Cortex Game Playthrough Examples

[IsabellaRose]

I'm starting this as a new thread to keep it separate from the interested check. I'm hoping these examples from a game I'm still running on another site will give people an idea of how the game works and what to expect from playing it.

Game Setup/Background

This game was originally setup as a love triangle between 3 people in the future - a young woman in an arranged marriage, her future husband, and her secret lover. The future husband and lover are best friends. To escape and be together, the lover and woman plan to travel back in time, and the future husband pursues them.

Garbage about how time travel works for this game

To add an element of confusion and mystery to the game, we decided that only your mind can time travel and you steal a body back in time.

Spoiler

Time travel happens in 2 stages. First you blast your mind back into a body closer to your target time, then you blast that body with your mind in it back at least another 100 years to your target time. This way they don't have connections in the target time and you can build a new life. The problem is, the further you go back, the longer it takes for your memories to return, and the timing isn't exact. So for 3 people to go back, they will be in 3 different bodies and may arrive within a 5 year window.

They arrive in the past with amnesia, in bodies that are not their own. It is left to the will of the dice to determine which character is which. The players are playing their new selves in the past, letting this new character dynamic drive their interactions, and slowly unlocking their memories over time. Will they still love who they loved before they left, or will this new situation and the lives they live until they remember who they were change how they see each other?

We rolled randomly to see who arrived first, and details about the new bodies they took. There is at least 1 gender swapped character since the future characters were 1 female, 2 males, and in the past it's 1 male and 2 females. They may have all been swapped.

• Derek was the first to arrive, male, aged early 20s, and through shady means he acquired money and seemed to thrive on exploiting others. He owns an auto body shop, runs a cam girl site, and secretly owns a drug lab. 
• Elizabeth was the next to arrive, 2 years later, female, aged 16. She was put into foster care and taken in by Mrs. Bennett. She hung around the auto body shop for a couple years and when she became 18 she started being a cam girl on Derek's site.
• Nyssa arrived 3 years later, female, aged 18. Her amnesia is strong, and she is also put into foster care, taken in my Mrs. Bennett. 

The game starts when Nyssa arrives.

 

Pathways Setup

Here's part of the Pathways chart. Notice how there are two arrows between each of the main characters, and how they point in opposite directions. The arrow pointing from one character to another defines their relationship from the originating characters' perspective.

For instance, the arrow pointing from Elizabeth to Derek says "I hate that he knows how to turn me on." That's how Elizabeth feels about Derek. This is rich with implication - Derek can turn her on. He knows how to push her buttons. But she hates that fact, which might imply her feelings for Derek may not be overall positive. 

The arrow pointing from Derek to Elizabeth says "loves my forceful ways" which is also filled with implications. On the surface, it  tells is that Elizabeth is more submissive to a forceful Derek. It also implies an ego for Derek, but noticeably it doesn't show much in the way of genuine emotion from him toward her. She may just be a plaything to him. We don't know from this statement, but it feels like something fun to explore.

Spoiler

These Relationship statements help to define the emotional stakes and action of the game. Based on those relationship definitions, I can assume that Elizabeth's player wants to have Derek turn her character on, and I can assume Derek can and probably will. It gives me as the GM ideas for scenes to setup to test theses characters, giving Derek chances to turn her on and her chances to despise that it works, or even try to resist. It gives us a potentially uncomfortable non-con situation that I'll have to be careful running to make sure we're not crossing any lines.

The whole Pathways map is convoluted and crazy. I'll paste it later.

 

Character Sheets

There are a lot of details on the sheets that might seem confusing or daunting. I'll paste a couple sheets in here and then show how a scene plays out using their stats. The basic trait sets used in this game are: Values, Relationships, Distinctions, and then secondary traits for Assets (locations, extras, signature items, etc.) Every time a player rolls for their character they will always use 1 Value and 1 Relationship to build the dice pool. Sometimes a 3rd die can be rolled from Distinctions, Extras, or Locations if the player can make a case for it and the GM agrees it is relevant. More dice can be rolled by paying a plot point to add them. No matter how many dice are rolled, you only ever add 2 results for your total, unless you spend a plot point to add an additional die result. 

