Attributes

Attributes are the innate predispositions characters are born with that allow them to perform certain cognitive and physical tasks. Unlike Traits, all Attributes begin at 0, regardless of race and class. Attributes serve many purposes, including as prerequisites for gear, including Armaments and equipment, and to acquire talents, skills and Traits as well. As directed by each module or fairly at the will of the GM, Attribute Scores (ATT SCR) may serve as modifiers to dice rolls, but only half the score (rounded down) can be used. So an ATT SCR of 8 in physique would sometimes, under the mercy of the GM or module narrative, grant a +4 (half of 8) modifier to all rolls related to physique, including but not limited to; speed, quickness and strength. Taking an odd number, if the Ability score in the Attribute intellect was 7, all rolls related to intellect, including, but not limited to; Spell power and wit would get a +3 bonus (half of 7 = 3.5 rounded down is 3).

The seven Attributes; artistry, fortitude, intellect, perception, physique, resilience, and wisdom. Through their scores, purchased throughout progression, Attributes determine how strong a character is in a variety of areas, including; Abilities, talents, skills and Traits, referred to as TST. ATT SCR also work as prerequisites, as modifiers to rolls (with restrictions) and more.

The Seven Attributes

Attribute Development

To develop Attributes, at creation AND every new class level, players roll 1d6 9 times, discard the two lowest results, and assign the remaining 7 results as points to their respective slots in the Attribute Repository.

Each Attribute can be assigned a number of points between 1 and 6 in its respective Repository slot, and those points are spent to purchase: the score of the Attribute (default 3 points each), and/or talents, skills and Traits TST (default 2 points each) aligned with that Attribute, OR saved as remnants. The main purpose of remnants is to hold left over points that players weren't able to spend on Attributes and/or TST.

Before ending the progression process, anything left over is considered a remnant point and can be saved until the next level where the rolling and point spending process is repeated. No points need to be spent on ATT SCR; they can be saved as remnants to be spent on items later in the game. Remnants allow players to save points they could not spend and use them in future levels. Remnants may also be saved to spend on special items later in the game. Once a point is spent to purchase an ATT SCR or TST, it cannot be refunded - it's locked in. There's no turning back.

Although there isn't a minimum (Attributes can be 0), characters may not apply more than 2 points of their roll results to any given Attribute at every level of progression. No Attribute may exceed a score of 30. For example, at level 2, an ATT SCR may be 0, but can be no higher than 4 before the process ends.

The Attribute cap of 30 is a theoretical maximum, achievable only by dedicating 2 points per level to one Attribute for 15 levels. Due to the overall cap of 30 Attribute points, most characters will have one high Attribute and the rest significantly lower, encouraging specialization. Players should expect most Attributes to fall between 8-15 unless they deliberately hyper-specialize.

Example - Kaida, Barbarian Mountaineer

Kaida's physique is capped and she'll continue working on Resilience until it reaches a score of *24, where her Attribute points will be maxed out at 30. *To get to a resilience of 24, Kaida will need to assign 2 points in the Attribute for 7 more levels (lvl 22). At level 30, she'll spend her points on talents, skills or Traits (TST).

It's important to note that TST scores cannot be above the score of their aligned Attribute. So if you have a score of 1 in physique, the score of one of its aligned Traits Strength, may not be greater than 1. This keeps Attribute Scores (ATT SCR) relatively low because they are often used as modifiers.

Diagram 1 shows the Repository with the roll results and where the player assigned them.

Each score for an Attribute costs 3 points with a score cap of 2 per level. Each TST, aligned to the Attribute, costs 2 points. One example of a Trait alignment to an Attribute is the Trait Agility, which is aligned to the Attribute Physique.

Diagram 2 shows the Repository with the above roll results assigned to ATT SCR, held in the score results to spend on that, and saved as remnants where they can be spent later.

Above lets examine Artistry. The player assigned a roll of 6 to Artistry, purchased a score of 1 in the Attribute Artistry which cost 3 of the 6, kept 2 in the roll result to purchase one TST (whether it's a talent, skill or Trait) at a cost of 2, for a total of five spent and has 1 left over as a remnant for the next class level. 3 + 2 + 1 = 6, which is the assigned roll value.

Let's examine Fortitude next. Here the max score of 2 was placed into the actual fortitude score, costing all 6 points assigned as the FRT roll result. Although the player may not spend any points on TST, because each score costs 3 points, the character can use the score of 2 as a prerequisite and modifier during their adventures.

Intellect, Resilience and Perception were all results of 1 and were both placed as remnants. Looking at Wisdom, all 4 points were allocated to the remnant slot of the Repository. These remnants can be spent on special items later, or with caps and minimums in play, spent on Wisdom and its aligned TST.

You'll first need a score of 1 in any Attribute before purchasing any TST aligned to it because 1 is the *default prerequisite for purchasing TST. The default price for any TST is 2. Again a TST score cannot exceed its aligned ATT SCR, so with that score of 1, you'll go no higher than 1 for any TST aligned to it. There isn't a maximum of TST types though, so if you have the remnants, rems, you could have any number of TST with a score of, in this case 1.

Players have the freedom to allocate points according to their preferences. These points can enhance athletic or cognitive talents, attack and Protection Abilities such as evasion, Traits like strength and agility, allowing for a customized character build.

Notes to the GM - Using Attribute Scores (ATT SCR)

GMs are provided with detailed guidelines within campaign modules but may also use ATT SCR at their discretion - for example, when adventures go off-script, or when applying homebrew rules or Unique story elements.

Talents (TST)

Talents are specialized actions that characters acquire from their chosen Talent Trees. These actions come into play when characters encounter interactive challenges in the game world. A Scout may carve a branch into a tool or guide the party along a safer route. An Olympiad might leap across a chasm. A Hacker could manipulate security systems or decipher complex codes. A Thief might pick locks or stealthily pocket items with precision.

To access a talent from a Talent Tree, characters must first align themselves with that tree. Each alignment grants specialized gear that characters must carry to effectively use their talents. Players select talents during Character Creation, and these actions can be enhanced with each Class Level gained. Points spent on talent scores cannot exceed the score of the aligned Attribute.

Additional talent trees are released with each module and its expansions. Full talent trees, attribute requirements, tools, and progression are in the Talents Compendium. See Pg. 6 for a list of all available talent trees.

Talents are specific learned skills - Sneak, Sprint, Jump, Hack, Disarm Trap, and others. The talent score is the bonus factored into d100 rolls, and Attribute prerequisites must be met for acquisition. For example, a Sprint talent score of 3 requires Physique 3 as its prerequisite - when sprinting, the character adds 3 squares (15 ft.) to their base movement. The Agility Trait score also stacks, adding further to that sprint roll.

Skills (TST)

Skills are specialized abilities directly tied to a character's chosen profession and form the backbone of their craftsmanship. Each profession provides access to a unique set of skills, allowing characters to perform intricate tasks - forging weapons, preparing elaborate meals, crafting potent remedies - that define their role and expertise within the game world.

Professions are unlocked by initially investing 2 points, enabling point allocation to skills during creation and progression. Skills progress through tiers (Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Artisan, Master, Grandmaster), each requiring aptitude points. Success with skills relies on experience, appropriate tools, recipes, materials, and often a workshop.

Additional professions are released with each module and its expansions. Full profession trees, skills, recipes, and workshops are in the Skills Compendium. See Pg. 6 for a list of all available professions.

Traits (TST)

Introduction to Traits: In the world of Essentia, Traits are essential capabilities that Characters utilize to navigate challenges, resist damage, and assert dominance in combat. Traits are a variety of different special actions that include survival, delegation and mitigation. Different from talents, which are more or less non-combat actions, and different from skills which are profession related, so players have many ways to empower their characters.

Traits are closely aligned with talents and combat Abilities that are associated with the same Attribute. For example, Traits linked to physique will influence talents related to physical strength and agility, while Traits associated with intellect will impact mental skills and resistance. This alignment ensures that a character's proficiency in talents and combat maneuvers is influenced by their Traits and the corresponding Attributes, creating a cohesive system where core qualities directly impact specialized skills.

