Mad Brew Labs

This is part of the Echelon RPG Development series. Here are links to other articles of the series:

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

Species is another important element of character development. While Species may enhance Attributes and provide other benefits, each Species also gives characters a unique perspective of the world and have distinctive cultures. This culture should be mined for roleplaying opportunities and guidelines on how to have characters interact with each other and their environment. Of course, the details of that culture are entirely up to the Game Masters and the players.

Each Species description includes adjustments for Attributes, Favored Abilities, Languages, Size, Speed, and any Special Qualities associated with it. When adjusting Attributes and recording Favored Abilities, if any modifiers are listed inside parentheses (), then the player may choose to apply one or the other, but not both.

Languages

Languages listed in parentheses are bonus languages and may be purchased at Character Creation for 2 Experience each. After Character Creation, a character may learn any language he has had an opportunity to study by purchasing ranks in the Linguistics Advantage. The Game Master will determine whether or not there has been sufficient exposure or access to learn a particular language.

[Designer's Note: I plan on expanding the descriptions of each language later]

• Abyssal
• Angelic
• Chrtka
• Common
• Deepen
• Draconic
• Fey
• Gargon
• Gnomish
• Goblinite
• Hobbit
• Infernal
• Lithos
• Orkish
• Primitus
• Primordial
• Serpentis
• Sylvan
• Talonese
• Tauran
• Titanspeak

Basic Species

Basic Species can be chosen at character creation without spending additional Experience. Some Species may not be appropriate for the particular adventure, story, or campaign that the Game Master is conducting, so choices still need to be approved by the GM.

Automaton

Automatons are constructs that have been given the spark of true life. Whether through accident or design, these golems have acquired real intelligence and even emotion, however subdued that emotion may be. Most automatons are unique and have no connection to one another, though rumors exist of gifted artificers and even entire factories that produce entire batches of intelligent constructs. Many automatons were manufactured to be guards, though a few have a talent for the same art that created them.

Attribute Bonus: +2 to any Body Attribute, -2 Spirit

Favored Abilities: (Artifice or Martial)

Languages: Common, Primitus, (Creator’s Language)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 20 ft.

Special Qualities:

Darkvision 30 ft.

Hardened Fist: Unarmed attacks deal 1d6 points of lethal damage.

Living Construct: Automatons are immune to effects with the Disease, Fear, Healing, Morale, Necrotic, Paralysis, Poison, Sleep, and Stun descriptors. Automatons are also immune to fatigue, exhaustion, nonlethal damage and do not need to sleep (but may rest and gain the appropriate benefits). Automatons receive a +4 bonus to Resolve against Powers with the Mind descriptor. Automatons regain Vitality with time as normal and may benefit from effects with the Repair descriptor.

Lowlight Vision.

Dwarf

Dwarves are as stubborn and unyielding as the stone they work in their mountain halls. The most talented blacksmiths and masons hail from this short but bulky race. Dwarves sport long beard that they decorate with intricate baubles forged by their master smiths. In fact, dwarves are born with beards, so if you ever see a dwarf without one, he is surely an outcast. Dwarves have nurtured a strong warrior class due to their preferred habitat, though they often take to the art of creation and have affinity for the powers of the Wylde.

Attribute Bonus: +1 Constitution, +1 Wisdom, -1 Dexterity

Favored Abilities: Martial, (Artifice or Wyldcraft)

Languages: Common, Lithos, (Gargon, Gnomish, Goblinite, Orkish, Sylvan, Titanspeak)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 20 ft.

Special Qualities:

Darkvision 60 ft.

Final Stand: [N/A] Cost: 10V; Action: Full Round; Range: Personal; Effect: As long as the dwarf chooses not to move, he becomes immune to effects which force movement (barring situation where the ground beneath his feet is actually modified). In addition, the dwarf does not fall unconscious upon reaching 0 Vitality. Upon reaching 0 Vitality, any additional injuries affects Vigor instead. Once a dwarf reaches 0 Vigor, he falls unconscious. Should the dwarf choose to move or fall unconscious, the effect ends.

