The Flow of the Game

Use the following steps to guide play:

Fiction First

Begin with what is happening in the story. Your hero's position, equipment, surroundings, knowledge, and method determine what they can accomplish and whether a *Test* is needed. Describe what your hero does before choosing an *Approach*, *Skill*, or touching the dice.

The fiction also establishes what your hero can accomplish from their current position. Range, visibility, leverage, equipment, knowledge, and other circumstances may require you to change the situation before an *Action* becomes possible. After the rules resolve what happens, carry that result back into the fiction before moving on.

When To Make a Test

Make a *Test* when the outcome is uncertain and the consequences matter. Straightforward *Actions* resolve as described, while obstacles beyond your hero's current position, tools, knowledge, or abilities call for changing the circumstances first.

Before rolling, establish what you are trying to accomplish and what is at stake. Each *Test* should answer a meaningful question about what happens next.

Making a Test

Every standard *Test* follows four steps:

Roll a number of d8s equal to your *Approach*. If you have the relevant *Skill*, roll with *Advantage* by adding one extra d8, then use the highest die to determine the outcome.

Tests of Power, Wisdom & Courage

The *Approach* used for a *Test* describes how you act and gives the *Test* its name. A *Test of Power* uses *Power*, a *Test of Wisdom* uses *Wisdom*, and a *Test of Courage* uses *Courage*. The same goal can call for a different *Test* when your method changes.

Who Rolls

The player whose hero takes the risk makes the *Test*. If one hero sneaks past a guard, speaks for the group, or holds a collapsing gate while everyone escapes, that hero's player rolls. The GM presents the situation and consequences, while the heroes' *Tests* determine how uncertain actions turn out. A specific rule may occasionally call for the GM to roll.

Degrees of Success

The result die determines how effectively your hero accomplishes what they attempted and what consequences follow. Each *Test* produces one of three *Degrees of Success*.

Setback — 1-5

The situation turns against you, and the GM describes the consequences. Your goal may remain out of reach, an opportunity may close, a resource may be spent, harm may follow, or a new danger may emerge. The result changes the situation and moves the game forward.

Example: You leap across the collapsing bridge but fall short, catching the edge as the shrine door closes and monsters begin climbing toward you.

Costly Triumph — 6

You accomplish what you set out to do, but with a cost, complication, reduced effect, difficult choice, or new danger. The GM describes what follows from the situation, using the guidance under *Consequences* when useful.

Example: You leap across the collapsing bridge and reach the shrine entrance, but your shield falls into the chasm as you pull yourself through the closing door.

Triumph — 7-8

You accomplish what you set out to do at full effect. The GM describes the result, including any clear benefits established before the *Test*. You overcome the immediate danger, avoid the stated consequence, and remain in control of what happens next.

A *Triumph* may provide an additional benefit from the rule being used. A *Technique*, item, ability, or another rule may provide its own additional effect. Multiple *Triumphs* may improve these results further when the relevant rule specifies how.

Example: You leap across a collapsing bridge and reach the shrine entrance before the stone door closes.

What a Test Can Accomplish

Before rolling, establish what you are trying to accomplish. A successful *Test* produces the effect that follows from your Action and the established fiction. The following are common examples rather than a complete list:

Deal Damage

When you successfully attack with a weapon, item, ability, or another harmful effect, you may deal *Your Damage*.

Change the Situation

Create a meaningful change in the fiction, such as breaking through an obstacle, escaping a restraint, hiding, reaching a better position, opening a path, or creating an opportunity.

Avoid Danger

Evade, block, resist, escape, or otherwise prevent an immediate danger from affecting you.

Learn Something

Discover useful facts, clues, answers, weaknesses, routes, or other information the situation could reasonably reveal.

Influence Someone

Persuade, deceive, intimidate, inspire, bargain with, comfort, command, or otherwise influence someone when they could reasonably be swayed.

Gain Resources

Gather *Ingredients*, *Materials*, supplies, useful objects, or another countable resource available in the situation.

Make Progress

Complete meaningful work, cover part of a journey, or move another undertaking closer to completion.

The intended result should follow naturally from what you described before the *Test*. Particularly ambitious goals may require several Actions or *Tests* when they involve separate obstacles or meaningful steps.

