Game Master's Guide

The different universes in which your adventures take place do not necessarily use magic per se. The associated mechanics will be similar across all universes, but you are free to add your own personal touch.

For example, you could use different terms to match the atmosphere of the universe in which your adventures take place:

• Medieval Fantasy: Magic (MAG) and Magic Points (MP)
• Post-Apocalyptic: Radiant Energy (RAD) and Radiant Points (RP)
• Science Fiction: Energy Flux (FLU) and Flux Points (FP)
• Contemporary / Urban: Supernatural Energy (SUR) and Energy Points (EP)

For the sake of simplicity, we will only refer to Magic (MAG) and Magic Points (MP).

The sum of stat modifiers for an ancestry must be less than or equal to +3.

• If the sum of stat points is less than +3, the remaining points to reach this value are automatically converted into free stat points.
• Furthermore, the value of a stat modifier for an ancestry must be between -2 and +3.

Adaptability points reflect the flexibility and versatility of the ancestry. The creator can assign between 0 and 3 adaptability points based on the overall assessment of the ancestry.

When designing an innate ability for an ancestry, it is recommended to limit its use to once per day.

This frequency is suitable for abilities that have a significant impact, whether in combat, social interaction, negotiation, or specific tasks such as crafting.

It is essential to evaluate the power of each ability to maintain game balance, taking into account the implications across all aspects of the game.

The sum of stat modifiers for a class must also be less than or equal to +3, with the same rule as for Ancestries that converts unused points into free stat points.

The value of a stat modifier for a class must be between -2 and +3.

When creating a class, you have two options regarding its equipment:

• Create your own outfits specific to the class, a longer and more complex process that requires particular attention to maintain good balance.
• Use existing outfits from other classes, simplifying the design while maintaining consistency.

Each creature, just like player characters, is defined by six base stats, each having its particular influence on the game's mechanics.

The value of a stat must be between -4 and +6.

To help you assign stat points to your creatures, use the table below.

To determine the creature's Initiative (Init), Physical Defense (Phys Def), and Magical Defense (Mag Def) values, use the following formulas:

Init = 10 + DEX
Phys Def = 10 + (2 x CON) + Creature Level
Mag Def = 10 + (2 x WIS) + Creature Level

The creature's attack modifiers are essential for determining its ability to land its attacks. Use the following formulas to calculate these modifiers based on stats:

Melee Atk = STR + Creature Level
Ranged Atk = DEX + Creature Level
Mag Atk = INT + Creature Level

A creature's power indicator provides an indication of its strength and challenge level.

It is automatically determined by your choices in the creature's design and will help you evaluate the difficulty of a combat encounter with it.

Creatures may have resistances and/or weaknesses to certain damage types (Fire, Ice, Bludgeoning, etc.) that can be exploited during combat phases.

When a creature attacks an opponent by exploiting its weakness, it gains a +3 bonus added to its attack roll.
Conversely, when a creature attacks an opponent resistant to its attack type, it suffers a -3 penalty to its attack roll.

In the case of a critical success or the use of the Progressive Damage Bonus advanced rule, the damage bonus granted by the difference between the attack roll and the opponent's defense must take this bonus or penalty into account.

The creature's size can help you determine its combat behavior:

• Tiny to Medium: Tend to favor magical or ranged attacks.
• Medium to Large: Generally favor ranged or melee attacks.
• Huge to Titanic: Favor melee attacks.

To represent a creature on a combat grid, use the token diameter matching its size. The reference is the Medium size, which occupies a 1 inch (2.54 cm) diameter square.

Base HP are set between 1 and 30, and to simplify their assignment, they are categorized by creature type:

• Standard Creature: Between 1 and 14 Base HP;
• Boss or Mini-Boss: Between 15 and 30 Base HP.

Each of these categories is then subdivided by creature size, with a corresponding Base HP scale, allowing better adaptation of HP to the creature's nature.

To determine a creature's HP at a specific level, simply multiply the Base HP value by the desired level and then add its Constitution (CON) modifier.

Max HP = (Base HP x Level) + CON

For example, a Goblin with 4 Base HP (Standard, Small) and -2 CON.
Max HP at level 5 = (4 x 5) + (-2) = 18.
At level 5, the Goblin will therefore have 18 HP.

Now let's take a Dragon with 20 Base HP (Boss or Mini-Boss, Large) and +4 CON.
Max HP at level 5 = (20 x 5) + 4 = 104.
At level 5, the Dragon will therefore have 104 HP.

The Base Ratio is defined according to the creature's size and power indicator.

A Mini-Boss (DM) creature, which deals boss-level damage but keeps standard creature HP, uses the Standard Creatures column. The Adversity Ratio reflects how much punishment the creature can take from the party, not how hard it hits.

