Onmyodo - A Game of Ancient Magic in Modern Tokyo

Onmyodo:

A Game of Ancient Magicin Modern Tokyo

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Cheat Sheet Taking Action Always start with what you want to do, and

then try to explain it in rules. Going the

other way is boring and lame. Generally, if

its not dramatic or interesting, you dont

need to roll.

Roll the dice and add your skill ranks. You

can either roll four fate dice (4dF) or

1d6-1d6. Every point over your target

number is called a shift.

When you fail, you can choose to either fail

or succeed with a major consequence. When

you tie with the target number, you succeed

at a minor cost. When you exceed the target

number, you succeed at no cost. When you

succeed by 3 or more (3 shifts), you get a

boost. A boost is an aspect with one free

invoke that disappears after you use it.

To work as a team, choose one character to

make the main roll, and add +1 for each

character with one or more ranks in the skill

who is helping. Alternatively, each other

character could roll to create an aspect to

help and give +2.

Aspects When you want to do better at something,

choose an aspect on your sheet, on the scene,

or on the game as a whole that seems

relevant. Describe your action according to

that aspect. Spend a Fate Point to gain a +2

on your roll or reroll the dice (not both).

This is called invoking.

Aspects are also the fuel for gaining more

Fate Points. Whenever an aspect hurts you,

you gain one Fate Point. This is called a

compel.

You can make a new aspect by using a skill.

If you succeed, you create (or discover) an

aspect and gain one free invoke. Succeed by

3 or more, and you get 2 invokes. You can

give these free invokes to other players.

Free invokes stack with paid invokes and

with one another.

Conflicts Perception determines turn order. Only roll

if you have the same number as another

character in the scene.

There is no grid, but play is divided up into

zones, each of which has one or more

aspects. Moving between zones takes an

action, and may require a roll if there is an

obstacle in the way.

You can choose to do nothing proactive for

a round and gain a +2 on defensive rolls.

When you fail at a defense action, you must

take stress equal to the number of shifts the

attacker scored. Check off a stress box of

the appropriate type (physical, mental,

spiritual). A stress box absorbs up to the

amount written, but they cannot be divided

up. When you run out of stress boxes, you

are taken out. If you concede the conflict,

you can choose how your character fails, but

if you are taken out, your opponent chooses.

To avoid being taken out, you can choose to

take a consequence. Mild consequences soak

up 2 stress, moderate 4, and severe 6.

In order to heal those consequences, you or

someone else must succeed at an

appropriate skill roll (difficulty 2/4/6). You

can then rename the consequence to

something less harsh (i.e. Broken Leg On

Crutches), but you must wait to erase it.

Mild takes one scene, moderate one session,

and severe one storyline.

Magic Magic can be used for any of the major

actions in the game: attack, defend, create an

advantage, overcome, even recovery. Most

of the time, everyone at the table will agree

on roughly how powerful the effect you

want is and will agree on a target number.

When we dont agree, refer to this table.

Abjurations protect something within an

arcanums domain. Alterations change the

essence of a target. Commands involve

pressing an existing being or phenomenon

to do your will. Creations summon things

that are not present, either by creating them

or calling to them from afar. Destructions

remove obstacles. Divinations provide

sensory perceptions or knowledge about

something under an arcanums domain.

Complexity is a subjective matter. Creating

a solid block of iron would be fairly simple.

Creating an iPad would be complex.

Changing a spirit of hunger to a spirit of

thirst would be simple. Changing a spirit of

hunger to a spirit of rock and roll would be

complex. Warding a room against all human

beings would be simple. Warding a room

against human beings from Kagoshima

named Tetsuya would be complex. And so

on.

Practice Targets Size Connection

(*with stunt only)

Complexity Duration

+0 divination Self cat touch (same zone) simple scene

+1 command 1 target human sight (nearby zone) moderate session

+2 alteration room full car personal item* complex story

+3 abjuration building full house intimate

knowledge*

permanent

+4 destruction town full airplane second-hand

knowledge*

+5 creation whole

world

building

Paradox occurs whenever an unenlightened

person witnesses magic. The onmyji

attempts to overwrite someone elses vision

of reality, and so a conflict occurs. Paradox

can be avoided by making magic look like a

coincidenceinstead of lightning from the

hands, a circuit breaker erupts in sparks, for

example.

A paradox functions as an attack on the

onmyjis soul. The onmyji rolls Mysticism

as a Defense against a paradox attack,

determined by the number of witnesses:

Paradox Rolls

1 witness 2

A room full of witnesses 4

Several rooms full of witnesses 6

A building full of witnesses 8

A whole town or more 10

Skills

Stunts

Arcana

Wind

Fire

Water

Earth

Fate

Mind

Time

Matter Life

Space

Forces

Spirit

VoidDeath Prime

Athletics

Burglary

Drive

Fight

Shoot

Stealth

Academics

Crafts

Computers

Mysticism

Perception

Will

Contacts

Deceive

Empathy

Provoke

Rapport

Resources

(Name)

Date of Birth

Day Month Year

Family Name Given Name(s)

Height

Weight

kgcm

(30mm x 40mm)

Body (Athletics)

Mind (Will)

Soul (Mysticism)

Consequences

Mild

Moderate

Severe

AspectsConflict

Occupation

Male

Female

Refresh

Essence

1

Game Creation

Game Aspects As a group, come up with two

phrases, called Aspects, that

describe the kind of game you

want to play. Think of major

issues or challenges that youd like

your character to come up against.

Your GM has some ideas for

challenges, opponents, and

scenarios, but you, the players, will

decide the overall tone of the

game. Youll decide what sort of

group you are, how you know

each other, and the general

context in which you deal

with the supernatural

forces of modern Tokyo.

To get the discussion

going, here are a few

example settings. Feel

free to add your own

ideas, mix and match and

mash together to make

the game thats best for

everyone at the table.

Game Creation

As a group, come up with two

phrases, called Aspects, that

describe the kind of game you

want to play. Think of major

issues or challenges that youd like

your character to come up against.

Your GM has some ideas for

challenges, opponents, and

, the players, will

decide the overall tone of the

game. Youll decide what sort of

group you are, how you know

each other, and the general

context in which you deal

ural

To get the discussion

going, here are a few

example settings. Feel

free to add your own

ideas, mix and match and

mash together to make

the game thats best for

Weird Tales from Akeyami High School You were a normal student at a

normal high school

you witnessed an event which

warped your mind and opened

you up to the true nature of reality.

Now, along with English, Calculus

and Japanese History, you study

the ancient ways of compelling

spirits and weaving spells. Its a

struggle juggling a mountain of

homework, after

and parents incessant questions

about why you come home

covered in bruises at

morningbut its kind of fun

Weird Tales from Akeyami

re a normal student at a

normal high schooluntil one day

you witnessed an event which

warped your mind and opened

you up to the true nature of reality.

Now, along with English, Calculus

and Japanese History, you study

the ancient ways of compelling

s and weaving spells. Its a

struggle juggling a mountain of

homework, after-school activities,

and parents incessant questions

about why you come home

covered in bruises at two in the

but its kind of fun.

