Jeansen Vaars

@Copyright 2022
Plot unfolding machine https://jvhouse.xyz

What is it?
The Plot Unfolding Machine (PUM) is a Game Master Emulator that allows you to play any tabletop RPGs without
a GM. You can use it to expand your current favorite solo system, or standalone. You can also use the included
RPG rules for an all-in-one experience. Beware, this might be a hard place to start for newcomers.
What makes PUM special?
Coming up with good scenes or pacing the story can be really difficult when playing without a GM. Solo systems
out there can be a fantastic resource if you are a creative writer, but for some of us, coming up with story details,
content and progression is hard, and we might be missing that feeling of game. This is what PUM helps with.
PUM places conflict in the center of the game by helping you with trouble and obstacles for your protagonists. This
will not only inspire you with evolving your story, but also places your characters in a position where they can fail
or succeed. The idea of PUM is to reduce authorship effort and make players feel this is a game.
How to play with PUM?
Game Setup Scene Resolution  
Concrete goals and a world tropes are important Concluding games in solo RPG can be challenging. If
when playing solo, as with them, you will have better you would like to have an aproximate measure of
ideas when your characters unfold the story. progress, these optional Scene Resolution rules can
help you finish your games.
Find various optional Game Sheets in the last pages.
They can help you set up your games when starting. Plot Score (PS)
PUM proposes tracking story progress based on
Scene Setup scene outcomes . Players keep track of a Plot Score
PUM works through Scenes. Driven by your (PS) on each relevant plotline in the game, starting at
characters, their opposition and the world. Start each “3” (or rolling a random d6 for the starting score).
scene with a Scene Setup phase that can have one or Relative to how relevant the scene was to the plot and
more of the following features. how your characters overcame conflict and struggle,
1. Scene Proposal such score will move the affected plot line scoe
This represents the core of your next scene, what forwards or backwards, by a given factor.
happens next or what your PCs will attempt soon At the end of your scene, score the scene from 1 to 4
after. Do either one of the following: based on its weight on the story (higher impact, higher
1. Propose a scene, then roll Expectation Checker, or score). If the PCs overcame challenges successfully or
2. Roll on the Scene Designer and interpret proposal learned something benefitial, the plot score modifier
will be positive, if the PCs failed or struggled with
2. Challenge Type obstacles, then it will be a negative variation of PS.
Characters advance the story through conflict. Either
by having a challenge at the core of the scene, or Continue scene by scene until PS hits either 0 or 10.
when figuring out how a problem is solved during a Here a scoring reference:
scene, the Challenge Type helps in those cases. Good Bad Mod
1. Propose challenges that make sense, or Regular Progress Drawback, hiccup +/- 1
2. Roll on the Challenge Type and interpret Discoveries, learnings False leads, twists +/- 2
Overcoming conflict Pain, loss, suffering +/- 3
3. High Stakes A dramatic victory Lost conflict, defeat +/- 4
If your characters go through any sort of challenges
during the scene, you may need to know where do When PS reaches “10”, your next Scene should be
they lead: What happens On Success and On Failure. the plotline finale. Then remove it from the list of
The High Stakes can help you figure out what’s plots.
behind such obstacles. If PS goes down to “0”, your next scene should be
a critical scene, which defines the future of the
You can do this when preparing the scene, since it game or plotline.
helps you design it better, or after your PCs try. PS cannot be lower than 0 or higher than 10.