Measured Results

When a successful *Test* produces a countable result, such as questions answered, *Ingredients* gathered, *Materials* recovered, supplies gained, or distance covered, use the rating of the *Approach* used for the *Test* to determine how much you gain.

*Clocks* are the exception. A Test that changes a *Clock* normally changes it by only 1 tick, regardless of your *Approach*, as described under *Clocks*.

Consequences

When a *Costly Triumph* or *Setback* calls for consequences, the GM chooses one or more that follow naturally from the Action, the danger, and the established situation. The GM may apply them directly or offer the player a choice between appropriate consequences. The following are common possibilities rather than a required menu:

Loss

Drop, expend, damage, leave behind, or lose something important.

Delay

The Action takes longer than intended, an opportunity begins to close, or events elsewhere move forward.

Danger

Suffer *Damage*, gain an appropriate *Condition*, become exposed to an immediate threat, or draw pursuit.

Exhaustion

Gain *Exhaustion* when the effort, strain, or circumstances justify it.

Position

Become separated, surrounded, trapped, exposed, knocked aside, or otherwise left in a worse position.

Complication

Trigger an alarm, attract attention, reveal a new problem, cause a malfunction, or make the situation more difficult.

Clock

Change an appropriate *Clock* by 1 tick in the direction that worsens the situation.

Reduced Effect

Accomplish less than intended, gain a temporary or limited result, or reduce a countable result by 1, to a minimum of 1, as described under *Measured Results*.

Consequences may be used alone or combined when the situation warrants it. A consequence should follow from what was already happening rather than appear from nowhere, and its severity should fit the established danger. A *Costly Triumph* still accomplishes the Action's main goal, while a *Setback* turns the situation against you and moves play forward.

Asking Questions

When the result of a successful *Test* is information, you may ask the GM questions about what your Action could reasonably reveal. When the number of answers matters, use *Measured Results* to determine how many questions you may ask.

Your questions should follow from what you did. Examining tracks can reveal where something went or what passed through an area, while questioning a merchant might reveal what they want, what they know, or what they are reluctant to discuss. The questions below are examples rather than a fixed list; you may ask any question that your method could reasonably answer.

The GM answers each question clearly and truthfully according to the established fiction. The answer may reveal something the GM had already prepared or establish a new fact that becomes true once revealed. If your method cannot reasonably answer a question, the GM tells you before it is spent so you can ask another. A truthful answer may sometimes be that there is nothing to find, when knowing that is itself useful information.

Difficulty

Every standard *Test* uses the same *Degrees of Success*. Difficulty comes from the established fiction: what your hero can attempt, what a *Triumph* can accomplish, whether circumstances grant *Advantage* or *Disadvantage*, and how serious the consequences may be.

Before calling for a *Test*, consider:

*Advantage* and *Disadvantage* adjust the dice pool when circumstances or another rule call for them. Large or complex challenges can unfold through several meaningful steps, with each new *Test* resolving a distinct change in the situation.

The same principle applies in combat, exploration, social scenes, crafting, and other parts of play. The established situation determines whether an Action is possible, whether a *Test* is needed, whether *Advantage* or *Disadvantage* applies, and what consequences may follow. Tougher enemies and harder problems are represented through their fictional position, *Hearts*, *Armor*, *Resistances*, abilities, hazards, requirements, and other rules rather than by changing the numbers needed for a *Triumph*.

Advantage & Disadvantage

*Advantage* and *Disadvantage* represent circumstances that make a *Test* easier or harder than usual. Having the relevant *Skill* grants *Advantage*. Each source of *Advantage* adds one d8 to your pool, while each source of *Disadvantage* removes one d8. Count no more than 3 sources of *Advantage* and 3 sources of *Disadvantage* on the same *Test*. *Advantage* and *Disadvantage* cancel each other one for one before modifying the dice pool. If *Disadvantage* reduces your pool to 0 dice, roll 2d8 and use the lowest result; otherwise, roll your pool and use the highest result.

Examples of Advantage

Examples of Disadvantage

Aiding & Interfering

To *Aid* or *Interfere* with another character's *Test*, spend *1 Stamina* and describe how you meaningfully help or hinder them while exposing yourself to the same danger. *Aiding* grants the acting character *Advantage*, while *Interfering* gives them *Disadvantage*. The character providing the *Aid* rolls the Advantage die for them, so both characters take part in the *Test*. Only one *Aid* or *Interfere* can affect a *Test*, and you may share in any danger, cost, or consequence that follows.

