Physical Inventory
Carry Capacity
Carry capacity is an abstraction of both weight and size. A player's inventory is make up of a number of item slots. Small items may be packed tightly together in one space, while very bulky or heavy items may take up multiple slots. A dense ball of heavy meterorite or a large painting may both take up four slots, indicating that for different reasons it is difficult to carry.
Characters have a Carry Capacity that is equal to their Strength Ability Score (not Ability Score Modifier), plus their proficiency bonus.
Characters can fill a number of slots equal to their carry capacity without penalty. For every item that does not fit within their Carry Capacity increases their encumbrance level, imposing different penalties.
| Encumbrance Level | Over Capacity | Speed Reduction | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 item | -5ft | cannot take reactions |
| 2 | 2 items | -10ft | disadvantage on STR and DEX ability checks and saving throws |
| 3 | 3 items | -15ft | cannot take bonus actions |
| 4 | 4+ | n/a | cannot move or take actions |
A creature suffers the effect of its current level of encumbrance as well as all lower levels. For example, a character who is carrying two more items then they can fit on their boardis suffering level 2 encumbrance. They have their speed reduced by 10 feet, cannot take reactions, and have disadvantage on STR and DEX ability checks and saving throws.
Dropping items is a free action, and immediately reduces your encumbrance level appropriately.
Active Items
Active Items are the items that characters always have at the ready. Easily accessible and quick to use, they are a character's active toolbox.
Players have 5 active item slots. Items that are in these slots have the following special properties.
- Weapons stored in active item slots can be switched between as a free action
- When using a small item, such as a potion, thrown item, or ball bearings, the Use an Item action requires only a Bonus Action
Shuffle Inventory
You may use a action OR a bonus action to shuffle inventory, and rearrange your items in any way.
Stacking Items
For very small items, multiple items of the same type may be held in a single square. The number of which is left up to the DMs discretion. In general however, these rules are designed to make scarcity interesting and fun, so err on the side of too few, rather then too many.
Below is a sample list of common stackable items. Adjust to taste.
Stacks
| Number of Slots | Stack Size | Item |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | Torches |
| 1 | 3 | Throwing knives |
| 1 | 3 | Rations |
| 2 | 3 | Healer's Kit Charges |
| 1 | 5 | Waterskin |
| 2 | 20 | Arrows |
| 1 | 100 | Ball bearing |
| 1 | 100 | Coins/Gems |
Bags of Holding
These rules are an abstraction. Don't worry about pouches, backpacks, or other specifics of how items are carried. It is assumed that if you are capable of carrying it, that you have the means to do so. How exactly that works is up to the players to decide. They may be bogged down in packs and pouches, or they may simply employ hammerspace and pull out the needed item off camera.
And please, do not give the players an actual Bag of Holding if you are using these rules. Have some respect for yourself.
Example Item Sizes
1 Slot Items
An object that fills 1 item slot is either quite light, or is easily held in one hand. Example items would include:
- A baseball
- A knife
- A potion
- A bag of coins
- A book
- A wand
- A spell scroll
2 Slot Items
An object that fills 2 item slots are a bit heavy to be held in one hand, or are long enough to provide some reach. Example items would include:
- A shortsword
- A mace
- A quiver of arrows
- A large tome
- A healer's kit
- A rod
- A map tube
3 Slot Items
An object that fills 3 item slots is heavy enough that it needs two hands to carry comfortably, or has some substantial reach. Example items would include:
- A rapier
- A staff
- A spear
- A bedroll
4 Slot Items
An object that fills 4 item slots is either very heavy, very bulky, or has very long reach. Carrying many of these objects would be difficult. Example items would include:
- A painting in its frame
- A heavy chunk of meteorite
- A pike
- A greatshield
- A greatsword
More than 4 Slot Items
An item that would take up more than 4 slots are too large to carry in your inventory. Players can use their action to move, shove, or carry the item, but it is not treated like an inventory object. Example items would include:
- A wardrobe
- A medium-sized safe
- A table
- A giant's club
Outfits
Clothing, and armor that is being worn is not considered to be carried on your person, and is not placed in your inventory. Clothing or armor that is being carried, and not worn is treated as a normal item.
Disguises
If a player is attempting to disguise themselves as an individual who would not be carrying the heavy equipment of an adventurer, the following penalty is applied.
- Only Active Item slots can be used to discreetly carry objects
- If a player is carrying items that don't fit into their Active Item slots, enemies may do a Perception or Investigation check to notice if there is something out of the ordinary.
Feats
Brawny
You become stronger, gaining the following benefits:
- Increase your Strength score by 1, to a maximum of 20
- You gain proficiency a new skill
- Your Carry Capacity equals your STR ability score, plus double your proficency bonus
How to make an Inventory Board
Supplies
- 11x14 Dry erase board
- Magnetic sheets
- Wet erase markers
- Your local friendly print shop
How to build
- Go to your friendly local print shop.
- Give them "Physical Inventory Board.pdf", and print at 100% scale on 11"x14" paper
- Request that the finished prints are laminated
- Trim laminated sheets along the outline.
- Going slowly and carefully, slot the laminated sheets under the lip of the dry erase boards. Be careful not to crease the sheets.
- Take Dry-erase magnetic sheets, and cut into a number of squares and shapes. A single square is 1.5".
Using the boards
Use the wet-erase markers to mark up the inventory boards with currency and notes. Mark your carry capacity at the bottom of your sheet and outline how many squares of inventory you have available.
Work with the table to create a number of item squares that represents your current inventory. Use the wet erase markers to name them, draw pictures of the items, etc. Make it your own!
Consider your active item slots and make sure you understand your options.
