Madrigal 3 Rules

Accelerant Rules

Welcome

You are preparing to enter a game world using the Accelerant system. The system is designed to be simple in concept and execution, yet have a rich and varied set of skills and abilities with which to develop characters and stories. To do this we have created a set of Core Rules that defines all of the effects of the game and presents them to you within the first chapter of the rule book. All skills and special abilities refer back to these Core Rules, so once you have learned the Core Rules you know how to react to effects from any Accelerant game, even though the skills or abilities that allow a character to use those effects may be very different.

Rules of Etiquette

In an activity as fluid and full of unexpected circumstances as live action games, it is important that each player attempt to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the rules. Although we have tried to create a set of rules that is as cut and dry as possible, there are certain rules that are difficult or impossible to quantify that are necessary to promote atmosphere or safety. These rules are marked as Rules of Etiquette. These rules are difficult or impossible to quantify. We know this, and if players abuse them or become less than graceful when using them the game will suffer. We trust the player to follow the intent of the rules, and to be particularly careful to be graceful when dealing with Rules of Etiquette.

Rule of Etiquette

The first rule of etiquette is that abusive language or actions are not tolerated, whether they are in game or not. Language or actions that are derogatory or that are deemed to be harassment are not allowed. References to explicit sexual behavior or concepts, particularly violent ones, are not allowed. In game threats should be worded so they are clearly in game.

Game Actions

The system is designed to keep the game running as smoothly and fluidly as possible. The game takes place in a site full of props, buildings, and other players. The rules define how you interact with the environment and other players. The game has removed actions and effects players cannot actually perform from the gameplay. There are no creatures stepping through solid walls, no flying creatures, and no activities that cannot be played without interrupting the flow of the game. Characters that step into rifts and turn to spirit, or characters that die and rise as spirits are still visible as they walk off. You cannot attempt actions such as chopping up bodies or breaking down doors that cannot be performed for logistical or safety reasons.

Always in Game

Players stay in game and in character from the start of the event to its end. There is no "out of game" except during emergencies. There are no out of game indicators such as white headbands, and no people should be wandering about unless they are there in the actual game. The idea is to keep the game flowing so players can stay in character and be immersed in the story. If you have a question, attempt to word it and ask it in game. If you feel you must leave game, walk to the edge of the game area in character and leave the game for a time. You should never interrupt the flow of the game.

The system is also designed to minimize the times where you cannot act on what you see, hear and feel. You are always in game, even if your character is unconscious, dead, or affected by a game condition that incapacitates you. Your spirit still remains with you, and it can experience the game world around you. You do not need to pretend you did not experience the game even under these conditions. If your eyes are closed then you might not see what is going on, but you will remember everything you hear, smell, and feel. Your character also will realize this and knows that sometimes dead men do tell tales.

There is no information that is out of game. If you don’t want other players to know something in game, don’t talk about it out of game. Keep your in game secrets to yourself, and if you talk out of game about something other players can decide they learned that information in game if they feel that the conversation unfairly inflicts knowledge upon them they did not want to know. If you want in game secrets, keep out of game secrets.

The only caveat is that sometimes players experienced with a game play different characters altogether. Perhaps you have lost a previous character to death and are playing a new character. Perhaps, as a change of pace, you are participating as a non-player character or you are playing a plot character for a time. If you play a different character, creature, or plot role within the same game world we ask you do not transfer anything you learn to other characters.

To keep the game flowing as smoothly as possible, we have defined the following ways to deal with problems and interruptions.

Caution

This phrase indicates some condition that may threaten the health of a player. A caution should never last more than 10 seconds. It indicates that those people who are close to or involved in that problem should pause so someone can get clear, get up, or move away from a threat. Only those people nearby need pause until the problem resolves. Everyone involved in a caution is still responsible to the game, and should still be cautious of in game threats. They may move away from the Caution or pause until the person has dealt with the problem.

Clarification

This phrase works like Caution, but it indicates that someone needs a quick explanation of what happened. People directly involved pause for up to three seconds while someone repeats a verbal or quickly indicates a condition or result of something. This should be used infrequently, if ever. It is present for new players who may be overwhelmed and confused during their first game or two.

Let Me Clarify

This phrase, which can only be used by plot approved non-player characters, indicates that any encounter information that follows should be considered true. There are times when your character may not trust another character. This phrase indicates that the information that the character, trustworthy or not, will impart is important and true information about how some specific encounter works. This phrase cannot be used unless the player has plot approval for that specific encounter, and the information imparted must be a clarification of some specific game effect or encounter.

