Items

Inventory

Creatures have 5 inventory slots. Each slot represents 1 handful of stuff. Essentially, each inventory slot can hold anything that you can carry with 1 hand. Large items that requires 2 hands to carry (such as a two-handed axe) take up 2 inventory slots. A handful of small items (such as rings or keys) take up 1 inventory slot.

Treasure

Treasure is abstract in Tavern Tales to avoid excessive bookkeeping. Your gaming group needs to work together to determine the value of 1 treasure, which can change during the game. Here are a few examples of what 1 treasure might be worth:

• To a street urchin, 1 treasure is a loaf of bread.
• To an adventurer, 1 treasure is a bag of coins.
• To a warrior-king, 1 treasure is a pile of gold.

Players ignore all treasure gains and losses that are below 1 treasure. These gains and loses are considered to be so trivial that they don't affect your finances at all. For example, suppose your group decides that 1 treasure is worth a bag of gold coins. If you notice a gold coin on the street and pick it up, you won't gain any treasure because it's below your threshold. Similarly, if you spend a few coins on a mug of ale at a tavern, you won't lose any treasure.

A single piece item can be worth more than 1 treasure. For example, a perfect diamond might be worth 3 treasure and a golden-plated shield might be worth 5 treasure.

The number of slots that treasure occupies depends on its size and weight. For example, compare a perfect diamond 5 treasure with a chest full of gold coins that's also worth 5 treasure. The diamond would take up less than 1 slot, while the treasure chest would occupy many more slots. In fact, players may acquire so much treasure that it's difficult to transport it all. There's a good reason why dragons have to guard their gold!

Starting Equipment

By default, PCs start the game with 2 treasure, which they can spend however they like on items. They also start with enough similar, miscellaneous items to occupy 1 inventory slot. For example, here are some starting character inventories:

Wizard Magic Staff: Melee (Enchanted) Wizard Academy Robes: Official Spellmaking Gear (Spell book, quill, ink)

Sea Captain Cutlass: Melee (Light) Sharkskin Armor: Defensive Sailing Gear (Compass, collapsible telescope, gloves)

Noble Ostentatious Clothes: Ornamental Noble Gear: Monocle, signet ring, gaudy brooch 1 treasure

Item Traits

Like theme traits, item traits are divided into combat, exploration, and interaction. Items acquire item traits the same way that players acquire theme traits. The big difference is that you spend treasure instead of XP to buy item traits.

To buy an item trait, spend an amount of treasure equal to that item's new number of traits in that category. For example, giving an item its first combat trait costs 1 treasure. Giving it a second combat trait costs 2 more treasure. Giving it a third combat traits costs 3 more treasure for a total of 6 treasure. Giving the item its first exploration or interaction trait would only cost 1 more treasure.

Upgrading Your Body

You can purchase item traits for your body. This will allow you to attack with fists, block weapons with thick scales, or have a long rope-like tongue. Buying item traits for your body functions the same as buying item traits for items. The only difference is that these item traits are permanent because they are now part of you.

Combat

Defensive Theme Item Traits Category Combat Item Traits Effect The item grants the defense "Armor ☐". Mark it when you suffer a Bad Tale that armor can logically mitigate. This trait can be applied to armor and shields more than once; each time it is, the item occupies 1 more inventory slot than normal Lore Describe Blocking with a shield, parrying with a sword, deflecting a spell with a runed spell-gauntlet Extra	Melee Theme Item Traits Category Combat Item Traits Effect You can make touch melee attacks. If you make a touch attack without this trait, decrease the roll. Also, choose one: Heavy: Roll brawn to attack with this weapon Light: Roll finesse to attack with this weapon Enchanted: Roll mind to attack with this weapon Inspiring: Roll spirit to attack with this weapon Lore Describe Cutting with a sword, stabbing with a dagger, bashing with a hammer, thrusting with a spear Extra
Ranged Theme Item Traits Category Combat Item Traits Effect If you make a ranged attack without this item trait, decrease the roll. This weapon has 3 ammo. If you have ammo, you can make far ranged attacks. After an encounter when you made a ranged attack, lose 1 ammo. Also, choose one: Heavy: Roll brawn to attack with this weapon Light: Roll finesse to attack with this weapon Enchanted: Roll mind to attack with this weapon Inspiring: Roll spirit to attack with this weapon Lore Describe Firing a bow, shooting a pistol, blasting with a shotgun, hurling fireballs from a wand Extra Ammo: Arrows, bolts, bullets, magic orbs, black powder, alchemical canisters, psi-crystals, ki runes	Thrown Theme Item Traits Category Combat Item Traits Effect The item functions as having the Ranged trait, except that the ammo is the weapon itself. Recover the item to restore the ammo Lore Describe Throwing a spear, hurling an ax, flicking out a few shurikens, throwing a spinning blade Extra
Reach Theme Item Traits Category Combat Item Traits Effect Increase the weapon's range one step, such as from touch to near Lore Describe A long-hafted spear, a sinuous whip, a rifle with a scope, a powerful composite longbow Extra

