Creating a Primary Character

This process will involve the following steps (not necessarily in this order):

• Make up a character name

• Assign Attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Knowledge, Awareness, Willpower, and Charisma) and record your Lucidity, Health, and Energy.

• Create 3 Traits

• Create Skills

• Starting Gear

Attributes

The Seven core attributes of a character are:

• Strength (STR) or physical power. It determines things such as your ability to make melee attacks or grapple and carry capacity.

• Dexterity (DEX) or quickness and coordination. It determines things such as your ability to make ranged attack and avoid danger.

• Constitution (CON) or endurance and physical grit. It determines your health and your ability to resist poisons.

• Knowledge (KNO) or smarts, intellect, and problem solving. It determines whether your character has knowledge in a particular topic.

• Awareness (AWA) or alertness and observation. If determines your ability to act quickly in combat and notice hidden things.

• Willpower (WIL) or self-identity and mental toughness. It determines your mental health and whether you can bind spirits.

• Charisma (CHA) or natural charm and influence. It determines your ability to sway other sentient creatures.

Strength Impacts Melee Attacks and Carry Capacity
Dexterity Impacts Defense and Ranged Attacks
Constitution Impacts Health and Wounds
Knowledge Impacts Spirit Capacity

Awareness Impacts Defense and Initiative

Willpower Impacts Energy and Spirit Capture

Charisma Impacts Social Encounters

Generating Attributes

Roll 4d6 drop lowest 7 times and record the results.

If you do not like the results of your array, you can take an array of [+2, +1, +1, +1, +0, +0, -1]

Lucidity

Lucidity reflects a Player’s control over their characters’ fates. You have a Maximum Lucidity of LEVEL+13. You can choose to substitute any d20 roll with a Lucidity roll. To make a Lucidity roll, add any relevant Attribute Score to your Lucidity, then roll 1d20. If the result is equal to or less than the current Lucidity attribute, the roll is successfuI. Every time you succeed on a Lucidity roll, your Current Lucidity is decreased by 1.

Regaining Lucidity

Lucidity score increases at a rate of 1 per long rest (2 if you participate in a Lunar Pause), but can also be increased as a consequence of good roleplay or heroic circumstances.

Maximum Health

Your starting Max Health is calculated using CON + 6. Every time you level up, Add CON + 4.

Maximum Energy

Your starting Max Energy is calculated using WIL + 6. Every time you level up, Add WIL + 4.

Creating Traits

Each character starts with 3 unique traits that give them unique abilities in the world.

Fast Healer

You heal an additional d4 at the end of a long rest.

Impaler

You can add STR to the penetration of STR attacks

Breakthrough

You can now add DEX to the damage of DEX attacks

Hunk

Add LEVEL + CON to Item Slots

Wingman

You can hype up a certain attribute in a well-known ally. Until they fail any roll, they gain a buff for all non-attack rolls using that attribute. They cannot benefit from this effect again until a rest or another suitable circumstance arises (GM discretion).

Defender

You can grant armor gained from shields/weapons to adjacent allies.

Precognition

Add KNO to your Defense instead of DEX.

Inspirator

You can add your CHA to a roll once per rest or suitably inspiring moment.

Backstabber

Attacks from flanks deal an additional 4 damage.

Shieldbreaker

Your attacks ignore Protection bonuses from shields.

Rescuer

Rescue Exploits don’t cost Lucidity on a success.

Educated

+1 bonus to all skill rolls you don’t have a rank in.

Exploitative

If an enemy fails to do an exploit against you, you can attempt to do their attempted exploit against them instead.

Guts

You can wield massive weapons with 2 hands, 2-handed weapons with 1 hand, and dual-wield larger weapons.

Willful

Add LEVEL * WIL to Maximum Health instead of LEVEL * CON.

Resourceful

You can non-magic consumable items twice (at GM’s discretion).

Brawler

Your unarmed strikes do 1d8 damage and ignore Damage Reduction/Soak. You can make unarmed strikes for 1 action.

1 on 1

You add +1 to damage, penetration, and protection in 1v1 scenarios.

Debator

You can use KNO for rolls instead of CHA during discussions or arguments.

Adrenaline Rush

If you take 10 damage in one turn or fail a roll to resist fear, you gain 6 protection until a minute has passed since the damage was dealt or the fear has ended.

