Horizon RPG System

Horizon is a rules-lite tabletop roleplaying game system featuring a unique runic inscription magic system. Set in a world where magic flows through ancient symbols and glyphs, characters inscribe runes onto their bodies, weapons, and surroundings to channel supernatural power.

Design Philosophy

• Simple Math: Addition and subtraction only. Typical modifiers range from -1 to +5.
• Bounded Accuracy: Success remains meaningful at all levels. A goblin can still threaten a veteran.
• Runic Identity: Magic is visual and tactile, expressed through inscribed symbols rather than abstract spell slots.
• Narrative Focus: Mechanics enhance storytelling rather than slow it down.
• 10-Level Cap: Progression is meaningful and campaigns reach satisfying conclusions.

The World of Inscriptions

In Horizon, magic manifests through seven runic domains:

Characters learn to inscribe these domains as glyphs on their skin, etch them onto weapons, or trace them in the air. The more powerful the inscription, the greater the strain on the inscriptor.

What You Need

• One 20-sided die (d20) per player
• A set of polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12)
• Character sheets
• This rulebook

Core Mechanic

When the outcome is uncertain, roll a d20, add your modifier, and compare to a target number:

d20 + modifier >= target number = success

That’s it. Everything else builds on this foundation.

Quick Start

1. Create a Character (Chapter 2): Pick a Path, background, assign stats, and choose talents.
2. Learn the Runes (Chapter 5): Understand domains, inscriptions, and strain.
3. Master Combat (Chapter 6): Understand actions, attacks, and wounds.
4. Play: Roll dice, tell stories, and have fun.

Horizon is designed for use with the Tavern application but can be played entirely on paper.

Core Rules

This chapter covers the fundamental mechanics of Horizon.

The Four Stats

Every character has four core stats. These values directly represent your modifier (no separate ability score/modifier split).

Typical Values: -1 to +5. Starting characters distribute +2, +1, +1, +0 among their stats.

Rolling Dice

Basic Rolls

When you attempt something with an uncertain outcome:

1. Roll a d20
2. Add your relevant stat modifier
3. Add your proficiency bonus (+2) if applicable
4. Compare to the target number (Difficulty Class or Defense)

Success: Total ≥ target number Failure: Total < target number

Advantage and Disadvantage

Sometimes circumstances make success more or less likely:

• Advantage: Roll 2d20 and take the higher result
• Disadvantage: Roll 2d20 and take the lower result

If you have both advantage and disadvantage, they cancel out regardless of how many of each you have.

Critical Results

Special outcomes occur on natural die results:

Note: Characters with mastery in a domain treat natural 1s as regular failures instead of critical failures.

Skill Checks

The 15 Skills

Skills are grouped by their governing stat:

Might Skills

• Athletics: Climbing, swimming, jumping, feats of strength
• Intimidation: Frightening or coercing through presence
• Endurance: Resisting hardship, holding breath, forced march

Finesse Skills

• Acrobatics: Balance, tumbling, aerial maneuvers
• Stealth: Moving unseen, hiding, ambushes
• Sleight of Hand: Pickpocketing, lockpicking, prestidigitation
• Riding: Controlling mounts and vehicles

Insight Skills

• Perception: Noticing details, spotting hidden threats
• Medicine: Treating wounds, diagnosing illness, stabilizing dying
• Survival: Tracking, foraging, navigation, weather prediction
• Empathy: Reading emotions, detecting lies, understanding motives

Cunning Skills

• Arcana: Magic knowledge, identifying spells and phenomena
• History: Past events, cultures, famous figures
• Investigation: Analyzing clues, deduction, solving puzzles
• Persuasion: Logic, charm, negotiation, rhetoric

Making Skill Checks

d20 + stat modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient) vs DC

Difficulty Classes

Tiered Success

Not all successes are equal. The margin (how much you beat the DC by) determines the quality:

Complications (GM chooses one for partial success):

• Takes longer than expected
• Attracts unwanted attention
• Costs something (item damaged, resource spent)
• Creates a new problem
• Achieves a lesser version of your goal

Contested Checks

When two characters oppose each other directly:

1. Both roll their relevant skill check
2. Higher total wins
3. Ties go to the initiator (whoever started the contest)

Proficiency

Proficiency Bonus: +2 (this never changes)

You add your proficiency bonus when:

• Making a check with a skill you’re proficient in
• Making an attack with a weapon you’re proficient with
• Making a saving throw you’re proficient in
• Casting spells (if you have spellcasting ability)

Proficiencies come from your Path, background, and talents.