Emergency

This phrase should come up rarely. This means that there is some medical emergency that needs attention. The game play stops, and everyone who hears the emergency should drop to a knee to indicate that a real problem exists. Emergency should only be called is there is a real problem and someone could be hurt.

Safety Restrictions

There are a number of basic safety restrictions in the Accelerant system to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all.

No Physical Contact

You have no reason to touch another player in the Accelerant system. Physical contact is not allowed. You may contact another player with a boffer weapon in a legal attack area and you may contact another player by touching a packet to their arm or shoulder to deliver a "touch cast" effect. Violators will be asked to leave the game.

Searching a Character

Because the game does not allow physical contact, you may not physically search someone else. Instead you approach within searching distance, role play the searching motion with both hands held out above their body, and tell them in a low voice "I am searching you." You may have items in your off hand during this process, but may not block with weapons. The player reveals items you have found. The player may make a pouch available for you to reach into and take items.

Search For...

Some skills can give you the ability to use a special searching effect on a dead or helpless creature after you have finished your normal search. This searching attempt is represented by the verbal "Search for " where the item type is specified in the skill. You cannot use this effect unless you have a skill or ability that allows you to do so. Using a skill with this Search effect might reveal additional items, or it might trigger a response effect targeted on you. The Search effect is the name for the special search attempt, and the Search response is a resulting effect the targeted character calls out when you search them.

As an example, after you search an elemental you might have a skill that allows you to call out "With elemental harvesting, Search for True Elements." That NPC might give up additional items, it might reply "You find nothing," or it might even use a counter effect such as "Refresh 1 Fire." If searching some creatures is dangerous, the creature might even reply with a detrimental search response.

It is also possible for games to create skills that let you use a defense against some or all search responses.

Carrying a Character

Because the game does not allow physical contact, you may not physically carry or drag another person. Instead you simple tell the person you are picking them up and role play carrying them along. They must get up and walk with you while you pretend to hold their shoulders. You cannot move faster than a walk while carrying someone else. If you are unable to move while being carried you walk with your head bowed and arms at your sides.

If you are carrying a character and that character is struck by an effect from a melee, missile, or packet attack that is not beneficial, you will also take that effect unless you "drop" the character immediately. If you are being carried and someone "drops" you then you role play falling to the ground. If you are being carried, you must role play an effect with a moan or grunt even if you are paralyzed or dead to indicate you have been struck. If you are carrying someone who role plays an effect, and you do not know what the effect was, you must drop them. You may pick up a body after dropping it as soon as that body stops moving.

Rule of Etiquette

Whenever you are required to role play an effect you must always do so in a safe manner. If you must adjust your role play or position slightly to make the game safer for you or another player we ask you to do so. You should take care before moving in crowded areas even if you must play out the effect in a slightly different manner. You are encouraged to take the extra step or two when playing out an effect if it removes you from an area that is detrimental to your health such as a puddle or an area with too many other players.

No Alcohol or Drugs

You cannot consume alcohol or drugs on the premises of the game unless the drugs are for medical use and approved by the staff. You cannot be under the influence of these while on the premises of the game. Violators will be asked to leave the game.

Rules Restrictions

As you play the game and wander around the world, there is a lot you can do to affect the game environment around you. Conversely, there are lots of effects that can change how you play the game, for both good and bad. Other characters may attempt to inflict unpleasant fates upon you, and you might attempt to do the same to them.

There are three restrictions on your activities.

The first is an environmental restriction. When you come across props that represent certain environments, such as tarp walls representing solid walls, you must play as if that condition was real. You cannot move tarp walls, you cannot walk across black pits, and you cannot enter areas marked out of game.

The second is an effect restriction. If an effect has been inflicted upon you, you must abide by the restriction of that effect until it is removed. If you have a Slow effect you cannot run. If you have the Maim effect you cannot use the maimed limb. Effects can be inflicted upon you in a variety of ways.

The third is a skill restriction. If there is a skill that specifically allows you to manipulate a prop or perform some action, you cannot attempt to perform that action or manipulate that prop unless you have that skill. You cannot pick up weapons and try to fight unless you have the skill to do so. You cannot manipulate traps unless you have the skill to do, although you can attempt to avoid them.