Each Trait embodies a particular aspect of a character's capabilities - both in resisting harm and in gaining offensive advantages. These Traits reflect core qualities that influence both defensive resilience and offensive potential, often working in tandem with talents and Abilities aligned with the same Attribute.

Mechanics

Traits serve primarily as modifiers to d100 rolls - adding bonuses or penalties to attack rolls, defense rolls, skill checks, and any other d100 action aligned to that Trait. When a character is subjected to damage, effects, or combat actions, the GM calls for a Trait Check. The player rolls d100, adds their Trait score, and compares the total to the DIFS (Difficulty Score).

Trait Checks require no action and no Stamina cost. They apply automatically when the GM calls for them - adding the flat Trait score to, or subtracting it from, a d100 roll against the DIFS. Defensive Traits add directly to a character's PROTS. Trait scores can be negative, particularly from racial starting values - an Ogre begins at -5 Wit, for example. Innate negative Traits can still be improved through development, but the deficit must be overcome first - reaching +1 Wit from -5 requires 6 points in Wit. Some defensive Traits, such as Parry, also require qualifying equipment to activate.

• Success: The character resists the effect or enhances their attack.
• Failure: The effect or damage proceeds normally, or the offensive benefit is not gained.

Note: Trait scores are capped at 20. Traits are used for survival and mitigating harm, additional offense and defense, and other interactions. A TST score cannot exceed its aligned Attribute Score (ATT SCR). You must have at least a score of 1 in an Attribute before purchasing aligned TST (default cost: 2 points each).

To the reader: Think of Attributes as building blocks and Traits as the things the character can do with those blocks.

1. Agility
   Description: Represents quickness, balance, and speed.
   Application: Resistance to martial ranged attacks, balance disruptions, and speed-based effects. Bonus to martial ranged attack rolls, damage, and Critical Hits.
   ATT: PHY
   Defensive - Lira has PROTS 62. Her Agility score is 5. PROTS 62 + 5 = 67. The attacker rolls 63. Miss. Offensive - Lira rolls D100: 68 + Agility 5 = 73 vs DIFS 70. Hit. Negative - Grommak the Ogre has Agility -3. PROTS 58 + (-3) = 55. The attacker rolls 60. Hit.
2. Strength
   Description: Embodies brute force, physical power, and intimidation.
   Application: Bonus to melee attack rolls with two-handed and main-hand weapons, damage, and grapple checks. Increased damage output and control in melee combat; can be used to intimidate or push opponents.
   ATT: PHY
   Offensive - Darro rolls D100: 55 + Strength 6 = 61 vs DIFS 60. Grapple success. Negative - Gnomes begin at -5 Strength. Darro's Gnome ally rolls D100: 48 + (-5) = 43 vs DIFS 50. Grapple fails.
3. Courage
   Description: Represents mental bravery and resolve, helping resist fear, intimidation, and mental control.
   Application: Bonus to resist fear effects, intimidation attempts, and mental domination. Reduce effects of fear and intimidation.
   ATT: FRT
   Defensive - Vex rolls D100: 61 + Courage 4 = 65 vs DIFS 60. Holds steady. Negative - A character at -2 Courage rolls D100: 57 + (-2) = 55 vs DIFS 60. Fails, routed by fear.
4. Constitution
   Description: Indicates physical resilience, providing resistance to poison, disease, venom, bleeding or other ongoing effects after initial damage.
   Application: Bonus to rolls against poisons, diseases, and ongoing sicknesses. Resist ongoing sickness or poisoning effects; can also aid in recovery.
   ATT: FRT
   Defensive - Mira rolls D100: 47 + Constitution 3 = 50 vs DIFS 55. Fails - the poison takes hold and Mira begins taking ongoing damage.
5. Vigilance
   Description: Reflects awareness, perception, and alertness, allowing characters to detect surprises and environmental hazards.
   Application: Bonus to perception checks, awareness, and avoiding environmental dangers. Better detection of hazards, traps, and ambushes.
   ATT: PRC
   Defensive - Kael rolls D100: 58 + Vigilance 6 = 64 vs DIFS 60. Spots the pressure plate trap. Negative - Grommak the Ogre is at -2 Vigilance. D100: 55 + (-2) = 53 vs DIFS 60. Fails - Grommak steps on it.
6. Intuition
   Description: Represents a character's instinctive sense for danger, hidden truths, or upcoming events. Allows characters to make quick judgments, anticipate enemy moves, and sense deception or traps before they are fully revealed.
   Application: Bonus to perception checks for sensing danger, detecting lies, or noticing subtle clues that indicate hidden threats or deception, helping avoid ambushes and traps.
   ATT: PRC
   Defensive - Nira rolls D100: 60 + Intuition 5 = 65 vs DIFS 62. Senses the ambush before it springs and warns the party.
7. Dexterity
   Description: Represents quick reactions, agility, and deception. Helps in avoiding traps, dodging attacks, and performing stealth.
   Application: Bonus to dodge, craftsmanship, trap avoidance, and deception checks. Quick strikes, bonuses to offhand martial attacks and close counter evasive maneuvers.
   ATT: ART
   Offensive - Nira rolls D100: 61 + Dexterity 5 = 66 vs DIFS 65. Picks the lock cleanly. Note: Parry requires a qualifying weapon or bracers to activate.
8. Deception
   Description: Focuses on deception, mimicking death, and trickery to mislead opponents.
   Application: Bonus to deception checks, feints, and mimicking death. Use deception to create openings or manipulate Hostile Creatures.
   ATT: ART
   Offensive - Vex rolls D100: 55 + Deception 4 = 59 vs DIFS 60. Falls short - the enemy doesn't buy the feint. Defensive - Vex tries again: D100: 58 + 4 = 62 vs DIFS 62. Meets exactly - the guard is distracted long enough.
9. Resistance
   Description: Represents protection against Spells and magic, including elemental damage.
   Application: Bonus to resist Spell damage, magical effects, and their mitigation checks. Resistance type is given to races innately or chosen by the player. For instance, Arctic Dwarves innately have +3 ice resistance but -5 to fire.
   ATT: RES
   Defensive - Tira has PROTS 60. Her Resistance score is 7. PROTS 60 + 7 = 67. The mage's spell roll is 65. Miss. Negative - An Ogre at -1 Resistance: PROTS 62 + (-1) = 61. Mage rolls 65. Hit.
10. Toughness
    Description: Represents the outer physical protection of a character - tough skin, dense muscles, and strong bones. Adds an Armor Score bonus equal to the Toughness score, providing additional protection against physical damage and penetrating attacks. Also protects against Nature Drawn elements.
    Application: Bonus to absorbing initial damage, resisting penetrating attacks, and withstanding physical assaults.
    ATT: PHY
    Defensive - Darro rolls D100: 63 + Toughness 5 = 68 vs DIFS 65. Absorbs the blow with no penetrating effect. Offensive - Darro rolls D100: 66 + 5 = 71 vs DIFS 70. Breaks through the barricade.
11. Willpower
    Description: Mental determination and the ability to resist intellectual mind control, temptation, and confusion.
    Application: Bonus to resist mental influence, temptation, and confusion. Maintain mental clarity and resistance to mind effects.
    ATT: INT
    Defensive - Vex rolls D100: 70 + Willpower 6 = 76 vs DIFS 75. Resists the charm spell. Negative - An Ogre at -2 Willpower rolls D100: 65 + (-2) = 63 vs DIFS 75. Charmed.
12. Wit
    Description: Mental resilience, sharp perception, and the ability to avoid deception or complex traps.
    Application: Bonus to perception checks, trap detection, and mental defenses. Use wit to deceive or manipulate opponents.
    ATT: INT
    Defensive - Kael rolls D100: 58 + Wit 5 = 63 vs DIFS 60. Spots the merchant's scam before paying. Negative - Ogres begin at -5 Wit. D100: 62 + (-5) = 57 vs DIFS 60. Fails - pays double.
13. Apex
    Description: The CAP of Vitality. Each Vitality - Life, Mana, Stamina, and Endurance - has its own CAP. Raising Apex through progression costs the same number of points as standard point spending.
    Application: Determines the maximum cap for each Vitality resource, setting an upper limit for a character's Vitality potential. Vitality Apex caps can also be raised through Runesmith quests - players may find runestones as whole stones or fragments during these quests to raise caps beyond standard progression. Runestone fragments can be combined into a whole runestone. Full rules are covered in the GM Codex.
    ATT: WIS
14. Knowledge
    Description: Represents the depth of a character's learning and understanding, such as facts, history, theory, and accumulated experience.
    Application: Bonus to skill checks involving lore, history, magical theory, technical expertise, and experience-based tasks. Characters with higher Knowledge gain increased experience rewards for tasks that grant experience.
    ATT: WIS
15. Luck
    Description: Represents chance and fortune, allowing for various amounts of extra chances in both combat and non-combat situations.
    Application: Luck grants a 1d4 bonus for every score in the Trait. Characters must be proficient in the target they are trying to reach. See More on Luck below.
    ATT: PRC
16. Charisma
    Description: Represents a character's personal magnetism, leadership, and ability to influence others. Charisma affects social interactions, persuasion, intimidation, and the ability to rally allies or manipulate opponents. Contributes to narrative advantages in roleplay scenarios.
    Application: Bonus to social rolls involving persuasion, intimidation, or deception. Both offensive and defensive: use Charisma to sway or demoralize opponents, or to inspire allies in Critical moments.
    ATT: ART
17. Defense
    Description: Defense type is determined by the character's approach to avoiding harm - Parry requires a 2H Weapon or Bracers of Defense, Block requires a shield, and Dodge requires light armor and speed.
    Application: Defense is factored into the character's overall PROTS, along with Armor Score and other defensive factors such as Agility. PROTS = AS + any defensive enhancements.
    ATT: PHY
18. Focus
    Description: The ability to concentrate and maintain ongoing focus through tense situations requiring multiple actions or turns - channeling Spells, disabling traps under pressure, or performing complex tasks.
    Application: Bonus to maintaining concentration on complex tasks, Spellcasting, or disabling traps. Reduces the chance of losing focus due to distractions or damage. Also see Panic Engine.
    ATT: INT
19. Spirit
    Description: Determines Vitality recovery rates - how fast Life, Mana, and Stamina regenerate during active play and short rests.
    Application: Each point of Spirit recovers 1 Life, Mana, or Stamina Chip per round. During a short rest (1 hour), each point of Spirit recovers 5 Vitality Chips. Spirit stacks with any spell or ability that recovers Vitality. Long rests (8 hours) recover Life, Mana, and Stamina fully regardless of Spirit score. Endurance recovers through extended rest or specific restorative actions only.
    ATT: WIS

