Difficulty Level

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A Difficulty Level (DL) is the minimum target for success when making skill checks. The lower the number, the easier it is to complete the task. Many skills have some example DLs listed, but the GM should ultimately decide this number. As a quick tip, increase the DL by 5 for each major obstacle in the way of completing the task. Minor obstacles should increase it by 1 or 2. Effects that are helpful should similarly reduce it by the same amounts. The following table gives some examples of DLs and who might be able to meet them.

DL Who could do it?
0 Anyone
5 Even the village idiot
10 Your average person
15 Only people with related experience
20 Experts
25 Very lucky experts
30 One with maximum human potential
35 Someone with powers beyond human
40 A legendary hero (or villain)

Stupidly Impossible Tasks

Sometimes you might want to do something that absolutely defies all rhyme, reason, or logical sense. But even physics and logic are just guidelines in a fantasy game. DLs of ridiculous tasks should be 40 or higher and made by your GM. You might decide you want to try Climbing up an inverted, slippery, solid-marble wall. Your GM laughs audibly and says the DL for such a mockery of physics is 80. This chapter won't list any DLs over 40. Since you can probably come up with far more ludicrous tasks than we can, we’ll leave it up to your GM to figure out their DLs.