Although a resource tracking game, Algorion makes some assumptions about your characters. It is assumed that you have a good backpack. It is assumed that while in towns, you are replacing aging rations, refilling component pouches, performing repairs on gear, keeping weapons in good repair and the like.
Heroes must keep well equipped to take on the denizens of the dark dungeons they find themselves in. A good weapon, well maintained armor, and a sturdy shield are just the start. Torches, food, and tools are all needed to ensure survival.
However, you can't just carry everything on your back. Each adventure should be planned, balancing taking everything you need, but no more, and making calculated risk about what to take and what not to take.
After all, carrying too much could be the difference between life and death, but not carrying enough could be too.
A big part of the World of Algorion is resource management. Torches, food, oil, water, spell components, extra weapons, all go to make this world a living, breathing place.
Many newer players in the TTRPG scene have expressed disinterest in tracking these items, and as such other TTRPG systems have gotten away from tracking resources. The GM guide will have optional rules if your table prefers these rules.
However, I highly suggest that you attempt using the default rule set, and including the tracking of resources heavily into your game. The game is meant to be an adventuring life simulator, and the threat of going hungry, or the threat of being stuck in a dungeon with no light should influence your decisions.
Encumbrance is measured by means of Encumbrance Points, or “EP”. EP is an abstract measure on how much an item weighs, as well as how bulky or hard to carry it is. For example, a short sword and an arming sword are both 1 EP, despite a short sword being obviously easier to carry than an arming sword. Another example is Chain Mail vs a Wooden Shield. Chain Mail has a lower encumbrance rate than that of a wooden shield, despite being heavier. But a wooden shield is much more rigid than chain mail, thus hard to carry and pack. This system is meant to be a little abstract.
Some encumbrance items have additional needs, for example, armor, coins, and very light items.
Armor has 2 different EP measurements, as Armor Impacts you differently if it is worn vs carried. For example, if you are wearing a boiled leather breastplate, it will weight you down a little, and affect your mobility slightly, but if you attempt to shove it in your backpack, the stiff leather simply doesn't lend itself well to being packed away.
Armor has it's EP points listed as "Equipped EP/Packed EP", e.g.; 2/3. A 2/3 armor would count as 2 towards your encumbrance if worn, and 3 towards your encumbrance if packed.
In order for Armor to use the Equipped EP, it must be donned, and you can only don 1 suit of armor.
Some items can be bundled up, items like torches, arrows, crossbow bolts and the like. These items can be bundled together for purposes of determining EP. When an item's EP is listed as "B(#)", it is a bundled item. Owning any number of the item, up to the number listed in parenthesis is equal to 1 EP.