2

Bureau of Yin and Yang Special Task Force For more than a thousand years,

mages from the Bureau of Yin and

Yang advised the most powerful

men in Japan, overseeing the

succession of emperors and

deciding the movements of vast

armies. Officially, the Bureau was

disbanded during the Meiji period,

amidst a wave of Westernizing

influences. The Bureau continued

on, however, in secret, protecting

the Japanese people from mystical

threats and ensuring that the

public remains ignorant of the true

nature of the world. You are a

Bureau of Yin and Yang

For more than a thousand years,

mages from the Bureau of Yin and

Yang advised the most powerful

men in Japan, overseeing the

succession of emperors and

deciding the movements of vast

armies. Officially, the Bureau was

disbanded during the Meiji period,

idst a wave of Westernizing

influences. The Bureau continued

on, however, in secret, protecting

the Japanese people from mystical

threats and ensuring that the

public remains ignorant of the true

nature of the world. You are a

special agent of the Bureau o

and Yang, instructed in the ancient

ways of magic, and charged with a

solemn duty to defend the land of

your ancestors from dangers

beyond our realm.

The Abe Academy for Talented Youngsters Take the Yamanote line to

Harajuku, then take the elevator

down from the platform. If you

look carefully, youll find the

button: B14. A tram is there, with

no conductors or station

attendants, but it always arrives on

time. Ride the line out to the last

stop, and youll find the Abe

special agent of the Bureau of Yin

and Yang, instructed in the ancient

ways of magic, and charged with a

solemn duty to defend the land of

your ancestors from dangers

beyond our realm.

The Abe Academy for Talented

Take the Yamanote line to

Harajuku, then take the elevator

own from the platform. If you

look carefully, youll find the

button: B14. A tram is there, with

no conductors or station

attendants, but it always arrives on

time. Ride the line out to the last

stop, and youll find the Abe

3

Academy for Talented Youngsters,

where students with special

promise are trained to unlock their

hidden potential.

The Hidden Council You are part of a very select cabal

of mages, the last in a succession

of mentors and apprentices

stretching back more than fifteen

centuries. Your master and his

colleagues have overseen Japans

resurrection from the ashes of

World War II, pulling strings in

secret and arranging the threads of

fate. Their time is now nearing its

end. You and your fellow

apprentices must step up and

assume this awesome

responsibility as the true power

behind Japan. But a cloud looms

over the horizon in the land of the

rising sun. While the population

declines and corruption eats away

at the political establishment, a

mystical power threatens to

swallow Japan into a thousand

years of darkness.

Wisdom of the Elders It is the year 1514. You and your

fellow will-workers of the Imperial

Council of Magi have peered

through the veil of ages, through

generations of descendents, and

seen a truly dark and horrifying

fate for the city of Edo. Using a

secret spell laid out in an ancient

Chinese scroll, you transfer your

consciousness forward, 500 years

into the future, to the year 2014.

Taking on a new form in this

strange new era, you must prevent

the coming apocalypse with

magics long forgotten.

Faces and Places Once the table has settled on two

game-wide aspects to tie things

together, its time to think of a few

major figures and locations that

will make the setting work. As a

group, GM and players alike will

come up with some important

locations and NPCs that help to

flesh out those themes. No need

for a lot of details, just a name and

one or two aspects for now. You

can always come back to this.

4

Your Character Start with the Essence,

Concept for your character. This

should be a short phrase that

describes the core idea of your

character. If you were making

Luke Skywalker, for instance, you

might have something like

the Jedi. Then, come up with a

Conflict, or Trouble. This could

be an internal or external struggle.

Luke Skywalker might have

something like On the Run from

the Empire. Good aspects are a

double-edged sword: they make

you good at some things and

complicate your life in other ways.

or High

Concept for your character. This

should be a short phrase that

describes the core idea of your

character. If you were making

Luke Skywalker, for instance, you

might have something like Last of

. Then, come up with a

his could

be an internal or external struggle.

Luke Skywalker might have

On the Run from

Good aspects are a

edged sword: they make

you good at some things and

complicate your life in other ways.

For the third aspect, think

your characters first encounter

with the mystical world. How did

you become enlightened? Did you

witness something supernatural?

Did you have a mentor? What

problems did you face? Write

down a short story, just a couple

of sentences, on an index ca

Then pass that card to your left.

Now, take the card you just got

and add a detail to it. You are a

guest star in someone elses story,

so find some way that you solve a

problem for them, add

complications, or otherwise make

their story more interestin

For the third aspect, think about

your characters first encounter

with the mystical world. How did

you become enlightened? Did you

witness something supernatural?

Did you have a mentor? What

problems did you face? Write

down a short story, just a couple

of sentences, on an index card.

Then pass that card to your left.

Now, take the card you just got

and add a detail to it. You are a

guest star in someone elses story,

so find some way that you solve a

problem for them, add

complications, or otherwise make

their story more interesting. Talk

5

to that player about it, make it

something fun for both of you.

Finally, write down two aspects,

one describing your first story, and

one describing your guest

appearance in the other players

story.

That leaves one aspect left. For

this one, you have a lot of

freedom. You could have some

minor magical effect, like

5 Kilos. You could have a magical

artifact or favorite tool. Maybe you

have an important NPC

connection, a day job, or a

connection to another PC. Have

fun, and be creative! If you

cant think of anything, its okay to

leave it blank and fill it in later.

Now choose your characters

element by circling one of the five

elements. Casting spells f

element is always free, but o

elements cost 1 Fate Point each.

For skills, your character starts

with one skill at +4, two skills at

+3, three skills at +2, and four

skills at +1. No two players may

have the same skill rated +4.

to that player about it, make it

something fun for both of you.

Finally, write down two aspects,

one describing your first story, and

one describing your guest

appearance in the other players

That leaves one aspect left. For

ave a lot of

freedom. You could have some

minor magical effect, like Weighs

. You could have a magical

artifact or favorite tool. Maybe you

have an important NPC

connection, a day job, or a

connection to another PC. Have

fun, and be creative! If you really

cant think of anything, its okay to

leave it blank and fill it in later.

characters

element by circling one of the five

asting spells from that

element is always free, but other

elements cost 1 Fate Point each.

lls, your character starts

with one skill at +4, two skills at

+3, three skills at +2, and four

skills at +1. No two players may

have the same skill rated +4.

Your character begins play with

three stunts, which you can design

yourself or choose from the

Core SRD (fate-srd.com/fate

or from the Magic section of this

document. You begin with 5

Refresh, but you can trade 1

refresh for 1 stunt. Your Refresh

may never be lower than 3.

Refresh gives you free Fate Points

at the start of each sessi

think carefully about whether the

stunt is worth the loss of Fate

Points.

Your character begins play with

three stunts, which you can design

yourself or choose from the Fate

srd.com/fate-core-menu)

or from the Magic section of this

document. You begin with 5

Refresh, but you can trade 1

refresh for 1 stunt. Your Refresh

may never be lower than 3.

