Once in a while, just for fun, I like to generate a 0-level character using the 0-Level Party Generator from Purple Sorcerer Games. Usually, I use the The Crawler's Companion app on my smartphone. In any event, if I use a character, I use it as is. I take the good with the bad and see how the character's life unfolds. I play the hand I was dealt, as it were. Take a look at this character I generated on 29 December 2025:
Occupation: LocksmithStrength: 10 (0)
Agility: 14 (+1)
Stamina: 12 (0)
Personality: 12 (0)
Intelligence: 12 (0)
Luck: 8 (−1)
AC: 11; HP: 2
Weapon: Dagger −1 (1d40)
Speed: 30; Init: +1; Ref: +1; Fort: 0; Will: 0
Equipment: Chest—empty (2 gp)
Trade Good: Fine tools
Starting Funds: 30cp
Lucky Sign: Harsh Winter (All attack rolls)
Languages: Common
A locksmith. An average locksmith who is marginally more agile and marginally less lucky, with 2 hit points, an empty chest, fine tools, 30 copper pieces, and a dagger that causes 1d40 points of damage. 1d40... points of damage. True, his "lucky" sign is Harsh Winter, which means he suffers a −1 penalty to all attack rolls because his Luck score is 8, but if he does hit something, he causes 1d40 points of damage. I don't know if this an Easter egg, a glitch, or a mission from the gods, but this locksmith wields a dagger with a damage die that hasn't been invented yet, and I'm willing to make that work!
I could be satisfied with a simple 1d4 × 10 damage scheme, but just in case I face a judge who is a stickler for the full range of 1–40, I offer the following alternative for rolling 1d40 without a 40-sided die:
1d40 Substitute
Roll 1d10, then 1d4.If you roll 1 on the d4, keep the d10 result.
If you roll 2 on the d4, add 10 to the d10 result.
If you roll 3 on the d4, add 20 to the d10 result.
If you roll 4 on the d4, add 30 to the d10 result.
