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Blackglassfield

Environments Designed by Nadine Pahn

At a glance

Tier
1
Type
Traversal
Difficulty
14
Impulses
punish haste reward patience

Environment overview

A wide stretch of obsidian-black stone. The surface is sharp, slick, and faintly reflective. Sound carries unnaturally far.

Potential adversaries

Runejaw Lynx Needleback Shrike

Features

Passives

passive
  • Shattered Footing

    The blackglass plates are unstable and razor-edged. Any PC who moves quickly, sprints, or fights recklessly here risks injury.

    On a failure with fear while acting in the field, the PC must choose:
    take 1d4 physical damage (cuts, twisted footing) or mark 1 Stress.
    (this can be very painful while fighting an adversary here.)

  • Cold Reflection

    The glassy surface reflects more than light.
    The first roll made by the party in the Blackglass Field is at Disadvantage.
    PC's who pause to observe before acting negate this effect.

  • Resting in Danger

    If the party takes a short rest within the Blackglass Field, roll a d20.
    On a 10 or less, something drawn by sound and fear approaches.
    If a PC keeps watch, reduce the difficulty by 1d6.

Actions

action
  • Careful Crossing

    The party moves deliberately, testing each step.
    No roll required but costs time.
    Reduces the chance of an encounter.

  • Rapid Dash

    The party attempts to cross in haste.

    Group roll (Agility, Athletics, or Instinct).
    Success: Gain time; cross cleanly.
    Success with Fear: Each PC marks 1 Stress.
    Failure: A fall, sharp break, or loud crack — the GM may immediately trigger an encounter or complication.

Reactions

reaction
  • Blackglass Fracture

    When a PC critically fails or rolls with Fear twice in the field, a plate fractures beneath them.
    The PC falls prone and takes 1d4 damage, or loses a piece of gear (slashed strap, cracked vial).

About this environment

This environment is meant to teach consequences, not kill.

Use sound, cuts, reflections, and time pressure instead of raw damage.

If an encounter happens here, let the terrain remain active.

Blackglassfield

Tier 1 Traversal

A wide stretch of obsidian-black stone. The surface is sharp, slick, and faintly reflective. Sound carries unnaturally far.

Impulses: punish haste, reward patience

Difficulty: 14

Potential Adversaries: Runejaw Lynx, Needleback Shrike

Features

Shattered Footing - Passive: The blackglass plates are unstable and razor-edged. Any PC who moves quickly, sprints, or fights recklessly here risks injury. On a failure with fear while acting in the field, the PC must choose: take 1d4 physical damage (cuts, twisted footing) or mark 1 Stress. (this can be very painful while fighting an adversary here.)
Cold Reflection - Passive: The glassy surface reflects more than light. The first roll made by the party in the Blackglass Field is at Disadvantage. PC's who pause to observe before acting negate this effect.
Resting in Danger - Passive: If the party takes a short rest within the Blackglass Field, roll a d20. On a 10 or less, something drawn by sound and fear approaches. If a PC keeps watch, reduce the difficulty by 1d6.
Careful Crossing - Action: The party moves deliberately, testing each step. No roll required but costs time. Reduces the chance of an encounter.
Rapid Dash - Action: The party attempts to cross in haste. Group roll (Agility, Athletics, or Instinct). Success: Gain time; cross cleanly. Success with Fear: Each PC marks 1 Stress. Failure: A fall, sharp break, or loud crack — the GM may immediately trigger an encounter or complication.
Blackglass Fracture - Reaction: When a PC critically fails or rolls with Fear twice in the field, a plate fractures beneath them. The PC falls prone and takes 1d4 damage, or loses a piece of gear (slashed strap, cracked vial).

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