a game of martial mastery and high

energy action

BETA Document 1.8

GAME TERMS: What it all means
Dice Mechanics
Dice Pool: The amount of dice you roll when making a Skill
Check or Damage Roll.
Roll Modifier: The total value of static numbers that are
added to the rolled result of your dice pool.
Skill Check: The most common type of roll that is used in
WBS. Used for determining success or failure when using
skills. This includes attacking and defending.
Attack Check: A specific type of Skill Check used in
combat. It is used to determine the success or failure of an
attack. Unless stated otherwise, an Attack Check uses
Finesse.
Defense Check: A specific type of Skill Check used in
combat. It is used as an Opposed Check to determine the
difficulty of an Attack Check.
Damage Roll: The second most common type of roll used
in WBS. It is used to determine the damage a character or
object would take after successfully being hit by an Attack
Check. A Damage Roll Dice Pool contains 1 die, plus 1/4
ranks in the skills used for the Skill Check. Damage Rolls
will use different sizes of dice depending on the Attack Check
leading up to it. These can vary from D3 to D12.
Explode Range: By default, the Explode Range of a die is
equal to the highest face value. Some effects in the game may
alter this value.
Explode: When making a Skill Check, any die that rolls in
its Explode Range will Explode. When you Explode, you roll
another die of the same size. The new die may also Explode.
Implode: When making a Skill Check, if any die comes up
as a 1 it is removed before totalling the result.
Passive Score: The total combined value of an Attribute
and two Skills being used.
Reactive Check: A normal Skill Check, Typically rolling
1D6 with a modifier equal to the Passive Score - 4.
Active Check: A Skill Check that is more swingy but has
the chance to be more rewarding. Remove 4 from your
Passive Score to add 1D6 to the Dice Pool. This may be
repeated provided 4 or more remains for Passive Score.
D(X): A size of Die with X sides.
Character Building
Character Points: Points used by a character to improve
their capabilities. Spent on Attributes, Skills and Techniques.
Gained by overcoming challenges.
Base Value (BV): The value for an Attribute or Sub Skill
that is purchased with Character Points.
Active Value (AV): The value for an Attribute or Sub Skill
after applying all modifiers.
Expanded Value (EV): The value that determines the AV
for Physical Attributes. Equal to (Current Vigour/40)
Core Skill: A basic category of related skills.
Sub Skill: A specific skill used during Skill Checks.
Vigour: Physical Energy consumed when using Physical
Attributes.
Chi: Spiritual Energy consumed when using Chi Attacks
and Special Techniques.
Combat
Active Character: Character(s) with the highest Reflexes.
Given focus while they determine their next action.
Reflexes: Determines the Active Character and the amount
of actions you can take during combat.
Round: A point of time over about 4 seconds, used to keep
scale in combat.
Phase: A smaller amount of time in a Round, broken down
into groups of 4.
Tick: Any single moment in a Phase.
Resolution Time: The amount of Ticks that must pass
before an action resolves.
Effect Die: A special die rolled as part of a Damage Roll
that automatically applies Critical Damage.
Critical Damage: An Exploded Damage Die is rerolled to
cause Penetrate, Stagger or Knockback.
Weapons and Armour
Soak: Lowers the effectiveness of Penetrate
Damage Reduction (DR): Lowers incoming damage.
Weapon Type: Determines the base properties of a
weapon.
Damage Type: Determines the Effect die of a weapon.
Damage: Determines the final size of the Damage dice.
Range: Determines the range that the weapon is capable
of damaging in.
Speed: Determines the travel speed of a projectile per tick.
WHERE AM I PLAYING?: An intro to
the world
Weapons of Body and Soul (WBS) is focused on Martial Arts
in a Xianxia style setting. This is similar to Shonen manga
such as “Dragonball” and “Yu Yu Hakusho”, or movies like
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Journey to the West”.
Primarily, characters will find themselves wandering
plains, mountains and forests. Encountering villages that
need help, beasts hungry for a meal, a villain on his way to
power, or perhaps even a demon with nefarious plans.
While the setting is mostly based in what you would find in
old Asian fables, that is not the only setting possible. If the
players desire, WBS may take place in a modern setting, or
even a futuristic setting.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PLAY?:
Accessories
To play WBS, you need a few things:
This rule book
A character sheet to keep track of your character
A number of polyhedral gaming dice ranging from D3-
D12. It is recommended to have 5D6 available for each
player, and 5 of each other size for the group.
Having a gaming mat and miniatures will also assist in
playing the game.
WHAT IS THIS AND WHY
WOULD I PLAY IT?: An
intro to the game
WBS is a combat focused Roleplaying Game designed for
players with at least an intermediate level of experience. If
you have not had much experience with RPGs you may have
difficulty understanding some mechanics in this game. If you
have played other RPGs, you may find this to be different
from what you normally expect.
The focus of the game is on being a Martial Artist in a land
of mythology, where demons and beasts roam and humans
can manifest the energy of their spirit to defend themselves
and to achieve great physical prowess. While the primary
focus of the game is on combat, the end goal is not about
gaining loot. It is about mastering your skills and learning to
overcome challenges, becoming greater than you were and
achieving your goals.
Even though it is a combat focused game, you are not
required to play a fighter. There are rules that allow you to
play other kinds of characters. This includes Social types like
a diplomat, or a Skill Specialist such as an engineer, an
inventor, or a smith.
WBS emphasises three main design goals:
Realism and Accuracy By doing things such as
separating attacks into separate skills and using the WBS
initiative system, we were able to accurately represent the
precision and timing required in real life combat during
gameplay. This adds a level of tactics to combat, making
you decide when it is the opportune time to use the
various attacks and actions, as well as how much you
should exert yourself.
Skill focused By using the skill system in the way we
have, we were able to make skills become more important
than naturally high attributes of a character. Even the
weakest man, with the right training, is capable of felling
the strongest opponent, or overcoming the greatest
obstacles.
Tactics By using mechanics for things like resource
management of energy, action speed in battle, and
variation between types of attacks, combat is made to be
more tactical than some other games.
WHAT ARE THE BASICS?: Resolving
The core resolution mechanic of WBS uses a Dice Pool. The
size of the Dice Pool is determined by the amount of ranks
you have in the relevant skills. The dice are then rolled,
adding your Roll Modifier to the rolled result. This is your
Final Result.
Whenever a situation comes up that has a chance of
failure, players will need to roll some dice. This roll is
referred to as a Skill Check, and will determine success or
failure. To determine if your Skill Check was a success or
failure, the Final Result is compared to a difficulty number.
The difficulty number is either:
A static number determined by the GM, based on the
intended level of difficulty.
A variable number determined by an opposed roll. An
opposed roll is an opponent rolling their own Skill Check
WHO AM I?: Concepts
In WBS, every Player has a character. An avatar that
represents themself in the world. When creating your
character, the first thing you do is decide on a concept. This
will be used as a guideline for determining where to spend
character points.
The character concept will contain information such as:
Motivation Your character’s reason to adventure, train,
and explore. Why do they do the things that they do?
Beliefs Your character has beliefs in various things.
Superstitions, moral codes, religion, and diet are
examples of beliefs.
Traits Every character has traits. These are usually flaws,
or aspects that make them stand out and are memorable
when being discussed. These may be as specific as “Fear
of snakes” or as vague as “Eats a lot”. While traits do not
have any mechanical impact, they will still make an impact
on how your character plays. A flawless character is a
boring character.
Example Trait: Akuchi (Impure Blooded): An Akuchi is a
human with very diluted demon blood. This is strong
enough to alter their physical features (Big ears, red eyed,
web toes, etc), but too weak to give any specific powers
and benefits that a direct descendant might possess.
History Your character had events happen to them prior
to the start of this adventure. Who was their family?
Where did they work? How were they raised? What
significant events lead to where your character is now?
Trinkets Your character has something in their pocket.
What do they always want to carry on their person? What
do they normally carry but may have forgotten? What are
things that don’t really do anything, but they will never
leave home without?
Average humans have a starting point value of ~150
(depending on age and training). Player characters are
suggested to have a starting point value of 200-250.
BASE/ACTIVE/EXPANDED VALUES
Your Attributes all have a Base Value (BV). The BV is your
Attribute's Value written on your character sheet that you have
purchased via character points. When referring to the BV of an
Attribute, the name of the Attribute will be written in full.
Physical Primary Attributes and Secondary Attributes have an
Active Value (AV). The AV is a temporary change to your
attributes or capabilities. When referring to the AV of an
Attribute, it will be written in shorthand. The shorthand can be
found written in parentheses next to the Attribute listed.
Physical Primary Attributes also have an Expanded Value (EV).
The EV is equal to (Current Vigour/40). When using a Physical
Attribute, the AV you may use is determined based off
whether the EV is higher or lower than the BV.
If EV is higher, you may use an AV up to EV but not lower
than half way between the BV and EV.
If EV is lower, you may use an AV anywhere between EV
and BV.
When determining the Vigour cost of using Physical
Attributes, use the following formula: (AV*10) - (BV*5). This is
written in more detail in the Chapter (Energy Use).
WHAT AM I?: Character Creation
Once you have determined your character's concept and
flavour, you then spend character points to determine the
mechanical side of your character's capabilities.
Your characters capabilities are primarily made up of 3
components. Attributes, Skills, and Techniques. Each
component is broken down into smaller sections as detailed
below.
Primary Attributes
are the core of your character's untrained capabilities. Your
character has 8 Primary Attributes. These are divided into 4
physical and 4 mental.
Physical: Strength (STR), Constitution (CON), Finesse
(FIN), Speed (SPD).
Mental: Intellect, Willpower, Wits, Perception.
Starting Value: All Primary Attributes start at a BV of 1.
Point Cost: Increasing a Primary Attribute costs character
points equal to current BV + 3.
BV Max: A Primary BV may not be higher than a value
established by the Play Tier determined by the GM.
Secondary Attributes
are specific uses of your character's untrained capabilities.
Your character has 4 Secondary Attributes.
Health (HLTH) [Strength+Willpower]
Stamina (STAM) [Constitution+Willpower]
Reflexes (REF) [Wits+(SPD/2)+2]
Move (MOV) [Odd SPD]
Starting Value: All Secondary Attributes start at a BV of 0.
Point Cost: Increasing a Secondary Attribute costs
character points equal to current BV + 1.
BV Max: A Secondary BV may not be increased higher
than the sum BV of the Primary Attributes it connects to.
