What is RISE?
RISE stands for Roleplaying, Imaginative, Storytelling, Entertainment.
RISE is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game about creating unique heroes, facing dangerous challenges, and shaping an evolving story with your group.
One player takes the role of the Game Master, or GM. The GM presents the world, describes events, controls enemies and non-player characters, and decides when rules or dice rolls are needed.
The other players each control one Player Character, or PC. Player Characters are the heroes of the story. They explore the world, make choices, face danger, grow stronger, and shape the direction of the adventure.
RISE focuses on heroic adventure, tactical combat, and deep character customization. Characters are not locked into a single class or fixed path. As you play, you gain Level Points, or LP, that can be spent to improve your character in the ways you choose.
You might build a heavily armored guardian, a charming bard, a deadly gunslinger, a fire-wielding mage, a battlefield medic, or something stranger that combines multiple paths.
What Do You Need to Play?
To play RISE, you need:
- A group of players
- One Game Master
- A character sheet for each Player Character
- Three six-sided dice, written as 3d6
- The basic rules
The digital RISE character sheet is recommended because it helps track bonuses, abilities, resources, and Level Points.
Maps, miniatures, tokens, notebooks, and extra dice can be useful, but they are not required.
How Does the Game Work?
RISE is played through conversation.
The GM describes a situation. The players describe what their characters do. When the outcome is uncertain, dangerous, or important, the GM may call for a dice roll.
Most important rolls in RISE are Skill Tests. A Skill Test uses 3d6, plus any relevant bonuses from your character. If your result meets or beats the Target Number, you succeed.
The rules help determine outcomes, but the goal is not simply to win. The goal is to create an exciting adventure with memorable choices, victories, failures, and consequences.
Sessions, One-Shots, and Campaigns
Each time your group plays RISE is called a session.
A short adventure that is completed in one session is often called a one-shot.
A longer story played across many sessions is called a campaign.
RISE can be used for short adventures, long campaigns, or anything in between.
How to Playtest
You do not need to memorize every rule before playing.
Start with the Basic Rules to learn how dice rolls, actions, combat, and core resources work.
Use the Player’s Guide to learn how to create and level up a character.
Use the custom Character Sheet to create, play, and level up characters.
Use the GM’s Guide to learn how to run adventures, set Target Numbers, create challenges, and control enemies.
Use the Appendix to quickly reference conditions, items, enemies, spells, and other rules during play.