Refresh gives you free Fate Points

at the start of each session, so

think carefully about whether the

stunt is worth the loss of Fate

6

The Mystical

World

Onmyodo: the Way of Yin and Yang (Onmyd, literally the Way

of Shadow and Light) is a set of

mystical practices dating back at

least fifteen hundred years. Its

practices are dividing among five

elementsEarth, Water, Fire,

Wind, and Voidas well as

between Yin (shadow) and Yang

(light). Its practitioners once held

Japan in the palms of their hands,

controlling the comings and

goings of nobles, the waging of

war, and the succession of

Emperors. Yet modern Japanese

as a whole do not believe in magic.

Modern Japanese are mistaken.

A Brief History of the Onmyoji Onmyd was introduced to

Japan under the rule of Empress

Suiko in the year 603, by the

Buddhist monk Kwalluk. The first

(onmyji, shaman) were

devotees of the Chinese

philosophy (w xng, the

Five Movements), as well as

students of Buddhism and

Confucianism. They were diviners,

scholars and advisers to the

wealthy and powerful, and much

feared for their unique skills. Over

time, onmyoji developed a

complex set of arcane practices

based on the five elements, as well

as Yin and Yang, darkness and

light. They blended in knowledge

from Taoism and Shinto, and their

influence grew.

In the 7th and 8th centuries, their

art was governed by an official

government bureau, the

(onmyry, Bureau of Yin and

Yang). They had an official place

in the Imperial bureaucracy and

enjoyed high status. Nobles all

across Japan sought the wisdom of

the onmyji, and many would

refuse even to leave their palace

grounds without consulting the

divinations first. Onmyji

sometimes refer to this as the

Golden Age of Onmyd.

7

During this the

Fujiwara Clan rose

to dominate the

Bureau of Yin and

Yang, and gained

preeminence over

the onmyji of

Japan. They ruled

over the Imperial

Court in regency, seeing to all of

the duties of state as the Emperor

lived in secluded luxury. By the

year 1000 they gained the right to

enthrone and dethrone Em

Their power was curbed a few

decades later by Emperor

Go-Sanj, as he wrested back

control of the Chrysanthemum

Throne. Their influence remained

immense, however, and

centuries thereafter, until 1924, the

principle consorts and marriages

of the Imperial family were

recruited from the Fujiwara Clan.

At the turn of the 11th century, a

great onmyji named

(abe no seimei) codified many of the

practices of the onmyji in a book,

(senji ryakketsu

Summary of the Judgment of

Court in regency, seeing to all of

the duties of state as the Emperor

lived in secluded luxury. By the

year 1000 they gained the right to

enthrone and dethrone Emperors.

Their power was curbed a few

by Emperor

, as he wrested back

control of the Chrysanthemum

remained

immense, however, and for

ter, until 1924, the

principle consorts and marriages

of the Imperial family were

recruited from the Fujiwara Clan.

century, a

) codified many of the

in a book,

enji ryakketsu, A

Summary of the Judgment of

considered the greatest

who ever lived.

Abe no Seimeis influence lived on

in a new form of Sh

in a lineage of powerful magi. His

descendent, Abe Arinaga, was

elevated to head of the Bureau of

Yin and Yang in the 16

during the Muromachi period.

Thereafter, their lineage was

known as the Tsuchimikado

family. In 1683 Empero

decreed that the Tsuchimikado

family would have hereditary

control over the Bureau and over

all onmyd throughout Japan.

They presided over the accession

of each new Emperor,

transmitting his wishes to heaven.

In 1870, the Meiji government

took upon itself authority over

Divinations).

He performed

many famous

miracles

during his

time, and his

acts have

passed into

legend. He is

considered the greatest onmyji

Abe no Seimeis influence lived on

in a new form of Shinto, as well as

in a lineage of powerful magi. His

descendent, Abe Arinaga, was

elevated to head of the Bureau of

Yin and Yang in the 16th century,

during the Muromachi period.

Thereafter, their lineage was

known as the Tsuchimikado

family. In 1683 Emperor Reigen

decreed that the Tsuchimikado

family would have hereditary

control over the Bureau and over

throughout Japan.

They presided over the accession

of each new Emperor,

transmitting his wishes to heaven.

In 1870, the Meiji government

pon itself authority over

8

astrology and calendar making,

and onmyd was banished along

with all other forms of

superstition. The Bureau was

disbanded, the onmyji went into

hiding, and onmyd became a

secret cult. Following Japans

defeat in World War II, freedom

of belief was instated, and the ban

on onmyd was lifted. The

damage had already been done,

however. Japan had become a

secular nation, where

technological innovation and

economical development ruled

supreme.

Spirits (kami, spirit) are spirits that

exist in all things. Some might say

that kami are reflections of this

world, and are strengthened by

whatever phenomenon they

embody. In every candle there

exists a small flame kami, and it

grows stronger as the candle burns

hotter and brighter. Others would

say that our world reflects the

Spirit Realm of the kami, and their

constant struggle for dominance

produces all that we perceive.

There is some truth in both

perspectives. The kami themselves

are limited in their ability to

influence our world, however.

Each kami is representative of a

single phenomenonhunger, a

waterfall, lust, beautyand can

only affect that particular facet of

our reality. The larger or more

powerful the force in our world,

the stronger the kami in the spirit

world. In game terms, this means

that kami generally have just two

skills: their domain, and Will. Thus

a kami of pride would have the

skill Pride, for example, and its

ranks would range from 1 to 5,

depending on the amount of pride

to be found in that location.

A skilled onmyoji can cause a

spirit to manifest in our world,

however, through the use of

(shikigami) and other forms of

possession. Most commonly this

means binding the spirit to a small,

artfully folded, cut-paper manikin,

but many other forms are possible.

It is entirely possible for a

shikigami to possess a living

9

creature, and if the host is

unwilling, this results in a struggle

of wills between the host and the

spirit. Although kami themselves

do not have physical stress tracks,

the forms they possess do.

The reverse, mortal beings

entering the Spirit Realm, is a far

more dangerous proposition. Most

lesser kami lack any kind of

consciousness or intelligence, and

are only able to perceive

phenomena within their domain.

More powerful kami are aware of

humans, and will react to an

Onmyoji standing in their midst.

creature, and if the host is

unwilling, this results in a struggle

of wills between the host and the

Although kami themselves

do not have physical stress tracks,

ms they possess do.

The reverse, mortal beings

entering the Spirit Realm, is a far

more dangerous proposition. Most

lesser kami lack any kind of

consciousness or intelligence, and

are only able to perceive

phenomena within their domain.

are aware of

humans, and will react to an

Onmyoji standing in their midst.

Precisely how

depends on the kami. A kami of

Tradition, for example, may be

scandalized by the presence of

fleshly creatures in her parlor, while a

kami of Innovati

welcome someone with new ideas

or wearing interesting fashions

(oni, demons) are a special

subclass of kami. They tend to

represent the more vicious and

basal tendencies of human nature,

such as Violence and Greed.