Energy Attributes
are your characters energy reserves, usually used to enhance
your natural capabilities. Your character has 2 Energy
Attributes. These do not have a BV or AV.
Vigour: A reserve of physical energy which may be used to
enhance your physical capabilities.
Chi: Spiritual energy which may be used and manifested
into potentially devastating attacks, or as a barrier.
Core Skills
are categories of related trainable talents and capabilities.
Your character has 20 Core Skills. Core Skills can only be
increased by purchasing ranks in Sub Skills.
Combat: Weapon Types (Arm/Leg/Melee/Ranged), Strike
Types, Maneuvers, Defenses
Physical: Athletics, Stealth, Senses
Energy: Vigour Manipulation, Chi Manipulation
Social: Talking, Etiquette
Mental: Chemistry, Craftsmanship, Academic, Biology,
Supernatural, Martial Knowledge
Starting Value: All skills start at a BV of 0.
Point Cost: Core Skills can not be purchased with Points.
Everytime the Sub Skills gain combined ranks equal to the
amount of Sub Skills, the Core Skill gains one rank.
Sub Skills
are specific trainable talents and capabilities. Your character
has access to a number of Sub Skills. These are improved by
purchasing ranks in the individual Sub Skills. Each rank
increases the Sub Skills BV by 1.
Starting Value: All skills start at a BV of 0.
Point Cost: Purchasing a Sub Skill Rank costs character
points equal to Current BV + 3.
BV Max: A Sub Skill BV may not be higher than a value
established by the Play Tier determined by the GM.
Sparks and Awakening
One aspect that sets the characters of legend (that includes
player characters) apart from the regular people of the world
is the concept of an Awakened Spark. Every being in
existence has a Spark with potential to be awoken, but very
few manage to achieve this higher state.
An Awoken Spark allows characters to manifest their energy,
allowing them to achieve great feats such as leaping
buildings, outrunning a wolf, or even propelling kinetic force
over vast distances.
What causes a Spark to Awaken is a mystery, however they
are known to come out under times of stress or when a
character is pushed to their limit through training.
When a Spark Awakens, a character is given a Spark type
from the list below. The one chosen usually has a connection
to the kind of person they are, or what caused it to Awaken.
Shaper Spark
Vigour: 20*(Ranks in Vigour Manipulation Skills + Physical
Primary Attributes)
Recovery: Vigour recovers by taking Exhaustion or spending
Stamina
Chi: 10*(Ranks in Chi Manipulation Sub Skills + Willpower)
Recovery: Chi recovers by sleeping at a rate of 25% per 2
hours
Eternal Spark
Vigour: As Shaper Spark
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Chi: 5*(Ranks in Chi Manipulation Sub Skills + Willpower)
Recovery: Chi recovers as Vigour
Warrior Spark
Vigour: As Shaper Spark
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Chi: As Eternal Spark
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Bonus: Chi may be spent in place of Vigour
Mage Spark
Vigour: 10*(Ranks in Vigour Manipulation Skills + Physical
Primary Attributes)
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Chi: 20*(Ranks in Chi Manipulation Sub Skills + Willpower)
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Hunter Spark
Vigour: As Shaper Spark
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
Bonus: Vigour costs are halved. Attributes may not be used
above BV, Attributes above BV are used to pay for
encumbrance.
Chi: As Eternal Spark
Recovery: As Shaper Spark
A Spark determines how much Vigour and Chi a character
has, as well as sometimes providing extra effects.
An Unawakened character (that is, most people you meet)
can not use Chi without specific training, and have Vigour
equal to that of a Mage Spark.
ATTRIBUTES
The average human has a Base Value between 2 and 3 in
their Primary Attributes. An Attribute may not equal a value
less than 0. Each attribute has various basic functions.
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list. The Attribute
applied to a Skill Check will change depending on how the
challenge is approached.
PHYSICAL
Strength: A measure of your character’s physical might.
Functions: Applying brute force. Your maximum Lifting
Capacity. Combat.
Secondary Attributes: Health.
Lifting Capacity: The most your character can lift
deadweight with two hands is 25KG, with an additional
25KG for each point in STR. Halve this value if using one
hand.
Constitution: A measure of your character’s physical
resistance to outside influences, such as disease, fatigue, and
damage.
Functions: Fitness. Physical resistance. Damage
Reduction.
Secondary Attributes: Stamina.
Damage Reduction: The default Damage Reduction of a
character is 1 per point in CON.
Finesse: A measure of your character’s nimbleness,
mobility and precision.
Functions: Sleight of hand. Stealth. Acrobatics. Combat.
Speed: A measure of your character’s movement and
reaction time.
Functions: Dodge. Running.
Secondary Attributes: Reflexes. Move.
MENTAL
Intellect: Represents your character’s ability to comprehend
situations and retain information.
Functions: Extended knowledge checks. Ability to
memorise. Learning over a period of time, such as learning
from books.
Willpower: Represents your character’s force of will and
ability to resist mental manipulation. Mental Constitution.
Functions: Opposed mental checks. Mental resistance.
Social checks that involve enforcing your will.
Secondary Attributes: Stamina. Health.
Wits: Represents your character’s ability to discern facts
and features in a short amount of time. Application of
knowledge.
Functions: Reactionary Knowledge checks. Common
sense. Learning over a short period of time, such as watching
a fight.
Secondary Attributes: Reflex.
Perception: Represents your character’s capacity to
perceive things using the senses.
Functions: Seeing. Touching. Hearing. Smelling. Tasting.
Energy sense.
SECONDARY
Health: A value representing the total damage your character
can take before going unconscious. Uses Strength +
Willpower.
Stamina: A consumable resource representing your
character’s ability to stay conscious and remain active under
stress. Uses Constitution + Willpower.
Reflexes: Acts as your character’s initiative in a round. Your
Reflexes determines when you act as well as how often you
can act in a round. Uses Wits + (1/2 SPD)+2.
Speed: Determines how many meters your character can
move on foot per Movement action. This has a value of 1 plus
1 for every 2 you have in SPD above 1 (3,5,7 etc).
ENERGY
Vigour: A pool of physical energy that is expended when
using Physical Attributes and certain Special Techniques.
Vigour also affects the AV of Physical Attributes.
Chi: A pool of spiritual energy that fuels Special
Techniques. With training, it may be manifested externally.
The amount of Vigour and Chi you have is determined by
your Spark (listed on the previous page).
WHAT CAN I DO?: Skills
Skills come under one of two categories: Core Skills or Sub
Skills.
CORE SKILLS
A Core Skill is a category for related Sub Skills. Each Core
Skill has a group of Sub Skills listed underneath it. Core
Skills do not have ranks added directly. A Core Skill instead
gains 1 rank for every N ranks in total its Sub Skills have. N
is equal to how many Sub Skills a Core Skill has. Ranks in
Core Skills are added to the ranks of the Sub Skills when
determining the size of the Dice Pool used in a Skill Check.
However if a Skill Check uses two Sub Skills from the same
Core Skill, the ranks are only added once.
SUB SKILLS
A Sub Skill is a specific skill found amongst a group of
related skills listed under the Core Skill. Sub Skills are
increased by purchasing ranks with character points. Ranks
in Sub Skills are used to determine the Passive Score of a
Skill Check. Sub Skills have a maximum amount of Ranks
determined by the Play Tier the game is using.
ENERGY MANIPULATION SKILLS
Energy Manipulation skills are a special type of Sub Skill.
When purchasing ranks in Energy Manipulation skills, they
have additional effects on top of just increasing a Passive
Score. For each rank you purchase in Energy Manipulation
skills, they will also affect your options when using Vigour or
Chi.
SKILL LIST
COMBAT
CORE SKILL SUB SKILLS
WEAPON TYPES (ARM) Closed, Open, Fingers
WEAPON TYPES (LEG) Heel, Foot, Shin
WEAPON TYPES (MELEE) Short, Medium, Long
WEAPON TYPES (RANGED) Thrown, Assisted, Unassisted
STRIKE TYPES Quick, Standard, Strong
MANEUVERS Trip, Grapple, Disarm, Tackle, Link
DEFENSES Dodge, Block, Parry

PHYSICAL
CORE SKILL SUB SKILLS
ATHLETICS Acrobatics, Balance, Endurance, Run, Climb
STEALTH Hide, Sleight of Hand, Sneak, Quiet, Misdirection
SENSES Listen, Sight, Scent, Taste, Touch

MENTAL
CORE SKILL SUB SKILLS
CHEMISTRY Alchemy, Herbal Lore, Medicine, Elemental Lore, Explosives
CRAFTSMANSHIP Artistry, Armoury, Tinkering, Building, Mechanical
ACADEMIC Mathematics, Literacy, Linguistics, History, Antiquities
BIOLOGY Reptile, Mammal, Fish, Bird, Insect
SUPERNATURAL Vigour, Chi, Magic, Spirits, Demons
MARTIAL KNOWLEDGE Stances, Techniques, Physical Analysis, Tactics, Focus

SOCIAL
CORE SKILL SUB SKILLS
TALKING Diplomacy, Negotiation, Bluff, Intimidate, Charm
ETIQUETTE Social, Political, Professional, Hierarchy, Religious

ENERGY
CORE SKILL SUB SKILLS
VIG. MANIPULATION Efficiency (Physical Attribute), Bonus Vigour, Amplify, Dampen, Control, Harden, Durability
CHI MANIPULATION Efficiency, Bonus Chi, Amplify, Dampen, Control, Damage, Shaping, Halt, Burst, Barrier
 WEAPONS
WHERE ARE MY ITEMS? Weapons come in one of two categories. Melee and
WBS takes a more freeform approach to item management Ranged.
as well as Weapons and Armour. Melee Weapons have three properties to take note of.
There is no set list of items to pick from. Instead it is up to Reach: When creating a Melee Weapon, you determine it
the GM to determine whether or not specific items exist to be a Short, Medium, or Long weapon. This affects the
where you are, and what they would do. range on the weapon, as well as the damage modifier and
There is also no set currency in the game, as it is not really REF Cost.
about gaining loot. The GM may decide to introduce Money Damage Type: You determine the Damage Type of a
into the setting you are playing in, leave all purchases up to a Weapon from the list of Slash, Pierce, Crush, and Bash. This
barter system, or just decide whether your characters can get affects the Effect die the weapon has, and the value it is at.
something or not at the time. Slash and Pierce both automatically add a Penetrate Die to
It is assumed that PCs always have basic items on them the damage roll.
such as food, rope, and other standard adventuring gear. Bash and Crush instead add Stagger.
