Version: 0.6.0

Inspirations

• Archipelago by Matthijs Holter
• Blades in the Dark by John Harper
• Dream Askew / Dream Apart by Avery Alder and Benjamin Rosenbaum
• Microscope by Ben Robbins
• Wushu by Daniel Bayn

Overview

Escalation is a game focused on cinematic description. Favoring quick action, but equally adaptable to drama. The rules here exist to facilitate vivid description.

This document presents the core rules. Each setting is presented separately, and has customizations to fit the world.

The Players

Players take on the role of one main character, and minor characters as needed. They also take up responsibilities when relevant — acting as setting elements and guides.

The Facilitator

One player should know the rules well enough to explain them as they come up.

You play as…

Main Characters

Each player creates a character. On their turn that character is the focus of the scene.

Minor Characters

TODO

Setting Elements

Setting elements suggest how to portray parts of the world. Use them for inspiration and to focus play — not to limit yourself.

During scenes players take ownership of various setting elements and responsibilities. Everyone can contribute details relevant to a setting element, but the owner a setting element has final say.

The Editor

During each scene one player takes responsibility for:

• Calling out when the scene’s question has been answered.
• Saying when the scene is dragging or losing focus.

When choosing the editor, keep in mind:

• The player who’s turn it is cannot be the editor.
• Try to give this role to the person with the least other responsibilities.

The Flow Of Play

Sessions

Two to five players gather for two to four hours. Players set scenes and play characters. As consequences accumulate, the tension gradually rises.

Depending on the setting, the characters often end up on a mission, quest, or score.

Scenes

Players take turns framing scenes. On your turn you frame a scene which has your main character as the focus.

Actions

Players describe what their characters do and say. The other players respond.

If a another player thinks they described something dangerous, they can ask them to use the dangerous actions procedure.

Scenes in Detail

On your turn:

• You have the focus — and play your main character.
• You choose where the scene is, who is there, and what question the scene is intended to answer.
• You might also play a setting element.
• Everyone else plays a combination of characters and setting elements.

Framing Scenes

Cutting Scenes

Continuations

During sequences of high tension or action, the group can choose to continue with the current distribution of roles

Simultaneous Scenes

When the tension is low, the group might bounce between

Nested Scenes

Your Turn

Players take turns holding the spotlight. On your turn you set the scene, determine the scene question, and portray your character.

• Pitch a scene focusing on your character to the group.
• Ask the scene question — what is this scene about? The question should indicate what you want out of the scene, so the other players can help work towards it.
• Frame the scene.
  • Describe the location and mood.
  • Ask the other players to play their characters, NPC’s, or setting elements.
• Other players should ask questions and elicit more details.
• When everyone has a clear picture of how the scene starts, and what question it is trying to answer, cut in.

Characters

Traits

Freeform traits describe characters — a few words, or a short phrase.

All characters have a:

• Concept: Who is this character?
• Motivation: Why are they involved in the current adventure?
• Signature Style / Favored Method: How do they usually solve problems?

The facilitator can add or modify trait types as needed.

Stress

Stress is a resource you can use to push yourself and resist consequences.

Mechanics

Dangerous Actions

When you take dangerous actions…

1. Describe your actions and their outcome in vivid detail.
2. The facilitator describes the consequences.
3. You can resist the consequences.

1. Description

When you describe your actions:

• You must have a trait which allows you to accomplish the actions.
• Anyone can veto or ask you to revise actions or descriptions.

You can describe one action for free, provided you have a relevant trait. For each of the following that is true, you can describe an additional action:

• Working in a second relevant trait.
• Describing how you push yourself (mark 2 stress).
• Describing how you make yourself more vulnerable.

Tips

• Pass narration back and forth if it makes sense.
• Build up details with the facilitator and other players.
• Try to limit each action to three details or less.

Assists

You can mark 1 stress to describe how you assist someone. You share any consequences.

2. Consequences

The facilitator considers the current situation and states the consequences.

3. Resistance

When you don’t want to accept a consequence…

1. Declare which consequence you’re resisting.
2. Spend 1 stress to reduce the consequence’s severity by one level, or 2 stress for two levels.
3. Describe in vivid detail how you resist the consequence.

Vetoes and Revisions

Anyone can veto or ask you to revise a description if:

• It is unreasonable or doesn’t fit the tone / genre / setting.
• You don’t have a trait that lets you do it.

This includes the facilitator’s descriptions.

Describe and Follow Through

Don’t describe attempting to take an action. Describe your actions, and their outcome. If you go too far anyone can ask you to revise them.

“What are you waiting for? You’re faster than this. Don’t think you are, know you are. Come on. Stop trying to hit me and hit me.”

— Morpheus, The Matrix (1999)