Helpful/Harmful

Treat the Help/Interfere action as 2 buffs/breaks.

Rapid Strikes

All attacks always cost 1 action.

Healthy Living

Your companions and yourself gain 5 Maximum Health

Rumor-monger

You have a buff when taking actions related to gathering information.

Improvised Fighter

Your attacks with improvised weapons deal an additional 1 penetration and 2 damage. 

Businessman

You will never be turned away from a business as long as you have 100 gold in your pocket.

Mental Clarity

You can never have a Break for KNO, AWA, WIL, or CHA Skill rolls.

Natural Immunity

You have a Buff on rolls against disease.

Fellowship

All members of your group have a buff to their WIL rolls.

Organized

You gain an additional 2 designated item slots.

Shuffle

You can move 5 feet as a free action once per turn.

Fate's Gamble

When you are at 0 Health, you can choose to roll Lucidity twice. If you succeed both rolls, you gain 1 Health.

Creating Skills

Skills can be broken up Ranks 1-5. You add your rank in a skill to rolls. All characters start with 8 points to put into skill ranks.

Armor and Language skills don’t have ranks, you either have them or you don’t. They are gained from background or through narrative as the story progresses.

Here are some examples of skills:

Gear

Here are some examples of some starting Weapons and Armor:

Advancement

As the game goes on characters become more powerful. Gaining XP is what warrants increases in your character’s level. This will usually be collecting gold or completing a significant story milestone. 

When characters gain a level, you can add +1 to an attribute. You cannot bring an attribute above +3 in this way. You will need to recalculate your Lucidity, Health, and Energy.

Actions

You can take a move action and an additional 2 actions per turn. You have an infinite number of free actions (things that are too quick/easy to be considered an action, such as dropping a weapon or spitting).

Action Options

Melee Attack

2 actions - You make an attack roll. If you are dual-wielding, this costs 1 action. On a hit, you can attempt an exploit.

Ranged Attack

1 actions - You make an attack roll. 

Charm/Deceive

1 action - Make a CHA roll against the target’s AWA. On a success, the target must decide between setting skepticism aside and going along with you or calling you out.

Help/Interfere

1 action - As long as you have a relevant skill, you can give a buff/break to another player’s roll.

Move

1 action - You move 30 feet. If you are prone you move 10 feet. Half this distance if you want to avoid opportunity attacks or if you stand up from prone.

Read a Person

2 actions - Make a AWA roll against the target’s CHA. The GM will then tell you to ask 1-3 questions and answer them.

• Are they telling the truth?

• What’s your character really feeling?

• What does your character intend to do?

• What does your character wish I’d do?

• How could I get your character to __?

• A similar question of your choice.

Read a Situation

2 actions - Make a AWA roll. Upon providing the result, the GM tell you to ask 1-3 questions and answer them.

• Where’s my best escape route / way in / way past?

• Which enemy is most vulnerable to me?

• Which enemy is the biggest threat?

• What should I be on the lookout for?

• What’s my enemy’s true position?

• Who’s in control here?

• A similar question of your choice.

Ready

You designate a number of actions to be spent on a triggering moment out of turn.

Swap a Designated Item

1 action - You can make a non-designated item replace a designated item.

Begin Casting a Spell

Free Action - You begin to cast a spell. If you take 10+CON damage, increase the casting time by 1 round.

Cast a Spell

2 Actions - You cast the spell you have been preparing.

How Combat Works

1. Attacker makes an Attack Roll. If you excede the Defense of the Defender, it hits.

2. The difference of Attack - Defense equals Penetration. 

3. Find the difference of Protection - Penetration.

4. If the result is 0 or less, the defender will take full damage. If the result is 1 or greater, deduct that number from damage.

5. Deduct penetration from protection. Excess penetration has no effect.

6. If protection is double the damage, the defender takes 0 damage. Otherwise, deduct protection from damage. Apply remaining damage to the defender. If protection exceeds damage, reduce damage to 1.

Item Slots

Characters have a number of item slots equal to 18 + STR. Most items, including groups of small items that could fit in one hand, take up one slot. Items that require two hands take two slots. 500 coins use a full slot. 20 arrows in a quiver use a full slot.

You can freely swap between a number of designated items equal to 2 + your DEX (Minimum 1).