However if something would cause them to lose their items, If you are using Slash or Bash, the effect die size is equal to
such as being robbed, it is reasonable to say they no longer the damage die.
have these items on hand. If you are using Pierce or Crush, the effect die size is one
step higher than normal, and the normal damage die is one
SO NO WEAPONS OR ARMOUR? step lower. If you would add bonus Damage Dice, you do not
add bonus Effect Dice.
Weapons and armour exist in WBS, however there is no set ENC: Added to the ENC of Armour. Short Weapons have
list of them to choose from. Instead, there are options for ENC 1. Medium weapons have ENC 2. Long Weapons have
creating your own weapons and armour from chosen from a ENC 3.
list of mechanics to which you then apply the flavour you Ranged Weapons are more complex than Melee Weapons.
would like for the description of the item. You choose a Damage Type as with a Melee Weapon. The
ARMOUR next step is to determine the ENC of the weapon. Like a
Armour has three properties to take note of. Melee Weapon, ENC is added to the ENC of Armour. You
Damage Reduction (DR): This is added on top of any then choose the Weapon Type which determines a number of
other Damage Reduction your character has. This is usually other properties.
due to the Armour covering more of the body.
Soak: This acts as a form of Damage Reduction that only Weapon Type
applies against Penetrate. When an attack with Penetrate Move How many meters the projectile moves every 4
hits an armoured target, the Penetrate Value lowers Soak seconds (1 round)
before lowering Damage Reduction. Once all Soak is Range Total range the projectile can travel before
removed from the attack, any further Penetrate is applied becoming harmless.
against Damage Reduction. This is usually represented by Damage Modifier to the size of Damage Dice
the material of the Armour. RC Modifier to the Reflex Cost of the attack
Encumbrance (ENC): A detrimental property on Armour,
determined by combining DR + (1/2 Soak). Thrown:
Wearing Armour: When wearing Armour, lower the Move = STR X2 +ENC
Encumbrance by the wearers Strength. If the amount Range = MOVE X2
remaining is a positive number, lower the wearers Finesse Damage = +0
and Speed by this amount. This also lowers Total Vigour as RC = +1
well as all other calculations as appropriate. STR is always Assisted:
lowered by half the ENC. Move = 40 +2xENC
Creating Armour: When creating Armour, choose values Range = MOVE X4
for Damage Reduction and Soak. The GM may apply limits Damage = +1
on how high these values can be. After determining the RC = +2
values, add a description of your choosing to the Armour. Is it
metal plate armour? A big cloak? Or maybe just heavy Unassisted:
clothing. Move = 60 +2xENC
Range = Move X4
Damage = +2
RC = +2
RELOAD = 5 RC
NOTE: Assisted and Unassisted Ranged Weapons add
ENC to damage instead of STR.
 Implode: Any die that rolls a value of 1 removes itself from
HOW DO I PLAY? the pool. A die that rolls a 1 that gets removed does not
Implode.
SKILL CHECKS
The core resolution mechanic of WBS is done through Skill EXTENDED SKILL CHECKS
Checks. These cover most actions your character performs, Some Skill Checks such as studying, or crafting, may take a
from smithing, to sneaking. Even combat is done through long period of time to complete.
Skill Checks. When doing this, you make an Extended Skill Check.
Whenever a character attempts to achieve something that When making an Extended Skill Check, the GM writes up
has a chance of failure, or has a scale of success, then a Skill Clock.
characters attempt a Skill Check. SKILL CLOCKS: All aspects of a Skill Clock are
A Skill Check uses two Sub Skills and a single attribute. determined by the GM. A Skill Clock is made up of a number
Though in some circumstances a single Sub Skill applies, of segments. Every Skill Check takes up an amount of time
when this happens use two attributes instead. and is made against a spread of Target Numbers. Depending
The Sub Skills and Attributes used are determined by the on how long you want the task to take, and what happens on
GM and player. This should be based off the way a Skill is a failure, the GM determines how many segments are filled
being attempted. on a successful check.
Skill Checks can be one of three types. EXAMPLE:
Reactive Skill Check: A Reactive Skill Check is the most Segments - 6
common type of Skill Check. Time per check - 2 hours
When making a Reactive Skill Check, the GM determines 15+ = 2 Segments
the two Sub Skills appropriate based on how the action is 10-14 = 1 Segment
attempted. The ranks of the two Sub Skills are added 5-10 = 0 Segments
together, including the bonus ranks from the relevant Core 5- = -1 Segment
Skills. This, combined with the Attribute makes a Passive The task will take a minimum of 6 hours to complete.
Score.
If both Sub Skills come from the same Core Skill, the Core
Skill ranks are only added once.
A Reactive Check costs half the normal amount of Vigour. One segment completed after two hours work
Active Skill Check: An Active Skill Check is another type
of Skill Check. DETERMINING TARGET NUMBERS
When making an Active Skill Check, you can lower your Standard Check: When making most Skill Checks, the GM
Passive Score one or more times to add 1D6 to the Dice determines the Target Number based off the expected
Pool. Every time you do this, the Passive Score is lowered by Difficulty of the task. The general guideline breaks the Target
4. Numbers into Difficulty Ratings. Easy, Medium, Puzzling,
Passive Skill Check: A Passive Skill Check is the least Difficult, and Complex.
used type of Skill Check. Depending on the Play Tier you are at, the specific Target
When making a Passive Skill Check, no dice are rolled. Numbers for each Difficulty Rating will change. The general
The GM compares another characters Skill Check, or a rule of thumb is that a character should be competent at
Target Number, against an appropriate characters Passive passing most tasks of the Play Tier below them.
Score. The Passive Score counts as the Skill Check for this, Tier 1: Experienced
though no Vigour is spent when doing so. Easy = 2
This is usually used when Players or Characters may not be Medium = 6
aware they are being tested, such as when someone is trying Puzzling = 10
to bluff them, or a character is attempting to hide. Difficult = 14
Dice Pool: After totalling all the ranks from the Sub Skills Complex = 19
being used, add one die to your Dice Pool and then lower the Tier 2: Adept
Passive Score by 4. Repeat this as desired if you wish to Easy = 19
make an Active Check. Once the Dice Pool has been Medium = 25
determined, it is rolled and then the result is added to the Puzzling = 31
Roll Modifier. Difficult = 37
The Roll Modifier is the remaining Passive Score, plus Complex = 43
other circumstantial modifiers based on the conditions of the Tier 3: Elite
check. The result is then compared to the difficulty of the Easy = 43
check. Medium = 50
Explode Range: The value required to roll on a die to have Puzzling = 57
it Explode. By default it is equal to highest value. Difficult = 64
Explode: Any die in a Skill Check that rolls in the Explode Complex = 71
Range will Explode. If the Skill Check is not an Attack, then it Opposed Check: If a Skill Check is made against another
may only Intesify. target's Skill Check, then it becomes an Opposed Check. The
Intensify – A die that Explodes with Intensify adds another Target Number that must be beaten is the other target's Skill
die to the Dice Pool. The new die you roll may also Explode. Check result.
HOW DO I FIGHT?: Combat
The main way conflicts are resolved in WBS is through SEQUENCE OF A ROUND QUICK
combat. Here you will be walked through the steps that make GUIDE
up combat. 1) Declare Phase Count.
2) Determine REF.
ROUNDS AND REFLEXES 3) Split REF between Phases.
A round of combat takes place over 4 seconds of in game 4) Set Tick Value (TV) to highest REF.
time. You may take as long as needed in real time. A round is 5) Determine active characters by REF matching TV.
also divided into smaller sections of time called a “phase”,
detailed below. It is possible for a character to act multiple 6) Resolve actions of active characters.
times in a round depending on how they spend their REF. 7) Active characters declare new action and spend REF.
Initiative in combat is constantly in flux. As REF is spent at 8) Lower TV by 1.
different rates, your turn order may change frequently. 9) If TV is 0, then go to step 10. Otherwise repeat step 5.
The active character is the character with REF matching 10) Lower phase counter by 1.
the current Tick Value. If there is a tie, all tied characters 11) If phase counter is 0, repeat step 1. If not repeat step 4.
count as the active character and declare their action on the
same turn. Although the actions are declared one at a time,
they still take place at the same time. After declaring your
action, you spend REF. It is possible to spend more REF than
you have remaining. In this case, the remaining cost is spent
in the next round. Your action resolves when you are next the
active character. If the Cost of an action would be reduced
below 1, it still costs 1 but also becomes "Quick". A Quick
action resolves before other active characters at the same
Tick Value.
STARTING THE ROUND
At the start of the round, all characters declare the SPD they
will be using for the round. The Vigour for SPD is paid once
at the end of the round if you declared an Offensive Action.
The next step is to determine your REF for the round.
This is equal to (SPD/2)+Wits+Reflex+2. This should already
be noted in your Attributes.
The third step is to determine phases.
First the GM declares the Phase Count for the Combat,
this is how many Phases are in each Round. Phase count is a
value of 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, etc), usually use the slowest (or fastest)
character's REF score as a guideline. Every character then
divides their REF by the amount of phases. This final value
will be their REF per phase. Last, you set the Tick Value for
the phase to the highest REF in the phase.
NOTE: If your REF does not divide out to a whole number,
then stagger among each phase.

ATTRIBUTES DURING COMBAT

The vigour cost for all physical attributes except for CON are
only paid if you have declared an Offensive Action in the
round.
STR - Declared on use. Paid for after resolving a Skill or
Damage Check that uses STR.
FIN - Declared on each use. Paid for 1/round. May not be
declared as a lower number during round.
SPD - Declared at start of round. Paid for 1/round. May not
be changed during round.
CON - Declared when you first take damage. Paid for
1/round.

NOTE: Waiting, using a Skilled Defense, or channeling

Energy does not count as an Offensive Action.
COMBAT ACTIONS
On your turn in combat, you have multiple choices for actions
you can take.
The most common actions are
1) Movement
2) Attack
3) Defense
4) Energy Control
MOVEMENT
On your turn, you can choose to move a distance as an action.
For a REF Cost of 1, you can move a distance up to your
MOV. If you have not declared an action between moving and
using the Dodge Skilled Defense, you may add your MOV to
the Passive Score of your Dodge check.
On the Tick Value you declare the move action, you may
move up to half of your MOV. The rest of the movement is
used when the action would resolve.