1. Roll during Scene Setup (for inspiration) or, Also remember you can play PUM in Foundry VTT
2. Roll after the challenge outcome (for surprise) through Mythic GME Tools module!
Plot unfolding machine - Game Example
Game Setup 🎲 On Success: Learn enemy location  
We will be playing in the world of Dragon Age, a 🎲 On Failure: Weakness revealed
fantasy medieval game where humans and elves may My interpretation, is that the Templars will have to
born mages, with powers that expose them to resort to their powers, probably because they will be
demonic posession and can cause terrible harm. facing a demon in this scene. The challenge is a
The hook Combat, but there may be another way. This means
Eron and Setia are Templars, and have been invoked perhaps that the demon can be in fact rescued and the
to the town of Niteras, to investigate demonic combat avoided! I picture a foul demon showing up
appearances. The Organization suspects this can be a from another dimension, incredibly dangerous.
renegade mage let loose, and the situation is dire. 🎲 With the Templars Powers, the PCs actually fail
Eron is trained a knight, whose weaknesses are to avoid this combat and get into a Fight. I decide this
related to an addiction to Lyrium. Setia is a Mage- fight is incredibly difficult, and 🎲 they actually lose
Hunter archer, her weakness is her cold-blooded the fight. Taking a look at scene failure I read there is
reputation. Weakness Revealed.
Goal: Find the apostate mage in Niteras (PS: 3) Unfortunately, the demon now knows Templars are
on the hunt. But they happen to know that templars
Scene 1 are vulnerable (weakness) to Lyrium.
Since I have no idea how can the game start, I will use The mission PS decreases from 5 to 2 since the
Scene Designer and Challenge Type Templars failed a difficult mission, plot thickens
🎲 Scene Designer: Dangerous or stress situation Scene 3
🎲 Challenge Type: Profession, craft, technology - The demon escaped and the templars got hurt, things
Needs careful plan doesn’t look good for them.
🎲 On Success: Relevant location or path I am deciding that they will want to take a break
🎲 On Failure: Combat or captured and make camp. However, since I am making a scene
Alright, this is telling me the game is going to start proposal, I roll on the Expectaction Checker 🎲 Goes
with Dangerous or stress situation, so I will ask an as expected.
oracle 🎲 “Is this a demon?” → No - so in that case I As there are no challenges, plot score doesn’t
am going to read this as someone resisting the change. But I do still enjoy the camp moment :)
templars from doing the job in town. Scene 4
Since the Challenge Type said this is a Profession The templars will want to keep looking for the
challenge, that means the Templars powers will be Demon, so off they go. I am picturing a Scene where
relevant in such scene. they are travelling across the Forest but I really don’t
Here is where I play the story on my head: There know what can happen, so let’s go to the designers
are some complices in town trying to protect a mage again.
that they think innocent. Playing through the Scene,
🎲 the Templars will check their abilities to detect 🎲 Scene Designer: Past world event
foul magic in town, despite what townfolk say, and consequences
they succeed. 🎲 Challenge Type: Persuade, impose, lead, talk -
🎲 The templars convince the guards that they are Specific to location
just trying to help, so the guards tell that indeed there 🎲 On Success: New possible solution
is a mage but she is outside in the ruins of the forest 🎲 On Failure: Weakness revealed
(Success leads to relevant location!). Past world event consequences: we mentioned
The mission PS increases from 3 to 5 since the earlier an earthquake in this forest, remember? But it
Templars succeeded an important challenge. will take a social related challenge. I read we will find
Scene 2 a wanderer, 🎲 Intent → {Demand Plans}. He is
The templars will go to the forest the guards pointed angry and his memories are fading, he loses his mind
out, (🎲 Random Table) a place not traversed and demands the Templars to tell their Leaders that
anymore since there was an earthquake and it “The Doomed” will never forget what happened.
destroyed the trade routes coming across. 🎲 The templars intimidate this crazy man and put
I will use the Scene Designer again and the him back in his place, since they succeed, they learn
Challenge Type for the next scene, to figure out what about a new possible solution (High Stakes roll),
happens when travelling in the forest. which means that through the Earthquake Cliffs in
the forest, the Templars might be able to track the
🎲 Scene Designer: Character traits are useful dangerous mage easily.
🎲 Challenge Type: Combat, confront, struggle - Since it was really hard to control the madmen, I
May be avoided am giving the mission 2 PS so it is up back to 4
Plot unfolding machine - Scene Setup
Expectation Checker (1d10)
1 Unexpected complication! 3 Something is different 5-9 As expected
2 Something else happens 4 Someone shows up 10 Even better

Scene Designer (1d20)

