Talisman Adventures Fantasy Roleplaying Game

300 Pages·2020·30.617 MB·English

by  Ian Lemke

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Begin your exploration of the Realm with the Core Rulebook for the
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Talisman Adventures Fantasy Roleplaying Game! Magical forests, A
treacherous mountains, deadly dungeons, and more await you between N
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these pages. Begin your adventures as any of ten classes (assassin, druid, T
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minstrel, priest, prophet, scout, sorcerer, thief, warrior, or wizard) and AS
seven ancestries (elf, dwarf, human, ghoul, leywalker, troll, and sprite).
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The Talisman Adventures rules are fast-paced, easy to learn, and feature
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the new 3D6 Adventures rules set. With these rules, the players take R
the lead and determine the action as their characters explore magical ON
new lands, encounter enigmatic strangers, and do battle against terrible
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monsters. This book provides a multitude of enemies, strangers, followers,
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mysterious locations, and magic items to include in your adventures.
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Forbidden knowledge and fabulous treasures — perhaps even the fabled D
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Talisman of the Great Wizard — await the daring and heroic.
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To play this game, you’ll need a few friends, three six-sided dice, 2–4 E
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hours, and your imagination. NN
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47500E K
Fantasy Roleplaying Game
Core Rulebook
www.pegasus-web.com
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Credits
Credits
Lead Design and Development Interior Art
Ian Lemke Aaron Acevedo, Ben Acevedo, Abrar Ajmal,
William Thomas Arnold, Bruno Balixa, Ryan Barger,
Additional Design
Arden Beckwith, Crystal Ben, Ismael Bergara,
Brian Campbell, Brandes Stoddard, Bon Bernardo, Sara Biddle, Arthur Bowing,
and Rabbit Stoddard Nora Brisotti, Mark Bulahao, Christopher Burdett,
Mike Burns, Joshua Cairos, Felicia Cano, J.B. Casacop,
Writing Chris Casciano, Sidharth Chaturvedi, Anna Christenson,
Lauren Covarrubias, Thomas Denmark, Julie Dillon,
Richard August, Lee Hammock,
Carolina Eade, Anna Edwards, Melissa Findley,
Michelle Klein Houser, Ian Lemke, Fred Love,
Emillien Francois, Felipe Gaona, Toma Feizo Gas,
Brandes Stoddard, Rabbit Stoddard,
Raymond Gaustadnes, Allen Michael N. Geneta,
and Robert Turk
Alexander Gustafson, Suzanne Helmigh,
Editing and Proofreading Paul (Prof) Herbert, Ralph Horsley, Gareth Keenan,
David Kegg, Hans Krill, Kez Laczin, Sam Manley,
Brian Campbell and Tim Huckelbery
Jeremy McHugh, Daniel Melendez, Jacob Murray,
Ricardo Robles Ortiz, Mary Jane Dizon Pajaron,
Art Direction
R.J. Palmer, Dylan Palmer, Tamires Para, Federico Piatti,
Aaron Acevedo Michael Rookard, Riccardo Rullo, Alida Saxon,
Elif Siebenpfeiffer, Firat Solhan, David Sourwine,
Layout and graphic design
Dimitar Spasov, John Stanko, Matthew Starbuck,
Ben Acevedo, Emma Beltran, and Aaron Acevedo J. Edwin Stevens, Nicholas Stohlman, Preston Stone,
Jon Taylor, Leanna TenEycke, Cory Trego-Erdner,
Cover Art
Andreia Ugrai, Frank Walls, S.C. Watson,
Aaron Riley Damon Westenhofer, Drew Whitmore, Dallas Williams
Special Thanks to Mike Tinney for introducing me to the folks at Pesasus Spiele at Gencon 2017 which began this
long, strange journey. To John New for his insights into Talisman: The Magical Quest Game. To Christopher Gulledge
for his invaluable advice on dice probabilities. To Rabbit Stoddard, Brandes Stoddard, and Joseph Ford for running
innumerable playtests at GenCon 2018–19 as well as bringing me drinks and food. To my amazing wife Spring
Netto for proofreading and feedback throughout this process and putting up with my weird writing hours. And
finally, to my two my two dogs Shakespeare and Beorn for the comfort and company they give unconditionally.
