running the game
TABLE 5–1: TREASURE TYPES
d% Items
01–10 Jewels (roll on Subtable A) 11–25 Art Objects (roll on Subtable B) 26–50 Mundane Items (roll on Subtable C) 51–75 Minor Magic Items (roll on Subtable D) 76–90 Medium Magic Items (roll on Subtable E) 91–100 Major Magic Items (roll on Subtable F)
Subtable A: Jewels
*EL = the Encounter Level for this encounter.
†Minimum result = 1.
Subtable B: Art Objects Wealth
d% bonus † Type of Object*
01–05 EL – 1d4** 1 Huge object 06–08 EL – 1d4** 2 Large objects 09–13 EL – 1d4** 1d3 Medium objects 14–18 EL – 1d4** 1d6 Small objects 19–20 EL – 1d4** 1 Medium object 21–25 EL –1d4** 1 Small object
26–35 EL 1 Huge object
36–41 EL 2 Large objects
42–51 EL 1d3 Mediumobjects
52–61 EL 1d6 Small objects
62–65 EL 1 Medium object
66–75 EL 1 Small object
76–80 EL + 1d4 1 Huge object 81–82 EL + 1d4 2 Large objects 83–88 EL + 1d4 1d3 Medium objects 89–93 EL + 1d4 1d6 Small objects 94–95 EL + 1d4 1 Medium object 96–100 EL + 1d4 1 Small object
*Sizes in these descriptions refer to Table 4–3: Concealing Objects of the d20 MODERNRoleplaying Game.
†EL = the Encounter Level for this encounter.
**Minimum result = 1.
Subtable C: Mundane Items d% Type of Item
Subtable D: Minor Magic Items
d% Item Purchase DC
01 Ammunition (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
02 Blowgun, mastercraft1 7
03 Bolas, mastercraft1 6
04 Brass knuckles, mastercraft2 8
05 Buckler, mastercraft2 12
06 Chainmail shirt, mastercraft2 21
07 Chain saw, mastercraft1 12
08 Cleaver, mastercraft1 8
09 Concealable vest, mastercraft2 18
10 Crossbow, mastercraft1 12
11 Dagger, mastercraft punching1 7 12 Dwarven urgrosh, mastercraft1 18 13 Dwarven waraxe, mastercraft1 18
14 Falchion, mastercraft1 15
15 Flail, mastercraft heavy1 11
16 Flail, mastercraft light1 10
17 Fire resistant suit, mastercraft2 16
18 Glaive, mastercraft1 12
19 Gnome hooked hammer, mastercraft1 18
20 Greataxe, mastercraft1 15
21 Greatclub, mastercraft1 9
22 Greatsword, mastercraft1 15
23 Grenade (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
24 Guisarme, mastercraft1 11
25 Halberd, mastercraft1 11
26 Handgun (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
27 Hatchet, mastercraft1 7
28 Hide armor, mastercraft2 13
29 Javelin, mastercraft1 7
30 Kama, mastercraft1 8
31 Ketch-all pole, mastercraft1 14
32 Khopesh, mastercraft1 14
33 Knife, mastercraft1 10
34 Kukri, mastercraft1 8
35 Lance, mastercraft heavy1 9
36 Lance, mastercraft light1 8
37 Leather jacket, mastercraft2 13 38 Light duty vest, mastercraft2 19 39 Light undercover shirt, mastercraft2 16 40 Longarm (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
41 Longsword, mastercraft1 14
42 Mace, mastercraft heavy1 8
43 Mace, mastercraft light1 5
44 Machete, mastercraft1 8
45 Maul, mastercraft1 12
46 Metal baton, mastercraft1 11
47 Nekode, mastercraft1 11
48 Ninja-to, mastercraft1 13
49 Nunchaku, mastercraft1 6
50 Orc double axe, mastercraft1 18
51 Padded armor, mastercraft2 11
52 Pick, mastercraft1 8
53 Pickaxe, mastercraft1 9
54 Potion (random 1st-level arcane spell) 19 55 Potion (random 1st-level divine spell) 19
56 Potion of l’eau de tigre 20
57 Potion of mechanical aptitude 16
58 Potion of vehicle handling 16
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1 5 6
59 Pull-up pouch vest, mastercraft2 16
60 Quarterstaff, mastercraft1 4
61 Ranseur, mastercraft1 11
62 Rapier, mastercraft1 13
63 Riot shield, mastercraft2 13
64 Saber, mastercraft1 13
65 Scalemail, mastercraft2 20
