Maskemaiden

Game Modes

Maskemaiden is designed primarily as a solo RPG where you guide your own journey through Hemm. It can also be played as a group game with a Game Master (GM) guiding the narrative.

What You Need

• One six-sided die (that's all you need!)
• Paper and pencil
• Your imagination!
• For group play: A Game Master to guide the story

Note: Having four dice allows you to roll all at once for faster play.

The Four Aspects

Every dice roll represents four aspects:

How to Play

The rolling resolution is the core mechanic - it's really the only thing you need to know to play! Everything else flows from interpreting these dice results.

In Solo Play: The dice provide inspiration and guide your imagination as you narrate your journey through Hemm.

In Group Play: The dice function as action/ability checks when players attempt something with an uncertain outcome.

Rolling Resolution

1. Roll four dice (or one die four times) in order: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow
2. Draw results in a 2×2 grid:

3. Find your combination:
   • Matching numbers = Use those dice
   • No matches = Use highest + lowest
   • Two pairs = Flip coin for which pair
   • HARMONIC CONVERGENCE (Four of a kind) = Exceptional event!
4. Interpret results:
   • 1-2 = Failure/Setback
   • 3-4 = Partial Success
   • 5-6 = Clear Success
   • Apply your Focus modifier (+1/-1) to relevant aspects
   • Harmonic Convergence: All four 1s = Catastrophic failure with mystical consequences
   • Harmonic Convergence: All four 6s = Miraculous success beyond expectations
   • Harmonic Convergence: Other four of a kind = Major event combining all aspects

Solo Game Flow

In solo play, your investigation cycles through these phases:

    [JOURNEY PHASE]
         |
    Navigation Roll
         |
    Success ──→ [LOCATION DISCOVERY]
         |                |
    Failure          New Location Roll
         |                |
         ↓                ↓
   [CRISIS]        [INVESTIGATION PHASE]
         |                |
         |           Action Roll
         |                |
         |         ┌──────┴──────┐
         |         |             |
         |    Failure with    Success/
         |    matching 1s/2s  Partial
         |         |             |
         ↓         ↓             ↓
   [CRISIS PHASE] ←┘    [REVELATION PHASE]
         |                    |
    Crisis Roll          Record findings
         |                    |
    Resolution                |
         |                    |
         ↓                    ↓
    [DECISION: Continue investigation or journey elsewhere?]
         |                    |
    Another Action         Journey
         |                    |
         ↓                    ↓
   [INVESTIGATION PHASE]  [JOURNEY PHASE]
     (repeat)          (new location)
                

1. Journey Phase

• Spend 1 Essence to travel to a new location in Hemm
• Roll resolution
• Success (3+) = Arrive safely → Location Discovery
• Failure (1-2) = Problems → Crisis Phase

2. Location Discovery

• Roll to discover what's at this location
• Interpret dice to describe the place, inhabitants, and mysteries
• Proceed to → Investigation Phase

3. Investigation Phase

Choose an action and roll:

• Observe (Wonder focus): Gather information about the location
• Explore (Danger + Growth): Navigate dangerous or hidden areas
• Commune (Growth): Connect with the mystical forces of Hemm
• Converse (Bonds): Interact with other maskes
• Perform (Growth + Bonds): Use your caste abilities

Minoch - Dragon Bird

Roll outcomes:

• Success (3+) = Proceed to Revelation Phase to record findings
• Failure (matching 1s/2s) = Trigger Crisis Phase
• Otherwise = Partial success, record and continue

4. Revelation Phase

Record your discoveries from the Investigation phase.

Describe what you found, learned, or uncovered about the mysteries.

After recording, choose:

• Take another action (return to Investigation Phase)
• Journey to a new location (costs 1 Essence, return to Journey Phase)

5. Crisis Phase

Something went wrong during your investigation! Roll to resolve.

• Success (3+) = Crisis resolved, choose to continue (Investigation Phase) or Journey
• Failure (1-2) = Crisis worsens, may force immediate journey or trap you

Group Game Flow

In group play with a Game Master, the flow is more flexible:

GM Sets the Scene

• The GM describes locations, NPCs, and situations
• No rigid phase structure - narrative flows naturally
• Players describe their characters' actions and intentions

When to Roll

Roll dice when:

• The outcome is uncertain and interesting
• There's meaningful risk or opposition
• A character uses their abilities in challenging ways

Investigation and Exploration

• Players declare what they want to investigate or explore
• GM calls for rolls when appropriate
• Success levels guide the narrative outcome
• Abilities modify or enhance roll results

Handling Danger

• GM describes threats and challenges
• Players roll to overcome obstacles
• Essence damage represents injuries and setbacks
• At 0 Essence, characters need help to continue

Narrative Focus

• Less structured than solo play
• GM manages pacing and scene transitions
• Focus on character interactions and story development
• Mystery unfolds through roleplay and investigation

Tracking Your Quest

Solo Play - Track Everything:

• Keep a map of Hemm as you explore
• Log each investigation with dice results
• Track Essence carefully (for travel)
• Note discovered locations and mysteries

Group Play - Track Your Character:

• Your Essence (health)
• Your abilities and connections
• Important discoveries and clues
• GM handles world details and pacing

Each Log Entry (Solo Play):

1. Draw dice grid on left
2. Circle matching dice
3. Write story on right
4. Note phase and outcomes

Winning & Losing

You win when: You uncover the truth of your quest or solve the central mystery

You lose when: Out of Essence with no way forward, maske shattered, or truth forever lost

Or just play to see what mysteries unfold!