Illuminated Worlds Mechanics

Illuminated Words - Easy to Learn - Narrative Fiction First

Described and Adapted for Black Ichor Scenario Readers

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• d6 Rolls
• Character Sheet Actions
• Narrative Fiction First Combat

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Mechanics Illuminated by ROD w/Midjourney

Candela Obscura provides a Quick Start Guide & Characters Sheets that players are welcome to read, use and adapt. The Quick Start includes a summary of rules, safety precautions, a sample assignment, and basic instructions about how to use Illuminated Worlds d6 pool system. While it is best to read the Quick Start, what follows is a reminder of how the system works. The reminder also includes summary definitions so that new users can become familiar with the lingo used by the writers.

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Disclaimer: Black Ichor Scenarios is a home brew version of what Darrington Press publishes as Candela Obscura. The scenarios are dedicated to rule play that accommodates the use of fiction first narrative roleplay with a twist. The twist concerns the use randomness. Nearly every episode includes an opportunity for an adventure that is optionally advanced with dice rolls.

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d6 pool: Using basic 6 sided dice, player characters roll a pool (handful) of dice prescribed by their characters sheet abilities. The prescriptions could call for one dice to be rolled or more. The "or more" dice are prescribed by variable factors, but the most common variable is the addition of gilded dice (shown on the character sheet).

Review Chart and Dice Rolls

Choose Highest Dice Roll from Pool (not the total). Maximum 6 dice pool.

1d6	2d6	3d6	4d6	5d6	6d6

Pool: Highest Dice Explanation

1- 3 Result	4 - 5 Result	Single 6 Result	Multiple 6s Results
Roll is a failure, Consequence expected.	Mixed Success, Accomplished at cost.	Full Success, Accomplished with no unintended consequences.	Critical Success, Accomplished plus extra benefit.

Mechanical Hook (Opinion)
Scenarios are written with dice rolls in mind, but it is the decision of the Gamemaster about whether an incident results in a roll. What rolls do in these scenes is take away some of the usual successes and turn them into random hiccups (much like happens in real life). When not used repeatedly and at the same interval, d6 rolls can make the game take unique and unexpected turns that authors might not write into their stories. Having to live with the possibility of harm and scars pushes player characters into thinking of novel ways to get themselves out of a situation. It isn’t losing; it is a winning for a writer when a complex mess inspires an original outcome. 
Rolling dice every play is no fun either. It strips out a story’s creative flow and slows the expository passages in a story down. Fiction first is a better goal, so long as the story ebbs and flows like an episodic series or a book does. Black Ichor Scenario adaptations include scenes that encourage the use of dice rolls and scenes that encourage innovative role playing. Illuminated Worlds doesn’t require tweaking to use its mechanics. It is simple and straightforward. The character sheet is easy to use and informative. Instead of concentrating on rules, players can concentrate on the story being told by themselves.

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Actions Considered by Scenarios

Nerve

• Move - Run, Dodge, Navigate
• Strike - Punch, Break, Knock Down
• Control - Drive, Shoot, Finesse

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Cunning

• Sway - Convince, Command, Consort
• Read - Interpet Body Language, Spot Lies, Gather Motive
• Hide - Sneak, Distract, Sleight of Hand

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Intuition

• Survey - Search, Track, Spot
• Focus - Inspect, Analyze, Remember
• Sense - Attune, Channel, Reveal

Note: While dice rolls provide success outcomes, it is also important to consider the effects of gear, professional abilities, drives, resistance, gilded dice, and collaborative rolls. Denouement End of Game changes (Circle Advancement) affect character advancement.

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Countdown Combat is a Transparent Tool to encourage fiction. Explain First, Then Roll/Assess with fiction in mind.

Least Stress Black Ichor Way

Combat

• 1. There is no particular order or initiative to roll.
• 2. Stakes are made higher depending on threat of violence or injury.
• 3. Non-player characters are not marked. Their threat is determined by fiction.

Marks Suggestions

• 1. 1-3 = creature throws character against wall takes body marks depending on how the character is flung.
• 2. 4-5 = character gets out of way of creature takes a brain mark for narrow escape used.
• 3. More than one mark can be assigned at a time.
1. Spotlights: Each character is given a chance to carry out action.
2. Force: Small creatures = one strike & larger creatures = one strike + more
3. Manipulative creatures (similar to snakes) that coil = one strike + more
4. Solving puzzle elements = one strike + more
Stakes & Expectations
• Low Stakes = roll when will action will not cause a dire situation for the character.
• High Stakes = roll when actiion will cause a dire situation for the character.
• Expectations = determine best action for achieving like or better result with less consequence. Worth of fiction (story behind the action) will support the reason for the expectation to work.
Countdown
• Set the die to 3 for a light challenge (uncomlicated).
• Set the die to 4–5 for a moderate challenge (complicated).
• Set the die to 6 for a major challenge (comlicated and dangerous).
• Set the die to 3 for quickly remedied challenge.
• Set the die to 4-5 for requiring planning time.
• Set the die to 6 for execution and planning time.
High Stakes
• ⦁ On a critical success (multiple 6s), reduce the value by 3.
• ⦁ On a full success (6), reduce the value by 2.
• ⦁ On a mixed success (4–5), reduce the value by 1.
• ⦁ On a miss (1–3), reduce the value by 0.
Low Stakes
• ⦁ On a critical success (multiple 6s), reduce the value by 0.
• ⦁ On a full success (6), reduce the value by 0.
• ⦁ On a mixed success (4–5), reduce the value by 1.
• ⦁ On a miss (1–3), reduce the value by 2.
Customizing Countdowns
• Assistance Mechanical, Combat, or Tecnical Tools = Reduce Value by 1.
• Effects of Adversary tools, Contagions or Drugs = Add value by 1.
For Candela Obscura Intpretation go here: For more combat information.
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