5.1 Core Rule System

Skills

A skill test is rolled on a D100 and must result in a roll of equal to or lower than the score currently in the skill. The difficulty of success is adjusted by the difficulty. Once these modifiers have been applied then the critical range is calculated.

 

Difficulty	Modifier
Simple	+40%
Easy	+20%
Moderate	0
Difficult	-20%
Hard	-40%
Heroic	-60%

 

Time Frame
>5 secs	Attack, perception
10-60 secs	Reroute power, use comms, apply medpac, quick search
1-6 mins	Apply first aid, basic tech test, build a fire, basic scavenge
10-60 mins	Complex tech test, thoroughly search an area
1-6 hours	Major repairs, build a shelter, gather resources
6-24 hours	Research
10-60 hours	Star Ship repairs
1-6 days	Construct complex tech

 

Complex Skills

Certain Complex skill require training and unless you have training in that a Complex skill you cannot perform that skill. However, some skills can be used untrained and the default is equal to the relevant attribute score; a Prowess of 16 gives a 16% chance to succeed at a Stealth Task.

 

Taking your time

Test the time frame table for each additional increment in time above the required time a +5% modifier is added to the final MOS.

 

Aid another character

The helping character must make a moderate skill test; if successful they may add the appropriate Attribute score to the skill test of the character ultimately performing the test.

 

Opposed roles

Opposed rolls (player vs opponent),

Critical and Fumble rolls

A critical is always on a roll of 20% of the character’s skill.

A Fumble is a roll of 96% or higher.

 

Skills over 100%

For every full 100% in a skill the character possesses Fumbles are reduced by 1%

 

Improving your character

 

Experience Points, in a typical game session a character will earn between 1 and 3 EP’s. Extra EP’s can be earned for Roleplaying, Heroic Actions and Story completion.

 

Skill improvement, on a successful skill check the player makes a mark/reminder against that skill and then at the end of the session the player can then select a skill that they have successfully used and spend 1 EP to improve that skill. Any remaining marks are removed and cannot be carried forward. Extra improvement checks can be earned for Roleplaying, Heroic Actions and Story completion.

 

They then roll D% if the roll is equal to or higher than the current skill score then they roll 1D4+1 and add it to the Base % of the skill. If they roll lower, then they add +1% to their skill. For skills in excess of 100% the play must roll D% lower than the relevant attribute score and if successful then they add +1, however if they fail they do not add anything.

 

Core Skills are automatically known; Combat Skills can be improved by simply starting to use the weapon. Complex Skills must be learned and require 3 EP’s to purchase at 0% (the character still gets their skill priority bonus and attribute modifier as the base).

 

Tombs, grimoire, manuals and guides can provide a one-off bonus, once a book is read; this requires 1 weeks’ worth of downtime. The reader makes a skill test and if they roll equal to or higher than their current skill total then they can add the tier rating of the manual to their base skill. If they fail, then nothing new is learned.

 

Hero Points

 

Perk points, a player can choose to exchange 3 EP or 1 Hero Point for 1 Perk point.

 

Cash, in exchange for 1 Hero Point a player can generate cash up to a max of once per session. This will garner 100 Silver Pieces. This is incidental cash not intended as an income. Anyone abusing this will find themselves unable to do this for a period determined by the Ref.

 

Attributes, a player can choose to spend 3 EP’s rolls to attempt to increase one Attribute by one point.

·         Multiply the Attribute to be increased by five.  Then roll D%.

·         If this D% result is greater than the Attribute x 5, the Attribute increases by one point.

·         If this D% result is equal to or less than the Attribute x 5, the Attribute does not increase.  A roll of 96 to 00 on this roll always results in the Attribute increasing. 

The maximum a natural human character can increase an Attribute to is, 21. For non-humans this varies depending on species bonus.

 

Hero Points

Hero points differentiate heroes from the masses. It allows the character to perform extraordinary feats. All characters start with 2 Hero Points at creation, a player can earn Hero Points from 0 to 2 per session based on the level of participation they undertook. Bad roleplaying and minimal involvement and relying totally on dice rolls rather than thinking and roleplaying will result in 0 Hero Points being awarded. 2 Hero Points should be for an exceptional session only.

 

Hero Points can be spent on the following

Action Surge - Perform an additional combat action.

Skill synergy – gain a +30% one-time bonus to a skill test.

Second Chance - Reroll a failed skill test.

Near Miss - Causes the amount of damage taken to be halved.