Rocksteady: Dwarves gain a +2 Species bonus to Defense against made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).

Slow and Steady: While a dwarf moves slower than average for medium size races, he does not reduce his movement due to armor or heavy load. Terrain and magical effects still affect dwarves normally.

Weapon Familiarity: Dwarves are proficient with dwarven waraxes, dwarven urgoshes, throwing hammers, and warhammers.

Elementine

Elementines are scions of great elemental warlords that once inhabited the lands. While their command of the elemental forces of nature has winnowed through the ages, the elementines still possess strong affinities for their element. Many elementines are accomplished sorcerers while many more become druids or protectors of areas with strong ties to the elemental planes. Once the elementines controlled vast kingdoms, but now only small kingdoms and duchies exist. Elementine characters must choose an ancestry: Fireborn, Earthborn, Waterborn, or Windborn.

Attribute Bonus: +1 Spirit, (+1 Constitution, +1 Dexterity, +1 Strength, +1 Wisdom), -1 Intelligence

Favored Abilities: Leadership, (Sorcery or Wyldecraft)

Languages: Common, Primordial, (Gargon, Primitus, Sylvan)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 30 ft.

Special Qualities:

Charismatic: +2 to Social Skill Checks

Darkvision 30 ft.

Fireborn:

Burning Strength: +1 Strength.

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Fire.

Flameblast: [Fire] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: 10 ft.; Target: 1 opponent; Attack: Accuracy vs. Reflex; Hit: 1d4 + Apotheosis.

Earthborn:

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Bludgeoning.

Granite Fortitude: +1 Constitution.

Rockflesh: [Earth] Cost: 5V; Action: Move; Range: Personal; Effect: +2 DA/- for 5 Rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

Waterborn:

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Cold.

Deep Insight: +1 Wisdom.

Waterwalk: [Water] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: Personal; Effect: Treat non-magical water as a hard surface for 4 rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

Windborn:

Airy Agility: +1 Dexterity.

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Electricity.

Gaseous: [Air] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: Personal; Effect: Become Insubstantial for 2 rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

What Does It Mean?

You may be seeing some formatting, terminology, and numbers that make absolutely zero sense. That’s fine, because I have yet to explain what it all means. I wanted to post a teaser of what I have been working on, so come back next time for an in-depth explanation of a Species entry.

Listening to: Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe 2 – Virgin Witch

This is part of the Echelon RPG Development series. Here are links to other articles of the series:

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

Archetypes are similar to classes, but unlike proper classes, they do not determine a character’s abilities. As such, Archetypes work a lot more like a template with the exception that a character may only have one Archetype associated with him. Echelon will make heavy use of templates later in order to apply characteristic sets to characters and monsters (i.e. demonic, vampiric, zombified, ghostly, etc.).

Archetypes help build character concepts, serving as the foundation of character development. While selection of an Archetype can make certain paths easier, it does not mean characters need to adhere to those paths. In fact, completely ignoring those paths can make for more interesting characters. Each Archetype confers bonuses to one or more Secondary Traits, access to Archetype Advantages, and provides a unique Archetype Power.

Adventurer

Adventurers are thrill seekers and tomb raiders who refuse to earn their living by traditional means. Many adventurers prey on the week, practically ransoming safety from villages in plight or extorting nobles to rescue relatives. However, there are some that do it just for fun or to be heroes.

Trait Bonus: +10 Bonus to Vigor

Bonus Advantage: Extra Favored Ability

Archetype Power: Fortune Favors the Bold

Once a day, before making the action roll, an Adventurer can use this power to gain a bonus on a single action roll equal to the character’s Apotheosis rank +2. Using this power is a Free Action.

