Cairn is an adventure game for one I’d like to thank the following people:

facilitator (the Warden) and at least one

other player. Chris McDowall, for Into The Odd.
Ben Milton, for Knave.
Players act as hardened adventurers Jim Parkin, for Weird North.
exploring a dark & mysterious Wood Gavin Norman, for Dolmenwood.
filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, CosmicOrrery, for the cover design.
and unspeakable monstrosities. Tam H., for being a layout savior.
Licopeo, for the character sheet.
Featuring public domain art by: Lucas MacClure, for the idea.
Wilhelm Jordan, W. Heath Robinson,
Rolf Von Hoerschelmann, Arthur And Sarah. She knows why.
Rackham, and Arthur Layard.
For resources, hacks, and more visit:
Written by Yochai Gal. https://cairnrpg.com
Text licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
 Cairn was written with the following design philosophies in mind:

Classless Neutrality
A character’s role or skills are not limited The Warden’s role is to portray the rules,
by a single class. Instead, the equipment situations, NPCs, and narrative clearly,
they carry and their experiences defines while acting as a neutral arbiter.
their specialty.

Death Player Choice

Characters may be powerful, but they are Players should always understand the
also vulnerable to harm in its many forms. reasons behind the choices they’ve made,
Death is always around the corner, but it and information about potential risks
is never random or without warning. should be provided freely and frequently.

Fiction First Principles

Dice do not always reflect an obstacle’s The Warden and the players each have
difficulty or its outcome. Instead, success guidelines that help foster a specific play
and failure are arbitrated by the Warden experience defined by critical thinking,
in dialogue with the players, based on in- exploration, and an emergent narrative.
world elements.

Growth Shared Objectives

Characters are changed through in-world Players trust one another to engage with
advancement, gaining new skills and the shared setting, character goals, and
abilities by surviving dangerous events party challenges. Therefore, the party is
and overcoming obstacles. typically working together towards a
common goal, as a team.

1
Principles for Wardens
Information: Preparation:
� Provide useful information about the � The game world is organic, malleable and
game world as the characters explore it. random. It intuits and makes sharp turns.
� Players do not need to roll dice to learn � Use random tables and generators to
about their circumstances. develop situations, not stories or plots.
� Be helpful and direct with your answers � NPCs remember what the PCs say and do,
to their questions. and how they affect the world.
� Respond honestly, describe consistently, � NPCs don’t want to die. Infuse their own
and always let them know they can keep self-interest and will to live into every
asking questions. personality.
Difficulty: Narrative Focus:
� Default to context and realism rather � Emergent experience of play is what
than numbers and mechanics. matters, not math or character abilities.
� If something the players want to do is � Give the players weapon trainers and
sincerely impossible, no roll will allow personal quests to facilitate improvement
them todo it. and specialization.
� Is what the player describes and how � Pay attention to the needs and wants of
they leverage the situation sensible? the players, then put realistic opportunities
Let it happen. in their path.
� Saves cover a great deal of uncertain � A dagger to your throat will kill you,
situations and are often all that is regardless of your expensive armor and
necessary for risky actions. impressive training.
Danger: Treasure:
� The game world produces real risk of � A Treasure is specific to the environment
pain and death for the player characters. from where it is recovered. It tells a story.
� Telegraph serious danger to players � Treasure is highly valuable, almost always
when it is present. The more dangerous, bulky, and rarely useful beyond its worth
the more obvious. and prestige.
� Put traps in plain sight and let the players � Relics are not Treasure, though they are
take time to figure out a solution. useful and interesting.
� Give players opportunities to solve � Use Treasure as a lure to exotic locations
problems and interact with the world. under the protection of intimidating foes.

Choice: Die of Fate:

� Give players a solid choice to force � Occasionally you will want an element
outcomes when the situation lulls. of randomness (e.g. the weather, unique
� Use binary “so, A or B?” responses character knowledge, etc.).
when their intentions are vague. � In these situations, roll 1d6. A roll of 4
� Work together using this conversational or more generally favors the players.
method to keep the game moving. � A roll of 3 or under tends to mean bad
� Ensure that the player character’s actions luck for the PCs or their allies.
leave their mark on the game world.

2
Principles for Players
Agency: Caution:
� Attributes and related saves do not � Fighting is a choice and rarely a wise
define your character. They are tools. one; consider whether violence is the
� Don’t ask only what your character best way to achieve your goals.
would do, ask what you would do, too. � Try to stack the odds in your favor and
� Be creative with your intuition, items, retreat when things seem unfavorable.
and connections.
Teamwork: Planning:
� Seek consensus from the other players � Think of ways to avoid your obstacles
before barreling forward. through reconnaissance, subtlety, and
� Stay on the same page about goals and fact-finding.
limits, respecting each other and � Do some research and ask around about
accomplishing more as a group than your objectives.
alone.
Exploration: Ambition:
� Asking questions and listening to detail � Set goals and use your meager means to
is more useful than any stats, items, take steps forward.
or skills you have. � Expect nothing. Earn your reputation.
� Take the Warden’s description without � Keep things moving forward and play to
suspicion, but don’t shy away from see what happens.
seeking more information.
� There is no single correct way forward.
Talking:
� Treat NPCs as if they were real people,
and rely on your curiosity to safely gain
information and solve problems.
� You'll find that most people are
interesting and will want to talk things
through before getting violent.