Additional Considerations

• Limitations: Trait Checks have no usage limit. Specific abilities may have per-encounter or per-day restrictions as noted in their descriptions.
• Synergy & Development: Traits can be combined or specialized over time, allowing characters to customize their Abilities and tactical options.
• Inheritance & Acquisition: Traits may be inherited through race or acquired via class, profession, or experience to foster growth and specialization.

More on Luck

Luck (LCK) is advanced just like other Attributes. At character creation (Level 0), players assign an initial Luck score. During each level-up, players can invest additional points until reaching the cap of 20. Once an Attribute reaches 20, no further points can be allocated, although you may still track exemplary sublevels (e.g., 20[0.001], 20[0.002]) for record-keeping, but these do not affect the Attribute Score (ATT SCR) itself.

Luck and Outcome Probability: Luck increases the chance of specific outcomes proportionally to the Luck score. For example, a Luck score of 3 adds +3% to the base probability of an event, such as loot drops or crafting success. If the base drop chance of a Rare item is 0.05%, a Luck score of 3 (LCK + 3) increases this to 0.05% + 3% = 3.05%. Alternatively, multiply the base chance by (1 + Luck score): 0.0005 x (1 + 3) = 0.002 = 0.2% (which is a 4x increase).

Note: The maximum Luck score is capped at 20, consistent with all other Trait scores.

Luck Cap and Application: The final probability of any outcome, after applying all modifiers (including Luck), cannot exceed 100%. When multiple effects (Spells, items, events) modify probabilities, combine all multipliers first, then cap at 100%. Luck does not influence outcomes with a base probability of 0%, unless the GM explicitly decides otherwise.

Exemplary Levels: Beyond level 30 (e.g., 30[0.001]), the game tracks incremental levels in thousandths, but these do not increase the ATT SCR directly.

GM Discretion: Some outcomes or story events may be designated as unaffected by Luck, at the GM's discretion. For more details, see the SorC Probability Loot, Crafting, and Discovery System.

Example - To the GM: Creating a Level 30 Divine Wild Chimassu

Utilizing the rules found in SORC's GM Codex, on Species and Rank, this Chimassu's Innate Traits started as a Hawkbear of the same species and size. Hawkbear Innate Traits - the closest playable race to the Chimassu because both are Goliath-sized hybrid creatures combining two distinct animal forms, sharing the same fusion of brute physical power and aerial agility.

The character begins with three negative traits. Before any growth can happen in Wit, Deception, and Piety, points must first be spent just climbing back to zero. Climbing out of negatives costs the same 2 points per score point. Wit: 2 points x 2 = 4 points just to reach 0. Deception: 2 points x 2 = 4 points just to reach 0. Piety: 2 points x 1 = 2 points just to reach 0. Total: 10 points spent before any real growth in those traits. Averaging 28 points per level x 30 levels = 840 total points, minus 10 points climbing out of negatives = 830 points to work with.

840 - 608 = 232 remnant points. Those remnants reflect the randomness of 30 levels of rolling. A Divine rank Chimassu would have used these to push remaining attributes and traits even higher, or saved them as a GM resource for special abilities befitting its Divine status.

Vitality

The Vitality System in Slayers of Rings & Crowns encapsulates a character's life force, magical energy, immediate stamina, and long-term endurance, all tracked via stackable Chips, representing one unit of Vitality gained or lost. These core resources - Life (life), Mana (magic energy), Stamina (physical energy), and Endurance (daily energy) - are color-coded and begin with base amounts determined by the character's size category. Vitality Apex caps are raised through standard point spending during progression. Runesmith quests offer an additional avenue - players may find runestones, as whole stones or fragments, that raise Vitality caps further. This keeps Vitality balanced and prevents characters from becoming overpowered.

Larger races begin with higher Life and Stamina but lower Mana - their mass favors physical endurance over magical capacity. Smaller races begin with higher Mana but lower Life and Stamina, reflecting a natural affinity for magical energy over brute resilience. Standard-sized races begin with balanced amounts across all four. Base values for each size category are listed under Playable Races (Pg. 2). Race-specific innate traits, Attributes, and class bonuses modify these base values further.

Resource consumption occurs through actions like attacking, Spellcasting, and moving, with Life, Mana, and Stamina regenerating each round via Spirit. Each Vitality resource has its own score - called a Vitality Score (VIT SCR) - tracked through Chips. Each VIT SCR is individually determined by its Extent, which is the number of Chips that Vitality is capped at. When Vitality is drained, it regenerates at the rate determined by the character's Spirit.

Vitality Progression

Relic attunement, and level growth expand caps and regeneration. These relics can be discovered through special missions given by Attuners. These are often long Elite chain quests and relics are usually delivered to a more powerful attuner residing in hard to reach areas. To keep the game balanced, Vitality progresses slowly at lower levels, preventing characters from becoming overpowered too early.

Prestige

Prestige measures how your character is seen by the world - shaped by your actions, decisions, achievements, and failures throughout their journey. It influences your identity, reputation, and ultimately your legacy, affecting how NPCs, creatures, and even other players respond to you.

Developing Prestige

Prestige begins with your character's profile (appearance, background, reputation) and evolves through feats, downfalls, choices, and interactions.

Stance & Alignment

Your relationship with factions (stance), moral outlook (alignment), religious discipline, and political leanings can affect and be affected by your Prestige. Unless restricted by culture or class, alignments aren't chosen, they're developed. Be careful because broken alignment rules don't go unnoticed. Stance and alignment are also important to various main class trees, for instance Avengers and Overseers should maintain at least a good alignment or they can fall.

