Spelling Numbers?

[GreySector]

Generally numbers less than eleven or so are supposed to be spelled out, however I notice in many gaming books that is not the case. For example, in staff descriptions the number of charges an ability costs are given in numerals rather than words. Which rule should I follow when making my submission?

[Anthony Adam]

The best rule is to see what the items in the books do for similar numbers - for example bonus to damage dice is invariable always numerals I.e. 1d12 + 24

[James Raine]

If it's a die or statistic modifier ('+1 damage when dealing Sneak Attack') or dice ('+1d6 fire damage to your fire spells'), it's a numeral. If it's a text value that's not modifying a statistic or die roll and it's under 11, then you use text ('Six ninjas punched nine ogres in their 18 eyeballs.').

[Judy Bauer]

Anthony Adam wrote:

The best rule is to see what the items in the books do for similar numbers - for example bonus to damage dice is invariable always numerals I.e. 1d12 + 24

This is a good bet, and a great idea in general when creating and formatting items! Our basic rule for stat blocks is that measurements are always presented as numerals (6 minutes, 2 rounds, 4d6 points of damage, 5 levels,...), but for miscellaneous countable items, numbers under 10 are spelled out (two shuriken, three creatures, and nine targets, but 10 arrows).

[Zeeboo]

Good to know that 10 is no longer spelled out as ten. I don't remember if I used 10 and I don't want to look now since I cannot change the submission anyway. :)

[GreySector]

Judy Bauer wrote:

Anthony Adam wrote:

The best rule is to see what the items in the books do for similar numbers - for example bonus to damage dice is invariable always numerals I.e. 1d12 + 24

This is a good bet, and a great idea in general when creating and formatting items! Our basic rule for stat blocks is that measurements are always presented as numerals (6 minutes, 2 rounds, 4d6 points of damage, 5 levels,...), but for miscellaneous countable items, numbers under 10 are spelled out (two shuriken, three creatures, and nine targets, but 10 arrows).

So is 1 charge a measurement?

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Looking at staves, it would appear so:

Usually carved from the heartwood of an ancient oak or other large tree, this staff allows use of the following spells:
Dispel magic (1 charge)
Resist energy (1 charge)
Shield (1 charge)
Dismissal (2 charges)
Lesser globe of invulnerability (2 charges)
Repulsion (3 charges)