Prefactor

content/awq/articles/rules-summary.md

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+## Core Concepts
+
+### Roles
+
+**Players**
+Every natural person playing the game.
+
+**Adventurers**
+
+- Players who undergo Expeditions
+- Have access to Momentum [✠]
+- Optional roles: Cartographer, Quartermaster, Archivist, Shotcaller, Marshall, Torchbearer
+
+**Dungeon Master/Mistress (DM)**
+
+- Controls Adversaries and Hazards
+- Has access to Threat [✦]
+
+**Models**
+Any entity on the Game Board controlled by a Player, represented by a miniature.
+
+### Model Types
+
+**Party Models** (controlled by Adventurers)
+
+- Characters: One per Adventurer; access to most Activities; evolve via Advances
+- Followers: Follow a single Character; use Obedience to track loyalty
+- Henchmen: Specialized hired help; use Morale to track loyalty
+
+**Adversaries** (controlled by DM)
+
+- Minion [⁎]: Basic Activities
+- Elite [⁑]: Situational Activities
+- Champion [⁂]: Wide array of Activities; can use Threat directly; can become Nemesis
+- Nemesis [⋇]: Returning adversary; evolves like Characters
+
+**Non-Player Characters (NPCs)**
+
+- Spawned by Events, Hazards, or Scenarios
+- Represent neutral parties or quest objectives
+
+### Resources
+
+**Character Resources**
+
+- Luck Points: Re-roll checks
+- Fate Points: Escape certain death
+
+**Party Resources**
+
+- Momentum [✠]: Used during Encounters; fuels Manoeuvres and tactical options; fluctuates throughout combat
+
+**DM Resources**
+
+- Threat [✦]: Used during Expeditions and Encounters; powers Adversary abilities and escalates Encounters
+
+**Momentum Uses**
+
+- Varies: Perform an Action
+- 1pt: Decrease Check Difficulty by 2
+- 1pt: Automatically perform Change Place Manoeuvre
+- 2pt: Automatically perform Disengage Manoeuvre
+- 2pt: Activate Weapon Quality requiring Critical Hit
+- 2pt: Gain 1 additional Reaction until start of next Model's activation
+- 4pt: Increase Attacks by 1 for next Action
+
+### Time Structure
+
+Nested scales from largest to smallest:
+
+**Season**
+
+- Consumed by Endeavours and Expeditions
+- Represents weeks of activity
+
+**Event**
+
+- Immediately resolved incident
+
+**Endeavour**
+
+- Downtime activity characters undertake
+
+**Expedition**
+
+- Single delve into a Dungeon
+- Contains one or more Encounters
+
+**Encounter**
+
+- Isolated interaction with Adversaries or Hazards
+- Consists of one or more Rounds
+
+**Round**
+
+- Each Model acts once
+- Consists of structured phases
+
+**Activity**
+
+- Single action taken by Model
+- Interaction with location, Hazard, or other Models
+
+### Locations
+
+**Dungeon Structure**
+
+- Dungeon: Confined locality where Expeditions take place; can have multiple Dungeon Levels
+- Dungeon Level: Single floor/area; represented by Game Board; danger increases with depth
+- Board Section: Physical tiles representing rooms and corridors
+
+**Overland Locations**
+
+- Region: Large area containing multiple location types
+- Settlement: Safe haven for trading and Endeavours
+- Wilderness: Dangerous areas connecting Settlements and Dungeons; contains Encounters and Hazards
+
+**Hazards**
+Catch-all term for interactive environmental dangers and obstacles.
+
+**Keywords**
+Used to signify synergies and antipodes; multiple occurrences usually beneficial for cost or outcome.
+
+---
+
+## Checks System
+
+### Overview
+
+- Always use D6
+- Determines outcome of activities
+- Rolled against Obstacle (Ob.)
+- Three check types: Basic, Complex, Extended
+
+### Check Components
+
+**Reference Value**
+Denotes the Skill or Characteristic used for calculating Target Number.
+
+**Check Mode**
+
+- Unopposed [⥤]: Reference Value based on Model's Skill
+- Opposed [⇌]: Reference Value based on Target's skill
+
+**Difficulty**
+Always modifies Reference Value, never Obstacle:
+
+- Very Easy [○]
+- Easy [◔]
+- Routine [◑]
+- Challenging [●]
+- Difficult [∶]
+- Hard [∵]
+- Very Hard [∷]
+- Impossible [∺]
+
+**Notation Format**
+`[Check Type] [Check Difficulty] [Check Mode]`
+
+Examples:
+
+- `Basic[∶] Cool` (unopposed marker usually omitted)
+- `Extended[∷] Charm⇌Perception`
+
+### Check Outcomes
+
+**Bane [⊗]**
+Check fails with dire consequences. If not specified, treat as Failure.
