Combat and Dice Rolls

The combat and dice (Dice moreso) make up the core of our mechanics around here. They're not meant to override writing or ideas, but more meant to help keep things interesting! A failed DEX roll can change the whole direction of a thread, throwing out new challenges for writers to deal with. That said, you don't ALWAYS have to use dice. If you're in a casual thread with no one modding it, or just generally in a situation where a failed roll isn't interesting, then don't worry about rolling.


Pretty much any time you're doing something that would be challenging, affect someone else, or would be interesting to fail, you'll roll a dice to see if you manage it. We don't require dice rolls for trying to convince someone, lie, and so on, because it's just more entertaining to watch a writer try to figure out that for themselves. In situations where dice rolls are required, you're allowed TWO MAJOR ACTIONS per post - no more, no less. Examples of major actions are running across a field to get to someone, blocking an attack, tying a rope around an object, and so on. Talking to people or drawing a sword are not major actions because come on.

Almost every time you roll to see if you succeed at doing something, you'll be rolling a 20-sided dice, also known as a 1D20. Rolls can be modified by applicable stats - which stat applies to the roll depends on what you're doing exactly, and it's usually left up to the user's discretion, although a mod may also tell you which stat they want you to roll for something. An example of a stat modifier is when a scout tries to roll to sneak past someone - since all scouts have a 2 in DEX, they get a +2 to their sneaking roll, thus making it a 1D20+2. It's important to note that damage rolls do not receive modifiers.

We have a built-in dice roller to make this shit easy - you can see an icon for it on the far right of the buttons at the top of the posting form that will insert the code, but you can also just type it in - OR copy it from right here!

[*roll range="NUMBER OF DICEd20STAT MODIFIER"]
When you're filling in the code you can define how many dice you're rolling and your stat modifier to get the right outcome. Note that each code you put in will only generate one result, so if you want to attack someone you'll need 1 code to see if the attack hits, and another code to see how much damage you do.






A skill is exactly what its name suggests - a skill. Every mouse can run, jump, bite, swim, and lie. But not every mouse can weave a shirt or fire a bow. To complete certain skilled tasks, you must possess the relevant skill.

Every character starts out with 4 free skills, but you can earn more as quest rewards, or by completing a training thread. Other characters can teach a character a skill when you complete a training thread with them, and have it approved by a quest mod. Training threads should be at least 1 full page of solid content - a full page of single-sentence posts won't do, nor will 10,000 words of pointless fluff. Write something meaty and interesting, build a bond with your teacher, and you'll be rewarded.


Although you may be offered a new skill or stat point if you complete a quest, for the most part your starting stats are what you get! That's where your equipment can save your fuzzy butt.

What a piece of equipment does will vary widely, especially since mods and users (With mod approval) can make up their own items in addition to what appears in our official catalog. Typically you'll want to check the tags to get an idea of what certain items are like - not every feature has an immediate stat application, but you should always account for what an item can logically do in your writing. A helmet may be able to absorb 2 points of vitality damage, but only if that damage is aimed at your head!


You may have noticed by now, but weapons have ranges on them that control how close you must be to a foe for your weapon to be effective. If you use an item when you're closer than the item's range allows, your opponent does not have to roll a 1d20 to see if they hit you - their attack will automatically hit. If you're too far away, you can't hit them it all. To move either closer or further away you must use an action - if you fail the roll (Which will usually be DEX) your opponent gets a chance to hit you, or to move back into the original range without using up one of their actions.


As stated before, for every action you perform, you must roll a 1d20 to see what the result of the action will be. That said, there are certain actions you'll be performing a lot in combat specifically that will have additionally considerations when you perform them.

Dealing Damage :: When an attack action succeeds, you have to roll damage for it as well. If you're unarmed, you'll roll a 1d2 (Or a 1d4 instead if you have the skill Fisticuffs), with the resulting number equaling the damage you do. If you're using a weapon, then you can roll the die that corresponds to that weapon's damage. If you managed a critical success on your attack action, you can roll damage twice and add the numbers!

Blocking :: Blocking someone's attack against you is possible with a strength roll and an appropriate shield. How much damage you can protect yourself from will of course depend on the shield - if you block an attack that is stronger than your shield is, it will absorb what damage it can and then break! Blocking takes an action each time you do it, so be judicious or you may not get a chance to damage your opponent.

Dodging :: With a dexterity action roll, you can try to escape damage from an attack against you, though there's no guarantee you'll get away. The Enhanced Dodge skill can allow you the ability to escape damage with certainty - if you're willing to give up your second action for your turn!

Recovering :: Battles can be high stakes, and your best bet for survival is to never take that really bad hit. Still, shit happens - and your second best bet is to have a fellow mouse around that knows first aid. Recovering lost vitality quickly requires actual healing items and someone who can use them, which can mean dodging dangers and succeeding on roles in a hostile environment. Healing after a battle is easier. If you're stuck somewhere outside the colony, write a reasonable length thread about your recovery. If you're inside the colony, or you're able to make it back home safely, you can consider yourself automatically healed by your kin.


If your vitality falls to 0, your life is in danger! Thankfully, you're not just instantly out of the game for good if your VIT runs out. You'll still have a chance to save yourself. You'll get 3 rounds, and 3 CON rolls, to try to survive. A successful CON roll when you've been dropped to 0 VIT will stabilize you so that you can be saved by an ally later, or perhaps rest and escape from whatever has hurt you. During your 3 rounds of stabilizing, your allies can also attempt to heal you, saving you from death. The bad news is, if you can't stabilize on your own AND no one saves you after 3 rounds, you're gone for good!


Thread mods are your GMs! Not every thread you post in will be moderated, but when you venture out of the colony or are battling another player character, you can request a mod to direct the action. Their jobs aren't to punish you or to make succeeding impossible, but instead to provide interesting problems and outcomes to threads. If you want to try a quest or have a mod come up with something for you on the spot, you can request that in the Book-keeping board!