Titles

You earn titles for notable actions, achievements, or infamous deeds. Heroic and Villainous titles are tracked, each with a value that impacts how the world reacts to you. Only one Hero and one Villain title can be highlighted at a time, affecting your recognition and appearance.

Boasted Titles: Boasted titles are prestigious honors earned through Heroic deeds, like achievements and feats, or distinguished actions, which players may display in their profile's Hero slot to showcase their character's valor and reputation to others.

Shamed Titles: Shamed titles are given to the characters at the GM's will and creation, or by a series of titles the GM may choose from. Shamed titles are always Exposed in the Shamed slot, but they can dissipate over time as the character performs good deeds. On the other hand, these titles become more difficult to remove if the character continues bad deeds. There is no unlocking Shamed titles, and the Shamed Title Exposed, is replaced by other Shamed titles that are of a lower negative integer value. Not all NPCs will forget your bad deeds, and depending on the level of these deeds you'll have to constantly watch your back.

Titles are integrated tools to help campaigns remember their deeds, both good and bad. There are archives, journals and other places where this information is kept.

Reputation

Your ongoing actions build your reputation, leading to bonuses, penalties, and unique interactions. Both good and bad reputations matter, and unwitnessed deeds may become rumors. Your reputation is directly tied to your standing with factions and NPCs - boasted titles recognized by a faction can raise standing over time, while shamed or exposed titles can lower it. Depending on the severity of a deed, standing may drop to Disliked or Hated regardless of prior history. Factions talk, and a standing drop with one may ripple into others.

Affiliation & Association

Affiliation is formal membership in a faction. You join. This comes with deeper access, obligations, and consequences. Affiliation is a choice and a commitment - benefits come with expectations, and betrayal has weight. Your standing with an affiliated faction is still tracked separately, so you can be a member and still fall from Respected to Disliked if your actions warrant it.

Association is earned through reputation and standing. Once you reach Respected standing or higher with a faction, you may choose to declare yourself associated with them. Association is a stance move - it works like a boasted title. Their allies view you more favorably, their enemies view you as a threat. You can keep it quiet or announce it publicly. The faction does not have to formally accept you - association is your declaration, backed by your reputation with them.

NPC Mood

NPCs track Mood in addition to Stance. Mood reflects an NPC's current emotional and behavioral state and can shift based on player actions, gifts, threats, or story events. The Mood scale runs: Distressed - Uneasy - Wary - Neutral - Content - Comfortable - Tranquil. NPC Mood affects how they interact, what they offer, and how they respond to requests - independent of but related to their standing with the character. Mood is tracked on NPC Encounter Cards and noted by the GM.

Standing Tiers

Cherished and Adored - Gifting: Characters at Cherished or Adored standing may receive unsolicited gifts from factions and NPCs - items, resources, information, or safe passage - rolled daily with a cap of 1d4 per day depending on standing level. Cherished characters roll at the highest frequency and quality, Adored at a reduced frequency and quality. Boasted titles recognized by the faction increase gift quality by one tier. Gifting works both ways - characters may gift factions and NPCs, contributing to standing over time. See Gifting Chart.

Respected: Factions and NPCs at this standing are cooperative, offer fair trade, and will provide aid when asked. No automatic gifts but access to faction resources and quests is open.

Neutral: Standard interaction. No bonuses, no penalties. The faction or NPC is indifferent to the character.

Tolerable: The faction or NPC deals with the character but offers no favors. Access to some resources may be restricted. Prices may increase at vendors aligned with this faction.

Disliked - Sabotage: Characters at Disliked standing are actively worked against - and factions and NPCs at Disliked standing with the character may be sabotaged in return. Shamed or exposed titles known to the faction accelerate sabotage frequency and severity. The faction or NPC will feed false information, block access to resources, vendors, or locations they control, tip off enemies to the character's whereabouts, plans, or exposed titles, refuse quests, services, or aid, and spread reputation damage to neutral factions. Characters may respond in kind using the same methods available to them.

Hated - Killed on Sight: No interaction. Any member of that faction or NPC attacks immediately on sight - no negotiation, no exceptions, unless the GM rules otherwise for story purposes. Boasted titles carry no weight at this standing. Exposed titles may be announced publicly upon the character's death. This applies both ways - a character who has reached Hated standing with a faction is also free to treat that faction accordingly.

Legacy

Over time, your Prestige creates your lasting legacy, remembered well beyond your character's life. Become a *legend or die a *pauper, the choice is yours. *See rank. More on Prestige (link pending).

Movement

Movement is calculated by how fast any moving thing can move across squares on a grid, in units of feet, per its turn. The size of each square is determined by the grid type - for instance, a battle map uses 5 ft. squares. Other map and grid types such as war maps, traveling paths, wilderness and others are covered later in this section.

Base speed is determined by race size - Goliath 40 ft. (8 squares), Standard 30 ft. (6 squares), and Small 25 ft. (5 squares). Individual races within the same size category may vary - Elves, for example, move at 40 ft. despite being Standard size.

All maps use real planetary isometric coordinates, scaling seamlessly from world maps down to the square your character is standing on.

Terrain affects how far you can move per action. Conditions such as rough ground, strong winds, slippery surfaces, or currents can reduce your movement, while favorable conditions - a downhill slope, wind at your back, or a strong current - can extend it. Some terrain types also require attribute or talent checks to navigate successfully.

Movement Types

Movement types define how any participant moves through the world, each carrying its own speed and requirements. Some are available to all, others require specific talents, abilities, or equipment.

*These are base movement speeds. Non-organic vehicles may be modified by upgrades and equipment. Organic movement may be modified by spells, abilities, and talents.

These are the most common examples. Other entries apply to these rules.

Movement Type Rules

Prone: A character who is prone must spend half an action to stand up. While prone, melee attacks against them gain a bonus and ranged attacks are penalized. Crawling while prone costs 1/4 speed. Prone from unconsciousness, incapacitation, or death is covered in Combat and Conditions.

Fly: Flying characters must have a fly speed from an ability, spell, or mount. A flying character who is incapacitated, stunned, or loses their fly source falls. Ascending costs double movement, descending is free but may require a check at steep angles. Hovering requires no movement but requires an ability or innate trait to maintain.

Glide: Controlled descent only - a gliding character cannot gain altitude and moves 1x horizontally for every square dropped. Stalling or incapacitation results in a fall. Requires an innate ability, wings, or equipment.

Swim: Swimming characters must have a swim speed or make checks to stay afloat. A character can hold their breath for a number of rounds equal to their Strength score. At zero breath, they begin drowning - taking Life damage each round until they surface or are rescued.

Wading: Wading through water, brush, or heavy foliage reduces movement to 1/2x. Severe conditions may require a Strength or Agility Trait check specified by module or determined by the GM.

Climb / Scale: A climbing character who fails their check stops moving that turn. A critical fail results in a fall - damage based on height specified by module or determined by the GM. Heavy loads increase check difficulty. Swinging on a rope or vine follows the same rules - a failed check results in a slip or drop.

Rappel: Requires rope or equivalent equipment and a talent check. A failed check results in a slip of a number of squares specified by module or determined by the GM. A critical fail results in a full fall.

Burrow / Tunnel: A burrowing character is hidden from above-ground sight and cannot be targeted by ranged attacks unless the attacker has a sense or ability that detects underground movement. Surfacing costs half movement. Underground visibility is zero without appropriate senses or equipment.

Crawl: If not prone, crawling can be used deliberately for stealth at 1/4 speed.

Slither: Limbless movement available only to creatures with the Slither ability. Functions as crawl but cannot stand up. May squeeze through gaps smaller than standard size.

Zero Gravity: Without training or equipment, movement becomes uncontrolled and requires a check each turn to navigate. With training or equipment, movement is 1x in any direction including vertical. Pushing off a surface grants a momentum bonus.

Magnetic (metal surface): Requires magnetic boots or equivalent equipment. Movement is 1/2x on any metal surface including walls and ceilings. Cannot be knocked prone while active.