If you move no more than half your remaining MOV at the
Tick Value it resolves, your next declared action gains Quick.
If you do not move at all when it would resolve, your next
declared action is reduced by 1 REF Cost instead.
ATTACK
On your turn, you can choose to attack as an action.
An attack is a Skill Check.
Skill 1 of the Skill Check is the “Weapon Type” (Hand, Leg,
Melee, Ranged). Skill 2 of the Skill Check is the “Strike Type”
(Quick, Standard, Strong).
Attack Declaration: When making an Attack, first you
declare the Weapon Type and Strike Type, then declare your
Facing. A Facing is 180° of coverage for an attack, usually
considered the characters peripheral vision. Any direction not
in an attacking character's Facing is considered "Behind".
Attack Resolution: When resolving an attack action,
choose any target in your Facing and in reach of the attack.
That target then declares what Defense Skill they will use.
If there is no desired target for the attack in range when
your attack would resolve, your attack swings at the air and
would generally miss. If there is another valid target where
you are attacking, you strike at the new target instead, even if
it is an ally.
If any die in an Attack Check Explodes, you may choose for
the die to Intensify or Carryover.
Unless stated otherwise, an Attack Check uses FIN.
Explode: When a die Explodes on an attack roll, you may
either:
1) Intensify – A die that Explodes with Intensify adds
another die to the Dice Pool. The new die you roll may also
Explode.
2) Carryover – A die that uses the Carryover option sets as
the rolled result. You add an extra die to the Damage Pool of
the attack equal to the Exploded Die Size.
Vigour Expenditure: At the end of a round, you spend
Vigour as appropriate for the AV used in the attack. This is
spent regardless of whether or not the attack was successful.
Chi Expenditure: If your attack was a Chi Special
Technique, you spend Chi after the resolution of the attack.
This is spent regardless of whether or not the Technique was
successful.
DEFENSE
After an attack has started to resolve but before the Attack
Roll is made, the target declares their defense. If they are
using a Skilled Defense, this costs REF. The Defense Check
is resolved immediately after the Attack Roll is made,
regardless of REF Cost.
The REF Cost of the Defense Action is deducted from REF
as normal, however the defense resolves immediately. If you
do not have sufficient REF remaining in the round, you can
not use a Skilled Defense.
After all active characters have resolved their actions, a
character that used a Skilled Defense may choose to halt
their declared action.
If they do, they are refunded the REF of their last declared
action, minus the cost of the Defense used.
NOTE: A character attacked from behind can only declare
a Basic Defense unless they can perceive the attack coming.
A successful Passive Listen+Scent+Perception check against
attackers SPD+Stealth allows for a Dodge Skilled Defense,
or another Skilled Defense if the Defender has movement
available and changes their facing.
DAMAGE
If your Attack Check is successful, you then roll for damage.
Damage Dice: There are two steps to determining the size
of the damage dice.
The Strike Type determines the base damage dice size.
The Weapon Type then modifies the dice size.
Damage Dicepool: After determining the size of your
damage dice, you determine the size of the Dice Pool.
This uses the same Skill Ranks as the attack roll. The Dice
Pool size is determined with a few minor rule changes.
You start with 1 die in your damage pool.
You gain +1 die for every 4 ranks.
You gain +1 die for every Die from the Attack Check using
Carryover. The die is the same size as the die used in the
Attack Check.
Damage Resolution: After determining your Damage Dice
Pool, roll it as you would for a Skill Check. Unless stated
otherwise, you use STR as the Attribute. The final result is
the damage you deal before your target calculates Damage
Reduction.
Vigour Expenditure: You spend Vigour at the end of the
round for each successful attack based off STR (Unless
another Attribute was used).
Explode: Damage dice Explode if they roll the highest
value on the die.
If any damage dice Explode, you may declare Stagger,
Knockback, or Penetrate.
Any damage dice that Explode may only use the Intensify
option. You may choose a different option for each die that
explodes.
The extra value rolled from Intensify is only used for
determining Stagger, Knockback or Penetrate.
STAGGER KNOCKBACK AND
PENETRATION
If your damage roll Explodes, you have a choice to either
stagger the target, knock them backwards, or penetrate their
Damage Reduction. No matter which option you choose, your
attack still does damage.
Knockback
Skill Check: Your target performs a Reactive Balance Check
adding STR and CON.
Resolution: Compare your Final Damage Roll, before
Damage Reduction, to the targets Balance Check.
If your result is 2 or more higher, the target moves back 1
meter for every 2 your result is above their check.
If your result is 1 higher or tied with, the target moves
back less than a meter. They are off balance until they are
next the Active Character.
If your result is lower, nothing extra happens.
Movement: An object that is knocked back has a Move
value equal to the attacker's STR. The target is treated as a
projectile from a ranged weapon.
Stagger
Skill Check: Your target performs a Reactive Endurance +
Durability Check using CON.
Resolution: Compare your Final Damage Roll, after
Damage Reduction is applied, to the targets Endurance Skill
Check.
If your result is higher, the target loses 2 Stamina. The
target also loses 1 REF for every 3 damage dealt, until the
end of Round.
If the result is tied, the target loses 1 Stamina. The target
also loses 1 REF for every 5 damage dealt, until the end of
Round.
If your result is lower, nothing extra happens.
Penetrate
If you choose the Penetrate option, the resolution is simple.
The extra value rolled from Intensify is used to lower the
targets Damage Reduction.
The targets Damage Reduction is lowered by 1 for every 1
rolled on the Intensify dice.
This can not reduce Damage Reduction of the target
below 0.
WEAPON BREAKAGE
When the penetration value + total damage rolled of an attack is
less than the Soak of the object struck, the weapon used takes
one stage of damage.
Cracked A cracked weapon drops another stage when
compared to the Soak OR Damage Reduction of the target
and is considered broken.
Broken A broken weapon no longer applies it’s bonus
Effect Die to damage rolls. A broken weapon that drops
another stage is Shattered.
Shattered A shattered weapon no longer functions.
DEFENSE
If you are targeted by an attack, you can choose to use a
Skilled Defense Maneuver or a Basic Defense Maneuver.
Your options for a Skilled Defense Maneuver are Dodge,
Block, and Parry.
Using a Defense Maneuver happens immediately after the
attacker’s Attack Check resolves. Any dice that Explode on a
Defene Manuever Skill Check may only use the Intensify
option.
RECEIVING DAMAGE
If you get hit, you receive damage. The damage you receive is
determined by the attack used.
After damage is calculated, you lower the amount by your
Damage Reduction value.
The remaining Value is subtracted from your HLTH.
Damage Reduction: Each character has a Damage
Reduction value. This is equal to your CON. The Vigour cost
for CON is only paid once per round, when you first take
damage.
Your damage reduction can be increased further through
use of the Block maneuver, the Energy Manipulation skills
Barrier and Harden, wearing Armour, spending Stamina, or
using Special Techniques.
ORDER OF RESOLUTION
At the start of each Tick Value, all Active Characters have
their previously declared action resolve. If multiple actions
are resolving at the same time, they are resolved in this
order:
Energy Recharging – Any character that is replenishing
remaining Vigour or Chi.
Energy Channeling – Any character that is gathering
Vigour or Chi for special techniques.
Movement – Any character that is finishing their
movement.
Attacks – Any character that is concluding their attack.
If a character is making a Skill Check, then the GM must
decide where it fits in the resolution order, depending on
what the action is.
EXCESS REFLEX COST
Sometimes you will declare an action that costs more REF
than you have remaining for the round. When this happens,
you subtract the excess REF from your total REF for the next
round, prior to determining phases.
COMBAT SKILLS DEFENSE SKILLS
SUB SKILL
OFFENSIVE SKILLS SKILL CHECK ATTRIBUTE REFLEX RESOLUTION EXTRAS
CORE DAMAGE Basic Reactive SPD+FIN 0 Hit/Miss/Half -
SKILL SUB SKILL SIZE REFLEX EXTRAS using
Weapon Closed +0 +0 - Core
Type Skill
(ARM) Dodge Active SPD+Perception 2 Hit/Miss/Half +MOV if
Weapon Open -1 -1 Knockback +1 using moved
Type metre for each Dodge prior. May
(ARM) Explode. +1 Skill move 1/2
Explode Range MOV after
on Block Check. resolution
Weapon Snake -1 +0 +1 Explode Parry Either FIN 1 Hit/Miss/Half -
Type Range on Attack using
(ARM) Check. +1 Die Parry
Size and Explode and WT
Range on Block Active STR 1/0+ + Damage No REF
Carryover. May using Reduction Cost if
not cause Block consecutive
Knockback. and WT Block.
Weapon Foot +1 +1 - Vigour cost
Type reduced if
(LEG) high result.
Difficulty to
Weapon Heel +2 +3 - hit is Basic
Type Defense.
(LEG)
Weapon Shin +2 +2 May not use COMBAT MANEUVERS
Type Block. SUB SKILL
(LEG) SKILL CHECK ATTRIBUTE REFLEX RESOLUTION EXTRAS
Weapon Short +0 +0 Range is 0 Trip Either SPD+FIN 2 Prone/Nothing/Off -
Type Meters using Guard
(MELEE) (Unarmed range) Trip
Weapon Medium +1 +1 Range is 0-1 Grapple Either SPD+STR 2 Grappled/Nothing/Off -
Type Meters. using Guard
(MELEE) Grapple
Weapon Long +1 +2 Range is 1-3 Tackle Either FIN+STR 2 Opposed by Balance Target
Type Meters. using Skill Check using moves
(MELEE) Tackle STR+CON distance
Weapon Thrown +0 +1 - equal to
Type difference
(RANGED) between
results.
Weapon Assisted +1 +2 -
Type Disarm Either FIN 2 Dropped/Nothing/Self -
(RANGED) using Disarmed
Disarm
Weapon Unassisted +2 +2 Reload 5 REF and WT
Type
(RANGED)
Strike Standard D6 2 -
Type
Strike Quick D4 1 Modifier for
Type Attack +1 per
die.
Strike Strong D8 2 May only use
Type Basic Defense.
