FortheLordrpG

Thedarkages

A Role-playing Game

      In the Era of the Early Church     

 

 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:11-12

 

By Ron Smorynski aka StoryTellingRon copyright 2022

coverart: Sutthiwat Dechakamphu aka the Rafa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fellow Brothers & Sisters!

The Church survives the quarrels of the Lombards, the Romans, the Byzantium leaders! We are on the march, into the fray, northward into the mountains and forests! There, many legions of pagan Rome have fallen, and yet we go! We are sent by God! To spread the Church of Jesus Christ! We are sent with love and truth. Many there suffer the tyranny of the demonic despots. We are coming to liberate them from such dark forces! Have faith! Have truth! Have justice! For the path is dark and narrow, wrought with schemes and ambush, wrought with the barbarians and the sin of men.

Have faith! Have truth! Have justice! For the Lord is with thee! These pagans are left to their own wanton religions, but we are The Church. We are to show them the Truth or die trying. Some are ready, their souls hunger for the Truth. Seek them out! But others, God has darkened, and their souls are ready to fight back. Defend oneself! Be ready, for the sword is carried with great reserve. Be as cunning as the serpent but as pure as the dove! Follow Christ, but know you are men!

Brothers & Sisters... Children of God, go forth into the darkness with our Light. Go forth and spread the good news and establish the Church. For it is the greatest of deeds that you lay your life down for your fellow men. I bless you. I am praying for you. I am relying on you! In the name of Our Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ! Amen.

~Bishop Onesimus the VIth

 

AChristianRPG!!!

 

• No need to play God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

• No need to have God or angels intercede.

• It is all about the player as a missionary trying to serve the Lord.

• No need to re-conceptualize God’s Will or the Bible.

• No need to wonder if one is doing God’s Will.

• No need to debate or argue theology with professing Christians.

• The entirety and complete instructions for how we should role-play is the New Testament.

• Mission and Church planting. That’s it.

• All aspects of prayer, blessings, casting lots (rolling dice) matters not if Christians succeed or fail.

• What matters is that we take up the Cross, we strive For the Lord!

• Mission, evangelism, rebuking, getting believers to repent, fellowship, planting and supporting churches is all that matters.

 

 clarion call for contributors

• Adhere to these and you may publish free, commercial or ministry material based on, reference, deference and credit to For The Lord RPG & StorytellingRon aka Ron Smorynski and storytellingron.com

• Keep For The Lord RPG rules as the core rules of the game.

• Art, tokens and assets created by For The Lord RPG & StorytellingRon may be used freely under this license.

• The setting may have additional or adjusted rule sets but must still be compatible with and generally encourage the need for the original rules.

• This must be included: [Product name] is an independent production by [Author or Publisher] and is not affiliated with Ron Smorynski, StorytellingRon & For The Lord RPG. It is published under the For The Lord RPG Third Party License.

• For The Lord RPG setting & timeline is copyright Ron Smorynski aka StorytellingRon

• Christian Faith, one must be a believer with the following basic tenets.

• The Bible is the inspired Word of God and there is no other.

• God is Three in One, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit

• Creation Science is de facto scientific setting for all materials.

• Evangelism and Church planting are at the core of gameplay, with some variances allowed.

• Family friendly, traditional family values. The material will not promote Woke, BLM or LGBQT+ ideologies. Witchcraft & sorcery are correctly depicted as evil. Nearly all other RPGs offer a pagan worldview.

• Church History is to be promoted, exalted, understood in a positive manner, even with its faults, however wretched and fallible.

• God is Sovereign. Man is sinful and fallible. Jesus is Lord & Savior.

• Be honest about one’s game, lessons, intent. Be courageous in the face of pagan accusations and oppression. Be kind, humorous and

    joyful as a Grande Minister and For The Lord RPG contributor.   

 

   BASICCONCEPTS         

What is a Christian role-playing game or RPG?                                                             

First, an RPG is a type of game. It is neutral concerning its setting. An RPG can be ‘Running the Church RPG’ or ‘Evangelizing in a Futuristic World’. There are a myriad of secular or pagan games out there like Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars RPG.

The basic premise is players get to explore an area and interact with non-player characters that a game master (GM) prepares ahead of time. The players discover locations and interact with locals as the GM describes the scene and acts out any encounters.

The players have characters or missionaries like a warrior who uses their prowess and fighting, a cleric who uses their spirit to preach and convert, a nun who uses her spirit to heal and aid or a patron lady of the church who uses her funding and social skills to further the church’s needs. Each has strengths and weaknesses depicted as numbers added to dice rolls and can be customized with different skills and gear.

The players describe what they do based on their characters’ designated abilities, roleplaying as much as possible. The GM decides when characters roll dice adding their skill numbers to succeed or fail at a trial number determined by the GM. It could be climbing a cliff to tricking a guard or fighting a foe. The number to roll varies based on the rules and challenges.

At the end of each session, if they survive, there is usually rewards in the form of treasure found and experience gained. Treasure helps the characters afford better gear. Experience helps the players ‘buy’ upgrades for their skills and dice rolls.

As the characters get stronger, the GM makes the setting, story and encounters more difficult and more epic.

 

 

The Old Gladiator                                                             

A lone gladiator travels the roads. He is raving mad and hates that Christians have thwarted many gladiatorial arenas where once he was famous. If he recognizes the group as Christians he will immediately threaten them. He is willing to take them all on to prove their God and beliefs are a lie. He believes the only glory should go to great fighters who have killed many, including weak Christians, for the entertainment of all the gods & for the glory of Rome!

If he is defeated yet not killed, he could be saved. If so, he could ‘show up’ later to rescue them.

He will not convert unless he is gravely wounded & defeated, then healed and shown compassion. He has never known compassion.

 

 

 

 

 

Old Gladiator, Athgunert

Pro5, Awa4, Sav-1, Spi2, Int0, Soc3

Def19+shield, helm, Armor leathers, Save d6, Vigor 22

• Gladius+5+1DR, d10, melee, bleed6, parry+2

• Parry+7+3DR

Conversion: Only if severely wounded then healed, may turn this violent dark heart. If he is turned, he will join the local church and become its guard!

 

 

StorytellingRon, the Game Designer, is a Christian.

What kind of a Christian?

I am a Christian, Creation, Calvinist conservative curmudgeon! I go to Grace Community Church under Pastor John MacArthur. I became a Christian around 40 years of age. In my early years I was Catholic but became an atheist fool with a very disjointed view of compassion.

I certainly want to be Biblical in what I do, but have some old fun silly miscreant ways as well. This role playing game is not meant to be a theological treatise on the Bible or Christian history. It’s meant to be fun and replace those secular games that draw our kids & adults from the habits of our faith and toward pagan ones. I hope it helps in fellowship and hones one’s understanding of missionary work, edifying us all on evangelism and church planting.