+
+**Failure [⊖]**
+Check simply fails.
+
+**Complication [⊜]**
+Check succeeds but with consequences. If not specified, treat as Success.
+
+**Success [⊕]**
+Check succeeds as intended.
+
+**Boon [⊛]**
+Check succeeds with additional benefits. If not specified, treat as Success.
+
+### Favour & Peril
+
+**Favour [⥣]**
+Increases chances of success.
+
+**Peril [⥥]**
+Reduces chances of success.
+
+**Resolution**
+Multiple instances cancel each other:
+
+- Peril > Favour: Roll is perilous
+- Peril = Favour: Normal roll
+- Favour > Peril: Roll is favourable
+
+### Re-Rolls
+
+**Limitation**
+One attempt per check (except Dark Deal).
+Re-rolled result is always final.
+
+**Sources**
+
+- Luck Points: Spend 1 LP
+- Dark Deal: Suffer 1 Corruption
+- Push: Suffer 1 Stress or Fatigue
+
+### Basic Checks
+
+**Procedure**
+Single D6 roll against Obstacle.
+
+**Outcomes**
+
+- Bane: Roll = 1
+- Failure: Roll < Obstacle
+- Complication: Roll = Obstacle
+- Success: Roll > Obstacle
+- Boon: Roll = 6
+
+**Note**
+For Obstacle ≥6, Boon requires confirmation by rolling success again.
+
+### Complex Checks
+
+**Procedure**
+Roll multiple D6 (number equals Reference Value).
+Each die ≥ Target generates one Mark.
+
+**Evaluation**
+
+- Rolling 1: -1 Mark
+- Rolling 6: Roll again for bonus Mark
+
+**Resolution**
+Compare total Marks to Obstacle for Outcome.
+
+**Obstacle Determination**
+
+- Unopposed: Fixed number (1-10)
+- Opposed: Target's Reference Value
+
+### Extended Checks
+
+**Procedure**
+Use Complex Check rules.
+Multiple rolls allowed until Obstacle reached.
+
+**Time Cost**
+Each roll consumes 1 unit of Time.
+
+**Failure Condition**
+If Marks reach 0 or below, Check ends as Bane.
+
+---
+
+## Abilities
+
+### Main Characteristics
+
+Innate abilities of a Model. Each has 2 associated Skills.
+
+**Weapon Skill (WS)**
+Close combat aptitude. Governs Melee and Defense.
+
+**Ballistic Skill (BS)**
+Hand-eye coordination. Governs Shooting and Throwing.
+
+**Strength (S)**
+Brute force and stamina. Governs Brawn and Toil.
+
+**Toughness (T)**
+Physical resistance. Governs Consume Alcohol and Endurance.
+
+**Initiative (I)**
+Speed of thought and perception. Governs Perception and Dodge.
+
+**Dexterity (Dex)**
+Fine manual tasks. Governs Streetwise and Crafting.
+
+**Agility (Ag)**
+Physical coordination and athleticism. Governs Stealth and Athletics.
+
+**Intelligence (Int)**
+Analytical thinking. Governs Intuition and Education.
+
+**Willpower (WP)**
+Mental strength. Governs Cool and Animal Handling.
+
+**Fellowship (Fel)**
+Social aptitude. Governs Leadership and Charm.
+
+### Secondary Characteristics
+
+**Wounds (W)**
+Number of Wounds before knocked out.
+
+**Movement (M)**
+Movement distance under normal conditions.
+
+**Attacks (A)**
+Number of attacks per round.
+
+**Magic (Mag)**
+Wizard level; determines Magic Pool for spellcasting.
+
+**Corruption Threshold (CT)**
+Ability to resist Corruption.
+
+**Insanity Threshold (IT)**
+Ability to resist Insanity.
+
+**Fate Points (FP)**
+Used to avoid death and dark fates.
+
+**Luck Points (LP)**
+Used for re-rolls.
+
+### Skills
+
+Skills are used in Checks. Each associated with a Main Characteristic.
+
+**Melee (WS)**
+Make Melee Attack actions.
+
+**Defense (WS)**
+Defend against Melee Attack actions.
+
+**Shooting (BS)**
+Make Ranged Attack actions with Missile weapons.
+
+**Throwing (BS)**
+Make Ranged Attack actions with Throwing weapons.
+
+**Brawn (S)**
+Immediate feats of strength.