Prop Restrictions

You are not allowed to bring to an event any prop that resembles or could be mistaken for common or unique game items provided by plot without the express permission of the game staff. You cannot attempt to duplicate or forge game money, item props, tags, or logistical documents such as character or monster cards. Any attempt to use in game means to create fakes of any items must be approved by the plot committee.

You are not allowed to break, destroy, or take apart any prop. If a prop is attached to a wall by a chain, for example, you cannot attempt to break or detach that chain in any way. The Destroy effect does not change the basic structure of a prop; it just makes the item unusable for any game related purpose.

Most props have no in game worth. Costuming, jewelry, weapons, and area props cannot be moved from the area they are placed in except by the owner. These props provide no in game benefit and disallowing their removal ensures these props are not broken or lost. Props may be handled but must be put back where they are found unless they have a sticker.

Small circular stickers indicate special rules about handling an item. If an item has a red circle, it cannot be moved at all. It cannot be picked up or touched. It will not move. If an item has a yellow or green sticker, it seems to be valuable. A small, yellow, circular sticker means the prop may be taken but it must be turned in at checkout. A small green circular sticker means you can take the prop and hold on to it. Special items may also have a red sticker with a rune or number on it. These stickers indicate that characters may not pick up or touch the item unless they have a skill or ability that allows them to manipulate objects marked by that symbol or number.

Items may also be marked by attaching a short green, yellow, or red ribbon to indicate the item's in game status. These ribbons replace the sticker and have the same meaning. A ribbon can be used to mark small items that don't have room for a sticker, such as rings, or on items where plot feels that a ribbon would look better or be more evident to the players. This ribbon may have codes or markings on it in the same manner that stickers can have markings for players with specific skills to recognize.

Some game effects will enhance an object such as a weapon or a piece of armor. When an item has been enhanced by a game effect, an effect sticker will be placed upon it so long as the enhancement is in place. Items with effect stickers are treated as though they were yellow sticker items. If you have an effect sticker upon your weapon, that prop can be stolen from you. You should bring back up props if you want to use item enhancements.

Game Environment

Games take place at a site, usually a campground. This site defines the boundaries of the game. During game play, a player may attempt to enter any area within the game boundaries unless the area is marked with a yellow information sign. Areas marked with information signs are either special areas with additional rules described by the sign or they are out of game and impassable.

Out of Game Areas

Areas that are out of game are marked by the yellow or hazard orange signs with text marking it Out of Game. You may not enter these areas. The text of the sign indicates why, in game, this area cannot be entered. Some areas might be described as collapsed and ruined piles of rubble that have no real interior. Other areas might be marked as impassable swamp.

Special Areas

Areas with special restrictions or rules will be marked by the yellow or hazard orange signs with game information printed on it. This sign will have game information written upon it that will describe the circumstances that make the area special.

Gates

Portals ringed with strings of decorative light are magical portals. These portals lead to other places. Some lead to other places in this world, some lead to places beyond this world. If a portal is ringed with lights and they are not lit then you cannot go through that portal.

The areas beyond gates are often marked with yellow information signs, so you should always look around after going through a gate. Gates have a disorienting effect to compensate for the time it takes to spot and read a yellow sign.

White gates are open portals. If the lights are on, anyone may step through the gate. White gates will always appear in ruined areas.

Colored gates are special. Only special staff characters that control the gate may bring you through a gate with colored lights. If there is no guide you cannot enter the gate. Some colored gates are free standing, with no actual area on the other side. If you enter such a gate at the request of a staff character then you will become a spirit. You will not be affected by any attacks and you must reply "Spirit" to any attack that strikes you. You cannot use any game skills or converse with any one else. You are visible to others, but you cannot converse with them and you can only enter an area indicated by the spirit guide who leads you. You must follow the spirit guide until you exit through another gate and your guide indicates you have assumed your normal form.

Turn Back Markers

Some games have locations in a game site are normally accessible to players, but are sometimes closed for specific encounters or modules. While this is usually handled with yellow information signs, it is often difficult to spot and read information signs without entering the encounter area to read them, especially at night. To make this easier, areas can be marked with circular information signs (rather than the usual octagonal signs) and at night these signs are lit with circular rings created with looped glow bracelets. If you spot these Turn Back Markers hanging in the area, it means that the area is inaccessible and you should stay away unless you are led to the area by a spirit, a scout, or a similar guide.

