Cosmere RPG
Stormlight HandbookBest For
Brandon Sanderson fans who want deep character customization and hard-magic systems brought to the table: groups who enjoy Pathfinder-level build depth in a richly detailed setting.
Core Mechanic
Roll d20 + skill vs. difficulty. The GM can raise the stakes on key rolls by adding the plot die: a custom d6 with Opportunity, Complication, and blank faces. Opportunities grant bonus effects chosen by the player; Complications introduce narrative twists chosen by the GM but also add a bonus to the roll. Each combat round, characters choose a fast turn (2 actions, act first) or slow turn (3 actions, act later). Characters advance through branching talent trees across 6 heroic paths and 9 Radiant paths.
The d20 core rolls against a difficulty, simple on its own. The twist is the plot die, a d6 of Opportunities and Complications the GM can fold into key rolls. That extra outcome layer adds cognitive load to each roll. The Investiture magic and character options give it real depth.
- Free to tryQuickstartA free starter you can actually play
- Get it nowSold newIn print or as a legal PDF
Not listed
We have not listed this book's reference tools. Very short games are read straight from the page, so there is nothing to look up, and some older entries have not been checked yet.
Highlights
Deep lore integration with the Cosmere setting, extensive character customization rivals Pathfinder, plot die adds dramatic tension, fast/slow turn initiative lets players trade actions for turn order, Foundry VTT support
Considerations
Plot die adds a layer of opportunity/complication outcomes on top of pass/fail increasing cognitive overhead per roll, rulebook organization is poor and unclear in places, large barrier to entry for non-Sanderson fans, social encounters can feel repetitive
Rules license All Rights Reserved
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