1 Unexpected 6 Active opposition or a 11 Location or area 16 Political disruption or
complication! new enemy specific event global change
2 Setting specific trope 7 Catch enemy taking 12 Unusual Discovery or 17 An important job or
occurs action revelation mission is offered
3 Dangerous or stress 8 Characters weakness or 13 Emotional or dramatic 18 A surprising truth is
situation flaws affected moment revealed
4 Difficult decision at a 9 Characters edges or 14 An unexplainable 19 Immediate action
high cost traits useful finding or clue required
5 Discover enemy 10 Past world event 15 Someone brings news 20 An important clue or
repercussions consequences or a message opportunity

Combat Designer (1d20+1d10)

d20 Circumstance d20 Circumstance d10 Enemy type
1 More enemies than expected 11 Bystanders or Innocents 1 Fast moving, small, nimble
2 Enemy has unexpected ability 12 Moving or Unstable Ground 2 Armored, defensive, equipped
3 Hazard or Traps 13 Environment difficulties 3 Sneaky, poisonous, lethal
4 Help or information required 14 Tactical Device in the Field 4 Area specific, uses surroundings
5 Elevation or underground Terrain 15 Vehicle or Machine for use 5 Tactical, coordinated, smart
6 Difficult Terrain 16 Secret Passage somewhere 6 Magical, technological, mystical
7 Unexpected Help arrives 17 Stealth Enemies 7 Constructed, artificial, object
8 Unexpected Enemy arrives 18 Enemy is getting healed 8 Flying, swimming, underground
9 Distracting Force or Multitasking 19 Physical effort Required 9 Large, slow, heavy, tough
10 Time Limit 20 Mental effort Required 10 Resistant, immune, unnatural

Challenge Type (2d10) High Stakes (2d10)

d10 Skill d10 Factor d10 On Success d10 On Failure
1 Test of faith, magic or belief 1 Only one attempt 1 New possible solution 1 Serious Danger!
2 Endure, withstand, stress 2 Right tools can help 2 Lead to someone helpful 2 Someone endangered
3 Athletic, force, stunt, acrobat 3 May be avoided 3 Lead to something useful 3 Equipment breaks
4 Sneak, hide, cover, infiltrate 4 Time pressure 4 Relevant location or path 4 Causes harm
5 Logic, research, knowledge 5 Specific skills needed 5 Learn enemy weakness 5 Weakness revealed
6 Notice, intuition, perceive 6 Needs knowledge 6 Learn opposition plans 6 Own plans revealed
7 Persuade, impose, lead, talk 7 Related to location 7 Improve reputation 7 Affects reputation
8 Profession, craft, technology 8 Takes certain time 8 Gain time or save costs 8 Cause delays or costs
9 Evade, danger, run, escape 9 Requires cooperation 9 Learn enemy location 9 Combat or captured
10 Combat, confront, struggle 10 Needs careful plan 10 Clue or idea is confirmed 10 Combat or dead

Scene Complication (2d20)

d20 Target d20 Circumstance d20 Circumstance
1-4 Location 1 Missing/Gone/Lost/Forgotten 11 Mistaken/Error/False/Wrong
5 Plot element 2 Explosive/Dangerous/Sensitive 12 Leaked/Discovered/Known
6 Unknown npc 3 Blocked/Hidden/Trapped 13 Erratic/Unreliable/Failing/Insufficient
7-8 Ally 4 Arrived/Recent/New 14 Disrupted/Modified/Artificial
9 Innocent 5 Dead/Destroyed/Unrecoverable 15 Surprising/Altered/Unexpected
10-11 Enemy 6 Broken/Damaged/Injured 16 Younger/Older/Newer/Obsolete
12 Structure 7 Flooded/Overflowed/Exceeded 17 Sick/Hazardous/Poison/Toxic
13-16 Something 8 Sabotaged/Captured/Taken 18 Prepared/Armed/Expecting
17-19 Information 9 Corrupted/Twisted/Insane 19 Unprepared/Unarmed/Unexpected
20 Organization 10 False/Fake/Lying/Treason 20 Delayed/Timed/Wait