This game is meant for any Christian, Catholic or Orthodox professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is also strongly adhering to a traditional view on marriage, family values and other conservative tenets.

This is meant for fellowship, edification, collaborative storytelling and fun. GMs should make missions that have some element of teaching, morality and lessons, but nothing too heavy or preachy. Keep it light, fun, heroic and silly. Just as God rested from his work, so should we.

 

generalsetting        

 

Level of fantasy, intensity  

 

The setting is an amalgam of history, myth & folklore of early medieval Europe. Much of what is discerned mixes reality with some elements of fantasy that have roots in history.

There is magic, done by dark forces. They will use curses and afflictions to hold on to power. There is blessings and miracles done by Christians.

Pagan foes that adhere to their beliefs will be mean and use alchemy and some demonic influences to exact their tyranny on the local populace. Some pagans will be ready to hear the Gospel and ripe for conversion.

There is an attempt to adhere to Biblical theology but also historical claims made by early Church and medieval historians of the Dark Ages. So a lot of what Christians can do or believe in this game may not be Biblically accurate yet their heart is in the right place. And this is true for all who are truly, truly striving for God’s Will.

‘Conversion’ in this game doesn’t necessarily mean the person is fully Christian and saved. It refers to the conversion of people enough that they will accept a transition to Christian ethics and establishing a church. Missionaries will need to use the Gospel message to break down animosity to Christianity in the game for the purpose of planting churches. Once a church is established, the missionaries have succeeded and can upgrade their skills and gear. Then the GM, through storytelling, shall introduce the next mission he or she has prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

       The Lombards of Germany occupying Northern Italy      

 

 

 

It is now the Kingdom of the Lombards. The king is elected by the highest ranking aristocrats and dukes. The kingdom is subdivided into duchies. Due to the sparse population, history of plagues and devastations after the fall of Rome, most areas are isolated and self ruling. The dukes in each area seek self governance when it comes to political matters. While the Lombards are known to have Christian influences, the sparse populations are more pagan and secretive. Each vies to control the duke or region.

The king and aristocracy in the larger cities such as Milan and Pavia are mixed with Goths and Romans, most concerned with their borders. To the south, the Eastern Roman Empire and Byzantiums are vying for all of Italy. To the north, many barbarian kingdoms penetrate deep into the mountains, valleys and dark forests. On the coasts, pirates from all manner of pagan nations hunt the riches and relics of churches and villages that are prospering under this new Christendom. The game is meant to be light on history yet edify us on missionary work and how it may have transpired in the past using an amalgam or mix of medieval historical icons, myths, folklore and legends. The stance concerning the early Church for this game is that it is open to Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox. The game focuses on planting churches and not doctrine, legalism or Church history. The full Bible wasn’t available nor readable to all but a few within the established

clergy of the time.

 

      Role-playinggame(rPg)     

  The Grande Minister or Game Master (GM)                                                    

 

 

One person plays the GM. This person sets up a map with locations like a village, a grove, a crypt, a pagan ritual spot. The GM notes non-player characters or NPCs in them like a blacksmith, villagers, a witch, bandits and dangerous beasts.

The GM determines what each NPCs is doing, what their goals and beliefs are. There is a conversion level table in here, the GMs can roll on. Their goals should be simple enough that when encountered, improvisation can occur by the GM for each NPC.

The GM describes the scene to the players as they explore, what they see before them. It is best not to give the players information the actual characters themselves do not see or inquire about.

There is a lot of info & rules in this book to guide the GM and give them motivations and plots for the setting and how to play out confrontations & combat.

 

 

 

                           Missionary, Saint                 

 

Others play as missionaries or saints. These are characters the players portray in the above setting the GM has laid out.

The players note their character on a character sheet with inherent Traits, skill upgrades, what kind of gear they are using. For the clergy, they should be familiar with Blessings and basic use of Faith Points.

All of these things, done in personalized ways, can make for unique characters.

 

                             Traits, skills, gear     

To determine how a player’s character will succeed in the game, whether maneuvering, combat, preaching, talking, searching around, one needs to have rules and game mechanics.

The GM will set up difficulties that are assigned numbers. The rules explain how to get these numbers. Players roll dice and add their character’s traits, skills and use of gear to match or beat these numbers.

The essential RPG mechanic of rolling dice to beat these difficult numbers creates a tense and fun story time where everyone is involved in how the story plays out.

The GM sets the scenario, like putting toys in a sandbox. He sets up how things will get resolved with difficulty numbers.

The players explore the sandbox, knowing they have their own bonus numbers as traits, skills & gear. They know with dice rolling, there is an element of randomness and possible failures. This tension is what helps build an exciting story.

 

 

                        Fellowship to ministry                       

This book and the rules are a guide. They are not meant to be controlling or constricting, but a form of agreed upon set of parameters so all know how to play this particular game. There should be wiggle room for using the rules, changing them to suit the group, disregarding some, adding nifty new ones.

This game is Christian and is meant to have fun but also to return us to the habit of evangelism & church planting. It is meant to create a fellowship of men & women, boys & girls. And if that all goes well, turn it into a ministry in the community.

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

 

 

        gamedice            

                                         The Dice                               

The dice used are the large twenty-sided die known as d20. And the 5 smaller dice as the four-sided die (d4), six-sided die (d6), eight-sided die (d8), ten-sided die (d10) and the twelve-sided die (d12).

The d20 is the main dice used for all skill rolls including combat.

The group of 5 dice represent any bonuses gained through skills and blessings and so on. These are the Die Ranks: 1=d4, 2=d6, 3=d8, 4=d10, 5=d12

Every 5th DR garners a d12.

 

                                       Die Ranks                          

 

Skills, blessings, inspired die, gear and other factors are added together as Die Ranks.

If the Die Rank total is 1 through 5, then the bonus die is 1=d4, 2=d6, 3=d8, 4=d10 or 5=d12.

If the sum is 6 or more, factors of 5 are used with a possible remainder of 1 through 4. This is then a Dice Pool.

 

 

                                        Dice Pool                             

 

When one gets a lot of bonus Die Ranks, they group the numbers in factors of 5. So every 5 Die Ranks has a d12! Any remaining number between 1-4 will get that corresponding smaller die: 1=d4, 2=d6, 3=d8 or 4=d10

This will form the Dice Pool. When rolling, one keeps the highest result of the dice rolled.

