Core Mechanic

The core mechanic of the game revolves around the Skill check. The Skill check determines whether specific Actions performed by characters succeed or fail, and any consequences that may accompany that success or failure.

Skill checks can be broken into two key elements:

See also: Dice for more information about the dice themselves.

Rolling

The first element involves rolling a pool of dice (ex: ). When a character wishes to attempt an Action, a dice pool must be assembled. The number and type of dice are influenced by several factors, such as the character's innate abilities, skill training, equipment, and the inherent difficulty of the task being attempted. The GM may decide that the environment or the situation warrants certain dice.

Once all the necessary dice have been assembled, the player attempting the task rolls all of the dice in their dice pool.

Interpreting

The second element involves interpreting the results on the dice. The players look at the symbols on the face-up sides of each die. Certain symbols work in pairs, one type canceling out another. Other symbols are not canceled, and their effects are applied regardless of the outcome of the task.

After comparing the first set of paired symbols — Success and Failure — the players can determine if the task succeeds. Then they compare the second set of symbols — Advantage and Threat — to determine if there are any beneficial side effects or negative consequences. Finally, any other symbols ( Triumph, Despair, and possibly Light and Dark) are resolved to add the last details to the outcome.