It is often left to the player to explain why they cannot proceed when they spot Turn Back Markers. One common reason is that the area ahead is impassable swamp. Another is that a mist has risen and players cannot find their way through the area. Sometimes players simply state that the area ahead looks uninteresting and turn back. It is left to you and your companions to come up with a plausible reason that you cannot proceed when you spot a Turn Back Marker.

Combat

During the course of the game, you can be the subject of a wide variety of attacks. Each attack will attempt to inflict an effect upon you. Some effects can benefit you, and some will deliver unpleasant effects upon you. Each attack has a verbal that describes what the attack does and a delivery that determines how the attack is used against the target.

Verbals

A verbal is a short phrase that is called out when an ability is used to explain the effect of that attack. Each verbal can have an effect and a trait for that attack. The trait indicates the flavor of the attack so you may role play the effects and perhaps use a defense to negate the attack if it strikes you. The effect indicates what the attack does to you.

A verbal is an out of game phrase. You must call your verbal even if you are affected by Silence. If you hear the beginning of a verbal you must listen to the phrase and play out the effect.

Verbals for melee attacks are called out as you swing your weapon. Verbals for missile and packet attacks are called out before you release the projectile from your hand. You call out a phrase that takes the form of [Effect] by [Trait]. For example, a poison that freezes you in place would use the verbal "Paralyze by Poison" and a bolt of fire that causes 5 points of damage would use "5 Damage by Fire" as the verbal.

If you hear a verbal, your character knows what happened. The verbal not only tells you the effect out of game, but it represents the sight, sound and feel of the attack in game. You never have to play it dumb. The verbal "4 Damage by Fire" might represent a roar of flame. The verbal "Maim by Lightning" might represent a flash of light. The verbal "Paralyze by Fear" might represent the hairs rising on the back of your neck. However you imagine it, the verbal tells you what happened both in and out of game.

Verbals should not be confused with incantations. Incantations are magical words that are used to cast a spell. These are in game magical phrases that are required for all but the most powerful mages to cast magic. Spells usually have incantations, but they also end with a verbal. Remember that there are two rules that apply to all called attacks.

-You must finish the verbal for a called attack before launching a packet or missile attack. You call out the verbal as you swing a melee attack. If there is an incantation, which is an in game phrase associated with an attack, then that must be clearly spoken before the verbal. This is true for melee, missile and packet attacks.

-All called hits must be acknowledged with role play. Many skills are consumed only if the recipient calls out a defense or role-plays the effects of the attack. If you don't role play the effect, the attacker may assume that you were not struck and the skill not used.

Traits

A trait is a label that is given to a character, an attack, a defense, or an item. Traits help describe the flavor of game effects and define how abilities interact with each other. There are four types of traits. A character trait is any trait that is somehow given to a character. An attack trait is added to an attack verbal and defines the flavor of that attack. A defense trait is added to a defense call. An item trait is added to a tagged item and gives that trait to anyone carrying that item.

An attack trait tells you which defenses can be used against that attack. A character or item trait can be used to determine if certain effects worked against you. If you had the “Undead” trait, for example, then an attack that caused "5 Damage to Undead" would be effective against you. A defense trait is generally used for flavor, but it is possible to have skills or abilities that can be used only if a defense with an appropriate trait is used.

A character's race is always considered a trait. Characters with no explicit race have the Human trait. If you have a sub-race then both your sub-race and your general race will be considered to be traits. So a Wood Elf has the Elf trait as well as the Wood Elf trait.

Deliveries

Each ability must be delivered to its target in some way. These deliveries are the physical action needed to determine whether an ability has been successfully used on an opponent.

There are several different ways to deliver game effects, but there are three basic attack deliveries that are used most often in combat. Melee attacks are delivered with a successful strike with a hand held weapon. Packet attacks are delivered by throwing a bean bag like projectile and striking an opponent. Missile attacks are delivered by throwing or firing a special foam weapon prop, although some games use packet based arrows and bolts that are firing by aiming a missile weapon prop at an enemy and then throwing a packet prop and striking that opponent with the projectile.

It is always up to the defender to make the final decision whether an ability has struck or affected them, and thus whether the ability has been delivered. It is important that players do not abuse this honor system. If a player does not count legal hits, the game breaks down. Individuals that are reported for not counting hits will be reviewed and if necessary asked to leave the game.

Melee Attacks

Melee attacks require special hand held padded weapons to deliver an attack. Melee weapons cannot be thrown. You must have both hands on a two handed weapon in order to use it in combat unless some game ability specifically states otherwise. These padded weapons have a strict set of creation rules and must pass a safety inspection at each and every event where you intend to use them.

