What is Castles & Crusades?
Castles & Crusades is a fantasy table top role playing game (#ttrpg) that is quick to learn, easy to play, and allows you a wide range of customization. With our simple yet diverse attribute-based rules system, players choose among 13 archetypal character classes and 7 races with which to create their characters. Spells, equipment, fast-paced combat rules, and all essential information needed to play a game of Castles & Crusades are in the Players Handbook.
What you Find In the PHB:
The RPG: In the opening pages, we explain the tools you will need and how to play a game of Castles & Crusades. We explain the basics of the attribute check system, the Siege Engine, and touch on attribute modifiers and attribute checks.
The Classes: In this second section, the PHB delves into the classes. From the Fighter to the Wizard, it presents 13 classes to choose from, as well as various customizable options, such as multi-classing, or class-and-a-half. Each class description includes all the relevant info from skills to weapons they use. Artists Peter Bradley and Zoe DeVos bring each class alive depicting both male and female versions of the class. (Check out the Adventurers Backpack for even more classes!)
The Races: Expand your character with one of seven races. You can choose from seven different races: human, elf, dwarf, halfling, half-elf, gnome, and half-orc. Each unique race includes different mechanics, their strengths and weaknesses, and a wealth of background information that any character or player could make brilliant use of. As with the classes above, our art team depicts both male and female versions!
Completing the Character: Here the Players Handbook delves into names, how to create background and personality, alignment, equipment, and other necessary details to help you bring the character you want to play to the table.
Magic: Magic unleashes a whole new dimension of play at the table top and C&C has plenty of it. Here we explore the four major spellcasters, Cleric, Druid, Wizard, and Illusionist, how they cast spells, and the spells they cast. From the Cleric’s spiritual weapon to the Illusionists’ healing ability, it is all here.
Spell Descriptions: Hundreds of spells put into simple words with all the required information for your table to run smoothly; range, saving throws, casting time, duration, and anything else can be answered in this segment of the Player’s Handbook.
The Castle Keeper & the Game: This section expands upon the Siege Engine and how to play using attribute checks. It is simple, extremely versatile, and allows for immediate resolution of conflict for expanded story development. All of this is covered as well as how to role play, what you need, expectations and a plethora of examples on how to use the attribute check system. (Don’t miss the Castle Keepers Guide for more optional rules and a mountain of material on how to play!)
Combat: Here the book explores the painless to learn combat system. It includes how to begin and run fights, the necessary stats and rolls, surprise, initiative, non-lethal combat, melee and ranged, unarmed, situational modifiers, armor class, maneuvers, hit points, and damage.
Turning Undead: The cleric and paladin both have special abilities when it comes to controlling or destroying the undead. All that is covered here.
Rewards: How to award treasure and experience points, allowing the characters and the game to advance, literally to the next level.
Movement, Spell Resistance, Languages, Vision & Time: All of these sections discuss the various aspects of the game that come into play. Each is dealt with and explained, making deployment at the table fast and easy.
Example of Play: The book is wrapped up by an example of play. Learn how to do it from the creators!
Plunge into worlds of fantastic adventure where dragons lie and the undead stalk the shades of your mind’s imaginings, where creatures of legend plunder wealth through the horror of their passage. Monsters grim and foul taunt with the ecstasy of gold and glory. Upon the heels of these foes stalk heroes of great might; those who take up sword and shield, who harness eldritch might, those who traverse the narrow corridors in search of sport, and those who serve a purpose greater than all the others: Heroes, Freebooters, Mercenaries, and Adventurers.
