Project Istari

Project Istari

Project Istari (working title) is an in-work TTRPG project. This is an attempt to make a very effective, streamlined yet having a ton of options, fun, and versatile TTRPG.

Work-In Progress Mechanics

Items

Certain Items would be called out and have explicit statistics and abilities, both in combat and out. Other, less important Items will either be assumed to be had by everyone, or grouped into Packs, such as a Camping Packs (Undecided on which).

Stats

Every creature will have six Stats.

• Might. Might is a creature's physical strength and endurance. Might is the number of Damage a creature can take before suffering a Wound.
• Agility. Agility is a creature's ability to finely manipulate objects and accuracy. Agility would effect Initiative in some way.
• Speed. Speed is a creature's alacrity, expeditiousness, and ability to move. A creature can move a number of Meters equal to 4 + its Speed.
• Lore. Lore is a creature's learned knowledge of the world.
• Wisdom. Wisdom is a creature's gained experience of the world.
• Spirit. Spirit is a creature's force of personality and will-power. The more Spirit you have, the more you can recover during a Rest.

Stat Increases

Whenever your Hero reaches 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th Level, you increase one of your Stats by 1.
Stats have a maximum of 5 from 1st Level to 6th Level, a maximum of 7 from 7th Level to 12th Level, a maximum of 9 from 13th Level to 18th Level, and a maximum of 11 from 19th Level to 20th Level.

Attacking

When a creature Attacks, it targets one of the Stats determined by the Weapon its using, it then rolls a die determined by its Weapon and adds a Stat (usually Might or Agility) to the Roll, the target then rolls its Defense Die (determined by its class, armor, etc.) and adds the Stat you targeted. Something happens with the excess the Attacker gets from the target's defense, most likely building up to getting a wound.

Energy

Every creature has a pool of 6 Energy, which recharges whenever it finishes a Rest or maybe some other time. A creature's Energy pool gains a maximum increase whenever it reaches Level 5, 10, 15, and 20.

Spells

Spells will scale, so that signature spells you get at 1st Level are just about as viable as the new Spells you get at max Level. Spells have 5 Levels, and all spells are raised to the highest Level.
Full-Casters unlock 1st Level Spells at 1st Level, 2nd Level Spells at 5th Level, 3rd Level Spells at 9th Level, 4th Level Spells at 13th Level, and 5th Level Spells at 17th Level.
Half-Casters unlock 1st Level Spells at 2nd Level, 2nd Level Spells at 9th Level, and 3rd Level Spells at 17th Level.

Checks

When you make a Check, you roll a d10, add the appropriate Stat and other modifiers, and use the result to determine the outcome. Checks are used for things such as jumping over a chasm, sneaking around, or resisting magical effects.

Resistance

When you have Resistance, such as Fire Resistance, you gain a bonus equal to the value of that Resistance with Checks made to resist effects with that Trait and to Defense Rolls against that Damage Type.

Character Creation

When you're creating a Character for Requiem RPG, you follow a couple steps. Kin, Class, Past, Present, and Future. These steps can be followed in different orders.

Kin

Your Kin is the type of creature you are, such as a Human, Elf, Dwarf, Goblin, etc.

Dwarf

Dwarves are a hardy, stout folk, with a strong heart and affinity for the mines.

Ability Boosts	Ability Flaw	Languages
Might, Spirit, Free	Speed	Creole, Dwarven

Immovable Rock

Dwarf Trait
As a Dwarf, you are hardier at resisting effects that would harm your body or weaken you. When a creature would attempt to knock you Prone, push you, or otherwise move you against your will, you can use your Reaction to ignore that effect.

Unbreakable Stone

Dwarf Trait
Your body and mind is unbreakable as the earth itself. When you use your Might or Will to Defend, you reroll your Defense Die if the result is a 1.

Lineage

Your Hero gains a Lineage, which gives them an additional trait they gain based on their ancestry within their Kin. Choose one of the following Lineages for your Hero.