Examples:

Sword4                               +                                Bless3                                +                                              KnightlySword2    =                                         9DRs                                              . Or 9 divided by 5=1r4 or (d12,d10)

To roll would be:

d20 + 4(Prowess) + (d12,d10)keep highest

Preach5                                    +                                     Bless5                                     +                                     ChurchPodum1                                    = 11DRs. Or 11 divided by 5= 2r1 or (d12,d12,d4)

To roll would be:

d20 + 3(Spirit) + (d12,d12,d4)kh

KnightlySword2 shows how better gear could add to the roll. Nifty ClimbingGear1? Fancy Cookware3? These are gear bonuses for respective rolls.

ChurchPodium1 shows how the GM or players could designate additional bonuses based on the situation, setting or scenario.

Using Die Ranks & Dice Pool opens up a world of bonus possibilities, each with unique fun descriptors. It solves the problem of gaining too much power too soon with all the fun upgrades.

 

 

 

 

• Roll d20 + trait + {dice pool}kh

• Put in a keep highest dice pool.

• Divide by 5 plus remainder = d12s & smaller die.

• Combine all Die Rank bonuses.

                                 roll summary                                 

 

Determiningdifficulty    

                               Maneuvers                                      

GMs and players alike roll the skills of their players. They both use the d20 + Trait + Die Rank system. The goal is to beat a number called the Difficulty.

The default Difficulty is 12.

In combat, the Difficulty to hit is the Defense of the character. This is 12 + Awareness + shield & helm. There could be cover & so on. Separately, Armor Save (type of armor as DRs) is used to reduce damage. More on that later.

In moving about or maneuvers during combat or intense situations, the Difficulty is 12.

For treacherous terrain, like climbing a cliff or traversing a bog, the Difficulty is 12 + the Armor Save of the character! The GM can roll the player’s armor save in front of everyone and add it to 12. This total is the number to beat. Note: Use base armor die & not any upgraded version.

For extreme treacherous terrain, a GM can decide to add even more to the roll. But this is optional or for extreme situations that warrant more. The GM describes the additional factors.

It is stormy. It is flooding. It is dark. You are being fired upon. This is 4 additional factors.

 

If a knight in plate mail is rushing through a bog at night in a stormy flood as cultists shoot arrows at him:

The plate is already a d10 or 4DRs, the 4 factors are 4DRs, so 8/5 = 1r3 or d12 & d8

The Difficulty is 12 + (d12, d8)kh to slosh through the bog without losing some vitality or reaching their destination. The GM determines failure with the DRR rule on the next page.

                   Skills                  

There are various ways to determine difficulties for non-maneuver rolls, social and crafting skills.

Default difficulty is 12

One could add DRs of difficulty like annoyances, distractions, each adding a DR, to then roll and add to the 12.

Versus others

A Roll Off: traits + skills, who rolls higher

If a roll affects someone: Preach, persuasion, command, intimidate, distract & so on.

If a roll intends to counter someone else’s roll: Guard vs stealth, trade, blocking their move, parry an attack & so on.

Repairs

Gear, armor, weapons is a 12 plus the damaged DR. If armor loses all its armor save it is destroyed, for the rest beyond ~5DRs.

Determining

          Success             

 

The straight forward way to determine success is a succeed or fail outcome. For combat and many situations, rolling above the Difficulty is a success. This is used most commonly in this game especially to move the story along quickly.

However, there is a more detailed and slightly more involved and difficult way to process some of the rolls’ successes or failures. This is by using the Die Rank Result.

Designating DRRs for too many rolls can be time consuming but does help guide the GM on results. DRRs will have many options.

 

DieRankResult,DRR      

The difference one succeeds or fails by the difficulty number, then halved is the Die Rank Result or DRR.

Ex: Total success roll 27 - 12 difficulty = 15 or half of that, rounded down is 7DRs. Ex: Total fail roll is 4 - 12 difficulty = -8 or half of that, is -4DRs.

These DRs can then be utilized in different ways by the GM or players, depending on the situation or purpose of the roll.

Repeated for Emphasis: Designating DRRs for too many rolls can be time consuming so decide if its worthy & fun or a bit much for the moment. DRRs will have many options.

 

 

 

DRR Fail Result Guide

Whatever one fails by, halved, is the DR penalty. Below are cumulative DR effects. The GM must decide if the fail is time, space or physical like pain. Whatever makes sense.

DRR Results, DRs:

1st 5DRs = Roll die for vitality drain as exhaustion. For time or travel or work, roll for additional minutes, hours, days wasted or taking longer. An additional loss of rations, supplies or whatever was needed.

2nd 5DRs = Temporary penalty caused by minor ache or sprain, headache, frustration, annoyance. DR damage to gear used or armor.

Beyond = Anything beyond 10DRs of fail can incur grievous wounds and be potentially fatal. If it makes sense. This can be transferred to armor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRR Success Result Guide

Use common sense on how long these take. To determine the difficulty is 12 + the DR penalty, goal or as noted.

 

First Aid: May reduce wound DRs immediately after injured. Only one try per wound. Meant for quick emergencies.

Surgery: Reduce wound DRs by this many DRs. Careful prepared roll taking time to do, gathering bonus factors. Rest required!

Prayer, Cooking or Comforts: How many inspired Die Ranks one can disperse amongst brothers & sisters.

Healing skill: Convert the DR to the dice pool, all dice are added together for the vitality heal result. This is not keep highest.

Repairs: The amount of DR penalty damage repaired. If it’s hull damage (vehicles), convert the DR to the dice pool and roll, the sum of ALL dice rolled as the amount repaired. If any extra die, they can reduce supplies, cheaper first or time or used as temporary inspired die to the benefactor of repair in next turn only.

Searching for Treasure, Loot: Resulting DR determines what dice to roll on a treasure or loot table. Extra dice pool result die is also rolled for a result. Nat20 doubles rolls to keep highest. Nat1 ruins area or causes a minor injury or damages something! GM discretion.

Aid: Simple aid is +1DR help but this skill is to roll a DRR to aid one. The aider should be able to help, having some knowledge or skill in the field to help. The DRR is a bonus to the main roll. A fail will increase the main roll’s difficulty!

Maneuvers: various can help add bonus to the action if it makes sense.

 

          combat             

 

Surprise & Ambush

If either players or NPCs are stealthy or oblivious, the GM may determine there could be a surprise roll off. The player with the best Awareness and/or skills rolls for the missionaries.

Each side rolls a d20 + Awareness plus any guarding or applicable skills. The higher roll gains the surprise or ambush.

That side gets one turn of maneuver and action before combat begins.

Take note of the targets being unprepared with shield, weapons, parry or anything like that. Regular defense and armor save is fine.

 

 

 

Ranges

Use common sense, but there is melee, short, medium & far off. Targets beyond medium may get +1DR or more to their defense.

