Skill Checks For Heroes With Alternate Modes Of Movement

Creatures and heroes that have alternate modes of movement listed, such as climb for Monkey Katanga and swim for Caiman Katanga, are as adept at moving in those mediums as nubari are when walking on dry land. Therefore, simple, unopposed movement for these creatures may be assumed to always succeed. Only when their movements become opposed, if the hero enters into combat, or if the hero is especially burdened do they need to begin making climb/fly/swim checks.

Climb/fly/swim checks for races with alternate modes of movement may occur under the following circumstances:

1. When such activities are stated as being unusually difficult, such as a Caiman Katanga crossing a river swollen with flood and choked with debris.
2. When the hero engages in another activity as their primary action. For example, climbing a tree while attacking. # When the hero is moderately burdened and engages in any other activity besides simple movement.
3. When the hero exceeds heavily burdened and engages in any complex activity.
4. If the hero is wearing medium or heavy armor and/or carrying a shield and engages in any activity other then simple movement.
5. To carry something something in more then one hand, the hero suffers a penalty of -5 to -15, depending on the item size. (One notable exception - Caiman Katanga swim with their tails, so this penalty does not apply).