The Base Ratio can be adjusted based on the sum of the creature's base stats.

If a group of PCs faces a Medium-sized Boss, the base ratio would be 2/1 (2 PCs for 1 creature).
However, since the sum of its base stats is 12, the ratio is adjusted to 3/1 (3 PCs for 1 creature), making the combat more balanced.

When a creature has an Adversity Ratio (AR) of 2/1 or higher, it is recommended that this creature have special abilities to attack or control multiple adversaries simultaneously.

The higher the Adversity Ratio (AR), the more significant the area effect should be.

For example, a Dragon (AR 3/1) should have a Fire Breath ability capable of targeting 3 characters facing it.

However, make sure to balance these powers with clear usage limitations or exploitable weak points, thus preserving the encounter's balance.

Frost Aura | C - MA - 5m: The creature emits a glacial aura that halves the speed of opponents in range during their next action turn and deals 1d4 cold damage at the start of the creature's turn to those who fail a Constitution (CON) check of difficulty 12. This effect persists for 2 turns.
Limitation: 3 / Encounter

Each creature can have up to 4 abilities maximum. Abilities can have various effects, such as increased damage, resistance to certain attacks, or even unique special skills.

The abilities defined for a creature are all usable from level 1 and can offer specific upgrades at certain level thresholds.

Since creatures do not have Magic Points (MP), you may need to limit the number of uses of magical abilities per combat.

When defining a simple attack, it is essential to choose the attack type, which will determine not only the attack bonus based on a specific stat but also the type of die used for damage.

The creature's level must also be added to the attack roll.

Calculated Stats

Base Roll and Damage

Attacks

Calculated Stats

Base Roll and Damage

Attacks

Calibration allows you to adjust the difficulty of an encounter and is calculated using Adversity Ratios (AR). To do this, calculate the difference between the sum of the ARs of the creatures present and the number of player characters.

As a reminder, a creature's adversity ratio gives an indication of the number of creatures it is recommended to pit against one or more player characters.

Calibration = (Sum of creature ARs) - Number of PCs

Here is a table that allows you to evaluate the challenge level of an encounter based on the calibration value:

ARs are generally added as fractions. Using multiple tiny creatures (AR 1/3) or small creatures (AR 1/2) will allow you to adjust and simplify this calculation.

When the calibration lands on an in-between value, always round toward the lower challenge level. A calibration of -0.5 is therefore considered manageable (-1) rather than demanding (0).

For example, let's take an encounter involving 1 Dragon (AR 3/1) accompanied by its 2 Baby Dragons (AR 1/2).
Sum AR = 3/1 (dragon) + 2 x 1/2 (babies) = 3 + 1 = 4.

Assuming the encounter involves 4 PCs, here is the calibration value.
Calibration = 4 (sum of AR) - 4 (PCs) = 0.

The encounter will therefore be demanding for 4 PCs.
Remove the 2 Baby Dragons or keep only one, and the encounter will become manageable without too much difficulty.

The number of opponents present in a combat greatly influences the outcome of encounters as well as their duration. It is therefore essential to find a balance so that each session is dynamic and engaging for the players.

It is recommended that the maximum number of creatures does not stray too far from the number of player characters (PCs).

Number of Creatures ≤ Number of PCs + 1

This promotes a balanced game dynamic without any player feeling overwhelmed.

To simplify encounter organization, it is common to calibrate the creature level to match the average (or majority) level of the player characters (PCs). This ensures consistency and an overall balance of challenge.

However, it is possible to modulate encounter difficulty by slightly adjusting the level of one or more creatures. This approach creates a dynamic where certain creatures may seem more threatening.

Creature Level = Average PC Level ± 1

For more personalized encounters, you could align each creature's level as closely as possible with that of the different PCs while taking into account the Adversity Ratio (AR). This method ensures that each player has a directly comparable opponent in terms of power, which is particularly relevant in the case of teams with disparate levels.

For example, for a team composed of characters at levels 3, 5, 5, and 7, we can propose this distribution:

• The level 3 player faces a level 3 creature with an AR of 1/1.
• The two level 5 players fight a robust level 5 creature with an AR of 2/1.
• And the level 7 player, a level 7 creature with an AR of 1/1.

Note that the printable creature sheets in the community bestiary offer a summary table of stats, allowing you to easily manage multiple identical creatures at different levels.

Let's revisit the different types of rewards and their uses, which will help you better understand their purposes and implications.

Let's now look at some guidelines and tips that will help you more easily determine the rewards to award your players.

When the rewards for your scenario are set, adjust the amounts of Experience Points (XP) and Ability Points (AP) to offer various rewards depending on the methods used by the players to resolve quests or missions.

