Objective of the Game
The goal of Sorcerer is to tell the story of a magician, called "Sorcerer," who summons powerful demons to achieve his own often conflicting goals. Players delve deep into the personal conflicts and moral dilemmas of their character, exploring the consequences of their decisions.
Game Materials
- Character sheets
- Six-sided dice (D6)
- Tokens or markers
- Gamemaster sheet (for the Game Master)
- Rulebook for reference
Preparation
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Character Creation: Each player creates a Sorcerer character. This involves setting attributes such as Strength, Mind, and Willpower. Players also define their Lore (knowledge of the occult) and Cover (the character's "everyday" identity). Another important step is determining the starting points for Humanity, as it will fluctuate during the game.
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Demon Creation: Each Sorcerer has a bound demon that they have summoned and brought under control. Players must develop the concept and abilities of this demon, which can include things like parasites, possessions, or tools.
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Set Goals and Conflicts: Players define the personal interests and goals of their Sorcerer to be pursued during the game.
Gameplay
Sorcerer is a roleplay-oriented game focusing on storytelling and character interaction. The Game Master's role is to describe the world and control NPC reactions.
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Start Scenario or Adventure: The Game Master describes the initial situation and the important elements contributing to the story.
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Description and Interaction: Players describe their Sorcerer's actions and interact with the world. The focus is on narrative development and dramatic tension.
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Conducting Tests: If an action has uncertain outcomes or failure consequences, dice tests are conducted. Players use a certain number of six-sided dice, usually equal to the sum of attributes and situational influences.
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Managing Humanity and Resources: The game emphasizes moral and ethical decisions of the Sorcerers. Depending on actions, the Humanity level may rise or fall, affecting the character's influence and mental state.
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Demon Management: Players must maintain the bond and control of their demons, balancing their wishes and ensuring the demonic power doesn't get out of hand.
Ending the Game: An adventure often ends when the set conflicts and personal objectives of the Sorcerers have developed or concluded, often with a surprising or dramatic finale.
Strategic Insights
- Risk vs. Reward: Players should wisely use their demons' powers, as losing control can have serious consequences.
- Interaction with the Environment: Successful Sorcerers use not only their magical abilities but also social skills to gain allies and influence enemies.
- Focus on Humanity: A high Humanity level often provides advantages, while a low level poses risks, both in-game and for the character itself.
Sorcerer as a game offers an incredibly flexible platform for deep stories and character developments based on moral choices, creating both dramatic and challenging experiences.