3D6 Adventures System © 2020 Pegasus Spiele. All rights reserved.
Talisman Adventures Fantasy Roleplaying Game © Games Workshop Limited 2020. GW, Games Workshop, Warhammer,
Talisman, Talisman Revised 4th Edition, Talisman Adventures Fantasy Roleplaying Game and their associated logos, illustrations,
images, names, creatures, races, vehicles, locations, weapons, characters, and the distinctive likeness thereof, are either ® or
TM, and/or © Games Workshop Limited, variably registered around the world, and used under licence. All rights reserved.
www.pegasus-web.com
Printed in China
3D6 ADVENTURES SYSTEM
1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Enemy Actions 44
Inflicting Damage 45
Book I:
Armour 46
Player’s Guide 6
Taking Damage 47
A Tale of the Crown Seekers 7
Death and Dying 47
What is Talisman Adventures? 8
Resting 48
What is Roleplaying? 8
Chapter 3:
Where to Begin 9
Characteristics and Skills 49
Glossary of Game Terms 10
Attributes and Aspects 49
Chapter 1:
Strength 49
History of the Realm 13
Craft 50
History of the Realm 13
Derived Characteristics 50
The Realm Today 16
Life 50
Borders of the Realm 17
Max Load 50
The Lands 17
Speed 51
The City 18
Spell Points 51
Law and Disorder in the City 18
Skills 51
Notable Features of the City 19
Unskilled Tests 51
The Shops 21
Chapter 4: Ancestries 56
Villedoc 23
Dwarf 56
Notable Features 23
Elf 58
Settlements 24
Ghoul 60
Locations of Interest 26
Human 61
The Tavern at Innsview 27
Leywalker 62
Sepulchre 27
Sprite 64
The Wilds 28
Troll 65
Woods and Forests 28
Chapter 5: Classes 67
Hills and Crags 30
Assassin 67
Other Places in the Wilds 30
Legends of The Other Regions 31 The Unkindest Cut 67
The Middle Region 31 Playing an Assassin 67
The Inner Region 31 Creating an Assassin 68
Core Features 68
Chapter 2: Rules of the Game 32
Druid 69
The Basics 32
One with the Land 69
Characters 32
Playing a Druid 69
Time 32
Creating a Druid 69
Taking Action 33
Core Features 69
Rolling Dice 34
Minstrel 71
Fate 36
A Knave on the Open Road 71
Combat 37
Playing a Minstrel 71
Surprise Attacks 38
Creating a Minstrel 71
Position 40
Core Features 72
Determine Order of Actions 40
Character Actions 40
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Priest 73 Chapter 7:
Voices of Light and Darkness 73 Advanced Special Abilities 94
Playing a Priest 73 Universal Advanced Special Abilities 94
Creating a Priest 73 Class Advanced Special Abilities 94
Core Features 73 Assassin Advanced Special Abilities 95
Prophet 75 Druid Advanced Special Abilities 97
Through a Glass Darkly 75 Minstrel Advanced Special Abilities 99
Playing a Prophet 75 Priest Advanced Special Abilities 101
Creating a Prophet 76 Prophet Advanced Special Abilities 102
Core Features 76 Scout Advanced Special Abilities 103
Scout 77 Sorcerer Advanced Special Abilities 105
Survival at All Costs 77 Thief Advanced Special Abilities 106
Playing a Scout 77 Warrior Advanced Special Abilities 108
Creating a Scout 77 Wizard Advanced Special Abilities 110
Core Features 77 Chapter 8: Equipment 112
Sorcerer 79 Gold 112
Purveyors of Secrets 79 Weapons 112
Playing a Sorcerer 79 Armour and Shields 114
Creating a Sorcerer 79 Tools and Market Goods 115
Core Features 79 Services 118
Thief 81 Mounts and Vehicles 118
Acquisition is the Law 81
Chapter 9: Magic and Spells 119