Brute

Brutes are stronger than ordinary specimens of their Species. They tend to be excellent athletes and warriors, but more often than not, they become common thugs and miscreants. However, a few noble Brutes have leveraged their prowess to become pillars of the communities they protect.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Resilience

Bonus Advantage: Stout

Archetype Power: Blood in the Water

Once a day, before making the action roll, a Brute can use this power to gain a bonus to his Impact score for a single damage roll equal to the character’s Apotheosis rank +5. Using this power is a Free Action.

Devout

The Devout allow their faith to guide them in all things. Whether it is faith in a god, a cause, or themselves, the Devout use their faith to help them triumph in the face of impossibility.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Resolve

Bonus Advantage: Karma Sink

Archetype Power: Divine Intervention

Once per day, before the damage is rolled, a Devout may force an opponent to reroll any attack that the Devout was a target of. The result of the second roll is used to determine the success regardless if it is better or worse than the original. In the case of area effects, the new roll only applies against the Devout. Using this power is a Free Action.

Mentalist

Mentalist characters prefer brains over brawn in any confrontation. They use their superior intellect to discover opponents’ weaknesses and strategies and exploit them. Mentalists are found as often in the ranks of military officers as they are in arcane libraries.

Trait Bonus: +10 Bonus to Animus

Bonus Advantage: Metaphysics

Archetype Power: Vitiate Energy

Once per day, upon a successful attack which deals Vitality damage to an opponent, a Mentalist may instead choose to reduce either the target’s Temporary Animus or Temporary Vigor instead. This power must be invoked before damage is rolled and gains bonus damage equal to the Mentalist’s Apotheosis rank. Using this power is a Free Action.

Scoundrel

Scoundrels make their living on deception and misdirection. They are natural smugglers, thieves, and rogues but they be found in all sorts of professions. Whichever career they choose, they have a tendency to quick and elusive when in a pinch.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Reaction

Bonus Advantage: Quickened

Archetype Power: Elusive Step

Once per day, for a single Move Action, a Scoundrel can use this power to move 10 feet plus an additional 5 feet per Apotheosis rank without provoking attacks of opportunity and ignoring rough terrain. The Scoundrel may also move through spaces occupied by enemies but must end his movement in an unoccupied space. Using this power is a Free Action.

Survivor

Survivors are often the only living citizens of villages pillaged and slaughtered by raiders, or former soldiers left for dead on the battlefield, or perhaps once infected by plague or other diseases. Whatever their misfortunes, they have survived insurmountable odds and overcame events many would perish in.

Trait Bonus: +1 Bonus to all Defenses

Bonus Advantage: Not Dead Yet

Archetype Power: Second Wind

Once per day, a character may use this power to regain half his Vitality. A character cannot gain more than his Maximum Vitality by using this power. Using this power is a Free Action.

Future Development

I can see an opportunity to grow Archetypes in the future by providing a rank or tree system, but for now, I’d like to just stick with basic implementation so I can have more time to develop Abilities, a preview of which is coming next.

Listening to: Scum of the Earth – Sleaze Freak – Devilscum

This is part of the Echelon RPG Development series. Here are links to other articles of the series:

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

Secondary Traits are not purchased with Experience like Core Traits; instead they are derived from Attributes or Species. Some Ability Stunts, Advantages, Hindrances, Species, and Templates may also affect Secondary Traits. There are four categories of Secondary Traits: Defense, Energy, Offense, and Spatial.

Defense

Defense scores are used by characters targeted by harmful actions. Depending on the action, a defense score may be used to calculate the Difficulty Rating or it may be used to add to the targeted characters dice pool result. The appropriate Defense score is determined by the action being taken and is provided in the action’s description. Defense scores also determine a character’s Initiative.

Reaction

A character’s Reaction is derived from Dexterity and Intelligence, as it is a measure of the character’s reflexes and knowledge of tactics. Most Ranged and Melee Weapon Attacks are opposed by the target’s Reaction score.

