SORCERERS, ADVENTURERS, KINGS, AND ECONOMICS

BASIC RULES

TTRPG BY RAINER KAASIK-AASLAV

2023
Basic Rules is a simplified edition of the SAKE Core Rulebook, similar to a Quickstart but longer (245 pages) as SAKE is a crunchy
game with several modules. This book allows you to experience the full game, including rules for domain building and playing
the domain game, rules for dungeon crawling, adventuring in the wilds, chases, and fights. It also covers rules for magic and
otherworld, as well as making pacts with gods to channel spells from them.
Several of these modules use their own Character Sheet like sheets (e.g., Domain Sheet for the Domain Game). You can
download them when the need arises (as there are links in the modules) or all together as a package: Sheets for SAKE
The Full Core Rulebook will be published after the Kickstarter campaign and will include:
- More abilities, more equipment, and magical items
- More spell schools (Necromancy, Psychics)
- Asteanic major gods and a whole lot of priest spells
- More establishments for the Domain Game
- Rules for combat on a company scale and stats for companies
- A complete Economics module (Rules for overseas trade, seafaring, sea battles, ship stats, storms, and so on).

Kickstarter prelaunch page:

If you want to be notified of the Kickstarter launch or any other important news about SAKE,
you can sign up for the newsletter: www.sake.ee/newsletter/ (I promise not to send too frequent emails).

Or you can simply follow SAKE on any social media platform, where all news will be posted:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SAKEttrpg
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/sake_rpg/
Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@SAKE

Sorcerers, Adventurers, Kings, And Economics Basic Rules

2023
ISBN 978-9916-4-2196-3
Game design and writing by Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav
Translated from Estonian with the help of Getter Kaasik-Aaslav and ChatGPT
Illustrations by Midjourney AI; maps, plans, and schematics by Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav

Published by Seventh Son Publishing, LLC

www.sake.ee
sake@sake.ee

© 2023 Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav. All rights reserved.

SORCERERS, ADVENTURERS, KINGS, AND ECONOMICS

BASIC RULES

TTRPG by Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav

2023
Table of Contents Weapons and Armour  40
Masterworks40
Introduction and Core Principles 5 Silver Weapons 40
Weapon’s Special Properties 40
General Rules and Character Creation 7
Weapon Groups under Speed Attribute 42
Character Creation Overview 7
Weapon Groups under Precision Attribute 46
Archetypical Characters 12
Weapons under Body Attribute 51
Azure Warrior Archetype 12
Armour52
Beastmaster Archetype 13
Equipment for Adventurers 55
Samurai Bureaucrat Archetype 14
Basic Travelling Equipment 55
Shinobi Archetype 15
Tools for Adventurers 55
Character Progression 16
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 17 Potions56
Attributes17 Services56
Body17 Horses, Carriages and Equestrian Equipment  56
Speed18 Magical Items 58
Precision18 Drugs for Sorcery 62
Soul18 Simplified Systems 64
Intellect18 Cost of the Expedition 64
Instinct18 Wages65
Skills and Their Uses 19 Specialized Services 66
Natural 20 and 1s 20
The Adventurers Module 67
Body Skills 20
Expedition Rules 67
Speed Skills 20
Expedition Preparation and Expedition Sheet 67
Precision Skills 21
Expedition leaders 67
Intellect Skills 23
Hazards and Opportunities 67
Soul Skills 25
Expedition’s Movement Speed (Distance travelled per day)
Instinct Skills 25 68
Abilities28 Playing the Expedition 69
General Abilities 28 Movement Speeds 69
Abilities relating to an Attribute 28 Individual Activities 70
Abilities related to Skills 29 Hazards and Opportunities 70
Other Abilities Useful for Adventurer 30 Situations During the Adventure 71
Combat Abilities (general) 31 Hazards and Opportunities for the Game Master 74
Abilities for Combat Styles 32 Hazards76
Abilities Related to Combat Manoeuvres 35 Opportunities78
Abilities for Rulers and Chancellors 37 Dungeon Crawling Rules 81
Equipment and Goods 38 Dungeon Sheet for PCs 81
Money38 Hazards and Opportunities on Dungeon Sheet 81
Selling and Buying Goods 38 Dungeon Schematics and Mapping 82
Metals  39 Playing the Dungeoncrawl 82

2
Length of a Dungeon Turn 82 Fighting Against a Soul or as a Soul 120
Movement Speeds and Movement in the Dungeon 83 Attributes & Skills of a Soul 120
Actions83 Loss and Recovery of Soul HP 121
Hazards and Opportunities 84 Death and the Aftermath 121
Preparing the Dungeon, for the Game Master 85 Sorcery123
Dungeon Inhabitants aka Monsters 86 Game Mechanics of Magic 123

Dungeon Type 86 Learning Sorcery 123

Scripted Encounters 87 Problems Associated with Using Sorcery 124

Preparing Hazards and Opportunities  88 Failing to Cast a Spell 124

Secrets  91 Madnesses125

Combat94 Magic in the Asteanic World 130

Start of Combat 95 Beastmastery131
The Course of the Fight 95 Astral Projection 134
Critical Hits and Misses 101 Restoration138
Critical Hits (Attack Roll Natural 20) 102 Soulcraft143
Critical Misses (Rolling a Natural 1 on the Attack Roll and Gods, Religions, and Channeling 148
Getting a Total of 0 or Less) 102 Playing a Priest 149
Combat Manoeuvres 103 Religions in the Asteanic World 150
Table of Combat Manoeuvres 103 The Doctrine of Eternal Waters 150
Different Combat Situations 107 Assuming the Role of a God (for GM)  152
Fighting on Horseback 107 Deities of the Asteanic World and Spells They Offer 154
Fighting in the Darkness 108 Lesser Gods and Their Portfolios  154
After Tripping 108 Channelling Spells 156
Fighting with Throwing and Ranged Weapons 108 Theology Rituals 157
Morale109 Self-Powered Spells 158
Chase Rules 110 Spells from Pacts with Lesser Gods 160
The Start and Participants of the Chase 110
Collecting and Losing Escape Points 110 King’s Module 164
Social Rules 112 Asteanic World 164
Persuasion112 Domain Rules 170
Introduction170
Sorcery Module 114 Terms Before Starting 170
The Otherworld & Soul 116 Starting the Domain Game and Building the Domain 172
Description & Geography 116
Land172
The Passage of Time 116
Domain’s Military Capability 176
The Otherworld as the Realm of the Deceased 116
Domain Size 177
Otherworld as the Realm of Otherworldlings 117
Establishments, Villages, Corvée and Serfdom 178
Travelling & Adventuring in the Otherworld 118
Domain Market Capacity 178
Entering the Otherworld 118
Capital City 178
Adventures in the Otherworld 119
Palace178
Soul, Combat as a Soul, and Death 120
Domain’s Ruler and Chancellors 179

 3
Other Incomes and Expenditures 180
Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent, and Time of Troubles181
Domain’s Otherworld and Nature Gods 183
Micro-Domains aka Noble Estates 184
Playing the Domain Game 186
Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent, and Time of Troubles186
Random Tables 187
Domain Actions  203
Establishments207
Network-Type Establishments 207
Buildings and Establishments 209
Espionage226

Potential Adversaries 229

Npcs229
Animals232
Otherworldlings and Undead 238

4
INTRODUCTION AND CORE PRINCIPLES
SAKE is a modular d20 point-buy TTRPG that blends strategy
game elements and gives you the opportunity to embody
powerful rulers, savvy merchants, fearless adventurers, mad
sorcerers, or priests with pacts with strange gods. All at the
same time!
SAKE is perfect for those who love to build and create, as
you can transform your dungeon loot into grand castles and
establish your own domains, fleets, or armies alongside your
unique characters.
SAKE includes:
• A robust system for managing domains and generating
adventures around them.
• A system for engaging in trade and shipping, complete
with all the associated intrigues and risks.
• A system for large-scale battles, complete with troops,
sieges and more.
• An abundance of random tables for generating events,
dungeons and adventures, ensuring that each game
session is unique.
• and of course, magic, exciting early modern equipment
(katanas, muskets, plate armour, and grenades, all in
the same battle), undead, insane gods, and all the other
elements one would expect from an adventure.
Core mechanics
• SAKE uses a standard 7-dice set (d4, d6, d8, d10, d%,
d12, d20).
• Most rolls are made with a d20 (skill checks, attack rolls,
spell rolls, etc.).
• Point buy. During play, PCs can earn Experience Points
(EXP), which they can use to purchase Skill Ranks,
abilities, Health Points, spells, etc.
• Experience Points can be gained through gameplay
events and the personality traits of a player character.
At the end of each game session, the Game Master (GM)
and the players evaluate how much EXP was earned. The
amount of EXP earned is individual.
• Hex crawls and dungeon crawls are divided into turns.
During each turn, each PC has one action. In addition,
the skills and abilities of the PCs combine to form the
group’s overall capability, from which Opportunities and
Hazards arise.
• Opportunities and Hazards are rolled using a percentile
dice (d100).
• Depending on the actions of the PCs, and/or the results
of the Opportunity and Hazard rolls, encounters occur.
• To prepare a dungeon or hex crawl, the GM fills out a
dungeon or region sheet. These sheets have several
parts that are already pre-filled with general ideas of
what may happen during the adventure, which speeds
up and simplifies the GM’s work.
• Combat is divided into 10-second rounds, during which
each character has one Action and one Reaction. The
order of Actions is determined at the beginning of
combat.
• Actions can be used during a character’s turn for
movement, casting spells, attacking, etc.
• Reactions can only be used during an opponent’s
Action to disrupt them (for example shooting when an
opponent moves).
• Attack and Parrying are determined by opposing rolls.
• Armour provides Damage Reduction, which is
subtracted from Damage.
• When fleeing from combat, a separate system is used
in which distance is not measured in meters or time
in 10-second rounds. The fleeing character must
accumulate 5 Escape Points. During the escape, it is
possible to attack with ranged weapons or to completely
avoid being hit by sacrificing Escape Points.
• Player characters (PCs) may attempt to persuade non-
player characters (NPCs) to do something, change their
opinion, or believe something. If the Game Master (GM)
determines that the NPC is unwilling to comply with the
PC’s request, they will set static Difficulty Levels based
on the reasons for the NPC’s unwillingness. The PCs
can remove these reasons by taking certain actions or
arguing with the NPC.
• Arguing can involve using various skills depending on
the nature of the argument. For example, Theology can
be used to argue about matters of faith, Social Skills can
always be used.
• Magic functions similarly to other skills. You can advance
your mastery in magic schools (skills) by acquiring ranks,
spells are individual Abilities that must be obtained
individually.
The core principles of the rules also apply to other modules.
For example, the percentile of Opportunities and Hazards
is rolled during each turn of dungeon exploration, while
in domain play, a similar system of group percentile value
is used to roll for Prosperity, Discontent and Corruption.
Additionally, just as individual characters have Actions and
Reactions during each round of combat, military units also
have Actions and Reactions during each turn of battle.
Furthermore, just as individual characters accumulate escape
points to flee, army units and ships do so when battles take
place on a larger scale or on water.
 5
As SAKE is modular, it is easy to utilize only the necessary Merchant campaign
modules, preventing the game from overwhelming players.
In this campaign, the PCs are merchants and/or pirates
If you prefer classical dungeon crawling, you don’t need to
who operate from a base such as a ship or a trading post in
worry about world economics or domain ruling. Conversely,
a large city. They are driven by the desire to increase their
you can play SAKE as a domain strategy game, utilizing the
personal wealth and influence and may undertake a variety
random events system in the King module to create content
of adventures that take them across the world’s oceans. This
and playing by Domain Turns, never engaging in hand-to-
campaign can involve a hex-crawl structure, but it is not
hand combat and only fighting as an army when launching
required.
campaigns against neighbouring kingdoms.
Possible adventure scenarios:
Campaign types well-suited for SAKE
Campaign in which the PCs are rulers or chancellors • Engaging in piracy

In this campaign, the PCs are part of a clan, dynasty, group • Exploring and charting new territories
of samurai bureaucrats, leading priests of a temple, or similar • Negotiating trade agreements
organization with a shared goal and a domain over which
they have authority. They must work to protect and improve • Competing and battling with other merchants in cities
their domain, collecting taxes from the people living there to and on the seas
fund these efforts. • Surviving a shipwreck and discovering a mysterious
At the start of the game, the PCs are already in positions of island
power and, while their adventures may take them anywhere • Dealing with intrigues and conflicts in major trade
and involve any type of challenge, their overarching goal is centres
to safeguard and expand their domain.
• Clearing trade routes of pirates.
Possible adventure scenarios:
Rags to riches campaign
• Conflict with a neighbouring kingdom
The PCs start as ordinary adventurers, and everything else
• A nature deity that is hostile towards humans and their follows.
domains
• Intrigue and drama within the court
• Vassals who are rebellious or a lord who is hostile
towards the PCs
• Magic-related issues
• Plague and drought causing problems
• War breaking out
• Hired adventurers making a situation worse instead of
better.

6
GENERAL RULES AND CHARACTER CREATION
CHARACTER CREATION OVERVIEW
Each player creates a Player Character (PC) to start a game,
whose life they will take on within the game.
SAKE’s characters have many components, therefore you
should allow yourself plenty of time to create one. Creating
a PC can take upwards of several hours. You can pick a ready-
made archetypical PC as an alternative faster option to start
the game.
Note: Archetypical PCs are built with 8 attribute points, 100 EXP
and 100 GD (gold denari) for equipment.
Character creation starts with assigning PC’s Attributes,
designating Skills Ranks and choosing Abilities. Finally,
coming up with your PC’s distinctive Personality Traits.
Write it all down on the Character Sheet.
Players and Game Master (GM) should work together in
creating PCs, taking into account the genre of the upcoming
adventure. This ensures each player character has useful
skills in the game. Discuss areas such as how much fighting
will take place because one can easily create a PC that is
either great or useless in combat using the same amount of
Experience Points (EXP).
If first-time player finds creating their own PC too difficult,
they can use an archetype. Archetypes are balanced. Each
has their own skill sets specific to their archetype and every
one of them can contribute to both combats as well as social
situations.
Furthermore, it is possible to leave out elements from the
base game. A player can create their PC only using Attributes
and Skills if they feel that Distinctive Personality Traits and
Game Events system (part 2 on the Character Sheet) seem
too difficult or tedious to deal with. Game Events are marked
down to develop a character after each game session as
it awards the player with EXP. If you choose to not use the
Game Events system you can have the GM award any EXP
needed to develop PCs during the game as the GM sees fit.
You can also postpone anything relevant to governance and
economy until PC’s acquire villages or businesses.
Character Sheet
Character sheet is divided into 3 parts. One can play SAKE by
only filling out the first part found on the first three pages.
The first page focuses on PC’s Attributes and Skills,
The second page of the Character Sheet focuses on
personality traits, role-playing in the Asteanic world and
special abilities. These fields give depth to a PC otherwise
composed of positive and negative numbers. It helps the
player relate to their PC and the world that surrounds their
PC.
Character Creation Overview 7
The third page is for equipment. The third part of the character sheet is dedicated to sorcery;
only those players who wish their PC to be a priest or
sorcerer should fill these fields. Here you should write down
the character’s abilities in Otherworld and Spells.

A PC gains EXP at the end of each game session. For that,

they must assess the events of the game session and their
PC’s development and write it down in the Game Events
system in part 2 of the Character Sheet.

Click to download empty Character Sheet

8
Assigning Attributes
SAKE’s PCs have six attributes that define their physical and
mental abilities. Body, Speed and Precision are physical
attributes that define a PC’s body and movement. Soul,
Intellect and Instinct define a PC’s mental abilities. Physical
and mental parts of humans are separate in SAKE and the
death of the body does not necessarily mean the death of a
PC’s soul.
Attributes are written in numbers starting from -10 and can
go up to eternity. PCs that are undistinguishable in a field
should write down 0 as their attribute. GM should keep
this in mind when creating random NPCs. Someone whose
attribute is +6 is almost inhumanely capable in the field. An
expert in some field of science could have +6 in Intellect, and
an Olympian sportsman could have +6 in Body and Speed.
-6 in Intellect would on the other hand mean that a person
would even have difficulty expressing themselves in their
native language.
The amount of points used in creating PCs is to be decided
by players and the GM. These starting points do not cost
any EXP. If a player wishes to add more Attribute points
than agreed upon at the start of the game they can do so
by spending 30 EXP for each additional point. Each player
should get either 6, 8 or 10 points. They should also decide
on attribute point limits in the negatives and positives when
starting out. This will decide PC’s capability (or incapability)
at the start of the game. It is recommended to not go over
+6 and under -2 in any field when creating PCs at the start
of the game.
All attributes are at 0 by default when creating a new PC. If a
player decides to lower an attribute into the negatives they
can use the equivalent as positive points in another field.
Archetypical PCs are built with 8 attribute points, which
is standard practice in SAKE. The majority of NPCs are
also built using 8 attribute points. NPCs living tough lives,
random bandits and other insignificant NPCs are built using
6 attribute points. Only significant NPCs that play key roles in
the game are built using 10 points and more.
Assigning Skill points
(Skill descriptions in a respective chapter)
Once you’ve assigned your attribute points in Body, Speed,
Precision, Soul, Intellect and Instinct you can start adding
skill ranks to skills. Bear in mind that you should leave some
EXP for other fields on your character sheet on pages 1-2.
Attributes describe a PC’s natural prerequisite capability. It
is Skills that determine the probability of success of a PC’s
activities in game.
Players and GM must decide on how many EXP each PC starts
out with at the start of a game. Archetypical PCs are built
using 100 EXP, which makes them rather powerful within
SAKE’s system. They will more or less manage in any situation
within the game.
You can start with more or less than 100 EXP depending
on the nature of the adventure. For example, in true rags to
riches story, PCs can start only with 40 points or even less.
Each extra skill rank costs the equivalent in EXP, so rank 2
in Athletics costs 2 EXP and so forth until rank 5 after which,
each extra rank will continue to cost 5 EXP. For example, +6
in Athletics costs 1+2+3+4+5+5=20 EXP. Skill ranks can rise
eternally with each extra rank after +5 costing 5 EXP.
Once you’ve allocated your skill ranks it’s time to add Attribute
points to them as well. If your Precision is +2 you should add
2 points to each Skill under the Precision attribute. If your
attribute points are in the negative range you should extract
them from your skills.
Skills determine how good a PC is in a given field. If a player
wishes to create a scholar that has knowledge in many
academic Skills it is smart to assign more Attribute points
to Intellect from the get-go in order to not spend extra EXP
later on individual Skills.
Before spending all your EXP points on skills one should take
a look at other fields within the character sheet to figure out
what else they need. You can also buy extra Attribute points
for 30 EXP.
PCs and NPCs can speak their native tongue without buying
the skill; however, PCs and NPCs can not automatically read
or write in any language. Buying a reading and writing ability
once applies to a PC’s native tongue as well as any additional
languages that have been bought. If you want your PC to be
able to communicate in for example Tauric which isn’t the
character’s native tongue you will need to buy that ability
with 5 EXP.
A player uses d12 for skill check when they haven’t bought
any skill ranks because they know nothing of the field. If a
player has at least 1 skill rank they can use d20. 1 rank equals
very basic knowledge in SAKE’s system. All additional ranks
show a higher skill level and knowledge base. Because of
this, it might be useful to allocate 1 rank to all basic skills like
Social Skills, Athletics, Perception and Riding even when a
player does not intend to develop these further in the game.
Note that Reflexes, Parrying, Willpower, Health Points (HP) and
other similar Abilities on the character sheet are not Skills but
Abilities. Their costs are written under the Abilities chapter.
Choosing Abilities
(Descriptions in the Abilities chapter)
Abilities define all types of tricks a PC can do. Abilities
include spells mages and priests can cast. They’re found in
the Sorcery module.
You will find prices for Reflexes, HP etc. in the Abilities
chapter.
Character Creation Overview 9
 Creating a Distinctive Personality Rather Positive:
Personality is one of the most important aspects of SAKE’s • Ambitious
character. This is not limited to roleplaying but also for • Energetic
technical reasons. PC’s development (how much EXP they
• Stubborn
gain after each game session) is calculated using personality
traits. • Vengeful
• Dedicated/ consistent
PC’s personality is made up of Personality Traits, Principles, • Calm
Madnesses, Pacts with lesser Gods and Goals. A wizard
• Realistic/ considerate/ practical
can descend into madnesses the types which are also
considered a Personality Trait. When a priest enters into a • Adventurous
Pact with Lesser Gods they must agree to take on taboos or • Proud/ arrogant/ very confident
principles, these are also considered Personality Traits. A PC • Incredulous
can not have more than 10 distinctive personality traits at • Polite/ diplomatic
any point in the game. A PC can have less than 10 personality
Neutral:
traits and add more or change them at any point during the
course of the game. Only Madnesses and Pacts with Lesser • Greedy/ jealous
Gods are set in stone and can not be changed during the • Honest
game as easily. • Caring/ understanding/ empathetic
Personality traits should be general for example hot • Selfish/ self-centred
blooded, mean, honest, friendly, calm, unpredictable, naive, • Brave
emotional, egoistic, etc. • Cruel
Principles should be more specific for example, vegetarian, • Talkative
pacifist, loyal to their master, only believe in one god, help • Kind/generous
all those in need, never steal, never hits a woman or stranger • Loyal/ faithful
principles relating to a religion or culture such as never • Jolly
cutting their hair, never working during a Sunday, etc. • Straightforward
Goals can be short- or long-term for example, “I will survive • Hard-working
a particular battle” or “I will end up marrying the heir to the • Tenacious
throne”. Goals can be unspecific like “I will get rich” or specific • Fair
like “I will rise to patrician caste”.
Rather Negative:
Examples of Personality traits
• Shy
Different cultures can consider the same personality trait • Impulsive/ spontaneous/ unpredictable
differently. What is considered positive in one can be seen • Passionate
as negative in another even though they are transcultural. • Lazy
These examples of Personality Traits are divided into 3
• Passive/ insecure/ indecisive
groups: rather positive, neutral or rather negative from
Asteanic cultures’ standpoint and characterise this culture • Busybody
which has spread over the world’s oceans. • Weak-willed
• Quiet
Personality traits gain you additional EXP in gameplay so
• Deceitful
consider how you’d play your personality to maximise EXP
gain.

10
Finishing the Character Creation
Once a player has assigned Attributes, Skills, Abilities and
Personality Traits they should add a few finishing touches,
buy equipment, and start the game.
The Game Master decides the amount of money the PCs
begin with for their equipment. Pre-made archetypes come
equipped with 100 GD (gold denari) worth of gear.
Reflexes
Used in combat when parrying is not possible or against
explosions and similar hazards.
Speed + purchased Reflexes (5 EXP for 1 Reflex point) -
Armour penalty = Reflexes
Armour penalty for each type of armour can be found in the
Equipment chapter.
Parrying
Used in combat against attack rolls.
Reflexes + purchased Parrying + Shield = Parrying.
Later when a player changes their armour or gains additional
Speed or Reflexes they should also recalculate Parrying.
Movement Speed
Go to the Attributes chapter to find out how many metres per
round a PC moves. This is affected by Armour. Light armour
does not affect Movement Speed, medium armour deducts
4m from Movement Speed and heavy armour deducts 8m.
Willpower and Spell Resistance
Willpower is rarely rolled, but the Spellpoint count begins
with Willpower. Spell Resistance is rolled against an
adversary’s spell checks.
Soul + purchased Willpower (5 EXP for 1 Willpower) =
Willpower
Willpower + purchased Spell Resistance (3 EXP for 1 Spell
Resistance) + Amulet) = Spell Resistance
Amulets can be bought. Their prices and descriptions can be
found in the Equipment chapter.
Spellpoints
Casting spells costs Spellpoints, with most spells requiring 1
Spellpoint per casting.
Willpower + Spellpoints from purchased Spells = Spellpoints
Info and prices of spells at the Sorcery module.
Weapons and other equipment
The Weapon Attack consists of a weapon skill and bonuses
from the weapon when it is masterwork or magical.
In the case of melee or throwing weapons, the Body attribute
is added to Weapon Damage. However, other ranged
weapons like bows and firearms generally do not receive
any additional damage from the Body attribute. If a weapon
is masterwork or magical, then the corresponding bonus
should also be added to the damage.
Damage Reduction is derived directly from armour, as
well as Magical Damage Reduction. It should be noted that
regular armour does not have Magical Damage Reduction.
Surplus points
Write down any EXP points you didn’t use if there’s a surplus.
You can use them between game sessions or during the
game as agreed upon by players and GM.
Final thoughts for GM to determine EXP for character
creation
Archetypical PCs are built with 8 attribute points, 100 EXP
and 100 GD (gold denari) for equipment.
Here are some examples to illustrate how capable a certain
amount of EXP and attribute points make a PC or NPC:
20 EXP, 4 attribute points: a very young person with little to
no education. Example a young farmer. They would have a
Skill Level of +3 or +4 in Athletics, Agriculture and Wilderness
skills and +1 or +2 in other fields relating to their profession
such as Woodwork and Riding.
40 EXP, 6 attribute points: ashigaru, a marine or an apprentice
to an expert blacksmith. They’d have a Skill Level of +4 or
+5 in their chosen craft or weapon and +2 or +3 in other
general skills such as Social Skills or Perception. A marine or
ashigaru would have fewer skill ranks in general skills but
extra Parrying and Health Points (HP).
60 EXP, 8 attribute points: most village samurai and
craftsmen. A skilled craftsman would have a Skill Level of
+10 in their field of expertise and the rest is divided between
other relevant skills. A samurai has a bigger array of different
skills than a craftsman, their highest Skill Level would be +6
in one weapon skill. Samurai would also have purchased
some HP, Parrying and Abilities.
80-120 EXP, 8 attribute points: All types of elite soldiers,
master crafters, licensed merchants and domain chancellors
would have +10 Skill Level or more in their respective skills
of expertise. An Elite soldier would have fewer ranks in Skills
but fighting abilities such as Dual Wielding or Mounted
Archery etc.
About 200 EXP, 8 attribute points: Specialty NPCs such as
wyvern knights, azure warriors, samurai-priests etc.
300 and more EXP, 10 attribute points: Distinguished
speciality NPCs such as extremely powerful azure warriors
(having almost all spells in Astral Projection spell school),
archpriests who know powerful curses or blessings, wizards
who can bring people back from the dead, warriors who
remain untouchable for regular folk and so forth.
BBEG for your whole campaign could be built with around
800 or more EXP and 12 attribute points.
Character Creation Overview 11
 ARCHETYPICAL CHARACTERS
Archetypes are built using 8 attribute points and 100 EXP, and they all come equipped with equipment worth 100 GD.
In contrast, most standard NPCs are constructed using 40-80 points. Sample archetype characters are designed to be
well-balanced, enabling them to handle a wide range of in-game situations.

Azure Warrior Archetype

Azure Assassins, or Azure Warriors, are warrior-sorcerers If you ever acquire a Soulbleed weapon, using it in your
in Asteanic culture who have weaponized the use of astral form allows you to fight with it, and when you hit
Astral Projection magic. With the help of powerful someone with your weapon, you also deduct Soul HP
substances like Skyblue, these warriors leave their from them. Regular armour does not protect against
bodies behind and fight as souls – wielding Soulbleed those attacks, and most people have fewer Soul HP than
weapons and utilising abilities only available to ghosts, regular HP.
such as flying and becoming invisible.
When you use your Soulbleed weapon while in your
As the cost of studying magic and acquiring the physical body, regular armour provides protection
specialised equipment needed to become an Azure because it can’t simply phase through armour like it can
Warrior is high, most of them belong to wealthy noble in spirit form. However, in this case, the spirit weapon
castes. However, they are seldom rulers themselves, as deducts both types of HP simultaneously. Steel inflicts
using the most potent narcotic substances required for regular wounds, and the spirit within it inflicts soul
their powerful abilities can make them susceptible to wounds.
addiction and madness. Many Azure Assassins serve
powerful rulers or offer their skills as assassins, albeit on
the other side of the law.
An archetypal sample character can already exit their
body and use the Manipulation of Physical Objects spell
to strangle enemies. However, they still need to learn
how to take powerful Soulbleed weapons with them and
acquire other spells. Additionally, it’s worth focusing on
developing their combat skills. You have the potential
to be one of the most dangerous warriors in Asteanic
culture. Understandably, an astral warrior like you has
certain advantages. It’s very difficult for conventional
weapons to harm you; your DR against them is 20 when
astral projecting. However, Soulbleed weapons and
silver weapons inflict damage normally. Successful
attacks deduct Soul HP from you.

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12
Beastmaster Archetype
Beastmastery is not typical magical skill, as it falls under Beastmastery is quite common in the Asteanic world,
the Instinct attribute rather than being part of the usual as it offers practical utility in everyday life. This skill
magical talents governed by the Soul attribute. The has enabled several cultures to integrate unusual
foundational skill of Beastmastery is the language of and dangerous animals into their daily activities. For
animals, which a sorcerer learns just like ordinary people instance, some Tauric knights ride wyverns, Gurge tribes
learn languages of different cultures. At the start of coexist with massive and aggressive Single-humped
the game, a character of this archetype knows only the Steppe Unihorns, and Kali sea tribes employ Colossal Sea
language of jaguars, but as the game progresses, they Turtles in naval battles.
can learn other animal languages if someone teaches
them. Any animal whose language the beastmaster
knows can be brought under their control.
However, conversing with animals is not quite the same
as speaking with humans. Many concepts familiar to
the human world are alien or completely different to
animals. For example, wolves lack the concept of nations
or races, but the idea of home or den, as well as territorial
boundaries, is not foreign to them, since wolves are
territorial creatures who know that each pack has its own
defined territory – and thus, humans too. Challenges may
arise with enumeration. Most animals can manage with
numbers like 1, 2, 3, but beyond that come various terms
for higher numbers, which even a person fluent in animal
language might find rather challenging to understand.

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Archetypical Characters 13
 Samurai Bureaucrat Archetype
Samurai are semi-feudal bureaucrat-warriors in the Asteanic
world. The roots of samurai culture and caste lie in North
Thefna, from where it spread across the Asteanic world.
Historically, samurai were heavily armed horse archers who
swore loyalty to their lord.
Although the samurai army is no longer the most effective
type of military force today, it is still the main component
of most Asteanic rulers’ armies, due to the structure of
Asteanic society. In every Asteanic village, there is at least
one samurai who fulfils the roles of the village head, tax
collector, police officer, judge, writer, and sometimes teacher
and priest. Therefore, samurai have very broad knowledge
and education. The art of war is often secondary; mainly they
manage their lords’ lands as the lowest-level bureaucrats, and
the villages feed and arm the samurai. It is precisely because
of their bureaucratic skills that lords depend on samurai.
Village samurai are trained in classical martial arts together
with serf ashigaru, but on the battlefield, they are often
inferior to professional ronin or musket and pike units. The
advantage of samurai units is their strong loyalty (Morale) to
their lord and non-existent maintenance costs – the land on
which they serve as bureaucrats feeds them.
Click to download Character Sheet:
14
Although most samurai families live in the countryside, some
have found themselves in the numerous and large Asteanic
cities. These city samurai are called street samurai because
they usually have responsibility for one city street. Although
life in the city is more prestigious and refined than among
illiterate tenants in the countryside, many street samurai
feel inferior. Village samurai are the great leaders, teachers,
and judges of their village. City samurai, whose rights over
the free city dwellers are significantly smaller, are often
the poorest residents of their street, who must constantly
argue and share land with wealthy and organized syndicate
masters.
The top of the samurai caste is represented by daimyos,
feudal vice-regents, and military leaders in the service of their
lord. Through the daimyos and the general militarization of
the Asteanic world, samurai culture has also spread to the
aristocratic castes. There are many nobles who dress and
behave like samurai but belong to a significantly higher
caste. Many of these nobles use their connections to create
pacts with the gods and thereby become more powerful
warriors than any village samurai.
Shinobi Archetype
Shinobis are a class of covert agents, spies, and assassins
operating in the Asteanic world. Despite most rulers having
shinobis in their service, they tend to avoid openly revealing
their identities. Due to their nature, shinobis strive to blend in
and not draw attention to themselves. Nonetheless, certain
characteristics are typical of the archetype. They possess a
wide-ranging education, including non-classical areas of
study. Shinobis are skilled in disguising themselves, moving
silently, picking locks, have knowledge of medicine, and can
handle various weapons. They excel in using both ranged
weapons and swords. Additionally, they carry a vast array of
equipment to aid them in any situation, making them one of
the most well-equipped archetypes. In close combat, they
employ dual-wielding techniques, allowing for two attacks
in a single Action.

Click to download Character Sheet:

Archetypical Characters 15
 CHARACTER PROGRESSION
PCs earn Experience Points (EXP) throughout the game,
which they can use to improve their skills, attributes, abilities,
and more.
It is optimal if the characters receive 10 to 30 Experience
Points for the game session, depending on the length and
intensity of the game. Below is SAKE’s unique method for
gaining experience points.
If the method seems too complicated at first or does not work
for the gaming group for some other reason, an alternative
method can be used, in which the characters receive 2 or 3
Experience Points for each game hour or some other agreed-
upon method.
Obtaining EXP
The entire game session is divided into events (also
called encounters), between which PC discussions take
place, purchases are made, activities related to domain
management (percentile rolls and leader actions) occur,
travelling from one point to another takes place, etc.
To receive EXP, each player individually writes down all the
events that took place during the game session on their
Character Sheet. First, the event must be defined.
Events are episodes in the game that can be more or less
defined by a beginning, middle, and resolution. They usually
take a few dozen minutes to play through and often require
players to roll their dice.
Examples of game events (encounters):
• Combat on an individual scale or battles on a unit scale
(in the case of a very large or complex battle, it may be
divided into several events)
• Avoiding combat in some interesting way
• Stalking someone or escaping from someone/
something.
• Breaking and entering or engaging in some other
illegal/frowned upon activity that has the threat of
being caught.
• Attending a party or gathering during which multiple
PCs speak to multiple people, gather information, and
make agreements.
• Gathering information about something or someone.
• Overcoming obstacles while travelling or dungeon
crawling.
• Speaking to an important NPC to find out information
or convince them.
• Solving a simple domain problem (such as quick
litigation or taking care of a complaint).
16
Examples of situations that are not encounters:
• Planning a course of actions and other discussions
between PCs
• Buying equipment, property etc.
• Domain actions such as rolling percentages, building
infrastructure, creating military companies.
• Travelling without coming across anything noteworthy.
Then each player individually evaluates each encounter,
whether it was dangerous for the character, whether
the character had to use cunning, whether there was an
unpredictable turn, whether the encounter challenged
the character, meaning whether the failure was likely
and whether the encounter led the character to discover
something important about the world or about themselves.
The character earns one Experience Point for each category.
Each encounter can yield a total of 0 to 5 experience points
in this way.
Each character has personal traits, principles, goals, taboos
resulting from contracts with gods, and madnesses resulting
from magic. For each encounter that in some way involves
any of these, it should be noted which trait or principle or
taboo was involved. A character earns 1 experience point for
following a personal trait, principle or taboo, if the adherence
to the trait was in some way involved in the encounter.
For example, sudden violence from a quick-tempered
character, an entire encounter driven by the vengeful
character’s desire for revenge, lying by a deceitful character
that somehow influenced the course of the encounter, etc.
The evaluation for goals is very straightforward – whether
the encounter brought the character closer to achieving one
of their goals. If the character achieved a goal during the
encounter (or outside of the encounters), they receive an
additional point and remove the goal from their traits.
A player can change their character’s personality traits,
principles, and goals at any time because people are
constantly evolving. A character’s madnesses resulting from
magic cannot be changed so easily, and points for them can
be earned in unique ways described in the Sorcery module.
A maximum of 8 points can be earned for one encounter, but
this should be rather unusual.
ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Attributes Body
Light Carrying Max Carrying
Capacity, kg. Capacity, kg.
All humans have 6 Attributes. 3 are physical – Body, Speed
and Precision. Soul, Intellect and Instinct are mental 0 24 48
Attributes. PCs in SAKE have 2 halves, physical and mental +1 26 52
which means these 2 can be split. Physical Attributes make
+2 28 56
up a PC’s physical body and Mental Attributes make up their
soul. A PC’s soul is capable of leaving the physical body and +3 30 60
can even take over another. A small possibility exists for the +4 32 64
soul to live on after the death of the body which dies if the +5 34 68
Body attribute drops below -10. More on this subject in the
Sorcery module. +6 36 72
+7 38 76
Body +8 42 84
+9 46 92
A PC’s endurance and physical strength depends on their
Body. Body dictates how much equipment they can carry, +10 50 100
how well they endure poison etc. If a PC is poisoned they … +1 +5kg +10kg
must roll Body check and it is very difficult to raise resistance
to poison in any other way than raising the Body attribute.
When fighting with melee weapons you add Body to Body dictates how many rounds a PC survives without
Damage. breathing.
Body is an important Attribute to characters who wish to
Body Amount of rounds w/o breathing
wear heavy armour and mainly fight using Melee weapons
to increase their damage. … -1 -1 per each point
Health Points (HP) -5 5
-4 6
A PC has 10 + Body = HP when starting the game. Maximum
HP is 20 + Body x 5. Having Body of 0 or less caps maximum -3 7
HP at 20. 1 HP costs 2 EXP. -2 8
Carrying Capacity -1 9
Light Carrying Capacity won’t enforce any Penalty for the 0 10
PC. Maximum Capacity weighs down the PC so much that +1 12
a penalty of -4 is enforced on Reflexes, Parrying, Attack, +2 14
and Athletics, the PC’s Movement Speed is halved and the
distance travelled per day is reduced by 20 km. It is not +3 16
possible to go over Maximum Carrying Capacity. +4 18
+5 20
Light Carrying Max Carrying
Body … +1 +2 per each point
Capacity, kg. Capacity, kg.
-10 0 0 If the number of possible rounds a PC can survive without
breathing is exceeded they will start losing Body at a rate of
-9 2 4 1 attribute point per round until they die.
-8 6 12
-7 10 20
-6 12 24
-5 14 28
-4 16 32
-3 18 36
-2 20 40
-1 22 44

Attributes, Skills and Abilities 17

 Speed
Speed is applicable to all Skills relating to melee weapons
and fighting. Speed dictates a PC’s Reflexes, Movement
Speed (how many metres a PC moves within one round
which lasts 10 seconds) and Parrying. This makes Speed the
most important Attribute for any player wishing to play a PC
focusing on melee weapons.
Speed determines the distance travelled per day when
walking at regular speed. Most people can walk 50 km in a
day when going on foot. A PC’s distance travelled per day is
reduced by 20 km when they are carrying more than their
light Carrying Capacity. If a PC is wearing medium or heavy
armour then 10 km is subtracted from the distance travelled
per day.
Movement Speed and Distance Travelled per Day
Soul
Soul is an Attribute for Sorcery. Soul dictates Spell
Resistance, which is thrown when someone tries casting
evil sorcery on a PC.
Under Soul Attribute are Sorcery Skills (Magic schools) which
have to be bought separately from Skills that have been pre-
written on the Character Sheet.
Soul, Willpower and Soul HP also indicate mental health and
stress resistance. More on this subject in the Sorcery module.
Soul HP
PC has 10 + Soul = Soul HP. Maximum Soul HP is 20 + Soul
x 5. If a PC’s Soul is 0 or less it means their max Soul HP is 20.
Soul HP can be bought for the same price as Body HP – 1
Soul HP for 2 EXP.

Speed
Movement
Speed
Km per day Intellect
All sciences can be found under Intellect. All Skills relating to
-2 from each
military commanding, ruling over a domain and commerce
... -1 point that is less 30
can also be found under Intellect. This makes it an important
than -5
Attribute when a player wishes to play the domain game,
-5 20 30 oversee trade or lead an army.
-4 22 40
-3 24 40 Instinct
-2 26 50 Instinct precepts a character’s sense of the world. Instinct
-1 28 50 combines all senses from seeing and hearing to smell as well
0 30 50 as social perception.
+1 32 50 Under Instinct, there are all hard-to-define mental skills such
+2 34 50 as communication, art and performance.
+3 36 60 One can buy the Channelling skill under Instinct which is the
+4 38 60 most important skill for those wishing to play as a priest.

+5 40 60
+2 for each
... +1 60
additional point

Precision
Ranged Weapon’s Skills, crafting skills, Riding, Stealth Skills
and Mechanics are under Precision Attribute. Precision is an
important attribute to those wishing to play as an archer,
thief, spy or something of the sort.

18
Skills and Their Uses
Skills show the knowledge and ability of a character in SAKE.
In order to know anything about a topic one must buy at
least 1 rank. If a character has no rank they know nothing of
the topic, for example having no rank in Mathematics means
they can only add and subtract using integer numbers and a
person having no rank in History would confuse events from
recent history and ancient times.
1 rank in Geography, History, Mathematics, Athletics, Arts
and Music symbolises the basic education that samurai
and many children belonging to the middle castes receive
in village schools (samurai school or temple school) or
elementary schools in the city where they study for up to 4
years. More ranks than 1 means they’ve specialised further
than that in the subject.
Attribute points are added to the Skill Ranks when rolling
the skill checks. These added points symbolise natural talent
or in the case of sciences their ability to analyse or make
conclusions.
Most dice rolls in the game are skill checks. Weapon
skills determine Attack. On occasion Skill Level can mean
something without throwing anything. Example – craft skill
level decides the monthly income for craftsmen.
Skill Checks against Difficulty Level and Countered Skill
Checks
Skills are checked to achieve something. To pick a lock you
roll Mechanics and to hide oneself you roll Stealth Skills.
Skills are rolled with d20 to which Skill Level is added. If a PC
has no rank in a Skill, they use d12. This represents complete
ignorance. Someone who has no rank in riding could easily
fall off their horse.
A bonus or penalty is added to skill checks in some instances.
For example, masterwork tools can give a bonus (usually
+2) to Skill check. Absolute darkness adds a -6 penalty to
skill checks that need light. Being lightly injured gives -2 to
physical activities and -4 when heavily injured. Heavy and
medium armour adds a penalty to Stealth Skills. Armour
penalties can be found in the Equipment chapter. Other
penalties and bonuses should be discussed and agreed
upon between players and GM.
A player should only throw dice when deciding if their PC
can handle a situation or not. A PC who has rank 1 in riding
does not need to throw dice to find out if they can ride a
horse because rank 1 already determines they can. They
should however throw dice if they wish to use a difficult
escape manoeuvre.
Skill checks are divided into two: static and countered checks.
Static Skill checks are checks against a Difficulty Level (DL)
which is a specific number. For example, to pick a locked
door you will have to check Mechanics against 15, 25 or
some other DL decided by the GM.
Countered Skill checks are Skill checks against another’s
Skill check to decide the successful party. If someone’s trying
to hide and another trying to find them, the party wishing
to find them should check Perception and the one hiding
should check Stealth Skills. The party rolling a higher score
is successful.
A skill is neither fixed nor countered by default. Stealth Skill
can be rolled against a Difficulty Level when climbing a
fence, but when hiding from a stalker, it is rolled against the
stalker’s Perception.
A PC that has specialised in a field is likely to have a Skill Level
of around +8 in that skill at the game start. That makes their
median roll 18,5 and that should be considered by the GM
when deciding on fixed Difficulty Levels. Skill Levels for skills
that haven’t been specialised in are in the +3 to +4 range and
the median Skill check is about 14.
Here is a chart of examples for the GM. It contains
recommended numbers for fixed throws. Specific examples
can be found in the Skills chapter and in the Adventure
module.
DL Difficulty of a task with an example
Easy task that requires no Skill to complete. Only
rolled when time is of the essence, for example,
5
when someone is bashing in a rotten door during
a battle.
A task that requires some experience like picking a
10
simple lock.
Moderately complex. For example, climbing a
15 2 story building. Jumping over a gap that’s 5m.
Searching for most traps by throwing Perception.
Complex. Getting up a wall that’s hard to climb.
20 Herbalism checks to make the most difficult
poisons.
Difficult. Convincing a person who’s scared of
25 death to move forward. Climbing a 90° natural
surface.
Unbelievably difficult. Picking the most difficult
30
and expensive locks that are used by regular folk.
Higher than 30 should only be used by the GM in
etc special cases. The GM can also decide that some
things are impossible in any case.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 19
 Natural 20 and 1s
SAKE uses critical successes and failures for Skill rolls that
are a natural 20 or 1 (a player throws 20 or 1 on d20 dice
before the added plus or minus). A natural 1 or 20 does not
automatically mean the PC has failed or succeeded. A very
good fighter can hit an opponent even when they roll Attack
1 and their opponent rolls a low Parrying check.
Throwing a Natural 20 for whatever Skill check, Sorcery,
Channelling, Parrying, Reflexes, Spell Resistance, and
Willpower means additional points will be received by
throwing percentage dice.
Body Skills
Athletics
When a PC climbs, swims, tries lifting or breaking something
by hand etc, they’ll need to roll Athletics.
Athletics also covers martial arts. Damage for fists is the
Body attribute number. Fists deal 1 Damage even if the Body
attribute is in minuses.
Armour Penalty times 2 is subtracted when rolling Skill
checks for swimming.

1-50% No additional points Speed Skills

50-75% +2
76-85% +5 Axes and Maces
86-95% +10
Weapon skill for all sorts of axes, maces and warhammers.
96% +15
Axes and maces are war weapons that are best suited for
97% +20 fighting against armoured opponents as they can penetrate
98% +25 armour. This makes them as popular as spears and ranged
99% +30 weapons on the battlefield.
100% Immediate accomplishment or +40
Spears
If a player throws a natural 20 for Attack it signifies a Critical
Hit. Critical Hit values are in a chapter about fighting. Weapon skill that covers melee spears, pikes, lances and
throwing spears. Lances are best suited for cavalry charges.
If Attack, Skill checks, Sorcery, Channelling, Parrying, Reflexes, Pikes for breaking cavalry charges.
Spell Resistance, and Willpower check is a natural 1 then the
next move is to throw percentage. Spears are suitable for attacking in the gaps of armour, same
as short swords.
1-50% Nothing happens Some cultures use throwing spears alongside bows and
50-75% -2 arrows for ranged attacks. Body attribute is added to
76-85% -5 throwing spear damage.
86-95% -10
96% -15
Swords
97% -20 Long swords are a symbol of status in most cultures. Long
swords are best suited for fights against opponents wearing
98% -25
weak armour or no armour at all. They deal a lot of damage
99% -30 but have no armour-piercing abilities.
100% Immediate fail or -40 Short swords are best suited for PCs wishing to not pierce
If a percentage throw results in a check throw of 0 or less armour but hit their opponent in uncovered crevices and
for Sorcery, Channelling, or Weapon Attack, it signifies that holes in armour such as the neck or back of the knee. Short
something terrible is about to happen. Further details can be swords give bonus points for such attacks and the best types
found in the chapters about Sorcery and Fighting. of short swords for that are daggers and tantos.

If a player throws d12 because they have no Skill ranks they Sneak Attacks are only possible with short swords.
should still use previous charts for natural 1 and natural 12.
Throwing a natural 12 is more likely than throwing a natural
20. Perhaps some silly god watches over those that are
unskilled.

20
Precision Skills Riding check DL Height of obstacle
5 or automatic 0,5m or less
Stealth Skills 10 0,5m - 1m
Stealth skills combine hiding, sneaking, jumping, climbing, 15 1m - 1,2m
crawling through tight spaces, acrobatics and sleight of
18 1,2m - 1,5m
hand (card tricks and picking pockets).
20 1,5m - 1,8m
A player can either roll Athletics or Stealth skills when
climbing and jumping. 25 1,8m - 2m
2m and more. (World record in show
To hide, PC rolls Stealth skills against the seekers Perception. 30 and more
jumping is around 2,5 metres)
When they’re hiding from someone who is not actively
seeking them, then passive Perception is used, which is 10 + When a PC is charging on a horse and their charge is broken
Perception skill level. then they’ll have to roll Riding against Full Damage or they’ll
fall off their horse.
A PC can only move at half Movement Speed when sneaking.
When riding a horse the player rolls Parrying for the horse.
Attacking when hidden reveals the PC and if they wish to
For that, they’ll roll Riding -4.
hide again they’ll have to do it on their next Action by rolling
Stealth Skills with a penalty of -10. A PC with a Riding skill level of at least +4 can ride flying
animals. If their Riding skill is less than 4, they must make
Stealth skills roll can be used to halve falling damage. PC rolls
a Riding check against LD 10 to avoid falling off or losing
Stealth skills against 15 + metres fallen. The PC only receives
control of the animal when using weapons while in flight or
half the damage and breaks fewer bones if successful. More
making quick ascents/descents.
on falls in the Adventure module.
Falling 2m or less does not cause damage to the PC. For every Bows
additional 2m, the damage increases by 1d6. For example,
falling 4m results in 1d6 Damage, falling 8m results in 3d6 Firearms and crossbows threaten to take over the battlefield
Damage, and falling 12m results in 5d6 Damage. previously belonging to bows. Still, a trained archer is a much
more powerful enemy than a simple gunner. That is due to
If a PC wishes to use Stealth skills to steal something from
the many Abilities that improve their attack speed, range
another, add poison to a drink or something similar that
and Damage. Archers also have the benefit of being able to
needs sleight of hand they’ll have to throw Stealth skills
purchase arrows in parts of the world where gunpowder is
against the victim’s Perception check.
unknown.
When dungeon crawling, the group’s highest Stealth skill
The Bow skill can be found under the Precision attribute, but
level is subtracted from the percentage of Hazards and
a PC who wishes to be an effective archer should also invest
added to the percentage of Opportunities.
in the Body attribute.

Riding Crossbows and Firearms

Having at least one rank in Riding means a PC can ride a
Crossbows and firearms have changed the nature of war and
horse and does not need to throw dice every time they wish
smaller armed conflicts in the modern day. In the past sword-
to do so. If a PC wants to jump over obstacles or do tricks
fighting skills or years-long training with a bow and arrow
they’d have to roll a Riding check.
decided the outcome of a fight. These days, nearly anyone
Charging or riding quickly enables the rider to jump over can handle a crossbow or firearm. However, extensive
stones, fences and in extreme cases relatively tall objects training does not necessarily bring forth additional ways
such people or animals. of utilising them, as there are limited Abilities that improve
their usage.
Failing a Riding check to get over a rock, fence etc means
their horse will stop in front of the obstacle.

Attributes, Skills and Abilities 21

 Civilian Weapons
Civilian weapons encompass all types of thrown weapons
from other groups such as throwing axes and throwing
spears. Unique weapons in this group are blowguns, darts
and grenades.
The Civilian weapons skill encompasses the ability to throw
all objects, including hooks to scale an opponent’s ship in
sea battles.
Civilian weapons don’t include any particularly effective
weapons. Still, weapons from this group are widely used
due to their versatility. A PC who does not wish to focus on
combat should assign some points to this category. Having
points in Civilian weapons gives a PC access to a wide range
of weapons from different weapons categories. More on the
different weapons in the Equipment chapter.
Many castes in the Asteanic world are limited to only using
Civilian weapons.
Mechanics
Building mechanisms and breaking them down as well as
setting traps and disarming them, making locks and picking
them open.
The GM decides the lock-picking Difficulty Level, which
ranges from 10 to 30, or in special cases, higher.
Picking a lock takes 1 round.
A player character can attempt to pick a lock again if they fail
on their first try, but each subsequent attempt increases the
Difficulty Level by 5, making the task more challenging.
If a PC constructs a lock, its picking difficulty level (DL) will be
10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40, depending on the Mechanics roll
result when constructing it (rounded down).
Rolling Mechanics 20 messes with a cannon to the extent
that fixing it takes up a whole day.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Mechanics reduces the Hazard
percentage by -5% when dungeon-crawling.
Metal, Stone and Woodwork
A artisan produces 1 gold denar (GD) worth of standard
equipment for every Skill level point they possess.
Additionally, they receive a bonus of 2 gold denari worth
of equipment from their well-equipped workshop, plus an
extra 1 GD for each apprentice and 2 GD for each journeyman
who works in their workshop. Unless there is a special
circumstance, half of the artisan’s total earnings are used to
acquire raw materials and cover other workshop expenses.
Therefore, a PC with a Skill level of +10 and a workshop, but
without any workers, would produce 12 gold denari worth
of equipment per week, which could be equivalent to two
longbows. The cost of materials would be 6 GD.
22
Another example for an NPC:
Yori the blacksmith has a Skill level of +10 in metalwork, he gets
an additional +2 from his workshop and he has 1 journeyman
and 2 apprentices working from him. He makes 16 GD (or 240
SD - silver denari) worth of metal objects each week which costs
him 8 GD (or 120 SD). Yori earns 32 GD (or 480 SD) per month,
he pays his journeyman 60 SD and 2 apprentices 40 SD. He pays
the lord of the land 50 SD and keeps 330 SD or 22 GD. Further
details on the tax system can be found in the King module.
Being able to make masterwork items depends on the
artisan’s Skill level. The artisan needs at least a Skill level
of +10 to make +1 masterwork items (and all masterwork
tools), a Skill level of +20 to make +2 masterwork and +30 to
make +3 masterwork items.
It is more useful for the craftsman to focus on making
masterworks because making at least +2 masterworks
multiplies his earnings by 2.
If he makes +3 masterworks his earnings are multiplied by 3.
Making regular items or masterwork +1 earns him 1 GD per
Skill level
This means that a smith who’s got a Skill level of +30 makes
30 GD making regular items or masterwork +1 items. They’d
make 60 GD making +2 masterworks or 90 GD making +3
masterworks.
It is more profitable to make masterworks but it’s also harder
to find buyers and half of the profits get subtracted for
materials the same as regular items, however in the case of
masterworks, the majority of the material cost is taken up by
research time not the cost of the raw material going up.
For example - a smith who’s got a +30 Skill level in metalwork
and the same kind of workshop as Yori in the first example
makes 36 GD worth of regular or masterwork +1 items. They
make 66 GD (30x2 +6 from workers and workshop) making
+2 masterwork items or 96 GD making +3 masterwork items.
Making a katana +3 (1280 GD) would take him about 13
weeks (item’s cost / Skill level = time spent making item).
If the smith found a buyer they’d make a lot of money.
However, such items can only be sold in the largest cities and
even there the pool of buyers may be quite limited.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Metal, stone and woodwork,
adds +5% to the Opportunities percentage when dungeon-
crawling.
Textile and Leatherwork
Textile and Leatherwork includes making textile armour,
harnesses, clothes and other such items.
It works the same way as Metal, Stone and Woodwork skill.
Leatherworking skill is necessary for skinning animals.
To successfully skin most animals, a roll of 10 or higher is
needed. A successful roll means the skin is removed cleanly
and can fetch a fair price in the market. Rolls of 8 or 9 result in
damaged skin and only half the price can be obtained. A roll
lower than 8 means the skinning attempt fails completely.
The skinning of some animals with particularly thick or thin
hides may prove to be more challenging - the required rolls
are listed with the respective creatures.
Intellect Skills
Medicine (Anatomy+Herbalism)/2
The Medicine Skill level is determined by a combination
of points in Anatomy and Herbalism. It is not possible to
purchase ranks in Medicine directly, but instead is calculated
by taking the sum of the PC’s points in Anatomy and
Herbalism and dividing it by 2
Medicine Skill allows a PC to heal wounds, save others from
certain death in case of heavy injuries and give back a couple
of HP by wound dressing using first aid kit.
Medicine skill is also a more effective way to fight diseases
than magical Restoration. A doctor can take care of as many
patients as their Medicine Skill level. All patients under the
care of a doctor will receive additional Body check against
death if the first one fails.
Anatomy
Anatomy is knowing the make of humans as well as other
living beings and finding their weak points if necessary.
Autopsy, which is used to find the reason for death, requires
an Anatomy check with a DL of 15 + 1 for each day since the
death, with a cap of 30. If the game master determines that
the death was caused by a complicated situation, such as
poisoning, the difficulty level of the check may be increased.
Sneak Attack is an Ability that adds Anatomy points to
Damage.
Herbalism
Combining poisons and finding their antidotes. More on
poison in the Equipment chapter.
In addition, Herbalism is a component of survival skills. When
traveling in the wilderness, a player can make a Herbalism
check to gather plant-based food to fill their own and others’
stomachs. For more information, see the Adventure module.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Herbalism, adds +5% to the
Opportunities percentage when dungeon-crawling or
adventuring in wilds.
Agriculture
Agriculture Skill determines crop yield. A farmer can cultivate
as many hectares of land as their Skill level in Agriculture.
Farmers roll a Soil Fertility Dice, which depends on the region
and can range from d6 to d12. The Agriculture skill level is
added to the result and shows how many quintals of crops a
hectare will yield (1 quintal = 100kg).
The Soil Fertility Dice represents the climate and fertility
of the soil. In temperate climates and subtropics, the Soil
Fertility Dice ranges from d6 to d12. Dry and hardscrabble
land in Mediterranean climates uses d6, while a favourable
growing climate with very fertile land, such as the Nile Valley
on Earth, uses d12.
The Fertility Dice comes into play when a player character
wishes to own a manor, as most players are unlikely to create
a farmer as their PC. To calculate the tax owed by a village,
it is assumed that farmers in the village have at least +5 in
Agriculture and roll a median result on the Fertility Dice.
Agriculture also allows a player character to train, breed, and
raise livestock.
Additionally, Agriculture Skill is a component of survival skills.
When in the wilderness, a player can roll Agriculture Skill
to gather plant-based food to feed themselves and others.
Further details can be found in the Adventure module.
History and Linguistics
Having at least a couple points under History means that
a character has basic knowledge of local and overall world
history. Knowing historical figures, places and specific
knowledge demands roll against 10 to 30.
A historian can always ask for rolls when examining ruins or
necropolises to gain additional knowledge on the people
who inhabited the place or their culture. For example,
a culture was known for necromancy which means the
expedition group can expect the dead to rise.
History and linguistics skill is used to create and decipher
secret languages. Rolls to create and decipher secret
languages oppose one another. Creating a cryptolect adds
+10 points because creating one is easier than deciphering
one.
Linguistics allows a player to compare handwriting. The
difficulty of the linguistics roll depends on the similarity
between the compared and original text, which is usually
between 10 to 25. The roll is against a fabrication roll if the
document is a forgery.
Having a Skill level of +6 in History and Linguistics adds +5%
to the Opportunities percentage when dungeon-crawling or
adventuring in wilds.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 23
 Geography and Navigation
Components: Astronomy & Astrology.
Rolling a 15 or higher in Geography enables the PC to
determine the date with a high degree of accuracy. They
can estimate the date correctly by using navigation tools
without needing to make a roll.
A PC who has at least 1 point in Geography and navigation
tools can more or less figure out their current latitude when
looking at the sky at midday or night when the moon and
stars are visible. They don’t need to roll dice but they can be
mistaken for about 100 km. If the PC wishes to be accurate
they’ll have to roll against Geography 15. If they succeed
they’ll know their latitude within a kilometres accuracy. The
PC must wait until next midday or night to try again if they
fail their roll.
Figuring out an exact latitude is not possible without
navigation tools. To find their latitude with 100 km accuracy
one should roll Geography against 25. They can only attempt
this during the night and have to wait for the next night if
they fail.
There are no tools in the Asteanic world to figure out
longitude.
Navigation is the main skill for steering a ship on course and
for ship-to-ship combat. More information on these subjects
can be found in the Economics module.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Geography and Navigation
reduces the Hazard percentage by -5% when dungeon-
crawling.
When adventuring in the wilderness, the group navigators’
Geography and Navigation skill level is subtracted from
the percentage of Hazards and added to the percentage of
Opportunities.
Law and Society
At least a few points in Law means that the character has an
overview of local legislation, and they do not accidentally
break the law. They know what is allowed and what is not.
The game master can give them hints in the form of legal
loopholes.
In some cases related to law, the Social skills roll can be
replaced by the Law roll if this skill is higher.
The Law roll is used when forging a document.
The process of cross-examination between the defence
lawyer and the prosecutor means mutual Law rolls,
influenced by evidence. More about this is in the Adventure
module.
Breaking and writing complex contracts also mean mutual
Law rolls.
Law and Society is an important skill for domain rulers and
chancellors as it lowers Corruption percentage.
24
Mathematics and Economy
Economy Skill is base knowledge for overseas trade. More on
this in Economics module
Metaphysics and Otherworld
Metaphysics refers to a PC’s knowledge of the Otherworld
and entities that inhabit it.
Having a couple of points in Metaphysics means a PC has
basic knowledge about the Otherworld. They know that
food from the Otherworld does not fill hunger, time can
move differently and they need silver weapons to attack
entities from the Otherworld.
Roll Metaphysics against 10 to 30 depending on the
uniqueness of a creature when trying to find out a creature’s
weaknesses, strengths and other features. 15 to 20 is
sufficient for most creatures.
Roll Metaphysics against 20 to find out if an object is magical.
Roll Metaphysics 20 when a character is confused about
whether they’re in the Otherworld or the human world. This
roll can be executed once. If the adventure requires it, the
roll can be made more difficult, but in this case, the area of
Otherworld the PC are in should be exceptionally insidious
and realistic. If the PC does not understand on the first roll
they can remain suspicious of whether or not they’re in the
Otherworld.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Metaphysics and Otherworld
adds +5% to the Opportunities percentage when dungeon-
crawling or adventuring in wilds.
Physics and Ballistics.
Physics and Ballistics includes Architecture and Engineering.
Physics can be used to find a way to blow up a building by
assessing it’s weak spots or finding hidden rooms.
Ballistics is rolled for firing cannons. Cannons are weapons
that are good to use in large battles, sea battles, or to besiege
fortresses. In invidual conflicts, it is very difficult to hit one’s
enemy with guns.
It’s not possible to hit a specific person with a cannon but a
specific 2x2m area. Everyone within this 2x2m area has to
roll Reflexes. If the roll is greater than 10, they receive half
damage, and if the roll is greater than 20, they succeed in
avoiding damage altogether. To hit this area, the gunner
must roll Ballistics. The number needed to hit the area is
calculated as: 10 + 2 for every 50 meters between the gun
and the target. For example, to hit a target 100 meters away,
the gunner must roll a 14.
The highest Physics skill level from the group is subtracted
from the Hazard percentage and added to the Opportunity
percentage when dungeon-crawling.
Tactics
Tactics is a Skill for warfare. It allows a PC to lead large
amounts of troops from companies upwards. More on the
subject in Kings module
Theology
Theology involves everything to do with religion. Having
one point in Theology means a PC knows holiday dates, gods
and the nature of these gods in their own religion.
Entities from the Otherworld that are tied to a religion can
be distinguished using Theology as well as Metaphysics.
Theologians can receive this info from the GM through their
own religion’s filter.
Theology also relates to Astrology, having at least 3 or 4
points in Theology allows a PC to understand the movement
of stars. They can roll against 15 to determine the current
date.
Theology can be used instead of Social Skills when talking
about religious subjects, this however is something to
agree on with the GM. It could apply to convince someone
to change their mind on religious questions, theological
debates or when doing mission work.
Theology is rolled for some rituals found in the Sorcery
module.
A burial can be conducted by anyone however Theology skill
is needed to carry out correct burial rituals and ensure the
deceased benefits on their Willpower roll.
There are two outcomes when a person dies in SAKE. A
person’s soul can either get stuck in the Otherworld as
some type of spirit or move on in 2 weeks time through the
Otherworld into the beyond, never to be reached again.
Religions that venerate their ancestors believe that those
Otherworld’s spirits are positive and wish their dead to live
on in the Otherworld. This is true for example the Tauric
people. Asteanic religion on the other hand believes that life
after death is a punishment as they hope to be born again
as sea elves.
The deceased person’s Soul receives a positive or negative
bonus on their Willpower roll when their funeral ritual is
conducted by someone with points in Theology. The bonuses
or penalties are equal to the number of points the individual
has in Theology. The ritual must match the deceased person’s
own religion but the Theologian who conducts the ritual
does not need to believe in the same thing, for example, an
Asteanic priest is unlikely to believe that their Tauric friend
could be reborn as an elf but they’d still carry out the proper
burial out of respect for their Tauric friend. Tauris need an in-
ground burial, Asteanic people a water burial and Gurges a
sky burial. The Willpower roll decides what happens to the
Soul of the dead. More on life after death and Willpower roll
upon death in Sorcery module
PCs can use funeral rituals to ensure that their deceased
enemies, who are Asteanic, remain dead and their spirits
disappear. For Tauric and other ancestor worshippers, they
can increase the chances that their spirits will remain in
Otherwold and can be summoned or even brought back
to life as an undead. However, this is not so simple, as most
spirits are stored as Spectators (with a Willpower roll of 20-
29), who are entities without a personal memory and cannot
communicate. Spectators can be used by Necromancers to
create Dead Walkers.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Theology adds +5% to the
Opportunities percentage when dungeon-crawling or
adventuring in the wilds.
Soul Skills
Soul Skills have to be bought separately. More on Soul skills
in the Sorcery module.
Instinct Skills
Perception
Perception combines all senses; sight, hearing, sense of smell
and any or all other senses exotic beings might have.
Perception is rolled in two instances – to spot something or
when searching for something.
Searching for something is an activity that takes time. PCs
can choose to search for traps in a room, which increases
the likelihood of finding them compared to simply relying
on chance. The Difficulty Level of spotting a trap by accident
versus finding it while searching differs by 10 points. This
means that when finding a trap while searching requires a
roll of 15, then spotting it accidentally requires a roll of 25. It
takes one action (10 seconds) to search an area of 2x2 meters
for traps, secret doors, etc.
Spotting something is automatic and random. To notice a
movement or a sound while engaged in an activity a player
needs to throw Perception.
Rolling Perception can be swapped for Passive Perception
which is Perception +10. Knowing the group’s highest
Passive Perception allows the GM to quickly decide whether
the group notices something or not.
When dungeon crawling, the group’s highest Perception
level is subtracted from the percentage of Hazards and
added to the percentage of Opportunities.
When adventuring in the wilderness, the group scouts’
Perception skill level is subtracted from the percentage of
Hazards and added to the percentage of Opportunities.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 25
 Social Skills
Social skills include persuasion, lying, understanding when
being lied to and disguising.
The Adventure module describes persuasion in more detail.
Recognising a lie
It’s possible to recognise a lie but it’s impossible to be
sure if your conversation partner is honest.
Roll your Social skills against an opponent’s Social skills roll.
If your roll is higher than the opponent’s and they’re lying,
the GM will inform you that what they’re saying is not the
truth. However, the GM will not specify which part of the
opponent’s story and to what extent they are lying.
If the character’s roll is not lower than the liar’s, or if the
character is told the truth, the GM will say that what the
character hears may or may not be true. However, this
does not mean that the character must believe it. Doubt
can always remain. This also means that when speaking to
NPCs, they may not always fully believe you even when you
are telling the truth. See the Adventure module for how to
persuade somebody.
Social skills roll is used to determine if there’s a lie within
the whole conversation, it can not be used to check specific
answers, to do so a PC has to be psychic.
Lying
Plausibility of a lie affects the Social Skill roll against the
person being lied to. Most lies get no additional plus or
minus points.
+10 is added to a roll when a lie is very believable. For
example, a guard telling their commander they’ll be going to
work the next day is believable to the commander because
the guard never misses work.
-10 for an extremely unlikely statement. For example, a
character says they’ve been on a trip around the world but
has no evidence to back the statement up.
-20 for a statement that is almost impossible to believe. For
example, a character standing next to a body with an axe
is claiming they haven’t killed anyone while holding an axe
with fresh blood on it.
Disguising
Disguising is trying to look like someone else or at least not
like themselves.
A costume, clothes or disguise kit involving make-up and
accessories is needed for a disguise.
The difference between disguising and Stealth skills is
the rolling system. While stealth requires continuous
rolling against the observer’s active Perception or passive
Perception, in the case of disguising, the person who is
disguising makes a single Social Skills roll for the success of
the disguise. The rolled number should be remembered or
26
written down – observers make a Perception roll against this
number or compare their passive Perception to this number
if they are not actively searching for the disguised person.
If a player chooses to simply disguise themselves to look
like someone else and they’re not being actively seeked or
nobody is trying to stop them then there’s also no need for
NPC’s to throw Perception.
One Social skills roll to disguise costs 1 use of make-up and
accessories kit. The disguiser knows how well they disguised
themselves and can try again which costs another use of the
make-up kit.
The time it takes to disguise oneself or somebody else varies
depending on the difficulty of the disguise. Easier disguises
take 10 minutes and the more intricate ones up to an hour
depending on what needs to be achieved.
Wilderness Skills
Wilderness skills are used to survive and manage in nature,
they include making fire without matches, tracing, hunting,
etc.
Tracing is rolled against a static Difficulty Level which is 10
to 30 or more in special cases. GM decides on the difficulty.
DL Explanation
Snow, sand or some other soft ground that’s
5
easy to trace something on.
10 Soft ground like a swamp or mossy ground.
15 Typical forest floor or meadow.
20 Especially hard surfaces like ice.
Hard rock floors make it impossible to trace
-
something.
Other parameters are added to this example in accordance
with the situation to make tracing more or less difficult.
Snowfall or rain can ruin the trace, darkness makes tracing
more difficult etc. Each additional element adds about 4 to 5
to DL. The DL for tracing someone on sand can easily change
to 15 when doing it in the dark during a rainstorm.
Just like in picking locks, a failed tracking check can be tried
again, except each time the Difficulty Level increases by 5.
Wilderness skills can also be used to hide one’s traces. In
which case do a hider and a tracker roll their Wilderness
skills against each other when using them to hide and track,
respectively.
Wilderness skills are also used in a simplified hunting system,
which is an important component of travelling in the wild.
More information about this can be found in the Adventure
module.
Wilderness roll 10 to 30 allows the PC to find out knowledge
about animals and their habits, nesting places, dangerousness
etc. This also applies for creatures we might call monsters. All
creatures who are not human, front the Otherworldlings or
ghosts are animals.
Having a Skill level of +6 in Wilderness skills, subtracts -5%
from Hazard percentage when dungeon-crawling.
When adventuring in the wilderness, the group naturalists’
Wilderness skills skill level is subtracted from the percentage
of Hazards and added to the percentage of Opportunities.

Art
Art is necessary to put on magical body paint. More on the
subject in a Sorcery module.
Art also includes Art history and making deductions from
ancient pieces of art. Art can be rolled to understand why an
altar is decorated in a specific way and what is it for. It is also
used to understand what activity is depicted on artefacts
belonging to a specific culture.
Same logic that is used for calculating craftsmen’s income is
used when calculating an artist’s income.
Having a Skill Level of +6 in Art adds +5% to the Opportunities
percentage when dungeon-crawling or adventuring in the
wilds.

Music
Music is used to conduct vagrant songs, but more information
about this can be found in the Sorcery module.
If a character wishes to use music to seduce someone they
can roll Music instead of Social

Channelling
Priest types can purchase the Channelling skill under the
Instinct attribute. More information about this can be found
in a Sorcery module.

Attributes, Skills and Abilities 27

 Abilities HP (Heath Points)
Price: 2 EXP
Abilities expand a character’s capabilities, giving them new
Description: +1 HP
alternative courses of action, and new attacks in battle,
as well as helping them in situations where they would Characters max HP is 20 + Body x 5. Having Body of 0 or less
otherwise be unable to act. means the max HP is 20. Buying more HP than max HP is not
permitted.
Abilities cost experience points (EXP). With the Game
Master’s approval, players can purchase additional abilities Reflexes
during a game session if they have unspent points.
Price: 5 EXP
Most abilities can only be taken once unless otherwise Description: +1 Reflexes
noted. Health, Reflexis, and other similar characteristics can
be increased almost limitlessly Parrying
Price: 3 EXP
General Abilities Description: +1 Parrying

Reading & Writing Movement Speed

Price: 5 EXP Price: 4 EXP
Prerequisite: Intellect -4 or higher. Description: Adds +2 metres to Movement Speed
Description: The character can read & write in all languages
they speak. Soul HP
Price: 2 EXP
Foreign Language Description: +1 Soul HP
Price: 5 EXP
Characters max Soul HP is 20 + Soul x 5. Having Soul 0 or less
Description: The character is able to speak and comprehend
limits max Soul HP to 20.
a selected foreign language.
Willpower
Number of foreign languages character
Intellect Price: 5 EXP
can learn
Description: Willpower +1
-10 0. Can’t speak their mother tongue either
-9 0. Can’t speak their mother tongue either Spell Resistance
-8 0. Can’t speak their mother tongue either Price: 3 EXP
0. Speaks their mother tongue with limited Description: Spell resistance +1
-7
vocabulary
0. Speaks their mother tongue with limited
-6
vocabulary
Abilities relating to an Attribute
-5 0. Speaks with simple vocabulary
-4 1. Speaks with simple vocabulary Undemanding Body
-3 1 Price: 10 EXP
-2 1 Prerequisite: Body +2
-1 2 Description: The character is capable of going without food
for a week and without water for four days without being
0 2
hindered by fatigue.
+1 3
In addition, the character can operate tirelessly for 48 hours
+2 4 without suffering any penalties from fatigue, which is twice
+3 6 as long as usual.
+4 8
+5 10
+6 12
+7 14
+8 16
+9 18
+10 Infinite
28
Durable Body
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Body 0 or higher
Description: +2 is added to all Body checks that are related
to death, losing consciousness, poisoning, disease etc.
Resilience
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Body +3
Description: The character is more resilient. When half
of their HP is gone, they do not receive penalties to their
rolls (the usual penalty is -2), when 75% of their HP is gone,
instead of a usual penalty of -4, they receive a penalty of -2.
Hauler
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: -
Description: When calculating Carrying Capacity, the Body
attribute is considered +4 higher. A character with a Body of
0 could carry the same amount as someone with a Body of
+4
Vigorous
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Body 0 or higher
Description: The character is particularly resilient as a
traveller. In any situation where they would normally
automatically get the exhausted condition (-4 to all rolls), the
character can roll their Body to avoid getting tired.
The first time the character rolls their Body, the Difficulty
Level is 10. For each subsequent consecutive roll where they
would otherwise become Exhausted but have not yet had a
chance to rest, the DL increases by 5.
Polyglot
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Intellect at least 0
Description: Maximum languages spoken is raised by 5. This
ability can be bought multiple times.
Abilities related to Skills
Social Skills
Perfect Disguise
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Social Skills +6
Description: If a character spends the whole day preparing
a disguise, they get a +10 bonus to Social Skill rolls when
disguising themselves, even if they are trying to masquerade
as a specific person.
Quick Disguise
Price: 5 EXP
Description: Character can swap between two previously
prepared disguises within a round.
Stealth skills
Soft Landing
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Stealth Skills +6
Description: When falling, the character automatically takes
only half damage. If the character succeeds on a Stealth
check to avoid the damage from the fall, they do not take
any damage at all. The Stealth check must beat a DL of 15
plus the number of meters fallen.
In addition, the character receives one bone fracture for
every 10 points of damage taken. Normally, there would be
one bone fracture for every 5 points of damage taken from
the fall.
Perception
Lip Reading
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Perception +6
Description: The character can make a Perception check
to lip-read speech that they otherwise would not hear.
Depending on the distance and other factors, the Perception
check must beat a DL of 15 or higher to successfully read the
speaker’s lips. A DL of 15 indicates ideal conditions.
The check is more difficult under the following
circumstances:
Speaker further away than 10 metres DL +5
Speaker further away than 20 metres DL +10
Speaker further away than 30 metres DL +15
Speaker further away than 40 metres Impossible
If the speaker is deliberately trying to conceal their lip
movements, the character must first make a Perception
check against the speaker’s Stealth check in order to attempt
to read their lips.
Music
Ventriloquism
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Music +4
Description: To make the origin of the voice indiscernible, a
character must make a Music check against the Perception
of the listener.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 29
 Crafts
Specialised Artisan
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Skill level +10 or higher in the corresponding
craft skill
Description: The character is specialized in crafting a
specific type of item, such as longswords, leather armour,
plate armour, perfume bottles, or the like. When crafting this
specific type of item, the character gets a +4 bonus to the
corresponding crafting skill roll.
The +4 bonus is also taken into account when calculating the
craftsman’s weekly income.
Master Shipwright
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Metal, Stone and Woodwork +10
Description: A master shipwright repairs a ship much more
efficiently. A shipwright repairs twice as many ship HP as
normal. They repair HP at a rate of 2 per battle round.
Normally, a ship can only be repaired for up to the amount
of Ship HP equal to the shipwright’s Woodworking Skill Level
during a sea voyage. However, a Master Shipwright can
repair a ship for up to the amount of Ship HP equal to twice
their Woodworking Skill Level during a sea voyage.
Medicine
Professional Doctor
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Medicine +6
Description: When treating wounds, HP is restored. If a
Medicine roll is made with a result of 15 or more, HP is
immediately restored by Medicine skill/3. A First Aid kit must
be used for this action. Simply closing a wound will not have
the same effect.
Acupuncture
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Medicine or Restoration +4
Description: Using acupuncture needles in medicine or
healing adds +2 to Medicine and Restoration rolls. These
needles are inserted into nerve points, helping natural
healing and aiding energy flow for healers.
The Acupuncture bonus is not applied when binding a
wound, casting a Fast Healing spell, or using spells to heal
the Soul HP.
Acupuncture needles are typically made of metal or bone
and are 6 cm long.
30
Herbalism
Master Poisoner
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Herbalism +4
Description: The character specializes in poisons, and all of
the poisons they create are more potent than average. All
Difficulty Levels of any poison created by this character are
increased by +2.
Resistance to Poisons
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Master Poisoner, having had Master Poisoner
ability for a long enough time that building up a tolerance to
poisons seems believable.
Description: The character has gained some immunity to
poisons through continuous work with and exposure to
them. The character rolls all Body checks related to poison
with a +2 bonus.
History
Cryptographer
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: History and Linguistics +8
Description: When creating or deciphering secret
languages, the character gains a +10 bonus to the History
and Linguistics rolls.
Other Abilities Useful for
Adventurer
Natural Enemy
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Wilderness skills +4
Description: Character chooses one animal. The character
knows practically everything about the chosen animal.
They know where it eats, how it behaves, and other relevant
details. All Perception and Wilderness skills rolls related to this
animal are increased by +4. All Reflexes, Parrying, Attacking,
and Damage rolls against this animal are increased by +2.
This ability is also possessed by many animals that rely on
consuming a specific type of animal.
Quick Slumber
Price: 10 EXP
Description: Character needs to sleep only 4 hours instead
of 8 to feel fully rested.
Restless Sleep
Price: 5 EXP
Description: Character is a light sleeper, which means that in
case of any movement near them while they’re asleep, they
are able to roll Perception against DL 10 to awake instantly.
The character does not suffer a penalty to Perception rolls
while sleeping.
Forger
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision or Intellect +2, a Craft skill, Art or Law
+8
Description: Character is able to forge and identify forgeries.
They have a +4 bonus to skill rolls for both forging and
identifying forgeries.
The skill used to forge or identify the forgery is generally the
same skill that was used to create the original. For example,
if the forger is copying a painting, they would roll Art, and
the observer would roll Art to identify the forgery against
the forger’s roll. If the forger is copying handwriting, they
would roll History and Linguistics. If the forger is forging a
document, they would roll Law.
If the forger rolls under 20, observers can roll Perception to
identify the forgery if they investigate it. It is not possible to
identify a forgery with a forging roll higher than 20 without
having this ability.
Cultural commentary: Asteanic world is quite bureaucratic
so most high-ranking magistrates and bank officials have
this ability.
Experienced Guide
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Geography and Navigation +8
Description: If the character is one of the leaders of the
expedition, then 10% is subtracted from the base percentage
of Hazards.
If the PC is dungeon crawling, then 10% is subtracted from
the base percentage of Hazards.
Professional Adventurer
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Perception +8
Description: If the character is one of the leaders of the
expedition, then 10% is added to the base percentage of
Opportunities.
If the PC is dungeon crawling, then 10% is added to the base
percentage of Opportunities.
Combat Abilities (general)
Weapon Group Specialization
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: +10 skill level in chosen weapon’s group.
Description: +2 Damage for all weapons in the chosen
group.
Shield Master
Price: 15 EXP
Description: PC has specialised in shields. The usual +2 or
+3 becomes +6 or +9 Parrying. Arm shields give +3 instead
of +1. Masterwork plus is not multiplied.
One with Armour
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Body +3, Speed +2
Description: Armour doesn’t bother the warrior with its
weight and rigidity. The penalty for Reflexes, Stealth skills,
and Athletics is halved. The Armour Penalty of -1 disappears
completely. All penalties are rounded down, so a penalty of
-3 applies as -1.
Additionally, the character can also rest in medium armour.
Usually, the character can only rest without armour or in light
armour. However, sleeping in heavy armour still disturbs the
character’s ability to rest.
Furthermore, the armour does not affect the character’s
Movement Speed.
Weapon Master
Price: 30 EXP
Prerequisite: Skill level +20 in associated weapons class.
Description: PC gets 1 extra Attack per Full Attack with a
weapon of choice. This Ability only applies to 1 weapon, not
a group of weapons.
Iron Grip
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Body +4
Description: All attacks intended to disarm a PC fail
automatically because of their Iron Grip.
Blind Fighting
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2
Description: In the darkness, the penalties for Attacking,
Reflexes and Parrying are reduced by half.
The usual penalties in complete darkness would be -6,
but with the faint glow of starlight, the penalties for all
rolls requiring even a little bit of sight would be -4. For
ranged weapons, the usual Attack penalties are -18 and -12
respectively.
The penalty for fighting invisible creatures is also halved.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 31
 Master of Two-Handed Weapons
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Body +2
Description: When fighting with a two-handed weapon or
a one-and-a-half-handed weapon with two hands, the Body
Damage bonus is added twice, up to a maximum of +4.
For example, if a character has a Body of +4, then the Damage
bonus for a battle axe would be +8. If the character’s Body is
+6, then the bonus would be +10 because the first time the
full Body Attribute is added (+6), and the second time the
limit is +4, is added.
Rapid Attack
Price: 25 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed +2
Description: PC gains 2 Attacks per Full Attack when fighting
with a melee weapon instead of one.
The character can also make 2 pistol Attacks if they have
multiple loaded pistols on their belt (i.e. can quickly grab the
next loaded weapon).
If the character has a spell that is part of a Full Attack (e.g.
Channelling Soul as Electricity), they can also make 2 Attacks
with it.
Abilities for Combat Styles
Dual-Wielder
Dual Wielding
Price: 25 EXP
Prerequisite: +2 in Speed or Precision.
Description: The character is ambidextrous and is able
to fight equally effectively with both the left and right
hand, and can also perform attacks with both hands
simultaneously, meaning the character has two Attacks per
Full Attack. Without this ability, it’s possible to perform two
Attacks per Full Attack if the character is carrying a weapon
in both hands. Using the non-primary hand for attacking
would incur a penalty of -4 for a person without this Ability.
If the character also has the ability Rapid Attack, they must
choose whether to attack twice with one weapon (Rapid
Attack) or once with two weapons (Dual Wielding).
The weapons in each hand can be quite different, such as
a sword and a dagger, two identical swords, a pistol and a
sword, a pistol and a spell that is part of a Full Attack (e.g.
Channeling Soul as Electricity), two different spells that are
part of a Full Attack, etc.
32
Rapid Dual Wielding
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: +4 in Speed or Precision, Dual Wielding
Description: Character gains 1 extra attack per Full Attack
with one of their two held weapons bringing total of Attacks
per Full Attack to 3.
Disarming Blow
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Dual Wielding
Description: When dual-wielding and both Attacks hit, the
character can automatically attempt to Disarm the same
opponent, with a +8 bonus to their Disarm manoeuvre
roll. This means that their total bonus for the Disarming
manoeuvre is +4, as the Disarming manoeuvre is usually
rolled with a -4 penalty.
Furious Warrior
Uncontrollable Rage
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Having a personality trait that corresponds
to the nature of an Ability, such as angry, temperamental,
furious, violent, short-fused, lacking in self-control, and so
on. The character can change this personality trait later but
must have at least one trait that corresponds to the nature
of the ability. If the character loses the personality trait that
enables rage, then they also lose the ability to go into a rage.
Description: Warrior can enter Uncontrollable rage which
gives them melee combat benefits. Entering Uncontrollable
rage is automatic and does not take Action.
Uncontrollable rage adds +3 Body and +3 Speed but also
subtracts -4 from Precision. These bonuses are stackable
with all types of magical benefits. Essentially, +3 Attack and
Damage with melee weapons, +3 to Reflex and Parrying rolls.
A raged warrior is unable to plan their attacks, think of tactics,
or use a ranged weapon (except throwing weapons). Rage
prevents PCs from using most skills, and they are only able to
jump, climb, and perform other similar actions. They move in
a straight line toward the nearest opponent to attack
Rage lasts Body x5 rounds. Having 0 or less Body applies
as 5 rounds. This is calculated with original Body points
regardless of the current state of the Body. After the rage
ends, the character is fatigued and suffers a -4 penalty on all
rolls until they have rested for at least eight hours. Going into
a rage again is impossible before resting.
Rage is uncontrollable, and at critical moments when the
character experiences something unpleasant that could
make them angry, it can break out on its own. To prevent
rage, the character must roll a Willpower against DL 15. It is
up to the player to decide what things make the character
angry.
Uncontrollable rage can also be used against the character.
If someone tries to provoke or offend the character with the
goal of making them rage, they must roll Social Skills against
the character’s Willpower check. If the Social Skill roll is
higher, the character will rage.
An enraged PC can turn against their allies when all
opponents are either dead or lying on the ground.
After defeating all foes, the enraged PC must check their
Willpower against a DL of 10 to calm down. If successful,
calming down takes one round. If unsuccessful, the PC will
turn against their allies, targeting one per round. To avoid
attacking an ally, the PC must check their Willpower against
a DL of 5. This goes on until the PC calms down naturally
(which takes Body x 5 rounds) or succeeds in a Willpower DL
10 test.
Controlled Rage
Price: 10 points
Prerequisite: Soul +1, Uncontrollable Rage
Description: A warrior has better control over when they
become enraged and when they calm down. All Willpower
checks to control rage are 5 points easier. Rage can still
break out spontaneously, but it is much easier to control.
If someone tries to provoke the character into a rage, the
character gets a +5 bonus to their Willpower check against
the provocateur’s Social Skills check.
Tireless Rage
Price: 10 points
Prerequisite: Body +2, Uncontrollable Rage
Description: PC can get enraged as many times during a day
as they have positive Body points without having to rest in
between. The -4 penalty for being tired only applies after the
last enragement.
Developing Rage
Price: 20 points
Prerequisite: Uncontrollable Rage
Description: If a warrior kills during their rage (they don’t
technically have to kill, the opponent just needs to lie
motionless on the ground), inspires the warrior to get more
enraged.
Each kill adds one point to Body and one to Speed. Points
accumulate until the character reaches a maximum of +6 to
Body and +6 to Speed from the rage ability.
Shooter
Point-Blank Shot
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: -
Description: With a bow, +2 to Attack and Damage if the
target is within 20 meters. With a crossbow or firearm, +4 to
Attack (there is no bonus to Damage).
Devastating Shot
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Body +2
Description: Body points (capped at +4) are added to
Damage on all shots taken with a bow.
Long-Range Shooting
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: -
Description: The range for bows and thrown weapons is
multiplied by x1,5.
Rapid Shots
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision +2, Bows +8
Description: Character can shoot off 3 arrows with a bow
per Full Attack instead of the usual 1. Penalty of 0 Attack on
first arrow, -2 Attack on second arrow and -4 Attack on third.
Character has the option to shoot 2 arrows with no penalty.
Improved Rapid Shots
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision +4, Rapid Shots, Bows +12
Description: Character can shoot 4 arrows per Full Attack.
A penalty of Attack -2 on third arrow, a penalty of Attack -4
on fourth arrow. The PC has an option to only shoot 3 arrows
with no penalty.
Rapid Reload
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision +2, Crossbows and Firearms +12
Description: The character is able to reload a crossbow or
firearm that normally takes a full Action to reload in the same
Action when shooting. This rapid reload does not cause a
Reaction.
This ability only works for one firearm at a time. If the
character is making multiple attacks with multiple different
guns, they can only reload one gun in the same Action when
shooting.
If the character decides not to attack during the Action, they
can reload two guns, which causes a Reaction as usual.
Rider
Improved Charge
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Riding +4
Description: The character’s mounted combat manoeuvre
charge is more effective. With weapons suitable for charging,
the weapon’s damage is x3 instead of the usual x2.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 33
 Mounted Combat
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Riding +6
Description: Fighting on horseback while moving, but not
charging, allows the character to add half of their Riding
points to the damage of their melee weapon. If the character
has an odd number of Riding points, the extra damage
is rounded down (for example, Riding +7 adds +3 extra
damage).
If the character has multiple attacks, they can add extra
damage to all of those attacks. However, since the character
only gets the extra damage if their horse is moving, they
may not be able to make multiple attacks against the same
opponent. They must divide their attacks among different
opponents on the battlefield.
Mounted Archery
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision +2, Riding +6
Description: The character can shoot more accurately while
riding a horse, and won’t incur penalties for shooting from
the back of a moving horse. Typically, there is a penalty of
-4 for shooting while on horseback. Additionally, the penalty
for shooting behind oneself, which is also -4, is eliminated.
Sneaky Fighter
Sneak Attack
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed or Precision +2, Anatomy and Stealth
skills +4
Description: Character can make 1 Sneak Attack per round.
Sneak attack adds Character’s Anatomy skill level to Damage.
Sneak Attack can only be made with short swords.
Sneak Attack can be used against enemies who are
required to use Reflexes, rather than Parrying, when
defending themselves. If an opponent chooses to use
Reflexes themselves, for example, when using a specific
manoeuvre that requires it, then Sneak Attack cannot be
used against them. The most common instance where Sneak
Attack can be used is when the attacker is hidden, and the
victim cannot use Parrying because they cannot see the
attacker, and must roll Reflexes instead.
Characters who are unarmed in hand-to-hand combat,
meaning they don’t carry a shield or any melee weapon,
cannot use Parrying. Instead, they use Reflexes. Additionally,
opponents using close combat weapons next to them get
Attack of opportunity with a melee weapon as a Reaction
for their unarmed activities. This attack opportunity can also
be used to perform a Sneak Attack.
In the middle of an ongoing battle, it’s quite difficult to
achieve a situation where characters are completely hidden
from each other. Sneak Attack could still be used from
behind if the opponent is already engaged in combat with
34
someone else. In this case, you must make a Stealth check
against the target’s Perception check. If successful, a
Sneak Attack can be performed. If the target succeeds in the
Perception check, the following attack will count as a regular
attack. If the character fails the Perception check, they can’t
use Parrying to defend themselves, and instead must use
Reflexes, and the attack will count as a Sneak Attack.
Sneak Attack can also be an Armour-bypassing attack or any
other manoeuvre at the same time.
Only one Sneak attack can be made per round. If the
character has multiple Attacks per Full Attack, the remaining
Attacks have to be made as normal Attacks. If the character
uses the Sneak Attack during the Reaction, it cannot be used
again during the same rounds Action.
PCs can choose to add Anatomy skill level or one d6 per
3 points of Anatomy skill level to their Sneak attack. For
example, having Anatomy +9 means they can choose
between +9 Damage or +3d6 Damage.
Improved Sneak Attack
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed or Precision +4, Sneak Attack, Stealth
skills +10
Description: Unlimited amount of Sneak Attacks per round.
PC can use a Sneak Attack during the same turn as both an
Action as well as a Reaction. If a PC’s Full Attack is multiple
Attacks, they can all be performed as Sneak Attacks.
Other requirements to perform a Sneak Attack remain the
same.
The Fatal Blow
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed and Precision +4, Sneak Attack,
Anatomy +12
Description: If a character observes their opponent carefully
for at least one Action without doing anything else, and
successfully performs a Sneak Attack on the following Action
or Reaction (which causes damage), then the opponent
must roll Body against Attacker’s Anatomy skill level or die
automatically (their Body is considered -11).
If the victim succeeds in the roll, they must roll again, or
become paralyzed for a number of rounds equal to the
attacker’s Anatomy skill level.
If the character manages to avoid death and paralysis, they
simply take Damage as if they had been hit by a regular
Sneak Attack.
This ability only works on large, medium, small, and smaller
size categories.
Baffle
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed and Precision +2, Stealth Skills or Social
Skills +6, having an ability that allows for multiple Attacks
per Full Attack.
Description: Character can use one of their Attacks to
disturb the enemy’s defence. The character can use their
Stealth or Social skills against the opponent’s Reflex roll
instead of making a Weapon Attack. If the roll is successful,
the opponent becomes confused and until their next Action,
they can only use Reflexes and not Parrying, thus allowing
the character (and others) to use Sneak Attacks against them.
If the attacker can make three attacks in one Full Attack, has
the Improved Sneak Attack ability, and successfully confuses
the opponent, they can make two Sneak Attacks against the
confused opponent in the same Action.
Sniper
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Precision +4, Sneak Attack, Weapon group
specialization (Bows or Crossbows and Firearms)
Description: A character can use the Sneak Attack ability
with a ranged weapon they have specialized in. However,
this is only possible at the base shooting range.
Astral Sneak Attack
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Sneak Attack, Metaphysics and Otherworld +6
Description: PC understands Otherworldlings so well they
can use their Sneak Attack ability on Quasicorporeal souls
and Quasicorporeal otherworldlings.
Since these creatures do not have an anatomical nature, a
Sneak Attack against them means that the attack is directed
towards their energy channels.
When making a Sneak Attack against such otherworldly
creatures, the character adds a Metaphysics Skill level to the
Damage or one d6 for every three Metaphysics skill level
points.
Astral Sneak Attack can not be executed against beings
that lack any kind of body (living souls, dead souls, ethereal
otherworldlings).
Usually, a Sneak Attack can only be made against creatures
with an anatomical nature (humans, animals, corporeal
otherworldlings).
Abilities Related to Combat
Manoeuvres
Attack Between Movement
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Movement Speed 40 or higher
Description: PC can use their Action to move, attack and
move again. PC can make 1 Attack not a Full Attack meaning
a PC whose Full Attack is 3 Attacks can only attack once
between movements.
If an attack occurs between two movements, then the victim
cannot make an Attack of opportunity with a melee weapon
against the attacker, even though the victim is approaching
or moving away. Usually, moving away would provide an
Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon. However,
individuals with ranged weapons still get an Attack of
Opportunity with a Ranged Weapon.
If the attacker starts a manoeuvre while standing next
to a victim, attacks and then moves, then the victim gets
an Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon because
technically the attacker is fleeing.
The movement part of the manoeuvre can not be used to go
into hiding.
Quick Hiding
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Attack between Movement, Stealth skills +10
Description: A character with the Attack between Movement
ability can try to use this ability to hide at the end of their
Action in addition to moving.
If the character moves at least 20 meters to a hiding spot
(within reason, such as in the woods, etc.), they can roll their
Stealth skill at a -10 penalty against the opponent’s passive
Perception. If the roll succeeds, they have successfully
hidden, and to attack them, they must first be found.
Usually, a character cannot attack and hide in the same
Action, even if the Attack between Movement ability allows
attacking and moving in the same Action.
Advanced Disarm
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed or Precision +1
Description: The penalties for the Disarm manoeuvre are
removed, meaning that there is no longer a -4 penalty to the
Attack as would be typical.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 35
 Knockout Reaction Manoeuvres
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Speed or Precision +4, Rapid Attack or Dual Attack during Defence
Wielding. Price: 10 EXP
Description: Hitting an opponent twice within an Action Prerequisite: Reflexes +4
can knock them out if they lose Body roll against the PC’s Description: If a character decides to use Reflexis instead
weapon Skill Level. of a Parrying against an attack in hand-to-hand combat and
If the opponent’s roll is unsuccessful they will lose succeeds, then they can immediately make a counter-attack.
consciousness for 1 round. The ability works once per round and uses up the character’s
Reaction.
Quick Blows
Price: 10 EXP Directing Opponent’s Attack
Prerequisite: Speed or Precision +4, Rapid Attack or Dual Price: 10 EXP
Wielding. Prerequisite: Reflexes +6
Description: If both hits land on the same opponent, the Description: If a character uses Reflexes instead of Parrying
character gets an additional third Attack against the same in hand-to-hand combat and the roll is successful, they can
opponent. deflect the attack against them so that it hits a bystander
instead. The bystander must then make a Parrying roll.
Advanced Weapon-Breaking Strike
The ability works once per round and uses up the character’s
Price: 10 EXP Reaction.
Prerequisite: Body +2
Description: Penalties disappear for weapon-breaking Using Opponent’s Strength
strikes. To break a weapon, the Damage of the strike must
Price: 10 EXP
exceed the Hardness of the weapon.
Prerequisite: Attack during Defence or Directing opponent’s
Weapon Masterwork Masterwork Attack
Hardness Description: Executing a successful Attack during Defence
group (+1) (+2)
manoeuvre adds opponents’ Body points, as well as their
Short own Body points to Damage.
10 13 16
swords
Executing a successful Directing opponent’s Attack
Long
15 20 25 manoeuvre adds their own Body points, as well as the
swords
opponent’s Body, points to the redirected Attack’s Damage.
Axes and
8 10 12
Maces Evasion
Spears 6 8 10 Price: 10 EXP
Crossbows Prerequisite: Reflexes +8
and 8 10 12 Description: PC can avoid Damage from cannons, grenades,
Firearms explosions and other such attacks that require Reflexes roll
Bows 2 3 4 to lessen their Damage.
Wooden Normally, a character has to make a Reflexes roll to take half
10 13 16
shields Damage from a cannonball or explosion, but a character
Steel shields 15 20 25 who has taken this ability always automatically takes half
Damage. If they succeed on a subsequent roll that would
* – Hardness of heavy axes, maces and spear has been normally reduce Damage to half, they take no Damage at all.
calculated taking into account that some details of these
weapons have been made of wood, bone or some other Essentially, a character with this ability is nearly impossible
fragile material. If the weapon has been made entirely of to harm with any kind of explosion.
metal then the weapon’s Hardness is 15, which is increased
by +5 for each masterwork bonus.