 

 

Order of fighting

Preloaded crossbows go first.

Ranged weapons.

Spears & polearms with reach.

Lighter, bladed weapons and/or lightly armored. Unarmed, beast claws and teeth.

Heavier, bludgeoning weapons and/or heavily armored go last.

The above is meant to be a common sense guide for the GM. Narratively it may be that the order changes. Someone may choose to talk it out but is then attacked. If a player immediately knows what to do, the GM may allow them to go. Bad guys & beasts may have the tendency to attack first while good folks are more defensive.

If the GM senses hesitation on the part of the missionaries, which he should... The bad guys may attack!

If two feel like a tie, use the higher Awareness or a roll off: d20 + Awa, the higher goes first.

 

 

Combat Turns

Everyone takes one maneuver and one action or two maneuvers on their turn.

 

Maneuvers

Moving hurriedly about thirty feet without interference.

Melee, short, medium are 1 maneuver. Far Off is 2 maneuvers.

Blocking someone from moving past them or getting up as a roll off of Prowess and/or Awareness. Getting up. May seek cover if available, +1DR to defense.

May Aim, if no move or in melee, to get a +1DR for ranged.

May use DRR maneuvers such as cover, aim, parry, dodge, flank, charge and so on.

Reload crossbows or guns.

 

 

 

 

Blessings: If it is attacking or affects opponents.

 

Actions

 

Attack/Melee: Roll d20 + Prowess + skills to equal or surpass target’s Defense.

Shoot/Ranged: Roll d20 + Awareness + skills to hit a target’s defense. GM determines any range difficulties, adding it as DRs to the target’s Defense. Medium +1DR, far +2DR etc...

Aid: Simple +1DR to give an ally for their Action or Defense, like a feint or distraction. Using a skill, extending maneuver, & so on.

 

Free Actions

Done once per turn and does not hinder maneuvers or actions.

Blessings: Orally done that affect allies or self, like Bless, Heal, Protection and so on.

Speaking, pleading but not preaching.

Drawing weapons, rearming bows, pulling out gear.

Reactions by creatures can occur here, such as stomp or tail swipes.

 

Pain&suffering

 

Damage

Damage taken is based off the weapon’s damage die only. Smaller weapons are d4 or d6, medium are d8, heavier are d10 or d12. These can be upgraded like a skill! Players have Vitality and NPCs have Vigor, but they are exactly the same. Damage deducts from this.

When someone goes to 0 Vitality they are completely exhausted, unconscious or painfully delirious and incapable. See Life Saves for recovery or dying.

 

 

armor saves

When someone takes damage, if they have armor, they can roll that to reduce the damage.

Robes, thick clothes afford a 1 armor save. They can reduce the damage by 1 only, but to a minimum of 1.

Heavy robes & soft leather is d2, hard leather is d4, chain is d6, brigandine is d8, plated is d10 and full plate is d12. One can upgrade these just like a skill (fitting & improving) but if they are destroyed, they lose all upgrades with it.

If the damage die is comparable to the armor, it does a minimum of 1 damage.

These are also rolled and added to the Difficulty of 12 for any treacherous terrain maneuvers.

!!!Armor can be used to absorb grievous wounds, reducing their die by the same!!!

 

 

 

Healing Damage

Vitality or Vigor damage is based on cuts, bruises, exhaustion, minor sprangs and momentary pains. As a number, this can be recovered in several ways. A short rest will gain one’s Prowess or Spirit + d4. This can only be done once after taking damage.

Healing care, using the DRR method, can add DRs of healing to the short rest. A full night’s comfortable rest, with a meal, can gain all of it.

 

 

 

 

 

Nat20 Critical Roll

 

Grievous Wound

 

When one rolls a 20, on a d20, it’s always a success and has more effects. For combat:

Roll double damage of weapon!

Halve the amount of damage taken after the armor save. This determines the DR penalty of the Grievous Wound.

The target may transfer any of the DR penalty against their armor save. If the armor reaches no Die Ranks, it is utterly destroyed. A warrior may Sacrifice their shield or great helm and negate all grievous wounds of one attack.

 

 

Healing Grievous wounds

Wounds are much harder to heal. They require a roll each full night of rest to heal.

One must roll their Prowess or Spirit against Difficulty 12 plus roll the DR of the grievous wound. The DRR will make it better or worse! One could die in the night!

First aid care, then surgery may roll separately against 12+wound to reducing the wound’s DRs. This can have a negative effect if one does terribly!

The Miracle of Healing by the Nun is a special form of Blessing for Grievous Wounds and is detailed in the Blessings section. It is the one rare Blessing that can tie in with skills for a success roll.

Note: grievous wounds are meant to be a brutal and deadly situation! Yep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nat1 on a d20, roll d6

 

combat reference

Nat1 Foibles

 

Hit an ally! If nearby or in way of shot. Roll to hit them as normal. Or see result 2.

Hit an ally as 1 above. OR if none, hit thyself! Take damage immediately with armor save.

Fall foolishly! -d4 vitality! Weapon on ground beside thee! Roll Pro/Awa12 next turn to recover! Roll direction, may collide with someone nearby. They must roll Pro/ Awa12 to avoid or DRR penalty to their roll.

Fiercely stumbled! Roll your armor save as lost Vitality! If no armor, take d4. Damaged thy weapon by one rank. If no weapon, GM randomly picks one gear. Armor takes one rank of damage. If no armor, clothes is torn. One looks quite dismal.

 

 

avoiding foibles

If one has a die rank bonus to any roll and rolls a 7 or higher with a d8 to d12, they negate the fumble roll. This represents the skill level of the roller having less and less chance of fumbling.

 

 

 

 

 

A melee roll off, if both grappling.

 

Grappling

 

If one wants to escape, use Awa. If they win, they negate any grapple effect.

Either may add their weapon skill plus any grappling skill or unique feature like a net or tentacle.

The highest roll subtracts from lower and is halved. This DR can be split however as vitality drain and as a penalty to the target’s rolls. Each turn is a new roll with previous penalties also given as a bonus to the winner.

 

 

 

Point Blank & Ambush

For hand held guns & daggers!

PB can only occur if target is in melee range and is not aware of the shooter or so grossly engaged otherwise and NOT moving. PB hits on anything but a nat1 and is considered a Nat20 hit. It can also avoid armor saves and can choose a specific limb, like the head. Only first shot is PB.

Other melee weapons can only miss on Nat1 but do not get automatic Nat20. But do get a -1DR wound.

Grappling can only miss on Nat1, gets +2DR but can still be resisted.

