Using Fear
You start a campaign with 1 Fear per PC in the party.
You gain Fear whenever a PC rolls with Fear, the PCs take a rest (see: Downtime), or when an ability or effect tells you to.
You can never have more than 12 Fear at one time.
Fear carries over between sessions.
Spend a Fear to:
- Interrupt the players to steal the spotlight and make a move - Make an additional GM move - Use an adversary's Fear Feature - Use an environment's Fear Feature - Add an adversary's Experience to a roll
The dramatic tension of a scene correlates with the amount of Fear you spend during it. For guidance on how much Fear you should spend in a scene, consult the following table:
| Incidental | A catch-up between PCs after an emotionally charged scene; gathering information; resupplying at a local market; resting during downtime. | 0-1 Fear | | -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | | Minor | A travel sequence; a minor skirmish that introduces new foes or signals future trouble. | 1-3 Fear | | Standard | A substantial battle with a notable objective; perilous travel that tests might and wit; a tense social encounter seeking crucial information or aid. | 2-4 Fear | | Major | A large battle with a Solo or Leader adversary; a character-defining scene with a significant change to a character's personal story (such as revelation, growth, and betrayal). | 4-8 Fear | | Climactic | A major confrontation with the villain of a story arc; an epic set piece battle; a judicial duel to determine an important NPC's fate. | 6-12 Fear |
If you find yourself with a large amount of Fear, consider:
- Spending Fast: Spend Fear before the players have a chance to react - Spending Often: Spend Fear every time the spotlight swings to you - Spending Big: Spend Fear to make multiple moves in a row
Spending Fear to make a move communicates the increased impact of your action. Fear moves often include one or more of these elements: