Height

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Height is a character and creature attribute primarily used in melee attack resolution, ambushing and combat maneuvers in particular.

Player characters have an average height determined by their race, which ranges from about 3 ft. tall (Burghal Gnomes) to 7 ft. tall (Giantmen). Additionally, every race has additional reach. Halflings and Gnomes have a reach of 1, whereas all other races have a reach of 2 . They can additionally customize their appearance when viewed by other adventurers (see Character Guide for Height and Age), so that they can be "taller than average" for example, but this is purely cosmetic and not known to have any mechanical effects.

Creature height is much more variable, ranging from only 1 ft. tall rodents to massive titans many times the height of even a giantman. Creature height can be checked with the APPRAISE command (or equivalently ASSESS).

When attacking or ambushing with a melee weapon, shorter characters will not be able to reach the head or eyes of much taller creatures (unless they are knocked down: creatures who are kneeling are considered to have only 60% of their usual height; if sitting, only 45%; if prone, only 10%). If the creature is exceptionally tall then it may not be possible to reach even the torso. The body areas in order of descending height (for most critters) are: Eyes > Head > Neck > Chest > Arms > Back ≥ Abdomen > Hand > Legs . Longer weapons can allow a character to hit an area that would not otherwise be reachable: for example, a morning star adds 2 ft. to the attacker's effective height, and a lance adds 5 ft.

Most (but not all) combat maneuvers are more effective if the attacker is taller compared to the defender.