 

 

 

Fire damage

Torch or fire of a lit arrow, d4 damage Campfire, d6 damage

Oil burning, d8 damage

Fiery pyre of fire, d10 damage

Roll damage, half or below it goes down, above half it grows! GM discretion, if highly flammable or drenched.

 

LIMB CHART, optional, d6

helmet, headgear, if none, pick heavy gear right arm: weapon, handheld gear, light items left arm: shield, armor, light items

torso: armor, heavy gear

right leg: armor, medium gear left leg: armor, medium gear

Headshot or Limb cripple

One can choose to go for a specific body part, but it makes it harder.

+1DR per factor: either is active or in combat, specific head shot, for eyes or smaller things, if target is aware of limb targeting. Add above to defense of target to hit ‘normally’

But must total 20+ or new defense, whichever is higher to hit specific part Nat20 always succeeds

Great for zombie virus that controls the brain Armor save applies only if limb has armor!

Limb could be crippled if substantial damage or crit applied.

Head shots are always crits if no helm or very thick monstrous skull.

 

Holy & Unholy Dice

There will be times in the game where Holy dice are used. Glory is a good example, where the Paladin calls upon God’s mighty justice to inflict additional damage in dire situations. This extra damage is its very own die and does not combine or upgrade the weapon’s damage die.

Conversely, unholy creatures may have a second armor save that is unholy. This die does not combine with their natural armor but is a separate die roll. Holy weapons, Angelic beings and the Glory blessing will entirely negate the unholy armor save die.

There may be other Holy or unholy die factors, all being separate dice from normal DRs. These dice are assigned to a specific bonus, from to hit, damage or for skills. They do combine as DRs with other holy bonuses of the same type and not with normal DRs, nor holy with unholy.

Using A Horse

Riding skill is rolled. Add any horse, tack bonus +DRs? Trained war horse?

DRR can be split for to hit & damage & for horse attack. Default difficulty of 12, but use armor save & combat factors too. Hoof+2, d6+d4. Rear kick+2, d8+d6 damage. Rear kicks have Crushing.

Regular horses should be -1DR at least.

No penalty for fully geared unburdened rider. Def12, hide, Save d2, Vitality22

Spirit d4. Whenever fumble rolled, beat Panic12 or ineffective. Rider skills may take an action to gain control of horse.

 

 

Villain death or surrender

If they go below 1, for all practical purposes they are dead. Optionally, especially if non-violent, like with rebuke, their 0 or less can be described as complete and utter surrender, exhausted or wrought with guilt and fear.

Denouement

At the GM’s discretion he can roll to see if a foe or group decides to back off, retreat, surrender or flee in panic. Below is a list of possible triggers. If one is a crazed zealot or possessed, chances are they won’t flee no matter the roll, but the followers may.

Upgrade die ranks if they are zealots, cult leader nearby, at altar, lair, demonic influence, on drugs, and so forth.

TRIGGERS

• Takes a Nat20 hit

• 1/3 of allies fall

• Down to half vigor

• Flanked by stronger force

Start with these DRs, upgrade to the highest possible class present, roll Die Result. d4 Lowly foes, commoners.

d6 Hirelings, warriors

d8 Gang bosses, warrior leaders d10 Leaders, conspirators

d12 Demonic being, possessed

Die result

1. Flees in panic, drops weapon & shield, uses full two movements, is erratic and loses Awareness for defense. Can be hit on a defense of 12.

2. Surrenders immediately, recklessly, drops everything and screams, begging for mercy!

3. Motions to surrender, but still defensive. If given opportunity will drop weapons and put hands up.

4. Moves away from major threat, looks for a cheap attack on weaker if possible, looks for way out.

5. Steps back if possible, still combative, if sees weakness will reinvigorate, if sees strength, will retreat.

6. Keeps fighting on! Zealot! Unless others fall. Then re-roll. They may only give up reaching 0 vigor!

7. ​

8. To the death! And uses vile contemptible mockery!

 To the death! Aaaggghhh!!!

 

     dicepoolspecials     

Dice

Result

1,1

If there are two 1s in the Dice Pool, then there is a fumble along with any other result.

7+

If any dice are a 7+, this will negate a Nat1 roll on the d20

Any7+

If any dice are a 7+ they are added to the total. Players must call it out!

 

LiFESAVES,Conditions       

If one takes enough damage to be at 0 or less in Vitality, they must make a Pro/Spi12 save per turn. Grievous wounds add to the 12 difficulty! If successful +d4 Vitality. If failed, -d6 Vitality.

If they reach the negative of their full Vitality, they have passed from this life. If one recovers, they will be a -5DR first turn and get 1DR better per turn.

 

 

intervention

It certainly happened that missionaries were slain as martyrs. However at the GM’s discretion, an Angel of the Lord may intervene on rare occasions. The Angel will appear only momentarily to all present. Any Christian who recently died will revive. Any non-believer will flee in fear.

It should be noted that those revived may have seen Jesus. And He may have said to them, “Your mission is not yet done. But the next time you see me, you’ll remain at my side forever.”

 

 

 

Dying

One should not be afraid or frustrated to die in this game. Dying to save a brother or for the cause, knowing one struggled to do good and save souls is the utmost sacrifice worthy of a Christian. There are always more Christian brothers and sisters waiting in the wings to take up the Cross and carry on. In remembrance!

If the campaign or missionary group has a lot of glory points, and one player has to replace a fallen brother or is a new player, the GM can allow for some glory points for the new missionary or that they gain them at twice the rate until they match the rest of the missionaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affliction

Poison, disease, sickness.

These are part of Grievous Wounds. Beyond -5DR is fatal.

Bleed#

# Equals amount of damage to trigger Bleed. Take 1 damage per round. Can be cumulative.

Sav12 with healing skills, 1 turn to stop 1 bleed. Heal bless uses 1DR per 1 bleed.

Down, Prone

-1DR to any rolls except crossbow or guns, which get +1DR if not in melee

+1DR to be hit in melee & +1DR damage received

-1DR to be hit by ranged

Takes a maneuver to get up. Pro roll off if contested!

Temporary Pains, Shocks, Exhaustion

-DR penalties, beyond -5DR is fatal shock, passing out, but not fatal unless unholy or severe in some way. 0 Vitality Life Saves are not necessary.

Caused by strain, accidents, over exertion and NOT by violent attacks. Only Needs Recovery time, shaking it off, minor first aid

Exhaustion is not part of grievous wounds or afflictions for healing or dying but its DRs are added to any penalty rolls.

Falling

+1DR damage/10 feet & it’s a critical with double damage & possible grievous wound. May use Armor Save.

Fear (see Shocks above)

Gives penalty DRs to rolls, beyond -5DR is paralyzing fear! Can not approach source of fear.

