Pagan Pacts

The lightweight D20 System for a grounded Viking Fantasy experience

Explore the mystical island of Saare, where the spirits of nature have reclaimed their rightful land and humans are confined to small communities.

Setting

Viking Age

Trade between villages and towns is common, but only over shorter distances. Some sea routes are too dangerous to be traveled reliably even by the most experiences seafarers.

Early Medieval

Most common people spend their days making sure everyone in their community has enough food. Swords and mail armor are a sign of great wealth and most people owe, at least nominally, service to a feudal lord or lady.

Animism

All living things have a soul that is capable of effecting the world around it. Ravens may choose to share their wisdom and the woods or the hills may deceive you if they feel threatened by your presence.

Humankind vs. Nature

Since we established all of nature as potentially supernatural, this becomes a central conflict with both sides having their own goals. People seek to expand their settlements to feed their families and make a home for themselves. By doing so, they will inevitably come into conflict with the ancient spirits of nature.

Mechanics

D20 Roll Under

The basic mechanics are learned very quickly. There are only 4 Attributes that fully define a character's stats. For a check, you simply roll a D20. No other dice needed ever. If the result is lower or equal to the target number, it's good.

Boost your Action

The system of Boosts as a short-lived meta currency make combat incredibly dynamic, both in the mechanics and in the fiction. You can get them by being lucky, or you can spend a turn to prepare an action, gaining Boosts that will make your next attack hit much harder.

Classless

Assets and items that change when your character gains Boosts allow for a great amount of customization, allowing you to give your character a unique fighting style.

Permanent Wounds

A small scratch in battle does not need recording. But a grave wound, even once it's healed, will leave a mark on you. Once you've taken a wound, the marker it fills up is permanently gone. This underlines the feeling of a dangerous world, where your desicions matter. 

More

Website and Community

Find the offical website with all the latest info at https://paganpacts.com/

Reviews

"Even though I'm not the biggest d20 fan, this seems extremely well resolved and fun." - someone on Reddit