Health Points (HP)

HP represents your ability to avoid and absorb damage.

Starting HP = Hit die maximum + Might modifier (minimum 1)

HP Per Level = Hit die average + Might modifier (minimum 1)

Defense

Defense determines how hard you are to hit in combat.

Defense = 10 + Armor Bonus + Finesse Modifier (limited by armor type)

Resting

Short Rest

• Duration: 1 hour of light activity
• Recover: Mana equal to 1/4 of your max (rounded up)
• Use: Class abilities that refresh on short rest

Long Rest

• Duration: 8 hours (at least 6 sleeping)
• Recover: All HP, all mana, all abilities
• Limit: Once per 24 hours

Mastery

Masters of a domain treat natural 1s as regular failures instead of critical failures.

Domains:

• Melee Weapons
• Ranged Weapons
• Arcane Magic
• Divine Magic
• Athletics
• Subterfuge
• Lore
• Social
• Survival
• Crafting (specific type)

Mastery is gained through archetype progression (automatically at level 5) or specific talents.

Character Creation

Follow these steps to create your Horizon character.

Step 1: Choose Your Path

Your Path defines your relationship with runic inscriptions, your hit die, and available talents.

See Chapter 4: Paths & Talents for full details.

Step 2: Choose Your Background

Your background represents your life before adventuring. It grants:

• 2 skill proficiencies
• Starting equipment
• Narrative bonds and hooks

Available Backgrounds

Step 3: Assign Stats

Distribute the following modifiers among your four stats:

• +2 (primary strength)
• +1 (secondary strength)
• +1 (tertiary strength)
• +0 (weakness)

Recommended Distributions

Feel free to customize based on your character concept.

Step 4: Choose Starting Talents

Select 2 talents from your Path’s talent list. These define your starting capabilities beyond the Path’s base abilities.

See Chapter 4: Paths & Talents for talent options.

Step 5: Calculate Derived Stats

Hit Points

Max HP = Hit Die Maximum + Might Modifier (minimum 1)

Defense

Defense = 10 + Armor Bonus + Finesse Modifier (limited by armor)

Without armor, defense equals 10 + Finesse.

Runic Energy (Inscriptors)

Max Runic Energy = (Casting Stat + Level) x 2

Step 6: Record Equipment

You receive equipment from:

1. Path: Starting weapons and armor
2. Background: Additional gear and tools
3. Gold: 10 gold pieces for additional purchases

Path Starting Equipment

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Name and Description

Give your character a name, physical description, and note any visible inscriptions or runic marks.

Bonds

Choose or create 1-2 bonds from your background. These are motivations, relationships, or goals that drive your character.

Example Bonds by Background:

• Legion Inscribed: “My unit’s sigil is inscribed on my shoulder. I will honor their memory.”
• Archive Keeper: “A runic text was stolen from my archive. I must recover it.”
• Glyph Runner: “The underground taught me that runes can set you free.”
• Temple Initiate: “The sacred inscriptions must not fall into the wrong hands.”

Example Character

Name: Kira Stormglyph Path: Wardkeeper Background: Legion Inscribed

Stats:

• Might: +2
• Finesse: +1
• Insight: +0
• Cunning: +1

Skills: Athletics (background), Intimidation (background)

Talents: Glyph Shield, Runic Fortitude

HP: 14 (10 + 2 base + 2 from Runic Fortitude) Defense: 18 (10 + 6 armor + 2 shield)

Equipment: Longsword, inscribed shield, chain mail, legion sigil, faded battleglyph, 10 gp

Bond: “A Wardkeeper saved my life by transferring their protective glyph to me. I carry on their legacy.”