Jealous of the world of human

they frequently seek to possess

bodies of the weak

they will react

depends on the kami. A kami of

Tradition, for example, may be

scandalized by the presence of

in her parlor, while a

Innovation might

welcome someone with new ideas

or wearing interesting fashions.

, demons) are a special

subclass of kami. They tend to

represent the more vicious and

basal tendencies of human nature,

such as Violence and Greed.

Jealous of the world of humans,

they frequently seek to possess

weak-willed.

10

Ghosts Ghosts are the spirits of the dead,

existing on the border of this

world and the next. That border is

called the Twilight, or

(chuuin, middle shadow). A

it is not visible to most human

beings, some natural

creaturesdogs, catscan sense

the smell of an unearthly presence.

Most Japanese are cremated

shortly after their death, usually

within a week, and family

members place their bones in an

urn as part of the initial funeral

rites. However, there is a second

rite to be performed forty

days after death. During the

interim, the soul of the deceased

tends to remain with its remains,

and ascends to heaven after the

second rite is performed.

In some cases, however, the ghost

clings to this world, and becomes

an (onry, vengeful ghost)

If the proper rites have not been

performed, or if the ghost has

some unfinished business or

emotional attachment to this

world, they may remain in the

Ghosts are the spirits of the dead,

existing on the border of this

world and the next. That border is

Twilight, or

Although

most human

beings, some natural

can sense

the smell of an unearthly presence.

Most Japanese are cremated

shortly after their death, usually

within a week, and family

place their bones in an

urn as part of the initial funeral

tes. However, there is a second

rite to be performed forty-nine

days after death. During the

interim, the soul of the deceased

tends to remain with its remains,

and ascends to heaven after the

In some cases, however, the ghost

, and becomes

, vengeful ghost).

If the proper rites have not been

performed, or if the ghost has

some unfinished business or

emotional attachment to this

world, they may remain in the

Twilight. The longer a ghost

remains in the Twilight, the more

it comes to resent the living, and a

ghost that stays behind long

enough invariably

twisted and hateful.

Like kami, ghosts

two skills: Grudge, and Will.

may also retain some of the skills

they had in life.

physical stress track, but can be

possess bodies, much like kami.

Twilight. The longer a ghost

e Twilight, the more

it comes to resent the living, and a

ghost that stays behind long

enough invariably becomes

twisted and hateful.

Like kami, ghosts by default have

two skills: Grudge, and Will. They

may also retain some of the skills

they had in life. They lack a

physical stress track, but can be

possess bodies, much like kami.

11

12

Rules

Skills

The Ladder # Rank

+8 Legendary Among the greatest

achievements

in history.

+7 Epic

+6 Fantastic A once-in-a-lifetime

achievement

for the

average

person.

+5 Superb

+4 Great An expert can

reliably

achieve this

under

favorable

circumstances.

+3 Good

+2 Fair Nearly anyone

could do it

with just a

little help.

+1 Average

0 Mediocre Most people could

do it most of

the time.

-1 Poor

-2 Terrible

For most types of actions, its

enough for everyone at the table

to agree and say, Yeah, you

should be able to do that. When

theres a conflict or a genuine

challenge, roll the dice and add the

relevant skill. See fate-srd.com for

more detail on what each skill

does.

Dice There are two alternative forms of

dice-rolling, and you may choose

to use one or both of them. All

rolls are essentially the

sameskill+diceso you can

choose whichever die rolling

method you like best.

Fate Dice are six-sided dice with

two pluses, two minuses, and two

blanks. Pluses add one to the roll,

minuses subtract one, and blanks

are ignored. Roll four Fate Dice

(4dF) and add your skill. This

results in fairly uniform results,

mostly within one point of your

skill ranking, and a (very rare)

maximum deviation of four over

or under the skill.

13

Two pluses, one minus, one blank, for

a total of +1.

Alternatively, you can use

sided dice of two different colors.

The darker die represents

is subtracted from the total. The

lighter die represents yang

added to the total. Skill - yin

= result. This results in more

widely distributed results, up to

five over or under the skill rank in

rare cases. The average and most

common result is still equal to a

characters skill rank.

To work as a team, choose one

character to make the main roll,

and add +1 for each character

with one or more ranks in the skill

who is helping. Alternatively, each

other character could roll to create

an aspect to help and give +2.

Two pluses, one minus, one blank, for

Alternatively, you can use two six

sided dice of two different colors.

The darker die represents yin, and

is subtracted from the total. The

yang, and is

yin + yang

This results in more

widely distributed results, up to

five over or under the skill rank in

rare cases. The average and most

still equal to a

, choose one

character to make the main roll,

and add +1 for each character

with one or more ranks in the skill

who is helping. Alternatively, each

other character could roll to create

help and give +2.

The Four Actions Overcome:

obstacle (the normal use of skills

in most games).

Create an Advantage:

an aspect and/or invoke for free.

Attack: Try to harm another

character (physically, socially,

mentally, etc).

Defend: Mitigate an attack.

Overcome Use the overcome action to

achieve assorted goals appropriate

to your skill. When you fail

action, you have two options.

You can simply fail, which

means you dont attain your

goal or get what you were after,

or you can succeed at a serious

cost.

When you tie

action, you attain your goal or

get what you were after, but a

a minor cost.

When you succeed

overcome action, you attain

your goal without any cost.

Four Actions Overcome: get past an

obstacle (the normal use of skills

Create an Advantage: Create

an aspect and/or invoke for free.

Try to harm another

character (physically, socially,

Mitigate an attack.

Use the overcome action to

achieve assorted goals appropriate

When you fail an overcome

action, you have two options.

You can simply fail, which

means you dont attain your

goal or get what you were after,

or you can succeed at a serious

When you tie an overcome

action, you attain your goal or

get what you were after, but at

When you succeed at an

overcome action, you attain

your goal without any cost.

14

When you succeed with style

(3 over target) at an overcome

action, you attain your goal and

get a boost, an aspect that you

or an ally can invoke once for

free.

Create an Advantage Use the create an advantage action

to make a situation aspect that

gives you a benefit, or to claim a

benefit from any aspect you have

access to. When you fail, you either

dont create the aspect, or you

create it but someone else gets

the free invokewhatever you

end up doing works to

someone elses advantage

instead.

When you tie, you get a boost

instead of the situation aspect

you were going for.

When you succeed, you create

a situation aspect with a free

invocation.

When you succeed with style,

you get a situation aspect with

two free invocations instead of

one.

Attack Use the attack action to harm

someone in a conflict or take them

out of a scene.

When you fail at an attack,

you dont cause any harm to

your target. (It also means that

your target succeeded on the

defend action, which could get

you saddled with other effects.)

When you tie an attack, you

dont cause any harm, but you

gain a boost.