To add to the atmosphere of role playing, we expect our players to role play in combat. Although we allow light weapons for safety and comfort, we ask that players keep the pace of their swings in line with what a heavier weapon might require. Melee swings that are entirely generated by snapping or rotating the wrist or forearm are discouraged. Although you are expected to role play full weapon swings where the weapon moves at least 45 degrees, the actual contact cannot be too hard. A tap from a weapon is sufficient to deliver an attack. Melee attacks that are blocked by another weapon or shield wielded by a character with the appropriate skill to do so are not counted. Attacks to the head and neck, the hands, or the groin are illegal and are not counted.¢.

If you are unskilled with a melee weapon you cannot make attacks with that weapon. If someone strikes that weapon or you try to parry with that weapon, you must either take the blow or the weapon is ripped from your hand. If you do not take the blow, you must drop the weapon as if you had been affected by the Disarm effect.

You may hold only one weapon or shield in your hand during combat. If you are holding more than one item in a hand, and a melee attack strikes one of those items, then you will take the blow or be disarmed of both items as if you were unskilled in their use.

A melee attack that has no verbal causes 1 point of damage. These are known as "uncalled attacks.” If an uncalled attack removes your last point of Vitality you will fall unconscious but you will remain stable as described in the Vitality section below. A melee attack with a verbal is known as a “called attack.” A successful attack delivers the effect in the verbal to the recipient..

Skills and abilities that allow you to use called melee attacks are only used up, as a default, if the attack strikes a legal target area and the recipient acknowledges the hit by role playing the effect or calling out a defense to negate the attack. The melee attack is not used up if the attack misses or the target blocks the attack with a weapon or a shield.

Some skills work only on limb hits. A limb hit is a strike to the arm or leg. A torso hit includes the chest from the belt up to the top of the chest. Any hit to the leg or buttock is a leg hit. Any hit to the arm or to the outer shoulder is an arm hit. Hits that come down on the shoulder or that come down between the shoulder and the neck are also arm hits.

The Flurry Rule

A flurry is a series of melee swings delivered at an enemy in combat with little or no pause. You can make no more than three consecutive attacks against a particular enemy where your weapon contacts an opponent or their weapons, including their shield, before you must reset. To reset your flurry you must step out of weapon range between you and your opponent and stop all attacks on your previous target for at least a second.

Players pursuing enemies need not interrupt pursuit by stepping back to reset their Flurry. The pursuer needs only to pause for a second while at a distance just within their maximum weapon range.

That's all you need to remember, everything else are clarifications and answers for specific questions.

-Blocked swings that contact a weapon or shield and successful hits that contact the body are counted as flurry swings. Feints and swings that do not make contact against weapons, shield, or body do not count as a flurry swing. You must reset your flurry after you have made three swings with contact before resuming attacks on that opponent.

-An opponent can't try to prevent you from resetting your flurry by advancing. If you have retreated in an attempt to get out of weapon range but your opponent's advance has prevented you from doing so then you may reset your flurry after a full second pause.

-Incidental weapon contact and aggressively engaging an opponent's weapon with beat attacks or offensive parries can make flurry determination confusing. We realize it is difficult to determine if these types of weapon maneuvers count as a strike in a flurry. As a Rule of Etiquette, if both your elbow and the weapon tip move forward and contact an opponent's weapon then count that as one of your flurry strikes even if it was not your intention to launch an attack. This might mean that both combatants use up a Flurry swing during incidental weapon contact.

The Proximity Rule

You must maintain a safe distance from any active opponent. If you can reach out and touch the torso of an opponent with your hand then you are too close and you must back away. If there is a significant difference in the reach of two opponents, the opponent with the shorter reach may approach close enough so that they can strike their opponent with their weapon so long as they cannot touch the torso of the opponent.

Claws and Natural Weaponry

Some characters have the ability to use claws or natural weaponry instead of, or in addition to, weapons. These weapon props are red, though some plot creatures may have props that are constructed to appear to be part of that creature.

Claws are considered to be melee weapons and can be used to block melee attacks. Claws are not affected by Disarm. Destroy effects delivered to such weaponry will cause a Maim effect to the limb using the weapon.