Hitting 0 Health

Hitting 0 Health is not the end. Any excess damage or future damage reduces your Current Lucidity instead of Health. At the end of a round where you took damage while already having 0 Health, make a Lucidity (CON) roll. On a success, nothing happens. You do not lose Lucidity from this roll. On a failure, the outcome is roughly determined by your GM and the chart below:

As long as you aren’t already unconscious and don’t die, you can choose to guarantee a success on your next turn and then go unconscious instead of taking an injury.

Long Rests

At the end of a 6 hour rest, you regain 1d4 Health, all of your Energy, and 1 Lucidity.

Lunar Pauses

If a moon is up during your long rest after you have completed the proper ritual, you can travel to a dreamplane. You can remain there for as long as that moon is in the sky.

Upon beginning a Lunar Pause, you regain all of your Energy and 1 Lucidity.

Buffs and Breaks

Buffs and Breaks are supposed to be extremely easy to get. As long as you can think of a basic reason that justifies your character doing something better in the moment, they get a Buff, and if they might be challenged you get a Break. Buffs and Breaks cancel each other out.

Every Buff/Break gives you a d6 to add/subtract from your roll. Take the highest result and add/subtract it from your total.

Narrative Combat

This section is not about crossing swords or dodging magical explosions. This is about outsmarting, outwitting, and outplaying your enemies.

Any time that you successfully “defeat” an opponent, They take an amount of damage equal to the attribute of the “attacker” that is most relevant to the “attack” on a failure or half on a success.

Here are some examples:

• You break down a door an enemy was fully relying on to ward off intruders.

• You intimidate your enemies by setting yourself on fire in a room filled with gunpowder.

• You use a dungeon’s natural defenses to create traps for intruders.

• You expose the flaws in an opponent’s ideas in the type of way that leaves them thinking about comebacks in the shower later.

Exploits

Characters may attempt minor and rescue exploits, as outlined below.

Minor Exploits

If an attacker deals damage to a target, they can attempt a minor exploit. The GM then makes a ruling to resolve the exploit. For example:

• An opposed Str check to knock on opponent off his feet, grab hold of him with one hand, drive him backwards 10 feet, or throw him through a window.

• An opposed Dex check to throw sand in an opponent’s eyes, temporarily blinding them for one round.

• An opposed Dex check (perhaps modified by level) to disarm.

Different GMs will make different rulings to suit their table. The above are a guide only.

If the exploit is successful, the intended outcome occurs; the target is tripped, or thrown through the window, etc. The GM makes a ruling to determine the effect

Major Exploits

Major exploits are impressive feats of power and skill that inspire allies and turn the tide of battle.

A Warrior might shatter a foe’s weapon, impale a wolf on a fence spike, grab an enemy in each hand and crack their skulls together (stunning both of them), or cut off a Dragon's wing.

A few stipulations about Major Exploits:

• Major exploits do not increase damage to a single target.

• Major exploits cannot instantly kill or incapacitate a single target unless their Health is less than your level.

For a major exploit to occur, the warrior usually needs to first hit and cause damage as normal. The warrior then makes a Lucidity check, modified at the GM’s discretion. If the check is successful the exploit occurs. The GM makes a ruling to determine the effect.

Rescue Exploits

In certain situations, an adventurer may attempt a rescue exploit, which can only be used to protect another person or thing. Rescue exploits are only available when it is not the adventurer’s turn, in response to something happening within approximately 30 ft. A rescue allows one player to negate or reverse an adverse event for another

player or NPC.

The player must explain to the table how his

adventurer intends to achieve the rescue. A

rescue might include such things as pushing

another adventurer out of harm’s way, using a shield to deflect arrows targeting an ally, or grabbing hold of a henchmen as they plummet into a pit trap.

If the GM agrees a rescue is possible, the

adventurer can make their move. If the adventurer moves out of melee, enemies within reach get a free attack. Upon arriving, the rescuer must make a successful Lucidity check, modified at the GM’s discretion. If the Lucidity check is successful, the rescue occurs.

Extras

Here are some examples of how to play more traditional “classes” from other RPGs. These are guidelines that can be changed, not hard rules.

Classes

Berserker

To play a Berserker, take the following starting Traits:

1. Destroyer

Your attacks deal an additional 4 damage.

