Space & Positions
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Four positions define your spatial relationship with other characters:
A fifth position, the weather-gage, comes into play during long-range encounters with approaching threats at Skysea. Some actions get you into a certain position, while others require you to be in a certain position. For example, you Rush to climb up to the on high position. And you must be on high to Jump-Attack a foe below you.You can hold more than one position at a time. For example, if you’re atop a tower with a parapet, you might be on high and hidden from a foe below you. Because positions are relative, you might not hold the same position against two different characters.
- The Fray: you can see the character and move toward them.
- Close: you’re in physical contact or within hand’s reach of the character.
- Hidden: the character can’t see or sense your presence.
- On High: you’re above the character.
A fifth position, the weather-gage, comes into play during long-range encounters with approaching threats at Skysea. Some actions get you into a certain position, while others require you to be in a certain position. For example, you Rush to climb up to the on high position. And you must be on high to Jump-Attack a foe below you.You can hold more than one position at a time. For example, if you’re atop a tower with a parapet, you might be on high and hidden from a foe below you. Because positions are relative, you might not hold the same position against two different characters.
Keep it moving. Positions lack exact measurements by design. Your actions and the Guide determine if you’re in a position. Don’t waste time countin’ cubits!
Four heroes battle a hostile mega-snail! From left to right: (1) a hero in the Fray with the snail prepares to Attack the beast; (2) a hero gets too close for comfort to the snail; (3) a hero looms on high, above the snail, perhaps readying a Jump-Attack (YAAH!); (4) a hero is hidden from the snail, behind cover.
Four Positions
Four Positions
The Fray
The Fray is the default position for most battles and other tense encounters. Anyone in the Fray can move and make a melee Attack against anyone else in the Fray. The size of the Fray is deliberately inexact, stretching or shrinking to encompass characters as they move. You can flee the Fray—or chase a distant character, bringing the Fray to them—with the Rush action. The Fray
Close
You can freely reposition close to a willing character in the Fray—for example, if you Stand Fast and protect an ally from attack. If the character is unwilling, you must Grab (Attack) and then Restrain them to hold them close. Being close to a character yields these effects:Close
- Limited Attacks. You can only Attack a close foe with unarmed attacks or weapons with the close trait, like daggers and straightswords.
- Limited Maneuvers. You can’t Evade or Outflank while you’re close to another character.
- Area of effect. Some effects, like explosions, target multiple characters if they’re close to one another.
Hidden
When you successfully Evade while behind cover and take -1 awareness, you become hidden. Cover includes trees, foliage, the interior of buildings, or any terrain feature that blocks a character’s line of sight to you. While hidden:Hidden
- They’re unaware of your presence and can’t target you with actions.
- They’re vulnerable to ambush: you gain a +3 bonus to Attack the character(s), and they can’t ➥counterattack this attack.
Once hidden, you remain so until immediately after you take any action, or the characters are otherwise alerted to your presence.
On High
You can get on high with the Rush action, as long as there’s something to climb—for example, a tree, a wall, or the rigging of a skyship. If you have an airborne mount, a conveyance, or certain kinds of magic, you can ascend in mid-air. While you’re on high: On High
- Above the Fray. You can only be targeted by Ranged Attacks.
- Better aim. You have Maneuver advantage on your Ranged Attacks.
- Death from above! You can Jump-Attack (YAAH!) foes below you—but you’re also susceptible to fall damage yourself.
Ask questions like a hero. Is there high ground to climb or cover to hide behind? The Guide will tell you if such terrain is present. Naming your heroic aspects that help you notice such features can bring their details into focus. For example, if you know Navigation, you might chart a winding path through ruins that leads to cover.
The Weather-Gage
The Weather-Gage
When traveling across the Skysea, you may encounter threats on the horizon or emerging from beneath the clouds. You can make a group effort to achieve a special position called the weather-gage. If you have the gage, the wind is at your back when you face the approaching threat, or you’ve gained altitude and look down at them from the high sky. Having the gage doesn’t let you escape from a faster threat. Instead, it lets you control the shape of the inevitable encounter. Do you seize the initiative and board the enemy skyship as it draws near? Do you rise in your balloon just in time so your Champion can leap overboard and Jump-Attack the monster as it tries to ram you? The weather-gage lets you decide—but if you fail to gain the gage, the approaching threat decides instead!
The Travel & Conveyances section has more details about how to structure group efforts to vie for the weather-gage in various conveyances.
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