#Tone-Change Guide

Contents

#§ Situation

The core is a neutral tone (neither heroic nor grimdark). When a campaign wants a different tone (heroic · grimdark · comedy · horror), vary the rules + description + GM operation together.

#§ Variations by the 4 Tones

#1. Heroic (heroic · shonen-manga tone)

Rule variations:

• Introduce the 30-11 heroic-tone variation
• Introduce the 30-02 variant C soul points
• 30-08 variant B movie-style combat

GM operation:

• Additional cinematic description after a PC decision
• Carry out the "great strike" description for 1 minute
• Use enemy NPCs to highlight the PCs

Example rules:

• "When a PC holds Sengoku-grade renown, automatically recover Wounds +2 1 time per combat (generous tone only)"
• "When a PC uses 1 Fate point 1 time just before death, automatic recovery"

#2. Grimdark (dark and despairing)

Rule variations:

• Introduce the 30-10 grimdark variation
• Introduce the 30-02 variant A critical-injury table
• A trauma · madness accumulation sheet

GM operation:

• Give every NPC two sides (gray morality)
• Increased death frequency of accompanying NPCs
• The chance that the ending is a "best-case defeat"

Example rules:

• "When a PC witnesses a brutal incident, trauma +1; at 5 accumulated, madness"
• "When an accompanying NPC dies, PC mind -1 (1 session)"

#3. Comedy (light · humorous tone)

Rule variations:

• Lighten the core rules. Reduce the frequency of crisis events.
• PC death is virtually absent (infinite soul points)
• Emphasize Bearing · Negotiation

GM operation:

• Every NPC has an exaggerated personality
• Even crisis events are turned into comedy
• A PC's mistakes are also fun

Example rules:

• "When a PC gives a funny description in a 1 vs 1 duel, automatic +1 (the audience laughs)"
• "When a PC dies, immediate revival (manga revival)"

#4. Horror (fear · tension)

Rule variations:

• Introduce the 30-02 variant A critical-injury table (similar to grimdark)
• Strengthen Fear effects (core +1 stage)
• Increase the frequency of crisis events

GM operation:

• Dark description. Emphasize shadows · sounds.
• Reveal the enemy's identity late.
• Track the PCs' mental state (madness accumulation).

Example rules:

• "In nighttime · indoor combat, all enemies' Intimidation +2"
• "When a PC witnesses a demon (魔), madness +1; at 5 accumulated, partial control of the PC passes to the GM"

#§ Recommendations for Mixing Tones

• Mixing 2 tones is possible: e.g. — heroic + horror (a hero facing fear)
• Mixing 3 or more tones is not recommended: PC confusion
• Tone transition by season: possible. Season 1 heroic → Season 2 grimdark.

#§ Anti-Patterns

• The GM tries every tone: a different tone each session. PC confusion.
• A tone shift without PC consent: it clashes with the PC characters' ethos.
• Introducing a tone variation + a rule variation at the same time: too much change at once. 1 item at a time.

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"Tone is a campaign's color. When the color is clear, the PCs also know their place."