Claws and natural weaponry are not bladed weapons, and cannot be used with skills or effects that require bladed weapons. If you are holding a claw that is struck by a melee or missile attack, and you cannot legally block with the claw due to some game effect, you will be affected by the attack since you cannot drop the claw in response to the strike.

Packet Attacks

A packet is a small bean bag filled with bird seed that represents some sort of mystical, psychic, or supernatural ranged attack form. Packets have strict construction guidelines. You call a verbal and throw a packet at a target to deliver the attack. If the packet hits the target, or any direct possession of the target, then the effect is delivered to the target. You cannot throw packets too hard. If you are winding up to throw the packet, then you are throwing too hard.

Packets are not solid objects and cannot be affected by Disarm or Destroy, but they are a visible, in game effect. If someone is carrying packets and you see the packets, you can assume they have some sort of aura that makes you realize they are capable of something special. Because of this, you cannot carry or throw packets unless you have the power to use them for something.

If a packet clearly strikes a target and they do not acknowledge the hit with role play or by negating it with a defense, the attributes or their equivalent are not exhausted. If the packet misses, or you cannot tell whether the packet hit, then attributes or resources are exhausted normally.

To deliver a packet attack, the arm that is delivering the packet must be free and the hand empty except for the packet itself. A free arm cannot have props tucked under it or tied to it other than armor. You cannot deliver packet attacks if you cannot use game skills, or with an arm that is affected by something that prevents its use such as a Maim effect or shackles. Some packet based skills have additional requirements as well.

Packet attacks cannot be used while you are being hit. Successful melee attacks interrupt your ability to throw packet attacks, forcing you to wait for one full second before attempting to throw again. It is impossible to get off packet attacks during the Flurry pause. Missile and packet attacks will also interrupt your verbal if they land while you are speaking it, but you may begin a new verbal immediately and do not have to wait for one second in these cases. An interrupted ability is not used up and attributes or their equivalent are not wasted, but you must begin the verbal again.

Like melee attacks, any packet attack that has no verbal causes 1 point of damage. Packet attacks with no verbal are "uncalled strikes" and cause someone to fall unconscious but stable when they reduce Vitality to zero. Packet attacks that use called damage effects cause enemies to become unstable when they fall unconscious just like called melee attacks.

Rule of Etiquette

In order to encourage the use of good costuming and add a little more realism, we have the Costume Rule. If a packet attack clearly misses a target and passes by the body, yet that packet hits a cloak or costuming piece after it has gone past, the defender can call out "costume." This rule cannot be used if the costuming is in front of the defender or if the packet has not already passed the body. The rule is in place to encourage cloaks, back banners, and some directed character costuming such as wings without adding an unacceptable disadvantage to the character in combat.

Concentrate

Concentrate is a special plot verbal that indicates the caster who called it can throw packet attacks while being hit. The caster calls out Concentrate and can throw a number of follow up packet attacks, including spells, while being hit by incoming attacks. You do not have to call Concentrate before every spell; one call covers a number of attacks. Each skill or special ability that allows the use of Concentrate requires you to call out "Concentrate" when you use it.

Rule of Etiquette

If a character using Concentrate is in a swirling fight where new combatants are coming into fighting range, then the caster should call out "Concentrate" each time they willingly switch targets so everyone in the fight knows what is going on.

Missile Attacks (Packet)

For many games, missile attacks typically use packets that represent arrows or crossbow bolts. To differentiate missile attacks from normal packet attacks, the attacker has two additional requirements when attacking. First, you must have a prop in your free hand that is aimed at the target. Second, you must go through a firing motion for each missile attack. Bows require you make a drawing motion and bring the packet to your cheek before throwing. Crossbows require that you pull the packet along the stock of the crossbow and pull it up to aim. After your motion you throw the attack while still pointing at the target with your free hand.

Although this system is typically used for bows and crossbows, games can use this system for thrown weapons, wands, or other ranged attacks that can be, in that setting, blocked with weapons or shields.

Like melee attacks, any missile attack that has no verbal causes 1 point of damage. Missile attacks with no verbal are "uncalled strikes" and cause someone to fall unconscious but stable when they reduce Vitality to zero. Missile weapons that use called damage effects cause enemies to become unstable when they fall unconscious just like called melee attacks.

Like packet attacks, missile weapons cannot be used while you are being hit by a melee weapon unless you have the ability to use the Concentrate ability as described above.

Some skills that allow you to use a weapon or shield to block melee attacks also allow that defender to block missile attacks.