Character Advancement

As you adventure, you’ll gain experience and level up:

Signature Mastery: At level 5, you automatically gain mastery in your Path’s signature domain:

• Wardkeeper: Melee Weapons
• Bladescribe: Melee Weapons
• Glyphweaver: Arcane Inscriptions
• Soulscribe: Divine Inscriptions
• Shadowmark: Subterfuge
• Pathreader: Ranged Weapons OR Survival (your choice)

Mastery means that when you roll a natural 1 in that domain, it’s treated as a regular failure instead of a critical failure.

Paths & Talents

Your Path defines your character’s relationship with runic inscriptions and their core capabilities.

Wardkeeper

Warriors who inscribe protective wards directly onto their skin and armor, serving as frontline defenders.

Base Abilities

Glyph of Shielding As a reaction when you or an adjacent ally takes damage, reduce it by 1d6 + your level.

Ward Transfer As a bonus action, transfer your active protective glyph to an ally within 10 feet. They gain +1 Defense until your next turn.

Inscription Scars Your body is a living ward. You can never be completely disarmed of your protective inscriptions.

Wardkeeper Talents

Bladescribe

Fighters who inscribe combat runes onto weapons for devastating effects.

Base Abilities

Weapon Inscriptions You can temporarily etch runes onto your weapons for bonus effects lasting 1 minute.

Runic Strike Once per turn when you hit with a weapon attack, deal +1d6 damage of a type matching your weapon’s inscription.

Combat Scribe You can inscribe runes in the heat of battle without provoking opportunity attacks.

Bladescribe Talents

Glyphweaver

Scholars who combine runes into complex patterns to reshape reality.

Base Abilities

Runic Array You can combine two basic glyphs into a compound inscription, gaining effects from both domains at increased cost.

Symbol Mastery Choose one runic domain. Inscriptions from that domain cost 1 less Runic Energy (minimum 1) and have +1 to their save DC.

Inscription Memory You can hold one fully-prepared inscription in your mind, releasing it instantly as a reaction.

Glyphweaver Talents

Soulscribe

Healers who channel the Anima and Lumen domains to mend and protect.

Base Abilities

Life Inscription Once per short rest, heal a creature within touch for 2d8 + Insight modifier HP.

Soul Sense You can sense the life force of creatures within 30 feet, detecting undead, constructs, and dying creatures.

Anima Script Your healing inscriptions leave protective marks that grant +1 AC for 1 minute.

Soulscribe Talents

Shadowmark

Operatives who use Umbra domain runes for concealment and assassination.

Base Abilities

Veil Glyph As a bonus action, activate Umbra runes to become lightly obscured. Advantage on Stealth while active.

Marked Target As a bonus action, place an invisible Umbra rune on a creature within 60 feet. +1d6 damage against marked targets.

Fade Step Once per short rest, teleport up to 30 feet to dim light or darkness as a bonus action.

Shadowmark Talents

Pathreader

Travelers who read the natural runes in the world, mastering tracking and nature magic.

Base Abilities

Natural Script You can read the runic patterns in nature, gaining advantage on Survival and tracking checks in natural terrain.

Terrain Attunement Once per short rest, attune to the terrain. Gain advantage on all checks related to that terrain for 1 hour.

Beast Tongue You can communicate simple concepts with animals through shared runic understanding.

Pathreader Talents

Universal Talents

Available to all Paths:

Mastery Talents

These grant mastery in a skill domain—on a natural 1, you may reroll once (must use new result):

Equipment

This chapter covers weapons, armor, and gear available to adventurers.

Currency

Most prices are listed in gold pieces (gp).

Weapons

Weapon Properties

Simple Melee Weapons

Martial Melee Weapons

Ranged Weapons

Armor

Armor Class Calculation

Defense = 10 + Armor Bonus + Finesse Modifier (limited by armor type)

Light Armor

Full Finesse modifier applies

Medium Armor

Finesse modifier capped at +2

Heavy Armor

No Finesse modifier; may require minimum Might

Shields

Adventuring Gear

Packs

Common Items

Tools

Consumables

Potions

Scrolls

Scrolls allow anyone to activate an inscription once. Casting stat is +0 if you lack inscription ability.