Phase: Available only to characters with an innate phasing ability. Cannot attack or be attacked while phasing. Cannot end movement inside a solid object - doing so results in immediate incapacitation.

Run / Dash: Standard 2x speed movement. Skipping, bounding, and similar movement styles are flavor variants of Run and follow the same rules.

Moving Around Other Creatures: Moving through a friendly creature's space is permitted but their space is considered difficult terrain. Moving through a hostile creature's space is not permitted unless the creature is incapacitated. Moving past a hostile creature within reach may trigger an Attack of Opportunity. Squeezing through a space smaller than your size category costs double movement and requires an Agility and Dexterity Trait check - both Traits stack, and a failed check stops your movement. More on hostile creature interactions in the Combat section.

Creature Size and Space:

Falling: A falling character takes damage based on the distance fallen. Traits such as Agility and Evasion stack to reduce falling damage. Spells and buffs such as Feather Fall or Barrier reduce or negate damage entirely. A character may attempt to grab a ledge, vine, or surface feature mid-fall - requiring an Agility or Strength Trait check - slowing or stopping the fall on a success. Landing in water, deep snow, or other soft surfaces reduces damage. Falling damage is specified by module or determined by the GM.

Charge / Slam: Move up to 2x speed in a straight line toward a target and attack at the end - changing direction cancels the charge. Full rules in Combat.

Retreat: A tactical withdrawal of 1 square from a threat. Full rules in Combat.

Dodge and Retreat: Combines a defensive dodge with a 1 square retreat. Full rules in Combat.

Organic mount - ground: Rider uses the mount's base speed. Mounting and dismounting costs half an action. If the mount is incapacitated, the rider must make an Agility Trait check to dismount safely or fall.

Organic mount - aerial: Follows fly rules. Mounting and dismounting in the air requires a check. If the mount is incapacitated mid-flight, the rider must make an Agility Trait check to dismount safely or begin falling.

Non-organic vehicle - ground (steam, coal, mechanical): Follows the driver's control checks for turns, stops, and hazards. Damage to the vehicle reduces speed - specified by module or determined by the GM.

Non-organic vehicle - hover: Follows hover rules. Can maintain a stationary air position. Damage to the vehicle reduces speed or causes descent - specified by module or determined by the GM.

Teleport: Requires line of sight or a marked beacon. Cannot teleport to an unseen or unmarked location. Failed attempts result in the character staying in place. Teleporting into an occupied space is not permitted.

Blink: Short range only - maximum range determined by the ability or item. Does not require line of sight but requires a clear destination. Can be used as a reaction to avoid damage once per round at GM discretion.

Warp: Long range teleportation requiring significant preparation or power. Warping to an unmarked location carries risk - a failed check results in arriving off target, specified by module or determined by the GM.

Spacecraft: Follows non-organic vehicle rules. Sub-light speed applies in atmosphere. Space grid scale applies in open space. Light speed capable spacecraft may achieve FTL travel - see FTL below. Boarding and deboarding require docking or a check if in motion.

FTL / Light speed: Available to Divine entities with Blink or equivalent innate magic, and to light speed capable spacecraft. Cannot be used in atmosphere or near planetary bodies without catastrophic consequences specified by module or determined by the GM. No check required for Divine entities - it is innate. Spacecraft require appropriate technology and fuel.

Wayfarer's Compass

The Wayfarer's Compass is a magical tool that allows its owner to teleport to any source of light they feel truly safe with, called beacons. Beacons can be natural - fire, the soft glow of plants or nature - magical, or scientific. Moving like a wisp, the compass never leaves the traveler's side, appearing and reappearing at will and at the request of its owner. The compass itself knows whether the character truly feels safe upon attuning, as it bonds to the character's heart. Compasses gain levels over time, developing skills related to teleportation including mark and return, safe havens, secret spots, and more.

Encumbrance

Weight capacity = Strength Trait + Stamina Apex. Carrying weight beyond your capacity encumbers you, reducing movement and penalizing all actions. Spells and abilities may negate encumbrance penalties.

Visibility and Light

Visibility affects movement, combat, and checks. Light sources, spells, and equipment can extend visibility range. Some races have innate darkvision - see Playable Races. Spells and abilities such as Darkvision negate these rules within their range.

Disorientation

A disoriented character may move in unintended directions, suffer penalties to checks and attacks, or lose their sense of position on the grid. Causes include darkness, magical effects, vertigo, concussion, and extreme environmental conditions. Related conditions such as blinded, stunned, and confused are covered in the Conditions section of the Combat rules. Spells and abilities may negate disorientation effects.

Environmental Hazards

Hazardous environments affect movement and may deal damage or impose conditions. Characters with relevant resistances, spells, or equipment may reduce or negate hazard effects. Damage and conditions are specified by module or determined by the GM.

Traps

Traps are hidden hazards placed deliberately in the environment. They trigger on movement through or interaction with a specific square or object. A character with the appropriate talent - such as Scout or Crypt Raider - may detect traps before triggering them with a successful check. Once detected, traps may be disarmed with a talent check. Failing a disarm check may trigger the trap. Trap effects range from movement impairment and damage to conditions and instant incapacitation - specified by module or determined by the GM.

Rest

A short rest (1 hour) recovers Vitality based on Spirit score. A long rest (8 hours) recovers Life, Mana, and Stamina fully. Endurance recovers through extended rest or specific restorative actions only. Characters cannot benefit from more than one long rest per day. Rest is interrupted if the character takes damage or is engaged in strenuous activity. Full rest and recovery rules are covered in the GM Codex.

Movement Summary

Movement covers how navigation is determined in SORC, measured in squares on a grid where scale depends on the map type - 5 ft. per square on a battle map, larger on war and world maps. Base speed is determined by race size, terrain affects distance, and every movement type from walking to spacecraft has its own speed modifier and rules. Encumbrance, visibility, hazards, traps, and rest all interact with movement in defined ways.

From crawling and climbing to flying mounts, teleportation, and light speed travel, every movement type is accounted for - with organic and non-organic equivalents paired across the system. Spells and abilities can modify or negate most penalties, and the GM Codex covers advanced cases.

Combat

Utilizing a D100 percentile system, to determine combat outcomes, players describe actions and roll dice to attack with weapons and their combat Abilities to reach the threshold of their target's total Protection Score (PROTS). Every Character's hit and damage is dependent on the rank of the weapon they are using.

Note on Bosses, Mobs, and Companions in Combat: Bosses, Mobs, and Companions do not have Traits, Attributes, Mana, Stamina, or Endurance. They only have Life, Abilities, Armor, and Attacks. Their Abilities are innate and require no trait or attribute prerequisites. Only Life can be depleted during combat.

Protection Score (PROTS)

Each entity in SORC has a Protection Score called PROTS. PROTS is the Base Armor Score (AS) - representing any base number between 1 and 100 - and the sum of all modifiers, both negative and positive, to Protection. PROTS = AS and all negative and positive modifiers to Protection.

Example: Ice Dragon, on the ground, has a base AS of 80 (AS 80) and has 12 bonuses to Protection, so its PROTS 92. Rolling 1D100 would need a result of 92 to Hit the dragon and roll for damage. In the air, the Ice Dragon gets a +10 bonus, now giving it +22 (12 + 10) bonus to its base AS 80. Flying, the Ice Dragon has a PROTS of 102.

Conversely, a Commoner is wearing cloth and has a base AS of 10, AS 10, but has part of a wooden gate he's used as a shield giving him +2, however he doesn't have a strong foothold because of the environment, -1 (strong winds). His total PROTS is AS 10 + 2 - 1 = 11. The Commoner is easy to Hit. In comparison, a Paladin in Plate has a base AS of 60. If he's holding Bracers, a 2h Weapon or a Shield he can add his Defense score (Defense is a Trait) representing; Parry or Block respectively he'll add his Protection, in this case 4. He also gets the base AS of a Shield (AS 10) or the lighter option, Bracers (AS 5). Let's say he's holding the shield and has a score of 5 on the Trait Defense. Base AS is 60, plus 10 for shield, plus 5 because he has Defense (5).