Calculation: Reaction = Dexterity + Intelligence + Apotheosis + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Resilience

A character’s Resilience is derived from Constitution and Strength as it is a measure of the character’s to recover from and deflect harm. Many Abilities are opposed by the target’s Resilience score.

Calculation: Resilience = Constitution + Strength + Apotheosis + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Resolve

A character’s Resolve is derived from Spirit and Wisdom as it is a measure of the character’s willpower and determination. Many Abilities are opposed by target’s Resolve score.

Calculation: Resolve = Spirit + Wisdom + Apotheosis + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Destiny

Destiny is usually viewed as an external force of the universe exerting its influence on persons to direct them towards a predetermined fate, which people arrive at regardless of their own actions or the actions of others. Echelon views destiny as a guiding force that can be thwarted, redirected, or harnessed. Characters in Echelon actually make their own destiny through Apotheosis and its influence is reflected in two Traits: Karma and Kismet.

Karma

Destiny can exert its influence upon any action. This influence is called Karma. The Karma of Echelon is not tied to quaint ideas of good and evil but to less subjective benchmarks of success and failure. Karma is drawn to exceptional success and failure, encouraging the momentum of success while trying to break the momentum of failure. Whenever a character achieves an exceptional success, he gains 1 Karma. However, when a character suffers an exceptional failure, he gains a number of Karma equal to his Apotheosis rank.

[Design Note: How Karma is earned may change depending on how Apotheosis is finally implemented as a conflicted gauge.]

The maximum amount of Karma that a character can acquire varies. At character creation Maximum Karma is initially equal to his Apotheosis rank, but may be modified by Race, Advantages, or Hindrances. A character begins play with a number of Karma equal to his Maximum Karma. A character can never gain more Karma than his Maximum Karma score, any extra Karma is lost.

A point of Karma can be used once per turn as an Immediate Action. Karma can be used to gain an extra die on an action roll, boost any single Defense Trait by 5 before the result of an attack is known, or for a character to automatically stabilize himself when dying.

Calculation: Maximum Karma = Apotheosis + Modifiers

Kismet

Sometimes destiny imposes itself fully upon the fabric of reality, changing it to reflect the desires of characters. A point of Kismet may be spent to obtain an automatic success on any action. That success is considered a rank 1 exceptional success. A point of Kismet may also be exchanged for 3 points of Karma. Finally, a point of Kismet may be spent by a character to ignore an attack that would permanently kill that character. If Kismet is spent to prevent death, it must be spent in the same round the killing blow was delivered. Should Kismet be used by two characters to ensure success on an opposed action, then both characters lose 1 Kismet and the result is determined as if both characters spent Karma to gain an exploding die.

Whenever a character gains a rank in Apotheosis he also gains 1 Kismet. A character’s Maximum Kismet is equal to his Apotheosis rank. At creation, a character begins with a number of Kismet equal to his Apotheosis rank. A character can never gain more Kismet than his Apotheosis rank, any extra Kismet is lost.

Calculation: Maximum Kismet = Apotheosis

Energy

Energy Traits are renewable resources derived from the two Attribute Types: Body and Soul. Character use Energy Traits to power Abilities. An Energy Trait’s rank also establishes the maximum number of Temporary Energy that a character can acquire. If a character has an amount of Temporary Energy greater than or equal to the Energy Cost of an Ability, that Ability can be used with the Energy Cost being removed from the Temporary Energy pool of the character.

Animus

Many Abilities of arcane, divine, or otherwise magical origin draw on the power of the soul, Animus. Animus is derived from the three Soul Attributes: Intelligence, Spirit, and Wisdom.

Animus is recovered at a rate of 1 point per Apotheosis rank every 10 minutes. A character who is completely rested, which is an 8 hour sleep for most characters, fully recovers their Temporary Animus at the end of such a rest.

Calculation: Animus = 10 + Intelligence + Spirit + Wisdom + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Vigor

Feats of martial, natural, and other talents are fueled by the power of the body, Vigor. Vigor is derived from the three Body Attributes: Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength.