Nyssa

Spoiler

Values

• d6 Duty - I have a Duty to do the right thing.
• d4 Glory - Glory is for the insecure.
• d6 Justice - Everyone deserves Justice.
• d10 Love - Love conquers all.
• d6 Power - Power is not a goal, but might be needed.
• d10 Truth - I must know the Truth no matter the cost.

Relationships

• D12 Elizabeth can help me learn about the world
• D10 Derek is dangerous but so exciting
• D8 Quinn would do anything to help someone out

Distinctions

D12 Time Traveler Heritage: You left the world 700 in the future, stole a body from 200 years in the future, and landed in this world now. Your memory was gone when you arrived, but you can unlock your memories and skills over time. You had a lifetime (or perhaps more) of skills and possibly special abilities, but they have all been lost to you.

• d4: Earn a plot point when something triggers a memory or flashback, disabling your abilities.
• d8 Spend a plot point to increase your Angry or Insecure Stress pool.
• d12 Spend a plot point and Add d10 to Trouble to access an ability you never knew you had, connected or not, (this adds the option to unlock this ability permanently during growth at d4)

D10 Attractive: You’re the complete package: face, eyes, hair, skin. When people look in your direction, they rarely want to turn away—a fact you’ve long since learned to use to your advantage. Roll the Distinction’s die when your good looks would influence the outcome in your favor. Compare this Distinction to Likeable, which is about natural appeal, or Shameless Flirt, which is about pick-up lines and seduction.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point when your looks draw you unwanted attention.
• d8: Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in an Attractive roll.

D10 Daring: You sometimes cross the line between brave and foolish, but there’s almost nothing you won’t try. Roll this Distinction’s die when your bravery and confidence would help you achieve what you want to do. Compare this Distinction to Impulsive, which describes acting without thinking, and In Over My Head, which is about blundering yourself into bad situations unintentionally.

• d4: Add a d6 to Trouble to Reroll a die in a Daring roll.
• d8: Add a d10 to Trouble to Reroll two dice in a Daring roll.

D6 Investigator: You’re adept at finding clues and putting the pieces together to find a criminal or solve a case. Often this technique is learned in places like the Metropolis Police Academy, but sometimes it’s the gift of an inquisitive mind. Roll the Distinction’s die when you’re snooping about, trying to uncover clues, or getting the scoop on something that’s unknown or hidden.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to spend a scene investigating instead of taking immediate action.

Extras

• 2d4 Dr. Tyler (therapy, science)
• 2d4 Novak (gearhead, unflappable)
• 2d4 Alan Cavanaugh (training, inspiration)
• 2d4 Johnny (investigation, knowledge (town)

Locations

• 2d8 Bennett House (security, restore)

 

Elizabeth

Spoiler

Values

• d4 Duty - My only Duty is to myself.
• d10 Glory - All the Glory will be mine.
• d6 Justice - Nobody gets Justice in this world.
• d6 Love - Once I'm rich I'll have time for Love.
• d8 Power - I'll have enough Power when I'm running things.
• d8 Truth - I can't let anyone find out the Truth.

Relationships

• d10 Nyssa - Nyssa has so much potential
• d12 Derek -  I hate that Derek knows how to turn me on

Distinctions

d10 Impulsive: You seem to lack what some people call “better judgment.” That means you tend to leap before bothering to look. This works out for you... some of the time. Roll the Distinction’s die when you’re taking immediate action, especially if you’re doing it without knowing all the facts or the lay of the land. Compare this Distinction to In Over My Head, which is about blundering yourself into bad situations rather than acting impulsively, or Daring, which covers bravely or foolishly pushing on even when you know it’s a bad idea.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you act rashly.
• d8: Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to Interfere in a Contest.

D8 Sneaky: You’re fantastic at getting in and out without being seen, with equal parts hiding in shadows, moving without making a sound, and natural agility. You have it all in spades. Roll the Distinction’s die when you’re trying to remain hidden, quiet, or off the radar. Compare this Distinction to Agile, which is about acrobatics and graceful moves, or Right Place, Right Time, which is more luck and good timing than stealthy behavior.

• d4: Spend a Plot Point to Reroll any die in a Sneaky roll.
• d8: Add a d6 to Trouble to Reroll a second die on a Sneaky roll.