36
Abilities for Rulers and Chancellors
These abilities only benefit Domain rulers and Domain
chancellors in activities associated with ruling.
None of the randomly hired starting domain chancellors have
these abilities. However, these abilities can be purchased
for NPCs with points earned through domain events if the
requirements are met. In this case, one ability costs 2 EXP
(not the same type of EXP PCs use).
PCs can purchase these abilities as they wish.
Accountant
Can be used by both Domain rulers as well as Domain
chancellors.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Mathematics and Economy +14
Description: The domain ruler/chancellor has developed
a strong accounting sense; they know how to get things
cheaper and optimize costs.
All establishments and developments that the domain ruler/
chancellor constructs using their Domain Action cost 10%
less.
This ability does not affect developments initiated by other
domain chancellors.
Architect
Can be used by both Domain rulers as well as Domain
chancellors.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Art or Physics and Ballistics +14
Description: Ruler/chancellor is an experienced architect
who can plan their own fortresses and fortifications.
Any fortifications (such as fortresses, bastions, walls etc.)
constructed using the rulers/chancellors’ Domain Action and
planned by them for at least one month receive 20% more
Building HP than other fortifications of the same kind.
This ability does not apply to fortifications started by other
rulers or chancellors’ in their Domain Actions.
Recruiter
Suitable ability to domain ruler or domain strategist.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Social skills +14
Description: The domain strategist or ruler is particularly
skilled at enticing people to join professional standing army
companies. A strategist or ruler can create twice as many
standing army companies during a Domain Action.
Usually, by using one Action, a strategist or ruler can initiate
the establishment of 1 standing army company per domain
size in a Tactic roll/10. However, a recruiter divides their
Tactic roll by 5 instead of 10, which means they can initiate
the establishment of roughly twice as many units at once.
This ability does not affect the cost of the units.
Heavy-Handed Ruler
This ability is meant for the ruler and if owned by a domain
chancellor does not affect the domain.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: The ruler has a personality trait that indicates
their brutality or strictness.
Description: Inhabitants of the ruler’s domain are frightened
by the ruler with a good reason. The ruler exudes rigour and
is good at quelling unrest. Nobody dares say anything to the
ruler but much is said behind their back.
Domain Discontent decreases by -10%, but Corruption
increases by +5%.
Magistrate Ruler
This ability is meant for the ruler and if owned by a domain
chancellor does not affect the domain.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Law & Society +14, can’t be bought when the
character has Business Savvy Ruler
Description: The domain ruler has extensive experience as a
magistrate and is well-versed in laws, making it easy for them
to detect any deviations. As a result, it is significantly more
difficult for domain officials to engage in corrupt activities.
Unfortunately, it turns out that several business deals that
were beneficial for the domain, in the long run, involved
some degree of corruption.
Domain Corruption decreases by -10%, but Prosperity also
decreases by -5%.
Business Savvy Ruler
This ability is meant for the ruler and if owned by a domain
chancellor does not affect the domain.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Mathematics and Economy +14, can’t be
bought when the character has Magistrate Ruler
Description: The domain ruler regards the domain
as a business project. Therefore, the domain attracts
entrepreneurs, adventurers, and new settlers who wish to
live in a place where their rights are less restricted, and free
enterprise is encouraged. Unfortunately, the free enterprise
often means turning a blind eye to the laws.
Domain Prosperity increases by +10%, but Corruption also
increases by +5%.
Attributes, Skills and Abilities 37
 EQUIPMENT AND GOODS
Money
Asteanic world and its surrounding areas use the same the banknote is a real Contract of Menes or just a piece of
standardised money system based on the weight of gold. paper decorated with beautiful stamps and drawings.
1 Gold Denar weighs roughly the same as 125 rice grains
Alongside personalised banknotes, unpersonalised
although their value is vastly different.
banknotes with a smaller nominal value are also in use.
There are many different mints that produce coins that look They have values of 10, 20, 50, and 100 gold denari and bear
unique and have different designs or inscriptions. These signatures and stamps of the bank official who issued them
different Asteanic coins always weigh the same making to ensure counterfeit protection. Unpersonalised banknotes
them equal in value. have wider usage. They are used by small merchants and
large landowners. They are also used for large transactions
GD – Asteanic gold denar weighs 2,5 g (weight corresponds
such as the sale of land or a considerable quantity of goods.
to 125 rice grain, which is one of the oldest units of
measurement in the Asteanic world)
SD – Asteanic silver denar weighs 2,5 g
CD or c – Asteanic copper denar weighs 5 g
1 GD = 15 SD = 750 CD/c
1 GD = 15 SD, 1 SD = 50 CD/c
Banknotes are used for larger sums. Banknotes are issued by
Asteanic banks. The largest and most important bank is the
Asteanic Imperial Bank, whose banknotes are considered
the most reliable throughout the Asteanic world. Bank notes
are valid across borders, the same as metal currency.
Paper money is rarely used in everyday life. Although it is very
difficult to counterfeit, it is still difficult for a common person
to detect a fake and secondly, large amounts of money are
not needed in everyday transactions. Paper money is used
by merchants, trading companies, large manufacturers, and
states for inter-government transactions.
There are two types of banknotes: personalised banknotes
and unpersonalised notes.
Personalised banknotes are linked to a specific individual Selling and Buying Goods
or group of individuals and prove their ownership of the
money. A merchant deposits money in the bank and receives When PCs acquire a large number of used weapons, armour,
a personalised banknote in return. At a distant branch, the etc. through adventuring, they can usually sell them to
merchant can pass the banknote on to the next merchant merchants for half price in cities. If the item has a wholesale
issuing a new banknote in their name. A single banknote’s value written, it can always be sold at that price.
value can be updated and changed. Such banknotes look If the PCs have ways to sell goods directly to the end
like stamped and embossed folders with signatures of consumer (they own a store or participate in overseas trade),
several important individuals. They also contain stamps and they can charge the final price for the sale.
security measures to prevent counterfeiting. Personalised
banknotes are often worth tens of thousands of gold coins The prices of goods may vary regionally, the prices presented
and are used in overseas trade where transporting a large in the chapter apply to the Gilden Sea region, which
amount of gold can be dangerous. To ensure additional encompasses all Asteanic provinces and states around the
security and authenticity such banknotes are also Contracts Gilden Sea. To the north is the Zuharic region and to the east
of Menes between the bank and the banknote owner. is the Tauric region. South, across the Tauric Sea, is the North-
Contract of Menes is a spell that makes the banknotes Thefna region.
magical documents backed by the Asteanic trade god The prices of most common goods are uniform throughout,
Menes. Metaphysics roll against Difficulty Level (DL) 20 helps but if there is a variation in the price in other regions, it is
determine whether an item is magical or not, that is, whether noted on the item price.

38
Metals
Metals and jewellery can always be sold at their full price.
1 kg of iron – starting from 2 SD (price in Orenic and Kali
states starts from 8 SD)
1 kg of bronze – 6 SD (price in Orenic and Kali states starts
from 12 SD)
1 kg of copper – 4 SD
1 kg of tin – 20 SD (price in Orenic and Kali states starts from
4 GD)
1 kg of silver – 400 SD = 26.6 GD
1 kg of gold – 400 GD

Equipment and Goods 39

 Weapons and Armour
Masterworks
For each of the following weapons and armour, there are
also masterwork versions. With regards to weapons, the
masterwork versions increase Attack and Damage, for
instance, a masterwork longbow +2 adds +2 to both Attack
and Damage. For armour, the masterwork version increases
Damage Reduction by 1, 2, or 3 points. For shields, the
Parrying bonus increases.
There are three types of masterwork weapons and armours:
masterwork +1, which can be found in all cities where
the corresponding type of weapons or armours are sold,
masterwork +2, which can only be found in major cities, and
masterwork +3, which is a very rare occurrence.
In order to create a masterwork +1 weapon or armour, the
blacksmith must have at least a +10 skill level in the relevant
skill; for masterwork +2, +20 skill level; and for masterwork
+3, +30 skill level.
Masterwork weapons and armours are expensive:
+1 has a price that is four times the base price;
+2, 16 times the base price (e.g. masterwork katana +2 would
be 20 x 4 x 4 = 320);
and +3, 64 times (x4 x4 x4) the base price (+3 masterwork
items are very difficult to find and are considered artefacts).
For weapons and armour that cost less than 2 GD, the base
price for calculating the masterwork price is considered to
be 2 GD.
Silver Weapons
Characters can find silver weapons in cities where Soulsmiths
live. Silver weapons are able to damage Otherwordlings,
ghosts and other supernatural beings that are otherwise
highly resistant to conventional weapons (10 or 20 Damage
Reduction). Only Soulsmiths (sorcerers practising Soul
Crafting school of magic) can make silver weapons, which
means that in order for such weapons to be available in a
city, one such character must live there or some merchant
must bring them there. All silver weapons add 50 GD to
the base price of the weapon. Silver weapons can also be
masterworks, in which case this 50 GD is added after the
masterwork price is calculated.
The rest of the magical items (including Soulbleed weapons
and Astral Armours), their prices, and their creation are under
Magic Items.
40
Weapon’s Special Properties
Almost all weapons have some special properties, which
allow for the execution of certain specific manoeuvres,
Piercing, or describe their relationship with Abilities.
Two-Handed Weapon
Two-handed weapons require the use of two hands, meaning
that in addition, a shield cannot be used (with the exception
of arm shields) or another weapon.
Hand-and-a-Half Weapon
Hand-and-a-half weapons are weapons that can be used with
either one hand or two hands. When using such a weapon
with two hands, the benefits of two-handed weapons can
be taken advantage of, such as specializing in two-handed
fighting. When using the weapon with one hand, a shield or
another weapon can be held in the other hand.
Double-Sided Two-Handed Weapon
With a double-sided two-handed weapon, multiple attacks
can be made by someone with the ability to fight with two
weapons. With regular two-handed weapons, only those
with the ability to perform Rapid Attack can make multiple
attacks.
Charge Weapon
These weapons are suitable for executing charges and
receiving charges.
Reach Weapon
A reach weapon allows an attack on hexagons that are
further away, but not on hexagons that are next to the
wielder. With a reach weapon, an attack can be made as
one moves through hexagons next to the target and their
neighbouring hexagons, for a total of 4 meters in radius from
the hexagon in which the wielder is located.
The person wielding a reach weapon gets an Attack of
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon even against opponents
who are moving to reach them, even if the total movement
is less than 5 meters. People armed with any other melee
weapons do not have this opportunity.
Reach weapons are considered inappropriate for hand-to-
hand combat, meaning that all enemies in adjacent hexagons
get an Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against
the user of such a weapon. Note: At the start of a Full Attack,
one can switch weapons and thus avoid this situation.
All reach weapons are suitable for Breaking Charges, even if
they are not suitable for executing charges.
Piercing Weapon
Piercing weapons can penetrate the enemy’s Armour. Firstly,
the Piercing value is subtracted from the opponent’s Damage
Reduction, and then the DR is subtracted from Damage.
For example, an Attack with a war hammer results in a
Damage of 6, a war hammer has a Piercing value of 4, and
the opponent’s DR is 7. Without a Piercing weapon, the
opponent would not receive any Damage at all. In the case
of the war hammer, Piercing value 4 is subtracted from DR
7, leaving a DR of 3. DR (3) is subtracted from the Damage,
resulting in 3 Damage to the opponent.
Armour-Bypassing Weapon
Armour-bypassing weapons are weapons that can
perform Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres. Many of
these weapons have bonuses (but not all) to perform this
manoeuvre, which reduces the attack penalty.
Note that these weapons do not automatically bypass armour,
they simply allow you to perform the relevant manoeuvre, as
other weapons cannot perform this manoeuvre.
Sneak Attack Weapon
Sneak Attack weapons are the only weapons that can be
used to perform Sneak Attacks if the character has the Sneak
Attack ability.
Other Special Properties
Some weapons have unique special properties that are
specific to that weapon and are therefore only written in the
weapon’s description and are generally not categorised.

Equipment and Goods 41

 Weapon Groups under Speed Attribute
Swords
Long Swords
All long swords have Piercing and Range 0. The Hardness of all long swords is 15, with an additional +5 from each masterwork
bonus.

Weapon (Special Properties) Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (kg)
Chokuto
A straight single-edged longsword. North-Asteanic weapon.
Scimitar 1d8 1,5 6 GD
A single bladed curved sword. The most common sword among the Zuharic
people.
Katana (Hand-and-a-Half weapon)
Ceremonial weapons of the Asteanic samurai’ and nobles, used to demonstrate 1d10 1,5 20 GD
their belonging to a specific caste.
Nodachi (Two-Handed weapon, Other Special Properties)
Reminds long katana, a war sword for samurai’ and Asteanic nobles. 1d12 2,5 30 GD
Nodachi is one of two weapons that can perform a 180° strike manoeuvre.
Hook sword (Other Special Properties)
Hooked-tipped short Asteanic swords. Typically used in pairs.
Adds +2 to Disarm manoeuvre when used separately, +4 when used as a pair.
Disarm manoeuvres do not usually cause damage but disarm manoeuvres 1d6 1 2 GD
performed with these swords do.
Although the blade’s length is more akin to a short sword, it is more comparable to
weapons in the group of long swords in terms of its properties and handling style.
Long Swords from Farwest and other Regions
15 GD (6 GD
Arming sword
1d8 1,5 in Farwest or
Also called the infantry sword, the Farwestern knights’ secondary weapon.
Tauric region)
15 GD (10 GD
Longsword or Tauric claymore (Hand-and-a-Half weapon) 1d10 2 in Farwest or
Tauric region)
Sweihandler (Two-Handed weapon, Other Special Properties)
50 GD (20 GD
Two-handed sword is one of two weapons with which you can perform a 180° 2d6 3
in Farwest)
strike manoeuvre.

42
Short Swords
All short swords have Piercing and Range 0, except the Throwing knife. The Hardness of all short swords is 15, with an additional
+3 from each masterwork bonus.

Weapon (Special Properties) Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (kg)
Dagger/Tanto (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
1d4 0,33 1 GD
Adds +4 to the Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres.
Throwing Knife (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
Throwing range of 10 m. Adds +2 to the Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres, but only
1d4 0,1 4 SD
when used in hand-to-hand combat. Can also be used to perform Sneak Attack in hand-
to-hand combat.
Kodachi (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
1d6 1 2 GD
Short sword with a single curved blade.
Wakizashi (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
A short sword with a single curved blade, commonly used by Asteanic samurai’, shinobi’ 1d8 1 10 GD
and nobles.
Short Swords from Farwest and other Regions
Trident Dagger (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon, Other Special
Properties)
A trident dagger has a blade that can be separated into three segments by pressing a
simple button, which adds a +2 bonus to the Disarm manoeuvre.
15 GD
If the blade is intact, it also provides a +2 bonus to Armour-bypassing attack
1d4 0,33 (6 GD in
manoeuvres.
Farwest)
Once the blade is inserted into a target’s body, it can be opened in the same round,
causing automatic 1d4+1 Damage. However, if the target is wearing armour, the blade
cannot be easily removed and must remain in the body, requiring cutting it out to
remove it.
Swordbreaker (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon, Other Special
Properties)
Adds +2 to Disarm manoeuvre. 10 GD
With a swordbreaker, you can perform a Weapon-breaking strike against any sword. 1d4 0,33 (4 GD in
In addition, when using this manoeuvre, you deal additional +8 Damage to the sword. Farwest)
Character has to break the weapon in one strike, Roll Damage against the sword’s
Hardness to do so.
20 GD
Rapier (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
1d6+1 1 (8 GD in
Adds +2 to the Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres.
Farwest)
Estoc (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
Adds +2 to the Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres.
30 GD
A lengthy Farwestern sword that features a slender blade. Despite its length resembling 2d4 1 (12 GD in
that of a long swords, its characteristics and manner of use are more akin to short Farwest)
swords. Because of its length and size, the estoc is the only hand-to-hand combat
weapon that allows for both Sneak Attack and use with two hands.

Equipment and Goods 43

 Axes and Maces
All axes and maces have Hardness of 8, with an additional +2 from each masterwork bonus. If the handle of the weapon is also
made entirely of metal, then the weapon weighs twice as much and costs twice as much as one with a wooden handle. In this
case, the weapon’s Hardness is 15, which is increased by +5 for each masterwork bonus.

Heavy Axes

Weapon (Special Properties) Weight

Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (kg)
Battle Axe (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Piercing weapon)
A simple and effective battle axe is widely used as a war weapon across the 1d8 2 2,5 1 GD
world.
Two-handed Felling Axe (Two-Handed weapon) 1d10 0 4 10 SD
Bardiche (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon) 1d12 2 4 2 GD

Light Axes
All light axes have a Piercing of 0.
Throwing weapons only have two ranges: the standard range indicated here and a maximum range with an Attack penalty of
-6, which is twice the indicated throwing range.

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (m) (kg)
Handaxe 1d6 10 1,5 4 SD
Throwing Axe 1d6 20 1 10 SD
Navy Axe
1d6+1 15 1 1 GD
Asteanic marines’ boarding and battle axes.

Blunt Weapons
All blunt weapons have a range of 0.

Weapon (Special Properties) Weight

Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (kg)
Club 1d4 0 1 -
1d4 and
Quarterstaff (Double-Sided Two-Handed weapon) 0 1 -
1d4
Tetsubo (Double-Sided Two-Handed weapon) 1d6 and
0 2 10 SD
Essentially a long iron tube. 1d6
Mace (Piercing weapon) 1d6+1 2 2 20 SD
Flail (Other Special Properties)
1d10 0 2 20 SD
Adds +2 to Disarm manoeuvre.
Morningstar (Piercing weapon) 2d4 2 3 2 GD
War Hammer (Piercing weapon) 1d6+1 4 3 4 GD
Poleaxe (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
2d4 4 4 5 GD
A heavy warhammer on a long shaft with a spear-like point.

44
Spears
All spears have a Piercing of 0.
All spears have a Hardness of 6, which is increased by +2 for each Masterwork bonus. If the weapon handle is also made
entirely of metal, the weapon weighs three times more and costs three times more. In this case, the weapon’s Hardness is 15,
which is increased by +5 for each Masterwork bonus.
Spears only have two throwing ranges: the standard range indicated here and a maximum range with an Attack penalty of -6,
which is twice the indicated throwing range.

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (m) (kg)

Lances
Throwing Lance (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Reach weapon, Charge weapon,
Armour-bypassing weapon) 1d6+1 15 1,5 1 GD
Breaks on charge when damage exceeds 20.
Lance (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Reach weapon, Charge weapon, Armour-
bypassing weapon) 1d10 0 2,5 2 GD
Breaks on charge when damage exceeds 30.
Infantry Pike (Two-Handed weapon, Reach weapon, Armour-bypassing
weapon)
1d12 0 5 20 SD
Only used in battle formations. Breaks upon breaking cavalry charge when
damage exceeds 30.
Spears
Yari (Two-Handed weapon, Reach weapon, Charge weapon, Armour-bypassing
weapon)
A weapon used by Asteanic ashigaru’ and samurai’ in warfare, featuring a long, 1d10 - 2,5 4 GD
straight blade in place of a spear point that’s in a scabbard during times of peace.
Breaks on charge when damage exceeds 30.
Spear (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Reach weapon, Charge weapon, Armour-
bypassing weapon) 1d8 15 2 1 GD
Breaks on charge when damage exceeds 20.
Hunting Spear (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Armour-bypassing weapon) 1d6 20 1 10 SD
Military Fork (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Other Special Properties)
A two-pronged weapon with two sword blades, about 1.5 m long, +2 to Disarm
2d4 10 3 4 GD
manoeuvres. Additionally, Disarm manoeuvres performed with this weapon cause
damage. Usually, Disarm manoeuvres do not cause damage
Trident (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Other Special Properties)
1d8 10 3 4 GD
A three-pronged weapon, about 1,5 m long, +4 to Disarm manoeuvres.
Harpoon (Other Special Properties)
Pulling out deals 1d4 Damage, Medicine or Anatomy roll against DL 20 to avoid it. 1d6+1 20 0,5 1 GD
If used with rope then the throwing distance is reduced by 5 m.
Javelin
Unsuitable for hand-to-hand combat, only fighting with a javelin allows the 1d6 30 0,5 5 SD
opponent an Attack of opportunity with a Melee Weapon.
Atlatl (Other Special Properties)
A javelin thrower is found only in a few regions (Gurgeland, Kaliland). Adds +2
Damage to the javelin and allows it to be thrown twice as far. +2 x2 0,5 -

(Found only in Kaliland or Gurgeland where costs around 2 SD)

Equipment and Goods 45

 Weapon Groups under Precision Attribute
Bows
All bows have a Piercing of 0.
Bows have three ranges, the optimal range listed here, x2 range with a -6 Attack roll and x3 range with a -12 Attack roll.
Body attribute is not automatically added to bow Damage. Body bonuses are only added to bow Damage if the character has
the Devastating Shot Ability.
All bows have a Hardness of 2, which is increased by +1 for each Masterwork bonus.

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (m) (kg)
Basic Bow (Two-Handed weapon) 1d6 30 1 10 SD
Composite Bow (Two-Handed weapon)
1d8 45 1 3 GD
Character must have a Body of at least 0 to use. Can also be used on horseback.
Longbow (Two-Handed weapon)
1d10 90 1 6 GD
Character must have a Body of at least +2 to use. Can’t be used on horseback.
Daikyu (Two-Handed weapon)
Character must have a Body of at least +2 to use. Can also be used on 1d10 75 1 8 GD
horseback. The historic signature weapon of North-Asteanic mounted samurai’.
10 arrows 1 5 SD
10 silver arrows 1 8 GD
Poison fillable arrow, one 0,1 5 SD

Crossbows and Firearms

Crossbows and firearms have three ranges, the optimal range listed here, x2 range with a -6 Attack roll and x3 range with a
-12 Attack roll. Crossbows and firearms lose their Piercing property at longer firing ranges than the normal range. Body
pluses are not added to the Damage of crossbows and firearms.
All crossbows and firearms have a Hardness of 8, which is increased by +2 for each Masterwork bonus.

Crossbows

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)
Basic Crossbow (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
1d10 2 (0) 60 2 6 GD
Loading takes one Action. Can be used on horseback.
Heavy Crossbow (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
10
Loading takes one Action. The heavy crossbow cannot be used on 1d12 2 (0) 75 4
GD
horseback as it is impossible to load while riding.
Arbalest (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
20
Loading takes one Action. Arbalest cannot be used on horseback as it is 2d8 2 (0) 90 6
GD
impossible to load while riding.

46
 Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight
Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)
Repeating Crossbow (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon, Other
Special Properties)
The primary ranged weapon of Asteanic marines, capable of firing 2
bolts in a Full Attack (making two Attacks). The user of a repeating
crossbow does not need to have any abilities to make two attacks. The
ability Rapid Attack does not change the number of attacks in a Full 40
Attack. 1d10 2 (0) 45 4
GD
Repeating crossbow has an easily replaceable magazine, allowing for
shooting from horseback. Magazines hold 10 bolts. Replacing a magazine
takes one Action, while reloading a magazine takes 2 Actions (rounds)
during which Reactions can not be used. Price includes 2 additional
magazines
Repeating Dart Launcher (Piercing weapon, Other Special
Properties)
A small crossbow-like weapon, capable of firing 3 bolts in a Full Attack
(making three Attacks). The user of a dart launcher does not need to
have any abilities to make three attacks. The ability of Rapid Attack
does not change the number of attacks in a Full Attack. 40
1d6 2 (0) 25 2
GD
Dart launchers have an easily replaceable magazine, allowing for
shooting on horseback. Magazines hold 15 bolts. Replacing a magazine
takes one Action, while reloading a magazine takes 2 Actions during
which Reactions can not be used. The price includes 2 additional
magazines.
10 bolts or darts 0,5 5 SD
10 silver bolts or darts 0,5 8 GD
Poison fillable bolt or dart, one 0,1 5 SD

Firearms

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)

Simple Firearms
Prevalent in areas with lower industrialization.
Arquebus (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
Loading takes one Action. Arquebus cannot be used on horseback 1d12 4 (0) 45 4 10 GD
as it is impossible to load while riding.
Hand Cannon (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
Typically placed on support legs for firing. Loading takes 2 Actions
during which Reactions can not be used.
2d10 4 (0) 45 20 20 GD
For attacking with a hand cannon Ballistics skill is used instead of
Firearms skill.
Cannot be used on horseback.

Equipment and Goods 47

 Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight
Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)

Common firearms
Common in Asteanic states and provinces.
Flintlock Pistol (Piercing weapon)
1d10 6 (0) 30 1 10 GD
Loading takes one Action. Can be used on horseback.
Flintlock Musketoon (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
Carbine musket. Loading takes one Action. Can be used on 2d6 6 (0) 45 3 15 GD
horseback.
Flintlock Musket (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon)
2d8 6 (0) 60 4 20 GD
Loading takes one Action. Cannot be used on horseback.
Blunderbuss Pistol (Other Special Properties)
Loading takes one Action. Can be used on horseback.
10x5
The attack with the weapon cannot be countered with Parrying, as 1d4+1 0 1,5 8 GD
cone
the whole area is attacked. All those within range must roll Reflexes
against the Attack. No other ranges than optimal range.
Blunderbuss (Two-Handed weapon, Other Special Properties)
Loading takes one Action. Can be used on horseback.
20x10
The attack with the weapon cannot be countered with Parrying, as 2d4+1 0 5 16 GD
cone
the whole area is attacked. All those within range must roll Reflexes
against the Attack. No other ranges than optimal range.
Advanced firearms
Used only in the few most technologically advanced regions of Farwest.
100
Flintlock Carbine Rifle (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon) GD (20
2d6 6 (0) 60 3
Loading takes one Action. Can be used on horseback. GD in
Farwest)
150
Flintlock Rifle (Two-Handed weapon, Piercing weapon) GD (30
2d8 6 (0) 100 4
Loading takes one Action. Cannot be used on horseback. GD in
Farwest)
Ammunition (bullet, gunpowder, plug)
10 rounds for Guns 0,5 10 SD
10 Silver Bullet rounds 0,5 6 GD
10 rounds for Blunderbuss 1 20 SD
10 Hand Cannon rounds 2 20 SD
1 kg of Gunpowder 1 20 SD

48
Civilian Weapons
The civilian weapons category encompasses weapons from all other categories and includes any throwing weapons, such
as grenades and darts, that do not fit into other categories. Civilian Weapons skill also covers throwing items that are not
weapons.
Body attribute is added to the Damage of most civilian weapons, except grenades.
Throwing weapons only have two ranges: the standard range indicated here and the maximum range with an Attack penalty
of -6, which is twice the indicated throwing range.
Since most weapons belonging to the civilian weapons group are also in some other group, they have very different Hardness.

Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight

Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)

Civilian Weapons from Short Swords group

Dagger/Tanto (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
1d4 0 - 0,33 1 GD
Adds +4 to the Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres.
Kodachi (Armour-bypassing weapon, Sneak Attack weapon)
1d6 0 - 1 2 GD
Short sword with a single curved blade.
All Light Axes are also Civilian Weapons
Handaxe 1d6 0 10 1,5 4 SD
Throwing Axe 1d6 0 20 1 10 SD
Navy Axe
1d6+1 0 15 1 1 GD
Asteanic marines’ boarding and battle axes.
Civilian Weapons from Blunt Weapons group
Club 1d4 0 - 1 -
Mace (Piercing weapon) 1d6+1 2 - 2 20 SD
Morningstar (Piercing weapon) 2d4 2 - 3 2 GD
Civilian Weapons from Spears group
Spear (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Reach weapon, Charge weapon,
Armour-bypassing weapon) 1d8 0 15 2 1 GD
Breaks on charge when damage exceeds 20.
Hunting Spear (Hand-and-a-Half weapon, Armour-bypassing
1d6 0 20 1 10 SD
weapon)
Harpoon (Other Special Properties)
Pulling out deals 1d4 Damage, Medicine or Anatomy roll against DL 20
1d6+1 0 20 0,5 1 GD
to avoid it. If used with rope then the throwing distance is reduced by
5 m.
Javelin
Unsuitable for hand-to-hand combat, only fighting with a javelin
1d6 0 30 0,5 5 SD
allows the opponent an Attack of opportunity with a Melee
Weapon.
Atlatl (Other Special Properties)
A javelin thrower is found only in a few regions (Gurgeland, Kaliland).
Adds +2 Damage to the javelin and allows it to be thrown twice as far. +2 0 x2 0,5 -

(Found only in Kaliland or Gurgeland where costs around 2 SD)

Equipment and Goods 49

 Weapon (Special Properties) Range Weight
Damage Piercing Price
Short Description (m) (kg)

Weapons Unique to Civilian Weapons group

Blowgun 1d4 0 25 0,5 1 SD
Dart, one 1d4 0 10 0,1 25 c
Poison fillable dart, one 1d4 0 10 0,1 5 SD

Grenade like Civilian Weapons

When throwing grenade-like civilian weapons a roll of 5 or more means the weapon flies towards the targeted area (hexagon).
However, victims do not throw Parrying but Reflexes. If the Reflexes roll is 20 or higher then no Damage is taken. if the roll is
10 or higher half Damage is taken and if the roll is less than 10 then full Damage is taken.
If the character throws an Attack less than 5 it means:
2-4 - the thrown object flies in the right direction but deviates to the left or right by the radius of the impact.
1 - the thrown object flies 90 degrees off course.
0 or less - the thrown object flies exactly in the opposite direction, falls before the thrower or explodes in the hand.

Weight (kg)
Range (m)
Radius of
Weapon (Special Properties)

Damage

Piercing
Effect
Short Description

Price
Grenade (Piercing weapon, Other Special Properties)
A throwing weapon with a ceramic casing that contains gunpowder and
expels steel spikes. Spikes fly in all directions after the explosion. The
damage is caused by both explosion and flying spikes. 3d6 15 +
5m 2 4 6 GD
+3 Body
Before throwing the grenade a fuse must be lit, which does not take 1
Action if there is an open flame. Due to this additional move, the grenade
cannot be thrown as a Reaction to someone else’s Action.
Getetic Fire (Piercing weapon, Other Special Properties)
A bottle of easily ignitable and hard-to-extinguish liquid that when used
as an incendiary bomb causes 1d6 Damage in a 2m radius, characters in
that radius catch fire and receive 1d6 Damage for 1d4 rounds thereafter.
When leaving a burning area, extinguishing oneself takes one round if an
Athletics roll against DL 15 succeeds. Armour
8 GD
A pool of Getetic Fire on the ground continues to burn for 2d6 rounds if it doesn't
(30
doesn’t ignite anything else. Standing in a burning pool of fire causes 1d6 offer 15 +
2m 1d6 1 SD in
Damage per round. The Damage from burning and standing in a burning any DR Body
Getetic
pool is not cumulative, only one 1d6 is rolled in round. against
lands)
fire.
A successful Reflexes roll against DL 20 means that the character is not hit
by the flaming substance. However, it is still advisable for them to leave
the area or they still receive Damage for standing in the burning pool.
Before throwing the Getetic fire bottle, light the fuse, which does not take
a full action if there is an open flame. Due to this additional move, the
Getetic fire cannot be thrown as Reaction to someone else’s Action.
Giant Ant’s Acid (Piercing weapon, Other Special Properties) Armour
A litre bottle of Giant Ant’s Acid causes 2d6 Damage to all standing within 10 GD
doesn't
a 2m radius. Armour provides no protection against the corrosive acid, as (40
offer 15 +
it easily flows through all openings. 2m 2d6 1 SD in
any DR Body
Orenic
Being hit by the acid bottle causes damage once. Being in an acid bath against
lands)
causes 2d6 Damage per round and ends with the body dissolving. acid.

50
Weapons under Body Attribute
Martial Arts Weapons
Martial arts and all types of fistfighting are under Athletics skill. When using Athletics in hand-to-hand combat against an
armed opponent, they will get an Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon as their Reaction as you are unarmed.
All martial art weapons have Piercing and a Range of 0. Add Body attribute to Damage.

Weapon (Special Properties) Weight

Damage Price
Short Description (kg)
Fists and Feet Body attribute, at least 1 - -

Iron Knuckles 1 0,1 2 SD

Climbing claws (Other Special Properties)

1d4 0,5 40 SD
Add +2 to Athletics or Stealth Skills when climbing.

Equipment and Goods 51

 Armour
Armour offers Damage Reduction (DR), which is subtracted from Damage. Shields give bonuses to Parrying, but do not affect
DR.
Armours have Armour Penalty, which is subtracted from Reflexes, and Stealth skills. Armour penalty is also applied to Athletics
rolls incase of jumping, climbing, running and swimming. Breaking doors, lifting, martial arts and other such activities which
do not require durability but strength have no applied Armour Penalty.
Light armour does not reduce Movement Speed or distance travelled per day.
Medium armour reduces Movement Speed by 4 metres and reduces the distance travelled per day by 10 km.
Heavy armour reduces Movement Speed by 8 metres and reduces the distance travelled per day by 10 km.

Light Armour

Armour Weight
Armour DR Price
Penalty (kg)
Light Leather Armour
As well as reinforced leather coats, leather jackets, large amounts of animal skin 1 0 2 10 SD
etc.
Leather Armour 2 0 4 2 GD
Gambeson 3 -1 6 4 GD
Light Armour from other regions of the world
Wyvernskin Armour
50 GD
Dark green armour made in Tauric region. Its high price is mostly due to the
(30 GD
exotic nature of the material, as wyvern skin is difficult to come by. Extremely 3 0 4
in Tauric
expensive masterwork versions can usually be found because there’s no reason
region)
to waste expensive material on making regular armour.
Spider Chitin Armour
A highly exotic armour made from the shells of giant spiders. Typically only
4 -1 6 -
found in regions outside of Asteanic lands.
(Found only in regions where giant spiders live, where it costs around 30 GD)

Medium Armour

Armour Weight
Armour DR Price
Penalty (kg)
Light Lamellar Armour
4 -2 10 8 GD
Ashigaru armour.
Lamellar Armour 5 -3 14 12 GD
Heavy Lamellar Armour
The armour of the Asteanic samurai is adorned with coloured lacquer. The
helmets feature intricate designs with horns or other embellishments that 6 -3 16 40 GD
symbolise the samurai clan or personal achievements. Furthermore, the helmet
features a war mask reminiscent of a mythical creature.
Chainmail 5 -2 12 18 GD

52
 Armour Weight
Armour DR Price
Penalty (kg)

Medium Armour from other regions of the world

Brigandine
50 GD
A medium armour commonly used by Farwesterners. Made of metal plates
5 -1 10 (20 GD in
sewn onto cloth or leather. The outer cloth is usually coloured and may bear an
Farwest)
emblem of house or state.
70 GD
Tauric Laminar Armour
(50 GD
A type of armour made from thin, but sturdy, horizontal steel plates crafted 6 -2 12
in Tauric
from Taurian steel.
region)

Heavy Armour

Armour Weight
Armour DR Price
Penalty (kg)
North-Asteanic Plate Armour
Like lamellar armour, the North-Asteanic plate armour
is covered in lacquer, making it rustproof and adding to
its appearance. The helmet is decorated with miniature 8 -4 20 120 GD
sculptures, horns, or other symbols, and the face is
protected by a war mask that resembles a mythical creature
or deity.
Mirror Armour
An Asteanic nobles ceremonial armour, properly made 6 (2
mirror plate armour offers some protection against the Magical -3 18 200 GD
Azure Warrior’s Soulbleed weapons like Astral Armour. DR)
The mirror armour is made of mirror-polished steel.
Heavy Armour from other regions of the world
Light Plate Armour 200 GD (75 GD in
7 -3 18
Farwestern armour. Farwest)
Plate Armour 400 GD (150 GD in
9 -4 22
Farwestern armour. Farwest)
Ghotian Plate Armour 520 GD (200 GD in
10 -5 24
Farwestern armour. Farwest)
Depends 16 GD (DR 7)
Locking Gauntlet
on the 32 GD (DR 9)
A farwestern invention, +8 to Parrying when defending
type of - - 44 GD (DR 10)
against Disarm manoeuvre. Weapon switching or removal
plate (Two times cheaper in
takes full Action.
armour. the Farwest)

Equipment and Goods 53

 Shields
Shields give bonuses to Parrying, but do not affect DR.
All shields, excluding arm shields, are considered hand-to-hand weapons, meaning that by carrying a shield, one can engage
in hand-to-hand combat with a javelin or a pistol without the opponents getting an Attack of Opportunity with a Melee
Weapon.

Parrying Weight
Shield Price
Bonus (kg)
Wooden Round Shield +2 2 10 SD
Wooden Long-shield
Protects the horse as well, the rider can add a bonus from the shield to the steeds Parrying +2 3 1 GD
roll.
Bronze Round Shield +3 2 3 GD
Steel Round Shield +3 2 2 GD
Steel Long-shield
Protects the horse also, the rider can add a bonus from the shield to the steeds Parrying +3 4 2 GD
roll.
Pavise
Also called tower shield. A static wooden shield with a support leg, archers can hide
behind it in battle but not suitable for hand-to-hand combat. Is not considered Hand-to- +4 10 2 GD
hand weapon because it’s not worn, which means it doesn’t protect against Attack of
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon when engaging in melee without a proper weapon.
Arm Shields
Arm guards of the Asteanic warriors, typically bearing the emblem of their clan, daimyo
or house. Allows for the use of two weapons, a two-handed weapon or a ranged weapon
+1 1 6 GD
but not any additional shields. These are not considered Hand-to-hand weapons, which
means they don’t protect against Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon when
engaging in melee without a proper weapon.

54
Equipment for Adventurers Description
Weight
Price
(kg)
Basic Travelling Equipment First aid kit 4 GD,
Grants +2 bonus to Medicine refilling
checks, has 20 uses, and instantly 2 costs 2
Weight
Description Price heals 1 HP if Medicine check is at SD per
(kg)
least 15. one use
Trail rations
1 25 c Good first aid kit 6 GD,
Dried meat, nuts, dates, raisins etc. refilling
Grants +2 bonus to Medicine
Backpack 0,5 2 SD check, has 20 uses, and instantly 2 costs 3
Tent, for two people 2 8 SD heals 2 HP if Medicine check is at SD per
least 15. one use
Sleeping bag 1 2 SD
2, Professional first aid kit 8 GD,
Waterskin, 2 litres when 1 SD Grants +4 bonus to Medicine refilling
full checks, has 20 uses, and instantly 2 costs 4
heals 2 HP if Medicine check is at SD per
Flint and steel - 2 SD least 15. one use
Oil lamp 0,25 3 SD 8 GD,
Theatrical makeup and
Lantern 0,5 8 SD refilling
accessories
Matches, 10 pieces 0 2 SD 1 costs 4
Grants +2 bonus to Social skills
SD per
Hemp rope, 20 m 1 1 SD checks for disguising, 20 uses
one use
Giant spider silk rope, 20 m
0,2 4 GD Theatrical makeup with phoenix 50 GD,
Equal durability to steel cable
ash and accessories refilling
Paper, 1 A3 sheet - 3c Grants +6 bonus to Social skills 1 costs 2,5
Notebook, 100 pages 0,1 6 SD checks for disguising, 20 uses. GD per
Parchment, 1 A3 sheet - 1 SD Includes 100g of phoenix ash. one use

Ink for 100 pages, in a glass bottle 0,2 4 SD Fine perfume

Grants +2 bonus to Social skills
Dip pen - 2 SD 0,1 20 GD
checks for persuasion and
Candle (burns for 24 hours) 0,5 10 c deception, 20 uses.
Nymph’s blood perfume
Tools for Adventurers Grants +6 bonus to Social skills
checks for persuasion and 0,1 100 GD
deception, 20 uses. Contains
Weight
Description Price nymph’s blood!
(kg)
Navigator’s tools
Climbing equipment
Grants +2 bonus to Geography
+4 Athletics or Stealth skills roll 2 20 SD 2 20 GD
checks for navigation. Enables
when climbing. navigating at sea.
Climbing claws (Other Special Compass
Properties) 0,5 4 GD
Enables navigating at sea.
Add +2 to Athletics or Stealth 0,5 40 SD
skills when climbing. Damage 1d4, Spyglass (magnification x5)
when used as a weapon. Can be used to observe and detect
0,5 40 GD
objects outside of normal sight
Lock picks 0,5 2 GD
range.
Lock picks, masterwork
Handcuffs
Add +2 to Mechanics when 0,5 10 GD 0,5 2 GD
Lockpicking DL 15.
picking a lock.

Equipment and Goods 55

 Potions Description Price
Private room in a simple inn
Weight Accommodates 4 to 6 people, typically 1 SD
Description Price
(kg) located in a basement or stable-like area. per
Blood of Oni It lacks beds and probably lacks proper night
Drinking a bottle of Oni’s Blood windows or lockable doors.
immediately heals 5 HP and two Good room in a respectable inn
250 ml 2 SD
bottles can be consumed per Accommodates 4 to 6 people, clean room
(0,25 5 GD per
round. Although widely referred with separate beds, windows that open, and a
kg) night
to as Oni’s Blood, blood of Hydras lockable door (DL 10 to Pick).
and Cyclops also possess the same
Suite in a fine hotel
properties.
Depending on the hotel, may include various 10 SD
Soul Essence amenities, typically multiple rooms, windows, per
Drinking Soul Essence private entrance, private bathroom, etc. With night
immediately heals Soul HP. Soul 1d6+6 – proper locks at the entrance (DC 15 to Pick).
Essence is created by a Restoration 20 GD A boat trip
mage and appears as a bottle
1d8+8 – Cost may vary and is subject to role-playing
filled with floating mist. The
100 ml 30 GD negotiation, but typically, a one-month boat
bottle contains the mage’s actual 10 GD
1d10+10 trip for one person costs 10 GD. This fee
captured soul parts. Two bottles per
– 40 GD covers basic meals and cramped shared cabin
can be consumed per round. month
accommodation. Separate cabins on the boat
Three types of Soul Essence
are very costly and reserved for ship officers,
exist, restoring 1d6+6, 1d8+8, or
owners, or their friends and associates.
1d10+10 Soul HP.
Geuladic Berry Juice
The drink temporarily boosts the 7 GD (2 Horses, Carriages and Equestrian
drinker’s Body by +2 for 1d6 hours GD in Equipment
and has a potency-enhancing Orenic
100 ml While on roads or open terrain, horses and other animals can
effect. However, once the effect region
subsides, the character feels and cover as many kilometres in a day as their Movement Speed.
exhausted (-4 to all rolls) and Kaliland) Horses usually Attack or deal Damage only when they are
needs to rest. charging and being guided by the rider to run over someone.
To avoid damage during a charge the defender must use
Services Reaction and make a Reflex save against the charger’s Riding
check. Horses cannot Parry themselves and the rider must
make a Riding check with a -4 penalty instead. If a horse is
Description Price
without a rider it’s Reflexes and Parrying are 0.
Simple meal in a tavern
10 c
Bread, a mug of beer, and a soup-like dish. Horses and Other Draft Animals
Meat or fish meal in a tavern
15 c
Meat, a mug of beer, bread, and some greens. Price in the
Proper meal in a tavern Description Gilden Sea
Meat, a mug of wine, bread, a bit of greens, 25 c region
and a sweet dessert. Draft horse
Good meal in a tavern Body +2, Movement Speed 55, HP 20,
Several kinds of meat and fish, a litre of wine, 1 SD during chaotic combat rider must roll
bread, some greens, and a sweet dessert. Riding check against DL 10 each turn 5 GD
Accommodation in a common room of an to avoid the horse from panicking.
Free Cannot carry armour. Can carry 140 kg of
inn
baggage plus a rider.
A place in a cheap inn’s common bed, such 5 c per
as in a facility serving pilgrims. night

56
 Specially bred horses have higher than average traits. These
Price in the
“masterwork” horses can be purchased for additional cost.
Description Gilden Sea
Each increase in Movement Speed by 5 points, Body by
region
1 point or HP by 2 costs 20 GD. A single trait can only be
Strong carriage horse increased up to three times. Hence, the most expensive and
Body +4, Movement Speed 65, HP 22. powerful Asteanic warhorse would cost 220 GD and would
Check Riding against DL 10 each turn to have Body +5, Full Speed 85, and 30 HP.
10 GD
prevent the horse from panicking during
chaotic combat. Carries all armour. Carries Riding Equipment
160 kg of baggage plus a rider.
Riding horse Weight
Body +2, Movement Speed 80, HP 20. Description Price
(kg)
Check Riding against DL 10 each turn to
20 GD Saddle and harness
prevent the horse from panicking during 4 2 GD
chaotic combat. Cannot carry armour. Can For use with riding horses only.
carry 100 kg of baggage plus a rider. Saddle and harness, masterwork
Asteanic warhorse +2 to Riding. For use with riding 4 10 GD
Body +2, Movement Speed 70, HP 24, horses only.
deals 2d6 Damage while charging. Can 40 GD War saddle and harness
6 4 GD
carry light and medium armour. Can carry Usable with riding & war horses.
140 kg of baggage plus a rider.
War saddle and harness,
Purebred zuharic warhorse masterwork
28 GD 6 20 GD
Body +2, Movement Speed 80, HP 24, +2 to Riding. Usable with riding &
(20 GD in
deals 2d6 Damage while charging. Can war horses.
Zuhaari
carry light armour. Can carry 140 kg of
lands) Protective gear for horses
baggage plus a rider.
Purebred Tserkeššic warhorse Horse Leather Armour, DR 2 (Light) 8 4 GD
Body +4, Movement Speed 70, HP 28, 60 GD Horse Lamellar Armor, DR 5
32 30 GD
deals 2d6 Damage while charging. Can (30 GD in (Medium)
carry light and medium armour. Can carry Tserkeššia) Horse Plate Armor, DR 7 (Heavy) 40 100 GD
160 kg of baggage plus a rider.
Destrier (large and angry warhorse
from Farwest)
Body +6, Movement Speed 65, HP 32,
deals 2d6 Damage while charging and 300 GD
can Attack independently while standing (120 GD in
still attempting to bite and trample. Farwest)
Attack +2, damage 1d6+6. Can carry all
armour. Can carry 180 kg of baggage plus
a rider.
Great Taurian ibex
Body +2, Movement Speed 50, HP 24.
Able to maintain full speed while carrying
a rider, even over hilly or mountainous
10 GD
terrain. Inflicts 1d6+2 Damage while
charging by using its horns. Can carry
light armour. Can carry 80 kg of baggage
plus a rider.
Two-humped camel
35 GD
Body +6, Movement Speed 65, HP 32,
(25 GD in
deals 2d6 damage while charging. Can
Zuhaari
carry all armour. Can carry 350 kg of
lands)
baggage plus a rider.

Equipment and Goods 57

 Magical Items
Magical items are crafted by sorcerers (Soulscrafters), who
infuse a portion of their soul into the item. This process
results in permanent loss of Soul HP, limiting the number of
magical items a sorcerer can create during their lifetime. PCs
can overcome this limitation by purchasing additional Soul
HP using EXP.
Lightning Blades
Lightning blades or electric weapons are weapons that add
electrical damage to their base damage (+1d4 to +2d8).
Electric damage affects all creatures with a physical form
(unless they are immune to it) but not ethereal beings (souls
and ethereal Otherwordlings).
Normal armour does not provide any Damage Reduction
against the damage from an electrical weapon, which is
delivered as an electric shock. Only astral armour offers
protection, to the extent that its Magical Damage Reduction.
Mirror armour offers MDR 2.
An electrical weapon cannot be a Soulbleed weapon at the
same time.
An electrical weapon can but doesn’t have to be a masterwork
weapon.
An electrical weapon contains a small amount of copper or
silver (metals with high electrical conductivity) and can also
be a silver weapon, which would add 50 GD to its cost.
An electrical weapon must be a metal weapon.
The cost of adding electrical damage to a weapon is:
+1d4 adds 100 GD,
+1d6 adds 200 GD,
+1d8 adds 375 GD,
+2d6 adds 750 GD,
and +2d8 adds 1000 GD.
The cost of a Lighting blade is calculated as follows: the base
cost of the weapon (with the masterwork multiplier if it’s a
masterwork weapon) + 50 (if it’s a silver weapon) + the cost
of the electrical damage.
For example, a silver katana, masterwork +2, with electrical
damage +2d6 would cost 1120 GD (20x4x4 + 50 + 750). The
weapon would have an Attack bonus of +2 and its Damage
would be 1d10+2+2d6, from which the last 2d6 wouldn’t be
defendable by regular armour.
58
Temporary Electrical Weapons
Temporary electrical weapons work in the same way as
regular electrical weapons, however, they have a single use
and lose their electrical effect after their use. Temporary
electrical weapons usually are throwing weapons such as
throwing knives or javelins, and ammunition such as bolts,
arrows and darts, but it is not possible to have a single-use
electrical firearm shot or cannonball.
Weight
Weapon Price
(kg)
10 electrical bolts or arrows +1d4
0,5 100 GD
Damage
10 electrical bolts or arrows +1d6
0,5 250 GD
Damage
10 electrical bolts or arrows +1d8
0,5 750 GD
Damage
10 silver electrical bolts or arrows
0,5 110 GD
+1d4 Damage
10 silver electrical bolts or arrows
0,5 260 GD
+1d6 Damage
10 silver electrical bolts or arrows
0,5 760 GD
+1d8 Damage
Soulbleed Weapons
Soulbleed weapons provide +1 to +3 bonus to both Attack
and Damage. They consist of two parts: a physical part and
a weapon-shaped soul, which is created from a sorcerer’s
soul piece. With the soul inside the weapon, Soulbleed
weapons can damage both physical Health Points and
Soul Health Points, making them ideal for killing someone
easily as most people have fewer Soul HP than physical HP.
These weapons can also attack all spiritual beings without
restriction, who have typically high Damage Reduction
against regular weapons.
Because Soulbleed weapons always damage the soul HP,
they allow anyone to kill another person’s soul. However,
killing a soul makes any resurrection completely impossible.
Mages also called Azure Warriors or Azure Assassins, who
have powers to leave their body as a soul can take the
Soulbleed weapon’s soul form with them. In this case, the
Soulbleed weapon only damages Soul HP, not physical HP
as the weapon is in the form of a soul. However, in this case,
regular armour does not protect against damage at all, only
Astral armour or mirror armour offers some protection to the
extent of their Magical Damage Reduction.
Without the soul, the physical part of the Soulbleed weapon
acts like a regular masterwork weapon, lacking any special
ability to damage spiritual entities. The weapon could
potentially be used by two people at the same time, with
one using the soul and the other the physical part.
While arrows or other ammunition can be made into
Soulbleed weapons, they are rarely found as making a
single-use Soulbleed item is as complex and as expensive as
creating a whole and durable weapon.
The Soulbleed weapon is required to be a masterwork
weapon with the same bonus, but the masterwork bonus is
not included in the Attack and Damage calculations.
While a Soulbleed weapon can be made of silver, it doesn’t
provide any extra benefits and will result in a cost increase
of 50 GD.
The cost of a Soulbleed weapon is a combination of the base
cost of the weapon (including masterwork multipliers) and
the cost of the Soulbleed bonus:
+1 bonus adds 500 GD,
+2 adds 800 GD,
and +3 adds 1300 GD.
For example, a +1 Soulblade katana would cost 580 GD (20 x
4 + 500). The weapon would have a +1 Attack and 1d10 + 1
Damage.
Astral Armour
Astral armours are comparable to Soulbleed weapons as
they contain a piece of the blacksmith’s soul who made them
and can be worn by the wearer when leaving their body
as an astral traveller (also called an Azure warrior or Azure
assassin).
Astral armours provide protection against Attacks from
Soulbleed weapons used by Azure warriors and ethereal
beings.
The Astral armour has a Magical Damage Reduction attribute
that reduces magical damage by 3, 6, or 9. When the wearer
is attacked with regular weapons or physical Soulbleed
weapons, this attribute is not used and the armour provides
its normal Damage Reduction.
However, if the wearer is targeted by an Azure warrior or
ethereal being, whose attack cannot be defended by normal
armour, then the Astral Armour’s Magical Damage Reduction
of 3, 6, or 9 is applied. When the wearer leaves the body with
the Astral Armour, their soul will also have that same level of
Magical Damage Reduction.
Additionally, the Astral Armour protects against electric
attacks by subtracting the Magical Damage Reduction from
the damage of the electric attack.
While the armour provides a Magical DR of 3 to 9, its physical
protection against physical attacks may vary depending on
the physical armour it is made from.
The price of the Astral armour is determined by adding the
cost of the Magical DR to the base price of the armour, which
is multiplied by the masterwork factor. The price for the
Magical Damage Reduction of 3 (masterwork +1) is 750 GD,
for 6 (masterwork +2) is 1000 GD, and for 9 (masterwork +3)
is 1400 GD.
As an example, the Asteanic plate armour with a masterwork
level of +2 and a Magical Damage Reduction of 6 costs 2920
GD (120x4x4 + 1000). Its normal DR is 10 and its Magical
Damage Reduction against electric attacks and ethereal
beings is 6.
Astral Shield
Astral shields work similarly to Soulbleed weapons and Astral
armour, being composed of both physical and spiritual parts.
An Azure warrior can carry the Astral shield when they leave
their body.
The physical form of the Astral shield is equal to a standard
masterwork shield.
The masterwork bonus of the Astral shield must align with
the bonus of the shield, but the masterwork bonus is not
applied a second time to the Parrying stat.
Incorporating an Astral component increases the cost of the
shield by 500 GD for +1, 800 GD for +2, and 1300 GD for +3.
The price of the Astral shield is calculated as the base price of
the shield (multipliers from masterwork) plus the cost from
the plus of the Astral shield.
Amulet of Spell Resistance
An Amulet of Spell Resistance protects the wearer from
harmful spells and provides bonuses to Spell Resistance rolls.
The amulet can be a pendant, ring, wristband, or any other
type of jewellery.
Only one Amulet of Spell Resistance can affect an individual
at once.
Bonus to Spell Resistance checks Price
+2 250 GD
+4 500 GD
+6 750 GD
+8 1000 GD
+10 1250 GD
The Amulet of Spell Resistance can also be Soul-infused,
which means it will accompany the wearer when they depart
from their physical form, then an additional 500 GD will be
added to the price.

Equipment and Goods 59

 Mirror to the Otherworld
Mirrors to the Otherworld are mirrors that offer bonuses to a
mage’s Astral projection rolls when viewed, helping them to
leave their physical body.
These mirrors have the unique ability to reflect the unseen,
making unseen entities visible in their reflection.
They can come in different sizes, from handheld to wall-
sized, and are usually made of metal with a dull polish.
During meditation, smoke or mist appears in the reflection.
The cost of the mirror depends solely on the bonuses it offers
to Astral projection rolls, not on any other features.
Bonus to Astral Projection rolls Price
+2 250 GD
+4 500 GD
+6 750 GD
Soulshackles
Soulshackles are iron shackles with two functions.
The primary purpose of Soulshackles is to block movement
between the human realm and the Otherworld and to
prevent escape from the physical body. An astral traveller
(like Azure warrior) confined in Soulshackles cannot depart
from their body (unless the shackles were specifically made
for them, in which case one of their soul HP is trapped in the
shackles). An Otherworldling possessing realm-travelling
capabilities can be confined to one realm using Soulshackles.
This is also the only method to securely detain an Azure
warrior, as a mage trapped in Soulshackles cannot leave
their body in a spiritual form.
Secondly: Soulshackles boost the spellcasting power
of the Master of the Otherworld when trying to control
Otherworldlings. This is achieved by placing one part of the
Soulshackles on the Otherworldling and the other on the
mage. Soulshackles can be made up of two or three separate
iron pieces and do not have to be physically connected.
Soulshackles, which hold a mage’s 1 Soul HP, come with
them when they leave their physical body, similar to
Soulbleed weapons and Astral armour. For all other entities,
they only possess the power to block movement between
realms. This means the Master of the Otherworld can secure
their controlled Otherworldlings within one realm, but they
themselves can move between realms.
Bonus to Otherworldlings control rolls Price
+2 750 GD
+4 1000 GD
+6 1400 GD
Since Soulshackles prevent the soul from leaving the
body, players may find other interesting uses for them. For
60
example, after death, the soul cannot leave the body and
remains trapped in the human realm in their own deceased
body.
Soul-infused Tools
A soulcrafter has the ability to imbue any set of tools or
objects with a soul. These items can have unique functions.
To produce True Otherworld Items, it is necessary to have
blacksmithing or leatherworking tools that have been
infused with a soul.
An Azure assassin can bring Soul-infused lockpicks with
them when exiting their physical body, and use them to pick
locks while in an astral form.
The process of creating Soul-infused tools takes the same
duration as regular tools.
The price for Soul-infused tools is 500 GD, in addition to the
cost of the standard tool kit.
True Otherworld Items
True Otherworld Items are objects in which the physical
and soul aspects are intertwined, similar to Corporeal and
Quasicorporeal Otherworldlings who possess a unified Body
and Soul attribute.
True Otherworld Items operate similarly to standard soul-
infused items - soulbleed weapons inflict damage on both
the body and soul and Astral armour defends against these
soul weapons.
True Otherworld items that are Soulblood weapons or Soul-
infused tools can be taken along with the user when they
leave their physical body. Unlike regular Soul-infused items
where only the soul leaves the object, with True Otherworld
items, both the object and the soul remain connected and
leave together. If the user has the ability to turn invisible, the
item will also turn invisible, appearing as an integral part of
the soul.
True Otherworld armour cannot accompany the user
when they leave their physical body as the body physically
obstructs its movement. A True Otherworld armour provides
the same level of protection against physical and spiritual
attacks
True Otherworld items cannot be created through
conventional means, as their essence is derived from the
material used - typically the remains of a slain Otherworldling.
Each Otherworldling has a unique description of what
remains after it is killed.
Due to the spiritual essence of True Otherworld items
being derived from the material, they are relatively easy
to produce. Even a common blacksmith with Soul-infused
tools can create True Otherworld items using the bones of
an Otherworldling. However, the processing options are
limited when creating a True Otherworld item, typically only
allowing for sharpening or cutting of the material, as bones
or claws cannot be forged into a new form. The size and
shape of the piece determine what can be made from the
material.
True Otherworld weapons don’t have to be masterwork, but
they can be. Producing a masterwork True Otherworld item
only requires the right crafting skill level and not necessarily
the Soulcrafting skill.
The type of True Otherworld items that can be created from
a particular Otherworldling is described for each of them.
The typical material used is bone, which comes with its own
set of restrictions. For instance, bones can be used to make
arrowheads, arrow tips, and knives, but not swords as they
are too brittle to hold up.
A True Otherworld armour provides the same level of
protection against physical and spiritual attacks
Armour made from bone fragments is classified as Light
lamellar armour, which provides consistent protection
against both physical and spirit attacks, usually 4.

Equipment and Goods 61

 Drugs for Sorcery
In magic, drugs may be utilized to enhance performance.
However, using drugs comes with the risk of addiction
and other consequences. It’s not uncommon for a skilled
magician to become addicted to drugs and sell their abilities
for a fix.
Drugs also have recreational use, typically with weaker
effects (lowest Meditation Bonus). Drugs specifically created
for magicians are especially potent and therefore pose
greater danger and potential for addiction.
Each drug is assigned a Meditation Bonus, reflecting the
increase it gives to a magician’s skill in a particular magical
school. Note that not all magical schools benefit equally or at
all from drug use, and this is explained in more detail within
each school in the Sorcery module.
The production of the drug requires a Herbalism check,
which is divided by 3 to determine the Meditation Bonus. If
the check result falls below the minimum Meditation Bonus
of the specific drug then the process fails.
Cannabis Bud
Meditation Bonus: +2 to +6.
Dose price: +2 costs 25 c, +3 costs 1 SD, +4 costs 2 SD, +5
costs 5 SD, +6 costs 1 GD.
Magic Mushrooms
Meditation Bonus: +1 to +6.
Safe to a certain extent, can lead to nausea and food
poisoning. Body check against the meditation bonus of the
mushroom to avoid these effects.
Dose price: +1 costs 10 c, +2 costs 25 c +3 costs 1 SD, +4
costs 2 SD, +5 costs 4 SD, +6 costs 8 SD.
Opium
Meditation Bonus: +4 to +8.
Regular use can lead to addiction.
At +6 it is essentially heroin.
Dose price: +4 costs 2 SD, +5 costs 4 SD, +6 costs 10 SD, +7
costs 1 GD, +8 costs 2 GD.
62
Glass
Meditation Bonus: +6 to +12.
Glass is a highly potent and dangerous chemical narcotic
used sparingly by mages. It resembles a white, glassy
powder and is administered by heating the powder into a
liquid, which is then injected into the vein. Glass cannot be
stored in liquid form and will crystallize at 30 degrees Celsius.
Glass is administered through the use of specialized silver
syringes, with each syringe costing between 2 to 10 gold
denari.
Glass use results in addiction and each year a person remains
physically addicted to Glass, they must make a Body check
against the number of years they have used it or they will
lose 1 point in both their Intellect and Body attributes. These
checks must be performed individually.
Producing glass requires exceptional skills in chemistry and
access to a well-equipped laboratory, with the least potent
form requiring a Herbalism check of 12, and the strongest
requiring a check of 36.
The potency of glass affects the increase in a person’s Body
and Speed attributes, which bonus ranges from +1 to +3.
Glass +6 to +8 increases Body and Speed by 1 point each,
+9 and +10 by 2 points, and +11 and +12 by 3 points, which
last for an hour. However, after using glass, the character is
exhausted (-4 to all checks) and must rest.
One can consume a number of doses of glass per day equal
to their Body attribute, but if their Body is negative, only
one dose is allowed. Excessive use can result in an overdose,
requiring a Body check against the Meditation Bonus of the
glass. Failure results in seizures and a decrease in the physical
attributes by 1 point per round, with the magnitude of the
decrease being equal to the Meditation Bonus of the glass
(so glass +12 drops Body, Speed, and Presicion by 12 points).
The effects of an overdose can be stopped with a successful
Restoration or Medicine check against DL 20.
The production of glass is expensive, so one dose can range
from 1 to 6 gold denari, although street prices can be even
higher.
The fair prices for various strengths of glass are: +6 costs
8 SD, +7 costs 1 GD, +8 costs 20 SD, +9 costs 2 GD, +10 costs
3 GD, +11 costs 4 GD, and +12 costs 6 GD.
Skyblue
Meditation Bonus: +8 to +16.
By its nature, Skyblue is a dangerous poison, which is why it
is used together with an antidote. When smoking Skyblue,
the mage falls into a coma-like sleep. From the moment of
smoking, the mage has 12 hours till death. If the mage does
not receive the antidote within 12 hours, they must make a
Body check against Skyblue’s Meditation Bonus or die.
To make the antidote, a Herbalism check against 10 +1 for
each point of Skyblue’s meditation bonus is required.
Skyblue is one of the most common mixtures used by
Asteanic mages. It was invented by Astean mage Akkon la
Meilea in the year 849 (around 650 years ago). The mixture
became the basis of Asteanic magic due to its power.
Skyblue is the preferred narcotic of the Azure Warriors and
Azure Assassins and is produced by the Temple of Divine
Ocean, keeping the preparation recipe a closely guarded
secret. It is known that one of the ingredients in the poison is
the juice of the Otherworld eucalyptus growing in the Marall
sea region.
Skyblue does not cause addiction.
Price per dose, upon showing mage documents at the
local Temple of Divine Ocean: +8 costs 2 GD, +9 costs 4 GD,
+10 costs 6 GD, +11 costs 8 GD, +12 costs 10 GD, +13 costs 12
GD, +14 costs 14 GD, +15 costs 18 GD, +16 costs 20 GD. The
antidote is included in the price!

Orenic Lull
Meditation Bonus: +10.
Orenic Lull is also used as a poison to quickly put enemies
to sleep, and due to its toxicity, an antidote is always carried
with Orenic Lull.
Orenic Lull induces a sleep that is similar to a coma. The
dreams during this sleep are extremely realistic. To avoid
falling asleep, the character must roll a Body check against
DL 15. It is very difficult to wake up from this sleep. Natural
awakening takes a few days, so a user of Orenic Lull requires
assistance from someone who can give them the antidote.
The antidote neutralizes the effect of Orenic Lull, preventing
any after-effects such as loss of Instinct. The user can also
self-administer the antidote by manipulating physical
objects when outside of their body.
If the Orenic Lull user does not receive the antidote within 24
hours or if the Orenic Lull is used to force someone to sleep,
the character must roll a Body check against DL 15 or lose
3d6 points of Instinct. If the loss of Instinct points brings the
character’s Instinct score below -10, they will permanently
lose 1 point of Instinct.
Dose price: A dose of Orenic Lull costs 5 GD in Oreenia, and
30 GD elsewhere.

Equipment and Goods 63

 Simplified Systems
Cost of the Expedition
When the characters decide to embark on a long inland expedition, they need various supplies such as camping equipment,
pack animals, food, and other essentials. Acquiring each item individually can be tedious and it’s easy to forget some important
details. To simplify this, there is a cost table for the expedition.
Two extra pack animals can carry almost a year’s worth of food supplies for one person (approximately 365 kg). An additional
draft horse costs 5 GD and carries 140 kg of supplies. All expedition equipment types, except the basic equipment, can carry
a year’s worth of food supplies for one person.
Food is not included in the cost of base equipment.

Cost of Additional
purchasing cost per Weight
Equipment type and description basic month per
expedition of the month
equipment expedition
Campers equipment
Tent for two people, sleeping bag, waterskin, flint and steel, hemp rope (20m), 70 SD 1 GD (food) 30 kg
mule or donkey (able to carry one person’s 3-month supply of food).
Proper expedition equipment
Tent for two people, sleeping bag, waterskin, flint and steel, hemp rope (100m), 20 SD (food
lantern, ink for 100 sheets, dip pen, 100 sheets of A3 paper, sewing needles, knife, 30 GD and lamp 30 kg
handaxe, cauldron and pan, climbing equipment, first aid kit and three draft oil)
horses.
Ready-for-anything adventurer’s equipment 2 GD (food,
Tent for two people, sleeping bag, waterskin, flint and steel, hemp rope (100m), lamp oil,
lantern, ink for 100 sheets, dip pen, 100 sheets of A3 paper, sewing needles, and a few
50 GD 35 kg
knife, handaxe, cauldron and pan, climbing equipment, good first aid kit, bottles of
leatherworker’s tools, blacksmith’s tools, lockpicks, compass, handcuffs and three rum and
draft horses. tobacco)
Experienced adventurer’s equipment
4 GD (food,
Tent for two people, sleeping bag and fine warm blankets, waterskin, flint and
lamp oil, a
steel, hemp rope (100m), spider silk rope (50m), lantern, ink for 200 sheets, dip
few bottles
pen, 200 sheets of A3 paper, sewing needles, knife, handaxe, cauldron and pan,
of rum, 4
climbing equipment, professional first aid kit, leatherworker’s tools, blacksmith’s
190 GD candles, 40 kg
tools, masterwork lockpicks, navigator’s tools, compass, spyglass, handcuffs,
coffee,
antidotes for the most common poisons in the area (antidotes for Scopolamine,
sugar,
Hydrogen cyanide, Snake venom and wyvern venom). One dose for all or four
pepper, and
doses of one. Three draft horses and a riding horse with masterwork saddle and
tobacco)
harness.

64
Wages
Generally, the hiring of people is carried out along with the establishment of a specific institution, such as the purchase of
a ship or the establishment of a military unit. In this case, all salary costs are already included as part of the maintenance
expenses of the institution, which can be seen in the King and Economy modules.
However, the PC may sometimes have an interest in hiring a specific NPC, such as a guide in a foreign land, a security guard,
or an assistant in some other scenario. Such hired NPCs typically do not participate in battles (Morale: Craven) and only fulfils
specific tasks assigned to them. The exception to this is ronin, who are mainly hired for combat purposes (Morale: Regular).
If the job requires 24/7 presence or travel with the PC, additional food or living expenses will be added to the salary.

Salary during Domain

Nature of work or type of NPC Turn (3 months) + travel
maintenance costs
Jobs requiring simple manual labour, such as digging, carrying things, or rowing. 1 GD + 1 GD (only food)
Jobs that require skills, but are generally low-paying, such as labourer positions in
construction, servant roles in agriculture, deckhand positions on ships, manufacture workers, 4 GD + 3 GD
and miners. Additionally, apprenticeships under a syndicate masters pay a similar salary.
A craftsperson of the level of a journeyman, bureaucrat’s apprentice, an experienced
12 GD + 6 GD
deckhand, or a trainee helmsman. (+6 in a skill related to the occupation)
A ship's helmsman or small boat captain, bureaucrat, engineer's apprentice, priest in a village,
30 GD + 15 GD
accountant in a large organisation, beginner doctor, etc. (One related Intellect skill +6)
Master craftsman in manufacturing or industry
Manufacturing masters, such as factory machinists, mining carpenters, shipmasters, etc.,
are workers with a very narrow specialisation who typically obtain their high positions by
working in the same organisation at lower positions throughout their lives. Although similar
30 GD + 15 GD
in jobs and income to syndicate masters, they are often disliked by the latter because they
work directly for a ruler or productor and therefore do not belong to any syndicate. (Use
the syndicate master’s stat block, Mechanics, Metal, Stone and Woodwork or Textile and
Leatherwork +10, and they have Ability: Specialised Artisan)
Samurai stipend
Samurai can only be sworn into service by PCs who possess a substantial amount of assets or
land and are part of a higher caste. The oath of allegiance between a samurai and their lord is
30 GD + Housing for a
a mutual agreement - while the samurai pledges to serve and fight for their lord, the lord in
whole family + 15 GD
turn promises to provide the samurai and their family with housing and a lifelong stipend. To
reinforce the lord’s promise, it must be backed by assets or land. (Use the village samurai stat
block)
Guide
A guide is a local hunter or highlander who is well-acquainted with the natural surroundings
24 GD + 6 GD
of the region and is able to navigate safely and without getting lost.
(Geography +6, Perception +6, Wilderness Skills +6)
Ronin mercenary
Ronins generally fight as part of mercenary companies, but PCs can also lure some of them to
45 GD + 15 GD + agreed
join them on adventures. Ronins are good fighters, but for adventures that promise loot, they
share of loot
want a share in addition to their wages.
(Use the ronin stat block)
Domain chancellor or director of trading post 100 GD x Domain’s price
(All administration skills related to the position +10) multiplier

Equipment and Goods 65

 Specialized Services
Purchasing specialized services requires the presence of a service provider in the region, which is determined by the GM.

Service Service price

Hiring Novice Adventurers to Solve Specific Problems
The novice adventurer team comprises a ronin, an Azure Assassin, a shinobi, and a hunter,
constructed with 100 EXP as archetypical sample characters for players.
Adventurers are arrogant and somewhat untrustworthy characters who can only be
dispatched to complete tasks that require innovative approaches characteristic of PCs.
Domain chancellor PCs may require the services of adventurers to resolve various domain-
related problems without getting their hands dirty, problems that typical samurai’ and
other domain employees are unable to address independently. For instance, searching for a Depends on the task,
concealed bandit base in the domain, exposing corrupt officials, pursuing someone, and so but at least 240 GD.
on. Adventurers should only be hired for more complicated or dangerous problem-solving
tasks; samurai’ and ashigaru’ residing in the domain are capable of handling all types of fetch Novice adventurers
quests and military manoeuvres. want at least half of the
payment upfront.
As adventurers are unreliable, there is always a possibility that they will take the advance
payment and leave without fulfilling the task. The chance of this is the same as the Corruption
percentage of the domain. If the PCs do not own the domain, the possibility is 50%, minus
the highest Social Skills and Law of the PCs combined.
Whether the adventurers will be successful in the task depends on the task itself and the
percent chance determined by the Game Master. For simple tasks such as dispersing local
bandits, the chance of success could be 50%.
If the adventurers have completed the task and are not given any new assignments, a half-
finished event is added to the domain event list: Idle Adventurers.
Hiring Experienced Adventurers to Solve Specific Problems
The group of experienced adventurers consists of a ronin-priest, an Azure Warrior, a shinobi,
and a beastmaster, built with 300 EXP. Such characters are highly dangerous.
Experienced adventurers are even more arrogant but somewhat reliable, as they have a
reputation to maintain. Experienced adventurers have magical weapons and can successfully Depends on the task,
fight against supernatural creatures. but at least 1000 GD.
The percentage of unreliability of experienced adventurers is 20% lower, or the Corruption of Experienced adventurers
the domain -20% or 30%, from which the highest Social Skills and Law of the PCs hiring them want at least half of the
are subtracted. payment upfront.
Whether experienced adventurers can handle the task or not depends on the percent that
the game master throws. For simple tasks, such as chasing local bandits, the success chance
could be 90%. For more complex cases, such as defeating a Otherworldling in the woods, the
success chance could be 50%.
If the adventurers have completed the task and are not given any new assignments, a half-
finished event is added to the domain event list: Idle Adventurers.

66
THE ADVENTURERS MODULE
EXPEDITION RULES
The Expedition Rules are designed for playing out a land or
sea journey that takes the PCs through uninhabited and/
or unknown lands and seas, where various unforeseen
dangers may threaten them. The Expedition Rules may also
be suitable if the journey takes place through an enemy
domain, unpopulated areas in one’s own domain, or areas
occupied by the enemy in one’s own domain. The Expedition
Rules are also suitable for hex-crawling.
If the journey takes place in a populated area in one’s own
domain or in a human-inhabited area in a neutral state, then
the Expedition Rules will not be used.
The Expedition Rules divide the journey into turns
corresponding to a day, week, or some other unit of time.
Each turn involves PCs facing Hazards and Opportunities,
and they can engage in activities related to the expedition
during each turn.
Click to download players Expedition Sheet
Expedition Preparation and
Expedition Sheet
PCs going on an expedition use an expedition sheet, which
is like a Character Sheet but for the entire party and simpler.
The GM has their own adventure/expedition sheet.
Expedition leaders
The PCs on the expedition choose three expedition leaders
from themselves or the accompanying NPCs, whose skills will
determine how well the expedition party can avoid Hazards
and find useful Opportunities. The expedition leaders and
their main skills are:
Navigator – Geography
Scout – Perception
Naturalist – Wilderness skills
One PC or NPC may take on multiple leadership roles if they
have the highest relevant skills. Leaving any role unfilled is
not advisable.
The skill levels of the Navigator’s Geography, Scout’s
Perception, and Naturalist’s Wilderness skills are added
together and subtracted from the Hazard’s base percentage
of 50% and added to the base Opportunity percentage of
0%.
For example, Amara’s Wilderness skills are +8 and her
Perception is +10, so she takes on both Naturalist and Scout
roles. Yasumi’s Geography is +9 and he takes on the Navigator
role. Therefore, the percentage of Hazards for travellers is 23%
and the percentage of Opportunities is 27%.
The Expedition Scout rolls Perception to spot randomly
encountered creatures first. The Expedition Navigator rolls
Geography if getting lost is a concern.
Hazards and Opportunities
Hazards and Opportunities percentages are rolled with a
percentage die (d100) within the percentage range. For
Hazards, the goal of PCs is to roll a number that does not
fall within their Hazard percentage range. For Opportunities,
the goal of PCs is to roll the highest possible number that
falls within their Opportunity percentage range. A Hazard
or Opportunity occurs if the roll falls within the respective
percentage range of the PCs.
In addition to the three leaders, several other factors affect
the percentages of Hazards and Opportunities. Many of
these effects are temporary and must be reviewed at the
beginning of each Expedition Turn.
Expedition Rules 67
 Temporary bonuses or penalties to Hazards
percentage
+5% Per every expedition leader who is exhausted.
Per every expedition leader who is injured or
+5%
severely injured.
If the expedition is moving at Forced March
+10%
speed.
If the expedition members are enemies of the
+20%
nature deity who rules over the area.
If the expedition members are friends of the
-20% nature deity who rules over the area (e.g.
someone is a priest of the nature deity).
Extreme temperatures. Cold below -10°C or hot
+10%
above 30°C.
Thick layer of snow. It's difficult to see the
+5%
ground under it.
+10% Strong storm or hurricane.
The expedition has the blessing of a priest
-10%
(Ritual: Blessing, lasts for one day.).
The expedition has the blessing of an Ancestral
-5%
spirit (Hunter's Blessing).
When expedition members have a Skill Level of at least +6
in Herbalism, History, Metaphysics, Theology, or Art, 5%
is added to the Opportunities percentage. The maximum
increase in the leadership score is 25%, even if multiple
members have the same qualifying skill. For instance, if two
PCs have Theology at level +6 or higher, only 5% is added,
not 10%. These additional percentages reflect the ability of
educated characters to recognize various interesting plants,
and locate signs of ancient ruins, magic, and deities.
Additional temporary bonuses or penalties can be added to
the base percentage:
Temporary bonuses or penalties to Opportunities
percentage
If the characters are moving at the exploration
+10%
speed.
If the expedition members are friends of the
+20% nature god ruling over the area (e.g. someone is
a priest of the corresponding nature god).
The expedition has the blessing of a priest
+10%
(Ritual: Blessing, lasts one day).
Adventurers have the blessing of Ancestral
+5%
spirit (Farmer's Blessing)
68
Expedition’s Movement Speed
(Distance travelled per day)
Expedition’s movement speed is the speed of the slowest
member in the group. If the expedition is travelling by horses,
Great Taurian ibexes, elephants, ships, or any other means of
transportation, the speed of that creature or vehicle is the
expedition’s movement speed.
On average, a person can travel 50 km per day, which is
influenced by the amount of baggage, terrain, and worn
armour.
A Speed attribute of -2 to +2 means a person can travel 50
km per day, while a Speed of -3 or -4 means they can travel 40
km, and a Speed below that means a character can only walk
30 km per day. A Speed of +3 or higher means a character
can walk 60 km per day.
If a character carries more than their Light Carrying Capacity,
20 km is subtracted from the daily km count. If the character
wears medium or heavy armour that reduces their combat
Movement Speed by -4 or -8, 10 km is subtracted from the
daily km count.
For example, Uno Yuki’s Speed is +4 (base distance travelled
per day is 60 km). Since Uno is wearing heavy lamellar armour,
which is medium armour, the daily km count is reduced by 10.
Uno can travel 50 km per day.
Horses and other animals can move as many kilometres per
day as their combat Movement Speed. However, to ride a
horse, the terrain must be suitable. In mountains, swamps,
and dense forests, riders must move alongside their horses if
there are no roads. In steppes, deserts, and grasslands, riders
can always ride, and travellers move faster through these
biomes as a result.
Some animals have exceptions. For example, it is possible to
ride Great Taurian ibexes in the mountains, and these large
mountain goats also move at their regular speed of 50 km
per day in the mountains. Wyverns can fly and can always
travel 120 km per day. When travelling by ship, you can use
the general average movement speed of ships, which is 1000
km per week (6 km/h, about 140 km per 24 hours), or a more
precise movement speed based on the type of ship.
In addition, the terrain through which one travels also affects
the movement speed.
Movement
Terrain type speed
modifier
A road, a path, sparse forest, grassland,
-
steppe or just easily traversable flat land.
Thick forest and/or hills. -10 km
Jungle, mountains or swamps. -20 km
For example, the previously mentioned Uno Yuki would travel 40
km per day in a dense forest and 30 km in a jungle. He wouldn’t
be able to travel on horseback in either place.
Playing the Expedition Exploration
The expedition is played through days or weeks based on If the characters want to explore the area they are passing
the Game Master’s decision. One day or week corresponds through more thoroughly, they can choose to move at half
to one Expedition Turn. The time unit for an Expedition Turn their normal speed.
depends on the nature and length of the expedition. Moving at a peaceful pace during exploration adds a 10%
In the case of hexcrawling, where the adventure format bonus to the chance of finding Opportunities.
is exploring an unknown area, it would be reasonable to
choose the one-day/one-turn format, even if the area to be Moving stealthily
explored is very large.
Characters try to move as unnoticed as possible to avoid
For other formats, where travelling is only a part of the whole drawing unwanted attention to themselves.
campaign, the decision should be based on the potential
They move at half their normal speed, but their chance of
length of the journey and how much game time is desired to
encountering Hazards is reduced by 10%.
be directed towards the journey. If the journey lasts a month,
detailed gameplay for each day may be too much, whereas
a seven-day journey resolved with only two percentage rolls
can leave an unfinished impression.
The basis of the expedition is some schematic map on which
PCs wander. A hex map can be used to simplify the counting
of kilometres travelled but is not necessary.
On every Expedition Turn:
1. PCs check their expedition sheet to see if anything
affects their percentages of Hazards and Opportunities
or movement speed.
2. PCs jointly decide on the movement speed.
3. PCs individually decide on activities they do in addition
to travelling.
4. PCs roll for Hazards and Opportunities.
5. Encounters arising from PC activities and Hazard and
Opportunity rolls are played out.

