Core Features

• Familiar d20 based system.
• 9 Classes Artificer (or Alchemist variant)¸ Barbarian¸ Bard¸ Cultist¸ Fighter¸ Monk¸ Ranger¸ Rogue & Magic User; only two of which involve magic.
• 9th Level max caps PC power levels.
• Flatter HP Curve Most PCs will have approx 10-40 hit points over their nine levels.
• Unique Features Every 3rd level design your own PC ability in conjunction with your GM¸ or choose from 40+ examples.
• Roll Under for Attribute checks¸ making every stat point matter. Degrees of success via Great Successes and Terrible Failures.
• Roll High for attack & damage rolls.
• Wisdom is split into Perception and Willpower. Perception mod applies to ranged attacks instead of Dex.
• Simple Skills grant a +1 bonus on relevant Attribute checks¸ but more importantly allow a PC to access their limited Reroll Pool if they fail. The Variant Rules chapter includes a further simplified "Class¸ Race & Background" combo to replace the skill list¸ if desired.
• Minor¸ Major & Rescue Exploits on top of damage¸ not in lieu¸ promote improvised stunts and moments of greatness.
• Fast Initiative Side based initiative¸ but a different PC rolls each round. Initiative is a derived stat (average of Dex & Int). If the PC makes their Initiative check the party goes first¸ otherwise the monsters do. On a Great Success the party also acts before any Heavies or Bosses.
• Diminishing Luck attribute replaces saving throws¸ ratcheting up the danger with each save.
• Fierce Battle Martial Exploits¸ Nat 19s¸ Crits¸ Fumble ripostes¸ Morale checks¸ Trauma rolls¸ Heavies¸ and Bosses make for action packed battles! When reduced to zero hp¸ healing takes 1d3 minutes (magical or otherwise). Players don't roll to find out if their PC lives until after the combat¸ when an ally checks the body...
• Unbalanced Encounters ToA is designed for unbalanced combat. Clear escape rules put the fate of the PCs in the players' hands - do they fight another round¸ or run?
• Short Rests PCs make two Willpowers checks during a Short Rest to attempt to recover hp and class abilities¸ encouraging them to press on rather than camp.
• Dark & Dangerous Magic Roll to Cast and DDM tests threaten to unleash Veil monsters¸ madness¸ mutation¸ or worse!
• Downtime Rules for Carousing¸ Pets¸ Black Market Trade¸ Masterforged Gear¸ Gambling¸ Recovery¸ Potion Brewing¸ Magical Research¸ Scroll Inscribing¸ Rumours¸ and more.
• Emergent Play & Solo Support via mechanics¸ procedures¸ and massive GM Toolbox to facilitate improv¸ including: Lone Wolf PC rules¸ Range Bands (for smoother Theatre of the Mind)¸ Reaction & Activity rolls¸ Major Exploits & Rescues¸ Morale checks¸ Consult the Bones Dice Oracle¸ Read the Signs Card Oracle¸ Hexploration Procedures¸ Dungeon Tally & Events¸ Travel Events¸ Random Encounters¸ XP Awards¸ NPC Tables¸ Treasure Tables¸ Madness Table¸ Disease & Parasite Table¸ Trap Tables¸ Dungeon Generator¸ and more!
• Easy Compatibility with most OSR and 5e style adventures; just swap out monster stats¸ treasure¸ and spells for ToA equivalents¸ and you're good to go! We've been playtesting with adventures from LFG¸ Forbidden Lands¸ Dragonbane¸ B4 The Lost City¸ Hot Springs Island¸ The Toxic Wood¸ Mines of Perinthos¸ and very recently Moria (from The One Ring¸ alpha PDF). Conversion tips are included.
• Rules as Guidelines The GM is the final authority on all rules¸ which are expected to be tweaked to fit table preferences. The Variant Rules chapter includes suggestions such as more/less deadly¸ less dangerous magic¸ movement in feet rather than range bands¸ individual Initiative checks¸ etc.
• Creative Commons Licence ToA has been released under CC BY-SA 4.0. You can create and sell your own supplements¸ adventures¸ etc¸ without needing any authority from us.