Ammunition

Magic Items

Magic items are rated by rarity:

Attunement: Some magic items require attunement. You can attune to up to 3 items. Attuning takes a short rest spent focusing on the item.

Sample Magic Items

Weapons

Armor & Protection

Wondrous Items

Encumbrance

Carrying Capacity: (5 + Might) × 20 pounds

If carrying more than capacity:

• Speed reduced by 10 feet
• Disadvantage on physical checks

Selling Equipment

Used equipment sells for half its listed price. Magic items may sell for more in the right market.

Runic Inscriptions

This chapter covers the runic magic system in Horizon. Magic is channeled through inscribed symbols called glyphs, organized into seven elemental domains.

The Seven Domains

Domain Access vs Attunement

Understanding the difference between Domain Access and Domain Attunement is essential:

• Domain Access determines which inscriptions you can learn. This is set by your Path and never changes.
• Domain Attunement provides bonuses when using inscriptions from that domain. You choose which of your accessible domains to attune to.

Domain Access by Path

*Wardkeeper and Bladescribe are martial Paths with limited inscription access. See “Martial Inscriptors” below.

Runic Energy

Inscriptors use Runic Energy to power their inscriptions.

Energy Pool

Maximum Runic Energy = (Casting Stat Modifier + Level) x 2

Energy Recovery

• Short Rest: Recover 1/4 of maximum energy (rounded up)
• Long Rest: Recover all energy; reset Strain to 0

Casting Stats by Path

Inscription Knowledge

Unlike other systems where casters prepare specific spells, Horizon uses Inscribed Patterns—glyphs physically etched onto surfaces that can be activated when needed.

Glyphs (Cantrips)

You permanently know all glyphs from domains you have access to. Glyphs cost no energy, cause no Strain, and can be traced unlimited times. They represent fundamental runic patterns your character has mastered.

Inscriptions (Leveled)

You must prepare inscriptions during a rest by etching them onto prepared surfaces (skin, armor, weapons, scrolls, or focus items). You can only have a limited number prepared at once.

Prepared Inscription Limit

Prepared Inscriptions = Casting Stat Modifier + Level

Preparing Inscriptions

• You can only prepare inscriptions from domains you have access to
• Preparing inscriptions requires a short or long rest (inscribing takes the full rest)
• You can change your prepared inscriptions each rest
• Once prepared, inscriptions remain until you choose to replace them

Learning New Inscriptions

You learn inscriptions by:

• Leveling up: Gain 2 new inscriptions from your accessible domains
• Discovery: Find runic tablets, ancient texts, or learn from other inscriptors
• Research: Spend downtime studying domain theory (GM discretion)

You can learn any inscription from domains you have access to, but can only prepare a subset at any time.

Strain System

Channeling runic power taxes the body. Strain accumulates as you cast and represents magical fatigue.

Maximum Strain

Maximum Strain = 5 + Might Modifier + Level

Strain Thresholds

Gaining Strain

Each inscription adds Strain equal to its base energy cost:

Reducing Strain

• Short Rest: Reduce Strain by half (rounded down)
• Long Rest: Reset Strain to 0

Inscription Attacks and Save DCs

Inscription Attack = d20 + Casting Stat + Proficiency
Inscription Save DC = 8 + Casting Stat + Proficiency

Glyphs (Cantrips)

Glyphs are minor inscriptions that cost 0 energy and can be traced unlimited times.

Glyph Scaling

Glyph damage increases as you level:

Glyph List

Inscriptions (Leveled)

Inscriptions cost Runic Energy to trace. Higher costs indicate more powerful effects.

Ignis Domain (Fire)

Glacius Domain (Ice)

Fulmen Domain (Storm)

Terra Domain (Earth)

Umbra Domain (Shadow)

Lumen Domain (Light)

Anima Domain (Soul)

Domain Attunement

Domain Attunement represents deep resonance with a runic domain. Attuning to a domain grants bonuses when using its inscriptions—it does not grant access to new domains.

