Broken Spire Roleplaying Game Playset by Sean Nittner

Broken Spire Roleplaying Game Playset by Sean Nittner

Broken Spire is a roleplaying game playset designed by Sean Nittner, focusing on revolutionaries aiming to overthrow an immortal Emperor. Players navigate a world filled with political intrigue, occult rituals, and personal vendettas as they prepare for insurrection. The game emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and character development, allowing players to explore various methods to weaken the Emperor's hold on power. Ideal for fans of narrative-driven tabletop games, it can be played in a single session or as part of a longer campaign. The playset includes unique mechanics for flashbacks and character choices that shape the outcome of the revolution.

Key Points

  • Explores themes of rebellion and political intrigue in a fantasy setting
  • Features unique mechanics for flashbacks to enhance storytelling
  • Allows for character-driven narratives with personal motivations
  • Can be played as a one-shot or a longer campaign experience
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Broken Spire
B S N
broken spire
“The Emperor will never die. The sun will never
rise. These are the immutable facts that we live
b y.”
—K,    I C T
Your lives—and more—have been dedicated to
finding a means of unseating the Emperor from
his throne. Now it is finally in your grasp.
End of the Undying
Broken Spire is a Blades in the Dark playset about
revolutionaries set on breaking the shackles of
the Emperor's rule. They may seek power for
themselves, champion political reform, or have
a personal grudge. We'll play to find out what
favors they must garner, what occult rituals they
must perform, and which devil's bargains they
must accept to have a shot at the Emperor himself.
Broken Spire may be played in single session or a
short campaign. The game opens at the moment
of insurrection and uses a series of flashbacks
to determine how the crew prepared for the
Emperor's defenses and the inevitable fall out of
ending his reign. If played in a single session, each
flashback is a single scene. If played in a campaign,
each includes complete a score and downtime.
As a group, you'll decide how close the emperor is
to your grasp. Select how to end the immortal,
your opportunity, and your foil. For each
choice, answer the questions that follow.
Broken Spire
End The Immortal
How do you kill a man who broke the Gates of Death?
Lamring
At the tip of the Astral Spire lies Lamring, the silver dagger the
Emperor used to pry open the gates of death. A perfect strike
from it into his quicksilver-filled undead heart will break his
hold on eternity and steal his immortality.
What curse haunts this blade and any who keep it in their
possession? (Eyes that reveal all misdeeds—Endless waking—
Haunting by the souls it has taken)
In addition to his immortality, what part of the Emperor will
transfer to his vanquisher? (His memories—his passions—his
fears)
Ritual of Unbinding
There exist a single spell that will break the Emperor's
command over his fellow demons of earth, air, sea, and fire.
Which of the Forgotten Gods lost their son when the
Emperor created the first spell of binding? (The Silver Fire—
The Burned King—The Hand of Sorrow)
What did you promise them to teach you the ritual to break
his spell (A millennium of worship—The Emperor's eternal
torment—a child of your own)
Uprising
No individual has the might to defeat the Emperor, but
without his scions and commanders the mechanism of the
Empire itself will fail just as sure as lightning tower deprived of
electropasm. Gain their support and you may see the empire
to a new day.
Of these factions you need support from, who cannot be
trusted? (Spirit Wardens—Imperial Military—Ministry of
Preservation)
Who named a price? (Inspectors—Quicksilver Guard—
Leviathan Hunters) What was it? (A demon's true name—
Betrayal of the Lord Governor (-3 faction status)—Raven,
most loyal member of your crew as a hostage)
Opportunity
Through years of planning and sacrifice, you've arranged for
a moment when the Emperor and many of his closest cohorts
will be distracted. During this moment of transition, you have
a chance to strike. Which of these did you arrange?
Investiture: On Gratitude, the holiday that celebrates his
ascension, the Immortal Emperor is going to turn the Astral
Spire and all within it to stone, as he unveils his newest
wonder: A sun of his own creation that will protect the
people of Imperial City from the ghosts that haunt it.
Assimilation: On the stones of Kotar's rest, Imperial City's
most sacred monument, Rhal IV, emissary of Tycheros, has
come to sign the accords, which will place Tycheros within
the empire. His list of demands is legendary.
Secession: The Sky Fleet, composed of four Iruvian
Leviathan Hunters, meets the Bastion, the Emperor's
naval destroyer, on the Void Sea. The Iruvian delegates
Eshala Ankhayt and Elstera Avrathi of House Anixis will
deliver Iruvia's declaration of sovereignty, seceding from
the Empire. This entails the closing of all traffic lanes and
reclaiming their Leviathan Hunter fleets.
Foil
Amar, Inspector General of Imperial City, the eyes of the
Emperor. Was it you or one of your associates that tipped
her off? What did she learn from your former leader Zephyr,
whom she now has in chains?
Telsius, Commander of the Quicksilver Guard, the arm
of the Emperor. How does he always know when you are
present? Why are your weapons ineffectual against him?
The First, Overseer of the Spirit Wardens, the will of
the Emperor. Which of you has he captured before? What
overwhelming terror does he invoke in you now?
Lord Strangford, newly appointed head of the Ministry
of Preservation and Leviathan Hunting fleets. How did his
spy Crowl infiltrate your crew? Why have you been unable
to remove them?
2
imperial scoundrels
Toil and Trouble
An upstart crew of scoundrels may curse the
Emperor's name, but unless they want to be
stripped of their freedom, their souls, and their
lives, they'll go no further.
Your crew has toiled for years to have this one
chance at the throne. Together decide your
nature, dedication, and drive. For each
choice answer the questions that follow.
When making your character, follow the steps on
page 57 of Blades in the Dark except as modified
by your dedication.
When making your crew, adjust the steps from
page 99 of Blades in the Dark accordingly:
1. Select your crew type based on your nature.
You start with Coin and Tier based on your
dedication.
2. Choose a reputation as usual.
3. Instead of selecting your hunting grounds, select
one faction aligned with your drive and take +2
status with them, choose another that it threatens
and take -2 status with them.
4. Choose a number of special abilities based on
your dedication.
5. Choose a number of upgrades based on your
dedication. The coin cost to improve your status
with the faction affected is equal to your Tier.
6. Choose a favorite contact as usual.
Imperial Scoundrels
Nature
What bond have you forged together? (Choose one)
Sorcerer's Quicksilver Guard
You've infiltrated the ranks of the Emperor's guards, entrusted
with keeping him safe from any and all harm. Select the
mercury sheet.
How many of the Quicksilver Guard are loyal to you?
(Fionna, loyal beyond death—a few trusted conspirators with
their own agenda—all but Captain Teslius and his personal
guard)
What occult ritual or sparkcraft experiment did you
undertake to fool the Emperor who can see into the hearts
of the living?
What duties must you still perform to maintain your guise?
(Inspecting imperial visitors—guarding the Astral Spire—
escorting the Emperor)
Gates of Death
You freed the Sorcerer's ancient companions and allowed them
to possess you to strike where he is weak. Select the hosts sheet.
Two of your crew are possessed by Courser and Stalker.
How did you break the Emperor's spell binding his ancient
companions? (Trading two lives for theirs—demonic aid)
Of your crew who are possessed, how much of them
remains? (None—some—all)
How have you climbed the political ladders of Imperial City
without the Emperor detecting his erstwhile companions?
Shackled to a Demon's Fate
You've bound yourself to an elemental demon who seeks the
Emperor's destruction. Select the shackled sheet, and set your
Dark Gifts clock to two ticks.
Who binds your fate? (Setarra, demon of the void sea and
storms—Tyraxis, demon of the sky and stars—Ixis, demon of flame
and smoke)—Ahazu, demon of blood and stone)
What is their dark desire? (mayhem—revenge—power—
control—knowledge)
What price to you pay for it's dark gifts? (your last year of
memories—your names—your loves)
Dedication
How long have you been at this? (Choose one)
A Lifetime
Each character marks two trauma, adds 4 action dots (max
3), and marks an additional ability. The crew is tier IV, has 8
coin, a vault, two tributary factions (tier IV or lower), and one
advance. Whom have you lost along the way?
Generations
Each character marks three trauma, adds 6 action dots (max
3), and marks two additional abilities. The crew is tier V, has
12 coin, two vaults, two tributary factions (tier V or lower),
and two advances. What impossible expectations have your
ancestors placed on you?
Since the Cataclysm
Each character marks four trauma, adds 8 action dots (max
4), and marks three additional abilities. The crew us tier VI,
has 16 coin, two vaults, two tributary factions (tier VI or
lower), hardened (+1 trauma), and three advances.
What shameful legacy do you bear?
Drive
What would cause you to face a foe that has not and cannot be
bested? Why would you risk almost certain doom? The crew
will select a single drive, but each character may have their
own answers to the questions that follow.
Ideology. What belief do you hold that cannot suffer the
Emperor's existence one moment more than you have to?
What other nation or people hold this belief as well?
The Prize. Once the Emperor is deposed, how will you to
claim his power for yourself? How will you prevent others
from taking it in your stead?
Settling a Grudge. What personal slight has the Emperor
made that drove you to such lengths? How, if ever, will
vengeance be sated?
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End of Document
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FAQs of Broken Spire Roleplaying Game Playset by Sean Nittner