1. Adrenaline Rush

If you take 10 damage in one turn or fail a roll to resist fear, you gain 6 protection until a minute has passed since the damage was dealt or the fear has ended. You lose any stealth benefits and cannot cast spells while in this state.

1. Turn of Fate

When you are at 0 Hit Points, you can choose to roll Lucidity at Disadvantage. If you succeed, you gain 1 Hit Point and can’t use this trait until the end of a long rest.

Upon hitting level 3, you gain the following traits. Some traits have conditions before they become “active”. It is not intended that you will gain all traits, as different characters/players may have different wants for their character’s traits, but you can gain all of them as well as make new ones.

1. Guts

You can wield massive weapons with 2 hands.

You gain this trait if your character has been established as a heavy-weapons wielder who consistently trains to be able to carry and wield massive weapons in battle or has undergone an experience that would justify this trait.

1. Fast Healer

You heal an additional d4 at the end of a long rest.

You gain this trait if your character has been consistently heavily injured at the start of their long rests, has successfully used the Turn of Fate trait 3 times, or has undergone an experience that would justify this trait.

1. Hunk

Add LEVEL + CON to Item Slots

You gain this trait if your character is consistently encumbered or has undergone an experience that would justify this trait.

Upon hitting Level 6, you gain the following Traits:

1. Shieldbreaker

If your penetration fully negates protection, your attack does 4 additional damage.

1. Controlled Rush

You can enter Adrenaline Rush as an action now, up to CON times.

If your character was established as a stealthier character, they no longer lose stealth benefits. If your character was established someone curious of magic or seeking not to lose themselves in rage, they no longer lose the ability to cast spells. If they have been actively bloodthirsty, become immune to the effects of fear.

1. Fatebreaker

Once per long rest, you can auto-succeed your Turn of Fate trait. You can also use Turn of Fate an unlimited number of times.

Warrior

Knave

Face

The following are a list of unique Traits and Talents that I made for Higher-fantasy games. 

Spellcasting

Characters can cast KNO (minimum 1) Spells per day. If a spell is cast on a creature, they can make a Lucidity roll to resist the spell, adding your Knowledge Attribute to the roll.

Foci

In order to cast spells, you will need a Focus. A focus can only be used once per day and only works as long as its specific

environmental needs are met.

Those needs are usually chosen by the DM and player together. They are kind of vague and magic sounding. “Flowing water nearby” is too specific and doesn’t leave any room for interpretation. “Living water nearby” sounds cooler and also could be

interpreted as “naturally flowing water” or “rain” or whatever.

Foci examples

Nature Focus

Needs to be in direct contact with nature.

Level 1 - The caster must be standing on grass or dirt.

Mold Earth

You can move KNO tons of loose earth.

Level 2 - The caster must be touching a living tree or plant.

Control Plants

Plants within 40 feet obey you and gain the ability to move at 5 feet per round.

Level 3 - The caster must be standing in a stream or near a body of water

Control Weather

You may alter the type of weather for KNOx4 hours. It takes 10 minutes to change weather type.

Level 4 - The caster must be in a forest or jungle.

Charm Focus

Needs to be in direct contact with a personal item of the target.

Level 1 - A piece of clothing or an accessory worn by the target.

Change of Heart

The target becomes amicable to you. They learn about the charm after KNO hours.

Frenzy

KNO creatures within 70 feet become hostile towards the target.

Level 2 - A trinket or keepsake owned by the target.

Command

A creature obeys a single command that doesn’t harm it. The command can have up to KNO words, and each word requires an action.

Truth

A creature cannot lie to you for KNO hours

Level 3 - A tool or weapon regularly used by the target.

Level 4 - A diary or journal of the target.

Detect Thoughts

You can hear the thoughts of the target.

Object Focus

Needs to consume objects of value. An object focus is a small pedestal.

Level 1 - A common rock, pebble, or other small, unremarkable object.

Greed

KNO creatures become obsessed with an item of your choice.

Level 2 - A silver coin, or an object of sentimental value to the caster.

Identify

You learn about the magic properties of an object.

Level 3 - A gemstone worth at least 50 gold pieces.

Steal

KNO visible objects teleport into your hand. Creatures that are holding chosen objects can attempt to resist.

Level 4 - A magic item of uncommon rarity or an object with historical significance.