3
Character Creation
Name, Background & Traits Inventory
First, choose or roll your PC’s name and Characters have a total of 10 inventory
background from their respective tables slots: a backpack with six slots, one slot for
on page 5. A PC’s background informs each hand, and two slots for their upper
their potential knowledge and skills. body (such as the belt, chest, or head). The
backpack can also double as an emergency
Next, roll for the rest of your character’s sleeping bag but only if emptied of its
traits (appearance, speech, mannerisms, contents.
beliefs, reputation, etc.) on the Character
Traits tables on page 6. Most items take up one slot, and small
items can be bundled together. Slots are
Finally, roll for their age (2d20+10).
abstract and can be rearranged per the
Warden’s discretion.
Ability Scores Bulky items take up two slots and are
Player Characters (PCs) have just three typically two-handed or awkward to
attributes: Strength (STR), Dexterity carry. Anyone carrying a full inventory
(DEX), and Willpower (WIL). (e.g. filling all 10 slots) is reduced to 0 HP.
When creating a PC, the player should roll
A PC cannot carry more items than their
3d6 for each of their character’s ability
inventory allows. Carts (which must be
scores, in order. They may then swap any
pulled with both hands), horses, or mules
two of the results.
can increase inventory. Hirelings (page
Example: Ines rolls for her character’s 12) can also be paid to carry equipment.
STR, resulting in a 2, a 4 and a 6, totaling
12. The next two ability rolls result in a 9 Starting Gear
for DEX and a 13 for WIL. She decides to
swap the 12 and the 9, for a character with All PCs begin with:
9 STR, 12 DEX and 13 WIL. � Three days’ rations (one slot)
� A torch (one slot)
Hit Protection � 3d6 gold pieces
Roll 1d6 to determine your PC’s starting Roll once on each of the Starting Gear
Hit Protection (HP), which reflects their tables on page 7 to determine your PC’s
ability to avoid damage in combat. armor, weapons, tools, and equipment. If
indicated, roll on the Spellbooks table on
HP does not indicate a character’s health page 8 with a d100 (or roll 2d10, using one
or fortitude; nor do they lose it for very die as the ones place, and the other as the
long (see Healing on page 11). tens place). Pick only one item for each
result.
If an attack takes a PC’s HP exactly to 0,
the player must roll on the Scars table See the Equipment List on page 9 for
(page 14). related armor, damage, and slot values.
Smaller items can sometimes be bundled
together into one slot.

If you would like something closer to

traditional classes, refer to the list of
Optional Gear Packages on page 10.
4
Name & Background (d20)
Female Names
1 Agune 6 Drelil 11 Lirann 16 Sybil
2 Beatrice 7 Elgile 12 Lirathil 17 Theune
3 Breagan 8 Esme 13 Lisabeth 18 Wenlan
4 Bronwyn 9 Groua 14 Moralil 19 Ygwal
5 Cannora 10 Henaine 15 Morgwen 20 Yslen

Male Names
1 Arwel 6 Breglor 11 Grinwit 16 Melnax
2 Bevan 7 Canhoreal 12 Gruwid 17 Orthax
3 Boroth 8 Emrys 13 Gruwth 18 Triunein
4 Borrid 9 Ethex 14 Gwestin 19 Wenlan
5 Breagle 10 Gringle 15 Mannog 20 Yirmeor

Surnames
1 Abernathy 6 Crumwaller 11 Harper 16 Swinney
2 Addercap 7 Dunswallow 12 Loomer 17 Thatcher
3 Burl 8 Getri 13 Malksmilk 18 Tolmen
4 Candlewick 9 Glass 14 Smythe 19 Weaver
5 Cormick 10 Harkness 15 Sunderman 20 Wolder

Backgrounds
1 Alchemist 6 Cleric 11 Magician 16 Performer
2 Blacksmith 7 Gambler 12 Mercenary 17 Pickpocket
3 Butcher 8 Gravedigger 13 Merchant 18 Smuggler
4 Burglar 9 Herbalist 14 Miner 19 Servant
5 Carpenter 10 Hunter 15 Outlaw 20 Ranger

5
Character Traits (d10)
1. Physique 6. Clothing
1 Athletic 6 Scrawny 1 Antique 6 Frayed
2 Brawny 7 Short 2 Bloody 7 Frumpy
3 Flabby 8 Statuesque 3 Elegant 8 Livery
4 Lanky 9 Stout 4 Filthy 9 Rancid
5 Rugged 10 Towering 5 Foreign 10 Soiled

2. Skin 7. Virtue
1 Birthmark 6 Round 1 Ambitious 6 Honorable
2 Dark 7 Soft 2 Cautious 7 Humble
3 Elongated 8 Tanned 3 Courageous 8 Merciful
4 Pockmarked 9 Tattooed 4 Disciplined 9 Serene
5 Rosy 10 Weathered 5 Gregarious 10 Tolerant

3. Hair 8. Vice
1 Bald 6 Long 1 Aggressive 6 Lazy
2 Braided 7 Luxurious 2 Bitter 7 Nervous
3 Curly 8 Oily 3 Craven 8 Rude
4 Filthy 9 Wavy 4 Deceitful 9 Vain
5 Frizzy 10 Wispy 5 Greedy 10 Vengeful

4. Face 9. Reputation
1 Bony 6 Perfect 1 Ambitious 6 Loafer
2 Broken 7 Rat-like 2 Boor 7 Oddball
3 Chiseled 8 Sharp 3 Dangerous 8 Repulsive
4 Elongated 9 Square 4 Entertainer 9 Respected
5 Pale 10 Sunken 5 Honest 10 Wise

