Complication
|
Checks, Complications, and Encounters A check is best when the action attempted is simple, and the results are straightforward. If there isn't a consequence for failure, don't even bother with a check, just allow the success. Otherwise call out the effects of a success and failure, any modifiers that apply, and let the player choose whether or not to roll the check. Always try to allow an informed decision. If there could be unexpected consequences you don't have to detail what they are, but you should alert the player that a failure could have hidden risks. A complication is best when the effort and attention warrants more than a simple check, but should still unfold and resolve relatively quickly to keep the game from slowing down. Complications don't offer many decision points beyond whether to participate or yield unless they have stages. Like with the check, make it clear what skills appropriate, if there are modifiers, and what the consequences are when you have failure margin. An Encounter is an emphasized set piece for the adventure. It allows many tactical options, and your character's abilities have the greatest effect on encounters. Encounters also take the most real time, and if the outcome is no longer in doubt you may switch down to a complication or even a check to quickly finish an encounter is starting to drag on. Use the resolution mechanism that has the right level of emphasis and drama for the situation. And remember that each type can transition into the others as situations escalate or defuse. A bar room brawl could be played as an encounter to give the band a chance to show off a bit or practice a battle encounter. A second random bar room brawl in the same game session though probably doesn't warrant an encounter, and could be resolved as a complication or even a single fight check. Likewise a chase that started off as a complication might quickly turn into a battle encounter if one side decides to stop running and fight. |
A complication uses a series of checks, and your success level accumulates until you either achieve a total, called the threshold, or yield. Each failure deals a consequence. A complication is split into rounds. Each round a participant may attempt one check, in order of reflex.
Reflex
Each participant is dealt a hand of 5 cards. For the next 5 rounds, called an exchange, you pick a card to play. The highest card acts first each round, and wins ties in contests. When your card is the highest you must act. If you want to wait, play a low card from your hand instead. Cards are revealed simultaneously, but you may reveal your card early. This can help other players time their actions around yours, but also allows opponents to see your reflex before choosing their own.
The referee draws a hand for each group of opponents. Personalities and their followers have a single hand, and choose cards like a player. Other opponents simply get five cards dealt face down and reveal them in order. At the end of the exchange all cards are shuffled, conditions change, and each participant is dealt a new hand of 5 cards if a new exchange begins. Changing conditions is important, and may change the consequences, alter the modifiers, or even end the complication.
- If you don’t have a number deck, you may use a deck of standard playing cards in the same manner. Only use 1 Joker so there are no ties possible.
Participation
If you are participating, you roll a check based on your approach. If you change approaches your success level keeps accumulating toward a single total. Different approaches may have unique modifiers. You may yield at the end of a round, after any consequences (see below). If you are knocked out you immediately yield. Once you yield any accumulated success levels are lost and you can’t rejoin the complication. Some dangerous complications (such as a storm) force participation for a full exchange. If you yield or are knocked out you automatically fail any checks for the rest of the exchange, and continue suffering consequences.
Threshold
Each complication requires a number of success levels to complete, called the threshold. The default threshold for complications is 5. The first character to reach the threshold resolves the problem and wins any reward. Special complications may require each participant to beat the threshold. You can cooperate with someone to add to their success level instead of your own. Failure still subtracts a success level and consequences and interference are shared with each check.
Consequences
A complication has a consequence dealt for each failed check, at the end of each round, or both. The consequence doesn’t have to be the same for each. If you participate in the complication you suffer consequences for the round. Common consequences include (but are not limited to):
- Suffer 1 grit.
- Suffer 1 hit.
- Suffer 1 wits.
- Threshold increases by 1.
- Lose an ally.
- Add an opponent.
See Also
Version 2.5.2
©2014 Frameworks Games
This is outdated content. Update Needed!
