Arcana Beast

Overview

Not every challenge involves fighting. Exploration, social encounters, and skill challenges use the same success-pool dice system as combat, keeping the rules simple and consistent. The GM calls for T

Core Rule If there is no meaningful consequence for failure, no roll is needed — the character simply succeeds.

Exploration Tests

When Arcana Beast or Beast Binders encounter obstacles outside of combat, the GM may call for an Exploration Test.

How It Works GM describes the challenge and determines which Stat applies · Player builds a dice pool (Stat + relevant Talent or Quality Ranks) · Player rolls against a Difficulty Rating set by the GM · Success means the character overcomes the obstacle; failure means a complication arises

Difficulty Ratings

Routine: Rating: 1 Description: Simple task, minor risk

Challenging

Requires skill or effort

Rating

Hard

Significant challenge

Rating

Heroic

Extremely difficult, may need Boost or extra dice from allies

Rating

Legendary

Near-impossible without preparation and advantages

Rating

Arcana Beast Examples

Challenge Leap across a wide gap | Stat: Agility | Difficulty: 2

Challenge Break through a stone wall | Stat: Brawn | Difficulty: 3

Challenge Endure extreme cold or heat | Stat: Endurance | Difficulty: 2

Challenge Solve an ancient puzzle mechanism | Stat: Technique | Difficulty: 3

Challenge Calm a frightened wild Arcana Beast | Stat: Spirit | Difficulty: 2

Beast Binder Examples

Challenge Climb a steep cliff | Stat: Brawn | Difficulty: 2

Challenge Decipher old research notes | Stat: Technique | Difficulty: 3

Challenge Convince a suspicious guard | Stat: Spirit | Difficulty: 2

Social Encounters

When characters need to persuade, negotiate, intimidate, or connect with NPCs, the GM may call for a Social Encounter.

Rules Social Encounters use the same dice pool and Test mechanics · Beast Binders typically roll Spirit + relevant Talent (e.g., Persuasive, Intimidating, Empathic) · Arcana Beast can participate using their Spirit stat + relevant Quality Ranks · NPCs have a Resistance Rating that acts as the Difficulty for the test

Resistance Ratings

Friendly: Rating: 1 Description: Already inclined to help

Neutral

No strong opinion either way

Rating

Wary

Suspicious or cautious

Rating

Hostile

Actively opposed to the request

Rating

Boost In Social Offering something the NPC wants or needs · Having relevant knowledge or cultural connection · Building on a previous successful social interaction · Arcana Beast Classification matches NPC's environment or affinity

Setback In Social Previous bad interaction with the NPC · Cultural misunderstanding or faux pas · Asking for something unreasonable · Beast Binder Flaw applies to the situation

Skill Challenges

When a task is too complex for a single Test, the GM can set up a Skill Challenge — a series of Tests that must be completed to achieve a goal.

Rules The GM sets a number of successes needed to complete the challenge (typically 3-5) · Each participant takes turns making Tests using different Stats · The same Stat cannot be used twice in a row by the same character · Each Test that meets its Difficulty Rating counts as 1 success toward the total · Each failed Test counts as 1 failure · If failures equal or exceed the success target before completion, the challenge fails

Navigate a Dangerous Forest

Successes Needed 3

Possible Tests

Agility Test to cross a rickety bridge · Technique Test to read trail markings · Endurance Test to endure harsh conditions · Spirit Test to befriend a guide Arcana Beast

Infiltrate a Research Facility

Successes Needed 4

Possible Tests

Agility + Stealthy to sneak past guards · Technique + Hacking to disable security · Spirit + Persuasive to bluff through a checkpoint · Agility Test for an Arcana Beast to slip through vents

Note Skill Challenges encourage the whole group to contribute, using varied approaches. This is where the 'hard to master' depth emerges — choosing the right Stat for each step, managing risk, and supporting each other with Commands and teamwork.

Rest And Recovery

Characters need rest to recover from the rigours of adventure.

Short Rest

Name

Short Rest

Duration

A brief pause of roughly 15-30 minutes

Effects

Arcana Beast recover 1 + Endurance HP · All Special Attack Uses are restored · Temporary conditions end · Beast Binders do NOT recover Stamina from a Short Rest

Note

Catching Your Breath after combat counts as a Short Rest.

Long Rest

Name

Long Rest

Duration

A full night's sleep or extended period of downtime

Effects

Arcana Beast recover all HP · Beast Binders recover all Stamina · All Special Attack Uses are restored · All temporary conditions end · Evolved Arcana Beast in their highest Stage must Devolve

Unsafe Rest

Resting in dangerous or uncomfortable conditions provides reduced benefits.

Effects

Arcana Beast recover only half HP (rounded up) · Beast Binders recover only half Stamina (rounded up) · GM may call for an Endurance or Brawn Test to avoid complications

Downtime Activities

Between adventures, characters can spend time on activities that provide benefits or advance their story.

Train

Practice a specific skill or technique. May contribute toward advancement.

Test

Relevant Stat Test, Difficulty 2. Success grants progress toward the next Talent Rank or Quality Rank.

Reconnect

Spend quality time with your Arcana Beast partner to strengthen trust and understanding.

Effect

May clear lingering tension, deepen trust, or grant Boost on the pair's next social roll together, at the GM's discretion.

Explore

Scout the local area or investigate something of interest.

Effect

The GM may reveal useful information, new locations, or story hooks.

Craft or Repair

Use available materials to create or fix equipment, tools, or items.

Test

Technique + relevant Talent Test. Difficulty depends on the complexity of the item.

Socialize

Interact with NPCs, gather rumours, or build relationships.

Test

Spirit + relevant Talent Test against the NPC's Resistance Rating.

Wild Arcana Beast Encounters

Wild Arcana Beast encounters use the Observe, Understand, Connect, and Befriend discovery loop in discovery.json.

Approach Test

When encountering a wild Arcana Beast, the Beast Binder or their Arcana Beast partner can attempt a Spirit Test to make a peaceful approach.

Difficulty Based on the wild Arcana Beast's temperament (1 = docile, 3 = aggressive, 4 = territorial)

Boost Conditions Same Classification as the wild Arcana Beast · Offering food or something the wild Arcana Beast values · Having a relevant Quality (e.g., Intimidating Presence, Healing Touch)

Outcomes

Success

The wild Arcana Beast becomes calm and may cooperate or flee peacefully.

Failure

A misunderstanding, danger, or hard choice complicates the encounter. Combat occurs only when it follows from the fiction.