D6 Shameless Flirt: You just can’t help yourself. You’re always chatting up others, dropping pick-up lines, and getting tied up with the ones that bring you the most trouble. Roll the Distinction’s die when working your angle, flashing your smile, or bringing on the charm. Compare this Distinction with Likeable, which is less seduction and more appeal, or Attractive, which is more about good looks than good pick-up lines.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you flirt with someone you know you shouldn’t.

D8 Willful: You’re probably too stubborn and proud for your own good; you’ll act the way you choose despite the better judgment or advice of others. Roll the Distinction’s die when not doing what others tell you would work in your favor—at least in the short term.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you put your foot down.
• d8: Add a d10 to Trouble to put your foot down and Reroll a die in a Willful roll.

Extras

• 2d6 Johnny (rumors, technology)
• 2d8 Pixie (wingman, attractive)
• 2d4 Caitlyn (investigation, hacking)

Locations

• D8 Cam Girl Site (publicity, comfort)
• D4 Auto Shop (resources, socialize)

 

 

With those two characters established, I'll make my next post showing how a scene plays out between them, when dice are rolled (far less often than in most games), and how and why different mechanics are engaged. I'm locking this topic for now to keep posts here specific to examples, but please ask any questions in the interest thread and I'll make sure to make clarifications here for future reference. 

[IsabellaRose]

Nyssa arrived in town "mysteriously" (none of the player characters remember that they're time travelers from the start), stumbled into a road, was almost hit by a car, and police took her to the local police. After briefly holding her because she can't remember who she is and has no identification, they get through some child protective paperwork (they can't verify her age and she looks young) and remand her to the custody of Mrs. Bennett, a foster parent who has been sheltering needy children since her own daughter passed years ago. 

Nyssa met her foster brother Johnny, a young teen, and her foster sister Elizabeth, already 18 but Mrs. Bennett is allowing her to stay in her house until she gets on her feet, even though Mrs. Bennett is no longer receiving state funding to care for Elizabeth. Nyssa and Elizabeth share a room. The players wanted to play out a scene where Elizabeth (a goth cam girl) tries to convince Nyssa (a shy and reserved girl) to dress sexier, but Nyssa naturally resists.

To play this out, they both write their characters' perspectives as normal. We used a sort of shorthand in the game thread, but discussed the meaning and mechanics in the ooc thread. 

At the start of the session, Nyssa has 4pp and Elizabeth as 2pp. The Trouble Pool¹ is 2d6 (the default starting trouble pool).

Mechanics

Here's the rundown of how this worked mechanically and why.

Elizabeth initiates the contest by stating her intended outcome: Elizabeth convinces Nyssa to try on sexy underwear.

At this point Nyssa's player can just give in. She doesn't need to resist if she thinks her character would just go along with it. BUT, there are mechanical benefits to playing this out with dice. They both have the opportunity to earn Plot Points (meta currency used to incorporate and/or enhance game mechanics later) and/or Stress (a mechanical representation of "damage" your character takes, including physical, mental, and emotional. Stress can be used by you or your opponent during a contest, and reducing Stress is the main mechanic by which your character advances or "levels up"). Since they have a chance to earn plot points or gain stress, Nyssa decides to use the mechanics to resist. On with the contest.

1. Elizabeth assembles her dice pool. From her character sheet, she will use 1 Relationship, 1 Value, and possibly a Distinction, if applicable. She chooses her d10 Nyssa Relationship (because she's trying to persuade Nyssa), her d8 Power Value (because she's trying to exert her power over Nyssa), and argues that she could incorporate her d6 Shameless Flirt Distinction (because she is shamelessly flirting with Nyssa).
   -Her dice pool is: 1d6, 1d8, and 1d10. She rolls d10=9, d8=6, d6=6 (it's important to know which die rolled which result. I'll explain later) She adds the two highest results for a total of 15.
    
2. Before she rolls, Nyssa can give in without consequence. If she rolls, someone is taking Stress. Nyssa decides to roll and assembles her dice pool. She will also use 1 Relationship, 1 Value, and possibly a Distinction, if applicable. She chooses her d12 Elizabeth Relationship (because she's dealing with Elizabeth), her d4 Glory Value² (because Glory is for the insecure, and she's very insecure right now), and argues that she could use her d10 Daring Distinction because it's worded that she rolls that when "your bravery and confidence would help you achieve what you want").
   *Nyssa also activates her Attractive Distinction SFX "d4: Earn a Plot Point when your looks draw you unwanted attention." She earns +1pp due to Elizabeth being flirty with her. Nnow has 5pp.
   -Her dice pool is: 1d4, 1d10, 1d12. She rolls d4=1, d10=7, d12=11. She rolled a "1", or a Hitch. This number can't be used in her dice total. She adds the two highest results for a total of 18. She beats Elizabeth's roll.
   *The GM buys her "hitch" by paying her 1 Plot Point and adds a complication to the scene for Nyssa. The GM uses the d4 to "Step Up³" one of the dice in the Trouble Pool. The Trouble Pool is now 1d6, 1d8. Nyssa now has 6pp.
    