Forgeborne

Dwarven Lineage
Your ancestors worked as smiths in powerful volcanoes. You gain Resistance 1 to Fire Damage, and you add a d4 to your Checks against effects with the Fire trait

Psychic

Dwarven Lineage
Your ancestors have survived a harsh wasteland filled with psionic monsters. When you make a Check against an effect with the Mental trait, you roll the Check twice, and use the higher result for the Check.

Kin Feat

1st, 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th Level Dwarf Trait
Choose one of the Dwarf Kin Feats to gain as long as you meet the prerequisites of that Feat.

Stonecunning

Prerequisites	Actions	Traits	Energy
Dwarf, Level 1	1	Dwarf	N/A

You have trained to learn information about about the rock around you merely by looking at it and feeling its strength. You can spend 1 Action to learn about the history about a piece of stonework that you would normally need a successful Check (such as a History Check) to learn.

Unburdened Iron

Prerequisites	Actions	Traits	Energy
Dwarf, Level 1	N/A	Dwarf	N/A

You've learned techniques first devised by your ancestors during their ancient wars, allowing you to comfortably wear massive suits of armor. You ignore the Speed reduction from any Armor you wear, and while your Movement is reduced in any way, your Movement increases by 1.

Class

Your Class is the skills your character has, categorized into groups, such as Fighter, Wizard, or Rogue. Classes are divided into several groups based on both play style and magical potential.

Bruisers

Class Name	Core Stat	Complexity Level	Class Description	Subclass Title (Starting Level)
Barbarian	Might	Example	Example	Path (Level 3)
Cursed	Might or Spirit	Example	Example	Curse (Level 1)
Disciple	Might or Agility	Example	Example	Journey (Level 3)
Executioner	Might	Example	Example	Hood (Level 3)
Fighter	Might or Agility	Example	Example	League (Level 3)
Monk	Agility or Wisdom	Example	Example	Way (Level 3)
Vanguard	Might	Example	Example	Mandate (Level 2)

Specialists

Class Name	Core Stat	Complexity Level	Class Description	Subclass Title (Starting Level)
Mentor	Lore, Wisdom, or Spirit	Example	Example	Curriculum (Level 3)
Ranger	Wisdom	Example	Example	Conclave (Level 3)
Rogue	Agility	Example	Example	Gig (Level 3)
Savant	Lore	Example	Example	Expert (Level 3)
Swashbuckler	Spirit	Example	Example	Flair (Level 3)
Traveler	Wisdom	Example	Example	Style (Level 2)
Warlord	Lore, Wisdom, or Spirit	Example	Example	Presence (Level 1)

Half-Casters

Class Name	Core Stat	Complexity Level	Class Description	Subclass Title (Starting Level)
Artificer	Lore	Example	Example	Mastery (Level 1)
Magus	Lore	Example	Example	Technique (Level 3)
Paladin	Spirit	Example	Example	Oath (Level 1)
Psion	Lore	Example	Example	Order (Level 3)
Shaman	Wisdom	Example	Example	Attunement (Level 2)
Summoner	Spirit	Example	Example	Bond (Level 1)
Warden	Wisdom	Example	Example	Realm (Level 3)

Full-Casters

Class Name	Core Stat	Complexity Level	Class Description	Subclass Title (Starting Level)
Bard	Spirit	Example	Example	College (Level 2)
Cleric	Wisdom	Example	Example	Domain (Level 1)
Druid	Wisdom	Example	Example	Circle (Level 2)
Seeker	Lore	Example	Example	Mavenhood (Level 1)
Sorcerer	Spirit	Example	Example	Bloodline (Level 1)
Warlock	Spirit	Example	Example	Patron (Level 1)
Wizard	Lore	Example	Example	School (Level 2)

Past

Your Past is the history of your character, consisting of a few major events, such as being touched by magic or defending your home from bandits, and a formative, more extended experience, such as working as a blacksmith, soldier, or being imprisoned.

