Character Lore
Lore Statements: Accurate representations of your character's story in a declarative statement. They consist of statements about your character's life, drawing from past experiences, significant achievements, or emotional scars. These statements serve as narrative tools and have mechanical effects in gameplay, directly impacting the world around your character.
Types of Lore Statements
Origins: Where did your character come from? What events shaped their early life? These experiences are included in the Lore Statements, providing advantages when your character's background is relevant to the challenge.
Accomplishments: What crucial moments from your character's journey stand out? Lore Statements capture the essence of those moments, allowing your character to use them to boost gameplay when similar situations arise.
Traumas: Not all experiences are positive. Traumas are challenging moments that leave a mark on your character. If one of your Lore Statements reflects a traumatic event, it might hinder your character's performance in certain situations, adding depth and emotional complexity.
Examples of Lore Statements
A Lore Statement provides both a narrative anchor and a potential mechanical impact. Players and GMs collaborate to determine how these statements influence the character’s journey, offering advantages or disadvantages based on the situation. Below are a few examples to illustrate how different aspects of a character’s story can be reflected through Lore Statements:
"Raised in the shadow of the Black Mountain, I know how to survive in harsh and unforgiving environments."
"After vanquishing the Iron Tyrant, I became a renowned warrior feared by many."
"I still carry the scars of the day I failed to protect my village from the Crimson Wraiths."
Using Lore Statements in Play
Each character begins with three Lore Statements that outline their past, including essential relationships, experiences, or events that have influenced them. These statements serve as narrative tools and mechanical advantages, enabling players to incorporate their backstories into the game meaningfully.
Lore Statements can be used in two primary ways:
Gain Advantage on a Roll: If a Lore Statement is directly relevant to the current situation, a player can invoke it once per session to gain an advantage on a roll. The Game Master (GM) will determine the appropriate connection before granting this benefit. Once a Lore Statement has been invoked for an advantage on a roll during a session, it cannot be used again until the next session. However, you may similarly use your other Lore Statements.
Trigger a Flashback: Once per session, one player may introduce a minor detail or connection related to their Lore Statement. This could take the form of recalling a forgotten ally, recognizing a symbol from their past, or revealing a previous encounter with an NPC that provides them an advantage in the present. The Game Master (GM) has the final say on the validity and impact of the Flashback. Once a Flashback is used by any player, no one else can use one until the next session. Additionally, the same player cannot trigger Flashbacks in consecutive sessions.
Example of Using Lore Statements:
Advantage on a Roll:
Player: "I want to use my Lore Statement, ‘Raised in the shadow of the Black Mountain,’ to gain an advantage on this Navigate check. My character knows how to find shelter in harsh environments, and that skill would help us here."
Game Master: "That makes sense. Given your background, you’d have a better chance of guiding the party through this rugged terrain. I’ll grant you advantage on your Navigate check."
Flashback:
Player: "I want to trigger a Flashback related to my Lore Statement, ‘Former disciple of the Azure Syndicate.’ I remember training alongside a rival named Kyrell who might still work for them. Maybe I can use that connection to get us inside their stronghold without raising suspicion."
Game Master: "That’s an interesting angle. Since your past with the Syndicate is well-established, you recognize Kyrell among the guards. He remembers you, but whether he’s willing to help depends on how you handle the conversation."