The creatures of Moonshards range from miniscule to colossal, though the primary races do fall within a modest range. Every creature has a size. With it comes the benefits and penalties of being large or small. Large creatures might be able to walk down shallow cliffs like stairs, while smaller creatures sneak about unseen.
There are 13 different sizes, numbered 0 through 12. One could liken a size 0 creature to a bubble skipper, and a size 12 would be about as large as a large whale. For comparison, an average adult human male – if such a thing existed in Moonshards – would be about size 5. The twelve primary races tend to fall between sizes 3 and 6, with most being size 4. When making a character, the stats of each race have already taken into account many benefits for being bigger or smaller.
- Size 3: Monkeys, Otters, and Rats
- Size 4: Foxes, Hares, Panthers, and Wolves
- Size 5: Eagles, Turtles, and Vipers
- Size 6: Bears and Crocodiles
No two creatures are the same size however, and great variations in size can occur. Sizes can range from 2 smaller to 3 larger from any typical size, so it is possible for a rat to be as large as an average-sized bear or almost as small as a watermelon.
There are some other advantages to being small or large, and this is represented in a size modifier. The size mod is {(Size – 4) / 2}. This number uses absolute rounding (so -0.5 becomes -1). Smaller creatures are better able to stalk and avoid being hit, but they can do less physical damage. Larger creatures possess greater potency and carrying capacity, but they are conspicuous and may be attacked more, possibly by multiple attackers.
Size determines if you can grapple a target or ride it. A small creature cannot pin a large one, but can ride it, willingly or unwillingly, if they are competent enough. A large creature may easily overpower a small one, but it would break the small creature's back if the larger tried to take a ride.
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