Base Hit Rate

Every weapon at Common rank shares the same base hit percentage against each armor type before any modifiers are applied. These rates assume a baseline attacker with no bonuses or penalties against a target with no defensive modifiers - raw d100 roll against AS only.

All weapon types share these base rates. These are base figures against AS only - not PROTS. In play, all bonuses and penalties apply on top of these rates, including the target's full PROTS (AS plus all defensive modifiers), armor condition, armor structure, character attributes, talents, buffs, debuffs, and situational modifiers. Remember that armor types have Vulnerabilities and Resistances (see Armor Types below) - a blunt weapon against chain gains from chain's vulnerability to blunt, raising the effective hit above base. Higher rank weapons have higher base attack values, increasing these percentages across all armor types.

Hit Results

Initiative

Initiative is calculated at each level and recorded on your character sheet: Initiative = Base Speed + Agility + Vigilance + Luck. Stamina and Encumbrance do not factor into initiative, but if you are immobilized or restrained, you lose your turn. Circumstantial Modifiers: The GM may adjust initiative if you are surprised, distracted, or cleverly positioned. Combat Abilities & Buffs: Abilities like Readiness or buffs like Hastily can grant a bonus to initiative as noted in their descriptions. Turn order is based on character positioning; if positions are similar, the GM may use any combination of initiative factors to determine who acts first.

Hit

Every attack roll is d100 + Hit bonus vs the target's PROTS. The Hit bonus is determined by the weapon's rank and whether it is wielded in the main hand or offhand. Modifiers from Traits, Attributes, talents, buffs, and situational factors apply to both hands.

Main Hand and Offhand. x = any modifiers to the roll. Dual wield requires Abilities, see class Abilities.

Weapon

Damage is determined by the weapon's rank and hands used. The formula is: dmg = xd6 ± x, where x is Strength Trait ± any other modifiers (melee), Agility Trait ± any other modifiers (ranged), or Willpower ± any other modifiers (spells). Other modifiers include enchantments, Traits, buffs, environmental factors, and situational bonuses.

1h Off = half of 1h main, rounded up. Common and Uncommon use 1d4. x = Strength Trait ± any other modifiers (melee), Agility Trait ± any other modifiers (ranged), Willpower ± any other modifiers (spells). Dual wield requires Abilities, see class Abilities.

Reminder: A character's rank is their proficiency - they must match the armament's rank to use it (see Experience and Rank). Each armament rank carries its own prerequisites. There may be additional prerequisites listed on the armament itself, such as minimum Trait scores including Strength, Agility, Charisma, Dexterity, and others. Divine armaments must first be unattuned from their former bearer, then attuned to yourself before use - once attuned, the armament is bound to you permanently.

When an attack hits the target's PROTS, the GM rolls the damage dice. Modifiers are applied and the total is subtracted from the target's Life. If Life reaches zero, the target is incapacitated, dead, or suffers additional effects based on severity.

Special Combat Techniques

• Limb-Specific Targeting (LST): Aim at body parts for bonus damage; Penalties apply. Players call out where they want to Hit the target. Penalty to Hit but extra damage if they graze, Hit or Crit. GMs have a chart that shows called areas; groin, head, joint Hit Penalties and their damage bonuses. There is no Graze or Crit for LST.
• Combos: Chain attacks after targets lose their balance. This is aside from any combo attack Abilities.
• Critical Hits: Max dice rolls mean extra damage/Status effects.
• Unarmed Combat: Use punches, grapples, or improvised weapons. Fighters, such as brawlers, strive at this.

Encounter DIFS

The DIFS for any effect, ability, or escape check involving a creature or encounter is equal to that creature's PROTS. This applies to grapples, fear effects, grabs, and any other roll made against or because of an encounter. Mechanical devices such as traps also have a PROTS representing their structural integrity.

Grapple and Grab

On a successful grapple or grab attack, the target is held until they break free or the attacker releases. To escape, the target rolls d100 + Strength vs the attacker's PROTS (Encounter DIFS). One escape attempt is allowed per turn. Drop damage applies if released or escaped at height. Specific grab rules, carry height limits, and drop damage values are module specific.

Traps and Mechanical Devices

Traps and mechanical devices have a PROTS representing their structural integrity. A character may attempt to disable a trap using the Disarm Trap talent (d100 + talent score vs DIFS). Alternatively, a character may attempt to destroy the device outright by attacking its PROTS directly. Failure to destroy deals twice the trap's damage to the character, compared to the standard damage on a failed disable attempt. This makes the Disarm Trap talent the safer and preferred approach.

Non-organic items with a DIFS also have a PROTS - but failing to destroy them does more damage.

In-Game Scenario

Kaida, the barbarian, charges into a skirmish against a Cultist wearing leather armor (Base AS 25, base hit rate 65%). The Cultist has additional defensive modifiers - a shield, defensive stance, and terrain advantage - bringing his full PROTS to 60. Kaida's Hit bonus is +8 (Common rank, Main hand). She rolls d100 and gets a 52. 52 + 8 = 60, which meets the Cultist's PROTS of 60. She Hits!

Damage Roll: Kaida's Common 2h sword deals 2d6 + x damage. She rolls: 5 and 6, totaling 11. She adds +2 from her Strength score and other modifiers (x = 2), making it 13 total damage. This is a Direct Hit, and the Cultist's Life Chips are reduced by 13. The Cultist grunts in pain but remains standing, though heavily wounded.

Later in the fight, Kaida attempts another attack. She rolls a 56. Added to her modifiers, her total falls within 5 points below the Cultist's PROTS of 60. This is a Graze. Kaida's damage is 2d6 + x. She rolls: 4 and 4, totaling 8, plus her x modifier of 2, for 10 total. Half of 10 is 5 damage (rounded down). The Cultist takes 5 damage, suffering minor injuries. This may cause increased bleeding, movement penalties, or other effects as determined by the GM.

On Kaida's next turn, she swings a mighty blow and rolls a natural 100, triggering a Critical Hit. She rolls 2x damage dice - 6d6. She rolls: 4, 4, 2, 6, 5, 3 = 24 damage plus modifiers. This massive blow reduces the Cultist's Life Chips drastically, likely killing him outright. The GM narrates a gruesome kill with limb severance or Status ailments per the rules.

Underarmor Requirements

Certain armor types require underarmor to be worn beneath them. Underarmor prevents chafing, aids movement, and allows for proper rest while armored. It adds weight to the character's total carry load.

• Cloth, Leather, Fur - no underarmor required.
• Medium (chain, ring mail, etc.) - requires cloth underarmor at minimum.
• Heavy (plate, etc.) - requires faulding at minimum. Faulding is a padded garment worn beneath heavy armor to absorb impact and prevent joint wear.
• Dense / Composite (dragon scale, etc.) - requires a gambeson at minimum. A gambeson is a thick quilted and padded jacket, heavier than faulding, necessary to bear the weight and rigidity of the densest armors.

Wearing armor without the required underarmor results in movement penalties, reduced rest recovery, and chafing penalties determined by the GM.

Armor Types

Movement penalties are in squares (sq.) - each square equals 5 ft. Divide base speed by 5 to get squares for tile movement. Example: 30 ft. base speed = 6 sq. per turn. Chain mail at -3 sq. = 3 sq. (15 ft.) per turn.

Combat Movement

Charge / Slam: Move up to 2x base speed in a straight line and make a melee attack at the end. Changing direction at any point cancels the charge and the movement is lost. Costs 1.5 actions - half action for movement, 1 action for the attack. Roll: d100 + Hit bonus + 10 vs target PROTS. On a hit, add Strength Trait score to damage. On a Slam, the target must roll d100 + Strength Trait vs the attacker's DIFS - a fail knocks the target prone. The attacker's own PROTS is reduced by 10 until the start of their next turn.

Retreat: A tactical withdrawal of 1 square directly away from a threat. Costs half an action. Does not trigger an Attack of Opportunity. No roll required.

