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Echoes

Draft 0.9.1 - Changelog

Echoes is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to incentivize player creativity, deep character customization, and collaborative storytelling.

Highlights

Structure

This guide is divided in two main sections (with more to come...):

  • Game System: Core rules in a setting-agnostic format.
  • Fantasy Setting: Additional rules and knowledge base to inspire a Fantasy campaign.

Together, these resources will help you and your group craft immersive worlds and create memorable experiences.

D20 Core Mechanics

At its heart, the system uses a d20 for determining the outcomes of actions and events. Whether you're swinging a sword, negotiating a trade, or navigating treacherous terrain, the roll of a d20 – combined with your character's abilities and circumstances – decides success or failure.

Level 0

All players begin their adventures at Level 0, representing ordinary individuals with no special abilities and limited skills. This starting point allows players to explore their character's background. Magical capabilities and advanced skills become accessible from Level 1 and beyond.

No Races or Classes

The system offers complete freedom in character creation. Instead of selecting predefined races or classes, players design their characters by choosing abilities and features that suit their vision. This approach ensures each character is unique and deeply tied to their story as it unfolds.

The intention is to ensure that constraints imposed by the world or lore – while they may shape the narrative and setting – do not translate into mechanical limitations for the characters.

Rules and Ruling

The rules set forth in this guide are tools to support and enhance the storytelling experience, not rigid constraints. While this guide provides a framework for gameplay, the Game Master (GM) holds the authority to interpret, adapt, or even create new rules as needed to serve the story and ensure the enjoyment of all players.

Beta

This is the beta version of the system and many elements require refinement and balancing.

Feedback and experimentation with your GM are encouraged but should be handled outside of the active game session to ensure a smooth story progression. Retcons are always possible if it comes to that.