+
+**Toil (S)**
+Prolonged manual labor.
+
+**Consume Alcohol (T)**
+Resist short-term hazards like alcohol and poison.
+
+**Endurance (T)**
+Endure hardship, withstand deprivation, survive harsh environments.
+
+**Perception (I)**
+Notice things.
+
+**Dodge (I)**
+Evade attacks and immediate hazards like traps.
+
+**Stealth (Ag)**
+Move quietly and conceal.
+
+**Athletics (Ag)**
+Running, jumping, climbing, swimming.
+
+**Streetwise (Dex)**
+Lockpicking, pickpocketing, disarming traps, sleight of hand.
+
+**Crafting (Dex)**
+Create trappings.
+
+**Intuition (Int)**
+Detect subterfuge and determine value of objects.
+
+**Education (Int)**
+Recall relevant information.
+
+**Cool (WP)**
+Remain calm under stress, resist fear and psychological coercion.
+
+**Animal Handling (WP)**
+Charm, train, and care for animals.
+
+**Leadership (Fel)**
+Intimidation, command, coerce obedience. Often resisted by Discipline.
+
+**Charm (Fel)**
+Deceiving, blathering, haggling, gossiping. Usually resisted by Intuition.
+
+### Traits
+
+Inherent abilities based on Species.
+Examples: Flier, Dark Vision, Mutation.
+
+### Lores
+
+Define what a character knows and specialist skills.
+
+**Categories**
+
+- Academic: Various fields like Accountancy, Anatomy, History, Law
+- Cultural: Knowledge of social groups and languages
+- Enemy: Knowledge of adversaries and combat tactics against them
+- Environment: Surviving in hazardous environments
+- Magic Lores: Knowledge of magic forms; enables spell casting
+- Specialist Weapon Groups: Training with special weapons (Polearms, Two-Handed Swords, Blackpowder Guns)
+- Trade Lores: Knowledge to create trappings or work in fields (Blacksmith, Weaver, Engineer, Artist)
+- Vehicle Lores: Operating vehicles and mounts
+
+### Talents
+
+Represent knacks, tricks, and innate abilities.
+Examples: Ambidextrous, Aetheric Attunement, Menacing, Acute Senses.
+
+### Manoeuvres
+
+Special combat actions and tactics.
+Examples: Formation Fighting, Disarm, Shield Bash.
+
+### Careers
+
+Building blocks of a character providing Skills, Lores, Talents, Manoeuvres, etc.
+Only applicable for Player Characters.
+
+---
+
+## Encounters & Combat
+
+### Overview
+
+Encounter is a conflict between Adventurers and Adversaries.
+Triggered by Event or Location.
+
+### Turn Sequence
+
+**1. Encounter Setup (First Round Only)**
+
+_I. Determine Encounter Parameters_
+
+- Encounters may have specific Effects
+- DM spends Threat to modify duration/severity or buy additional Effects
+
+_II. Determine Surprise_
+
+Company Surprised:
+
+- No Momentum in first round
+- Henchmen and Followers receive no Activation
+- Declare all actions before Adversaries
+
+Adversaries Surprised:
+
+- No Adversary Pool in first round
+- Common Adversaries lose Activation
+- Elite and Champion Adversaries use Basic Actions only
+- Declare all actions after Company
+
+_III. Calculate Initial Momentum_
+Starting Momentum equals Company's current Fortune Pool.
+
+_IV. Prepare Adversaries_
+
+- DM selects Adversary Group and Models
+- Spend Threat for Talents, better models, or additional Pool values
+- Prepare Adversary Pool by summing A/C/E values of each Model
+- Position Adversary Models on board
+
+**2. Determine Winds of Magic**
+See Magic Systems section.
+
+**3. Declare Actions**
+
+- Roll D6: Even = Explorers declare first, Odd = DM declares first
+- Alternate declaring actions
+- DM declares Adversary actions in Groups
+
+**4. Determine Initiative**
+Roll 1D6 + Initiative Characteristic - Action modifier
+Resolve in descending order (highest first).
+
+**5. Resolve Actions**
+Each Model receives Activation in Initiative order.
+
+**6. Bookkeeping**
+
+_Update Momentum_
+
+1. Torchbearer modifies Pool:
+   - +1 per Elite Adversary defeated
+   - +2 per Champion Adversary defeated
+   - +5 Nemesis Adversary defeated
+   - +2 if Company outnumbers Adversaries
+   - Varies for Action/Talent effects
+2. Subtract Action costs from Pool
+3. Result is Momentum Pool for next turn
+4. If below 0: All Company Models gain Banes equal to deficit; set Pool to 0
+
+_Refresh Adversary Pool_
+Sum A/C/E values of remaining non-routed Adversaries.
