# [[Five Torches Deep]] [site](https://www.fivetorchesdeep.com/) Five Torches Deep is an [[Old School Revival|OSR]] [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games|TTRPG]] system that was made from the bones of [[Dungeons & Dragons|D&D]] 5e, but heavily inspired by [[Basic Expert D&D]] and other OSR games. Dungeon Craft has an excellent overview of this system: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hk1oEjTmayA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> ## Defining characteristics ### Quick Primer on the system I really love that on the first page, near the very beginning, is a list of mechanics that the system uses: > [!info] Quick Primer > - 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 [^fivetorchesdeep] ### Haphazard magic Magic doesn't always go the way you think... every single time a spell is cast, there is a chance that strange things will happen, even if the spell is cast by a high-level magic user. Casting a spell requires a spellcasting check (DC 10 + spell's level), and on a failure, the player must roll on a Magical Mishap table or be given a consequence of the failure by the GM. ### Default DC The default DC for most things other than AC is 11. ### Race limitations The race picked by a player limits: - the classes they can choose from - their ability scores - the way their ability scores are generated. ### Classes and archetypes While many [[Old School Revival|OSR]] games don't even have classes, Five Torches Deep has both classes and subclasses, which are called archetypes. The archetypes are particularly reminiscent of 5e classes like bard, barbarian, rogue, etc. - Warrior - Barbarian Archetype - Fighter Archetype - Ranger Archetype - Thief - Assassin Archetype - Bard Archetype - Rogue Archetype - Zealot - Cleric Archetype - Druid Archetype - Paladin Archetype - Mage - Sorcerer Archetype - Warlock Archetype - Wizard Archetype ### Limited maximum level The highest level a character can attain is 9th level. ### Charisma for number of magical items Characters can equip and use a number of magical items equal to their charisma modifier, making Charisma less of a "dump stat" than it normally is in other systems. ### Monster tactics and rules for monster creation Five Torches Deep has four categories that monsters (particularly lower level ones) can fall into, and each category has tactics. There's also a whole section on how to create your own monsters, along with examples. [^fivetorchesdeep]: Dutter, B. and Dutter, J. _Five Torches Deep_.