Exploration

Camouflage Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect If you remain perfectly still in an environment that resembles this camouflaged item, increase rolls to hide. This item trait can only be used on clothes and armor Lore Describe Strange patterns, plants stitched into the fabric, splotches of color that match the background Extra Environments: Forest, jungle, frozen wasteland, ocean, desert, mountain, fields, caves	Convenient Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect This item occupies 1 fewer inventory slot Lore Describe Lightweight material, convenient travel hook or strap, getting used to its weight, compact size Extra
Discrete Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect Increase rolls to hide this item Lore Describe Small and compact size, unique shape that makes it ideal for hiding, dull color, camouflage Extra	Environmental Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect Collaborate on a biome. This item grants the defense "________ ☐". Write the biome into the blank. Mark it when you suffer a Bad Tale related to that environment Lore Describe Fur-lined winter coats, billowy and shaded desert gear, buoyant and sleek swimming equipment Extra
Floats Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect This item floats well enough that it can support a person's weight indefinitely, like a life ring Lore Describe Natural buoyancy, flotation devices, air bubble pockets, glowing wind-runes, lightweight material Extra	Glowing Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect You can make this item glow like a torch for about 1 hour Lore Describe Glowing fire-runes, a lantern that dangles from a hook, a faint magical glow, a bundle of oil rags Extra {{{Extra}}}
Sealed Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect This provides about 10 minutes of air. Collaborate on how you refresh the air supply Lore Describe Glowing life-runes or air-runes, an air bladder, pressurized helmet, face mask with tubes Extra	Useful Theme Item Traits Category Exploration Item Traits Effect This item also functions as a tool Lore Describe Getting extra functionality, using the item in a clever and unexpected way Extra Tools: Whip serves as rope, pistol serves as flare gun, ax cuts down trees without dulling or breaking

Interaction

Disguised Theme Item Traits Category Interaction Item Traits Effect This item looks like something else Lore Describe A hidden compartment, a decorative casing that hides what it really is, a misleading paint job Extra Disguises: Armor resembles normal clothes, sword hidden in a cane, gun resembles musical instrument	Flashy Theme Item Traits Category Interaction Item Traits Effect This item is exceptionally eye-catching and fashionable. People notice it, remember it, and talk about it Lore Describe Beautiful glittering gemstones, terrifying barbs and spikes, glowing arcane runes, shining leather Extra
Official Theme Item Traits Category Interaction Item Traits Effect This is an official item of a certain organization. Others recognize it as belonging to that organization Lore Describe Tabard, inscribed symbol, official color patterns, recognizable craftsmanship, coat of arms Extra	Ornamental Theme Item Traits Category Interaction Item Traits Effect This looks expensive, tasteful, and valuable. It's worth much more than normal on the market Lore Describe Socketed gemstones, beautiful filigree, expert craftsmanship, gilded exterior, lovely sheen Extra
Personalized Theme Item Traits Category Interaction Item Traits Effect Collaborate on special conditions the user has to meet before using the item Lore Describe Saying the secret password, attuning to the item's spirit, completing the activation sequence Extra

Magic Items

See main article, Magic Items

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