5. Speech 10. Misfortunes

1 Blunt 6 Gravelly 1 Abandoned 6 Defrauded
2 Booming 7 Precise 2 Addicted 7 Demoted
3 Cryptic 8 Squeaky 3 Blackmailed 8 Discredited
4 Droning 9 Stuttering 4 Condemned 9 Disowned
5 Formal 10 Whispery 5 Cursed 10 Exiled

6
Starting Gear (d20)
Armor
1-3 4-14 15-19 20

None Brigandine Chainmail Plate

Helmets and Shields

1-13 14-16 17-19 20

None Helmet Shield Helmet & Shield

Weapons
1-5 6-14 15-19 20

Dagger, Cudgel, Sword, Mace, Longbow, Crossbow, Halberd, War Hammer,

Staff Axe Sling Battleaxe

Expeditionary Gear
1 Air Bladder 6 Fire Oil 11 Manacles 16 Rope (25ft)
2 Antitoxin 7 Grappling Hook 12 Pick 17 Spirit Ward
3 Cart (+4 slots, bulky) 8 Large Sack 13 Pole (10ft) 18 Spyglass
4 Chain (10ft) 9 Large Trap 14 Pulley 19 Tinderbox
5 Dowsing Rod 10 Lockpicks 15 Repellent 20 Wolfsbane

Tools
1 Bellows 6 Cook Pots 11 Grease 16 Net
2 Bucket 7 Crowbar 12 Hammer 17 Saw
3 Caltrops 8 Drill 13 Hourglass 18 Sealant
4 Chalk 9 Fishing Rod 14 Metal File 19 Shovel
5 Chisel 10 Glue 15 Nails 20 Tongs

Trinkets
1 Bottle 6 Horn 11 Mirror 16 Soap
2 Card Deck 7 Incense 12 Perfume 17 Sponge
3 Dice Set 8 Instrument 13 Quill & Ink 18 Tar Pot
4 Face Paint 9 Lens 14 Salt Pack 19 Twine
5 Fake Jewels 10 Marbles 15 Small Bell 20 Whistle

Bonus Item (roll on table indicated)

1-5 6-13 14-17 18-20
Tool or Trinket Expeditionary Gear Armor or Weapon Spellbook
(page 8)

7
Spellbooks (d100)
Spell Descriptions: Pages 16-18
1. Adhere 26. Earthquake 51. Masquerade 76. Smoke Form
2. Anchor 27. Elasticity 52. Miniaturize 77. Sniff
3. Animate Object 28. Elemental Wall 53. Mirror Image 78. Snuff
4. Anthropomorphize 29. Filch 54. Mirrorwalk 79. Sort
5. Arcane Eye 30. Flare 55. Multiarm 80. Spectacle
6. Astral Prison 31. Fog Cloud 56. Night Sphere 81. Spellsaw
7. Attract 32. Frenzy 57. Objectify 82. Spider Climb
8. Auditory Illusion 33. Gate 58. Ooze Form 83. Summon Cube
9. Babble 34. Gravity Shift 59. Pacify 84. Swarm
10. Bait Flower 35. Greed 60. Phobia 85. Telekinesis
11. Beast Form 36. Haste 61. Pit 86. Telepathy
12. Befuddle 37. Hatred 62. Primal Surge 87. Teleport
13. Body Swap 38. Hear Whispers 63. Push/Pull 88. Target Lure
14. Charm 39. Hover 64. Raise Dead 89. Thicket
15. Command 40. Hypnotize 65. Raise Spirit 90. Summon Idol
16. Comprehend 41. Icy Touch 66. Read Mind 91. Time Control
17. Cone of Foam 42. Identify Owner 67. Repel 92. True Sight
18. Control Plants 43. Illuminate 68. Scry 93. Upwell
19. Control Weather 44. Invisible Tether 69. Sculpt Elements 94. Vision
20. Cure Wounds 45. Knock 70. Sense 95. Visual Illusion
21. Deafen 46. Leap 71. Shield 96. Ward
22. Detect Magic 47. Liquid Air 72. Shroud 97. Web
23. Disassemble 48. Magic Dampener 73. Shuffle 98. Widget
24. Disguise 49. Manse 74. Sleep 99. Wizard Mark
25. Displace 50. Marble Craze 75. Slick 100. X-Ray Vision

8
Equipment List (Prices in Gold Pieces)
Armor
Shield (+1 Armor) 10
Helmet(+1 Armor) 10
Gambeson (+1 Armor) 15
Brigandine(1 Armor, bulky) 20
Chainmail (2 Armor, bulky) 40
Plate (3 Armor, bulky) 60

Weapons
Dagger, Cudgel, Sickle, Staff, etc. (d6 damage) 5
Spear, Sword, Mace, Axe, Flail, etc. (d8 damage) 10
Halberd, War Hammer, Long Sword, etc. (d10 damage, bulky) 20
Sling (d4 damage) 5
Bow (d6 damage,bulky) 20
Crossbow (d8 damage, bulky) 30