When you succeed on an

attack, you inflict a hit on your

target equal to the number of

shifts you got. That forces the

target to try and buy off the

value of your hit by taking

stress or consequences; if thats

not possible, your target gets

taken out of the conflict.

When you succeed with style

on an attack, it works like a

normal success, but you also

have the option to reduce the

value of your hit by one to gain

a boost as well.

15

Defend

Use the defend action to avoid an

attack or prevent someone from

creating an advantage against you.

When you fail at a defense

you suffer the consequences of

whatever you were trying to

prevent. You might take a hit

or have an advantage created

on you.

When you tie a defense

grant your opponent a

When you succeed at a

defense, you successfully avoid

the attack or the attempt to

gain an advantage on you.

When you succeed with style

at a defense, it works like a

normal success, but you also

gain a boost as you turn the

tables momentarily.

Damage Fill in one stress box greater than

or equal to the value of an attack,

take a consequence, or fill in one

stress box and take a

Consequenceif you cant do one

of these three things, youre

Out. What that means is up to the

Use the defend action to avoid an

attack or prevent someone from

creating an advantage against you.

When you fail at a defense,

uences of

whatever you were trying to

prevent. You might take a hit

or have an advantage created

When you tie a defense, you

grant your opponent a boost.

When you succeed at a

, you successfully avoid

the attack or the attempt to

advantage on you.

When you succeed with style

, it works like a

normal success, but you also

gain a boost as you turn the

greater than

or equal to the value of an attack,

fill in one

stress box and take a

if you cant do one

of these three things, youre Taken

. What that means is up to the

group, but it generally means that

the character is out of play for at

least a scene, and perhaps

permanently.

Consequences Consequences are basically aspects,

but with a negative bent. Most

characters have three:

Moderate (4), and

You use consequences to soak

damage when you run out of

stress boxes and dont want to be

taken out. Taking a consequenc

group, but it generally means that

the character is out of play for at

least a scene, and perhaps

Consequences are basically aspects,

but with a negative bent. Most

characters have three: Mild (2),

(4), and Severe (6).

You use consequences to soak

damage when you run out of

stress boxes and dont want to be

Taking a consequence

16

reduces an attack by the number

listed and uses up that

consequence slot. Recovering

from a consequence requires an

Overcome action with a relevant

skill, difficulty set at the value of

the consequence. When you

recover, you rename the

consequence to something less

serious, and then wait. Mild

consequences take one whole

scene, moderate take a session,

and severe take a whole scenario

to recover.

Aspects An aspect is a phrase that

describes something unique or

noteworthy about whatever its

attached to. Theyre the primary

way you spend and gain fate

points, and they influence the

story by providing an opportunity

for a character to get a bonus,

complicating a characters life, or

adding to another characters roll

or passive opposition.

Invoking Aspects The main way youre going to use

aspects in a game of Fate is to

invoke them. If youre in a

situation where an aspect is

beneficial to your character

somehow, you can invoke it.

In order to invoke an aspect,

explain why the aspect is relevant,

spend a fate point, and you can

choose one of these benefits:

Take a +2 on your current skill

roll after youve rolled the dice.

Reroll all your dice.

Pass a +2 benefit to another

characters roll, if its

reasonable that the aspect

youre invoking would be able

to help.

Add +2 to any source of

passive opposition, if its

reasonable that the aspect

youre invoking could

contribute to making things

more difficult. You can also use

this to create passive

opposition at Fair (+2) if there

wasnt going to be any.

17

Free Invocations When you succeed at creating an

advantage, you stick a free

invocation onto an aspect. If you

succeed with style, you get two

invocations. Some of the other

actions also give you free boosts.

You also get to stick a free

invocation on any consequences

you inflict in a conflict.

Free invocations work like normal

ones except in two ways: no fate

points are exchanged, and you can

stack them with a normal

invocation for a better bonus. So

you can use a free invocation and

pay a fate point on the same

aspect to get a +4 bonus instead

of a +2, two rerolls instead of one,

or you can add +4 to another

characters roll or increase passive

opposition by +4. Or you could

split the benefits, getting a reroll

and a +2 bonus. You can also

stack multiple free invocations

together.

After youve used your free

invocation, if the aspect in

question is still around, you can

keep invoking it by spending fate

points.

Compelling Aspects The other way you use aspects in

the game is called a compel. If

youre in a situation where having

or being around a certain aspect

means your characters life is more

dramatic or complicated, someone

can compel the aspect. That aspect

can be on your character, the

scene, location, game, or anywhere

else thats currently in play. Well

start with character aspects, and

then talk about situation aspects in

a bit.

In order to compel an aspect,

explain why the aspect is relevant,

and then make an offer as to what

the complication is. You can

negotiate the terms of the

complication a bit, until you reach

a reasonable consensus. Whoever

is getting compelled then has two

options:

18

Accept the complication and

receive a fate point

Pay a fate point to prevent the

complication from happening

Finally, and this is very important:

if a player wants to compel

another character, it costs a fate

point to propose the

complication. The GM can

always compel for free, and any

player can propose a compel on

his or her own character for free.

Fate Points GMs and players both have a pool

of points called fate points

can use to influence the game.

Accept the complication and

Pay a fate point to prevent the

complication from happening

Finally, and this is very important:

wants to compel

another character, it costs a fate

point to propose the

The GM can

always compel for free, and any

player can propose a compel on

his or her own character for free.

both have a pool

d fate points they

can use to influence the game.

Players, you start with a certain

number of points every scenario,

equal to your characters refresh.

Youll also reset to your refresh

rate if you ended a mid

session with fewer fate points than

your rate. At the beginning of

every scene, the GM

of one fate point to spend

character in the scene.

When your aspects come into play,

you will usually spend or gain a

fate point.

Players, you start with a certain

number of points every scenario,

equal to your characters refresh.

Youll also reset to your refresh

rate if you ended a mid-scenario

session with fewer fate points than

At the beginning of

he GM gets a budget

fate point to spend for each

scene.

When your aspects come into play,

you will usually spend or gain a

19

Spending Fate Points You spend fate points in any of

the following ways:

Invoke an Aspect: Invoking

an aspect costs you one fate

point, unless the invocation is

free.

Power a Stunt: Some stunts

are very potent, and as such,

cost a fate point in order to

activate.

Refuse a Compel: Once a

compel is proposed, you can

pay a fate point to avoid the

complication associated with it.

Declare a Story Detail: To

add something to the narrative

based on one of your aspects,

spend a fate point.

Earning Fate Points You earn fate points in any of the

following ways:

Accept a Compel: You get a

fate point when you agree to

the complication associated

with a compel.

Have Your Aspects Invoked

Against You: If someone pays

a fate point to invoke an aspect

attached to your character, you

gain their fate point at the end

of the scene. This includes

advantages created on your

character, as well as

consequences.

Concede in a Conflict: You

receive one fate point for

conceding in a conflict, as well

as an additional fate point for

each consequence that youve

received in that conflict. You

choose how you fail, so dont

hesitate to use this option if

things are going poorly!

