The BLEAK BEYOND
Ability Score Adjustment: Characters with a 15 or
The Art of Delving
A general purpose d6 roll is used for determining
success or failure when undertaking various mundane
tasks in the game. Refs can adjust the target 5 as
needed, increasing it to 6 or lowering it to 4 or less as
the game demands.
Note: It is suggested that Refs avoid simply reducing
these acts to straightforward dice rolls. Encourage
player reasoning and input, and reward or penalize
them accordingly. The 5+ roll is a baseline suggestion,
one which should be modified depending upon how
the characters are attempting them, the prevailing
circumstances, and the difficulty of the particular
endeavor.
The 5+ Rule:
Roll 1d6
1: Absolute Failure
2-4: Failure
5: Success
6: Success and roll again. With a result of 6 on the roll
again, the character denotes one pip above the
relevant task.
Improving with Experience: When six such pips are
earned the character gains a permanent +1 on all 5+
checks with that particular task. No further bonuses
may be gained in this manner for that particular task.
See Master Delver, below.
higher in the relevant Ability Score add 1 on their 5+
roll. Those with a 6 or lower subtract 1.
Race Adjustment: Characters of varying race will either
add 1 or subtract 1 on their 5+ roll.
Core Tasks: Tasks which any character may undertake
during the game.
Disarm Trap: Apply STR or DEX, determined by type.
Eavesdrop: Humankind -1.
Find Secret Door: Elf and Aelfar +1.
Find Trap: Dwarf and Dvergar +1.
Open Door: Apply STR. Hobbit, Doende and Irkling -1.
Unlock: Apply DEX.
Sneak: Hobbit and Doende +1.
Bonus Tasks: Bonus Tasks can be raised as well with
the accumulation of pips, but may not be selected as a
Master Delver's specialty.
Sense Direction: Irkling only.
Sense Secret Door: Elf and Aelfar only.
Sense Trap: Dwarf and Dvergar only.
Master Delver: Once a character has gained a +1
bonus to the first six Core Tasks (all except Sneak)
through the accumulation of pips, he or she can claim
the title of Master Delver. At that time the player shall
select one, and only one Core Task with which he or she
shall receive a further bonus of 1 on all 5+ rolls in that
endeavor. For example, it is possible for a Dwarf to
become a Master Delver with a Find Trap specialty,
gaining a bonus of +3 on all 5+ rolls for that task.