What is a tension pool?

A tension pool is a tabletop RPG mechanic used to abstract time spent or actions taken in a given situation or scenario.

The tension pool boils down to even if nothing is happening, something might happen

How does it work?

Once you establish what the tension pool represents - minutes, hours, split-second actions, activities, etc - there are only four things that can be done with it!

• Add a Die.

• You add a die whenever the party does something that chews up whatever amount of time each die represents OR whenever a player takes a careful or deliberate action.

• Roll the Pool.

• You roll the dice whenever the party does something reckless, crazy, or dangerous that might cause them trouble OR whenever a player takes a reckless, brash, or crazy action. If there are no dice in the pool when you roll it, add one die and then put it aside again. You always roll at least one die when you roll the Tension Pool.

• Add a Die, Then Roll the Pool.

• You add a die and then roll the pool whenever the party does something reckless, crazy, or dangerous that also chews up whatever amount of time each die represents.

• Roll and Clear the Pool.

• And finally, whenever you add the sixth die to the pool, no matter what, you roll all the dice in the Tension Pool and then put the dice aside, clearing the pool.

• Whenever you roll the pool, if any dice show a ‘1,’ that means a Complication arises. Something happens to make the situation worse.

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