Stunts and Refresh Stunts are additional little tweaks

that allow your character to use a

skill in a different or more

powerful way. Feel free to make

up your own stunts or choose

them from the Fate Core list. They

basically come in three flavors:

You can use in

provided that

.

Gain a +2 bonus to

when doing

20

youll probably do once

twice a session>.

Something else interesting.

Really powerful stunts might cost

a Fate Point in order to balance

them.

By default, every character

with three free stunts and a refresh

of 3. Refresh is the number of

Fate Points your character has

the start of each session. You can

take up to two additional stunts by

spending 1 refresh for each: the

more cool stuff you can do, the

less fuel you have for

awesomeness.

Feel free to choose any stunt from

the Fate Core rulebook, from the

section below on magic skills, or

make your own.

Conflicts Perception determines turn

order. Only roll if you have

the same number as another

character in the scene.

There is no grid, but play is

divided up into zones, each of

which has one or more

youll probably do once or

Something else interesting.

Really powerful stunts might cost

a Fate Point in order to balance

character starts

with three free stunts and a refresh

. Refresh is the number of

Fate Points your character has at

the start of each session. You can

take up to two additional stunts by

spending 1 refresh for each: the

more cool stuff you can do, the

less fuel you have for

Feel free to choose any stunt from

the Fate Core rulebook, from the

below on magic skills, or

Perception determines turn

order. Only roll if you have

the same number as another

There is no grid, but play is

divided up into zones, each of

which has one or more

aspects. Moving

takes one turn, and may require a

roll if there is an obstacle in the

way.

You can choose to do nothing

proactive for a round and gain a

+2 on defensive rolls.

concede the conflict, you can

choose how your character fails,

but if you are taken out, your

opponent chooses.

Advancement & ChangeAfter each session

one (and only one) of the

following:

Switch the rank values of any

two skills, or replace one

Average (+1) skill with one that

isnt on your sheet.

aspects. Moving between zones

, and may require a

roll if there is an obstacle in the

You can choose to do nothing

proactive for a round and gain a

+2 on defensive rolls. If you

the conflict, you can

choose how your character fails,

are taken out, your

opponent chooses.

Advancement & Change session, you may do

one (and only one) of the

Switch the rank values of any

two skills, or replace one

Average (+1) skill with one that

isnt on your sheet.

21

Change any single stunt for

another stunt.

Purchase a new stunt, provided

you have the refresh to do so.

(Remember, you cant go below

1 refresh.)

Rename one character aspect

that isnt your high concept.

After each scenario, you can do

one thing from the session list,

plus:

Add one point to an existing

skill or buy a new skill at +1.

If you have any severe

consequences, you can rename

them to begin the recovery

process, if you havent already.

After each story arc, you can do

one thing from both of the above

lists, plus:

Take an additional point of

refresh, which allows you to

immediately buy a new stunt or

keep it in order to give yourself

more fate points at the

beginning of a session.

Rename your characters high

concept if you desire.

stunt for

Purchase a new stunt, provided

you have the refresh to do so.

(Remember, you cant go below

Rename one character aspect

that isnt your high concept.

, you can do

one thing from the session list,

Add one point to an existing

skill or buy a new skill at +1.

If you have any severe

consequences, you can rename

them to begin the recovery

process, if you havent already.

, you can do

one thing from both of the above

Take an additional point of

refresh, which allows you to

immediately buy a new stunt or

keep it in order to give yourself

more fate points at the

Rename your characters high

22

Magic Magic skills in this game work

essentially like any other skill.

Your character can overcome,

create an advantage, attack, or

defend with magical skills. You

can even use magic to recover

from consequences, where

appropriate. There are, however,

four major limitations: sensory

connection, primary elements, the

arcane ladder, and paradox.

Sensory Connection In order to cast a spell on a target,

the caster must be able to sense

the target in some way. Normal

sight, hearing, or touch will do for

most spells. The mundane senses

can be enhanced with Life magic,

granting infrared vision or

magnetic detection, which some

living creatures possess. Mind

magic can enhance the perception

of senses, but cannot actually give

a mage sensory perceptions she

does not already have. Space

magic can create a portal which

the mage could then activate by

visiting a second location, thereby

opening up a conduit for the

senses.

To perform magic at some

distance, and particularly in order

to perform more impressive acts

with Space magic, an onmyji

should master the art of

Sympathetic Magic (a stunt). Using

this technique, spells can be cast

on any target with which the mage

has some physical connectiona

personal object, a piece of the

target, etc.

The Elements There are five elements,

collectively called the (godai,

The Great Five), describe the

connections between various

fundamental essences of existence.

They are representative of an

outlook on life or a style of doing

things, and not so much classical

elements like those found in the

West or in typical fantasy

roleplaying games. If youre

familiar with the I Ching or Feng

Shui, thats the kind of thing were

talking about here.

23

In Onmyodo, each element

governs two schools of magic,

called arcana. In these pairings,

one arcanum represents the Yin

the elementsubtle, shadowy,

femininewhile the other

represents the Yang

bright, masculine.

Each onmyji gains a focus

of the five elements (Void, Wind,

Fire, Water, or Earth). This is her

Governing Element, and

spells from that element is always

free. Casting spells from any

other element costs a Fate

Point.

Stunt: Extra Element. You

may choose a second

Governing Element. Casting

spells from this element no

longer costs a Fate Point.

Example spells below are not to

be construed as a complete menu

of possibilities. They are merely

provided in order to spur the

imagination and give a se

what is possible.

In Onmyodo, each element

governs two schools of magic,

called arcana. In these pairings,

arcanum represents the Yin of

subtle, shadowy,

while the other

vibrant,

gains a focus in one

of the five elements (Void, Wind,

Fire, Water, or Earth). This is her

nd casting

spells from that element is always

Casting spells from any

other element costs a Fate

Extra Element. You

may choose a second

Governing Element. Casting

spells from this element no

longer costs a Fate Point.

Example spells below are not to

be construed as a complete menu

of possibilities. They are merely

provided in order to spur the

imagination and give a sense of

24

"Earth" represents our connection to

this realm, to living things and the

matter that surrounds them. Onmyji

with a connection to the earth tend

toward stubbornness, traditional

thinking, and a focus on the collective

good.

They are conservative in their views,

resistant to change. They also tend to

be the most physical of shamans,

mixing their own skills in athletics or

martial arts into their rituals.

The stone, resolute,

remains calm and unperturbed

in rushing waters.

Matter has dominion over soil, water,

metal, air, and other kinds of non-living substances. The alchemists arcanum.

Stunt: Earthly craftsmanship. Can use Matter

in place of Prime to create an artifact.

Example spells Curse of Steel [Attack, Physical] the

enemys weapon explodes in a shower of shrapnel.

Saintly Robes [Defend] The onmyjis clothing becomes as hard as iron.

Sense Weakness [Divination (0)] find the weakest point in a structure in order to destroy it more easily.

Cruel Masters Training Sword [Alteration (2)] make a piece of wood as strong as steel, and a much deadlier weapon.

