SPARK DICE

The Core Idea

Your character is defined by 4 Sparks - skills, talents, knacks, or defining traits. Each Spark has a die rating from d4 (novice) to d20 (legendary).

When you attempt something risky, roll your Spark die against a Fate die. Compare the results: higher wins, ties create twists, and margins matter.

Character Creation

Build a character in 2 minutes:

1. Concept - Write one sentence describing your character. Who are they? What defines them?
2. Choose 4 Sparks - Pick four Sparks from the list (or create your own) that define your character.
3. Assign Dice - Distribute d8, d6, d6, and d4 among your four Sparks.
4. Grit - You start with 3 Grit (maximum 5). This is your reserve of stamina, luck, and health.

The Spark List

Pick any 4 that fit your character and setting.

Creating Custom Sparks

Anything can be a Spark if it defines your character. Don't limit yourself to the list.

The Core Roll

When the outcome is uncertain and failure is interesting:

1. Roll Your Spark Die

Use the die rating of your most relevant Spark.

• No relevant Spark? Roll d4 (anyone can try anything).
• Two Sparks apply? Roll the higher die with +2 bonus.

2. Roll the Fate Die

Set difficulty based on the situation:

3. Compare Results

4. Check for Criticals

Grit

Grit represents your reserves - stamina, luck, willpower, and health combined.

Starting Grit: 3  |  Maximum: 5

Lose Grit When:

• You suffer a Disaster (Fate beats you by 5+)
• You take a serious hit in conflict
• Something dramatically bad happens to you

Spend Grit To:

• Reroll any single die (yours OR Fate's) - once per roll
• Avoid a consequence that would take you out of the scene
• Declare a minor narrative detail in your favor ("There's a chandelier I can swing from")

At 0 Grit:

You're not dead, but you're done - captured, unconscious, fled, or broken. The scene ends badly for you.

Recovery:

• Short rest in safety: Recover 1 Grit
• Between adventures: Full recovery to maximum

Advancement

After completing an adventure (or 2-3 sessions), choose ONE:

Conflict

Combat, chases, debates, heists - any extended opposition uses the same system.

Quick Conflicts

Single roll: Your Spark vs opponent's Spark (or Fate die for simple threats).

Extended Conflicts

Multiple rounds until one side is defeated or withdraws. Each round:

1. Describe your action
2. Roll your Spark vs opponent's Spark (NPCs use their threat die)
3. Apply results: Winner deals 1 Grit damage. Twist = both sides trade blows (1 Grit each). Critical = 2 Grit damage.

NPC Threat Levels

Solo Oracle

When you need the world to answer.

Yes/No Questions

Roll 2d6 and add modifiers:

Modifiers

• +1 Likely - circumstances favor this outcome
• -1 Unlikely - circumstances work against this
• +2 Very likely - strong evidence or advantage
• -2 Very unlikely - significant obstacles

Scene Spark

When you need inspiration for what happens next, roll d6 twice:

First roll = Category: 1-2 Threat, 3-4 Opportunity, 5-6 Twist

Second roll = Element:

Example Characters

Random Generators

NPC Generator (Roll d6 for each)

Location Generator (Roll d6 for each)

Plot Hook Generator (Roll d6 for each)

Quick Reference

Optional: Exploding Sparks

Add heroic moments and dramatic swings to your game.

Variant A: Automatic Explosions

When you roll the maximum value on your Spark die, it explodes: roll it again and add the result to your total.

• Only Spark dice explode (Fate dice never explode)
• Explosions don't chain - stop after one explosion
• The explosion adds to your total, potentially creating criticals

Explosion Rates

Variant B: Grit-Fueled Explosions

A more tactical version where explosions are a choice, not automatic.

When you roll the maximum value on your Spark die, you may spend 1 Grit to make it explode. If you don't spend Grit, the max result stands as-is.

• Decide to spend Grit AFTER seeing the Fate die result
• Only Spark dice can explode
• No chain explosions
• You can't spend Grit you don't have

Which Variant?

License & Credits

SPARK DICE is released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). You are free to share, adapt, and build upon this work, even commercially, as long as you give appropriate credit.

SPARK DICE draws inspiration from:

• RISUS: The Anything RPG by S. John Ross - for the elegance of descriptive traits
• Savage Worlds by Pinnacle Entertainment - for the step-die progression system
• Powered by the Apocalypse games - for narrative-forward, three-tier outcomes
• The solo RPG community - for oracle systems and techniques that make solo play sing

SPARK DICE - Roll your Spark. Defy your Fate.