The Dice Check
Core Mechanic
Roll a pool of d10s (10-sided dice).
Each die ≥ Threshold = 1 Hit.
Compare total Hits to the Target Number (TN):
- Hits ≥ TN → Success
- Hits > TN → Success with Effect (Effect = Hits - TN)
- Hits < TN → Failure / Botch (Botch margin = TN - Hits)
Bigger Effect = better results (more damage, maneuvers, special effects).
Big Botch (usually 3+) = worse consequences.
Key Components
| Component | What it is | Typical source / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dice Pool | Number of d10 rolled | Attribute Dice + Skill Training + Focus + modifiers |
| Threshold | Minimum roll needed for a Hit (written as X+) | Based on Attribute level (5+ to 10+), weapon, or fixed |
| Target Number (TN) | Hits needed to equal or succeed | Defense value, assigned difficulty (0–10), opposed roll, armor Hardness |
| Effect / Botch | Success margin or failure shortfall | Effect = Hits – TN (if positive) Botch margin = TN – Hits (if negative) |
Quick Threshold Reference (Action / Attribute Checks)
| Attribute Level | Threshold for Hits |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10+ |
| 2 | 9+ |
| 3–4 | 7+ (most common) |
| 5–7 | 6+ |
| 8–11 | 5+ |
Check Types at a Glance
- Action Check — Skill-based (or Attribute if untrained) → usually vs Defense or opposed
- Attribute Check — Pure stat (no skill)
- Damage Check — Weapon/attack power → Hits become wounds (Effect = damage)
- Static Check — Fixed dice + usually 6+ → special effects vary
Notation Examples
- STR:3 → Strength check vs TN 3
- Swords (Cut):EVA → Sword attack vs enemy's Evasion
- Command (Intimidate):GRI → Intimidate vs Grit
- Athletics (Grapple):Athletics (Grapple) → Opposed grapple
- 12d(6+):3 → Static: 12 dice at 6+, needs 3 hits
This system is designed to deliver clear success levels that are used to perform maneuvers and gain advantages.
Degree of Success
Effect is used to also determine Degree of Success (DoS) for some actions. DoS is used to determine how well you succeeded on a check, and can help determine the outcome of an action.
0-1 Effect is DoS 1
2-3 Effect is DoS 2
4-7 Effect is DoS 3
8-15 Effect is DoS 4
16-31 Effect is DoS 5
Sample Dice Checks
Example 1:
Rudolf swings his arming sword in wide cut at an enemy with a 2 Evasion (EVA). His total Dice Pool for this Action Check is 9d10 and his Threshold is a 7+ — 9d(7+):EVA. He rolls the 9d10 and gets the following results: 2, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10. He gets 4 Hits (everything that rolled a 7 or higher). Against the 2 EVA this grants him 2 Effect.
Example 2:
Esmera is trying to stitch a wound on one of her allies. It’s a deep wound so it has a TN of 4. She is well trained and has good equipment for this, so she gets a Dice Pool of 11, and her Threshold is a 6+. She will reduce the severity of the Wound by 1 per Degree of Success (DoS). She rolls the 11d10 and gets the following results: 1, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10 giving her a total of 7 Hits. Against the TN of 4, this is 3 Effect, which is DoS 2. This lowers the Wound Level down from Heavy to Moderate to Light (2 Wound Levels).
