Wards & Circuits: Core Rulebook

A Modern Epic Fantasy Roleplaying Game

Welcome to a world reborn! In Wards & Circuits, magic has returned with a chaotic vengeance, tearing through the fabric of mundane reality and reshaping our modern world. Once a realm of muted magic during "The Silence," now, seventy years after "The Convergence," arcane energies surge, ancient species walk among us, and the lines between myth and technology blur.

Imagine gleaming skyscrapers built on ancient ley lines, Orcs playing professional football, and ethereal beings manifesting as viral trends on social media. This is the Converged World, a place of unparalleled wonder, terrifying danger, and untold secrets waiting to be unearthed.

What is Wards & Circuits?

Wards & Circuits is a narrative-focused roleplaying game built on a Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) inspired 2d6 core mechanic. It emphasizes player agency, collaborative storytelling, and dynamic consequences, making every roll a step forward in your epic adventure.

Key Features:

• The Converged World Setting: Explore a unique blend of high fantasy and urban modernity. Navigate bustling metropolises where magical corporations vie for power, ancient Dwarven halls are rediscovered beneath subway lines, and Elven enclaves hide in plain sight. Uncover the mysteries of "The Sundering" and the forces that are stirring once more.
• Intuitive 2d6 System: The streamlined 2d6 + Modifier system provides clear outcomes:
  • 10+: Full Success – achieve your goal with added benefits.
  • 7-9: Partial Success – you get what you want, but with a cost, complication, or new twist.
  • 6-: Miss – things go wrong, and the GM makes a hard move.
• Diverse Character Creation:
  • 8 Unique Species: Choose from Humans (Adaptable Innovators), Elves (Mystics & Gatekeepers), Dwarves (Artisans & Guardians), Orcs (Resilient Powerhouses), Awakened Constructs (Sentient Automata), Symbiotes (Hosts of Shared Consciousness), Sylvans (Embodied Nature), or Aetherials (Embodied Concepts). Each offers distinct abilities and narrative hooks.
  • Dynamic Archetypes: Define your role with Archetypes like the Urban Professional/Researcher, the Blue-Collar Worker/Artisan, or the Public Servant/Community Figure, each providing unique starting and advanced moves.
• Narrative Mechanics: Beyond combat, engage with mechanics for social influence (Sway Someone), investigation (Dig for Dirt), resource management (Acquire Something You Need), and powerful magical effects (Tap into the Arcane, Rituals & Projects).
• Meaningful Consequences & Advancement: Track Conditions (Bruised, Shaken, Corrupted) and Harm Tracks (Physical, Mental, Spiritual). Advance your character by earning XP through challenging threats, uncovering secrets, and making difficult choices. Even retirement allows your character to leave a Legacy for future adventurers!
• Group Progression: Your team can grow together, establishing safe houses, acquiring team vehicles, forging alliances with powerful factions, and building a shared reputation.
• Robust GM Toolkit: Designed for both new and experienced Game Masters, the rulebook provides principles for running compelling games, a variety of GM moves (Soft & Hard), and tools like Fronts and Clocks to manage overarching threats and build tension towards epic Finale Moves.

Who is this game for?

• Fans of Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) games looking for a fresh, modern setting.
• Players who enjoy narrative-driven roleplaying with a focus on story and character development.
• Anyone intrigued by the fusion of epic fantasy with contemporary themes like corporations, technology, and social media.
• Groups looking for a flexible system that encourages creativity and shared world-building.

What's Inside the Core Rulebook?

This comprehensive rulebook includes:

• Detailed lore and history of The Converged World.
• In-depth explanations of the PbtA-inspired mechanics.
• A step-by-step Character Creation guide with 8 species and dynamic archetypes.
• Rules for Conditions, Harm, Advancement, and Legacy.
• Guidelines for Social & Group Progression, including Reputation, Bonds, and Team Advancements.
• A flexible Magic System for both immediate effects and grand Rituals & Projects.
• A dedicated Game Master's Guide with principles, moves, and tools for running engaging campaigns.

Wards & Circuits is published by Black Iron Press. Based on Apocalypse World by D. Vincent Baker and Meguey Baker, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

blackironpress.itch.io

Download your copy today and delve into a world where magic meets the metropolis!