Insight - Gain a clue or hint from the Ref when stuck.

Critical Save - If the character takes a Critical Wound then the character may spend 2 HP’s to mitigate that “death” into being knocked aside and left for dead, a luck roll is required to not be maimed or injured needing implants or repair.

Back from the Dead

If the character exceeds their Health in a negative number, then normally they are slain instantly; however, for the cost of 10 Hero Points the character will be brought back by otherworldly powers at the nearest place of power.

 

 

Combat

 

Combat is broken down into rounds of 6 seconds of time during which up to 3 actions can be taken.

1.       Combat/Skill or Talent use.

2.       Defensive action, evade or parry.

3.       Movement, move up to a maximum of the character’s movement rate, this can be split.

 

Combat Matrix

 

Attack	Parry	Result
Impale	Critical	Defender blocks, no result
Impale	Success	Normal damage, ignore armour
Impale	Failure	Max damage, ignore armour
Impale	Fumble	Max damage, ignore armour, defender rolls on fumble table
Critical	Critical	Defender blocks, no result
Critical	Success	Normal damage, armour applies, if parrying weapon/shield takes 2 points of damage.
Critical	Failure	Max damage, armour applies
Critical	Fumble	Max damage, armour applies and defender rolls on fumble table
Success	Critical	Block succeeds and attacker’s weapon takes 1 points of damage.
Success	Success	Defender blocks, no result
Success	Failure,	Normal damage, armour applies
Success	Fumble	Normal damage, armour applies and defender rolls on fumble table
Failure		No result
Fumble		Attacker Rolls on Fumble Table

 

Attack	Evade	Result
Impale	Critical	Defender evades, no result
Impale	Success	Normal damage, ignore armour
Impale	Failure	Max damage, ignore armour
Impale	Fumble	Max damage, ignore armour, defender rolls on fumble table
Critical	Critical	Defender evades, no result
Critical	Success	Normal damage, armour applies, armour degrades by 1 step.
Critical	Failure	Max damage, armour applies
Critical	Fumble	Max damage, armour applies and defender rolls on fumble table
Success	Critical	Evade succeeds
Success	Success	Evade succeeds
Success	Failure,	Normal damage, armour applies
Success	Fumble	Normal damage, armour applies and defender rolls on fumble table
Failure		No result
Fumble		Attacker Rolls on Fumble Table

 

Combat Fumbles

 

Close Combat Fumble Table

1D20                     Result Effect

1-3                         Falter Lose next Combat Action.

4-6                         Drop Weapon. Weapon falls 1D4 metres away.

7-9                         Lose Balance Lose next 1D3 Combat Actions.

10-12                    Damage Weapon, Weapon takes 2 points of damage from opponents parrying weapon. Else weapon strikes an inanimate object (tree, wall, ground, etc.) and does 2 points of damage to itself.

13-14                    Stumble Trip and fall prone. Forfeit next 1D3 Combat Actions. All defensive actions at a –20% penalty.

15-16                    Armour Damaged, reduce armour by 1D6 (or +’s once D6 are gone). If not armoured, roll again.

17                          Hit Ally, accidentally strike a nearby companion for normal rolled damage. If no ally within reach, hit self instead.

18                          Unlucky Roll twice on this table.

19                           Break Weapon The weapon strikes the ground, a wall, or a similar surface capable of causing damaging. The weapon breaks.

20                           Hit Self Inadvertently hit own hit location for normal rolled damage, plus Damage Modifier.

 

Natural Weapon Fumbles Table

1D20                     Result Effect

01-03                    Hesitate Lose next Combat Action.

04-06                    Numb Limb. Limb is temporarily paralysed until a successful Endurance roll is made, starting next Combat Action.

07-09                    Entangle Self Lose next 1D3 Combat Actions.

10-12                    Damage Limb, Limb is injured from striking opponents parrying weapon, armour or an inanimate object (tree, wall, ground, etc) and does damage to itself.

13-14                    Sprawl Trip and fall prone. Forfeit next 1d3 Combat Actions. All defensive actions at a –20% penalty.

15-16                    Break Limb. Limb is immobile (a Critical Wound).

17-18                    Hit Ally Accidentally strike a nearby companion for normal rolled damage. If no ally within reach, damage is done to self instead from wrenching a random location.

19                           Fated Roll twice on this table.

20                           Cursed Roll three times on this table.

 

Ranged Weapon Fumbles Table

1D20                     Result Effect

1-2                          Disoriented. Attacker loses next Combat Action.