66 Scimitar, mastercraft1 12
67 Scourge, mastercraft1 8
68 Scroll (random 1st-level arcane spell) 17 69 Scroll (random 1st-level divine spell) 17 70 Scroll (random 2nd-level arcane spell) 20 71 Scroll (random 2nd-level divine spell) 20
72 Scythe, mastercraft1 9
73 Shield, mastercraft large2 10
74 Shield, mastercraft small2 8
75 Shikome-zue, mastercraft1 15
76 Shortspear, mastercraft1 8
77 Short sword, mastercraft1 13
78 Shuriken, mastercraft1 6
79 Sickle, mastercraft1 6
80 Sling, mastercraft1 4
81 Slingshot, mastercraft1 5
82 Spear, mastercraft1 9
83 Speargun, mastercraft1 12
84 Special response vest, mastercraft2 21
85 Spiked club, mastercraft1 7
86 Spiked gauntlet, mastercraft1 9
87 Splint mail, mastercraft2 21
88 Studded leather armor, mastercraft2 15
89 Sword cane, mastercraft1 12
90 Tactical vest, mastercraft2 20
91 Three-section staff, mastercraft1 7
92 Thunderclap taser 20
93 Tonfa, mastercraft1 9
94 Trident, mastercraft1 9
95 Two-bladed sword, mastercraft1 19 96 Undercover vest, mastercraft2 17
97 Warhammer, mastercraft1 12
98 Whip, mastercraft1 7
99 Windbreaker of resistance (+1) 22 100 Reroll on Subtable E: Medium Magic Items —
1Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–4: Weapon Enhancements.
2Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–2: Armor and Shield Enhancements.
3The purchase DC for a mastercraft item is 3 + the item’s normal purchase DC.
Subtable E: Medium Magic Items d% Item Purchase DC
01 Ammunition (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
02 Bastard sword, mastercraft1 18
03 Battleaxe, mastercraft1 14
04 Breastplate, mastercraft2 21
05 Bulletproof shirt 22
06 Chainmail shirt, mastercraft2 21
07 Chain saw, mastercraft1 12
08 Chain saw of the psycho (+1) 25
09 Charged nunchaku (+1) 23
10 Charged nunchaku (+2) 28
11 Chemical light sticks of revealing 29 (for 5)
12 Cloudkill grenades 30 (for 6)
13 Compound bow, mastercraft1 13
14 Concealable vest, mastercraft2 18
15 Crossbow, mastercraft1 12
16 Crossbow, mastercraft hand1 14
17 Crystal pistol 29
18 Cutlass, mastercraft1 14
19 Decoder ring 30
20 Demolition hammer (+1) 30
21 Dire flail, mastercraft1 18
22 Dwarven urgrosh, mastercraft1 18 23 Dwarven waraxe, mastercraft1 18
24 Falchion, mastercraft1 15
25 Fire resistant suit, mastercraft2 16
26 Fuel tablets 29 (for 10)
27 Gnome hooked hammer, mastercraft1 18
28 Greataxe, mastercraft1 15
29 Greatsword, mastercraft1 15
30 Half-plate, mastercraft2 27
31 Handgun (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
32 Hide armor, mastercraft2 13
33 Javelin, mastercraft1 7
34 Ketch-all pole, mastercraft1 14
35 Khopesh, mastercraft1 14
36 Leather jacket, mastercraft2 13 37 Leather jacket of damage reduction 31 38 Light duty vest, mastercraft2 19 39 Light undercover shirt, mastercraft2 16 40 Longarm (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies3
41 Longsword, mastercraft1 14
42 Machete, mastercraft1 8
43 Magic Billiard-ball 30
44 Maul, mastercraft1 12
45 Medicine bundle 26
46 Muse statuette 31
47 Naginata, mastercraft1 15
48 NBC suit, mastercraft2 18
49 Orc double axe, mastercraft1 18
50 Pen of invisible ink 29
51 Potion (random 2nd-level arcane spell) 22 52 Potion (random 2nd-level divine spell) 22 53 Potion (random 3rd-level arcane spell) 25 54 Potion (random 3rd-level divine spell) 25
55 Potion of stealth 24
56 Potion of truth 25
57 Pull-up pouch vest, mastercraft2 16
58 Rapier, mastercraft1 13
59 Riot shield, mastercraft2 13
60 Riot shield of fear (+1) 26
61 Ring of cold cocking 30