Zone of Nature [Abjuration (6)] Protect a temple so that no man-made materials may enter.

Heavens Craftsman [Creation (7)] create complex machinery out of nothing.

Life magic has dominion over animals, pl ants, disease, evolution, and healing. The physicians arcanum.

Stunt: Blood magic. Take a minor consequence

before rolling to add 2 to a magic die roll, or

a moderate consequence to add 2 after.

Example spells Wrath of Nature [Attack, Physical]

snakes slither out from the shadows to attack the victim.

Scales of Steel [Defend] The onmyji develops thick scales to deflect attacks.

Touch of Heaven [Recovery, Physical] a touch closes wounds and relieves pain.

Rapid Growth [Command (1)] Brambles grow up to inhibit an enemys movement.

Plague [Alteration (3)] A touched human being contracts a disease.

Aquatic Form [Alteration (4)] Grow gills and webbed digits for swimming.

Mighty Serpent [Creation (10)] Summon a celestial dragon.

25

"Water" is the element of endless,

flowing change, of things without

form or substance. Take it once in

your hand, and it is gone in an

instant, but its power can raze cities

or foster future life. Mentally, it is

the acceptance of lifes constant

changes, a oneness with the flow of

things. Onmyji of water are adaptable,

rarely surprised by the vicissitudes of

life, but frightfully powerful when

roused to anger. They are rarely found

in leadership positions, but take readily

to working with others.

The leaf floats softly

on rushing river waters

as bough and branch snap

Time magic has dominion over the past, present, and future, acceleration and deceleration. The oracles arcanum. Stunt: Temporal magic. Can cast a spell with a

time delay, such that it triggers at a

particular time in the future.

Example spells Flow of Time [Attack, Soul] send an enemy forward in time. Stop the Sands [Defend] move an instant into the future to avoid an attack. Kaerimiru (Look Back) [Divination (0)] watch the last minute of activity over again. Fleet of Foot [Alteration (2)] Your body and mind move faster. Rewind [command (5)] everyone in your zone replays the last round of combat. Scroll of Futures [Divination (7)] see into the web of possible futures for the world. Time Gate [Creation (8)] Open a rift in time to walk through. Requires an object from the target time.

Space has dominion over scrying, teleportation, wards, and summoning. The travelers arcanum. Stunt: Sympathetic Magic. Can cast spells on

targets not present in the scene.

Example spells Forced Teleportation [Attack, Physical] shunt the target into another area. Zenos Paradox [Defend] Projectiles appear to draw ever nearer to you, but never quite make it. Scrying [Divination (3)] Open a window to a distant location known to you. Anything on the other side can see you just as easily, though. Infinite Bag [Alteration (2)] Make a container connect to a distant holding area for near-infinite storage. The Essence of Nothingness [Destruction 7] an area the size of a house ceases to beeverything inside is pushed out.. Portal [Creation (8)] Open a rift in space to walk through. Requires an object from the location.

26

"Fire" governs the dynamic, the

forceful. It is the sudden outburst

that rends asunder and the

pounding heat that drives men mad.

It is passion, drive, desire, and

firmness of intention. The onmyji

of fire are readily known by the intensity

of their gaze and the zeal in their words.

They are born leaders, rarely content to

do as others have done, charging

headlong into the fires of hell without

thought of peril.

Flames of mens passions,

burning for but a moment.

Ah, but how brightly!

Mind magic has dominion over mind control, telepathy, mental projections, imagination, and hallucinations. The mind-readers arcanum. Stunt: Dreamweaving. Can cast a spell on a

person who is not present but

currently asleep.

Example spells Mind Control [Attack, Mental] gain control of a subject. Mind Reading [Attack, Mental] read the contents of a subjects mind. Mental Bulwark [Defend] block others from using mind control against you. Surface Ripples [Divination (0)] Get a sense of the zeitgeist around you. Parallel Processing [Alteration (2)] Perform multiple mental actions simultaneously. Zone of Peace [Abjuration (6)] bar hostile intentions inside of a given building. Locus of Hate [Creation (7)] Creates a cloud that instills feelings of hate.

Force magic has dominion over energy and forces: light, sound, electricity, radiation, fire, kinetic energy; gravity, conductivity. The physicists arcanum. Stunt: Arcane Technician. Use Forces in place

of Academics or Craft for rolls

involving electronics.

Example spells Shocking Tendrils [Attack, Physical] Delivers a powerful electric shock. Weight of the World [Defend] Gravity around attackers triples, slowing their blows. Spectral Conversion [Alteration (2)] Convert heat energy into harmless light. Invisibility [Abjuration (4)] Cause light and sound to pass through you. Gaze of Heaven [Divination (4)] tap into a satellite feed to watch the movements of cell phones. Fireball [Creation (5)] create balls of flame to throw. Reverse Gravity [Alteration (7)] The area inside an entire building has its gravitational field reversed.

27

"Wind" is the element of freedom,

chance, chaos, and the unseen

spirits that bring the ripple across

still waters. An onmyji of wind

shows independence and care-free

thinking, prone to flights of fancy

and moments of divine inspiration.

Revolutionaries, poets, wanderers and

merrymakers find their paths lead

toward the wind. Yet there is also a

benevolence and patience to the breeze

that blows even in the heat of summer,

cooling hotter heads and uplifting

spirits.

Gentle summer breeze

makes ripples across a pond,

whispers things to come

Spirit magic has dominion over kami, demons, exorcism, and protection of the soul. The shamans arcanum. Stunt: Counsel of the Spirits. Can use Spirit in

place of Empathy to recover a mental

consequence.

Example spells Admonish Spirits [Attack, Soul] speak a command that saps a spirits energy. Ethereal Barrier [Defend] project a magical field that blocks spirits from attacking. See Spirits [Divination (0)] gain the ability to see into the Spirit Realm. Spirit Call [Creation (5)] summon a spirit to assist you. Shifts may increase the rank of the spirit called. Human Shikigami [Alteration (5)] allow a kami to possess a willing or unconscious host. Spirit Guide [Creation (8)] create a portal connecting the physical and spirit realms.

Fate magic has dominion over blessings, luck, destiny, curses, oaths, gambling, and probability. The soothsayers arcanum. Stunt: Ritual magic. Can cast a spell and save

it for later, using the same die result.

Example spells Evil Eye [Attack, Soul] inflict a horrible curse on the target. Turn of Bad Luck [Defend] Attacker stumbles and misses. Will of Heaven [Divination (0)] sense the strength of others destinies. Supernal Haze [Alteration (4)] Supernatural effects in the area treat blanks as minuses. Font of Fortune [Creation (5)] create a pool of free rerolls for your allies. Despair [Destruction (5)] Suppress a targets destiny for one scene. Fortunes Friend [Abjuration (6)] ward self permanently against curses. Destiny [Creation (8)] Instill a blessing that makes you destined to perform some particular great deed.

28

"Void" is the representation of

those things beyond our experience,

the unknowable Other. It is the

realm invisible, the Great Beyond.

