Swords and Storytellers

Fiction First Lighthouse on the Threshold is a game about two things. First, creating an immersive world for players to explore and interact with, and second, challenging players to use their own wit and skill to overcome challenges presented to the from the world. Both of these objectives can be accomplished without players understanding anything about how the mechanics of this game actually work. This is why, when you play or run this game, you should first make sure players understand the fiction that surrounds their characters, and the puzzles that they face. The mechanics of the game are used for only one small portion of the actual game-play, and if they ever get in the way of the fiction, they should be ignored.

Core Game Loop The core game loop of Lighthouse on the Threshold is this:
1. The GM describes the scene.
2. Players ask questions and make decisions
3. The GM determines what happens.
4. Repeat.

This, in its simplest form, is what you and your friends will be doing at …

Lighthouse at the Threshold is a game about normal folks who travel to a dangerous and fantastical world to have adventures. To read more about the project, see this post. Striking the balance between heroism and reality is important to me. I want the players to be able to do awesome stuff, but they need to be vulnerable.

Lighthouse at the Threshold uses a simplified set of ability scores almost identical to those found in Chris McDowells’s Into the Odd, but they are utilized in a slightly different way.

Ability Scores are a Resource All of your ability scores are expendable pools of resources. During character creation you roll 3d6 to determine you maximum in that score, but you also have a place to record your current score. You can spend your ability score points for various in game benefits.
Body Body represents your physical strength and endurance.

Spend body points to: 

Avoid deathSurvive disease Perform feats of strength or enduranceGain advantage on melee attack rolls

When reduce…