Movement Speeds
Normal movement speed
Characters move as fast as the slowest member of the group.

Forced march
Characters can push themselves at the cost of their safety
and health. They move 1,5 times longer and farther than
they would otherwise be able to on that terrain. For example,
instead of 30 km, they can travel 45 km.
During a forced march, no one can do other activities like
hunting, gathering food, or mapping.
At the end of the forced march, all characters are exhausted,
which means that all their rolls are at a -4 penalty until they
have rested. Therefore, it should be carefully considered
before deciding in favour of a forced march.
In addition, a forced march distracts expedition leaders’
attention and increases the chance of encountering a
dangerous situation. The Hazards percentage increases by
10% during a forced march.

Expedition Rules 69
 Individual Activities
Collecting plant-based food
By rolling Herbalism or Agriculture, one can gather plant-
based food for themselves and their companions. Plant-
based food can be collected throughout the day by moving
at a regular pace, exploring, moving stealthily or remaining
stationary.
The Difficulty Level is determined by the game master based
on natural conditions and season, and can be either 0, 10,
15 or 20.
A Difficulty Level of 0 essentially refers to a paradise, while 20
refers to a semi-desert, tundra or deep winter.
For every 5 points above the required roll, the character
collects enough food to meet the daily nutritional needs of
an additional companion besides themselves. For example,
if the required roll is 10, but the character scores 23, they will
collect enough food for themselves and two companions.
The daily food ration for one person weighs 1kg.
Hunting (Simplified hunting rules)
The group must move at a regular pace, exploring speed or
remain stationary to hunt.
First, the group chooses a hunt leader from among themselves
who has the best Wilderness skills and some ranged weapon
skills. The leader uses their Wilderness skills to track the prey.
In addition to the leader, any group member with a ranged
weapon or spear can participate in the hunt, as well as any
dogs or other hunting animals that accompany the group.
The hunt leader’s Wilderness skills throw is increased by +1
for each companion up to a maximum of +10.
The hunt leader makes one Wilderness skills check per day
against the game master’s specified Difficulty Level, which
can be 15, 20, 25 or 30 depending on the natural conditions.
DL of 15 refers to an area largely untouched by human hands,
with many animals that are not afraid of humans.
20 refers to a typical tropical or temperate forest, grassland
or steppe with all kinds of animal herds.
25 describes a dry, cold or otherwise unsuitable area for
most herbivores, where finding animals is very difficult, such
as a snow-covered steppe in winter when most animals have
migrated south.
30 refers to a (rocky) desert, ice or some other area where
generally no one lives.
If the group throws at least the required score, they can catch
at least one small animal. The more they throw, the more
game they will catch.
1kg of meat corresponds to one person’s daily food ration if
relying solely on meat.
If the roll is greater than the required DL, a larger pray is
cached.
70
Roll greater than required DL Result
1 small animal (rabbit, fox, mink, etc.) for a total of
0
1-4 (1d4) kg of food.
2-8 small animals (rabbit, fox, mink, etc.) or 1 larger
5 animal (goat, deer, wild boar, etc.) for a total of
4-32 kg (4d8) of food.
1-2 larger animals (goat, deer, wild boar, etc.) for a
10
total of 26-45 kg (d20+25) of food.
3-4 larger animals (goat, deer, wild boar, etc.) for a
15
total of 75-100 kg of food.
1 very large animal (bear, bison, etc.) for a total of
100-200 kg of food.
20 This encounter can also be played out to see how
it goes and whether the large animal is really
defeated.
If a larger animal is caught and one wishes to preserve all the
caught meat, a camp must be set up for a few days to smoke
or salt the meat.
Mapping
A character with at least 1 point in Geography and necessary
equipment (paper and pencils, and a means to determine
cardinal directions: compass or navigator’s tools) can draw a
detailed map of the area throughout the journey. This map
ensures that if the group returns along the same route, they
will not get lost. Additionally, if they do get lost or deviate
from their course, they will have an easier time noticing it.
Furthermore, they now have a map of a potentially otherwise
unknown area.
Hazards and Opportunities
Hazards and Opportunities percentages are rolled with a
percentile die (d100). When it comes to Hazards, the PCs’ goal
is to roll a number that is as high as possible, so it does not fall
within the percentage of their Hazards. For Opportunities,
the PCs’ goal is to roll a number that is as high as possible,
but still falls within the percentage of their Opportunities, i.e.,
not so high that it exceeds it. A Hazard or Opportunity occurs
when the roll falls within the corresponding percentage for
the PCs.
For example, if the travellers’ Hazards percentage is
30%, rolling 40% would not lead to anything dangerous
happening during the Expedition Turn, but rolling Hazards
28% would result in what the Hazards table shows for 28%.
Similarly, with Opportunities, if the PCs’ Opportunities
percentage is 20%, only rolling up to 20% will provide them
with some Opportunities. Better Opportunities and harder
Hazards are found at higher percentages.
Situations During the Adventure
Climbing
For climbing, the player must roll Athletics or Stealth Skills.
Climbing one specific surface is resolved with one roll. One
surface can be a building, a cliff edge, etc. A whole mountain
or fortress complex consists of several surfaces.
If climbing occurs in a battle situation, the character moves
at half their Movement Speed per round when climbing.
Climbing equipment gives a +4 bonus to climbing rolls, and
climbing claws a +2 bonus.
DL Examples
Roll only in a battle situation or when fleeing,
when it is in question whether the move
5 succeeds.
Climbing up a 45° angle on loose rock, sand, or
otherwise difficult terrain.
Climbing to a single-story house roof, climbing
10
to a second-story window, climbing up a tree.
Climbing up a 60° angle natural surface.
15
Climbing to a two-story house roof.
Climbing up a 75° angle natural surface.
20 Climbing to a three or four-story house roof.
Climbing up a fortress wall at a 60° angle.
Climbing up a 90° angle natural surface.
25
Climbing up a fortress wall at a 75-degree angle.
30 Climbing up a fortress wall at a 90° angle.
If the climbing roll fails, the character cannot climb up from
the surface. Climbing can be tried again, but the Difficulty
Level of the new roll higher by 5 points.
A roll of 0 or less means that the character succeeds in
climbing to a certain point, but falls from there. The height
of the fall is decided by the GM or chance (rolling some die).
Falling and Bone Fractures
When falling from a high place or jumping down, it is quite
easy to die because armour does not protect against the
damage caused by falling. In addition, falling can cause bone
fractures.
No damage is taken from the first 2 meters of falling. For
each additional 2 meters, the damage is 1d6. This means that
falling from a height of 4 meters results in 1d6 damage, from
8 meters results in 3d6 damage, from 12 meters results in
5d6 damage, and so on.
For every 5 points of damage the character takes, one bone
fracture occurs. Which bones are fractured must be rolled
separately for every five points of damage taken. Bone
fractures usually heal in two months, but magical healing
can speed up the process.
With a Stealth Skills check, the damage caused by falling can
be reduced by half. The Stealth skills check must be equal
to or greater than 15 plus the number of meters fallen. If
successful, the character takes only half of the damage and
fractures fewer bones.
Roll a d6 to determine bone fractures
Arm bones fracture – the arm is unusable until it
1-2
heals.
Leg bones fracture – the leg is unusable until it
heals. When fighting with a broken leg, all Attacks
with melee weapons, Parrying, and Reflexes rolls
are made at -4 penalty, because the character is
3-5
unable to move quickly enough and must rely on
support or sit down, etc. Assuming that crutches
or other aids are used, the character can move at
half the normal speed.
Skull fracture – roll a Body check against the
damage received from the fall or fall unconscious
for 2d10 rounds. If the damage is 20 or more, roll
Body check against the damage received from the
fall or fall unconscious for 2d10 hours.
If the damage was more than 20 and medical
assistance (a Medicine check or a Restoration
6
check against DL 20) is not received during
unconsciousness, the character dies. If the
character survives, a Willpower check against DL
15 must be made to avoid losing one point of
Intellect permanently.
If the damage is 30 or more, automatic death
occurs.
Expedition Rules 71
 Swimming and Crossing Bodies of
Water
With Woodwork, you can build a temporary raft (DL 10).
All characters who have at least 1 rank in Athletics are able
to swim. Usually, nothing needs to be rolled for swimming.
If swimming occurs during combat, the character moves at
half speed.
For swimming rolls, the Armour Penalty is doubled. For
example, heavy lamellar armour’s Armour Penalty is -3, but
when swimming, it counts as -6.
There are two situations where a swimming roll is required.
The first is when competing against someone else’s
swimming or another skill roll, such as when trying to escape
from someone.
However, a drowning character can try to get back to the
surface every round, but the Difficulty Level is 5 points
higher for each new roll.
For example, if a character fails to roll a swimming roll of 15
during a strong storm and starts drowning, their Body is +1,
and they will drown in 12 rounds (fall unconscious). They have
12 rolls against 20, 25, 30, etc, to save themselves.
If one of these succeeds, it means that the character is able to
cross the river or stabilize themselves in stormy waters.
Exhaustion and Resting
If characters don’t rest at night, have been moving at forced
march movement speed, are hungry or thirsty, then they
become exhausted. Exhaustion imposes a -4 penalty to all
rolls.

The second is when water conditions are difficult: the current To overcome exhaustion, one needs to sleep for about 8
is strong, the waves are high, or there is a storm at sea. In hours. Sleeping imposes a -10 penalty to all Perception rolls,
this case, a static Difficulty Level (DL) is used for the roll, and and Passive Perception is reduced by 10 as well.
failure can have dire consequences. All Spell Points are restored during sleep, 1+Body Health
In these situations, the character makes a swimming roll Points are restored (minimum 1), 1+Soul Soul Health Points
once to get out of the water if possible or just to stay afloat. are restored (minimum 1).
Attribute points take 4 days to recover, minus the initial
DL Swimming Situation Body or Soul (for Intellect, Instinct, and Soul attributes). All
10 Weak storm attribute points are recovered simultaneously. Attribute
points can recover a maximum of 1 point during rest.
15 Strong storm, Crossing a mountain river
Health Points and attribute points recover simultaneously.
Hurricane and severe hurricane, Super-fast and
20
dangerous mountain rivers If characters sleep in medium or heavy armour, they don’t
rest properly, meaning the exhaustion penalty persists, and
If the roll fails, the character begins to drown. Each combat
Spell Points, Health Points, and attribute points don’t recover.
round (10 seconds) spent in the water and drowning is
considered to be holding one’s breath.
Hunger and Thirst
Body Amount of rounds w/o breathing If it has been two days since the PCs’ last meal, they become
… -1 -1 per each point exhausted (-4 to all rolls).
-5 5 As long as the PCs have access to water, they are not yet in
-4 6 danger of starvation. A person can survive a surprisingly
long time without food. Only after two weeks of starvation,
-3 7
the characters’ Body starts to decrease by 1 point every two
-2 8 days until death by starvation. With access to drinking water,
-1 9 a character with Body +4 can survive without food for almost
0 10 a two months, but in the last month, they feel weaker every
day (Body decreases every two days).
+1 12
If it has been two days since the PCs’ last drink, they are also
+2 14
considered exhausted. After that, one Body point decreases
+3 16 every day until death by thirst.
+4 18 If critical hunger and thirst coincide, the decreasing points
+5 20 are added together.
… +1 +2 per each point A person dies when their Body drops below -10.
If the number of rounds one can hold one’s breath is A physically active person (travelling PC or NPC) typically
exceeded, the character loses consciousness and loses one needs at least 2 litres of fluid and about 1kg of different
point of Body each round until death. foods per day. However, it is possible to survive on
significantly less. When hunger and thirst threaten, PCs can

72
divide their remaining food and water into smaller portions, Joint Actions
which ensures longer survival (Body points do not start to
decrease). However, since they cannot get enough nutrients If the PCs decide to do something collectively that has not
from these quantities, they are still considered exhausted. been mentioned before and the GM thinks that a skill check
is required for it to succeed, then generally only one PC in the
If hunger and/or thirst have not yet caused the characters’ group will roll the skill check.
Body to decrease, a proper meal and 8 hours of sleep are
needed for recovery from exhaustion. Examples of such situations might include:
However, if hunger and thirst have already affected the Body, • The entire group tries to quietly and stealthily pass by a
recovery takes much longer. One Body point recovery takes guard tower from a distance (any close approach requires
4 days minus the initial Body, but at least one day. individual rolls). The character with the highest Stealth
skill in the group rolls against the passive Perception of
Weather Forecasting the guards in the tower, as they are leading the group
• The group builds an alternative bridge-like structure to
There may be a need to know the weather for the following
cross a canyon. Someone rolls Physics or Woodworking
days in order to make decisions related to travelling. To
against a Difficulty Level determined by the GM.
predict the weather, the PCs must roll Wilderness Skills,
Geography, or Theology against a DL of 15.
A successful roll means that the characters can estimate the
weather for the next day fairly accurately. A roll of 20 means
that they can also predict the weather for the day after
tomorrow, 25 for the day after that, and so on.
Determining the weather is at the discretion of the Game
Master, who may also roll a percentage die, with 100%
indicating a massive storm and 1% indicating perfect sunny
weather.
If the adventure takes place at sea, weather and storms are
even more important, as explained in the Economics module.

Escaping from Dangerous Natural

Phenomena
Use the Chase Rules as described in Chase chapter.
The PCs describe what they do to escape from the natural
phenomenon and roll the corresponding skill checks –
the goal is to accumulate 5 Escape Points. The natural
phenomenon rolls its own skill check, symbolizing its
approach. The Skill Level of the natural phenomenon’s roll
is +5 or +10 depending on the severity of the situation, as
decided by the GM. However, it should be taken into account
that especially dangerous phenomena, such as forest fires or
mudslides, can easily kill the PCs.

Expedition Rules 73
 Hazards and Opportunities for
the Game Master
The general categories in the Hazards and Opportunities
tables lead to the following tables, which provide specific
examples of events. The categories are divided into three
difficulty levels: easy (green),
(green) medium (yellow),
(yellow) and hard/
very good (red) cases.
General Hazards and Opportunities tables can be used in
any terrain or climate zone. Likewise, the following specific
examples of events – you can break your leg in the mountains
or at sea, and you can find trade goods anywhere. The GM
explains what happens based on the region. For example, a
storm in the desert is a sandstorm, and goods found at sea are
floating barrels from a shipwreck, and so on.
Click to download GM’s Expedition Sheet
The GM selects or randomly chooses the specific Hazard or
Opportunity taking into account the difficulty level. When
choosing from unusual events, the GM may take into account
whether the players rolled a positive or negative event from
the tables.
The GM may add to the specific event tables taking into
account the region and nature of the adventure. There are no
specific monsters given in the Dangerous Creatures table, as
one cannot say that any creature lives everywhere. The GM
must choose dangerous creatures for each difficulty level.
To determine who notices the other first, whether it is
a dangerous creature or the PCs, both parties roll for
74
Perception. Only the scout rolls for the PCs. Whoever notices
the other first can plan accordingly: set up an ambush, sneak
closer, or retreat and take a detour to avoid the creature.
A dangerous creature may not always want to kill the PCs.
Many creatures in the Otherworld have peculiar motives,
and even bandits would rather just take travellers’ money
than fight them.
If a dangerous creature is rolled from the Opportunities
table, it is possible to approach it stealthily or at least for the
PCs to notice it before it notices them.
When does the encounter happen?
The GM decides when the event occurs. If the GM wants a
chance to play a bigger role, or if the question is about the
long-term effects of magic spells, then roll a d12. The first
ten represent ten hours of travel by the characters, and 11
and 12 represent the evening and night when the characters
make camp and rest. The same time system can be used to
determine the time of other events during the day.
Getting Lost
An accident can happen (as a result of a Hazard roll) and
the characters may get lost or deviate from their intended
course. Getting lost is generally only possible in places
where the sun cannot be seen, but the characters can also
easily deviate from their course on open ground or at sea.
Poor weather conditions can also contribute to getting lost.
If the characters have gotten lost or deviated from their
course, at the beginning of each new day of travel, the Game
Master secretly rolls party navigators’ Geography against
DL 10 to 30 to determine if the characters realize they have
gotten lost. If the characters realize they are lost, they can
correct their direction of movement. If the characters do not
realize they are lost, the Game Master decides in what wrong
direction they are going or how far they have deviated from
their course.
The Difficulty Level of the Geography check depends on how The Game Master makes the check about 5 points harder for
well the characters are informed about their surroundings each difficulty that could hinder the characters’ navigation.
and where they are going. This includes how well they can
For example, if the characters do not have any higher places to
see the terrain, the sun, the moon and the stars at night, and
view their surroundings (1),
whether they have any aids such as a simple map.
the weather is cloudy or foggy (2),
If the characters have consistently mapped the area, their
Geography check DL is easier by 5 points. they do not have any maps to rely on (3),
For example, if the characters have a clear target, they have or compasses or other navigation tools (4), the check DL is 30.
seen it from a higher place, they can see their surroundings
The characters are essentially moving around blindly.
clearly, they can see the sky clearly and they have a simple map,
the Geography check is against DL 10. The characters know
very well where they are and where they are going.

HAZARDS OPPORTUNITIES
% Hazard % Oppurtunitie
1 Strange Occurrence 1 Strange Occurrence
2-5 Pleasant event + Dangerous creature 2-5 Resources + Issues with NPCs and equipment
6-9 Natural obstacle 6-9 Useful NPC
10-13 Accident 10-13 Pleasant event
14-17 Issues with NPCs and equipment 14-17 Opportunity against a dangerous creature
18-21 Dangerous creature 18-21 Resources
22-25 Natural obstacle + Issues with NPCs and equipment Resources + Opportunity against a dangerous
22-25
26-29 Natural obstacle + Accident creature
30-33 Natural obstacle + Accident + Dangerous creature 26-29 Pleasant event + Useful NPC
34-37 Natural obstacle Useful NPC + Resources + Opportunity against a
30-33
38-41 Accident dangerous creature
42-45 Issues with NPCs and equipment 34-37 Useful NPC
46-49 Dangerous creature 38-41 Pleasant event
50-53 Natural obstacle + Issues with NPCs and equipment 42-45 Opportunity against a dangerous creature
54-57 Accident + Dangerous creature 46-49 Resources
50-53 Pleasant event + Resources
58-61 Natural obstacle + Accident
Resources + Opportunity against a dangerous
54-57
62-65 Natural obstacle + Accident + Dangerous creature creature
58-61 Pleasant event + Useful NPC
66-69 Natural obstacle
Useful NPC + Resources + Opportunity against a
70-73 Accident 62-65
dangerous creature
74-77 Issues with NPCs and equipment 66-69 Useful NPC
78-81 Dangerous creature 70-73 Pleasant event
74-77 Opportunity against a dangerous creature
82-85 Natural obstacle + Issues with NPCs and equipment
78-81 Resources
86-89 Accident + Dangerous creature 82-85 Pleasant event + Resources
Resources + Opportunity against a dangerous
90-93 Natural obstacle + Accident 86-89
creature
94-97 Natural obstacle + Accident + Dangerous creature 90-93 Pleasant event + Useful NPC
Useful NPC + Resources + Opportunity against a
Dangerous creature + other Dangerous creature 94-97
98-99 dangerous creature
attacks when PC are dealing with the firs one. 98-99 Useful NPC + Resources + Pleasant event
100 Strange Occurrence 100 Strange Occurrence

Expedition Rules 75
 Hazards
NATURAL OBSTACLE (E.G., NATURAL PHENOMENA)
During the night, a storm arrived or there were a number of other disturbances, so nobody could sleep properly.
As a result, Spellpoints wasn't restored, and when the characters were tired, the -4 penalty to all rolls due to fatigue
Easy didn't disappear.
If the journey takes place in winter and in northern regions, a thick layer of snow falls, which now lasts until the end
of winter. Continuing the journey until the end of winter grants a +5% penalty to Hazard rolls.
On the path, there is a river, a rocky fissure, a cliff, a canyon, a coral reef, or some other obstacle. The obstacle is
Easy lengthy, so to bypass it, one must embark on a multi-day journey. However, there might be a way to overcome it
somehow.
A strong storm breaks out, lasting 1d4-1 days, at a minimum until the end of the current day's journey. It would be
wise to stay put.
Medium When travelling during a storm, there is a +10% penalty for Hazard rolls, and the Movement Speed is halved.
If the journey takes place in winter and in northern regions, a thick layer of snow falls, which now lasts until the end
of winter. Continuing the journey until the end of winter grants a +5% penalty to Hazard rolls.
The weather becomes extremely hot or cold (cold below -10°C or hot above 30°C). The situation lasts for 2d6 days.
Medium
When travelling in extreme temperatures, there is a +10% penalty to Hazard rolls.
A highly dangerous natural phenomenon that requires fleeing or taking cover: mudslide, avalanche, tornado, forest
Very fire, lava flows from a volcanic eruption, etc.
Hard The problem is approaching the PCs directly. To escape, use the escape rules; it's up to the GM to decide if there's
any other way to avoid the event.

DANGEROUS CREATURE

Easy Individual with malicious intent.

Easy Predator or other dangerous animal.

Medium Group of individuals with malicious intent or predators.

Medium Otherworldling, undead, or ghost.

Very Ambush by individuals with malicious intent or predators (Passive Perception against ambushers' Stealth Skills check
Hard to avoid being surprised).
Very
Group of Otherworldlings, undead, or ghosts.
Hard
The PCs encounter four NPC adventurers (archetypal group of adventurers). The adventurers are well-armed and
well-equipped, but they know very little about the region they are in, even less than the PCs. The adventurers are
accompanied by two guides/servants and have with them 2 sets of Ready-for-anything adventurer's equipment (a
total of 6 draft horses or other regional pack animals).
Very The adventurers are just that – adventurers – so they are extremely dangerous, especially in uninhabited areas
Hard where nobody would know about their deeds. They behave provocatively and arrogantly, may try to negotiate for
items from the PCs, purchase information about some non-existent treasure or a ruin, or behave in some other
intrusive and annoying manner.
There's a 50% chance that one of the adventurers' – shinobi will try to steal something from someone or one of the
pack animals (Perception rolls against the shinobi's Stealth Skills roll to notice).

76
ISSUES WITH NPCS, EQUIPMENT, AND THE CARAVAN
Easy One of the pack animals breaks a leg.
Someone has lost a portion of the equipment during the day. Something has either fallen from the horses or dropped
Easy from the backpacks. What and from who is determined by random draw.
The lost item might be possible to recover if searched for the next day.
The accompanying NPCs are in a bad mood for some reason. If this isn't resolved, and a battle occurs on the
same day, the NPCs' Morale category is considered one step worse. For example, Brave becomes Regular, Regular
Easy becomes Craven.
However, the PCs can try to somehow improve the NPCs' mood to avoid this.
One of the NPCs who was with the characters has secretly left during the night. If it fits the NPC's personality,
Medium something might also be missing from someone's inventory.
If departure is not possible (e.g., a ship in the middle of the ocean), then theft or a similar incident has occurred.
Medium 1/3 of the carried food has been damaged and spoiled. The food needs to be discarded.
If the PCs have hired a group of NPCs, they are no longer satisfied with the PCs' leadership and start planning some
form of resistance.
Very
NPC soldiers refuse to fight, and if this is impossible, their Morale is considered two Morale categories lower,
Hard
meaning even the Brave ones become Craven.
This problem won't go away on its own.
Very
All the food has spoiled.
Hard

ACCIDENTS, FATIGUE, AND ILLNESS

The day of the journey has been particularly arduous. By evening, all travellers are exhausted (-4 on all rolls until
Easy
they've fully rested).
Throughout the journey, pack animals are particularly obstinate, the terrain is more challenging than usual, or other
Easy obstacles obstruct the path. By evening, it becomes apparent that only half of the planned distance has been covered
since morning.
The previous evening's meal was poorly prepared, containing some toxic mushrooms, the water was spoiled, or
something similar. Travellers are struck with food poisoning (Body roll against DL 10). It's impossible to continue in
Medium
this condition. If the travellers decide to press on despite food poisoning, they can only cover half the distance, and
by evening, everyone is exhausted (-4 on all rolls).
One adventurer must roll Athletics or Stealth Skills against DL 15, or they break a hand or leg bone in an especially
Medium
unlucky fall.
Getting Lost
Medium The characters have been wandering all day and essentially end up in the same place by evening. Or they've moved in
the wrong direction entirely. By evening, the characters realize their mistake.
Getting Lost or Deviating from the Course
Very
Hard At the start of a new day's journey, the Game Master secretly rolls the group's navigator's Geography against 10 to
30 to determine if the characters realise they've gotten lost or deviated from the course.
An illness spreads among the travellers. Everyone rolls against Body 10 to avoid infection. On a failed roll, the fever
rises to 40°C within a day (Body and Speed -4), and the sick person is fatigued (-4 on all rolls). If proper care is
Very
provided, the illness passes in 1d4 days. However, the recovery of Body and Speed points takes time. If the sick
Hard
person is treated with magic, it requires a Restoration roll against DL 15. If magical treatment is administered
immediately, the fever won't have time to damage the Body and Speed attributes.
Very The entire transport caravan falls off a mountain road, slips into a swamp, or meets another unfortunate end.
Hard Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to salvage the situation.

Expedition Rules 77
 Opportunities
USEFUL NPC OR INFORMATION
The PCs find information about dangerous creatures in the region through tracks. If possible, the GM could select
a creature that the PCs haven't encountered yet, so the information would be valuable. The tracks were made on
Good
the same day, and following them leads to the lair, camp, or home of a dangerous creature. To track them, make a
Wilderness Skills check against DL 15.

On the journey, the PCs meet other travellers who are generally favourably disposed towards them. They can trade
Good and exchange information about what lies ahead. These travellers might be pilgrims on their way to a holy place,
scholars with escorts, small-scale merchants, hunters, etc.

From a distance, the PCs spot a regional dangerous creature that doesn't notice them. Therefore, it's easy to avoid
Medium the creature. If possible, the GM could show the PCs a creature they don't yet know exists in the region, making the
information more valuable.

The characters come across a lost or otherwise distressed traveller who would be willing to follow them in exchange
for food and help. The distressed traveller may not be a great warrior, but they have two of the following skills at +10:
Medium
Herbalism, History, Metaphysics, Theology, and Art. These skills add +5% to the Base Opportunities, thus increasing
the Opportunities percentage by a total of 10% if the characters didn't already have these skills at a high level.
The characters encounter locals in mostly uninhabited area, who are on a hunting trip, gathering food, herding
animals, etc. The group is initially suspicious of the PCs. If they are persuaded (one roll against DL 15) or given gifts,
they become more receptive. If the PCs speak the local language, they can obtain information about the region from
them.
Additionally, they can trade with them, but only through barter, as the tiny (2,5g) Asteanic gold and silver coins hold
Medium very little value for peoples outside of the Asteanic world's financial system – the price of simple items could be
unreasonably high for the PCs.
They may also guide the PCs to their village if they are settled.
If there are no local residents in the region, it's a fragment of some nomadic people who are moving, for example,
from their summer areas to winter areas, seeking new hunting grounds, etc.
The GM selects some natural resource, interesting location, or treasure. The PCs find information about its location,
which is a 1d4-day journey away. The information can reach the PCs in various ways, such as spotting it from a hilltop,
Very
finding an ancient signpost or a message in a bottle, or a natural marker indicating its presence (e.g., a stream in the
Good
desert indicating the presence of an oasis), or an NPC who is either travelling with the PCs or whom they encounter
on the road tells them about it.
The characters encounter a large trade caravan or cargo ship. The merchants have a substantial variety of both local
and foreign goods. Essentially, you can buy anything from them (including cheaper magical items and silver weapons)
Very and sell anything. They purchase items at half price, up to a maximum of 1000 GD, as that's the amount of gold and
Good silver they have in cash. The caravan/cargo ship is guarded by at least thirty mercenaries.
If the PCs stumble upon the caravan in a highly unlikely location, the merchants are in distress and lost. They would
generously reward the PCs for their assistance.

78
PLEASANT EVENT OR DISCOVERY
Today's journey goes exceptionally smoothly. The terrain is easier than usual, fatigue doesn't set in, and PCs can cover
Good
more distance than usual. During the day, PCs travel 1,5 times the usual distance.
The PCs come across a pack animal commonly found in the region – a horse, camel, mule, etc. The animal is carrying
Good 30 days' worth of food. It's evident that the owner of the animal has lost it or met an unfortunate fate, as there are
no signs of people around. At sea, this could be a drifting sailboat.
The travellers stumble upon an exceptionally beautiful spot, such as a waterfall, a serene pond, a field adorned with
beautiful flowers, hot springs, a giant tree, an intriguing colossal stone, etc. In addition to its other beauty, the local
Good flora here is more lush than in the surrounding areas.
Aside from its beauty, this region makes it easier to find plant-based food when staying put. Rolls to find plant-based
food are 5 points easier than usual.
The travellers discover an abandoned house, cave, or some other secure place where they can rest and that can be
Good easily defended. It contains resources necessary for the PCs, such as arrows, silver bullets, etc., depending on what
seems to be lacking.
The travellers' mood is jubilant – they are in high spirits, and their relationships with each other are better than usual.
On this particular day, the PCs are immune to all fear auras and other similar fear-inducing spells.
Medium
If there are some NPCs accompanying them who serve as warriors, their Morale permanently improves. Crawen
become Regular, Regular become Brave, and Brave become Fearless.
Human settlement in an unexpected location. Far from the rest of civilization or simply hidden away, a group of
people resides there. They may be either hostile or friendly towards the PCs. There's a clear reason why they keep
Medium
their distance from the rest of humanity – they could be fugitives, religious zealots, rebels, etc.You can use the outlaw
generator and adjust as needed.
Unbeknownst to the characters, they have somehow pleased a local nature deity during their journey, or it's simply
a very good day.
Very A powerful priestly blessing affects all characters:
Good
Luck
The blessed individual gains a +2 bonus on all rolls, and they don't have to roll percentages on a roll of natural 1.
The blessing lasts the entire day.
The PCs stumble upon the habitat of a local nature deity or a sacred place. Although they may not directly see the
nature deity, its presence is somehow perceptible; for example, the nature is more lush and colourful, there is a
strange aura in the area (hair stands on end), nature sounds are different or absent altogether, or there's simply an
erected altar with offerings left to the deity (food, jewellery, blood sacrifices, etc.).
Very Depending on how the PCs behave in the sacred place, they may earn the favour or enmity of the nature deity (-20%
Good or +20% to the Hazards for the entire journey and +20% to Opportunities when friendly). Or nothing may happen
at all.
If there is no longer a nature deity in the region, the PCs find the ruins of an ancient altar or temple of the nature
deity, which may provide information about what kind of nature deity once existed in the region. In this case, there
could be a small treasure hidden there (green).
Very The characters discover some untouched burial chambers, necropolis, abandoned fortress ruins, temple, etc. Since
Good no one has previously looted the location, they may find treasures left behind by the original inhabitants of the place.

Expedition Rules 79
 RESOURCES OR TREASURE OPPORTUNITY AGAINST A DANGEROUS
A couple of the region's most renowned game CREATURE
animals have somehow fallen into a trap. In this PCs come across some local apex predator cubs.
Good
situation, it would be easy to kill them and secure Their mother is dead or has abandoned them, and
Good
a source of food for an extended period. they could be relatively easily domesticated or
Some type of oasis, island, or just an exceptionally simply taken along.
fertile area in the forest where fresh water is PCs stumble upon a nest of a local apex predator
Good available, and rolls for hunting and gathering plant- (possibly with cubs) or a camp of hostile locals.
based food are 10 points easier than in the rest of Medium
PCs notice the nest or camp in such a way that
the region.
they remain hidden from its inhabitants.
Far away from human settlements, the PCs
Two groups of dangerous regional creatures are
notice a large rock, stump, or some other natural
locked in combat, and they don't have time to
landmark that has been scratched with an X or
Very notice the travellers. The GM narrates the fight
marked in some other way.
Good and its resolution, and the PCs can choose to
If the PCs are near a human settlement (a day or attack the injured for personal gain or simply
two's travel from any inhabited point), they notice avoid the situation altogether.
Good a spot where the ground has clearly been recently
dug.
STRANGE OCCURRENCES
In both cases, there is a buried treasure or money
pot. Local nature deity makes an appearance. Depending on the
PCs' previous interactions with them, they may be friendly,
The money pot is a large bronze cooking pot hostile, or neutral.
containing 4d8x100 GD worth of silver.
Gateway to the Otherworld.
The characters spot an animal known for its
valuable fur, horns, or potent venom. The animal is The characters find a location where they can physically
Medium enter the Otherworld. However, this doesn't mean they
wounded and exhausted (-75% HP, -8 to all rolls in
total), making it easy to kill. understand it or that they can return from it. Read more
about it in the Sorcery module.
The PCs come across a herd of animals. They are
species often domesticated or semi-domesticated Accidentally entering the Otherworld.
in the region, such as giant mountain goats, wild The characters end up in the Otherworld in such a way that
horses, wild cattle, reindeer, etc. The herd pays they don't even realize it. Read more about it in the Sorcery
Medium
little attention to humans, and if desired, the PCs module.
could successfully tame the herd and take it with
Strange natural phenomena. Suddenly, it becomes pitch dark
them with a successful Agriculture roll against DL
at noon, a dense and opaque fog descends, the wind shifts
15 or 20. There are 4d8 animals in the herd.
and blows so strongly against the PCs that moving forward
Medium 1d4 Trade Tonnes of local regional goods. becomes impossible, and so on.
The natural phenomenon can have a natural origin (like a
The travellers find the recent or long-dead
solar eclipse) or a more magical one. For example, it could
body or skeleton of a fellow traveller. Near the
be caused by a local nature deity or a powerful priest with
deceased, they find a silver weapon (masterwork
motives that may or may not involve the PCs.
+1), an Amulet of Spell Protection +2, or some
other low-powered magical item. Additionally, Encounter with an otherwise uncommon supernatural being
there are 4d8 GD or valuables of a similar value. in the region, who has come here for some clandestine
The rest of the traveller's equipment is ruined or purposes. For example, a blue oni searching for forgotten
Medium deteriorated over time. magic teachings or a Herald of the Two Plagues seeking
"volunteers" to infect with Ghoul Fever, and so on.
If the corpse has recently died and there's no sign
of its killer, an autopsy may provide clues about
the dangerous creatures in the region (Anatomy
roll against DL 15+ days since death to determine
what killed the traveller; understanding a death
caused by a human may be easier to discern).
Very 1d4 Trade Tones of goods from some distant
Good region.
The characters randomly stumble upon a precious
Very
metal ore deposit, a place where valuable timber
Good
grows abundantly, or something similar.

80
DUNGEON CRAWLING RULES
Dungeon crawling rules are used when PCs enter a complex
of giant tunnels or rooms, where detailed mapping of each
room would be too laborious and impractical for the Game
Master. These rules are suitable for use in ancient mines,
necropolises, and Otherworld pockets, as well as in dense
jungle thickets, dangerous urban quarters, or large palace
complexes. The dungeon crawling rules are somewhat
similar to expedition rules – dungeon is divided into sectors
and time for its traversal is called a Dungeon Turn. Each
Dungeon Turn, the PCs face Hazards and Opportunities
and can perform additional activities such as searching for
secrets or mapping.
In addition, this tool is helpful for game masters in planning
such a dungeon. Like an expedition, both the players’ and
the game master’s sheets are used, with a number of Hazards
and Opportunities pre-filled in.
Click to download players Dungeon Sheet
Dungeon Sheet for PCs
Hazards and Opportunities on
Dungeon Sheet
Hazards and Opportunities are rolled with a d100 dice. The
aim when rolling for Hazards is to roll over the percentage
range or get the lowest number possible when roll falls within
the Hazard percentage range, while for Opportunities, the
goal is to roll the highest number possible that falls within
their percentage range without going over it. A Hazard or
Opportunity happens if the roll falls within its corresponding
percentage range.
Although percentages are used and calculated similarly
to expedition Hazards and Opportunities, they consist of
different skills, and the base percentages are also different.
In dungeons, the adventurers’ base Hazard percentage
is 100%.
Subtract from this:
1. The highest Stealth skill in the party
2. The highest Physics skill in the party
3. The highest Perception skill in the party
4. In addition, subtract 5% for each of the following:
  a. If a PC has a Mechanics skill of 6 or higher
  b. If a PC has a Geography skill of 6 or higher
  c. If a PC has Metaphysics skill of 6 or higher
  d. If a PC has Wilderness skills of 6 or higher
5. Subtract 10% if a PC has the ability: Experienced Guide
In addition, there may be temporary modifiers to the
Hazard percentage.
Temporary modifiers to the Hazard percentage
If at least half of the adventurers are tired,
meaning they have a penalty to rolls (not added +10%
during rest)
If at least half of the adventurers are wounded
or critically wounded, meaning they have a +10%
penalty to rolls (not added during rest)
Adventurers have the blessing of a priest (Ritual:
-10%
Blessing)
Adventurers have the blessing of Ancestral spirit
-5%
(Hunter’s Blessing)
Moving quickly +20%
Moving stealthily -20%
One of the PCs is searching for traps -10%
Dungeon Crawling Rules 81
 The base percentage for Opportunities for the
adventurers is 0%.
This is increased by:
1. The highest Stealth skill in the party
2. The highest Physics skill in the party
3. The highest Perception skill in the party
4. In addition, +5% for each of the following:
  a. If a PC has a Stonework skill of +6 or higher
  b. If a PC has a Herbalism skill of +6 or higher
  c. If a PC has a History skill of +6 or higher
  d. If a PC has a Metaphysics skill of +6 or higher
  e. If a PC has a Theology skill of +6 or higher
  f. If a PC has an Art skill of +6 or higher
5. +10% if a PC has the Experienced Adventurer ability
Temporary modifiers may also be added to the
Opportunities percentage.
Temporary modifiers to the Opportunities percentage
Adventurers have the blessing of a priest (Ritual:
+10%
Blessing)
Adventurers have the blessing of Ancestral spirit
+5%
(Farmer’s Blessing)
Moving quickly -20%
Moving stealthily -20%
One of the PCs is searching for secrets. +10%
Dungeon Schematics and Mapping
Players draw a schematic map of the dungeon on their own
Dungeon Sheet while navigating through it, consisting of
sectors.
Each sector symbolises one Dungeon Turn and the terrain
covered during it. The GM could roughly hint at the size of
the dungeon so that the players can consider how large they
should draw each sector.
The diagram should indicate everything that seems
important.
For example:
• Connections between sectors if the cave is not linear.
• Secret passages (or additional connections that may also
be in a linear cave).
• Important rooms.
• Hazards that may also become obstacles on the return trip.
• Whether the sector is successfully mapped (Geography
check against dungeon mapping Difficulty Level.)
82
Depending on the type of dungeon, whether it is linear or
pointcrawl, the scheme is also linear or some other shape.
Every Dungeon Turn a character is mapping the dungeon
requires a Geography check against a static Difficulty Level.
The GM decides on the DL based on the complexity of the
Dungeon system.
If the characters’ mapping check fails or they do not engage
in mapping at all, they are considered lost, meaning that the
GM moves them randomly on the dungeon map. In such
cases, players should not bother adding anything to their
dungeon map because their map no longer reflects reality
anyway.
Only by having a consistent map can the characters move
out of the cave at triple speed.
If the dungeon system is a small linear cave or some relatively
medium-sized palace, mapping is not required because it is
virtually impossible to get lost in such a place.
Playing the Dungeoncrawl
Structure of a Dungeon Turn
On each Dungeon Turn:
1. PCs decide collectively whether to stay where they are
or move.
2. PCs decide collectively on the speed of movement.
3. PCs decide individually on their Actions for the turn.
Relevant checks are rolled.
4. Hazards and Opportunities are rolled (Hazards are rolled
every turn, Opportunities only when moving).
5. GM states if anything else happens. Appropriate notes
are made on the map.
Length of a Dungeon Turn
Dungeon Turn is both a unit of length and time, much like
km/h or m/s. The length of a Dungeon Turn is determined
by the GM when designing the dungeon, and can vary
greatly between different dungeons. While wandering
around a palace or a small quarter, a Dungeon Turn may
take 1 or 2 minutes and cover 100 meters. In the jungle or a
complex network of underground tunnels spanning tens of
kilometers, a Dungeon Turn could last for 4 hours and cover
4 kilometers.
In general, it is assumed that characters move much slower in
a dungeon than when traveling normally, because they are
checking for traps, looking for secret passages, and trying to
be careful so that nothing falls on them or something else
does not go wrong.
Therefore, each dungeon and the time spent in it are unique.
Searching a palace may only take a couple of hours, while
exploring ancient mines may take several days without
seeing any daylight.
Movement Speeds and Movement
in the Dungeon
There are four possible movement speeds in the
dungeon:
1. Normal aka cautious movement: 1 sector in Dungeon
Turn.
2. Fast movement: 2 sectors in Dungeon Turn. No actions
can be taken, but the characters can flee using Chase
rules. +20% Hazards, -20% Opportunities. Moving
quickly without a consistent map of the dungeon can
lead to getting lost. Therefore, a Geography check
must be rolled against the Difficulty Level of dungeon
mapping to avoid becoming lost.
3. Stealthy movement: 1 sector within the Dungeon Turn.
-20% Hazards, -20% Opportunities.
4. Exiting the dungeon: up to 3 sectors within the
Dungeon Turn. Hazards and Opportunities are not
rolled! No additional actions can be taken, but the
characters can flee using Chase rules. This is only
possible if the characters have a consistent dungeon
map and use it to exit the dungeon.
When the PCs are fleeing from a monster, they move at
either the fast movement speed or the exiting the dungeon
movement speed. This depends on whether the PCs have a
consistent dungeon map or not.
Here, the Chase rules and Dungeon crawl rules intersect.
When the PCs use the Chase rules and move quickly, Dangers
and Opportunities are rolled on each Chase turn (+20% and
-20% respectively, because they are moving quickly). The
results of these rolls can determine the obstacles that the
escapees and pursuers encounter, as well as what actions
and rolls are needed to successfully evade them.
If the PCs don’t have a dungeon map, there is a chance
they will get lost on each Chase turn-dungeon sector. To
avoid getting lost, Geography checks are made against
the Difficulty Level of dungeon mapping. PCs who get lost
don’t need to make Geography checks during the escape as
there is no time to puzzle out the correct way when fleeing.
Throughout the escape, characters can either circle around
the dungeon or reach the exit, or move further into the
dungeon – this is up to the GM to decide.
When the Chase episode finally ends, the GM places the
characters in a sector of the dungeon of their choice. It’s
possible that the PCs have accidentally gone deeper into the
dungeon.
If the PCs have a consistent dungeon map, they can escape
outside the dungeon with three sectors at Dungeon Turn
without rolling for Hazards and Opportunities on each turn.
It is even possible that after exiting the dungeon, some
monsters will stop pursuing the PCs, and they will not have
to acquire five Escape Points.
The PCs may find the dungeon particularly dangerous,
and therefore, they decide move stealthily. When moving
stealthily, PCs focus more on avoiding dangers and less on
discovering secrets. They dim their light sources (or allow
themselves to be guided by someone with some form of
night vision) and thoroughly check all potential dangers,
leaving little energy to explore curiously.
While moving stealthily, other actions can be taken, and
the movement speed remains normal. The percentage
of Hazards decreases by 20% during this time, but the
percentage of Opportunities also drops by 20%.
Actions
In each Dungeon Turn, every PC has one Action. Each PC
chooses what they want to do.
Dungeon Mapping
If the dungeon is not just one long cave, one can get lost
inside. If someone is mapping the dungeon, they have to
do it continuously in every Dungeon Turn when moving
forward. Fragmented map has no use.
For every turn that a character maps the dungeon, they have
to roll a Geography check against the dungeon mapping DL.
The GM decides the Difficulty Level based on the complexity
of the dungeon, but it should not be too high since creating
a simple dungeon map is not particularly difficult, but it does
require persistence and accuracy. A Difficulty Level of 5 is
suitable for most dungeons.
From a properly mapped dungeon, one can escape at three
times the movement speed without rolling for Hazards.
Searching for Traps
Searching for traps means that a PC can attempt to find
a trap if it is rolled from Hazards (or Opportunities), or if it
is already predetermined. They need to roll a Perception
(searching) check against the traps searching Difficulty Level
(DL) to locate it.
If traps are not actively searched for, all random trap
detection Perception check DLs are increased by 10 points.
In the event that a trap is encountered, the GM will ask for a
Perception check from all PCs. Those who fail the check will
trigger the trap and suffer its effects.
Additionally, actively searching for traps reduces the chance
of Hazards by 10%. This effect only applies once, so if multiple
PCs are searching for traps, the effect remains at -10%.
Dungeon Crawling Rules 83
 Searching for Secrets If the PCs do not have a proper dungeon map, they cannot
move out of the dungeon at three times their usual speed.
PCs have the option to actively search for Secrets within the Instead, Hazards and Opportunities are rolled for every
dungeon. They must indicate which skill they want to use, movement through the dungeon, including when returning
and the GM will determine its suitability based on how the the way they came, because the PCs might accidentally stray
Secrets are prepared. While Perception is always an option, off the path or get lost.
its use will result in higher Difficulty Levels (by 5 or 10 points).
When selecting a skill, it is recommended to use logic. Getting lost
For instance, Stonework and Physics would be suitable
An accident (the result of a Hazard roll) may happen, causing
underground, Wilderness Skills would be appropriate in
the characters to get lost in the dungeon.
the jungle, Theology, History, and Art could be helpful in
the necropolis, and Metaphysics would be fitting in the If the characters have gotten lost or strayed off course, then
Otherworld. There may be many different skills that are every subsequent movement through the dungeon will
suitable for a given location. result in the GM secretly rolling the Geographer’s Geography
skill against the Difficulty Level of mapping the cave. If the
It is only possible to search for Secrets while PCs are moving.
roll is successful, or if the Geographer succeeds on their own
It is possible to search for Secrets even when exiting (moving
mapping roll, then the characters realize that they are lost
backwards) in the dungeon.
and can correct their mistake. They can either backtrack or
Furthermore, this action will increase the percentage of continue without knowing their exact location.
Opportunities by +10% during the current turn. This effect
However, if the characters do not realize that they are lost
is limited to a single instance, even if all PCs are searching
or do not engage in mapping at all, then the GM will move
for secrets.
them randomly on their own cave map until they randomly
reach a place where they have been before and recognize it,
Hazards and Opportunities or run into some danger.
During each turn of movement through the dungeon, PCs If the characters are lost, they cannot decide to leave the
roll for Hazards and Opportunities percentages, which dungeon. They do not know where they are!
determine the various situations they might encounter.
If the PCs are stationary in the cave, such as when resting,
only Hazards are rolled since no exciting Opportunities
or discoveries can happen while remaining in one place.
However, the PCs may still encounter moving cave-dwelling
creatures.
When PCs stay in one spot, they cannot take any Actions in
the cave.
If a result is rolled that is no longer possible, such as
encountering monsters that have already been defeated, or
finding a trap that has been previously disarmed, nothing
happens. The PCs’ actions bit by bit clear the dungeon of
dangers.
Nothing happens also if PCs roll a trap or other similar
obstacles for Hazards while stationary.
In a linear dungeon, it is impossible to proceed without
overcoming encountered obstacles. For a more complex
dungeon system, it may or may not be possible to circle
around.
If the PCs have a proper dungeon map, no Hazards or
Opportunities are rolled when exiting the dungeon, because
the PCs know exactly how and where they are going and
there are no surprises. In this case, the PCs can move out
of the cave at three times their usual speed, or can choose
movement speed of one sector per Dungeon Turn to search
for additional Secrets.

84
Preparing the Dungeon, for
the Game Master
For preparing a dungeon use the GM’s Dungeon Sheet.

Click to download GM’s Dungeon Sheet

Some questions to ask yourself before putting anything Examples of dungeon themes:
down on paper:
• Castle
• What is it? Is it a mine, necropolis, natural cave, winding
• Dangerous city district
maze in the Otherworld, a king’s palace, slums, or
something else? • Thick forest
• Why are the PCs even going into the dungeon? Do they • Necropolis
stumble upon it by accident or do they have a mission?
Dungeon preparation sequence:
• Is it possible to “complete” the dungeon, find a door at
1. Inhabitants, i.e. monsters
the other end, or a final boss?
2. Dungeon type (linear, pointcrawl, or quantumcrawl)
• Who else lives in the dungeon and what dangers exist
there? 3. Events (scripted encounters)
• What might interest the PCs in the cave? 4. Hazards in more detail
• What useful things might the PCs find in the cave? 5. Secrets
Treasure? Useful resources (monster parts, metal ore,
poisonous plants/creatures)? Or is killing the cave’s
inhabitants simply good for their reputation and
personal glory?
• Is it a big deal if the PCs don’t go into the cave?

Dungeon Crawling Rules 85

 Dungeon Inhabitants aka Linear

Monsters The sectors of the dungeon are all in a sequence, and the requirements
of Secrets and Scripted encounters depend only on which sector the
The dungeon has a certain number of PCs have reached.
inhabitants, which depending on the theme Scripted Scripted
can be monsters (Otherworldlings, animals, encounter 1 encounter 2
undead, souls) and/or humans.

sector 2

sector 4
after

after
The GM can, but does not have to, divide the
dungeon inhabitants into three groups based
on how difficult they are to fight or sneak past: Sector 1 Sector 2 Sector 3 Sector 4 Sector 5 Sector 6

Easy encounter

sector 6
after
Medium encounter
Hard encounter Scripted
encounter 3
The GM notes how many of each monster are
Scripted
in the dungeon, which means that eventually Positive – The PCs experience almost
encounter 1
Scripted
all of the prepared
encounter 2
material.
the monsters will run out and no new ones
Negative – In a large dungeon, it may begin to seem unrealistic.
will appear when rolling for encounters. The Scripted

after sector 2asector 2

sector 4
only here after

after
encounter 1
dungeon will be “cleared”. Suitable for: Shorter dungeons, physically linear dungeons, or
conceptually linear dungeons (thereSectoris a monster
4a at the end of the
In addition, the GM can group the monsters by Sector 1 Sector 2 Sector 3 Sector 4 Sector 5 Sector 6
dungeon that needs to be killed, and allDescription
paths lead to it). Dungeons
Scripted that
dungeon areas. For example, the first 4 sectors of

are meant to be completed within one game session.

branching encounter 4
may have one type of monster, while the next 4

sectorsector
Description
Sector 2a Sector 3a Sector 5a

after after
of
sectors have a different type of monster. Pointcrawl branching

6
The sectors of the dungeon are divided into branches, andScripted at some

6
Dungeon Type point,Sector
the PCs
Description
1 makeof
branching
a choice of whichSector
branch 4b to Sector
Description
take. 5b requirements
The Sector
encounter63

of Secrets and Scripted encounters depend of at least in part on which

The GM decides the structure of the dungeon branching
path the PCs have chosen.
based on the dungeon theme and the adventure Description Description

planned, and records it on their Dungeon Sheet. Sector 2b Sector

Scripted
3b of of
branching branching
Sector 5c
encounter 1
The dungeon types are: linear, pointcrawl or
after sector 3b

after sector 5c
only here

only here
after sector 2a

quantumcrawl. Sector 4a
only here

Description
The GM’s dungeon map looks like the following of
branching
Scripted
encounter 4
diagrams. The sectors symbolise one Sector 2a Sector 3a
Scripted
Description
encounter 2
Scripted
Sector 5a3
encounter
of
Dungeon Turn, during which PCs move, take

sector 6
branching

after
Actions, and roll for Hazards and Opportunities.
Description
Scripted Encounters are important rooms, Sector 1 of Sector 4b Sector 5b Sector 6
branching
characters, and events that happen after a Description
of
certain amount of time or in a specific location. branching

Description Description
Sector 2b Sector 3b of of
branching branching
Sector 5cAll encounters are scripted
with separate system.
after sector 3b

after sector 5c

Scripted
only here

only here

Sector 4a encounter 1
Description
Scripted
of
branching encounter 2
Description Scripted
Sector 2a Sector 3a ofScripted Sector 5a
Scripted encounter 3
encounter 2
branching encounter 3 Scripted
encounter 4

Positive – TheDescription
PCs can choose from several paths, which can be very
Sector 1 Sector 4b Sector 5b Sector 6
different frombranching
each
of
other. Description
of
Negative – Part of the material prepared by the Game Master may be
branching

missed by the PCs. Description Description

Sector 2b of
Sector 3b
of
branching branching
Sector 5c
Suitable for: Larger dungeons where PCs spend multipleAllgame sessions
encounters are scripted
with separate system.
and where different regions may differ significantly from eachScripted
other. For
Sector 4a encounter 1
example, jungle hideouts, OtherworldDescription
pockets, giant necropolises, or
Scripted
dangerous city quarters. of
branching encounter 2
Description Scripted
Sector 2a Sector 3a of Sector 5a encounter 3
branching
Scripted
encounter 4
86 Description
Sector 1 of Sector 4b Sector 5b Sector 6
branching
 Sector 2b Sector 3b of
branching
of
branching
Sector 5c

after sector 3b

after sector 5c
only here

only here
Quantumcrawl
Scripted Scripted
Scripted Encounters
Structured like a pointcrawl, meaning
encounter 2 that encounter
at some 3 point, PCs can
Scripted Encounters are what ultimately define
choose different paths and thus avoid certain dungeon locations.
the dungeon for PCs. Scripted Encounters
However, the requirements of Secrets and Scripted encounters do not
can be literal encounters – meeting someone
depend on where the PCs have gone specifically, but on something
or something happening. Or they can be
else, such as the time spent in the dungeon, the number of dungeon
reaching certain important rooms that the GM
sectors travelled, or some third factor.
has carefully thought out and possibly even
All encounters are scripted mapped out if a battle is planned there.
with separate system.

Scripted Events stem from the dungeon’s existence,

Sector 4a encounter 1
Description nature, and the adventure the Game Master is
Scripted
of
branching encounter 2 leading.
Description Scripted
Sector 2a Sector 3a of Sector 5a encounter 3 Not every dungeon needs to have numerous
branching
Scripted
encounter 4 Scripted Encounters. One or two Scripted
Encounters per five sectors are often sufficient.
Description
Sector 1 of Sector 4b Sector 5b Sector 6 If the dungeon has a final boss, then a Scripted
branching
Description
of Encounter will undoubtedly be the battle
branching
with them. In a jungle-themed dungeon, the
Description Description
Sector 2b Sector 3b of of
Sector 5c discovery of an ancient temple ruin with both
branching branching
dangerous monsters and treasures could be
a Scripted Encounter. In a city, an event that
Positive – The PCs experience almost all of the prepared material changes the fate of the city, such as a rebellion
without losing their choices. or fire, could be a Scripted encounter. In a
necropolis, undead guardians and trapped
Negative – If used too straightforwardly, it may leave players feeling like
gates may be the Scripted Encounters on the
their choices do not matter.
way to the final boss.
Suitable for: Alternative locations that are not actually dungeons, such
To trigger a Scripted Encounter, there is a
as a king’s palace full of guards that the PCs are trying to sneak around
specific requirement. In a linear or point-crawl
in. Dungeons where events do not depend on PCs - for example, at the
dungeon, it could be as simple as completing
end of the dungeon, the necromancer performs a ritual to transform
a certain sector. In a quantumcrawl, it could be
into a lich, in which time matters more than the PC’s actions or distance
something entirely different.
from the necromancer.

Dungeon Crawling Rules 87

 Preparing Hazards and
where the adventurers are moving)
Opportunities
For Hazards and Opportunities, the Dungeon Sheet has two
tables on which the PCs roll percentages. However, these
tables are general and the DM fills them in more precisely
depending on the nature of the dungeon.
Hazards are broadly divided into two types: monsters and
obstacles. Obstacles can be natural obstacles like a chasm,
man-made obstacles like traps or locked doors, or even
events like a cave-in or a city fire.
For every two or three dungeon sectors, the DM can come up
with one obstacle. For example, in a dungeon with 15 sectors
(a very large dungeon complex), five to seven different
obstacles are enough. More is not necessary, because
obstacles occur in different ways, with or without monsters.
Just two different monsters and two different obstacles can
provide at least eight different encounters.
Hazards (rolled on all Dungeon Turns, even those where
adventurers are not moving)
% Nature of Hazard
PCs encounter an (easy) creature(s) living in
1-10 the dungeon – opposed Perception checks to
determine who notices the other first.
11-20 An easy obstacle blocks the PCs' path.
PCs encounter a (medium) creature(s) or group
21-30 of creatures – opposed Perception checks to
determine who notices the other first.
31-40 A medium obstacle blocks the PCs' path.
PCs encounter a medium or easy obstacle and
a (medium) creature(s) who tries to use it to
their advantage. PCs may notice the obstacle
41-50
but may not notice the creature(s). PCs make a
Perception check against the creatures' static
Stealth to notice the ambush.
PCs encounter a (hard) creature(s) - opposed
51-60 Perception checks to determine who notices the
other first.
61-70 A hard obstacle blocks the PCs' path.
PCs get lost. To avoid getting lost, PCs must
71-80 make a Geography check against the dungeon
mapping Difficulty Level +10.
(Hard) creature(s) have snuck behind,
surrounded, or hidden from the PCs and can
81-90 now attack them by surprise. PCs can make
a Perception roll against the creatures' static
Stealth to avoid the ambush.
A hard obstacle and creatures hiding around it.
91-
PCs make a Perception roll against the creatures'
100
static Stealth to notice the ambush.
88
Opportunities (rolled only in those Dungeon Turns
% Nature of Opportunity
Succeed in covering x2 more ground, i.e., 2
1-10
dungeon sectors.
PCs notice an easy or medium monster(s) that
have not noticed them. It would be possible
11-20
to ambush them, sneak past, or go back and
choose another path.
Lucky find. Adventurers find some useful
resources they were lacking. For example, silver
bullets if they will need them later; food if it's
running low; Blood of Oni if the adventurers are
21-30 injured, etc.
If PCs have all the necessary resources, then
they find a place that could be the local
creatures’ lair. It would be easy to set up some
kind of ambush there.
The PCs discover one of the Secrets of the
dungeon, guarded by an easy or moderate
31-40 monster(s) or obstacle. In the case of a
monster(s), Perception checks determine who
notices whom first.
Adrenaline rises. All PCs roll any next roll,
which is performed with a d20 (Skills, Attack,
41-50
etc.) with a +4 bonus. The roll must be made in
the dungeon on the same day.
The PCs find a safe room or place where they
51-60 do not have to make Hazard rolls when resting
because monsters cannot reach them there.
PCs notice an easy or moderate obstacle
and monster(s) who do not see them. It may
61-70
be possible to use the obstacle against the
monster(s).
The PCs find some secret path/door, an
overlooked passage that connects their
71-80 dungeon sector with some already traversed
sector. This secret path may also be a direct exit,
i.e., another entrance.
The PCs discover one of the Secrets of the
81-90 dungeon guarded by a tough monster(s) who
does not notice them.
The dangers and difficulties of the dungeon
make the PCs particularly sharp, alert, and
skilful. All characters benefit from a powerful
priest’s ability of luck – all rolls made during
this day are made with a +2 bonus. In addition,
91- rolling 1 does not result in a critical failure.
100
In addition, the difficulties unite the PCs and
the accompanying NPCs. The Moral of the NPCs
serving as soldiers permanently improves.
Craven becomes Regular, Regular becomes
Brave, and Brave becomes Fearless.
Obstacles
Depending on the dungeon theme, obstacles can be very
different and PCs need to do very different things to solve
them.
Similarly to monsters, GM may or may not group obstacles
by difficulty, which depends on how dangerous the obstacle
is for the PCs.
Additionally, there exists a specific number of obstacles in
the dungeon. The GM indicates the quantity of each obstacle
– while some unique obstacles may only have one, there can
be numerous simple traps or locked doors. Eventually, even
physical obstacles within the dungeon will be exhausted.
Obstacles can also be grouped based on dungeon regions:
the first four sectors have one type of obstacle and the
second four have another type of obstacle.
Here are some obstacle ideas for GM based on dungeon
themes:
Castle
• There is a guard in front of the door. You have to either
sneak past them or persuade them to let you through.
Rolls against passive Perception or Persuasion rolls
against GM’s assigned reasons.
• The castle staff or guards have started to suspect the
PCs wandering around and someone comes to ask
something. You have to lie or somehow get out of the
situation.
• All the doors ahead are locked. You have to pick a lock,
find a key, or just go back.
• Traps (see below).
• Also, see the King module for palace defence systems!
Dangerous district
• Something has happened on the street that has closed
it off, such as a fire, a collapsed bridge, a flood, or some
kind of sports competition, walking through which can
bring the locals’ anger upon the PCs.
• The street is barricaded or a checkpoint has been set
up. It works well with some monsters who are local
strongmen (such as city samurai or a local gang of
thugs).
• There are some riots going on in the area. The PCs must
make a Reflex roll to avoid getting hit by stray bullets
or explosions. Other problems may also arise, such as
someone thinking the PCs are on the wrong side or
other misunderstandings.
Thick forest or jungle
• There is a river, lake, cliff, or some other natural obstacle
in the way that PCs must find a solution to overcome.
• Getting lost in the woods.
• Also, see the expedition rules for ideas.
Necropolis
• Getting lost in a cave system.
• Various traps, both natural and man-made.
Human-Made Traps
If traps are not actively searched for, then the Difficulty Levels
for noticing them by chance are increased by 10 points. In
this case, the game master asks for a Perception roll from all
PCs and whoever fails to make it will fall into the trap.
If the trap is detected, then most of them can be easily
avoided by stepping aside from the trap’s trajectory or not
stepping into a hole, etc. If that’s not possible, then it will be
indicated in the trap’s description.
The Creaking Floor Trap
When walking on the floor, it starts creaking very loudly; DL
25 Stealth Skills check to avoid the creaking noise completely.
DL 20 Perception (search) check to detect the creaking floor.
The creaking noise cannot be turned off.
The Arrow Trap
Mechanical; automatically resetting (it contains 1d20+10
arrows); an arrow shoots out of the wall, dealing 1d10
damage (2 Piercing). DL 20 Reflexes check to avoid getting
hit.
DL 18 Perception check to notice when searching for traps;
DL 22 Mechanics check to disarm.
The trap can consist of 1 to 4 crossbows, and separate
Reflexes checks must be made for each arrow.
The Swinging Sword Trap
Mechanical; automatically resetting; the sword deals 2d6
damage. DL 15 Reflexes check to avoid getting hit.
DL 15 Perception check to notice when searching for traps;
DL 20 Mechanics check to disarm.
The Simple Pit Trap
DL 20 Reflexes check to avoid falling into the pit; DL 15
Perception check to notice when searching for traps; cannot
be disarmed.
A 5x5x5-metre pit, fall damage is 3d6 (DL 16 Stealth skills
check to avoid taking damage).
Dungeon Crawling Rules 89
 The Spiked Pit Trap
DL 20 Reflexes check to avoid falling into the pit; DL 15
Perception check to notice when searching for traps; cannot
be disarmed.
A 5x5x5-meter pit with spikes, fall damage is 3d6 (DL 16
Stealth skills check to avoid taking damage). In addition, the
victim takes 1d4+2 damage from each spike and falls on 1d4
spikes.
The Water-Filling Spiked Pit Trap
Mechanical; automatically resetting every 20 rounds; the
trap’s fuse weighs the combined weight of all creatures in
the 5x5-metre room. When the combined weight reaches
the next room, the floor opens up, and the creatures fall into
the pit, which then closes up. DL 20 Reflexes check to avoid
falling into the pit; DL 15 Perception check to notice when
searching for traps; DL 18 Mechanics check to disarm.
A 5x5x5-meter pit with spikes, fall damage is 3d6 (DL 16
Stealth skills check to avoid taking damage). In addition, the
victim takes 1d4+2 damage from each spike and falls on 1d4
spikes.
In the next combat round after the fall, the hole will start
filling with water. It takes 10 rounds to fill the hole with water
up to a height of 1 metre. Once the hole is completely filled
with water, it will start emptying after 30 rounds.
The Spear Corridor Trap:
Mechanical; manually resetting; when triggering the trap,
spears shoot out of the ceiling, floor, or walls towards the
victim. Each victim is hit by 1d4 spears, each dealing 1d8
damage. DL 15 Reflexes check to avoid taking damage. Roll
Reflexes separately for each spear.
DL 10 Perception check to notice when searching for traps;
DL 12 Mechanics check to disarm.
The Automatic Spear Corridor Trap
Mechanical; automatically resetting once the weight is
removed from the trigger; when triggering the trap, spears
shoot out of the floor or walls towards the victim. Each victim
is hit by 1d4 spears, each dealing 1d8 damage. DL 15 Reflexes
check to avoid taking damage. Roll Reflexes separately for
each spear.
DL 10 Perception check to notice when searching for traps;
DL 12 Mechanics check to disarm.
90
Examples of Natural Hazards
Cave with Poison Gas
Part of the path is cut like a semi-circle, causing a large
amount of lighter poison gas to accumulate at the end of
the semi-circle. The poisoned gas area must be passed to
continue moving through the cave. To pass through each
section safely, a successful check is needed.
Initial Effect: With each combat round (10s) passed while
inside the gas, the player must make a Body check against
DL 6 or suffer from mild gas poisoning. The character
will experience dizziness, sweating, ringing in the ears,
and a constant need to spit. After about twenty minutes,
the character will lose 1d4 points of Body. From the first
failed Body check, the player must begin counting their
movements in combat rounds. If a character remains in the
gas longer than the number of combat rounds they can
make while holding their breath (check the description of
Body attribute), they will suffer severe poisoning.
Severe Poisoning Effect: Damage to the nervous
system. Pulse alternates between fast and weak, severe
visual disturbances, redness of the skin, dry and hot skin,
restlessness, excitement, hallucinations, and delirium. After
an hour, the player must make a Body check against DL
12 or lose 2d4 points of Body and fall into a coma for one
day. If the character is in a coma, after four hours, they must
make another Body check against DL 8 or lose an additional
2d4 points of Body temporarily and one point of Intellect
permanently. This could kill most characters.
Antidote: There is no antidote for gas poisoning. However,
a doctor can provide first aid to the victim. If a character
succeeds on a Medicine check with a DL of 20, they can
provide the poisoned victim with an additional roll for both
Body checks when suffering from mild and severe poisoning.
These checks occur one hour after the initial exposure to the
poison and when the victim is in a coma.
Dangerous Pathway Prone to Collapse
A Physics or Stonework check against DL 10 is required to
detect the danger, or a Perception check against DL 15. The
path can easily be supported by something.
If the pathway is not supported, there is a 50% chance that
the path will collapse, causing 3d6 damage to everyone
traversing it. A Reflex check against DL 10 can mitigate half
the damage.
 Record secrets using this formula:
Secrets
Most of the loot and treasure that PCs might find in the Secrets type/name
dungeon should be written as Secrets, as most creatures Description of the Secret
don’t carry anything else of value besides their potentially (Number of Secrets in the dungeon)
valuable skin, blood, and bones. PCs can use their Actions
during each Dungeon Turn to search for Secrets. Depending Difficulty Level and required skills, and
Requirements Perception DL.
on the theme of the dungeon and the description of what for finding
the PCs are doing to search for Secrets, they can use a wide In which sector it can be found.
variety of skills. For example, in mines, they might use Nature of the
Physics or Stonework to notice cracks with valuable metal Detailed description, weight, and value
Secret and if it has a measurable monetary worth.
veins, in the Otherworld, they might use Metaphysics to how to obtain
understand if something is real (i.e., not just imagined into it Other benefits or uses of the Secret.
reality by some Otherworldling) and valuable, in the jungle,
they might use Wilderness skills to find valuable poisonous
plants, and so on. The player suggests a skill and the GM Examples of Secrets Based on the
determines whether it is suitable for searching for Secrets in Dungeon Theme
the specific dungeon. If the player cannot come up with a
skill, the GM can provide hints. Castle
Perception can always be used to find Secrets, but its
Difficulty Level is always 5 or 10 points more difficult Magical Item
compared to more specific skills. As with the previous cases, PC notices that a seemingly ordinary item such as a
there is a certain amount of Secrets in the dungeon. The GM mirror, weapon, beautiful cloak, or jewellery, which is
notes how many times each Secret appears. Unique items located on a wall or cabinet, is not only beautiful but also
are only found once, while generic items can be found magical.
multiple times. Secrets can also run out if the PCs thoroughly (2)
search the dungeon.
Metaphysics check against DL 20 to
In addition, finding Secrets may require reaching a certain recognize magical objects.
sector of the dungeon. For example, there may be no Secrets
in the first sector, while there are some in the second to Perception check against DL 30 to
fourth sectors, and different Secrets in the fifth to eighth notice something interesting.
Requirements
sectors, and a separate Secret in the final boss room. for finding If some spell has been activated that
A Secret could also be something that the GM did not allows seeing invisible things, then
prepare beforehand, something that was not thought of, the magical item can be immediately
but something that the PC suggests. For example, the PC recognized with a Perception check
announces that they are searching for poisonous frogs or against DL 10.
spiders using their Wilderness Skills in the jungle. In this Nature of the
case, decide if any such animals live in the jungle, and if so, Secret and Choose the magical item from the
what is the Difficulty Level of finding them. Note this on your how to obtain Equipment chapter.
Dungeon Sheet and don’t forget to add how many times this it
PC-suggested Secret appears in your dungeon.
Finding a Secret does not mean that the PCs automatically Compromising Material
get it. They may simply find a secret door, but now they have PC notices something completely unremarkable at first
to pick the lock or break it down. Or they may see a nest with glance that could be used to blackmail one of the palace
giant bird eggs high up in a tree, but they still have to climb residents.
the tree, and the giant bird may be nearby.
(1)
When coming up with treasures, it is worth browsing the Law and Society or History or
Equipment chapter for inspiration (and determining the something similar, depending on the
price of items). Requirements
nature of the compromising material,
for finding
check against DL of 20 or Perception
check against DL 30.
Compromising material could be some
Nature of the
documents, an item that the person
Secret and
should not have, like banned books
how to obtain
on magic, a large amount of poison
it
(why?), etc.

Dungeon Crawling Rules 91

 Dangerous District Person in Distress
A wandering vagrant or priest who the local people
Bag of Opium
dearly love has fallen into a hole, been trapped under a
A bag of opium has been hidden in some crevice in the fallen tree, or something similar, and has broken their leg,
wall or elsewhere. needing help.
(2) (1)
Requirements Wilderness skill check (DL 15) to
Perception check against DL 18
for finding Requirements notice tracks leading to the accident
Nature of the for finding site. Perception check (DL 20) to
The bag contains 3d4 doses of opium
Secret and accidentally find the accident site.
+4 (the value of one dose in the market
how to obtain If the person is rescued, they will use
is 2 Silver Denari).
it their influence over the local people to
Nature of the improve their opinion of the PCs. The
A Useful NPC Secret and PCs, as rescuers, will find free lodging
While exploring and questioning around the city, the how to obtain and other assistance nearby.
PCs are directed to the location of an NPC who trades it If the PCs are rulers or leaders of a
information. domain, then at the next Domain Turn
(1) they get -10% bonus to Discontent roll.
Law and Society or social Skills
Requirements check against DL 15. Perception Necropolis
for finding check against DL 25 to notice such a
character accidentally. An Ancient Spellbook Engraved on Clay Tablets
The information-trading NPC The clay tablets are attached to the wall. It’s easy to
can provide the PCs with useful overlook if one is not familiar with magic. The spellbook
information for money. The given is written in the local language of the necropolis builders.
Nature of the information depends on the specific (1)
Secret and dungeon and adventure. Roll for either Metaphysics or Theology
how to obtain Requirements
If there is no specific information to against DL 10 or Perception against DL
it for finding
give, the GM can give a -10% bonus to 20.
the Hazards percentage roll for in that The spellbook contains Restoration
area of the city (dungeon). spells:
Nature of the
Secret and Ritual: Transfer of Soul Essence
Thick Forest or Jungle
how to obtain and Ritual: Creation of Polong.
Nest of Venomous Snakes it
The book consists of 20 clay tablets
A nest of venomous snakes is visible in the ground or a and weighs 10 kg.
tree stump.
(2) Sarcophagus with Valuable Burial Goods
Wilderness skills check against DL 15 The walls or floor of the necropolis have sunken in a
Requirements
to notice the nest, or Perception check strange way. Someone knowledgeable in construction
for finding
against DL 20. understands that there is a room behind the collapse.
The nest is home to 2d4 snakes. If (2)
caught, they can be milked for snake
Requirements Stonework or Physics check against DL
Nature of the venom, 1 dose per snake.
for finding 10 or Perception check against DL 20.
Secret and To catch a snake, a Stealth skills or If the collapse is excavated, a small
how to obtain Reflexes check against DL 15. To milk burial chamber with burial goods will
it the venom, an Anatomy skill check Nature of the be found. The burial goods consist of
against DL 15. A roll below 5 means Secret and silver jewellery with precious stones:
the milker gets poisoned. how to obtain a silver diadem with an emerald (300
it g, 40 GP) and a collection of rings and
necklaces weighing 500 g (worth 15
GP).

92
Selecting a Secrets
All PCs can decide in the same Dungeon Turn to
search for Secrets and suggest different skills
they would like to use. GM tells them which
skills are suitable and which are not. If a PC
doesn’t have a suitable skill for a specific Secret
in the dungeon, they just make a Perception
check.
All searchers roll to search for Secrets. The GM
determines if the roll is enough to find any
Secrets. If the roll is enough to find multiple
Secrets, and the difficulty of finding one Secret
is higher than the other, the lower-difficulty
Secret is found first. The higher-difficulty Secret
is found only after the lower-difficulty Secrets
have been found.
If there are many similar lower-difficulty
Secrets, it is wise to let PCs find higher-difficulty
Secrets in between, even if all lower-difficulty
Secrets have not been found yet.
The GM marks off the found Secrets. When
all the secrets have been found, the players
generally realise this – their high rolls no longer
bring results.

Adventures fighting their way out of rioting city quarter

(Maybe it’s their own city rioting against their rule?)

Dungeon Crawling Rules 93

 COMBAT
The combat rules should be used only as long as the outcome
of the combat is in question. If four powerful, fully armed PCs
have surrounded one injured bandit, there is no need to play
out the combat – the outcome is clear, and the Game Master
can summarize the combat narratively.
In addition, the use of combat rules is based on the
assumption that neither side attempts to flee before or
during the combat. If one side of combatants attempts to
flee, the chase rules are used instead.
Combat is divided into 10-second rounds, during which each
participant in the combat has one Action and one Reaction.
The order of Actions is determined by a Reflexes roll.
Combat works as follows: an Attack roll is made with a
d20 versus a Parrying roll made with a d20. If the Attack
and Parrying rolls are tied or the Parrying roll is higher, the
attack is successfully defended against. Next, a Damage roll
is made with another die, depending on the weapon used.
The damage is reduced by the target’s armour Damage
Reduction. Some weapons, such as firearms, pierce some of
the armour defence.
Terms
Attack
An Attack is one attack that can be made during an Action
or a Reaction.
Full Attack
A Full Attack can only be made during an Action and can
consist of multiple Attacks.
Hand-to-hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat occurs between opponents who
are adjacent or in the same hexagon. It is not advised to be
unarmed or have a ranged or reach weapon in this situation.
Melee combat
Melee combat can take place between anyone in hand-to-
hand combat range and people who have reach weapons
and can attack from a distance.
Reflexes
Reflexes = Speed + purchased Reflexes points - Armour
Penalty.
Most armour makes movement slightly more difficult. You
can find the Armour Penalty in the Equipment chapter.
Parrying
Parrying = Reflexes + purchased Parrying points + shield
bonus, if applicable.
The GM may decide to use Static Parrying for NPCs to speed
up combat. In this case, the GM doesn’t roll for the NPC’s
94
parry, but simply informs the PCs of the static Difficulty Level
they need to overcome with their attack roll (they need to
roll a higher number).
Players can also use static parrying for their PCs or NPCs they
control, if they wish.
The Static Parrying score is 10 + the Parrying score.
Attack bonus
Attack bonus = Weapon skill (swords, bows, etc.) + bonus
from masterwork or magical weapon.
A penalty may apply to the Attack if a manoeuvre is used. For
example, a called shot to hit the hand incurs a -4 penalty to
the Attack.
Damage
Weapon damage depends on the weapon and is rolled with
4, 6, 8, 10 or 12-sided dice. If damage is listed as 2d6, it means
that 6-sided dice are rolled twice and the results are added. If
damage is listed as 1d6+1, it means the minimum damage is
2 and the maximum damage is 7.
Damage = weapon damage + Body (for melee weapons) +
bonus from masterwork or magical weapon.
Damage may also receive additional points from certain
special abilities or manoeuvres. For example, a Sneak Attack
ability can add the character’s Anatomy Skill Level to the
Damage in the right situation.
Damage Reduction (DR)
Damage Reduction comes from armour. For non-masterwork
armour, this is usually between 1 and 10. DR is subtracted
from the total Damage that an Attack deals. For example, if an
Attack deals 10 Damage and the character has a DR of 7, they
take 3 Damage (10-7=3).
Piercing
Certain weapons, such as warhammers, firearms, and
crossbows, are designed to pierce armour and have a
Piercing score ranging from 2 to 6.
In the case of piercing weapons, the Piercing score is
deducted from the target’s Damage Reduction first, and
then the remaining DR is subtracted from the damage. For
instance, if an attack with a warhammer inflicts 5 Damage and
has a Piercing score of 4, and the target’s DR is 7, without the
Piercing score, the target would receive no damage. However,
because of the Piercing score, the target’s DR is reduced to 3,
resulting in the target takeing 2 damage (5-3=2).
When using a piercing weapon, whether as a PC or GM-
controlled NPC, it’s advisable to declare the Piercing score
together with the Damage during combat, such as “Damage
7, Piercing 2.” The attacked individual is responsible for
calculating the Damage incurred.
Movement Speed
Movement Speed is the number of metres a character can
move during their Action.
Movement Speed = base movement speed (under Speed)
+ purchased Movement Speed points -4 m (for medium
armour) or -8 m (for heavy armour).
Start of Combat
In combat rounds, the order of Actions is determined by a
Reflexes roll (d20 + Reflexes) made by all combatants and
bystanders who plan to act during the combat. The game
master records the order of Actions for each character.
To streamline the process, the GM can group all NPCs together
in the same spot in the order, rolling only one Reflex roll for
them. PCs can also group NPCs who are assisting them in the
same spot in the order as themselves.
If one side is attacked unexpectedly and the attackers
are hidden, the attacking side automatically gets the
first strike. The defenders cannot make Parrying rolls
(as parrying is an active activity) and instead make a
Reflexes roll against the Attack. Only after the first wave of
attacks is resolved, do the combatants roll for Reflexes to
determine the order of Actions for the following rounds. In
a surprise attack situation, the defending side does not get
Reactions. Examples of a surprise attack include bandits
hiding in the woods shooting at unsuspecting travellers,
predators jumping down from trees onto their prey, or a
stranger stabbing someone in the back in a crowded place.
If both sides are aware of each other’s presence and can see
each other, a surprise attack cannot occur, even if the attack
is unexpected for one side. During a surprise attack, the
attacker can make only one Attack, even if their Full attack
would consist of multiple attacks.
If a character decides to delay their Action until after their
turn, they will be moved to the end of the Action order
for the entire combat. Depending on how Actions and
Reactions relate to each other, this may be a good idea at
certain moments. A character can delay their Action only
once during combat.
The Course of the Fight
Once the order of Actions is clear, the combatants can
attack their opponents, move, or try to flee based on that
order. The attacking side rolls their Weapon Attack, and the
defending side rolls their Parrying if they can actively defend
themselves.
Parrying and Reflexes
In order to parry an opponent’s attacks, a character must
have a shield or a hand-to-hand combat weapon. If the
character cannot parry, they will make a Reflexes roll instead.
If the character is not aware of the attack against them, they
will make a Reflexes roll instead of a Parrying roll. Sneak
Attacks can only be made against opponents who cannot
parry.
Damage, DR and Piercing
When a hit is made, the attacker rolls for Damage, which is
then reduced by the armour’s DR. The remaining number is
subtracted from the character’s Health Points.
If the attacker has a Piercing weapon, the piercing value
is subtracted from the armour’s DR first, and then the
remaining armour value is subtracted from the Damage. For
example, if Yasumi attacks Asakari with a crossbow (Piercing
2, damage 1d10) and Asakari is wearing a lamellar armour
(DR 5) and Yasumi rolls 9 Damage, the piercing value of 2 is
subtracted from the armour’s DR, leaving 3. This remaining 3
is subtracted from Yasumi’s damage of 9, resulting in Asakari
taking 6 Damage.
Later, in all combat manoeuvres, the term used is “Damage
Taken.” The 6 is the Damage Taken.
If the Piercing value exceeds the armour’s DR or the
opponent is not wearing armour at all, it does not mean
that the weapon’s Damage is somehow increased. The entire
rolled damage is simply considered the Damage Taken.
Health Points, Injuries and Death
Injuries
A person becomes wounded when their Health Points drop
to half. In this state, they receive a -2 penalty to all physical
activity rolls, including Attack, Parrying, Damage, Athletics,
etc. Similarly, a person becomes severely wounded when
their Health Points drop to one-quarter. In this state, they
receive a -4 penalty to all physical activity rolls.
When a character’s Health Points drop to 0, any additional
damage is applied to their Body attribute. If a character’s
HP drop to 0, but their Body is not negative, they are still
conscious but unable to stand up. In this state, they receive a
-10 penalty for all physical activity rolls. Despite the penalty,
they can attempt some actions, such as attacking with
firearms, with a -10 penalty to hit.
For example, if Asakar has 6 HP and a Body of +3 and takes 8
Damage, his HP drops to 0. However, there is still 2 Damage left,
which is subtracted from his Body attribute. As a result, Asakar
now has 0 HP and a Body of +1 and can still perform actions
with a -10 penalty to all physical activity rolls.
Combat 95
 If a character’s Body drops to 0 or negative, they lose
consciousness, and their Body continues to deteriorate.
Every round, their Body loses 1 point, and a Body roll of 15
is required to stop it for an hour (using the initial Body roll,
not the accumulated negative). If a character’s Body is, for
example, -2, they normally lose consciousness when their
Health Points drop to 0.
Companions of an unconscious character can use a first aid
kit to stop the Body’s points from decreasing. To do this, they
need to make a Medicine roll of 15. Additionally, a successful
Medicine check with a first aid kit can heal at least one HP
and restore consciousness.
If injuries are patched up without using a first aid kit, a
Medicine roll of 15 is still required to stop the Body from
deteriorating. However, the character remains unconscious.
Successful magical healing also stops the Body from
deteriorating and restores consciousness by restoring at
least one HP. This is also true for Blood of Oni.
If a character’s Body drops below -10, they are dead.
Death
If characters are interested in what happens to their soul
after death, or are capable of communicating with souls, or
if it’s relevant for some other reason, they can roll Willpower
(or Astral Projection if they are familiar with that school of
magic) to determine if their soul can be retrieved later on.
If the roll is less than 20, then the soul passes through
the Otherworld, and after about a week or two, it becomes
technically unattainable in the game. This process can only
be reversed with Necromancy. A soul that moves on from
the Otherworld is not visible or perceptible in any way.
Depending on one’s religion, it’s believed that the soul
becomes a part of the Collective Spirit, is reborn, goes to a
special pocket of the Otherworld, etc.
However, if a character rolls 20 or higher, their soul
remains trapped in known worlds, mostly in the Otherworld,
sometimes in the human world, where they slowly forget
everything they experienced in life. These beings, called
Spectators, are invisible to normal sight, and only mages
who possess certain magical abilities can contact them.
For more information on what happens to the soul consult
the appropriate section in the Sorcery module.
96
Recovering of HP, Body, and other Attributes
HP recovers by 1+Body per day, as long as the wounded
person rests properly at night. If the Body attribute is 0 or
less, then HP recovers by 1 point per day.
Attributes recover slowly and take four days minus the
initial Body (at least one day) to recover one point. HP and
Attributes recover simultaneously.
Bone fractures and other injuries generally heal at an even
slower pace. Bones usually take two months to heal, but this
process can be accelerated with the use of healing magic.
Action and Reaction
The combat round consists of two parts: an Action and
a Reaction. Each character has one Action and one
Reaction during the round.
Action is the main part of the round. The order of the fighters’
Actions is determined by a Reflexes roll, which is a d20 roll
plus Reflexes points. During their turn, each character has
only one Action, even if it’s used to perform a task that would
normally take a very short amount of time.
The Reaction is a character’s ability to respond to someone
else’s Action. There is no order to Reactions. Characters
can use their Reaction at any time if someone else does
something during the fight that allows for a Reaction.
Some Actions, such as changing a weapon for another one
on the character’s belt or communicating with companions,
don’t take any time in the game mechanics. The character
does them during their Action. For example, they might
change their weapon at the beginning of a Full Attack. But a
character who is already carrying a different weapon cannot
change it during their Reaction.
The game master can keep track of all PC’s and NPCs’ Actions
and Reactions on a small table, where a box indicates the
turn’s Action and an x in it shows the Reaction used during
that turn.
Since Reactions can only be used during someone else’s
Action, this requires constant attention during combat.
Players who are new to the system may forget that they can
use their Reaction almost at any time. It’s good for the GM to
remind them until they get used to it.
Using a Reaction is not mandatory. Both PCs and GM-
controlled NPCs can choose not to use their Reaction if they
wish.
The GM should distribute the enemies’ Reactions equally
between all or most of the PCs’ Actions, rather than using all
of them to react to just one PC’s Action.
Each character has only one Reaction durning combat round,
which allows them to perform some kind of counteraction
to someone else’s Action. If the counteraction is an Attack,
then the Reaction allows them to attack only once, even if
the character’s Full Attack consists of multiple Attacks.
There are generally three types of Reactions:
1. Opportunity attacks (Attack of Opportunity with a Melee
Weapon, Attack of Opportunity with a Ranged Weapon,
and Breaking the Charge).
2. Avoiding an attack (Avoiding a Ranged Weapon Attack
and Avoiding a Melee Weapon Attack)
3. Jumping in Front of an Attack to save somebody else.
The Reaction can only be used against the character
whose turn it is!
Types of Actions and Reactions
Action (1 in a round)
Full Attack
A Full Attack refers to all the Attacks that a character can
make during an Action. An inexperienced character can
make only one Attack, while a more advanced character
may have two, three, or even four different Attacks. A
Full Attack may also involve minimal movement of up
to 5m to facilitate the Attack. Certain spells, such as Fast
Healing or Divine Strikes, are included in a Full Attack
and are counted as either one Attack of the Full Attack
or do not require any additional time for casting. This is
specified separately for each spell.
During a Full Attack, a character can switch their
weapon(s) once. For instance, a character may perform a
Full Attack with a spear and then switch to a pistol to use
their Reaction later to shoot someone at a distance.
Remember that reloading a gun or crossbow takes full Action,
even if the weapon was used for an opportunity attack.
In which case does an Action trigger which type of
Reaction (1 in a round)
A Full Attack with a hand-to-hand weapon does not
generally provide Reactions to opponents, but a minimal
movement made during a Full Attack can provide an Attack
of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon if a nearby opponent
has a spear or other reach weapon, or if the person uses their
minimal movement to move away from an opponent.
In exceptional cases, when the attack is particularly
predictable and the attacker has to cover 5m to reach the
target, and the opponent is not engaged in hand-to-hand
combat, the GM may decide that the Full Attack, in this case,
provides an Opportunity to Avoid a Melee Weapon Attack,
Attack of Opportunity with a Ranged Weapon, Attack
of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon, an opportunity
to Jump in front of the Attack to save somebody else, or
opportunity to Break the Charge. Such exceptions should
be rare. One such exception is the manoeuvre: Charge, which
is described in more detail under manoeuvres.
A Full Attack with a ranged weapon against opponents
who are not engaged in hand-to-hand combat provides
an opponent with the Opportunity to Avoid a Ranged
Weapon Attack or an Attack of Opportunity with a
Ranged Weapon (counterattack). This means that by using
a Reaction, it is actually possible to shoot someone who is
about to shoot you before they can. This does not apply to
third parties.
A Full Attack with a ranged weapon provides an opportunity
to Jump in front of the Attack to save somebody else for
opponents who are not engaged in hand-to-hand combat
and are not the targets of the attack but are within 5m of the
target. This can be attempted to save someone.
Combat 97

Action (1 in a round)
Movement up to full Movement Speed
A character can use their Action to move up to their full
Movement Speed, which may include climbing over
obstacles or jumping. If the jump or climb is successful, it
doesn’t affect the number of meters travelled. However,
if the entire movement is climbing, the character can
only climb half their Movement Speed during the round.
Additionally, a character can use their Action to search
for a hidden person or hide themselves. To find a hidden
person, they must roll a Perception check against the
Stealth check. If successful, the character can use their
full Movement Speed to move towards the found person
(i.e., the search check is made at the beginning of the
movement).
If a character previously seen by enemies tries to hide
during combat, they must move at least 20 m and roll
a Stealth check with a -10 penalty against the passive
Perception of their enemies (10 + the highest Perception
of the enemies).
If a character successfully hid during their previous turn
and hasn’t been discovered, they can move stealthily,
but only at half their Movement Speed. To remain
hidden, they must roll a Stealth check against the passive
Perception of their enemies. The Game Master may
add penalties to the character’s roll or prohibit hidden
movement altogether if it doesn’t seem plausible.
During movement, the character can switch the
weapons they are carrying in their hands. If they want
to move only 5m or less, it doesn’t take an Action, and
the character can use their Action for a Full Attack or
something else.
The Game Master may limit hiding within logical limits
but generally, in a forest or city street, there are objects
to quickly hide behind.
Combat manoeuvres
All characters can perform various combat manoeuvres.
Some combat manoeuvres are part of a Full Attack, while
others take up the entire Action. Combat manoeuvres
are explained in the following subsection.
98
In which case does an Action trigger which type of
Reaction (1 in a round)
Movement over 5m provides an Attack of Opportunity with
a Ranged Weapon to all opponents who are not engaged in
melee combat and have a ranged weapon equipped.
Any movement provides an Attack of Opportunity with a
Melee Weapon to opponents in the following cases:
• Movement starts from an adjacent hexagon to the
opponent.
• Movement passes through any hexagon adjacent to the
opponent.
• Opponents with a reach weapon get an Attack of
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon if the movement
passes through hexagons adjacent to them and the
hexagons adjacent to those hexagons, within a 4 m
radius of the hexagon they are in.
An opponent with a reach weapon also gets an Attack of
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon if the movement aims
to reach them and ends in their adjacent hexagon, even if
the total distance moved is less than 5m. Other opponents
with hand-to-hand weapons do not get this opportunity in
such cases.
During a movement in which the character is searching for
a place to hide, their opponent can use Reactions against
them, even if the Stealth check succeeds.
If the character moves stealthily and is not detected,
Reactions cannot be used against them. If the character is
detected while attempting to move stealthily, Reactions can
be used against them in the usual way.
Certain combat manoeuvres can trigger a Reaction against
the performer, while others can provide the performer and
their allies with Reactions for use in subsequent Actions.
However, most manoeuvres do not result in anyone receiving
a Reaction.

