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Psychromattica One-Shot Generator

This guide provides a step-by-step process and a fillable template to create a complete, self-contained one-shot adventure using the Focused Awakening Protocol. The goal is to minimize prep time while allowing players to experience the depth of a Level 1 character in a fast, accessible, and thematically consistent way.

For a fully random experience, use 1d10 for each numbered step below. (For Keyword rolls, use 1d100 and consult the Master Keyword List in the core SRD.)

Step 1: Define the Core Adventure (The "What" and "Why")

This step generates your adventure's fundamental premise.

  • 1. Choose a Genre (or roll 1d10 for inspiration):
    1. Cyberpunk
    2. High Fantasy
    3. Modern Horror
    4. Space Opera
    5. Post-Apocalyptic
    6. Steampunk
    7. Mythological
    8. Urban Fantasy
    9. Sci-Fi Western
    10. Curator's Choice
  • 2. Choose a Core Motivation (or roll 1d10 for inspiration): This defines the "why" or objective of the adventure.
    1. Discovery (0)
    2. Ambition (1)
    3. Freedom (2)
    4. Security (3)
    5. Legacy (4)
    6. Innovation (5)
    7. Purity (6)
    8. Glory (7)
    9. Influence (8)
    10. Faith (9)
  • 3. Write the Hook: Combine your chosen Genre and Core Motivation into a single, exciting sentence.
    • Example: (Cyberpunk / Ambition) "You are corporate spies (Cyberpunk) driven by ambition (Ambition) to steal a valuable piece of data."

Step 2: Define the Mechanical Core (The "How" and "Who")

Translate your concept into simple game mechanics.

  • 1. The Objective (or roll 1d10 for Type and Clock/TN):

    • Name: Give it a clear, evocative name.
    • Type (Roll 1d10): 1-5: Barrier (physical); 6-10: Puzzle (mental).
    • Clock & TN (Roll 1d10): 1-4: Standard (Clock 8, TN 9); 5-8: Hard (Clock 12, TN 12); 9-10: Extreme (Clock 15, TN 15).

  • 2. The Antagonist (or roll 1d100 for Keyword):

    • Name: (e.g., "Security Chief Kaito," "The Chittering Horror").
    • HP Clock & TN: Standard Threat (HP 10, TN 10) or Tough Boss (HP 15, TN 12).
    • Attack Roll: d10 + Bonus (e.g., d10+3 for standard, d10+5 for a boss).
    • Keyword (Roll 1d100): Roll on the Master Keyword List for its signature ability.

  • 3. Minions (Optional - Roll 1d10): If roll is 1-5, add 1-3 minions.

    • HP Clock: 1 (Defeated on any successful hit).
    • TN to Hit: 8
    • Attack Roll: d10+2

Step 3: Curate Player Archetypes (The "Who" Players Become)

Choose 4-6 Seed Keywords that fit your adventure's theme. Alternatively, roll 1d100 for each player's Seed Keyword (reroll Flaws). For each, write: **The [Title] -Keyword Name (Code):** [One-sentence flavor text].

Step 4: Add Flavor and Rewards

  • 1. Location: Write 2-3 bullet points describing the environment.
  • 2. Reward Items: Create a few items with a single keyword ( or roll a d100 for random keywords) within the situation for the players to discover and use to resolve the situation

Adventure Template

[Adventure Title]

Genre: [Generated/Chosen Genre]

Core Motivation: [Generated/Chosen Motivation (Name & Code)]

Hook: "[Your combined hook sentence from Step 1.3]"

The Objective: [Objective Name]

The party wins when they overcome this final challenge.

  • Challenge Type: [Barrier / Puzzle / Special]
  • Task Clock: [e.g., 10 (Generated/Chosen from Step 2.1)]
  • Target Number (TN): [e.g., 12 (Generated/Chosen from Step 2.1)]

The Antagonist: [Antagonist Name]

The primary threat standing in the players' way.

