Party Supplies
In Enigma, each dawn brings new mysteries, while each dusk recounts tales of daring adventures. This game combines the need for essential supplies—such as food, light, and tools—with a strong desire for exploration.
The introduction of the Party Supplies System offers a streamlined approach that keeps you prepared for adventure without the hassle of complicated inventory management. Imagine having access to a shared stockpile of essential items, ranging from a warm meal to the comforting glow of a torch in the dark.
This system emphasizes a fluid, shared resource that reflects the group’s readiness and adaptability, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the adventure. A single die represents this: the Party Supplies Die.
Party Supplies Die: The party begins with a Party Supplies die, typically a d6, representing your collective stockpile of adventuring essentials. When you need to draw from your supplies, roll that die. A roll of 1 means your resources are dwindling, which reduces the die size (for example, from a d6 to a d4), indicating a decrease in supplies. Conversely, if you roll the maximum number, you've skillfully conserved or replenished your stock, allowing you to increase your die size (perhaps from a d6 to a d8).
Venturing into towns offers opportunities to enhance your Party Supplies die. You can trade tales of your adventures for essential items, ensuring you're well-prepared for future journeys. Discovering new supplies during your travels increases your resources and emphasizes the joy and significance of exploration, turning every find into a chance to extend your adventure.
Each additional time your party uses party supplies in a given day, the number you need to beat on a party supplies die to avoid depletion increases by 1. This resets at the start of a new day.
This system focuses on the narratives woven throughout Enigma, highlighting the camaraderie within your party and the challenges you've overcome rather than fixating on who carries the lantern oil. It's a method that celebrates the spirit of adventure, ensuring you're equipped for whatever wonders or challenges the world of Enigma has in store while always prioritizing exploration and the thrill of the unknown on your journey.
Example:
Game Master: "Ahead of you lies a vast chasm, its depths lost to shadow. The other side is barely visible through the mist, but you can see an ancient tree with sturdy branches reaching out over the abyss. It's too far to jump, and falling would mean certain doom."
Player: "Could we use our Party Supplies (d6) to create a rope swing? We could attach it to one of those branches and swing across the chasm."
Game Master: "Intriguing idea! Let's see if you have the necessary materials for your party supplies. Roll the Party Supplies die to check."
The player rolls the Party Supplies (d6) die and gets a 6 (the maximum value).
Game Master: "Not only do you find a sturdy rope in your supplies, but you also discover a grappling hook perfect for securing the rope to the tree. With these tools, your plan is certainly feasible. Since you're making clever use of your Party Supplies, I'll give you advantage on the Navigate check needed to swing across. Also, you rolled the maximum value on your party supplies die increases by 1 size to a d8. Who's taking the lead on this Navigate check?"
Player: "I'll do it." The player rolls two Navigate dice, taking advantage of the situation, and rolls a 10.
Game Master: "With a confident throw, you hook the rope securely around the tree branch. You take a moment to steady yourself, then launch into the air. The rope holds firm, and you swing gracefully across the chasm to land safely on the other side. The way is now prepared for the rest of the party to follow. Well done!"
Party supplies are basic items and cannot be used to identify consumables or sources of wealth.
Navigating Party Supplies: Party Supplies checks can enhance your Enigma campaign without slowing down the story with unnecessary details. Here are some tips for effectively navigating the party supplies system:
Critical Needs: Call for a check during essential moments, such as navigating dark caves or enduring harsh weather, to emphasize the importance of preparedness. Use natural events as prompts, such as dwindling supplies during a long trek or environmental challenges threatening their resources.
Boosting Supplies Mid-Adventure: Incorporate supplies into the world and Hide them within the adventure to reward exploration and interaction. An old wagon might conceal supplies, or a grateful NPC could offer essential items.
Link to Challenges: Allow players to discover supplies as rewards for overcoming obstacles or solving puzzles. This approach deepens the gameplay experience.
Adaptability: Tailor the Party Supplies mechanic to fit the adventure's pace and setting, ensuring it enhances the narrative rather than hinders it.
Weave into the Narrative: Use the outcomes from supplies checks to introduce new plot elements or challenges, keeping the adventure engaging and dynamic.
This strategy focuses on adventure and exploration, enriching the player experience with strategic resource management that integrates seamlessly into the story’s flow.
Environmental Conditions & Party Supplies: When calling for a Party Supplies check, consider environmental factors such as weather, terrain, and scarcity. The more challenging the environment is for survival, the greater its impact on the rate of Party Supplies depletion.
Standard Conditions: The die depletes normally.
Harsh Conditions: In environments such as wastelands, deep wilderness, or during extended journeys without resupply, subtract 1 from the party's supplies roll in accordance with the depletion rules.
Extreme Conditions: In situations like deserts, post-battle scarcity, or deep space, subtract 2 from the party's supplies roll in accordance with the depletion rules.