Initiative is TN 1 Meditation check. If you succeed add + bonus successes to their total initiative.
You go on the attack aggressively, bearing down on your foes and trusting your momentum to carry you forward to safety.
After you have rolled initiative in the Fire Stance: When you succeed on a check, you count as having one additional bonus success for each Strife symbol on your kept dice.
You go on the attack aggressively, bearing down on your foes and trusting your momentum to carry you forward to safety.
After you have rolled initiative in the Fire Stance: When you succeed on a check, you count as having one additional bonus success for each Strife symbol on your kept dice.
Details
In a duel, each character is generally prepared, so the base initiative will be the focus attribute.
For a skirmish, each character makes a TN 1 Meditation check to gain a read on the battlefield conditions and enemy.
Then, if the character succeeded on their Initiative check, they add 1 to their focus, plus an additional amount equal to their bonus successes.
Staredown
After initiative, and at the start of each round, each character simultaneously receives strife equal to the number of the round (1 strife for the first round, 2 for the second, 3 for the third, and so forth).
After receiving this strife, each character who is not Compromised may bid additional strife to increase their initiative value for that round. To bid, each participating character secretly chooses a number between 0 and their focus attribute. Then, all simultaneously reveal their number, and each suffers that amount of strife, and adds it to their initiative for the round.
The character with the higher initiative value takes their turn, followed by the character with the lower value. If they are tied, the one with the lower honor acts first. At the end of the round, each character’s initiative value resets to its value before the staredown.
For a skirmish, each character makes a TN 1 Meditation check to gain a read on the battlefield conditions and enemy.
Then, if the character succeeded on their Initiative check, they add 1 to their focus, plus an additional amount equal to their bonus successes.
Staredown
After initiative, and at the start of each round, each character simultaneously receives strife equal to the number of the round (1 strife for the first round, 2 for the second, 3 for the third, and so forth).
After receiving this strife, each character who is not Compromised may bid additional strife to increase their initiative value for that round. To bid, each participating character secretly chooses a number between 0 and their focus attribute. Then, all simultaneously reveal their number, and each suffers that amount of strife, and adds it to their initiative for the round.
The character with the higher initiative value takes their turn, followed by the character with the lower value. If they are tied, the one with the lower honor acts first. At the end of the round, each character’s initiative value resets to its value before the staredown.
Opportunity Uses |
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* |
On an Initiative check, use your focus instead of your vigilance for your initiative when surprised. |
* |
Choose another character in the scene; increase the TN of the next check they make before the start of your next turn if it does not include you as a target |
* * |
Other characters must receive 2 strife to choose you as the target of their Attack and Scheme actions until the start of your next turn. |
Opportunity Uses |
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* |
If you failed, determine the easiest way to accomplish the task you were attempting (skill and approach). |
* + |
Remove 1 strife you gained from this check per * spent this way. |
* |
Inflame another character in the scene with your presence, causing them to receive 2 strife. |
* + |
Perform the task in a flashy way, drawing attention to yourself. Extra * attracts even more notice. |
* * |
Notice something missing or out of place in the vicinity that is not directly related to the task. At the GM’s discretion, you may establish an absence, such as a lack of shoes outside indicating the occupant’s absence. |
Fire Initiative Opportunities
Tactical Assessment (Rank 2 Kata
Activation: When you make an Initiative (Fire) check:
* Choose a character in the conflict and one of their advantages you know. Until the end of their first turn, they apply that advantage to all of their checks.
* Choose a character in the conflict and one of their advantages you know. Until the end of their first turn, they apply that advantage to all of their checks.
Special Circumstance Opportunities
In Shadowlands
*+ You spur your comrades on with pleasing encouragement or biting criticism. One other character in the scene per * you spend this way reduces their next TN to resist physical hardship or the influence of the Shadowlands by 1.
Against Tainted Threats
*+ The righteous fury you display can cow even the most terrible of Tainted fiends. Each Tainted being in the scene gains 1 strife, plus 1 additional strife for every ** spent. If you are unaware if another character is Tainted, the GM should record this strife secretly.
While Tainted
** The furious power of Jigoku flows through you, granting you unnatural might. Add 1 kept Ring Dice showing a Strife result to the next Martial Arts check you make. This effect persists until the start of their next turn.