The Old World: Grim and Perilous

. Characters Can Fail
A distinct feature of Genesys is that while
characters can be easily defeated, it's harder
to eliminate them entirely. Even in more
lethal settings, character death shouldn't be
frequent. Thus, total defeat doesn't signify
the end. As in many narratives, defeated
heroes still have opportunities for redemption
and recovery.
. Players Shape the Narrative.
Players often describe the outcomes and
consequences of their characters' actions,
especially during successful endeavors.
This approach creates a more engaging
and personalized experience, as players
influence the narrative surrounding their
characters' deeds. This doesn't mean that
the other participants have to accept every
description by a player. In case of disputes,
the Game Master, being privy to the broader
scenario, has the final say.
Resolving checks
A unique feature of Genesys is that a single
dice roll can produce a vast array of results.
While interpreting a simple success or failure
is straightforward, translating the remaining
outcomes into the game world can pose challenges,
even for seasoned players. Here are
some insights to navigate this:
• Collaboratively interpret the roll. Regardless
of who rolled the dice, examine the outcome
collectively and ponder: What could
have happened? Were there unforeseen
repercussions of the character's actions?
Collaborating to deduce the implications
of dice outcomes enhances the enjoyment
of Genesys. lt also greatly speeds up interpreting
results and aids in understanding
symbol meanings.
• Break down symbols into smaller groups.
Occasionally, a check might yield results
like aaaaaaa. Typically, our
group's initial response to such a symbol
cluster is "uh...". Coming up with an effect
for this type of result is very difficult, so
we decided to partition the a and h outcomes
into smaller batches of to symbols.
Here, represents a minor effect,
while signifies a major repercussion. It's
certainly simpler to devise effects - for
aaa and for aa - than to incorporate
all the symbols at once.
• Use the tables; create your own. In Genesys
supplements (like our Perilous Locations)
and adventures, you'll discover numerous
tables suggesting symbol utilization. Draw
inspiration from them, even if it's just to
gauge the impact magnitude of a specific
symbol combination. Furthermore, jot
down your innovative ideas and revisit
them in future gaming sessions. However,
tables are not an oracle! Don't be afraid to
modify the effects to make them work better
for what's happening in your story.
• Prioritize the narrative. In Genesys, the
narrative propels the mechanics, and vice
versa. When resolving a dice roll, first consider
what effects it might have in fiction,
and only then translate those effects into
mechanics. Detailed pre-roll descriptions
are invaluable here. If you're aware of both
the character's objective and their strategy,
you'll likely come up with ideas for symbol
interpretations more swiftly.
• Not every result requires long consideration.
Gaining or removing strain is often
the simplest idea for addressing a and h
symbols. In The Old World: Grim and Perilous,
we also introduce threat indicators as
another way to spend any undesired h.
Using Story Points
During our initial, somewhat clumsy sessions
in Genesys, we didn't quite understand
the concept of Story Points, so they sat on the
side of the table, completely ignored by both
players and the Game Master. Over time, we
realized that it's an integral and very important
(perhaps the most important!) part of this
system. First, let's briefly recall how, according
to the rules, we can use story points. According
to the Genesys Core Rulebook, they serve to:
• Upgrade dice (convert an Ability die into a
Proficiency die or convert a Difficulty die
into a Challenge die).
• Activate certain abilities and talents.
• Introduce new elements into the game
world.
206 The Old World: Grim and Perilous