Attunement Benefits

When using inscriptions from an attuned domain:

• Energy Reduction: Inscriptions cost 1 less Runic Energy (minimum 1)
• DC Bonus: +1 to save DC for inscriptions from that domain
• Advanced Access: Only attuned domains allow learning Major Inscriptions (5+ energy cost)

Attunement Slots

You can attune to a limited number of domains based on your level:

Attunement Rules

• You can only attune to domains you have access to (from your Path)
• Changing attunement requires a long rest and 1 hour of meditation
• At level 1, you automatically attune to one of your accessible domains
• Glyphweavers with all seven domains must still choose which to attune to

Example

A level 5 Soulscribe has access to Lumen and Anima, and 2 attunement slots. They can:

• Attune to both Lumen and Anima (gaining bonuses for all their inscriptions)
• Or attune to just one domain (getting stronger bonuses there, none in the other)

They cannot attune to Ignis because they don’t have access to it.

Martial Inscriptors

Wardkeeper and Bladescribe are martial Paths that use limited inscription magic. They don’t have traditional Runic Energy pools.

Wardkeeper (Defensive Inscriptions)

Wardkeepers inscribe protective wards directly onto their armor and skin. They use Might as their casting stat.

• Limited Access: Only defensive inscriptions from Terra and Lumen (Stone Shell, Shield of Dawn, etc.)
• Inscription Uses: Can use 2 + Might modifier inscriptions per short rest (not a Runic Energy pool)
• Ward Casting: Inscriptions activate as reactions or bonus actions when protecting self or allies
• Strain Immunity: Wardkeepers don’t track Strain—their body is the inscription

Bladescribe (Weapon Inscriptions)

Bladescribes etch combat runes onto weapons for devastating effects. They use Might or Finesse (choose at character creation).

• Limited Access: Only weapon-enhancing inscriptions from Ignis and Fulmen
• Inscription Uses: Can use 2 + primary stat modifier inscriptions per short rest
• Combat Casting: Inscriptions are woven into weapon attacks, not cast separately
• Strain Immunity: Like Wardkeepers, Bladescribes don’t track Strain

Concentration

Some inscriptions require concentration to maintain:

• Only one concentration inscription at a time
• Taking damage requires Might save (DC 10 or half damage) to maintain
• Tracing another concentration inscription ends the current one
• Severe Strain gives disadvantage on concentration saves

Ritual Inscriptions

Inscriptions marked as rituals can be traced without spending energy if you take 10 extra minutes.

Ritual Inscriptions: Light Glyph, Guidance Mark, and any inscription your GM designates.

Compound Inscriptions (Glyphweaver Only)

Glyphweavers can combine two domain glyphs into a compound inscription:

• Costs energy from both domains
• Gains effects from both (GM discretion)
• Requires 1 action to trace (not bonus action)

Example: Ignis + Glacius = Steam Burst (fire damage + difficult terrain from fog)

Combat

When words fail, steel speaks. This chapter covers the rules of combat in Horizon.

Combat Overview

Combat proceeds in rounds. Each round, every participant takes a turn in initiative order. During your turn, you have three types of actions available.

Action Economy

Each turn you may take:

Combat Actions (Act)

Attack Rolls

To attack a target:

d20 + stat modifier + proficiency → compare to target's Defense

• Melee Attacks: Use Might (or Finesse if weapon has Finesse property)
• Ranged Attacks: Use Finesse
• Inscription Attacks: Use your casting stat (Cunning or Insight)

Critical Hits

On a natural 20, your attack automatically hits and deals double damage dice.

Critical Misses

On a natural 1, your attack automatically misses (unless you have mastery with that weapon type).

Damage

When you hit, roll damage:

Damage dice + stat modifier

Apply the same stat used for the attack roll.

Damage Types

Resistances and Vulnerabilities

• Resistance: Take half damage from that type
• Immunity: Take no damage from that type
• Vulnerability: Take double damage from that type

The Wound System

Horizon uses a wound-based system for damage beyond 0 HP.

Reaching 0 HP

When reduced to 0 HP, you become Bloodied. You can still act but any further damage inflicts wounds.

Wound Severity

Wound Thresholds

Combat States

Death Saves

When you’re Dying (6+ wound points), roll a death save at the start of each turn:

• 3 Successes: Stabilized (stop dying, remain unconscious)
• 3 Failures: Dead

Any healing brings you back from dying immediately.