62 Ring of energy resistance 15 30
63 Ring of jumping 26
64 Ring of lockpicking 28
65 Ring of surveillance detection 30
66 Rod of technology 29
67 Saber, mastercraft1 13
68 Scalemail, mastercraft2 20
69 Scimitar, mastercraft1 12
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1 5 7
70 Scroll (random 3rd-level arcane spell) 23 71 Scroll (random 3rd-level divine spell) 23 72 Scroll (random 4th-level arcane spell) 26 73 Scroll (random 4th-level divine spell) 26
74 Scythe, mastercraft1 9
75 Shield, mastercraft large2 10
76 Shield, mastercraft small2 8
77 Shikome-zue, mastercraft1 15
78 Shortspear, mastercraft1 8
79 Short sword, mastercraft1 13
80 Special response vest, mastercraft2 21 81 Spellbook
(contains all 0-level and 4 1st-level spells) 24
82 Splint mail, mastercraft2 21
83 Studded leather armor, mastercraft2 15
84 Tactical vest, mastercraft2 20
85 Two-bladed sword, mastercraft1 19
86 Umbrella of feather falling 30
87 Undercover vest of landing (+1) 30 88 Undercover vest, mastercraft2 17
89 Universal ID 29
90 Wakizashi, mastercraft1 14
91 Wand (random 1st-level spell, caster level 1) 26 92 Wand (random 1st-level spell, caster level 3) 28 93 Wand (random 2nd-level spell, caster level 3) 29 94 Wand (random 1st-level spell, caster level 5) 30
95 War fan, mastercraft1 14
96 Warhammer, mastercraft1 12
97 Whip, mastercraft1 7
98 Windbreaker of resistance (+2) 25 99 Windbreaker of resistance (+3) 28 100 Reroll on Subtable F: Major Magic Items —
1Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–4: Weapon Enhancements.
2Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–2: Armor and Shield Enhancements.
3The purchase DC for a mastercraft item is 3 + the item’s normal purchase DC.
Subtable F: Major Magic Items d% Item Purchase DC
01 Air duct infiltration suit 32
02 ARCANOBOTaction figure 36
03 Animated tools 34
04 Backpack of holding (roll d%)
01–50 Backpack of holding (light) 34 51–75 Backpack of holding (medium) 36 76–90 Backpack of holding (heavy) 38 91–100 Backpack of holding (jumbo) 41
05 Banded mail, mastercraft2 22
06 Bladegun (roll d%)
01–75 Bladegun (+1) 16 + special3
76–90 Bladegun (+2) 21 + special3
91–100 Bladegun (+3) 26 + special3
07 Breastplate, mastercraft2 21
08 Cat’s eye ring 37
09 Chainmail shirt, mastercraft2 21
10 Chain saw of the psycho (+2) 30
11 Chain saw of the psycho (+3) 35
12 Charged nunchaku (+3) 33
13 Crossbow, mastercraft1 12
14 Deadeye rifle (roll d%)
01–85 Deadeye rifle (+1) 42
86–95 Deadeye rifle (+2) 47
96–100 Deadeye rifle (+3) 52
15 Demolition hammer (+2) 35
16 Demolition hammer (+3) 40
17 Demonic biker’s jacket 35
18 Dire flail, mastercraft1 18
19 Doppler staff 41
20 Driving ace gloves 33
21 Duct tape of repair 31
22 Dwarven urgrosh, mastercraft1 18 23 Dwarven waraxe, mastercraft1 18
24 Eagle eye sunglasses 31
25 Eldritch cell phone 32
26 Fabric of style 36
27 Forced entry unit, mastercraft2 22 28 Fragmentation grenades of distance (roll d%)
01–75 Fragmentation grenades of
distance (+1) 35 (for 6)
76–90 Fragmentation grenades of
distance (+2) 40 (for 6)
91–100 Fragmentation grenades of
distance (+3) 45 (for 6)
29 Gauntlet of lightning 32
30 Glasses of minute seeing 31
31 Greataxe, mastercraft1 15
32 Greatsword, mastercraft1 15
33 Half-plate, mastercraft2 27
34 Handgun (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies4
35 Haz-Mat gloves 35
36 Hidden holster 33
37 Icethrower 35
38 Illusory concealable vest (roll d%)
01–60 Illusory concealable vest (+1) 31 61–90 Illusory concealable vest (+2) 36 91–100 Illusory concealable vest (+3) 41