   
Plot unfolding machine - Oracles
Yes or No → Roll one of the odds columns, then once Who → Someone shows up or is referred to
in the caveat column. Ignore caveat if incoherent. Intent → Answers the intention or disposition of
How → For qualitative questions and methods. someone, what do they want or attempt to do.
Describe → Visual details. Roll with one adverb. Activity → Someone, a group or a faction’s actions.
What → Roll when needing a subject, a topic, a Reason → The justification of someone’s decisions
conversation matter or the root of a problem or actions. Their inner motivation and driver.
Yes or No Who
d10 even unlikely likely caveat d10 subject d10 type
1 No No No , possibly. 1 an unimportant 1 Ally
2 No No No , at first. 2 a strange 2 Ally
3 No No Don’t know , but… 3 a local 3 Ally
4 No No Hard to say . 4 an old 4 Person
5 Don’t know No Yes . 5 a family related 5 Person
6 Hard to say No Yes . 6 a scared 6 Person
7 Yes Don’t know Yes . 7 an angry 7 Being
8 Yes Hard to say Yes , and… 8 a desperate 8 Enemy
9 Yes Yes Yes , unless… 9 a powerful 9 Enemy
10 Yes Yes Yes , obviously. 10 an important 10 Enemy

How Intent
d10 many? much? good? hard? d10 they d10 subject
1 One Nothing Terrible Simple 1 Fight 1 Enemies
2 Few Barely Bad Easy 2 Oppose 2 Allies
3 Few Barely Bad Easy 3 Demand 3 Cause
4 Some Scarce Mediocre Usual 4 Request 4 Situation
5 Some Scarce Mediocre Usual 5 Need 5 Object
6 Expected Adequate Alright Hard 6 Offer 6 Location
7 Expected Adequate Alright Hard 7 Explain 7 Information
8 More Plenty Great Expert 8 Join 8 Plans
9 More Plenty Great Export 9 Trade 9 Resources
10 Ridiculous Abundant Incredible Absurd 10 Help 10 Power

Describe Activity
d10 adverb area someone object d10 they are d10 subject
1 Curiously Ruined Injured Broken 1 Claiming 1 Business
2 Specially Ancient Clever Antique 2 Supporting 2 Authority
3 Defensively Abandoned Hunted Forbidden 3 Searching 3 Place
4 Knowingly Dangerous Dangerous Dangerous 4 Preparing 4 Faction
5 Strongly Lacking Skilled Mundane 5 Hindering 5 Someone
6 Legally Unusual Exotic Rare 6 Holding 6 Defense
7 Actively Safe Innocent Harmless 7 Requesting 7 Clues
8 Commonly Crowded Famous Legendary 8 Controlling 8 Words
9 Mostly Fancy Rich Valuable 9 Attacking 9 Resources
10 Incredibly Fortified Powerful Reinforced 10 Expelling 10 Settlement

What Reason
d10 type d10 subject d10 an action d10 a motive
1 Found 1 Enemy 1 Search for 1 Power or Desire
2 Sensitive 2 Danger 2 Need of 2 Revenge or a Debt
3 New 3 Challenge 3 A matter of 3 Status or Reputation
4 Wrong 4 Trouble 4 To provide 4 Paranoia or Fear
5 Surprising 5 Environment 5 To hold 5 Culture or History
6 Toxic 6 Object 6 Eradicate 6 Knowledge or Interest
7 Dangerous 7 Secret 7 Dealing for 7 Contract or an Order
8 Hidden 8 Ally 8 Reinforce 8 Justice or Tenacity
9 Very old 9 Information 9 Secure 9 Safety or Survival
10 Unique 10 Solution 10 Prevent 10 Resources or Wealth

Version 25 (August 18th 2022)