4-6                         Drop Weapon. Weapon falls 1D3 squares away.

7-9                         Snare Weapon. Lose next 1D3 Combat Actions.

10-12                    Lose Weapon. Weapon string either snaps or weapon is lost when thrown.

13-14                     Damage Weapon. Weapon when fired or thrown suffers 2 damage to itself.

15-16                     Hit Ally. Accidentally strike a nearby companion for normal rolled damage.

17-18                    Misfire. Inflict normal damage on self.

19                           Bedevilled. Roll twice on this table.

20                           Damned. Roll three times on this table.

 

 

Initiative

Roll 1D10 + Initiative + Combat sense + Modifiers from miscellaneous sources.

 

Close combat

Weapons skill test.

 

Evade, Parry

Roll Evade to test to actively avoid attacks, -30% per additional action after the first (this is cumulative).

 

Surprise/Ambush

If the characters gain surprise then they will get a free round before the opponents can attack, defences work normally unless “sneak” attacks are performed.

 

Full Evade

Apart from performing an evade, no other action can be done this allows the defender to have a full evade vs ranged attacks and a +50% vs close combat.

 

Heavy Attack

The character can choose to sacrifice some accuracy to gain some extra damage through extra effort, for example wielding a 1 handed weapon 2 handed, making a haymaker or simply throwing your weight behind the blow. When doing this you take -30% penalty to attack but gain +2D6 damage to the weapon you are using.

 

Dual Wield

If a character wishes to use two weapons to attack during combat, then they will suffer a -30% to their attack. Each weapon must be one handed. Ambidexterity perk reduces this by -5% per level. If they use one to attack and the other to parry or block (unless a shield) they still suffer this penalty. Dual wield increases the damage of the main weapon by +1D6 damage, it also allows for an additional parry before the normal penalty of -30% is imposed.

 

Sneak attacks

If the attacker can get a stealth attack vs an opponent, and opposed stealth vs Perception test is required. Against an unprotected opponent the outcome is a Critical Wound. Against a protected opponent the damage is Maximised.

 

Disarm

A successful location attack vs Evade followed by a successful Endurance test against the hand holding the weapon will cause the target to drop what they are holding.

 

Trip/Throw

A successful Brawling/Martial Arts vs Evade can be used to knock the target prone instead of causing damage, the target loses their next action and must then use a move action to get up or be at -40% on all skill actions. Large or 2 Handed weapons cannot be used.

 

Shove
A successful opposed Athletics test can be made to move an opponent back 5’. This can be used to shove an opponent off a ledge; they will then take the falling damage.

 

Ranged Attack

Weapon skill test.

Aim, cannot move and gain +10% per action aiming up to a max of 3 rounds (+30%).

Standard, -30% per additional attack after the first (weapon must have Semi Auto).

Burst, -20% to hit, uses 3 rounds unless is defined by the weapon, increased damage (see weapon),

-30% per additional attack after the first (weapon must have Burst).

Auto, no modifier to hit however covers a 20’ area; uses all ammo in a clip unless limited; increase the burst damage of a weapons damage by 1 step. E.g. an 8mm SMG damage increases from 5D6 to 6D6, a 10mm SMG damage increases from 6D6 to 1D4X10, an 8mm assault rifle increases from 1D4+1X10 to 1D4+2X10 (weapon must have Auto).

 

Range	Attack modifier
Close	+40%
Short	0
Medium	-20%
Long	-40%
Extreme	-60%

 

 

Hit location

Location	Penalty	Damage Modifier	Random location 3D6
Head	-60%	X 2	3-5
Hand	-60%	X 1	6
Arm	-40%	X 1	7-8
Shoulder	-40%	X 1	9
Chest/Back	-20%	X 1	10-11
Stomach	-40%	X 1	12
Groin	-60%	X 2	13
Upper leg	-20%	X 1	14
Lower leg	-40%	X 1	15-16
Foot	-60%	X 1	17-18

 

Knockout

Against an unprotected head target, a successful opposed attack vs a Concentration will result in the target being knocked unconscious. Depending on the margin of success depends on how long the target is out for the count.