3. Elizabeth has been beaten, but it's not over yet. She can Give In, relent and decide it's not worth pushing it any more. She'll have to pay 1 Plot Point to Nyssa but she'll avoid taking any Stress. If she continues she runs the risk of being "Stressed Out" which is when your Stress is bumped up above d12 and forces you out of the scene. She decides it's early enough in the game to not worry about stressing out and decides to roll again to try to beat Nyssa's 18. She rolls d10 Nyssa Relationship, d12 Glory Value (because she wants to glory of being the one that convinced her new roommate), and d6 Shameless Flirt Distinction.
   -Her dice pool is 1d6, 1d10, 1d12. She rolls d6-5, d10=4, d12=10. Adding the two highest, she only has 15, which won't beat Nyssa's previous roll of 18. BUT she decides to pay 1 Plot Point to add the third result, for a total of 19. She's beating Nyssa!
   Elizabeth now has 1pp.
    
4. Nyssa would have to beat a 19 to win, unlikely unless she wants to spend Plot Points to add dice to her pool and more plot points to add dice results to her total. She Gives In. She pays Elizabeth 1pp and goes along with her suggestion to try on the sexy underwear. 
    
5. The Contest is over. Elizabeth wins and convinces Nyssa to try on sexy underwear.

 

In the spoiler below is how the scene played out in the game thread with our shorthand mechanics added (I italicized them to make them easy to pick out)

Spoiler

Nyssa 6 Jun 17:34

Nyssa settled into her new bedroom at the Bennett House. She didn’t know who she was, where she had come from, or even how old she might be. She felt out of place, not only in this house, but in her own body, as if she weren’t really herself at all. She had no way to explain this to anyone, so she kept silent. When her roommate, Elizabeth, drifted off to sleep, Nyssa slipped down from the top bunk and stood before the mirror, something she had done often lately. She didn’t even recognize the face staring back, and the sight left her uneasy.

Her long, curly brown hair hung in an unkempt mess across her face, giving her a wild, untamed look. The full lips, the olive complexion, the almond-shaped green eyes, the high cheekbones... none of it looked familiar. It was like staring into the face of a stranger. She lifted her hair, turned her head, traced her jawline, searching for something she might recognize. Did she have birthmarks? Moles? Scars?

She examined herself carefully, pulling up her shirt to inspect her stomach, her sides, her ribcage. She stripped off the old sweatshirt and cut-off shorts and stood before the mirror in only the plain white bra and panties Mrs. Bennett had given her, fashionless, simple things. She didn’t recognize this body at all. It was like she wasn't even herself.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 17:47

A voice drifted from the shadows behind Nyssa, velvet and amused. “We have got to get you some new clothes.”

Elizabeth sat languidly on the edge of the lower bunk, her grin sly, half-hidden in the dim light. Her hair fell in a straight, severe curtain of bangs across her brow, the rest cascading in a midnight spill down her back, black as raven’s wings with streaks of royal blue glimmering like candleflame caught in ink. The pale cotton of her t-shirt clung to her slight frame, plain and unremarkable save for what it revealed: tattoos coiling up her arms, curling over her collarbone, dark sigils and shapes that seemed to breathe in the half-light. They rose from beneath the fabric as though restless to be seen, as though her very skin carried secret histories.

Nyssa 6 Jun 17:52

Nyssa turned and looked at Elizabeth.

“I only have what they gave me,” she said. Her voice was quiet, almost apologetic, as if the words themselves didn’t belong to her any more than the clothes did.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 18:02

Elizabeth rose in a slow, deliberate motion, revealing that the plain shirt was the only decent thing she was wearing. A whisper of lace clung to her hips... white, delicate, and indecently small. She crossed the narrow space with feline grace, moving directly behind Nyssa until the air between them was charged with the nearness of her body.

