JoruneOvertheEdge(JOTE)

July2007 draft
AdaptationbyRobertDushay

Introduction
Joruneisagreatsettingforgaming,buttheruleshaveseriousproblems,especiallythe3rdedition.
Othershaveworkedontheirownrulesconversions(Fuzion and GURPS areperhapsthemostwell
knownsystems),butIlike OvertheEdge.
OvertheEdge,byJonathanTweetandRobinLaws,isasimplesystemthatputsfarmoreattentionon
creatingcharactersthan on detailedcombatrules.Whiletherulesweredesignedforthesurreal
conspiraciessettingofAlAmarja,theyworkwellasgenericrulesformanygames.Hereismyworkover
oftheOTEsystemforJorune,hereafterreferredtoasJOTE.
JOTEisnotenoughtoplayJorune.TousetheserulestoplayJorune,you'llneedacopyof OvertheEdge
(availablefromAtlasGames)andtheSkyrealmsofJoruneroleplayinggameforbackgroundinformation
(3rdeditionmaystillavailablefromChessex.)Theserulesareadraftinprogress,andsomesectionswill
befilledoutlater.Iwelcomeyourcomments.(EmailmeatRdushay@mindspring.com)
Vocabularynote:TherefereeofaJorunegameiscalleda sholari,theshanthicwordforpriest.
Charactergeneration
GeneratecharactersasforOTE,withthefollowingmodifications.
1. Chooseyourrace.Playercharactersmaybehuman,boccord,muadra,crugar,woffen,orbronth.
a.Humansgetnobonusesorpenalties.
b.Boccordarebigandstrong.
Advantages: +1forallactivitiesinvolvingstrengthorsize(includingcombat).Boccord
subtract1pointfromdamagedonetothem.Onlyboccordmaybehishtin(seethe
ishorules.)
Disadvantages: 1forallactivitiesrequiringdelicacyandmanualfinesse.
Other: Boccordmaybefromhumanlands,ortheboccordrealmofRosCrendor.Those
fromRosCrendorfollowthe"Kree"code.BoccordfromRosCrendorarenot
consideredadultsuntiltheyhavedemonstratedproficiencyineitherlongbowor
signatureskills(seeIshorules).
Language: Entren
c.Muadraaresmallanddelicate.
Advantages: +1forallactivitiesrequiringdelicacyandmanualfinesse.Theyaretheonly
PCracecapableofweavingdyshasinallcolors(seetheishorules).
Disadvantages: 1forallactivitiesrequiringstrength,includingcombat.Theytakean
additionalpoint ofdamageeachtimetheyarehit.Oftenfearedanddiscriminated
againstbyhumans,eveniftheyhavenoishocapabilities.
Language: Entren
d.Woffen
Woffenareverydoggy.Theyareloyalandtrustworthy,cautiousatfirstbutmaking
friendsquickly.Theyliketodigandburytheirvaluables.Theylikephysicalplayand
wrestling.Theyarealsofondofboatsandsailing,forculturalreasons.Woffenare