Margin of success	Time spent unconscious.
01-10	10 seconds
11-20	20 seconds
21-30	30
31-40	1 minute
41-50	5 minutes
51-60	10 minutes
60-80	20 minutes
81+	1 hr

 

Cover	Modifier
Light smoke	-10%
Heavy smoke	-30%
Poor light	-10%
Moonlight	-20%
Darkness	-40%
¼ cover	-10%
½ cover	-20%
¾ cover	-30%
Fully covered	See barriers
Wooden door/ Partition wall	1D6/20
Metal barrier	4D6/40
Security barrier	5D6/50
Airlock door	1D6X10/200
Bulkhead door	1D6X10/200 per 5’
Stone/brick wall	3D6/100
Fortified stone wall	1D4+1X10/200
Prone, close	+20%
Prone , ranged	-20%
Crouched	-10%

Damage

There are various types of damage.

 

Attribute, attributes can be reduced from the effects of disease and Fatigue. If Body drops to 0 or less, then the character is dead.

 

Stun, this is light damage that is recover per hour rather than per day of rest. It can be used to subdue an opponent; once your health reaches zero the character will lapse in unconsciousness.

If the character has a mixture of lethal and stun combined greater than their total health, then they will also lapse in unconsciousness.

 

Lethal, this is the amount of damage a character can withstand before death occurs. Once a character reaches 0 then they take a Critical Wound.

 

Critical Wound, a concentration roll is made the character to remain conscious; however, they are automatically considered to have the fatigue level of Exhausted; unless medical treatment occurs within the number of minutes equal to the Body Attribute score the character will perish.

 

 

Movement based on 30’ movement	Distance covered in feet
Climb	10
Crawl	10
Hustle	60
Run	100
Sneak	20
Swim	20
Walk	30

 

Hazards

 

 

Acid

The strength of the acid is the main factor in its corrosive strength. Water can be used to wash away weak acid but either a First Aid or Tech-Repair test is required to reduce the strength from Strong to mild to weak.

Strength	Damage per round
Weak	1D6
Mild	3D6
Strong	5D6

 

 

Diseases

Diseases usually reduce a characters Attribute Scores, most often it is Body that is reduced.

A successful Endurance test is required to resist catching the disease, if they fail then an additional test is required either several hours or days later. Once a successful test has been made then the character has fought off the disease.

Disease	Virulence	Damage	retest
Haemorrhagic fever	-20%	1D6	1D6 hours
Influenza	0	1D2	1D3 days
STD	-5%	1D2	1D3 weeks
Bio-weapon	-10%	1D6	1D3 hours
Radiation	-50%	1D6	1 day

 

 

Electricity

Electricity is an unpredictably and deadly force. Its effect is unpredictable and it can be lethal. For each round of exposure, the character will take the according damage to the intensity of the electrical source. An endurance test can be made to reduce this damage by half; however, a fumble will result in an instant and unpleasant death with no chance for revival.

Source	Damage
9 volt battery	2D6 Stun
Car battery	3D6
110v domestic	4D6
240v domestic	6D6
Power line	2D6X10
Substation	3D6X10
Lightning strike	4D6X10
Generator	6D6X10

 

 

Toxins

Toxins require an Endurance test to resist, they act immediately. They can be naturally occurring or manufactured.

Toxin	Delivery	Effect
Tranq gas	Airborne	Unconsciousness
Scorpion venom	Injected	3D6 dmg + Paralysis
Nerve Agent	Contact	6D6 + 1D4 Mind damage
Arsenic	Ingested	6D6 + 1D6 per hour

 

 

Alcohol and Drugs

 

The body can tolerate some toxicity, however there is a limit once that limit is reached it can cause negative effects. A normal character can drink a number of “cups” of their favourite alcoholic beverage or take a “dose” of drugs equal to their BODY mod score before it has any realistic effect.

For each one past that score an Endurance test with a cumulative penalty of -10% for each addition cup is required. Once the character fails an Endurance test they are considered to have the Winded Fatigue condition and each subsequent failure progress down that fatigue track until they either stop or pass out. Each 2 hours of sleep reduces the fatigue track by one stage.

 

Examples of “Cups” are as follows, a tankard of Ale, a cup of mead, cup of wine, a shot of spirit.

Examples of a dose, a pipe of stink weed, a snort of Hush, a lick of a frog…

 

 

Extreme Temperatures

Unless wearing suitable protective gear the following effect occur in hostile environments.

Heat	Effect	Cold	Effect
30 degress	1D6/hour	0 degrees	1D6/hour
50 degrees	2D6/hour	-25 degrees	3D6/hour
200 degrees	1D6/round	-50 degrees	2D6/minute
500 degrees	4D6/round	-200 degrees	1D6/round
Fire	3D6/round	Liquid nitrogen	6D6/round
Welding torch	6D6/round
Plasma	1D4+1X10/round

 

 

Drowning

A character can hold their breath equal to their Body X 12 in seconds. After this period a successful Athletics test is required to hold their breath for an addition Body X 6 in seconds. If the test fails or they run out of time, then drowning will occur causing 2D6 damage per round.

