Birthright-L
07-11-2002, 04:22 PM
http://www.crieff-highland-games.co.uk/caber.html
Caber tossing is an old scottish sport, in which a log is balanced on its
end and then thrown and flipped 270 degrees to come crashing down in front
of the thrower. The goal is to get it to land in a straight line in front
of the thrower, pointing at 12 o`clock if the thrower is thought of as
standing at the 6.
Various legends describe the origin of the sport. Probably it was a
logging sport which spread beyond its origins. An interesting theory I`ve
heard, though, is that it was originally used as a weapon by the Scots to
break up lines of English infantry.
A typical caber is 18 feet long and weighs 150 pounds. It`s 9 inches
across at the thick end, and 5 at the tip, where the thrower grips it.
To have a character throw it in game, treat it as a running jump check for
distance (Jump skill ranks don`t count, obviously). So:
You must move 20 feet before throwing. This cannot be done in heavy
armor.
Distance = 5` minimum + 1`/point above 10, to a max of height * 6.
This distance is for a character with speed 30. For lower or higher speed
(don`t forget to count the 150 pound log for encumberance), change the
distance thrown proportionally.
A character with the run feat increases the distance by 1/4, but not past
the maximum.
To this distance, add the length of the caber (it would travel this
distance if it just fell over on its own). This is where the end lands;
the caber now topples over, continuing forward. Any target in this
square, and the three behind him in a straight line from the thrower, are
attacked by the thrower. The caber does 2d8 (20/x2) damage.
Rolling under 10 means you were unable to lift and balance the log
properly, and have to try again next round.
So a character with Str 18 (only the strongest would throw a caber in
battle), is under medium load with a 150 lb caber. He moves at speed 20.
Running a minumum of 20`, he throws. An average check yields a distance
of:
4` (5 + (10 on a d20 + 4 for strength, -3 for medium encumberance), x 2/3)
+
18` (the length of the caber),
or about 5 squares in front of the thrower. A character of this
strength would probably want to toss the log 6 squares from his main
target, since the minimum distance travelled would be about 5 squares;
that way he gets to attack at least the primary target, and the two
squares behind him.
On a 20 on the throw, the log goes:
10` (20 on d20 + 4 str - 3 enc, all x2/3) + 18`,
or six squares, and he attacks his primary target, plus 3 squares behind
him.
A barbarian (base speed 40), str 18, could possibly throw
21 (5 + (20 on d20, +4 str, -3 enc), all x 4/3) + 18 = 39 feet, 8 squares.
It might be nice to try while raging, but I don`t think the `patience and
concentration` requirement could be met. An ogre or giant would make a
fierce caber-tosser indeed.
In a large battle, I`d use this for flavor, maybe the missile attacks of
Rjurik irregulars would include cabers.
A sport version of this, in Rjurik or Mhorien games maybe, would require a
toss check as above, plus a dexterity check. He who rolls highest on the
Dex gets the caber to land closest to 12 o`clock, and wins (distance
doesn`t count). Ties require a runoff with a 10 lb heavier caber; each
subsequent attempt accumulates a -1 penalty to both toss and dex checks,
until someone wins on accuracy, or is unable to lift that round`s log.
Just an idea, and critiques of my 3e mechanics are welcome.
--
Communication is possible only between equals.
Daniel McSorley- mcsorley@cis.ohio-state.edu
************************************************** **************************
The Birthright Homepage: http://www.birthright.net
To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM
with UNSUB BIRTHRIGHT-L in the body of the message.
Caber tossing is an old scottish sport, in which a log is balanced on its
end and then thrown and flipped 270 degrees to come crashing down in front
of the thrower. The goal is to get it to land in a straight line in front
of the thrower, pointing at 12 o`clock if the thrower is thought of as
standing at the 6.
Various legends describe the origin of the sport. Probably it was a
logging sport which spread beyond its origins. An interesting theory I`ve
heard, though, is that it was originally used as a weapon by the Scots to
break up lines of English infantry.
A typical caber is 18 feet long and weighs 150 pounds. It`s 9 inches
across at the thick end, and 5 at the tip, where the thrower grips it.
To have a character throw it in game, treat it as a running jump check for
distance (Jump skill ranks don`t count, obviously). So:
You must move 20 feet before throwing. This cannot be done in heavy
armor.
Distance = 5` minimum + 1`/point above 10, to a max of height * 6.
This distance is for a character with speed 30. For lower or higher speed
(don`t forget to count the 150 pound log for encumberance), change the
distance thrown proportionally.
A character with the run feat increases the distance by 1/4, but not past
the maximum.
To this distance, add the length of the caber (it would travel this
distance if it just fell over on its own). This is where the end lands;
the caber now topples over, continuing forward. Any target in this
square, and the three behind him in a straight line from the thrower, are
attacked by the thrower. The caber does 2d8 (20/x2) damage.
Rolling under 10 means you were unable to lift and balance the log
properly, and have to try again next round.
So a character with Str 18 (only the strongest would throw a caber in
battle), is under medium load with a 150 lb caber. He moves at speed 20.
Running a minumum of 20`, he throws. An average check yields a distance
of:
4` (5 + (10 on a d20 + 4 for strength, -3 for medium encumberance), x 2/3)
+
18` (the length of the caber),
or about 5 squares in front of the thrower. A character of this
strength would probably want to toss the log 6 squares from his main
target, since the minimum distance travelled would be about 5 squares;
that way he gets to attack at least the primary target, and the two
squares behind him.
On a 20 on the throw, the log goes:
10` (20 on d20 + 4 str - 3 enc, all x2/3) + 18`,
or six squares, and he attacks his primary target, plus 3 squares behind
him.
A barbarian (base speed 40), str 18, could possibly throw
21 (5 + (20 on d20, +4 str, -3 enc), all x 4/3) + 18 = 39 feet, 8 squares.
It might be nice to try while raging, but I don`t think the `patience and
concentration` requirement could be met. An ogre or giant would make a
fierce caber-tosser indeed.
In a large battle, I`d use this for flavor, maybe the missile attacks of
Rjurik irregulars would include cabers.
A sport version of this, in Rjurik or Mhorien games maybe, would require a
toss check as above, plus a dexterity check. He who rolls highest on the
Dex gets the caber to land closest to 12 o`clock, and wins (distance
doesn`t count). Ties require a runoff with a 10 lb heavier caber; each
subsequent attempt accumulates a -1 penalty to both toss and dex checks,
until someone wins on accuracy, or is unable to lift that round`s log.
Just an idea, and critiques of my 3e mechanics are welcome.
--
Communication is possible only between equals.
Daniel McSorley- mcsorley@cis.ohio-state.edu
************************************************** **************************
The Birthright Homepage: http://www.birthright.net
To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM
with UNSUB BIRTHRIGHT-L in the body of the message.