This book is your toolkit, not a textbook. You don’t need to read it cover to cover before you start playing. You can—but you don’t have to. Everything here is modular, and the game is designed to get you rolling fast.
Here’s how to get what you need when you need it:
Start Here if You’re New
If you’re brand new to roleplaying, Chapter 1 breaks down how the game flows at the table. It covers what players and Game Masters do, how dice rolls work, and what a typical session feels like. If you’ve played other games before, this section will show you how Alacrity keeps the pace sharp.
Making a Character?
Chapter 2 walks you through character creation. It’s straightforward: you’ll pick stats, assign skills, and shape a concept. The math is simple, and the process is designed to put a playable character in your hands in under half an hour—even faster once you know what you’re doing.
Need the Rules for Action and Combat?
Chapters 3 and 4 are your reference for moment-to-moment mechanics. These chapters cover skill checks, difficulty ratings, actions in combat, initiative, and how damage is tracked. Combat in Alacrity moves quickly, but it still needs structure—and this is where you’ll find it.
Running the Game?
Chapter 5 is for GMs. It offers guidance on building encounters, framing scenes, improvising with player choices, and maintaining narrative rhythm. It doesn’t micromanage your table—it hands you the tools and lets you use your judgment.
Want to Add Magic or Gear?
Chapters 6 and 7 dive into the systems for magic, equipment, and items that matter. You’ll find guidelines for spells, potions, armor, weapons, and the stuff players will inevitably try to steal, break, or sell.
Just Need the Stats?
The appendices give you quick-reference lists: condition effects, sample NPCs, creature stats, and cheat sheets for both players and GMs. If you’re running a session, this is where your bookmarks should live.
You don’t need to memorize this book. You just need to know where to look when the moment calls for it. Alacrity isn’t about locking you into charts—it’s about supporting fast decisions, clean action, and unforgettable stories.
Read it. Reference it. Ignore it when the story demands something cooler.
That’s what it’s here for.
[ Back | Contents | Next]
You are welcome to print a copy of pages from this book for your personal use. Please note that mass distribution, commercial use, or the creation of altered versions of the content for distribution are strictly prohibited. This permission is intended to support your individual gaming needs while maintaining the integrity of the material.
File Created: 04/30/2025 Last Modified: 04/30/2025