Jorune Over the Edge

omnivorous,butlikemeatwhentheycangetit.Theylovetopartyanddrink,but
oncetheyhavetastedalcoholafewtimes,they findithardtostopdrinking.This
stateiscalled "crool,"acombination of hangoverandintensecravingforalcohol
thatlastsafewdays.Thestomalimilatestopscrool,butstainsteeth.Toomuch
drinkingleadstoauthew, adiseasethatendsincatatoniaanddeath.
Advantages: +1foragilityskillsandsmellskills.Theyhavesensitivehearing,easilyable
topickupbreathingormovementagainstaquietbackground,but theyare less
effectivethanhumansatisolatingspecificsoundsinanoisyenvironment(likeata
party).Theygeta+1forbrawlingiftheyhavenocombatskills.Theirfurservesas
1pointarmor.
Disadvantages: Theygeta 1foraimingandforspottingthings(theirvisionisn'tso
good),andtheirabilitytoseecolorislimited.Theyareapttogeta 1whenin
purelyhumansocialinteractions.Theyshedheavilyinthesummer(Mullinseason),
andtheyhaveastrongodor.Woffentendtowardalcoholism.Theyhatecrugar
almostinstinctively.
Isho: Woffen frequently learnthePowerHolddysha(requiresasidetrait).Learningitis
oneoftheritesofpassageforanadolescent.
Language: Thowtis.ThislanguageiscloselyrelatedtothebronthBorulanguage.
e.Bronth
Brontharehugeandtough,standing8' tall.Theyaresticklersforhonor,andthey
despiseslaveryinallforms.Thebronthstronglydislikecrugarandramian.They
prefertodealwiththings thatsmellastheyshould:freshlywashedhumansare
disliked.Brontharefastidiousgroomersthemselves,althoughnotbigonbaths.
Theyareomniverous,andenjoydrinking"mallmis,"thegoopleftatthebottomof
theruspercask.(Thisisnearpoisontootherraces.)Theylovepets,especially
pibberandtarro,buttheywillnotconfinethem;ifapetleaves,theygetanother.
Bronthdetesttardinessandmaygetseriouslyangryandthreateningwhenothersare
late.Ontheotherhand,theyrarelyhurry.WhenBronthsetadeadline,itmaybe
furtherawaythanhumancolleagueswouldlike,butit'sallbutguaranteedtobe
thedatesomethingwillbeaccomplished.
Advantages: Bronthhaveexcellentsensesofhearingandsmell(+1toboth).Theyare
hugeandmassive,andget+2combat(attackanddefense).Allbronthare+1for
strategicandtacticalskills,as theyhavebeentrainedsincebirthinwarandbattle.
Disadvantages: Theirsheerphysicalsizeandattitudesaboutslaverywillmakebronth
difficultcharacterstointegrateintoaparty.Theirdislikeofthehumancustomof
bathingawaybodyodorswillmakeitdifficultforthemtointeractinsocial
situations.Theyoftenforgettheirownstrengthandmayinjurehuman
companions,especiallyatmealtimes,iftheyarenotgivenawideberth.
Isho: Bronthmayhavetrasensebybuyingitwithasidetrait.Brontharecapableof
unweavingdyshas,butcannotlearntoweavethemuntilatleastmiddleaged.
Language: Boru.Thisisathick,slowtongueidealforwritinghistories.Bronthmake
excellenthistorians.Thislanguageiscloselyrelatedtothewoffenlanguage,
Thowtis.
f.Crugar
Notrecommendedforbeginners,crugararetouchy,arrogant,pronetoviolence,hated
onsightbyotheriscinraces,andnottoowelllikedbythehumans.Butifyouwanta
challenge...

Jorune Over the Edge

Crugararefastidiousgroomers.Theyareomnivores,butliketocatchtheirprey.They
dislikedurligintenselyandwillonlyeatitwhensick.Crugaroperateoninstinct
morethanlogicalthought.Theyareintenselyphysicalbeings,andcrugaryoung
causealotofunintentionaldestructionbytheir play. Theypaycloseattentionto
nonverbalsignals,andhavedifficultyacceptingnonCrugarbodylanguageas
unintentional. Crugarreligion(ChenIchi,pronounced"ShenIshi")embraces
revengeasavirtue.
Advantages: +2forallagilityrolls.Likethecatstheyaredistantlyrelatedto,theycan
leapgreatdistances,perchonsmallledges,andusuallylandontheirfeetwhen
theyfall.Theyhavesensitivehearing,easilyabletopickupbreathingormovement
againstaquietbackground,butarelesseffectivethanhumansatisolatingspecific
soundsinanoisyenvironment(likeataparty).Crugarstillhaveeffectiveclawsand
teeth,anddox2damagewhenusingthem.Crugararecomfortableonallfours,
andfrequentlymasqueradeasanormalcougartogainsurpriseagainstafoe.
Disadvantages: Apenaltydieforanythingrequiringcomplexordelicatephysical
motionsorlearning.Apenaltydieforaiming.Crugarvisionispoor:theyareboth
nearsightedandcolorblind.Theyareeasilyirritated,andwoffeninparticularset
themoff;it'salmostaninbornprejudice.Humanscanannoycrugarsimplyby
enteringaroom.Crugarneedalongtimetocooldownoncetheyareangry.Crugar
typicallydon'tcooperatewellwithothers.
Isho: ItiscommonforcrugartoknowtheLightningBlastdysha(useasidetrait).
Language: ChaunTse.Thislanguagegratesonhumanandwoffenears.Crugarare
spurredtoafurywhensomebodymispronounceswordsinthisdifficultlanguage.
Cygra: Ageneticallydistinctsubraceof thecrugar,thecygrahavepalerandlongerfur.
Theyarelessirritable,andsomewhatlessreliantoninstinct.Inallotherways,theyare
thesameasthecrugar.Most oftheotherraces areunawareofthedifference,andwill
noteasilysurrendertheir anticrugarprejudices whenencounteringcygra.
2. GenerateyourcharacteraccordingtostandardOTErules.
(SummaryofOTE)Charactershaveacentraltrait,twosidetraits,andaflaw.Assignvaluesto
yourtraits(onesuperior,twogood),givedescriptors,calculatehitpoints,comeupwitha
motivationandthemostimportantpersonforyourcharacter.Youhavea1dieexperiencepool.
AsJOTEisnotasconspiratorialasOTE,youdon'tnecessarilyneedasecret.
Joruneoccupations(thelistisbelow)mayhelpincomingupwithacentraltrait.Acharacter
maywantishoskillsassidetraits.Notethatproficiencywithindividualdyshasarealsotakenas
sidetraits.Ifthecharacterhascajiordytepunkasatrait,theygetanumberofdyshasas a part
ofthetrait.
InadditiontoOTE'susualthreetraits,allJOTEcharactersautomaticallygetIshoCharacteristicas
afreeextratrait.Thenumberofdiceinthisusuallydependonthecharacter'srace.Seetheisho
rules,below.
3. SinceJoruneisanunusualsettingformanygamers,itmaybehelpfultousethelistofoccupations
drawnfromthe3rdeditionJorunerulestoprovideguidelinesforcharactertypes.

