Editing Age Of Dragons: Challenge Resolution (section)

=Resolving Challenges=

The overview for this process is as follows:

*1. Determine Challenge Type
*2. Set Challenge Outcomes, Complexity and Difficulty
*3. Determine Initiative
*4. Select Action Type
*5. Determine Technique
*6. Roll the Dice
*7. Resolve Effect (if successful)
*8. Resolve Energy Cost
*9. End or continue conflict
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==1. Determine Challenge Type==

First, its important to decide what sort of Challenge this is. This is a decision to be made ultimately by the GM, though optionally with player opinions. The type of Challenge will determine what ''Energy Pool'' is used, and will also set the narrative context for what sort of actions can be used.

* '''Soma Challenges''' are those where physical talent is the core. Examples might include use of brute force, cross country flying endurance and tests of agility. These challenges use the '''Physical Energy Pool'''.
* '''Sophia Challenges''' are those where mental talent is the core. Examples might include puzzle solving, research and study. These challenges use the '''Mental Energy Pool'''.
* '''Pneuma Challenges''' are those where creative, social or arcane talent is the core. Examples might include the casting of spells, artistic creation or addressing groups of passive listeners. These challenges use the '''Soul Energy Pool'''.

A balanced story should generally include roughly equal numbers of challenges of each type, so as to give characters of different strengths a chance to shine. Of course, what challenges arise should also be determined primarily by the players' actions, and not all challenges are of equal importance or consequence...
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==2. Set Challenge Outcomes, Complexity and Difficulty==

The '''Challenge Outcomes''' are described by the GM. This is what happens if the characters succeed on the challenge, or if they fail in the challenge.

This should be defined primarily by the narrative. For example:

* A dragon is trying to break down a castle wall. If he succeeds, the wall crumbles. If he fails, it stands firm.
* A dragon is trying to weave a powerful magic to summon a rainstorm in the desert. If he succeeds, the spell is cast. If he fails, not only does the spell fail, but the strain of handling the vortex of arcane energies knocks him into a stunned stupor for 24 hours.
* A dragon is trying to solve a fiendish number puzzle. If he succeeds he solves and completes the puzzle. If he fails, he makes an error somewhere, and gives up in mental exhaustion.

Note that the GM should be very clear about the challenge outcomes, and should attempt to place realistic conditions dependent on the narrative. 

The '''Complexity''' of a challenge represents how much work it takes to complete. When an action is taken against the challenge, the ''Effect'' is deducted directly from the ''Complexity''. When ''Complexity'' is reduced to 0, the challenge is completed.

Sample complexities:
* Complexity 1 : Usually completed in a single stroke. For example, breaking down a door or wall.
* Complexity 2: Completed in one or a few actions. For example, a cart of rubble across a field.
* Complexity 3-5: Likely to take multiple actions. For example, flying cross country across a kingdom.
* Complexity 6+: Likely to beyond the capabilities of a single dragon within the allotted time period, but potentially achievable with several dragons. For example, collecting taxes from several hundred merchant houses in the realm before the year end.

The '''Difficulty''' of the challenge is how hard it is to work towards. Higher difficulty requires higher technique to address.

Sample difficulties:
* Difficulty 1: A task that is simple even for an unskilled human. For example, gathering dropped pennies.
* Difficulty 2: A task that is trivially easy for a dragon, but could challenge humans if of a physical nature. For example - breaking something built of planks of wood.
* Difficulty 3: A task that is very hard for a human (if physical), but still easy for a dragon. For example - breaking a metal rod.
* Difficulty 5: A task that some dragons will find easier than others depending on capability. For example - performing a simple magic ritual.
* Difficulty 7: A task that most dragons will find hard, and generally requires some training. For example, advanced herbalism to cure a plague.
* Difficulty 9: A task that almost all dragons will find hard, and is easy only for the most specialised dragons. For example, flying at breakneck speed below a dense forest canopy.
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==3. Determine Initiative==

Next determine who has the '''Initiative'''. The character with the '''Initiative''' is able to take an '''Action'''. The ''Initiative'' may pass from character to character during a ''Challenge'', but only one character has the ''Initiative'' at a time.

To determine the ''Initative'' look at the following:
* If a character has the highest ''Energy Pool'', then he gains the ''Initiative''.
* If more than one character has equal highest ''Energy Pool'' then the GM looks at the narrative of the situation, and decides which of them has the ''Initiative''.
* If narrative and drama don't decide the situation, and more than one character has equal highest ''Energy Pool'', then the GM just decides which of them has the ''Initiative'', in general favouring player characters over NPCs. (This is colloquially known as "player perogative").