It is advisable to maintain an overall equivalence between the XP and AP distributed, regardless of the path chosen by the players.

Let's take the example of a scenario featuring a final combat against a mini-boss, rewarding each player character (PC) with 2 XP and 2 AP. If the players opt to capture the villain alive, you could adjust the rewards to 3 XP and 1 AP, thus valuing a more strategic or diplomatic approach.

Regarding monetary rewards, you have the flexibility to distribute them either at the end of the scenario or each session, or progressively as combats and quests are resolved.

It is recommended to distribute monetary rewards regularly to allow players to cover at minimum their adventure expenses.

When multiple abilities, elixirs, or poisons affect the same attribute of a target, only the effect of the last application is taken into account.

Therefore, if a new effect is applied to an already affected target, this effect cancels and replaces any previous effect of the same type, thus ensuring that similar effects do not stack.

For example, if two different abilities attempt to reduce the physical defense (Phys Def) of an opponent, only the penalty from the most recent ability will be considered.

Effect durations are also adjusted only based on the last application, without accumulation of previous durations.

The player (PC) or the Game Master (GM) who activates a lasting effect must track and apply it each turn:

• The PC must remember the positive effects they benefit from and the negative effects they have applied to their opponents.
• The GM must remember the positive effects their creatures benefit from and the negative effects they have applied to the PCs.

If the PC or GM forgets to reapply the effect on a given turn, that turn is simply lost, and the effect's duration continues to decrease normally.

Here is how the impact of sleep deprivation and lack of food is determined.

It is important to note that these penalties are cumulative.

A character going two days without sleeping and without eating suffers a total penalty of -4 to all test rolls (-2 for sleep deprivation and -2 for hunger and thirst).

Fall damage amounts to 1d6 for every 2-meter increment, but only applies from a height of 2 meters.

For example, if a character falls from a height of 7 meters, they suffer 3d6 damage.

Between 10 and 12 meters, the character's HP drops to zero and they are unconscious. They do not suffer HP deterioration but must still be saved by their companions. Beyond 12 meters, the character dies.

The cost of the roll bonus depends on the value of the bonus that the weapon grants to the attack roll. This cost is calculated by multiplying the bonus value by 20.

The weapon's roll bonus value must be between -3 (penalty) and +3.

If this bonus is negative (penalty), the cost becomes a discount.

Roll Bonus Cost = Roll bonus x 20

For example, a sword granting a +3 bonus to its attack roll using strength (STR+3) will cost 60 NX (3 x 20). We still need to determine the cost of its damage and its potential special effect.

If another sword gives a -1 penalty to its attack roll, it will receive a 20 NX reduction on its final price.

Equipment is generally used in the off-hand and does not have an attack but can grant various bonuses such as defense bonuses (Phys Def or Mag Def) or attack bonuses (Melee Atk/Ranged Atk/Mag Atk).

The value of an equipment bonus must be between -3 (penalty) and +3. If this bonus is negative (penalty), the cost becomes a discount.

Bonus Cost = Bonus Value x 20

For example, a grimoire granting +2 to Mag Atk would cost 40 NX (2 x 20).

Some equipment may have other effects, such as Magic Points (MP) regeneration at the cost of a free action (F). This particular effect is then considered a special effect and not an equipment bonus.

The damage cost is defined by adding two elements:

• The number of dice rolled multiplied by the die value;
• The damage bonus multiplied by 20.

The number of damage dice must not exceed 3 (4 for two-handed weapons). The damage bonus value must be between -5 and +5. If this bonus is negative (penalty), the damage bonus cost consequently becomes a reduction.

Here is a table listing each die and their associated value:

Damage Cost = (Number of dice x Die Value) + (Damage Bonus Value x 20)

Each weapon or piece of equipment can have a special effect that may vary in power and utility.

For example, equipment offering other types of bonuses such as Magic Points (MP) Regeneration in exchange for a simple attack (A) are considered special effects.

A flaming sword adding 1d4 Fire damage in addition to its normal damage is also a special effect.

A weapon or piece of equipment can only have one special effect.

The value assigned to a special effect is left to the GM's discretion, based on the relevance and power of the effect.
This value can be negative if the special effect acts as a penalty or constraint (for example, to offset high damage).

Special Effect Value = At the GM's discretion

The total cost of a weapon or piece of equipment is obtained by summing all the parameters we just covered.

In the case of a weapon:

Total = Roll Bonus Cost + Damage Cost + Special Effect Value

Suppose you want to offer the following weapon for sale: Longsword STR+2 DM 1d8+2 (no special effect).