+
+_Apply Global Effects_
+Resolve effects discreetly.
+Reduce Duration trackers by 1.
+Remove effects with Duration 0 after applying.
+
+_Check Morale_
+See Psychology & Leadership rules.
+
+_End Condition_
+Combat ends when no Adversaries remain on Board Section.
+
+### Activation
+
+**Structure**
+Each Model receives one discrete Activation per Round.
+Activation must finish before next begins.
+
+**Exception**
+Interrupts can occur during another Activation.
+
+**Activation Sequence**
+
+_1. Start Phase_
+Apply condition effects.
+
+_2. Action Phase_
+
+- Perform one Major Action OR gain 2 free Minor Actions
+- Perform one free Minor Action (before or after Major Action)
+- Main Characters: Additional Minor Actions cost 1 Fatigue each
+
+_3. End Phase_
+
+- Reduce condition tracker by 1 (remove if zero)
+- Gain Interrupts equal to Attacks Characteristic
+
+### Actions
+
+**Minor Actions [◇]**
+Standard activities like Movement.
+
+**Major Actions [⬡]**
+Complex combat actions like Attacks and Spell Casting.
+
+**Reactions [▽]**
+Reactive activities that break normal turn order.
+
+### Minor Actions
+
+**Assist**
+Aid another Model.
+
+**Interact**
+Open doors, grab items, use hazards/trappings.
+
+**Movement**
+
+- Advance: Move up to Movement (M)
+- Drag: Move adjacent prone Model up to ½M
+- Disengage: Challenging Opposed Athletics vs WS to leave enemy Danger Zone
+- Change Place: Challenging Opposed Athletics vs WS to swap with adjacent engaged ally
+- Reposition: Move to adjacent square within enemy Danger Zone
+
+**Manage Equipment**
+Switch weapon, sling/unsling shield, drink potion, draw from container.
+
+**Recuperate**
+
+- Recover Stress: Challenging Cool check to recover 1 Stress
+- Recover Fatigue: Challenging Endurance check to recover 1 Fatigue
+
+**Mount/Dismount**
+Mount or dismount vehicle/creature.
+
+**Prepare**
+Reduce single check Difficulty by 1.
+
+**Use a Skill**
+Apply relevant skill to situation.
+
+---
+
+## Combat - Attacks
+
+### Melee Attacks
+
+**Overview**
+Made with Melee Weapons against targets in Danger Zone (DZ).
+Usually Opposed Simple Checks.
+
+**Danger Zone**
+Area controlled by weapon's Reach rating:
+
+- Reach M: Ring of fields directly adjacent to Model
+- Reach P: Squares directly front, back, left, right of Model
+- Reach R: Reach M plus additional adjacent ring
+
+**Engaged**
+Models in enemy's Danger Zone.
+Model stops when entering enemy DZ regardless of remaining Movement.
+
+**Movement Restrictions**
+Only Disengage, Change Place, or Reposition allowed in DZ.
+Other Manoeuvres trigger Interrupts.
+
+**Interrupts**
+Actions with Interrupt keyword.
+Performed during another Model's Activation by spending a Reaction.
+Resolved before interrupted action.
+
+**Two-Weapon Fighting**
+
+- Use 1-H Melee Weapon, Shield, or Pistol in off-hand
+- Off-hand actions: Difficulty +2
+- Gain +1 additional Interrupt
+
+### Ranged Attacks
+
+**Overview**
+Made with Ranged Weapons against targets in Line of Sight.
+Usually Unopposed Simple Checks.
+
+**Exceptions to Unopposed**
+Opposed if target has Shield Rating 2+ or is in Point Blank Range.
+
+**Engagement Restriction**
+Cannot attack when Engaged unless weapon has Pistol Quality.
+
+**Line of Sight**
+Draw line from center of attacker's square to any point of target square.
+Line must not cross walls, obstacles, or models.
+
+**Shooting into Melee**
+Each Model target is engaged with: Difficulty +1.
+On miss: Randomly determine hit model.
+
+**Size Modifiers (Attack Difficulty)**
+
+- Tiny: +3
+- Little: +2
+- Small: +1
+- Average: 0
+- Large: -1
+- Enormous: -2
+- Monstrous: -3
+
+**Template Attacks**
+All Models in template affected unless specified otherwise.
+
+---
+
+## Wounds & Healing
+
+### Damage Resolution
+
+**Dealing Damage**
+Opposed Damage vs Toughness check to cause a Wound.