Action (1 in a round)
Engaging in hand-to-hand combat without a weapon
or attacking with weapons that are unsuitable for
close combat during your Action
Unsuitable weapons for hand-to-hand combat include
all ranged weapons (bows, firearms, crossbows), but
not all throwing weapons. Spears and throwing axes
are suitable weapons for hand-to-hand combat, while
grenades and blowguns are not.
If a character has a full shield (arm shields do not count)
and is carrying a ranged weapon or is unarmed, they are
not considered unarmed because they can use the shield
for parrying against attacks. For example, a large shield
and a pistol are a working combination.
Other activities during combat
During combat, characters may need to use their Action
for something other than attacking or moving.
Some examples of activities that require one Action
include:
• Using a spell (Note that some spells may be part of
a Full Attack, such as a priest’s Divine Strikes and a
soul crafter’s electric attacks. Additionally, rituals
take longer than one Action).
• Drinking a healing potion (like Blood of Oni) or
any other type of potion, or applying poison to
a weapon. By drinking quickly, it’s possible to
consume half a litre of liquid (for example, 2 potions
of Oni’s Blood).
• Loading a crossbow or firearm.
• Moving to pick up a weapon that was lost due to a
disarm manoeuvre.
• Picking a lock.
• Using a first aid kit (requires a Medicine skill check of
at least 15 to prevent an unconscious person’s Body
points from falling. This also heals at least 1 HP and
brings the injured person back to consciousness).
In which case does an Action trigger which type of
Reaction (1 in a round)
If a person is unarmed or using inappropriate weapons
for hand-to-hand combat, all nearby opponents can make
Attacks of Opportunity with Melee Weapons against
them. Additionally, the person cannot use Parrying and must
rely on Reflexes to avoid attacks, making them vulnerable to
Sneak Attacks.
Weapons with reach, like spears, that cannot be used to
attack adjacent hexes are also unsuitable for hand-to-hand
combat. In this case, all opponents in adjacent hexes can
make Attacks of Opportunity with Melee Weapons against
the user of the reach weapon. Note that you can avoid this
situation by changing your weapon at the beginning of your
Full Attack.
During combat, characters may need to perform actions
other than attacking or moving. If a character is engaged in
hand-to-hand combat, all opponents can make an Attack of
Opportunity with Melee Weapons against them. However,
if the character is not engaged in hand-to-hand combat,
opponents with ranged weapons who are not themselves in
hand-to-hand combat can make an Attack of Opportunity
with Ranged Weapons against them.
A successful attack can cause the failure of the other
activities. All activities that require throwing something must
be reattempted with a penalty of -10 if an opportunity
attack causes damage. However, actions that do not require
throwing succeed regardless of whether the character is hit
or not.
Actions that require throwing and must be reattempted with
a penalty of -10 include:
• Casting a spell (if the new throw fails, Spellpoints are
wasted)
• Picking a lock
• Giving first aid
Actions that succeed automatically even if an opportunity
attack hits and causes damage include:
• Drinking a healing potion or applying poison to a
weapon.
• Loading a weapon.
• Generally, picking up a weapon succeeds even when an
opportunity attack is successful, except if the attack was
made in such a way that it prevents it.
• Etc.
An exception to this rule are the spells from the Psychic
school. Opponents do not get an Attack of Opportunity
against the caster when they cast these spells because
casting them does not involve any visibly observable
action or utterance. Casting Psychic spells appears as if the
caster skips their turn in the combat, which does not give
opponents a Reaction.
Combat 99
 Types of Reactions
Attack of Opportunity with Melee Weapon
If there is a Reaction-providing Action within the range of
the character’s melee weapon, they can make one melee
weapon Attack against the performer of that Action.
The opponent must be in the same hexagon or adjacent
hexagon, or for reach weapons, in the hexagon adjacent to
the adjacent hexagon.
The attack is made normally depending on other rules:
Attack vs. Parrying or Attack vs. Reflexes roll if the opponent
cannot parry for some reason.
Attack of Opportunity with Ranged Weapon
If there is a Reaction-providing Action within the range of
the character’s ranged weapon, they can make one ranged
Attack against the performer of that Action.
To use the Attack of Opportunity, the trajectory between
the attacker and the target must be clear. The Attack of
Opportunity cannot be used if there is an object or person
on the trajectory that would require even a little movement
to avoid.
You cannot make a ranged attack of opportunity if you are
engaged in melee combat.
The attack is made normally depending on other rules:
Attack vs. Parry or Attack vs. Reflexes roll if the opponent
cannot parry for some reason.
Reaction to Avoid a Ranged Weapon Attack
A character being attacked with a ranged weapon, who is
not engaged in melee combat, can try to avoid the ranged
attack. The character can try to jump behind something or
someone, drop to the ground quickly, etc.
The character rolls a Reflexes against the Attack roll, and if
successful, the attacker cannot attack them and the attack is
wasted. If the attacker has more attacks, they can use them
against other characters. If avoiding the attack fails, then
the character must make a Parrying roll for each shot as
usual. Essentially, using this Reaction provides an additional
defensive roll to avoid being hit by a ranged attack.
However, if the character is engaged in melee combat, they
cannot use this Reaction to avoid a ranged attack coming
from elsewhere.
Reaction to Avoid a Melee Weapon Attack
The opportunity to avoid melee attacks can only be used
when the attack is somehow especially predictable, and the
character is not engaged in melee combat. For example,
if someone is hanging above you on a chandelier and
planning to jump on your back, if you are aware of this and
are not engaged in melee combat, you can make a Reflexes
roll against the attack to avoid it.
100
If avoiding the attack fails, then the character must make a
Parrying roll for each attack as usual. Essentially, using this
opportunity provides an additional defensive roll to avoid
being hit by an attack.
Avoiding melee attacks should be more of an exception than
a rule.
Jumping in front of the Attack
This opportunity can be used to save someone else. If a
character is within 5m of the person being attacked and is
not already engaged in hand-to-hand combat, they can use
their opportunity to jump in front of the attack. Now the
attack is directed towards them.
The attack is carried out normally depending on other
rules: Attack vs. Parrying or Attack vs. Reflexes if the person
jumping in front is unable to parry for some reason.
Breaking the Charge
Breaking the Charge is a melee attack that requires a spear
or a weapon with reach. It can only be used against a
mounted opponent who is performing a charge manoeuvre.
If a character has a spear or a similar weapon and an enemy
charges at them or their ally in an adjacent hexagon, they
can use their Reaction to attempt to break the charge.
To successfully break the charge, the character must wait
for the attacker to approach and then make an Attack roll
at the same time as the attacker. If the break is successful,
the attacker takes double Weapon Damage from the spear,
plus the character’s Body bonus (but not double). However,
just like with a charge, there is a chance that the spear or
weapon may break if the damage exceeds a certain amount,
usually around 20-30 (depending on the weapon, which can
be found in the equipment chapter).
If the break is successful, the rider must then make a Riding
roll against the Total Damage (i.e., the total damage before
any DR is deducted). If they fail the roll, they will fall off their
horse.
Critical Hits and Misses
Critical rolls (a natural 1 or 20 on a d20 die) work in combat
similarly to skill checks. If a character rolls a natural 1 or 20
on a Reflexes, Parrying, Spell Resistance, or Willpower check,
they roll a percentile and receive pluses or minuses to the roll,
just like with skill checks. However, the pluses and minuses
do not necessarily mean automatic failure or success.
However, there are differences between Attack rolls
compared to other rolls. After rolling a natural 1 on the
Attack roll, the percentile is rolled. If the percentile roll result
causes the Attack roll to fall to 0 or less, an accident occurs,
and the character must roll on the Critical Misses table. If a
character has a very poor Attack bonus, such as -3, and they
roll 0 or less without rolling a natural 1 beforehand, then they
do not need to roll for a Critical Miss.
If the Attack roll is a natural 20, the character does not roll
on the percentile table but instead rolls directly on the
Critical Hits table.
If a character does not have a combat skill and rolls a d12 for
their Attack, they are not capable of making Critical Hits.
They are still capable of Critical Misses.
When rolling a natural 20 on a Parrying, Reflexes, Spell
Resistance, or Willpower check (but not Attack), roll the
percentile and add the result to the roll.

1-50% No additional points

50-75% +2
76-85% +5
86-95% +10
96% +15
97% +20
98% +25
99% +30
100% +40
When rolling a natural 1 on an Attack, Parrying, Reflexes,
Spell Resistance, or Willpower check, roll the percentile and
subtract the result from the previous roll.

1-50% Nothing happens

50-75% -2
76-85% -5
86-95% -10
96% -15
97% -20
98% -25
99% -30
100% Immediate fail or -40

Combat 101
 Critical Hits (Attack Roll Natural 20)
% Result
1-15% Nothing happens.
16-25% +5 to Attack roll.
26-35% +10 to Attack roll.
36-39% +15 to Attack roll.
The following percentages automatically hit:
You hit both the opponent's weapon and the
40-49%
opponent. Damage is dealt to both, and there
is a chance of breaking the weapon. See the
rules for breaking weapons.
The attack hits the armour destructively
(regardless of the weapon used). Until
50-59%
repaired, the armour's DR is reduced by 1
point. The attack also hits and deals Damage.
You succeed in hitting the fastenings of the
opponent's armour so well that the armour
comes loose and no longer offers sufficient
protection. In the future, Armour-bypassing
60-69%
attacks against that opponent are with +4
bonus. Adjusting the armour takes 1 Action
during which opponent cannot attack or
move. The attack also hits and deals Damage.
You hit the opponent's weapon in such a way
70-79% that it flies out of their hand, disarming them.
The attack also hits and deals Damage.
You are able to strike so quickly that you can
80-84% make an additional Attack against the same
opponent.
You hit the weakest part of the opponent's
weapon with your weapon, causing the
85-86% opponent's weapon to either break or
become unusable (within reason). Attack
deals also regular Damage.
You hit the opponent's artery, causing them to
lose 1 HP each round. Stopping the bleeding
87-88%
requires a Medicine or Anatomy roll against
DL 10.
The Attack hits the arm. Check the
89-90%
manoeuvres table for details.
The Attack hits the hand. Damage Taken
91-92%
x0,5. Check the manoeuvres table for details.
The Attack hits the leg. Check the manoeuvres
93-94%
table for details.
The Attack hits the head. Damage Taken x2.
95-96%
Check the manoeuvres table for details.
The Attack hits vital organ. Damage Taken x3.
97-98%
Check the manoeuvres table for details.
The Attack hits the throat. Damage Taken x3.
99%
Check the manoeuvres table for details.
The Attack hits the eye. Damage Taken x4.
100%
Check the manoeuvres table for details.
102
* – If the character’s attack was aimed at a specific body part
and as a result of a critical hit, they hit a different body part,
then they can choose which body part they want to hit in
the end.
** – If the character performs a 180° Attack manoeuvre
and rolls a natural 20, then the attacker rolls a separate
percentage for each potential target.
Critical Misses (Rolling a Natural
1 on the Attack Roll and Getting a
Total of 0 or Less)
% Result
1-39% Nothing happens.
The following percentages automatically miss:
The weapon slips from your hand during
40-49% combat. Roll a Reflexes against DL 20 to catch
it.
During combat, something gets in your eye or
other factors interfere, resulting in all physical
50-59% action rolls having -2 penalty until the end of
your next Action (Attack, Reflexes, Damage,
etc.).
Tripping in combat causes you to fall and you
can only stand up during your next Action.
While lying down, all your Attack, Reflexes,
and Parrying rolls are made at a -4 penalty
against standing opponents. To stand up
60-69%
safely takes one Action, but when standing up
quickly, the character retains their Action, but
all opponents around them get an Attack of
Opportunity with Melee Weapons against
them.
A missed attack hits an ally in the appropriate
range or distance. If there are no allies within
70-79%
range, nothing happens. New Attack and
Parrying rolls must be made for this event.
80-85% You break your weapon.
Fumbling in combat automatically grants
the enemy a counter-attack against you. If
86-89%
the enemy is too far away and doesn't have a
ranged weapon equipped, nothing happens.
A missed attack hits an ally in the appropriate
90-95%
range or distance. Automatic hit!
You can get your foot/hand caught
somewhere in the combat situation (a crack in
the floor, branches in the woods, foot sinking
96-
into a hole, etc.), limiting your movement.
100%
Parrying and Reflexes are rolled at a -4 penalty.
You cannot run away or move in combat. To
get free, you must use your whole Action.
Combat Manoeuvres
Characters can attempt specific combat manoeuvres or
attacks against their opponent. These can be combined to
create more complex manoeuvres, such as striking the throat
while bypassing an opponent’s light armour. Some weapons
are better suited for certain manoeuvres and receive
bonuses, such as daggers which have a +4 bonus to all
Armour-bypassing attack manoeuvres. See the equipment
subsection for more details on weapon properties.
No specific Abilities are required to perform manoeuvres,
but some Abilities can make them more effective.
Note that certain manoeuvres may come with penalties to
Attack rolls.
There are different terms in use when calculating damage in
combat manoeuvres:
Damage Taken – The damage is multiplied after the
opponent’s Damage Reduction is taken into account.
Total Damage – The damage is multiplied before DR is
subtracted.
Weapon Damage – Only the weapon’s damage is multiplied,
and any additional bonuses are added to the result.

Table of Combat Manoeuvres

Attack
Manoeuvre Description
Penalty
The character abandons their Attack or movement during their Action and assumes a defensive
Defensive position. Until their next Action, the character has +4 to Parrying and Reflexes rolls. The
-
Stance character must have a melee weapon or shield to be in a defensive position. The defensive
position does not cause Reactions. The character in a defensive position can use Reaction.
This Manoeuvre allows a character to perform an Attack without Dealing Damage immediately.
Instead, the damage is held in abeyance, waiting for the opponent's response. The character
targets the opponent and can decide to roll Damage at a freely chosen moment. The Damage
remains in the air until the opponent Action, then it disappears if the opponent decides to
Delayed move. At this point, the person aiming with a weapon has the last moment to decide
0
Attack whether to throw damage or not. If the attacker throws damage, they use up their
Reaction. If the opponent does nothing in their turn that would prevent their targeting, the
Damage remains in the air for further rounds. A character using a weapon to target cannot
use their Reaction for anything other than causing Damage to the target, as that would
end the targeting.
If the hit lands, the opponent loses their weapon. The Game Master decides where the
weapon lands by rolling a percentage – the higher the percentage, the farther and/or more
Disarm uncomfortable the place where the weapon lands. If a free hand is available, the attacker may
-4
Manoeuvre try to take the opponent's weapon instead, in which case they must roll 15 in Stealth Skills. The
hit does not cause Damage. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular
Attack.
To choke someone in a combat situation, the attacker must roll Athletics against the opponent's
Parrying with a -6 penalty. Additionally, the opponent gets an Attack of Opportunity with
a Melee Weapon, because the choker gives up the use of melee weapons. To escape from
-6, 0 choking, both parties must roll mutual Athletic checks. This can be done every turn, but
after the opponent must also give up their melee weapon to do so. The victim of a choke loses
Choking
initial consciousness after a number of rounds equal to half the number of rounds they can hold
Attack their breath (see Body). If they are choked for the same duration again, they die. Choking is an
active action that takes several rounds, during which the choker cannot use Reactions, and all
opponents can use Attack of Opportunity with Melee or Ranged Weapons against them, if
other rules allow.
Instead of attacking, the character rolls Stealth skills or Athletics against the opponent’s
Parrying. If the roll is successful, the opponent falls. A prone opponent has -4 to all Attack,
Reflexes, and Parrying rolls against standing opponents. To stand up safely takes one Action, but
Tripping 0 when standing up quickly, the character retains their Action, but all opponents around them get
an Attack of Opportunity with Melee Weapons against them. The manoeuvre is part of a Full
Attack and replaces one regular Attack.
The manoeuvre does not cause Damage.

Combat 103
 Attack
Manoeuvre Description
Penalty
The character performs an Attack that can hit multiple opponents in a 180° radius around them,
i.e. on three hexagons surrounding the attacker. The attacker makes one Attack, against which
all potential victims (usually up to three individuals) parry separately. The first hit inflicts full
180° Strike -4 Damage, and subsequent hits have a -4 penalty for Damage, as the force of the strike diminishes
after hitting the first target.
This attack can only be performed with weapons with very long blades, such as nodachi or
two-handed swords. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular Attack.
If the Damage Taken is 10 or more, the bone is fractured and the arm becomes unusable. If the
Called Shot
-2 Damage Taken is 15 or more, the limb is severed. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and
to the Arm
replaces one regular Attack.

Damage Taken x0,5 (the Damage Taken is divided by two). The victim is automatically
Called
disarmed and loses one finger for every two Damage points. If the Damage Taken equals 10 or
Shot to the -4
more, the entire hand is severed. If the strike severs three or more fingers, the hand becomes
Hand
unusable for fighting. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular Attack.

If the Damage Taken is 10 or more, the bone is fractured and the leg becomes unusable. If the
Damage Taken is 15 or more, the limb is severed. When fighting with a broken leg, all Attack,
Called Shot
-2 Parrying, and Reflexes rolls have a -4 penalty because the character is unable to move and must
to the Leg
rely on support or remain seated, etc. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one
regular Attack.

Called If the Damage Taken is 5 or more, a tendon is cut, and the limb becomes unusable. If the
Shot to the Damage Taken is 15 or more, the limb is severed. When fighting with a broken leg, all Attack,
Tendon in -6 Parrying, and Reflexes rolls have a -4 penalty because the character is unable to move and
the Arm or must rely on support or remain seated, etc. An unusable hand cannot be used for fighting. The
Leg manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular Attack.
Damage Taken x2. If the Damage Taken is 10 or more, the skull is fractured, and the victim
must roll Body against the Damage Taken or becomes unconscious for 2d10 rounds. If the
Damage Taken equals or exceeds 20, the victim must roll Body against Damage Taken or
Called Shot becomes unconscious for 2d10 hours, and if no medical assistance (Restoration or Medicine roll
-6
to the Head against DL 20) is received during this time, the victim dies. If the victim survives, they must make
a Willpower roll against DL 15 to avoid losing one point of Intellect permanently. If the Damage
Taken equals or exceeds 30, the victim dies automatically. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack
and replaces one regular Attack.

Called Shot Damage Taken x3, the victim must roll Body against Damage Taken, or loses one HP every
to a Vital -8 round until death. A Restoration or Medicine roll against DL 15 saves the victim. The manoeuvre
Organ is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular Attack.

Damage Taken x3. If the Damage Taken is 10 or more, the vocal cords are cut (only Restoration
check against DL 25 allows for the character to ever make a gentle sound). If the Damage Taken
is 15 or more, the larynx is cut and causes the character to lose 1d4+1 HP per round until death
Called
(Restoration or Medicine check against DL 30 can save the character). If the Damage Taken is
Shot to the -10
20 or more, the neck is practically cut through and causes the character to lose 1d6+1 HP per
Throat.
round (only Restoration check against DL 35 can save the character). If the Damage Taken is 25
or more, the head is chopped off (depending on the weapon). The manoeuvre is part of a Full
Attack and replaces one regular Attack.
Damage Taken x4. If the Damage Taken is 5 or more, the eyeball is injured and starts to flow
out (Restoration or Medicine check against DL 30 is required to stop this), which results in the
Called Shot complete loss of the eyeball within a day. If the Damage Taken is 10 or more, the eyeball is
-12
to the Eye automatically crushed. If the Damage Taken is 20 or more, the blow also smashes through the
eye socket into the brain, causing automatic death. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and
replaces one regular Attack.

104
 Attack
Manoeuvre Description
Penalty
Light/
Medium/ -6/ The character identifies a weak spot in the opponent’s armour and strikes there, bypassing
Heavy their Damage Reduction. Only spears and short swords are suitable for Armour-Bypassing
-8/
Armour- Attacks. Other weapons cannot be used to make Armour-Bypassing Attacks. The manoeuvre is
Bypassing -10 part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular Attack.
Attack
The Attack inflicts regular Damage on the opponent if it hits, and the opponent's armour's DR
Armour becomes 1 point worse (even if the Damage would not otherwise penetrate the armour).
Breaking -4 Axes and maces are suitable for breaking armour, while other weapons cannot be used to
Attack make armour-breaking attacks. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and replaces one regular
Attack.
If the strike is successful, the attacker rolls Damage against the Hardness of the weapon or
shield, which determines whether the strike breaks the weapon or not. Not all weapons are
Weapon- suitable for this manoeuvre, so both players and the game master must evaluate the situation
Breaking -4 with a clear head. See below for more details. The manoeuvre is part of a Full Attack and
Strike replaces one regular Attack.
The hit does not cause Damage.
Weapon Damage x2. Only possible with lances, spears, and similar weapons. In addition,
there is a possibility to ride over opponents with a horse (see below for more details). The
Charge 0
manoeuvre takes up the entire Action, including both movement and one Attack, see more
details under Mounted Combat.
Breaking Weapon Damage x2. Possible only with spears or pikes. See more details under Mounted
0
the Charge Combat. The manoeuvre uses up the Reaction.

Called Shots against Different-Sized Base Health

Creatures Size category
Points/ Body Damage
multiplier for requirement
When performing manoeuvres that aim at a particular body (examples)
calculating multiplier
part, exceeding a certain amount of Damage will trigger a Health Points
specific condition such as bone fracture, unconsciousness,
or even immediate death. Colossal (blue
720/ x12 x12
whale, hydra)
If the fight is against a creature whose size category is larger
or smaller than medium, the damage requirements change For example, a Called Shot to the Leg – Damage of 10 or more
at the same rate as the size category has more or less HP. means a fracture for a creature of medium size. For a dog (size
category: small; base HP 5, Body multiplier ½), 5 Damage is
Base Health enough for a fracture. For a sword-toothed tiger (size category:
Points/ Body Damage large; base HP 20, Body multiplier x2), it would require 20
Size category Damage, and for a wyvern (size category: huge; base HP 80,
multiplier for requirement
(examples) Body multiplier x4), it would require 40 Damage.
calculating multiplier
Health Points Due to some creatures’ anatomical peculiarities, the required
Tiny (cat, rabbit, damage may change, as explained in the creatures’ own
1/ x¼ x¼ description.
fox)
Small (dog, wolf ) 5/ x½ x¼
Medium (human,
10/ x1 x1
deer)
Large (horse,
20/ x2 x2
leopard)
Huge (elephant,
80/ x4 x4
wyvern)
Gigantic (sperm
160/ x8 x8
whale, cyclops)

Combat 105
 More about Weapon-Breaking Strikes
To break a weapon using the Weapon-Breaking Strike
manoeuvre, the attacker must roll Damage that exceeds
the weapon’s Hardness. Weapons do not have HP, so the
weapon’s Hardness must be exceeded in a single strike.
If the Hardness is exceeded, then weapon is broken and
unusable.
If a weapon takes Damage equal to or greater than half its
Hardness, its damage is reduced by one die size. For example,
a weapon with a normal damage of 1d12 now deals 1d10
damage, a weapon with a normal damage of 1d10 now
deals 1d8 damage, a weapon with a normal damage of 2d4
now deals 1d6+1 damage, a weapon with a normal damage
of 1d6+1 now deals 1d6 damage, a weapon with a normal
damage of 2d8 now deals 2d6 damage, and so on. This
change does not negate any magical bonuses the weapon
may have. For example, a +1 katana that normally deals
1d10+1 damage now deals 1d8+1 damage.
A weapon can be repaired at a cost of 1/4 of its purchase
price.

Plus to Hardness
Weapon group Hardness from every
Masterwork plus
Short swords 15 +3
Long swords 15 +5
Axes and Maces 8 +2
Spears 6 +2
Bows 2 +1
Crossbows and
8 +2
Firearms
Wooden shields 10 +3
Metal shields 15 +5
* – When it comes to axes, maces, and spears, it is considered
that some parts of the weapon are made of wood, bone,
or some other easily breakable material. However, if the
weapon is entirely made of metal, then the Hardness of
these weapons is 15, which is further increased by +5 for
each subsequent masterwork plus.

106
Different Combat Situations
Fighting on Horseback
While a character can only move or attack during their
Actions, being on horseback during battle allows for both.
A mounted fighter can move at the full Movement Speed of
their steed and make a Full Attack against anyone who gets
in their way.
All individuals who possess a ranged weapon or anyone
who a rider passes by have the opportunity to use their
Reaction to attack the rider or their steed.
If the rider uses their Reaction to avoid an Attack, they
instead of Reflexes make a Riding check.
Horse Parrying
When an Attack targets the rider’s mount, they must make
a Ride check with a -4 penalty to avoid it. The horse does
not have an individual Parrying ability, as its movement
is controlled by the rider. If the rider has a long shield, its
Parrying bonus is added to the horse’s parrying roll (Ride
check).
Charge and Breaking the Charge
Charge is a manoeuvre of horseback attack that takes a full
round and has two benefits:
1. When charging, the Weapon Damage caused by the
spear or other suitable weapon is doubled.
2. When charging, the rider can force the mount to ride
over people who get in their way, causing them Damage
as well.
When a character uses their Action to Charge, it takes a full
round and they cannot use their Reaction during that
round unless they have already used it.
The charger’s horse moves quickly and nearly straight
across the battlefield, and the charger can attempt to jump
over obstacles such as rocks and fences with a Ride check.
If the horse cannot jump over an obstacle, it will stop and
the charge will fail. Refer to the Skills chapter for more
information on Riding. Only warhorses trained to not fear
the enemy can perform a Charge, but a beastmaster who
speaks the language of horses can make a riding horse or
other suitable riding animal Charge. To make a Charge, there
must be enough room to gather speed, and the horse must
move at least half of its Movement Speed before the final
Attack.
If a character charges an opponent on horseback using
a spear or spear-like weapon, the Weapon Damage is
doubled. Bonuses added from Body are added only once.
The same doubling rule applies to Breaking a Charge, which
is a Reaction that can only be done with a spear or spear-like
weapon. Weapon Damage from this Attack is also doubled.
If a successful charge is made, there is a chance that the spear
will break, as there is when Breaking a Charge. Weapons
break if the damage caused by them is greater than 20 or 30,
see the Equipment chapter for more details.
A Charge always consists of only one Attack, even if the
character would have had multiple attacks otherwise.
Breaking a Charge is a Reaction that allows the character
to use their Action for something else. If the rider’s charge
is successfully intercepted, they must make a Ride check
against the Total Damage (i.e. before subtracting any DR) or
fall off their horse.
If the character being charged does not have a pike or other
reach weapon to Break the Charge, they have two options:
1. Use their Reaction to Avoid a Melee Weapon Attack (if
they are not otherwise engaged in melee combat)
2. Accept the Attack against them.
Individuals standing next to the target who are not involved
in hand-to-hand combat can use their Reactions to Jump in
front of the Attack if they so choose.
If the charging horse runs over someone (i.e. the person is in
the path of the moving horse), it deals 2d6 Damage. To avoid
this, the person in the horse’s path can use their Reaction to
Avoid a Melee Weapon Attack by jumping out of the way.
They must make a Reflexes or Stealth Skills check against
the rider’s Ride check. If the person has already used their
Reaction, they automatically take the Damage. However, the
charger cannot abuse this ability to trample over as many
people as possible by charging in a zigzag pattern across the
battlefield.
Anyone standing beside the charger’s path can use an Attack
of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against them.
Anyone who is not engaged in melee combat and has a
ranged weapon can use an Attack of Opportunity with a
Ranged Weapon against the charger.
Mounted Archery
Shooting from horseback with any ranged weapon is always
done with a penalty unless the Mounted Archery ability has
been taken.
There is no penalty for shooting from a standing horse.
When shooting from a horse that is moving, there is a penalty
of -4 to the Attack rolls.
If the rider tries to shoot behind them while also moving, an
additional penalty of -4 is added to the Attack rolls.
Combat 107
 Fighting in the Darkness Fighting with Throwing and
When fighting in complete darkness, all rolls for Reflexes, Ranged Weapons
Parrying, and Attack have a penalty of -6. In dim light (such
as a night in the forest), the penalty is -4. Ranged attacks are Cover
particularly difficult in darkness – in complete darkness, they
have a penalty of -18 (only a stroke of luck can help), and in Walls, trenches, fortress walls, and anything similar provide
dim light, the penalty is -12. cover to their users. The cover is added to the Parrying roll
of those behind it if they are actively engaged in Attacking
A person with the ability Blind Fighting benefits greatly from from behind the cover, peeking out, or doing something
such a situation, as the penalties are halved for them. similar that makes them part of the battle. If a person is on a
A person who is blind in one eye or wearing sunglasses has ship, deep in their cabin, and the windows are closed, they
a penalty of -2 on Perception rolls and on Attack rolls with cannot be shot at.
bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons. All buildings provide as much Parrying bonus as they provide
Wearing sunglasses in dim light is considered complete to companies’ Defence rolls in large battles.
darkness, so the penalties are greater.
Type of building Cover
After Tripping Palisade, bastions, ordinary
wooden and stone houses, +5
If a fighter falls prone, all their Parrying, Reflexes, and trenches, ships
Attack rolls against standing opponents have a penalty of
Small tower, fortified
-4. Getting up safely takes a whole Action, and getting up
house, stone walls, +10
quickly preserves the character’s Action, but gives their
merchant houses, palazzos
surrounding opponents an Attack of Opportunity with a
Melee Weapon. Tower, large fortified
house, North-Thefnan +15
If both sides in the fight are lying down or somehow on top tower castle, gate tower
of each other, it is pointless to calculate penalties because
both are in an equal position. Cannon tower, bastion
+20
with tunnels
Jumping behind a tree or rock does not offer cover, but it can
make the Attack impossible. See this under Reactions.

Shooting Ranges
Bows, crossbows, and firearms have three shooting ranges:
1. The weapon’s optimal range, marked in the weapon’s
characteristics as Range.
2. The weapon’s medium range (Optimal range x2), within
which an Attack roll is made at -6 penalty.
3. The weapon’s maximum range (Optimal range x3),
within which an Attack roll is made at -12 penalty.
Throwing weapons have two throwing distances:
1. The weapon’s optimal throwing distance, marked in the
weapon’s characteristics as Range.
2. The weapon’s maximum throwing distance (Optimal
distance x2), within which an Attack roll is made at -6
penalty.
For example, a bow with an optimal range of 45 meters is
capable of shooting up to 135 meters. After 45 meters, the
attack roll is with -6 penalty, and after 90 meters, the Attack
roll is with -12 penalty.
Remember that after the optimal shooting range,
firearms and crossbows lose their Piercing property.

108
Morale
Most people and other living beings do not want to die.
Many do not even want to be injured and would actually
prefer to avoid any kind of fighting. Fighting to the last drop
of blood is not usually characteristic of humans or animals.
When playing out fights, the GM should take into account
that most living creatures will try to escape the fight or
surrender when the scales start tipping against them. The
goal of predators is to get food, not to die, while the goal of
bandits is to get loot, etc.
If the GM wants to leave this decision to chance, they can use
Morale rules. Morale rules only apply to NPCs. PCs only roll for
Morale when their Soul HP and Soul attribute reach zero, or
when some creature’s magical ability causes a Morale check.
Otherwise, players never roll for their character’s morale and
decide for themselves when it makes sense to flee or not.
However, NPCs fighting on the same side as the players, roll
for Morale on the same basis as other NPCs.
Morale check is a Willpower roll against a specific Difficulty
Level, which depends on the situation. Animals, who do not
have a Soul attribute, simply roll a d20 for Morale.
An NPC’s morale and when they need to roll for morale is
characterized by one of four words.
Craven
Most animals and most people who are not professional
combatants are cowardly in terms of battle morale. They do
not really want to fight or get hurt. A cowardly creature will
only attack someone in the most critical situation or when
they are completely sure of their victory.
Craven creatures roll for morale immediately when attacked.
Regular
Regular morale is typical for most NPCs that PCs encounter
in combat: most predators, soldiers, bandits, etc. NPCs with
regular morale prefer to attack weaker opponents but are
also willing to face stronger opponents. However, they will
try to retreat or flee from the battlefield if they are badly
injured or if the tide of the battle starts turning against them.
Brave
Brave represents various special warrior cultures, heroic
kensais, samurai bodyguards of high nobles, etc. In the
animal kingdom, this group includes all sorts of insects that
simply do not understand when the fight is over. NPCs with
brave morale may fight to the last drop of blood without
rolling for morale because of honour, loyalty, or other
reasons. However, this does not mean that the GM cannot
say that they flee if it seems more reasonable.
An NPC with brave morale must roll for morale only when
they are the only one left of all their companions.
Fearless
Some creatures from the Otherworld are fearless, as well
some undead. NPCs with fearless Morale never check for
Morale.
Morale
Reason for Morale check (who rolls)
check DL
The creature is being attacked
10
(Craven)
NPC has lost half of their hit points
10
(Craven, Regular)
The leader of the NPC group has been killed,
captured etc.
10
(Craven, Regular)
Even before the battle, it is clear that the
opposing side is significantly stronger. For
example, there are several times more of 15
them.
(Craven, Regular)
The odds are against the NPCs. Half of the
NPCs are severely wounded (unconscious),
dead, or have fled. 15
(Craven, Regular)
NPCs are facing unknown creatures that they
have no skills or weapons to fight against.
For example, creatures from the Otherworld 15
and no one has silver weapons.
(Craven, Regular, Brave)
The battle is essentially over. The wounded
NPC is the last one standing. 15
(Craven, Regular, Brave)
If the morale check fails, the NPCs first try to retreat, then
flee, and if that is not possible, negotiate and surrender (to
surrender themselves as prisoners).
The failure of a morale check does not mean that the
character is unable to defend themselves or attack someone.
If an NPC’s morale check fails and they flee, but they are
pursued or attacked again, they may return to combat
according to the GM’s instructions as their initial plan to get
out of the fight did not work.
In one combat encounter, an NPC can make multiple Morale
checks. For example, a Craven NPC makes a Morale check
at the beginning of the combat against a Difficulty Level of
10, when they have lost half of their hit points, they make
another Morale check against a DL of 10, and if the whole
battle turns against them, they make another Morale check
against a DL of 15. However, they only have to make one
Morale check against the same condition.
Combat 109
 CHASE RULES
During a conflict, characters may need to chase someone,
be chased, or flee from battle, and in such cases, different
rules apply than in regular combat. The chase rules assume
that the chase takes place in an environment that offers
various escape possibilities, such as city streets, forests, or
mountains, rather than a smooth and clear football field.
The person being chased during a chase needs to collect five
otherwise meaningless Escape Points to escape. The chase
ends when the person being chased collects the necessary
5 points, the pursuer gives up the chase, or the Chase Points
reach negative values, indicating that the person being
chased is caught, and hand-to-hand combat begins.
The Start and Participants of
the Chase
The chase begins when one party decides to flee the conflict,
and someone decides to start chasing them. If the escape
begins from close combat, the pursuers may be able to
attack the escapees at the beginning of the chase according
to the rules of combat, including the possibility of an Attack
of Opportunity against a fleeing person. Once the chase
rules take effect, the turn order is reset.
During the chase episode, the escapees always start the
turn and the pursuers react to the escapees’ decisions. If the
pursuers decide to shoot the escapees, the escapees may
reconsider their previous decision.
The chase can take place individually or in a group, depending
on the decision made at the beginning of the chase. If the
chase takes place in a group, the group functions as one
organism, and if individually, each person being chased must
also have an individual pursuer. During the chase, characters
may also separate from the group, but if no one is chasing
a separated character separately, they automatically collect
Escape Points until they get five points.
During the chase, various skill checks are made, and only
one group member throws the skill check. Depending on
the situation, this can be the character with the best or worst
Skill Level in the group. For example, the person with the worst
Athletics Skill Level throws if they try to climb onto the roof of
a building, while the person with the highest Riding skill level
throws if a carriage is used for escape.
If the skill check fails, the rest of the group may decide to
separate from the weakest link and leave them behind. In
that case, their skill check is thrown again, assuming they are
still being chased.
110
Collecting and Losing Escape
Points
The first Escape Points are earned at the beginning of the
chase, where escapees compare their Movement Speed
to that of the pursuers. If their speed is higher, they earn
an Escape Point. However, if speeds are equal or lower, no
points are lost. It’s important to note that escapees cannot
lose points, as this would make escape impossible. In group
settings, the Movement Speeds of the weakest links are
taken into account.
The second Escape Point can be obtained if the Game Master
deems the escapees to be far enough away from the pursuers
at the beginning of the chase. For example, if the escapees are
on a rooftop tens of meters away, while the pursuers are still on
the street.
No further points can be earned before the chase begins.
During the episode, escapees can perform various
manoeuvres, such as using Stealth Skills or Athletics to
navigate through the forest, or Riding to escape on horses.
The effectiveness of these manoeuvres is measured by a skill
check, which the pursuers counter with their own opposed
skill throws. If the escapees score higher, they earn an Escape
Point. Conversely, if the pursuers score higher, the escapees
lose one point. If the scores are equal, the escapees earn one
point.
There are no restrictions on how the escapees decide to
escape; it is a role-playing decision that depends on the
atmosphere. Each manoeuvre can be different. Most likely,
however, the majority of escape checks are either Athletics,
Riding or Stealth Skills checks, countered by Athletics,
Perception or Wilderness Skills checks. Escapees can use
their creativity to think of different ways to use other skills to
evade their pursuers.
During the chase, both sides have the option to make ranged
attacks. However, the Game Master may impose penalties or
restrictions on attacking if one side is hidden or too far away
from the usual range.
If the escapees choose to attack their pursuers with ranged
weapons, there are three possible outcomes:
1. If the pursuers opt to defend themselves conventionally,
they roll for Parrying, and a normal Attack occurs without
any change to the escape point score.
2. On the other hand, if the pursuers recklessly move closer
to the escapees without trying to defend themselves,
they make a Reflex check, making them easier to hit, but
the escapees lose one Escape Point.
3. Finally, if the pursuers decide to hide behind something
to avoid the Attack, no Attack rolls are made (but
bullets or arrows are used and lost), and the escapees
get one Escape Point, allowing them to move forward
undisturbed.
If the pursuers want to attack the escapees with ranged
weapons, the pursued can reconsider their earlier decision.
There are three possibilities:
1. The escapees decide to defend themselves by making
Parrying rolls. A normal Attack occurs, and the score of
the Escape Points does not change.
2. The escapees decide not to defend themselves but
instead use Reflexes to move actively away from the
pursuers. They are easier to hit, but they automatically
gain one Escape Point.
3. The escapees decide to hide behind something to avoid
the Attack. Although the pursuers shoot at them, no
Attack rolls are made (but bullets or arrows are used and
lost). This allows the pursuers to catch up to the escapees
undisturbed, and the escapees lose one Escape Point.
If the Escape Points reach five, it means the escapees have
successfully escaped and are out of sight or perception
range of the pursuers. The pursuers can still continue to
pursue them, track them, etc., but this is a separate episode.
If the escape points fall into the negatives, the escapees are
caught, and hand-to-hand combat begins.

Loading Firearms During the Chase

Since only ranged weapons can be used during the chase,
and loading some of them takes one combat round (10
seconds) according to the combat rules, the question arises
whether firearms and crossbows can be loaded during the
chase? It depends. As mentioned, the chase episode turn
has a narrative length ranging from one combat round to
several or even dozens of minutes. This decision is up to the
GM depending on the nature of the chase.

Chase Rules 111

 SOCIAL RULES
Persuasion
When a character attempts to persuade an NPC to do
something for them, change their opinion on a certain
matter, or obtain information from them, the Game Master
(GM) must first determine whether the NPC agrees or not. If
the NPC agrees, there is no need for any rolls.
Some characters may categorically disagree with PCs,
especially if what is being asked is extremely detrimental to
them. In such cases, there is also no need for any rolls; the
NPCs cannot be persuaded.
However, if it is theoretically possible to persuade the NPC,
the GM must decide why they are currently not in agreement
with the PCs or at least vaguely determine the number of
reasons they have for disagreeing.
The NPC may have one to five reasons for disagreement,
and each reason has a Difficulty Level (DL) ranging from 10
to 30. The GM has the option to communicate these reasons
to the PCs through the NPC’s words, but it is not mandatory.
The GM can either precisely define each reason and assign
different DLs to them or keep them loosely defined and only
provide DLs when asking the PCs to roll. For example, the GM
may ask the PCs to roll three times against a DL of 20 or against
DLs of 10, 15, and 20.
The NPC agrees with the PCs when all the reasons for
disagreement have been eliminated.
The reasons do not have to be very complex; a simple
reason like “don’t feel like it” can be a valid one for the NPC
to refuse to do something for the PCs. Similarly, “does not
trust you” or similar reasons are acceptable. Some reasons
can be overcome by offering money or resolving the issue
causing the refusal. For example, if a samurai says they can’t
accompany the characters to the city court because no
one would take care of their children, offering babysitting
services would solve the problem without any need for
rolling.
112
Examples of Reasons DL
Can't be bothered; not in the mood today; I won't
10
gain anything from it.
I don't like you; fulfilling your request would
require breaking a promise; I'm not allowed to do 15
it; I'm afraid.
I will suffer clear financial or other types of harm; I
have to compromise my principles; it goes against 20
my nature.
I'm afraid for my life; I'm afraid for the lives of my
loved ones; fulfilling your request would require 25
breaking my samurai oath.
I have a very compelling reason to refuse your
request, and this reason is confirmed (for example,
it's not just fear for my life, but I precisely know
30
how my life will be endangered); I know that
fulfilling your request will certainly lead me to
stand trial and be found guilty.
NPCs can be persuaded using a variety of skills by the PCs.
The GM provides numbers against which the PCs must
roll. The PCs come up with arguments they use and roll
the relevant skill against the assigned Difficulty Level (DL).
Depending on the strength or logic of the argument, the GM
may adjust the DL accordingly. The PCs must come up with
a clear argument; they can’t simply say they roll Theology
against 20.
To persuade an NPC, Social Skills can always be used. Using
specific skills like Theology, History, Music, or other skills
requires a corresponding argument that takes into account
the relevant skill. The argument must be logical in the
context of the conversation, and if the GM has devised clear
reasons, the argument should directly address the refutation
of one of these reasons.
On failure of a roll, the DL for all remaining rolls increases
by 5.
The same argument cannot be used multiple times, but the
same skill can be used if the argument differs sufficiently
from the previous one.
Persuasion is not limited to a single dialogue. PCs can take
turns attempting to persuade a single NPC or an entire group
of NPCs on a particular matter.
Example The final PC decides to take a different approach. They inquire
about who the NPCs are. The GM says they are merchants.
The PCs know that rumours about Mist druids are circulating
The PC decides to steer the conversation towards trade, price
in the city; some believe they are poisoning people’s drinks
fluctuations, and pirates. Although trust issues are usually
(maybe even the entire city’s water supply), conducting pirate
resolved with Social Skill rolls, allowing an Mathematics and
operations from the city, and they are suspected of being
Economy roll in this situation seems logical to the GM. The PC
involved in anything bad happening in the city.
must roll Economics against 25.
The PCs overhear a conversation about Mist druid agents in a
If the roll is successful, the NPCs believe in the connection
hotel lobby and decide to turn the situation to their advantage.
between the patrician clan and the Mist druids and may
They want people to start suspecting their rival patrician clan’s
spread the rumour further. If not, the PCs can try to persuade
involvement with the Mist druids.
the merchants further, but the next roll would be against a
The PCs inform the GM of their plan and join the conversation. Difficulty Level of 30, making it quite difficult.
The GM analyses the situation but doesn’t know exactly what
the PCs might say. However, the GM perceives the danger that
success might pose to the clan and believes that creating a
new rumour is not as easy as refuting accusations against
themselves. Therefore, the GM says that the PCs need to make
three rolls against a Difficulty Level of 20.
The first PC decides to lie about the patrician clan’s history,
claiming that the clan leader’s grandfather was known to be a
Mist druid. The GM decides it’s a moderately plausible lie and
doesn’t raise or lower the Difficulty Level. The PC could roll
Social Skills against 20, but since they have a higher History skill
and the lie involves history, they decide to roll History. The roll is
successful, and the GM informs the PCs that the group falls into
thoughtful silence, deeply pondering the information shared.
The second PC decides to tell a true story about how the clan
used Mist to their advantage in battles against the PCs. Since the
PC witnessed it firsthand, the GM lowers the Difficulty Level to
15. Since fog manipulation in battle is clearly related to tactics,
the PC could roll their Tactics skill, but since their Social Skills are
higher, they decide to roll those. The roll is successful, and the
GM says that the NPCs are almost convinced. However, the GM
also thinks that the PCs look suspicious and behave somewhat
strangely. The GM tells them that the last roll against a Difficulty
Level of 20 is related to the NPCs not fully trusting them.
The PC should no longer bother with devising clan history,
financial status, or any other related reasons or falsehoods.
Instead, the focus should be on gaining the trust of the listeners.
The third PC decides to resolve the situation with a bribe and
offers all listeners small amounts of silver coins as a gift. The
GM finds the size of the gift reasonable but not enough to
automatically remove the question of trust. The PC must roll
Social Skills against 20. The roll fails, and the GM says that the
listeners feel offended and start to doubt the PCs’ words. The
situation can still be salvaged, but the next roll would be against
a Difficulty Level of 25, making it more challenging.

Social Rules 113

 SORCERY MODULE

Sorcery module includes everything related to sorcery, Separate from the schools of magic, there is a skill called
Otherworld and gods. Channelling, which allows channelling the abilities of
deities with whom a pact has been made. Since deities are
Sorcery is subtle in SAKE and does not affect the physical
significantly more powerful than humans and can influence
world visibly. Sorcery makes it possible to communicate
the physical world to some extent, those who have made a
with animals, heal, bring others back from the dead, leave
pact with them can purchase spells that, to a limited extent,
one’s body as a soul, travel to the Otherworld, create magical
grant them control over the physical world in a manner
objects and subjugate the will. These are powerful abilities
similar to the deity. For instance, a person who has made
yet not visible to the naked eye when travelling around the
a pact with a wind deity can acquire a spell that grants
world of SAKE. GM can make the world appear relatively
them control over the direction and strength of the wind,
magic-free if they wish even if it isn’t actually so. SAKE can
or someone who has formed a pact with an oni deity can
also be enjoyed when leaving sorcery out of the game
obtain an ability that accelerates their healing, much like an
entirely.
oni’s own rapid recovery.
Sorcery can however be found everywhere in SAKE if the
To buy spells from any school of magic requires the PC to
players wish to dive into it:
learn them from a teacher or a book. To acquire a godly
• The most feared assassins in Asteanic society are the spell requires the PC to enter into a pact with a god that
azure assassins – sorcerers who depart from their bodies offers knowledge on said spell. Both instances may require
in soul form to kill their victim’s soul. Such mages can be additional knowledge in another spell or a high enough Skill
found in the service of most Asteanic rulers. Level.
• Psychics who can subjugate the will of others by looking
into their eyes have heavily popularised the use of
sunglasses in higher castes.
• Nature gods have a direct effect on a domain’s everyday
life which creates a dilemma for chancellors and leaders,
they can either try and earn the favour of these gods or
try and get rid of them in some way. Pissing off a nature
god can evoke a ravaging plague or a destructive natural
catastrophe.
• The world of SAKE is full of different Otherworlds whose
odd entities and rules affect the cultures and religions of
the human world.
From a game-play perspective, sorcery is divided into
schools of magic, which are skills that players must purchase
separately. Until they are purchased, these skills are not even
listed on the Character Sheet. Therefore, for a person who
has not learned them, magic remains entirely inaccessible.
Owning a magical skill does not do anything on it’s own,
meaning a player can’t just roll Restoration, they have to use
a spell and spend Spellpoints (equivalent to Willpower +
any Spellpoints received when learning new spells) as well
as roll against marked Difficulty Level which is spell specific.
Spells are functionally similar to abilities, as they have
certain requirements and enable specific magical actions.
With available free Spellpoints, spells can always be used.

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When players or the Game Master feel the desire to create
new spells or branches of magic, or when the question
arises about what is possible in the human world or the
Otherworld, all magic and the Otherworld adhere to eight
fundamental principles:
1. The world is made up of two sides of
a coin: the human world and the Otherworld.
The Otherworld, in turn, can be multi-layered. The
human world is always single-layered, meaning there is
no parallel dimension of the human world. It is possible
to travel between realms as a spirit departing from the
body or, by finding a gateway, in physical form.
2. All beings have a Body and/or
a Soul (or Presence instead of both).
Animals only have a Body, and they lack the attributes
of Soul and Intellect. Otherworldlings only have a Soul
or Presence, but they lack the attribute of Body.
Humans are unique in that they possess both a Body
and a Soul. Most magic requires Soul attribute, meaning
that most magic can only be practiced by humans or
Otherworldlings. Beastmastery and Channeling are
classified under Instinct and thus can also be bought
and performed by animals. However, this doesn’t mean
that foxes and bears roaming the forests are skilled
priests. Animals also include cultured creatures like
Frostmen and Frogfolk, beings with a culture governed
by instincts, which may involve controlling other animals
or worshipping certain deities.
3. A humans Soul makes up their personality,
knowledge and skills, most Sorcery is tied
to controlling the Soul of oneself or another.
Souls carry energy that is used to perform spells. Giving
a piece of a Soul to an object makes it magical. A Soul
can leave a persons Body and travel into the Otherworld
or attack another’s Soul leaving their Body untouched.
A Psychic can establish a connection between their soul
and another person’s soul, thus influencing the other
person’s will.
4. Soul also expresses itself as physical energy.
This makes it possible for healers to restore their own as
well as other’s HP. A Soulcrafter can use this principle to
make their soul power into actual electricity.
5. Manipulating soul energy is dangerous
because soul carries a person’s personality.
This could cause madness and change in personality.
A failed attempt at manipulation of magical energy
(rolling 0 or less) could cause loss of Soul Health Points
(Soul HP) or worse.
6. Beastmastery and Channeling does not manipulate
Soul energy and does not come with dangers
associated with manipulating soul energy.
Channeling and Beastmastery do not cause madnesses
but rolling 0 or less while channeling a gods energy
can still cause disastrous consequences. Rolling
Beastmastery 0 does not do any harm.
7. Human world is not physically affected
by magic in most instances.
Magic is hard to notice with naked eye although
healing spells can be used to affect the physical world
such as making a would heal faster. Magical objects
look like regular items and most sorcery is invisible.
Only some priests who have entered
pacts with nature gods can make it rain
but it’s difficult to associate it with magic.
It’s hard to associate a drought with a gods wrath and
pinpoint where a god’s intervention begins or ends
even though nature gods can have a direct impact on
physical world (Refer to Domain rules).
8. Otherworld is home to all sorts of Otherworldlings
and souls of deceased. Some of whom can alter the
Otherworld to their liking through their will.
These creatures can come up with new types of nature,
items, animals etc. Most do not know they have the power
to create such change and do it subconsciously. Most
Souls tend to keep on existing in a way typical to their
archetype when they were alive. Farmers till the field,
hunters hunt. The fields and animals which they interact
with are created by themselves. These subconsciously
created animals are entirely real in the Otherworld, so a
tiger imagined by a ancestor spirit may attack and harm
a PC who has travelled there. However, the ancestor
doesn’t control the tiger; in fact, they can’t even decide
whether they want the tiger to hinder their hunting or
not. Such subconsciously created entities arise from
the experiences of the soul during their lifetime.
The Otherworld is thus constantly in a state of
evolution and change as new people die and
create an atmosphere and surroundings which
they are familiar with. These changes are also
made by other creatures of the Otherworld.
Some powerful creatures of the Otherworld such as
gods can consciously manipulate the Otherworld. These
types of beings are practically invincible in their part of
the Otherworld.
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 THE OTHERWORLD & SOUL
Description & Geography
The Otherworld is made up of different pockets. This means
that the Otherworld isn’t just a single otherworldly realm
that directly parallels the human world, but it consists of
countless pockets that run parallel to the human world.
These pockets can be tiny such as a valley between two
mountains or a singular cave. They can also be infinite like an
infinite desert or ocean. All Otherworld pockets have or have
had a high ruler. These rulers have created and modified
the area to fit their personal needs. These rulers and gods
are allknowing in their pockets of Otherworld and almost
invincible as they are able to change the geography within
their pocket of the Otherworld.
Several pockets within the Otherworld can also exist in
parallel to each other. This complexity adds a significant
challenge to deliberately entering the Otherworld, especially
when the aim is to reach a specific pocket within it. Typically,
there is a specific geographical point in the physical world
associated with each pocket, which serves as an entryway
to that particular pocket in the Otherworld. These locations
are often regarded as sacred sites, especially if a deity locally
revered resides on the other side.
Exiting the Otherworld at a random location is inherently
even more perilous. This is because the distance covered
in the Otherworld may not necessarily equate to the same
distance in the human world. In other words, traversing 1 km
in the Otherworld may, or may not, correspond to 100 km
in the human world. Similarly, returning to the Otherworld
at the same spot doesn’t guarantee re-entering the same
pocket of the Otherworld from which one initially exited.
GMs can use the Otherworld as a supernatural labyrinth
to take adventurers to faraway lands or wherever the GM
wishes. GMs should be careful with this logic as creating an
easy & quick route from A to B in the human world through
the Otherworld poses a question of why the human world’s
merchants or other travellers do not use the much more
simple route.
There are certain points between the human world and the
Otherworld where one can physically enter the Otherworld.
These are called Gates of the Otherworld and they are highly
significant locations. These points may exist consistently or
might activate only during specific times, such as during a
full moon or once a year on the anniversary of a particular
event.
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The Passage of Time
Time in the Otherworld operates differently from time in
the human world, just as space in the Otherworld doesn’t
correspond to space in the human world. Time can move at
a slower pace in the Otherworld, but it doesn’t always have
to. For instance, a year spent in the Otherworld might equate
to only a week in the human world. It’s not advisable to
accelerate time in the Otherworld beyond that of the human
world, as this could inadvertently lead to years or even
centuries passing in the human world during gameplay.
Dividing the day into morning, noon, and night is impractical
in the Otherworld. Some parts of the Otherworld might
follow this division, while other areas could exist in a
perpetual state of night or morning. There might also be
regions where these time periods shift unusually quickly or
slowly. GM can dictate that killing a leader of a specific area
in the Otherworld makes the sun set for ever or vice versa,
there are no rules for this.
The Otherworld as the Realm of
the Deceased
When a person dies, there are two possibilities: their soul
either enters the Otherworld and continues to wander and
live there, or it moves on to the true land of the deceased
– the unknown. The majority of souls simply pass through
the Otherworld, moving into the unknown, and very few
become trapped there. Over millennia, however, these
few have accumulated in the Otherworld, resulting in a
substantial number.
The reasons why some souls move on while others remain
trapped in the Otherworld are subjects of theological
debates.
In general, the pockets of the Otherworld inhabited by
human souls are peaceful places. Ancestral spirits exist in
a routine, engaged in an activity they were most involved
with during life. For example, ancestors who were farmers
tend to till fields and care for animals. These pockets of the
Otherworld can closely resemble the real world. Players
may spend a considerable amount of time there before
realizing they are not in the real world. The initial hint often
comes from the historic appearance of their surroundings.
The architecture is ancient, firearms and iron might not be
present, and clothing and tools are antiquated.
When interacting with these routine-bound ancestral spirits,
it becomes evident that they embody specific archetypes. All
tenant farmers of Asteanic culture are somewhat similar in
demeanour and speech. This observation applies to Asteanic
samurai and others as well. Ancestors lack personal traits;
they only express certain archetypes.
However, where do all the houses, animals, and fields come
from? Ancestors subconsciously influence the atmosphere
within their pockets of the Otherworld. Everything around
them is a product of their imagination. When a new ancestor
emerges, they instantly conjure a house and domesticated
animals. Importantly, ancestors do this subconsciously and
lack conscious control over the Otherworld’s elements.
Furthermore, there are wanderers in the Otherworld known
as “spectators.” These spectating souls are anonymous,
ageless, and genderless. They cannot be interacted with.
They roam the pockets of the Otherworld aimlessly and
generally do not react to anything. Ancestral spirits do
not acknowledge their existence, almost as if they cannot
see each other. However, spectators do notice those who
traverse the Otherworld and gaze at them when they catch
their eye.
Both ancestral spirits and spectators are usually harmless
to visitors of the Otherworld. They only become hostile if
aggressed against or if their routines are disrupted in some
way.

Otherworld as the Realm of

Otherworldlings
Most of the inhabitants of the Otherworld dwell within
existing pockets and are unable to create new ones.
Similar to ancestral spirits, these Otherworldlings possess
a subconscious ability to shape their surroundings to
their liking. However, just like the ancestors, they cannot
consciously use this power against travellers in the
Otherworld.
The nature of the pocket where an Otherworldling resides
depends on the type of creature. Nymphs and fauns inhabit
areas of breathtaking natural beauty. Entities associated with
death may reside in eternal darkness or amidst decaying
and lifeless landscapes. A phoenix might dwell in a place
engulfed in flames. Certain Otherworldlings, like blue onis
and gorgons, might inhabit pockets that resemble man-
made castles or caves.
The Otherworld inhabitants are mostly solitary beings who
don’t actively seek interaction with deceased souls or astral
travellers. However, some creatures might start to follow
living visitors in an attempt to enter the world of the living.
Those Otherworld creatures capable of creating their own
pockets are immensely powerful, akin to lesser deities. Such
entities are already central to an adventure, and stumbling
into the pockets they’ve crafted is ill-advised. Within these
pockets, they possess the ability to see, hear, and manipulate
the geography at will. Additionally, they can consciously
conjure new inhabitants for their pockets, making them
nearly invincible adversaries in their own domains.

The Otherworld & Soul 117

 Travelling & Adventuring in
the Otherworld
Entering the Otherworld
The most common way to enter the Otherworld is by learning
the basic spells of Astral Projection and then leaving one’s
physical body behind and entering the Otherworld as a soul.
It’s also possible to enter the Otherworld physically, using
a specific Otherworldly gateway that allows such passage.
However, these gateways are extremely rare and often
unreliable. They might only work on specific days or require
fulfilling unique conditions, such as a blood sacrifice of
a particular person or Otherworldling, passage on a full
moon night etc. These gateways can take on various forms,
not necessarily resembling traditional gates. For instance, a
cellar door that usually opens to a stone wall might serve as
a gateway on a specific night. Recognizing these gateways
can be challenging; for example, crossing a river on a full
moon might transport a person to the Otherworld, whereas
nothing unusual happens on regular nights. Game Masters
have creative freedom when designing these gateways.
Regardless of how one enters the Otherworld, the GM
must first decide the type of pocket they are entering. Is it
a large pocket inhabited by the souls of the deceased and/
or Otherworldlings? Does it have a ruler? These decisions are
crucial, and most importantly the GM must also determine
how the characters can exit the pocket.
For those who have entered the Otherworld as souls, leaving
is relatively simple, as they can depart at any time. The only
challenge they might face is if they exit from a different
location than where they entered, they may end up in an
unexpected place in the human world.
However, individuals who have entered the Otherworld in
physical form require a gateway to return. This could pose
a complex problem, as the conditions for opening the
gateway from the human world might not correspond with
the conditions in the Otherworld, or the gateway might not
open at all. They may only be able to move forward to next
Otherworld pocket, not backward.
Entering the Otherworld means placing your character
within the realm of wild creations and unfamiliar rules of
physics, where the usual norms might not hold true.
However, certain aspects are consistent in the Otherworld,
regardless of the specific pocket you find yourself in:
1. In the Otherworld, nobody can turn invisible.
Everything is visible as it truly is. An astral traveller
assumes the appearance of a physical human but
may differ from their real physical body’s appearance,
influenced by their self-perception. It’s possible for a
person’s body to look quite different from their ethereal
form based on their self-perception.
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2. Although there are visible animals in the Otherworld,
they are imaginary. Even though they might taste
good, they won’t satisfy physical hunger. Similarly, while
flowing water can be seen in the Otherworld, it won’t
quench your thirst. Entering the Otherworld physically
is risky because nothing there sustains the body’s
needs. Only the flesh and blood of some Corporeal
Otherworldlings can satiate hunger and thirst.
3. Sacrifices such as food, blood, or humans can reach
the gods in the form of essence. Some Otherworldlings
have a taste for wine, honey or human souls over
their self-created food. However, Otherworldlings
and spirits do not need food to survive; sacrifices
merely offer a gastronomic experience of fine dining.
Humans who have ended up lost in the Otherworld
in their physical forms could potentially survive
by consuming the sacrificed foods, provided they
successfully managed to steal them from the gods.
4. Items which are dreamed up in the Otherworld cannot
be taken out. Characters may find great treasures in
the Otherworld, but if these treasures are not physical
but rather imaginary creations of Otherworld beings or
ancestral souls, they will disappear when leaving the
Otherworld. Determining whether something is real or
imagined can be complex.
5. Nonetheless, there are items in the Otherworld that
can be taken back in physical form. These are magical
items, like those forged by a blue onis, or items that were
brought to the Otherworld in physical form by someone
who previously entered.
6. When entering the Otherworld in physical form,
characters bring along everything they have with
them.
7. To take items to the Otherworld as a soul, specialized
soul items crafted by a soulsmith are necessary.
Additionally, the owner must possess the ability to
carry those items in soul form. If a sorcerer takes a
Soulbleed or Astral armour with them, these items
cannot be destroyed and are inseparable from them in
the Otherworld. If a sorcerer dies with these items in the
Otherworld, the soul fragments within the items remain
trapped, and the items in the human world become
regular weapons and armour.
Adventures in the Otherworld
Adventurers can find themselves in the Otherworld as part
of another ongoing adventure or they can embark on quests
specifically set within the Otherworld, dealing with various
issues unique to that realm. You could even play as different
types of spirits who must defend their realm against local
deities.
The Otherworld can be a destination based on tasks assigned
by gods or the need to establish contact with hidden
Otherworldlings or ancestral spirits.
Alternatively, adventurers might uncover the existence
of a powerful magical artefact hidden deep within the
Otherworld or set out in search of vast treasures, like the
legendary Menes’ treasury, which countless adventurers
have sought in vain.
Chasing after someone could lead adventurers into the
Otherworld. Malevolent entities from the Otherworld
may escape there. There might also be a scenario where a
powerful and malevolent sorcerer has been slain, prompting
the party to venture into the afterlife to eliminate their soul
as well.
Intervention might be necessary when a god is plotting
malevolence within their pocket of the Otherworld.
Another possible adventure could revolve around solving an
Otherworldly mystery, like the enigma of the Mist.
Adventurers could accidentally find themselves in the
Otherworld in physical form, either due to being in the
wrong place at the wrong time or passing through a gateway
accidentally. In such cases, their priority would be to find a
way back to the human world before they succumb to thirst
and hunger. It’s even possible for an entire ship and its crew
to end up in the Otherworld purely by chance.

The Otherworld & Soul 119

 Soul, Combat as a Soul, and
Death
The foundation of all magic and Otherworld-related matters
is the Soul. The Soul is the most essential attribute for a
sorcerer, and when a sorcerer’s Soul leaves their body, it
takes the place of their physical attributes: Body, Speed, and
Precision.
Even if one is not playing as a sorcerer, attributes related to
the Soul, like Willpower, Spell Resistance and Soul HP may
come in handy when encountering Otherworldlings or
situations involving souls and magic.
When a person’s soul departs from their body, their soul
appears as they subconsciously perceive themselves.
Typically, this form slightly differs from their physical state
– possibly a bit younger or without scars. If a person has lost
a limb, their soul usually retains it. The soul is not inherently
invisible but transparent and shimmering. Upon entering the
Otherworld, transparency and shimmering vanish, and the
soul takes on the appearance of a physical entity, albeit with
distinct attributes from those who are physically present in
the Otherworld. While the soul is intangible, Soulbleed and
silver weapons can still harm it easily.
Although the soul is transparent and objects can pass
through it when thrown at, it cannot simply move through
walls. Similar to the body needing to open a door to pass
through, so does the soul. However, a sorcerer who possesses
the skill to enter the Otherworld from anywhere can enter it
and consequently escape from an enclosed space. Therefore,
capturing a soul is exceedingly complex. Only Soulshackles
crafted by a soulsmith prevent such beings from travelling
between the human world and the Otherworld.
Fighting Against a Soul or as a Soul
Inflicting Damage on a soul with a regular weapon is
exceedingly challenging. The soul has a Damage Reduction
of 20 against such attacks, and the traditional concept of
Piercing does not apply here. Piercing gauges a weapon’s
ability to penetrate metal or thick skin, not its capability to
harm ethereal beings.
This DR does not apply against silver weapons or
Soulbleed weapons. Soul gains Magical DR against those
when wearing a specialised armour crafted by a soulsmith.
This astral armour incorporates a fragment of soulsmith’s
soul, which accompanies the wearer into ethereal form as
armour.
An unarmed soul, also lacking the ability to manipulate
physical objects, cannot initiate an attack.
120
If a soul wields a Soulbleed weapon, it can inflict Damage on
another soul, even when confronting a person who remains
in their physical body. This aspect makes combat against
such Azure Warriors extremely dangerous, as humans often
possess fewer Soul Health Points (SHP) than physical Health
Points (HP). In that case, the soul doesn’t deal Damage to
physical HP, which means souls cannot attack animals
since they don’t have Soul HP.
Regular armour is ineffective against Soulbleed weapons.
Only specialized mirror armour or magical Astral armour
provides Magical DR against such Damage.
When a Soulbleed weapon is employed within the physical
body, meaning the weapon’s ethereal form is integrated into
the weapon’s physical shape, then regular armour offers
Damage Reduction against attacks. However, the Damage
affects both the Soul HP and the regular HP.
Attributes & Skills of a Soul
When a Soul exits the body, it uses its Soul attribute for skills
that are usually based on Body, Speed, or Precision Attributes.
This means that a sorcerer with a high Soul Attribute could
theoretically be very skilled in various physical aspects while
in astral form. However, this doesn’t automatically grant the
ability to touch things; that requires a separate Ability.
SORCERER’S STATS IN ASTRAL FORM
HP: Soul Health Points (SHP)
Reflexes: Soul + purchased Reflexes
Parrying: Reflexes + Astral shield + purchased
Parrying points
Movement Calculate using Soul instead of
Speed Speed Attribute and add Purchased
Movement Speed
Attack: Weapon’s skill (Speed or Precision
replaced by Soul + abilities)
Damage: Body replaced by Soul + Abilities +
Soulbleed weapon plusses.
Astral traveller does damage to a person’s Soul HP,
not regular HP. Regular armour has no Damage
Reduction against this Damage.
An unarmed astral traveller can strangle their
opponent if they have the Manipulation of Physical
Objects spell.
A mage without that spell who has no Soulbleed
weapon can do no damage as a Soul.
Damage 20 or Astral Projection skill level (if it’s
Reduction greater) against regular weapons.
(DR):
Magical 0 against Soulbleed or silver weapons
Damage unless wearing astral armour which
Reduction adds 3, 6 or 9 points of MDR.
(MDR):
Loss and Recovery of Soul HP
Losing and regaining Soul HP (SHP) are similar to losing and
regaining regular HP but with some key differences.
Losing SHP is represented in a decline in mental health – PC
becomes more stressed, grows anxious and feels pressured.
When a character’s Soul HP reach 0, further damage affects
their Soul Attribute (similar to regular HP and Body Attribute).
If the Soul Attribute reaches 0 or below, a Willpower
(Morale) check against DL 15 is required.
Failure of the Willpower check indicates the character can no
longer endure the stressful situation and will do whatever it
takes to escape their current situation.
A successful check exempts the character from rolling
Willpower (Morale) for an hour. If, within this time, a way to
restore Soul HP isn’t found and the character encounters
another stressful situation, a new Willpower check occurs.
When astral traveller’s Soul Attribute reaches 0 or below and
they don’t succeed in their Willpower check, they rapidly
move towards their body.
If a character’s Soul drops below -10, the Soul is deceased.
The Soul vanishes completely from the fabric of the world,
as if it never existed. A dead Soul cannot be summoned,
recalled, or interacted with – it ceases to exist.
However, the death of the Soul does not mean the death
of the body. The body remains motionless, its heart beats,
but it’s in a coma. While such a body can be kept alive, it is
essentially pointless as its soul will never return. A vacant
body might attract interest from a possessor spirit.
When a perilous situation that damages the Soul concludes,
the character slowly begins to recover. Soul points and SHP
recover in the same way as Body points and HP.
The recovery of 1 Soul Attribute point takes 4 days minus the
initial Soul Attribute (definitely at least one day). Soul HP also
regenerates during this time.
Soul HP regenerates 1 + initial Soul Attribute points per
day when resting in Body or as an astral traveller within The
Otherworld. If the Soul attribute is lower than 1, then Soul HP
recovers by 1 point per day.
Both the Soul Attribute points as well as Soul HP are
regenerated while inhabiting their body or as an astral
traveller within The Otherworld. Only Dead Souls (ghosts,
ancestors, necromantic creations etc) Soul points and
SHP regenerate out of their body in the human world.
Death and the Aftermath
When playing SAKE, death can encompass three distinct
possibilities. The gravest is the demise of the soul, signifying
its obliteration with no chance of return.
In the event of bodily death, the soul departs the body, and
there are several potential outcomes. To determine what
follows, the character must roll their Willpower.
Upon death (if the deceased possesses Astral Projection skill,
they can attempt that), roll Willpower against a DL of 20.
Rolling below 20 enables the soul to traverse The Otherworld
and move onwards. This process takes around a week or
two, after which the soul becomes unattainable within the
game’s mechanics.
The process can only be halted by resurrection sorcery if a
week hasn’t yet elapsed. A soul progressing through The
Otherworld toward the beyond is invisible, untouchable and
uncontactable. Depending on one’s beliefs, the soul might
join a collective spirit, undergo reincarnation, enter paradise
or something else. This roll can be influenced by correctly
conducted burial rituals. However, in many cultures, proper
burials make the Willpower roll even more challenging,
as staying in The Otherworld as a spirit is undesirable. The
Willpower roll receives as many bonuses or penalties as the
burial officiator’s Theology Skill Level.
Rolling Willpower 20 or more means their soul moves into
The Otherworld and becomes a spectator, ancestral spirit
or individual soul. This may mean that the character’s death
isn’t the end of the character’s journey, but instead the start
of a new adventure – one that revolves around bringing
them back to life, maybe an undead creature.
Spectator
A person becomes a spectator if they roll a Willpower check of
20-29. Spectators are genderless, ageless beings who remain
silent. They roam The Otherworld aimlessly, occasionally
straying into the realm of humans. In the human world,
spectators are always invisible, while in The Otherworld, they
appear visible like everything else.
Once turned into a spectator, the soul quickly forgets its past.
Those versed in The Otherworld suggest that the process
of forgetting varies from a week to a year. Confirmation is
difficult, though, as spectators don’t communicate. Some
believe that spectators lack surface-level thoughts and
follow instincts much like animals.
Spectators who wander purposelessly generally pay no
heed to each other or anyone else; it’s as if they don’t
notice anyone. However, they do sense when they’re being
observed and will fixate their gaze on individuals capable of
seeing them. It’s believed that spectators envy the living.
Summoning spectators is easy for a necromancer, as they are
plentiful everywhere.
The Otherworld & Soul 121
 Ancestral Spirits
Rolling a Willpower check of 30-39 turns a person into
an ancestral spirit. Ancestral spirits are archetypal
representations of their previous lives, embodying the
appearance, behaviour, and knowledge associated with their
past roles, castes, and professions. For instance, an Orenic
hunter’s ancestral spirit will resemble other Orenic hunters.
Ancestral spirits often mentally tie themselves to a
community, caste, clan, location or a historical event such
as a battle that they died in. Ancestors belonging to the
same community or location look similar. Their memory
is impersonal; they don’t recall their specific past lives but
remember their affiliation with clans, castes, families, or
other groups. Those familiar with The Otherworld state
that the transformation of ancestral spirit memory occurs
over a week to a month. A newly formed ancestral spirit
might remember its individuality initially, but as they merge
with other ancestors and fall into a routine, their personal
memories fade, replaced by collective archetypal knowledge.
Ancestral spirits exist acting out routine behaviours in
accordance to their group. Orenic hunters go hunting at the
start of each day, spirits that died in a battle relive the battle
they lost their life in and ancestors who were priests carry
out the same rituals day in and day out.
Ancestral spirits exist mainly in The Otherworld, occasionally
crossing over into the human realm, usually on special
occasions like full moon nights or significant anniversaries.
When ancestral spirits enter the human world, they are
limited to a few kilometres from their burial place or
summoning location. However, they can be summoned from
The Otherworld to any location the summoner desires.
A necromancer can summon an ancestral spirit by calling for
a representative of an archetype or an ancestor belonging to
a specific village or clan.
Summoned ancestral spirits usually hold a friendly attitude
towards the necromancer who called them, especially if the
necromancer is connected to or associated with the group
the spirits belong to. If the necromancer has no connection
to the spirits, they might turn hostile and punish the
necromancer for disrupting their routine.
Ancestors can share knowledge of the history of their
people, listen to the summoner’s troubles and give advice.
GM should note that ancestors have no knowledge of
current events so their advice stems from folk wisdom.
Some ancestral spirits are created as malevolent spirits –
shadows, often due to violent events tied to the archetype
they represent. Occasionally, ancestral spirits can transform
into shadows. While the reasons behind this transformation
can be speculated upon (such as the destruction of the group
they belong to), empirical conclusions are hard to reach.
All ancestral spirits can be categorised into four archetype
groups, regardless of their origin. These archetypes reflect
the predominant ways of life across thousands of years.
As these archetypes have evolved over the entire span of
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human history, they don’t possess contemporary knowledge.
A shaman visiting the realm of ancestral spirits can conduct
a rudimentary form of archaeological and ethnographic
research within their communities. However, this research
is not entirely accurate, as the archetypal ancestral world
doesn’t precisely align with any specific archaeological
period. It’s a confluence – a simplified representation of
humanity’s lengthy history.
When communicating, ancestral spirits utilise the most
prevalent ancient dialect widely spoken in the region.
This could present a difficulty for a mage whose culture
has recently integrated into the area, as they might not
comprehend the archaic language. Even contemporary
ancestral spirits adjust to conversing in the ancient dialect
within a matter of weeks.
Archetypes are as follows:
Hunter-Gatherers: The oldest group of ancestral spirits;
throughout most of history, humans have been hunter-
gatherers.
Farmers: The largest group in human history.
Warriors: The warrior archetype is as ancient as the farmer
archetype. Warrior ancestors include heroes from various
times who have become archetypal ancestors.
Shamans: While shamans, priests, and sorcerers haven’t
been numerous in history, this group typically possesses the
highest Soul Attribute. This means that there are nearly as
many shamanic ancestors in The Otherworld as other types.
Naturally, not everyone fits neatly into these groups;
craftsmen, sailors, and others don’t directly align. In these
cases, the deceased’s spirit joins the group that most
closely resonates with their archetype. For example, a sailor
becomes a hunter-gatherer, while merchants and craftsmen
transform into farmers.
Individual Souls
Rolling Willpower of 40 or higher transforms a person into
an individual soul. These individual souls retain varying
degrees of their past memories and possess a considerable
degree of freedom in their actions. Some individual souls
coexist with ancestral spirits and share many similarities,
but they respond to their own names when summoned and
can converse about their personal history. Those residing
alongside ancestral spirits may respond to a call for the
ancestors as well.
While the memories of individual souls also fade with time,
the most significant ones remain eternally preserved.
Despite the freedom of movement granted to all individual
souls, they often linger around places that hold personal
significance to them.
Some individual spirits evolve into other types of apparitions,
such as energy vampires or possessors. Occasionally, an
individual soul can become a vengeful spirit.
Summoning an individual soul requires knowing their name.
SORCERY
Sorcery is linked to Soul Attribute and the energy carried
within this attribute. Sorcery enables interaction with the
afterlife – The Otherworld, creation of soul-infused objects,
healing, communication with the deceased, resurrection,
and control over others’ psyche.
However sorcery does not allow direct manipulation of
the physical world. The ability to conjure something out of
nothing, move objects through time or space, and similar
feats are beyond the scope of SAKE’s sorcery. In this regard,
the power of SAKE’s sorcery is limited. The game can be
played with players unaware of the existence of sorcery
and The Otherworld, even though they are present. Sorcery
remains invisible and primarily affects the soul.
Playing as a mage in SAKE carries a certain level of danger.
Learning and practising spells may lead to madness, and
several spells require the use of narcotic substances, which
can potentially lead to addiction.
Sorcery is divided into schools of magic. Some of the better-
known ones are Restoration, Necromancy, Beastmastery,
Astral Projection, Soulcraft, and Psychics, all of which are
covered within this book.
In the Asteanic world, practitioners of magic are referred to in
various ways: generally as sorcerers, witches, mages, wizards,
etc.; specific to their branch as healers, necromancers, etc.;
and culturally as bird whisperers, azure warriors or assassins,
and so on. These terms don’t have a mechanical significance
in the game. A person with the abilities of astral projection
and necromancy might be called a necromancer, mage, azure
assassin, shaman, etc. The way they are referred to depends
more on culture, lifestyle, profession, and the attitude of the
one addressing them.
Game Mechanics of Magic
Initially, no character possesses any sorcery skills. To add
these skills to the Character Sheet and acquire the first skill
ranks, the initial spell must be purchased. The prerequisites
for obtaining the first spells are detailed under each school
of magic.
Using sorcery abilities, also known as spells, consumes
Spellpoints. The total pool of a sorcerer’s Spellpoints
depends on their Willpower and the number of spells they
are proficient in.
Spellpoints = Willpower + points obtained from purchasing
spells.
Each time a mage learns a new spell, they permanently gain
as many Spellpoints as the spell’s single-use casting cost.
This cost is usually one or two points.
Within the branches of magic, there are abilities that
permanently enhance certain skills or spells (e.g., Witch
Doctor, which strengthens healing spells). Using these
abilities does not consume Spellpoints and acquiring them
doesn’t increase the mage’s total Spellpoints.
Using a spell consumes Spellpoints according to the amount
specified for that spell. Most spells cost 1 Spellpoint. This
point is expended regardless of whether the spell’s use
succeeds or fails, signifying the mage’s expended energy. All
expended Spellpoints are replenished when the mage gets 8
hours of sleep (unless they possess abilities that shorten the
required rest time).
Although a mage gains Spellpoints when acquiring specific
spells, these points are not specifically tied to those spells. A
mage can utilize Spellpoints at their discretion.
Spells are divided into regular spells and rituals. Casting
regular spells typically takes one combat round. On the other
hand, performing rituals requires a longer period, usually
around 10 minutes. The duration for performing rituals is
usually specified in the ritual’s description.
Learning Sorcery
To learn sorcery, an oral or written source explaining the
specific spell or ritual’s functioning is necessary.
If a mage has oral or written sources for learning a new
branch or spell, they don’t need to roll anything. Meeting
the requirements of a spell means the mage is capable of
mastering it.
Usually, a mage has a teacher to assist them in this process.
In major cities of the Asteanic world, there are high-tuition
magic universities.
When learning abilities from the schools of Astral Projection,
Restoration, Necromancy, Soulcraft, or Psychics, a mage
might acquire a madness, as the abilities of these schools
manipulate the soul and can potentially harm the mage’s
personality.
With each new ability learned (purchased), the mage must
roll their Willpower against the highest skill requirement of
that spell. For instance, the Invisibility spell requires an Astral
Projection skill level of at least +12. This means the mage must
roll 12 or higher on their Willpower to ensure the well-being of
their soul. If the roll fails, the mage acquires a madness. The
specific madness is determined collaboratively by the player
and the GM.
Spellbooks to learn Spells
Books on sorcery can not be found in regular bookshops.
These books are handwritten and seldom printed making
them valuable to their owners. Laws often govern the
spread of such books and often require a sorcerer to have a
designated teacher or belong to an organisation.
Sorcery 123
 % Result
Spellbooks can sometimes be found in black markets. The
cost of such books must be calculated individually. To do so Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
1-30%
add up the requirements of magic skill of each spell and then in a loss of 2d6 Soul HP.
multiply them by 5 to 30. This amounts to the price in GD. Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
31-40% in physical exhaustion. Mage is now tired and
Requirements Price -4 penalty applies to all rolls until they rest.
School of Magic
Multiplier Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
41-50%
Beastmastery 5 in a loss of 3d6 Soul HP.
Restoration 5 Mage accidentally summons a dead soul. Roll
Soulcrafting 10 d100% to determine who appears:
1-25% aggravated spectator
Astral Projection 20
26-50% aggravated ancestral spirit
Necromancy 20 51-60%
51-75% evil shadow who will attack the mage
Psychics 30 instantaneously
Example: The spellbook contains the rituals: Crafting a Soul- 76-100% aggrevated energy vampire,
infused item (requires Soulcraft +6) and Crafting an Amulet possessor or Rusalka.
(requires Soulcrft +8). The total Soulcraft requirement for these Mage loses all Spellpoints. To get them back,
61-65%
is 14. For Soulcraft spells, the cost is multiplied by 10, so the price they must rest.
of the book would be 140 GD. Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
66-70%
in 2d4 damage to Soul Attribute.
Problems Associated with Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
71-75% in change of personality. Roll Willpower
Using Sorcery against 15 or receive a new madness.
Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
Failing to Cast a Spell in a temporary gateway to The Otherworld. It
76-80% can be used to go through in physical form.
There can be serious consequences when a spellcasting Nothing guarantees a possibility of coming
fails. The risks of failed casting check applies to all schools back the same way.
of magic and Channelling as well. Only the Beastmastery
Mage’s soul gets pulled out of their body into
school is an exception to this risk.
The Otherworld. They can find their way back
More severe consequences due to a failed spell only become if the mage knows Astral Projection. They’re
81-85%
possible if a mage manages to roll a total of 0 or less during the in trouble if they don’t. (A necromancer
casting skill check. This can only happen when the character may be able to help the mage stuck in The
rolls a natural 1 during the casting attempt, following which Otherworld).
they roll the percentage dice to further subtract from their Mage’s activity grabs the attention of an
total roll: Otherworldling. The Otherworldling may opt
to disturb the mage in some other way than
% Result attacking, example:
1-50% Nothing happens Goblin or Boy of Menes may appear while
50-75% -2 86-95% invisible to steal something from the mage.
76-85% -5 Phoenix appears and starts a fire, then
disappears.
86-95% -10
A succubus chooses the mage as their rival
96% -15 and starts turning the mage’s students and
97% -20 companions against the mage.
98% -25 The mage’s actions draw the attention of
some rather unpleasant Otherworldling, who
99% -30
is interested in devouring the mage's soul
100% Instant failure or -40 96-99% or simply killing the mage. 1d4 rounds later,
The result could be that the casting roll ends up in negative a Mardus, Voole, Spectral Assassin, or some
numbers. If this occurs, the character must roll the percentage other unpleasant otherwordling arrives and
dice again to determine the exact outcome: attacks the mage.
Mage fails manipulating soul energy resulting
in permanent damage to their soul. Roll
100%
Willpower against 15 to not lose 1 Soul
attribute point permanently.
124
Madnesses
Studying sorcery can quite literally drive a sorcerer to
madness. When learning (buying) each new spell, the
mage must roll Willpower against the highest required
Skill Level. If the roll fails, the mage acquires a madness.
The specific madness is determined through collaboration
between the player and the GM.
If a player purchases spells during character creation, they do
not need to roll for acquiring madnesses. This enables them
to start the game mentally sound and gradually descend
into madness through the study of magic.
Madnesses are recorded on the Character Sheet under
personality traits. There’s a risk that madnesses can
eventually fill up all available slots, as there are only ten. If all
slots are full, the mage must replace one of their personality
traits with a madness. This leads to a change in the mage’s
personality.
If the mage also has pacts with lesser gods that require
adhering to taboos (also recorded under personality traits),
new madnesses will displace these taboos when there are
no more empty slots available. This could lead to the mage
losing their Channelling abilities eventually.
Once all personality trait slots are filled with madnesses,
learning new spells becomes impossible. At this point, it’s
worth considering whether playing as a completely insane
character is feasible – the character has become utterly mad
due to meddling with the Otherworld and soul energy.
One potential solution could involve seeking out a powerful
psychic, the only one capable of curing madness. However,
this cure comes at the cost of a permanent loss of Soul HP.
Since madnesses are considered personality traits,
they also grant experience points (EXP) just like regular
personality traits or principles. If a madness becomes
relevant during an event, the player notes it alongside the
event description and gains 1 EXP.
In the Asteanic world, most of madnesses are named after
the major deities of Asteanic nation, as each major deity is
associated with certain extreme personality traits. Therefore,
reading about the madnesses helps both players and GM
understand how Asteanic culture perceives their major
deities. The major deities themselves are inaccessible,
lacking a physical avatar like the lesser gods.
Choosing Madness
Madness can be chosen in cooperation between GM and
player or drawn by rolling d12.
Roll Madness
1 Blessing of Ezron
2 Blessing of Diogenes
3 Detranic Wisdom
4 Heroin’s Despair
5 Curse of Morpheus
6 Ashlaruh’s Calling
7 Curse of Kamos
8 Touch of Maat
9 Geuladic Glow
10 Enigma of Mirage
11 Lugh’s Calling aka the Curse of Mist
12 Drug Addiction
Blessing of Ezron
Ezron, one of the Nightgods, embodies adventure, cunning,
music, Azure Warriors, revenge, and misfortune. He is one of
the Five Godkings from the time when all Asteanic people
were sea elves.
Ezron is depicted as an Asteanic human, often with the
attributes of an Azure Warrior (opium pipe, Soulbleed
weapon, astral projection).
Ezron is one of the most popular deities in the Asteanic
pantheon, surrounded by numerous myths that generally
paint him in a positive light. He is a clever adventurer
who resolves problems using cunning and deceit, avoids
excessive bloodshed, and usually works for the well-
being of the Asteanic people and other gods close to him.
However, in some myths, Ezron’s efforts either fall short or
unintentionally go awry, thatswhy in Nightgods cult he is
also portrayed as the father of vampires and a harbinger
of the end of the world. Even in the creation myth of the
Asteanic people, he is portrayed more as a catalyst for the
conclusion of the idyllic era in Divine Ocean rather than an
impediment. These failures often lead Ezron to seek personal
revenge, which also tends to end in failure in many myths.
The root cause of his misfortunes is often unrealistic goals
rather than outright foolishness.
A person blessed by Ezron is afflicted with an unrealistic
obsession that is generally unattainable. The blessing of
Ezron is relatively mild compared to other madnesses.
Drawback: The blessing of Ezron is written as a character’s
goal on the Character Sheet. The character must adopt an
unrealistic objective, such as becoming a god, becoming
the Emperor of the entire Ocean, proposing to Mirage (the
goddess), and so on.
Benefit: -
Sorcery 125
 Blessing of Diogenes
Diogenes, the silent god of the Asteanic pantheon, belongs
to the second generation of gods. In various myths, he has
different parents.
Diogenes is revered as the so-called god of technology.
Diogenes is credited with teaching shipbuilding, engineering,
and various other arts and crafts to humanity.
Diogenes is depicted as a handsome man usually engaged in
work. According to the myth, after his romantic adventures
concluded (the most famous comedy in the Asteanic world
is: “Diogenes’s 12 courtships”), and Eudora transformed back
into the marble statue, he never left his workshop. Diogenes
is a god with whom no pact can be made; he exists only in
stories and is therefore even more unreal than other major
deities.
Mage blessed by Diogenes seeks technological perfection in
everything, especially in arts and crafts. Such an individual
often withdraws into their workshop both physically and
mentally, which affects their social skills.
Drawback: -2 to Social Skills, as the blessed one finds it
difficult to focus in social situations. Their thoughts tend to
gravitate towards their work.
Benefit: +1 to Metal, Stone and Woodwork, Textile and
Leatherwork, Mechanics or Art.
Diogenes’ blessing can be taken twice, in which case the
penalty to Social Skills becomes -4 and the corresponding
craft or art bonus becomes +2.
This blessing thus provides the opportunity to place two
failed madness checks in the same character personality
box.
Detranic Wisdom
Detraanos is the deity of sorcery, considered the wisest of
the gods. He is one of the Five Godkings from the time
when all Asteanic people were sea elves.
According to the myth, Detraanos discovered witchcraft,
but it was his son Nygmata who shared it with humans.
Detraanos would have kept his wisdom to himself.
Detraanos is, on one hand, the deity of all mages, and on
the other hand, due to his secretive nature, his name is
associated with the Detranic Police, an organization in the
empires that restricts and controls the use of magic.
Detraanos is considered a perfectionist who lives in
solitude within a divine mage tower, where he writes, reads,
researches, experiments, and creates perfect magical items.
An individual who has gained a portion of Detraanos’ wisdom
is focused on a specific field of knowledge that they now
study. This focus is so intense that they might forget about
eating and sleeping. Human relationships hold no interest
for them; they prefer to think and act alone.
Drawback: The person enlightened by Detranic Wisdom
126
finds it extremely difficult to take any interest in others,
making it challenging to understand them. Social Skills -2.
Additionally, it’s very hard for them to divert their attention
from their interests; their thoughts are always centered
around their studies. Perception -2.
Benefit: Detranic Wisdom adds a +2 bonus to one Intellect
skill.
Detranic Wisdom can be taken twice, in which case the
penalties to Social Skills and Perception becomes -4, and the
bonus to the Intellect skill becomes +4.
This madness thus provides the opportunity to place
two failed madness check results in the same personality
trait box.
Heroin’s Despair
Heroin is a deity of healing, magic, medical science, chemistry,
and herbalism, but also of madness, revelry, alcohol, humour,
and narcotics. He is one of the Five Godkings from the time
when all Asteanic people were sea elves.
According to myth, Detraanos and Heroin discovered magic
hand in hand, but while Detraanos became a wise god,
Heroin lost his mind from this discovery. In another myth,
Heroin went mad when Xergeros locked him in a chamber
filled with poisonous gases during the Asteanic creation
myth.
Heroin is a recurring character in Asteanic myths. Often,
however, he is not directly linked to the main storyline or
myth but rather an addition, seemingly inserted for comedic
effect, whose actions do not bring the story closer to a
resolution but offer a humorous sidetrack.
Though amusing and generally good-natured in character,
Heroin is predominantly associated with negative aspects in
Asteanic society: drugs, dependencies, madness.
Heroin’s Despair manifests as irrational paranoia. The mage
believes that somebody reads their thoughts, spies are
tracking them everywhere, or similar. Paranoia is always
connected to other people, and someone afflicted by
Heroin’s Despair suspects those around them.
Drawback: The mage chooses the cause of their paranoia
and writes it in parentheses next to Heroin’s Despair.
Since someone suffering from Heroin’s Despair suspects
everyone of being part of a conspiracy against them, they
find it extremely challenging to communicate normally with
them and understand their true motives, -4 to Social Skills.
Benefit: Because an individual under the grip of Heroin’s
Despair is in a constant state of anxiety, anticipating an
attack against themselves, they are somewhat more vigilant
than others, +2 to Perception.
Curse of Morpheus
Morpheus is the son of the Nightgods Ezron and Mirage, but
he does not belong to the main Asteanic pantheon, as he
lacks a necessary function for humanity.
Morpheus is the god of nightmares and the first vampire
(Child of the Night), thus more of a negative character. He
doesn’t have grand public temples dedicated to him, and he
lacks a significant following; praying to Morpheus appears
more as a curiosity than a serious endeavour.
Someone who has lost the ability to sleep normally is
considered cursed by Morpheus.
Drawback: The cursed cannot sleep or rest properly, hence
they are constantly fatigued: -4 to all rolls, Spellpoints don’t
recover, etc. To force themselves to sleep, they must roll
a Willpower check against DL 15 or use some potent (and
expensive) sleeping draught. Only by these means can their
Spellpoints recover and they can avoid the constant fatigue
penalty.
Benefit: -
Ashlaruh’s Calling
Ashlaruh is one of the ancient Azzurian gods – nature forces
worshipped in the Asteanic motherland, Thefna, before their
arrival. Ashlaruh is a god of war, chaos, forests, and hunting,
depicted as a human with a wolf’s head.
In today’s conventional religion, Ashlaruh has been cast
aside; the bloodthirsty god of chaos lacks public temples or
followers.
A sorcerer plagued by Ashlaruh’s Calling has an unnatural
fascination with blood, entrails and causing physical harm
to other living beings. A sorcerer afflicted with this madness
takes pleasure in inflicting physical pain on other people and
creatures, and concealing this urge may prove very difficult.
They may not perceive other people as spiritual beings but
rather focus on their physicality.
Drawback: Under the calling of Ashlaruh, a sorcerer’s eyes
burn within their sockets, their gaze resembling that of a
predator. In social situations, it becomes challenging for
them to comprehend people and communicate their desires
to others without inducing fear or creating aversion. -4 to
Social Skills.
Benefit: The sorcerer’s unnatural interest in Anatomy
eventually leads to an increase in conventional anatomical
knowledge, +2 to Anatomy.
Curse of Kamos
Kamos is one of the ancient Azzurian gods, worshipped
in the Asteanic motherland of Thefna before the Asteanic
arrival. At present, it’s rare to find followers of Kamos from
Thefna.
It’s known that Kamos was the god of death and embalming
for the Azzurians, responsible for aiding souls on their
journey to the afterlife.
The curse of Kamos is a severe madness, where a person
believes themselves to be already dead. As a result, they
may cease all self-care activities such as eating, drinking, and
bathing. They become apathetic, and others must care for
their survival.
Drawback: Ceasing all self-care activities has devastating
effects on the physical body, even if friends and servants do
their best to help the afflicted person. -2 to Body Attribute.
Benefit: There are some positive aspects of being “dead”. The
afflicted person’s strong belief in their dead status makes
them physically more resistant to harm.
When the character is wounded and has lost 50% of their
HP, they won’t suffer penalties to rolls (normally, there’s a -2
penalty to all physically demanding rolls). If 75% of their HP
are gone, the penalty is reduced to -2 instead of the usual -4,
and if HP is 0, the penalty is -5 instead of the usual -10.
Touch of Maat
Maat is one of the main gods of the ancient Azzurians and
modern Tauric people. Maat is the only god that still has
an active temple and a following today. In the northernmost
city of the Asteanic empire, Ehnaiton, there is a large Maat
temple complex with a complex model of the Maat (a
moving model of the solar system).
Maat is a contradictory god. On one hand, they are a neutral
ruler of the afterlife (except for Divine Ocean), and on the
other hand, they are one of the Tauric end-of-the-world or
Mist gods. Maat’s domain includes deserts and wastelands,
but also mathematics and other sciences. According to the
ancient Azzurians, Maat was the god of the second sun (the
Maat’s model of the solar system has two suns). However, the
second sun cannot be seen in the sky.
The Touch of Maat affects all people who are resurrected as
the undead, but their soul retains living qualities (ageing and
requiring rest).
Dying, moving to the afterlife, and being brought back as
the undead alters a person’s personality. The undead must
witness their own body decaying/drying, and they can never
again experience physical pleasures like good food, drink, or
touch. They may imagine the smell of their own decay or the
sound of maggots in their body. Over time, this experience
fills the undead or the sorcerer who takes on this madness
with envy and hatred toward all living things. They cannot
watch people enjoying life without wishing them death and/
or a similar fate. Those touched by Maat become merciless
and bloodthirsty towards all living beings, especially humans.
Sorcery 127
 Drawback: The Touch of Maat is expressed as a character
trait, which should be noted on the character sheet: Touch of
Maat (merciless towards the living).
Additionally, due to their antipathy towards the living, those
touched by Maat find it more difficult in all social situations,
-2 to Social Skills.
Benefit: -
Cultural commentary: The Touch of Maat characterizes all
undead with a living soul within them. This is an additional
reason to perceive necromancy as evil. A person who has
willingly returned to their own body and thus harmed no
one else still becomes bloodthirsty and a danger to society.
Geuladic Glow
Geulades stands as the first Asteanic war deity, being one of
the Five Godkings during the era when the Asteanic people
were still water elves.
Geulades is portrayed as an arrogant and self-centred war
god, holding himself in higher regard than others in terms of
wisdom, beauty, and prowess. In art, Geulades is consistently
depicted as a man embodying the beauty ideals of the time.
Myths often paint Geulades as excessively self-assured,
dismissing the counsel of the wiser, a trait that ultimately
leads to his downfall.
An individual afflicted by Geuladic Glow similarly holds an
exaggerated view of their own superiority. They perceive all
others as flawed sheep, driven solely by herd instincts and
easily manipulated.
As a person affected by Geuladic Glow, their self-perception
as the epitome of human perfection is unwavering, and they
consider themselves the wisest of all. However, they may feel
uneasy about certain physical imperfections and therefore
strive to enhance their appearance through increased
training, enhanced makeup application, or honing their
vocal or musical skills.
Drawback: Those with Geuladic Glow struggle in real-
world social situations due to their distorted sense of
superiority. Convincing others and grasping reality becomes
exceptionally challenging. This results in a -6 penalty to
Social Skills. In persuasion scenarios, this -6 penalty applies
to all persuasion attempts, regardless of the skill used.
Benefit: Individuals afflicted by Geuladic Glow may devote
a significant portion of their daily routine to refining skills
associated with beauty. They gain a +3 bonus to Athletics,
Music or Art.
Cultural commentary: The Bodies of Geulades is a religious
warrior order dedicated to Geulades, striving for physical
beauty and perfect, aesthetically pleasing combat skills.
These warriors often serve various Asteanic rulers as
mercenaries, proving to be formidable opponents on the
battlefield.
128
Enigma of Mirage
The Night Goddess Mirage is the deity of passionate love,
eroticism, art, music, darkness, and secrets for the Asteanic
people. The masked goddess belongs to the first generation
of the Asteanic pantheon, being one of the Five Godkings,
and is both the sister and lover of Ezron in myths.
Mirage is a contradictory character in myths, at times willing
to sacrifice herself for the good of the Asteanic people and at
other times willing to sacrifice the entire Asteanic nation for
her own benefit.
A sorcerer afflicted by the Enigma of Mirage lacks any
conscience and empathy. They tend to prioritize personal
desires and perceive world events as a struggle between
good and evil. As the end justifies the means, other people
are merely tools for achieving goals.
Drawback: All Intellect skills -1, practical knowledge is only
important for manipulating people for a sorcerer with the
Enigma of Mirage
Benefit: Individuals with the Enigma of Mirage are skilled
manipulators of people, Social Skills +3.
Lugh’s Calling aka the Curse of Mist
Lugh is one of the Tauric Mist Gods. Lugh is the spinner of
fate and the god of divination, and thus both feared and
highly respected.
Tauric culture depicts Lugh as an old blind woman who spins
the thread of destiny.
A person suffering from Lugh’s Calling cannot think of
anything other than the Mist to the east of Tauria. They want
to see it, feel it, and enter into it. It is difficult for them to
concentrate and think clearly.
Drawback: Person Cursed by Mist must make it their goal
to go to the Mist – and write it at their Character Sheet. This
doesn’t mean the player needs to immediately send their PC
to their doom, reasons can always be found for why it’s not
the time yet. But the ultimate goal for the PC is now to go to
the Mist, where they will likely meet their end or transform
into something else.
Additionally, the one afflicted by the Mist Curse has a -2
penalty to Intellect Attribute.
Benefit: The close connection to the Mist of the Otherworld
gives the character’s Soul Attribute +1.
Cultural commentary: In Tauria and Tserkeššia, a white-
headed flower with transparent petals grows – the Astral Lily.
It’s possible to extract an essence from these flowers, known
as Extract of Astral Lily, which can also cause the Curse of
Mist
Drug Addiction
The constant use of drugs to enhance one’s magical abilities
has ultimately led to a simple addiction to them.
The player can decide whether their PC is addicted to a
specific drug or if any sufficiently potent drug will suffice for
their needs.
Drawback: As long as the mage can use their favorite drugs
daily, there is no direct negative impact from the addiction.
The problems arise from withdrawal symptoms, which occur
as soon as the addict goes one day without using drugs.
Mild addiction withdrawal symptoms impose a -2 penalty
to Precision and Intellect until the next dose is obtained.
Moderate addiction withdrawal symptoms impose a -2
penalty to Body, Speed, Precision, and Intellect until the next
dose is obtained.
Severe addiction withdrawal symptoms impose a -4 penalty
to Body, Speed, Precision, and Intellect until the next dose is
obtained.
Benefit: Addiction can be taken three times, in which
case the next level of addiction replaces the previous one.
This allows the addiction to accommodate three failed
madness check rolls in the same character trait box.
Additionally, it is possible to overcome addiction, but it’s very
difficult. To break free from addiction, the mage must make
4 Body rolls. The rolls are made over the course of a month.
For a mild addiction, four rolls need to be made against a
DL 10. For a moderate addiction, four rolls need to be made
against DL 15. For a severe addiction, four rolls need to be
made against DL 20.
If the mage successfully breaks free from addiction, their
character sheet will have the trait “former addict” along
with the level of addiction in parentheses. They will no
longer experience withdrawal symptoms. However, as soon
as they use drugs again, they will revert to being a regular
addict at the same level they were before.
Cultural commentary: Drug addiction is a sad fate for many
Azure Warriors who are completely dependent on drugs for
their craft. The sight of a powerful mage injecting themselves
with a dose of Glass, while lying amidst their own urine and
excrement, is a common reality in the Asteanic world.

