Taking Action Player chooses Action. GM sets potential result.

Resistance & Trauma

Tell the GM whatyouwanttoachieveand whatActionyouuse. They will tell you the When you Resist a consequence describe ■ 1-3: Take a lesser consequence,
position, Trivial,Daring,or Insurmountableanddescribe the Effect. how your character out maneuvers or but lose an additional Grit die.
■ Probably you act in the face of opposition and things are Daring: The GM fights through the danger. Then spend Trauma:Whenyourolla1-3onaresistance
describes the effect you can expect, at least some of the dangers you face, and roll one or more Grit dice. rollandcannotpaytheadditionaldie,takea
and asks you to Gather Dice. ■ Crit: Turn their move back on Trauma.
■ If you are exploiting a dominant advantage things are Trivial: The GM them and regain a Grit Die.
describes the effect, you have, and consequences (if any). Or, you may ■ 6: Turn their move back on them.
offer/ask for a different scenario where you have a increased effect, but ■ 4/5: Resist the consequence.
risk greater consequences, making things Daring.
■ If you’re at a significant disadvantage things are Insurmountable: The GM
describes what effect you have (if any) and how you suffer the consequences. You cannot resist the stakes a failed roll. You’re hanging off the edge of a cliff, and you
Or, you may offer/ask for a different scenario where you have a limited roll to get back up. On a failed roll (1-3) your character will still fall. You can resist the
effect, at a greater risk, making things Daring. damage that results from falling, but you can’t resist the stakes of the fall.

IfyouwantgreaterEffect:
Overcomeoneoftheirfactors
Scale: Number, size, magnitude.
Quality: Tools, training, tactics
Potency: Particular weakness
Gather Dice
IfyouwantbetterPosition:
Trysomethingelse
Attempt part of what you want first.
Take a different action that changes the
situation.
1 per dot, 1 for pushing yourself, 1 for assistance
Gear & Slots
You may declare gear as needed, but it
must be put in a gear slot. If gear is lost or
broken cross out the slot. An empty slot can
be filled with whatever you want. A crossed
out slot can only be filled with things you
find.
■ Packed: It takes nearly a minute
and both hands to get into your
pack and retrieve it.
Shield, Armor, and +Heavy each let you
ignore 1 harm.
If the item is something common (rope,

When you have a fictional gamble that is compelling and dangerous, the player
■ Ready: You already have it in
hand.
swords, crowbars, etc) it costs nothing.
Otherwise the GM may set a coin cost.
■ Slung: It takes a couple of breaths
taking action gathers their dice: and a bit of fumbling, but you you
■ Take 1d for each dot you have in the action you are using. can get it.
■ If you push yourself, pay a 2 Grit -OR- take a Devils Bargain add +1d.
■ If another player exposes themselves to danger they may sacrifice 1 Grit
add it to your roll. Harm & Armor
If for some reason you would have 0 dice roll 2 and take the worst. If you suffer harm the GM will how ■ Broken: Broken: You must receive
many harm boxes to mark. If you Assistance from another character or
would take harm and have no boxes to Push Yourself to use these actions.
The Result Roll the dice and choose the highest mark you die.
■ Conditions: suffer -1d to all
Double sixes is a 4-5isapartial 1-3isafailure: Actions in this trait. When you
crit: 6isasuccess: success: suffer a consequence in keeping
You get only the
You get the effect as You get the effect as consequences. with the condition instead of taking
You get the effect established. established and the action, mark XP.
and more. consequences. Mark XP
Blades Against Darkness
Name: Look:
Gear & Armor
During a job: Declare gear and put it in a slot. Common
items (rope, swords, crowbars, etc) cost nothing. Rare
items require a ResourceRollor yourowncoin.

Thews XP
Exhausted: When you retreat or falter,
Grit Ready: Already in hand.
Finesse SHIELD ARMOR
Traverse -1d Mark XP.
Skirmish Broken: You must receive Assistance or When you tick the last box gain 1 Grit.
Push Yourself to use these actions.
Force XP

Wits XP Slung: A few moments and a free hand.

Survey Scattered: When you make a bad read or Resist: spend and roll Gritdice. +HEAVY
Tinker -1d drop your guard, Mark XP. ■ Crit: Turn their move back
Hunt Broken: You must receive Assistance or on them, +1 Grit Die.
Study Push Yourself to use these actions. ■ 6: Turn their move back on
them.
Charm Attune
XP
Drained: When you betray your secrets
■ 4/5: Resist the consequence.
■ 1-3: Take a lesser
Packed: Nearly a minute and both hands

consequence, -1 Grit die.

