Constellation Cards
Constellation Cards
CardsRules

Condition

Hurt

//"Ow! Watch who you carve up with that thing!" -- Basler

You've been bloodied, bruised, stunned, or suffered some other temporary physical harm.

You can't exert yourself too much without making it worse. Enemies can target existing sites of injury as well.

Do you have access to healing magic and potions, or just bandages and first aid? Who treats your injuries?

  • An enemy successfully attacked you
  • An animal or monster mauled you
  • You were in the path of something heavy and damaging
  • You were in the middle of a natural disaster or large-scale magical attack

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Wounded

//"It's...just a scratch..." -- Emory

You've been seriously injured. You might pass out if you aren't helped soon. Every step is painful, and it's hard to concentrate.

You can't move very fast or fight effectively. Someone might also exploit your condition.

Where do you stay while recuperating? Under whose care? What special measures must be taken? Do you retain scars?

  • You suffered significant blood loss
  • You have broken or twisted limbs
  • You were pierced by arrows, spears, or claws
  • You reopened your wounds while fighting

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Weakened

//"This forest goes on forever, Woody. Can we just stop a moment?" -- Tana

Your body is trying to keep itself going, but is under attack or is being deprived.

You can't push yourself too hard, and it's hard to concentrate.

Do you need shelter, medicine, food and water, or just sleep? What are your symptoms? Is there anything you take to ease them? Did you hide them to press on?

  • Fatigue or forced marches
  • Sleep deprivation or nightmares
  • Hunger and thirst
  • Poison, disease, or infection
  • Exposure to the elements
  • Fever or chills

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Exhausted

//"The leaf dragon's toxin got me... Sorry..." -- Woody

Your body is out of resources. You pushed yourself to a breaking point.

You can't fight effectively. Each new step is an effort. Focusing on anything other than survival is difficult.

Where do you recover? At what cost? Do you experience dreams or delirium? What rare ingredient does your medicine require?

  • Extended lack of sleep
  • Starvation or dehydration
  • Serious illness or poison
  • Delerium or hallucinations
  • Burns or frostbite

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Obliged

//"We will deal with the brigands, your highness." -- Emory

You have a heavy responsibility, and someone is watching to make sure you uphold it. There will be consequences if you delay or decline.

Your patron might grow impatient or demand more. Rivals or enemies might interfere. The task might need to be kept secret, lest someone be hurt.

Do you have to fight, haggle, or steal something to make good? Do you end up making new enemies? New friends?

  • Deliver an item or message to someone
  • Deal with a troublesome individual or group
  • Promise a favor later for a purchase now
  • Swear a magically binding oath

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Indebted

//"I kinda told the thieves' guild I'd take care of something" -- Basler

You have significant debts that demand your time or attention. The stakes may be higher, or just more immediate. You may risk notoriety or condemnation.

Your patron is watching closely and may try to threaten or coerce you further. Other interested parties or powerful forces may interfere, perhaps to stop your task or hurt your patron.

Do you have to lay low, face the heat, go on the run? Who offers a devil's bargain to make this go away?

  • Get something to someone right now
  • Deal with several complex problems
  • Obtain something illegal or dangerous
  • Work with a person or group that is hated or feared

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Wanted

//"I think they saw us." -- Tana

Someone or something powerful or dangerous is seeking you out, and you'd rather not be found.

You risk discovery if you present yourself to guards, spies, or allies. There might be a bounty on you, or hunters after you.

Can you lay low, or do you need to leave the area? Who can you trust, and who would rat you out? What do you sacrifice to keep safe?

  • You broke the law or offended someone
  • You're in a heavily guarded area and people are suspicious
  • You've done something to attract official attention
  • You're in a dangerous animal's territory

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Pursued

//"They definitely saw us!" -- Basler

You are being actively hunted, by someone or something that wishes you ill.

You must stay hidden, disguise yourself when in the open, or take other steps to avoid attention.

Your pursuers might have some idea about your immediate goals, and work to thwart them as well.

What new discoveries does your escape lead you to? How do you change your identity or habits to escape notice? What threatens your sanctuary that's just as dangerous as your pursuers?

  • Wanted posters or official notices
  • Guards raised an alarm
  • You're in enemy territory or surrounded

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Magicked

//"Be careful. If anything in the forest looks edible, it's a faerie trap" -- Woody

A spell or other supernatural power is affecting you. It might cause discomfort, distraction, or inconvenience. Your perceptions might be twisted somehow.