Dodge and Retreat: Combines a defensive dodge with a 1 square retreat. Costs 1 action. The character makes an Agility and Dexterity Trait check - both stack - adding the combined score to their PROTS until the start of their next turn. Does not trigger an Attack of Opportunity. If the Trait check fails, the character may still attempt a standalone Defense or Evasion Trait on the same turn. Formula: PROTS + Agility Trait + Dexterity Trait = modified PROTS for that turn.

Attacks of Opportunity: Triggered when a hostile creature moves out of your melee reach without using Retreat or Dodge and Retreat - or when a creature moves into your melee reach. Attacks of Opportunity work both ways. Additionally, performing certain actions while in a hostile creature's melee reach also triggers an Attack of Opportunity against you - including casting a spell, using a ranged weapon, using an item, or standing from prone. Free action - costs no actions. One Attack of Opportunity per trigger, per turn. Roll: d100 + Hit bonus vs target PROTS. Standard damage on hit.

Prone, Unconscious, Incapacitated, Dying and Dead

Prone: A character who is prone must spend half an action to stand. While prone, melee attacks against them gain +10 to the roll. Ranged attacks against them take -10. Crawling while prone costs 1/4 speed.

Unconscious: The character is prone and cannot act. All attacks against them automatically hit - no roll required. They cannot defend and remain unconscious until stabilized or restored by a spell or ability.

Incapacitated: The character is prone or immobile and cannot take actions or reactions. Attacks against them gain +10. They may still be conscious but are unable to act. See Downtime.

Dying: The character is prone and losing Life each round. At the start of each of their turns they lose 1 Life Chip. They may attempt a Fortitude (FRT) check at a DIFS set by the GM - a success stabilizes them at 1 Life Chip and stops the bleed. A failure continues the bleed. If Life reaches zero while dying the character is dead. Another character may stabilize a dying character with 1 action and a successful check - specified by module or determined by the GM.

Dead: The character is prone and takes no further actions. Their turn is skipped. Effects on the body after death are specified by module or determined by the GM.

Other entities can aid unconscious, dying or dead characters.

See Resurrection, Revitalize and Rejuvenation.

More on Downtime

Dying in SorC does not necessarily mean you will die permanently. There are different penalties for dying in succession, and the nature of death or crimes will determine the specific consequences. The penalties for death and other sustaining conditions such as comatosis, prison stays, infirmary stays, hobbies, and crafting are calculated using the same formula:

Penalty Time = Base Time * (Growth Rate)^(Nature of Offenses)

This formula applies to the penalties for dying, crimes, and related circumstances, with base times varying depending on the specific offense or condition.

Incapacitation and Recovery: Being in comatosis, prison, or infirmary, and the time spent on hobbies or crafting all constitute periods of downtime that can affect your character's progression.

Penalties for Death and Crimes: Penalties are determined by the formula above, factoring in the severity of the offense or circumstance, which can include jail time, fines, or other restrictions.

Other Downtime Activities: Time spent in various states of incapacitation or recovery impacts gameplay and character development, with specific durations and penalties tailored to each situation.

Resurrection, Revitalize and Rejuvenation

Resurrection: Resurrection is the process of being brought back to life after dying. Many different classes can perform it, including some exclusive to NPCs. Depending on how you died will determine your alignment upon returning. If you were killed by a vampire's bite, your new alignment will be evil when you awake.

Revitalize: Revitalization is the process of stopping the new effects of how you died from continuing. If you don't Revitalize in time, you'll become a full-fledged being of whatever killed you - such as a vampire - and would probably be killed by the party, or escape into the world of lore and stories, possibly being hunted by your own party. Your body will begin to decay and eventually you'll be fully Undead if not Revitalized in time.

Rejuvenation: Rejuvenation requires level 20 and rank Hero, and the aid of a powerful cleric. It is said to cost everything you have, including your standing and surname. While your Traits, Abilities, and Attributes remain the same, your Charisma increases. Once the Revitalize process is complete, players Rejuvenate as a hybrid race - either Subdead or Subdivine, dependent on their current alignment. They must succeed on a series of rolls, or the character loses its Sub status and a significant amount of experience, defaulting to their alignment when resurrection first began. Sub means you were Rejuvenated just before you became either Undead or Divine. If you succeed on Rejuvenation, you retain all abilities from before resurrection began and gain the new benefits of the hybrid Sub.

Turns, Rounds and Time

As long as they are not incapacitated, every character, in the order of initiative, gets a turn each round. A turn represents 6 seconds of in-game time. A round is complete when every character in the encounter has taken their turn. Reminder: each player has 2 minutes to complete their turn - see Pg. 4.

Actions

Every character has a base of 5 actions per turn. This can increase or decrease based on Agility and Strength Trait scores, encumbrance, and penalties such as being stunned. Every Agility Trait point grants an additional half action on movement and defense. Every Strength Trait point grants an additional half action on attacks.

Subtle actions such as a sigh, snap of the fingers, or a whistle cost half an action. Reading depends on intelligence - each point in intelligence reduces the action cost by half an action, and understanding what was read is rolled with the intelligence score as a bonus.

Time

The GM tracks in-game time through rounds, converting to minutes and hours as needed. Between encounters, the GM advances a clock - no action counting, just narrative time passing.

Game Engine Cards

Core components that drive the gameplay mechanics, including Action Cards for combat and skills, Narrative Cards for storytelling and interactions, Dilemma Cards for tough choices, and Trait Cards representing character actions and Traits. These Cards facilitate smooth, dynamic gameplay and strategic decision-making throughout your adventure. The following is a list of Game Engine Card variants.

Action Cards

Actions take stamina and Endurance. Characters need to distribute their actions meaningfully. Each character only gets a certain amount of actions per day, determined by endurance. Stamina determines the amount of actions a character can take on their turn, with a cap and some free actions.

As characters face combat threats or interacting Encounters they'll present one, or sometimes more, of these Cards at the GM's request. The Card they play is relevant to the situation and within their own capabilities of using the Card at that time, for instance whether or not they have the Vitality (stamina, mana etc) in order to take the action. Action Cards come in three forms: Combat, Talents and Skills. Just as Armaments are either armor or weapons, Combat Cards are either Abilities or Spells.

Combat Card: All combat Actions come in the form of a Card for easy and quick reference. Players keep a stack of Cards that represent their characters' combat Actions. Combat Cards are either Ability Cards or Spell Cards - Ability Cards cover martial and innate combat actions, while Spell Cards cover magical combat actions.

Talent Card (talents): Requires challenge, see talents. Much like Combat Cards, this is how players reference their talents.

Skill Card - Recipe Card (professions): Must be out of combat. Requires recipe, materials and at least a make-shift workshop, see skills. Skill Cards are Recipe Cards - they reference all professional skills, their recipes, including materials, etc. If an enchanter enchants a character's armor, it changes the armor's Stats. This new Stat is recorded on the armament Cards attached (using a paper clip) index Cards to avoid writing on and messing up the actual armament Card.

Threat Engine

A Threat Meter tracks your Threat Score, indicating how much attention you're attracting from Creatures and NPCs. When your score is low, you go mostly unnoticed; a higher score means you're more likely to be observed, confronted, or targeted. Every action - whether escaping, negotiating, hiding, taunting, or distracting - can change your Threat Score.

• Clever actions and successful deception lower your threat score.
• Aggressive, loud, or risky actions raise your threat score.
• As NPCs or creatures become more hostile or suspicious, your Threat Score increases.
• If you placate, impress, or deceive them, your Threat Score decreases.

The GM updates your Threat Score based on your actions and how others react, making it dynamic in every Encounter, not just combat.

Panic Engine

Whenever you face intense stress, fear, or danger - whether hiding, climbing, running from monsters, escaping pursuit, or negotiating in tense situations - the GM calls for a Panic Check. For the Panic Check, you'll roll D100. If your total meets or exceeds the difficulty score (DIFS) of the source causing Panic, you remain calm. If not, you begin to panic, risking mistakes or exposure. Panic will grow progressively as Characters take their turns and each level will alter the character more as the panic grows.

Roll a D100 Panic Check and add any modifiers (like the Trait Courage) to attempt meeting the DIFS of whatever is causing the panic. Every hazardous event and entity has a DIFS for Panic, that Difficulty Score is the target number the player must reach to avoid Panic. If there isn't a DIFS, the GM will create one.