Playing a Thief 81
Magic in the Realm 119
Creating a Thief 82
Learning Spells 119
Core Features 82
Spellbooks 119
Warrior 82
Scrolls 120
Forged in Battle 82
Granted Spells 121
Playing a Warrior 83
Spells 121
Creating a Warrior 83
Basic Spells 124
Core Features 83
Intermediate Spells 130
Wizard 84
Advanced Spells 137
The Secretive and the Wise 84
Map of the Realm 143
Playing a Wizard 84
Creating a Wizard 85
Core Features 85
Chapter 6: Character
Creation and Advancement 87
Where to Begin? 87
Step One: Choose Your Ancestry 87
Step Two: Choose Your Class 88
Step Three: Choose Your Alignment 90
Step Four:
Assign Your Attributes and Aspects 91
Step Five: Final Touches 91
Character Advancement 93
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents Mountain Goat 180
Mountain Lion 181
Book II: Game Master’s Guide 144
Serpent 181
Chapter 1: Telling a Story 145 Vampire Bat 182
Being a Game Master 145 Wild Boar 182
Using the Rules 145 Wolf 183
Great Successes Cultists and Outlaws 183
and Extraordinary Successes 146
Bandit 183
Failing with Style 147
Dark Acolyte 184
Writing Adventures 147
Dark Initates: Vassals of Darkness 184
The Players 148
Vassal of Mab 184
Fate 148
Goblinoids 185
Fate Gains (Optional Rules) 148
Cave Troll 185
Maxed Out Fate (Optional Rules) 149
Gnoll 186
Player Character Conflict
Goblin 186
(Optional Rules) 151
Hobgoblin 186
Social Interactions 151
Kobold 186
Player vs. Player Combat 151
Ogre 187
Chapter 2:
Monsters 188
Strangers and Allies 152
Basilisk 188
Strangers 152
Doppelganger 189
Attitude 152
Gargoyle 190
Stranger Descriptions 155
Giant 190
Gaining Allies 161
Harpy 190
Gaining Followers 161
Manticore 191
Chapter 3: Followers 162
Spirits 192
Using Followers 162
Apparition 192
Obtaining Followers 162 Banshee 192
Loyalty 162 Barrow Wight 193
Follower Design Guidelines 163 Ghost 193
Follower Benefits 163 Shadow 194
Followers 166
Spectre 194
Chapter 4: Enemies 174 Will-o’-the-Wisps 195
Enemies of the Realm 174 Wraith 196
Enemy Descriptions 174 Undead 196
Animals 175 Death Knight 196
Ape 175 Lemure 197
Bear 175 Lich 197
Carrion Crows 176 Mummy 198
Forest Goat 176 Putrid Zombie 198
Giant Beetle 176 Skeleton 199
Giant Fly 177 Dragons 200
Giant Rat 178 Dragon 200
Giant Spider 178 Woodland Drake 201
Giant Worm 179 Wyrd Dragon 201
Lion 179 Wyvern 202
Mammoth 180
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Elementals 203 Armour 230
Air Elemental 203 Bags 233
Crawling Slime 203 Crowns 234
Earth Elemental 204 Holy Relics 234
Fire Elemental 205 Magic Rings 235
Water Elemental 205 Potions and Elixirs 236
Fae 205 Trinkets 238
Boggart 206 Wands 238
Breeze Sylph 206 Weapons 239
Brownie 207 Chapter 7: Death’s Messenger 241
Coblynau 207 Synopsis 241
Fae Witch 207 Act One: Restless Spirits 242
Fomorian 208
Map: The Graveyard 244
Knocker 208
Map: The Ancient Tomb 245
Naiad 209
Act Two: Seeking the Enchantress 247
Pixies 209
Act Three: The Deep Dark Woods 251
Red Cap 210
Map: The Abandoned Chapel 254
Sidhe 210
Sluagh 210 Map of the Realm 257
White Stag 211 Appendix I: Critical Failures
Chapter 5: Adventuring 212 and Aspirations 258
Exploration 212 Critical Failure 258
Time and Distance 212 Aspirations 259
Exploration Roles 212 Alignment 260
Camping 214 Ancestries 260
Hazards 215 Classes 262
Visibility 217 Appendix II:
Traps 218 Enemies and Strangers 263
Designing a Trap 218 Enemy Encounters 263
Noticing a Trap 219 Level 1–3 Encounters 263
Avoiding or Disabling a Trap 220 Level 4–7 Encounters 264
Triggering a Trap 221 Level 8–10 Encounters 265
Example Traps 221 Stranger Encounters 266
Environmental Dangers 221
Appendix III:
Poisons and Venoms 222 Interesting Locations 267
Delivery Methods 222
Index 274
Effects 222
Enemy Benefits, Banes,
Example Poisons 224 and Special Abilities 281
Chapter 6: Rewards 225 Character Sheets 282
Experience 225
Dwarf Priest 282
Earning Experience 225
Elf Scout 284
Follower Experience 228
Ghoul Assassin 286
Magic Items 228
Human Sorcerer 288
Identifying and
Sprite Druid 290
Using Magic Items 229
Troll Warrior 292
Magic Item Descriptions 229
Blank 294
Amulets & Necklaces 229
5
BOOK I:
PLAYER’S GUIDE
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AA TTaallee ooff tthhee CCrroowwnn SSeeeekkeerrss
When the blacksmith tells a story to her children, promised her a unicorn if she rode away with him,
her face turns grim. It’s like the expression she has so off she went, poor thing.”
when she’s hammering an iron bar into a blade.
“Did she see a unicorn?” interrupted her youngest
That day, she gathered all six of her children under
girl.
the spreading chestnut tree at twilight, put the baby
in her lap, and began. “Oh, yes. Yes, she did.”
“Before I married your Papa and came to live “I want to see one too!” demanded Baby. He was
in Villedoc, I lived and worked in the Tavern on seven years old, but we still called him Baby because
the other side of the Great Forest. Many brave he was the last child born.
adventurers fell into their cups there, bragging “Hmmph,” said his Mama. “Myrande didn’t
and boasting of the Treasure Beyond All Treasures return to the tavern for over a year, but she did
and how close they came to finding it. We were return in the dead of winter with no minstrel, no
barmaids: we all sighed, we blushed at their stories, mule, and no money.”
and we took their money. Most of us didn’t believe
“But she had a unicorn!”
a word of it, but wherever there are dreamers, there
are fools. “No, child, but she had a story. She and her minstrel
bought passage on a ship across the Storm River to
On the day Darg the Minstrel came to town, I was so
the Temple on the other side. Each said their own
busy serving ale and wiping tables I hardly noticed
separate prayers. Then the minstrel hired a guide to
the man. The next day, when he took his leave to
help them travel the Middle Realm. Myrande was
search for the Treasure Beyond All Treasures, we all
scared but also excited. She said she watched the
took notice. Lovely Myrande, the prettiest barmaid,
minstrel charm a lion and saw that lion kill a boar
rode away on the back of his mule.
when the minstrel commanded it. She was feeling
Myrande was a newcomer, but she took quickly to very safe indeed when the three companions entered
tavern work, and she’d never put on airs because of the woods. Then it happened: a unicorn approached
her beauty. We were all fond of that sweet maiden from the darkness of the trees and rested its head in
and sorry to see her go. She said the minstrel Myrande’s lap, just like in the stories.
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