Encumbered
Effect: −1 die to physical actions (Pool Penalty); Speed reduced by 1; difficulty with Stealth and Athletics.
Inflicted By
- Carrying more than your normal load (baseline approximately 1 + IRON significant items, or weight equivalent)
- Carrying a Downed ally, which counts as a significant load (see the Mule's Back exception)
- Heavy armor or gear that exceeds your normal capacity
Cleared By
- Drop excess items
- Transfer load to allies or mounts
- Mule's Back (Muck-Raker Calling Talent) doubles carrying capacity before Encumbered triggers
- Provisioner (Calling Talent) allows +50% supplies before Encumbered triggers
Encumbered represents the moment when load becomes a liability: when the weight on your back interferes with your ability to fight, run, or sneak. The exact threshold for what counts as “encumbered” is loose by design; the GM is the final arbiter of when a load crosses into penalty territory. Carrying a wounded ally, hauling a footlocker out of a burning building, wearing the Ironbrand Hardsuit (which has its own Bulky property), all of these are clearly Encumbered.
The Muck-Raker talent Mule’s Back specifically lifts this threshold (carry 2× normal load before Encumbered triggers, plus full-Speed movement while carrying Downed allies). Provisioner gives a softer 50% bonus to supplies specifically. Both reference the condition as the trigger.