Preamble
What is role playing you might ask? Well, with a question like that we might wonder why you are even here! However, on the slim chance that you are new to roleplaying games here is a quick primer on what this game is all about.
A role playing game (RPG) is a type of game in which you assume the roles of a character in a historical or fictional setting and interact with other players and the game world. This is done through a combination of storytelling and mechanics, typically involving dice rolls, character attributes, and decision making. You assume the role of your character, make decisions and take actions that advance the story. This all helps determine the outcome of the game. The game is usually led by one player who sets the scene, portrays non-player characters, and interprets the rules. Role playing games can be set in a variety of settings, including fantasy worlds, post-apocalyptic wastelands, and modern cities, and can be played either in person or online.
Playing an Inkforged Campaign
Inkforged campaigns are not much different than what you would experience playing in another fantasy RPG system. Inkforged uses ACE Games new Defined By Dice TTRPG system. You still create a character, called an Ikon, and one player has to take the role of the game's Narrator. The tone and specifics of the world and campaign are up to you, although Inkforged's version of these rules tend to align best with whimsical, high adventure fantasy. The most important thing to keep in mind is to respect each other, respect the rules, and of course, focus on the fun!
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The Ikon
Your player character is a fictional being whose actions are directly controlled by you, the player. This character is an alternate persona, called your Ikon, and is your narrative and mechanical conduit to interact with the fictional world.
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The Narrator
The Narrator has gone by lots of names in other games, but our philosophy is that their job is to guide the players along through their shared adventure in The Book. Their job isn’t just to enforce the rules of the game and play the roles of the non-player characters. They are there to help build the most enjoyable experience for the entire table, themselves included. They guide everyone along the path of The Story, they narrate the events that result from the player’s actions, and they are narrating the adventure itself toward a satisfying conclusion.
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How is Defined By Dice Different?
Not to worry, DxD is not so different from the other RPG systems that you are familiar with. It isn’t the same though, if it were there would be no reason to buy this book! While there are many small and subtle differences in mechanics and flavor in Inkforged, there are 4 fundamental differences that make Inkforged feel unique.
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Truly Defined by the Dice
Inkforged uses a pretty standard set of RPG dice, d4, d6, d8, d10, and d12 (d20s are reserved for special situations). These dice are used to define your Ikon. Instead of classes, you assign a separate die to each of your 5 Traits and 5 Skills. The combination of Traits and Skills generates the essence of your character. You want an agile swordsman with a terrible personality? Then put a d12 in the Agility trait and the Combat skill and a d4 in the Charm trait and Social skill. Prefer the opposite, like a charming but anemic illusionist? Slot the d12s into the Charm trait and Magic skill and your d4s into Brawn and Combat.​
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Player Agency
Inkforged strives to give the player maximum agency during the game using two primary mechanics. First, all challenges and activities are determined by player-made dice rolls. When a Skill check is needed it will always be done from the player's perspective. The Narrator will rarely make any rolls for NPCs. Instead, they will ask the player to make the most appropriate Skill, Trait, or Resist check. Not only does this let the player's drive the action, but it frees up the Narrator to focus on the adventure.
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The second mechanic encourages players to interact with The Narrator as often as possible to help write your character’s personal stories in the world of Inkforged. When facing a challenge, inside of combat or out, you can increase your chance of success by negotiating with The Narrator to lower the challenge ranking. Look for things described in the environment, flaws in the opponent’s defense, help from team members, or abilities that might provide an advantage. The Narrator will then alter the mechanical aspects of the challenge to match the changed situation.
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Frequent Incremental Advancement
Ikons do not gain XP and "level up". Instead, the Narrator awards build points as the game plays out and these are immediately spent purchasing specific improvements to a single aspect of your character. This could be honing a Trait or Skill, obtaining a new Ability or Spell, or learning a new language. Even though they are mechanically simple, each is a meaningful and effective improvement to your Ikon.
A Beginning and End
Each campaign of Inkforged starts by bringing the Ikons into The Realm and ends with each Ikon learning to become a better person and returning to their real lives. Inkforged campaigns work best with this in mind, built around solid character development arcs, called Chapters, to provide proper closure to thrilling adventures.