Use Spirit to resist and/or overcome at the beginning of their turn.

Fear can also end at GM’s discretion if the fight or encounter goes the missionaries’ way. Prayer can counter fear.

Restrained

Can’t move and/or use an action OR could be penalty DRs. See Grappling in Combat section.

 

                                  Penalty Dice                          

Players and NPCs can get penalty DRs for various reasons. They do not apply them to their rolls. Instead the GM will apply them to two major factors, Difficulty and Defense. The GM will add these to any opposing rolls, defenses or difficulties as DR bonuses.

For simplicity, it is only used for one factor per turn. The GM may forget or forgo using.

The following are examples of penalty DRs. These are combined as the Penalty Dice.

Temporary pains, not fatal Temporary frustrations, not fatal Curses, fear

Blurred or blind vision

Minor afflictions like nausea, stings, rashes Worn or broken gear

Fatal if these total 6DRs Grievous Wounds

Afflictions like poison, disease, sickness

 

 

                                 Inspired Dice                          

Generally gained through prayer, good meals and so on though the GM may award some for outstanding role-playing. It’s a DR to be spent & used when one rolls a d20 with skills only.

May be freely shared with other saints.

There is no limit to amount stored, though the spirit of dice awarded during prayer is meant for a specific purpose.

 

 

DierankbonusFord20rollsOnly

Any DR modifier, including Inspired, only adds to skill and action rolls that have a d20 roll. One can not add them to die rolls that do not include the d20. So damage die would not be affected by blessings, skills or inspired DR bonuses. One cannot add inspired die to faith point rolls for how many faith points they get for encounters or for the day.

 

                                   Resists                                         

 

For poison, disease, traps & so on.

Label the adversity and the difficulty number one needs to beat it, like Poison12. Assign a Trait to resist as shown below.

Poison12: This means there is a poison and one needs to resist it by rolling a 12 or more. Use common sense to apply a trait. For Poison it would be Pro or Spi to endure the pain. A player could persuade with great description, other traits that may work instead! Like Int... To know what to do to counter the venom or mind over matter, pain?

PitTrap14: To spot the trap with Aware. To leap away when it drops, Pro or Awa.

Blinding Flash16: To avoid the effect, Awa or Int.

Fire Spout18: To avoid it Pro or Awa. Or ouch!

The result of failure could be pre-determined like d6 damage or -2DR penalty. Or...

Scarier DRR Result

Whatever one fails by, halved, is the DR penalty. Below are cumulative DR effects.

DRR Results, DRs:

First 5DRs = Vitality Damage

2nd 5DRs = Temporary pain? Gear damage? Beyond = Grievous Wound, armor damage?

The GM determines the severity of the DRs. Generally avoid grievous wounds or death results unless a Nat1 is rolled or the resist is against something deadly.

Ex: Fail by 18! Halved is 9DRs. So 5DR or d12 damage, then -4DR pain penalty until GM decides they can shake it off.

 

Women’s Rules

“It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

As Christians and in pretty much all scientific research we know men and women are different. Simplistically we know women are not as strong and aggressive as men can be. While in roleplaying games we want players to play fantastical or heroic characters that seem to do more than we can in real life, this game still wants players to experience the true differences and contrasts God has given us in male and female characters.

It isn’t about women playing roles that befit men (like wielding battleaxes), but about women playing female strengths that befit womanhood. Women can never go above Prowess 3ish.

When resting, women gain an additional +d4 die bonus (as if holy) to skills in aiding, healing, cooking and comforting others, this is part of the Woman’s Touch. Biblically, this game & setting adhere to the rule that a woman can not be a pastor of a church. However a woman can use clerical duties of blessings, miracles, the power of the Word, evangelism and prayer to further the Kingdom.

Power of Prayer                                                              

Christians can pray at the start of a mission or before an imminently dangerous encounter to gain DRs for Inspired Die. A prayer should be spoken, the prayer rolls their spirit, skill, any blessings and can be given aid by the Spirit Trait of another clergy. Use the die rank result or DRR method to determine the die ranks one can disperse amongst followers.

Clergy can add daily faith point bonuses to the roll. If the roll result is low but the GM is impressed with the prayer, a DR could still be rewarded. Unless they roll a Nat1!

Passing of Day & Night                                                             

This game is meant to be fun and run quickly. Therefore day & night factors are for descriptive and narrative purposes. For night scenes, any game mechanics for darkness should be minimal, at best a 1DR factor. Shooting ranges can be reduced to medium or closer by. Use commons sense.

Short rests are easy to come by, nightly rests would require some narrative and story pacing determined by the GM. The villains have to travel to and fro just as much as the missionaries and are slow to react to any incursion. So having days to rest, to respond to things is the norm.

Trade & Mercantile Rules                                                             

The denarri is the basic coin of post Roman times. The Germanic tribes and pagans use it. Other coins can be present, but the denarri represents all coins.

The basic value of things is in the chart below. One should start the price at the maximum of the die rank and lower based on the setting, quality and any other factor. Or raise it! Having a roll off between buyer and seller using society and trade skills will change the price accordingly.

Die Rank & Dice Pool Table     

 

Die Rank

Division

/5

Dice Pool

0

0

0

1

r1

d4

2

r2

d6

3

r3

d8

4

r4

d10

5

1

d12

6

1r1

{d12,d4}kh

7

1r2

{d12,d6}kh

8

1r3

{d12,d8}kh

9

1r4

{d12,d10}kh

10

2

{d12,d12}kh

11

2r1

{d12,d12,d4}kh

12

2r2

{d12,d12,d6}kh

13

2r3

{d12,d12,d8}kh

14

2r4

{d12,d12,d10}kh

15

3

{d12,d12,d12}kh

16

3r1

{d12,d12,d12, d4}kh

17

3r2

{d12,d12,d12, d6}kh

18

3r3

{d12,d12,d12, d8}kh

19

3r4

{d12,d12,d12, d10}kh

20

4

{d12,d12,d12, d12}kh

21

4r1

{d12,d12,d12, d12, d4}kh

 

DRs For d20 rolls only

Any DR bonus or penalty, including Inspired, only affects rolls that use the d20. One can not add them to die rolls that do not include the d20. So damage die or faith point rolls would not be affected by grievous wounds, blessings, skills or inspired points. One cannot add to faith points to increase blessings like Heal or Bless.

Why Die Ranks & Dice Pools?

Using this game mechanic allows GMs and players to freely add up bonuses from all kinds of sources and not have level limits. It keeps characters from becoming over powered with traits, skills, blessings totaling +15! When you have a dice pool, you can still fail. Players will feel threatened by regular guards even at ‘high’ levels.