PUM - Advice & Meaning
Running on a blank mind The Power of Expectations  
Scene Designer is useful when you get stuck. One PUM presents players a choice between Proposing a
typical example is right when starting a game for the Scene versus rolling on the Scene Designer. My
first time. It can also serve as an adventure seed or advice here is to always give priority to your own
plot hook. thoughts and most logical next step.
If you know what your PCs will attempt next, or
You can also call Scene Designer in the middle of the what will happen next, skip the scene designer. When
story. Random encounters along the way, a scene your PCs want to go to the temple, they simply go
proposal for when you arrive to that mystical ruin your there. When your PCs want to take a break, they take
PCs always wanted to find, or situations in which you a break. Don’t feel the rush to call the Scene Designer
are simply not sure about what happens next, are religously, as it is loaded with information and may
perfect choices for setting up a scene with the conflict with your own ideas, and may be incoherent.
designer.
Not so fast though, proposing a Scene is subject to
Perhaps a setting specific trope reminds you about risk: You have to check it with the Expectation
features of your world or location, or catch enemy Checker. Does it really happen as you thought?
taking action reveals what the enemy was busy with
as your characters travelled. Scene Designer can be a
fantastic adventure filler, for those moments that you Unexpected Roll on the Scene Complication or pull any
want the GM to present you with content and conflict complication form of plot twist to your game.
for your characters to move the story forward. Something Your scene proposal is interrupted and
else something else occurs instead. Your original
However, use it very sparsely. It is by no means meant happens scene may still happen afterward, or not.
to be used frequently scene by scene, but rather on Something Your proposed scene occurs but you didn’t
those moments where you really need pushing, and is different expect a small twist in it. The Scene
require a hook to put you back on track. Someone
Complication can be of great help here too.
There’s always someone at the right place in
So, let’s take a look at some of the Scene Setup shows up the wrong time. Roll again if it is impossible.
outcomes to explore what they could mean: Even better
Think hard if it happens again.
Whatever you were expecting, things are
better than what you thought.
Unexpected Roll on the Scene Complication and find
complication your game turn against your PCs.
Setting A trope of your setting is triggered, not
specific trope necessarily catastrophic, but anything Storytelling Challenges
occurs characteristic and unique to your universe.
You might think Challenges are childish or gamey.
Dangerous or Place inner or outer opposition in front of
They fit more naturally if you play a traditional action
stress your PCs. Face danger, conflict, traps. Direct
adventure game. But, does it work if we want to play a
situation
Difficult
enemies or the environment.
Your characters face a situation in which the more grown up, narrative story?
decision at a decision relies on them. Consider
Assume your characters are looking for the king’s son,
high cost consequences and moral conflict.
and they finally arrive to the place where they expect
Discover
enemy
Your enemies are not sitting there waiting
for you. Discover consequences, leads or to find him. They open the door:
repercussions impact of other’s actions.
With a Perception based challenge, it may mean the
Active
opposition or
One of your enemies is actively opposing
your goals and challenging you. Bring new kid is hiding from you, perhaps he didn’t want to be
a new enemy enemies if you don’t have. found in the first place!. If you roll a Combat, it may
Catch enemy You find your opposition doing something. mean someone is holding the kid as hostage and is
taking action Not necessarily against you, but busy. willing to die protecting him from your PCs. Or, if you
Characters The core of this scene should contain roll a Technology challenge, perhaps it means the kid
weakness or something that coincidentally touches your is jailed behind a complicated mechanism.
flaws affected characters weak points.
Characters The core of this scene gives your characters Did you notice how challenges can tell stories?
edges or an opportunity to shine. They are the right
traits useful people for this situation. Let’s analyze some possible Challenge Type outcomes
Political Take a look at how your world is configured. and reflect what they could mean. And remember to
disruption or Something big happened out there. Faction also roll the Scene Factor to know how such
global change changes or religious events are occuring. challenge is proposed. But feel free to ignore it if it
doesn’t make sense or if it doesn’t fit the situation.
 