Sorcery 129
 Magic in the Asteanic World Even in the central areas of the empires, however, Detranic
control over magic usage has its limits. In Asteanic empires,
Magic is primarily the domain of the wealthier classes in the psychic powers and necromancy are prohibited branches
Asteanic world, as learning magic is expensive. Additionally, of magic and are not taught in major magic academies.
practising magic may require costly tools such as Soulbleed However, powerful rulers or nobles might show interest
weapons or Mirrors to the Otherworld. in these branches and secretly employ psychics and
necromancers. These individuals then train others in secret,
As a result, magical services are expensive and only the
forcing Detranic Police to constantly pursue unlicensed
wealthiest members of society can afford them. Magic
mages practicing forbidden magic.
cannot make crops grow faster, work be completed quicker,
resources transported more rapidly, or similar tasks. Instead,
Mages in Asteanic Society
magic allows for activities like travelling to the Otherworld,
reading thoughts, or rapidly healing battle wounds. Thus, Rulers are not only interested in prohibited magic. Most
in the agrarian Asteanic society where most people are mages in noble service are either Beastmasters or Astral
engaged in food or resource production, magic offers limited projectors. Beastmasters, often called Bird-Whisperers,
daily benefits to the general populace. ensure swift communication between rulers and their allies.
Astral projectors protect rulers from supernatural threats,
Due to the costliness of magic and its limited utility in
primarily from the Azure Assassins, who are assassins
everyday survival, there are very few mages in Asteanic
working in spirit form. Of course, healers are also highly
society (fewer than 1 per 500 persons). Most mages are either
valued. In any town resembling a city, there usually resides a
nobles or in the service of nobles, as the political castes gain
soulsmith capable of creating at least silver weapons.
the most benefit from the aforementioned magical abilities.
The rulers of the Asteanic empires employ the Imperial
Magic holds a similar role in most other societies across the
Mindpolice, an organization responsible for spying on both
Asteanic world, though there are some notable exceptions.
internal and external enemies, uncovering plots against
For instance, within the Gurge Windriders tribe, Soulcraft and
rulers, etc. This organization consists of psychics.
Beastmastery magic schools are so widespread that about 25%
of the adult population possesses at least some skills from one Originating from the South Thefna Marall sea region, the
of these magic schools. This prevalence is due to the lifestyle of notorious semi-official organization of the Azure Assassins,
the Windriders, whose survival relies on taming Single-humped known as the Azure Watch, has spread throughout the
Steppe Unihorn herds through magic, as these creatures are Asteanic world. The Azure Watch is no longer a single
inherently hostile. Additionally, the Windriders are in open organization but a collection of groups and syndicates
war with the local nature goddess known as the Northwind, operating under the same name, each in their own way.
resulting in them having access to materials for creating True Centuries ago, the Watch played a cruel yet crucial role in the
Otherworld Items and a need to protect themselves from the inter-house politics of the empire. As a neutral entity at the
electric attacks of Northwind’s daughters – the thunderbirds. time, it offered its services to all houses, preventing numerous
civil wars through secret assassinations. Back then, acquiring
Regulation of Magic Usage the services of the Azure Watch required a Writ of Silence,
justifying the need for secret assassinations and approved by
Powerful sorcerers can invisibly kill a person’s soul, causing
either the Temple of Divine Ocean, the Asteanic Imperial
a natural-looking death, alter and implant memories, and
Bank, Detranic Police, or the emperor themself. Today’s
bring the dead back to life.
Azure Watch groups accept a Writ of Silence confirmed only
The deeper a mage delves into their studies, the more likely by money. These organizations are no longer legal, even
their personality will change. The madnesses arising from though their presence might be overlooked in some places.
manipulating soul energy make the mage dangerous to
society. A powerful mage can eventually lose their empathy
and almost their entire humanity over time, believing
themselves to be superior to others. These mages can be
driven by obscure and potentially dangerous interests or
goals that might require breaking all societal norms and
rules to achieve. Such a powerful, deranged mage poses an
extreme danger to society.
As a result, central regions and large cities of the Asteanic
empires have the Detranic Police to issue licenses to mages,
keep track of them, and address issues arising from rogue
wizards. Establishing and maintaining such an organization
is extremely costly, so smaller nations, rulers of imperial
outskirts, and most other societies have to manage their
rogue wizards on their own.

130
Beastmastery
Beastmastery is the only school of sorcery placed under
Instinct instead of Soul.
Beastmastery deals with communicating with animals and
bringing them under one’s control. The fundamental skill of
Beastmastery is understanding animal languages; only by
mastering the language of a specific animal can one attempt
to bring it under their control.
Beastmastery is quite common in the Asteanic world, as it
offers practical utility in everyday life. This skill has enabled
several cultures to integrate unusual and dangerous
animals into their daily activities. For instance, some Tauric
knights ride wyverns, Gurge tribes coexist with massive and
aggressive Single-humped Steppe Unihorns, and Kali sea
tribes employ Colossal Sea Turtles in naval battles.
* – The benefits of psychotropic substances do not extend to
the Beastmastery school of magic, except for the Concealment
from Animals ritual, in which case they do apply.
** – In the context of Beastmastery, animals encompass all
beings lacking attributes of Intellect and Soul, meaning that
many fantasy creatures are also classified as animals.
*** – Beastmasters do not manipulate soul energy, so they don’t
risk madness when acquiring new spells.
Amount of Controlled Animals
Every Beastmaster can bend under their control as many
animals as their Beastmastery skill level. All animals have the
same coefficient, whether it’s an ant or a whale. This quantity
can be increased by acquiring the Beastlord ability.
Beastmastery spells:
Animal Language and Persuasion 15/10 EXP
Beastmastery 10 EXP
Ritual: Concealment from Animals 10 EXP
Affinity to an Animal 5 EXP
Language of the Family 20 EXP
Affinity to the Family 10 EXP
Ritual: Companion Breeding 10 EXP
Pass without Trace 10 EXP
Ritual: Animal Enspiritment 10 EXP
Beastlord 10 EXP
Animal Language and Persuasion
Price: 15 EXP for the first time, 10 EXP for each subsequent
animal language
Prerequisite: Instinct +2
Beastmastery check DL: To influence an animal, roll a
Beastmastery check against the animal’s Instinct check.
Spellpoint cost: To influence an animal, 1 Spellpoint is
used. Gaining a new animal language grants an additional
Spellpoint.
Description: Grants the skill: Beastmastery (Instinct).
Sorcerer learns the language of one type of animal. The
ability must be acquired again for each different type of
animal.
With the chosen type of animal, the sorcerer can communicate
without needing to roll dice. The sorcerer has also learned to
influence this type of animal.
When communicating with animals, it’s important to note
that animal languages are very different from human
languages, and exchanging complex information is nearly
impossible. Animal languages are more primitive, and the
sorcerer must adapt when communicating. Additionally,
different animal languages vary. While terms like “nest”
are easily recognized as a home for many bird species, the
same concept might not be familiar to aquatic or nomadic
creatures. Animals also have a limited understanding of
numbers, measuring quantities as: one, a few, many, and
very many. The Game Master will certainly have fun playing
whales, ants and rats.
To influence an animal, the sorcerer must roll a Beastmastery
check against the animal’s Instinct check. A successful roll
ensures that the animal considers the sorcerer’s suggestion
and carries out the sorcerer’s request. However, the sorcerer
can give only one command, and it shouldn’t involve a long
duration of action. For instance, commanding an animal to
rear up and unseat a rider is appropriate, but commanding it
to travel 10 kilometres to a specific place and do something
there, is not.
Animal persuasion works even when the animal is controlled
by another beastmaster. However, influencing the animal to
attack its controller or cause harm to them in any way isn’t
possible. If the original controller is present, they can verbally
cancel any command given. Thus, influencing an animal in
such a scenario might not be very useful.
Animals whose language the sorcerer knows are always
friendly towards the sorcerer; they perceive the sorcerer as
one of their own.
The Game Master can set restrictions on how high the Instinct
must be to learn the language of a specific animal, especially
if it involves an unusual communication method, such as with
giant ants (a language with chemical components). There
should be no restrictions for animals that communicate
through gestures and simple sounds.
Sorcery 131
 Beastmastery
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Beastmastery +6
Beastmastery check DL: Against the animal’s Instinct check.
Spellpoint cost: 1 for each Beastmastery check.
Description: A sorcerer possesses the ability to exert their
will over animals whose languages they understand, and to
turn them into loyal companions.
To gain control over an animal, the sorcerer needs to either
show care towards the creature or find a way to subdue it.
The methods for taming an animal can vary based on the
specific creature. Activities such as creating a nest for a
bird, winning a confrontation, or providing food can aid in
the taming process. From a technical standpoint, taming
an animal involves two Beastmastery checks against the
animal’s Instinct check. The initial check is for persuading
the creature to cooperate with the beastmaster and grasp
their intentions. The second check is for taming the animal
and establishing the pact between the beastmaster and the
creature.
Beastmaster can also attempt to gain control over an
animal already controlled by another master. In this case,
the original master’s Beastmastery skill level is added to the
animal’s Instinct check.
A sorcerer can have as many animals under their will as their
Beastmastery skill level.
Commands to animals are given verbally in the specific
language of each controlled animal.
Ritual: Concealment from Animals
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Beastmastery +4
Beastmastery check DL: 20, or 15 if the animals the sorcerer
wishes to hide from are familiar to them, meaning they
understand their language.
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: A Beastmaster can supernaturally conceal
themselves from animals. Creatures are unable to detect
the sorcerer’s scents or realize their proximity, even if the
sorcerer stands beside them. Technically, the sorcerer
becomes invisible to the animals. However, if the sorcerer
were to attack an animal or cause harm, the animals can
make a Perception check against the sorcerer’s Beastmastery
check to uncover their presence.
This ability lasts for Beastmastery skill level x 10 minutes and
requires a few minutes of preparation.
Affinity to an Animal
Price: 5 EXP
Prerequisite: Beastmastery +6
Description: A sorcerer gains the ability to communicate
with and influence a particular type of animal with
exceptional ease. All checks involving interactions with this
animal species are made with a +5 bonus.
132
Language of the Family
(Felines, canines, but also birds, marine mammals, reptiles, etc.
The concept of “family” is sometimes broader in SAKE than in
traditional zoology. The GM can decide this, based on how
beneficial it is to specialize in a group of animals within the
game. For example, whether specializing separately in Laridae
(seagulls) and Columbidae (pigeons) is valuable enough to
warrant them belonging to distinct groups.)
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +4, Beastmastery +12
Description: The sorcerer gains the ability to communicate
with all animals belonging to the chosen animal family as if
they have learned the languages of each species.
This ability can be acquired multiple times for different
animal families.
Affinity to the Family
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +4, Language of the Family,
Beastmastery +14
Description: Beastmaster gains a special connection with
animals belonging to a chosen family, enabling them to
communicate and influence these animals with ease. All rolls
related to interacting with animals from this chosen family
receive a +5 bonus when made by the sorcerer.
This ability can be acquired multiple times for different
animal families.
Ritual: Companion Breeding
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Affinity to an Animal or Affinity to the Family,
Beastmastery +8
Description: Beastmaster gains the ability to breed
exceptionally powerful animal companions. A beastmaster
who raises their animal companion from infancy gains 4
points to distribute among the creature’s Attributes and
60 EXP to allocate among skills and other parameters (HP,
Reflexes etc) upon the creature reaching adulthood. These
points are added to the species’ standard attributes.
The beastmaster can only breed animals they have an affinity
with.
The beastmaster can breed as many animals at once as they
are able to control.
Technical commentary: To make this ability practically
useful in the game for the player portraying a beastmaster, it
is advisable to raise a young animal approaching adulthood.
Depending on the species, and with the GM’s agreement, the
breeding process could take a few months to half a year.
Pass without Trace with an Intellect attribute of -7 or higher might be capable
of learning and understanding human language, although
Price: 10 EXP
speaking it is highly unlikely for them.
Prerequisite: Beastmastery +4, Wilderness skills +4, Stealth
skills +4 Enspirited animal does not fear ghosts or otherworldlings
Beastmastery check DL: like ordinary animals do.
• Automatic within the home region (e.g., home forest).
• 10 in a similar environment to the home region.
Beastlord
• 15 in a different environment within the same climate Price: 10 EXP
zone as the home region. Prerequisite: Instinct +4, Beastmastery +12
• 15 in a similar environment in a different climate zone. Description: The Beastmaster can extend their control over
• 20 in a different climate zone and environment. a greater number of animals. With Beastlord Ability, the
Spellpoint cost: 1 for days travel beastmaster is capable of controlling twice as many animals
as their Beastmastery skill level.
Description: Beastmaster moves through nature without
leaving tracks, making tracing them in any way impossible. This ability can be taken multiple times, increasing the
Outside their home region, the sorcerer rolls their number of animals under the beastmasters’ control. For
Beastmastery skill to avoid leaving tracks. instance, a beastmaster who has acquired Beastlord two
times and has a Beastmastery skill level of +13 can control
Ritual: Animal Enspiritment 39 animals.
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +4, Companion Breeding, Ritual: Transfer
of Soul Essence, Beastmastery +10, Restoration +12,
Metaphysics and Otherworld +6
Beastmastery check DL: To see and hear through the
animal’s eyes and ears, roll against 30 minus the number of
Soul HP within the animal.
No roll is needed during the breeding process for animal
enspiritment; the sorcerer presumably has enough time to
perform this ritual properly..
Spellpoint cost: 1 when utilizing the animal’s senses.
Description: Beastmaster creates a permanent spiritual
bond with the animal they have bred using the Companion
Breeding ability, enspiriting them by transferring some of
their Soul HP during the process. As a result, a fragment of
the sorcerer’s soul becomes intertwined with the animal.
The sorcerer can attempt to perceive the world through
the animal’s eyes and ears, while also having the ability to
telepathically command them without limitations.
The Beastmaster must allocate at least 2 Soul HP to the
animal; these Soul HP are only replenished if the animal dies
or if someone kills their Soul.
In the event of the sorcerer’s death, the enspirited animal is
set free and undergoes a transformation into an “Aalu,” an
animal possessing a Soul.
Attributes of the enspirited animal:
An enspirited animal gains the Attributes of Soul and
Intellect, which they previously lacked. The values of these
Attributes depend on the transferred Soul HP. Two Soul HP
correspond to one Attribute point for both Soul and Intellect.
Points are counted starting from -10. For example, if the
sorcerer sacrifices 16 Soul HP for the enspiriting, the animal’s
Soul and Intellect Attributes would be -3. These attributes
can be compared to those of a human. An enspirited animal
is significantly more intelligent, and one with a high Intellect
Attribute can perform intricate tasks. For instance, an animal

Sorcery 133
 Astral Projection Spells of Astral Projection
Sixth Sense 10 EXP
Astral Projection is a magical school that enables the
soul to depart from the physical body. Permanent Sixth Sense 20 EXP

Astral Projection might not be the most widely recognized Ritual: Astral Projection 10 EXP
branch of sorcery; however, PCs should find it relatively Entering the Otherworld 10 EXP
easy to locate practitioners skilled in this art when they
Auxiliary Ability: Darkvision 10 EXP
take the time to search. Although some cultures within
the game world might remain unfamiliar with this Auxiliary Abilitie: Astral Projection with Soul-infused
branch, the majority of its inhabitants are acquainted item 10 EXP
with the concept. Many cultures that regulate sorcery
Manipulation of Physical Objects 10 EXP
through laws keep a vigilant eye on those who engage in
Astral Projection, as these individuals have the potential Flying 10 EXP
to become a significant threat to public safety.
Fast Flying 10 EXP
In practice, for a sorcerer to leave their physical body,
Invisibility 15 EXP
they must succeed in an Astral Projection skill check.
The level of difficulty for this check depends on the Animal Form 10 EXP
chosen method—whether it’s through meditation or
during sleep—with a baseline DL of either 30 or 20.
However, if the sorcerer aims to undertake the journey
with additional abilities, the check becomes more
challenging. For example, if they plan to exit their body
while carrying an extra Ability, such as Astral Projection
with a Soul-infused item enabling them to take a
Soulbleed weapon with, the required roll must overcome
a formidable DL of 38.
Naturally, a roll of 38 is challenging, even for a
powerful sorcerer. As a result, astral travellers
make use of aids to facilitate their endeavours.
The number of supplementary abilities they
intend to bring along determines the strength
of these aids. Two primary types of aids exist:
Mirrors to the Otherworld – crafted by skilled
soulsmiths, this magical mirrors serve as a
conduit between the Otherworld and the
material world. Depending on its potency, such
mirrors can augment the Astral Projection roll
by +2 to +6.
Narcotics – these substances are the primary
tools for enhancing the meditative state.
Weaker narcotic compounds, such as cannabis
or magic mushrooms, are relatively benign
for sorcerers to use. However, the benefits
they confer to the Astral Projection roll (+1
to +6) may fall short for a sorserer aspiring to
carry numerous Auxiliary Abilities. This is why
Azure Warriors (individuals who traverse the
Otherworld to eliminate targets and require
multiple supplementary abilities for success)
rely on considerably more potent concoctions.
One significant drawback of potent narcotics
is their potential for addiction. After all,
sorcerers are ordinary humans susceptible to
physical dependency, just like anyone else.
Notable examples of potent narcotics include
opium, Glass, and Skyblue.

134
Sixth Sense
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +2
Astral projection or Necromancy check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The sorcerer gains the skill of Astral
Projection (Soul).
The spell itself grants the power to see and hear
ghosts and other otherwise invisible beings, such
as invisible otherworldlings or Azure Assassins. The
sorcerer can also automatically discern whether
something is a magical item or not.
The ability lasts for ten minutes multiplied by the
Astral Projection skill level. The roll is affected by
psychotropic substances but not by the Mirrors to
the Otherworld.
If this spell is used by a person who is otherwise
permanently blind, they can also see the souls of
people (a sight denied to a regularly sighted person
even when closing their eyes). This unique feature
can provide blind individuals with significant
information about people that would otherwise be
inaccessible. A person’s soul generally looks the way
they envision themselves in their mind, including
aspects of their self-esteem and mental state. For
example, a person with high self-esteem may appear
more beautiful, stronger, or larger than they actually
are. In contrast, the soul of someone suffering from
depression may resemble that of a deceased person.
Permanent Sixth Sense
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Sixth Sense, Astral Projection or
Necromancy +10, Metaphysics and Otherworld
+12
Description: This makes the base spell Sixth Sense
permanent.
Azure Assassins, or Azure Warriors, are
warrior-sorcerers in Asteanic culture who
have weaponized the use of Astral Projection
magic. With the help of powerful substances
like Skyblue, these warriors leave their bodies
behind and fight as souls – wielding Soulbleed
weapons and utilising abilities only available to
ghosts, such as flying and becoming invisible.
As the cost of studying magic and acquiring
the specialised equipment needed to become
an Azure Warrior is high, most of them belong
to wealthy noble castes. However, they are
seldom rulers themselves, as using the most
potent narcotic substances required for their
powerful abilities can make them susceptible to
addiction and madness. Many Azure Assassins
serve powerful rulers or offer their skills as
assassins, albeit on the other side of the law.
Ritual: Astral Projection
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Astral Projection +6
Astral projection check DL: 30 or 20 without any Auxiliary
Abilities. If you bring along any Auxiliary Abilities, the DL
increases.
Spellpoint cost: 1 plus the Spellpoint requirement of any
Auxiliary Abilities the sorcerer takes when exiting the body.
Description: The sorcerer, as a soul, can leave the body but
cannot enter the Otherworld.
This is the fundamental ritual for astral travellers, to which
various Auxiliary Abilities can be added. To exit the body as
a soul, make a roll against DL 30. The sorcerer can use the
Mirror to the Otherworld and psychotropic substances to
enhance their roll.
The sorcerer can also exit the body during sleep; for this, they
must roll against DL 20. Prior to this, the sorcerer must fall
asleep and gain control over their dreams. To achieve control,
they must roll Willpower against DL 20. If the sorcerer fails to
gain control of their dreams or cannot exit the body, they will
simply sleep peacefully until morning.
If the sorcerer returns to their sleeping body and wishes to
wake up, they must roll Willpower against DL 10, or they will
simply continue sleeping after returning. Exiting their body
through sleep cannot be influenced by the Mirror to the
Otherworld, but the benefits of psychotropic substances still
apply.
SORCERER’S STATS IN ASTRAL FORM
HP: Soul Health Points (SHP)
Reflexes: Soul + purchased Reflexes
Parrying: Reflexes + Astral shield + purchased
Parrying points
Movement Calculate using Soul instead of Speed
Speed Attribute and add Purchased Movement
Speed
Attack: Weapon’s skill (Speed or Precision
replaced by Soul + abilities)
Damage: Body replaced by Soul + Abilities +
Soulbleed weapon plusses.
Astral traveller does damage to a person’s Soul HP, not
regular HP. Regular armour has no Damage Reduction
against this damage.
An unarmed astral traveller can strangle their opponent if
they have the Manipulation of Physical Objects spell.
A mage without that spell who has no Soulbleed weapon
can do no damage as a Soul.
Damage 20 or Astral Projection skill level (if it’s
Reduction greater) against regular weapons.
(DR):
Magical 0 against Soulbleed or silver weapons
Damage unless wearing astral armour which adds
Reduction 3, 6 or 9 points of MDR.
(MDR):
If the sorcerer is outside their body and resting in the human
world, their Spellpoints and Soul HP do not regenerate.
Sorcery 135
 Entering the Otherworld
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Ritual: Astral Projection, Astral Projection +8
Astral projection check DL: average 30, depending on the
location the sorcerer wants to move between realms.
Spellpoint cost: 1 for entering, 1 for exiting. Upon acquiring
this spell, the sorcerer gains one Spellpoint.
Description: The astral traveller, having exited their body,
can enter the Otherworld.
The roll is not affected by psychotropic substances but can
be influenced by the Mirror to the Otherworld.
Note, that returning from the Otherworld to the human
realm also costs one Spellpoint, and the DL for the return
roll is also an average of 30, meaning that returning may
not automatically succeed. In case of failed rolls, the astral
traveller may become trapped in the Otherworld for an
extended period.
Fortunately, Spellpoints and Soul HP regenerate in the
Otherworld the same way as in the human world: by resting
for 8 hours.
Auxiliary Ability: Darkvision
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Ritual: Astral Projection
Astral projection check DL: Adds 6 to the Astral Projection
check DL.
Spellpoint cost: Adds 1 Spellpoint to Ritual: Astral Projection
Spellpoint cost.
Description: The astral traveller is capable of seeing in the
dark, albeit in black and white, but effectively as well as
during the day.
Auxiliary Abilitie: Astral Projection with Soul-
infused item
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Willpower +4, Ritual: Astral Projection, Astral
Projection +8
Astral projection check DL: Adds 8 to the Astral Projection
roll DL.
Spellpoint cost: Adds 1 Spellpoint to Ritual: Astral Projection
Spellpoint cost.
Description: When exiting their body, the astral traveller
can bring a Soulbleed weapon and/or any other soul-infused
item with them into the astral form.
The astral traveller can take as many different soul-infused
items as needed, and this does not make the spell more
complex or cost additional Spellpoints.
136
Manipulation of Physical Objects
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Willpower +4, Ritual: Astral Projection, Astral
Projection +10
Astral projection check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 1 point for every 10 minutes multiplied by
the Astral Projection skill level. Activating the spell takes one
round, and the spell can be automatically extended without
wasting a round or requiring a roll. Extending the spell costs
one Spellpoint.
Description: The astral traveller’s soul is capable of
manipulating physical objects in the human realm.
This ability is particularly useful for sorcerers planning
to become an Azure Warrior. Without this spell, an astral
traveller cannot manipulate any physical objects, meaning
they cannot open doors or perform similar tasks. To go
through a door, they must move through the Otherworld.
However, for a would-be assassin like the Azure Warrior,
such detours can result in the target’s escape or wandering
aimlessly in the Otherworld.
This ability allows sorcerers to move objects, with the strength
of their soul determining their effectiveness. However, it
does not enable them to hold objects for an extended period
since a sorcerer’s soul lacks physical attributes. Manipulation
consists of short-lived pushes, squeezes, or gusts of wind, in
a sense.
The sorcerer’s soul still cannot use physical clothing, shields,
armour, or weapons. Still, this ability grants them one
physical attack – now they can physically strangle a victim.
The roll is not influenced by psychotropic substances or the
Mirror to the Otherworld.
Flying
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Willpower +4, Ritual: Astral Projection, Astral
Projection +10
Astral projection check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Astral Projection skill level
combat rounds. Activating the spell takes one round, and
the spell can be extended automatically without wasting
a round or needing a roll. Extending the ability costs one
Spellpoint.
Description: The astral traveller’s soul is capable of flying in
both the human and Otherworld at their regular Movement
Speed.
The roll is not affected by psychotropic substances or the
Mirror to the Otherworld.
Fast Flying
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Willpower +8, Flying, Astral Projection +14
Astral projection check DL: 30
Spellpoint cost: 2 points per Astral Projection skill level
combat rounds. Activating the spell takes one round, and
the spell can be extended automatically without wasting
a round or needing a roll. Extending the ability costs two
Spellpoints.
Description: Similar to flying, but the astral traveller’s
Movement Speed is twice as fast as usual.
The astral traveller gains a +4 bonus to Reflex rolls during the
spell’s use, which also enhances the astral traveller’s Parrying.
The roll is not affected by psychotropic substances or the
Mirror to the Otherworld.
Invisibility
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Willpower +6, Ritual: Astral Projection, Astral
Projection +12
Astral projection check DL: 24
Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Astral Projection skill level
combat rounds. Activating the spell takes one round, and
the spell can be extended automatically without wasting
a round or needing a roll. Extending the spell costs one
Spellpoint.
Description: In the human realm, the astral traveller’s soul is
invisible, with the only sign of its presence being a shimmer
in the air. However, in the Otherworld, the soul remains
visible as usual. Fortunately, in the Otherworld, all other
entities that can become invisible in the human realm also
remain visible.
Thanks to invisibility, it becomes significantly more
challenging for attackers to strike the astral traveller
with weapons. Attacks with melee weapons against an
invisible opponent incur a -6 penalty (similar to fighting in
total darkness), while ranged weapon attacks against an
invisible foe incur a -18 penalty (hitting is only possible with
extremely good luck). If the attacker possesses the ability to
see the invisible in some way, this spell does not impose any
penalties. Most Otherworldly entities and all dead souls can
perceive the invisible.
An invisible character can engage in combat without
becoming visible.
The roll is not influenced by psychotropic substances or the
Mirror to the Otherworld.
Animal Form
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +4, Affinity to an Animal or Affinity to the
Family, Manipulation of Physical Objects, Astral Projection
+12, Beastmastery +12
Astral projection check DL: 20 to undergo the
transformation.
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: When the sorcerer has left their body, they
can assume the form of an animal they have specialized in.
They appear as a real animal, but in reality, they become a
Quasicorporeal Soul based on their Soul (Presence). While in
animal form, all of the sorcerer’s attributes, including attacks,
movement speed, and so on, adopt the characteristics of
the chosen animal. Additionally, the sorcerer’s Soul attribute
enhances a regular animal’s Body, Speed, and Precision. This
transformation makes the sorcerer far more powerful than
an ordinary animal.
The spell can be acquired multiple times to transform into
different animals.
A sorcerer who has assumed the form of an animal possesses
the Presence attribute, which reduces their DR against
regular weapons to 10, down from 20.
When transforming into an animal and simultaneously
carrying a soul-infused item, the soul-infused item integrates
into the animal. Although it cannot be used in animal form,
the soul-infused item remains present. As an exception, the
protective bonuses of the Astral Armour are added, as if the
animal is wearing armour.
When a sorcerer in animal form attacks, their attacks inflict
damage on the physical body. However, their attacks are
considered silver weapons, enabling the sorcerer to harm
spirits as well.
Sorcery 137
 Restoration
Restoration magic is based on energy transfer similarly to
Soulcraft. Restoration is expressed through techniques
such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, or similar
practices. When healing wounds, it often involves
stitching or bandaging the wound. Most healing rituals
take at least ten minutes to several hours. During the
healing process, the patient must relax and avoid
thinking too much. Meditation is also beneficial. A
sorcerer can even heal themselves by directing their
energy to the right place.
Restoration is the most well-known branch of witchcraft,
found among all cultures that have some knowledge of
magic. Generally, society views healers positively.
* – The benefits of psychotropic substances only add half
of their effects to Restoration, as the main component
of Restoration is giving away one’s own energy, and
psychotropic substances make energy transfer easier
but do not generate more energy.
** – The Mirror to the Otherworld has no use in
Restoration magic.
*** – Restoration can sometimes be utilized without
casting a specific spell, particularly when healing injuries
described in combat maneuvers. In these instances, it
consumes only 1 Spellpoint.
Restoration spells
Ritual: Healing 10 EXP
Ritual: Bone Mending 10 EXP
Ritual: Limb Transplantation 10 EXP
Fast Healing 10 EXP
Ritual: Transfer of Soul Essence 10 EXP
Ritual: Soul Bond 10 EXP
Ritual: Restoration of Soul Essence 10 EXP
Witch Doctor 15 EXP
Acupuncture 5 EXP
Ritual: Creation of Polong 15 EXP
Ritual: Creation of Ilomba 15 EXP

138
Ritual: Healing
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +2
Restoration check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The sorcerer gains the skill: Restoration
(Soul) and becomes capable of healing physical injuries
and ailments. The healing ritual takes approximately 10
minutes, during which the sorcerer performs a chosen
action, such as acupuncture, laying hands, reciting
calming verses, meditation, or similar practices.
Roll Result
Spellpoint is lost, but the patient doesn't
1-9
benefit from it.
Healing cures level 1 Plagues. Through the
healing ritual, 4 HP are restored. During
10-14
the following night, an additional 2 HP are
restored.
Healing cures level 2 Plagues. Through the
healing ritual, 8 HP are restored. During
15-19
the following night, an additional 4 HP are
restored.
Healing cures level 3 Plagues. Through the
healing ritual, 12 HP are restored. During
20-24
the following night, an additional 6 HP are
restored.
Healing cures level 4 Plagues. Through the
healing ritual, 16 HP are restored. During
25-29
the following night, an additional 8 HP are
restored.
Healing cures level 5 Plagues. Through the
30 and healing ritual, 20 HP are restored. During
higher the following night, an additional 10 HP are
restored.
Ritual: Bone Mending
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Restoration +4
Restoration check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The healer is able to speed up the healing of
bone fractures and grow severed limbs back to the body.
Bones usually heal in two months.
Roll Result
Spellpoint is lost, but the patient doesn't
1-9
benefit from it.
The bone fracture will heal in one and a half
10-14 months. During the next rest, one additional
HP is restored.
The bone fracture will heal in one month.
Through the healing ritual, 4 HP are restored.
15-19
During the next rest, two additional HP are
restored.
The bone fracture will heal in two weeks.
Through the healing ritual, 6 HP are restored.
During the next rest, four additional HP are
20-24
restored. The reattached limb stays attached
to the body (50% chance of not working or
functioning incorrectly).
The bone fracture will heal in one week.
Through the healing ritual, 8 HP are restored.
During the next rest, six additional HP are
25-29
restored. The reattached limb stays attached
to the body (25% chance of not working or
functioning incorrectly).
The bone fracture will heal in five days.
Through the healing ritual, 10 HP are restored.
During the next rest, eight additional HP are
30-34
restored. The reattached limb stays attached
to the body (10% chance of not working or
functioning incorrectly).
The bone fracture will heal in three days.
Through the healing ritual, 12 HP are restored.
During the next rest, ten additional HP are
35-39
restored. The reattached limb stays attached
to the body (5% chance of not working or
functioning incorrectly).
The bone fracture will heal during the
next rest. Through the healing ritual, 14 HP
40 and are restored. During the next rest, twelve
higher additional HP are restored. The reattached
limb stays attached to the body and functions
perfectly.
Sorcery 139
 Ritual: Limb Transplantation Roll Result
Price: 10 EXP
Spellpoint is lost, but the patient doesn't
Prerequisite: Ritual: Bone Mending, Restoration +14, 1-9
benefit from it.
Anatomy +6
10-14 Heals 2 HP
Restoration check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1 15-19 Heals 4 HP
Description: The healer is capable of attaching a donor limb 20-24 Heals 6 HP
to the body. 25-29 Heals 8 HP
To replace a limb, the limb donor and the patient must have 30-34 Heals 12 HP
the same blood type. Determining the blood type requires 35-39 Heals 16 HP
a doctor’s laboratory and an Anatomy check with a DL of
20. The chance of two random individuals having the same 40 and
Heals 20 HP
blood type is 5%. higher

The limb donor must not have been dead for more than a Ritual: Transfer of Soul Essence
day, or their body must be frozen or preserved in some other
way. Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +4, Restoration +12
Roll Result Restoration check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1
Spellpoint is lost, but the patient doesn't
1-29 Description: The sorcerer is capable of healing another
benefit from it.
person’s Soul HP through the transfer of their own Soul HP.
The limb is successfully connected to the
30-34 body. (50% chance of it not working or To transfer Soul HP, the healer and the recipient must be in
functioning improperly) physical contact, such as holding hands. The soul essence
transfer is a ritual that takes at least a couple of minutes. The
The limb is successfully connected to the
healer can transfer as many Soul HP as they wish, limited
35-39 body. (25% chance of it not working or
only by the number of Soul HP they possess.
functioning improperly)
The limb is successfully connected to the This ritual is also a foundational ability for many other spells
40-44 body. (10% chance of it not working or that require the sorcerer to transfer their soul essence to
functioning improperly) someone or something else.
The limb is successfully connected to the Additionally, the sorcerer can create Soul Essence potions,
45-49 body. (5% chance of it not working or which are healing elixirs that restore Soul HP. The sorcerer
functioning improperly) directs their Soul HP into a small bottle, where it appears as
50 and The limb is securely attached to the body and a mist. When people or otherworldly beings drink from this
higher functions perfectly. bottle, they restore their Soul HP.
Creating Soul Essence potions consumes the sorcerer’s
Fast Healing Soul HP, and there is a small chance that some of them will
Price: 10 EXP never be restored. Creating a Soul Essence potion costs 1
Spellpoint.
Prerequisite: Restoration +8
Restoration check DL: (see below) To create Soul Essence potions, the sorcerer rolls Restoration
Spellpoint cost: 1 to determine the potency of the Soul Essence they are
Description: The healer is capable of performing a small capable of creating. The sorcerer can choose to create a
energy transfer at a very high speed. To do this, the healer weaker Soul Essence potion.
must touch the person they wish to heal.
Fast Healing replaces one Attack in a Full Attack Action,
meaning that if a Full Attack Action does not provoke an
Attack of Opportunity, neither does this spell. Additionally,
this means that if the healer’s Full Attack consists of multiple
Attacks, they can use the Fast Healing ability multiple times
or use combination of healing and attacking within one Full
Attack Action.
This type of healing does not affect a person’s natural healing
rate or the rate at which wounds close. It is a simple energy
transfer that is suitable for use in combat situations.

140
 Amount of Soul
Ritual: Restoration of Soul Essence
Roll HP the essence Cost in Soul HP Price: 10 EXP
restores Prerequisite: Willpower +6, Restoration +10
Creating the Soul Essence potion fails; the Restoration check DL: (see below)
1-19 sorcerer temporarily loses 2d4 Soul HP and Spellpoint cost: 1
wastes 1 Spellpoint. Description: The sorcerer is capable of replenishing their
12 Soul HP, Willpower Soul HP through meditation. Meditating for 10 minutes costs
check DL 6, or 1 Soul one Spellpoint and restores Soul HP according to the result
20-24 1d6+6 of the Restoration roll.
HP doesn't restore
permanently. Restoration is rolled separately for each 10 minutes of
16 Soul HP, Willpower meditation.
check DL 8, or 1 Soul
25-29 1d8+8 Roll Result
HP doesn't restore
permanently. 1-9 Spellpoint is wasted, Soul HP aren't restored.
20 Soul HP, Willpower 10-14 Restores 1 Soul HP
30 and check DL 10, or 1 Soul
1d10+10 15-19 Restores 2 Soul HP
higher HP doesn't restore
permanently. 20-24 Restores 3 Soul HP
25-29 Restores 4 Soul HP
Ritual: Soul Bond 30-34 Restores 5 Soul HP
Price: 10 EXP 35-39 Restores 6 Soul HP
Prerequisite: Ritual: Transfer of Soul Essence
40-44 Restores 7 Soul HP
Restoration check DL: To create the soul bond, the sorcerer
must roll Restoration against a DL of 20. If the other party 45 and
Restores 8 Soul HP
involved in the bond does not want to form the bond, they more
can roll Spell Resistance against the sorcerer’s Restoration The ability works only while in a physical body or as a
check. soul in the Otherworld!
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The sorcerer is capable of creating a bond Witch Doctor
between themselves and another person, meaning that all Price: 15 EXP
damage to Soul HP that one party of the bond receives is
Prerequisite: Ritual: Bone Mending or Fast Healing,
divided in half and shared with the other party. If the divided
Restoration +14
damage results in a fraction, it is rounded down, and the
Description: The character is exceptionally skilled in healing
fraction of damage transferred is lost.
arts. All their healing spells restore two more HP than
To create the bond, the parties involved must be in usual (unless the healing wouldn’t restore any HP at all).
physical contact for at least a few minutes. The soul bond is Additionally, bones and wounds heal twice as fast as they
permanent until either party decides to end it. The sorcerer would normally.
can end the bond instantly whenever they wish. The other
party can end it using the Priest ritual: Blessing. The priest Acupuncture
must roll Channelling against the sorcerer’s Restoration
Price: 5 EXP
check to end the bond. If the other party involved in the
Prerequisite: Medicine or Restoration +4
bond also possesses the Soul Bond ability, they can end the
bond instantly as well. Description: Using acupuncture needles in medicine or
healing adds +2 to Medicine and Restoration rolls. These
The soul bond has several uses. The sorcerer can use it to aid needles are inserted into nerve points, helping natural
a friendly azure warrior or, conversely, create a bond with a healing and aiding energy flow for healers.
foe and then harm themselves to inflict pain to them.
The Acupuncture bonus is not applied when binding a
wound, casting a Fast Healing spell, or using spells to heal
the soul.
Acupuncture needles are typically made of metal or bone
and are 6 cm long.

Sorcery 141
 Ritual: Creation of Polong Ritual: Creation of Ilomba
Price: 15 EXP Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Ritual: Transfer of Soul Essence, Restoration Prerequisite: Ritual: Creation of Polong
+20, Metaphysics and Otherworld +12 Spellpoint cost: 1 (This is a lengthy ritual, and each
Spellpoint cost: 1 (This is a lengthy ritual, and each bloodletting costs one Spellpoint.)
bloodletting costs one Spellpoint.) Description: The process of creating an Ilomba is exactly the
Description: A powerful sorcerer who possesses profound same as that of creating a Polong. The only difference is that
knowledge of the Otherworld and mastery over the art of the crafted Ilomba requires 8 sorcerers Soul HP instead of 4.
energy manipulation can bring forth a “life” of its own — the
The created Ilomba shares similar characteristics with
polong.
the Polong but is significantly smarter. The most notable
To create a polong, the sorcerer must sacrifice people with difference is that the Ilomba appears identical to its creator,
the intention of bringing it into existence. The sacrificed unlike the Polong.
individuals’ blood is collected in a barrel. Approximately 50
Ilomba is capable of speech and, as it understands the
liters of blood are needed for the ritual. Each time blood
sorcerer’s commands precisely as intended, this skill almost
is collected, the sorcerer must succeed in a Restoration
gives the sorceer the ability to be in two places at once.
check against DL 20 to ensure the blood absorbs the
When the Ilomba must make decisions on its own, it will
necessary energy. If any attempt fails, the energy is wasted,
likely make the same choices as its creator would have made.
as the enriched blood becomes mixed with regular blood,
rendering the entire concoction useless, requiring the If the sorcerer has the ability to telepathically command
process to begin anew. Finally, the sorcerer must imbue the zombies and wraiths, they can also telepathically control
blood in the barrel with 4 of their own Soul HP, which will their Ilomba and use this ability to see through the Ilomba’s
eventually give rise to the polong. These 4 Soul HP are not eyes.
restored until after the Polong’s death.
However, the sorcerer who creates an Ilomba faces a
If all goes as planned, the sorcerer must seal the barrel airtight significant danger. Similar to the Polong, the Ilomba desires
and wait. It will take seven months to a year before sounds of to taste its master’s fresh blood every month. If it doesn’t
movement emanate from the barrel, signifying the birth of get this, it will break free from its master’s control. The freed
the newborn polong. Within the next week, the barrel must Ilomba’s goal becomes to kill its creator and take over their
be opened, and the sorcerer must expose a vein, allowing place in the world.
the polong to suck their blood, inflicting 2d4 Damage. Only
Cultural commentary: This ritual is widely condemned in
through this act can the sorcerer acquire the polong as a
most cultures because of the killing of innocent people.
servant. Failure to do so will result in the ravenous polong
breaking free from the barrel, seeking sustenance and
wreaking havoc.
Once fed, the polong will calm down until it becomes hungry
again in another week. The polong must be nourished with
the sorcerer’s blood for three to six months until it reaches
maturity. At this stage, the polong will not speak but will
unquestioningly obey its master’s commands to the best of
its understanding. Now, the adult polong can feed on the
blood of others up to three times a month. However, once
a month, it must receive its master’s blood; otherwise, it will
become independent and escape.
The Polong’s Soul HP replenishes when it feeds on blood.
Cultural commentary: This ritual is widely condemned in
most cultures because of the killing of innocent people.

142
Soulcraft *** – The soulsmith is also a smith. To calculate the time needed
to craft a magical item, refer to the crafting skill described in the
Soulcraft is a moderately well-known branch of sorcery, and Skills and Abilities section. Based on these limits, we know that
it shouldn’t be very difficult to find such a sorcerer in most +1 magical item requires a skill level of +10 in metalworking, +2
realms. requires a skill level of +20, and +3 requires a skill level of +30.
Adding the magical aspect does not extend the time required
Soulcraft has two aspects: firstly, it allows the sorcerer to
for completion.
directly convert their soul’s energy into electricity, making it
the only branch of sorcery capable of inflicting direct harm If the item does not have a masterwork weapon or armour
in battle. Secondly, soul manipulation enables the creation base, crafting it takes approximately a week.
of various magical items like Soulbleed weapons. Soulcraft spells
Thanks to its practical and economically beneficial nature, Ritual: Soul binding 10 EXP
those skilled in this school of magic are usually respected
individuals in society. However, they are also feared, for they Ritual: Binding Soul as Electricity 15 EXP
possess the knowledge to create weapons that not only kill Infusing Pre-made Object with a Soul’s Electricity 10 EXP
bodies but also kill the soul.
Channeling Soul as Electricity 10 EXP
It should be noted that many cultures are unaware of the
Channeling Soul as Electricity II 15 EXP
existence of several items crafted by soulcrafters.
Shield of Electricity 15 EXP
Soulsmiths are sorcerers who infuse a portion of their soul
into the item and create magic items through this unique Ritual: Crafting a Soul-infused item 15 EXP
process. There are two ways to archive this.
Ritual: Using another’s Soul 10 EXP
The first and simpler method, which produces more potent
Ritual: Crafting an Amulet 10 EXP
results, involves storing the soul during the item’s crafting. It
is a ritualistic and meditative practice that may require some
aid from hallucinogens, though nothing too strong; even
simple mushrooms can suffice, as the sorcerer must retain
the ability to craft the item. This is the process used to create
Soulbleed weapons.
The second method involves taking a finished item and,
through meditation, forcing part of one’s soulenergy into it.
Here, a stronger hallucinogen may be used.
During the work, the soulsmith forms a spiritual bond with
the item, which feels like an extension of their own limb
during the process. This bond typically ends when the work
is completed.
Technically, the soulsmith spends a portion of their Soul
Health Points for each creation. Depending on the complexity
of the item, these points may or may not regenerate.
Generally, the loss of Soul HP is permanent. In a literal sense,
the soulsmith forges their soul into currency.
* – The soulsmith cannot create an item more potent than their
available Soul HP. They must always keep at least 1 Soul HP. For
example, if a sorcerer has 24 Soul HP and attempts to create a
magical item worth 27 Soul HP, they cannot do so. They can
create an item worth 23 Soul HP or less.
** – The soulsmith can add the benefits of psychotropic
substances to their Soulcraft rolls. However, this is subject to
limitations, as they must remain capable of performing real
smithing work during the process and not merely slip into a
stupor.

Sorcery 143
 Ritual: Soul binding
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Soul +1, Willpower +2, some crafting or Art
skill at least +10 points (preferably blacksmithing if you want
to craft weapons), Metaphysics and Otherworld +4.
Soulcraft check DL: -
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: Grants the skill: Soulcraft (Soul).
The sorcerer is capable of forging Mirrorplate armours and
various silver weapons. The sorcerer must craft the item
themselves; apprentices can only assist in menial tasks.
Other types of plate armour can be made into mirrorplate
armour, not just the classic Asteanic Mirror armour (which
has DR 6 and Magical DR 2). In such cases, an additional cost
of 150 gold pieces is added to the armour’s price, and its
Magical DR is always 2. The time to craft the plate armour is
extended by 150 gold pieces (see formula under craft skill
descriptions).
Half of the weight of a silver weapon consists of silver. The
cost of a regular weapon is increased by 50 gold pieces.
Silver bullets are entirely made of silver. One silver bullet
weighs 10g, equivalent to 4 silver coins. In other words, a
soulsmith can cast 10 silver bullets from forty silver coins. 10
bullets typically cost 6 gold pieces.
Silver arrows contain the same amount of silver as silver
bullets, but the arrowheads contain steel, making their
crafting more complicated than casting bullets. 10 arrows
typically cost 8 gold pieces.
To craft a Mirror armour, silver weapon, 10 silver bullets, or
silver arrows, the soulsmith temporarily spends 10 Soul HP.
The soulsmith must roll Willpower against DL 5, or 1 Soul HP
will be lost permanently.
The number of times the ability can be used is limited by the
crafting time and the expenditure of Soul HP. Silver weapons
and Mirrorplate armours can be but do not have to be
masterpieces.
144
Ritual: Binding Soul as Electricity
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Ritual: Soul binding, Soulcraft +4
Soulcraft check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The sorcerer is capable of creating weapons
and arrows that deal electrical damage (but not bullets for
firearms). The sorcerer can create both permanent Lightning
blades and temporary electrical weapons with only one
charge - the weapon or arrow inflicts electrical damage
for one Attack. Usually, melee weapons are permanent
Lightning blades, while bolts and arrows are temporary
ones, as they are prone to disappear or break during use.
Electric weapons contain a small amount of copper or
silver (metals with excellent electrical conductivity). Electric
weapons can also be silver weapons, in which case an
additional cost of 50 gold denari is added, and a separate roll
for Soul HP loss is performed for creating the silver weapon.
Electrical weapons must be on a metal weapons.
Lightning blades do not have to be masterpieces, but
they can be. In such cases, the additional damage from
the masterpiece is added to the Lightning blades damage,
creating a very powerful weapon.
Lightning blad cannot be a Soulbleed weapon at the same
time.
There are five levels of permanent Lightning blades, which
add 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 2d6, or 2d8 Damage to the weapon.
Temporary lightning weapons have three levels, adding 1d4,
1d6, or 1d8 Damage to ammunition.
Normal armour does not provide any Damage Reduction
against the damage from an electrical weapon, which is
delivered as an electric shock. Only astral armour offers
protection, to the extent that its Magical Damage Reduction.
Mirror armour offers Magical DR 2.
Electricity damages Quasicorporeal and Corporeal
otherworldlings and souls (unless they are specifically
immune to it), but not Ethereal otherworldlings or ghosts.
The sorcerer first makes a Soulcraft roll, and then the power
level of the Lightning blades the sorcerer is capable of
creating is determined. The sorcerer can always decide to
create a less powerful Lightning blades than the roll would
allow.
In the table below, the needed Soulcraft roll, the type of
the resulting Lightning blade, temporary Soul HP loss, and
the roll not to lose any Soul HP permanently are presented.
When creating Lightning blades, there is a chance that the
soulsmith does not permanently lose any Soul HP, even for
the most powerful weapons.
 use more potent psychotropic mixtures since their hands
Types of electric
Roll Price of Soul HP need not be steady for crafting.
weapons
While the sorcerer cannot forge a weapon that is both a
4 Soul HP. Willpower
Temporary Soulbleed weapon and a Lightning blade simultaneously,
19 and check against DL 4 or 1
electrical this ability allows them to add temporary electric damage
less Soul HP will not recover
weapon +1d4 to a Soulbleed weapon, which only works as long as the
permanently.
Soulbleed weapon remains in its physical state.
6 Soul HP. Willpower
Temporary Table: Soulcraft check, type of Lightning blade created,
check against DL 6 or 1
20 electrical temporary loss of Soul HP, and the check to avoid
Soul HP will not recover
weapon +1d6 permanently losing Soul HP.
permanently.
Temporary Types of electric
electrical 10 Soul HP. Willpower Roll Price of Soul HP
weapons
weapon +1d8 check against DL 8 or 1
25 19 and
or permanent Soul HP will not recover Energy transfer fails.
Lightning blade permanently. less
+1d4 4 Soul HP. Willpower
Temporary
12 Soul HP. Willpower check against DL 4 or 1
Permanent 20 electrical
check against DL 8 or 2 Soul HP will not recover
30 Lightning blade weapon +1d4
Soul HP will not recover permanently.
+1d6
permanently. 6 Soul HP. Willpower
Temporary
14 Soul HP. Willpower check against DL 6 or 1
Permanent 30 electrical
check against DL 8 or 3 Soul HP will not recover
35 Lightning blade weapon +1d6
Soul HP will not recover permanently.
+1d8
permanently. 10 Soul HP. Willpower
Temporary
16 Soul HP. Willpower 40 and check against DL 8 or 1
Permanent electrical
check against DL 10 or 4 higher Soul HP will not recover
40 Lightning blade weapon +1d8
Soul HP will not recover permanently.
+2d6
permanently. Quickly crafted temporary lightning blades cost the same
20 Soul HP. Willpower as self-forged temporary lightning blades. The price of
Permanent
50 and check against DL 12 or 5 items is not so much determined by the work time as by the
Lightning blade
higher Soul HP will not recover danger involved in the crafting process (the possibility of
+2d8
permanently. permanently losing Soul HP).
The Lightning blade inflicts damage only upon hitting the
target. Additionally, by discussing with the GM, you may use
Channeling Soul as Electricity
this ability to create various traps, such as a metal plate that Price: 10 EXP
delivers an electric shock when stepped on. Prerequisite: Soulcraft +2
The cost and further description of magical items can be Soulcraft check DL: 12
found in the Equipment chapter. Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Attack. If the sorcerer has
multiple Attacks in Action, they can use this spell multiple
Infusing Pre-made Object with a Soul’s times. This Attack is part of a Full Attack Action.
Electricity Description: The sorcerer is capable of channelling spiritual
energy into their hands and transmitting it as an electric
Price: 10 EXP shock upon touch. Such an electric shock deals 1d4 +
Prerequisite: Willpower +6, Ritual: Binding Soul as Electricity, (Soulcraft skill level/2) Damage. The sorcerer can also deliver
+10 the shock through a sword or any other all-metal weapon
Soulcraft check DL: (see below) strike. If the Soulcraft check is lower than 12 or the Attack roll
Spellpoint cost: 1 fails, then the energy is simply wasted.
Description: The soulsmith is capable of rapidly creating Conventional armour does not protect against electrical
temporary lightning blades. In a single Action, the sorcerer damage. Only Astral armour provides as much protection as
channels their energy into a weapon or object, transforming it has Magical DR.
it into a temporary lightning blade.
Electricity damages Quasicorporeal and Corporeal
The sorcerer first makes a Soulcraft check to determine otherworldlings and souls (unless they are specifically
the strength of the lightning blade they can create. When immune to it), but not Ethereal otherworldlings or ghosts.
transferring energy into pre-made objects, the sorcerer can

Sorcery 145
 Channeling Soul as Electricity II Ritual: Crafting a Soul-infused item
Price: 15 EXP Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Channeling Soul as Electricity, Soulcraft +8 Prerequisite: Soul +2, Willpower +4, Soulcraft +6
Soulcraft check DL: 18 or higher, opposed by the opponent’s Soulcraft check DL: (see below)
Reflexes roll. Spellpoint cost: 1
Spellpoint cost: 2 points per Attack. If the sorcerer has Description: The sorcerer possesses the ability to create
multiple Attacks in an Action, they can use this spell multiple soul-infused items, which contain fragments of the sorcerer’s
times. This Attack is part of a Full Attack Action, replacing own soul. Astral travellers can extract these soul fragments
one Attack. from the items and venture into the spirit world with them.
Description: The sorcerer is capable of channelling spiritual
The process begins with the sorcerer making a Soulcraft roll
energy into their hands and transmitting it as an electrifying
to determine the potency of the soul-infused item they can
shock similar to lightning. This electric shock deals 1d8
create. The sorcerer has the option to create a less potent
+ Soulcraft skill level Damage. The shock can reach up to
item to preserve more Soul HP. For Soulbleed weapons and
a distance of 30 meters. To successfully land the Attack,
Astral armours, the sorcerer’s blacksmithing skill sets a limit –
the sorcerer must make a Soulcraft check opposed by the
Soulbleed weapons and Astral armours cannot have a higher
opponent’s Reflexes check. If the roll is less than 18 or the
bonus than the masterwork it is based on.
Attack roll fails, the energy is simply wasted.
Conventional armour does not protect against electrical Temporary loss of Soul
Soulcraft Types of soul-
damage. Only Astral armour provides as much protection as HP, and permanent loss
check infused items
it has Magical DR. of soul HP
Electricity damages Quasicorporeal and Corporeal Temporarily, the
otherworldlings and souls (unless they are specifically Mirror to the sorcerer loses 10 Soul
Up to 24
immune to it), but not Ethereal otherworldlings or ghosts. Otherworld +2 HP and an additional 1
permanently.
Shield of Electricity Soulbleed
Price: 15 EXP weapon or
Temporarily, the
Prerequisite: Channeling Soul as Electricity, Soulcraft +12 Astral shield +1,
sorcerer loses 12 Soul
Soulcraft check DL: 20 25 Mirror to the
HP and an additional 2
Otherworld +4,
Spellpoint cost: 2 permanently.
Soul-infused
Description: The sorcerer unleashes the energy within tools.
themselves, causing electricity to crackle on their skin.
Anyone who touches the sorcerer will receive an electric Mirror to the
Temporarily, the
shock. Touching or attacking the sorcerer with a metal Otherworld +6,
sorcerer loses 14Soul
weapon inflicts 1d4 + (Soulcraft skill level/4) Damage. 30 Soulshackles +2,
HP and an additional 3
Astral armour
Spell lasts for as many rounds as the sorcerer’s Soulcraft skill permanently.
(Magical DR 3).
level. Activating the ability takes whole Action.
Temporarily, the
Soulbleed
Additionally, the sorcerer becomes immune to all electrical sorcerer loses 16 Soul
35 weapon or Astral
attacks. On the contrary, electrical attacks against the HP and an additional 3
shield +2.
sorcerer have the opposite effect, extending the duration permanently.
of the energy shield. Each electrical attack that reaches the Temporarily, the
sorcerer extends the energy shield’s duration by 10 rounds. Soulshackles +4,
sorcerer loses 18 Soul
40 Astral armour
Normal armours do not provide any protection against HP and an additional 4
(Magical DR 6).
electrical damage. Only Astral armours offer as much permanently.
protection as their Magical DR. Temporarily, the
Soulbleed
Electricity damages Quasicorporeal and Corporeal sorcerer loses 20 Soul
45 weapon or Astral
otherworldlings and souls (unless they are specifically HP and an additional 5
shield +3.
immune to it), but not Ethereal otherworldlings or ghosts. permanently.
Temporarily, the
Astral armour
sorcerer loses 22 Soul
50 (Magical DR 9),
HP and an additional 5
Soulshackles +6.
permanently.
The cost and further description of magical items can be
found in the Equipment chapter.

146
* – The sorcerer has the chance to regain permanently lost Soul
HP if the soul-infused item is destroyed. To achieve this, the
sorcerer must roll Willpower against a DL of 10 + the number
of lost Soul HP.
** – Soulbleed weapon’s physical masterwork bonus must
match the magical Soulbleed bonus, i.e., a Soulbleed weapon
+2 must also be a regular masterwork weapon +2. Same with
shields.
magical items, up to the number of their Soul attribute
points, which will affect them simultaneously. If their Soul
attribute points are less than 0, then only one item can be
worn.
After the sorcerer performs a Soulcraft check, the level of
potency for the magical item they can create is determined.
The sorcerer has the option to craft a less powerful item to
prevent excessive loss of Soul HP.

Ritual: Using another’s Soul Potency level

Temporary loss of Soul
Price: 10 EXP Soulcraft of the crafted
HP, and permanent loss
check Amulet of Spell
Prerequisite: Willpower +4, Ritual: Crafting a Soul-infused of soul HP
Resistance
item, Soulcraft +8, Metaphysics and Otherworld +6 (this
Ability requires a very good understanding of the laws of the Temporarily, the
Otherworld). Amulet of Spell sorcerer loses 10 Soul
Up to 24
Description: A formidable soulsmith is capable of learning Resistance +2. HP and an additional 1
to circumvent the loss of their own Soul HP in order to create permanently.
Soul-infused items. This involves learning how to use the Temporarily, the
souls of others trapped in tools or objects as a source of Amulet of Spell sorcerer loses 15 Soul
energy. When using this method, only half of the designated 25
Resistance +4. HP and an additional 2
Soul HP is deducted from the sorcerer, while the rest is permanently.
drawn from the soul trapped in the tool. If the number of Temporarily, the
used Soul HP does not divide equally, the calculation is Amulet of Spell sorcerer loses 20 Soul
done in favour of the sorcerer. For example, if the sorcerer 30
Resistance +6. HP and an additional 3
should permanently lose 3 Soul HP, dividing it by two would permanently.
mean losing only 1 Soul HP from their own reserve, and the
remaining 2 would come from the soul trapped in the tool. Temporarily, the
However, the sorcerer always loses one Soul HP regardless of Amulet of Spell sorcerer loses 25 Soul
35
the calculations. Resistance +8. HP and an additional 4
permanently.
The Soul HP extracted from trapped souls in tools is
Temporarily, the
calculated using the same system as described in the Abilities
Amulet of Spell sorcerer loses 30 Soul
section. The only difference is that the temporary loss of Soul 40
Resistance +10. HP and an additional 5
HP is permanent for the tool. If the tool lacks enough Soul
permanently.
HP to create a Soul-infused item, the sorcerer must add an
appropriate amount of their own Soul HP. Amulet of Spell
Resistance is also
A sorcerer who employs such practices in their craft must Soul-infused
understand that it involves something particularly cruel and item, which
unnatural, which may not go unpunished by the rules of the means it will Sorcerer loses 2 Soul HP
Otherworld. Additionally, the sorcerer must acquire trapped +5
accompany the permanently.
souls from somewhere, as this skill only grants the ability to wearer when
use them, not create them. (The relevant spell falls under they depart from
school of Necromancy.) their physical
form.
Ritual: Crafting an Amulet
The cost and further description of magical items can be
Price: 10 EXP
found in the Equipment chapter.
Prerequisite: Soul +2, Crafting a Soul-infused item, Soulcraft
+8
Soulcraft check DL: (see below)
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The sorcerer is capable of crafting Amulets
of Spell Resistance and other magical items, which can be
found at Equipment chapter. These amulets can take the
form of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and, of course, amulets.
Only one same type of amulet can be worn at a time.
A person can simultaneously wear several different

Sorcery 147
 GODS, RELIGIONS, AND CHANNELING
In the Asteanic world, there are many gods and various
religions. Most of the world’s religions are polytheistic. There
are also monotheistic religions, but even they acknowledge
the existence of powerful Otherworldly beings. Arguing with
reality is just pointless.
Most cultures consider all Otherworldlings as gods or
some aspects of their gods. This means that characters may
sometimes enter a temple where an Otherworldly being is
worshipped and/or kept forcefully.
Most cultures, despite worshipping different gods, do not
engage in religious conflicts with other cultures. Conflicts
primarily arise within cultures, such as disputes within the
Asteanic religion over concepts of Collective Spirit and
Reincarnation.
Gods are divided into two types: major deities and lesser
deities.
Major deities are associated with larger, overarching
concepts, such as the god of death, the god of trade, the
god of the sea, or the god of war. Lesser deities, on the other
hand, are either nature gods linked to specific locations,
like the god of that lake, forest or swamp, or ancestor-gods
associated with specific human groups, such as our tribe’s
ancestor god or the ancient god-king of this city, and so on.
Major Deities
Major deities are characterized by their elusive nature to
humans. There is no specific place where they reside, no
clear understanding of their appearance, and no direct way
to communicate with them. Therefore, their nature is largely
the domain of theological debates.
Major deities have avatars in the human world or Otherworld,
otherworldly totemic beings through whom priests can
make pacts with them by fulfilling their tasks.
One can make pacts with as many major deities as they
wish, as pacts with major deities do not come with any
taboos that need to be written on the character sheet. To
make a pact, one must summon the major deity’s totemic
being or visit a sacred place where a major deity’s totemic
being resides. The totemic being assigns a task to the priest.
These tasks are complex, and completing one task can be a
whole adventure. Some examples are listed with each major
deity, but it’s better for the game master to come up with
tasks depending on the course of the game. Completing a
task allows the priest to purchase spells offered by the major
deity, listed in the major deities’ descriptions. Completing a
task does not grant any spells for free.
Since direct communication with major deities is impossible,
questioning religious dogmas from them is also impossible.
Therefore, a priest can relate to their religion’s major deities
quite freely without losing their spells.
148
Lesser Deities
Lesser deities are actual beings in the game to whom the
Game Master can assign Health Points, Skills, and Abilities.
All lesser deities belong to a certain deity class or portfolio,
which determines the spells that can be acquired by a priest
who enters into a pact with them. The classes of lesser deities
are wind deities, water deities, forest and earth deities,
mountain deities and ancestors.
Every lesser deity possesses a unique physical form, often
based on an Otherworldling. Since lesser deities exist in
the realm of reality, their influence on people and the
surrounding world is generally more noticeable compared
to major deities. However, this influence is limited to the
regions where they reside or rule as nature deities.
Establishing a pact with lesser deities necessitates initial
contact with them, which can be achieved through a
Theology Ritual: Prayer (only effective when the character is
in the same region as the deity) or physically seeking out the
deity.
To formalize a pact, a priest must fulfil the task assigned
by the lesser deity and adhere to the lesser deity’s taboo
or principle which has to be written on the character
sheet. Tasks set by lesser deities are typically less complex
than those imposed by major deities.
Priests have the capacity to enter into pacts with up to ten
lesser deities, as each new contract requires the adoption of
one of the deity’s principles or taboos, and characters can
possess a maximum of ten principles and other personality
traits.
Each contract includes a selection of spells specified in the
descriptions of the lesser deity portfolios that the priest can
purchase after formalizing the pact.
Suggestions for lesser deity taboos are provided, although
the Game Master and player can collaboratively devise any
taboos they prefer.
Should a priest breach a lesser deity’s taboo, there is a
50% likelihood that they will forfeit the spells bestowed
by that deity and must seek reconciliation.
Keep in mind that if a character really wishes to establish
pacts with ten deities, they won’t have the capacity to
accommodate any extra personality traits, principles, or
goals, as the total count of these elements cannot exceed
ten.
Playing a Priest The third group of spells comes from contracts with major
deities, which can be made by receiving tasks from and
To use priest spells, a PC must purchase the skill: Channelling, fulfilling them for the major deity’s totemic creature. Spells
which is not initially present on the Character Sheet. received from major deities are powerful, and acquiring
Channelling is an Instinct skill. them requires significant effort to please the deity. Once a
contract with a major deity is established, it never breaks.
However, characters can forge contracts with gods without
possessing this skill. For instance, if they plan to become a Additionally, there are theology rituals that do not require
priest later or wish to earn favour with a local nature deity the Channelling skill at all.
through a contract.
There are two ways to acquire the Channelling skill:
1. Purchasing Theology Ritual: Prayer
2. Purchasing Self-Powered Spell: Divine Aid
Technically, Channelling works the same way as other magic:
the priest selects a spell to cast, makes a Channelling check
as indicated in the spell description, and the spell consumes
Spellpoints.
Both Channelling spells and mage’s spells share the same
pool of Spellpoints. If a character purchases both Channelling
spells and spells from magic schools, the Spellpoints from
both sources are combined. Spellpoints regenerate every
morning after 8 hours of rest.
Just like with other types of magic, a priest faces consequences
if their Channelling check results in a roll of 0 or less.

Channelling Spells
Channelling spells, like other forms of magic, are divided
into spells that can be cast as one Action or are part of a Full
Attack, and rituals that take approximately ten minutes to
perform.
In addition, priest spells are categorized into three groups, all
utilizing the Channelling skill:
The first group consists of Self-Powered spells. These
abilities are not specifically linked to any particular deity,
meaning they can be acquired even without forming a pact
with a god. Characters can attribute increased strength or
a more potent strike to a deity, but in reality, it’s their own
faith and soul’s energy at work. These spells only affect the
priest and do not influence anyone else without additional
abilities.
The second group of spells originates from contracts with
lesser deities. These spells can influence the external world
more realistically than other magic. These contracts are tied
to a lesser deity, and the priest channels the world-altering
energy of that deity. A priest can form contracts with up to
ten lesser deities, but in return, they must perform deeds for
the deities and embrace the taboos or principles of those
deities. Breaking a lesser deity’s taboo may result in the
contract breaking (50% chance). Additionally, it is possible
to kill lesser deities, in which case priests lose their spells.

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 149

 Religions in the Asteanic World
The Doctrine of Eternal Waters
Also known as the Temple of the Divine Ocean or just
Asteanic Polytheism.
The Asteanic people believe they originated from the
Eternal Waters, an ancient realm of water from which they
were once expelled. All Asteanic individuals are descendants
of the ancestral deities, Bellaris and Regulla, and most of
their other major deities as well. The majority of Asteans also
adhere to the Concept of Reincarnation,
believing that after death, they are reborn
as water elves (a concept difficult to prove or
disprove).
What sets Asteanic religion apart is the
absence of any gods associated with
the creation of the world. Instead, they
have adopted local creator deities when
subjugating other lands. For instance, in
Orenic lands, this has led to a syncretic
religion known as the Cult of the 18 Gods,
blending local creator deities with the
Asteanic deities.
As the Orenic belief is that after death, all
individuals merge into the Collective Spirit
from which they were originally born, this
has stirred up strife within the Asteanic
community. The conflict has even spread
throughout the entire Asteanic world. This
concept is equally challenging to prove.
Old or Azurian deities complement the
Thefna Asteanic pantheon, associated
with natural forces and feared rather than
worshipped. Azurian deities are regarded
as demanding and hostile toward Asteans.
The major Asteanic deities symbolize the
Asteanic capacity to withstand those forces
of nature.
Asteanic belief is that all Otherworldly
beings are aspects of some deity. Aspects
linked to their major deities are sometimes
invoked and venerated. Special temples
house some of these aspects, serving as
significant pilgrimage destinations. Asteans
also venerate numerous local lesser deities
with whom they interact closely.
The official doctrine of the Temple of the
Divine Ocean rejects the idea that anyone,
even the aspects of the gods, can predict the
future. Divination is considered heretical.

Asteanic Waterburial

150
But in general, their religion is quite tolerant of other faiths. The view on ancestor spirits also varies. While they may not
They recognize other nations’ gods as local deities, and when have succeeded in uniting with the Collective Spirit, they are
they settle in foreign lands, they also worship them. Only the believed to remain in the Otherworld to support and guide
monotheistic beliefs are foreign and incomprehensible to future generations.
them. In most Asteanic nations, the Concept of Collective Spirit
While Asteans generally offer animals or material goods as is prohibited, and its practitioners are actively pursued by
sacrifices, it’s not unheard of for a human to be offered as temples and theologians. However, it is relatively easy to
a sacrifice before significant military campaigns or other conceal this belief since it is not directly observable, except
extraordinary events. However, this tradition has almost died for the burial traditions.
out, as many Astean people no longer tolerate this brutal
tradition.
Asteanic polytheism and the priesthood of the Temple of the
Divine Ocean support a complex, multi-caste social hierarchy
through traditions and myths.
However, a deep rift exists in Asteanic culture when it comes
to beliefs about the Concept of Collective Spirit and the
Concept of Reincarnation. Both concepts acknowledge
the same gods, but the central dispute revolves around
what happens to the soul after death, leading to significant
differences in their approach to traditions and the world.
Most Asteans believe in the reincarnation as water elves,
a cornerstone of the Asteanic religion since its inception.
Believers of the Concept of Reincarnation view themselves as
superior to other nations, as only an Asteanic person can be
reborn as a water elf when a proper waterburial is performed.
As you can imagine, this raises the question of what happens
if one parent is not Asteanic? This has led to complex debates
among believers in reincarnation on whether the soul comes
from the mother, the father, or both. Among the common
people, there is a belief that one Asteanic parent is sufficient.
Additionally, believers in reincarnation regard ancestor
spirits in the Otherworld as beings who failed on their life
journey, not achieving rebirth, and becoming trapped in
the spirit realm. Hence, the veneration of ancestors is not
prevalent among them. Why worship a failed ancestor?
Supporters of the Collective Spirit Concept believe that
after death, the souls of all the world’s people unite into one
great Collective Spirit, from which all the world’s souls were
originally drawn. This belief has led them to feel more equal
to other nations, and they do not see intermarriage with
foreigners as taboo.
There is also a significant difference in burial customs.
Collective Spirit believers advocate cremation because they
believe it helps the soul move on more effectively. The ashes
are either interred in a necropolis with an urn or scattered.
On the other hand, those who believe in the Reincarnation
concept favour waterburials, where the deceased’s body,
encased in concrete shoes, is submerged in the sea or
another body of water to expedite rebirth as a water elf.