You must be careful when doing things that would set off the spell.

What weird rituals or strange ingredients diminish or slow the effects on you? What obnoxious compulsions or taboos does it force on you? What price must you pay to free yourself?

  • Charms, illusions, delusions, and deceptions
  • Magical prohibitions against entering or leaving a place
  • Vexing problems, bad luck, or other trickery

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Cursed

//"That berry was delicious. Hey, who are all of you?" -- Emory

A powerful and baneful magic has you in its grip. You might be under a geas or other powerful compulsion, to act or not act in a certain way.

The rules of the curse may be a mystery. You may suffer pain or great misfortune violating them.

What quest does lifting the curse entail? What sacrifices or dangers do you brave to undo it? Must someone else pay a price on your behalf?

  • Ill fortune or calamity follows you
  • A taboo against doing some common thing
  • Love potions, gibberish speech, or other maledictions

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Altered

//"Don't let them peck you, or you'll croak with the voice of the Raven God" -- Woody

Powerful magic has physically changed your appearance or abilities. Your new features might be helpful in limited ways, but mostly they're a hindrance.

You'll have trouble doing things you took for granted, or draw attention to yourself if seen.

What's the worst side effect of the change? What mystic ingredient or substance can hold the change at bay, or undo it? Who looks at you funny, and what might they do next?

  • Animal traits like tails, claws, or scales
  • Limbs or extremities turned to stone or plant life
  • Physically marked with supernatural quirks

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Transformed

//"Hey, that raven looks familiar... Basler?!" -- Tana

You've been physically remade into something new by powerful magic. You can still function, but it's a big adjustment.

Other people may react with fear, curiosity, or hostility. You may be unable to speak or explain yourself to them.

Who or what could undo the magic that holds you? What must you do, obtain, or discard to return to your former self? Who now hates or hunts you?

  • Polymorphed into an animal
  • Changed into a supernatural creature
  • Made undead or demonic

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Undergeared

//"This is the last of our fresh water." -- Woody

Vital gear has been damaged, or resources are running low.

You might have lost something and been forced to make do. You can't overuse what you have, lest things get worse. You might need to ration what you have.

What have you lost that's hardest to live without? Can you use some ingenuity to get by with whatever's left, or what you can scrounge? Who in the area has a replacement, and what do they want for it?

  • Blunted or broken weapons, low on arrows
  • Damaged or partial armor
  • Malfunctioning magical tools
  • Lacking food, water, or medicine

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Ungeared

//"The flood washed away our campsite! Now what?" -- Basler

Your gear has been broken, lost, or taken, or you are out of some important resource.

You must scavenge for substitutes, or make do with barely-adequate improvisations. If you lack basic necessities like food, you must hunt for them soon.

Where must you go to get what you need? Who has it, and what do they demand for it? How do you change habits or tactics to deal with the problems cause by what you lack?

  • Equipment lost in floods or other calamity
  • Stripped of weapons by enemies
  • Magical tools disenchanted
  • Completely without rations or shelter

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.

Hindered

//"This arm is useless for drawing a bow right now." -- Woody

Your body, mind, or senses are in temporary disorder. You might have overtaxed yourself, or suffered from injury or stress. You may be in the grip of a powerful or magically-caused emotion.

You will have trouble using affected abilities, making rational decisions, or spotting important clues or danger signs.

Who fixes you up so you can at least keep going? How do they help, and what does it take? What support do you now need from those around you?

  • Injured limbs or impaired mobility
  • Blurred vision, ringing ears, or dizziness
  • Serious shock or mental disturbance
  • Powerful anger, grief, sadness, or anxiety

Flip to worsen the condition and get a hit. Discard by spending a scene attending to the condition.

Impeded

//"I can't feel the grimoire! I can't feel ANY magic!" -- Tana

A sense or faculty you normally depend on has been temporarily lost. You might have pushed yourself past a limit, or been affected by a disease or magical effect.

You are unable to use the affected abilities. If your mind or senses are affected, you may make important mistakes in judgement.

What changes for you, physically or emotionally? What new understanding do you gain? Do you try to go back to how you were, or go forward to something new?

  • Temporarily blind, deaf, or mute
  • Unable to cast spells or use other special abilities
  • Suffering a breakdown or phobia

Discard by spending downtime attending to the condition.