 The ‘Yes or No’ oracle  
The Yes or No oracle is a fantastic expectation’s
Endure,
withstand,
Your characters are being put in a situation of
physical stress, pain, resistance. What or who checker. When you ask about the game through it, it
stress can it be, and how is it overcome? will introduce tension and uncertainty. My suggestion
Sneak, Either for protection, or to get something, or to is to use it abundantly, as it will impact your story.
hide, take a peek, to prevent. Somehow your However, before you ask, make sure you are
cover, characters need to be careful here. capable of handling different possible scenarios.
infiltrate When the only possible explanation is that the woman
Logic,
research,
Whatever there is on this scene, it will require
your character’s knowledge or research skills.
is the Queen, then don’t ask if she is the queen, she is!
knowledge Something is not really simple. PUM’s Yes or No oracle adds a twist: the caveat. Feel
Notice, There are hidden intentions, objects or ideas. free to ignore it if the caveat doesn’t make any sense,
intuition,
perceive
Something is coming, or leaving, or hiding
from plain sight. Can your PCs spot it?
but don’t give up so fast either, have fun with it:
Socialize, Someone is showing up and is asking, holding
impose, or defending something. Perhaps it is time for Don’t This means whatever you have asked on behalf
lead, talk your characters to make their social move. know of your characters point of view, cannot be
Profession, There is a delicate problem that needs the right known, at least not without further research, or
craft or person, a specialization or training. Whatever it going deeper, or just not today.
technology is, is no mundane task. Hard to Refers to an answer which your characters might
Combat, This is the time to stand up for your characters say need to figure out by themselves, through a
confront, rights, ideals and goals. Is that or defeat. There challenge or by other means.
struggle is no turning back. possibly Whichever yes or no, cannot be confirmed to the
100% Your characters will have to live with that
for a while or find a way to confirm it.
at first Things might be initially one way, but not later.
Stakes are High unless… This caveat refers to a condition. The answer to
We have spoken about challenges and conflict. your question for Yes or No may rely on a
Whenever you are building the scene, sometimes you prerequisite or have an exception
may decide to roll for the Challenge Type, to know obviously This is of course a known fact, or something
which conflict drives the scene. In some cases you widely known. Or perhaps it is not only so, but

might immediately know what’s behind such a in fact exaggeratedly so.

challenge and where it leads to, but in others, you may but, and Use these caveats with freedom and creativity.
Empower or weaken statements, add or remove
be not. High Stakes will help you come up with ideas elements to the answer for your own surprise.
for such follow ups.
You can wait until your characters have succeeded or
failed that Perception challenge, before you roll High Generating an adventure seed
Stakes, and figure out in the moment What do they
learn?. Or, you can roll it during Scene Setup to be We can use the elements of the Plot unfolding
able to build more cohesive scenes, in which you Machine to come up with a plot hook, a story or a
know what stands behind such a challenge, or what quest as much as we can use it to create a scene.
your characters are doing it for. 1. What is it about? → Roll Scene Designer for a
Succeeding might lead you to someone helpful, or hook or an initiation trigger. It can be a world
something useful. They may improve your characters event, a dangerous situation or someone
reputation or learn about the whereabouts of your important.
enemies. On the other hand if they fail, you may risk
putting others in danger or give away your intentions 2. What needs to be done? → Roll Challenge Type
to your enemies. three times in a row, and read one of them as the
core challenge of the adventure. It does not have to
Time for complications be taken literally, explore the meaning of those
The Scene Complication is best used when any of the challenges as a whole.
other oracles call for it. Similarly, sometimes it can
happen that the game events themselves lead to 3. What is it for? → Roll High Stakes to identify what
further trouble, so feel free to use any of the oracles is the goal or meaning of the seed, and what is at
freely, when you are in need of inspiration. risk, shall the characters fail.
Similarly, the Combat Designer is ideal when you Empower your interterpretation with further
need to run complicated or important battles, or when questions, you can ask for example, who when you
simply you need some help designing the combat so need a referring person, or what when you need a
you don’t put flat goblins in front of your PCs. subject for the story, or a reason for answering why.
 