In many games, there’s either a limit to skill bonuses or the players become so powerful they play like superheroes. The GM has to keep making more and more powerful enemies. Everyone turns into a “demigod” and the game becomes unwieldy.

In this game, one can improve their skills but are still mortals. They are still fallible even with great experience. The hope is that fewer mistakes are made but there’s no superhero, god complex.

Die Rank Notation

+d12 = typical 1-5 DR notation

+d12,d4 = dice pool = roll both dice and keep the highest to add to a skill roll or for damage rolls.

+d12+d4 = dice sum = roll both dice and add for power or military grade armor saves or to deal damage from a power weapon, brutal beast, holy or unholy attack.

In some Virtual Table Top simulation apps, one can type in these examples for rolling dice. The specific {...}kh is required for ‘keeping the highest’ of these dice.

/roll d20+trait#+d12

/roll d20+trait#+{d12,d4}kh

/roll d20+trait#+(d12+d4)

                              Skill Test EXamples          

GM should funnel any unique descriptors into the basic game mechanics.

A knight wants to block a cult warrior from attacking the nun.

They must be reasonably close.

Requires a maneuver, as long as the knight hasn’t moved in the round already. Or may use up their action. Roll off of Pro vs Pro, may add maneuvering and/or guard skills.

If the knight beats the warrior roll, the warrior can only attack the knight.

The saints slosh down a cramped water filled tunnel. Treacherous terrain: 12 + armor save

Suggested failed results: first 5DR, vitality drain, 2nd 5DR temporary freezing penalty, 3rd 5DR damage/soaked supplies, possibly ruined! Success result: Make it. A fail makes it too, but at the above cost.

Players Creating Unique Situations

A rogue wants to jump onto the back of a giant primordial crab to slice off its eye stalks thusly blinding it.

Extreme Treacherous terrain: 12 + rogue’s armor save + 4DR (crab back, slippery, very unstable x2, so 4 factors!).

A fail will give the crab more Defense and means the rogue is adjacent the crab and not on it. A big fail or a Nat1, would mean a fall with pain. If the rogue succeeds at the jump, it will be bonus DRs to their swing but...

Going for a weaker body part still affords one their defense & armor save unless one opts for the Headshot or Limb Cripple in the combat section. That does give up to 5DRs in penalties but if successful could result in a critical with no armor save!

Do not create new rules or advantages in combat because a player describes a unique move that seems to give them some grand advantage. Instead, require them to roll basic mechanics with some DRR attempt and Head Shot or Limb Cripple and if they roll high on that, then they can describe an amazing maneuver and unique attack for storytelling flavor.

Require a maneuver roll, that if requested could be a DRR adding or penalizing their combat roll. If successful they can describe or glamorize it appropriately.

 

 

Cost of Weapons & Gear

Weapons = damage die number doubled, double for any upgrade

Armor = Armor Save die number times ten, double for any upgrades

Basic things = d4 coins Crafted items = d6 coins Useful tools = d8 coins

Kits and refined things = d10x2 coins

 

   Poweroffaith         

The Clergy & Faithful use their faith to call upon the help of the Almighty for Blessings. Not

every call a cleric or Christian uses is answered and struggles and tribulations will still occur.

But in success or failure, one must persevere in their faith for God’s Will!

Faith Point Skill

Spirit + DRs equals points one can have for:

Roll for each Encounter

Get faith points for intense situations or combat only. It takes only a few moments solace between each to reset.

Roll for the Day, Period of Time

Used for while at peace, during church visits or for civil situations. May reset per new setting, but not meant to be used over and over.

 

 

Using Faith Points

Declare all points to be used as a free action upon allies, but as an action if against opposition, before the Saint rolls any.

Deliverance: Amount of DR affect.

Optionally

Deluge: Amount effected.

Duration: Turns it lasts.

Duress: Added to 12, DRs against resisting.

Distance: GMs discretion based on above costs. May require 1 or 2 faith points for longer distance!

 

 

The faith points spent as DRs convert to dice. These are then rolled to determine the amount per factor. Deliverance DRs might be rolled as a set number or proffered as a DR bonus to a recipients DR rolls.

 

 

 

Leniency

Allow blessings to occur whenever, as long as it feels right. Allow blessings’ duration to not begin until needed.

Allow leniency in interpretation of how blessings work.

Allow Biblical references to expand on blessing usage or effect.

Allow a learning curve, as blessings’ rules should become more refined and narrow with GM & player experience.

Allow them to come up with blessings, but then know they must spend glory points to gain that new way from this point onward.

 

 

 

 

Examples:

Heal one person d8.

Deliverance3 faith points.

Bless d6 saints, d6 turns, at +2DRs. Deluge2, deliverance2, duration2 = 6 faith Protect d6 saints, d6 turns, +d8 to defense. Deluge2, Duration2, Deliverance3 = 9 faith Holy Mace +d8 to hit & damage, d8turns! Deliverance3, Duration3 = 6 faith points.

It is holy! It negates any unholy armor saves. The d8 is added as separate holy die from normal mace to hit & damage!

Preach to a large crowd, 10 faith for the Day

+5DR to preach along with Spirit & skill and 5DR to represent a large crowd.

 

Blessingsoftheclergy     

 

Bless

A bonus die added to an ally’s to hit or skill roll. Can not add to other blessings. Exorcism

This drains vigor from unholy & possessed, harming the demonic & evil spirits. They get no armor or dark protections. They can resist. For dire, truly evil villains. Heal

This lasting effect adds to vitality. It does not heal grievous wounds. Holy Mace

Deliverance proffers die rank bonus to hit and holy damage, but needs Duration. Best on a 1-handed mace or hammer made for or by the Church. It is holy for to hit & damage. Best use is against unholy evil beings!

Preach

Gives bonus die to Spirit rolls to preaching and persuading groups to part from their evil ways during non-combat situations. Deliverance to affect. Use Deluge for crowds where d4 is small groups and d12 is large crowds. Duration & Duress aren’t necessary.

Prophecy

Done between missions, while in prayer or meditation, the faith spent affords a die rank roll result. It is saved for some future result and can be added to a roll after its result is known. Only one can be given at a time!

Protection

This gives one bonuses for defense. It must be done before an attack. The clergy rolls the amount and all affected add it to their defense. Rebuke

This removes vigor from human enemies during combat or for enraged violent mobs. Leaders may resist. They may flee or at zero they fall to their knees in humility or humiliation.

Resist!

This gives one ranks to resist against any curse, fear or affliction before it takes effect. It does not cleanse one of a curse. Revive

One that has fallen and died can not be healed. But if it has only been within this encounter, they can be revived with this miracle. They clergy must try to Heal them bringing their negative vitality to 1. Otherwise, they have passed from this World into the hands of the Lord.