Obviously, there will often be judgment calls required on the GM's part, so a higher degree of trust in the GM is required of players of this game than most.
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==4. Select Action Type==

An ''Action'' is something that the character with the Initiative actively does, to seek to affect the course of the Challenge in some way. This is an admittedly vague description, but the Challenge system is by its nature abstract, so GMs and players can be flexible and creative!

When the player declares his characters action (or the GM declares his NPCs' actions) he describes in full what he is trying to achieve, adding roleplaying flourish if he wishes.

The below list of action types are suggested as guidance and suggestions that will cover the majority of conflict actions that a character might engage in, but the list is not intended to be exhaustive, and GMs and players should be open minded to making up new rules on the fly for actions not covered here...

As with conflicts:

* '''All actions must be supported by the narrative, by described actions, and by the characters capabilities.'''

The below actions are common ones during challenges:

===Attempt===

This is the default option during in a challenge, representing an attempt by the character to work towards or complete the challenge.

A successful ''Attempt'' reduces the target challenge's ''Complexity'' by an amount equal to the ''Power'' rating of the action.

If this would reduce the ''Complexity'' to zero or less, then the Challenge is completed successfully.

Also, Escape is sometimes easier or harder than default - see '''Difficulty Modifiers''' below.

===Apply Modifier===

A '''modifier''' is an action that increases or decreases a stat in the challenge, for example, increasing your Technique, or decreasing the challenge Difficulty.

A successful modifier changes the target number by an amount equal to the ''Power'' rating of the buff action.

Note that modifiers normally require some sort of special effect to achieve (such as magic or a specialised technique) and have an effect that lasts until the end of the ''Challenge'', though the GM may waive the requirement with smart tactics or shorten the duration if he feels it is too powerful. Also, a modifier tends to apply to only a thematically linked group of actions.

Examples of ''Modifier'' actions in different contexts might include:

* '''In a ''Physical'' challenge to break down a wall:''' Using magic to enhance physical strength, and so increase the ''Effect'' of future attempts at the challenge.
* '''In an ''Arcane'' ritual casting:''' Using your knowledge of esoteric ingredients to select the perfect ritual components, and so increase the the ''Technique'' of future attempts at the challenge.
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==5. Compare Technique and Difficulty==

As noted above, '''Technique''' is determined by a combination of sphere rating, applicable skill and buffs/debuffs.

Compare the ''Technique'' of the acting character with the ''Difficulty'' of the challenge.

* If technique is higher than difficulty, then the '''character finds the task easy'''. This means that an action is considered successful if at least one dice rolls 3+.
* If technique is equal to difficulty, then the '''character finds the task challenging'''. This means that an action is considered successful if at least one dice rolls 4+.
* If difficulty is higher than technique, then the '''character finds the task difficult'''. This means that an action is considered successful if at least one dice rolls 5+.

Strong technique is very important, as it makes a big difference to your odds of a successful action!
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==6. Roll the Dice==

Next, roll the dice!

'''Age of Dragons''' uses six-sided dice.

The number of dice you roll is determined by your level of exertion in the action. To recap:

* Mild exertion = 1 dice.
* Moderate exertion = 2 dice.
* Full exertion = 3 dice.

You then look to see if you have succeeded. As noted in the previous step:

* Character finds task easy = Succeed on a 3+.
* Character finds task challenging = Succeed on a 4+.
* Character finds task difficult = Succeed on a 5+. 

Note that you only need a minimum of '''one of the dice''' you roll to be in the success range, and the action is considered a ''success''.

If no dice rolled are in the success range, then the action is not a success.
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==7. Resolve Effect (if successful)==

If the action succeeded, you now resolve the effect.

The effects of various actions are described as above.

If you did not succeed, skip this step.
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==8. Resolve Energy Cost==

Now, the active character deducts the ''action cost'' of the action from his ''Energy Pool''.

If this would reduce ''Energy Pool'' to a negative number, then ''Energy Pool'' is instead set to 0.

For example, if the ''action cost'' would reduce your ''Energy Pool'' to -2, then your Energy Pool instead becomes 0.

Also, each time a character is "zeroed out" by energy cost the challenge increases in ''Complexity'' by an amount determined by the GM - usually 1 to 3 points. This is called the ''Exhaustion Rating'' of the challenge.

* Exhaustion Rating 1: This is a challenge that is pretty much always doable if you try for long enough.
* Exhaustion Rating 2: This is a challenge that gets much harder once you exhausted, and which you might want to give up on.
* Exhaustion Rating 3: Once you are exhausted, the odds of you completing this challenge are infinitissmal, unless you have some trick up your sleeve.
* Exhaustion Rating 4+: Once you are exhausted, you have no chance of completing this challenge.

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==9. End or continue challenge==

In this step, the characters involved can choose to abandon the challenge. If they do so, they are considered to have failed the challenge.

If they do not, return to Step 3.
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