PUM - The Role Playing Game
Playing the Game Leveling up  
PUM Characters have attributes ranked by dice size, Whenever your characters accomplish something, be
where bigger is better: d4, d6, d8, d10 and d12. it a significant plot milestone, finished quest or
mission, they level up. Maximum level is 8.
Challenges are about overcoming a Target Number
(TN), given a difficulty, an opposed roll or a defense Do one of the following:
value. Equal or higher means success. 1. Increase an attribute by one dice bigger, up to d12
When rolling the maximum dice value of a dice, the (+1 increments after). Update affected defense stat.
dice explodes, meaning you roll again and sum the 2. Empower an edge, make it somehow better or
total of all dice results. applicable in more scenarios.
Exceeding a target number or a defense by 4 or more 3. Add or improve one ability, or if it makes sense, a
is called a raise, which applies an additional effect, possession. May not exceed 3 on either.
creatively up to you.
Character Creation Challenges and Combat
Characters should use the best applicable Attribute
1. Name and Description dice to roll in a challenge.
Think openly about your character. For any relevant Trait in a challenge, add a +1 plus 1
every 4 character levels to the roll result total, and
2. Attributes compare vs target number. Equally, applicable Flaws
Assign a d4, d6 and d8 to each one of these. and Consequences count as -1.
Attribute Description When opposition has bonuses, or any flaw or
Body Physical aptitude, resistance to disease, stamina consequence applies, calculate total bonus difference
Skill Athletics, weapons, tools, abilities, powers before rolling. E.g. if one side has a +1 and the other a
Mind Personality, awareness, intelligence, perception +3, apply a +2 to the winning side instead.
3. Derived Stats Combats, contests and obstacles
Derived static numerical values, each related to a When characters face challenge, they need to
particular main stat. These serve as defense values overcome a difficulty. Target numbers are fixed
against attackers, depending on the attack type. values. Use the Attack Number when being attacked.
Attribute Formula Description Difficulty Target Number Attack Number
Health Body x 2 Damage threshold Easy 3 1d4+1
Fortitude Body / 2 Tolerance to physical harm Medium 5 1d4+3
Reflexes Skill / 2 Block, parry and evasion Hard 7 1d4+5
Willpower Mind / 2 Mental and faith resistance Extreme 9 1d4+7

4. Traits On a contest against other characters, like a chase, an

Shortly describe one Edge and one Flaw. opposed roll is made, higher result wins, on tie, retry.

Edge is what makes your character different from For combats, go in rounds starting by whoever makes
others in a positive way. Describe qualities and the most sense. Attacker always roll an attribute,
personality aspects shortly. defenders use a derived static target number.
Flaw is a vulnerability, an inner or outer weakness, a Damage, health and death
weak spot, a personality quirk. Describe shortly. Damage dealt is equal to the difference between the
Start with one Possession and one Ability, you can attack roll and the selected defense value.
have up to three in total after leveling up. When health reaches 0 or less, add a Consequence to
Possessions are important things that make your
the character, ignore excess damage, and reset the
characters who they are, and distinguish them from health pool. When the third Consequence is to be
others. added, the character is defeated. NPCs cannot deal
with consequences and are immediately defeated.
Abilities are proficiencies your characters can do, that Refill the health pool when taking a break. On a long
most of other people can’t. May be invoked only once significant rest or medical treatment, clear out up to
per scene plus once more every 4 character levels. one Consequence.
PUM - RPG Character Sheet

Cheatsheet
Dice explode: When rolling the maximum value of a Healing: Recover all health points after a short break.
dice, re-roll and sum the results together. Long rests or treatments recover one consequence.
Raise: When exceeding the target by 4 or more, call an Abilities: Called up to once per scene plus 1/4 levels
additional effect to the success. Difficulty Target Number Attack Number
Challenge: Active character must overcome defense Easy 3 1d4+1
target number. Rolling equal or higher succeeds. Medium 5 1d4+3
Defense is chosen based on the attack type. Hard
Extreme
7
9
1d4+5
1d4+7
Damage: Damage dealt is equal to the difference
between the attack roll and the defense value. Bonuses: +1 plus 1 every 4 levels per applicable trait. -1
When reaching 0 health, ignore excess damage, add a if flaws or consequences are applicable.
consequence and replenish health pool. On the third Level up: Either improve an attribute dice size,
consequence, characters are defeated. NPCs are empower an edge, or add a new possession or ability.
defeated at the first consequence.
PUM - Game Setup - Story and Plots
 

 
PUM - Game Setup - Living World

 
Game Journal