What is Five Torches Deep?

Five Torches Deep (FTD) strips 5e to its skeleton and fleshes it out with OSR elements. The goal is to provide an old-school experience to those familiar with 5e. It’s self-contained and playable as is, assuming familiarity with fantasy rpgs.

• Core mechanics based on 5e
• Four OSR-related classes
• Four OSR-common races
• Race and class restrictions
• STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA
• Ascending AC
• Rolled abilities and HP
• Skills reduced and simplified
• Magic system re-tooled, flattened
• Spells can cause magical mishaps
• Semi-compatible with 5e math
• Semi-compatible with B/X math
• Load and encumbrance
• Incorporates dis/advantage
• Slower and weaker rest and healing
• Equipment can be broken
• Ability scores determine limits
• Retainers, morale, and reactions

Dave and Andrew are discovering new and interesting tidbits about this ruleset. These factoids are stored here.

• Because every spell risks failure, spellcasters can cast as often as they have components for
• Certain spell failures keep the spellcaster from casting again until a rest
• Limited races and class choices
• Wands are codified spells and can be cast multiple times, even by non-spellcasting PCs. Wands must be identified before use, and generally require attunement. Wands use CHA for checks and damage.