Gear & Tools

Air Bladder 5 Large Trap 20
Bellows 10 Large Sponge 5
Bedroll 5 Lens 10
Book 50 Lockpicks 25
Bucket 5 Manacles 10
Caltrops 10 Metal File 5
Cart (+4 slots, bulky) 30 Mirror 5
Chain (10ft) 10 Mule (+6 slots, slow) 30
Chalk 1 Net 10
Chisel 5 Oilskin Bag 5
Cook Pots 10 Pick 10
Crowbar 10 Pulley 10
Drill (Manual) 10 Pole (10ft) 5
Face Paint 10 Quill & Ink 10
Fire Oil 10 Rations (three days’ worth) 10
Fishing Rod 10 Rope (25ft) 5
Glass Marbles 5 Saw 5
Glue 5 Sack 5
Grease 10 Shovel 5
Grappling Hook 25 Soap 1
Hammer 5 Spike 1
Holy Water 25 Spiked Boots 5
Horn 10 Spyglass 40
Horse (+4 slots) 75 Tar 10
Hourglass 50 Tent (fits 2 people, bulky) 20
Incense 10 Torch 1
Ladder (bulky, 10ft) 10 Wagon (+8 slots, slow) 200
Lantern & Oil 10 Wolfsbane 10

9
Optional Gear Packages
Cleric Friar
War Hammer (d10, bulky) Scepter (d6)
Chainmail (2 Armor, bulky) Deceptive Robes (+1 Armor)
Gauntlets (+1 Armor) Censer & Holy Water
Cleansing Blade (d6) Jug of Honey Wine
Holy Symbol (Ward once per day) Folk Songbook
Cloak of the Order Cart (+4 slots, bulky)

Dowser Knight
Sickle (d6) Long sword (d10, bulky)
Patchwork doublet (+1 Armor) Chainmail (2 Armor, bulky)
Dowsing Rod Helmet (+1 Armor)
Eyestone (Sense if placed in fresh water) Heraldic Cape
Worn Map Manacles
Spyglass Fine Rope

Dwarf Magic User

Prickly Root (d6) Fizzled Staff (d8, bulky)
Pinecone Lattice (1 Armor) Dagger (d6)
Trowel Spellbook (random spell)
Jar of Forest Ants Spellbook (random spell)
Poisonous mushroom Ragged clothing (hidden pockets)
Hand Drill Leycap (x2, see Relics)

Elf Ranger
Elegant Sword (d8) Longbow (d8, bulky)
Recurve Bow (d8) Hatchet (d6)
Gilt Clothing (1 Armor) Padded Leathers (1 Armor)
Spellbook (Charm or Detect Magic) Large Trap
Golden Flute Bloodhound | 2 HP, 12 DEX, bite (d6)
Air Bladder Thundering Horn

Fighter Thief
Glaive (d10, bulky) Two daggers (d6+d6)
Scimitar (d8) Hooded Jerkin (1 Armor)
Shortsword (d6) Lockpicks
Shortsword (d6) Caltrops
Tobacco Pouch & Pipe Grappling Hook
Dice Set Metal File

10
Rules
Abilities Deprivation & Fatigue
Each of the three abilities are used in A PC deprived of a crucial need (such as
different circumstances (see saves, below). food or rest) is unable to recover HP or
ability scores.
Strength (STR): Used for saves requiring
physical power, like lifting gates, bending Anyone deprived for more than a day adds
bars, resisting poison, etc. Fatigue to their inventory, one for each
day. Each Fatigue occupies one slot and
Dexterity (DEX): Used for saves requiring
lasts until the PC can recuperate safely for
poise, speed, and reflexes like dodging,
a full night, after which they recover all
climbing, sneaking, balancing, etc.
occupied slots.
Willpower (WIL): Used for saves to
persuade, deceive, interrogate, intimidate, PCs can also gain Fatigue by casting
charm, provoke, manipulate spells, etc. spells or through events in the fiction.

Saves Armor
A save is a roll to avoid bad outcomes Before calculating damage to HP, subtract
from risky choices and circumstances. the target’s Armor value from the result of
PCs roll a d20 for an appropriate ability damage rolls. Shields and similar armor
score. If they roll equal to or under that provides a bonus defense (e.g. +1 Armor),
ability score, they pass. Otherwise, they but only while the item is held or worn.
fail. A 1 is always a success, and a 20 is No one can have more than 3 Armor.
always a failure.
Shields, gauntlets, and helms may provide
Example: Bea encounters a group of heavily- additional benefits according to their use.
armed Goblins standing guard before a tunnel
entrance. Her player carefully plots a course,
recognizing that her 13 DEX makes sneaking NPCs
past the guards the best option. She rolls a d20, Reactions
and resulting in a 10 – a success! When the PCs encounter an NPC whose
reaction to the party is not obvious, the
Healing Warden may roll 2d6 and consult the
Resting for a few moments and having a following table:
drink of water restores lost HP but leaves
the party exposed. Ability loss (see page 14) 2 3-5 6-8 9-11 12
can usually be restored with a week’s rest Hostile Wary Curious Kind Helpful
facilitated by a healer or other appropriate
source of expertise. Some of these services Morale
are free, while magical or more expedient Enemies must pass a WIL save to avoid
means of recovery may come at a cost. fleeing when they take their first casualty
and again when they lose half their number.
Some groups may use their leader’s WIL
in place of their own. Lone foes must save
when they’re reduced to 0 HP. Morale
does not affect PCs.

