part5.tex

\documentclass[itdr/core]{subfiles}

\begin{document}
\dimagepage{council2}

\chapter{Running the Game}
\label{ch:running_the_game}

\paragraph{The Core of Good Refereeing}
\index{Referee}
A good Referee provides the players with interesting choices to make and ensures that these choices have a meaningful impact on the current situation and the progress of the game.

%\vfill

\paragraph{Knowing When to Roll}
When players describe what they want their characters to do, you generally have three options:
\begin{enumerate}
	\item It's something the character can do safely.
	\item It's not possible. Ask for another approach, \mbox{perhaps} giving suggestions.
	\item It might be possible, but there's a risk. Roll dice.
\end{enumerate}

%\vfill

\paragraph{A Note on Risk}
Generally, the Referee should inform the players if they are taking a risk. A game should have surprises, but players should feel that their decisions have led to the risk that may result in nasty surprises.\tight

For example, when the characters encounter a monster or hazard that is very likely to be able to kill them outright, the Referee should ensure that the players know this is a possibility. If they want to hack down a door with axes, they should know the noise is likely to alert anyone nearby. Assessing the risk against the possible reward is an important part of the game, so the players should always have what they need to make an informed choice.

%\vfill

\paragraph{Understanding Ability Scores}
\index{Ability Scores}
3: Human minimum, severely limited in this area.\\
10: An average human.\\
15: Excellent human ability.\\
20: The human peak, most exceptional geniuses etc.

%\vfill

\paragraph{Understanding Saves}
\index{Saves}
A save is made when anyone puts themselves at risk.

\subparagraph{STR Save:} Avoiding harm through exerting physical force or withstanding strain on your body.

\subparagraph{DEX Save:} Avoiding harm through quick reactions, whole-body control, and grace.

\subparagraph{WIL Save:} Avoiding harm through focus and control over magic and yourself.

%\vfill

\index{Marching Order}
\index{Combat}
\index{Turns}
\paragraph{Marching Order and Combat Turn Sequence}
The marching order decides who is affected by a trap first, gets ambushed from the rear, etc. In combat, ask about the characters' actions in the same order. Then the attacks are grouped and rolls are made.

\enlargethispage{\baselineskip}
\break

\index{Attacks}
\index{Damage}
\index{Damage!bonus}
\index{Raising/Lowering Damage dice}
\index{Lowering Damage dice|see {Raising/Lowering Damage dice}}
\index{Ability Score Loss}
\paragraph{Understanding Damage}
\subparagraph{Raising/Lowering Damage Dice:} The die size changes by one size in d4--d12 range.

\subparagraph{Bonus Weapon Damage Dice:} Roll these along with your weapon Damage die. If the die size is not \mbox{specified}, it is equal to your weapon Damage die.

\subparagraph{Attack Notation:} NdX means rolling N X-sized dice and taking the best single one. If the monster can target multiple opponents, Damage dice can be separated accordingly and rolled as distinct attacks.

Treat rolls that \textbf{ignore Armour} as higher by the target's Armour score when selecting the best roll.
{\em E.g., 4~Damage from a~pistol is better than 5~Damage from a~longbow, when fired against a target with Armour~2.}

\subparagraph{Ability Score Loss} rolls are not Damage rolls, hence they are neither affected by Armour nor require a~Critical Damage Save unless stated otherwise.

\subparagraph{Ongoing effects} causing continuous damage count as an extra attack, rolling together with other attacks.

\vfill

\paragraph{How Much Damage?}
\index{Damage}
Damage from falling rocks, explosions, and other sources outside of normal combat is in a d4--d12 range and counts separately from combat attacks.

Consider how it would affect an average person. A fall that is quite likely to injure an inexperienced character might cause d6 Damage, but a huge rock that would crush most might do d12.

\index{Poison}
\subparagraph{Poison} might Impair attacks, cause Ability Score Loss, effects like Blindness, Disadvantage to certain Saves, etc., but usually only alive targets are affected.

\vfill

\paragraph{Knowledge Rolls}
\index{Knowledge Rolls}
Characters have a 2-in-6 chance to know something outside their area of knowledge and past experiences; Specialists have a 4-in-6 chance for their wide area of study and know everything about their narrow specialization (e.g. History (Archaeology)).

\vfill

\paragraph{Luck Rolls}
\index{Luck Rolls}
Sometimes you'll want an element of randomness without rolling a Save, particularly in situations dictated by luck or those that fall outside of the three Ability Scores. For these situations, roll a d6. A low roll favours the players, and a high roll means bad luck for them. The Referee decides what a specific result means for the situation at hand.

\vfill
\end{document}