• Roll Bonus Cost (+2): 2 x 20 = 40 NX
• Damage Cost (1d8+2): (1 x 80) + (2 x 20) = 120 NX
• Special Effect Value: 0 NX (no special effect)

Total Cost = 40 + 120 + 0 = 160 NX

In the case of equipment:

Total = Equipment Bonus Cost + Special Effect Value

Suppose you want to offer the following equipment for sale: Arm Guard +2 Melee Atk.

• Bonus Cost (+2): 2 x 20 = 40 NX
• Special Effect Value: 0 NX (no special effect)

Total Cost = 40 + 0 = 40 NX

The resale price of a weapon or piece of equipment is set at 50% of its value rounded in the merchant's favor.

Increasing a weapon's precision translates to a better attack roll bonus.

Each additional point added to the roll bonus costs 20 NX. The maximum value of the weapon's roll bonus is +3 and its minimum value is -3. We will see a bit later that this value decreases when you increase the number of damage dice.

Roll Upgrade = Number of additional Bonus Points x 20

For example, if you upgrade a roll bonus from +1 to +3, it will cost 40 NX (20 x 2).

Equipment is used in the off-hand and does not allow attacking, but it grants a bonus that can be upgraded.

Adding +1 to your equipment's Defense (Def) or Attack (Atk) costs 20 NX. The maximum value of an equipment bonus is +3 and its minimum value is -3.

Bonus Upgrade = Number of additional Bonus Points x 20

It is however not possible to add new bonuses to your equipment; you can only upgrade existing bonuses.

For example, if a shield only has a +2 Phys Def bonus, it is not possible to upgrade the shield by adding +1 Mag Def.

If you wish to add another type of bonus to equipment, consider this other bonus as a Special Effect.

To make a weapon more deadly, it is possible to upgrade its damage. However, there are some rules to follow.

Weapons and equipment can be upgraded with special effects. You have the option of adding a new effect to a weapon or piece of equipment that does not have one or modifying an existing effect.

It is important to emphasize that adding or modifying special effects should remain exceptional, often requiring the collection of rare components. The Game Master (GM) is free to determine these components as well as the cost associated with these operations.

In the case of a negative special effect on a weapon or piece of equipment, the player will need to pay to remove this effect before being able to replace it with another. The cost of this removal is also determined by the GM.

Each time a character wishes to negotiate a price, a Charisma (CHA) test is performed. This test determines whether the PC manages to reduce the price of an item when buying or increase its value when selling.

The Game Master (GM) sets the test difficulty based on several factors, such as the relationship between the character and the merchant, the rarity of the item, and the group's reputation in the region.

This test is unique for each item or service and can only be attempted once per item. The resale price of an item is set at 50% (half) of its value.

If the Charisma test is successful, the PC benefits from a price reduction or an increase, depending on whether it is a purchase or a sale.

To simplify the calculation, a 25% reduction (one quarter) of the base price is granted on a successful purchase, and a 25% increase is applied for sales. Results are systematically rounded in the merchant's favor.

In the case of a critical success, the reduction or increase is doubled. Thus, a PC who succeeds on a critical purchase test will see the item's price reduced by half, and on resale, they can obtain up to 100% of its initial purchase value.

Purchase:

Reduced price = Purchase price - (Purchase price x 25%) i.e. Purchase price x 0.75
Critical reduced price = Purchase price ÷ 2

Resale:

Resale price = Purchase price x 50% of its value

Increased price = Resale price + (Resale price x 25%) i.e. Resale price x 1.25
Critical increased price = Purchase price without loss

If the negotiation test fails, no reduction or increase in price can be applied. The character must accept the merchant's standard price, and the transaction will conclude without any further negotiation possible for that item.

Conversely, a critical failure ends not only the current negotiation, but also any future negotiation attempt with that merchant for the rest of the day.

Imagine a PC wants to buy a weapon worth 200 NX. The GM sets the Charisma test difficulty at 14, taking into account the group's reputation and the PC's relationship with the merchant.

• Scenario 1: The PC passes the test with a score of 16. They therefore get a 25% discount on the purchase. The weapon's price is thus reduced from 200 NX to 150 NX (rounded in the merchant's favor).
• Scenario 2: The PC rolls a natural 20 on the test. They succeed with a critical negotiation, and the price is reduced by 50%. The player can therefore buy the weapon for 100 NX.
• Scenario 3: The PC fails the test with a score of 11, below the difficulty set by the GM. The negotiation fails, and the weapon must be purchased at 200 NX without any discount.
• Scenario 4: The PC rolls a natural 1, which constitutes a critical failure. Not only does the price stay at 200 NX, but the merchant refuses any further negotiation attempt for the day.