11
 Wealth & Treasure Casting Spells
The most common coin is the gold piece Anyone can cast a spell by holding a
(gp), which is equal to 10 silver pieces Spellbook in both hands and reading its
(sp) and 100 copper pieces (cp). contents aloud. They must then add a
Fatigue to inventory, occupying one slot.
Treasure is highly valuable, usually bulky,
and rarely useful beyond its value. It can Given time and safety, PCs can enhance a
be a lure, taking PCs to exotic and even spell’s impact (e.g., affecting multiple
dangerous locations, and is often under targets, increasing its power, etc.) without
the protection of intimidating foes. any additional cost.
Villages, strongholds, and ports of call If the PC is deprived or in danger, the
barter and trade based on the local rarity Warden may require a PC to make a WIL
and value of an item or commodity. save to avoid any ill-effects from casting
the spell. Consequences of failure are on
Hirelings par with the intended effect, and may
result in added Fatigue, the destruction of
PCs can hire hirelings to aid them in
the Spellbook, injury, and even death.
their expeditions. To create a hireling,
roll 3d6 for each ability score, then give
them 1d6 HP and a simple weapon (d6), Relics
then roll on the Character Creation tables Relics are items imbued with a magical
to further flesh them out. Hirelings cost spell or power. They do not cause Fatigue.
between 1-3gp per day, or a share of Relics usually have a limited use, as well
whatever treasure the party obtains. as a recharge condition. A few examples:
Honeyclasp, 3 charges. A rusted ring that
Spellbooks & Scrolls shrinks the bearer to 6”tall. Recharge:
Spellbooks contain a single spell and take place in a thimble-sized cup of royal jelly.
up one slot. They cannot be transcribed or
created; instead they are recovered from Falconer’s Friend, 1 charge. A bolt-shaped
places like tombs, dungeons, and manors. wand carrying the Haste spell. Recharge:
fire from a crossbow and recover.
Spellbooks sometimes display unusual
properties or limitations, such as producing Staff of Silence, 1 charge. This blackened
a foul or unearthly smell when opened, rod temporarily disables all magic within
possessing an innate intelligence, or being 50ft. Recharge: bathe in the light of a full
legible only when held in moonlight. moon.
Spellbooks will attract the attentionof Leycap, 1 use. Anyone ingesting this
those who seek the arcane power within, green-flecked mushroom loses a Fatigue,
and it is considered dangerous to display but is then required to make a WIL save to
them openly. avoid its addictive properties. A fail leaves
Scrolls are similar to Spellbooks, however: the PC deprived and unable to focus until
� They do not take up an inventory slot. they can eat another leycap, providing
� They do not cause Fatigue. only a brief reprieve from the addiction.
� They disappear after one use.

12
Combat
Rounds Attack Modifiers
The game typically plays without strict If fighting from a position of weakness
time accounting. In a fight or circumstance (such as through cover or with bound
where timing is helpful, use rounds to keep hands), the attack is impaired and the
track of when something occurs. A round attacker must roll 1d4 damage regardless
is roughly ten seconds of in-game time and of the damage die used during the attack.
is comprised of turns.
If fighting from a position of advantage
Actions (such as against a helpless foe or through a
On their turn, a character may move up to daring maneuver), the attack is enhanced,
40ft and take up to one action. This may be allowing the attacker to roll 1d12 damage
casting a spell, attacking, making a second instead of their normal die.
move, or some other reasonable action.
Dual Weapons
Each round, the PCs declare what they are If attacking with two weapons at the same
doing before dice are rolled. If a character time, roll both damage dice and keep the
attempts something risky, the Warden calls single highest result.
for a save for appropriate players or NPCs.
Blast
Turns Attacks with the blast quality affect all
The Warden will telegraph the most likely targets in the noted area, rolling separately
actions taken by NPCs or monsters. At the for each affected character. Blast refers to
start of combat, each PC must make a DEX anything from explosions to huge cleaving
save to act before their opponents. onslaughts to the impact of a meteorite. If
unsure how many targets can be affected,
Example: Bea has accidentally stumbled onto
the stomping grounds of a massive Wood Troll. roll the related damage die for a result.
In order to make a move before the Troll, she Critical Damage
makes a DEX save. She fails, and the Troll gets
to attack first. Damage that reduces a target’s HP below
zero decreases a target’s STR by the amount
Attacking & Damage remaining. They must then make a STR save
The attacker rolls their weapon die and to avoid critical damage. Additionally, some
subtracts the target’s armor, then deals the enemies will have special abilities or effects
remaining total to their opponent’s HP. that are triggered when their target fails a
Unarmed attacks always do 1d4 damage. critical damage save.
Example: The Wood Troll roars, swinging its Any PC that suffers critical damage cannot
club at Bea, who has 5 HP. The club does 1d10
damage and the Warden rolls a 4. They subtract do anything but crawl weakly, grasping for
1 to account for Bea’s leather armor, leaving Bea life. If given aid and rest, they will stabilize.
with 2 HP remaining. If left untreated, they die within the hour.
Multiple Attackers Scars
If multiple attackers target the same foe, When damage to a PC reduces their HP to
roll all damage dice and keep the single exactly 0, they are sometimes changed
highest result. irrevocably. See the Scars table on the
following page for more.

13
Ability Score Loss Detachments
If a PC’s STR is reduced to 0, they die. Large groups of similar combatants fighting
If their DEX is reduced to 0, they are together are treated as a single detachment.
paralyzed. If their WIL is reduced to 0, When a detachment takes critical damage, it
they are delirious. is routed or significantly weakened. When it
reaches 0 STR, it is destroyed.
Complete DEX and WIL loss renders the
character unable to act until they are Attacks against detachments by individuals
restored through extended rest or by are impaired (excluding blast damage).
extraordinary means. Attacks against individuals by detachments
are enhanced and deal blast damage.
Unconsciousness & Death
When a character dies, the player is free Retreat
to create a new character or take control Running away from a dire situation always
of a hireling. They immediately join the requires a successful DEX save, as well as a
party in order to reduce downtime. safe destination to run to.

