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Duskara is not a combat-focused game, but conflicts—physical, social, or environmental—are inevitable. This section provides structure for resolving meaningful confrontations. Conflict Types Physical Confrontation Direct action between characters or against ho...

As the Game Master (or "Facilitator" in GM-less play), your role is to voice the world—its settlements, dangers, mysteries, and inhabitants. You're not the author imposing a predetermined narrative. You're the steward of a living world that responds to player ...

This extended example demonstrates how Duskara plays at the table, showcasing the interplay of fiction, mechanics, and collaborative storytelling. The Setup GM: "You're standing on the observation platform at the top of Aetherion' central spire. The wind is st...

Duskara adventures emerge from the setting's inherent tensions and opportunities. This section provides frameworks, settlement templates, and inspiration for building engaging campaigns. Design Philosophy Player Choice and Consequence Your role is not to railr...

These works capture the spirit of Duskara—planetary romance, environmental adaptation, psychic evolution, and the struggle to thrive in extreme conditions. Books Science Fiction: Dune by Frank Herbert (planetary ecosystems, psychic abilities, cultural adaptat...

Key: [term] - Definition (See line XXX for detailed explanation) Core Mechanics Action Die — The main die rolled in any uncertain situation. Always a single d6. Present in every roll. (See line 845) Automatic Success — If advantages clearly outweigh obstacles,...

CORE MECHANIC: Frame action as closed question Build dice pool: 1 Action Die + Chance Dice - Risk Dice Roll the pool, keep highest die Resolve outcome (1=No and..., 2=No, 3=No but, 4=Yes but, 5=Yes, 6=Yes and...) Describe result in fiction DICE OUTCOMES: ...

Use this template to create your character. Write your character's name and details in each section. Each Tag adds Chance or Risk Dice as noted. CHARACTER NAME: WIND-KIN CLAN AFFILIATION: (optional) Concept (Brief description of who you are: role, appearance...

Duskara © 2026 Roberto Bisceglie This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Bo...

Duskara is a tabletop role-playing game for two or more players that focuses on essential and intuitive rules, enriched by clear examples and insights into the philosophy that inspires its mechanics. This game is based on Ensemble, an evolution of Freeform Uni...

What is role-playing? Role-playing is like stepping into a book or a movie, where you and your friends are the protagonists. Together, by talking, listening, and taking cues from each other, you build an imaginary world where extraordinary adventures take plac...

A World Between Light and Dark In the year 2187, the colony ship Stellar Horizon departed Earth bound for Kepler-442b. After a critical malfunction during a solar storm, the ship drifted off course for decades while its passengers slept in cryogenic stasis. Wh...

Creating a character in Duskara involves defining who they are through a series of Tags that capture their essence, abilities, and relationships. These Tags will guide your role-playing and influence your dice rolls throughout the game. Step 1: Concept Your ch...

Duskara does not use mechanical advancement. There are no experience points, no level-ups, no skill trees. Instead, characters evolve through the fiction itself. When you survive a crisis, overcome a Frailty, achieve a Goal, or fundamentally change as a charac...

On Duskara, people die. Sometimes it's meaningful. Sometimes it's not. Either way, it's part of the story. When Death Occurs A character dies when the fiction calls for it. There are no special conditions, no dramatic requirements, no exceptions for plot armor...

The Basic Roll When the outcome of a character's action is uncertain or risky, the game uses a simple dice mechanic to determine what happens. Step 1: Frame the Action as a Closed Question Before rolling, frame the action as a question that can be answered wit...