WEAPON TYPES (ARM) WEAPON TYPES (RANGED)
Open Thrown
Damage Dice Size Modifier: -1 Damage Dice Size Modifier: +0
Reflex Cost: -1 Reflex Cost: +1
Extras: Knockback distance is increased by 1 meter for
each Damage Explode used for Knockback. Assisted
Dice used in a Block Skilled Defense gain +1 Explode Damage Dice Size Modifier: +1
Range. Reflex Cost: +2
Closed Unassisted
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +0 Damage Dice Size Modifier: +2
Extras: No additional effects. Reflex Cost: +2
NOTE: Use of elbows counts as Closed Fist skill. Reload Cost: 5
Snake STRIKE TYPES
Damage Dice Size Modifier: -1 Standard
Extras: Dice used in an Attack Skill Check gain +1 Explode Damage Dice: D6
Range. Reflex Cost: 2
Exploded dice using the Carryover option from the Attack Extras: None
Skill Check gain +1 size and +1 Explode Range.
Unable to knockback opponent. Quick
Damage Dice: D4
WEAPON TYPES (LEG) Reflex Cost: 1
Front Foot Extras: +1 to Roll Modifier on Attack Roll for each die in
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +1 the Dice Pool.
Reflex Cost: +1. Strong
NOTE: Use of knees counts as Front Foot skill.
Damage Dice: D8
Shin Reflex Cost: 2
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +2 Extras: You may only use Basic Defense until this attack
Reflex Cost: +2 resolves.
Extras: Unable to use the Block Skilled Defenses.
Heel
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +2
Reflex Cost: +3
WEAPON TYPES (MELEE)
Short
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +0
Reflex Cost: +0
Range: 0 Meters
Medium
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +1
Reflex Cost: +1
Range: 0-1 Meters
Long
Damage Dice Size Modifier: +1
Reflex Cost: +2
Range: 1-3 Meters
COMBAT MANEUVERS
Trip
Skill Check: Trip is a Skill check adding SPD and FIN.
Resolution: The target rolls a Balance Skill check, adding
FIN and STR.
If your result is higher, the opponent is knocked prone.
If your result ties with the target, the opponent braces the
hit and is not affected.
If your result is lower, the opponent evades or braces the
hit and you are unable to use a Skilled Defense until you
are next the Active Character.
Reflex Cost: 2
Grapple
Skill Check: Grapple is a Skill check adding SPD and STR.
Resolution: The target rolls a Dodge Skilled Defense check
If your result is higher, the opponent is grappled.
If your result ties with the target, the target evades the
grapple.
If your result is lower, the target evades the grapple and
you are unable to use a Skilled Defense until you are next
the Active Character.
Reflex Cost: 2
Tackle
Skill Check: Tackle is a Skill check adding FIN and STR.
Resolution: The target rolls a Balance Skill check using
STR and CON.
If your result is 2 or more higher, the target moves back 1
meter for every 2 your result is above their check.
If your result is 1 higher or tied with, the target moves
back less than a meter. They are off balance until they are
next the Active Character.
If your result is lower, nothing extra happens.
Reflex Cost: 2
Disarm
Skill Check: Disarm is a Skill Check adding a Weapon Type
and FIN.
Resolution: The target rolls a Skill check using the Weapon
Type + Parry and FIN.
If your result is higher, the target loses grip of the weapon
or item targetted.
If your result is tied, neither the target or the attacker
loses their weapon.
If your result is lower, you are instead disarmed.
Reflex Cost: 2
DEFENSE MANUEVERS
Quick Guard: When using Block or Parry you may perform a
Quick Guard. To do so, you must either not have an attack
declared, or increase the Reflex Cost by 1. When performing
a Quick Guard you may choose any relevant Weapon Type.
Basic
Skill Check: A Basic Defense Maneuver is a Reactive Skill
Check using the Defense Core Skill only, adding SPD and
FIN.
If your result is higher, the attack misses.
If your results are tied, the attack is successful but you
take half damage before applying Damage Reduction.
If your result is lower, the attack is successful.
Dodge
Skill Check: Dodge is an Active Skill Check using the Dodge
skill, adding SPD and Perception.
If your result is higher, the attack misses.
If your results are tied, the attack is successful but you
take half damage before applying Damage Reduction.
If your result is lower, the attack is successful.
Roll Modifier: If the last action you declared before a
Dodge Skill Check allowed movement, you add your MOV to
the Roll Modifier.
Movement Regardless of success or failure, you may move
up to half your MOV after the attack resolves.
Parry
Skill Check: Parry is a Skill Check using the Parry skill and
the Weapon Type used in your unresolved action, adding FIN.
If your result is higher, the attack misses.
If your results are tied, the attack is successful but you
take half damage before applying Damage Reduction.
If your result is lower, the attack is successful.
Block
Skill Check: Block is an Active Skill Check using the Block
skill and the Weapon Type used in your unresolved attack,
adding STR. You also perform a Basic Defense Maneuver.
Resolution: You become a mostly standing target, adding
the result of the Skill Check to your Damage Reduction.
If the attacker’s roll would hit the difficulty of a Basic
Defense Manuever using , the attack is successful.
If the result of the Block Check is higher than the Damage
Roll, the Vigour spent on STR is halved.
If the result of the Block Check is more than double the
Damage Roll, the Vigour spent on STR becomes 0.
Cost: Costs Vigour as normal for STR. If you have used no
attack or defense actions between uses of Block with the
same Weapon Type, the REF Cost is reduced to 0.
FASTER THAN SIGHT
If a character moves significantly faster than their target, it
makes them more difficult to keep track of. When you attack
a target, compare your REF for the round to the targets REF
+ Perception Attribute. If your value is higher, the target takes
a penalty to their Defense Skill Checks equal to the
difference between the two values.
SECOND WIND
During combat a character can choose to gain a Second
Wind. Doing so has 2 REF Cost. When activating Second
Wind, you restore HLTH and lower your Max Vigour by an
equal amount. Max Vigour is restored when you next restore
Total Vigour. This may not be used again until your Max
Vigour is restored.
I'M UNCONSCIOUS. NOW WHAT?
During combat there are multiple ways for a character to go
unconscious.
Remaining Stamina equals 0 or less.
Remaining Vigour or Chi equals 0 or less.
Remaining HLTH equals 0 or less.
If your Stamina is 0 or less, you go unconscious the next
time you are the Active Character. If Remaining Vigour or Chi
equals 0 by the end of the next phase, you go unconscious.
If your HLTH equals 0 or less, you immediately are put out
of the fight. Usually this is due to being unconscious.
SO HOW DO I WAKE UP?
If you become unconscious due to the one of the listed
conditions, you regain consciousness when that condition
changes. If HLTH has reached 0 or less, you regain
consciousness after a number of minutes.
Make an Endurance Check using CON and Willpower.
Subtract this result from the negative HLTH amount, and
multiply the remaining by 1D4. The result is how many
minutes you must wait before regaining consciousness. If
(Negative HLTH-Endurance Check) is 0 or less, then regain
consciousness in 1D4 rounds instead.
Once you have regained consciousness, you remain at the
negative HLTH amount you were at previously but are still
out of the fight. You can spend Stamina to become Active
again while your HLTH is still a negative value.
NATURAL HEALING
Natural Healing restores HLTH at a rate of 2 per hour
resting. If you are Active or Unconscious the rate is instead 1
per hour.
ATTACK LINKING
With sufficient training, it is possible to link together attacks
and actions in a way that it is quicker to pull off each
maneuver.
This is referred to as a link.
Link: For each rank purchased, increase your Link Points
by 2.
Link Points: When using a link, you may declare up to 2
Reflex Points of actions, plus 2 per rank in the Link Skill.
Mechanics: When declaring your action, you may choose
to declare a link.
To do so, decide on a number of actions with a total REF
Cost no more than your Link Points.
You also declare the order the actions take place at this
time.
The link has a final REF Cost of the first action in the link
+1.
Each subsequent action has -1 REF Cost.
If the REF Cost of an action would be lowered to 0, it is
considered Quick as normal.
When the link would resolve, you perform the actions in
order. If any action in the link fails to strike a target, the rest
of the actions still take place.
You consume Vigour for each action as normal.
Linked Movement: If you decide to add Movement actions
to your link, you may use this movement at any point, rather
than what the order would dictate. This means that during
the Tick Value between the declaration and resolution of an
action, you may move.
Linked Defenses: If you decide to add Defense actions to
your link, you may use these at the reduced cost if attacked
while still resolving the link. If you do not end up resolving
one or more Defense actions, you do not spend their REF
Cost.
WHAT ARE MY
RESOURCES?
STAMINA
Stamina is a consumable resource that every character has.
The pool of Stamina is determined by your Constitution and
Willpower.
If all your Stamina is consumed, you go unconscious.
CONSUMPTION
There are multiple ways that Stamina gets consumed.
After strenuous activity, you start to consume points of
Stamina. These are determined by the GM but examples
include:
Physical labour lasting for 30 minutes or more, or heavy
labour lasting for 20 minutes or more.
Combat lasting for 12 seconds or longer.
Marching for 1 hour or longer without resting.
Stamina may also be willingly spent for extra effects.
These include:
Increase the size and Explode Range of all Skill Dice for
the round by 1.
Adding 2 dice to all your Skill Check Dice Pools in a
phase.
Maximising the result of a single Skill Check. These dice
do not Explode.
Lower the REF cost of an action by 2.
Double your Damage Reduction from all sources for the
phase.
Recover up to 25% of your Total Vigour and increase your
Remaining by the same amount.
Double your accumulation rate for either Vigour or Chi for
the round.
Special techniques may also require Stamina to use.
You may not spend more than 1 point of Stamina at any
Tick Value.
RECOVERY
Stamina is recovered by resting.
For every 15 minutes you rest, you recover 1 point of
Stamina. If you rest for at least 4 hours, you recover all points
of Stamina.
If you do not eat a sufficient amount of food, Stamina
recover may be lowered to half.
If you have not consumed food in the last 48 hours,
Stamina recovery is halted.
ENERGY SKILLS
VIGOUR MANIPULATION
Efficiency (Physical Attribute): Lowers the Vigour Cost of
using the chosen attribute by 1 per rank purchased. NOTE:
This is four separate skills, with separate ranks for each
physical attribute.
Bonus Vigour: Increases Total Vigour Pool per rank
purchased.
Amplify: Increases Max Vigour by 60 per rank purchased.
Dampen: Decreases Minimum Vigour by 60 per rank
purchased.
Control: Control Value is equal to 10 + 10 per rank
purchased. Has 2 additional effects.
Allows you to increase/decrease Current Vigour by up to
Control Value for 1 REF.
Allows you to accumulate directly into an attribute for 1
REF.