Vigor is recovered at a rate of 1 point per Apotheosis rank every 10 minutes. A character who is completely rested, which is an 8 hour sleep for most characters, fully recovers their Temporary Vigor at the end of such a rest.

Calculation: Vigor = 10 + Constitution + Dexterity + Strength + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Vitality

Vitality is a mixture of stamina and life-force that measures a character’s well-being and ability to survive injury and sustain extreme exertion. When a character suffers damage in combat, it is subtracted from his Vitality score. When a character’s Vitality reaches 0 or below, he falls unconscious. If the character’s Vitality is below zero, he loses a point of Vitality every round. When a character’s Vitality score reaches an amount below zero equal to his maximum Vitality score, the character dies. Vitality is derived from Constitution, Spirit, and Size. Also, as Vitality becomes lost, characters accrue penalties to action rolls (see Combat).

Vitality is recovered at a rate of 1 point per Apotheosis rank every hour. A character who has completely rested, which is an 8 hours sleep for most characters, recovers double the normal recovery rate at the end of such a rest. For example, a character with an Apotheosis of 2 who just slept for 8 hours would recover 16 Vitality. However, if that same character only slept for 7 hours of the same 8 eight hour period, he would only recover 8 Vitality.

Calculation: Vitality = 25 + Constitution + Size + Spirit + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Offense

When characters need to resort to violence or some physical persuasion, Offense Traits come into play. Most Abilities that target characters use Accuracy as a modifier to determine the success of an attack and Impact as a damage modifier.

Accuracy

Accuracy is an assessment of how effective a character is when making an attack. Accuracy is derived from Dexterity and Intelligence because physical attacks rely on coordination and knowledge of weak points in the target’s defense. More esoteric abilities often require complex somatic or material manipulations as well mental acuity. Basic attacks and many Abilities use Accuracy as a modifier for action rolls.

Calculation: Accuracy = Dexterity + Intelligence

Impact

Impact is a measurement of hard a character strikes when making an attack. Impact is derived from Strength and Wisdom because it depends on pure might and intuition about how best to deliver a blow. Basic attacks and many Abilities use Impact as a modifier for damage and effect rolls.

Calculation: Impact = Strength + Wisdom

Initiative

Initiative determines the order in which characters act during a combat round. There are many variables that determine how quick a character responds to threats including muscle memory, intuition, and visual cues. Therefore, a character’s Initiative score is equal to his highest Defense score.

Calculation: Initiative = Highest Defense + Miscellaneous Modifiers

Spatial

Spatial Traits are concerned with movement and space. These are not derived from the Core Traits as are other Secondary Traits. These Traits are determined by Species because of physiological constraints. However, Size and Speed can be modified through Abilities, Advantages, Hindrances, and Templates.

Size

Size is a general classification of much space a character consumes. Size helps determine Vitality and becomes a factor in tactical movement during combat. A character’s Species determines Size. For example, a human has a size of 5.

Speed

Speed is a measurement of the distance a character can move in feet during a round of combat. A character’s Species determines Speed. For example, a human has a tactical speed of 25 feet. When moving miniatures across a battlefield, 1 inch = 5 feet.

[Design Note: the average human can run long distance, 3 or more miles, at approximately 12 miles per hour, or 17.6 feet per second. The fastest humans can sprint short distance, 100 yards, at approximately 25 miles per hour, or 36.6 feet per second. It is the designer's estimation that the average human could move approximate 1/4 his running speed during combat without becoming fatigued. This works out to approximately 4.4 feet per second with a combat round lasting 6 seconds. This equates to a total 26.4 feet, or rounded down to 25 feet for ease of math and measurement.]