Command -1d or reveal a truth, Mark XP.
Trauma: whenyourolla1-3ona
Consort Broken: You must receive Assistance or Resistandcannotpaythe
Sway Push Yourself to use these actions. additionaldie,takeaTrauma.

Character Creation Traits & Ideals

■ Choose a Class. Each ■ Choose 0 or 1 Ideals.
comes with a starting
special ability. ■ Distribute 10 dots
between your actions At the end of a session mark XP:
5 5 10 10
■ Pick an ally (up arrow)
and rival (down arrow)
at the bottom of your
(max 3 dots in a single
action). ■ If you you expressed your beliefs,
drives, heritage, or background.
Coin
Class card. ■ Choose a Vice.
■ If you struggled with issues from your Vice: Faith - Gambling - Luxury - Obligation
■ Choose at least one ■ Pick a Name and vice or traumas during the session. Pleasure - Stupor - Weird
Heritage. Each comes describe your look in a
couple of words. If you fill a card’s XP track take an new
with a starting special ability on that card or choose a card Trauma: Cold - Haunted - Obsessed - Paranoid
ability. ■ Take 2 coin. entirely. Reckless - Soft - Vicious
Human Heritage
Choose a hunger below. When you
pursue of your hunger, take +1d.
Power: Crush your enemies, ignore
compromise, never surrender, etc.
Excess: Destroy wantonly, consume
lavishly, take what you want, etc.
Glory: Lead from the front, leap into
action, act as example, revel in honor,
etc.
Cold Reading: Take +1d when you
gather information about how to
control others. Reduce flashback costs
to do the same by 1.
Ally: Take +1d when you make a
resistance roll in someone’s stead.
XP
Dwarf Heritage
When you push yourself you can
perform one of the following:
● Smell riches.
● Exploit flaws in non-dwarven
craftsmanship.
● Speak with worked stone or
metal.
Grounded: take +1d when you resist
the effects of magic.
Runesmith: You can carve runes into
stone or metal and give your own
breath to infuse it with purose. Say
the effect you want and the GM will
tell you the cost in Grit. It will follow
your will long as you don’t breathe.
XP
Halfling Heritage
When you push yourself you can
perform one of the following:
● Go unnoticed or underestimated.
● Get them to offer more (truth,
trust, kindness, supplies, etc).
● Ignore pain, weariness, or fear.
Break Bread: when you spend gear
and time to cook a meal, all who
partake recover 3 Grit dice and 1 harm.
Pocketses: +2 gear slots
Ready Slung
XP
Orc Heritage
Sharpened: When you can clear your
mind and devote your focus you can
track by scent, see in the dark, or hear
something as quiet as a breath.
Adaptable: You can suffer 2 harm to
change your size from smallish
(goblin) to largish (troll) for a few
moments.
Hardy: You have an extra wound box.
Warcry: When you throw yourself in
to the teeth of the enemy, mark XP.
You may recover this wound box
when you make camp and devour a
few pounds of meat.
XP
Elf Heritage
When you push yourself you can
perform one of the following:
● Shape wood with song.
● Dazzle or confuse with glamour.
● Perform an act of inhuman grace,
sight, or hearing.
Long Memory: Lower flashbacks cost
to Study the distant past by 1.
Elfsong: When you sing in a full clear
voice for one hour you may Consort
with the fragile spirits of nature. They
may agree to be bound in an
appropriate item. Break the item to
release them and perform a single
magical effect within their domains.
XP
Wizard Class
Sorcery: spend 2 Grit to roll Attune in
place of any other action at the risk of
the result being unstable, weird, or
magically toxic. Spend Grit 1-for-1 for
each extra feature:
● The effect is subtle and not
obviously magical.
● You aren’t required to lay hands
on the target. It only needs to be
within the sound of your voice.
Dajhira, dealer in oddities
Noon, a bone witch
Husk, ancient spirit
XP
Fighter Class
Not to be Trifled With: When you
push yourself you can:
● Perform a feat of physical force
that verges on the superhuman
● Engage a small gang on equal
footing in close combat.
Live by the Sword: Take +1d when you
use your weapon for something other
than spilling blood.
Assault Leader: Take +1d when you
lead an action in combat.
Shaga, old soldier and tactical genius
Raheam, sword-master in hermitage
Yaterena, mercenary princess
XP
Altruism Ideal
Either repentance drives you change things or
innocence makes you believe you can.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Gave from yourself for the benefit of
others.
● Destroyed something that threatens
the good people of the world.
● Helped others make a difference that
lasts after you move on.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Give something you can’t afford.
● 2 Grit: Reveal an evil your allies had
allowed to remain hidden.
● 3 Grit: Let no a sin go unpunished.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Walk away and allow an
evil to win.
Rogue Class
Tactical Espionage Action: When
you push yourself you can:
● Act before anyone else.
● Perform a feat of athletics that
verges on the superhuman.
● Ignore quality or Tier when
bypassing security measures
Trap Monkey: Take +1d when you
Force or Tinker traps or security
measures.
Ambush: When you attack from
hiding or spring a trap, you get +1d.
Shar, famous bounty hunter
Lashkar, smuggler and crimelord