Harden: Grants bonus Damage Reduction and a Soak
value of 1/rank for the round. 2 REF to activate and lasts for a
whole round. Costs 2 Vigour to use for each incoming
Damage Source. If the total damage of the attack is less than
your total Damage Reduction after applying Harden, the
Vigour cost is halved.
Durability: Adds 1/Rank to the Skill Check used to regain
Consciousness.
CHI MANIPULATION
Shaping: You may apply one option from Chi Shaping per
rank purchased.
Damage: For each rank you purchase, you may choose one
option from Chi Damage. You may only apply an amount of
damage options up to purchased ranks.
Halt: May temporarily stop the movement of a Chi Attack
for 1 round per Rank while you remain Focused.
Bonus Chi: Increases Total Chi per rank purchased.
Amplify: Increases Max Chi by 20 per rank purchased.
Dampen: Decreases Minimum Chi by 20 per rank
purchased.
Efficiency: For each rank purchased, you may lower the
cost of Chi Abilities by 1. You are required to accumulate the
normal minimum number of points to use the attack, you just
lower the final points spent.
Control: Control Value is equal to ranks purchased. Has 2
additional effects.
Allows you to increase/decrease Current Chi by up to
Control Value for 1 REF.
Used to determine accumulation of Chi for using Chi
Attacks.
Burst: A character may activate a Soul Burst for a number
of rounds equal to ranks in the Skill without needing to
spend Stamina.
Barrier: Gain bonus Damage Reduction of 1 for each rank
purchased. The first use has 0 REF Cost and uses 4 Chi. For
every 4 ranks you have in Control you may activate it again on
the same Tick Value. Every subsequent activation after that
has 1 REF Cost. Barrier lasts until either you take total
damage equal to the Damage Reduction gained or more Tick
Value is passed than was used to activate Barrier. Efficiency
applies once per time used, not per activation.
VIGOUR AND CHI
Energy comes in two forms, Physical Energy (Vigour) and
Spirit Energy (Chi).
Vigour is consumed when using your body and physical
capabilities. Chi is primarily consumed when manifesting
spiritual attacks and utilising special techniques.
When calculating Sub Skill effects based off ranks, also
count the ranks of the Core Skill.
There are five main things to keep track of with energy use.
Vigour/Chi Total: The total amount of Vigour/Chi that you
can use before needing to refresh.
Max: The highest value your pool size can be at. Defaults
to 50% of Total.
Current: The current pool size value you are using for
calculation purposes. This is what gets raised and lowered
with control.
Min: The lowest value your pool size can be at. Defaults to
50% of Total.
Vigour/Chi Remaining: How much Vigour/Chi you have
available left in your pool to use at once. Can be
regenerated.
POOLS AND USEAGE
MAX/MIN
After calculating your Total Pool sizes for Vigour or Chi,
you then calculate your Max and Min. Your Max and Min size
are equal to 50% of your Total Pool by default. This can be
increased by purchasing ranks in the appropriate skills.
CURRENT
To increase your Current Value, you use the relevant
Control skill.
For 1 REF you may increase your Current by an amount up
to the relevant Control Value.
The highest you can make your Current is equal to your
Max.
This value remains each round until you lower your
Current.
You can lower your Current in the same way by using the
Control skill.
The lowest you can make your Current is to your Min.
REMAINING AND RECOVERY
When you use Vigour or Chi it comes out of the relevant
Remaining Pool and also lowers the appropriate Total Pool.
You can recover Vigour/Chi on your turn for 1 REF.
This recovers your Remaining Pool equal to the Control
Value of the appropriate skill.
This does not recover your Total Pool.
In a way, energy pools function like a generator.
You have fuel as a power supply (Total
Total)
There is a limit on the maximum power output (Max
Max)
You can choose to use less than the maximum power
output (Current
Current)
When your fuel drops too low, the maximum power output
degrades (When Total gets lower than Current
Current)
PHYSICAL ENERGY (VIGOUR)
Direct Vigour Accumulation
Instead of raising your Current Vigour, you may choose to
accumulate directly into an attribute. When you do, you count
as having raised your Current Vigour for that attribute only.
This will allow you to take your Attribute’s Current Vigour
higher than your Max limit.
To maintain this increase over rounds, you must perform a
Skill Check using Vigour Manipulation (no Attribute) at the
start of each round. The difficulty of the check is equal to the
Attribute’s Temporary EV – BV. This skill check has a REF
Cost of 1.
Vigour Consumption Your Vigour is primarily consumed
when using Physical Attributes. The Vigour Cost of a
Physical Attribute is determined by its value. If the value of
the Attribute you are using is equal to its BV, the Vigour cost
is BV*5 . When using an AV, the cost becomes 10 times the
difference between the BV and the AV plus the cost of the BV.
If you have an EV higher than your BV, the minimum value
you can use is halfway between your EV and BV. If you have
an EV lower than your BV, the maximum value you can use is
your BV. Formula: (AV*10) - (BV*5).
NOTE: If the final cost is negative, this allows you to
recover Vigour, without having to spend REF, at a value no
higher than the negative result.
Attributes and Vigour
STR: Consumed for each use of strength. This includes
attacks and feats of strength.
FIN: Consumed once per round. Determines value for the
round.
SPD: Consumed once per round. Determines value for the
round.
CON: Consumed once per round when first taking
damage.
Vigour Recovery
Vigour is recovered by resting and eating.
If you rest for 30 minutes or more, you may recover up to
half your Total Vigour.
You can not recover to a value higher than half your Total
Vigour through resting.
If you recover Total Vigour this way, you are considered
Exhausted and your Maximum and Minimum values are
calculated as if your Total Vigour was at 50% of its normal
amount.
To recover past that amount, you must eat sufficient food.
If you have not consumed food in the last 48 hours, Vigour
recovery is halted.
SPIRIT ENERGY (CHI)
Chi Consumption
Chi is primarily consumed when using Chi Attacks.
Chi Recovery
Chi may only be recovered through resting.
If you rest for a period of at least 6 hours, you recover all
Total Chi.
Food is not required to recover Chi.
Soul Burst
In times of necessity, a character can tap into their Spirit
Energy to enhance their physical power. Doing so puts a
great stress on the body and only those who are trained, or
foolish, will use it for longer than a few seconds at a time.
Before activating Soul Burst, first you must channel Spirit
Energy until your Current Chi is equal to Max Chi.
Once your Spirit Energy is at Max, you then declare you
are activating Soul Burst. After this is declared, you continue
to channel Spirit Energy higher than your Max until your
Current is equal to your Total Chi. Once this is completed,
Soul Burst is activated.
During Soul Burst, you use your Chi*5 rather than Vigour
for determining the EV of an Attribute as well as paying the
Vigour cost. Efficiency does not apply when using Soul Burst.
Soul Burst must be used in increments of 1 round at a
time. For each round you are in Soul Burst, you spend 1
stamina. For every rank you have in Burst, you may use Soul
Burst for 1 round without spending Stamina. This time is
only recovered when you rest long enough to recover
Stamina.
CHI ATTACKS
CHI ATTACK COST
The cost of a Chi Attack is determined by the aspects chosen
to build it. When using a Chi Attack, you have an amount of
points to spend on aspects determined by your Current Chi
(CC). When determining points to spend on a Chi Attack, the
minimum number of points you must spend is equal to
CC/10. To be able to use a Chi attack, first you must
accumulate enough Chi to cover the minimum points for a
Chi attack. This may take multiple actions.
After accumulating the Chi required, you then decide what
aspects you are spending the points on.
The next step is to make multiple Chi Manipulation checks
until you reach the difficulty check required for the chosen
aspects. A Chi Manipulation check has 2 REF Cost. A Chi
Attack costs Chi equal to (Points Spent) – (Ranks in
efficiency).
You can choose to accumulate anywhere between the
minimum number of points and your CC.
By default, Chi Accumulation assumes raw accumulation.
You can choose to accumulate directly into a technique. If
you choose to do so you first determine what aspects your
points are going to be spent on.
You spend 2 REF on Chi accumulation, but you may also
do the Chi Manipulation checks in the same action.
NOTE: The accumulation of chi is 1 REF Cost per skill
use. If you are struck while accumulating, you must make a
Skill Check using Control and Endurance adding Willpower.
You lose accumulated Chi equal to Damage- Check Result.
ONE HANDED CHI ATTACKS By default, it is assumed
that a Chi Attack will use 2 hands.
If you decide to make a Chi Attack use 1 hand, you have
only half the points to spend than what you would have for a
2 handed attack.
If you decide to make a Chi Attack use no hands at all
(Such as a mouth or eye blast), you have only 1/10th the
points to spend than what you would have for a 2 handed
attack.
You must still accumulate the amount of Chi that would be
required for a 2 handed attack, you then spend the reduced
point cost. This can let you spend points lower than your
CC/10.
CHI ATTACK SPEED A Chi Attack moves at a rate of 1
meter. As each Tick Value is passed in a round, the Chi Attack
travels 1 meter until it either reaches its maximum range, or
it strikes a target. This value can be increased by using the
Speed aspect.
ATTACK RESOLUTION A Chi Attack that enters the
space occupied by another character automatically hits the
character successfully. The character that is struck may
choose to Block or Dodge if they were aware of the Chi
Attack (Chi Attack Speed vs Perception + REF) and pay the
REF Cost as normal for the Defenses. If a Chi Attack is
smaller than 1 Meter radius, a Character may use a Basic
Defense, even if unaware of the attack. If a character Dodges,
but does not leave a square occupied by the Chi Attack, a
successful Dodge still takes half damage. A Chi Attack does
not add an Attribute to a Damage Roll.
SCATTER When a character uses a Chi Attack, make a
Skill Check using Control adding Intelligence + Willpower.
The result is the Attack Check as well as how many meters
the Attack can travel before the user loses control. When the
user loses control, roll 1D10. The Attack changes angle
depending on the result. This 1d10 roll is made for every
Tick Value that passes, until it either makes contact with an
object, or it travels for it’s maximum range. Except for the
result of a 1, the Attack will continue to move forward
regardless of the result, it will just be travelling at an altered
angle. The result of 10 lets the user determine the change in
angle if they are stationary and focusing on the Attack, or it
continues travelling in a straight line. The result of a 1 sends
the Attack in a straight line towards the user.
1 - Towards user
2 - Up
3 - Up right
4 - Right
5 - Down right
6 - Down
7 - Down left
8 - Left
9 - Up left
10 - User's choice
FOCUSED: After using a Chi Attack, if the user remains
stationary they can remain focused on the Attack. This is
required for things like controlling Scatter, or redirecting an
attack.
