

Cloudy, cool

46-55

Cloudy, warm

56-65

Clear, cool

66-75

Clear, warm

76+

Clear, hot

Spring and Autumn

01-05

Dense fog, cool

06-10

Mist, cool

11-15

Heavy rain, cool

16-20

Light rain, cool

21-35

Drizzle, cool

36-55

Overcast, cool

56-65

Cloudy, cool

66-75

Cloudy, warm

76-85

Clear, cool

86+

Clear, warm

Winter

01-07

Heavy snow, cold

08-15

Steady snow, cold

16-20

Patchy snow, cold

21-25

Sleet, cold

26-50

Steady rain, cold

51-70

Cloudy, cold

71-90

Clear, cold

91+

Sunny, thaw

Wind

01-19

Calm

20-59

Breezy

60-89

Windy^{^*}

90-96

Storm^{^**}

97+

Gale^{^***}

• ^{^} If on board a boat or ship, NWP check needed - see above
• ^* Sail at +5 mph
• ^** Sail at +10 mph
• ^*** Sail at +20 mph