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 151

 Assuming the Role of a God
(for GM)
There is no need for major deities to be described in greater
detail within the game since player characters neither
directly communicate with them nor have the opportunity
to meet them. This is opposite to the interaction frequency
of lesser gods/deities who can have a direct influence on the
PC’s domain, its nature and the Otherworld. They may even
cross paths with PCs in person.
Lesser gods are strange, have irrational behaviour and are
often selfish, moody and indifferent towards humankind.
There are two types of lesser gods. Firstly, ancestral spirits
who have become so powerful they’ve elevated to the status
of god. Secondly, Otherworldlings who have become so
powerful they’ve elevated to the status of god.
A lesser deity may be an avatar for a major god at the same
time and it’s possible to enter into a pact with the major
deity through the lesser god.
Lesser gods are usually local, often bound to a lake, river,
mountain range or other geographical object. Their scope of
power over the object remains a mystery.
Lesser gods may reside in the human world but more often
than not they can be found in their pocket of The Otherworld.
This pocket usually reflects the god’s personality. A bog god
could live in an eternal bog.
All lesser gods have some type of physical manifestation
which is usually but not always killable. Killing a lesser god
takes away powers associated with them from all priests
who have entered into a pact with the now-deceased god.
Killing a god is not simple by any stretch of the imagination,
the god may be born again or restore their health in some
way. However, lands are filled with myths and legends of
such events taking place. Sometimes the hero assumes the
role of a new god. Many nature gods have been murdered
by heroes. Lesser gods are hard to find in well-populated
areas for this precise reason. But, less populated areas are
littered with geographical sites which have their own god or
an Otherworlding who calls the area home. In any case, most
gods stay away from humans and communicate minimally
with their priests.
Gods that have developed from ancestral spirits can be
grouped by type: hunter, farmer, warrior, shaman. It’s not
enough to be of the right religion to work with a god like
that, a deeper connection between priest and ancestor has
to exist. This may be belonging to the same tribe, or caste or
being a permanent resident of a specific region. What this
deeper connection might be is up to the GM to decide.
A priest has to fulfil a lesser god’s wish to enter into a pact
with them. These tasks are of varying difficulty and the GM
can pick one from the table below or come up with their
own. Once the lesser god has made their demands it is no
longer up for debate. The god will not speak to the priest
again before the wish has been fulfilled.
152
Roll d100% for Lesser God’s Task
1-4% Deity demands food sacrifice (2d10 kg).
5-9% Deity demands alcohol (2d10 litres).
Deity demands song & dance to be
10-19%
performed (Roll Music against DL 15).
20-29% Deity demands animal sacrifice.
Deity demands jewellery or other shiny knick
30-39%
knacks worth 2d20 GD as sacrifices.
Deity demands a personal totem or sacred
40-49%
area to be created in their honour.
Deity demands a sacrifice of a large animal
50-54%
which has to be the nicest of local breeds.
Deity does not wish for anything and enters
55-59%
the pact with no personal demands.
Deity demands a small temple or place of
60-64%
worship to be built in their honour.
Deity demands another god’s place of
65-69%
worship be destroyed.
Deity wants the priest to have revenge on a
70-74% perpetrator for wrongdoing towards themself
or nature.
Deity demands revenge on another priest
75-79%
who has broken taboo and not apologised.
Deity demands a priest create trouble for
80-84%
another lesser god.
Deity demands a human sacrifice of a
85-89%
beautiful young man or woman.
Deity demands a Soulbleed weapon or some
90-94%
other type of magical item.
Deity demands the completion of a specific
95-98% complex task (locate an item stolen from
them 100 years ago etc.).
Deity has fallen in love with a pretty young
99% human and wishes to marry them, you must
arrange the union.
Deity despises you for some reason and
100% wishes to have nothing to do with you now
and forever.
When a priest fulfils a lesser deity’s request, they can acquire
all the spells offered by the lesser deity. Just like with major
deities, completing the task doesn’t grant the priest any
spells for free but simply makes it possible to purchase the
deity-related spells.
While communication with a lesser deity is limited to the
region where they reside, the spells obtained from them can
still be used worldwide.
If, for any reason, the priest violates the principle or taboo
binding them to the deity, there is a 50% chance that they
will lose all the abilities granted by that deity.
To regain these abilities, the priest must either contact the
lesser deity, who will convey a new request (one request is
sufficient to restore all spells), or choose a new deity of a
similar type to establish a new contract if the lesser deity is
unforgiving.

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 153

 Deities of the Asteanic World personal pocket of the Otherworld.
Many lesser gods are nature gods of a domain so many of
and Spells They Offer them have opinions on what and how PCs can build in their
domain. Examples found here are not set in stone, they are
Lesser Gods and Their Portfolios recommendations or general guidelines, for example not all
aquatic gods are automatically against fishing.
Lesser gods come in many shapes and sizes. They may look like
humanoids, animals or Otherworldlings. Their appearance is
usually a direct reference to their portfolio. A forest god may
resemble an animal, nymph, faun or a shapeshifter. If a GM
decides to assign attributes and skills to a lesser god it’s a
good idea to base these on a related animal or creature and
elevate their natural strengths or weaknesses indefinitely.
Some lesser gods have a pocket within The Otherworld
which they preside and have limitless power over. This area
may be connected to other pockets of The Otherworld or be
a standalone pocketplane. A lesser god can be vulnerable
in the human world but is always almost invincible in their

Portfolio of lesser god Examples of taboos or convictions

Examples of base creatures to build required from priests
gods around.
Wind gods
Phoenix, thunderbird
Water gods
Water elves, nymph, aquatic
dragon, hydra
Forest & earth gods
Nymph, faun, kodama tree, leshi
Bog gods
Fallen nymph, blue oni, hydra
Desert & other barren land gods
Fallen nymph, phoenix,
thunderbird
Spells available for priests who have
Typically dislikes following entered into a pact with the god
establishments within the domain
Some wind gods like dust which can
be swept up by wind because of this
they may forbid their priests from ever Whirlwind
tidying up. Call Lightning
Some Wind gods may not like high-rise Divine Vision
buildings as they do not allow wind to
blow freely (towers, castles etc.).
Respecting and protecting water
bodies and their holiness. (No
changing the course of the river, no Blessing and Cursing
dams that restrict the flow of water, Protection from Evil Eye
rivers must be respected as they Improved Protection from Evil Eye
are home to a god. Overfishing and Divine Vision
polluting are forbidden). Herald of the God
May not like towns near the water’s Prophetic Curses
edge, may not like waterways to be
used by ships & boats.
Priest must actively fight against Vines of the Forest God
forestry, forest must be kept
Blessing and Cursing
untouched as it’s home of god.
Divine Vision
Protection from Evil Eye
Draining bogs is not allowed.
Improved Protection from Evil Eye
Herald of the God
Desert god’s priest must prevent canal
systems from being built. Prophetic Curses

154
Portfolio of lesser god
Examples of base creatures to build required from priests
gods around.
Mountain gods
Onis
Especially large red onis
Mountain gods
Tengus
Gods of Samurai culture,
mountains and forests.
Intrinsically powerful tengus.
Ancestral gods
Ancestor Spirits living in the
Otherworld or invisible ancestors
living in necropolis and far from
civilisations. Some have risen
to the rank of a god and can be
entered into a pact the same as
lesser gods.
Ancestral spirits are divided into
four groups, hunters, warriors,
farmers or shamans. A region
usually has one ancestral god
who is usually so old that modern
inventions and cultures are
unknown to them. Ancestral gods
tend to live in the similar routine
like all ancestral spirits.
Examples of taboos or convictions
Typically dislikes following
establishments within the domain
Onis want their priests to regularly
sacrifice very large animals, lots of food
& alcohol. Life as a priest of a glutinous
god is therefore rather tedious.
Main principles of Samurai caste
(loyalty, obeying the master, etc)
Protecting mountain ranges
(mountains are tengu’s hunting ground
and hunting without permission
warrants a death sentence).
Protecting forests & mountain ranges
from destructive effects of human
inhabitants.
Tengus do not like forestry nor
humans that try to travel through the
mountains too often.
Ancestors want their priests to be
unyielding in following their culture’s
taboos. This taboo can be historic and
strange to modern humans but has
to be a behaviour that the culture has
truly followed once upon a time.
A hunter ancestor may forbid their
priest from selling hunted spoils and
make them share these goods with the
whole tribe. A warrior may forbid the
priest from running away from battle.
Gods, Religions, and Channeling
Spells available for priests who have
entered into a pact with the god
Boiling blood of Oni
Strike of the Warrior Spirit
Hunters Body Sigil
Instincts Face Sigil
Stealth Sigil
Reflexes of Tengu
Divine Vision
Herald of the God
Spells all ancestral gods provide:
Blessing and Cursing
Divine Vision
Ritual: Protective Circle
Hunter Ancestor provides in addition:
Shot of the Hunter Spirit
Hunters Body Sigil
Runners Sigil
Warrior ancestor provides in addition:
Strike of the Warrior Spirit
Herald of the God
Shaman ancestor provides in addition:
Protection from Evil Eye Improved
Protection from Evil Herald of the God
Prophetic Curses
Farmer ancestor provides in addition:
Protection from Evil Eye Improved
Protection from Evil Instincts Face Sigil
155
 Channelling Spells
To start purchasing Channelling spells, a character must
acquire either the Theology Ritual: Prayer or the Self-Powered
Spell Divine Aid as their first spell as only those grant the
character new skill: Channelling (Instinct).

Theology Rituals
Ritual: Prayer 10 EXP
Ritual Mastery 20 EXP

Self-Powered Spells
Divine Aid 10 EXP
Divine Strength 10 EXP
Divine Protection 10 EXP
Divine Strike 10 EXP
Greater Divine Aid 10 EXP
Greater Divine Strength 10 EXP
Greater Divine Protection 10 EXP
Greater Divine Strike 10 EXP

Spells from Pacts with Lesser Gods

Blessing and Cursing 15 EXP
Protection from Evil Eye 10 EXP
Divine Vision 10 EXP
Improved Protection from Evil Eye 10 EXP
Herald of the God 10 EXP
Prophetic Curses 20 EXP
Ritual: Protective Circle 10 EXP
Strike of the Warrior Spirit 15 EXP
Shot of the Hunter Spirit 15 EXP
Vines of the Forest God 20 EXP
Whirlwind 15 EXP
Call Lighting 20 EXP

Spells from Pacts with Asteanic Lesser Gods

Reflexes of Tengu 20 EXP
Boiling blood of Oni 10 EXP

156
Theology Rituals Bonus to Channelling
Result of Theology check
Theology rituals can be considered the foundation of the ritual check
entire priestly magic system, providing a means to connect Less than 10 0
with the deities. While these rituals may appear similar to 10-14 +1
other Channelling abilities, they require rolling Theology
rather than Channelling for their execution. 15-19 +2
20-24 +4
Ritual: Prayer 25-29 +6
Price: 10 EXP 30-34 +8
Prerequisite: Theology +2 35-39 +10
Spellpoint cost: 1
40 or more +12
Theology check DL: 15
Description: The character gains the skill: Channelling
(Instinct). Extra bonus to
Special Criteria
Channelling ritual check
This ritual allows the character to make themselves heard
Ceremonial play lasts over
by the gods. When praying in regions where minor deities +1
an hour
operate or in places consecrated to them, which are close
to the deity’s dwelling, the priest can ask one question of a The ceremony is
minor deity. The minor deity may choose to answer or not. If celebrated with festivities +1
the priest has formed a pact with the minor deity, it is more pleasing to the deity
likely that the god will respond. The ceremony is
When answering, the game master should consider performed on a traditional +1
that minor deities are local otherworldly beings whose altar of sacrifice
knowledge of the human world is often surprisingly limited. The ceremony is
+1
Their understanding of humans may not encompass conducted in a temple
understanding the natural needs and desires of humans. The ceremony is attended
Ancestral-type deities understand humans a little better, by an Otherworldling +4
but they live in the past in their minds. Also, the deity is not associated with the deity
obligated to speak the truth.
The offering is a voluntary
The character can establish contact with new deities by +8
human sacrifice
praying in the right places, in order to propose forming a In addition to the priest,
pact. another priest with
If the religion allows for future predictions, the responses Channelling skill takes
to prayers can also manifest as symbolic omens, such as part in the ceremony +1 per priest, up to +10
an eagle flying while carrying a snake, etc. Interpreting (all priests participating
these omens is purely a role-playing matter and subject to in the ceremony lose 2
theological debates. Spellpoints)
This ability enables the game master to provide hints, more Gameplay commentary: The most powerful priest rituals
or less helpful, to players in need through the deity. require surpassing extremely high Difficulty Levels (e.g., 50,
60, or even 90). The PC’s goal is to min-max their Channelling
Ritual Mastery ritual bonuses to unrealistically high levels.
Price: 20 EXP This is intended to mechanically demonstrate the necessity
Prerequisite: Channelling +6, Theology +8 of various rituals and sacrifices to persuade the gods to allow
Spellpoint cost: Adds 2 Spellpoints to the Spellpoint cost humans to channel their power for something crucial to
of the ritual. No additional Spellpoints are gained when them but unimportant to gods, such as altering the wind
purchasing the ability. during a sea battle.
Theology check DL: See below
Description: The priest believes that precise adherence to
religious practices enhances the potency of their Channelling
Rituals - and it’s true. By rolling the Theology check, the priest
can determine the bonus they can add to their Channelling
roll during the Ritual. Additionally, extra bonus can be added
to the roll by meeting specific criteria.

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 157

 Self-Powered Spells
Self-powered spells don’t require the character to learn or
make a pact with any deity. Once the requirements are met,
they can automatically purchase these spells.
Spells that grant additional points can be used to raise a
single attribute or skill only once.
For example, by casting Divine Strength three times, a priest can
increase their Speed, Body, and Precision each by 2 points, but
not Speed by a total of 6 points.
Divine Aid
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +1
Channelling check DL: 10
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The character gains the skill: Channelling
(Instinct).
The priest can add 4 points to one of the following skills:
Athletics, Stealth Skills, Riding, Mechanics, Metal, Stone and
Woodwork or Textile and Leatherwork
Depending on the nature of the activity for which these
points are needed, they last for one roll or Channelling skill
level times 10 minutes. For activities that take longer than
the spells duration but require a single roll, consider the
bonus available for that single roll.
Activating this spell takes one full Action.
Divine Strength
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +1, Channelling +4
Channelling check DL: 14
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The priest gains 2 points added to a physical
attribute of their choice.
If points are added to the Body, the character temporarily
gains 2 HP and their (melee) attack Damage increases by
2 points. Additionally, they gain a +2 bonus to Attack in
unarmed combat (using Athletics skill).
If points are added to Speed, the character’s Movement
Speed increases by 4 meters. Attacks with weapons under
the Speed attribute have a +2 bonus, and their Reflexes and
Parrying increase by two.
If points are added to Precision, the character’s Attacks with
weapons under the Precision attribute increase by +2.
The added points last for Channelling skill level times ten
minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 1 Spellpoint.
158
Divine Protection
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +1, Channelling +4
Channelling check DL: 14
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The priest gains 2 points of Damage Reduction.
The priest flexes their muscles and believes that the god
will not let them break. This bonus DR will be added to DR
gained from armour.
Damage Reduction lasts for the Channelling skill level times
ten minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 1 Spellpoint.
Divine Strike
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +1, Channelling +4
Channelling check DL: 14
Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Attack. If the priest has multiple
Attacks in Action, they can use this spell multiple times. This
spell is part of an Attack.
Description: The priest can add 4 points of Damage to
one melee Attack. This spell can only be used with melee
weapons (throwing weapons count also).
The use of this spell must be declared before the Attack as
the Spellpoints are lost even if the Attack fails.
Greater Divine Aid
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Divine Aid, Channelling +8
Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest can add 8 points to one of the
following skills: Athletics, Stealth Skills, Riding, Mechanics,
Metal, Stone and Woodwork or Textile and Leatherwork
Depending on the nature of the activity for which these
points are needed, they last for one roll or Channelling skill
level times 10 minutes. For activities that take longer than
the spells duration but require a single roll, consider the
bonus available for that single roll.
Activating this spell takes one full Action.
Greater Divine Strength
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Divine Strength, Channelling +10,
Channelling check DL: 18
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest gains 4 points added to a physical
attribute of their choice.
If points are added to the Body, the character temporarily
gains 4 HP and their (melee) attack Damage increases by
4 points. Additionally, they gain a +4 bonus to Attack in
unarmed combat (using Athletics skill).
If points are added to Speed, the character’s Movement
Speed increases by 8 meters. Attacks with weapons under
the Speed attribute have a +4 bonus, and their Reflexes and
Parrying increase by four.
If points are added to Precision, the character’s Attacks with
weapons under the Precision attribute increase by +4.
The added points last for Channelling skill level times ten
minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoints.

Greater Divine Protection

Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Divine protection, Channelling +8
Channelling check DL: 18
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest gains 4 points of Damage Reduction.
The priest flexes their muscles and believes that the god
will not let them break. This bonus DR will be added to DR
gained from armour.
Damage Reduction lasts for the Channelling skill level times
ten minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoint.

Greater Divine Strike

Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Divine Strike, Channelling +8
Channelling check DL: 18
Spellpoint cost: 2 points per Attack. If the priest has multiple
Attacks in Action, they can use this spell multiple times. This
spell is part of an Attack.
Description: The priest can add 8 points of Damage to
one melee Attack. This spell can only be used with melee
weapons (throwing weapons count also).
The use of this spell must be declared before the Attack as
the Spellpoints are lost even if the Attack fails.

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 159

 Spells from Pacts with Lesser Gods
To obtain pacts, the priest must contact a lesser deity through
prayer or meet them in person. The deity will give them a
task and impose a new taboo or principle. After completing
the task, the priest can putchase spells from this lesser deity
spell list.
Blessing and Cursing
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +4
Description: The priest can transfer spells they can use on
themselves to another person as blessings or curses.
For the blessed or cursed person to be affected, they must be
within sight and hearing range, approximately 100 meters on
a clear day. The cursed person does not need to understand
the caster’s language.
Blessing
Channelling check DL: 4 points higher than the base spell
used for Blessing.
Spellpoint cost: 1 + Number of Spellpoints of the Spell used
for Blessing.
Description: To bless somebody, the priest must roll
Channelling against DL 4 points higher than the Spell’s
regular casting DL.
For example, if a priest blesses a blacksmith with Divine Aid,
they must roll Channelling at least 14.
The added points or bonus from the spell last as long as the
spell would last on the priest themself.
The Blessing spell can also be used to remove Curses placed
on the victim using the same spell. For this, the priest must
roll Channelling against the Curse’s DL, which is the original
spell’s DL plus six.
Activating this spell takes one full Action.
Cursing
Channelling check DL: 6 points higher than the base spell
used for Cursing, the target’s Spell Resitance check must also
be lower than the caster’s Channelling check.
Spellpoint cost: 1 + Number of Spellpoints of the Spell used
for Cursing.
Description: The opposite of Blessing. The priest can transfer
any spells they can use on themselves to another person
in a reversed form. To curse someone, the priest must roll
Channelling against DL 6 points higher than Spell’s regular
casting DL, while also exceeding the target’s Spell Resitance
check.
For example, if a priest possesses the Divine Strength spell,
when reversed as a Curse, instead of gaining 2 points in a
physical attribute, the target loses 2 points in the same
attribute. One type of curse can be placed on the opponent
once, so a priest with Greater Divine Strength can reduce all
the opponent’s physical attributes by 4 points, but not one
by 8 or 12 points.
160
The curse lasts as long as the base spell would last on the
priest themself.
Activating this spell takes one full Action.
Special Cases:
• Divine Protection does not work as a Curse mostly. DR of
an armour or thick skin cannot be weakened by a curse,
but if the character’s DR comes from Divine Protection
or a similar spell, then the curse could nullify the effect
of this spell.
• All types of divine strikes and shots do not work.
• The Herald of the God does not work. The curse cannot
turn the Soulbleed or silver weapon into a regular
weapon. Again, it works, if the weapon is made into
“silver” by the Herald of the God spell itself.
• Divine Understanding works, but to make a person
forget their native language, Channelling must be rolled
against DL 46.
• Divine Vision temporarily blinds the victim, making it
one of the most powerful ways to use the curse.
Protection from Evil Eye
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Channelling +6
Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The priest gains 4 points to their Spell Resitance.
The god protects them from evil sorcery.
The added points last for Channelling skill level times ten
minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 1 Spellpoint.
Divine Vision
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +2, Channelling +6
Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The priest gains 6 points to their Perception
and temporarily the ability to see the invisible and recognise
magic items as the Astral Projection spell Sixth Sense.
The added points last for Channelling skill level times ten
minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 1 Spellpoint.

Improved Protection from Evil Eye
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +4, Protection from Evil Eye,
Channelling +12
Channelling check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest gains 8 points to their Spell Resitance.
The god protects them from evil sorcery.
The added points last for Channelling skill level times ten
minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoints.
Herald of the God
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Instinct +4, Divine Vision, Channelling +14
Channelling check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: Melee weapons wielded by the priest act
like silver weapons when fighting against ghosts or
Otherworldlings. The priest can switch weapons during the
spells’s duration, and all weapons act as silver in their hands.
Spell duration is Channelling skill level times ten minutes.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 1 Spellpoint.
Prophetic Curses
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Blessing and Cursing, Channelling +16
Channelling check DL: Depends on the curse, but at least
25.
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest places a permanent curse upon the
target.
For the curse to take effect, the target doesn’t have to
comprehend the priest’s language. The curse lingers with
the target until it is fulfilled or removed by another priest
(with Ritual: Blessing check against the curses Channelling
DL).
To cast the curse, the priest must be within clear hearing
range, approximately 100 meters.
Casting the curse takes one full Action.
The target must make a Spell Resistance check against the
priest’s Channelling skill level to resist the curse.
Gods, Religions, and Channeling
Channelling
check DL
The Curse
“May wolves/jaguars/etc devour you"
25 – When in combat with wolves/jaguars/
etc, the target takes double the damage.
"May poison be your bane" – Target
25 suffers a -4 penalty on all rolls related to
resisting poisons.
"May misfortune haunt your every
deed" – When the target rolls a natural
20, they cannot roll percentages, and if
30 they roll a natural 1, they roll percentages
twice and add the results together.
Anything over 100% is considered as
100%.
"May you perish in solitude" – When the
35 target takes damage while alone, they
double the damage received.
Etc., as agreed upon with the Game
30
Master.
Gameplay commentary: Cursing doesn’t have to occur
only during combat situations. It can happen in everyday
conversations or even casually.
To distinguish between a mere display of rudeness and
an actual curse cast upon someone, both the victim and
bystanders can roll Theology or Metaphysics and Otherworld
checks against the priest’s Channelling skill level +10.
Ritual: Protective Circle
Price: 10 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +6
Channelling check DL: 15
Spellpoint cost: 1
Description: The priest draws a circle with a diameter of
up to 10 metres, within which Otherworldlings, ghosts (the
souls of the deceased), and undead cannot easily enter. The
priest secures the circle with a Channelling check of at least
15 and makes a note of it or commits it to memory.
Initiating this spell takes a full Action.
The protective circle lasts as long as the priest continues to
pray inside it (during this time, the priest cannot do anything
else, not even speak). When the priest stops praying, the
circle persists for an additional number of rounds equal to
the priest’s Channelling skill level.
To enter the circle, spirits and Otherworldlings must roll their
Willpower against the Channelling check made by the priest
when they drew the circle. Spirits and Otherworldly beings
can attempt to enter the circle each round.
The circle does not protect against ranged weapon attacks.
Those within the circle can be attacked with ranged weapons,
just as those within the circle can attack creatures outside it.
Living souls, such as Azure Warriors and undead with a living
soul, can enter the protective circle without any issues.
161
 Strike of the Warrior Spirit
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +10
Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Attack. If the priest has multiple
Attacks in Action, they can use this spell multiple times. This
spell is part of an Attack.
Description: The priest can add all of their Channelling skill
level to Damage. This spell can only be used with melee
weapons (throwing weapons count also).
The use of this spell must be declared before the Attack as
the Spellpoints are lost even if the Attack fails.
Shot of the Hunter Spirit
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +10
Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 1 point per Attack. If the priest has multiple
Attacks in Action, they can use this spell multiple times. This
spell is part of an Attack.
Description: The priest can add all of their Channelling skill
level to Damage. This spell can only be used when shooting
a bow. The spell has no effect on crossbow or gun Damage.
The use of this spell must be declared before the Attack as
the Spellpoints are lost even if the Attack fails.
Vines of the Forest God
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +14
Channelling check DL: 30
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The priest can control the forest vines. When
in dense woods, the priest can create a 25-metre radius
area within 50 metres of themselves. In this area, the jungle
vines attempt to ensnare anything living (or unliving for that
matter).
The jungle vines come to life in the area, grabbing hold of
anything living and hindering movement and other actions.
Moving at full Movement Speed within the area is not
possible, but it may be possible to move at half the usual
speed.
Characters within the vine-covered area must roll their
Athletics or their Stealth Skills against DL 30 each round to
see if they become completely entangled or can move more
somewhat freely during that round.
If the roll fails, the character is so tightly bound by the vines
that they cannot move at all during that round, and all their
rolls for Reflexes, Parrying, Attacking, and spellcasting are
made at -4. Within these restrictions, they can perform all
other actions.
If the character’s roll succeeds, they can move at half their
normal speed during that round, and there are no penalties
for attacks or other rolls.
162
In the following round, the rolls repeat until the characters
manage to escape from the area of the entangling vines.
The area lasts for a number of rounds equal to the priest’s
Channelling skill level. The spell cannot be automatically
extended, but the priest can cast the same spell again or
consecutively cast the spell into multiple different areas.
Whirlwind
Price: 15 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +12
Channelling check DL: 20
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: The wind priest can summon a whirlwind
around themselves, which is inherently magical and
exceptionally fast. This super-fast Whirlwind protects the
priest from ranged attacks because most arrows and bullets
that enter the vortex are deflected from their trajectory.
Whirlwind does not provide protection against melee
attacks.
The priest adds their Channelling skill level to all rolls of
Reflexes and Parrying made against ranged attacks or attacks
with thrown weapons.
The spell lasts for a number of rounds equal to the priest’s
Channelling skill level.
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoints.
Call Lighting
Price: 20 EXP
Prerequisite: Channelling +12
Channelling check DL: Depends on the weather
Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: A priest of the winds or another weather deity
can direct lightning strikes to hit their enemies or their
homes.
To target an enemy with a lightning strike, the priest must
make two rolls: the first roll, Channelling, determines whether
the spell works and the second roll, Geography, determines
if the lightning hits its intended target or strikes elsewhere.
The Difficulty Level for calling lightning depends on the
weather, with the simplest being during a thunderstorm, but
theoretically, it’s possible to call lightning even from a clear
sky. If the roll fails, the lightning does not strike.
The weather conditions are determined by the Game Master
or are drawn from another module, such as Adventuring
rules or rules for sailing at sea.
 Weather Conditions Over the DL of Channelling Spells from Pacts with Asteanic Lesser
Target check Gods
Thunderstorm or a Thunderbird
20 Reflexes of Tengu
within sight
Rain, snowfall, or heavy cloud cover 25 Price: 20 EXP
Thin cloud cover or scattered Prerequisite: Channelling +14
30 Channelling check DL: 20
clouds
Clear skies 40 Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: Tengu priests can add half of their Channelling
The priest can call lightning within their entire line of sight, skill level to their Reflexes.
theoretically reaching targets several kilometres away.
However, the farther the priest calls the lightning, the more The added points last for as many rounds as the priest’s
challenging it is to direct it accurately. To guide the lightning Channelling skill level.
to the target, the priest must make a Geography or Physics Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
roll. The difficulty level depends on the distance to the target does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoints.
and operates similarly to a situation where one wishes to fire
a cannon at a specific individual. If the roll fails, the lightning Boiling Blood of Oni
strikes far off course.
Price: 10 EXP
Distance to the Target from the DL of Geography Prerequisite: Channelling +10
Priest or Physics check Channelling check DL: 16
Spellpoint cost: 1
Target is the priest themself 1
Description: Oni priests can accelerate their physical HP
Target very close (up to 30m radius recovery. Activating this spell takes one full Action, after
10
from the priest) which the priest regains one HP per round for as many
Target up to 50m away 12 rounds as the priest’s Channelling skill level.
For each additional 50m, add +2 to the Difficulty Level The priest can extend the duration of this spell without
(e.g., a target 300m away would have a DL of 22) wasting an Action or needing a new roll, but it also costs 1
If the lightning bolt hits the target, all individuals within a Spellpoint.
5m radius of the target suffer 4d8 Damage to their physical
HP. This electrical damage is not mitigated by regular
armour, and there is no way to dodge it to take half damage
(unlike cannons and grenades). Only Astral armour provides
protection based on its relevant bonuses.
Electricity damage affects Otherworldly beings with a
Presence attribute (unless they are specifically immune to it)
but not those with a Soul attribute or ghosts.
Casting the spell takes one Action.
When targeting a building or a dry patch of forest, the
lightning may cause a fire, but the chance of this happening
is generally low (determined by the Game Master, but it
should not exceed 20% under ideal conditions).

Gods, Religions, and Channeling 163

 KING’S MODULE
ASTEANIC WORLD
(Map on page flip)
SAKE’s homeworld, the Asteanic World, derives its name
from the Asteanic nation that colonised the shores of the
vast ocean, simply known as the Ocean. They established
a colossal colonial empire fueled by trade and slavery.
This immense empire eventually collapsed after a century
of wars and internal conflicts. Even a hundred years later,
the world bears the scars of this collapse, with Asteanic
territories fragmented, some entirely abandoned. Their
homeland, Thefna archipelago, now divided into two
rival states, each claiming to be the true successor of the
fallen empire.
Although the main power dynamics have settled by the
time the players enter the scene, the echoes of the great
war persist, dividing the world into various successor
states. This fragmentation allows players to navigate a
complex landscape and strive to find a path to fight their
way to the top.
Tauric wyvern knights
164
Asteanic Society
The Asteanic society rests on a rigid caste and guild
system, upheld by the aristocracy for survival. Strict
societal boundaries govern individual’s actions and
movements, with only aristocrats, patricians, and
priests of the Temple of the Divine Ocean enjoying some
freedom. Common people are closely monitored by
samurai.
The old aristocracy aims to maintain societal stasis for
their benefit, but changes have emerged, including the
rise of new industries challenging their authority. While
there appears to be a movement towards improvement,
a darker side reveals the exploitation of peasant tenants
turned into serfs to replace slaves.
Lower castes are under the authority of a bureaucratic
caste of samurai, handling judgement, taxation, and
record-keeping. The advent of printing technology has
expanded bureaucracy, becoming a tool for enforcing
the caste system. Illiteracy persists among lower castes,
as new merchants challenge the aristocracy’s control
over overseas trade, accumulating wealth without
contributing to the state apparatus.
Players can assume versatile roles, whether as
newcomers aiming to ascend the caste hierarchy to carve
out a state of their own, seafarers involved in trade or
piracy, or revolutionaries dedicated to combating social
injustice. The world explores profound themes such as
labour exploitation and the societal shift from pseudo-
manorialism to pseudo-capitalism. These themes
become especially prominent when utilizing the King
module to play as rulers, as rulers face difficult choices.
Geography of the Asteanic World
Ocean takes the centre stage, featuring coastal regions
of civilization, while uncharted inland territories house
ancient civilizations, unknown cultures, Otherworldlings,
and potential opportunities for adventurers to establish
their own domains.
The heart of Asteanic civilization lies in the Thefna
archipelago, its southern part almost entirely covered
by human settlements. However, the northern forests
and mountains still conceal Otherworldlings and long-
forgotten secrets.
Venturing into the inland regions of other areas reveals
territories untouched by Asteans. Such exploration
may unveil ancient civilizations, absent from historical
records, or lead to encounters with entities from the
Otherworld. As characters journey farther from human
civilization, the presence of otherworldly beings
increases, heightening the hazards of these expeditions.
These unknown lands may harbour the ruins of
prehistoric cultures, tempting adventurers with hidden
secrets and magical treasures. Establishing a domain in a
such place can become a central theme of the game.
People of the Asteanic World
Asteans
Numerous Asteanic states still surround the Ocean, with
the three largest being the empires contesting the claim
to be the true Asteanic Empire. They remain in an almost
permanent state of war with each other.
Other significant successor states include the Republic of
Five Houses, which has a long history in the slave trade,
and its neighbour, the Kingdom of Three Rivers, often
bullied by the former, and rich Asteanic states in the
Orenic archipelago.
The Asteanic motherland, Thefna archipelago, is one of
the most populous areas in the whole world, boasting
about 30 million inhabitants.
Grand cities like Oocnea and Nileen have around 300 000
inhabitants, but the most populous city in the world is
the capital of a new, most aggressive Asteanic empire –
Scarta, with a million people living in it.
As characters traverse the Asteanic world, the Asteanic
language acts as a bridge among most people around
the Ocean.
Zuhari
The Zuhari live north of the Asteanic World and are
mostly connected to Asteans as trade partners. The
Zuharic steppes and rocklands encompass a significant
part of the north and have never been part of the historic
Asteanic empire. Only in modern times has La Scarta’n
Asteanic Empire ventured north and conquered the most
southern part of those steppes, creating a vassal military
state – the Atanate of Amatrat in the most fertile area of
the steppes.
Asteans value Zuharic horses for their speed, making
them one of the most sought-after luxury goods among
young Asteanic nobles. Apart from that, Zuharic lands
are not well known to Asteani. It’s known that three
undying sorcerer-kings rule parts of the steppe from their
forbidden and strange stone cities. Apart from them and
the Confederation of Twelve Desert Khaganates, there
are no more real states as Asteans understand it.
Tauri
The Tauric people inhabit the shores of the Gilden Sea,
comprising two distinct groups: the mountain tauri
and the plains tauri. Mountain tauri, untouched by the
Asteanic empire, reside in mountain forests practising
permaculture and hunting. In contrast, plains tauri were
under Asteanic rule for centuries until recently gaining
freedom with the use of a natural air force – wyvern
knights. They have adopted the Asteanic alphabet for
their written language.
Taurics are renowned for their martial prowess, excellent
metalworking, bravery, and the melancholy captured in
epic poems by their bards. Tauric people lacked the strict
social hierarchy present in Asteanic society. All Taurics
had the right to bear arms, own land, and move freely.
However, this is changing in the wyvern kingdoms, as
these crucial military animals, an assurance against a
more powerful Asteanic empire, require an ungodly
amount of food.
Asteans and Taurs share parts of their polytheistic
religion, albeit with some differences in understanding
their pantheons. The Taurics hold a great fear of the
world’s end, prophesied to come from the east in the
form of a massive fog inhabited by terrifying creatures,
including Mist dragons. This ominous fog is foreseen
to consume Tauria and the entire world, signifying
humanity’s end.
In the present day, mountain Tauric people are organized
into small mountain kingdoms, with numerous mountain
kings due to their size. Many Taurics still live under the La
Mepho-Delagrua’n Asteanic Empire, while those freed by
the Wyvernmother reside in one of the seven kingdoms
ruled by her sons.
Asteanic World 165
166
Asteanic World 167
 Tserkeššics
The Tserkeššic people inhabit an isolated grassland called
Tserkeššia, bordered by ancient forests, impassable
mountains, the stone desert called the Deadlands of
Snakerider, and the Mist. Despite having a coastline open
to the ocean, the Tserkeššic region is almost completely
isolated from the rest of the world.
The area is fertile, with most Tserkeššic people being serfs
or free farmers. Mansi people live in the borderlands and
taiga behind the region, and Asteans, who have largely
transitioned from slavery to serfdom, still acquire
enslaved Mansis from Tserkeššic slave hunters. A notable
Asteanic slave trading city, Slavenill, remains on the
Tserkeššic coast.
The Tserkeššic Grand Tsardom of Boris II is a vast
plains nation assembled by Boris II’s father, Boris I the
Conqueror, who gathered all Tserkeššic tsardoms into
one empire under his rule. Boris I realized the economic
dependence of his empire on trade with the Asteanic
Republic of Five Houses. However, with Boris I’s death
and Boris II’s ascension, tensions in the area are arising
as the boyars organise raids on the Republic’s lands.
The Republic fears whether Boris II will honour his
father’s agreements or plunge into war with the Asteanic
Republic.
168
Roadics
The human settlements on the Roadic archipelago
have a history dating back 2000 to 3000 years. Initially,
inhabitants thrived in hidden cliff cities, but the
investigation of these cities revealed a shift from an
advanced culture to a society of mountain shepherds
and fishermen. Historical evidence suggests their
dependence on grain from the River Cities in present-
day Tserkeššia, and when these cities fell to invading
horse-riding Tserkeššic peoples, the Roadic population
faced famine, leading to a return to a simpler lifestyle
focused on fishing and goat herding.
Around 1000 years ago, the Roadic people emerged as a
distinct culture with influences from both the Tserkeššics
and indigenous islanders. Their language and culture are
similar to Tserkeššic, emphasizing warfare and cunning,
but vocabulary related to the sea, mountains, and
religion differs. The Roadic religion combines elements
from both cultures, with beliefs in six-handed death
gods and fire deities borrowed from Tserkeššics.
In the 8th century, the arrival of Asteanic trading ships
and slave hunters disrupted the Roadic way of life. They
were coveted as galley and maritime slaves, fetching
high prices in Marall seas slave markets. Over the next
200 years, an estimated 200 000 to a million indigenous
people were taken as slaves from the Roadic archipelago.
By the 11th century, the Roadic population had dwindled
to 50 000, with many islands devoid of free indigenous
inhabitants. The remaining Roadic people learned to
hide from the slave hunters.
By the beginning of the 16th century, two major powers
dominate the Roadic archipelago: the Asteanic Republic
of Five Houses and the Roadic Banate of Nuraagia. The
residents of Nuraagia are involved in maritime activities,
trade, and mercenary endeavours, with the Asteanic
Republic vehemently accusing them of engaging in
piracy.
Ban Bogodan - Roadic prince and mercenary

Nene – a Kali warrior
Kali
Kaliland has never been a part of the Asteanic Empire,
but the Kalis have played a significant role as partners to
the Asteani throughout history.
Seven centuries ago, when Asteanic merchants first
arrived in Kaliland, a local Itza clan sought assistance
from them during a war with neighbouring groups. With
the introduction of Asteanic iron and tin, which were
valuable resources in Kaliland, the Itza clan successfully
conquered the surrounding islands, establishing a
powerful empire. They monopolised trade in Kaliland
and designated the grand city of Irongate as their capital.
This saved Kali from Asteanic conquests and turned them
into partners in the Asteanic conquest and colonization
of the Orenic archipelago.
However, the onset of ocean-crossing ships marked the
beginning of the empire’s decline, as Asteanic merchants
could now bypass the Itza archipelagos.
This decline resulted in conflicts with the continental
vassal state of Zipopan, eventually leading to the
empire’s collapse around a decade ago.
At the beginning of the 16th century, Kaliland comprises
numerous small kingdoms.
In comparison to many other regions in the Asteanic
World, Kaliland still hosts numerous lesser gods. The
intricate and maze-like nature of Kaliland’s Otherworld
has made it challenging for human heroes to seek out
and eliminate these Otherworldlings.
Orenics
The Orenic archipelago holds immense value for the
Asteanic people, standing out as virtually the sole region,
excluding the Medera island partially controlled by La
Scarta, where luxury goods like coffee, cocoa, pepper,
sugar, and others commonly found in the contemporary
Asteanic world can be cultivated. The Orenic archipelago,
with its climate, essentially served as the catalyst for the
entire Asteanic colonisation surrounding the Ocean.
Upon the initial arrival of Asteans in Orenia seven
centuries ago, they were met with a diverse array of
states of varying sizes. Through a combination of wars
and marital alliances, the subjugation of Orenic states
by Asteans unfolded over several hundred years.
Orenics were never entirely subdued; to this day, there
exist countries and islands in the archipelago that have
never been part of the Asteanic Empire, despite being
surrounded on all sides by it.
The lengthy coexistence and intermingling of cultures
in Orenia have given rise to a unique blend of Asteanic-
Oreenic religion – the Cult of the 18 Gods. This
amalgamation intertwines the nature and world gods
of Orenia with the national gods of the Asteanic people.
Orenia also sparks a significant religious conflict among
the Asteanic population. Orenics uphold a belief in souls
union with the Collective Spirit after the body’s death,
while Asteanics traditionally adhere to the notion of
rebirth as an aquatic elf. Many Orenian Asteans adopt
Oreenic beliefs, introducing them to the broader Asteanic
world and giving rise to the Concept of Collective Spirit
in Asteanic religion.
In addition to venerating the main gods, which now
include some Asteanic deities, Orenics pay homage
to various minor gods and unique Meditating gods.
Meditating gods are golden people (as their blood is
boiling gold) levitating in one place, around whom
Orenics have constructed impressive temples. According
to Orenic belief, these gods engage in meditation to
harness their telekinetic power, preventing the asteroid
that tore the world of the humans and Otherworld apart
from descending onto the human world and destroying
it.
Asteanic World 169
 DOMAIN RULES
Introduction
It’s worth considering the introduction of the King’s Module
when the characters have gained control over a vast territory
or when the number of villages, estates, and other holdings
owned by the characters exceeds a point where it’s no longer
plausible for them to manage them personally.
For adventuring characters, this limit can even be reached with
just a couple of villages and estates, as they understandably
don’t rule them while they are out adventuring in the world.
In such cases, the rules for micro-domains aka noble estates
should be used.
King’s Module can be useful for a Game Master who is
building their world and wants to visualize its political
structure, population, peculiarities, and the number of
settlements in a particular region. So, on the other hand, it
serves as a world-building tool.
When adopting the module, the Game Master and players
must agree whether the governance of the domain and its
related aspects will become part of the central adventure
or if the domain serves more as a means of funding the
characters’ adventures. In the latter case, the adventurers
are essentially aristocrats who are less involved in the
development and rule of their domain, instead using it as a
source of passive income to finance increasingly expensive
adventures to distant lands.
Of course, the King’s Module also provides new adventure
ideas, and the tables of events within the module, directly
related to domain features, can in a way write adventures for
the Game Master themselves.
Adventures around the domain are likely to begin with how
the characters gain control of the land in the first place.
However, a group interested in playing out domain-based
adventures can also start freely with the players as rulers from
the beginning. Domain-based adventures encompass all
aspects related to governance, from warfare and espionage
to making magical discoveries and suppressing riots.
By using the King’s Module, alongside the maps of the
Asteanic world, players can divide some large regions
into domains, and they can play SAKE as a strategy game
of domains, with a focus on politics, intrigues, domain
expansion, and development.
170
Terms Before Starting
Domain, Ruler, and Domain’s Council
A domain encompasses all the lands owned by a ruler and
those lands they directly manage. The distinction between
managed and owned lands becomes significant only during
inheritance or when the lord wishes to take those managed
lands away from a character.
A domain is a country, whether large or small. Therefore,
besides the rulers themselves, many other people live and
own lands in the domain. The ruler can collect taxes from
some, while others may be exempt.
Initially, a domain may be quite small, consisting of only a
few estates, dozens of tenant-villages, and lands where a
few free landowning families reside. Such small domains are
called noble estates, and not all module rules apply to them.
They are not independent political entities but rather the
personal property of a noble family within a larger political
unit. In the case of large domains, there may be thousands
of villages, small towns, large temples, fortresses, and the
ruler’s capital city and palace.
A domain is all directly governed areas of nillwrings,
daeguns, daimyos, emperors, kings, military or religious
orders, free cities, and patricians. In this chapter, we don’t
distinguish between the titles of domain rulers or the specific
governance arrangements; we generally refer to them all as
rulers.
Members of a council assisting or advising the domain
ruler are called domain chancellors. The specifics of how
the domain ruler and chancellors relate to each other, who
actually commands whom, how one becomes a chancellor or
ruler, and similar questions are not crucial in terms of domain
governance. The political system does not technically affect
the functioning of the domain, except in the sense that a
ruler in a republic is likely unable to command other domain
chancellors and must persuade them to do what they want.
The economic system1 of domains described here is referred
to as Asteanic caste capitalism or Asteanic bureaucracy.
Restrictions on various capitalist activities arising from
the caste system and the direct presence of the ruler
(government) throughout the domain are characteristic
of this economic system, implemented by the samurai-
bureaucrat caste.
1 The economic systems, for example, are: capitalism, communism,
palace economy, and manorialism (not feudalism).
Positions and Leadership Skills of Domain
Chancellors
In every domain, there is a ruler and seven chancellors
who fulfil various roles. It’s not mandatory for all positions
of domain chancellors to be filled, and in smaller domains,
one individual may assume multiple roles, or the ruler may
personally undertake the responsibilities of vacant positions.
The domain’s gameplay doesn’t introduce new skills;
however, certain skills become crucial for domain chancellors
– skills that might take a back seat for adventurers. These skills
are called leadership (or governing) skills and are directly
related to the activities of a domain chancellor, influencing
the functioning of the domain.
Chancellors arguing about missing funds – all rather nicely dressed!
The positions of domain chancellors and their governing
skills are as follows:
• Ruler (Law and Society, Mathematics and Economy,
Tactics, Theology, and Social Skills)
• Strategist (Tactics, Social Skills)
• High Magistrate (Law and Society, Mathematics and
Economy, Social Skills)
• Land Magistrate (Agriculture, Mathematics and
Economy, Social Skills)
• Sea Magistrate (Law and Society, Mathematics and
Economy)
• Court Wizard (Astral Projection, Metaphysics, and
Otherworld, and other magical skills)
• Chief Shinobi (Stealth Skills, Mechanics, Perception,
Social Skills)
• Archpriest (Theology, Channelling, Social Skills)
Both characters (PCs) and paid NPCs can serve as domain
chancellors.
Domain Turn
In the domain game, time is divided into three-month turns,
corresponding to the quarters of the year. Each Domain Turn
aligns with a quarter, so the first Domain Turn of each year
begins on January 1st, the second on April 1st, and so on.
All tax collections, expenditures, and activities take place
once during a Domain Turn.
Domain Rules 171
 Starting the Domain Game and
Building the Domain
This chapter provides a detailed guide for both the game
master and the player on how to conceptualize and express
a typical Asteanic domain in writing. The next chapter covers
how to play the game.
While reading this chapter, it’s advisable to have a Domain
Sheet, similar to a Character Sheet but for the domain, on
hand. This makes it easier to understand the content.
If the PCs’ domain consists of only a few villages and a manor
and is not a separate political entity but rather the estate
of a noble, then the subchapter at the end of this chapter
describes such a small domain.
Topography and Fertility
To begin, decide where the land under the domain is located
and how large it is. Then, consider what type of land it is:
forests, grasslands, marshes, mountains, deserts, rivers, lakes,
etc. Are there important roads traversing the domain? How is
the domain delineated? Typically, natural obstacles like rivers,
mountains, or dense forests define the boundaries between
different states or administrative areas. Of course, you can
also decide the opposite, that the boundaries of the domain
are hard to define. This creates adventure opportunities, as
border disputes are one of the most common reasons for
conflict.
Taking all this into account, create a simple schematic map.
You can draw the map on hexagonal paper, squared paper,
or just plain paper, but it’s essential to establish some kind
of map scale. Is one hexagon or square equivalent to 4
km², 16 km², or 64 km²? This must be determined because
all subsequent actions are based on knowing that 4 km²
accommodates a typical Asteanic village with its fields,
pastures, and gardens.

Click to download the Domain Sheet

Land
Everything starts with the land, the actual terrain on which
the domain is located.
The land beneath the domain must be in more or less
the same region; the pieces of the domain cannot be
scattered worldwide. They must be close enough for daily
management to seem realistic. However, this doesn’t mean
that the domain cannot be enormous or consist of islands.
But a ruler who owns lands in distant overseas regions must
delegate their governance to a deputy, creating a separate
domain that simply pays a predetermined tax to the ruler.
Two things are crucial for the land: first, what type of land it
is, and second, how it was acquired or to whom it belongs.

172
Terrain Type and Fertility Dice
Two things influence what characters can do with their land:
terrain type and Fertility Dice.
Regarding terrain type, it’s clear that, understandably, fields
cannot be established on swamps or mountainsides using
conventional methods. Forests need to be cleared before
engaging in agriculture, and so on.
Fertility Dice, however, is a more complex concept. The
fertility of land depends on many factors, with the most
crucial being soil type, climate, and access to mineral-rich
freshwater. The Fertility Dice characterizes all these properties
together. The highest fertility dice is d12, representing ideal
soils, a perfect climate, and an excellent irrigation system. On
the other end, the lowest, d4, indicates semi-arid land where
settlements cannot be established until irrigated.
How Fertility Dice affects individual farmers can be found in
the Skills chapter. In the king’s module, we look at the macro
level; hence, we only need to know the Fertility Dice. No one
will actually roll it; it simply characterizes the land.
The larger the domain and the more diverse its topography
and terrain types, the different Fertility Dice can be for
various regions of the domain.
Taking into account terrain types, climate, soil types, and
proximity to freshwater, Fertility Dice must be determined
for each region.
Common terrain types and what they allow:
Forest – needs to be cleared for agriculture; turns into
grassland.
Swamp and bog – needs drainage for agriculture; turns into
grassland.
Grassland – ideal for agriculture.
Hills – suitable for agriculture, but additional irrigation
systems cannot be established.
Mountain sides, cliffs, and other rocky terrain – impossible
or significantly hindered agriculture due to erosion.
Irrigation and drainage channels – human-created
systems that raise the region’s fertility dice by 1. They can be
built from a river or any other freshwater source within a 2
km radius.
Fertility
Region Description
Dice
- Desert, ice, rock.
Semi-arid, high-erosion mountain sides, and
D4
other rocky areas.
Tropical and equatorial red soils and sandy
D6 and clay-rich soils or semi-arid areas with
irrigation channels.
Temperate brown soils or red soils with an
D8
irrigation channel system.
Most fertile black soils or brown soils with an
D10
irrigation channel system.
D12 Black soils with an irrigation channel system.
Additionally, the Fertility Dice provides guidance to the
GM constructing the world or region on how many non-
agricultural people can live there, indicating the potential
size of cities.
The number on the fertility dice signifies how many families
of non-agricultural people can live in the region per village
and/or agricultural manor. For instance, a d6 fertility dice
means that, in addition to one village, six families in the
region can live without engaging in food production.
However, as there are typically agricultural estates between
villages, this number is usually higher, even for d6 land
fertility.
Mineral Resources
There may be a question about whether the domain contains
any mineral resources. If the domain is uninhabited, there is
likely nothing known about them yet, and their existence
may become apparent after the domain is settled. In a
domain where people have lived for a long time, there is a
high probability that the presence of mineral resources has
already been discovered.
The Game Master can indicate whether there are any
significant mineral resources in the domain, none at all, or
if it is still unknown. Alternatively, the Game Master can roll
a percentage and let chance determine whether and what
kind of mineral resources are present in the domain. A
formula like this can be used: a 10% chance per 10,000 km²
that there are some mineral resources in the domain. What
kind?
Roll d100%: 1-50% for iron, 51-80% for copper, 81-90% for
tin, 91-97% for silver, 98-99% for gold, 100% roll twice again.
If it is clear that there is some mineral resource in the domain,
roll 2d10 to find out how many mining shafts can be built for
that deposit. Additionally, there is a 1% chance that a giant
deposit has been found, where 100 to 1000 mining shafts
can be established.
Domain Rules 173
 Land Ownership Population
The question of land ownership is mostly a role-playing
aspect and does not technically affect the gameplay of
Villages and Tenants
domains. However, it can provide the game master with Once the land is in place, it’s time to populate it.
various adventure ideas.
Let’s start with villages, the agricultural backbone of the
Nillwrings, daeguns, and patricians generally own their lands Asteanic world, the number of which will determine the
as private property, which is inalienable in the Asteanic cities and castles.
cultural area. Daimyos, on the other hand, are vassals to
someone, and although they are de facto powerful rulers, de On average, one typical village with around 250
jure they govern someone else’s lands as sub-lords. They do inhabitants fits into 4 km2. There is no such restriction for
not own their land, which means they have no rights to sell cities.
or mortgage it. However, in creating a realistic domain, not every suitable
The situation becomes more complicated when characters 4 km2 hexagon will have one village. When estimating the
establish their domain in some initially uninhabited or number of villages, population density must be considered,
isolated place. De facto, they are rulers, but de jure? In the using an example from the Asteanic world as a guide.
world, there are not many plots of land that some ruler do
not consider part of their country. Such a situation offers % of the
How
several adventure possibilities. For example: Population region
many
Density under
• How to convince the overlord to grant de jure rights to Region villages
(people per direct
the land? per 100
km2) human
km2
• Characters might choose independence. Does that settlement
mean war? Thefna
• Several rulers may claim the same piece of land as part Grasslands
Approx. Approx.
of their country. Is it possible to play these rulers against (highest Approx. 30
12 50%
each other? population
density)
Land can also be acquired through purchase. However, this
Maralli Sea
is expensive, and it is not possible to assemble a domain
Region
of national size this way. Still, nobles and entrepreneurs
(mountainous
belonging to the lower noble castes could buy land to
and dry but Approx.
establish plantations, villas, and villages. The price of land Approx. 20 Approx. 7
densely 25%
depends on its Fertility Dice, and whether it is vacant land
populated
(whether forest or grassland) or has a village on it. The land is
with coastal
also sold in 4 km² pieces.
archipelagos)
Fertility Cost of vacant Cost of a village with Northern
Dice land in GD its underlying land Thefna (quite
mountainous
- (villages cannot be with large Approx.
D4 50 Approx. 8 Approx. 3
established) uninhabited 12%
D6 100 1200 or sparsely
D8 150 1400 inhabited
areas)
D10 200 1600
- (there is no These are, of course, averages, and in some areas, especially
D12 uninhabited d12- 2000 near significant rivers, which could be the centre of a
type land) civilization, 100 km2 might have as many as 20 villages. Any
area not covered by villages is filled with natural landscape
In a critical situation, a ruler can address economic concerns types such as mountains, forests, swamps, grasslands, etc.
by selling their lands and villages to nobles.
It’s not necessary, but you can mark all villages separately on
the map.
Once the villages are in place, the number of tenant farmers
living on the land is clear. On average, there are 250 people
in each village. The number and total population of villages
form the basis for all subsequent calculations.

174

Free Castes
In the Asteanic world, approximately 25% of the population
belongs to the freemen castes. In the domain rules, we
consider individuals belonging to the free castes in groups
of 10-member families. Such extended families consist not
only of parents and children but also include grandparents,
siblings, as well as various craftsmen apprentices, and
servants.
1. For every average village, there are 8 such families in the
domain.
2. Each of these families pays approximately 10 GD in taxes
for every Domain Turn.
As evident, collecting taxes from free individuals is a highly
profitable activity for the lord. Unfortunately, the free people
are not keen on paying taxes, and unlike tenants, they may
have the capability to resist the lord.
Most free people are free landowners, craftsmen, or
merchants. As long as they do not form larger urban
communities, collecting money from them is straightforward.
Some free individuals live near villages and are wealthy
farmers, craftsmen, innkeepers, and local merchants, while
others form cities.
Free individuals form local syndicates (known in our world’s
European cultural context as guilds and trade unions).
Syndicates manage urban life, set prices for handicraft
products, and decide who can sell what and who cannot.
Syndicates are against the establishment of manufactures
and wage-labor-based industrial production, as it would
lead to the marginalization of craft syndicates and a decline
in the living standards of their members. Syndicates are
associations of craftsmen and small traders aiming to
ensure work and livelihood for their small-business-owning
members (syndicate masters), rather than efficient and
cheap production.
This brings us to cities. The question of whether there are
cities in the domain and how large they are can be answered
based on the following principles:
1. Approximately 25% of society belongs to the Free Castes
(80 people per village). Those who do not live in cities
reside in rural areas, mainly engaged in agriculture,
forming a wealthy class of free farmers.
2. As a general guideline, about half of the free families
living in the domain reside in cities (40 people per
village).
3. The average population of cities is 5000 people. The
smallest cities have at least 1000 inhabitants, and the
largest have several hundred thousand. Generally, cities
with more than 10 000 inhabitants only emerge in very
important locations. If the number of free people in the
domain allows a city larger than 10 000 inhabitants,
but the domain does not intersect any significant trade
routes, several cities with 5000 inhabitants each will
emerge.
4. Large cities are likely separate domains, paying a specific
tax to the regional ruler. This means that the lord cannot
collect 10 GD per family on each Domain Turn from the
inhabitants of these cities.
For example, if there are 50 villages in the domain, it means
there are 400 families of free people (totalling 4000 people). Of
these, 200 families live in villages and individual farms in rural
areas near between villages, and the remaining 200 families
form a city with 2000 inhabitants.
Although counting cities separately may not seem crucial at
first, it becomes significant when the domain grows large,
and its cities become rich and populous. As mentioned, free
people are not happy to pay taxes to rulers to fund their
military campaigns, and/or adventures. Several cities with
five or ten thousand inhabitants each, collectively become
wealthy enough for even powerful rulers to fear them.
When a city emerges in the domain, a group of individuals
belonging to the small people caste gather there, seeking
employment and livelihood. In addition to the city’s free
population, they constitute approximately 20% to 50%,
depending on the number of manufactures, mines, and
other industries in the domain. Small people do not pay
taxes and generally have no contact with the domain ruler.
However, in challenging times, small people may rebel or
turn to criminal activities.
Domain Rules 175
 Nobility Summary Example
In any moderately sized domain, nobles also reside. For example, if there are 200 villages in the domain:
Nobles belong to one of four noble castes: plantators (land
1. There are 1600 families belonging to free castes (16 000
aristocrats), productors, licensed merchants, or patricians.
people), half of whom live in the countryside, and half form
In agrarian domains, the majority of nobles belong to the one city with 8000 inhabitants or two smaller cities. Free
plantators (aka land aristocrat) caste, owning lands, villas, people pay a total of 16 000 GD in taxes each turn.
and villages within the ruler’s domain.
2. There are 20 plantator families, who collectively own 1000
For every 10 villages in a domain, there is one noble family km2 of domain area and 80 of the aforementioned 200
that owns four of these villages and several villas. Each villages. The tax received from land aristocracy is a total of
average noble family owns about 50 km2 of land, half of 1500 GD per turn.
which is under agriculture and villages, and the other half
3. The ruler themself owns 120 villages, with each turn
remains wild.
collecting taxes ranging from 4200 to 9000 GD, depending
The size of a noble family is 20 individuals, including their on the Fertility Dice.
closest samurai and servants who live with them.
4. There is one productor family in the domain, paying the
Each noble family belonging to the plantator caste pays 75 ruler 400 GD in taxes each turn.
GD in taxes per Domain Turn.
5. The total population of the domain is 50 000 tenant
Rulers must carefully monitor their nobles because the total farmers + 16 000 free people + 400 nobles = 66 400 people.
number of samurai warriors in noble families is nearly as
6. Based on population, there are 6 licensed merchant
much as the ruler’s own. Each noble has an average of 12
families in the domain, collectively paying 2250 GD in taxes
samurai military soldiers in their service (4 samurai and 8
to their license issuer.
ashigaru).
7. There is a small independent domain of one independent
If there is a larger city in the domain, there may also be nobles
patrician between the ruler’s lands.
belonging to the productors caste residing there. Productors
are owners of manufactures, capitalist industrialists using The above ratios are averages for the Asteanic cultural
machinery and the cheap labour of small people to produce area and serve as a quick guide for the GM when creating
goods at low cost and high profit margins. Free craft workers’ an average domain.
syndicates passionately dislike productors who shake the
foundations of their world. Therefore, each new type of
manufacture established increases Discontent in the domain
Domain’s Military Capability
by 5% (even if the ruler establishes the manufacture). The military prowess of domains in the Asteanic world
is grounded in rural samurai who are bound to the ruler
For every 5000 city dwellers, there is one 20-member
through a samurai bond of loyalty. This brings us back to the
productor family in the domain, paying the ruler a 400 GD
villages. In each village, there is one samurai family managing
productor’s tax each Domain Turn.
it and two ashigaru families. The village collectively provides
Licensed merchants may also live in the domain, but they three samurai and ashigaru company soldiers. There are
pay taxes only to the nillwring (independent state ruler) who also military villages from which the ruler does not receive
issued their merchant licenses. taxes at all, but they contribute eight samurai and ashigaru
company soldiers. The ruler can assemble one company,
For every 10 000 inhabitants, there is one licensed merchant
comprising 120 soldiers, either from 40 regular villages or 15
family in the domain. If the domain ruler issues the license,
military villages.
this family pays 375 GD in taxes each turn.
In a critical situation, the ruler or strategist can summon a
Patricians are independent nobles of the empire who do
levied militia composed of freemen castes. This has the
not pay any taxes to anyone. For every 50 000 inhabitants,
potential to involve a large number of soldiers, as each
there is one patrician family in the domain. This family’s
freeman family should contribute one soldier. On the other
lands are interspersed with the ruler’s lands, and they are
hand, calling up the levied militia halts any normal economic
very wealthy. These lands are not considered part of the
activity in the domain. Furthermore, artisans and merchants
ruler’s domain because they are legally independent and
among the militia are not genuinely formidable soldiers.
form a small independent domain.
Naturally, they are reluctant to engage in warfare and, if
Although nobles bring in much less in taxes to the ruler possible, avoid joining the militia force.
than other free people, having good relations with them can
Thirdly, the ruler can always turn to the nobles residing in
have other advantages. Firstly, nobles are rich, and in critical
the domain. 10 noble families can collectively assemble one
situations, they may lend money to the ruler. Secondly, each
samurai and ashigaru company.
noble family employs 12 soldiers on average. With good
relations, it is possible to persuade nobles to lend these And fourthly, mercenaries can be hired.
soldiers to the ruler in critical situations.

176
 Domain Size
Once the population of a domain is clear, the next step is
to determine the size of the domain. The Domain Size is a
value derived from the population, influencing the cost of
certain buildings and infrastructure in the domain, as well as
the activities of domain rulers and much more.
Domain Size is assessed with whole numbers from one to
five. A size of 1 signifies a small domain with a population
of 10 000 to 50 000 inhabitants, 2 indicates a domain with
a population of 50 000 to 250 000, 3 for a domain with
250 000 to 1 000 000 inhabitants, 4 for a domain with
1 000 000 to 5 000 000 inhabitants, and 5 for a domain
larger than that.
Firstly, in many cases, a certain value is multiplied by the
Domain Size.
Secondly, the Domain Size determines how many different
Domain Actions the domain ruler and chancellors can
perform during a Domain Turn. In small domains, rulers and
leaders have only 1 Action per turn, while in larger domains,
where there is a broader bureaucracy under the leaders, they
have more Actions.
Thirdly, the Domain Size affects the costs of many
establishments and activities. As the Domain Size increases,
the costs of network-type establishments and some activities
grow exponentially.
Fourthly, the Domain Size sets the base percentages for
Example Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent, and the Time of Troubles.
What these mean and what else affects them will be
Continuing the example of a domain with 200 villages: explained later.
The domain’s samurai force, gathered from 120 villages owned
by the ruler, consists of 360 soldiers, equivalent to 3 companies. Domain Size 1 2 3 4 5
If all these villages were military villages, the domain’s samurai
Number of Domain
force would be 960 soldiers, or 8 companies. In a realistic
Actions chancellors
domain, the number of soldiers falls somewhere in between. 1 2 2 3 3
and ruler have in
Theoretically, as a levied militia, 1600 people from freeman one Domain Turn
castes could be summoned, constituting slightly more than 13
Price multiplier
levied militia companies.
for network-type
By calling on nobles for assistance, an additional 324 samurai establishments
X1 X5 X20 X50 X100
soldiers could be added, equivalent to 2 companies and one and some activities
half-company. (Domain's Price
In total, the maximum military capability of such a domain Multiplier)
would be 2884 soldiers, the majority of whom would be Base Percentage of
50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
untrained and low-morale levied militia. This represents about Corruption
4,3% of the domain’s population.
Base Percentage of
0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Prosperity
Base Percentage of
50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Discontent
Base Percentage of
30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Time of Troubles

This SAKE rulebook is primarily designed for playing with

Domain Sizes 1 and 2.

Domain Rules 177

 When examining the values shown in the attentive table,
it may become apparent that in some cases, increasing the
Establishments, Villages, Corvée
domain size from one level to the next may not be worthwhile. and Serfdom
In such cases, a nillwring or daegun may choose to grant
A domain is not only composed of villages, free people, and
part of their domain as a fief to a daimyo in exchange for a
soldiers. The ruler can establish various developments and
samurai vow of loyalty. This land, managed by the daimyo, is
institutions in the domain, as detailed in the Establishments
now considered a separate domain, and the daimyo can be
chapter. Behind each development or institution, one of the
asked for a specified amount in taxes and military assistance.
domain chancellors is involved, and in a later chapter that
Similarly, if autonomy is granted to a city, its free inhabitants
describes the actions of domain chancellors, it is precisely
are no longer considered part of the domain, as they now
specified what each domain chancellor can establish. The
govern themselves with their own bureaucracy. Such an
ruler can initiate the establishment of all institutions and
autonomous city would also pay a specific amount in taxes,
developments, assuming the relevant office is present in the
not the standard 10 GD per freeman family.
domain.

Domain Market Capacity

The precise explanation of what Market Capacity is comes in
the Economics Module. Simply put, Market Capacity refers to
the domain’s ability to consume and produce luxury goods
and resources for trade, such as cloth, tobacco, wine, iron,
precious wood, etc.
For every 10 000 inhabitants in the domain, there are 25
Trade Tonnes of Market Capacity in the domain.
Licensed merchants and patricians profit from Market
Capacity, but they may or may not live in the same domain.
While the ruler has priority access to Market Capacity when
it increases, it is generally occupied by licensed merchants,
common merchants, and patricians who bring goods from
distant lands to the domain markets and buy local goods. If
the ruler decides to engage in trade, they have the leverage
to easily occupy the Market Shares of these merchants, but
using this leverage creates new enemies.

Capital City
Every domain has a capital city where the domain ruler
resides, where their treasury is located, and from where the
domain is governed. All significant institutions are built in
the capital city.
The first developing city in the domain is likely the ruler’s
capital city and should be marked on the map.
The description of the capital city includes all the facilities Now is the time to decide on the types of villages in the
built there and their benefits and drawbacks for the domain. domain: production villages, agrarian tenant villages, or
military villages, and determine their quantity. When making
this decision, consider that only tenant villages can be
Palace utilized for corvée – the unpaid forced labour that the
The palace is the heart of the capital city. The palace could Asteanic tenant-farmers caste is obligated to provide to their
be a tower castle, a palazzo, or something else. In a small landowning lord. Military villages are exempt from paying
domain, the palace could simply be a larger house. taxes altogether, and although production villages may
yield higher revenue, they do not involve corvée since their
When describing the palace, note the characteristics of the occupants are regarded as fully free tenants and not serfs.
building serving as the palace (HP, defence systems, and
garrison). As the residence of the ruler, it is the place where Also, mark down villages that belong to some of the nobles.
they stay if someone attempts to harm their life. Ruler can not gather taxes from there but they are in the
domain and increase its population.
The palace is likely the meeting place for the council.

178
In addition, attention should be paid to the project table. Chancellors:
The Asteanic society largely relies on serfs called tenant
• The strategist’s Tactics Skill Level is subtracted from
farmers, who work in the ruler’s estates and build castles,
the Discontent percentage.
roads, and other things as commanded by the ruler.
• The high magistrate’s Law and Society Skill Level is
For smaller constructions, there is no need to mark anything
subtracted from the Corruption percentage.
separately; one villa is built for as many villages as it is later
associated with the maintenance of the villa. However, for • The land magistrate’s Mathematics and Economy
larger projects such as castles and road networks, many Skill Level is added to the Prosperity percentage.
villages are involved, which, after the completion of the
• The archpriest’s Theology Skill Level is subtracted from
project, are released from this duty and can move on to
the Time of Troubles percentage.
some other task.
In addition, the domain council includes a sea magistrate,
court wizard, and chief shinobi, but their skills do not affect
the aforementioned percentages.
Each chancellor is accompanied by a corresponding office
and bureaucracy:
• Strategist: Military Command
• High Magistrate: Magistrates and Supreme Court
• Land Magistrate: State Treasury and Manor
Managers
• Sea Magistrate: Customs Office and Border Posts
• Court Wizard: Wizards Laboratory
• Chief Shinobi: Secret Contacts
• Archpriest: Council of Temples

Depending on the number of villas and fortresses, you may

or may not want to mark them on the domain map.
If corvée is not used in the domain (because all residents
are fully free), then all establishments requiring the
corvée to build them, cost double the amount.

Domain’s Ruler and Chancellors

The ruler and chancellors govern the domain, each able to
undertake various activities at every turn. Additionally, their
skills impact the percentages of Corruption, Discontent,
Prosperity, and Time of Troubles.
Ruler:
• The ruler’s Mathematics and Economy Skill Level is
added to the Prosperity percentage.
• The ruler’s Law and Society Skill Level is subtracted
from the Corruption percentage.
• The ruler’s Tactics Skill Level is subtracted from the
Discontent percentage.
• The ruler’s Theology Skill Level is subtracted from the
Time of Troubles percentage.

Domain Rules 179

 In smaller domains, not all these departments need to exist,
and not all positions need to be filled. The ruler may decide
not to create any departments or hire any chancellors, but in
such cases, no one influences the mentioned percentages,
and the ruler can only perform their own actions, extending
the time needed for domain development. On the other hand,
one person can fill multiple positions, allowing cost-saving
in governance. Domain Actions are linked to chancellors; if
one person oversees multiple offices, they can only perform
one or two Actions (depending on domain size).
Offices are necessary to perform specific types of
Domain Actions. The ruler can theoretically undertake all
chancellors’ Actions, but in reality, they can only perform
Actions related to the created offices. If a chancellor
is hired, the corresponding department is automatically
established, and both the chancellor’s salary and department
maintenance costs are added to expenses each Domain
Turn. If no chancellors are hired or one person is hired for
multiple positions, an appropriate office must still be created
to perform certain Domain Actions, such as establishing a
Customs Office to undertake sea magistrate Actions.
Maintaining each office costs 200 GD times the Domain’s
Price Multiplier per Domain Turn. For example, in a size 1
domain, each department costs 200 GD, in a size 2 domain,
1000 GD, and in a size 3 domain, 4000 GD. Once a department
exists, the ruler can use their Action to perform relevant
administrative activities.
The office consists of a few employees and a couple of rooms
in the ruler’s palace or capital for size 1 domains. For larger
domains, departments can become extensive complexes
with branches across the domain. Many government
employees at the same time also serve the ruler as samurai
(for that, sometimes the Asteanic government system is
called samurai bureaucracy and the samurai – samurai-
bureaucrats).
The second expenditure is the chancellors’ salaries. If players
take on the roles of chancellors themselves, they may decide
not to pay themselves a salary. However, if NPC chancellors
are hired, their salaries must be paid. Chancellor salaries are
generally determined through role-playing agreements.
Still, for the quick creation of a domain with average NPC
chancellors, it can be agreed that all chancellors have +10
Skill Level in all leadership skills and each desires a salary of
100 GD times the Domain’s Price Multiplier per Domain Turn.
During the game, better-skilled chancellors can be found,
and their hiring can be played out.
As an exception, maintaining the council of temples costs
the ruler nothing, as it consists of the most important
priests in the domain who earn income from other sources.
Additionally, the ruler does not need to establish the council;
it forms automatically when the domain has some significant
temples or at least a network of temples.
The ruler can appoint the archpriest, to whom they must
then pay a salary (or negotiate another agreement). If the
ruler does not make this appointment, the position is taken
by the priest with the closest relationship to the local
nature god. If there is no nature god in the domain, then
180
simply the most powerful priest. The ruler has no control
over this self-proclaimed archpriest, and they can use
their Actions as the GM sees fit or, most often, do nothing.
The ruler can replace the self-proclaimed archpriest with a
hired individual, but this may lead to the emergence of new
rivals.
Establishing an office and hiring a new chancellor does
not consume the ruler’s Action. Established departments
and hired chancellors start working and receive a salary
immediately; they can be used in the same Domain Turn.
Departments can also be closed, and chancellors can be
dismissed. Starting from the next Domain Turn, they no
longer need to be paid, and no Actions associated with a
closed department can be performed.
Other Incomes and Expenditures
Apart from taxes, which we have already covered, the
domain ruler’s income also comes from various estates such
as villas, mines, and plantations owned personally by the
ruler, where tenants perform corvée or hired workers are
employed. All such establishments and associated tenant
villages providing corvée must also be noted on the Domain
Sheet.
Customs
Additional income for the ruler may come from customs.
Customs are collected at the Asteanic Empire’s external
borders, and the sea magistrate and customs office handle
the collection. The right to collect customs in the Asteanic
empires is reserved for the emperors, whom players are
unlikely to portray, at least initially. However, local rulers,
played by the players, are responsible for collecting them,
allowing them to deceive their emperor. (After all, the
emperor’s domain also has the Corruption percentage.)
Therefore, we need to explain the nature of customs duties.
Although one might initially feel inclined to start calculating
customs duties based on the Domain Market Capacity, it
is not directly related. The size of customs duties actually
depends on the domain’s location, specifically whether the
domain has a significant trade port where overseas goods
arrive and whether this trade port facilitates the sale of
goods beyond the domain.
If overseas goods are not transported beyond the domain,
and only local supply occurs, customs can indeed be
collected solely based on the Domain’s Market Capacity.
However, most major trade cities have a kind of hinterland
where goods arriving at the port are further sold. In this
case, the size and Market Capacity of the hinterland are
considered when determining customs duties. For large
trade cities, this hinterland can extend to thousands of Trade
Tonnes, while for small and local trade cities, it may not exist
or only be a few dozen to a couple of hundred Trade Tonnes.
The game master determines the size of the hinterland
by looking at the maps. As a reminder, 10 000 inhabitants
mean 25 Trade Tonnes of Market Capacity. The largest trade
cities in the Asteanic world and their general hinterlands are
outlined in the Economics module. Small cities usually have
no hinterland, and for very small cities, there is usually no
overseas trade at all. Trade is local, and no customs duties
are charged.
Since customs duties are collected only on the import of
goods and only from merchants who are not citizens of a
specific empire, the amount collected on 100 Trade Tonnes
of goods can vary greatly. In Asteanic empires, the average
customs duty is 450 GD per 100 Trade Tonnes. This is because
empires are large, and a large portion of trade is domestic
and not subject to customs duties. Moreover, foreign goods
are often brought by local merchants who do not pay
customs duties.
However, if it is a state outside of one of the Asteanic Empires
where there are no local merchants, it is possible to collect a
whopping 3000 GD in customs duties for 100 Trade Tonnes.

Taxes from Vassals and Free Cities

If the ruler has a daimyo vassal or there is a free city on their
land, they pay a predetermined tax each Domain Turn.
However, this amount is significantly smaller compared to
what could be collected directly from the region. The exact
amount can be determined through in-game role-playing
agreements. The game master may assume that free cities
would like to pay around 2 GD to 5 GD per free family living
there, and daimyos about 10 GD for each village on their
lands.

Expenditures Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent,

The ruler’s first expenditure is not so much an expenditure
as it is the fact that the ruler does not actually receive all the
money from taxes and estates.
After calculating the domain’s profit, a small percentage
calculation is required, deducting the Corruption
percentage from the total profit. This does not mean that
specific samurai bureaucrats set aside thousands; it’s more
about overall sloppiness and wastefulness. Although there is
also some cheating. The Corruption percentage cannot be
permanently reduced by any adventure!
The domain’s most significant expenditure is its bureaucracy
and government, as discussed in the subchapter on domain
chancellors.
The third major expenditure is the ruler’s lifestyle, the cost
of which can be taken from the lifestyle cost table in the
Equipment chapter. It should be noted that even the smallest
and poorest domain ruler lives at least like a minor noble.
When calculating, note that the prices in that table are for
one month, while the Domain Turn is three months.
The fourth expenditure is the quarterly maintenance of all
built establishments, specified in the description of those
establishments.
The remaining expenditures are related to specific events.
War costs, mercenary payments, repayment of bank loans,
etc.
and Time of Troubles
In the domain description, there are four crucial percentages,
that are rolled during each Domain Turn and on special
occasions indicated by the GM. With each roll, there is a
percentage chance that something will happen; for example,
if Corruption is at 15%, there is a 15% chance of a corrupt
event occurring each turn.
The Corruption percentage is subtracted from the domain’s
income before it reaches the ruler’s treasury. This percentage
is influenced by the domain’s size, the ruler’s Law and Society
Skill Level, the high magistrate’s Law and Society Skill Level,
and the establishments built in the domain. High corruption
leads to corrupt events often associated with financial losses.
The Prosperity percentage is the opposite of Corruption, the
higher, the better. Positive events result from the Prosperity
percentage. A domain can be both extremely corrupt and
prosperous simultaneously; one does not exclude the other.
Prosperity percentage is also influenced by establishments
and the ruler and land magistrate’s Mathematics and
Economy Skill Level.
The third is the Discontent percentage, which, again, is
negative – the smaller, the better. The Discontent percentage
is reduced by the ruler and strategist’s Tactics Skill Level. A
high Discontent percentage leads to riots, civil unrest, an
increase in Corruption, and a decline in Prosperity.

Domain Rules 181

 Discontent is also raised by any unfair or tyrannical actions These percentages are always rolled in the same order at
the ruler takes that become public knowledge. Whether the beginning of each Domain Turn:
an action is tyrannical or not is evaluated by the GM. Every
1. Corruption
tyrannical action permanently increases the domain’s
discontent by 5%. 2. Prosperity
What actions are considered tyrannical? 3. Discontent
For example: 4. Time of Troubles
• Assassination of a domain inhabitant. This is because the results of previous rolls may affect other
percentages in the same turn.
• Abduction of a domain inhabitant.
Carefully observe whether the impact of an event applies to
• Imprisonment of an important domain inhabitant
the same Domain Turn, the following one, or the same and
without a believable reason.
all subsequent ones!
• Execution or severe punishment of a domain inhabitant
without trial. Ongoing Events and Rivals & Allies
• Confiscation of property from a domain inhabitant Many of the rolls for the previous percentages lead to
without reason. events that can eventually contribute to the unfolding of
• And so on. an adventure. Some of these events are simple and can be
resolved with a sentence or two, while others may require
How to get rid of this permanent unrest? People tend a separate adventure to reach a resolution. In the field of
to remember the crimes committed by their rulers until Ongoing Events, events whose solutions are yet to be found
rulers organize some free entertainment for them or get should be noted so that they are not forgotten.
them drunk on the state’s money. Domain rulers have
corresponding Actions for organizing such events, which are Additionally, many decisions create rivals and/or allies for
costly but effective. the ruler. These should also be recorded because many
events mention that rivals or friends are doing something.
The fourth, the most distinctive, is the Time of Troubles The individuals and groups mentioned as rivals and friends
percentage. The Time of Troubles percentage is influenced in these events are those noted as rivals and friends. While
by the domain’s size and the ruler and archpriest’s Theology powerful rulers can be marked individually as friends and
Skill Level. While the previous percentages express the rivals, simpler individuals generally don’t have the ability to
relationship between the domain’s inhabitants and their harm or assist the ruler as an individual. In such cases, we
rulers, the Time of Troubles percentage indirectly expresses write rivals and allies as larger groups/factions, such as the
the relationship between the domain’s inhabitants and domain nobles, the domain artisans’ syndicates, the licensed
nature and the deities. The percentage characterizes the merchants of the domain, or the small people of the domain.
possibility of diseases and famines in the domain and is
therefore difficult to define. SAKE world inhabitants suspect Initially, when starting the game, players are unlikely to have
that the displeasure of the deities with humanity is behind rivals or allies unless agreed upon otherwise or unless the
diseases and famines, but it cannot be proven, and some adventure played specifies otherwise.
things argue against it. Namely, a war between people
raises the Time of Troubles percentage, while constructing
waterworks and creating sanitary conditions in the domain
lower it. However, the percentage rises most when the
domain grows. Whether it’s the deities who dislike human
expansion, just chance, or unsanitary conditions is hard to
say.
The Time of Troubles percentage behaves a little differently
than the other domain-characterizing percentages. It is
usually quite low, and years can pass without the player
rolling an event falling within this percentage. However,
when they do, the percentage starts growing with each
turn and increases almost every time a roll falls within
the percentage. Famine deepens over time, and diseases
become more severe. The technical functioning of this is
detailed later.
It is relatively easy to bring the Time of Troubles percentage
to zero in a small domain. However, this does not matter. The
Time of Troubles percentage always remains at least 1%.

182
Domain’s Otherworld and Nature
Gods
Once everything happening in the human world is clear,
the question of the domain’s Otherworld and the lesser
gods living in the domain remains to be resolved. While in
the more populated areas of the world, there is a very small
chance that some nature god is still alive to have control over
the domain, some form of Otherworld or even Otherworlds
are always there for each domain.
The guide to creating the domain’s Otherworld or any
Otherworld pocket can be found in the Sorcery module, in
the Otherworld chapter.
It must be decided whether there is a god living in the
domain who can influence its nature to some extent. In
areas where people have lived for a long time, such gods
are usually killed because it is quite difficult to live alongside
strange and capricious beings whose whims can bring
drought, plague, or flood. The earliest period of Asteanic
history is the Age of Heroes, which mainly consists of myths
about how Asteanic heroes fought with the nature gods and
monsters and eventually made their archipelago habitable.
In areas with low population density, where there are no
large cities or which include mountains, thick forests, or
large swamps, powerful spirits or otherworldlings can still
be found, who hold the role of a local nature god.
Nature gods always belong to the group of lesser gods,
meaning that priests can make contracts with them and
must adopt some of their taboos or principles. Lesser gods
always have some physical manifestation that is theoretically
possible to kill and thus end the influence of the nature god
over the domain.
Although all domain nature gods are lesser gods, the
opposite may not be true. Some gods, such as many ancestor
gods, are in the status of lesser gods, and priests can make
contracts with them to learn spells, but they have no power
over the region’s nature or Otherworld. This may be due to
some more powerful lesser god who already plays the role
of the local nature god.
If a nature god lives in the domain, the type of deity must be
determined. This can be based on the domain’s geography
– mountain gods live in mountainous domains, swamp
gods in swampy ones, and so on. Although all gods can be
categorized by appearance or portfolio, in the end, they are
individual in nature, different from each other in desires and
behaviour, eccentric, and capricious.
In a domain where a nature god lives, similar types of regular
otherworldlings may appear. For example, if a powerful
tengu is the nature god of the domain, new tengus may
occasionally appear in the domain.
Examples of nature gods and guidelines on how to create
them can be found in the Sorcery module, in the Gods
chapter.

Domain Rules 183

 Micro-Domains aka Noble Estates Corresponds Corresponds
Micro-Domain
A micro-domain, or noble estate, comprises only a handful to Number of to Number of
Population
of villages and villas, or other facilities such as distilleries or Villages Villages
other manufactures. Under a
Up to 3 0%
thousand
A micro-domain can represent a noble family’s limited
land holdings, a business venture, a criminal network, a 1000-1750 4-7 5%
significant temple, or a samurai or shinobi clan, among other 2000-2750 8-11 10%
possibilities.
3000-3750 12-15 15%
In some cases, a micro-domain may not have permanent 4000-4750 16-19 20%
residents (e.g., a distillery with only employees). However,
5000-5750 20-23 25%
enterprises involved in agriculture need tenant villages and,
consequently, residents. In the Asteanic cultural region, the 6000-6750 24-27 30%
labour requirements of agricultural estates are addressed 7000-7750 28-31 35%
through a system of corvée (unpaid labour of tenant farmers). 8000-8750 32-35 40%
The primary distinction from a standard domain is its political 9000-9750 36-39 45%
nature. The ruler of a micro-domain is unlikely to be the
highest authority in the region but rather a noble, affluent If the population of a micro-domain reaches ten thousand, it
landowner, productor, or someone similar. Consequently, could be considered a domain with a size of 1. This is place
free individuals generally do not inhabit micro-domains, for a consideration for players and the GM. If the micro-
making it impossible to collect taxes from them. Even if domain is not a political entity but a personal landholding
the domain owner rents out their lands to someone from of one family, the regular domain rules cannot be applied
the freeman castes, they collect rent rather than taxes. Tax because there are no free people living on the land, and the
collection falls under the jurisdiction of the state. ruler still does not have the right to collect taxes or anything
similar.
Secondly, the ruler of a micro-domain must personally pay
taxes to the state based on their caste and the micro-domain’s On the other hand, if the ruler of a micro-domain is recognized
nature. A land aristocrat pays taxes of the land aristocrat politically – becoming a daimyo, rising to the patrician caste,
caste, and a productor pays taxes of the productor caste. If etc. – then the micro-domain can be raised to size 1, even if
a land aristocrat incorporates a manufacture, they will start the population is less than 10 000.
paying both types of taxes. If a micro-domain is a samurai
clan, it likely has a lord who doesn’t want taxes but has given Establishments in Micro-Domains
other responsibilities to the clan, such as tax collection on
their behalf, border patrolling, and participation in military The ruler of a micro-domain can initiate the establishment of
campaigns. one village, villa, manufacture, or mine during the Domain
Turn.
As micro-domains aren’t independent political entities, they
aren’t affected by events related to Corruption, Prosperity, Micro-domains can create tenant villages and military
Discontent, or Time of Troubles. The ruler of a micro-domain villages but are unable to establish production villages since
does not deal with these percentages. Prosperity, Discontent, their inhabitants belong to the free tenant’s caste and thus
and Time of Troubles percentages are nonexistent for micro- cannot be tax subjects to a random noble.
domains. However, Corruption remains a factor. It is For all facilities where the cost of establishment and
subtracted from the micro-domain’s income similarly maintenance depends on the domain’s size, the domain
to standard domains. The level of Corruption in a micro- size is considered one. Facilities that somehow increase the
domain also depends on its population, meaning that in tax base do not function in micro-domains because a small
the smallest micro-domains (e.g., a productor’s factory noble has no right to collect taxes. This means that networks
complexes), Corruption may not occur at all. of taverns do not function, the tax office does not operate,
and a mint does not function because a small noble hardly
has the right to mint their own money, although secretly
they could do so.

184
To establish manufactures, productor’s license must be
purchased from the local overlord, and it must be discussed
with the GM whether this is even possible. Manufactures are
related to the region’s population, and existing manufactures
may already be in place.
The establishment of mines may also require permission
from local rulers, who may be more interested in acquiring
land than permitting a private mine. The same applies to
fortified structures—regional rulers may not be interested in
private fortresses and strongholds emerging on their lands.

Chancellors of Micro-Domains
The ruler of a micro-domain can hire domain chancellors
and establish corresponding offices. All costs and salaries are
the same as those for a domain with a size of 1.
All chancellors in micro-domains have one Action, and they
can broadly do the same things as chancellors of a standard
domain. The question is more about whether it makes
sense – micro-domains do not face many of the problems
that standard domains do. Additionally, a micro-domain is
likely part of a larger state and may not require an army, tax
officials, secret police, or other things typically associated
with a state.
For the establishment of all military units, villages, and
other facilities, where a standard domain’s chancellors can
establish around 5 times the size of the domain in facilities, a
micro-domain leader can establish only one facility, village,
or military unit during the Domain Turn.