Special Miracle

Once in a great while, one may spend all their faith points to plead for a special miracle based on the needs at hand. The situation should be dire or epic-- a great need. The GM will roll a difficulty adding as many factors as described, whilst the believer may do likewise with prayer, meditation, fellowship, and so on. A successful roll will be required for this to occur.

Studious

One may add faith points to academic inquiries that pertain to culture, history, Biblical knowledge, occult, philosophy, social fields, some basic geology, nature, health and medicines.

 

 

 

Codex of the Latin Vulgate bible                                                             

Written on thick parchments or vellum as scrolls, chapter tomes and hand stitch bound books. HEAVY 2.

Manuscripts were very incomplete. A complete bound Bible copied on animal skin or vellum was the size of a medium chest and weighed 75lbs.

If a cleric lugs one of these around, they may add DRs into it as a skill. These DRs can then be used for many clerical duties, for Blessings, adding to faith point DRs, Prayer, preaching and so forth. They may also quote verses from it as opposed to from memory.

The manuscript will undoubtedly be a target for theft, vandalism or destruction.

 

Blessingsofthesisterhood   

 

 

Call Out

May give a die roll to defense for an ally to use immediately against one attack. This call can be used at any time during a round even after the attack result is known. It only lasts one turn.

Cleansing

This gives a blessed die to help one resist against an ongoing curse or ailment that one failed to resist initially. This new resist roll bonus can be applied once per day to an afflicted soul during a rest.

Divination

With prayer and meditation before a mission, a nun may be given a vision of future things. (GM’s discretion, clues & mission info, mysterious, odd, vague!). A nun will roll this like a skill with DRs.

Heal

This lasting effect adds to vitality. It does not heal grievous wounds. Hope

This gives oneself or an ally a bonus die they can use on their next roll only. It can apply to anything, including damage and non-d20 rolls. I See An Angel

Used only once per mission or session, expends all Faith points one has left. Split die ranks for attack, damage, and duration. The Angel can not be harmed and his attacks are a Holy sword that avoids all armor saves. He can be very intimidating, especially if he causes harm to unbelievers. Fear, blindness or paralysis tests could be used. The resist would be Spi12 plus total DRs used. He may not always save those around him. The Nun faints upon his arrival. She is inconsequential to foes when the Angel is present. She will recover shortly after the Angel leaves.

Miracle of Healing

This specifically heals grievous wounds. It can combine and roll with skills, requiring a roll above the difficulty. However it can be instantaneous and will not make it worse. It is separate from other medical attempts. It can only be rolled once per wound per day. It can be used in combat for desperate situations but wouldn’t benefit from other preparatory skills.

Plea

This desperate plea can be used at any time and may stop anyone from doing an evil act. It can trigger a denouement roll or be a direct roll off against their spirit, anger and vile bonuses.

Repel

This form of rebuke can make any enemy flee the caster for the duration, generally desiring to avoid any other confrontation as they leave the nun.

 

          Paladin            

 

Armor of God

This adds a second holy armor save.

Holy Weapon

One’s weapon is given the Holy Effect. It cancels unholy armor saves for the duration. Getting a special weapon or having one blessed by a great saint could bring about the faith to gain this blessing.

Glory

This gives one a holy die for combat damage rolls and must be declared before striking. If one misses, they lose this faith points. It can use duration but counts down even if one misses.

Perseverance

This can add vitality to oneself to fight on. It does not heal lost vitality and the vitality given lasts this encounter with no duration required. It is always reduced before normal vitality is affected.

Righteous Anger

Using duration only, lowers the Critical Roll needed by 1DR only. Can upgrade the DR with Glory Points! One must still hit their normal defense for a critical roll to take effect. It is not the same as a Nat20 auto hit!

Warrior’s Sacrifice

This can only be used on oneself. Each die rank gives both vitality and attracts any enemies to chase and attack you only. It is resolved once you have fallen or the enemy is vanquished. This also condemns the enemy to violent means. Leaders may resist this temptation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Dice effects

Holy dice are always separate dice from any DR to Dice Pool dice when rolling for skills or damage.

If an attack or effect is Holy, it can remove or ignore any dark magic protections that resist natural attacks.

Possessed creatures may have some resistance to normal attacks and pain. Demonic presence usually have a secondary armor save die.

 

 

 

Blessings for All

Anyone can gain Blessings, but the clergy would start off with them and know how to use them, having high Spirit traits and pastoral training. Others growing in faith can gain them by using glory points. There should be a brief role-play on how they gain them whether through their clergy and/or mediation and prayer at an abbey.

 

 

 

Quoting verses, Bible Access

A missionary can only quote the Bible if they have access to the Bible or the verses. They may only have verses if they have the scrivener’s set and are able to read and write it or acquire them. One may memorize verses, rolling an Int12 +1DR per additional verse.

 

Glorypoints&upgrades    

 

Glory Points are gained each time one plays the game and accomplishes certain tasks. Here is a list of how one gains 1 GP each.

Showing up to play!

Converting non-believers

Defeating a new stronger foe, hopefully in surrender Uncovering a pagan plot

Defeating, exposing or stopping that plot Setting up a church

Spending time at a church, to build it, mediate, train, teach. Giving large sums to a church

GM rewards for some miraculous reason

Keep a running total of and the unspent GPs:

Glory Points

Total/Unspent             30/2

Generally the missionaries will not spend GPs unless they are in between missions. When they are resting and helping at a new church or an old church. There, they can train, study and do spiritual things to then decide, describe and spend their GPs for upgrades.

Just about every thing that has Die Ranks is upgradeable. Generally, the cost to upgrade is the same as the Die Rank. Sewing3 & SwordToHit3 cost 3 Glory Points each.

Traits are the only upgrades that have a more expensive and unique way for GP cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traits

Total of old and new trait is the cost in glory points. Cost is minimum of 1. So Trait+3 to +4 is 7GPs. Any Trait above 5 will require not only the GP cost, but one must subtract 1 from another trait. ~5 should be the maximum in a normal setting. The GM will decide if one can go above 5 based on the character & setting.

Adding a skill

There is no limit to any kind of skill one can come up with, but many useful ones are noted in the Character section. Skills give a DR bonus to that specific skill. They would fall under the Trait decided on by the GM and player’s description of its use and intent.

Vitality

Men start with Prowess + 6 + d6. Women with Prowess + 4 + d4. Divide one’s total vitality by 4 to determine GP cost for an upgrade. Each vitality upgrade gets a d6 for men or d4 for women.

Faith Points

Add a DR bonus to one’s Spirit for Faith Points. This is used for “Each Encounter” and “For The Day” point totals.