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Basic Concepts

Core Game Concepts

The Storytelling System

Yggdrasil uses a dice pool system where you roll multiple d10s and count successes: - Target Number: 8, 9, or 10 on a d10 (or 5, 6 on a d6) - Success: Meeting or exceeding the target number - Failure: Rolling below the target number - Exceptional Success: Getting 5+ successes (or 3+ with Inspiration)

Key Terminology

Dice Pool: The number of dice you roll for an action - Made up of: Attribute + Skill + Modifiers - Example: Intelligence 3 + Investigation 2 + Equipment +1 = 6 dice

Attributes: Your character's basic capabilities - Physical: Strength, Dexterity, Stamina - Mental: Intelligence, Wits, Resolve
- Social: Presence, Manipulation, Composure

Skills: Your character's learned abilities - Physical: Athletics, Brawl, Drive, Firearms, etc. - Mental: Academics, Computer, Investigation, etc. - Social: Animal Ken, Empathy, Intimidation, etc.

Merits: Special advantages and abilities your character has Conditions: Temporary states affecting your character Tilts: Environmental factors affecting everyone

The Action Economy

Turn Structure: 1. Initiative: Determine action order 2. Actions: Each character takes one action 3. Resolution: Apply results

Action Types: - Instant Actions: Most common, happen immediately - Extended Actions: Take multiple turns to complete - Contested Actions: Opposing characters roll against each other - Reflexive Actions: Happen automatically or in response

Health and Damage

Health Track: Based on Size + Stamina - Bashing Damage: Temporary (/) - Lethal Damage: Serious (X)
- Aggravated Damage: Magical/supernatural (*)

Willpower: Mental resilience (Resolve + Composure) - Spend to add +3 dice to important rolls - Regained through fulfilling Vice or exceptional Virtue

Yggdrasil-Specific Concepts

Inspiration (Character Points)

Replace the traditional "Hero Points" system: - Gained by doing something epic or notable - Inspired Condition: Exceptional success on 3+ successes instead of 5+ - Provides a Willpower point when used

Magic and Abilities

Magic is common in Yggdrasil: - Mana: Magical energy resource - Abilities: Supernatural powers (magic, psychic abilities, etc.) - Templates: Character archetypes with specific ability sets

Norse-Inspired Elements

  • The Nine Worlds: Connected by Yggdrasil, the World Tree
  • Runes: Often used for magical focuses
  • Honor and Fate: Important cultural concepts
  • Spirits and Entities: From Norse mythology

Dice Rolling Examples

Simple Roll

Climbing a wall (Strength + Athletics): - Strength 3 + Athletics 2 = 5 dice - Roll: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 - Successes: 3 (the 8, 9, and 10) - Result: Success!

Contested Roll

Arm wrestling (Strength + Athletics vs. Strength + Athletics): - Player A: 4 successes - Player B: 2 successes
- Result: Player A wins by 2 degrees of success

Extended Action

Researching ancient runes (Intelligence + Academics): - Target: 10 successes total - Turn 1: 3 successes (7 needed) - Turn 2: 2 successes (5 needed) - Turn 3: 4 successes (1 needed) - Turn 4: 2 successes - Result: Research complete in 4 turns!

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics: 1. Create your character with Your First Character 2. Learn about gameplay in Playing the Game 3. Review Common Mistakes to avoid pitfalls