Opposition

When another character actively resists what you are doing, resolve the hero's Action with a normal *Test*. The opposing character's position, abilities, preparation, leverage, or other advantages may change what is possible, grant *Advantage* or *Disadvantage*, or shape the consequences. The GM does not make a separate roll unless a specific rule says otherwise.

Group Actions

When several heroes work together toward the same result, choose one hero to take the lead and make the *Test*. The others describe how they contribute, and one of them may *Aid* the lead hero as normal. The result applies to the group as the fiction allows, and anyone exposed to the same danger may share in the consequences.

Trying Again

Before a hero makes a *Test*, the other players should decide how they are involved. They can let that hero act alone, describe how they *Aid*, or work together as described under *Group Actions*.

When the group lets one hero act alone, that result resolves the attempt. Trying again costs one level of *Exhaustion* and requires a meaningful change in *Approach*, tools, position, leverage, or risk.

The GM uses that change to determine whether a new *Test* can produce a different result; otherwise, the previous result continues to define the situation.

Approaches

*Approaches* reflect the three virtues of the Triforce. They describe the manner, mindset, and intent behind what you do, determining how you attempt a task and giving the *Test* its name.

Previous

Power

*Power* is used when you act through strength, force, authority, intensity, or overwhelming effort. You impose yourself upon the situation and attempt to overcome resistance directly through decisive action and determination.

Wisdom

*Wisdom* is used when you act through knowledge, awareness, patience, planning, precision, or careful judgment. You observe the situation, consider what you know, and choose the method most likely to succeed.

Courage

*Courage* is used when you act through bravery, resolve, conviction, self-sacrifice, or a willingness to face danger despite fear. You commit yourself even when the risk is immediate and the outcome is uncertain.

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The same task can use different *Approaches* depending on how you handle it. When your method changes, the *Test* may change with it.

Skills

*Skills* describe broad fields of training and experience. Your character sheet lists the *Skills* your hero has, and a relevant *Skill* grants *Advantage* on a *Test*.

Choose the *Skill* that best matches what you are trying to accomplish. Running after a thief uses *Moving*, while following the thief's tracks uses *Exploring*. Swinging a hammer at a monster uses *Fighting*, while repairing a wagon with that hammer uses *Creating*.

Hearts

*Hearts* represent your hero's health, resilience, and ability to remain standing through danger. Losing *Hearts* does not always mean suffering a serious wound. It might represent a direct injury, exhaustion from avoiding an attack, a painful collision, magical corruption, or any other harm that brings your hero closer to collapse.

Your maximum *Hearts* determine how many normal *Hearts* your hero can currently have. Your *Background*, *Tribe*, and *Calling* establish your starting maximum *Hearts*, and you may increase that maximum as the game progresses. A hero's maximum *Hearts* can never exceed the game's limit of *30 Hearts*.

Your current *Hearts* cannot normally exceed the maximum *Hearts*. When you take damage, reduce your current *Hearts*. Lost *Hearts* can be restored through healing, food, rest, abilities, and other effects.

Taking Damage

Each point of damage removes one *Heart*. When your hero takes damage:

Some effects ignore *Armor* or change how damage is applied. The rule causing the damage will say when this happens.

Dealing Your Damage

Some attacks, abilities, and effects tell you to deal *Your Damage*. *Your Damage* is the amount and *Damage Type* listed by the weapon, item, or ability you are using to make the attack. For example, a sword might deal *3 Physical damage*.

When you deal *Your Damage*, apply any additional damage granted by the attack, item, ability, or other rule, then the target resolves the total using the normal *Taking Damage* rules. Unless a rule says otherwise, you deal *Your Damage* only once per action, even if the attack could reasonably strike multiple targets at the same time.

Weak Spots & Critical Hits

Some monsters have a *Weak Spot* listed in their rules. You can intentionally target a *Weak Spot* only if your hero knows where it is and the fiction allows you to reach or strike it.