CHI ATTACK COLLISION
If two Chi Attacks make contact with each other, roll the
damage for each. Lower the damage of each attack by the
damage roll of the other. The attack with damage remaining
continues as normal using the remaining damage. If an
attack has penetrate, the damage of the other attack is
lowered by the penetrate value for the purpose of this
calculation.
ASPECTS TO A CHI ATTACK
When using a Chi Attack, you spend points on the aspects
that make up the attack.
By default a Chi Attack has a range of 1 meter, is as wide
as your hand and deals no damage.
As you purchase ranks in the Shaping and Damage skills,
you are given options to spend your points on.
The point cost (X) and difficulty modifier (Y) will be listed
as (X/Y)
NOTE: A chi attack will be stopped by the first object it
hits, unless the object is fragile enough. Subtract the struck
objects Soak from the damage of the blast. If any damage
remains, the shot continues unobstructed with the remaining
damage value.
SHAPING Each rank in Shaping allows you to choose one
of the following options:
Range: Increase the range of your chi blast by 3 meters.
(Used 1/rank) (1/2)
Explosion: Adds explosion on hit with diameter of 1 meter.
(Used 1/rank) (2/2) The explosion only takes place when the
attack is stopped by the struck object.
Width: Increases the diameter of your blast by 1 meter.
(Used 1/rank) (2/3)
MultiShot: Increases the number of Chi Attack shots by 1.
Each shot has a REF Cost of 1. Each shot has a separate
attack roll but uses the same damage roll. (Used 1/rank)
(10/5)
DAMAGE Each rank in Damage allows you to choose one
of the following options for damage dice. A Chi Attack cannot
have more Damage Dice than you have ranks in the Damage
Skill. For each additional rank in a particular Damage Die,
you can increase the amount of dice per rank by 1. Additional
dice per rank have an increased (X/Y).
D4: (1/2) for 1D4, each additional D4 increases by (+2/+2).
D6: (2/2) for 1D6, each additional D6 increases by (+3/+2).
D8: (3/3) for 1D8, each additional D8 increases by (+4/+3).
D10: (4/3) for 1D10, each additional D10 increases by
(+5/+3).
D12: (4/4) for 1D12, each additional D12 increases by
(+5/+4).
UNIVERSAL These are aspects that do not need to be
purchased with Skill Ranks.
Accurate: (2/1) For every 2 points you spend on Accurate,
you get a +1 to the Roll Modifier of your Scatter Check and
Attack Check.
Overburn: (1/-1) For every 1 point you spend on Overburn,
you lower the difficulty of the Chi Manipulation check by 1.
Speed: (1/1) For every 1 point you spend on Speed, your
Chi Attack Speed increases by 1 meter.
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
One of the features that sets apart a Martial Master from a
regular fighter is their Special Techniques.
PURCHASING A SPECIAL TECHNIQUE
To use a Special Technique, you must first learn it by
spending Character Points. An Offensive Technique costs
Character Points equal to the Point Cost of the aspects.
Other Special Techniques have set costs.
OFFENSIVE TECHNIQUES
An Offensive Technique functions in a way similar to a Chi
Attack with some exceptions.
An Offensive Technique must be purchased with
Character Points before it can be used.
When accumulating for an Offensive Technique, you can
not use raw accumulation.
There is no restriction to Point Cost based off your CC.
You must decide on whether a Special Technique is a Chi
Attack or a Melee Attack.
The two main benefits of Offensive Techniques are that
they allow you to bypass the Point limit from your CC and
ranks, as well as adding some extra aspects to choose from.
CHI SPECIAL TECHNIQUE
A Chi Special Technique has access to all the aspects of a
standard Chi Attack as well as some of its own. When
purchasing aspects for a Chi Special Technique, you are not
limited by the Ranks purchased in Shaping, Damage and
Range.
SHAPING
Turning: (2/5) For every instance of this aspect, you may
make up to a 45 degree turn for the attack. To turn the
direction of your attack, you must still be focusing on it. It
costs 1 REF to perform a turn.
Split: (5/5) For every instance of this aspect, you may add
an extra projectile for your attack that travels in a different
direction. When rolling for damage, the damage is divided
evenly between each split.
STATUS EFFECTS
Stagger: (0/2) For every instance of this aspect, you may
convert one damage die to determine Stagger on the target.
The die size increases by 1.
Knockback: (0/2) For every instance of this aspect, you may
convert one damage die to determine Knockback on the
target. The die size increases by 1.
Penetrate: (0/4) For every instance of this aspect, you may
convert one damage die to cause Penetrate on the target. The
die size increases by 2.
UNIVERSAL
Vigour Cost: (0/2) For every instance of this aspect, you
reduce the Chi Cost of the Technique by 1. The Vigour Cost
of the Technique is increased by 2.
Health Cost: (0/0) For every instance of this aspect, you
reduce the Chi Cost of the Technique by 5. The Health Cost
of the Technique is increased by 2.
Aura Strike: (20/20) The Special Technique gains 1D6 dice
to the damage pool for every 50 you have in your CC. This
may only be purchased once.
Channeled Damage: (150%/100%) When channeling for
the Special Technique, you may add extra Damage Dice for
50% extra Chi Cost than normal.
UNIVERSAL SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Universal Special Techniques are non offensive Special Moment Step (Wind)
Techniques that can be developed without being taught. This Learn: 20
is not a comprehensive list, but some examples are listed Activate: 0 REF
here.The entries for Special Techniques are written like the Sustainable: No
example below . Drain: -
NOTE: Remember that you are required to Channel
enough Chi or Vigour before spending it on Techniques. Efficiency: Applies per round
Name (Element): The Name and Category or Element the Action: No
Technique is classed under. This has no mechanical impact at Target: Self
the moment. Effect: After activation, you may spend 3 Chi to move 1
Learn: Character Point cost to learn the Technique. Meter. You may use this technique an amount of times in a
Activate: REF and Chi or Vigour required to activate the round up to your Control Value.
Technique.
Sustainable: Whether or not the Technique can be
Sustained. Lists REF and Chi or Vigour required to be spent Energy Sense (void)
each round.
Drain: Reduces your Control Value by the listed amount Learn: 30
while being Sustained. Activate: 1 REF. 2 Chi.
Efficiency: The rate that Efficiency applies to Techniques, Sustainable: 0 REF. 1 Chi.
if at all. Drain: 3
Action: Whether or not your character is able to do other Efficiency: Applied per Activation
Actions while being Sustained. Action: Yes
Target: Who can be Targeted with the Technique and the Target: Self Only
range you can target in. Effect: After activation, you may use the Energy Sense
Effect: What the Technique does. technique when making Perception checks to perceive Spirits
and Energy. This includes the ability to use Skilled Defenses
Spirit Stitching (Healing) against Chi Attacks.
Learn: 30
Activate: 2+1 REF
Sustainable: No Deflection (Void)
Drain: - Learn: 30
Efficiency: Applies per Vigour Recovery Period Activate: -
Action: No Sustainable: -
Target: Self Only Drain: -
Effect: After activation, you may spend Chi up to your Efficiency: Applied per use
Control Value. Recover 1 HLTH for every 2 Chi spent. You may Action: No
spend 1 REF after activation to use this effect again. If you Target: Self Only
stop using this effect for 1 REF, you must activate it again. Effect: This allows you to use Channelled Chi to deflect a Chi
Attack. When performing a Parry, you may choose to use
Deflection instead, if you have Channelled Chi. If you have
Restoration Flow (Healing) Channelled Energy at least equal to the Points spent on
Learn: 50
Aspects of the Chi Attack, it is rebounded into a direction in
Activate: 4+2 REF
your Facing. Roll for Scatter to determine which direction it
Sustainable: No
travels. After performing this Technique, you lose Chi equal to
Drain: -
the Points spent on Aspects-Your Ranks in Chi Efficiency. Any
Efficiency: Applies per Vigour Recovery Period
leftover points remain Channelled. If you have less Chi
Action: No
Channelled than the Points on the Attack, you lose all
Target: Other Only, Must make contact
Channelled Chi, and the Attack strikes you as normal, lowering
Effect: After activation, you may spend Chi up to your
damage by Channelled Chi.
Control Value. Recover 1 HLTH for every 4 Chi spent. You may
spend 2 REF after activation to use this effect again. If you
stop using this effect for 1 REF, you must activate it again.
HOW DO I RUN THIS? (GM
RULES)
Running WBS is similar to running a lot of other RPGs.
Mostly you are playing the role of rules adjudicator, as well as
taking on the role of characters in the world not played by
players. There are some important parts to take note of
though.
Some Interpretation Required: In this book, some rules
require GM interpretation. While the GM has the final say on
how these rules are implemented, this does not mean that
players have no input into how the game should run. All rules
presented in this book are suggestions for running the game
and any rule may be changed if the group decides to.
Adding Flavour: Many rules in this book will seem a lot
more bare bones than what can be found in other RPGs. This
is because WBS takes the approach of Adding Flavour. This
means that certain things (such as weapons, armour and Chi
attacks) are designed by choosing from the list of mechanical
options and then you apply your own flavour to the design,
sound and background.
Fates Against You: It is assumed that PCs are capable at
most things they attempt to do. While PCs can fail, it is due to
external circumstances making it beyond their capabilities
instead of the PC performing poorly.
Setting It Up: When setting up your game there are a few
things you need to decide on. The first is the amount of
Character Points PCs will start with. This will affect the
overall power of the party. This will also influence the next
decision you must make which is determining the Play Tier
for the game. Play Tiers determine the highest values
characters can get in their Primary Attributes and Sub Skills.
The last decision you need to make that affects character
creation is how many and what kind of items PCs start with.
This might be a simple "One weapon, One armour, basic
items" or going more specific "One melee weapon, One
ranged weapon, outside clothing, indoor clothing, 5 spirit
wards, 3 extra items of your choosing".
CHARACTER DEATH
The default rules do not have character’s die unless you
decide they do. However there are optional rules for dealing
with character death.
When a character has remaining HLTH below 0 they make
a Death Save. Make an Endurance Check adding
Constitution and Willpower and lower the negative HLTH
value by the rolled amount.
A character makes one check per round, and may fail the
save 4 times before dying. For every negative amount past
Total HLTH you are allowed one less save. Negative HLTH
equal to 5xTotal HLTH is instant death.