Domain Rules 185

 Playing the Domain Game
The time in the domain game is divided into Domain Turns,
which last for three months and always begin at the start of
a quarter: the first on January 1st, the second on April 1st,
and so on.
1. At the beginning of each Domain Turn, the four
percentages are rolled. First is Corruption, followed by
Prosperity, Discontent, and finally the Time of Troubles –
always in this order. Based on the results in the percentage
dice, events unfold in the domain, such as whether a
construction project remains unfinished, whether there
will be more or fewer taxes collected during the Domain
Turn than usual and other consequences.
2. Next, the completed new constructions, ships, and
formed military units are recorded. The domain’s income
and expenses are calculated.
3. Then comes the decision-making phase. All domain
leaders can initiate various constructions, collect
additional taxes, etc. Many of these decisions and Actions
directly impact the percentage rolls for Corruption,
Prosperity, Discontent and Time of Troubles in the next
Domain Turn. These temporary modifiers also need to
be noted.
4. Once all domain leaders have decided on their Actions,
the necessary episodes are played out. Typically, Actions
initiated by domain leaders, such as building villages or
military units, do not create any role-playing episodes.
However, situations resulting from the rolled events may
require resolution.
Domain leaders can postpone their Actions to investigate
something, play through adventurous episodes, etc. Actions
must be decided no later than a month before the end of
the Domain Turn.
186
Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent,
and Time of Troubles
The percentages for Corruption, Prosperity, Discontent, and
Time of Troubles in the domain are always from 0 to 100. The
smaller the percentage, the lower the chance that something
will happen during the Domain Turn. In each Domain Turn,
all percentages are rolled once, and if the result falls within
the percentage, some event related to them occurs. If the roll
is higher than the domain’s corresponding value, nothing
happens. Events can be created by the Game Master based
on the ongoing adventure, or specific tables designed for
this purpose can be used, or a combination of both.
It is advisable to incorporate existing rivals and friends into
events; this creates a certain consistency. Both the GM and
the player should be aware of the factions in an average
Asteanic domain and what they generally want, to decide
how they behave and how to deal with them. Who might
become a friend and who might become a rival.
Factions in an Average Asteanic Domain
Domain Chancellors – the ruling council led by the ruler.
The most powerful individuals in the domain after the ruler.
They can become the most dangerous rivals of the ruler.
They desire more power and wealth.
Domain’s Archpriest – if the domain’s archpriest is not
designated by the ruler, then they form a separate faction
with interests depending on the character of the archpriest.
Nature God – if the domain has a nature god, it is also a
faction in the domain and can directly influence the domain’s
percentages. What pleases or displeases the nature god
depends on the type and personality of the deity.
Patricians – desire more power and the preservation of
their tax exemptions. They dislike rulers who build too many
fortresses on their lands.
Land Aristocracy (plantators, rich freemen and rich
samurai) – want more land, fewer taxes, and peace in
the countryside. Nobles also dislike rulers becoming too
militarily powerful (fortresses, military villages).
Productors (urban elites) – want to build manufactures,
have the right to surpass syndicates, and have the right to
pay workers as little as they want. They dislike syndicates
and generally people in the free castes whom they see as
obstacles to innovation.
Licensed Merchants – want to trade, don’t want to pay
customs. They dislike patricians and war in general.
Religious Orders – dislike foreign sects and the Concept
of Collective Spirit. The Geuladic Bodies and the Hands
of Menes are military orders that support war. Generally
support the caste system and the status quo because most
high priests belong to the nobility. Each order is a separate
faction.
Cities in General (5000 or more inhabitants) – want
autonomy. They dislike wars but may start a war to demand
autonomy.
Samurai – generally loyal. Want the stipend to continue, and
their families to have a status-appropriate living, and for their
descendants to have a samurai position with the same lord.
Ashigarus – want to enter the free castes. Some want
to become samurai. And sometimes, they also want
the abolition of the entire serfdom and tenant system.
Remember, if you are a small-time Asteanic lord, then most
of your military consists of them!
Merchants’ Syndicates – do not want war. In a large city,
they are part of the larger urban community.
Craftsmen’s Syndicates – passionately hate productors who
threaten to crush their status quo with their manufactures.
Generally against innovative production methods. Dislike
war. For a large city, they are part of the larger urban
community.
Free Landowners – free people who pay taxes 10 GD in turn,
meaning very wealthy peasants. Dislike war and famine.
Free Tenants – residents of production villages, usually
fishermen, herders, people engaged in some craft, grape or
olive growers, etc. Dislike war and famine.
Tenants (serfs) – want serfdom to end and to enter the free
castes. Dislike war, but at a critical moment, they may start a
rebellion.
Small People – want decent living conditions (food, shelter)
and a wage that allows a decent living for their hard work,
which they do in places like ports, manufactures, mines, etc.
The more industry in the domain, the more people belonging
to the small people caste live in the domain.
Slaves and Forced Labourers – want freedom, the end of
the inhumane regime, and the death of the domain ruler.
Factions can always be added or reduced depending on the
nature of the game and the domain. Perhaps there is a large
university in the domain, which is a whole faction in itself,
or a group of mages who have organised, or a domain has a
fleet whose marines, seamen, and gunners form a separate
faction.
In a small domain, there are not many factions, or their
members are so few that it is not worth considering them as
separate factions.
Random Tables
The tables are designed on the principle that events with
smaller percentages have less impact, while events with
larger percentages have greater impact. Accordingly, in
a domain with higher Prosperity, there is firstly a greater
chance of any Prosperity event occurring, and secondly, a
chance of a very beneficial event happening. Examining the
tables makes it clear that in a domain with a low percentage
of Discontent, a major public uprising is not possible, but in
a domain where the Discontent percentage is very high, it is
possible.
The GM should consider such a design principle when
creating similar tables for their game.
Secondly, when designing the table oneself, it is worth
considering that with a high probability, domain percentages
will not exceed 60%, so attention should be focused more on
designing events for lower percentages than for events with
a very low probability of occurring.
Of course, it may happen that a randomly drawn event is in
no way logical considering the nature of the domain; in that
case, either roll the die again or come up with something
equivalent.
Also, note that resolving randomly drawn events is the
only way for NPC domain chancellors to increase their
governing skills. Take this into account when designing
random tables yourself.
If NPC and PC domain leaders receive extra points for their
governing skills, points are not distributed in the usual way,
i.e., a Skill Rank of 3 does not cost 3 points, and a Skill Rank of
7 does not cost 5 points. For example, if a domain chancellors
gets 2 points from resolving an event, they are added one-
to-one to existing Skill Ranks. For instance, Mathematics is
raised from +10 to +12 due to event resolution.
The domain ruler never gains extra points through
resolving such events, only chancellors, be they PCs or
NPCs.
Domain Rules 187
 Corruption
% Event
Free peasants or noble castes in the domain ask
you to accommodate them by exempting them
1-2
from taxes for one turn. If you do this, you gain
friends-allies; if not, nothing happens.
The small people in the domain, working in
manufactures, mines (if they use wage labour),
and other paid but less-paying positions, go
on strike. How do you handle it? As long as the
problem is unresolved, no taxes or profits come
from productors and your manufactures.
Add event: Striking Workers.
3-4
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, the High Magistrate gets two points
that can be distributed among their governing
skills.)
If there are no corresponding institutions in the
domain, nothing happens.
Some wealthy and powerful nobles in your
domain are in conflict. Someone has stolen
someone’s herd, raised borders, taken hostages,
or caused some other mischief. The situation
is very confusing, with numerous accusations
against each other. Finally, they turn to you as
the highest judge. You must fairly resolve the
5-6 situation, i.e., fairly judge the case (the game
master decides who is guilty or more guilty).
If your solution is unsatisfactory, add the land
nobles to your rivals.
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, one of your chosen domain
chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
Confusion around construction projects. Work on
one ongoing facility has been delayed for some
reason (supply difficulties, payroll confusion,
7-8 labour strikes, etc.), so the completion of the
project is delayed by one Domain Turn. The game
master chooses or determines by a roll which
project is affected.
Your samurai have had ideas on how to extort
more taxes from the people, and they have
already put them into practice without telling
you. You immediately get more taxes, but rest
assured that such behaviour is not liked by the
people. The situation lasts until you forbid the
9-10
practice.
Add event: Overeager Tax Collectors
(Discontent starting from the next turn +10%,
+1d4 SD tax per domain resident from this turn,
without Corruption percentage subtracted).
188
% Event
Vagabonds have established a village, villa,
fortress, etc., on some of your land, occupying
4 km2 without paying taxes. Local samurai
cannot prove that they have no right to the land.
The vagabonds also have a legally correct but
economically unbelievable confirmation of land
rights. You don’t remember signing it, but in the
11- midst of this mess?
12
Depending on how you solve the situation,
you may gain a new rival or friend, or nothing
happens.
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, one of your chosen domain
chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
A group of tenants, small people, or free
landowners come to complain to you, accusing
the land aristocrats or some other nobles’ caste
of injustice against them. The complaining
caste has been robbed, imprisoned, enslaved,
13- or something else atrocious. Many nobles are
14 accused. Depending on how you solve the
situation, new rivals or/and friends may emerge.
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, one of your chosen domain
chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
It turns out that samurai in the countryside are
treating their subordinates unfairly. A group
of tenants or free people comes to complain.
Samurai use violence, demand unjust extra
work from tenants on their personal fields,
15- etc. Depending on how you judge or solve the
16 problem, tenants or your own samurai may
become your rivals.
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, one of your chosen domain
chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
Your land nobles (country aristocrats, rich free
landowners, and maybe even some of your
samurai) have completely fallen out with each
other and openly at war with each other – raiding
each other’s villages, burning manors and each
17-
other’s farms, and engaging in small battles.
18
Add event: Warring Land Aristocracy
(Discontent +5%, from this turn until solving the
problem. Taxes are not received from the land
aristocrats caste.)
% Event
The small people are unemployed and
dissatisfied with the government. They form
various criminal gangs, mainly targeting
your samurai and other government officials.
Members of wealthier castes are also robbed.
Starting from this turn until the small gang
problem is resolved, there is -5% Prosperity and
+5% Discontent in the domain.
19-
Perhaps offering them work and food is the
20
solution. Perhaps they need to be severely
punished. Depending on your actions, small
people may become your rivals or friends.
Add event: Small Time Banditry in the Domain.
(If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, the High Magistrate gets two points
that can be distributed among their governing
skills.)
Domain chancellors demand a raise. If you refuse,
21- you get new unpleasant rivals: your own domain
22 chancellors. How much they demand depends on
the previous relationships.
The stipends of your samurai were not paid the
previous turn. It seems to have been forgotten,
23- and it’s not clear who was responsible. Samurai
24 are furious, and although you pay them
now (without deducting additional money),
Discontent increases by +5% for this turn.
The people have had enough of the samurai’s
25-
abuse of power. A whole village is empty. One
26
village can be excluded from the list of villages.
27- If you have granaries, it turns out that they are
28 empty. Corrupt officials have sold the grain.
If you have rival groups who should pay taxes to
you, then this turn they refuse to pay, citing some
ancient obscure laws or other obviously invented
reasons. Demanding taxes from them by force
would clearly cause problems (tyranny causes
+5% permanent Discontent).
29- (If you can solve the situation without using
30 tyranny, one of your chosen domain chancellors
gets two points that can be distributed among
their governing skills.)
If you have no rivals, the GM selects one group
from the neutral factions in your domain that
demands tax exemption for this turn. These are
most likely the land aristocrats.
Corrupt officials have manipulated your
construction budget, and one ongoing
31- construction – a village, villa, city building, or
32 even a fortress – remains unfinished. To complete
the building, you need to pay half of the
construction cost again.
% Event
Sorcerers in the domain have gotten into some
trouble, or adventurers have raided a tomb.
Maybe one of your rivals is behind it? Anyway,
now there are some dangerous undead in the
33- domain – dead walkers, shadows, etc.
34
Add event: Undead in the Domain
(From this turn until the undead problem is
resolved, there is +10% Discontent and +5% to
Time of Troubles)
Your rivals have established a Spyweb into your
domain, unbeknownst to you. The Game Master
decides the actions of this network. Spyweb has
three Actions in Domain Turn, and it uses one of
them in every turn to Sow Chaos.
35- The mechanics of espionage are detailed in the
36 subchapter on espionage.
Add event: Rival Spyweb in the Domain.
(If you discover and dismantle the Spyweb, the
High Magistrate gains two points, distributable
among their governing skills.)
Corrupt bureaucracy is expanding, likely
manipulated by the sinister hand of a rival. Until
37- the event is resolved and culprits are found,
38 Corruption increases by +10% starting from the
next turn.
Add event: Corrupt Officials.
One of your top officials is thoroughly corrupt.
Who?
39-
Until the corrupt official is found, corruption
40
increases by +10% starting from the next turn.
Add event: Corrupted Top Official in the Domain
Funds from the treasury have disappeared,
resulting in a -10% decrease in the overall
41- treasury status. Is it theft, the work of a corrupt
42 top official, or a mere clerical error in your ledger
due to rampant negligence? Or is there a rival
behind this?
Samurai dissatisfied with your rule deceive you
with taxes. Until the situation is resolved, starting
from the next turn, Corruption is increased by
+10%. Who exactly are they? How to resolve
43-
the situation without angering the rest of the
44
samurai? Could a rival be behind these deceitful
samurai?
Add event: Dishonest Samurai
Domain Rules 189
 % Event
Your domain chancellors or other top officials
have sold land to a highly suspicious sect (such
as Mist Druids), a cult of necromancers, or some
other dubious group causing fear among nearby
residents. Starting from this turn, Discontent
increases by +5%. Legally, there is no valid reason
to rid yourself of them. However, there is a silver
45- lining: the land sale brings a profit of 2000 GD
46 x the Domain Price Multiplier (considerable
revenue from vacant land purchases).
Add event: Suspicious Society in the Domain.
(If you can get rid of the society without using
tyranny, one of your chosen domain chancellors
gets two points that can be distributed among
their governing skills.)
One of your domain chancellors or top officials
decides to engage in overseas trade, attempting
to seize the entire Market Capacity in your
domain. If you are not directly involved in
47- overseas trade, this may not harm you. However,
48 if other merchants have engaged in trade, they
now become your rivals.
(This domain chancellor also gains two additional
points, distributable among their governing
skills.)
Someone has poisoned your food. The Game
Master selects the poison used. Obviously, the
perpetrator must have access to your food. Most
49- likely, a rival is behind this. You must make Body
checks depending on the specific poison.
50
(If you solve the crime, one of your chosen
domain chancellors gains two points,
distributable among their governing skills.)
False official in the domain. There is an imposter
moving around the domain, forging documents
and collecting taxes in your name. Starting from
51- the next turn Corruption increases by +20% in
52 the domain until the imposter is caught.
Add event: False Official in the Domain (Lasts
for 2 Domain Turns. If caught in the meantime, a
portion of the stolen funds is recovered.)
The rampant corruption displeases some domain
53- factions. The Game Master selects a faction
54 and moves it from neutral to rivals or a friendly
fraction to neutral.
Free people are fed up with your corrupt officials.
55-
2d4 x the size of the domain in free families leave
56
the domain.
190
% Event
You accidentally discover that one of your
domain chancellors has “acquired” a significant
portion of your domain. 1d4 x 5% of all
uninhabited land in your domain. All documents
57- are correct, including your signature. Taking
58 action might bring new rivals.
(This domain chancellor also gains two additional
points, distributable among their governing
skills.)
The corrupt deeds of your corrupt domain
chancellors or top officials (if all domain leaders
are PCs and not corrupt) come to light. From
this turn until the dismissal of corrupt domain
chancellors, Discontent increases by +10% in the
domain. If you simply let them go, they become
your rivals.
59-
60 Add event: Corruption of a Domain Chancellor
becomes Public
(All corrupt domain chancellors gain one point
in all governing skills unless they are PC domain
chancellors who are genuinely uncorrupted. In
the case of corrupted PC domain chancellors,
they also gain points.)
Rise of the Shinobi Clan!
Tenants, tired of samurai oppression and rampant
dishonesty in the domain, have had enough. 10
remote tenant villages turn into military villages,
and control is seized by a newly formed shinobi
61- clan of ex-tenants. The leader of the clan has all
65 shinobi skills at +12. (Note: No more taxes or
soldiers from these villages.) Negotiations may be
possible, but not guaranteed.
Add event: Shinobi Clan in the Domain. (Check
under the Espionage in War subchapter what can
happen.)
Surprisingly, there is more money in the treasury.
+5 SD per domain resident. Your samurai have
66- done a commendable job. Unfortunately, they
70 have also pocketed more and, regrettably, these
extra taxes have been forcibly collected. Roll for
Discontent in this turn with a +20% penalty.
% Event
A corrupt domain has caught the attention of
the Azure Watch, a semi-secretive organisation of
assassins. The local leader informs you through
a letter that they have opened a branch in your
domain, sensing opportunities. They inquire if
you would like them to eliminate someone and
request your legal acknowledgement. The Watch
offers protection, and their leader is willing to
become your chief shinobi or court wizard, with
all their governing skills at +18. Additionally, they
will perform these duties for free.
71- The situation needs resolution. Until you have
75 decided to legalize them or fight them to disband
them from your domain, add an event: Suspicious
Society in the Domain (Azure Watch) (Increases
Discontent and Corruption by +5% until the sect
is stopped.)
If you legalize the Azure Watch and/or hire their
leader, add the event: Azure Watch Home Domain
(Increases Corruption and Discontent by +15%).
If you choose to fight against them, be aware that
this is a criminal organization consisting of Azure
Assassins.
This Domain Turn receives no income at all.
Domain chancellors cannot explain it. Has there
76- been a robbery? Is a rival or an extremely corrupt
80 official behind this? The confusion in managing
the domain prevents determining the cause, and
the money is lost.
Free people are thoroughly fed up with your
81-
corrupt officials. 2d4 x 10 x the size of the domain
90
in free families leave the domain.
The widespread corruption is disliked by
91- everyone. The Game Master moves 1d6+1 neutral
98 domain factions to the rivals category and all
friendly fractions to the neutral category.
99-
The BAD THING happens!
100

Domain Rules 191

 Prosperity
% Event
In your domain, there are wandering
otherworldlings or otherwise interesting
creatures. These creatures have attracted
adventurers and nobles who want to hunt them.
Nobles and adventurers bring wealth with them.
1-2 Unfortunately, the residents of your domain do
not like these creatures or adventurers.
Add event: Monster Hunting Lodge (Starting
from the next turn, +5% Prosperity and +5%
Discontent until the creatures and adventurers
are driven out.)
The population of your domain has increased.
3-4
Add 1 tenant village x domain size.
A wealthy family wants to move to your domain
and buy 64 km2 of land from you at a fair price.
Depending on the Fertility Dice of the existing
land, the price ranges from 800 to 3200 GD. This
adds one plantator family to your domain, paying
5-6
75 GD in taxes each turn. Over time, this family
will also establish four tenant villages. Include
them in the villages owned by aristocrats (i.e.,
the total population of the domain increases by
1020).
Many residents (a group from among your
friends) are pleased with recent events and
7-8 give you a gift worth 500 GD x Domain Price
Multiplier. This could be a cool piece of art, a
weapon, or a magical item.
One of the domain chancellors has improved, and
9-10
all their governance skills increase by one point.
A patrician in the region wants to buy villages
from you at a fair price. They are interested in
purchasing 2 to 8 (2d4) villages. This is a good
way to make quick money, but a reminder:
11-
patricians don’t pay taxes.
12
If there are no patricians in the area, a powerful
noble family may want to buy villages, paying
you additional taxes of 75 GD in turn. This
situation is beneficial even in the long run.
A new plantator wants to move to the area. They
13-
want to buy 1 to 4 villages from you at a fair price.
14
If you sell, add +1 plantator family.
15- The population of your domain has increased.
16 Add 2 free families x domain size.
17- The population of your domain has increased.
18 Add 2 tenant villages x domain size.
192
% Event
Miners, hunters, or scholars have discovered an
untouched necropolis of an ancient culture on
your lands. It may contain great wealth, danger,
or/and knowledge. If you investigate it yourself,
the game master decides what exactly happens
there. Alternatively, you can assign a court wizard
19-
to investigate.
20
(In this case, the court wizard receives two
points, which can be distributed among their
governance skills.)
If you decide to handle it yourself, add the event:
Necropolis of Ancient Culture.
If you have rival fractions, you can move one of
21- them to the neutral group. If there are no rivals,
22 you can move one neutral faction to the friends
group.
The residents of the domain forgive you some for
23-
your sins. If you have accumulated permanent
24
Discontent, it now decreases by 10%.
The capital attracts new residents. 2d4 x domain
size free families move to the capital to live and
25-
open their businesses. They buy land from you
26
within the city, each for 100 GD, and increase
your tax base by 10 GD per family.
The fields have been fertile, and your tax
collectors have been diligent. You receive double
profits from all villages you collect taxes from
27- (production villages and tenant villages). This
28 additional profit does not have Corruption
subtracted from it. So, if the total tax from villages
would be 1000 GD before Corruption, you now
receive that amount.
A large group of colonists wants to move to live
29- in your domain, establish a village, and pay taxes
30 every Domain Turn. They establish 2 x domain
size production villages.
31- The population of your domain has increased.
32 Add 2d6 free families x domain size.
A famous soulsmith plans to move to your
domain and wants to exchange a magical item
33- for land and a house. They would increase your
34 tax base, paying 75 GD in taxes every Domain
Turn. Consider them as an aristocrat, adding +1
noble family.
Your fields have been fertile. You receive double
profits from all estates and plantations you own.
35- This additional profit does not have Corruption
36 subtracted from it. So, if the total profit from villas
would be 1000 GD before Corruption, you now
receive that amount.
% Event
If your domain has a trade port, a wealthy and
powerful foreign merchant approaches you,
wanting to establish a trading post in your
domain. They offer a gift of 5000 GD for every
100 Trade Tonnes of the Domain’s Market Share.
However, they do not automatically occupy the
37- Market Share in your domain. If you allow them
38
to build a trading post, your licensed merchants,
if any, become your rivals, as the new merchant
attacks them to occupy their Market Share, as you
allowed it to happen.
If there is no trade port in the domain, various
merchants bring gifts worth 1000 GD.
A wealthy family wants to move to your
domain and establish a manufacture. If you
are a nillwring, the family first wants to buy a
productor’s license from you for 5000 GD. If you
allow the productor to build a manufacture, add
39- +1 productor family, paying 400 GD in taxes
40 every Domain Turn. Local craft syndicates now
become your rivals because they don’t like this
turn of events.
(Also, the emergence of new industry within a
domain increases Discontent by +5%.)
A religious organization (such as the Bodies
of Geulades or the Hands of Menes) comes to
request land to establish its base. They do not
plan to pay taxes and want the land for free, but
they will build a free large temple in the capital
(see the relevant description). They want 160
km2 of land. When the temple is completed, its
leader takes the position of archpriest in your
domain. Unless there is a more powerful and
41- richer temple already present in the domain. This
42 capable priest has governance skills of +18.
Refusing to give land will be remembered by the
organization’s leaders, and they become your
rivals.
If you give the land, the organization becomes a
friend and ally. If it is the Bodies of Geulades or
another military organisation, the priesthood of
this temple becomes a company (120 soldiers) of
very capable priest-warriors.
% Event
In the capital, a powerful mage purchases land
for the construction of a tower. Considered an
aristocrat, they would contribute to the tax base,
but there may be other benefits from them. All
their governance skills are +18 if they were to
work as a court wizard. They would request a
salary of 500 GD multiplied by the Domain Price
Multiplier. However, your current court wizard
might take offence at such a change and join
43-
your rivals.
44
There is a 25% chance that the powerful mage
can resurrect people. Additionally, a new
aristocratic family brings an additional +75 GD in
taxes.
(If you can resolve the situation without creating
new rivals, the court wizard gains two points that
can be distributed among their governance skills.
It’s free points if you don’t do anything!)
A samurai returns from adventures, seeking a
place in your court. If appointed as a strategist,
45-
their governance skills would be +18. They
46
request a salary of 300 GD multiplied by the
Domain Price Multiplier per Domain Turn.
The offspring of a local bureaucrat returns from
the university, possessing governance skills
of +18. They are looking for a job as a domain
47-
chancellor and request a salary of 300 GD
48
multiplied by the Domain Price Multiplier per
Domain Turn. If you refuse their employment,
they will move to the next kingdom.
The prosperity of the domain has increased,
leading to the establishment of new tenant
villages. The number of newly built tenant
49- villages depends on domain size. In a domain
50 size of 1, five tenant villages are established,
in a domain size of 2, ten tenant villages are
established, in a domain size of 3, fifteen tenant
villages are established and so on.
Your friends and allies pool their resources and
establish a public institution in the domain’s
51-
capital or your palace, something that was
52
previously lacking: baths, a park, an art gallery, a
hippodrome, etc.
A powerful temple or religious order nearby
makes you an offer. They propose building a free
network of village temples in your domain and
maintaining it themselves. While this would be
53- tremendously beneficial, the network would
54 serve their interests, functioning as a Spyweb in
your domain.
If you agree, add the event: Spyweb of a Temple
in the Domain.
Domain Rules 193
 % Event
A rich aristocrat dies without an heir. As the ruler
of the domain, you inherit their lands: 5 to 8
55- tenant villages and two agricultural villas.
56
If your domain has no noble families, you inherit
the lands outside your domain.
Life is good in the domain. You can move three
57- rival factions into the neutral factions or, if there
58 are no rivals, move two neutral factions into the
friends group.
% Event
Discovery of mineral deposit. What type of metal
ore is found? Roll d100%: 1-50% iron, 51-80%
copper, 81-90% tin, 91-97% silver, 98-99% gold,
100% roll twice again or choose one.
91-
98 You can build 2 to 20 mine shafts in the area.
There is a 1% chance that a giant deposit will be
found, where 100 to 1000 mine shafts can be
established.
99-
The GOOD THING happens!
100

A wealthy productor approaches you, claiming to

have information about some mineral deposits in
your land. They don’t reveal the location or type
of mineral but want to buy the exclusive right to
establish and operate mines on your lands for 10
000 to 50 000 GD. If you agree, roll to determine
the mineral deposit (use the percentages at
59- 91-98%). The wealthy productor then begins
60 building mines on your lands. Consider the
productor as 1 to 8 productor families for tax
purposes. The number of “families” moving to
the domain depends on the richness of the ore,
determined by the GM.
If you refuse, add the event: Hidden Mineral
Deposit in the Domain.
In a prosperous domain, the freemen castes
have earned a lot of extra money. You have the
opportunity to collect an additional 10 GD tax
per family. This is likely a significant amount, but
61- collecting it would turn all free families into your
65 rivals.
(If you choose not to collect the additional taxes,
the High Magistrate gains two points that can be
distributed among their governance skills.)
The prosperity of the domain has inspired many
66-
new immigrants. 3d6 x domain size tenant
70
villages are established.
71- The population of the domain has increased. Add
75 4d12 free families x domain size.

Life is good in the domain. You can move all rival

76- factions into the neutral factions or, if there are
80 no rivals, move three neutral factions into the
friends group.

The capital attracts new residents. 2d4 x 10 x

domain size free families move to the capital to
81-
live and open their businesses. They buy land
90
from you within the city, each for 100 GD, and
increase your tax base by 10 GD per family.

194
Discontent
% Event
Bandits are operating in the domain. From the
next turn until the bandits are stopped, there is a
1-2 -5% Prosperity and +5% Discontent.
Add event: Small Time Banditry in the Domain.
The small people are simply not content with life.
3-4
Add them to your rivals
The tenants are simply not content with life. Add
5-6
them to your rivals.
Tenants refuse to do additional corvée (unpaid
labour), slack off on tasks, or don’t show up at all.
7-8 All ongoing projects’ deadlines are postponed
by one Domain Turn. However, villas and other
facilities continue to operate as usual.
Vagrants (caste of wandering priests) wandering
in the domain tell classic Asteanic myths
differently than you’ve heard them. In their
stories, all Asteanic people are equal to each
other and to other people. Odd.
9-10
From the next turn, until the vagrants can
peacefully roam the domain, Discontent
increases by +5%.
Add event: Sect of Rynald the Repentant.
Craftsmen syndicates demand the closure of a
manufacture in the domain. If the manufacture
belongs to the ruler, they can easily close it, and
the craftsmen syndicates become their allies. If
the manufacture belongs to a productor, they
11- have to choose between them. In any case, one
12 side becomes an ally, and the other becomes a
rival.
If there are no manufactures in the domain, the
next turn’s Discontent is simply rolled with a +5%
penalty.
Some rebels or bandits attack a chancellor
travelling with a pair of samurai. If the attacked
13- chancellor is a PC, the attack can be played out. If
14 NPC, then they just die.
The likely culprit behind the attack is a rival, but
which one?
Rogue wizard(s). Your domain has been infiltrated
by sorcerers practising forbidden magic, or
perhaps they have always been there, and
now the people are noticing. The populace is
15-
16 discontent, wishing these practitioners were not
present.
Add event: Suspicious Society in the Domain
(Starting from the next turn, Discontent +5%.)
% Event
During one of your travels, a group of bandits or
17- mercenaries attacks you. Encounter should be
18 played out. Are they hired by a rival, or are they
just crazy highwaymen?
Republican or even democratic ideas are
spreading among the free castes. Investigation
reveals that several books read by the free castes
are causing this. The books are sold by merchants
19- belonging to the merchants’ syndicate. What will
20
you do? Doing nothing adds Democratic Ideas to
the events in the domain.
On the other hand, banning books may create
rivals among the merchant syndicates.
Tenants request freedom from corvée and end
to the serfdom. If you grant tenants freedom, all
your tenant villages become production villages
21-
(possibly granting more tax), and you can add the
22
former tenants to your allies. The future problem,
however, will be the lack of free labour. If you
refuse, you may add tenants to your rivals.
Bandits have established a base in the forests
or mountains of the domain, organizing
raids against your defenceless villages. Every
two weeks, they raid one village, leading to
Discontent +10% starting from the next turn
and income is reduced by the raided villages’ tax
base from the next turn. Villages are completely
destroyed. There are two militia companies of
bandits (240 bandits), and theoretically, dealing
23-
with them would be easy, but their base is well
24
hidden. If there’s a Spyweb in the domain, it can
be used to find the base. The Spyweb leader must
roll Perception against DL 25. If not, the base
must be found in an adventurous way.
Add event: Well-hidden Bandit Base.
(If you find and destroy the bandit base, the Chief
Shinobi gets two points that can be distributed
among their governing skills.)
Domain Rules 195
 % Event
Somewhere in the mountains or deep woods of
your domain, a powerful otherworldly creature
has been encountered (nymph, faun, tengu, red
or blue oni). This creates fear and discontent
among nearby residents. Starting from the next
turn until the creature can roam peacefully in
the domain, Discontent increases by +5%. How
will you handle it? You can send the court wizard
with the best samurai to hunt it, hire adventurers,
investigate yourself, or send the archpriest to
25- appease the otherworldling.
26 (The domain chancellor who eventually resolves
the issue gets two points that can be distributed
among their governing skills.)
Additionally, if the archpriest manages to
befriend the otherworldling, another large
temple can be built in the domain, becoming a
pilgrimage site due to the nearby otherworldling
(who may live inside of the temple). This temple
increases Prosperity by 5%.
Add an event: Otherworldling in the Domain.
Discontent causes the closure of one
establishment you own (e.g., miners leave their
27- jobs and close the shafts, foresters leave with
28 their tools, etc.). To reopen the establishment, it
must be re-established by a domain chancellor
using their Action at half the price.
196
% Event
Capable adventurers/heroes have entered your
domain: a shinobi, an azure warrior, a ronin, and a
priest (built with about 500 EXP or simply choose
NPCs of similar power). The adventurers have
come to kill the local nature deity. By the time the
news reaches you, they have already angered the
deity, and now it’s furious with you (depending
on the nature of the deity, some negatives might
apply to the domain’s percentages). Add the
nature deity to your rivals.
Add an event: Adventurers Hunt the Nature God
(lasts 1 to 4 turns, 10% chance the nature deity
is killed, 90% chance the adventurers meet their
end).
29- (If you somehow resolve the situation by
30 appeasing both the nature deity and the
adventurers, one of the problem-solving
domain chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
If your domain has no nature deity, the
adventurers look for other activities in your
domain, causing trouble, arguing with
authorities, and meddling in your personal affairs.
Add an event: Idle adventurers.
If you don’t resolve the issue in this turn, then
next turn add an event: You Are Hunted by
Adventurers (Every Domain Turn until the
situation is resolved, adventurers organise at least
one ambush or another attack against you. The
goal of the attack is to capture or kill you.)
A peculiar sect starts gaining influence. From the
next turn, there is a +5% increase in Discontent
and Corruption until the sect is stopped. A violent
solution can create rivals as regular people have
31- joined the sect.
32
Add event: Suspicious Sect in the Domain.
(If you resolve the issue without creating new
rivals, then the archpriest receives two points that
can be distributed among their governing skills.)
Ideas of a democratic republic are spreading
among the free castes (free landowners, free
craftsmen, and free merchants). Add them all to
your rivals.
33-
34 Add event: Democratic Ideas in the Domain.
If your government type is some sort of
democratic republic, then they are discontent
with current rulers and want new elections.
% Event
Your domain chancellors are dissatisfied, and 1 or
2 of them leave your service. It might be possible
35- to bring them back with a significant gift.
36
If all domain chancellors are PCs, then nothing
happens.
In a public place where people gather, such as an
amphitheatre, hippodrome, temple, etc., there
37- is a public protest against your rule. The crowd
38 shouts you down, or similar. How will you handle
it? Who is behind inciting the crowd? A violent
solution creates rivals and permanent Discontent.
Tenants refuse to pay rent. If not addressed, the
next domain turn’s taxes from villages won’t be
collected. A violent solution creates rivals and
39- permanent Discontent.
40 (If you can solve the problem without creating
new rivals, one of your chosen domain
chancellors gets two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
41- 2d4 x domain size free families leave the capital.
42 The tax base decreases by 10 GD per family.
At the instigation of your rivals, domain residents
43- destroy an institution they dislike. For example,
44 syndicates destroy a manufacture, or nobles
destroy a fortress.
Small people and slaves start a rebellion.
Suppressing it takes one strategist’s Action and a
Tactics roll against DL 20. As long as the uprising
lasts, Prosperity is -20%, and Discontent is +10%.
45-
Add an event: Small People’s Uprising in the
46
Domain.
(If the uprising is suppressed, the Strategist
receives two points that can be distributed
among their governing skills.)
Capable adventurers/heroes have entered your
domain: a shinobi, an azure warrior, a ronin, and a
priest (built with about 500 EXP or simply choose
NPCs of similar power).
The adventurers have heard of your tyranny
and decided to overthrow you to create a better
47-
world. They are likely funded by one of your
48
rivals.
Add an event: Adventurers Hunt You.
(Every Domain Turn until the situation is resolved,
the adventurers organize at least one ambush or
another attack against you. The goal is to capture
or kill you.)
% Event
If there is a city in the domain, it now demands
autonomy. They want to pay a fixed tax and be
49-
completely free in their internal politics. If you
50
refuse, a new rival is born; if you agree, a friendly
city.
Your rivals have sent shinobi clans to operate on
your lands, attacking your villages, disrupting
trade, killing samurai, and engaging in other
crimes. There are 2 shinobi clans per domain size.
From the next turn, until the clans are destroyed,
Prosperity -20%, and Discontent +10%.
The shinobi have a secret base in the woods or
51- mountains, which can be very difficult to find.
52 However, these paid shinobi can be bought off.
The leader of the shinobi would stop the raids for
10 000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier. If done, they
can also be hired as the chief shinobi for 500 GD x
Domain Price Multiplier. All their governing skills
are +18.
Until the problem is solved, add an event: Hostile
Shinobi Clans Raid.
2d4 ronin companies, consisting of unemployed
mercenaries, enter your domain. How will you
handle it? Your decisions may lead to war, a rival,
or even a new ally.
53- Add an event: Unemployed Mercenaries in the
54 Domain.
(If you come out of the situation without creating
rivals and without villages being plundered, then
the strategist receives two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
Rivals have established a Spyweb in your domain,
and from now on, it will conduct operations
every turn that damage domain stability and
income. The GM will decide the specifics. The
55- Spyweb operates until it is destroyed.
56
Add an event: Rival Spyweb in the Domain.
(If you find and destroy the Spyweb, the
Chief Shinobi receives two points that can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
Domain Rules 197
 % Event % Event
Your rivals have successfully somehow made your Your closer or distant neighbours take advantage
samurai dissatisfied. Samurai believe something of the tumultuous situation in your domain and
very bad about you. Maybe it’s not even false? attack you with some invented reason. The likely
Anyway, they neither respect nor trust you goal is a war of conquest. Your rivals may or may
anymore; from now on, they are your rivals. The not join the war from your own domain.
conditions for winning them back are decided by 76-
57- 80 Add an event: WAR!
the GM, but generally, it should be possible.
58
If rivals join the war, also add an event: Rivals in
Add an event: Disloyal Samurai.
League with Foreign Enemy.
Starting from the next turn until the loyalty of
(If you win the war, the Strategist receives one
samurai is regained, the morale of the samurai
point for all governing skills.)
companies is -4, and Corruption and Discontent
in the domain are +10%. All your rivals join forces and start a rebellion
against your rule.
Your rivals have pooled their resources and
81-
hired a mercenary force that is approaching the Add an event: WAR!
90
domain. They present their demands. (Demands
(If you win the war, the Strategist receives one
depend on the type of rivals the ruler has. Cities
59- point for all governing skills.)
want autonomy, nobles want more land, tenants
60 want liberation, etc.) All factions in the domain have united their forces
91- and present you with an ultimatum. Leave with
If demands are not met, add an event: WAR! If you 98 your friends and family, and you’ll survive. If you
manage to negotiate, add an event: Unemployed refuse, you’re alone against everyone!
Mercenaries in the Domain.
99-
Assassination attempt against the ruler. Play it The BAD THING happens!
100
out (according to the espionage subchapter).
61-
Depending on the ruler’s bodyguards and other
65
defence mechanisms, assassin(s) might be
neutralised before anything bad happens.
Factions hostile to you have secretly sworn
allegiance to a potentially hostile foreign power.
They refuse to pay you taxes and request
protection from the foreign ruler. If you do
66- nothing, you simply won’t receive future taxes
70 from hostile factions. If you act, there’s a chance
the situation leads to war.
Add an event: Rivals in League with Foreign
Enemy.
Tenants, with the support of ashigarus, initiate
a revolt. It is coordinated, and most village
samurai are killed first. War begins, and most of
your samurai units are out of the game because
samurai have been killed and ashigarus have
become enemies.
Your rivals may or may not join the war. Now
71- would be a good time to make them a bunch of
75 gifts.
Add an event: Peasant Uprising! 1 militia
company is formed from every 10 villages. (From
the next turn, domain Discontent rises +20% until
the end of the uprising. No taxes from tenants, or
profit from agricultural villas.)
(If you win the war, the Strategist receives one
point for all governing skills.)

198
Time of Troubles
The percentage of the Time of Troubles is typically low.
However, if a player rolls within this percentage, it starts
increasing almost every turn when a roll falls within the Time
of Troubles percentage. Initially, the likelihood of this also
might be very small, but it can rapidly escalate.
For instance, if the regular Time of Troubles percentage in the
domain is 10%, and a roll falls within it resulting in a famine, the
next turn’s roll will have a 5% increase, making it 15%. If the roll
falls within again, and, say, it causes a plague, adding another
20% to the Time of Troubles percentage, the next turn’s roll will
be against 35%. And so on.
The Time of Troubles ends when a roll exceeds the Time of
Troubles percentage. If the Time of Troubles percentage
reaches 100%, the Time of Troubles continues for
an additional 2 to 8 (2d4) turns and then naturally
concludes. Throughout this period, rolls against the Time of
Troubles percentage continue, and more people succumb to
famine and diseases.
As seen, there’s a very small chance of things getting serious,
but if they do, there’s a significant likelihood that the entire
society collapses, leading to a massive loss of life.
The Time of Troubles consists of famines and plagues, and
the effects of these must be separately counted. Here,
plagues refer to all infectious diseases known or unknown in
the Asteanic world.
Rolling the plague or famine does not kill a significant number
of people during that turn; they simply raise the percentage
of the Time of Troubles. The increase in the percentage leads
to new incidents that will start causing fatalities.
Famine
If famine is rolled for the first time, it means that villages are
unable to pay taxes during this turn and subsequent turns
in the period of troubles. An additional +5% is added to the
Time of Troubles percentage, Discontent, and Corruption.
If famine is rolled for the second time during the period, it
may even be beneficial for a ruler who owns many agrarian
villas, as the price of food now doubles. Agricultural villa
profits x2. Additionally, +5% is added to the Time of Troubles
percentage, Discontent, and Corruption.
If famine is rolled for the third time during the period, even
the domain inhabitants belonging to the free castes cannot
pay taxes anymore. This is a huge blow to the ruler’s treasury.
Agricultural villa profits now triple. Additionally, +5% is
added to the Time of Troubles percentage, Discontent, and
Corruption.
Each subsequent time famine is rolled during the period,
the percentages for the Time of Troubles, Discontent, and
Corruption increase by 5%, and profits from villas continue
to multiply further (x4, x5, x6).
If the ruler decides not to sell the food produced by the villas
during the Time of Troubles but instead uses it to save their
people, then the villas produce three times less food during
this period. For example, a villa in the land with a Fertility
Dice of d6 would produce 10t food (enough to feed 100
people in one Domain Turn), villa in the land with a Fertility
Dice of d8 or d10 would produce 12t (120 people), and in
d12 land would produce 13t. In this case, no profit is gained.
The amount of saved people are subtracted from death
events.
Plague
As mentioned, the term “plague” encompasses all known or
unknown infectious diseases in the Asteanic world.
While a ruler can combat famine by opening their granaries,
there are practically no measures against the plague.
Although healing spells can cure individuals, they do not
provide immunity. In no domain are there enough restoration
mages to constantly heal the population.
Unlike famine, which is a single, escalating catastrophe,
plagues come in various forms, and the presence of one
does not exclude the arrival of another. During the Time of
Troubles, various diseases ravage the population, discernible
only by knowledgeable physicians and players, as the Game
Master handles them off-screen. The GM must document all
plagues present in the domain separately. If a death event
is drawn from the random events table, their collective
power is compared to the famine’s power to understand
the main cause of death: starvation or illness.
The SAKE core book does not delve into the details of
infectious diseases, as it is not necessary for the functioning
of the Time of Troubles. However, all infectious diseases are
divided into six groups based on their severity, with the first
being the mildest and the fifth the most severe. Diseases
in the sixth group are either magical, human-made, or
otherwise extraordinary.
If a PC comes into direct contact with diseases, assistance
can be sought from the table:
Plague Body Roll DL to Restoration Roll
Power Avoid Death DL to Cure Disease
1 2 10
2 4 15
3 5 20
4 8 25
5 10 30
The more powerful the plague, the greater its impact on
subsequent Time of Troubles rolls. For example, a plague
with a power of 1 adds 10% to subsequent rolls during the
Time of Troubles, while a power 5 plague adds a whopping
50%. Just like with famine, the percentages do not decrease
on their own.
Domain Rules 199
 Time of Troubles Random Table
Events in the Time of Troubles random table fall into three
categories:
1. Events that increase the Time of Troubles percentage by
raising the power of famine or adding a new plague.
2. Events where a large number of people die in the
domain due to plagues or famine.
3. Adventurous events that give the ruler the opportunity
to fix or worsen things further.
This logic should serve as a foundation when designing a
custom Time of Troubles table for your own game.
% Event
Both famine and plague with a power of 4 strike
the domain simultaneously.
The Time of Troubles percentage increases by
+45%, Discontent and Corruption by +5%, and
1
Prosperity decreases by -20%.
Additionally, the local nature deity becomes
furious. Include them among your rivals. This may
further worsen the situation.
The domain’s harvest has suffered a crop failure,
2-5 leading to a 5% increase in the Time of Troubles,
Discontent, and Corruption.
A plague, with a power of 1, arrives in the
domain, contributing to a 10% increase in
6-10
the Time of Troubles and a -5% decrease in
Prosperity.
The domain’s harvest has suffered a crop failure,
11-
leading to a 5% increase in the Time of Troubles,
15
Discontent, and Corruption.
A plague, with a power of 2, arrives in the
16- domain, contributing to a 20% increase in
20 the Time of Troubles and a -10% decrease in
Prosperity.
The domain’s harvest has suffered a crop failure,
21-
leading to a 5% increase in the Time of Troubles,
25
Discontent, and Corruption.
A plague, with a power of 3, arrives in the
26- domain, contributing to a 30% increase in
30 the Time of Troubles and a -15% decrease in
Prosperity.
Death and Exodus: 10% of the domain’s
population succumbs or flees, resulting in every
10th village becoming deserted, every 10th free
family disappearing from the tax base, and every
31- 10th noble family vanishing from the tax base.
40 If starvation is the primary cause of death (i.e., the
power of famine exceeds that of the plague), it
can be prevented by feeding the population from
your granaries. 10 tons of food are sufficient to
feed 100 people during the Domain Turn.
200
% Event
Wandering vagrant priests or local priests preach
that hardships are divine retribution for human
sins. They advocate for sensible consumption,
thrift, and honesty.
41-
Add event: Godfearing Domain Residents are
42
Frugal and Honest.
From the next turn onwards till the end of the
Time of Troubles, Discontent, Corruption, and
Prosperity are decreased by 10%.
A nature deity or otherworldling (such as tengu,
kapa, oni, fallen nymph, faun, hydra, or similar),
whether known or unknown in your domain,
becomes exceedingly wrathful. Many local
animals under its control now torment people.
The weather is in disarray, etc. The Time of
Troubles increases by 5%.
It may be possible to appease the nature deity.
43- First, you need to safely reach them and find out
44 what they want.
If the domain already has a known nature deity, it
becomes angered, and the damages depend on
their nature.
Add event: Angry and Powerful Otherworldling.
(If the nature deity is appeased, the archpriest
gains two points, which can be distributed
among their governing skills.)
A powerful otherworldling, such as a phoenix,
hydra, thunderbird, or another destructive
creature, has entered the domain. Where did it
45- come from? Where is it going?
46
Add an event: Otherworldling in the Domain (A
+5% increase in Discontent starting from the next
turn, until its taken care of.)
A strange cult emerges that promotes the spread
of the plague. It is led by some of domains priests
or lacks centralised leadership.
47- Add an event: Plague Cultists (Time of Troubles
48 starting from the next turn +5%.)
(If the problem is resolved without adding new
rivals, the archpriest gains two points, which can
be distributed among their governing skills.)
% Event
Local priests have devised a ritual to appease
the gods. They want to perform it, but it’s
expensive. Performing the ritual costs 500 GD
per percentage point of the Time of Troubles (e.g.
when prosentage of Time of Troubles is 55%, then
it would cost 27 500 GD).
49-
If you agree, the next turn’s Time of Troubles roll is
50 with -10% modifier.
If you refuse the ritual, the priests become your
rivals.
(If the ritual succeeds and the Time of Troubles
ends, the archpriest gains two points, which can
be distributed among their governing skills.)
Death and Exodus: 20% of the domain’s
population succumbs or flees, resulting in every
5th village becoming deserted, every 5th free
family disappearing from the tax base, and every
5th noble family vanishing from the tax base.
51-
60 If starvation is the primary cause of death (i.e., the
power of famine exceeds that of the plague), it
can be prevented by feeding the population from
your granaries. 10 tons of food are sufficient to
feed 100 people during the Domain Turn.
The domain’s harvest has suffered a crop failure,
61-
leading to a 5% increase in the Time of Troubles,
65
Discontent, and Corruption.
A plague, with a power of 4, arrives in the
66- domain, contributing to a 40% increase in
70 the Time of Troubles and a -20% decrease in
Prosperity.
Some group exploits the spreading plagues to
make a lot of money. They deal in fake remedies,
causing even more confusion in the domain.
The dealers may or may not be your rivals.
71-
Add event: Fake Drugs in the Domain (Starting
72
from the next turn, there’s a +10% increase in
Corruption.)
(Domain chancellor who solves the problem
without adding new rivals, gains 2 points, which
can be distributed among their governing skills.)
% Event
A powerful mage-healer or someone else has
discovered an antidote to the plagues circulating
in your land. And they want to help – for a price, a
hefty price. They offer to sell you the remedy at a
price of 2d6 GD per dose, which you should then
73- buy for all your domain’s residents. If you buy it,
74 all plagues in your domain end from the next
turn.
If you try to cheat them in any way, keep in mind
– the mage-healer alone knows the recipe, and
they won’t walk into your castle with it. Some
mages are smart too!
Since it seems that society is on the verge of
collapse, and everyone is perishing, someone
has had the brilliant idea to summon a powerful
but entirely inappropriate supernatural being(s).
Marduses and Vooles, Banshees, or the like have
been summoned.
75-
76 Add an event: Otherworldling in the Domain (A
+5% increase in Discontent starting from the next
turn, until it’s taken care of.)
(The domain chancellor who ultimately resolves
the issue gains two points, which can be
distributed among their governing skills.)
In addition to everything else, a fire breaks out in
the capital, destroying 10-80% (1d8) of the city.
It might be possible to stop the fire if one of the
PCs knows a spell to summon rain or something
77-
similar.
78
(If the fire is successfully stopped by the domain
chancellors who are PCs, they all gain 2 points,
which can be distributed among their governing
skills.)
Groups of raiders and bandits are seeking food
and plundering villages.
For every 10 000 domain inhabitants, one militia
company of raiders forms in the domain. Each
raider company destroys one village or institution
79- every week. Dealing with raiders is a relatively
80 straightforward task: the companies just need to
be destroyed.
Add an event: Raiders in the Domain.
(Starting from the next turn, Discontent in
the domain rises by 10% until the raiders are
defeated.)
Domain Rules 201
 % Event
A major uprising occurs. Tenants across the
entire region start rebelling, meaning taxes from
villages cease, and all institutions operated by
tenant labour cease functioning.
For every ten villages in the domain, the rebels
form one militia company.
Your other rivals may join the uprising.
81- Depending on the rivals, the rebels may have
82 various different goals and demands.
Add an event: Peasant Uprising! 1 militia
company is formed from every 10 villages. (From
the next turn, domain Discontent rises +20% until
the end of the uprising. No taxes from tenants, or
profit from agricultural villas.)
(If you win the war, the Strategist receives one
point for all governing skills.)
A powerful patrician or faction makes an offer to
83- buy your domain at a discounted price. Or simply
84 offers to take over and, in return, helps you safely
flee your realm.
A miraculous healing or/and the end of the
85 famine. The gods are surely involved! Time of
Troubles just ends.
The domain’s harvest has suffered a crop failure,
86-
leading to a 5% increase in the Time of Troubles,
90
Discontent, and Corruption.
A plague, with a power of 5, arrives in the
91- domain, contributing to a 50% increase in
95 the Time of Troubles and a -25% decrease in
Prosperity.
Death and Exodus: 50% of the domain’s
population succumbs or flees, resulting in every
second village becoming deserted, every second
free family disappearing from the tax base, and
every second noble family vanishing from the tax
96-
base.
99
If starvation is the primary cause of death (i.e., the
power of famine exceeds that of the plague), it
can be prevented by feeding the population from
your granaries. 10 tons of food are sufficient to
feed 100 people during the Domain Turn.
A mysterious illness, such as the Ghoul Fever,
afflicts the domain. It doesn’t disappear on its
100 own, and preventing it with conventional means
is nearly impossible.
Add event: Apocalypse.

202
Domain Actions
All domain chancellors and the ruler have 1 or more Actions
per turn. The number depends on the size of the domain,
and the ruler has the same number. The ruler can choose any
Action from all chancellor’s lists of activities. The only limits
are the ruler’s own capabilities, i.e., the Skill Level in various
governing skills and whether the corresponding office
exists in the domain.
Domain Size 1 2 3 4 5 If the roll is successful, the faction moves to the desired
Amount of Actions in
1 2 2 3 3
Domain Turn
Of course, there are various activities that do not require
official Action, such as hiring mercenaries or adventurers,
giving instructions to your Spywebs, besieging castles, etc.
These are role-playing questions that find a solution within a
few days or weeks or issues governed by different rules.
Domain leaders roll various skill checks during their Actions.
If leaders possess magical items that would normally
increase their Skill Level (like a Camelion Cloak and Stealth
Skills or perfume and Social Skills), these items do not work
for domain skill checks. Domain skill checks symbolise
more general and long-term activities, not just a single act of
hiding or conversing.
General Actions
Can be performed by all chancellors and do not require a
specific office.
Establishing Institutions
such political propaganda carries risks – not everything may
go as planned. The ruler decides whom to move where, and
the content of the speech or performance depends on it.
If a PC ruler or domain chancellor plans a speech or
performance, they roll Social Skills against average DL of 20,
the GM can change the DL to 10, 15, 25, or 30, depending
on how suitable the speech or performance is, taking into
account the nature of the faction and why it is angry with
the ruler.
group. If the roll fails by more than 10, for example, the
required roll is 20, but the roll is 8, then the faction moves in
the opposite direction, or another faction becomes angry. If
the faction was neutral, it becomes hostile. If it was already
hostile, another neutral faction becomes hostile, or a friendly
faction becomes neutral. The GM makes the decision, taking
into account the nature and content of the speech or
performance.
Strategist’s Actions
The strategist is the commander of the domain’s military
forces. Under their jurisdiction are all fortresses and the ruler’s
samurai, among other soldiers. The strategist can summon
the samurai army without wasting an Action because the
samurai are always ready within the domain to respond to
the strategist’s call.
Establishment of Institutions
The strategist can initiate the establishment of a bodyguard
unit, a samurai school, a military academy, a shipyard, all
types of fortifications, walls, and similar structures.

All domain chancellors can initiate the construction of road Establishment of Military Villages
networks, a hippodrome, baths, a park, and art galleries.
Establishing new military villages (finding and relocating
Bread and Circuses! tenants, finding samurai). Cost: 750 GD per village. During
one Action, the strategist can establish 5 new military
All domain chancellors can organize large festivities in the villages per domain size. For example, in a domain size of 1,
domain, where free food and alcohol is distributed, and the strategist can establish 5 villages, in a domain size of 2 –
various entertainments are held. It could be chariot racing 10 villages, in a domain size of 3 – 15 villages, and so on.
championships, religious celebrations, someone’s birthday,
or any event that PCs can think of. Converting Tenant Villages into Military
Organizing festivities costs 3000 GD multiplied by the Villages
Domain’s Price Multiplier and reduces permanent Discontent
The strategist can convert tenant villages into military
by 5%. If there is no permanent discontent accumulated in
villages based on the domain size (5 per size point). For
the domain, the next Domain Turn will simply have a -5%
instance, in a domain size of 3, the strategist can convert 15
Discontent. In addition, such celebrations have a positive
tenant villages into military villages. The cost of transforming
impact on the economy – the next Domain Turn sees a +10%
each tenant village into a military village is 250 GD.
Prosperity.
During one turn, a total of three such parties can be
organised, removing a total of 15% permanent Discontent
and raising Prosperity by +30% for the following turn.
During festivities, the domain ruler can attempt to give
speeches or performances to move rival factions into neutral
territory or neutral factions into friendly territory. However,

Domain Rules 203

 Training of Professional Military Units
The strategist can initiate the training of professional
military units. Professional military units include ronin,
pikemen, musketeers, grassland riders, marines, engineering
companies, and all artillery companies. These units require
monthly pay, and their construction costs are listed in the
war chapter. During a turn, the strategist can initiate the
creation of the number of units equal to the Tactics roll/10
per domain size.
For example, if the domain size is 2 and the strategist rolls a
Tactics check of 22, they can initiate the creation of 4 units
(22/10 x 2 ≈ 4). Since the strategist has 2 Actions in a size 2
domain, they can attempt to create more units.
Mobilization of Militia
Social Skills check against DL 30. If the roll is successful, the
entire domain militia gathers. If the roll is between 20 and
29, half of the militia gathers, and if less, no one gathers.
The mobilization of the force can be attempted once per
Action, but the force actually gathers over a couple of weeks
(depending on the domain size). The militia consists of 1
soldier per freeman family (but not free tenants or nobles).
During the turns when the militia is mobilised, no taxes are
collected from the free families.
High Magistrate’s Actions
The High Magistrate is the domain’s highest judge, second
only to the ruler. Under the jurisdiction of the High Magistrate
is the collection of taxes from both tenants and free families.
Establishment of Institutions
The High Magistrate can initiate the construction of a tavern
network, mills network, granaries, markets, tax office, and
the system of forced labour camps.
Establishment of Tenant or Production Villages
Establishing new tenant villages (finding and relocating
tenants, finding samurai) costs 500 GD per tenant village.
During one Action, the High Magistrate can establish 5 new
villages per domain size. For example, in a domain size of 1,
the High Magistrate can establish 5 villages, in a domain size
of 2 – 10 villages, and so on.
The logic is the same for establishing production villages,
but each one costs 1500 GD.
Domain Advertisement
If the domain’s Prosperity percentage is at least 30%, the High
Magistrate can advertise the domain as a favourable place to
move to. Social Skills check against DL 20. On success, 1d4
x 10 x domain size free families move to the domain, all of
whom increase the domain’s tax base by 10 GD. For example,
in a domain size of 2, 20 to 80 free families can move in this way
by using one Action.
204
Collection of Head Tax or War Tax
The High Magistrate can collect an additional tax from all
domain residents to fill budget holes or meet increased
financial needs during wartime. This additional tax is not
subject to the Corruption percentage, meaning the entire
collected amount goes to the treasury. However, residents
do not like any additional taxes, and the Discontent in the
domain increases by +10% for the next turn.
The additional tax amounts are calculated per the total
population of the domain (not families), excluding small
people caste, from whom collecting taxes is very difficult
due to the lack of a fixed residence (and whose number is
also unknown to anyone).
For tax collection, the High Magistrate rolls Mathematics and
Economy skill:
Roll Result
Up to 15 Additional tax of 1 SD per person
16-20 Additional tax of 2 SD per person
21-25 Additional tax of 3 SD per person
26-30 Additional tax of 4 SD per person
31-35 Additional tax of 5 SD per person
36-40 Additional tax of 6 SD per person
41 and above Additional tax of 10 SD per person
* – It is possible that this additional tax is larger and more
profitable than the main taxes!
** – Also, if the High Magistrate has several Actions, they can
attempt it several times in Domain Turn. Each subsequent
time adds +10% of Discontent for the next Domain Turn.
Land Magistrate’s Actions
The Land Magistrate is the administrator of the ruler’s
personal lands and businesses. The Land Magistrate oversees
the ruler’s villas, manufactures, mines, and plantations.
Establishment of Institutions
The Land Magistrate can initiate the establishment of all
villas, plantations, granaries, markets, manufactures, mines,
and other industrial facilities.
Establishment of Tenant or Production Villages
Same as the corresponding activity of the High Magistrate.
Sea Magistrate’s Actions
The Sea Magistrate collects taxes from merchants, and
licensed traders, and oversees all trade-related matters, even
if there is no sea near the domain. The Sea Magistrate also
collects tolls.
Establishment of Institutions
The Sea Magistrate can initiate the establishment of markets,
small trade harbours, and shipyards.
Court Wizard’s Actions
Court Wizard generally deals with magical affairs. However,
they also partially serve their master as their chief personal
bodyguard. Only the Court Wizard can protect their master
from the Azure Assassins and provide ways to defend against
dark magic.
Establishment of Institutions
Court Wizard can initiate the establishment of all magical
defence systems, personal bodyguards, Azure Warrior
bodyguards, and libraries.
Training of Azure Warrior
A Court Wizard with at least a +14 Skill Level in Astral
Projection can train up to 3 Azure Warriors in an Action (3
warriors are required to form a bodyguard). Training and
arming a single Azure Warrior costs 1500 GD.
Individual Azure Warriors can be sent to assist shinobis
in carrying out assassinations. In this case, the shinobi
leading the Spyweb is only responsible for planning the
assassination, and the Azure Warrior overcomes obstacles
for them, always using the Astral Projection skill instead of
Stealth Skills or Social Skills.
The Astral Projection Skill Level of a trained Azure Warrior is
three-quarters of the Court Wizard’s corresponding Skill Level
(rounded down), so if the Court Wizard’s Astral Projection is
+14, the Azure Warrior trained by them has +10.
The maintenance of one Azure Warrior in a Domain Turn
costs 300 GD.
Chief Shinobi’s Actions
The Chief Shinobi is the head of the domain’s spies, who, on
one hand, deals with the ruler’s protection and, on the other
hand, harming or even assassinating the ruler’s enemies.
Establishment of Institutions
The Chief Shinobi can initiate the establishment of
bodyguards, trap systems, and secret passages.
Training of Shinobi
The Chief Shinobi can train up to three shinobis in an Action,
who can later be used to establish Spywebs and shinobi
clans. Training and equipping a single shinobi cost 250 GD.
All skills of trained shinobi are three-quarters of the Chief
Shinobi’s skills (rounded down), so if the Chief Shinobi’s
Social Skills are +12, their trained shinobi has +9, and so on.
The maintenance of one shinobi in a Domain Turn costs 60
GD.
Establishment of Spyweb
To establish a Spyweb in a rival’s domain, the Chief Shinobi
must make a Social Skills check against DL 20. Nothing needs
to be thrown to establish a Spyweb in their own domain.
To establish a Spyweb, a shinobi must be trined first to lead
it.
Spywebs have their own separate Actions. More details on
these and Spywebs in general can be found in the Espionage
subchapter.
Training of a Shinobi Clan
The Chief Shinobi can train one shinobi clan in an Action –
a specialised unit useful for besieging fortresses or secretly
damaging the enemy’s army. To train a clan, a shinobi must
be trained first to lead it.
For more details on Shinobi Clans, see the Espionage in War
subchapter.
Archpriest’s Actions
The domain’s archpriest is usually a priest with the best
relationship with the domain’s nature deity. If the domain
doesn’t have a nature deity, then simply the most powerful
priest. If the ruler of the domain doesn’t appoint an archpriest,
some powerful priest seizes the position, meaning that the
ruler (PCs) have no control over the archpriest’s Actions, and
the GM decides them. Depending on the relationships with
the PCs, the priest may carry out positive or negative Actions
towards the domain. If the archpriest’s relationship with the
ruler is neutral, they usually don’t do anything.
The main task of the archpriest is to reconcile the domain’s
nature deity and other gods and advise the domain leader
on all matters related to the Otherworld and gods.
Establishment of Institutions
The archpriest can initiate the construction of a network of
village temples and all other temples.
Reconciliation of the Nature Deity
The domain’s archpriest can use one of their Actions to
reconcile the local nature deity. What needs to be done, the
nature of the activity, and how much it costs depend on the
nature of the local nature deity and why they are angry in
the first place.
Angering the Nature Deity
Specific. Depends on the nature of the nature deity.
As a result, the neutral nature deity is shifted to the ranks of
the domain’s rivals. If the nature deity was previously friendly,
it is shifted to the ranks of neutral factions in the domain.
Domain Rules 205
 Blessing the Domain
The archpriest must have a pact with the domain’s nature
deity or a pact with some major deity.
Depending on the deity with whom the archpriest has a
pact, the next domain turn is +5% Prosperity or -5% Time of
Troubles.
Channelling check against DL 20.

Cursing the Domain

The archpriest must have a pact with the domain’s nature
deity or a pact with some major deity.
Depending on the deity with whom the archpriest has a
pact, the next domain turn is -5% Prosperity or +5% Time of
Troubles.
Channelling check against DL 20.

206
Establishments
The establishment of establishments is initiated by one
of the domain chancellors or the ruler, allowing a wealthy
domain size 1 to initiate the construction of up to 8
establishments in a single turn. For a size 2 domain, it can
go up to 16 establishments. Initiating the construction of
each establishment consumes one Action from the domain
chancellor or ruler.
Subsequently, the domain residents take action. It is assumed
that all the simple work is done by serf tenants as corvée.
If the domain ruler decides to release all their tenants
from serfdom or if there are no tenant villages, then all
establishment construction costs are doubled.
If all tenants are released, all tenant villages become
production villages and are taxed as production villages.
Free people cannot be employed for serf labour!
For many establishments, there must be some prerequisite
fulfilled. A market cannot be established in a mountain
fortress without a connected road; it simply won’t function.
Additionally, many establishments require workers. In the
world’s Asteanic cultural area, most agrarian establishments
use labour from tenants in the form of corvée, meaning
that some villages are connected with villas and many
other establishments. On the Domain Sheet, tenant villages
are divided into two categories: villages available for
corvée, which do not work for any establishment, and
establishment-associated villages – villages occupied with
constant corvée. Establishments using serf labour can only
be established if there are villages available for corvée whose
tenants can be directed to work there.
Network-Type Establishments
Network-type establishments are those that grow larger
as the domain expands. Therefore, their construction cost
and maintenance expenses are also tied to the domain size
and the Multiplier of Domain Prices, as outlined in the table
below.
Domain Size 1 2 3 4 5 Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Domain Price
x1 x5 x20 x50 x100
Multiplier
Road Network (Unpaved)
Cost of establishment: 500 GD x Domain Price Multiplier
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10 x
Domain Price Multiplier
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The unpaved road network allows the movement
of people and goods within the domain. Without a road
network, the domain only has random paths, making it
impossible to establish villas and plantations because the
goods produced there need to be transported somewhere
for sale.
The network consists of unpaved roads and simple wooden
bridges. The maintenance of both is the responsibility of the
samurai and tenant farmers.
Depending on natural conditions and topography, such
a road network may become impassable during certain
periods. For example, in mountainous areas with heavy
rainfall, such a road network may become impassable in the
autumn and spring.
Road Network (Paved)
Cost of establishment: 5000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 12
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10 x
Domain Price Multiplier
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Road Network (Unpaved)
Benefits: The paved road network is expensive to build
but allows for movement in the most challenging natural
conditions throughout the year. Additionally, fast carriages
can travel on such a network, and messengers can ride at
high speed. Licensed merchants who move large quantities
of goods can now access the domain.
Stone roads connect important villages, fortresses, and
towns. Bridges over rivers and streams are made of stone.
The paved road network simplifies trade, increasing
Prosperity by 5%.
Village Temples
Cost of establishment: 5000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
(Priests build their temples themselves using the stipend
received from the ruler and the help of local villagers.)
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 10 GD per village in
the domain, including those villages not directly owned
by the ruler.
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The village temple network covers the entire
domain with small temples and resident priests. This does
not mean that every village has a temple; in some cases, a
temple may serve two or three villages.
Village temples are independent, but the priests employed
in them are on the ruler’s payroll. They are often relatively
uneducated but contribute to raising the satisfaction of the
people. Discontent -10%.
If the network is established by a large temple in the domain
or its vicinity, independently using its funds, the network is
Domain Rules 207
 on the payroll of that temple and functions as a Spyweb for Archives and Tax Office
the head priest of that temple. The village temple network
Cost of establishment: 3000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier
can also be used as a Spyweb by a ruler who is a powerful
priest. Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Taverns and Inns Network Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 500 GD x Domain
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD x Domain Price
Price Multiplier.
Multiplier
Prerequisite: -
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Benefits: The Tax Office is responsible for ensuring the
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
proper collection of taxes. While the direct collection of taxes
(Innkeepers build their inns themselves using the stipend
is carried out by the region’s samurai, the tax office samurai
received from the ruler, with the help of local villagers.)
oversee their paperwork. All annual tax reports and other
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
documents are stored accurately in the archives and can be
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: - later accessed to identify anomalies in tax collections.
Prerequisite: -
The Tax Office is housed in a large stone building in the
Benefits: The taverns and inns network covers the entire
capital. It is a network-type institution because the larger
domain with small drinking establishments. This does not
the domain, the more samurai work for it, and the larger the
mean that every village has a tavern, only the larger ones or
archives become.
those along well-travelled roads.
In a domain of size 1, the Tax Office and archives employ 2
Since innkeepers are free, they pay taxes. The network earns
samurai archivists and 2 samurai tax officials.
10 GD per village in the domain during the Domain Turn.
This includes all villages not directly owned by the ruler. Corruption -10%.
Taverns are pleasant places that people enjoy. Discontent
-5%.

Mill Network
Cost of establishment: 5000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10 x
Domain Price Multiplier
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The network of mills is primarily essential for
turning the taxes collected by samurai into flour, which
is then sold at a higher price to travelling food merchants.
Therefore, the mill network incurs neither maintenance costs
nor additional benefits.
The mill network enhances the overall profit derived from all
villages. The domain ruler collects an additional 10 GD tax
for each village from which they collect taxes in the domain.
This means that no taxes are collected from military villages.
While production villages do not have mills, they are still
considered, suggesting that in their case, a mill may refer to
some other specific institution that enhances profitability.
Additionally, the mill network increases Prosperity by +5%.

208
Buildings and Establishments
Most regular establishments are of uniform size. However,
some, such as mines, ports, or markets, can be constructed
larger. In such cases, the cost and benefits are multiplied
accordingly. Essentially, five adjacent mines equal one five-
times larger mine.
If any building affects Corruption, Discontent, Prosperity, or
Time of Trobles percentages, its impact is singular, even if ten
such buildings are constructed.
Villages, Villas, and Plantations
Tenant Village
Cost of establishment: 500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
(Village is established by its future inhabitants)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land with Fertility Dice of at least d6.
Benefits: Average Asteanic tenant village. Primarily
cultivating wheat or rice and raising livestock such as
pigs, chickens, sheep, and cattle. Home to 50 families
(250 residents). Tenants bear a heavy tax burden of 50%,
in addition to mandatory labour days required for the
construction of all establishments. The village also houses a
samurai family and two ashigaru families, contributing three
samurai company soldiers to the lord’s army.
Naturally, some villages are smaller, and others are larger. For
calculations, we simply use the average village.
Although not highly profitable, such villages form the
foundation of the entire domain economy. Here, food is
produced, and they provide labour for the construction
of other establishments and work in the rural lord’s villas.
Additionally, it serves as the base for the ruler’s army: the
samurai companies that are loyal and always free to summon.
Most domain initiatives and enterprises require labour from
tenant villages. Therefore, the number of tenant villages sets
a limit on how many villas or plantations can be established
in the domain.
The profit brought to the lord by a village in one Domain
Turn (3 months) depends on the region’s Fertility Dice. The
profit calculation already subtracts the samurai stipend (30
GD per turn).
Fertility Dice and tax per Domain Turn: d6 – 35 GD, d8 – 45
GD, d10 – 55 GD, d12 – 75 GD.
The ruler can choose to forgo maintaining samurai in villages,
but with the disappearance of samurai, ashigaru families
and overall order would also vanish. The question arises,
who would collect taxes from villages? Perhaps the ruler
could employ some form of more centralized tax collection
system?
Military Village
Cost of establishment: 750 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
(Village is established by its future inhabitants)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land with Fertility Dice of at least d6.
Benefits: A military village is similar to a regular tenant
village, with the distinction that the ruler does not receive
taxes from military villages. However, they are crucial for
maintaining the ruler’s samurai forces. Converting a regular
village to a military village is straightforward. In one turn,
a strategist can transform five regular tenant villages into
military ones by recruiting additional samurai, promoting
tenants to the ashigaru caste, purchasing equipment, etc.
Converting one regular tenant village costs 250 GD.
While regular villages contribute only three samurai soldiers,
and 40 villages are needed for a company, each military
village provides eight samurai soldiers. Fifteen military
villages are sufficient to form a company.
Gameplay-wise, military villages are no longer under the
player’s control. Their inhabitants cannot be counted as
labour, as they now work on additional fields for the samurai.
If military villages are concentrated around a fortress or
citadel, they focus on its upkeep.
Reverting military villages to regular tenant villages is
challenging, as it means personally hiring all additional
samurai. Ceasing stipend payments to samurai is not an
option, as those are the foundation of the samurai bond of
loyalty. If this is attempted, each village reversion adds 10%
Discontent on the next turn. Additionally, the remaining
samurai may no longer be trustworthy, fearing betrayal by
their lord.
Domain Rules 209
 Production Village
Cost of establishment: 1500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
(Village is established by its future inhabitants)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Proximity to some type of exploitable resource,
4 km2 of available land.
Benefits: Production villages are settlements where,
in addition to farming, the primary focus is on another
economic activity. For example, a production village could
specialise in fishing, hunting, olive cultivation, or the
production of simple handicrafts.
Residents of production villages belong to the free tenants
caste and cannot be employed for corvée (free labour of
serfs). However, they are counted as villages rather than
separately as families, unlike most people in the free castes.
The reason for this is that, although free, the residents of
production villages are not wealthy enough for it to make
sense to record the tax base separately for each family.
Production villages cannot be integrated with villas or other
establishments. Converting production villages into military
villages is possible, although the profitability of such a
change is questionable.
Similar to regular tenant villages, production villages also
contribute three soldiers to the samurai army. In a production
village, there is one samurai family and two ashigaru families.
The profitability of production villages is not affected by the
area’s Fertility Dice. Therefore, it makes sense to establish
them in areas with poor farmland. This reflects the reality in
the Asteanic world; on rocky islands, many people engage
in fishing, olive cultivation, and goat farming and are often
freer than tenants on fertile plains.
All production villages generate 60 GD in taxes for the
domain during a Domain Turn.
210
Agricultural Villa
Cost of establishment: 750 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 2
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land with Fertility Dice of at least d6. 2
tenant villages nearby whose residents can be employed for
constant corvée, and a road network.
Benefits: Agricultural Villa is directly owned by the lord and
managed by a overseer, with most of the work carried out by
tenant farmers who pay their rent through their labour.
Agricultural villas, the cheapest among all agricultural
establishments, form the basis of the rural lord’s personal
wealth. A villa consists of 100 hectares of farmland, a herd of
100 cattle, and various other animals and birds. Villa includes
a mill and a more refined house where the overseer lives, and
where the lord can stay if needed. A manor is not included in
the price.
The profit of the villa varies depending on the fertility of the
farmland. The calculation of profit assumes that the overseer,
who manages the villa, has +10 Skill Level in Agriculture and
receives a salary of 15 GD per month. All costs are deducted
from the profit.
Villa profit per Domain Turn: d6 – 55 GD, d8 – 80 GD, d10 –
100 GD, d12 – 115 GD.
In addition, agricultural villas allow for the storage of
surplus grain or the collection of food for a planned military
campaign. In a region with a d6 Fertility Dice, the villa
produces 32t of storable food per turn, enough to feed 320
people for one Domain Turn. In a region with a d8 Fertility
Dice, the villa produces 35t of storable food, sufficient for
350 people. In a d10 region, the villa produces 38t, and in a
d12 region, it produces 40t.
However, if grain and other food are stored in the warehouses,
the villa cannot generate a profit. During a famine, the villa
produces three times less food, but at the same time, the
profit from the villa’s sales revenue increases several times.
More details of this in Time of Troubles subchapter.
Horse Breeding Villa
Cost of establishment: 2800 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 8
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 1
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 16 km2 of land with Fertility Dice of at least
d6. One tenant village nearby whose residents can be
employed for constant corvée.
Benefits: The villa includes a herd of approximately 100
adult horses (80 mares and 20 stallions), extensive stables,
pastures, and an elegant residence.
The horse herd increases by 75 adult horses each year,
which the lord can either sell or use as breeding stock for
establishing another horse breeding villa. In this case, the
new horse breeding villa costs only 1200 GD, and there is no
profit from the villa for that year (4 Domain Turns), but there
are also no additional operating expenses.
The profit of the villa comes from selling horses. Assuming
that about half of the horses are trained as warhorses, while
the rest are sold as riding or carriage horses. In addition to
the labourers, the villa is managed by a stable master who
oversees the training of horses.
The horse breeding villa generates an average profit of 400
GD per turn.
Olive Plantation
Cost of establishment: 1500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 20
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 2
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land in subtropical or warmer dry
region with Fertility Dice of d6 or d8. 2 tenant villages
nearby whose residents can be employed for constant
corvée, and a road network.
One plantation covers the olive oil needs of 5000 people, so
if there is no export, one plantation can be established per
5000 people.
Benefits: The olive plantation consists of 100 hectares
of olive grove, large buildings for pressing and storing
oil, and an elegant residence where the estate lord could
stay. Like other agricultural lands, the productivity of the
olive plantation depends on the Fertility Dice of the land.
Unfortunately, olive trees don’t grow well in moist soil,
imposing certain limitations.
Olive trees need about 5 years of growth before they start
bearing fruit.
Profit calculation is based on the assumption that the
overseer of the plantation has +10 Skill Level in Agriculture
and receives a monthly salary of 15 GD. All costs are deducted
from the profit.
Olive Grove Profit per Domain Turn: d6 – 250 GD, d8 – 350 GD
Vineyard
Cost of establishment: 2000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 8
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 2
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land in a warm temperate or warmer
climate with Fertility Dice of at least d6. 2 tenant villages
nearby whose residents can be employed for constant
corvée, and a road network.
One vineyard covers the vine needs of 5000 people, so if
there is no export, one vineyard can be established per 5000
people.
Benefits: The vineyard consists of 100 hectares of plantation
land, a large workshop for wine pressing, and even larger
wine cellars. The plantation also includes an elegant
residence. Like other agricultural lands, the productivity
of the vineyard depends on the Fertility Dice of the land.
Generally, one estate manager can oversee the operations
of a 100-hectare plantation, and the specific hectare’s
productivity is calculated using the same formula as for grain,
resulting in a significantly more profitable yield of wine.
Profit calculation is based on the assumption that the
overseer of the plantation has +10 Skill Level in Agriculture
and receives a monthly salary of 30 GD. All costs are deducted
from the profit.
Vineyard Profit per Domain Turn: d6 – 175 GD, d8 – 275 GD,
d10 – 375 GD, d12 – 410 GD.
Tobacco Plantation
Cost of establishment: 5000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 2
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land in subtropical or warmer region
with Fertility Dice of at least d10. 2 tenant villages nearby
whose residents can be employed for constant corvée, and
a road network.
One plantation covers the tobacco needs of 50 000 people,
so if there is no export, one plantation can be established
per 50 000 people. This implies that in populated areas
there are probably plantations already present and new
ones can’t be built unless something is to happen to them.
Benefits: The tobacco plantation consists of 100 hectares
of plantation land, large structures for tobacco drying and
packaging, warehouses, and a proper manor where the
plantation manager resides. Tobacco thrives only in fertile
soil and is a valuable export commodity.
The plantation generates a profit of 1500 GD per Domain
Turn.
Domain Rules 211
 Cotton Plantation
Cost of establishment: 1500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 4
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: 4 km2 of land with Fertility Dice of d8 or d10. 4
tenant villages nearby whose residents can be employed for
constant corvée, and a road network.
Cotton prefers neither too moist nor too dry soil. Cotton
plantations can only be established in Oceanic zone or
Tropical zone.
The cotton plantation needs a customer – a textile
manufacture. One textile manufacture needs 5 cotton
plantations to operate. On average, one plantation can be
established per 10 000 inhabitants in an area.
Benefits: The cotton plantation consists of 100 hectares
of farmland, producing a total of 20 tons of cotton yarn
annually, and facilities for cleaning the cotton.
The process from field to yarn is lengthy. Firstly, cotton must
be harvested, then cleaned from seeds and other debris, and
finally, manually spun into yarn. This extensive workload
requires the corvée labour of 4 villages, whose residents must
work in the fields and spin yarn in their homes. The 20 tons
of cotton yarn are sold for 2000 GD, from which the estate
manager’s salary of 60 GD per Domain Turn is deducted.
The profit for the cotton plantation remains at 440 GD per
Domain Turn.

212
Manufactures and Industry
In manufactures and other industries, tenant corvée labour
cannot be utilised since the work is quite specialised and
continuous, making it challenging for tenant farmers
engaged in agriculture to manage alongside their primary
activities. Consequently, industries always employ wage
labourers from the small people caste.
The emergence of industry within a domain always increases
Discontent, as free people’s syndicates oppose it. It doesn’t
matter whether the manufacture belongs to the ruler or a
productor living in the domain. Discontent rises once for each
new industrial sector, not for each manufacture separately.
For example, if a domain has a textile manufacture, a paper
manufacture, and a timber industry, it increases overall
Discontent by 15%. However, if there are 10 vodka distilleries
in the domain, it only raises Discontent by 5%. The more
diverse industries, the more various syndicates of free people
are angered.
Textile Manufacture
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Importing 100 tons of cotton, linen, or wool
yarn annually is possible, for instance, through a contract
with 5 cotton plantations.
Only one textile manufacture is allowed per 50 000
inhabitants.
Benefits: The main building of the textile manufacture houses
30 large and intricate looms, each operated by 2 individuals.
Additionally, the manufacture includes warehouses for
storing finished cloth and yarn. The workforce consists of
a director, a guard, a couple of carpenters responsible for
machine maintenance and about 60 textile millers.
The labour cost for the manufacture is 500 GD per Domain
Turn. Annually, the textile manufacture sells 25 000 GD worth
of textiles, deducting the raw material cost of 10 000 and the
labour costs per Domain Turn, the manufacture generates a
profit of 3250 GD per Domain Turn.
Each new industrial sector in the domain increases
Discontent by +5% because local artisan syndicates lose
their clients. However, each new manufacture of the same
type does not further increase Discontent.
Paper Mill
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Only one paper mill can be established per 50
000 inhabitants.
Benefits: The paper mill is a large complex encompassing
buildings for storing and processing wood, structures with
large cooking rooms for boiling paper pulp, buildings where
the pulp is poured into mold, and facilities for drying the
paper until it’s ready. Additionally, there are stables and
various recreation rooms.
The paper mill employs 2 to 3 craft masters and over 100
workers. In a Domain Turn, the paper mill produces 500 000
sheets of paper, sold for 2000 GD. The total costs, including
wages, raw materials, and other expenses, amount to 700
GD. This means the mill generates a profit of 1300 GD per
turn for its owners.
Each new industrial sector in the domain increases
Discontent by +5% because local artisan syndicates lose
their clients. However, each new manufacture of the same
type does not further increase Discontent.
Vodka Distillery
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Only one vodka distillery can be established
per 50 000 inhabitants.
Benefits: The vodka distillery consists of a complex of
buildings, warehouses, carts, and various transport animals.
The distillery employs several dozen individuals, including
the director and distilling masters. In a Domain Turn, the
distillery produces 60 000 litres of vodka from 300 tons of
grain, which is then sold to retailers.
The vodka distillery generates a profit of 1000 GD per
Domain Turn.
Each new industrial sector in the domain increases
Discontent by +5% because local artisan syndicates lose
their clients. However, each new manufacture of the same
type does not further increase Discontent.
Domain Rules 213
 Timber Industry
Cost of establishment: 1500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: The domain must have a large deep forest
with valuable timber, and a river flowing from it towards
settlements. There should be enough local clientele to sell
the timber to. From the quantity of timber coming from
this industry, approximately 600 log houses can be built
during a Domain Turn. Therefore, a nearby city or massive
construction works, mines (metal smelting uses a huge
amount of charcoal), or shipyards using logs are necessary.
The evaluation of whether a domain can build a timber
industry is determined by the GM, taking into account
the location of the domain. If the wood material is burned
into charcoal, one timber industry produces 6000 tons of
charcoal during a Domain Turn, enough to keep 60 mine
shafts operational. One timber industry would also be
sufficient to supply 60 shipyards with quality planks and
auxiliary materials.
Benefits: The timber industry clears 4 km2 of forest every
Domain Turn (precisely the area of land under one village).
Growing new forest on this land takes decades. However, a
village can now be established on this land.
The timber industry’s turnover during a Domain Turn is
approximately 1300 GD. The timber industry employs a
substantial number of low-wage labourers (around 500) and
a smaller number of professional foresters who guide them.
Some workers fell trees, some clean logs of branches, and
some float the logs out of the forest. The total labour cost for
the entire workforce is 900 GD per turn.
The timber industry’s profit during a domain turn is 400 GD.
The low wages and poor conditions in the timber industry
create Discontent among the individuals belonging to the
small people caste working in it. Domain Discontent +5%.
214
Mines
In the mines tenant serfs’ forced labour cannot be utilised
because the work is highly unhealthy, quite specific, and
too constant for tenant farmers engaged in agriculture to
manage alongside their primary activities. Therefore mines
employ either wage labourers or forced labourers and slaves.
In a region where some metal ore has been found, there is
typically room to open 2 to 20 mine shafts. The number of
shafts that can be built is determined by the GM or chance
(2d10). There are also extremely ore-rich mountains where
ore can be found everywhere, accommodating 100 to 1000
mine shafts. However, such mountains are exceedingly
unique in the world and a tremendous source of wealth.
Mines have a negative impact on the natural environment,
and therefore, they are usually not favoured by nature gods.
The surroundings of large mining areas quickly become ugly
and desolate: slag heaps, black unhealthy dust from constant
ore burning, forests burnt into charcoal (more black smoke),
low wages, inhumane living conditions in toxic workplaces,
and so on.
One timber industry is sufficient to keep 60 mine shafts
operational.
Mine Shaft (Gold)
Cost of establishment: 8000 GD when using slave labour
(establishing a mineshaft with wage labourers or forced
labourers costs 4000 GD)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Gold has been found in the domain.
Benefits: First, stones containing gold are brought out of the
mine shafts. On average, it’s possible to find 20g of gold per
1000 kg of stones. Each day, 10 tons of stones are brought
out of the mine, theoretically yielding 200g of gold.
The stones are then crushed into sand using large mills, and
gold is separated from the sand with water. Cyanide is used
to purify gold from other metals. The purified gold is then
melted into ingots. The gold mine has separate buildings for
all these processes.
Gold mines are always heavily guarded, with 30 guards
working, and all buildings have strong stone walls. In
addition to guards, the gold mine employs 2 chemists
with 4 assistants, engineers, blacksmiths, carpenters, stone
crushers, and 100 labourers or forced labourers involved in
extraction.
The mine produces 18 kg of gold every Domain Turn, with a
market value of 7200 GD.
If slaves or forced labourers work in the mine, the
maintenance cost is 1800 GD per Domain Turn. If wage
labourers are employed, it’s 2200 GD.
The mine’s profit during a Domain Turn is 5400 GD with
forced labourers and 5000 GD with wage labourers.
Mine Shaft (Silver)
Cost of establishment: 8000 GD when using slave labour
(establishing a mineshaft with wage labourers or forced
labourers costs 4000 GD)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Silver has been found in the domain.
Benefits: In this silver mine, each mine worker brings out 4
kg of silver and 24 kg of copper annually. Silver is extracted
from the ore, which contains 0.085% silver and 0.5% copper,
through smelting. The expected lifespan of a silver miner,
from starting work in the mine, is 10 years, assuming
medical services are provided, with half of that duration if
medical care is unavailable. About half of the mine workers
are miners, and the rest are involved in tasks such as silver
purification and other auxiliary work.
Mines operate using either wage labourers or slaves and
forced labourers. In any case, there are 100 workers at each
mine shaft. In mines with forced labour or slaves, there are
more guards (8), while in mines with wage labourers, there
are only 4.
The mine features a large enclosed stone building for storing
silver and another for holding slaves or serving as workers
barracks.
The mine produces 100 kg of silver and 600 kg of copper
every Domain Turn.
A silver mine with slaves or forced labourers brings in a profit
of 2200 GD per Domain Turn. If wage labourers are employed
instead, the mine generates 1700 GD in profit per Domain
Turn.
Mine Shaft (Tin)
Cost of establishment: 8000 GD when using slave labour
(establishing a mineshaft with wage labourers or forced
labourers costs 4000 GD)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Tin has been found in the domain.
Benefits: In this tin mine, each worker extracts 50 kg of tin
from the earth annually. Tin is separated from the ore through
smelting and poured into ingots for sale. Approximately half
of the mine workers are miners, while the others are various
auxiliary workers, engineers, and other experts. In total, the
mine employs about 100 workers, with guards included. In
mines with wage labourers, there are 4, and in mines with
forced labour, there are 8.
The mine produces 1250 kg of tin every Domain Turn.
If the mine employs slaves or forced labourers, it generates a
profit of 1000 GD per Domain Turn. If the mine operates with
wage labourers, the profit is 500 GD.
Mine Shaft (Copper)
Cost of establishment: 8000 GD when using slave labour
(establishing a mineshaft with wage labourers or forced
labourers costs 4000 GD)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Copper has been found in the domain.
Benefits: In this copper mine, each worker extracts
approximately 200 kg of copper from the earth annually.
Copper is separated from the ore through smelting and
poured into ingots for sale. About half of the mine workers
are miners, while the rest are various auxiliary workers,
engineers, and other experts. In total, the mine employs
about 100 workers, with guards included. In mines with
wage labourers, there are 4, and in mines with forced labour,
there are 8.
The mine produces 5 tons of copper every Domain Turn.
If the mine employs slaves or forced labourers, it generates a
profit of 700 GD per Domain Turn. If the mine operates with
wage labourers, the profit is 200 GD.
Mine Shaft (Iron)
Cost of establishment: 12 0000 GD when using slave labour
(establishing a mineshaft with wage labourers or forced
labourers costs 4000 GD)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Iron ore has been found in the domain.
Benefits: The mine employs 100 workers directly involved in
extraction and nearly the same number of various auxiliary
workers who burn charcoal and engage in other necessary
tasks for mining. Additionally, there is a chief engineer, 2
other engineers, carpenters, and 8 guards. If forced labour is
used, then there are 16 guards.
In addition to the mine shaft and structures, the iron mine
has two large blast furnaces, each up to 5 metres high, used
to smelt several tons of ore and 300 kg of charcoal into iron
at a time. This is a complex process, overseen by 2 masters
and 4 assistants.
The mine produces 13,5 tons of iron every Domain Turn, sold
at the price of 1800 GD. (In regions like Oreenia and Kaliland,
or elsewhere where iron is rarely found in the ground, iron is
sold at a price of 7200 GD.)
If slaves or forced labourers work in the mine, the maintenance
cost is 1000 GD; if wage labourers are employed, it’s 1500 GD.
The mine’s profit during a Domain Turn is 800 GD with forced
labourers and 300 GD with wage labourers.
The low wages and poor conditions in the iron industry
create dissatisfaction among the people in the small peoples
caste working in it. Domain Discontent +5%.
Domain Rules 215
 Fortresses
Fortresses are expressions of the domain ruler’s military
capability and crucial centres for defending the domain.
Even the residence of the domain ruler can serve as a fortress.
Fortresses come in various forms, ranging from small
fortified houses to colossal fortified cities. In this chapter,
there are building blocks from which each player and GM
can construct their fortress. These blocks can be placed side
by side; for instance, constructing two castles next to each
other means the castle is simply twice as large. By arranging
forts, towers, and walls side by side, complex fortress cities
can be built, accommodating free people and military units
that cannot directly fit within the fortress’s castle part. To
house a family of free people (10 individuals), there
must be at least 200 m2 of space in the fortress city. This
sets a clear limit on how large a fortress can grow, at least
within the walls. Well-defended fortress cities often have
multiple rings of walls and additional moats between them,
turning the entire city into zones that must be conquered
one by one with an increasing number of casualties for the
attacking force.
The fortress itself does not imply that anyone lives or defends
it. To ensure forts are manned and protected, they must be
connected to military villages or have a garrison hired there.
If you connect fortresses with military villages, they exist
independently. This way, there are no maintenance costs for
any fortress, and attention is only required in times of war.
When designing forts or fortress cities from building blocks,
it is worth considering a couple of basic principles:
1. Towers always extend slightly beyond the walls to enable
them to shoot at attackers directly under the wall.
2. The distance between towers should not be more than
100 metres, as only then can they provide reasonable
long-range fire.
3. Gates should never face outward, as this makes it
possible for enemy cannons to destroy them directly.
Gates should be positioned so that they cannot be
directly targeted.
4. Tower castles can be placed in the corners of the city
walls, they don’t have to be in the centre of the city.
The Static Defence of all towers, forts, walls, and bastions
is a static 10. In other words, to inflict Damage on them,
you need to roll more than 10. All fortified buildings add
+5, +10, +15, or +20 to the Defence or Parrying roll of the
units or individuals inside. Additionally, there must be some
capability to attack these units at all. This could be ladders
for climbing walls, firearms for shooting through arrow slits,
cannons for shooting through wooden parts, etc. Whether a
unit can attack units inside the fortress is decided by the GM.
If gates or some other barrier holding two enemies separately
is breached, the bonus to the Defence roll disappears.
If it is not explicitly stated that cannons can be placed
in the fortress, tower, or wall, then cannons cannot be
placed there!
216
Small Tower or Fortified House
Cost of establishment: 300 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: Requires 1 tenant village for construction. Any
samurai can initiate the construction..
Benefits: A small tower is suitable as a watchtower or a tower
for a lower-walled fortress. As a garrison, it can accommodate
a maximum of 30 soldiers. If it is a fortified house, it can house
a samurai family with their servants. Such houses are built in
areas known for unrest, where even villages are surrounded
by palisades.
The fortified house has a cellar serving as a food storage. On
the ground floor, accessible by a small drawbridge, there
is only one room serving as the family’s sleeping quarters,
kitchen, and living room. The second floor may be open or
covered, serving as another storage room.
HP: 50
Static Defence: 10. As long as the small tower has HP
remaining, companies and individuals hiding in it receive a
+10 bonus to Defence and Parrying rolls.
Tower or Large Fortified House
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Such a tower serves as an average wall tower in a
fortified city. As a garrison, it can accommodate a maximum
of 60 soldiers. Two such towers together form a company
that can collectively attack attackers directly under the wall
between the towers.
As a fortified house, the tower is suitable for a military-
oriented noble or samurai clan residence. In the tower’s
basement, there is a warehouse or prison, the ground floor
contains a kitchen and dining hall (living quarters where
servants also sleep), and the second floor serves as the noble’s
sleeping and living space or the garrison’s sleeping quarters.
For the house, there are storage rooms on the third floor, and
for the tower, there are necessary rooms to accommodate
the garrison. To enter through the external door on the
ground floor, a small drawbridge must be lowered.
The total living space in the building, with three floors and a
basement, is approximately 300 square meters.
HP: 100
Static Defence: 10. As long as the tower has HP remaining,
companies and individuals hiding in it receive a +15 bonus
to Defence and Parrying rolls.
Cannon Tower
Cost of establishment: 3000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The cannon tower is a large, wide, round, all-stone
tower with thick walls. The tower is not intended for living,
although theoretically, one could live there under austere
conditions.
The tower, as a garrison, can accommodate one company of
soldiers or cannons.
HP: 300
Static Defence: 10. As long as the cannon tower has HP
remaining, companies and individuals hiding in it receive a
+20 bonus to Defence and Parrying rolls.
The tower fortress is four stories, the base of the fortress
is made of stone, and the remaining floors are covered
with paint and/or plastered wood, making it almost as
fire-resistant as stone. When used as a noble residence, it
includes, in addition to the garrison barracks, noble sleeping
quarters, noble living quarters, a chapel, a diding hall and
reception room. Both in military and noble fortresses,
there are barracks, a food warehouse, a toilet, a dining and
reception areas, a kitchen, and a dungeon or something
similar in the basement. The entrance gate of the tower
fortress is protected by a drawbridge and a portcullis.
Over the four floors, the tower fortress has approximately
1000 m² of living space.
HP: 200
Static Defence: 10. As long as the tower castle has HP
remaining, companies and individuals hiding in it receive a
+15 bonus to Defence and Parrying rolls.