When you attack a known *Weak Spot*, make the *Test* with *Disadvantage*. This *Disadvantage* is the cost of aiming at the *Weak Spot* and cannot also be used to add another combat result. On a *Triumph*, you hit the *Weak Spot* and score a *Critical Hit*. Deal *Your Damage* + *2 damage* of the same *Damage Type* as the weapon or source of the damage.

After the first *Triumph* that scores the *Critical Hit*, each additional *Triumph* that counts toward the *Test* adds *+2 Damage*. For this rule, each die showing 6 that counts toward the *Test* counts as an additional *Costly Triumph* and adds *+1 Damage*. Dice discarded or ignored by another rule do not add damage. These additional dice do not change the *Degree of Success*.

A *Weak Spot* is different from a *Weakness*. A *Weakness* affects damage of a particular *Damage Type*, while a *Weak Spot* can be deliberately targeted to score a *Critical Hit*.

Reduced Maximum Hearts

After resolving a hit that deals at least *1 Dark damage*, reduce the target's maximum *Hearts* by 1. If their current normal *Hearts* now exceed their new maximum, reduce their current *Hearts* to match it. *Bonus Hearts* remain separate and continue to follow their normal rules.

When this reduction leaves you at *0 Hearts*, you draw your *Last Breath* as normal. If your maximum *Hearts* reaches 0 and you choose Hold On, you remain *Unconscious* until your maximum is restored to at least 1 and you recover at least *1 Heart*. The effect that reduced your maximum *Hearts* states how and when those *Hearts* become available again.

Armor

*Armor* protects you by reducing incoming damage before it removes your *Hearts*. The amount of damage reduced depends on the armor, item, ability, or effect providing that protection. *Armor* is applied before weaknesses and resistances. First reduce the damage by *Armor*, then double or halve what remains.

Reaching 0 Hearts

When you reach *0 Hearts*, you draw your *Last Breath*. Resolve *Last Breath* immediately and choose the option that applies to what is happening.

Reaching *0 Hearts* does not automatically kill your hero. You may cling to life and remain *Unconscious*, seize a final heroic moment when the situation allows it, or choose to let your hero pass on.

Last Breath

When you reach *0 Hearts*, choose one of the options below that applies to the situation. *Last Breath* does not require a *Test*.

Healing

*Healing* restores lost *Hearts*, up to your maximum *Hearts*. Each point of healing restores *1 Heart* unless the effect says otherwise. *Healing* can come from food, potions, magic, abilities, rest, medical care, or other effects. *Healing* cannot restore *Hearts* lost from a temporary reduction to your maximum until the effect causing that reduction has been removed.

Bonus Hearts

*Bonus Hearts* provide short-lived protection and might be granted by hearty meals, potions or elixirs, blessings, or abilities. *Bonus Hearts* can increase your current *Hearts* beyond your maximum *Hearts*, but they cannot increase your total number of *Hearts* beyond the game's limit of *30 Hearts*. They do not increase your maximum *Hearts*.

*Bonus Hearts* do not stack. When you gain *Bonus Hearts* from a new source, keep only the higher amount. If you already have *3 Bonus Hearts* and another source grants you 4, you have *4 Bonus Hearts*, not 7. If the new source grants fewer *Bonus Hearts* than you already have, your current amount does not change.

*Bonus Hearts* are always lost before your normal *Hearts*. Once lost, *Bonus Hearts* cannot be restored through healing. They must be granted again by an item, ability, meal, potion, blessing, or another effect.

Weaknesses, Resistances & Immunities

Some creatures are especially vulnerable, resistant, or completely immune to particular *Damage Types*.

The creature, item, ability, or effect will state which *Damage Types* it is weak, resistant, or immune to.

Damage Types

*Damage Types* describe the source or nature of an attack. A *Damage Type* does not automatically inflict a Condition unless the rule causing the damage says that it does.

Spending Stamina

You must have enough *Stamina* available to pay the full cost before using an option that requires it.

*Techniques* may provide additional ways to spend *Stamina*. When you score a *Triumph* that allows you to use an appropriate *Technique*, you may activate that *Technique* by spending *Stamina*. Additional *Triumphs* may improve the *Technique* when its rules specify how.