Those who wish to truly know the

secrets of creation, to peer beyond

this life and into the next, are drawn

to the path of Void.

Most onmyji of the Void are

unfulfilled by normal, mundane life, and

seek ever higher understanding through

adventure or asceticism. A mage of the

void is a scholar, an explorer, an

inventor, one who often has little time

or patience for the trifling concerns of

this world.

Only empty minds

with empty hands and empty hearts

can know true fullness.

Death magic has dominion over ghosts, decay, weakness, and the stealing of souls. The necromancers arcanum. Stunt: Rebuke death. You can use Death to

recover from consequences involving

physical injury or weakening effects.

Example spells Deathbane [Attack, Soul] you pass your hand through a ghost, disrupting its connection to this world. Shield of Decay [Defend] an aura of death around you weakens others. Ghost Sight [Divination (0)] See ghosts in the Twilight. Eerie Visage [Alteration (2)] You appear deadno respiration, no pulse, no body temperature. Circle of Protection [Abjuration (5)] create a circle through which ghosts and other dead creatures may not pass. Chains of Undeath [Creation (8)] create a permanent undead minion.

Prime has dominion over magic itself: hallows, ley lines, counterspells, enchantment, and artifacts. The archmages arcanum. Stunt: Countermagic. +2 to Defense rolls

against any magic or supernatural ability

when using Prime.

Example spells Arcane Feedback [Attack, Soul] an enemy mages own magic turns against him. Mana Barrier [Defend] deflect incoming supernatural effects. Detect Magic [Divination (0)] See the remaining resonance of spells cast in the area. Mage Armor [Abjuration (3)] increases defenses against supernatural effects. Altered Runes [Alteration (3)] Slightly change the effect of an existing spell. Artifact [Creation (8)] Create an item with a permanent magical effect.

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The Arcane Ladder For magic, its difficult to say what

should constitute a mediocre,

fair, or legendary spell. Hence,

we have the arcane ladder, ranking

the difficulty of spells according to

the sort of effect they might

produce. Simply add together the

factors of the spell to determine

the difficulty of casting. The

consensus of the group comes

first. This table is only a

guideline.

This table is used for generating

static difficulty targets, so the

Attack, Defend, and Recover

actions will be treated separately.

This table is mainly for

adjudicating the difficulty of using

a particular type of spell to

Overcome or Create Advantage,

and should not be considered set

in stoneguidelines to keep

things from devolving into Yes, I

can! and No, you cant!

Divinations provide sensory

perceptions or knowledge about

something under an arcanums

domain. Commands involve

pressing an existing being or

phenomenon to do your will.

Alterations change the essence of

a target. Abjurations protect

something within an arcanums

domain. Destructions remove

obstacles. Creations summon

things that are not present, either

by creating them or calling to

them from afar.

Practice Targets Size Connection

(*with stunt only)

Complexity Duration

+0 divination Self cat touch (same zone) simple scene

+1 command 1 target human sight (nearby zone) moderate session

+2 alteration room full car personal item* complex story

+3 abjuration building full house intimate

knowledge*

permanent

+4 destruction town full airplane second-hand

knowledge*

+5 creation whole

world

building

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Complexity is a subjective matter.

Creating a solid block of iron

would be fairly simple. Creating an

iPad would be complex. Changing

a spirit of hunger to a spirit of

thirst would be simple. Changing a

spirit of hunger to a spirit of rock

and roll would be complex.

Warding a room against all human

beings would be simple. Warding a

room against human beings from

Kagoshima named Tetsuya would

be complex. And so on.

Connection is a measure of the

casters metaphysical distance

from the target. Normally, the

caster needs to at least be able to

see a target in order to cast a spell.

However, mages who master

Sympathetic Magic (a stunt) can

cast spells on targets they cannot

see by holding a part of the target

(a lock of hair, a branch of a tree)

or personal item owned by the

target. Casting by knowledge alone

is more difficult, but not

impossible. Of course, failure

could mean the spell targets

someone or something entirely

unintended.

Paradox The onmyjis enlightenment

comes from realizing that all the

world around us is but an illusion

crafted by the minds of those who

inhabit itto perceive is to create.

Knowing this, she can will herself

to see other presents, other

realities, and impose her will above

others. Where the onmyjis vision

of reality conflicts with the

consensus of those around her,

paradox arises.

A clever onmyji avoids paradox by

making his magic appear

coincidental or natural. A bolt of

lightning from a persons hand

would surely seem supernatural,

but the same bolt from a shorting

circuit breaker might appear to be

Paradox Rolls

1 witness 2

A room full of witnesses 4

Several rooms full of

witnesses

6

A building full of witnesses 8

A whole town or more 10

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just an unlucky coincidence for the

onmyjis foe.

Animals, supernatural creatures,

ghosts, spirits, and other

do not count as witnesses. Only

unenlightened human beings,

whose paradigm does not include

the existence of the supernatural,

are considered when determining

paradox. It is said that in the old

days the onmyji were m

restricted by paradox, before

science and learning were the

default point of view for most

Japanese. A paradox functions as an attack

on the onmyjis soul. The

onmyji rolls Mysticism

Defense against a paradox attack,

determined by the number of

witnesses:

Success means that the

has imposed his will on

reality, and witnesses are

able to somehow justify the

bizarre occurrence or block

it out. On a tie, the spell

succeeds and the onmyji

takes no stress, but

generates a scene aspect

just an unlucky coincidence for the

Animals, supernatural creatures,

ghosts, spirits, and other onmyji

do not count as witnesses. Only

unenlightened human beings,

whose paradigm does not include

the existence of the supernatural,

are considered when determining

in the old

were much less

restricted by paradox, before

science and learning were the

default point of view for most

an attack

s soul. The

rolls Mysticism as a

Defense against a paradox attack,

determined by the number of

Success means that the onmyji

has imposed his will on

reality, and witnesses are

able to somehow justify the

bizarre occurrence or block

spell

onmyji

takes no stress, but

generates a scene aspect,

and witnesses may be left with a

vague feeling of unease or even

partial memory of the casting

When you fail, the spell does not

succeed, and you take

soul track, which may be mit

by consequences as normal.

Consequences as always will be

negotiated by the table as a whole,

but the following are some

examples of possible

consequences of paradox:

The spell goes

the casters control

A form of insanity set

the target or caster.

Reality shatter

impossible event takes place.

The casters body, mind or soul

are scarred.

An evil spirit slips through the

crack in reality to cause havoc.

and witnesses may be left with a

vague feeling of unease or even

partial memory of the casting.

When you fail, the spell does not

you take stress on the

soul track, which may be mitigated

by consequences as normal.

Consequences as always will be

negotiated by the table as a whole,

but the following are some

examples of possible

consequences of paradox:

es haywire, beyond

the casters control

A form of insanity sets in on

the target or caster.

Reality shatters, and an

impossible event takes place.

The casters body, mind or soul

An evil spirit slips through the

crack in reality to cause havoc.

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