1xHLTH = 4 saves
2xHLTH = 3 saves
3xHLTH = 2 saves
4xHLTH = 1 save
5xHLTH = death
Play Tiers
While you can change them as you deem necessary, the
suggested guidelines for the different Play Tiers are as
follows.
Experienced: Most starting characters are somewhat
experienced in life and have some form of training. They can
be expected to suceed at most average tasks with minimal
worry. In combat, they do not fear the occasional bandit,
however a mob is still a threat. Experienced characters have
an Attribute limit of 4 and a Skill limit of 3.
Adept: Characters that have a lot of field experience or
have been working at their profession for years tend to be in
the Adept tier. Most simple tasks are a breeze for them, and
combat is likely up against small armies, or bigger demons.
Adept characters have an Attribute limit of 10 and a Skill
limit of 6.
Elite: Characters that have been in a war (or four). They
have plentiful field experience and have likely lived a few
decades and seen many things. It is possible that at this point
in their life, the mere mention of their name can bring a hush
or excitement over a crowd, even if the stories are now less
than accurate. Even the odd demon may run at the sight of
you. Elite characters have an Attribute limit of 20 and a Skill
limit of 9.
Mythic: Mythic characters are characters that have
excelled beyond expected limits. Schools are made in their
honour, artifacts likely have their name attached, and many
would claim to be them. Mere mention of their name is likely
to turn an army away, and even higher demons fear to cross
these people. Mythic characters have no limit on Attributes or
Skills.
ITEMS
As has been previously mentioned, there is no set item list.
One of the duties of a GM in WBS is to decide what sort of
items are available at various merchants the players visit, and
what, if anything, they want in return. If you don’t want to
think of an entire list, instead you can wait for a player to
mention what they are looking for, and you can come up with
where to find it.
WEAPONS AND ARMOUR
When it comes to designing weapons and armour, there are
no limits, nor is there a relation between materials and
mechanics. However you may decide to make similar types of
armour have similar effects.
One way to do this is to determine the values for Armour
based of what it is made of and how. The best way to do is
thinking of Soak being determined by the toughness of the
material, and Damage Reduction being how it stops an attack
(usually by deflecting the blow).
If you want to create Magic Weapons and Armour for your
game, or items made from “special materials”, you can make
them Artifacts as well as what they normally are.
Alternatively, you can make simple changes such as lowering
the EV for the item, or adding bonus Effect Dice on a
weapon.
MAGIC
In WBS magic is not done by wizards with spellbooks and
scrolls. Instead magic comes in three different forms.
This book contains examples of the different types,
however you may create your own if you desire. If you do,
take note of what the different types are used for, and what
they can target.
Special Techniques: These are techniques performed by
combining physical movement (Martial Kata) and Energy.
They only target the user and their immediate surroundings.
Incantations: These are techniques performed by constant
recitation of a sequence of words while also channelling
Energy. They target anybody who can hear, and usually inflict
changes to the body or mind of the target. If no target is
affected by the Incantation, the user is automatically affected
instead. Mostly must be taught, or learnt from a source.
Cause Sleep
Element: Void
Learn: 20
Sustainable: 3 REF. 2 Chi.
Action: Movement.
Activate: 3 REF. 10 Chi.
Drain: 3
Target: All within 10 Meters
Effect: After activation, make a Skill Check using Magic
adding Willpower and Intelligence. All creatures able to hear
that are within 10 Meters of the user must make a Skill Check
using Magic and Endurance adding Willpower. Every target
that fails the Check falls asleep. This sleep is not magical, and
they may be woken as normal. Every round when the user
Sustains the Incantation, another Skill Check is made for the
user and all valid Targets. Anybody previously asleep that
succeeds on the Check wakes up. If no target fails the check,
the user falls asleep instead.
An incantator begins to cast a Ring of Fire
Artifacts: Artifacts are physical objects that contain one or
more abilities that are not covered elsewhere. Artifacts are
either self powered, or user powered.
User Powered: These artifacts use the user as a power
source. Usually this would be Chi, but may also be other
things such as Vigour or even Attributes.
Self Powered: These artifacts do not require the user to
have energy of their own to be used. Generally they gain their
power from things such as life springs, or souls. They may
also be recharged by having Chi expended into them. Not all
artifacts consume energy as they are used but may instead
need to be recharged after an amount of time.
Ghost Ward
A small paper tag written with a script and blessed by a priest.
Powered on creation.
When placed on an object this prevents the object from
being touched by spirits with Spirit Energy below a certain
amount.
May also be placed on a door or other opening to prevent
entry from spirits.
Talisman of Telekinesis
An ivory talisman worn around the neck.
Powered on use.
When worn, allows the wearer to move objects from a
distance by pointing with a finger. The objects move at a rate
of 2 meters per REF.
Use of the Talisman costs 1 Chi a round for every 20
Kilograms lifted.
Ghost Wards of varying strengths
TRAINING AND POINT GAIN
The way characters improve is by gaining character points,
and then spending them during a period of downtime.
As the GM, you have the final decision on how many
character points a character gains for their actions, which is
determined by how much the character exerted themself and
how difficult the challenge was to overcome. What
constitutes an average effort challenge is up to the GM.
It is recommended that an average challenge grants 2
character points. This is then raised or lowered as deemed
appropriate.
Minimal Effort = 0 Points
Below Average = 1 Point
Average Effort= 2 Points
Above Average = 3 Points
Maximum Effort = 4+ Points
Minimal Effort is when a character overcomes a challenge
in one turn, or doesn’t spend any vigour or other resources to
overcome a challenge.
Maximum Effort is when a character needs to put almost
everything they have into overcoming a challenge. The closer
they get to putting all their effort into the challenge, the more
points they gain afterwards.
If a character fails to overcome an obstacle, this does not
necessarily mean they gain nothing for it. It is recommended
to give character points even on a failed check if a character
still exerts themselves in doing so. If a character survives
combat for a few rounds, they may have learned some things.
If a character fails to scale a wall entirely but got part way up,
they still exerted themselves to try.
Here are some guidelines to work with if you desire:
+1 if it took longer than expected (more than 1 round for
combat, multiple checks on a Standard Skill Check, etc)
+1 if the PC expended resources (Health, Vigour, Chi)
+1 for every 25% expended in resources
+1 if the PC used Active Checks to overcome the obstacle
-1 if the PC used all Reactive Checks
Alternatively, you may decide to award the same Character
Points to all character. If that is the case, simply look at the
effort exerted as a whole by the party.
SKILLS AND BONUSES
There are three types of bonuses that can be applied to Skill
Checks: Guidance, Tool, and Conditional. Each one affects a
Skill Check in a different way, and may be able to be stacked
with another bonus of the same type depending on
circumstances.
Guidance: A Guidance bonus is applies when the
character performing the Skill Check has a guide with more
ranks than them assisting in some form. This may be written
(Such as a manual), verbal (Like an instructor), or through
other methods of communication. A Guidance bonus applies
bonus XP to the relevant Sub Skills for the check increasing
ranks as appropriate. Bonus ranks gained this way do not
increase Core Skill ranks.
Tool: A Tool Bonus applies when the character is using a
device or mechanism designed to assist in the particular skill
at hand and, unlike a conditional bonus, gains more use from
a skilled practitioner than an unskilled one. This may be
something complex like a set of lockpicks or a smithing kit,
or something more simple such as darkened clothing for
sneaking at night or even a customised grip on a weapon. A
Tool Bonus applies +1 to a Skill Check for every Die rolled.
Conditional: A Conditional Bonus applies when the skill
user devises a way to gain an advantage or puts things in
their favour. These are usually temporary things that make
things just as easy for everyone else performing the task. This
may be things such as serving a favoured drink to the person
you are trying to persuade, shooting a firearm to draw
attention to yourself, or throwing a rock to distract the guard.
A Conditional Bonus applies a +2 to a Skill Check.
 Playtest 1.51
CHANGELOG It's pretty
Playtest 1.8
Playtest 1.5
Changed Attribute names
Changed Motion Points to Reflexes Many changes and alterations
Changed Motion Value to Tick Value Playtest 1.4
Changed Skill Resolution
Made REF a static value Removed some skills
Removed "Training" Changed Motion Points to Reflexes
Tweaked Point Gain Changed Combat mechanics
Added Skill Bonuses Added phases
Changed Temporary Cover Rewrote wording and mechanics
Added Reactive and Active Checks Added examples
Added Sparks Clarified features
Removed Untrained Skills
Increased Vigour values Playtest 1.31
Increased Vigour costs Changed Ki to Vigour
Changed Attribute and Skill caps by tier Changed Vigour to Stamina
Added Target Number Guidelines Added examples
Tweaked Attack and Defense options Refined rules
Fixed Typos Reworded sections for clarity
Playtest 1.7 Playtest 1.3
Changed Attribute names Changed layout of document
Changed Attribute cost Changed order of presentation
Changed Reflexes to use 1/2 SPD Added combat chart
Changed ENC values Added Skill tables
Added Soul Burst Refined rules and wording
Added Burst Skill Added Stagger, Knockback and Penetration
Changed Channeled Damage to Aura Strike Added Basic Defense
Added Channeled Damage Added more of a description to the setting section
Added Play Tiers Added Backfire mechanics
Added Untrained Skills Added starting Character Points benchmark
Changed Controlled Effort Added Tackle
Added Knowledge Checks to determine difficulty Added Vigour mechanics
Changed Craftsmanship Sub Skills Added one and no handed Chi Attack mechanics
Changed Chi Barrier Added Special Technique creation rules
Added Logo Added point gain and mentor bonuses
Playtest 1.6 Added combos
added glossary Playtest 1.2
"What makes a roll" section added to Glossary Changed layout of document
removed examples Added Universal Chi Components
basic wording changes Refined rules
Closed Fist, Open Palm, Snake Fist changed Closed, Changed text and formatting
Open, Snake Added Skill List
Linking changed Link Added Controlled Effort
Multishot skill added to Shaping Added Wild Effort
Added Chi (Halt)
Removed Biology (Human) Playtest 1.1
Added Biology (Reptile)
Senses (See/Smell) changed Senses (Sight/Scent) Added examples
Encumbrance Value (EV) changed Encumbrance (ENC) Added Chi Components
Added weapon breakage Tweaked rules and clarifications
Changed weapon encumbrance
Added ranged weapons
Backfire changed to Implode
Fixed some typos
Added Second Wind
Changed minimum points on Chi Attacks to CC/10
Changed Universal Special Techniques list
Added rules for Death