Rules

179 rules · 1 books

The complete rules reference, in book order. Pick a book, jump to a chapter, or filter across everything.

His Majesty the Worm

Introduction

p.-2 · 1 rules
Introduction p.-2

The Basics

p.1 · 9 rules
The Basics p.1
The Four Phases p.2
The Flow of the Play p.4
The Major and Minor Arcana p.7
Tests of Fate p.8
Pushing fate p.9
Favor and disfavor p.10
Group tests p.11
Effects p.12

The Adventurer

p.15 · 18 rules
The Adventurer p.15
Session 0 p.18
The Call to Adventure: Character creation p.20
Attributes p.23
Name, kith, and kin p.23
Motifs p.24
Quests p.24
Bonds p.26
Arête p.28
Languages p.29
Conditions p.31
Lore p.32
Resolve p.32
Experience p.33
Talents p.33
Pack space and gear p.37
New adventurer checklist p.38
Retirement p.38

The Guild

p.41 · 9 rules
The Guild p.41
Guild name p.42
Sigil p.42
Terms p.42
The Guild Roster p.42
Marching order p.43
Role p.43
Current Contracts p.46
Noteworthy Deeds and Fame p.46

Kith and Kin

p.49 · 1 rules
Chapter 4: Kith and Kin p.49

The Four Paths

p.67 · 2 rules
Chapter 5: The Four Paths p.67
Pacts p.83

The Crawl Phase

p.85 · 20 rules
The Crawl Phase p.85
Checking for traps p.88
Locked doors p.88
Secret doors p.88
Dealing with traps p.89
Maps p.90
Watches p.90
Loud noises p.91
Meatgrinder p.91
Moving carefully p.91
Light p.94
Falling p.96
Item Durability p.96
Stress p.96
Afflictions p.97
Social Encounters & Disposition p.99
Influencing Disposition p.100
Starting Disposition p.100
Role-playing Disposition p.101
Example Crawl Phase p.104

The Challenge Phase

p.107 · 31 rules
The Challenge Phase p.107
Disengaged p.109
Engaged p.109
Set the scene p.109
Zones p.109
Ambushes and surprise p.110
Draw Challenge cards p.112
Play Initiative p.112
Take turns p.113
Facedown cards p.114
Interrupt actions p.114
Skipping your turn p.114
The Fool p.114
End the round p.115
Minor actions p.115
Challenge Actions p.116
Free actions p.116
Morale p.119
Miscellaneous actions p.120
GMing the Challenge p.121
Enemy actions p.122
Lesser dooms p.122
Greater dooms p.123
Notching armor p.124
Retreating p.124
Wounds p.124
Health and Defense p.125
Piercing and Critical damage p.125
Death’s Door p.126
New Adventurers p.126
Example Challenge Phase p.127

The Camp Phase

p.135 · 8 rules
The Camp Phase p.135
Camp Actions p.137
Break bread p.140
No rest for the wicked p.140
End of Camp Phase p.141
Recovery p.141
Optional Rules: Overland Travel p.142
Example Camp Phase p.144

The City Phase

p.147 · 15 rules
The City Phase p.147
Death and taxes p.149
Noteworthy deeds p.149
City Events p.150
Turn in contracts p.154
Upkeep p.154
City Actions p.156
Plan the next Crawl p.160
Restock the Underworld p.160
The Omphalic Market p.162
Buying new gear p.163
Replacing and repairing gear p.163
An Incomplete List of Pretty Things An incomplete list of pretty things p.164
Weapons p.170
Example City Phase p.171

The Worm Turns: Gamemastering

p.175 · 30 rules
The Worm Turns: Gamemastering p.175
The GM’s Manifesto p.176
Running the Crawl Phase p.178
Creating a soundscape p.179
Creating your Underworld p.179
Creating interesting characters p.180
Dislikes p.180
Likes p.180
Needs p.180
Wants p.180
Events targeting an adventurer p.182
Events targeting equipment p.182
How much treasure? p.182
What are you holding p.182
What can I see? p.183
What do I know? p.183
Creating interesting locations p.184
Running the Challenge Phase p.184
Creating interesting battles p.185
Creating interesting antagonists p.186
Creating surprises p.187
Running the Camp Phase p.188
50 campfire discussions p.189
Create a path to success p.190
Running the City Phase p.190
Seed and grow goals p.190
Completing quests and soft endings p.191
Create obstacles p.191
Converting Other Games p.192
Inspirational and Educational Reading p.193

Sorcery

p.197 · 7 rules
Sorcery (introduction) p.197
The Far Realms p.198
Casting Spells p.199
Magical Effects p.200
Concentration p.201
Iron: the anti-magic p.201
Maleficence p.201

Alchemy

p.229 · 8 rules
Alchemy (introduction) p.229
The Alchemist’s Tools p.230
Brew Alchemy p.231
Reagents p.231
What can be harvested? p.231
Alchemical Substances p.232
Alchemical effects p.233
Creating alchemical effects p.233

Dungeon Denizens

p.241 · 6 rules
Dungeon Denizens (introduction) p.241
Monstrous Mixology p.242
Creature Stats p.244
Creature actions p.246
Themes p.247
Threats p.250

City Creation

p.289 · 3 rules
City Creation (introduction) p.289
Mapping the City p.290
The Districts p.296

Underworld Creation

p.329 · 11 rules
Underworld Creation (introduction) p.329
Making Your Megadungeon p.330
Origins of the Underworld p.331
Generate an Underworld Layout p.332
Create Maps p.334
Write Room Descriptions p.335
Create the Meatgrinder p.340
Creating interesting rooms p.365
Creating interesting traps p.370
Building the Tutorial Dungeon p.374
Writing Meatgrinder tables p.376