---
title: The Styleguide
summary: Where we define how to make things pretty
cover:
  showInHeader: false
publishing:
  publishDate: 2025-09-11T22:07:00.000Z
  editDate: 2025-09-11T22:07:00.000Z
  status: draft
  featured: false
  tags:
    - awq
  author: dave-damage
seo:
  keywords: []
  noIndex: false
---
Here we define the formatting and writing standards that will be used throughout the AWQ documents to ensure consistency
and clarity. We also use a set of unicode characters to define reoccurring gameplay elements.

## Text Formatting

These options should provide visual shortcuts to the nature of term in the rules.

{% DefinitionList %}
{% DefinitionItem term="Bold" %}
- {% Highlighter color="primary" %}Annotation:{% /Highlighter %} `(**bold**)`
- Major gameplay mechanics and important terms
- Used for key concepts like **Momentum, Character, Expedition**…
{% /DefinitionItem %}

{% DefinitionItem term="Italics" %}
- {% Highlighter color="primary" %}Annotation:{% /Highlighter %} `(_italics_)`
- Individual skills, conditions, check types and game states
- Use for *Melee, Poisoned, Basic Check, Out of Action,…*
{% /DefinitionItem %}

{% DefinitionItem term="Code" %}
- {% Highlighter color="primary" %}Annotation:{% /Highlighter %} `(``code``)`
- Dice Notation, calculations, and specific values
- Use for `2d6+3`, `TN 12`, `3W`
{% /DefinitionItem %}

{% DefinitionItem term="Pipes" %}
- {% Highlighter color="primary" %}Annotation:{% /Highlighter %} `(|)`
- Separates inline information and alternatives
- Use for »Roll *Defense* | *Dodge*«
{% /DefinitionItem %}

{% DefinitionItem term="Brackets" %}
- {% Highlighter color="primary" %}Annotation:{% /Highlighter %} `([optional information])`
- Indicate optional elements and situational information
- Use for »Move up to `[Movement]` and make attack«
{% /DefinitionItem %}
{% /DefinitionList %}

## Visual Symbols

Symbols provide quick visual recognition of common game effects

### Check Results

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- Check Outcome
- Symbol
---
- Bane
- **⊗**
---
- Failure
- **⊖**
---
- Complication
- **⊜**
---
- Success
- **⊕**
---
- Boon
- **⊛**
{% /table %}

### Check Difficulty

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- Check Difficulty
- Symbol
---
- Very Easy
- **○**
---
- Easy
- **◔**
---
- Routine
- **◑**
---
- Challenging
- **●**
---
- Difficult
- **∶**
---
- Hard
- **∵**
---
- Very Hard
- **∷**
---
- Impossible
- **∺**
---
- Advantage
- **⇑**
---
- Disadvantage
- **⇓**
{% /table %}

### Enemy Tiers

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- Enemy Tier
- Symbol
---
- Minion
- **⁎**
---
- Elite
- **⁑**
---
- Champion
- **⁂**
---
- Nemesis
- **⋇**
{% /table %}

### Activity Type

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- Activity Type
- Symbol
---
- Action
- **◇**
---
- Maneuver
- **⬡**
---
- Interruption
- **▽**
{% /table %}

### Player Resource

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- Resource
- Symbol
---
- Threat
- **✦**
---
- Momentum
- **✠**
---
- Fatigue
- **✱**
---
- Stress
- **❖**
---
- Corruption
- **🞼**
---
- Wounds
- **❡**
{% /table %}

### Area Effects

{% table .symbol-legend %}
- AoE
- Symbol
---
- Radius
- **⌀**
---
- Cone
- **∢**
---
- Line
- **⋮**
---
- Board Section
- **▩**
{% /table %}

## Writing Guidelines

Similar to the visual guidelines, these ideas here aim to improve readability of the document.

### Consistency Rules

1. **Capitalize major game terms:** Character, Party, Dungeon, Encounter
1. **Use consistent dice notation:** `2d6`, `1d6+2`
1. **Link frequently referenced concepts:** on first mention in document

### Accessibility

- **Always provide text alternatives** in parentheses after symbols
- **Use descriptive link text**
- **Maintain reading flow** symbols should enhance not replace, clear writing