39 Invisifinder goggles 31
40 Instant ice box 33
41 Jade crocodile 33
42 Light duty vest, mastercraft2 19 43 Longarm (choose type), mastercraft1 Varies4
44 Longsword, mastercraft1 14
45 Lucky deck 31
46 Lucky dice 31
47 Lucky suit 38
48 Maul, mastercraft1 12
49 Orc double axe, mastercraft1 18
50 O-yoroi, mastercraft2 31
51 Parka of warmth 33
52 Plate mail, mastercraft2 26
53 Quick-draw holster 31
54 Riot shield, mastercraft2 13
55 Riot shield of fear (+2) 31
56 Riot shield of fear (+3) 36
57 Ring of Algos 36
58 Ring of Lyssa 37
59 Ring of the ram 34
60 Ring of via negativa 32
1 5 8
In order to determine what mundane items are in a partic-ular encounter area, first you must attach a Wealth bonus rating for the encounter—use your best judgment or consult Table 7–3 from the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. Then use the table above to determine what sort of items are there, and to determine their value.
If the purchase DC is lower than the Wealth bonus rating you established, roll for another type of item. Repeat this process until the purchase DC total meets or exceeds the Wealth bonus rating for the encounter. In this way, you can fill a room with various types of mundane items and give it a more organic feel.
Minor Magic Items: As the tide of Shadow rises, magic items become increasingly common in the world of URBAN
ARCANA, and not all of them are imbued with world-shattering power. Some, in fact, are no more effective than their mun-dane counterparts—they simply use enchantment instead of AA batteries to get the job done.
Still, it is nice to have potions, scrolls, and low-level magic items around. They allow characters to save their reserves for the times that they’re really needed.
Roll on Subtable D to decide what random minor magic item is to be found in an appropriate location.
Medium Magic Items: Sometimes you want to appoint a room with more potent magic items. These scrolls, potions, and weapons are generally a bit more practical and useful.
However, they also are a bit more dangerous in the hands of an opponent.
Roll on Subtable E to seed appropriate encounters with random medium magic items.
Major Magic Items: As you send the characters against more and more dangerous opponents, you will want to seed the adventure with even more powerful magic items. Always remember, though that an antagonist knows what magic items he has in his home—and he’ll usually be willing to use them to protect himself against the characters.
Roll on Subtable F to seed appropriate encounters with random major magic items.
The Personal Touch
The value of treasure does not always have to lie in its Pur-chase DC. When seeding an adventure with loot for the heroes to hopefully find, give consideration to including items that play to a character’s desires or goals rather than to the bottom line. Listen to what your players talk about when they anticipate their character’s next level—make a mental note when you hear the phrase, “Wouldn’t it be cool if my character —.”
You can avoid overpowering your game if you find ways to include treasure that helps the players match their charac-ters to their visions. Players will often be happier to receive less monetary reward if they instead receive “just what they wanted.” What’s more, you can help encourage an even distribution of wealth and power among the group by including items that will clearly appeal to different members of the group.