If the Character fails the target DIFS of Panic, they'll begin a progressive/regressive Panic process for each of the Character's turns where Panic is ongoing. For example if a Character fails a Panic Check they are now at Panic Level 1, and must roll a Panic Check again on their next turn with a -1 Penalty. If they fail again, they are now at level 2 Panic and on their next turn with a -2 Penalty to their D100 roll. This continues through 5 levels of Panic.

If they succeed a Panic Check, they go back one level of Panic, are not panicked anymore, and they can take their free movement action before ending their turn. GM may set or adjust Panic Difficulty based on the situation.

Narrative Event Cards

Narrative Events are used during moments where players can creatively escape danger or interact with Creatures and NPCs instead of fighting. Each Card presents a situation and encourages inventive solutions, allowing players to use the environment, combine Abilities, or negotiate with creatures for Unique outcomes.

Dynamic Escape

Some Narrative Cards describe hazardous scenarios. Players can use their surroundings, trigger chain reactions, or combine skills for dynamic escapes. The risk and reward depend on how clever or daring their actions are.

Creature and NPC Interaction

Other Narrative Cards focus on Encounters with monsters or NPCs. Players may bargain, manipulate behaviors, or incite chaos to avoid combat or gain advantages. The Cards provide prompts for creative negotiation or influence.

Flexible Resolution

The outcome of each action is determined on a scale, such as full escape, partial success, added complications, or failure. Results are not limited to simple success or failure, allowing for nuanced storytelling and consequences.

Player-Driven and Reactive

Players are encouraged to initiate creative actions in response to Narrative Cards. The game Master provides cues and adapts the scenario based on player choices, making the event dynamic and responsive.

The use of Narrative Cards rewards teamwork, risk-taking, and thinking outside the box. Players are empowered to find Unique solutions to Encounters, and inventive actions can lead to special rewards, new story paths, or lasting changes in the world.

Dilemma Cards

The Dilemma Engine is a central feature that turns tough choices into lasting effects. At pivotal moments, you'll face Dilemmas that force you to make decisions with lasting consequences. These choices directly affect your Stance with factions and key characters, alter your reputation, and will grant titles or exposure.

At narrative turning points, the game Master presents a Dilemma Card. Each Card describes a challenging situation and at least two difficult choices. The outcome of each choice is clearly spelled out, affecting rewards, costs, relationships, and your character's standing in the world. Once you decide, the GM notes this in their journal and at pivotal moments, and as they choose, the GM narrates the conditions of the choices Players have made for their Characters.

Stance Development

Every choice you make on a Dilemma Card adjusts your Stance - your character's relationship and attitude towards factions and important NPCs. Stance is tracked on your character sheet and determines how others react to you, what resources you can access, and which storylines open or close.

Prestige and Titles

Your decisions also change your Prestige. Reputation affects how you are perceived throughout the world, influencing social Encounters and opportunities. Titles reflect your achievements or failures and can bring benefits or consequences depending on where you are and how others perceive you.

Note: The highest stance is adored while the lowest is hated (killed on sight).

Your choices ripple across every aspect of your character's journey. Decisions influence not just how you are seen, but also your access to resources, titles, relationships with key figures, and the opportunities or obstacles that shape your path. These choices don't just alter the story; they can challenge your priorities, test your values as a player, and create moments that linger long after decisions to Dilemmas are made.

Heroism

Acts of courage and self-sacrifice earn you recognition and lasting respect. Heroic deeds can grant powerful titles and boost your standing, inspiring others and shaping your legacy.

Regret

Betraying your values or harming loved ones may cause regret. You can leverage regret for short-term advantages, but each use comes with emotional or social penalties. Accumulating regret may trigger personal crises or redemption quests.

Suspenseful

Some outcomes are not revealed immediately. The game Master tracks them secretly and unveils the results at dramatic moments, heightening suspense and making your choices feel unpredictable and impactful.

Examples

Suspense Example: You find proof that a rival faction plans to sabotage a festival. If you expose them, your Stance with that faction drops dramatically, but you gain favor with the city council. The council grants you the title Guardian of the Festival. The rival faction's reaction is kept hidden for now, to be revealed later.

Heroism Example: After quelling a violent uprising and safeguarding countless lives, you are called to the Grand Hall. The space is packed - council members, citizens, and soldiers line the marble floors. A high ranking council member formally recounts your actions in detail, naming each risk you took and life you saved. When your name is spoken, banners are unfurled and the crowd stands and erupts in applause as you walk the marble aisle between arranged sides. As rehearsed, you bow to the council leader so she can place a heavy medallion ribbon over your shoulders and proclaim you "Warden of the City!!!", a title reserved for heroes. Your name is etched into the city's Hall of Heroes, and for a moment, the cheers and gratitude of those you protected are overwhelming. Your Stance with the city's people and leaders surges, and you become a symbol of courage in a time of uncertainty.

Regret Example: An influential leader offers you Rare resources, but only if you publicly denounce your mentor. Accepting gains you the title Favored of the Court and improves your Stance with the leader's faction, but since you've developed a relationship with your mentor that has lasted for years, your betrayal damages your reputation with those who honor loyalty and loved ones of the mentor in question. This never goes away, and although the example here is an example of your character feeling regret, the dilemma system is designed in a way that the player feels emotional and psychological distress that weighs on their conscience burdened from decisions forced onto their characters. Refusing protects your relationship with your mentor, but makes your quest more difficult and may cause you to lose favor and titles.

Exploration

Traverse 13 planets in an odd world with a life sustaining and magic emitting main sun, Adoria, and its sister, the dying star Tawdry Dwarf. Each planet with a gate to its own hell domain, found in throne rooms of extravagant labyrinths.

The Wayfarer Compass (wayfarer) is a magical teleportation device that lets characters instantly travel to known taverns and linked locations. Upgrading it through talents or calibration increases its range, reduces cooldowns, and allows location marking. Linking new sites requires successful skill rolls based on the device's level and Stats. It also boosts the Ability to spot for hunting, finding items and hazards. Resting in taverns replenishes health and magic, making the Wayfarer a vital tool for quick travel, exploration, and strategic repositioning. As it develops, it offers greater versatility, faster navigation, and deeper integration into your adventures.

Game Modes

Some game modes require players to log into SORC Beyond at our website.

Trials of Combat

Trials of Combat is a game mode where players seek out Trial Masters to participate in combat challenges. These Masters are found in villages, towns, and covert camps, and they set specific rules for each trial. Participants cannot use items besides gear, though healing and buffing effects are allowed. The mode includes three main sections: Proving Grounds, Arena, and Coliseum. In the Proving Grounds, teams of at least five face objectives like Beacon Capture, King of the Peak, or Race Through the Cave, earning Honor Points and rewards such as gear and experience. The Arena involves structured matches from 1v1 up to 5v5, with players earning Valor Points to buy equipment, gear sets, and consumables.

The Coliseum is a free-for-all against powerful monsters in various formats like Duels, Tag Teams, and Riots, with winners earning Auctorati Points for weapons, potions, and scrolls. Progression depends on faction reputation, unlocking better rewards and quests.

Sole Survivor

Sole Survivor is an episodic game mode made up of a series of short, story-driven adventures. At the start of each episode, players choose pre-made character Cards that match the challenge rating for that episode. These characters form a themed party that fits the campaign, such as a religious character, a thief, or others aligned with the episode's setting. Each premade character will have advantages and disadvantages, but players will understand the theme before they choose their Cards.

The key rule is that one character must die in each episode, repeated until only one character remains alive. Once only one character is left, they must find a way to escape alone. If they manage to survive and escape, they are declared the sole survivor. Each episode is a short dramatic story where characters will unlock skills, armaments, items and clues and secrets to guide their party through each episode. Episodes don't have endings other than a character dying; subsequently moving what's left of the party to the next episode.

Starting from episode one, the adventure unfolds as a story, with the inevitability that some characters will perish along the way. The game emphasizes survival, storytelling, and strategic choices, culminating in one character's triumphant escape as the sole survivor.