Illusion Focus

This focus requires the use of a physical object that can produce light and color, such as a crystal prism or a mirror for visual illusions and noise for auditory illusions. The object must be held in the caster's hand and pointed at the target area for the illusion to take effect.

Level 1 - An object such as a coin or a sound such as a whisper. The illusion can create simple, static images or patterns that are no larger than the object being used by the focus and sounds of equal or lesser volume.

Level 2 - An object such as a hand mirror or a sound such as a person talking. The illusion can create small, moving images or patterns that are no larger than the object being used by the focus and sounds of equal or lesser volume.

Level 3 - An object such as a reflective globe or a sound such as a group of people talking. The illusion can create larger, moving images or patterns that can cover an area up to 10 feet in diameter and sounds of equal or lesser volume.

Level 4 - An object such as a multiple mirrors reflecting off of each other or a sound such as a group of people talking. The illusion can create larger, moving images or patterns that can cover an area up to 10 feet in diameter and sounds of equal or lesser volume.

Additional Spell Ideas

Magnetize

KNO objects become magnetically attracted to one another if they are within 10 feet of each other.

Detect Magic

You can hear magical auras.

Light

A floating light appears for 1 hour and moves wherever you command.

Knock

Unlock a number of locks equal to KNO while the spell is active.

Stretch

Your body can stretch up to KNO x 10 feet

Jump

You can jump KNO x 10 feet

Disguise

After 6 actions, You change your appearance for 1 day

Babble

KNO creatures must loudly and clearly repeat everything you think.

Steve

A man named steve wearing a red shirt appears for KNO hours.

^ Forbidden Spell

Divine Bargains

You can choose CHA (minimum 1) bargains to make with an entity. Common offerings include sacrificing Health, Energy, Lucidity , item slots, attributes, money, weapons, armor, or undertaking a mission. Entities will usually have a domain or agenda that restricts what kinds of bargains they will make. (A god of love might not offer bargains that charm or manipulate people’s feelings or an ice demon might not offer bargains that create fire, for instance)

Relics

These special items enhance your bargains. This can be a reduction in a bargain’s cost, an additional effect, or some other adjustment.

Shrines

Many of these entities may leave shrines dotted along the landscape. They allow you to create favorable circumstances for a new bargain.

Bargain Examples

Heal

Heals xd6 at the cost of 2x item slots.

Beast Form

You transform into an animal of the patron’s choice for CHA days.

Lucid

Regain 1 Lucidity at the cost of 100 gold

Sleep

Visible creatures with a Lucidity Score equal to or lower than yours fall asleep (include yourself)

Invisible

You become invisible at the cost of your armor.

Power

Your Strength increases by 2, but every other attribute is reduced by 2.

Resurrection

As long as the creature is willing and will not die immediately, they can be resurrected at the cost of 100 Lucidity.

Alchemy

Many of the flora and fauna possess latent magics that can be extracted by those with the knowledge and those willing to experiment. 

Potion Sickness

You can drink a number of potions equal to your CON (minimum 1) per day. Potions that only heal do not count unless otherwise specified.

In the event that you drink more than your limit or drink while under the effects of another, you gain the Potion Sickness condition.

Potion Examples

Runecrafting

Language is Power

The power of runes are heavily dependent upon the language of which the runes are written in. Here is a basic guide as to the effect of each language on the creation of runes.

Templates

These special items reduce the amount of time required to make a rune and may provide additional benefits.

Rune Examples

Some runes reference KNO. Please use the KNO of the Runecrafter when using this number.

Mark (Infernal)

When you hit a creature marked with the rune, you can activate the rune as an action to cause a mark to form on them. While they are marked, fire damage ignores resistance and they take KNO fire damage from each attack made with the object with the rune on it. The mark lasts for 1 minute or until the marked target’s death. This rune cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Curse. While a target is marked, You have disadvantage on attacks that aren’t against the target, and when you deal damage to a creature other than the target that treasure has resistance to the damage you dealt.

Alert (Goblin)

If you are surprised at the start of combat, ths rune allows you to take one action.

Boom (Dwarvish)

When you with a target with an object that bears this rune, you can activate the rune to deal KNOd6 Thunder damage to the target and they must pass a Lucidity (Strength) roll or be knocked prone.