Like bonuses, penalties often come from specific sources. If two or more named penalties with the same name would apply to your character, only apply the worst of those penalties. Unnamed penalties, on the other hand, accumulate without limit. Once you are ready to roll the dice, add all penalties that apply to the dice roll together and subtract that from the result.
Common Penalty Types[]
Size Penalty[]
A Size Penalty is a bonus that you receive from your character's size. Size penalties are usually static, unless something changes your character's size; that is, you apply them during character creation, and they are a permanent addition to your character unless something changes your size. Medium creatures receive no size bonus; small creatures receive a +1 size bonus to reflex and weapon attacks and a -1 size penalty to fortitude and melee damage; tiny creatures receive a +2 size bonus to reflex and weapon attacks and a -2 size penalty to fortitude and melee damage. Large creatures receive a +1 size bonus to fortitude and weapon damage and a -1 size penalty to weapon attacks and reflex; huge creatures receive a +2 size bonus to fortitude and weapon damage and a -2 size penalty to reflex and weapon attacks.
Circumstance Penalty[]
A Circumstance Penalty is a penalty that you receive from the particular circumstances of your situation. Circumstance penalties are usually due to environment, positioning, or a lack of available resources. If multiple circumstance penalties would apply to the same trait, only the highest circumstance penalty applies to that trait.
Armor Check Penalty[]
An Armor Check Penalty is a penalty that you receive from wearing armor. Different types of armor have different armor check penalties, which apply to your Reflex defense, and all skills based on physical abilities - Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance, Stealth, and Thievery.
Shield Check Penalty[]
A Shield Check Penalty is a penalty that you receive from wearing a shield. Different types of shields have different shield check penalties, which apply to your Reflex defense, and all skills based on physical abilities - Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance, Stealth, and Thievery.
Encumbrance[]
Encumbrance is not a typed penalty, but is a penalty that applies in specific circumstances. If you are wearing heavy armor, a tower shield, or carrying a load more than 5 times your Strength score in pounds, you receive a -1 penalty to your speed and to your reflex defense. These penalties are cumulative; wearing heavy armor and a tower shield would apply a total -2 penalty to your reflex and speed, or -3 if the total weight of all your gear was more than 5 times your Strength score.