The Power of Choice
At the heart of Durandal lies its unique diceless blind bidding system, a mechanic that turns every action into a meaningful decision. Instead of rolling dice, players bid Effort points—resources tied to their character’s skills and attributes—against the Game Master’s (GM) secret Difficulty Rating (DR). Success or failure isn’t left to chance; it’s a matter of strategy, roleplay, and calculated risk.
The process begins when the player describes their intended action, while the GM sets the stage, hinting at the DR through narrative cues. Players then secretly decide how much Effort to bid (up to the limit of their relevant Attribute + Skill) and reveal their bids simultaneously with the GM. The higher bid wins, with outcomes ranging from critical misses to extraordinary successes that can reshape the story.
Passions: The Heart of Durandal
Passions breathe life into characters, driving their motivations and influencing gameplay. Whether it’s a knight’s Courage or the temptation of Pride, these deeply personal traits allow players to recover Effort, heal Stress, gain bonuses, or even earn experience points when their actions align with their chosen Passions.
Roleplaying Passions isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about weaving them into the narrative. For example, embracing a Virtue might inspire heroism, while giving in to a Temptation could spark tension or drama. This dynamic not only enriches storytelling but also gives players a chance to shape the game world through their character’s inner conflicts.
Degrees of Success: Every Action Matters
Every bid in Durandal carries weight, thanks to its five degrees of success:
- Critical Miss: A bid less than half the DR results in failure, Stress, and unintended consequences – something bad also happens.
- Miss: A bid below the DR leads to failure and Stress.
- Success at a Cost: Matching the DR results in success, but with a setback or complication – something bad also happens.
- Success: A bid higher than the DR achieves the desired outcome.
- Critical Success: Doubling or exceeding the DR leads to success with an added benefit, allowing players to introduce exciting twists into the narrative – something good also happens.
These outcomes encourage creativity, letting players influence the story by describing the “something good” or “something bad” that happens. This shared narrative control ensures that the story evolves collaboratively, with each success or failure adding depth to the game.
Effort: A Resource Worth Managing
Effort is a limited but renewable resource, replenished at the start of each session or through roleplaying Passions. This creates a layer of metagame strategy, as players balance Effort expenditure between striving for success and preserving resources for future challenges.
When combined with Passions, the system offers players meaningful choices: pursue immediate victory or roleplay moments of character growth to regain Effort for the long haul. This blend of mechanics and storytelling makes Durandal an immersive experience where every decision feels significant.
Experience Durandal’s Unique System Today
Want a game where every choice matters? Explore Durandal’s diceless mechanics and step into a world where strategy and storytelling go hand in hand. Download the free Quickstart Edition on DriveThruRPG to see it in action, and follow us on Gamefound at campaign launch for early-bird rewards during the crowdfunding campaign!
Will you rise to the challenge of myth and legend?
Se7en Sagas 
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