Ensifera

A light system for playing your fantasy world of choice. Made to run « old-school » adventures -exploration, thinking, high stakes- with fast and grounded rules.

Ensifera was designed without mercy for traditions or trends,  with logical (instead of literal) compatibility in mind. Playtested with old-school adventures from all eras, oldest to current.

ABOUT

• d12-based for lower numbers and quicker resolution.
• Modular, easy to hack. Sub-systems can be modified, replaced or ignored.
  
• Bounded accuracy. «Numbers go up» is kept to a healthy minimum.
• Classless. Players choose their gain at each level: increase HP, Attacks, or Magic. Easily create your desired archetype without worry about builds or optimization.
• Gritty. Significant constraints on inventory and survival push players to engage in faction play by seeking allies and hirelings, and approach situations creatively.
• Combat designed to promptly resolve situations involving numerous fighters: players can muster allies and hirelings to full power without breaking the game. PCs are both more mortal and deadlier than in trad games, tactics have real impact. Multiple attacks through small wargamey dice pools make fights swift, fun, and brutal. With a few levels, warriors soon feel like true weaponmasters able to handle several foes at once, but death is always around the corner.
• Slot-based inventory management. Tough choices make your loadout an important part of your playstyle.  Simple item durability without usage dice.
• Level-less spells (dice pool magic). A spell can be cast with more or less power according to your Mana. Spells cast at power 1 are quick, others are slow, wich leads to interesting choices in tense situations.
• OGL free.
  

Covert art by Alvyne Sebalj. Interior art by Chaoclypse.

FILES

• Bookmarked pdf, 45 pages
• Play sheets