--- _tmp/ccsrd.md 2025-04-04 13:18:16.704716294 -0500 +++ _tmp/ccsrd.new.md 2025-04-04 13:18:51.822929454 -0500 @@ -1,8 +1,8 @@ -COMMONS CYPHER SYSTEM REFERENCE DOCUMENT v0.0.1 +# COMMONS CYPHER SYSTEM REFERENCE DOCUMENT v0.0.1 Compatible with the Cypher System. Based on the Cypher System Reference Document, 2024-07-02. -How to Play the Cypher System +## How to Play the Cypher System The rules of the Cypher System are quite straightforward at their heart, as all of gameplay is based around a few core concepts. @@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ (A d6 is used most often for recovery rolls and to determine the level of cyphers. -Creating Your Character +## Creating Your Character This section explains how to create characters to play in a Cypher System game. This involves a series of decisions that will shape your character, so the more you understand what kind of character you want to play, the easier character @@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ In most campaigns, fluency in a language is considered a skill. So if you want to speak French, that’s the same as being trained in biology or swimming. -Type +## Type Character type is the core of your character. Your type helps determine your character’s place in the world and relationship with other people in the setting. It’s the noun of the sentence “I am an *adjective noun* who *verbs*.” @@ -2034,7 +2034,7 @@ unless the additional inability comes from another source (such as a descriptor or a disease or disability arising from actions or conditions in the game). -Flavor +## Flavor Flavors are groups of special abilities the GM and players can use to alter a character type to make it more to their liking or more appropriate to the genre or setting. For example, if a player wants to create a magic-using thief @@ -2411,7 +2411,7 @@ Skill With Defense -Descriptor +## Descriptor Your descriptor defines your character—it flavors everything you do. The differences between a Charming Explorer and a Vicious Explorer are considerable. The descriptor changes the way those characters go about every action. Your @@ -4207,7 +4207,7 @@ enough to warrant this treatment. The differences between a Mysterious character and a Virtuous one are probably greater than those between an Alpha Centauran and an Earthling. -Focus +## Focus Focus is what makes a character unique. No two PCs in a group should have the same focus. A focus gives a character benefits when they create their character and each time they ascend to the next tier. It’s the verb of the sentence “I @@ -7891,7 +7891,7 @@ Reactive Field -Abilities +## Abilities This chapter presents a vast catalog of more than a thousand abilities a character can gain from their type, flavor (if any), and focus. They are sorted alphabetically by the ability’s name. @@ -15758,7 +15758,7 @@ see in very dim light as though it were bright light. You can see in total darkness as if it were very dim light. Enabler. -Equipment +## Equipment Equipment in the Cypher System plays only a small role. It’s far more important to focus on what you can do than on what you have. Still, sometimes it’s important to know if you’ve got enough rope, or what kind of gun your space pilot has at @@ -16456,7 +16456,7 @@ is far more complex than pushing a button. It can involve manipulating touchscreens, reciting the proper arcane words, or anything else that fits the setting. The GM sets the difficulty, but it is usually equal to the artifact’s level. -Rules of the Game +## Rules of the Game Cypher System games are played in the joint imagination of all the players, including the GM. The GM sets the scene, the players state what their characters attempt to do, and the GM determines what happens next. The rules and the dice help @@ -19349,7 +19349,7 @@ A tricky spy whose intelligence on enemy movements is invaluable. -Experience Points +## Experience Points Experience points (XP) are the currency by which players gain benefits for their characters. The most common ways to earn XP are through GM intrusions and by accomplishing things the PCs set out to do. Sometimes experience points are @@ -20335,7 +20335,7 @@ Resolution: You reflect on what you’ve accomplished and think about the future. -Genres +## Genres The Cypher System can be used to play in many settings. This chapter provides additional information and rules for fantasy, modern, science fiction, horror, romance, superheroes, post-apocalyptic, fairy tale, and historical genres. @@ -35858,7 +35858,7 @@ by extension more recent historical periods—contained fascinating and useful objects that were anachronistic for their period. Most such artifacts were likely the creations of philosophers, lone geniuses, and similar figures. -Creatures +## Creatures This chapter describes many common and uncommon creatures that the characters might meet—and fight—in a Cypher System game and gives their stats. The variety of creatures that populate the possible settings and genres is so great that @@ -40538,7 +40538,7 @@ GM intrusion: Just as things seem bleakest for her, Wrath summons a group of assassins waiting in the wings to surround the PCs and demand their surrender. -NPCs +## NPCs The NPCs in this chapter are generic examples of nonplayer characters that can be used in many genres. @@ -41112,7 +41112,7 @@ GM intrusion: The wizard casts two spells as a single action instead of just one. -Cyphers +## Cyphers Cyphers are one-use abilities that characters gain over the course of play. They have cool powers that can heal, make attacks, ease or hinder task rolls, or (in a more supernatural and extreme example) produce effects such as nullifying @@ -43521,7 +43521,7 @@ Effect: This cypher boosts an ability that affects a target at a range greater than touch. It can affect a second target within range (if the ability is an attack, make a separate attack roll for the second creature). -Running the Cypher System +## Running the Cypher System Setting Difficulty Ratings @@ -77149,7 +77149,7 @@ rather than a skyscraper. You could also have one of the PCs be an undercover FBI agent on the lookout for the terrorist, or even an undercover foreign agent working for the terrorist -Legal Information +## Legal Information This tabletop roleplaying game material incorporates material from the Cypher System Reference Document and from the community of Cypher System players. The Cypher System Reference Document is made available under the terms of the Cypher