Scars
When an attack reduces a PC’s HP to exactly 0, they are uniquely impacted.
Look up the result on the table below based on the total damage taken:
1 Lasting Scar: Roll 1d6 | 1: Neck, 2: Hands, 3: Eye, 4: Chest, 5: Legs, 6: Ear.
Roll 1d6. If the total is higher than your max HP, take the new result.
2 Rattling Blow: You’re disoriented and shaken. Describe how you refocus.
Roll 1d6. If the total is higher than your max HP, take the new result.
3 Walloped: You’re sent flying and land flat on your face, winded. You are deprived
until you rest for a few hours. Then, roll 1d6. Add that amount to your max HP.
4 Broken Limb: Roll 1d6 | 1-2: Leg, 3-4: Arm, 5: Rib, 6: Skull.
Once mended, roll 2d6. If the total is higher than your max HP, take the new result.
5 Diseased: You’re afflicted with a gross, uncomfortable infection. When you get over
it, roll 2d6. If the total is higher than your max HP, take the new result.
6 Reorienting Head Wound: Roll 1d6 | 1-2: STR, 3-4: DEX, 5-6: WIL.
Roll 3d6. If the total is higher than your current ability score, take the new result.
7 Hamstrung: You can barely move until you get serious help and rest. After
recovery, roll 3d6. If the total is higher than your max DEX, take the new result.
8 Deafened: You cannot hear anything until you find extraordinary aid. Regardless,
make a WIL save. If you pass, increase your max WIL by 1d4.
9 Re-brained: Some hidden part of your psyche is knocked loose.
Roll 3d6. If the total is higher than your max WIL, take the new result.
10 Sundered: An appendage is torn off, crippled or useless. The Warden will tell you
which. Then, make a WIL save. If you pass, increase your max WIL by 1d6.
11 Mortal Wound: You are deprived and out of action. You die in one hour unless
healed. Upon recovery, roll 2d6. Take the new result as your max HP.
12 Doomed: Death seemed ever so close, but somehow you survived. If your next save
against critical damage is a fail, you die horribly. If you pass, roll 3d6. If the total is
higher than your max HP, take the new result.

14
Bestiary Creating Monsters
Root Goblin Use the following template to model any
4 HP, 8 STR, 14 DEX, 8 WIL, spear (d6) more sophisticated Monster or NPC:
� Avoid combat unless they have the
Name
advantage (such as greater numbers).
X HP, X Armor, X STR, X DEX, X WIL,
� Guard their stolen goods to the death.
Weapon (dX, special items, qualities)
� Prize Spellbooks; willing to trade.
� Engaging descriptor of appearance or
Hooded Men demeanor
12 HP, 9 STR, 12 DEX, 14 WIL, leystaff � Quirk, tactic, or peculiarity making this
(d8), a Spellbook (Choose one: Charm, NPC unique
Hypnotize, Push/Pull, Shield) � Special effect or critical damage
� The Watchers of the Wood; a cult that consequence
derive their power from leylines, rune
General Principles
stones, and the like. Ability Scores: 3 is deficient, 6 is weak, 10
� Critical damage: leech a part of the is average, 14 is noteworthy, and 18 is
victim’s soul (1d4 WIL damage). legendary. Adjust as necessary.
Cobblehounds Give average creatures 3 HP, give hardy
12 HP, 2 Armor, 14 STR, 1 DEX, 8 WIL, ones 6 HP, and serious threats get 10+ HP.
bite (d10)
� Immobile constructs typically used as Use flavor and style to help them stand
guardians to great tombs or artifacts. out. Players will remember a pig-faced
� Unaffected by mundane persuasion humanoid looking for his missing sheep
techniques - but do love a good bone. more easily than a generic goblin archer.

Wood Troll Use critical damage to lean into the threat

12 HP, 15 STR, 12 DEX, 7 WIL, claws and or strangeness of any aggressive NPC.
bite (d8+d8 blast)
Remember that HP is Hit Protection, not
� As an action, can recover lost HP.
Hit Points. It’s a measure of resilience,
� Critical damage: moss and twigs begin luck, and gumption - not health.
growing out of target’s wounds.
Converting from OSR Games
Frost Elf
� Give 1 HP per HD for most creatures.
14 HP, 1 Armor, 8 STR, 13 DEX, 14 WIL,
� Most humanoids have at least 4 HP.
icicle dagger (d6), a Spellbook (Choose
one: Sleep, Teleport, Detect Magic) � Morale can also be used as a baseline.
� Beautiful, amoral, and long-lived.
Some pointers:
� Resistant to most forms of magic.
� Is it good at avoiding a hit? Give it HP.
Boggart � Does it soak up damage? Give it Armor.
3 HP, 4 STR, 17 DEX, 13 WIL � Is it strong? Give it a high STR.
� A wild, hairy trickster that takes � Is it nimble? Give it high DEX.
pleasure in being a minor nuisance. � Is it charismatic? Give it high WIL.
� Prizes relics and shiny trinkets above
all else but unwilling to trade for coin. Damage die are roughly the same, though
� Boggarts have names that describe armed attacks do at least 1d6 damage.
their true nature. Knowing their true
name allows one to control a Boggart.

