Unknown Armies – Game Guide

Objective of the Game

Unknown Armies is an exhilarating and dynamic role-playing game set in a modern, yet supernatural world. Players take on the roles of characters embroiled in a secret world full of magic, conspiracies, and unseen forces. The goal is to achieve the intertwined personal objectives of characters while navigating the challenges of this mysterious world.

Preparations

1. Character Creation: Each player creates their own character by allocating points to various attributes and skills that describe the character. Additionally, players develop a backstory and establish the motivations and fears of their characters.

2. Game Master: One player takes on the role of the Game Master (GM), who describes the world, controls the NPCs (non-player characters), and manages the overall game setting.

3. Equipment: Required materials include:

4. An Unknown Armies rulebook
5. Character sheets for each player
6. Several D10 dice (ten-sided dice)
7. Pens and paper for notes

Gameplay

1. Session Opening: The GM sets the scene and explains to the players where their characters are and what is happening.

2. Actions and Rolling Dice: Players describe their characters' actions, while the GM determines the outcomes based on the narrative context and rules. Dice rolls are used for uncertain outcomes:

3. Skills and Attributes: Compare a roll against the corresponding value on the character sheet. A successful roll is equal to or below the target value.

4. Magic and Rituals: Magic is a central element. Characters with magical abilities can perform rituals with specific rules and consequences, often involving high risks.

5. Conflicts: Fights and other conflict scenes are resolved here. These require dice rolls, with strategic thinking and tactical planning being important. Managing damage, armor, and health is crucial.

Features and Strategies

• Motivations and Fears: These strongly dictate a character's actions. The GM uses these to engage characters in moral and emotional conflicts.

• Power Dynamics: The balance between factions and characters can change constantly. Players should stay alert and be flexible with new information and plot twists.

• Game Master Influence: The GM significantly affects the game flow. Openness and dialogue between players and the GM encourage an exciting game.

End of Game

The game ends when the current campaign finds a narrative conclusion or all players and the GM decide to conclude the story at this point. As a role-playing game, the goal can vary—from defeating a major threat to unraveling a world-spanning conspiracy.

Unknown Armies offers deep storytelling and requires creativity, strategic thinking, and social interaction from all participants.