Understanding the Core: 4d6 Mechanics in Morgalad
Welcome to the first article in our series, “Mastering Morgalad: A Guide to 4d6 Adventures!” In this installment, we’ll explore the core mechanic that drives challenges and combat in the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG: the 4d6 roll. If you’re new to Morgalad, or just want to understand the system inside and out, this guide will break down the fundamentals and help you navigate your adventures with confidence.
The Basic 4d6 Roll
At its heart, Morgalad utilizes a simple yet versatile 4d6 system. Whenever your character attempts an action with an uncertain outcome, you’ll roll four six-sided dice (d6) and add any relevant bonuses. This total is then compared to a Difficulty Rating (DR) set by the Host. If your roll equals or exceeds the DR, you succeed!
- Example: Juniper attempts to pick a lock to escape an old abandoned mine. The Host determines the lock has a Standard difficulty, which is a DR of 13. Juniper rolls 4d6 and gets a total of 10. Because this is less than the DR, she has failed to pick the lock.
Attributes and Abilities: Modifying Your 4d6 Roll
Of course, a straight 4d6 roll wouldn’t be very interesting. Morgalad allows you to modify your rolls using your character’s attributes and abilities.
- Attributes: Each character has six core attributes: Power, Finesse, Essence, Knowledge, Consciousness, and Allure. These attributes represent your character’s inherent strengths and weaknesses. During character creation, you roll a d6 for each attribute, which determines a numeric value between -3 and +2. This value will then modify any 4d6 roll that relies on the attribute.
- Base 8 Abilities: Every character also starts with eight standard abilities known as the Base 8: Will, Reflex, Fortitude, Diplomacy, Search, Spot, Listen, and Stealth.
Attribute vs. Ability Challenges
In Morgalad, challenges come in two types: attribute challenges and ability challenges.
- Ability Challenges: If a learned ability applies to the action you’re attempting, you roll 4d6 + any relevant bonuses against the given Difficulty Rating.
- Attribute Challenges: If no learned ability applies, you add +5 to the DR and roll the 4d6 using the corresponding attribute.
Difficulty Ratings: Setting the Stage for Success
The Host determines the Difficulty Rating (DR) for each challenge, reflecting how easy or hard it is to succeed. DRs come in two forms:
- Given Number: A specific number the player must meet or exceed with their 4d6 roll.
- Category: A word from the list that represents a number. Difficulty Categories include Easy (10), Standard (13), Hard (15), Difficult (17), and Extraordinary (19).
Difficulty Categories by Player Level
| Difficulty | Levels 1-10 | Levels 11-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 10 | 15 |
| Standard | 13 | 18 |
| Hard | 15 | 20 |
| Difficult | 17 | 22 |
| Extraordinary | 19 | 24 |
Putting It All Together
Let’s look at an example of how the 4d6 mechanic works in practice:
- Braditz wants to use his diplomatic skills to talk his way out of a hostile situation. Diplomacy is one of the Base 8 abilities, so this is an ability challenge. Braditz rolls 4d6, adds his Diplomacy bonus, and compares the total to the DR set by the Host.
Conclusion
The 4d6 mechanic is the engine that drives the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG. By understanding how attributes, abilities, and Difficulty Ratings interact, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge the game throws your way. In the next article, we’ll delve into character creation and show you how to roll your stats using d6!