15
100 Spells
1. Adhere: An object is covered in 17. Cone of Foam: Dense foam sprays
extremely sticky slime. from your hand, coating the target.
2. Anchor: A strong wire sprouts from 18. Control Plants: Nearby plants and
your arms, affixing itself to two points trees obey you and gain the ability to
within 50ft on each side. move at a slow pace.
3. Animate Object: An object obeys your 19. Control Weather: You may alter the
commands as best it can. type of weather at will, but you do not
otherwise control it.
4. Anthropomorphize: An animal
either gains human intelligence or 20. Cure Wounds: Restore 1d4 STR per
human appearance for one day. day to a creature you can touch.
5. Arcane Eye: You can see through a 21. Deafen: All nearby creatures are
magical floating eyeball that flies around deafened.
at your command.
22. Detect Magic: You can see or hear
6. Astral Prison: An object is frozen in nearby magical auras.
time and space within an invulnerable
crystal shell. 23. Disassemble: Any of your body parts
may be detached and reattached at will,
7. Attract: Two objects are strongly without causing pain or damage. You
magnetically attracted to each other if can still control them.
they come within 10 feet.
24. Disguise: You may alter the
8. Auditory Illusion: You create illusory appearance of one character at will as
sounds that seem to come from a long as they remain humanoid. Attempts
direction of your choice. to duplicate other characters will seem
uncanny.
9. Babble: A creature must loudly and
clearly repeat everything you think. It is 25. Displace: An object appears to be up
otherwise mute. to 15ft from its actual position.
10. Bait Flower: A plant sprouts from the 26. Earthquake: The ground begins
ground that emanates the smell of shaking violently. Structures may be
decaying flesh. damaged or collapse.
11. Beast Form: You and your 27. Elasticity: Your body can stretch up
possessions transform into a mundane to 10ft.
animal.
28. Elemental Wall: A straight wall of ice
12. Befuddle: A creature of your choice or fire 50ft long and 10ft high rises from
is unable to form new short-term the ground.
memories for the duration of the spell.
29. Filch: A visible item teleports to your
13. Body Swap: You switch bodies with a hands.
creature you touch. If one body dies, the
other dies as well. 30. Flare: A bright ball of energy fires a
trail of light into the sky, revealing your
14. Charm: A creature you can see treats location to friend or foe.
you as a friend.
31. Fog Cloud: A dense fog spreads out
15. Comprehend: You become fluent in from you.
all languages for a short while.
32. Frenzy: A nearby creature erupts in a
16. Command: A target obeys a single frenzy of violence.
three-word command that does not
cause it harm. 33. Gate: A portal to a random plane
opens.

16
34. Gravity Shift: You can change the 52. Miniaturize: A creature you touch is
direction of gravity, but only for yourself. shrunk down to the size of a mouse.
35. Greed: A creature develops the 53. Mirror Image: An illusory duplicate
overwhelming urge to possess a visible of yourself appears and is under your
item of your choice. control.
36. Haste: Your movement speed is 54. Mirrorwalk: A mirror becomes a
tripled. gateway to another mirror that you
looked into today.
37. Hatred: A creature develops a deep
hatred of another creature or group and 55. Multiarm: You temporarily gain an
wishes to destroy them. extra arm.
38. Hear Whispers: You can hear faint 56. Night Sphere: A 50ft wide sphere of
sounds clearly. darkness displaying the night sky
appears before you.
39. Hover: An object hovers, frictionless,
2ft above the ground. It can hold up to 57. Objectify: You become any inanimate
one humanoid. object between the size of a grand piano
and an apple.
40. Hypnotize: A creature enters a trance
and will truthfully answer one yes or no 58. Ooze Form: You become a living jelly.
question you ask it.
59. Pacify: A creature near you has an
41. Icy Touch: A thick ice layer spreads aversion to violence.
across a touched surface, up to 10ft in
radius. 60. Phobia: A nearby creature becomes
terrified of an object of your choice.
42. Identify Owner: Letters appear over
the object you touch, spelling out the 61. Pit: A pit 10ft wide and 10ft deep
name of the object's owners, if there are opens in the ground.
any. 62. Primal Surge: A creature rapidly
43. Illuminate: A floating light moves as evolves into a future version of its
you command. species.

44. Invisible Tether: Two objects within 63. Push/Pull: An object of any size is
10ft of each other cannot be moved more pulled directly towards you or pushed
than 10ft apart. directly away from you with the strength
of one man.
45. Knock: A nearby mundane or
magical lock unlocks – loudly. 64. Raise Dead: A skeleton rises from the
ground to serve you. They are incredibly
46. Leap: You jump up to 10ft high, once. stupid and can only obey simple orders.
47. Liquid Air: The air around you 65. Raise Spirit: The spirit of a nearby
becomes swimmable. corpse manifests and will answer 1
question.
48. Magic Dampener: All nearby magical
effects have their effectiveness halved. 66. Read Mind: You can hear the surface
thoughts of nearby creatures.
49. Manse: A sturdy, furnished cottage
appears for 12 hours. You can permit and 67. Repel: Two objects are strongly
forbid entry to it at will. magnetically repelled from each other
within 10 feet.
50. Marble Craze: Your pockets are full
of marbles, and will refill every 30 68. Scry: You can see through the eyes of
seconds. a creature you touched earlier today.
51. Masquerade: A character’s 69. Sculpt Elements: Inanimate material
appearance and voice becomes identical behaves like clay in your hands.
to those of a character you touch.