Running Out of Stamina

When you have no *Stamina* remaining, you cannot use an option that requires you to spend it. You may still take your normal *Actions*, including attacking, moving, using items, and making defensive *Tests* when their triggers occur. You regain access to *Stamina*-based *Reactions*, *Techniques*, items, abilities, and additional minor actions when your *Stamina* is restored.

Recovering Stamina

Spent *Stamina* remains spent between turns and is restored through rest, a potion or elixir, an item, an ability, or another effect. The rule providing the recovery states how much *Stamina* you restore. Recovery restores your available *Stamina* up to your current maximum, while effects that grant *Bonus Stamina* can increase it beyond that maximum.

Bonus Stamina

*Bonus Stamina* provides additional energy and might be granted by meals, potions or elixirs, blessings, abilities, or items. It can increase your available *Stamina* beyond your current maximum, but it cannot increase your total available *Stamina* beyond the game's limit of *7 Stamina*. *Bonus Stamina* does not increase your maximum *Stamina*.

*Bonus Stamina* does not stack. When you gain *Bonus Stamina* from a new source, keep only the higher amount. If you already have *2 Bonus Stamina* and another source grants you 3, you have *3 Bonus Stamina*, not 5. If the new source grants less *Bonus Stamina* than you already have, your current amount does not change.

*Bonus Stamina* is spent before your normal *Stamina*. Once spent, it cannot be restored through normal recovery. Another item, ability, meal, potion, blessing, or other effect must grant it again. Unspent *Bonus Stamina* remains available until a rule removes it. Your total available *Stamina* still cannot exceed 7.

Being Exhausted

Each level of *Exhaustion* reduces your maximum *Stamina* by 1. These reductions remain until the *Exhaustion* is removed. If your available normal *Stamina* exceeds your new maximum, immediately reduce your normal *Stamina* to match it. *Bonus Stamina* remains separate and is unaffected by this reduction, allowing your total available *Stamina* to exceed your current maximum up to the game's limit of *7 Stamina*. If *Exhaustion* reduces your maximum *Stamina* to 0, you fall *Unconscious* and remain so until your maximum *Stamina* increases to at least 1.

You may push yourself beyond your limits by gaining one level of *Exhaustion* in one of the following ways:

• Before a Test: Gain one level of *Exhaustion* to make the *Test* with *Advantage*.
• After a Test: Gain one level of *Exhaustion* to change a *Setback* into a *Costly Triumph*, before the GM describes what happens.

You can use only one of these options on the same *Test*.

Concentration

Some abilities require *Concentration* to maintain their effects. You can maintain only one effect that requires *Concentration* at a time.

When you take damage or an effect could reasonably disrupt your focus, spend *1 Stamina* or your *Concentration* ends and the effect ends immediately. Your *Concentration* also ends if you become *Unconscious* or begin concentrating on another effect.

Beginning and Ending Combat

When combat begins, the GM establishes who is involved, where everyone is positioned, the *Range* between important creatures and locations, which creatures are *Engaged*, and any obvious hazards, cover, barriers, or difficult terrain.

Combat ends when the immediate conflict has been resolved. This may happen when the enemies are defeated, captured, driven away, convinced to stop fighting, or left behind as the heroes escape. Once turns, *Actions*, and *Stamina* no longer need to be tracked, play returns to the normal flow of conversation.

Being Surprised

When you are caught completely off guard, you may not be able to act normally right away. The GM describes the danger, what has surprised you, and what you must do to recover. Depending on the situation, your next *Action* or *Reaction* may be made with *Disadvantage*, or you may be unable to act until the immediate moment of surprise has passed.

Surprise comes from the established situation rather than from a separate initiative rule. Once you have had a reasonable chance to recognize the danger and respond, you act normally again.

Initiative

Turn order follows the unfolding situation and may change as the battle develops. The GM moves the spotlight between heroes, enemies, hazards, and other participants according to what is happening in the story. When a more consistent order is useful, the GM considers each hero's *Courage* and the established situation to determine who is most ready to act, with higher *Courage* generally acting before lower *Courage*. Position, immediate danger, surprise, and other circumstances may still affect the order. Once per combat encounter, when your turn begins, you may swap your turn with another willing ally who has not yet taken their turn this round. They act in your place, and you take the turn they would have taken later in the round.