North Thefnan Tower Castle

Cost of establishment: 5000 GD (plus the cost of cannons
and cannon ammunition)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 15
(These can be the same villages that are the military villages
linked to the castle later.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0 (or
15 military villages if you want the castle to be manned by
one samurai company)
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: - (if there is an
additional cannon company in the fortress, then its salary)
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The tower castle is a classic and most common
castle type in North Thefna and areas colonised by its
inhabitants.
Castle can be used purely for military purposes or as a
noble’s residence. If the tower castle is used purely for
military purposes, it accommodates one company and an
additional cannon company. As a noble’s residence, it has
less space and accommodates half a company (60 soldiers)
and a cannon company.
If the domain ruler builds up their army and wants to defend
their state with a network of fortresses, then tower castles
connected to 15 military villages ensure the foundation of
a functioning state. Each such castle with a company and
15 military villages is an independently operating unit that
incurs no additional costs after construction. Of course, if
the ruler pulls their companies out of the castle for military
expeditions, they must cover their living expenses. The living
expenses of the companies are listed separately in a table
located in the chapter of War.

Domain Rules 217

 Great North Thefnan Tower Castle
Cost of establishment: 20 000 GD (plus the cost of cannons 6
5
and cannon ammunition) 4
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 8
3 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 30 2

(These can be the same villages that are the military villages
linked to the castle later.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0 (or
30 if you want the castle to be manned by two samurai
companies)
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: - (if there are
an additional cannon companies in the castle, then their
salaries)
Prerequisite: -
Cellar
Benefits: Great tower castles are masterpieces of North
Thefnan architectural art, standing up to 50 metres tall, with
7 or 8 stories, made of stone and plastered or lacquered 16
15
wood. This type of castle has become widespread across the
Asteanic world as the preferred residence for military rulers.
10 18 17
Soaring above the fortress town, a large tower castle can 14
unleash cannon fire simultaneously in all directions against
8 13
approaching enemy forces. Being significantly taller than
the entire town, a large tower castle adds 100 metres (two 9 12 12
hexagons) to the base firing range of the cannons. 7 11

Great North Thefnan tower castles always serve as both 12 12

military and administrative institutions. There is always a
local ruler or another high-ranking noble residing there.
First floors and inner courtyards
The garrison of a great tower castle can accommodate up to
two companies and two cannon companies. When manning
or withdrawing units from a large tower castle, the same 7

principles are applied as with a regular tower castle. 21

In addition to the garrison barracks, a large tower castle 22

includes noble sleeping quarters, noble living quarters, 19
a chapel, a courtroom, saunas, opium and tea rooms, 19

classrooms for teaching the children of nobles and samurai,

food warehouses, toilets, a dining and reception hall, a 20
kitchen, and dungeons. 23

19
The gate of the large tower castle is protected by a
24
drawbridge, double portcullises, and a pit trap beneath the
gatehouse. Above the gatehouse, there are also arrow slits,
making room closure particularly perilous. Second floors
Over all the floors, the tower castle has approximately 4000
square meters of living space.
HP: 500 One hex on the plan has diameter of 2m
Static Defence: 10. As long as the tower castle has HP
remaining, companies and individuals hiding in it receive a
+15 bonus to Defence and Parrying rolls.

Plan of a typical Great North Thefnan Tower Castle in Fjordnill

(Province of Silverfjords, La Mepho-Delagrua’n Asteanic Empire)

218
 Doors These rooms are used by samurai who
If not otherwise specified, the lockpicking DL for wouldn’t otherwise have much business in
6 6and gates is 20.
all doors 7 7 the castle.
4 4 Additionally, at night, the gates are locked from 21 21 27 27 21. Large dormitory (ashigaru sleeping hall).
the inside with a crossbeam, which cannot be Ashigaru live and sleep in this wing of
1 1 opened from the outside without ramming the the castle. Their bunks are close together,
2
gate down. During the day, most doors and 28 28 and there is little space and air. The room
25 25
gates are either open or simply unlocked. is densely filled even during peacetime
Doors marked on the plan without a door are when the rest of the castle is relatively
29 29 empty. Therefore, ashigaru can also be
likely to have some kind of door; it’s just not 20 20 30 30
lockable. found sleeping in non-designated places
29 29
throughout the castle.
32 32
26 26 31 31 22. Food warehouse. Here, mainly rice, salted
Windows
and dried fish and meat, and other dry
Most of the castle’s windows are 45 cm wide, and food items that do not spoil due to warmth
although it is possible to crawl through them, it’s 33 33
are stored.
not easy with armour and weapons. Windows 29 29
23. Dining hall (seating for about 250 people).
are mostly covered with shutters and locked
The dining hall is never empty. When there
from theCellar
inside
Cellarwith bolts. Mechanics DL 15 to Third
Third floors
floors is no official eating taking place, the castle
open the bolt from the outside.
residents use it as a place to pass the time:
they play checkers, cards, dice, or just sit
1. Cellar. In this cellar anteroom, usually 2 or 3 34 34
and chat.
15 15 16 16
ashigaru stand guard to prevent prisoners 24. Corridor with trapdoors above the gates.
from escaping. Ashigaru also bring food to There is a system in this room to lift and
the prisoners and assist the cooks when lower the gates below. Usually, a couple of
18 18 17 17
transferring items from the pantry to the ashigaru guard here.
14 14 kitchen.
25. This under-tower room is a kind of storage
2. This cellar room is filled with all sorts of room.
13 13 wagon wheels, old tools, and
barrels,
35 35
26. Tower base.
mostly unused clutter.
12 12 12 12 27. Tower base.
11 11
3. Castle wine cellar and cold storage. The 37 37
key to the door lock is with the ashigaru 36 36 28. Another food storage room for dry food.
34 34
12 12 guarding
12 12 the cellar and in the kitchen. 29. Samurai housing.
Mechanics DL 25 to unlock. 30. Lord’s bodyguards housing.
4. Dungeon cells. Mechanics DL 20 to unlock Fourth
Fourth
floor
floor
andand
towertops
towertops 31. Reception hall.
the cell area door. Mechanics DL 15 to 32. Castle lords bedroom with balcony.
stloors
floors
andand
inner
innercourtyards
courtyards
unlock cell doors. The area is poorly lit! 33. Other personal rooms.
5. Room with various torture devices. 34. Watchtowers, there are a samurai always
6. This cell is where Rohan the “Adventurer” guarding in there.
is kept. 35. Samurai writing room. The room has
21 21
7. Area between two gates (arrowslits). numerous bookshelves and writing desks.
8. Inner courtyard. A relatively muddy and During the day, a couple of samurai usually
22 square
ugly 22 where chickens peck and pigs occupy the space, engaging in either
38 38 39 39
wallow. the domain’s accounting or working on
19 19 personal writings and drawings. The room
9. House of the castle head chef and food
steward. features a large balcony with expansive
10. Barn housing pigs, chickens, etc. Fifth
Fifth
floor
floor Sixth
Sixth
floor
floor window shutters. Several samurai,
practicing the rural samurai style of painting
23 11.
23 Vestibule. Two samurai always guard at the
(a painting style prevalent among Asteans,
main entrance.
typically practiced by rural samurai), use
12. Armouries. 41 41
4 this place to depict views of the area.
13. Latrines. Chamber pots are used Even at night, the room is guarded by
40 40
everywhere else. 2 samurai and 4 ashigarus because the
14. Samurai housing. Each samurai has treasury and tax archives are located here.
Second
Second floors
floorsliving quarters here. During
personal Seventh
Seventh
floor
floor Eighth
Eighth
floor
floor 36. State archives and treasury. Mechanics DL
peacetime, many of these rooms are 35.
empty as the samurai live in their managed 37. Castle lord’s personal rooms.
villages. Sometimes samurai families also
he plan
plan
hashas
diameter
diameter of of
2m2m
stay here. 18. Inner courtyard (accessible only from the 38. Gunpowder magazine.
kitchen, sauna, and samurai housing). In 39. Cannon company.
15. Sauna with steam rooms and shallow
pools. The sauna is usually heated in the the evenings, when samurai and other 40. Cannon company.
evenings, daily, as there are quite a few castle residents use the sauna, they sit in 41. On the highest floor of the castle’s main
residents in the castle, but only a portion this private courtyard, drink, and talk. tower are signalling flags, through
can fit in the sauna on any given night. 19. Samurai quarters. which the commander issues orders
16. Castle pumping system and well. The 20. Paper-walled samurai quarters. Because to all the companies under their
plumbing is underground, hidden, and the castle is not spacious enough to command. If the castle were to come
thus secure. This is the main water system provide separate rooms for all the samurai under siege, strategist would lead
for the castle. who would live here during a siege, certain the defence from this post.
areas are designated, which can be turned This is also the most crucial watchtower,
17. Kitchen. Activities in the kitchen continue
into small rooms with paper dividers. and therefore, there are always at least 2
from early morning to late evening.
samurai and 1 ashigaru here.

Domain Rules 219

 Wooden or Earthen Palisade (50m section)
Cost of establishment: - (Palisades are constructed without
the assistance of engineers using materials available in the
vicinity. If suitable materials are scarce, the cost is 50 GD per
50m section.)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1/6 (One tenant
village can construct 300m of palisade in one turn)
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
(With a sufficient number of free villages, the construction of
multiple sections can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Wooden or earthen palisades can be found
encircling villages in regions prone to unrest. Each 50m
section of palisade can accommodate one company of
soldiers, who, due to the defensive properties of the palisade,
gain a +5 bonus to Defence rolls.
Palisades can also be constructed by soldiers. In this case,
one company corresponds to one village.
HP: 10. All 10 HP must be reduced to zero for a hole to appear
in the palisade.
Static Defence: 10. As long as the palisade has HP remaining,
companies and individuals on it receive a +5 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.
Stone Wall (50m section)
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 5
(With a sufficient number of free villages, the construction of
multiple sections can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: A company of soldiers can be stationed on a 50m
section of a stone wall, gaining a +10 bonus to Defence rolls
due to the wall’s protective properties.
HP: 100. All 100 HP must be reduced to zero for a hole to
appear in the wall.
Static Defence: 10. As long as the wall has HP remaining,
companies and individuals on it receive a +10 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.
Gate Tower
Cost of establishment: 2000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 5
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The gate tower is, in some respects, the most
vulnerable point in the entire fortress. More specifically,
the weak link is the gate itself, which has 10 HP. To impede
the destruction of the gates, they are typically positioned
crosswise to the wall, making it difficult to directly obliterate
them with cannons from a distance. Bringing cannons close
to the wall is necessary to achieve that, but this exposes the
cannons to easy attacks from defenders inside the fortress.
In front of the gate, there is a drawbridge with 5 HP. Following
this is a robust wooden gate with 10 hit points. Next is a
portcullis with 10 HP, and then the gate chamber with a pit
trap containing spikes at the bottom and arrowslits above.
Finally, there is an additional portcullis (10 HP) and an extra
gate (10 HP).
The gate tower can house one company as a garrison.
HP: 150
Static Defence: 10. As long as the tower has HP remaining,
companies and individuals on it receive a +15 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.
Pair of Bronze Gates
Cost of establishment: 2000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): Depends on the
artist, usually 5 to 8 turns (1d4+4).
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -.
Benefits: The heavy bronze gates serve as both a piece of art
and a significant security element, as they have significantly
more HP than regular gates. Bronze gates can be installed in
place of regular gates anywhere within the fortress.
HP: 50

Moat (50m section)

Cost of establishment: - (Excavation requires only labour)
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
(With a sufficient number of free villages, the construction of
multiple sections can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: A moat impedes attackers from reaching the base
of walls, and soldiers must enter the firing range of those on
the walls to fill it.

220
Bastion (50m section)
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 5
(With a sufficient number of available villages, construction
of multiple sections can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The introduction of cannons has made
conventional fortress walls vulnerable to cannon fire.
Additionally, standard walls are too narrow to install cannons
on them.
Bastions are significantly shorter than standard walls but are
wider and filled with earth, making them extremely difficult
to destroy even with cannon fire. However, such ordinary
bastions do not provide extensive protection.
One company of soldiers or cannons can be stationed on
each 50m bastion segment, benefiting from the defensive
properties of the bastion with a +5 bonus to Defence rolls.
HP: 250. All 250 HP must be reduced to zero for the bastion
to collapse sufficiently to allow climbing over its rubble.
Static Defence: 10. As long as the bastion has HP remaining,
companies and individuals on it receive a +5 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.
Barracks
Cost of establishment: 300 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
(With a sufficient number of available villages, construction
of multiple barracks can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: A barracks is a simple, standard wooden structure
for accommodating one company. Constructing barracks
becomes practical when there is insufficient space in the
aforementioned fortresses to accommodate all salaried
companies or when opting for a modern fortress composed
solely of bastion rings, without fortress towers, and possibly
no residences at all.
Building a barracks is a more economical option than
constructing elaborate fortress towers for each unit.
HP: 5
Static Defence: 10. As long as the barracks has HP remaining,
companies and individuals inside it receive a +5 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.

Bastion with Passages (50m section)

Cost of establishment: 3000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 5
(With a sufficient number of available villages, construction
of multiple sections can be initiated simultaneously.)
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: A bastion with passages looks similar from a
distance to a regular earth-filled bastion. The key difference
is that it is, to a large extent, an empty structure from the
inside. Soldiers can take refuge in the passages to avoid all
types of cannon fire, including mortar shells.
The passages have firing slits and can be used for firing
cannons or other firearms. One company of cannons or
soldiers can be placed inside the 50m bastion section,
benefiting from the excellent defensive properties of the
bastion with a +20 bonus to Defence rolls.
HP: 250. All 250 HP must be reduced to zero for the bastion
to collapse sufficiently to allow climbing over its rubble.
Static Defence: 10. As long as the bastion has HP remaining,
companies and individuals inside of it receive a +20 bonus to
Defence and Parrying rolls.

Domain Rules 221

 Buildings and Establishments in the
City
Granary
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 100 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Granaries are large stone warehouses mounted
on tall pillars, securely locked and well-protected, with their
contents accurately calculated.
They can store 3000 tons of food, safeguarded against natural
elements and rodents. (One agricultural villa produces about
30 to 40 tons of food during a turn, enough to feed 300 to
400 people throughout the entire Domain Turn.) Granaries
ensure the survival and health of city residents even during
a siege.
Two guards and an accountant work at the granaries.
Market
Cost of establishment: 500
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 120 GD
Prerequisite: Road network or another means of goods
transportation, such as a river and port. One market can be
built per 10 000 inhabitants in the region.
Benefits: The market is essentially a square with a small
building, where two samurai work: a guard and a deputy
sea magistrate. The deputy sea magistrate collects fees or
taxes from merchants for the emperor, checks the quality
of goods, examines merchants’ documents, etc. The guard
watches over criminal activity.
Establishing a market provides immediate benefits,
attracting a number of free people to the domain (2d10 x
size of the domain free families move to the domain), thereby
increasing the tax base. Additionally, the market increases
Prosperity in the domain by 5%.
222
Mint
Cost of establishment: 1000
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 100 GD
Prerequisite: The ruler has control over a copper, silver, or
gold mine. The ruler has the right to mint their own money.
(This right belongs to the emperor and all nillwrings, but
lesser rulers can negotiate this right.)
Benefits: The mint is a large stone workshop where, under
the supervision of samurai and magistrates, a blacksmith
mints precious metals into coins.
The profit comes from the fact that all coins contain 10% of a
cheaper metal (usually copper) besides the metal that gives
the coin its name.
The profit from gold and silver mines increases by 10%.
The ruler can decide to further reduce the gold or silver
content to increase profit, but doing so risks exposure
as a counterfeiter. This would lead to a -25% decrease in
Prosperity and potential repercussions from the emperor
and more importantly the Asteanic Imperial Bank.
Small Trading Port and Port District
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 500 GD
Prerequisite: A sea, river, or any other body of water with a
suitable location for establishing a port.
Establishing a port becomes worthwhile when there are
at least 50 000 people living in the domain, or the port
can facilitate trade for at least 50 000 people living in the
hinterlands.
Benefits: The small trading port enables maritime trade for
local merchants and docking for ships up to 800 tons. In a
small port, two ships can dock at a time, with an average
docking period of one month. Therefore, one small port can
be visited by 6 ships during a Domain Turn. This number can
be increased by building additional small trading ports.
Secondly, the port increases Prosperity by 5%.
Thirdly, the port may allow the collection of tariffs or customs
on passing goods.
The port consists of docks, a customs house, warehouses for
storing goods, and various inns and taverns that immediately
spring up around the port to accommodate and entertain
travellers and sailors. The port is managed by a deputy sea
magistrate, several assistant magistrates, guards, and a
multitude of port workers, all directly on the ruler’s payroll.
Since the port attracts all kinds of suspicious characters, and
samurai bureaucrats dealing with large sums of money can
easily succumb to temptation, the port increases Corruption
in the domain by 5%.
Shipyard
Cost of establishment: 6000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 2
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 1000 GD or 0
Prerequisite: A small trading port has been established in
the domain.
Benefits: In the shipyard, all ships with a displacement of up
to 800 tons are constructed. The shipyard builds 100 tonnes
of ships per Domain Turn. This means an 800-ton junk would
be completed in 8 turns. To expedite the process, multiple
shipyards can be constructed. The shipyard employs 2
master shipwrights and 50 other workers, whose salary cost,
1000 GD, constitutes the entire operating cost.
The ruler can use the shipyard in two ways.
Firstly, they can have ships built for themselves at half price,
for example, an 800-ton junk would cost 18 000 GD instead
of 36 000 GD. In this case, the salary cost of 1000 GD per
Domain Turn is added to the base cost. This means that for
an 800-ton junk, constructed over 8 turns, the full expenses
would be: 18 000 + 8000 = 26 000. Building this ship in the
shipyard would be 10 000 GD cheaper than purchasing it.
The second option is to allow the shipyard to operate as
an independent business. In this case, the shipyard repairs
ships, builds custom vessels for merchants, and sometimes
even fishing boats. In such instances, the maintenance cost
of the shipyard is zero, and it generates a profit of 500 GD
every Domain Turn.
Samurai School
Cost of establishment: 4000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 2
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 400 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The Samurai School is a prestigious institution
primarily focused on enhancing the quality of the domain’s
samurai. Graduates of the Samurai School are superior
tacticians and more intelligent bureaucrats. After the school
has been in the lands for 8 turns, the Corruption decreases
by -10%, and the samurai units’ legates have a Tactics Skill
Level 3 ranks higher, adding a +1 bonus to their Attack.
The head of the Samurai School is a kensai, and there are
two samurai instructors under them. These individuals
excel in the art of being a samurai and may also serve as
commanders in battles due to their high Tactics and Social
Skills. The kensai has Tactics +12 and Social Skills +8, while
the instructors have Tactics +10 and Social Skills +6.
In addition to combat and tactics, the Samurai School
teaches law, history, art, and music. Aside from maintenance
costs, samurai schools charge tuition from the families of the
samurai studying there.
The Samurai School is a one-story fortified building with a
suitable courtyard for training, classrooms, a small library,
and living quarters for both students and teachers.
Corruption -10%, +1 Attack for samurai, samurai cavalry,
ashigaru, and samurai elite cavalry companies.
Hippodrome
Cost of establishment: 2000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 50 GD
Prerequisite: Domain size at least 2. Small domains don’t
have enough people to maintain multiple professional
sports teams.
Benefits: The Hippodrome is a large open area surrounded
by wooden stands and stables. Local carriage teams
compete here every week. Carriage racing holds significant
importance in Asteanic culture, and the activities around it
stimulate both trade and people’s satisfaction.
Prosperity +5%, Discontent -5%.
Domain Rules 223
 Public Baths
Cost of establishment: 2500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 4
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 50 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Public baths are a complex of saunas where
Asteans love to relax and spend their leisure time. Baths are
an essential part of any settlement considering itself a true
town. Usually, visiting the baths is free or very inexpensive
for town residents. Baths also have a crucial sanitary effect in
the town, keeping diseases at bay.
One set of public baths covers the needs of a town with 5000
residents.
Public baths reduce the percentage of Time of Troubles by
-5%. Additionally, baths have a positive effect on peoples
satisfaction with their life, reducing Discontent by -5%.
Grand Temple
Cost of establishment: 10 000 GD or free.
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 8
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 10
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: At least 5 free villages that will be given to the
temple.
Benefits: The Grand Temple serves as the spiritual centre of
the domain. Although the ruler of the domain can personally
build the grand temple, it is usually done by a religious
organisation that approaches the ruler to obtain land and
build the temple. The organisation typically requests several
square kilometres of land, along with at least five to ten
villages (1d6+4). The organisation builds the temple with its
own resources.
Once the temple is completed, and if there was no such
large temple in the domain before, the leader of the temple
assumes the position of the archpriest in your government.
Now, everything depends on your relationship with them.
If the temple is built with your own resources, you must
assign five villages to serve as its tax base.
Asteanic temples are independent and exempt from taxes.
The temple can become a crucial ally within the domain,
especially if it’s part of a religious organisation like the Bodies
of Geulades or the Order of Menes the Adventurous (aka
Hand of Menes). However, a temple can also grow into a rival.
The Grand Temple lowers Discontent by -5%.
224
Ruler’s Palace
The domain ruler resides in the palace. The palace isn’t a
separate type of building; instead, it is based on a another
building, such as a palazzo, tower castle or even just a
fortified house. This foundational structure must be built
first. The establishments described in this subsection are
additions that the ruler can construct around their existing
home base. Some establishments, like bodyguards, may
accompany the ruler when they leave their palace.
In addition to serving as the ruler’s residence, the palace is a
place where domain chancellors gather, domain treasury is
housed, and serves as the centre for managing the domain.
Palace establishments directly benefit only the ruler and do
not impact events in the larger domain. While the palace’s
size isn’t directly tied to the domain’s size, a ruler of a larger
domain likely desires to live in a more extensive and grander
palace.
Park
Cost of establishment: 500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 1
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 10 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The park is a beautiful area suitable for hosting
receptions and events, surrounded by a low wall.
Art Galleries
Cost of establishment: 5000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: -
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Reflecting the ruler’s taste and high class, art
galleries provide a +2 bonus to Social Skills checks for the
ruler while in the palace.
Traps
Cost of establishment: 500 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 10 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: Chief shinobi have installed various traps in crucial
locations within the palace.
To bypass these traps, an assassin must roll a Mechanics
check against DL of 10 + Chief shinobi Mechanics Skill Level.
If the assassin is Azure Warrior, they can automatically avoid
this type of mechanical traps.
Bodyguard Unit
Cost of establishment: 1000
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 750 GD
Prerequisite: -
Benefits: The bodyguard unit consists of 12 well-trained
and highly loyal samurai guarding the ruler in shifts. They are
armed with silver weapons.
The bodyguard is formed by the Chief Shinobi, and to bypass
them, the infiltrator must roll Stealth Skills or Social Skills
against DL 10 + Chief Shinobi’s Perception Skill Level.
If the Azure Assassin has the ability of Invisibility, they can
roll Astral Projection instead of Stealth Skills or Social Skills.
Azure Warrior Bodyguard Unit
Cost of establishment: -
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 900 GD
Prerequisite: Court Wizard has trained 3 Azure Warriors.
Benefits: Three Azure Warriors guard the ruler in astral form
in shifts.
The Azure Warriors are trained by the court wizard, and to
bypass this defence, an assassin must roll Stealth Skills or
Social Skills against DL of 10 + Astral Projection Skill Level of
the Court Wizard.
The bodyguards made up of Azure Warriors can see the
invisible, so an Azure Assassin attacking the ruler using their
invisibility ability cannot simply fly by them but must also
attempt to conceal themselves.
Magical Defence System (Restoration)
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 4
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 100 GD
Prerequisite: A Court Wizard or a ruler with magical skills
can construct magical defence systems.
To build the Restoration defence system, the Court Wizard
Restoration Skill Level must be at least +20, and if the PC
ruler constructs the defence system, they must have the
Ritual: Creation of Polong.
Benefits: Polong is a powerful and swift spirit creature
created from blood, which guards the ruler.
If the mage who created the Polong is killed or dismissed
from service, the Polong flees.
To bypass this protection, an assassin must roll Stealth Skills
against a DL of 32. The Polong is an Otherworldling that can
see the invisible, so an Azure Assassin cannot simply fly by
unnoticed but must also attempt to conceal themselves. See
also the Restoration Ritual: Creation of Polong.
Creating this defence system involves acts of murder!
Magical Defence System (Beastmastery)
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 12
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 100 GD
Prerequisite: A Court Wizard or a ruler with magical skills
can construct magical defence systems.
To create the Beastmastery defence system, the court wizard
must have Beastmastery and Restoration Skill Level at least
+10. If the PC ruler is establishing the defence system, they
must have Ritual: Animal Enspiritment.
Benefits: The Beastmastery defence system consists of a pair
of animals containing fragments of the Beastmaster’s soul,
making these creatures smarter and braver than usual. These
animals can accompany the ruler everywhere and serve as a
unique display of power.
If the Beastmaster is killed or leaves the ruler’s service, the
guardian animals leave.
To bypass this defence, an assassin must roll Stealth Skills
against a DL of 20.
If the Azure Assassin possesses the Invisibility ability, they
can roll Astral Projection instead of Stealth Skills.
Domain Rules 225
 Espionage
Espionage plays a important role in maintaining order within
the domain and dealing with external threats.
The espionage system is divided into two parts, with the Chief
Shinobi at the top. The Chief Shinobi can perform relatively
common domain chancellor activities such as establishing
institutions and training other shinobi. Additionally, the
Chief Shinobi is responsible for the security of the domain
lord and other domain chancellors. If someone wishes to kill
or kidnap them, decisive skill checks are rolled against the
Chief Shinobi’s relevant skill checks.
The espionage system truly comes to life below the Chef
Shinobi: in Spywebs and Shinobi clans that can be established.
Spywebs engage in delicate activities such as gathering
information and carrying out assassinations, while Shinobi
clans represent the more militaristic aspect of the espionage
system. Shinobi clans organise attacks at the company level,
infiltrate enemy armies, assault rival merchant ships, open
the gates of besieged fortresses, and more. Shinobi clans are
detailed in the War chapter’s subsection: Espionage in War.
Within their domain, rulers can utilise Spyweb to spy on
internal rivals, subsequently arresting them or quietly
compelling them to obedience when compromising material
emerges. Alternatively, rulers can even employ Spywebs for
the covert assassination of internal rivals. Assassination is a
swift but risky method, as each internal assassination raises
permanent discontent in the domain by 5% if the ruler is
caught in the act.
Spyweb
Spyweb is a organization with its own Actions. Typically, the
Spyweb is not directly led by the Chief Shinobi but rather
by a shinobi trained by the them or one found through
adventures. However, a Spyweb within the ruler’s own
domain can be personally led by the Chief Shinobi, though
this may expose them to personal danger in certain activities.
A ruler can have multiple Spywebs, as many as their purse
allows. One for each domain of interest and an additional
one within their own domain. However, a ruler cannot have
multiple Spywebs within the same domain. The Chief Shinobi
establishes Spywebs as an Action, and these are network-
type establishments, with the cost and maintenance
depending on the domain’s size and the Domain Prices
Multiplier, as described in the Starting the Domain Game
subsection.
To establish a Spyweb in a rival’s domain, the Chef
Shinobi must make a Social Skills check against a DL of
20. No roll is required to establish one in their own domain.
226
Spyweb
Cost of establishment: 1000 GD x Domain Price Multiplier.
Time for establishment (Domain Turns): 1
Number of villages required for construction corvée: 0
Number of villages required for operation corvée: 0
Operating expenses per Domain Turn: 250 GD x Domain
Price Multiplier.
Prerequisite: One available shinobi to lead the network.
Spyweb within the ruler’s own domain can be personally led
by the Chief Shinobi.
Benefits: A spy network has now been established in the
domain.
Each Spyweb has three Actions in one Domain Turn. It can be
assumed that completing one Action takes about a month.
Actions:
1. Sowing Chaos in the Domain
2. Seeking Compromising Material
3. Mapping a Base
4. Assassination or Abduction of the Domain Ruler
5. Assassination or Abduction of a Chancellor or Another
Individual.
Some activities can only be carried out by a Spyweb
established in the ruler’s own domain. These are:
1. Investigating the Background of Domain Problem
2. Searching for Spywebs within One’s Own Domain
3. Investigating Assassinations or Abductions (only for
NPC rulers)
In addition to activities, the Spyweb provides an overview
of what is happening in the domain each turn. If the GM has
detailed the rival’s domain, the report can be very detailed,
including the Actions of domain leaders and events in the
domain. If the GM has depicted the domain more broadly,
the report will be more general.
Simple surveillance of someone’s actions and activities
does not fall under these Actions and can be unlimitedly
commanded by the ruler within reason.
The leader of the Spyweb makes several rolls during their
Actions, as does the Chief Shinobi. These rolls are not affected
by Camelion Cloaks or other magical items that enhance
skills because they involve more general activities rather
than the specific concealment of one individual. Although
the rolls are made by the shinobi leading the network, in
reality, their hired shinobi and spies are the ones acting and
hiding.
If the shinobi leading the Spyweb has Psychics spells, they
can use a Psychics Skill instead of a Social Skills.
Sowing Chaos in the Domain
The shinobi leading the network makes a Social Skills check
against DL of 20. Next turn, Corruption and Discontent in the
domain are rolled with +10% penalty.
Can be used once per Domain Turn.
Seeking Compromising Material
The Spyweb can be sent to search for compromising material
about a domain chancellor, ruler, or another resident of the
domain.
The GM must first decide if there is any compromising
material to be found at all, if there is, what Difficulty Level is
required to uncover it. The shinobi makes a Social Skills roll
against the DL, which can range from 15 to 30. If the shinobi
fails the roll, they do not find compromising material.
Mapping a Base
The Spyweb can map the base or home of a ruler, a chancellor,
or another individual. Mapping can be beneficial in two
ways. Firstly, the GM gives the player a map of the base or
says they have it, if the map is not drawn out. Or, at the very
least, provides some clues if handing over the map would
render the adventure pointless. Now PCs could infiltrate the
base more easily.
Secondly, mapping allows a more informed decision when
planning an assassination or abduction. In a successful
mapping, the game master tells the players about all
defence systems, magical or not, protecting the ruler in the
base. Based on this information, the players can decide if
ordering an assassination is too risky or still worth trying. Or
should they go themselves? Or perhaps start by ordering the
assassination of a Court Wizard whose death might render
some defence systems useless.
To map a base, the shinobi leading the network makes two
rolls:
1. Social Skills or Stealth Skills roll against the Perception
roll of the Chief Shinobi of the mapped location. If
successful, the shinobi has a physical plan of the base,
including the presumed locations of traps and other
obstacles. If the specific base being mapped does not
have a Chief Shinobi, the roll is made against a DL
specified by the game master (20 to 30).
2. A second Social Skills or Stealth Skills roll is made against
the DL specified by the GM (20 to 30). If successful, the
shinobi has a clear understanding of who works in the
base, how many there are, their movements, when
various shifts change, and where the weak points are.
In other words, what defence systems are in place in the
base.
Assassination or Abduction of the Domain Ruler
Planning the assassination or abduction of a domain ruler is
a costly and dangerous task. Firstly, it is advisable to map the
ruler’s palace to know what one is up against.
If the decision to kill or abduct the ruler is firm, planning takes
one Action and costs 500 GD x the Domain Price Multiplier.
The assassination or abduction is carried out or, more
precisely, rolls are made by shinobi leading the Spyweb. It
doesn’t matter who delivers the lethal blow or poison, it
could be the rulers chambermaid, a sneaky assassin or in
some cases the leading shinobi themself.
Rolls for the success of the assassination or abduction:
1. Shinobi’s Stealth Skills or Social Skills check against the
Perception check of the ruler’s Chief Shinobi.
2. Shinobi makes rolls to bypass all the different defence
systems. The ruler undoubtedly has several, detailed in
the Establishments subchapter under the Palace.
3. If all the above is successful, the assassin or poison or
some other method reaches the ruler, and they die. If
the ruler is a PC, the situation is played out, and the PC
may be able to fight for their life in combat. However,
it should be noted that all their defence systems have
somehow been deceived, and they are not of any help
in the fight.
4. In the case of an abduction, one more check is needed.
A Shinobi’s Stealth Skills or Social Skills check against the
Perception check of the abducted ruler’s Chief Shinobi.
This ensures that the abducted ruler is successfully taken
out of the palace.
If the ruler being attacked does not have a Chief Shinobi,
they make these rolls themself.
If any of these rolls fail, the plan for assassination or abduction
fails, and there is a 50% chance of finding out who ordered
it. Shinobi’s skills do not affect this because several people
are involved in the plan, and it’s doubtful that the shinobi
leading the network was the one discovered in the ruler’s
bedroom.
If the abduction or murder is successful, there is a 10%
chance that someone spills the beans.
Getting caught adds rivals. Additionally, there may be
various other in-game consequences.
Domain Rules 227
 Assassination or Kidnapping of Domain Chancellor or Searching for Spywebs within One’s Own Domain
Another Person
A Spyweb established in the ruler’s own domain can search
When planning the assassination or kidnapping of domain for other Spywebs within the domain. If there are none,
leaders or family members of the ruler, consider that some of nothing is found, of course. To conduct the search, the
the ruler’s defence systems may extend to them. Additionally, Spyweb leader (or the Chef Shinobi, if they lead the network
the ruler may hire separate bodyguards and defence systems themselves) makes a Perception check against the leader
for them. of the hidden Spyweb’s Stealth Skills or Social Skills check.
If the enemy network is discovered, the roll is repeated to
In general, the process for assassinating or kidnapping other
determine if the Spyweb leader can capture the enemy
domain residents is similar to that of the ruler. If they have
Spyweb leader. If the leader is captured, the enemy Spyweb
defence systems, those must be overcome. Chancellors
can be considered destroyed.
of large domains may act as rulers of smaller domains
themselves, in which case they have their own personal The same activity can be used to find infiltrated shinobi clans.
Chief Shinobi. If not, they either make the Chief Shinobi rolls In this case, however, the clan leader is not automatically
themselves, or one of their hired bodyguards does it on their captured, but the ruler can send a war party against the
behalf. clan in a public battle. The discovered shinobi clan cannot
attempt to infiltrate the domain again in the same Domain
Planning the assassination or kidnapping of a domain
Turn.
chancellor, patrician, high priest of a temple, or the leader
of a large syndicate or another powerful domain fraction Investigating Assassinations or Abductions (only for
costs 100 GD x Domain Prices Multiplier. If planning the NPC rulers)
assassination of a less-protected individual, the cost is simply
If the murder or kidnapping of a domain leader or ruler has
100 GD.
occurred, the local Spyweb can attempt to trace the tracks.
The execution of the assassination or kidnapping follows the This is a challenging task and therefore comes with a penalty
same logic: of -5 to -10 on the roll.
1. Shinobi’s Social Skills or Stealth Skills check against the The shinobi who committed the crime makes a Social
Perception check of the victim or their guard. Skills or Stealth Skills check against investigating shinobi’s
Perception or Social Skills check.
2. Rolls for defence systems if applicable.
This rule serves as a guideline for the GM on how to decide
3. The victim is killed or kidnapped.
whether someone can later trace a murder or kidnapping or
4. In the case of kidnapping, a Social Skills or Stealth Skills not. However, players should be encouraged to find more
check against the Perception check of the guard to role-playing-oriented and adventurous solutions.
successfully extract the victim.
If any of these rolls fail, there is a 50% chance that the plan is
exposed, and the ruler gains a new rival.
If the kidnapping or murder is successful, there is a 10%
chance of it becoming public knowledge.
If the murdered individual is a resident of the ruler’s own
domain, and the murder is successful but exposed, 5% of
permanent Discontent is added to the domain.
Investigating the Background of Domain Problem
Sometimes, due to poor Discontent or Corruption rolls in
the domain, an event occurs that seems to have a sinister
hand behind it. The Spyweb can use one of its Actions to
investigate the background of these issues. Whether or not
this is successful, or if there’s anything to discover at all, is
entirely up to the GM. The GM can allow the shinobi to make
a roll or choose not to.

228
POTENTIAL ADVERSARIES
NPCS
TYPICAL ASHIGARU TYPICAL RURAL SAMURAI
(Built with 40 EXP and 6 Attribute points) (Built with 60 EXP and 8 Attribute points)
Body +2; Speed +1; Precision +1; Body +2; Speed +3; Precision +1;
Soul 0; Intellect +1; Instinct +1 Soul 0; Intellect +1; Instinct +1
Size: Medium Size: Medium
HP: 15 HP: 17
Reflexes: -1 (+1 without armour) Reflexes: 0 (+3 without armour)
Parrying: +2 Parrying: +5 (+7 without armour)
Static parrying: 12 Static parrying: 15
DR: 4 DR: 5
Movement Speed: 28 (32 without armour) Movement Speed: 32 (36 without armour)
Soul HP 10 Soul HP 10
Willpower (Morale): 0 (Regular) Willpower (Morale): 0 (Regular)
Spell Resistance: 0 Spell Resistance: 0
Spellpoints: - Spellpoints: -
Attacks and Damage: Attacks and Damage:
+6 Attack with yari for 1d10+2 Damage +6 Attack with katana for 1d10+2 Damage
(Two-Handed weapon, Reach weapon (user gets an (Hand-and-a-Half weapon)
Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against
opponents who are moving to reach them, opponents +6 Attack with yari for 1d10+2 Damage
who are in hand-to-hand combat range get Attack of (Two-Handed weapon, Reach weapon (user gets an
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against the user), Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against
Charge weapon, Armour-bypassing weapon) opponents who are moving to reach them, opponents
who are in hand-to-hand combat range get Attack of
+4 Attack with battle axe for 1d8+2 Damage (Piercing Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against the user),
2) Charge weapon, Armour-bypassing weapon)
+4 Attack with daikyu for 1d10 Damage
(Range 75m. Can also be used on horseback.)
Skills: Skills:
Athletics +3 Agriculture +4 Athletics +3 Law and Society +2
Axes and Perception +3 Spears +6 Mathematics and
Maces +4 Economy +2
Social Skills +3 Swords +6
Spears +4 Perception +3
Riding +3
One craft skill +3 Social Skills +3
Bows +4
Art +2
History and
Linguistics +2 Music +2
Abilities: Abilities:
Reading & Writing
Equipment: Equipment:
Yari, battle axe, light lamellar armour, arm shields Katana, yari, daikyu, 20 arrows, lamellar armour, arm
shields, notebook, ink for 100 page, dip pen
SAKE

SAKE

Npcs 229
 TYPICAL SYNDICATE MASTERS AND ALL MOUNTAIN TAURIC WARRIORS OR
OTHER ARMED COMMONERS HIGHLANDERS AND OUTLAWS
(Built with 60 EXP and 8 Attribute points) (Built with 60 EXP and 8 Attribute points)
Body +1; Speed 0; Precision +4; Body +3; Speed +2; Precision +2;
Soul 0; Intellect +2; Instinct +1 Soul 0; Intellect 0; Instinct +1
Size: Medium Size: Medium
HP: 11 HP: 16
Reflexes: -2 (0 without armour) Reflexes: +2
Parrying: -2 (0 without armour) Parrying: +8 (+5 without shield)
Static parrying: 8 Static parrying: 18
DR: 4 DR: 2
Movement Speed: 26 (30 without armour) Movement Speed: 34
Soul HP 10 Soul HP 10
Willpower (Morale): 0 (Craven) Willpower (Morale): 0 (Regular)
Spell Resistance: 0 Spell Resistance: 0
Spellpoints: - Spellpoints: -
Attacks and Damage: Attacks and Damage:
+5 Attack with basic crossbow for 1d10 Damage +6 Attack with claymore for 1d10+3 Damage
(Piercing 2, Range 60m. Loading takes one Action.) (Hand-and-a-Half weapon)
or +6 Attack with longbow for 1d10 Damage
(Range 90m. Can not be used on horseback.)
+5 Attack with flintlock pistol for 1d10 Damage
(Piercing 6(0), Range 30m. Loading takes one Action.)
+5 Attack with handaxe or hunting spear for 1d6+1
Damage
Skills: Skills:
Athletics +3 Law and Society +3 Athletics +5 Herbalism +2
Crossbows Mathematics and Swords +6 Perception +4
and Firearms +5 Economy +5
Bows +6 Social Skills +3
Civilian Perception +3
weapons +5 Stealth Skills +4 Wilderness Skills +4
Social Skills +5
One craft skill +10 Riding +4
Abilities: Abilities:
Reading & Writing, Specialised Artisan -
Equipment: Equipment:
Basic crossbow or flintlock pistol, 20 bolt or rounds, Claymore, longbow, 20 arrows, leather armour, steel
handaxe or hunting spear, light lamellar armour round shield, flint and steel
SAKE

SAKE

230
TYPICAL RONIN MERCENARIES
AND ELITE SAMURAI
(Built with 80 EXP and 8 Attribute points)
Body +3; Speed +3; Precision +2;
Soul 0; Intellect 0; Instinct 0
Size: Medium
HP: 20
Reflexes: 0 (+3 without armour)
Parrying: +6 (+9 without armour)
Static parrying: 16
DR: 6
Movement Speed: 32 (36 without armour)
Soul HP 10
Willpower (Morale):
Ronin 0 (Regular)
Elite samurai 0 (Brave)
Spell Resistance: 0
Spellpoints: -
Attacks and Damage:
+8 Attack with katana for 1d10+6 Damage
(Hand-and-a-Half weapon)
+7 Attack with yari for 1d10+6 Damage
(Two-Handed weapon, Reach weapon (user gets an
Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against
opponents who are moving to reach them, opponents
who are in hand-to-hand combat range get Attack of
Opportunity with a Melee Weapon against the user),
Charge weapon, Armour-bypassing weapon)
or
+6 Attack with flintlock musket for 2d8 Damage
(Piercing 6(0), Range 60m. Loading takes one Action.
Can not be used on horseback.)
Skills:
Athletics +4 Riding +3
Spears +7 Perception +3
or or
Crossbows Social Skills +2
and Firearms +6
Swords +8
Abilities:
Reading & Writing, Master of Two-handed weapons
Equipment:
Katana, yari or flintlock musket and 20 rounds, heavy
lamellar armour, arm shields
SAKE

Npcs 231
 ANIMALS
WOLF AND DIRE WOLF WOLF (ANIMAL)
(ANIMAL) Body +2; Speed +4; Precision -8; Instinct +6
Wolves can be found across the Asteanic world in Polar, Size: Small
Temperate, and Oceanic zones. Ordinary wolves are no HP: 6
serious threat for adventurers. However, a completely Reflexes: +5
different story unfolds when dealing with the fearsome Dire Parrying: Uses Reflexes
Wolf, a larger and stronger relative of the common wolf.
Static parrying: 15
How can the GM utilize them? DR: 0
As a test for combat encounters with a new group. Movement Speed: 70
Some beastmasters have subjugated all the wolves in a (Morale): 0 (Regular)
region and are now terrorizing the area. Attacks and damage:
You can use wolf stats for hunting dogs and guard dogs. +6 Attack with a bite for 1d4+2 Damage
Skills:
Habitat and relationship with humans:
Athletics +6 Perception +6
Wolves live in packs of about twelve and usually keep their
Stealth skills +2 Wilderness skills +10
distance from humans. However, when hungry, they may
attack individuals or pairs of humans they perceive as weak. Abilities:
Tearing Bite
Tactics: If the wolf’s attack succeeds, it can decide to stay clamped
Wolves attack as a pack, encircling their prey. Working onto a limb with its teeth instead of letting go, inflicting
together, they attempt to bite and restrain the same target biting damage of 1d4 (1d6 for Dire Wolves) each round,
which is not mitigated by DR. The target must roll a
simultaneously, preventing their victim from moving. Athletics check against the wolf’s Athletics check to break
free – attempting this requires a full Action. While caught
in the wolf’s jaws, the target cannot move.
SAKE

DIRE WOLF (ANIMAL)

Body +4; Speed +4; Precision -8; Instinct +6
Size: Medium
HP: 14
Reflexes: +4
Parrying: Uses Reflexes
Static parrying: 14
DR: 0
Movement Speed: 70
(Morale): 0 (Regular)
Attacks and damage:
+8 Attack with a bite for 1d6+4 Damage
Skills:
Athletics +8 Perception +6
Stealth skills +2 Wilderness skills +10
Abilities:
Tearing Bite
If the wolf’s attack succeeds, it can decide to stay clamped
onto a limb with its teeth instead of letting go, inflicting
biting damage of 1d4 (1d6 for Dire Wolves) each round,
which is not mitigated by DR. The target must roll a
Athletics check against the wolf’s Athletics check to break
free – attempting this requires a full Action. While caught
in the wolf’s jaws, the target cannot move.
SAKE

232
JAGUAR OR LEOPARD JAGUAR OR LEOPARD (ANIMAL)
(ANIMAL) Body +4; Speed +6; Precision -8; Instinct +6
Size: Large
How can the GM utilize them?
HP: 28
Jaguars and leopards are suitable for organizing unpleasant
surprise attacks in jungles or dense forests. Beastmasters Reflexes: +6
may be interested in controlling those fast and powerful cats. Parrying: Uses Reflexes
Habitat and relationship with humans: Static parrying: 16
DR: 0
Jaguars are found everywhere in the Tropical zone (Oreenia,
Kaliland, Kaliba, etc.). They generally do not attack large Movement Speed: 80
groups of people. However, they might surprise an individual (Morale): 0 (Regular)
or a small party with a sudden attack. Attacks and damage:
Leopards share similar behaviour to jaguars, but they can +8 Attack with bite and/or claws for 1d4+4 or 2d4+4
be found in almost all climate zones of the Asteanic world Damage (+4 Damage on Surprise Attack)
(Temperate zone, Oceanic zone, and Tropical zone), where Skills:
different species inhabit savannahs, forests, and mountains. Athletics +8 Perception +6
Anatomy: Stealth skills +10 Wilderness skills +6
An adult jaguar or leopard weighs around 80 to 120 kg and Abilities:
has valuable hide, which is priced at 10 GD in their habitat Attack at the End of Movement
regions but more elsewhere. Felines are swift creatures that can use their Action for
both movement and attacking. When predators move at
Society and Lifestyle: half of their Movement Speed (maximum 40 meters), they
can make an Attack at the end of the movement, dealing
Jaguars and leopards are solitary creatures. 1d4+4 Damage.
Diet and Natural Enemies: Double Attack
Meat and humans. If a predator performs a surprise attack or Full Attack,
they leap onto their prey, tearing at it with both paws and
Tactics: fangs. In this case, the Attack’s total damage is 2d4+4 and
they automatically perform the Tripping Manoeuvre. If
These cats attempt to attack as a surprise. They stealthily the target fails to succeed in an Athletics check against
approach their target and swiftly pounce to bring it down. the predators’ Athletics check, the target falls and is now
If the jaguar fails to quickly kill their prey, they will flee, underneath the predator.
Fallen opponents have a -4 penalty to all Attack, Reflexes,
making it hard to finish them off. and Parrying rolls against standing opponents. To stand
up, characters must overcome the animals’ Athletics check
with their own Athletics check – attempting this requires
a full Action.
Surprise Attack
If predator can attack their prey without being detected,
they perform a sort of Sneak Attack, adding +4 to their
Damage.
Soft Landing
When falling, the animal automatically takes only half
damage. If the animal succeeds in a Stealth check to avoid
the damage from the fall, they do not take any damage at
all.
SAKE

Animals 233
 WYVERN Starvation or wing injuries during hunting are the most
dangerous threats to young wyverns. Humans come next.
(ANIMAL) Humans are just the right size for a wyvern to consider them
How can the GM utilize them? a potential meal, and all the livestock kept by humans is
suitable prey for wyverns. Therefore, settlements pay large
Perhaps among the characters, there is a beastmaster who
sums to anyone who can bring them the heads of wyverns
would like to learn the wyvern language and use them as
living in the area. Wyvern hunting is not as difficult for an
their riding animals.
experienced hunter as it might seem. The wyvern’s weak
The classic way to use a wyvern is, of course, to harass point is its nest, which it must defend.
characters traveling between the mountains. The wyvern’s
Tactics:
habitat should be indicated by a forest, free of large animals.
The wyvern attacks by flying, attempting to grab its prey to
Habitat and relationship with humans: then bite it to death or drop it to its death. If the wyvern’s
In ancient times, wyverns were found everywhere in claw attack is successful, the wyvern grabs the victim and
temperate mountain ranges. However, humans have hunted can fly on with it. Escaping the grip requires mutual Athletics
these giant flying predators throughout history, leading the rolls.
species to the brink of extinction a few hundred years ago.
A wyvern does not voluntarily land, and to fight it on the
Nevertheless, wyverns are not extinct, and wild creatures can
ground, you need to attack its nest or find a way to bring it
still be found in the mountains far from human settlements.
down from the sky.
However, there are more domesticated wyverns in the
world today. During the early stages of the Great War,
Tauric beastmasters began to tame wyverns and use them WYVERN (ANIMAL)
in their wars against the Asteans. By now, Taurics have Body +8; Speed +10; Precision -8; Instinct +8
developed a specific caste of warriors consisting of wyvern Size: Huge
tamers – Wyvern Knights, who breed and ride hundreds if
HP: 112
not thousands of wyverns into battle. Wyvern knights guard
the secret of the wyvern language closely, and learning this Reflexes: +10
language can be an adventure in itself. Parrying: Uses Reflexes
Anatomy: Static parrying: 20
DR: 2
A wyvern is a two-legged flying lizard with a wingspan that
can reach up to 20 meters and a weight of 500 kg. The wyvern Movement Speed: 120
is characterized by a relatively small body but extremely (Morale): 0 (Regular)
large limbs and a long, flexible neck. Attacks and damage:
The wyvern’s mouth contains poison glands and venomous +14 Attack with claws for 2d6+8 Damage
fangs, providing a total of 10 doses of venom. and, if not flying, or if flying and attacking a cached
victim in midflight,
From a successfully skinned wyvern, you get enough skin for +16 Attack with bite for 2d6+8 Damage (+ venom)
1-2 suits of wyvernskin armour plus venom Skills:
For successful wyvern skinning, roll Textile and Leatherwork Athletics +10 Perception +16
against DL 15, a roll of 10 to 14 means you get enough Abilities:
material for one suit. Long Attack Range
Society and Lifestyle: Thanks to its extremely long neck, the wyvern can attack
all creatures within a range of up to 5 meters from it. It
Wyverns live in pairs. A wyvern pair builds their nest high can also attack over other creatures it.
in the mountains, where they lay two to five (1d4+1) eggs.
Wyvern Venom
Wyverns take turns hunting and guarding the eggs. When Immediate Body check against DL 15. A Body check result
the eggs hatch, the wyvern pair raises the small wyverns for below 10 results in severe poisoning.
a few years until they become capable of flight and leave the For mild poisoning, 1d4 Damage to the Body, Speed and
nest. Wyverns reach adulthood at around 12 years old, and Precision.
their lifespan extends to almost a hundred years. One wyvern For severe poisoning, 1d6 Damage to the Body, Speed
and Precision.
pair can raise about six to seven broods in their lifetime.
Attack between Movement
Diet and Natural Enemies: The wyvern attacks in the middle of flight and does not
Wyverns feed on various animals living in the mountains, land on the ground. In this case, it can only make one
claw attack but with a successful hit can grab the victim
mostly mountain goats. Large creatures need to eat a lot, and take it along.
and therefore, the immediate vicinity of the wyvern’s nest is
practically devoid of wild animals, requiring wyverns to take
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long flights to find food.

234
TAURIC WYVERN KNIGHT TAURIC WYVERN KNIGHT
(Built with 200 EXP and 8 Attribute points) (Built with 200 EXP and 8 Attribute points)
Body +2; Speed +2; Precision +2; Equipment:
Soul 0; Intellect 0; Instinct +2 Silverclaymore, Tauric laminar armour, steel
Size: Medium longshield (masterwork +1), lance (masterwork +1),
composite bow (masterwork +1), 10 silver arrows, 20
HP: 20 arrows, 2 arrows filled with wyvern poison, gold ring
Reflexes: 0 (10g, 5 GD), silver brooch (50g, 25 SD), and a silver
necklace (300g, 9 GD).
Parrying: +8 (+4 without shield)
Static parrying: 18 (14 without shield) 1d10 GD, 3d6 SD
DR: 6 The wyvern knight always travels with two wyverns,
riding one themself, and the other accompanying
Movement Speed: 30 (34 without armour) them. Saddlebags and equipment are split by both
Soul HP 14 wyverns.
Willpower (Morale): 0 (Brave) The wyverns saddlebags contain: 40 arrows, 200 iron
flechettes, sleeping bag, tent for two, 20 kg of dried
Spell Resistance: +2 food, 4 water pouches (2l), flint and steel, first aid kit
Spellpoints: 2 (+2 to Medicine, 20 uses, heals 1 HP immediately with
Attacks and Damage: a Medicine roll of 15), Climbing Kit (+4 to Athletics or
Stealth Skills on climbing rolls), hemp rope (100m).
+6 Attack with silver claymore for 1d10+2 Damage
(Hand-and-a-Half weapon. When attacking from the
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back of a moving wyvern, additional Damage +4. This

attack is impossible against ground-based individuals
from the back of a flying wyvern; however, it works
successfully against various flying Azure Warriors
and other apparitions, which the wyvern can fly close
enough to be within the sword’s attack radius.)
+6 Attack with lance for 1d10+3 Damage
(When attacking from the back of a moving wyvern,
additional Damage +4. Suitable for performing a
Charge. Can attack up to 2m away but not closer. The
wyvern knight gets an Attack of Opportunity with a
Melee Weapon against a character trying to approach
them, opponents who are in hand-to-hand combat
range get Attack of Opportunity with a Melee Weapon
against the user.)
+7 Attack with composite bow for 1d8+3 Damage
(Range 45m. Can also be used on horseback.)
Skills:
Athletics +4 Geography and
Navigation +2
Spears +5
Tactics +3
Swords +6
Perception +5
Riding +8
Social Skills +3
Bows +6
Wilderness Skills +4
Medicine +2
Beastmastery +6
Anatomy +4
Abilities:
Reading & Writing, Animal Language and Persuasion
(Wyvern), Beastmastery, Affinity to an Animal
(Wyvern), Devastating Shot, Mounted Combat,
Mounted Archery
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Animals 235
 ICE PEOPLE Ice people shamans know secret paths to physically enter the
Windland. They use these paths to move between mountain
(CULTURAL ANIMAL) ranges. Therefore, encounters with ice people can also occur
How can the GM utilize them? in the Gurgeland’s otherworld – the Windland.
Ice people may ambush PCs who travel in cold regions. Diet and Natural Enemies:
Tribe of ice people may move into PCs domain and cause Ice people are entirely carnivorous, making the territory of
chaos. one ice people family immense. In addition to mountain
goats, birds, and other mountain animals, humans and their
Habitat and relationship with humans: own dead kin are suitable for the ice people’s dining table.
Ice people live in the mountains and glaciers of Gurgeland.
Ice people are the top predators in the Gurgeland mountains
The territory of one ice people clan extends up to 1000
and glaciers. Their only natural enemy is humans who hunt
km2, meaning that in human inhabited areas, there aren’t
them to protect themselves and their herds or for the sake
many of these creatures left – ice people are on the brink
of their exotic shiny silver-white skin, which fetches 25
of extinction. Most ice people clans live around the Icecave
gold denari on the market and even more in distant lands.
glacier, under the control of Iceskull tribe’s shamans.
The dead body of an ice person may also interest some
Ice people fear human settlements and avoid coming near necromancer.
them. However, if humans enter the territory of an ice people
Tactics:
clan, the ice people may attack them – either to scare them
away or to kill and consume them. Since humans are usually Ice people hunt as an entire family. They try to sneak
better armed than ice people, in areas with permanent within twenty meters of their prey and, if possible, position
human settlements, ice people are either driven out or killed. themselves at a higher vantage point. Once in position, they
throw javelins at unsuspecting prey and then descend upon
A Beastmaster could try to learn the language of ice it, breaking its neck with their claws and teeth.
people to control them. Iceskull tribe’s shamans speak their
language and control several surrounding clans, ensuring
safe coexistence. ICE PERSON (CULTURAL ANIMAL)
Anatomy: Body +6; Speed +4; Precision 0; Instinct +4
An adult ice person is about 140 cm tall when fully stretched Size: Medium
and weighs 50-60 kg. Although ice people can move on two HP: 16
legs, they mostly lean to their front limbs while moving. Reflexes: +4
Ice people are very strong and skilful climbers; with their Parrying: Uses Reflexes
sharp claws, they can climb vertical ice walls. Their light Static parrying: 14
grey skin is covered with dense silver-white fur, except DR: 0
around their eyes and nose. Ice people hunting in glaciers or
Movement Speed: 40
mountains are challenging to notice.
(Morale): 0 (Regular)
Ice people have developed thumbs on both hands and Spellpoints (shamans 8
feet, allowing them to successfully use self-made tools and only)
weapons, as well as items they have acquired from humans.
Attacks and damage:
Society and Lifestyle: +12 Attack with claws and teeth for 1d4+6 Damage
Ice people live in family groups of up to twenty members +6 Attack with javelin for 1d6+6 Damage
(4d6 ice people in one family), roaming and hunting across (Range 30m)
the Gurgeland mountains and glaciers. An ice people family
Skills:
consists of a grandfather, grandmother, their children, and
grandchildren. Hunting is a communal activity, with only a Athletics +12 Perception +8
few females caring for the offspring during the hunt. Stealth skills +10 Wilderness Skills +8
Civilian Shamans have
There is always one shaman in an ice people family who has Weapons +6 Channelling skill +12
made a pact with the Northwind (lesser god), the ruler of the Abilities:
Windland (Otherworld pocket in Gurgeland), and received
spells from her. Northwind dislikes humans with their souls, Ice people shamans have two priest spells: Whirlwind
and Call Lighting (instead of Geography skill, ice people
cities, and civilization, but she greatly favours ice people shamans use Wilderness Skills when determining the
– she happily makes pacts with ice people shamans and accuracy of lighting strike).
punishes humans who harm them. This connection to the Equipment:
Northwind may explain why ice people are more than just
apes and why they have not completely died out. 1d4+1 iron or stone tipped javelins
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236
Whirlwind Call Lighting
Channelling check DL: 20 Channelling check DL: Depends on the weather
Spellpoint cost: 2 Spellpoint cost: 2
Description: Priest can summon a whirlwind around Description: To target an enemy with a lightning strike,
themselves, which is inherently magical and exceptionally the priest must make two rolls: the first roll, Channelling,
fast. This super-fast Whirlwind protects the priest from determines whether the spell works and the second roll,
ranged attacks because most arrows and bullets that enter Geography, determines if the lightning hits its intended
the vortex are deflected from their trajectory. Whirlwind target or strikes elsewhere.
does not provide protection against melee attacks.
The Difficulty Level for calling lightning depends on the
The priest adds their Channelling Skill Level to all rolls of weather.
Reflexes and Parrying made against ranged attacks or attacks
with thrown weapons. Weather Conditions Over the DL of Channelling
Target check
The spell lasts for a number of rounds equal to the priest’s
Channelling skill level. Thunderstorm or a Thunderbird
20
within sight
Activating this spell takes one full Action, and extending it
does not take time nor a new roll, but also costs 2 Spellpoints. Rain, snowfall, or heavy cloud cover 25
Thin cloud cover or scattered
30
clouds
Clear skies 40
The priest can call lightning within their entire line of sight,
theoretically reaching targets several kilometres away. The
DL depends on the distance to the target. If the roll fails, the
lightning strikes far off course.

Distance to the Target from the DL of Geography

Priest or Physics check
Target is the priest themself 1
Target very close (up to 30m radius
10
from the priest)
Target up to 50m away 12
For each additional 50m, add +2 to the Difficulty Level
(e.g., a target 300m away would have a DL of 22)
If the lightning bolt hits the target, all individuals within a 5m
radius of the target suffer 4d8 Damage to their physical HP.
This electrical damage is not mitigated by regular armour,
and there is no way to dodge it to take half damage. Only
Astral armour provides protection based on its relevant
bonuses.
Casting the spell takes one Action.

Animals 237
 OTHERWORLDLINGS AND UNDEAD
POLONG
(CORPOREAL OTHERWORLDLING)
Polong is a bloodthirsty otherworldling created by
Restoration magic, obedient to its master’s commands.
How can the GM utilize them?
Polongs serve as dedicated guardians for powerful
wizards, particularly healers. Additionally, influential
rulers who employ court wizards may have polongs
residing in their palaces.
Habitat and relationship with humans:
While Polong fully obeys its master, it lacks intelligence
and requires simple commands. Although it’s life
originates from the sorcerer’s Soul HP, there is no direct
connection between the sorcerer and Polong. The
sorcerer must make clear to Polong what they want from
it. Additionally, Polong has no capacity to learn; it is
solely driven by instinct to obtain blood. If Polong were
to break free from its master’s control, this instinct takes
over. Polong is fearless and retreats only when death is
inevitable. Its speed and agility make it difficult to catch.
Anatomy:
Polong is a small (10-year-old child-sized) supernatural
bloodsucker of otherworldly origin, born from blood.
Powerful sorcerers are capable of creating it. Polong is
a genderless creature who can’t die a natural death. This
hairless and colorless dwarf moves with supernatural
speed, crawling on walls, rooftops, and any surface. Its
four tentacle-like limbs are equipped with suction cups,
helping it cling to surfaces.
Society and Lifestyle:
Polongs lack a structured society; their existence
revolves solely around serving their creator. However,
should they break free or if their creator perishes, they
become feral beings, driven solely by their bloodthirsty
nature.
Diet and Natural Enemies:
Polongs do not require sustenance for survival, but they
possess an insatiable craving for human blood, leading
them to actively hunt for it.
Tactics:
Polong lurks above its victims on rooftops, walls, or
ceilings, and unexpectedly pounces on them, attempting
to strike with both clawed limbs. If successful, it can then
extract the victim’s blood as an additional Attack.

Newborn polong

238
ILOMBA Diet and Natural Enemies:
(CORPOREAL OTHERWORLDLING) Ilomba do not require sustenance for survival, but they
possess an insatiable craving for human blood, leading
Ilomba is a bloodthirsty otherworldling created by the them to actively hunt for it.
Restoration magic obedient to its master’s commands.
Tactics:
How can the GM utilize them? Similar to the polong, ilomba can stalk its prey, lurking
Ilomba, like polong can serve as guardian for powerful on rooftops, walls, or ceilings, and unexpectedly pounce
wizard. on its victim, attempting to grasp them with both of
its claw attacks. If successful, it gains an extra attack to
Since ilomba can speak, it can also interact with the PCs
extract the victim’s blood.
under its master’s command (in the guise of its master).
However, ilomba typically employs more cunning
Additionally, in some adventures, it might happen that
hunting tactics. Able to assume human form and
ilomba has taken over its master’s role in the world, while
possessing extraordinary persuasiveness, they attempt
the actual master is dead. A hint for such a situation
to lure humans to secluded areas before attacking and
could be that the renowned healer is no longer healing
killing them there.
people – Ilomba doesn’t know how to perform the spells.
Habitat and relationship with humans:
Ilomba fully submits to its master and understands all
the commands given by the master exactly as intended.
Like polong, ilomba also needs to feed on its master’s
blood once a month. If it cannot do so, it will become
independent from its master. However, unlike polong, the
significantly more intelligent ilomba doesn’t go around
killing random people upon becoming independent.
Instead, it sets its goal to kill its former master, whom
it resembles. The ilomba aims to take over its master’s
position.
Anatomy:
Ilomba, a hairless creature bearing the face of its master,
is devoid of any gender distinctions. Its limbs are
endowed with suction cups akin to a polong’s, giving it
supernatural climbing abilities. While unclothed, ilomba
is unmistakably recognizable as a monster; however,
once dressed, it can seamlessly assume the likeness of
its master, effortlessly impersonating them. In contrast
to the polong, ilomba boasts the ability to converse,
effectively granting the sorcerer the means to be present
in two locations simultaneously.
Society and Lifestyle:
Ilomba exists to serve its creator, but if its master were
to die or if ilomba were to break free from its master’s
control, it would assume its master’s societal role and
live as an ordinary human. However, with a significant
distinction, ilomba remains a bloodthirsty entity like the
polong, craving human blood and seeking to feed on it
at least once a week. Such a liberated ilomba would likely
become a serial killer, a monster living amongst humans
and slaying them for sustenance.

Adult polong

Otherworldlings and Undead 239

 POLONG ILOMBA
(Corporeal Otherworldling) (Corporeal Otherworldling)
Precense +8; Speed +12; Precision +4; Precense +10; Speed +10; Precision +0;
Intellect -6; Instinct +12 Intellect +4; Instinct +12
Size: Small (25 kg, 1,2m) Size: Medium (similar to its
Soul HP: 30 creator)
Reflexes: +18 Soul HP: 60
Parrying: Uses Reflexes Reflexes: +16
Static parrying: 28 Parrying: Uses Reflexes
DR: 0 (10 against nonsilver and Static parrying: 26
nonsoulbleed weapons) DR: 0 (10 against nonsilver and
Movement Speed: 60 nonsoulbleed weapons)
Willpower (Morale): +8 (Fearless) Movement Speed: 50
Spell Resistance: +8 Willpower (Morale): +10 (Fearless)
Spellpoints: Spell Resistance: +10
Attacks and damage: Spellpoints: -
+16 Attack with claws twice per Action for 1d4+8 Attacks and damage:
Damage. If it manages to hit with both Attacks, it +14 Attack with claws twice per Action for 1d4+10
grabs onto the opponent and performs an additional Damage. If it manages to hit with both Attacks, it
Attack, sucking blood, dealing 2d4 Damage, and grabs onto the opponent and performs an additional
healing itself for the same amount of Soul HP. Attack, sucking blood, dealing 2d4 Damage, and
Skills: healing itself for the same amount of HP.
Athletics +12 Perception +22 Skills:
Stealth skills +22 Athletics +18 Perception +22
Abilities: Stealth Skills +28 Social Skills +16
Otherworldly Being Abilities:
Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or Otherworldly Being
oxygen to survive. Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or
All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and oxygen to survive.
illnesses. All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and
illnesses.
Otherworldly Senses
The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth Otherworldly Senses
Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth
magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of
as well as in light. magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness
Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all as well as in light.
Psychic spells. Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all
Psychic spells.
Unhuman Being
The creature is immortal in the sense that it does not age Unhuman Being
or die of old age. The creature can be killed. The creature is immortal in the sense that it does not age
Unhuman beings are immune to Psychic spells and or die of old age. The creature can be killed.
Necromantic spells. Unhuman beings are immune to Psychic spells and
Necromantic spells.
Bloodsucking
If Polong manages to grab the opponent so tightly that Bloodsucking
it cannot be shaken off, it can bite into the opponent and If Ilomba manages to grab the opponent so tightly that
suck blood during its Action: 2d4 Damage to the target’s it cannot be shaken off, it can bite into the opponent and
HP. Polong’s Soul HP are restored by the same amount. suck blood during its Action: 2d4 Damage to the target’s
HP. Ilomba’s Soul HP are restored by the same amount.
Swift Climbing
Thanks to the suction cups on its hands and feet, Polong Swift Climbing
moves as fast while climbing as it does on the ground. Thanks to the suction cups on its hands and feet, Ilomba
moves as fast while climbing as it does on the ground.
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240
DEAD WALKER REVENANT
(Corporeal Undead) (Corporeal Undead. Created from a warrior
Body 0; Speed -4; Precision -8; ancestor with the body and equipment of a
Soul +2; Intellect -; Instinct 0 rural samurai.)
Size: Medium Body +2; Speed +1; Precision -3;
HP: 20 Soul +3; Intellect 0; Instinct 0
Reflexes: -4 Size: Medium
Parrying: +4 HP: 22
Static parrying: 6 Reflexes: -1 (+2 without armour)
DR: 0 Parrying: +3 (+5 without armour)
Movement Speed: 22 Static parrying: 13 (15 without armour)
Soul HP 12 DR: 5
Willpower (Morale): +2 (Fearless) Movement Speed: 28 (32 without armour)
Spell Resistance: +2 Soul HP 13
Spellpoints: - Willpower (Morale): +3 (Brave)
Attacks and Damage: Spell Resistance: +3
Dead Walkers use a weapon provided to them by the Spellpoints: -
Necromancer for their attacks. Although a walking Attacks and Damage:
corpse lacks weapon skills, it still makes attack rolls
with a d20, with a -2 penalty to the Attack bonus. A +6 Attack with katana for 1d10+2 Damage
Dead Walker is only capable of using melee weapons. (Hand-and-a-Half weapon)
Skills: Skills:
Perception +4 Athletics +5 History and
Linguistics +1
Abilities: Spears +6
Otherworldly Being Perception +2
Swords +6
Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or Abilities:
oxygen to survive.
Otherworldly Being
All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and
Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or
illnesses.
oxygen to survive.
Otherworldly Senses
All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and
The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth
illnesses.
Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of
Otherworldly Senses
magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness
The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth
as well as in light.
Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of
Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all
magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness
Psychic spells.
as well as in light.
Supernatural Perception
Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all
A spectator automatically notices when someone is
Psychic spells.
observing them and fixes their empty black eye sockets
on the observer.
Equipment: Equipment:
Equipment provided by the Necromancer Katana, lamellar armour, arm shields
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The Necromancer can connect the summoned spectator
and a corpse into a Dead Walker under their control.
Dead Walker does not speak, is slow, and clumsy.
The Dead Walker obeys the Necromancer's control and
can remember up to three simple commands at a time. For
example: Guard the entrance, attack anyone trying to pass,
but always let those three friends through.
A revenant is an undead with poor control over its body; it
lacks the sense of smell, touch, and taste. Its body is deceased.
The revenant's voice sounds unearthly because it does not
use vocal cords for speech; its soul communicates directly.
Over time, the revenant's body will decay and deteriorate,
but this can be halted through mummification.

Otherworldlings and Undead 241

 GOBLIN
(CORPOREAL OTHERWORLDLING)
Goblins are small, ugly, and mischievous creatures that
lurk along solitary forest paths, tricking travellers to
confuse them and steal their valuables.
How can the GM utilize them?
Essentially, the game master can use goblins for little
amusement at the expense of the players. At night,
goblins may make noise around the characters’ campsite,
use their illusion ability to create lights, sounds, or
additional paths along the journey to confuse the
characters.
It’s good otherworldling to encounter for starting
adventurers. Little mischiefs are more of a nuisance than
a serious threat.
lair is well hidden, and there are a few simple traps at the
entrance. The loot in a goblin’s lair can be surprisingly
valuable, depending on the age of the goblin. Like most
otherworldlings, goblins do not die a natural death, and
a very old goblin may have gathered several thousand
gold denari worth of various jewellery and trinkets in its
lair.
Occasionally, two goblins may meet, and then, after a
couple of months of gestation, a litter of new goblins is
born, which grows into adulthood in a few months and
goes out to find its territory.
Diet and Natural Enemies:
Like all otherworldlings, goblins do not actually need
food. However, some folk tales suggest that they enjoy
sweets, while others claim that they drink human blood
(especially children’s).

Habitat and relationship with humans: The natural enemy of a goblin is any creature or
sorcerer that can see the invisible because without their
Goblins are found all over the world, known by various
invisibility shield, they are relatively easy to kill.
names in different cultures: woodland sprite, forest elf,
fairy, fay, etc. Tactics:
Goblins live in dense primeval forests and mountains, Goblins try to avoid direct combat in any way, either
rarely venturing out. Each goblin has its own territory, by fleeing or hiding. If direct combat is unavoidable,
and when human settlements appear in that area, goblins usually defend themselves with claws and teeth,
encounters with goblins are highly likely. The goal of although it would be wiser for them to use some weapon.
goblins is to rob or scare away people who enter their However, goblins do not carry weapons because these do
territory. Generally, goblins are not violent as they are not turn invisible with them, and goblins mostly move
small and fear direct conflict. Therefore, they trick their around while invisible.
victims by using illusions and the ability to turn invisible.
One common trick of goblins is to use illusions to lead
a person astray in the forest and then suddenly reveal
themselves, offering to guide them out in exchange for
some valuable item. This misleading process can take
several days, during which goblins increasingly confuse
their victims with illusions.
However, not all goblins just tricksters; some more
malicious goblins may use illusions to lead people to
their deaths, with tricks such as covering a chasm with
an illusory clearing, etc.
Goblins choose a lone wanderer as their target, rarely a
pair, and almost never attempt to deceive a larger group
because using illusion abilities on many people who
communicate with each other can prove challenging,
and goblins are not very intelligent.
Anatomy:
Goblins are very small, ranging from 90 to 120 cm tall
hairy beings with grotesquely large eyes, ears, nose, and
mouth.
Society and Lifestyle:
Goblins live and operate mostly alone. Each goblin has
its own territory in which they operate, and at the heart,
usually hidden in a particularly inaccessible place, is their
lair, where the goblin keeps their accumulated loot. This

242
Greater Illusion GOBLIN
Soulcraft check DL: Against target’s Spell Resistance (Corporeal Otherworldling)
check Precense +2; Speed +2; Precision +6;
Spellpoint cost: 3 per illusion. Intellect -2; Instinct +6
Description: The goblin infiltrates the thoughts of the Size: Small
target and creates hallucinations. Hallucinations can
Soul HP: 10
be anything from a pink elephant to entering the world
of the dead. To overcome the goblin’s illusions, the Reflexes: +6 (may have bonus form
target must roll a better Spell Resistance check than the Invisibility)
goblin’s Psychics roll. With each new vision created by Parrying: Uses Reflexes
the goblin, both rolls must be reattempted. If the target’s Static parrying: 16
companions explain to them that they are experiencing DR: 0 (10 against nonsilver and
illusions, the target gets a new roll with a +10 bonus. nonsoulbleed weapons)
To avoid this, the goblin can create an illusion as if the
Movement Speed: 32
companions are not present, leaving only their voices,
and the new roll comes with a +5 bonus. Willpower (Morale): +6 (Craven)
Spell Resistance: +6
The illusion lasts until it is proven to be illusion. For
example, an illusion of a forest lasts until the target Spellpoints: 12
reaches the forest, and when touching the trees, they are Attacks and damage:
not there. Only then does the illusion dissipate. +4 Attack with claws for 1d4+2 Damage.
Depending on the complexity of the illusion, it takes 1 to Skills:
10 rounds to implant it in the target’s mind. Athletics +6 Perception +10
Stealth Skills +10 Social Skills +8
Civilian Wilderness Skills +10
Weapons +8
Psychics +10
Abilities:
Otherworldly Being
Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or
oxygen to survive.
All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and
illnesses.
Otherworldly Senses
The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth
Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of
magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness
as well as in light.
Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all
Psychic spells.
Unhuman Being
The creature is immortal in the sense that it does not age
or die of old age. The creature can be killed.
Unhuman beings are immune to Psychic spells and
Necromantic spells.
Invisibility
The goblin can make itself invisible at will. Invisible beings
are significantly harder to hit with weapons. Parrying in
close combat +6, in ranged combat +18. Stealth checks
+20. (Except when the opponent can somehow see the
invisible.)
Spells:
The goblin has only one spell, and that is the very
powerful psychic spell Greater Illusion. The goblin can
attempt to use it four times a day, and they don’t need
to establish contact with the target before using it. The
goblin just needs to be at least 30m from the target.
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Otherworldlings and Undead 243

 KOBOLD Society and Lifestyle:
Kobolds do not communicate with each other or with
(DEAD SOUL)
anyone else. They move aimlessly around their caves,
Kobolds are the malevolent spirits of miners or other making noises, giggling, and crying. If a living being
subterranean dwellers who met their end underground. enters the cave, they start frightening it.
In appearance and essence, kobolds resemble Shadows. Diet and Natural Enemies:
They appear as dark shadows, unable to leave their caves Humans who do not appreciate kobolds and are capable
and fearing exposure to sunlight. of destroying them.
Kobolds are also known as mountain elves, mountain Tactics:
spirits, or cave goblins.
Kobolds use intimidation tactics – they make noises
How can the GM utilize them? (cry or laugh), scratch, and create other potentially
Kobolds are not initially deadly; they play with their frightening sounds.
victims and prefer to frighten rather than attack. If this is not enough to scare the living out of the cave,
Therefore, the GM can successfully use kobolds against kobolds sneak closer and use their Mining Wind ability to
starting adventurers. However, kobolds are still undead terrify living creatures with darkness. Kobolds attempt
spirits, and engaging them without silver weapons could this multiple times from the shadows before launching
quickly lead to death for the PCs. an attack.
Unlike many other evil spirits, kobolds’ goal is not to As long as the kobold has not attacked itself, it is nearly
kill people but merely to scare them away from their impossible to find. Kobolds are not skilled fighters
caves. The situation only escalates to violence when and fear hand-to-hand combat. As soon as a kobold is
intimidation fails. injured, it must roll a Morale check against DL of 10. If
Habitat and relationship with humans: the roll fails, it flees, but it may return after some time,
and the cycle begins anew.
Kobolds are found in mines or caves where some people
have met their demise. Now, kobolds haunt these places Although kobolds are foolish spirits that do not
and dislike anyone entering their caves. Initially, they coordinate attacks with each other, their cowardice and
attempt to scare people away, but if that doesn’t work, tactics can gradually make the situation complex for the
they resort to aggression. player characters. In one cave, there likely live several
kobolds, and eventually, they may all harass the PCs
Throughout the world, miners share stories of mountain
simultaneously.
spirits who harbour ill will towards them. Sometimes
these spirits are considered evil mountain gods, while at
other times, it is understood that they are the souls of
the deceased. It’s hard to get a glimpse of one.
Kobolds may also engage in theft from miners – taking
tools, food, and necessary door keys, among other
things. If possible, kobolds may cause other accidents,
such as introducing gunpowder to torches, untying, or
tying various ropes, and more. With kobolds in the mine,
work becomes impossible, even if the kobolds don’t
directly attack the miners.
Anatomy:
The appearance of a kobold is surface-like and shadow-
like. From a distance, it can be mistaken for an ordinary
shadow. Its appearance makes it almost invisible in dark
caves. Like shadows, their size changes in the light, but
generally, kobolds are smaller than humans.
If a kobold is killed, it disappears – leaving nothing
behind.

244
KOBOLD KOBOLD
(Dead Soul) (Dead Soul)
Soul +2; Intellect 0; Instinct 0 Abilities:
Size: Medium Otherworldly Being
Soul HP: 12 Otherworldly beings do not require food, water, or
oxygen to survive.
Reflexes: +2 All Otherworldly beings are immune to poisons and
Parrying: Uses Reflexes illnesses.
Static parrying: 12 Otherworldly Senses
The creature possesses the abilities of Permanent Sixth
DR: 0 (20 against nonsilver and Sense and Darkvision from the Astral Projection school of
nonsoulbleed weapons) magic, enabling them to see the invisible and in darkness
Movement Speed: 34 as well as in light.
Beings with Otherworldly Senses are immune to all
Willpower (Morale): +2 (Craven) Psychic spells.
Spell Resistance: +2 Ethereal Being
Spellpoints: - This creature lacks a physical body. It cannot be pushed,
pulled, or conventionally confined. While it can’t pass
Attacks and damage: through walls, it can change its size and float through
+4 Attack with claws for 1d4+2 Damage to Soul HP. small windows or gaps in bars.
Attacks from such a creature typically deal damage to
Kobolds may attempt the Choking manoeuvre to kill Soul HP rather than physical HP.
their opponent that way. With Athletics Skill Level of An ethereal being is immune to electrical damage.
+4, their initial Attack would carry -2 penalty.
Skills: Unanatomical Being
The creature lacks anatomical internals. While it may
Athletics +4 appear to have a head and arms, strikes against them deal
Stealth Skills +10 (+32 in darkness) the same damage as strikes elsewhere. The creature is
immune to damage from Sneak Attacks and manoeuvres
Perception +4 that target specific body parts.
SAKE
An unanatomical being is immune to fire and acid.
Mining Wind
The kobold can conjure a magical gust of wind that
extinguishes all light sources in the cave, including
torches, oil lamps, and theoretically even electric lights.
The effect extends up to 50 meters and is a couple of
meters wide. The influence doesn’t follow a straight line
but conforms to the shape of the cave. For example, in an
S-shaped cave, the effect would extend 50 meters along
the S-shape. It’s possible to relight the light sources. The
kobold can use this ability unlimited times, and each use
takes one Action. The wind is fast, silent, and very cold.
Sun Weakness
The sun harms the kobold, dealing 1d4 damage to it each
round when exposed.
Permanent Flight
Kobolds have the permanent ability to fly.
Manipulation of Physical Objects (as the Astral
Projection spell)
Spirit can manipulate physical objects as they wish.
Kobolds primarily use this ability for making noises,
stealing from miners, and causing general mischief.
SAKE

Otherworldlings and Undead 245

Basic Rules is a simplified edition of the SAKE Core Rulebook, similar to a Quickstart but longer (245 pages) as SAKE
is a crunchy game with several modules. This book allows you to experience the full game, including rules for domain
building and playing the domain game, rules for dungeon crawling, adventuring in the wilds, chases, and fights. It
also covers rules for magic and otherworld, as well as making pacts with gods to channel spells from them.
Several of these modules use their own Character Sheet like sheets (e.g., Domain Sheet for the Domain Game). You can
download them when the need arises (as there are links in the modules) or all together as a package: Sheets for SAKE
The Full Core Rulebook will be published after the Kickstarter campaign and will include:
- More abilities, more equipment, and magical items
- More spell schools (Necromancy, Psychics)
- Asteanic major gods and a whole lot of priest spells
- More establishments for the Domain Game
- Rules for combat on a company scale and stats for companies
- A complete Economics module (Rules for overseas trade, seafaring, sea battles, ship stats, storms, and so on).

Kickstarter prelaunch page:

If you want to be notified of the Kickstarter launch or any other important news about SAKE,
you can sign up for the newsletter: www.sake.ee/newsletter/ (I promise not to send too frequent emails).

Or you can simply follow SAKE on any social media platform, where all news will be posted:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SAKEttrpg
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/sake_rpg/
Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@SAKE

Sorcerers, Adventurers, Kings, And Economics Basic Rules

2023
ISBN 978-9916-4-2196-3
Game design and writing by Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav
Translated from Estonian with the help of Getter Kaasik-Aaslav and ChatGPT
Illustrations by Midjourney AI; maps, plans, and schematics by Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav

Published by Seventh Son Publishing, LLC

www.sake.ee
sake@sake.ee

© 2023 Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav. All rights reserved.