Listening to: She Wants Revenge – She Wants Revenge – Tear You Apart

This is part of the Echelon RPG Development series. Here are links to other articles of the series:

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

While I mentioned the design and development goals in my Bucking the Trend article, I did not mention the goal of actual play. Besides the traditional epic quests and quintessential adventuring lifestyle, the point of playing Echelon is to break free of one’s mortal coil and obtain divinity. This deific journey is called the Echelon Conduit, from which the game takes its name.

Apotheosis

There are many different reasons for playing roleplaying games, but Echelon is specifically directed at players who want create unique characters and watch them grow to legendary personalities. Since the game is about characters and their struggle during the course of their own exaltation to legendary or divine status, there is a mechanical gauge that reflects a character’s progress.

[Design note: It’s my belief that whatever idea is core to the game should be represented by a mechanic.]

Apotheosis

A character’s Apotheosis rank determines the maximum rank of Abilities and Attributes. Every character begins play with an Apotheosis rank of 1 and a maximum rank of 5 for Abilities and Attributes. For every additional rank in Apotheosis, the maximum rank increases by 1. This trend continues until a character reaches Demigod rank at which point the maximum ranks increases to 15 and again to 20 at the rank of God. For example, a character with an Apotheosis of 3 would have a maximum rank of 8 for Strength (or any other Attribute or Ability).

Unless otherwise stated, a character’s Apotheosis rank is added to every action roll, but not damage or effect rolls. Apotheosis does not have a maximum rank, however many consider an Apotheosis rank of 10 godhood. Apotheosis may never be reduced below zero. Should a character’s Apotheosis rank ever reach zero, he loses access to all Abilities and Advantages and may only make basic attacks.

[Design note: It would be interesting to make Apotheosis a conflicted gauge (similar to Blood Potency^[1] in Vampire: the Requiem) where there are advantages and disadvantages to having a high score. Currently, it only has positive effects, but I would like to entertain some methods of frustrating characters with high Apotheosis.]

Destiny

Apotheosis also grants characters resources that help players influence the results of actions. Apotheosis influences two Secondary Traits: Karma and Kismet. Both of these Traits represent a character’s destiny and its influence over events the characters are involved in. In Echelon, destiny is not inevitable, so characters may fail fantastically when pursuing it, but it still exerts a significant influence. Both Karma and Kismet are detailed in the Secondary Trait section.

Attributes

Attributes give a rough measure of a character’s aptitude concerning several key aspects. There are two categories of Attributes: Body and Soul. Each category has three Attributes associated with it. Body attributes include physical aspects of a character: Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength. Soul attributes include meta-physical or mental aspects of a character: Intelligence, Spirit, and Wisdom.

Attributes are used as prerequisites for many Abilities and Advantages. They are also used in most action rolls and even many damage and affect rolls. Attributes also determine the base values of all Secondary Traits. All characters start creation with zero ranks in each Attribute. The maximum rank for Attributes is determined by Apotheosis; however, the minimum rank for any Attribute is -5. Should an Attribute be reduced beyond -5 for any reason, the character becomes helpless and cannot move or act.

Constitution [Body]

This Attribute measures a character’s stamina, fortitude, and durability. Constitution helps determine a character’s Vitality, Resilience, and Vigor.

Dexterity [Body]

This Attribute measures a character’s agility, coordination, and nimbleness. Dexterity helps determine a character’s Accuracy, Reaction, and Vigor.

Strength [Body]

This Attribute measures a character’s brawn, puissance, and potency. Strength helps determine Impact, Resilience, and Vigor.

Intelligence [Soul]

This Attribute measures a character’s knowledge, reasoning, and aptitude for learning. Intelligence helps determine Accuracy, Reaction, and Animus.

Spirit [Soul]

This Attribute measures a character’s presence, charisma, and force of personality. Spirit helps determine Vitality, Resolve, and Animus.

Wisdom [Soul]

This Attribute measures a character’s intuition, wits, and common sense. Wisdom helps determine Impact, Resolve, and Animus.