Conditions

Combat can inflict various conditions:

Opportunity Attacks

When a creature you can see moves out of your reach, you may use your reaction to make one melee attack against them.

Creatures using the Disengage action don’t provoke opportunity attacks.

Cover

The Escalation Die

As combat continues, tension rises. Starting on round 2, the escalation die advances:

Player characters add the escalation die to all attack rolls.

Creatures may or may not benefit, based on their CR:

• CR 0-2: No escalation bonus
• CR 3-4: Half escalation (rounded down)
• CR 5-7: Full escalation
• CR 8-10: Full escalation + special abilities may trigger

Escalation Triggers

Powerful creatures may have abilities that activate at certain escalation thresholds:

Dragon’s Fury (Escalation 3+): The dragon’s breath weapon recharges immediately.

Movement in Combat

Speed

Most characters have a base speed of 30 feet per round.

Difficult Terrain

Moving through difficult terrain costs double (1 foot = 2 feet of movement).

Moving Through Creatures

• Allies: Move through freely
• Enemies: Must use special movement or the space is difficult terrain

Falling

Take 1d6 bludgeoning damage per 10 feet fallen (max 20d6).

Combat Example

Round 1

1. Thrain (Wardkeeper) moves 30 feet and attacks the goblin with his longsword: d20+5 (MIG +2, proficiency +2, attack bonus +1) = 18 vs Defense 13. Hit! Deals 1d8+2 = 7 slashing damage.

2. Goblin attacks back: d20+4 = 12 vs Thrain’s Defense 18. Miss!

Round 2 (Escalation +1)

1. Thrain attacks again with escalation: d20+6 = 22. Hit! Natural 20 - critical hit! Deals 2d8+2 = 12 damage. The goblin falls.

GM Tools

This chapter provides tools for Game Masters to create balanced encounters, manage NPCs, and run adventures.

Challenge Rating (CR)

Challenge Rating indicates a creature’s threat level. A CR X creature is a fair challenge for a party of four level X characters.

CR Quick Reference

DPR = Damage Per Round

Creature Types

Creature Tiers

Minions die on any hit that deals damage (no HP tracking needed).

Boss creatures get 3 Legendary Actions per round, usable at the end of other creatures’ turns.

Encounter Building

Step 1: Determine XP Budget

Multiply the party’s threshold by party size:

Example: Party of 4 at level 3

• Easy: 300 XP
• Medium: 600 XP
• Hard: 900 XP
• Deadly: 1,600 XP

Step 2: Apply Enemy Count Multiplier

More enemies = harder encounter due to action economy.

Step 3: Calculate Adjusted XP

Adjusted XP = (Sum of creature XP) × Enemy Count Multiplier

Compare adjusted XP to budget for difficulty.

Example Encounter

Party: 4 characters at level 5 (Medium budget: 2,000 XP)

Enemies: 1 Orc Leader (CR 3, 200 XP) + 4 Orc Warriors (CR 2, 100 XP each)

Calculation:

• Base XP: 200 + (4 × 100) = 600 XP
• Enemy count: 5 → ×2.5 multiplier
• Adjusted XP: 600 × 2.5 = 1,500 XP
• Difficulty: Medium (1,500 < 2,000)

Encounter Suggestions

Easy Encounters

• Single creature of party level CR
• 2-3 minions + 1 standard creature

Medium Encounters

• 1 elite creature
• 2 standard creatures
• 4-6 minions + 1 standard

Hard Encounters

• 1 elite + 2-3 standard
• 3-4 standard creatures
• 1 standard + 6-8 minions

Deadly Encounters

• 1 boss creature
• 2 elite creatures
• 1 elite + 4-5 standard

Daily XP Budget

A party can handle approximately 7 medium encounters worth of XP per day before needing a long rest.

