Chapter 1.a - The Core Game

Assumptions of Knowledge

Anarchy Realms assumes certain things about you. One is that you understand what a role-playing game is. There are word choices and language used that assumes a certain amount of knowledge beforehand. But understand that this knowledge is easy to find, and where possible it uses language that is commonly accepted vernacular. If new or uncommon knowledge is used, it is often described immediately. As this is being live written for an always on audience, this section: Chapter 1, will be a sort of gateway to the rest of the system.

As words are written on content created, new pages and sections will be linked from here to the new areas. This first chapter is meant to be used as a general overview of the game, with details to be expanded on in their own sections. So don't worry about feeling overwhelmed now. All information will come in time.

What do you need to play?

A GM (Game Master), some players to control the PCs (Player Characters), some dice (known as d20, d12, d10, d8, d6 and d4), and a way to keep your information together (commonly referred to as a character sheet).

Some people use digital dice. Some people keep their info on Note Cards or even in an excel sheet. However you do it, is up to you. Some people say you need to have an adventure, but sometimes all you need is a hook and some improv. No matter how you choose to play, even with recommended materials or not, the goal is to have fun with friends or acquaintances and to spend valuable time together. And yes, maybe that DOES involve an adventure.

Finally, you may want to be able to reference the rules. But its okay if you remember the wrong thing, or resolve something the wrong way. As long as everyone is having fun and the game isn't getting so out of hand that you cheapen the fun out of it, then the rules don't matter at all!

Ground Rules for RAW x RAI

RAW or Rules as Written is often touted as a gospel. There is also RAI or Rules as Intended, which says to ignore parts of the rules that contradict each other or make things break the game and to seek the proper intent of the rule. This sort of debate is often handled like lawyers discussing laws. For that reason some ground rules should be established, such as the one above: "As long as everyone is having fun and the game isn't getting so out of hand that you cheapen the fun out of it, then the rules don't matter at all!"

Other ground rules include:

Round up all fractions

Regardless if it is below half or not, round up all fractions.

Do not stack similarly named or like abilities

If an ability gives you advantage on stealth, and a piece of equipment does as well, you do not roll 3 dice take the highest. If two different things lower your Body attribute, only take the highest affecting one, even if the abilities are different. You can still apply two circumstance reductions (since circumstances just counts total number of events).

Do not take a bonus past +5 or -5

Regardless of how many bonuses you get, +5 is the maximum bonus you can get to. Similarly with a -5. You can count past 5 for the purpose of totaling the amounts, but after everything is accounted for, the totals above +5 or below -5 become +5 and -5 respectively.

"As long as everyone is having fun and the game isn't getting so out of hand that you cheapen the fun out of it, then the rules don't matter at all!"

Advantage and Disadvantage

Advantage and Disadvantage means you roll a die twice and take the highest or lowest of the two, respectively.

Advantage on a die roll applies to the base die by default, so unless it specifies a conditional die roll, it only applies to the base die roll. If you have advantage on a Skill die, but the Skill is at 0 then you roll 0 dice twice and take the highest 0. This also applies to Disadvantage.

Any die, including damage dice can be given advantage or disadvantage depending on abilities, skills, circumstances and GM fiat (though usually they explain why).

Base + Conditional (Attribute/Skill/Circumstance) + Flat Level Bonus

You'll usually know your Attribute, Skill and Circumstance (at least from your equipment) baselines.
  Attribute is only ever modified by Conditions or Boons that affect attributes, and you'll know if you are under that effect.
  All other conditions and boons apply to circumstance on a +1/-1 rate per condition or boon. So while different boons and conditions have other effects, just having one on you modifies your Circumstance.
  If it helps avoid confusion, the GM can roll the Deficit dice.

What are Attributes?

Anarchy Realms uses a six attribute system. These attributes help define your character: Mind, Body, Soul, Blood, Heart, and Bone. Each attribute has a set of skills it represents, such as your knowledge in Arcana or your ability to lift things over your head.

Mind

This focuses on representing your ability to critically think about subject matters. Helps with problem solving, intellectual agility, memory and recall.

Body

This prioritizes on representing your physicality, and how it leans towards being capable of doing things. It covers your dexterity, resilience and vitality.

Soul

This is your inner monologue. It represents your peace with the world, your studies and history. It is etched with your past.

Blood

This is your passion and drive. It is the inner fire of your creativity. Without this attribute, it is difficult to move you to do things.

Heart

This is your emotional intelligence. It is what helps you manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is where your compassion and authenticity come from. 

Bone

This is established by your aesthetic reasoning, it is full of symbolism about who you are. It also affects your appearance and how others perceive you. Where something else might hold your truth, this where it is expressed.

What is the narrative?

The campaign is based on the concept of the players being part of an organization called the Problem Solvers. They are based out of localized centers called Solver Sanctuaries.

Think of it like an adventurer’s guild, but with a narrower focus. Their job, aside from general helping of things people can’t do on their own or from other systems (they are not the town guard or the fire brigade, but might be tasked with helping those groups), is going into Labyrinths and destroying the Hearts inside, allowing the Labyrinths to collapse. They have to escape the Labyrinth before it does so.

References

The following things inspired the choices I make in the design of this game:

Tabletop: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd, 4th and 5th edition, Pathfinder 2e, Big Eyes Small Mouth, Blades in the Dark, Core20, Kids on Bikes, Alessia

Video Games: Final Fantasy Tactics, Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy Series

Movies and TV Shows: Adventure Time, Avatar the Last Airbender, Conan the Adventurer, Frieren, Konosuba, Record of Lodoss War, Jobless Reincarnation, Tearmoon Empire

Books: Dealing with Dragons and the rest of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Darksword Trilogy, Deathgate Cycle Series, Rose of the Prophet Trilogy