4. Challenges
In a very broad sense, the purpose of dice rolls in Open Tale is for the characters to overcome challenges. So, in order to know the contexts in which players can roll dice, we need to understand the types of challenges that Open Tale supports.
4.1. Common challenges
These are usual challenges that happen out of combat, like the classic “Roll for perception!”. Here we have some examples of common challenges:
| Challenge | Roll for |
|---|---|
| Pick a lock | Dexterity |
| Sneak in and listen to a dialogue | Dexterity |
| Break a door | Strength |
| Move a rigid lever | Strength |
| Slide below a closing gate | Motion |
| Jump over a chasm | Motion |
| Climb a tree | Motion |
| Stay awake on watch | Volition |
| Study for a long period of time | Volition |
| Gather clues from an old book | Intelligence |
| Recall facts about the story | Intelligence |
| Anticipate some facts about the story | Intelligence |
Such challenges require the definition of a Difficulty Class (DC) by the GM. Generically speaking, a DC is a number to be overcome with a roll score. So, in order to succeed in a challenge like this, the obtained score must be greater than the DC.
The table below describes the difficulty for a few DCs:
| DC | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| 6- | Piece of cake |
| 8 | Everyday |
| 10 | Somewhat easy |
| 12 | A little bit challenging |
| 14 | Tough endeavor |
| 16 | Very hard |
| 18+ | Legendary |
4.2. Unexpected encounters
When characters are forced into combat without previously noticing the presence of enemies, a surprise encounter happens. Characters that appeared out of the blue roll for Dexterity and the ones that weren’t expecting the encounter roll for Perception. The GM decides how to choose the characters that were surprised.
4.3. Defining combat order
All characters involved in the combat should draw their weapons and roll for Agility. If there were an unexpected encounter, the characters that have already rolled for Agility are not allowed to roll again. Surprised characters just compete between themselves for combat initiative in the end of the combat queue. In the event of a tie, the GM decides the combat order.
4.4. Moving during combat
Movement during combat is pretty straightforward. Roll for Motion and the obtained score represents the maximum distance that the character can move.
4.5. Dealing direct damage
Challenges that involve direct damage require rolls for Strength or Dexterity. The obtained score is called Attack Power (AP), which is subtracted by the Defense of the target and the result may cause direct damage to the target. If the difference is smaller than 1, a complete defense happens and no damage is done. It’s important to notice that the AP may be influenced by the usage of certain equipment, like daggers, swords or bows.
Damage regarding the range
-
For close-range attacks (swords, clubs, axes, daggers), the distance must not be greater than 1 du;
-
For long-range attacks (bows, slingshots, shurikens), the maximum distance allowed between the character and the target is 5 + Dexterity, in du.
Damage regarding the number of targets
-
When attacking 2 enemies at the same time, the Disadvantage modifier should be applied;
-
For 3 enemies or more, besides applying the Disadvantage modifier, decrease 1 from the AP for each targeted enemy that exceeds 2. For instance, when attacking 5 enemies at the same time, apply the Disadvantage modifier and decrease the AP by 3 (5 - 2);
-
Close-range attacks can hit as many targets within the 1 du range as intended;
-
Long-range attacks can only hit more than one character if they are perfectly aligned;
-
When attacking more than one enemy, the targets within the area of effect can be selected anyhow.
4.6. Using potions
Using a potion requires roll for Vitality.
-
If the potion has the effect to remove some mark, the final roll score must be greater then the mark level for the potion to work.
-
If the potion heals Health Points, the amount healed is equal to one third of the final roll score.
4.7. Overcoming impairments
Overcoming an impairment means to attempt to remove a mark and requires a roll for Volition.
-
If the final roll score is above the mark level, the mark is removed;
-
Otherwise, the character’s next roll will be subject to the Disadvantage modifier.
4.8. Healing after combat
After combat, the party can go through a round of healing by rolling for Volition. Every character can be healed by one third of the final roll score.
4.9. Using an active skill
The potence of an active skill is represented by its Skill Power (SP), which depends on the attribute to roll for. Such attribute can be one of the followings: Strength, Dexterity or Magicy.
If the skill requires a roll for Strength or Dexterity, the SP is defined by the AP, just like when dealing direct damage. If, instead, the skill requires a roll for Magicy, the SP is defined by the Magical Power (MP), which is equal to the final score of the roll and can be changed by some equipment, like a wand or a staff.