 

 

Space Exposure

For the first 15 seconds a character can survive exposure to space by holding their breath and closing their eyes. For every subsequent round an Endurance check must be made, this decreases by 10% per subsequent round. A failed check will mean that on the subsequent round the character will suffocate and fall unconscious and take 3D6 damage per round from decompression, radiation exposure and suffocation.

 

 

 

Falling and Collisions

Armour is ignored when taking damage in this way.

 

Falling	Damage
5-10’	2D6 Stun
11-20’	6D6 Health
21-30’	1D6+1X10 Health
31-40’	2D6+1X10 Health
41+	Fatal

 

Collision speed in mph	Impact damage
10	1D6
11-20	2D6
21-30	4D6
31-40	6D6
41-50	1D6X10
51-60	2D4+1X10
60+	Fatal
If wearing a harness reduce damage by 3 speed categories

 

 

Health and Fatigue

 

 

Fatigue

Fatigue can be incurred in several ways, below are the most common.

 

A character will become fatigued in a number of ways.

·         After staying awake for a number of hours equal to Body + 16 hours

·         After performing heavy labour equal to Body X 0.5 in hours

·         After performing strenuous exercise equal to Body X 0.5 in minutes (running, swimming, climbing)

·         After walking equal to Body in hours

·         Going without water for more than Body in hours

·         Going without food for more than Body +12 in hours

 

A rest of at least 8 hours and a drink or meal will remove the condition.

 

Level of Fatigue	Effects
Fresh	None.
Winded	All skill tests (including further tests to resist Fatigue) suffer a –10% penalty.
Tired	All skill tests (including further tests to resist Fatigue) suffer a –20% penalty. Action Points are reduced by 1. Initiative is reduced by 2.
Wearied	All skill tests (including further tests to resist Fatigue) suffer a –30% penalty. Movement is reduced by 10’. Initiative is reduced by 4.
Exhausted	All skill tests (including further tests to resist Fatigue) suffer a –40% penalty. Initiative is reduced by 6. Movement is reduced by 20’. Characters must make a Concentration test every minute or fall unconscious for 1D3x2 hours
Debilitated	All skill tests (including further tests to resist Fatigue) suffer a –60% penalty.. Initiative is reduced by 8. Movement is reduced is reduced to 5’ Character must make a Difficult Concentration test every Combat Round or fall unconscious for 1D6x2 hours.

 

Healing

 

Natural Healing

 

Recovery: Body X 0.5 - recovery of Power and Stun damage per hour of rest and recovery of Health per day of rest.

Medical Aid

 

A successful First Aid test is required to apply a first aid kit and adds +10% to the test. 20% of max health restored. A first aid kit takes 1 minute to apply. A failed first aid test only restores 10% max health.

 

A successful Medicine test is required to use Medical Care. X 2 Recovery rate per hour of treatment.

 

 

Provisions promote recovery faster, by eating a good meal (up to twice a day) the character will recover Health.

 

* Provisions consume 1 ENC per day of supplies (2 x provisions per day).

Or from Magic.

 

Attributes

 

Healing Attribute Scores, requires Medical Care and 12 hours of treatment per Attribute Score point to recover or Magic.

 

Breaking in!

 

Pick locks

If a door, chest or other secure location is protected by a lock then a successful Devices skill test is required. No thieves’ tools? Add +10 to the difficulty.

 

Lock Complexity	Penalty	Time Required	Example
Lesser	0	1 round	A standard door or box
Minor	-4	1D3 rounds	A secure door or chest
Major	-8	1D6 rounds	A standard treasure chest
Greater	-12	2D6 rounds	A Safe door
Greatest	-16	3D6 rounds	A vault door

 

Devices

Traps, mechanisms, machinery, clockworks,

Device Complexity	Penalty	Time Required	Example
Simple	0	1 round	Jam a lock
Average	-4	1D3 rounds	Repair a pulley or wagon wheel
Hard	-8	1D6 rounds	Disarm or reset a trap
Difficult	-12	2D6 rounds	Disarm or set up a complex trap
Impossible	-16	3D6 rounds	Repair or disable a clockwork device

 

Trying again, each retry add a -4 penalty and doubles the time already taken.