  • HP Clock: [e.g., 15]
  • TN to Hit (Resistance): [e.g., 12]
  • Attack Roll: [e.g., d10+5]
  • Signature Ability: [Keyword Name (Code)] - [Brief description. Generated/Chosen from Step 2.2)]

Minions (Optional): [Minion Name]

  • Number: [e.g., 2 (Generated/Chosen from Step 2.3)]
  • HP Clock: 1 (Defeated on any successful hit).
  • TN to Hit (Resistance): 8
  • Attack Roll: d10+2

Location: [Scene Location]

  • [Interesting environmental detail 1. Generated/Chosen from Step 4.1]
  • [Interesting environmental detail 2.]
  • [Interesting environmental detail 3.]

Rewards (Optional)

Players may discover these items during the adventure:

  • [Item Name 1]: [Keyword Name (Code) - Generated/Chosen from Step 4.2]
  • [Item Name 2]: [Keyword Name (Code) - Generated/Chosen from Step 4.2]

Player Archetypes (Choose One or Roll 1d100 per Player)

  • The [Title] - Keyword Name (Code): [One-sentence flavor text].
  • The [Title] - Keyword Name (Code): [One-sentence flavor text].
  • The [Title] - Keyword Name (Code): [One-sentence flavor text].
  • The [Title] - Keyword Name (Code): [One-sentence flavor text].
  • The [Title] - Keyword Name (Code): [One-sentence flavor text].

Character Creation Guide (The Focused Awakening)

Welcome! You are an "Awakened" character, starting at Level 1 with four unique abilities.

Step 1: Choose Your Seed Keyword Pick one Archetype from the list above. This is your core identity and your Seed Keyword.

Step 2: Find Your Trinity Color Palette Your Seed Keyword has a color. Find that color on the Wheel of Change below. Your "Trinity Palette" is that color and its two neighbors. Example: If your Seed is Sturdy (Green), your palette is Yellow, Green, and White.

Step 3: Choose Your Awakening Keywords You now learn three more keywords, one from each color in your Trinity Palette. This gives you a curated list of ~27 thematic abilities to choose from. * One keyword from your Seed color's list. * One keyword from the left neighbor's list. * One keyword from the right neighbor's list.

you could also choose all three keywords from the seed keywords color, or a simple hybrid build of 2 keywords that share a color with the seed and one keyword from either of the neighboring colors for more focused builds.

Step 4: Apply Your Trinity Stat Bonus * All nine of your stats start with a baseline of 2. * You get +3 bonus points, one for the stat associated with each of your three Trinity colors.

Step 5: Design Your Signature Item Describe one piece of gear and choose any one keyword for it from the full Master Keyword List. This does not have to be from your Trinity Palette. (this can be random rolled as well, reroll any flaw keywords)

Step 6: Calculate Final Values * HP: 10 * Resistance: Add your three highest stats together.

Reference: The Wheel of Change

Silver -> Red -> Black -> Purple -> Yellow -> Green -> White -> Orange -> Blue -> Silver

Reference: Color / Stat Association

  • Silver (1): Movement
  • Yellow (2): Alacrity
  • Green (3): Brawn
  • Black (4): Wit
  • Orange (5): Expertise
  • White (6): Technique
  • Red (7): Power
  • Blue (8): Influence
  • Purple (9): Force
  • Null (0): Any (Player's Choice)

Running the Game (Curator's Cheat Sheet)

  • The Roll: ER = SR (d10 Main Die) + Level (1) + Chosen Stat.
  • The Goal: Beat the Target Number (TN) to deplete Clocks.
  • Keywords: Players use the full text of their four innate keywords. Encourage creative use! Using keywords is free for the one-shot.
  • Item Keyword: Provides a passive benefit when the item is used.
  • Criticals: Doubles = double depletion.
  • Damage: If an enemy roll > player's Resistance, they lose HP equal to the difference.