Rounds and Turns

Combat is divided into rounds and turns. A round represents everyone involved in the combat receiving an opportunity to take one turn.

During your turn, take *Actions* as described under *How Many Actions?* You may end your turn whenever you choose. Your remaining *Stamina* stays available after your turn and does not automatically return when your next turn begins. At the end of your turn, resolve any effects that occur at the end of your turn, then the GM moves the spotlight to another participant. A turn organizes the flow of combat rather than isolating one character from everyone else. Attacks, movement, abilities, hazards, and other events may create opportunities for other characters to react.

How Many Actions?

During your turn, you can take up to *3 Actions*. Each *Action* represents one significant thing your hero does. You might attack an enemy, move to another position, draw or use an item, grapple or shove an opponent, search your surroundings, interact with an object, use an ability, help someone, or attempt anything else the situation allows. When an *Action* has an uncertain outcome and meaningful consequences, make a *Test* as usual.

You may take the same kind of *Action* more than once when the situation allows it. Brief speech, observing your immediate surroundings, releasing something you are holding, and similarly simple acts do not count against your *3 Actions*. Your turn ends after you take *3 Actions* that count against this limit or when you choose to end it early. You may spend *1 Stamina* to take one additional minor Action, as described under *Spending Stamina*.

Attacking & Maneuvers

Attacking, grappling, disarming, shoving, knocking an opponent down, breaking through their guard, wresting something from their grasp, and similar combat Actions use the normal *Test* rules. Describe what you are trying to accomplish and how you do it, then use the *Approach* and relevant *Skill* that match your method. *Fighting* is usually relevant when directly confronting an opponent.

When you make an offensive combat Action, establish one intended result before making the *Test*. You might deal *Your Damage*, disarm an opponent, grapple them, shove them away, knock them down, create an opening, or accomplish another maneuver the situation allows.

Before making the *Test*, you may add one additional combat result by spending *1 Stamina* or making the *Test* with *Disadvantage* if you do not already have *Disadvantage*. Both results are resolved according to the same *Degree of Success*. A specific weapon, *Technique*, item, ability, or other rule may grant additional results without this cost.

Exposing Yourself to an Enemy's Attack

When a rule says that you expose yourself to an enemy's attack, the enemy immediately uses one of its attacks against you as an aggressive, hard GM move. The attack hits automatically and resolves its damage and other effects. It may also knock you down, move you, inflict a *Condition*, damage equipment, separate you from an ally, or produce another effect included in that enemy's attack.

Ranges & Zones

This section describes where creatures, objects, attacks, abilities, and other effects are positioned without requiring exact measurements. *Ranges* establish how far apart things are, while *Zones* describe the spaces affected by attacks, abilities, items, hazards, and other effects.

Clocks

*Clocks* track something that develops over several meaningful steps rather than being resolved all at once. A *Clock* might represent forging a weapon, repairing an ancient machine, deciphering a forgotten text, constructing a building, completing a ritual, enemy reinforcements approaching, a villain carrying out a plan, or another project or event that unfolds over time.

Every *Clock* has a number of ticks remaining. Advancing a *Clock* reduces its remaining ticks, bringing its outcome closer. Increasing a *Clock* adds ticks back, pushing that outcome farther away. When the *Clock* reaches 0, the project is completed, the event occurs, or the outcome it represents takes effect.

Actions

An *Action* is anything your hero does in the story. Actions come from the fiction and do not need to be chosen from a predefined list. You might attack an enemy, climb a wall, search a room, persuade a guard, pick a lock, disarm an opponent, grapple a monster, gather *Ingredients*, repair equipment, study an ancient inscription, or attempt an unusual plan.

When the outcome is clear, follow the fiction. When the outcome is uncertain and the consequences matter, make the appropriate *Test*. The *Degree of Success* and the effect you established before rolling determine what happens.

Travel

Use *Travel* when you journey through the wilderness or dangerous country toward a destination and the journey itself matters. Choose your destination, establish the route, divide the journey into *Stretches*, and choose one hero to guide the group. The Guide makes a *Test of Wisdom* to determine the group's progress.

Rest

When you stop adventuring for a substantial period to recover, choose whether you make camp or rest in comfort. *Rest* does not require a *Test* when you have enough time and a place where you can reasonably settle down without immediate danger.