If you wish to "borrow" any material from this webpage, please Click Here.

Hero Points In Dungeon Adventures Issue #75, Chris Perkins, the Editor, discussed the use of "Hero Points" in a campaign. Hero Points, in a nutshell, are special points awarded to heroes who perform heroic deeds at the risk of their own lives. These points are rare and cherished because they can be used to bend the rules of the game. Although they are not an officila part of the game, any Dragonlance: Fifth Age campaign can be made much more heroic, much more dramatic, with the use of Hero Points. Distributing Hero Points As stated, Hero Points are given to players whose heroes have performed extraordinary feats of heroism. Simply saving a baron from an assassin's arrow does not qualify. However, if a hero bravely hurled himself in front of Malystryx to protect a friend, that is truly heroic. While such actions usually lead to the hero's death, not all have to. Hero Points should be given out sparringly; a hero should never have more than one or two at any given time. Also, Hero Points should not be abused by the players. The players shouldn't hurl themselves in front of every peasant and beg the Narrator for Hero Points. Hero Points are in no way supposed to compromise a player's role-playing. If a hero would not normally hurl himself in front of someone, then he shouldn't do it just to get a Hero Point. The awarding of a Hero Point should be a rare and celebrated occasion. Players should know that the points are awards for good role-playing and not to be cheapened. Using Hero Points A Hero Point can do many things. What they do exactly is ultimately up to the Narrator. According to Chris Perkins, Hero Points can be used "to perform impossible feats, accomplish multiple tasks at once, evade or parry a lethal blow, or inflict incredible amounts of damage with a successful strike." In the campaign he plays in, "Bruce Cordell once used a Hero Point to bring his unconscious character back to consciousness. Michele Carter used one to strike a target unerringly with her ranger's bow. [he] vaguely remembers sean Reynold's mighty wizard, Nosh, using a Hero Point to make a . . . spell permanent. [Chris's] liard man fighter, Ves, used a hero Point to impale a wraith and its summoner on his magical spear with a single charge." Chris provides several ways that a Hero Point can be used. Hero Points are only limited by the Narrator's edict and the player's imagination. Of course, for those that wish to use a more standardized and structured procedure, follow the outline below. A Hero Point can be used to lessen the difficulty of one action by three degrees. Theoretically, this can allow a hero to perform an impossible feat and will increase a hero's Reputation as described in the Book of the Fifth Age if successful. A Hero Point can be used to restore up to three cards to a dead, dying, or unconscious hero. A Hero Point can be used to add up to 15 points to a sorcerer's or a mystic's spell pool. A Hero Point can be used to double the damage inflicted with a successful attack (the Hero Point must be used before the action is made). A Hero Point can be used to negate the effect of a failed action or Mishap. The hero is essentially given permission to attempt the action again. A Hero Point can be used to make any one magical spell permanent without the permanent loss of spell points (the normal procedure and actions associated with creating a magical item, as outlined in Heroes of Sorcery, still apply). Of course, the previous were only suggestions. A player should not feel inhibited. Hero Points are meant to be fun and exciting. Any good Narrator would allow a player to bend the rules with a Hero Point, even if it meant sacrificing a bit of realism.