Tokens

A token (sometimes called "karma") is a point the player receives to use for future rolls. Some tokens have a specific purpose, while others can be used for anything the player wants.

Narrative Tokens

Narrative tokens are used to narrate something in place of a roll. For this, a player will tell the GM what will happen, and the GM will tell them how many tokens it will cost them. The more improbable the thing the player wants to happen, the more tokens it may cost. The main limitations are that the players may not dictate what other PCs do, think, or react.

Specailized Tokens

Sometimes the GM will grant tokens that have a specific effect. These are usually story- or magic-related. These may be character specific, circumstance specific, or use specific. Examples include the following:

• Flashback token: a player may spend these tokens to force a flashback to a relevant event.
• "I have a better idea" token: a player may negate a scene to redo.
• Preparation token: a player may spend a token to retcon that they had prepped for an event in a specific way.
• "That's when we..." token: to introduce a new part of a plan that had not been discussed before, often used in heists.
• NPC token: a token to introduce a new NPC for a scene or purpose.

And so on. GMs and players are encouraged to get extremely creative.

Roll Tokens

Tokens can be used to alter the results of a roll in various ways:

• High die: the player may use a token to take the high die on their roll.
• Low die: the player may use a token to force the GM to take the low die on their roll.
• Bonus: the player may use a token to gain +1 to +3 on a roll (one point per token).
• Penalty: the player may give the GM -1 to -3 on a roll (one point per token).
• Alter dice: the player may alter the dice used in a roll to a d4, d6, d8, d12, d20, or d100, depending on the tokens.
• Reroll: the player may reroll their die or force the GM to reroll theirs for two tokens.

Other uses may be possible.

Player vs. Player

Using tokens in a player vs. player scenario is not allowed for the sake of my sanity.

Earning Tokens

GMs have discretion to award tokens whenever they want. The idea behind them is to reward good roleplaying, so if a player makes a choice that is in-character but not ideal to the plot or the game, that should be rewarded with a token. If a player (or players) has an good scene with someone, if a player comes up with a great idea, if a player introduces something interesting into the story, if the player finds a new or fun or intriguing direction for the story, reward them with a token. At the start of a session, especially battle-heavy sessions, it's good to reward tokens, and if someone hits two critical or three exceptional failures in a row, award them a token. They're there to reward good gaming and to make sure the game stays fun, but be wary of rewarding too many and throwing off the balance or killing any chance of consequences.

Sharing Tokens

If a player wants, they may use a token on behalf of another player (with the other player's consent). Usually this is limited to roll tokens, unless the GM permits otherwise.

Tokenless Tokens

If a player has an idea for a story element they want to introduce but don't have tokens to burn, you can always just do it. This is a collaborative storytelling game, so don't enforce tokens if it spoils the fun.