At the mirror, she lingered, looking over the smaller girls' shoulder, her gaze sliding over Nyssa’s reflection as though studying a canvas, an artist searching for flaws, or perhaps for beauty. A spark glimmered in her eyes... was it mischief, hunger, or something dangerously close to desire? She could see Nyssa's embarrassment under the weight of that look.

She said nothing, but Elizabeth’s hands slipped around Nyssa, bold and unhesitating, palms rising to cradle Nyssa’s breasts as if they belonged to her by right, the gesture both intimate and possessive.

Nyssa 6 Jun 18:08

Nyssa flinched, startled, and swatted at Elizabeth’s hands.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice sharp with surprise, her face still flushed with embarrassment.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 18:14

Elizabeth laughed low in her throat, the sound curling like smoke. “You’re definitely too big to wear any of my bras,” she said, rising with languid poise. “If I had tits like that, I could rule the world.”

She drifted to her dresser, opening a drawer with the casual air of someone who already knew she would find what she wanted there. From within, she drew out a bundle of fabric, rich and dark. Turning back, she let the garments spill through her fingers, the textures catching the light, black, sheer, trimmed with lace, the deep purple satin panels glowing like bruised velvet.

“Try these,” Elizabeth said, offering them with a sly tilt of her head. “I mixed up gym bags with Pixie. She’s about your size.” Her eyes lingered on Nyssa as she held out the lingerie, as though she had already imagined how perfectly it would cling to her.

Nyssa 6 Jun 18:34

When Elizabeth turned to her dresser, Nyssa had faced the mirror again, her hands lifting to cup her own breasts as if trying to see what Elizabeth had seen.

The bra and panties Elizabeth held out were black and purple and sheer. They were barely anything at all. Nyssa blushed, shaking her head.

“I couldn’t wear anything like that,” she whispered.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 18:37

"C'mon, try them on." Elizabeth coaxed, her smile playful but insistent.

[Initiating contest. Goal: "get Nyssa to change into sexy underwear (hopefully right in front of me!) Rolling d10 Nyssa, d8 Power, d6 Shameless Flirt. 1d10(9), 1d8(6), 1d6(6), Result=15]

Nyssa 6 Jun 18:42

[Roll to Resist: d12 Elizabeth, d4 Glory, d10 Daring. 1d12(11), 1d10(7), 1d4(1), Result=18. Also +1pp for Attractive d4 SFX (earn pp when your looks draw unwanted attention), Nyssa +1pp]

[GM buys Hitch, +1pp Nyssa. Hitch: Nyssa backs up against the bedframe and has nowhere to go, Elizabeth has her cornered.]

"I couldn't," Nyssa said, retreating a step. She backed into the iron bedframe, the cool metal pressing against her spine, leaving her trapped with nowhere left to move..

Elizabeth 6 Jun 18:46

[Roll to continue Contest: d10 Nyssa, d8 Power, d6 Shameless Flirt. 1d6(5), 1d10(4), 1d12(10). Result=15. Spend 1pp to add a die to the result. New Result=19, Nyssa -1pp]

Elizabeth closed the distance with feline ease, coming uncomfortably close, her body a breath away from Nyssa’s. She tilted her head, her grin soft, almost friendly, yet her eyes glittered with something sharper as they held Nyssa’s gaze. One hand slid boldly around Nyssa’s back, fingers finding the clasp of her plain bra. With a deft tug, the garment loosened, falling away as if Elizabeth had stripped her of a secret.

“C’mon, it’s just us girls,” she said, her voice velvet and teasing, her eyes never leaving Nyssa’s even as she lied with a smile. “I won’t look. I’ll turn around.”

Nyssa 6 Jun 18:57

[Give in. Nyssa -1pp, Elizabeth +1pp]

Nyssa felt Elizabeth’s forceful presence as the clasp of her bra came loose. “Maybe later, I just…” she began, her words trailing off as her cheeks burned. But in the end, she gave in.

“Okay. Just… just turn around.”

She slipped off the plain white bra and pulled on the black, lacy one, fastening it in front with clumsy fingers. Then she stepped out of the cotton panties Mrs. Bennett had given her and into the sheer black pair. As she straightened and pulled them into place, she lifted her eyes... and saw Elizabeth watching her in the mirror. Somehow, she was positive she'd been watching the entire time.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 19:11

“They look great on you, honey,” Elizabeth purred, her eyes glittering with amusement.