Sample Creatures

Goblin (CR 0, Minion)

• HP: 7 | Defense: 13 | Speed: 30 ft
• Stats: MIG -1, FIN +2, INS +0, CUN +0
• Attacks: Scimitar +4 (1d6+2) or Shortbow +4 (1d6+2)
• Abilities: Nimble Escape (disengage/hide as bonus)
• Morale: Cowardly (DC 5)

Wolf (CR 0, Standard)

• HP: 11 | Defense: 13 | Speed: 40 ft
• Stats: MIG +1, FIN +2, INS +1, CUN -3
• Attacks: Bite +4 (2d4+2) - target makes Might save or is knocked prone
• Abilities: Pack Tactics (advantage if ally within 5 ft)
• Morale: Trained (DC 10)

Skeleton (CR 1, Standard)

• HP: 13 | Defense: 13 | Speed: 30 ft
• Stats: MIG +0, FIN +2, INS -1, CUN -2
• Attacks: Shortsword +4 (1d6+2) or Shortbow +4 (1d6+2)
• Immunities: Poison
• Vulnerabilities: Bludgeoning
• Morale: Mindless (never flees)

Orc (CR 2, Standard)

• HP: 15 | Defense: 13 | Speed: 30 ft
• Stats: MIG +3, FIN +1, INS +0, CUN -1
• Attacks: Greataxe +5 (1d12+3)
• Abilities: Aggressive (move toward enemy as bonus action)
• Morale: Trained (DC 10)

Troll (CR 5, Elite)

• HP: 84 | Defense: 15 | Speed: 30 ft
• Stats: MIG +4, FIN +1, INS -1, CUN -2
• Attacks: Multiattack (2 claws +7, 2d6+4 each)
• Abilities: Regeneration (10 HP/round, stopped by fire/acid)
• Morale: Fanatical (DC 15)

Young Dragon (CR 7, Boss)

• HP: 178 | Defense: 18 | Speed: 40 ft, fly 80 ft
• Stats: MIG +4, FIN +0, INS +2, CUN +3
• Attacks: Multiattack (bite 2d10+4, 2 claws 2d6+4)
• Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6): 30 ft cone, 10d6 fire, Finesse save half
• Legendary Actions: Tail attack, wing buffet, detect
• Morale: Fanatical

Reaction Rolls

When PCs encounter a creature whose disposition is uncertain, roll 2d6 + Cunning modifier:

Situation Modifiers

Morale Checks

When creatures face adversity, they may flee or surrender.

Morale Triggers

• First ally killed
• Half of group killed (-2 to check)
• Leader killed (-4 to check)
• Massive damage (>50% HP in one hit, -2)
• Outnumbered 2:1 (-2)

Morale Types

Morale Check: d20 + Insight vs DC

Progress Clocks

Use progress clocks to track ongoing situations:

[●●●○○○] Alarm Raised (3/6)

Clock Types

• Progress: PCs filling toward goal
• Danger: Threat filling toward consequence
• Racing: Two clocks competing

Segment Counts

• 4 segments: Quick, simple goals
• 6 segments: Standard challenges
• 8 segments: Complex endeavors
• 10 segments: Long-term projects

Loot and Treasure

Individual Loot by CR

Treasure Hoards (Boss Loot)

GM Intrusions

GM intrusions are complications you introduce for narrative tension. When you invoke one:

1. Describe the complication
2. Offer the player a Resolve token to accept
3. Player can refuse by spending 1 Resolve (if available)

Sample Intrusions

Combat:

• Weapon becomes stuck
• Environmental hazard activates
• Reinforcements arrive
• Friendly fire risk

Social:

• Conversation overheard
• Witness appears
• Old enemy recognizes you
• Social faux pas

Exploration:

• Equipment breaks
• Weather turns dangerous
• Trap triggers
• Shortcut blocked

Resolve Tokens

A shared party resource (max = party size).

Using Resolve

• Reroll any die just rolled
• Reduce damage by character level
• Refuse intrusion
• Narrative declaration (minor story detail)

Gaining Resolve

• 1 token at session start
• Accept a GM intrusion
• Exceptional roleplay (GM discretion)

Quick NPC Generator

Disposition

Roll d6: 1-2 Hostile, 3-4 Neutral, 5-6 Friendly

Motivation

Roll d6: 1 Greed, 2 Fear, 3 Duty, 4 Love, 5 Power, 6 Knowledge

Quirk

Roll d6: 1 Nervous, 2 Boastful, 3 Quiet, 4 Suspicious, 5 Cheerful, 6 Mysterious