Jorune Over the Edge

Commonwarrioroccupations
Burdothianmilitary.Includessubtypessuchas
Infantry.(Exsoldiersareonreserveforfiveyears.)
Militia.(Lesstraining,prestige,anddanger.)
GloundanShadowWarriors.(ElitecommandosfromtheGloundanForest.)
Soldierstypicallyknowanumberofweapons,especiallypolearms,swords,crossbows,or
longbows.TheymayhavetraininginEarthTecweaponsandequipment,particularlyinthe
higherstatusBurdothianunits.Soldiersmayalsoknowwildernesstravelandsurvivalskills.
Activesoldiersmaybepostedtoforeignareas,suchasSouthKhodreor theTemauntroborder.
Condrij(Mercenaries).Condrijareusuallyexmilitia,andareusuallyhostiletocondrijwhohave
joinedtheprofessionwithoutsomesortofmilitarybackgroundfirst.[Thecharacterdoesn't
needtwooccupations;justmakeitpart ofthecharacter'sbackground.]
Sherja(Thikefighers).Sherjasareaspecialtypeofgladiator,fightingwiththikes.Theyareonly
commoninAuklin.Manysherjasarecriminalswhochoosethis career astheirpunishment.
Ishohandlers
Caji.Anymuadrawhohaslearned howto weaveseveraldyshas iscalleda"caji."Onlymuadra
maybecaji.Sincethereislittledemandforprofessionalcaji,cajicharactersmaywanttothink
aboutothercareersassidetraits.
DytePunks.Lowerclassmuadrarebels,usuallygangmembers.Theylearnacoupleofdyshas,
almostalwaysthedestructiveDestiones.
Hishtin.Boccordwhoaregoodatinterferingwithdyshas(seetheishorules)mayserveinthe
kerningbaystoteachcajihowtothrowdyshas.Onlyboccordmaybehishtin.
Knowledgebasedoccupations
Iscin.Iscinarescholars,usuallyclassifiedas"classical"or"outdoor."Classicaliscindotheirwork
inlibraries,learninghistory,mathematics,philosophy,literature,andsoforth.Outdooriscinare
ofamorepracticalbent,learningbiology,Biotec,EarthTec,zoology,andsoon.
Querrid.Theseareprofessionalanswerfinders,almostalwayslookingforfactstosellto
thriddle.Theyusuallyworkoncommission.Querridsareconsideredoddbymanyhumans for
theircloseassociationwiththethriddle.
OtherAdventurousOccupations
Jers.ThosewhoworkintheEastTrinnuJungleLands,asguides,hunters,andlimilategatherers.
Theyusuallyworkindependently,buthavealoosecodeofconductfortheir"brotherhood."
Beasters.Thosewhocapture,carefor,andtrainanimalsforiscinresearchcenters,private
collectors,businesses,orzoos.Thisprofessionincludes"Thombocs,"whospecializeinhandling

