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Momentum & Renown

Momentum​

Momentum is a narrative resource pool representing the shifting tide of advantage between players and the GM. It flows dynamically based on rolls and story events.

When one group controls more than half of the Momentum pool, that group ignores stress penalties on stressed checks.

Starting the Momentum Pool​

  • Total tokens = number of people at the table (including the GM)
  • All tokens start in the neutral pool, equally shared

Earning Momentum​

Players or GM gain momentum by:

  • Rolling a natural 20 (A critical success)
  • Succeeding on a stressed or strained check
  • Tactical brilliance or narrative moments, as judged by the GM

Momentum Pool Balance​

If one group holds more than half the tokens:

  • They ignore penalties on stressed or strained checks

    (The check is still considered stressed/strained, but the +1 DC is ignored)

Losing Momentum​

A group loses a momentum token when:

  • A critical failure (natural 1) occurs
  • A stressed or strained check fails
  • The opposition has a critical success or passes a stress/strained check and there are no neutral tokens to pull from

If the group has tokens, return one to the neutral pool.
If no tokens are held, nothing happens (tokens cannot be pushed to the opposition)

Momentum is never transferred directly to the other side

GM Discretion​

  • The GM may award momentum for strong roleplay, humor, or heroism
  • The GM cannot remove tokens directly from players