Check back tomorrow for a round-up of the Secondary Traits. In the meantime, I love hear any general feedback about the system so far as well as any ideas on how to implement Apotheosis as a conflicted gauge.

Listening to: Damn Laser Vampires – Rue Morgue Radio Hymns from the House of Horror – Saint of Killers

REFERENCES

[1] Blood Potency is a power limiting gauge in Vampire: the Requiem. The higher the score, the more blood you can spend, the higher your attributes can be, but it also comes with a price.

This is part of the Echelon RPG Development series. Here are links to other articles of the series:

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

The design calls for a resolution mechanic that simulates a normal distribution, which when graphed looks like a bell curve. This means at least three dice must used. A dice pool using 3d6 is currently the chosen configuration. The 3d6 dice pool has a range of 3-18 and a mean of 10-11. A strong reason to use the 3d6 dice was for ease of determining Difficulty Ratings (working from a mean result of 10).

A mechanic with a normal distribution was chosen because I believe it more accurately reflects success in real life. With most single die implementations, you have the same chance of rolling any of its values, which does make sense to me. This method provides more consistent, if not cinematic, results.

Difficulty Ratings

A Difficulty Rating, abbreviated DR, is a target number that must be met or exceeded to attain success whenever a roll is required. Some DRs are static numbers derived directly from traits of the target. For example, it is always a DR 20 to pick an average lock. Other times, the DR may be the result of an opposed check.

Determining Success

When an action requires a roll to be resolved, three six-sided dice are rolled and the results are tallied. In addition to the total value presented by the dice, modifiers are also added to the total. If the final total meets or exceeds the Difficulty Rating, the action is successful.

Critical Success & Failure

With single die mechanics, critical success or failure is usually achieved by rolling the maximum and minimum die values respectively. Such die results also usually infer automatic success or failure. This method could be used in a multiple die system effectively making critical successes and failures very rare (requiring all three dice to display the maximum or minimum values).

Echelon uses the combination of open ended rolls and variance. While this means there are no automatic successes or failures, there may always a chance to succeed with open ended, or exploding, dice rolls.

Open Ended Rolls (Six Again)

In Echelon, characters may specialize in certain abilities. When rolling to resolve an action related to an ability a character has specialized, the player may designate a single die as an exploding die. Anytime the exploding die shows a value of 6, roll it again and add the new value to result total. If the new value is also a 6, repeat the process until anything but a 6 is rolled.

For example, if a player rolls the resolution dice and gets a 6 & 3 on the normal dice, and a 6 on the exploding die, he would add the results and get a 15. Then he re-rolls the exploding die and adds the result to his total. He continues re-rolling and totaling the result until the exploding die does not result in a 6.

A character may also spend resources to swap an exploding die into his dice pool for a single roll. Only one die may be added to a character’s dice pool in this manner. It is possible for a character to have more than one exploding die in his pool by having both types of exploding dice. The best way to distinguish the exploding dice is by denoting them with a different color.

Variance

Variance is the difference between the final sum of the roll after all modifiers have been applied and the DR. Some actions provide additional benefits if a roll exceeds the DR by a specific amounts. For example, if character casts fireball on a pack of wolves, and his roll has a variance of 5 more than the Difficulty Rating, he might gain an additional die when he rolls damage. This is called an Exceptional Success.

Variance also works in the other direction. For instance, if the same character had rolled 10 less than the DR while casting fireball, the roll would have a variance of -10. This is called an Exceptional Failure, and in this case would result in the character losing additional resources. The exact benefits and penalties of Exceptional Success or Failure is defined in an ability’s description.

Other Options

Another possibility includes using a 3d8 dice pool that has a range of 3-24 and a mean of 13-14. However, calculating DRs become unintuitive since the mean result is a 13. Another thought would be to use a mechanic similar to Savage Worlds where players roll two dice and take the higher of the two results.

Listening to: Ghoultown – Mistress of the Dark – Mistress of the Dark