Missile Attacks (Props)

Some games require special props for missile attacks. Foam balls for arrows and bolts, foam thrown weapons, nerf arrows, and other non-packet systems are possible in Accelerant games. Foam balls used as arrows or bolts require the attacker to point the launcher or implement at the target as described when using missile attacks with packets. Foam thrown weapons only need to be thrown at the target. Other missile props such as nerf bows, are aimed and fired when they are used.

Foam weapons are always blockable by those skilled with weapons or shields in a manner similar to melee attacks. Like melee attacks, any foam missile attack that has no verbal causes 1 point of damage. Missile attacks with no verbal are "uncalled strikes" and cause someone to fall unconscious but stable when they reduce Vitality to zero. Missile weapons that use called damage effects cause enemies to become unstable when they fall unconscious just like called melee attacks.

Special Attacks

Special attacks are delivered in unusual ways rather than using the regular melee, missile, and packet combat system. They represent large scale effect and atmospheric conditions. Special attacks always begin with the person or area that the attack affects and that is followed by a verbal. If you have a defense that works against the verbal of a special attack you can use it to negate that attack. Once the verbal of these attacks has begun the effect is already delivered. You cannot, for example, retroactively turn to a spirit during the verbal to negate it. The individual types are detailed below.

Affliction

Someone delivers an effect to your immobile or unconscious form by touching a weapon or packet to your torso and stating "Affliction One, Affliction Two, Affliction Three" clearly and slowly followed by a verbal. This works like a Death Strike and can be interrupted in the same manner as a Death Strike. The verbal may be a standard effect, or it may deliver an Inflict effect in which case the player will give you an effect card.

Gaze

Someone who has met your gaze for a full three seconds calls out or whispers "By My Gaze" followed by a verbal. A vampire might whisper "By My Gaze, Paralyze by Will." Other creatures might cause fear or other effects.

Gesture

Someone points at you with a hand or a weapon and calls out “By My Gesture” followed by a verbal. If the effect has a duration that is not instantaneous, then instead of the normal duration, the effect lasts so long as they point at you.

Name

Someone calls out "By Your Name," states your name, part of your name, or some pseudonym that you have used and calls out a verbal. The attack is delivered to you if you recognize that name as a name you have used or a name that person might use to refer to you. Basically if you know they are talking about you then you take the effect.

Room

Someone calls out "In This Room" and an effect and everyone in that room will be affected by it. Doorways and gates act as room dividers. This delivery is commonly used for traps and performances. The attack only works in an enclosed room with normal doorways and corridors leaving it. The attack will affect you if any part of you is within the room when the verbal is called.

Search Response

Someone calls out an effect after you search them or use a special Search effect upon them. If multiple people are currently searching a creature (for some reason) then all searching characters take the effect.

Voice

Someone calls out "By My Voice" and an effect and everyone who hears it will be affected by it. You cannot defend against Voice attacks by intentionally obscuring the sound of the verbal with loud noise or by plugging your ears.

Vitality

Vitality is a count of how much damage you can take before you collapse. As you take damage, your Vitality points are exhausted. These points can never drop below zero. Healing refreshes Vitality, and these points are also refreshed at the beginning of each event. If your Vitality ever reaches zero you will collapse and become unconscious. Unconscious characters that are taken down by uncalled melee or missile hits are stable. Characters taken down by any other kind of damage, from called melee or missile hits, from firearms, from traps, from packets, or from anything with a verbal become unstable.

If you fall unconscious but you are stable, you will remain unconscious for five minutes. After that time you will wake up with 1 point of Vitality. If someone hits you with an attack for called damage while you are unconscious and stable you will become unstable and begin your 1 minute count. Other effects can be inflicted upon you while you are unconscious and stable and those effects will still be active when you wake up. If healing raises your Vitality above 0 then you will become conscious. A death strike successfully delivered to your torso will kill you.

If you are unconscious and you are unstable you are dying from blood loss and shock. You will linger for one minute before dying. A Stabilize effect will change your condition to stable and you will begin your 5 minute count. Other effects can be inflicted upon you while you are unstable and those effects will still be active if you wake up. If healing raises your Vitality above 0 then you will become conscious. A death strike successfully delivered to your torso will kill you. If someone begins to use First Aid on you, your count will be suspended until they stop the First Aid. If they call Stabilize you become stable and start your five minute count. If they do not finish the First Aid, your one minute death count will continue where it was before they started using the skill.

