Dextra Core Guidebook

What is Dextra?

Dextra is a rules-light narrative focused roleplaying game. It is designed for players who are most interested in a game system that helps them structure telling stories. In fact, telling a good story is the only objective of the game. Lands may be ravaged, villains may escape capture, and characters may perish, but if the tale woven by the table is satisfying, then the table has won.

By design, Dextra does not feature system mastery; the only thing to master is your own creativity, improvisation, interpretation and storytelling. There are no "trap" options for classes, powers or equipment included in the book because there are no classes, powers or equipment included in the book -- these things are provided collectively by the table of players from their own imagination, and they are without limit. You can be a werewolf hunter, exiled sovereign or valkyrie emissary as easily as a typical wizard, thief or fighter. Your character might have magnetic boots, a dancing sword or ring of alchemy, and they could possess ancestral combat knowledge, demonic blood or a danger sense. As long as the other players understand what it is and it fits your story setting, then it's allowed.

Features and Characteristics:

• Simple to learn for beginning tabletop gamers, and a hopefully refreshing change for hardened campaign veterans.
• 2d6 (two six-sided dice) system for all actions, with modifiers based on the character.
• Numerous guidelines and options, but only One Rule: Everything must serve the story being told.
• Collaborative atmosphere which puts all players, including the GM, on the same side.
• Quick, easy and engaging character creation. You pick the name and a class, job or role; everyone else builds the character.
• Imagination is the only limit. Any class, attribute, equipment or power might be yours.
• Setting-Agnostic: Tell stories about about anything, set anywhere, at any time.

The Dextra Core Guidebook includes everything you need to play, except dice:

• Overview of the game concepts
• Character creation process
• Standard guidelines for running the game
• Optional guidelines to spice up your experience
• FAQ, example transcript of gameplay, and glossary of terms
• Supporting materials such as inspirations for character creation, examples of in-game actions, and character conditions
• Multiple similar but different character sheets to suit your stories in fantasy, horror, military, apocalyptic or other settings
  
• 80 pages total: 15 pages of standard guidelines, 65 pages of additional materials

The Dextra Core Guidebook, and the game itself, do not include:

• Intricate math or mechanics. There is no min-maxing or tricks in the system; all the power flows from your narration and innovation.
• Worldbuilding, settings or lore. These stories are yours to tell, not mine.
• Interior art. Every page is (I think) helpful information on playing the game, not my vision of your stories.
• A heavy focus on combat. If you seek complicated or realistic combat, this may not be for you.
• Tables that list (and therefore limit) the available character options.
• Competition between table members. GMs and other players work together. PvP, though possible, is discouraged.