+Armor increases Toughness value.
+
+**Wound Effects**
+When Wound caused, draw Injury card with Severity rating and effects.
+
+- Severity = Obstacle for healing
+- Wounds < 0 = Death
+- Wounds = 0 = Out-of-play
+
+**Out-of-Play**
+
+- Adversaries: Removed from board
+- Characters: Must be dragged or abandoned (dire consequences)
+
+### Soak Mechanic
+
+Certain actions/armor provide Soak.
+Soak cancels Wound before dealt (no Injury drawn).
+Using Soak damages armor.
+
+### Healing
+
+Healing uses Extended Toughness check.
+Usually performed as Endeavour in settlements.
+
+### Additional Conditions
+
+**Injuries**
+Can become permanent.
+
+**Disease/Poison**
+Work similarly to Injuries with Severity rating.
+
+---
+
+## Conditions & Effects
+
+### Duration Types
+
+**Fleeting**
+Ends at character's next End Phase.
+
+**Persistent**
+Has X counters.
+Reduce by 1 each End Phase.
+X = number of tokens/stacks.
+
+**Ongoing**
+Lasts until specific condition met.
+
+### Common Conditions
+
+**Staggered (Fleeting)**
+Cannot perform Manoeuvres.
+If X > 1: Limited actions.
+
+**Hidden (Ongoing)**
+Movement: ½M
+Attacks vs ▷Hidden Model: Attacker treated as [*Blinded*]
+[▷Hidden attacks] ⇒ Remove *Hidden* @End Phase
+
+**Stunned (Fleeting)**
+Miss next Activation.
+
+**Surprised (Fleeting)**
+Miss next Activation.
+
+**Bleeding (Persistent)**
+Start Phase: Automatic S[X] hit.
+
+**Prone (Ongoing)**
+Melee attacks against: Favour.
+Ranged attacks against: Peril.
+Remove: Spend Major Action to stand.
+
+**Engaged (Ongoing)**
+Cannot use Ranged actions.
+Remove: Leave Danger Zone.
+
+**Entangled (Ongoing)**
+Movement -X.
+Remove: Athletics check [X].
+
+**Ablaze (Ongoing)**
+Start Phase: Automatic S[varies] hit.
+
+**Broken (Ongoing)**
+Move away from enemies.
+Cannot use Actions.
+
+**Blinded (Ongoing)**
+All checks: Peril.
+Cannot use Ranged actions.
+
+**Frenzied (Ongoing)**
+Attacks ×2.
+Attack nearest Model.
+Only Melee Strike actions and Advance manoeuvres.
+Immune to Psychology.
+After removal: Fatigue [X].
+
+**Hatred (Ongoing)**
+Against specified target: Favour on Opposed checks.
+Immunity to Fear of target.
+
+**Distressed (Ongoing)**
+Mental checks: Peril.
+
+**Drained (Ongoing)**
+Physical checks: Peril.
+
+**Strained (Ongoing)**
+All checks: Peril.
+Start Phase: Cool check or gain Broken.
+
+**Animosity (Ongoing)**
+Against specified target: Cannot use Teamwork actions.
+Social actions: +1 Difficulty.
+
+**Deafened (Ongoing)**
+Immune to Social actions.
+
+**Weakened (Persistent)**
+Strength -[X].
+
+**Inspired (Persistent)**
+All checks: -[X] Difficulty.
+
+**Demoralized (Persistent)**
+All checks: +[X] Difficulty.
+
+**Cowed (Persistent)**
+Against specified source: Opposed checks +[X] Difficulty.
+
+---
+
+## Magic Systems
+
+### Arcane Magic
+
+**Casting Procedure**
+Extended Check using Magic Pool.
+Magic Pool = number of dice equal to Mag attribute.
+
+**Obstacle**
+Casting Number of spell.
+
+**Miscasts**
+Count total 1s rolled across all attempts = Miscast Number.
+
+**Miscast Severity**
+
+- Miscast Number = Mag: Minor Miscast
+- Miscast Number > Mag: Major Miscast
+- Miscast Number ≥ Mag×2: Catastrophic Miscast
+
+### Divine Magic
+
+Handled as Manoeuvres.
+Specific mechanics vary by deity and prayer.
+
+---
+
+## Keywords & Synergies
+
+Keywords signify synergies and antipodes.
+Multiple occurrences of same keyword usually beneficial for cost or outcome.
+Used throughout Activities, Traits, Equipment, and Effects.
+
+---
+
+_End of Rules Reference Document_