- STEP ONE – Attribute + Skill + Item Bonus = ABILITY SCORE
- STEP TWO – Ability Score + Card Draw = RESULT
Live Action Role Play (LARP) is a game of imagination and improvised theatre. Much like a murder mystery, LARPs are acted out in real time by the players. The Steam & Sorcery LARP is free to play; all you need is a smart phone, a pen, a standard deck of 54 cards, imagination, and your wits.
In the Steam & Sorcery LARP, you are a Player Character (PC) playing the role of a “Smog Runner,” folks from all walks of life, but all familiar with the smog filled streets. Some were born to the smog, others fell from grace, and some run the streets to escape the restraints of high society. Each runner has their own story, and to help you choose yours there are certain skill sets that fit certain archetypes.
Throughout the game there are referees, known as ARBITERS, who are available to settle rules questions and disputed scenarios. In most cases Non-Player Characters (NPCs) will act as referees for their specific scene. NPCs are actors in the game, but they are part of the supporting plot rather than heroes in the adventure. ARBITER STATIONS are clearly marked locations in the gaming space where an Arbiter can be found during gaming hours. Arbiters can assist with rulings, in game item purchases, in game medical attention, leveling up, and a number of other game related needs.
FIXERS play a similar role to Arbiters but are also characters in the game. The Fixers are important NPCs (pictured below) who provide missions for players and lead the different factions who compete against each other.
BOARDING SESSIONS are scheduled times when Arbiters and Fixers are available to guide new players and give plot updates to all players.
CARDS – A regular deck of cards is used to determine outcomes to challenges.
CARD VALUES – Ace = 1, Number Cards = 2-10, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13, & Joker = Unbeatable (tie with another Joker)
ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS – Characters in Steam & Sorcery have three main Attribute stats: Body, Mind and Spirit. These attributes will vary from a minimum of one to a maximum of four. In addition to Attributes, characters also have a range of related skills.
CHALLENGES – The game will involve a series of challenges. When attempting a challenge, a player must beat a Challenge Score + NPC Card Draw which will be run by one of the game’s NPCs. The player selects the appropriate Attribute score and adds any additional points from appropriate skills, Ancestry bonuses, and equipment bonuses to create a total Ability Score for that challenge. A card is drawn from the shuffled deck and added to the Ability Score to determine outcomes of player actions; if the card value and the player’s Ability Score add up to more than the Target Score, the player has succeeded. If the player’s total equals the Target, the cards are shuffled and another attempt is made. Sometimes more than one success might be needed for a challenge in a best of three scenario.
- STEP ONE – Attribute + Skill + Item Bonus = ABILITY SCORE
- STEP TWO – Ability Score + Card Draw = RESULT
- STEP THREE – Player compares Result with NPCs Challenge Score + Card Draw; highest wins that turn.
In contested scenarios, such as player vs. player, both sides create Ability Scores and simultaneously draw from the deck of shuffled cards to see which side gets the higher result and victory.
ADVANTAGE CARDS
SUIT – If your character has a House Allegiance to one of the four Fixers (represented by the card suits) and the Card Draw is from the same House, that player gets to draw another card and pick the best one to add to their Ability Score. If the second card is also from the same House, the player can draw another card and keep going until it is not the same House. The player can only choose ONE of the cards to add to their Ability Score.
JOKER – A Joker is an automatic win. Only another Joker card can negate a Joker.
CODES & CLUES – Spread throughout the gaming space there are multiple QR codes that provide clue paths. Many of these clues are locked and require a password from a previous clue or challenge to gain access.
CHARACTER SHEETS – Stats and character information are recorded on a foldable Character Sheet.
ANCESTRIES – Players pick one ancestry for their character. Ancestries can add bonuses and some limitations to a character based on their heritage.
SKILLS – Characters start with one to three skills. These are occupational skills or specialties that allow a character to use specific skills that may arise in a challenge situation. skills are divided into Body, Mind, and Spirit; some skills require Stat point minimums.
BRASS – In game currency (printed on business cards).
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