Personalized rewards come in all shapes, sizes, and pur-chase DCs. Below are some of the most common categories.
This is not, however, an exhaustive list. Anything that your players want for their characters can be utilized as treasure if you so desire.
Vehicles: Vehicles break the mold of this conversation in that they generally do have high purchase DCs. However, they usually are not “game breakers.” In other words, having a vehicle will not give the players a significant advantage in the game. In fact, vehicles often open doors when it comes to
running the game
61 Running shoes of striding and springing 33
62 Scalemail, mastercraft2 20
63 Scalemail of the Silver Dragon (roll d%)
01–75 Scalemail of the Silver Dragon (+1) 33 76–90 Scalemail of the Silver Dragon (+2) 38 91–100 Scalemail of the Silver Dragon (+3) 43
64 Scimitar, mastercraft1 12
65 Screaming amulet 34
66 Scroll (random 5th-level arcane spell) 29 67 Scroll (random 5th-level divine spell) 29
68 Scythe, mastercraft1 9
69 Shadow detector 31
70 Shield, mastercraft large2 10
71 Shield, mastercraft small2 8
72 Short sword, mastercraft1 13
73 Six-demon bag 34
74 Special response vest, mastercraft2 21
75 Spectacles of speed reading 39
76 Spellbook (contains all 0-level, 6 1st-level,
and 4 2nd-level spells) 34
77 Spellbook (contains all 0-level, 6 1st-level, 5 2nd-level, and 4 3rd-level spells) 48
78 Splint mail, mastercraft2 21
79 Staff of fire 43
80 Staff of illumination 41
81 Staff of swarms 45
82 Staff of the mind’s eye 40
83 Staff of the urban jungle 45
84 Staff of voltage 40
85 Stamps of delivery 32 (for 6)
86 Tactical vest, mastercraft2 20
87 Translator’s earpiece 33
88 Trench coat of useful items 35
89 Two-bladed sword, mastercraft1 19 90 Undercover vest of landing (+2) 35 91 Undercover vest of landing (+3) 40 92 Undercover vest, mastercraft2 17 93 Wand (random 2nd-level spell, caster level 5) 31 94 Wand (random 3rd-level spell, caster level 5) 32 95 Wand (random 2nd-level spell, caster level 7) 33 96 Wand (random 3rd-level spell, caster level 7) 34 97 Wand (random 4th-level spell, caster level 7) 35
98 Warhammer, mastercraft1 12
99 Watch of speed 33
100 Whip, mastercraft1 7
1Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–4: Weapon Enhancements.
2Roll on the Minor column of Table 5–2: Armor and Shield Enhancements.
3Add the purchase DC of the handgun.
4The purchase DC for a mastercraft item is 3 + the item’s normal purchase DC.
running the game
your adventure design. If, for example, and adventure requires the characters to interrogate a blue dragon who lives atop a mesa in the middle of the desert, the adventure will go much smoother if they have access to a helicopter or some other vehicle that could get them there.
If the characters already have access to a vehicle, you can either provide the temptation of better transportation, or offer a upgrades or accessories that they can add to their current ride.
Signature Weapons: Let’s face it, one gun or sword is just as good as another when it comes to defeating the forces of evil. Weapons with magical enhancements are better than those without, but the differences between them are usually superficial.
Making special weapons—ones with rare or unique enchantments, colorful histories (and appropriately colorful names), or even intelligence and personalities—is a relatively easy thing for you to do, and something that your players will
greatly appreciate. You can add a whole other level of dis-tinction by giving the weapon a notably different look or style.
Have it made from a rare or valuable substance, or make a particular sound when used—anything that will make it stand out from others of its kind. The point is to make it so that whenever a GM character in your game sees the weapon, she immediately associates it with the player’s character.
Unique Equipment: Another thing that players always appreciate is equipment and materials for their characters that are not available to the general public. Look at the items in the equipment sections of this book and the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game—you’ll find that the mechanics behind much of it is based on providing bonuses to specific checks and saves. It’s an easy task for you to create a unique item that either enhances the abilities of an existing item that a character already uses or one that provides a combination of bonuses that doesn’t already exist.