17
70. Sense: Choose one kind of object 87. Teleport: An object or person you can
(key, gold, arrow, jug, etc.). You can sense see is transported from one place to
the nearest example. another in a 50ft radius.
71. Shield: A creature you touch is 88. Target Lure: An object you touch
protected from mundane attacks for one becomes the target of any nearby spell.
minute.
89. Thicket: A thicket of trees and dense
72. Shroud: A creature you touch is brush up to 50ft wide suddenly sprouts
invisible until they move. up.
73. Shuffle: Two creatures you can see 90. Summon Idol: A carved stone statue
instantly switch places. the size of a mule rises from the ground.
74. Sleep: A creature you can see falls 91. Time Control: Time in a 50ft bubble
into a light sleep. slows down or increases by 10% for 30
seconds.
75. Slick: Every surface in a 30ft radius
becomes extremely slippery. 92. True Sight: You see through all
nearby illusions.
76. Smoke Form: Your body becomes a
living smoke that you can control. 93. Upwell: A spring of seawater
appears.
77. Sniff: You can smell even the faintest
traces of scents. 94. Vision: You completely control what a
creature sees.
78. Snuff: The source of any mundane
light you can see is instantly snuffed out. 95. Visual Illusion: A silent, immobile,
room-sized illusion of your choice
79. Sort: Inanimate items sort appears.
themselves according to categories you
set. 96. Ward: A silver circle 50ft across
appears on the ground. Choose one
80. Spectacle: A clearly false but species that cannot cross it.
impressive illusion of your choice
appears, under your control. It may be 97. Web: Your wrists shoot thick
up to the size of a palace and has full webbing.
motion and sound.
98. Widget: A primitive version of a
81. Spellsaw: A whirling blade flies from drawn tool or item appears before you
your chest, clearing any plant material in and disappears after a short time.
its way. It is otherwise harmless.
99. Wizard Mark: Your finger can shoot
82. Spider Climb: You can climb surfaces a stream of ulfire-colored paint. This
like a spider. paint is only visible to you and can be
seen at any distance, even through solid
83. Summon Cube: Once per second you objects.
may summon or banish a 3-foot-wide
cube of earth. New cubes must be affixed 100. X-Ray Vision: You can see through
to the earth or to other cubes. walls, dirt, clothing, etc.
84. Swarm: You become a swarm of
crows, rats, or piranhas. You can only be
harmed by blast attacks.
85. Telekinesis: You may mentally move 1
item under 60lbs.
86. Telepathy: Two creatures can hear
each other’s thoughts, no matter how far
apart.

18
 Rules Summary ACTIONS
On their turn, a character may move up to
ABILITIES 40ft and take up to one action. Actions may
STR: Brawn, prowess & resistance. include casting a spell, attacking, making a
DEX: Dodging, sneaking & reflexes. second move, or other reasonable activities.
WIL: Persuasion, intimidation & magic. Actions, attacks, and movements take place
simultaneously. Whenever turn order is
SAVES
uncertain, the PCs should make a DEX save
Roll a d20 equal to or under an ability. to see if they go before their enemies.
1 is always a success, 20 is always a failure.
HIT PROTECTION Retreating from a dangerous situation
HP indicates a PC’s ability to avoid getting always requires a successful DEX save, as
hurt. It is lost during combat & recovered well as a safe destination to run to.
after a few moment’s rest.
INVENTORY COMBAT
PCs have 10 inventory slots: four on their The attacker rolls their weapon die and
body and six in their backpack (which acts subtracts the target’s Armor, then deals the
as a sleeping bag if emptied). Most items remaining total to their opponent’s HP.
take up one slot, but smaller items can be
Before calculating damage to HP, subtract
bundled. Bulky items take up two slots the target’s Armor value from the result of
and are awkward or difficult to carry. damage rolls. Shields and similar armor
Filling all ten item slots reduces a PC to 0 provides a bonus defense (e.g. +1 Armor),
HP. PCs cannot carry more than their but only while the item is held or worn.
inventory allows, though carts & horses No one can have more than 3 Armor.
may provide an increase in slots.
DEPRIVATION Unarmed attacks always do 1d4
damage. If multiple attackers target the
Deprived PCs cannot recover HP. If same foe, roll all damage dice and keep the
deprived for more than a day, they add single highest result. If attacking with two
a Fatigue to inventory. Fatigue occupies weapons at the same time, roll both
one slot and lasts until they can recover damage dice and keep the highest.
in safety. This effect is cumulative.
If an attack is impaired, the damage die is
HEALING reduced to 1d4, regardless of weapon. If the
A moment’s rest and a swig of water will attack is enhanced, the attacker rolls 1d12.
restore lost HP, but may leave the party Attacks with the blast quality affect all area
vulnerable. Ability loss requires a week’s targets, rolling separately for each.
rest and the aid of a skilled healer.
SPELLBOOKS DAMAGE
Spellbooks contain a single spell and take If an attack takes a PC’s HP exactly to 0,
up one item slot. Anyone can cast a spell by the player rolls on the Scars table (page 14).
holding a Spellbook in both hands and
Damage that reduces a target’s HP below 0
reading its contents aloud. Casting a spell
decreases their STR by the remainder. They
adds Fatigue to the PC’s inventory.
must then make a STR save to avoid critical
damage. Failure takes them out of combat,
Given time and safety, PCs can enhance a
dying if left untreated.
spell without any additional cost. If they
are deprived or in danger, a WIL save may Having 0 STR means death; having 0 DEX
be required to avoid terrible consequences. is paralysis; having 0 WIL is delirium.