Zada, professional assassin
XP
Liberty Ideal
Broken free or never chained you are
independent, unfettered, and alone.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Followed your own best judgment, in-
spite of what others would have you do.
● Refused to tie yourself to another’s
cause.
● Broke the bonds that tie others down.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Go it alone or prove them wrong.
● 2 Grit: Leave them behind.
● 3 Grit: Refuse a bond when offered.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Dedicate yourself to
something more important than your
own needs.
Cleric Class
Choose 2 domains for your god.
● One tied to your heritage and
beliefs (secrets, courage, law,
dreams, etc.).
● One tied to the natural world (fire,
growing things, gravity, etc.)
When you push yourself you can:
● Briefly bend your god’s domains to
your will.
● Momentarily gain potency against
enemies of your god.
Amahlia, mendicant master
Hadir, wandering inquisitor
Melchior, cantor of the laws
XP
Community Ideal
You have found your people and you will
fight, die, and even kill to protect them.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Stood in defense of those you hold
dear.
● Brought others into your group.
● Left a legacy of your community behind
that continues your work.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Sacrifice your well-being for the
good of the team.
● 2 Grit: Choose your kith, when others
need you.
● 3 Grit: Improve your standing in the
group.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Put yourself ahead of
your allies.
Adventure Ideal
The truth of the past, the secret to the future, is
burried the sands and jungles of this world
and you will bring it to light.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Investigated the mysteries of the past.
● Shared your discoveries with the world.
● Revealed a truth that has been burried
or hidden.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Take action when everyone else
hesitates.
● 2 Grit: Refuse to back down when
everyone else retreats.
● 3 Grit: Refuse to be torn away from
your work, even when others need you.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Admit you’ll never find
the truth.
Conspiracy Ideal
For now you may be a pawn, but you will be a
player once you unravel the truth.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Furthered your secret master’s
agenda.
● Learned a truth about the conspiracy.
● Advanced your standing within the
conspiracy.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Lie, misdirect, or occlude.
● 2 Grit: Manipulate others into
accomplishing your ends.
● 3 Grit: Keep your secrets, even from
allies.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Turn your back on the
organization and become hunted.
Duty Ideal
You’ve given your life to something larger
than yourself. The question remains if you’ll
be able to make good on your promise.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Followed your calling into danger.
● Justified your actions.
● Convinced someone to share your
burden.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Make an unnecessary sacrifice in
the name of your responsibilities.
● 2 Grit: Choose your oath over your
allies.
● 3 Grit: Refuse to take on more as you
are already sworn to your promise.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Fail in your promise or
put down your burden.
Chaos Ideal
Life is Chaos and life has made you strong.
Anything else is only a slow death.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Destroyed or corrupt, the works of Law.
● Demonstrated to the world how Chaos
has made you strong.
● Opened the eyes of weak to the power
that Chaos offers them.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Offer up a suitable sacrifice to
the gods of Chaos.
● 2 Grit: Refuse to back down or cower to
the followers of Law.
● 3 Grit: Keep yourself free, even from the
will of the Chaos gods.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Allow Law to take your
strength or make you cower.
Glory Ideal
The stories people tell about us are the only
things that last after we’re gone. That’s why
you must ensure yours is told.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Lead with your actions.
● Drew the admiration of your peers.
● Won hearts and minds who will keep
your story growing.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Make an unnecessarily dramatic
gesture.
● 2 Grit: Choose what will make you look
best over what others need.
● 3 Grit: Upstage an ally.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Let your story become
about something other than yourself.
Law Ideal
The Lords of Law make the world what it is
and you will not allow that to fall.
At the end of a session mark XP if you:
● Sanctified or purge the works of Chaos
● Demonstrated to the how only through
Law can the world be made right.
● Inspired the weak to respect and
venerate Law.
Mark Grit when you:
● 1 Grit: Offer up a suitable sacrifice to
the gods of Law.
● 2 Grit: Refuse to back down or cower to
the followers of Order.
● 3 Grit: Refuse to tolerate nuance,
ambiguity, or deviance.
● Buyoff (5 Grit): Suffer Chaos to take
root and corrupt the works of Law.