Events

Events are usually short, defining moments of your Hero's past, such as your family being slaughtered, saving someone's life from an incorrect execution, or a defending your home from bandits. Your GM determines how many Events each Hero has at Level 1, but usually each Hero has 3. Some Kin options, such as Ancient Elven Lineage, or certain Experiences might increase the number of Events your character experiences.

Experiences

Experiences are usually more extended activities your Hero's past, such as working as a farmhand, climbing your way up the ranks and becoming a sergeant in the army, or being imprisoned (either correctly or falsely). Your GM determines how many Experiences each Hero has at Level 1, but usually each Hero has 1.

Fighter

Fighters are well-rounded warriors, who fight with powerful armor and weapons, either in the thick of combat, or from the sidelines with powerful ranged options. [For design: because they get a new Maneuver every even Level, they can get a less powerful feature at these Levels.]

Starting Class Benefits

If this is the first Class you gain a Level in, you gain the following benefits:

• Ability Boost. Might or Agility
• Offensive Proficiencies. Basic Weapons, Advanced Weapons
• Defensive Proficiencies. Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shields
• Skill Proficiencies. 3

Attack of Opportunity

1st Level Fighter Feature
You're reaction times have quickened, allowing you to take advantage on your enemy's weaknesses when they present themselves. When a Foe within your Reach makes a Ranged Attack or willingly leaves their space, you can use a Reaction to Attack that Foe.

Second Wind

1st Level Fighter Feature
You gain the ability to draw on a deep well of fortitude. You can use 2 Actions and spend 1 Energy to attempt to recover from one of your Wounds using Might or Agility instead of the listed Recovery Stat.

Combat Maneuvers

2nd Level Fighter Feature
Not all Fighters use the same skills and tactics in a battle, each one uses their own unique blend of maneuvers, tactics, and flourishes. Choose two Maneuvers detailed at the end of the Fighter Class Description to learn, these represent your various fighting styles. You learn an additional Maneuver at 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th Level in this class. [Maneuvers would use Energy].

Fighter League

3rd, and more, Level Fighter Feature
You choose a Fighter League from the following table which represents the specializations and fighting styles you replicate.

Fighter League	Complexity Level	League Description
Banneret's League	Example	Example
Champion's League	Example	Example
Double Knight's League	Example	Example
Eldritch Archer's League	Example	Example
Samurai's League	Example	Example

Muscle Memory

4th Level Fighter Feature
You have honed your muscle memory and practiced to react in the blink of an eye. Once per turn, you can Swap Items as a Free Action.

Combat Maneuvers

Brace

When you make a Defense Roll, you can use a Reaction and spend 1 Energy to increase your Defense Die by 1 Step.

Fighter Leagues

Champion's League

Champions have some of the most general combat prowess of any type of Fighter.

Combat Prowess

3rd Level Champion's League Feature
Champion's have honed their strikes to deal bone-cracking blows. When you deal Damage with an Attack, you deal an additional 1d4 Damage. This Die increases by 1 Step when you become 7th (1d6), 11th (1d8), 15th (1d10), and 19th (1d12) Level Fighter. [The die should increase a step every time Fighter's get a subclass feature.]

Vanguard

Vanguards are bastions of protection on the front-line of combat, acting as a ward between their allies and those who would dare harm them.

Starting Class Benefits

If this is the first Class you gain a Level in, you gain the following benefits:

• Ability Boost. Might
• Offensive Proficiencies. Basic Weapons
• Defensive Proficiencies. Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shields
• Skill Proficiencies. 2 + Lore (if positive)

Wall of Defense

1st Level Vanguard Feature
You are an insurmountable wall in combat that acts as a shield to protect your allies and to resist damage. Your Defense Die increases by one Step. Also, when a Hero adjacent to you is Attacked, you can use your Reaction to become the target of that Attack.

Vanguard Mandate

2nd, and more, Level Vanguard Feature
You choose a Vanguard Mandate from the following table which represents the way your defend your allies and the tactics you employ to do so.

Vanguard Mandates	Complexity Level	Mandate Description
Example	Example	Example
Example	Example	Example
Example	Example	Example
Example	Example	Example
Example	Example	Example