When you die, all active effects on your person end unless an Imbue or Inflict effect specifically says otherwise on the effect card. Your remains will linger for five minutes before you change to a spirit of the dead and begin to walk to the gate of death. Only effects with "to Spirit" or with "to Dead" traits will affect a spirit of the dead.

In Madrigal, each character starts with two Vitality points. This attribute is increased by purchasing the various skills that indicate that they add Vitality. You cannot purchase the same named skill more than once, even if you can access it is more than one header.

Unconscious

You are incapacitated and must collapse to the ground. You must close your eyes and you cannot move or speak while you are unconscious. You cannot use game skills unless a skill explicitly explains that it can be used while unconscious.

Rule of Etiquette

Players who are unconscious close to combat may open their eyes to watch for out of game danger if the battle moves too close. It is important for players to be able to protect themselves during these times. If you open your eyes for safety reasons then we ask that anything you see during that time remain outside the normal knowledge of the game.

Death

There are four ways you can die in this game. First, you can be knocked unconscious and unstable and remain that way for a full minute. This is referred to as "bleeding out" and is described above. Second, you can be killed if someone delivers a successful death strike to your torso. Third, you will be killed by an attack with a Death effect that you cannot negate. Finally, special areas might cause your death if you have a mishap.

Death Strike

A death strike is used to kill an unconscious or immobile victim. You must touch a weapon to the torso of the victim while saying "Death strike one, death strike two, death strike three". This verbal must be spoken clearly and at a normal speaking pace. You do not need to have skill with the weapon to inflict a death strike.

To inflict a death strike, the victim must be unmoving. The victim can be unconscious or unmoving because of a game effect, but you cannot inflict a death strike on a body until it comes to rest after an attack, nor can you inflict a death strike on a helpless but struggling victim. If the victim can move, the victim can prevent a death strike. First you must render the victim unconscious or unmoving, and then you may inflict a death strike.

To interrupt a death strike, you must strike the person attempting to deliver the death strike with a melee, missile or packet attack. You may also interrupt the death strike by striking the weapon used to perform the death strike with a weapon of your own. You do not have to force the weapon away. A death strike that is interrupted is canceled and has no effect.

The "Death" Effect

Any effect that successfully inflicts a Death effect kills you immediately. Of all the various game effects, only the Death effect will kill you outright. The Death effect may be nullified by an appropriate defense.

Mishaps

There might be large scale traps, challenges, and mishaps in special areas that can cause you to perish if you are unfortunate enough to stumble into them. Closing walls, deep pits, and other deadly traps might kill you outright. These areas will be marked or made clear to you during the course of the game.

Spirits of The Dead

After 5 minutes of death, a dead character becomes a spirit of the dead. Your spirit and everything you still carry is drawn to a special area of the game marked as a Death area. Your spirit will even pick up your own weapons if they are within reach unless someone else possesses them. When you rise as a spirit you must proceed directly to the Death area. You must walk with your head bowed and your arms at your side. You cannot interact with any other character unless they use an ability that allows you to do so. You cannot drop items. You cannot use any game ability. If someone tries to interact with you, reply "Spirit" and continue on your way.

In Madrigal, the Death area is the Gate of Death. This is the gate to the Realm of Death. When you arrive at the gate you must follow the posted instructions and ring the bell. You will wait for the Reaper to arrive and call you into the gate.

While you are a spirit of the dead, there are very few effects that will work on you. The only effects that will work are effects with "to Spirit" or "to Dead" in the verbal. These are Bane effects specifically designed to affect spirits. The most common is a "Speak to Dead" effect. This type of "Speak" effect will allow you to converse quietly with the character who used the effect. You cannot stray from your path or use any game skill while talking. You are not compelled to communicate, but you may do so. Other effects might include "Imbue to Spirit" and "Inflict to Spirit." If the description on the effect card states that it works on a spirit of the dead then you must follow the instructions given therein. You may use Resist and Purge defenses while you are a spirit of the dead if they are appropriate for an attack that strikes or affects you.

Final Death

If the spirit cannot return from the Death area then the character passes beyond this world and is said to have taken a final death. Final death means that you can no longer play the character in question, and adds an air of danger to the game by threatening your in game persona.

Attack Effects

The effect of an attack describes how that attack benefits or impairs you. The effect is the first part of any verbal. Some effects target items rather than characters. Each effect has a duration, but curing or removing that effect will end it.