These are rules additions and modifications used in the Sundered Realm 3.5 D&D campaign. These rules are presented for use by the players BUT may be changed or interpreted by the DM as he sees fit, particularly if a "Rules Lawyer" finds a loophole or tries to take advantage of the not-so-fine print.
1) Insta-death
The DM may obliterate all traces of a character and revoke the invitation to play if it is deemed in the best interest of the campaign; a good example is when a player decides to become an asshat and use the house rules to gain an unfair advantage or in order to irritate other players.
2) Character Generation
Roll 4d6 and take the best three results for each of the six attributes. Take the lowest score and convert that into an 18. If a player is still unsatisfied with the character rolled, he may start over from the beginning.
3) Respec
A player may respec his character at any time up to and including the entirety of the third level of progression and each character is allowed only ONE respec during their existence. With a respec, all ability scores may be reassigned as required by the new class. It is assumed that during the (game) weeks or months prior to the respec the character was busy developing the new skills and unlearning the current class skills. The respec takes effect upon the next session UNLESS the previous session ended in combat or some other extended sequence; in that case the respec takes effect once the party is out of any imminent danger (per DM's discretion).
4) Critical Hits
With successful dice rolls characters may score critical hits on any enemy they battle in-game, even each other if chosen. Conversely ONLY named enemies (i.e., NPC's) may attempt critical hits on characters. Basic encounter creatures (rats, skeletons, etc...) are not allowed to score critical hits against player characters. The critical hit effect may be from the pre-generated tables or from the Paizo Critical Hits card deck - player choice.
5) Training
It is assumed that during the characters tenure at the current level they are actually learning the skills necessary for the next level and all that is required upon passing the experience threshold is a sacrifice of material goods greater than or equal to the next level times 100; the goods may be coins, gems, or any other personal effects owned by the character that is leveling. To calculate cost of standard equipment use the 3.5 edition players handbook price MINUS 10% for wear-n-tear.
6) Character History
Upon reaching third level a player is REQUIRED to submit a biographical story and picture of their character to the DM. The story and picture will be published on TSR website and a player CANNOT rise above third level until the DM has approved both picture and story. They may continue to accrue experience up to the fourth level threshold but no further until the picture and story have been approved.
7) Soulbinding
At 4th level a player may designate one item in their possession to be soulbound. This means that the item in question is permanently linked to the character unless the item is destroyed, by physical OR magical means. If the character is captured, knocked unconscious or otherwise incapacitated and the item is taken or stolen, it will return to the character twenty-four hours after it has been removed from the characters possession. This can be viewed as a gift from the gods to the character, whether it is the gods of alignment, fate, race or whatever; the gods are amused or impressed by the character for their own reasons and have bestowed this boon. A soulbound item MAY be destroyed, sold or given away; in any of those cases the item DOES NOT return and no new item may be soulbound. Unscrupulous use of this rule may cause its revocation.
More to follow as needed . . . or discovered.