“But we have got to get you trimmed up.” As she spoke, her fingertip drifted lightly along the lace waistband of Nyssa’s new panties, dipping under the fabric, outlining the edge of Nyssa's pubic hair. She smiled at Nyssa's blush, a predator savoring her effect.

Her hands settled firmly on Nyssa’s shoulders, turning her, a finger under her chin to lift her head, guiding her gaze toward the mirror with casual authority. She leaned close, breath warm against Nyssa’s ear as her hands moved along the edges of the bra and panties.

“Look at yourself now,” Elizabeth murmured, her voice low, velvet, curling with wicked delight. “Damn… you are sexy.”

Nyssa 6 Jun 19:17

Nyssa looked at herself in the mirror, and for a moment her body seemed different. Her curves felt curvier, her breasts fuller—she looked… more womanly than she remembered.

“Wow,” was all she could manage.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 19:26

“Wow is right,” Elizabeth said, her voice a velvet purr. Her hands glided down the length of Nyssa’s arms, slow and deliberate, as though savoring the shape of her. “You’re a knockout.”

She lifted her fingers into Nyssa’s hair, combing through the dark curls with a flourish before tugging one loose strand forward over her shoulder. It tumbled down across her collarbone like a final touch on a portrait, and Elizabeth smiled as though she had painted it there herself.

“Damn,” she whispered, leaning close, eyes bright with mischief and admiration. “You’re smoking hot. You’re going to have so many guys all over you. I’m having a hard time trying not to seduce you myself.”

Elizabeth laughed then, the sound warm and wicked at once. “Relax,” she said, her grin sly, her gaze still fixed on Nyssa. “I won’t put the moves on you.”

Nyssa 6 Jun 19:32

Nyssa wasn’t sure if that was what she wanted or not. The thought made her stomach twist, part fear, part something she couldn’t name. Was she supposed to feel flattered? Was she supposed to feel disgusted? She didn’t know. 

She stayed still, Elizabeth’s hands heavy on her shoulders, her eyes fixed on the mirror. The girl staring back at her looked older, different, almost like someone who might want that kind of attention. But Nyssa didn’t even know who she was, let alone what she wanted. The uncertainty must have been obvious on her face.

Elizabeth 6 Jun 19:46

“Unless… unless you want me to…” Elizabeth said quietly, her voice a silken whisper, half-daring, half-invitation.

Her fingertips wandered down the length of Nyssa’s arm, slow and languid, as though savoring every inch of skin beneath them. The touch was light, a whisper that raised shivers, deliberate in its teasing restraint. Elizabeth’s gaze lingered on Nyssa’s reflection in the mirror, watching her intently, her smile poised between wicked amusement and something darker. The air seemed to thicken between them, charged with the weight of the unspoken, Elizabeth’s words hanging there... perhaps a jest, perhaps an invitation.

[Initiating new contest: Goal: "Seduce Nyssa." ...]

 Now, this may seem like a lot to go through for such a trivial contest (and honestly, it is... I don't usually make players roll unless the stakes are high, but this was an early scene in the game, and Nyssa's player asked, "could this be a contest?" So I said, "Sure!" There's no reason for it to NOT be a contest, and it gave them an early chance to interact with the rules, earn plot points, and increase my Trouble Pool.  

 

¹ Trouble Pool: The Trouble Pool are the dice the GM can roll against you. When the session starts, the GM gets 2d6 by default. They can buy dice that roll a Hitch (a natural 1) by giving the player rolling it a Plot Point, and then either incorporate that die into the Trouble Pool or "Step Up³" an existing die in the Trouble Pool.

² Special Note about rolling d4: Choosing to add a d4 to your roll increases your chances of rolling a "1", which is a Hitch. A Hitch can be activated by the GM by paying you a plot point. There are times when you don't mind having bad things happen to your character so you can accumulate plot points for use later. It's often strategic to choose to roll d4's early in the game, to build up a stock of plot points for when it really matters.

³ Stepping Up: You Step Up a die by increasing it's size by 1 rank. d4 steps up to d6, d6 steps up to d8, d8 steps up to d10, and d10 steps up to d12.