What is the primary objective in Broken Spire?
The primary objective in Broken Spire is to unseat the immortal Emperor, who has maintained his rule through dark magic and political manipulation. Players must strategize and collaborate to weaken his defenses and gather support from various factions. The game allows for multiple approaches, including direct confrontation, political maneuvering, and occult rituals, making each playthrough unique. Success or failure can significantly impact the game's world, leading to various consequences that shape the narrative.
How does character development work in Broken Spire?
Character development in Broken Spire is integral to the gameplay, allowing players to choose their nature, dedication, and drive. Each character's background influences their abilities and interactions with the world, fostering a rich narrative experience. Players can engage in flashbacks to reveal their preparations and motivations, enhancing the storytelling aspect. As characters progress, they can gain new abilities and improve their standing with factions, making their choices impactful on both personal and group levels.
What unique mechanics does Broken Spire introduce?
Broken Spire introduces several unique mechanics, including the use of flashbacks to determine how characters prepared for their insurrection. This mechanic allows players to reveal their strategies and past actions, creating a dynamic storytelling environment. Additionally, the game emphasizes collaboration through group actions, where players can combine their efforts to achieve greater success. The inclusion of devil's bargains and occult rituals adds layers of complexity, encouraging players to weigh the risks and rewards of their choices.
What types of characters can players create in Broken Spire?
Players can create a variety of characters in Broken Spire, each with distinct backgrounds and motivations. The game encourages diversity in character types, allowing for roles such as infiltrators, sorcerers, and political schemers. Each character's nature and dedication inform their abilities and how they interact with the world around them. This flexibility enables players to tailor their characters to fit their desired playstyle, whether they prefer stealth, combat, or manipulation.
What is the setting of Broken Spire?
The setting of Broken Spire is a fantastical world dominated by an immortal Emperor who rules through fear and dark magic. The environment is rich with political intrigue, supernatural elements, and a variety of factions vying for power. Players navigate through Imperial City, a place filled with danger and opportunity, as they seek to gather allies and resources for their rebellion. The world is designed to be immersive, with detailed descriptions of locations, characters, and the overarching conflict.

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