Jorune Over the Edge

thombos,andpossiblybochigonandlother,theotherbeastsofburden.Tarrotrainingskillisthe
markofagoodbeaster.
Yiordeh.Privatedetectives.
Githerin.Alicensedthief.TheGitherinkladescontracttoprovidesecurity,information,and
acquisitionofitemsinconvenientlyownedbysomebodyelse.Githerinhaveachalliskmarked
withthekladecopra,whichtheywillshowauthoritieswhencaught.Whilethisdoesn'texcuse
themfromarrestorpunishment,itdoesaccordthemcertainrights.
CommonOccupations
Merchants.Thivinandhumansaregenerallybestatthis.
Learsis.Healers.Usuallyassociatedwithan"enclep"(placeofhealing).Theyareactually
licensedbythelocalgovernmentbeforetheycanworkinanenclep,withArdothianshavingthe
highestrequirements.Theyareaccordedrespect.Muadrawhowishtousehealingdyshasmust
haveaspecialpermittodoso.
Entris.Translators.Arespectableoccupation,usuallyincludingsomeknowledgeofetiquette,
andifaDrenn,itoftenleadstojobsasdiplomatswiththeDharsage.Honestyand
trustworthinessarekeyattributes.
Sailors.AsonEarth,theyplytheseas.
Toth.Normal,everydayresidentsofBurdoth.Maybecitydwellersorfarmers.
Shast.Innkeepers,whorun"incleps"(innsandboardinghouses)or"illidges"(bars).
Yord. Police.
It'suptothesholariandplayersastobeginningplayersocialstatus.WhilethedefaultJorunegamehas
charactersbeginningthetautherprocess,there'snoreasonwhyaJOTEcharactercouldn'tbeginthe
gameasadrennorevenakesht/keshtia.
Isho
IshoistheambientenergythatsurroundsJorune,generatedbycrystallayersintheplanet'scoreand
crust.Manybeingshavelearnedtomanipulatetheisho,sensewithit,orweavethreadsofitinto
dyshas.
Color: Analogoustovisiblelight, ishohasaspectrumofsevencolors.These"colors"ofishoarenamed
afterandlinkedtothesevenmoonsofJorune.Thosewhowouldmanipulatetheishoarerarelyequally
skilledinweavingallsevencolors.Eachcolorofishoisattunedtodifferenteffects.

Jorune Over the Edge

Moon
Gobey
Desti
Du
Ebba
Launtra
Shal
Tra

Color
Brown
Red
Amber
Yellow
Green
Blue
White

Title
TheProtector
TheRedHarbinger
TheIlluminator
TheSender
TheFlow
KeeperoftheAncientOrder
TheWarpMaker

AreaofEffect
Shieldsandsolidity
Electricenergy
Heatandlight
Forceandmotion
Energyfields
Nervoussystems
Warps

Difficulty
Easy
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Hard
Hard

MostcharacterswillhaveanIshoCharacteristic.Ifacharacterhasanishohandlertrait(caji, dyte,
hishtin),theirishocharacteristicdicearethesameastheirishohandlingtraitdice.Otherwise,the
defaultishocharacteristicdicedependontheraceofthecharacter.Humans,themostcommon
characterrace,aregenerallyoflowabilityinrecognizingorworkingisho,andgetonlyonedie,asdo
trarch.Theiscinraces(blount,crugar,cygra,woffen,bronth)gettwodice,asdomosthumanoidmutant
races(acubon,salu,boccord).Thetolograarewellattunedtoisho,asarethemuadra:evenwithoutan
ishohandlertrait,theseracesgetthreediceintheirishocharacteristic.Theshanthasarealwaysisho
handlers,andgenerallyhavefourormoredice.Attheotherextreme,beingsoframianbackground
(corastin,ramian,thivin)aregeneticallyincapableofusingorevendetectingisho,andtheyneverhave
anydiceintheirishocharacteristic.
Caji.Amuadrawhowishestolearndyshaweavingmustbetrained.Thosewhoarestudentsofdysha
weavingarecalled"caji".Acharacterwhoisacajimust havethisastheircentraltrait.Expertcajiare
called"copra,"andcharactersacheivethistitlewhentheyhavefivediceintheircajiskill.Acaji
character'sishocharacteristicisthesamenumberofdiceastheircajitrait.Becauseoftheeffort of
learningdyshause,cajimustbethecharacter'scentraltrait.Cajigetasmanycolorsastheyhavedice,as
manydyshasineachcolorastheyhavedice,andtheygetthecajiskillsoftrasenseandstabilizewarp
(seebelow).
Hishtin.Boccordswhoaretrainedtointerferewithdyshasarecalled hishtins.Characterswhohave
hishtinastheircentraltraitgetbothofthehishtinsignatureskills(ishosensitivityandsignature),butifa
characterhashishtinasasidetrait,theygetnosignatureskillswithoutbuyingthemasseparateside
traitsorlearningthemthroughexperience.Ahishtincharacter'sishocharacteristicisthesamenumber
ofdiceastheirhishtintrait,whetherthisisacentralorsidetrait.
DytePunks.Somemuadralearnonlythedestructivedestidyshasandruningangs,loosingboltsof
energyontheirvictims.Ingameterms,therearethreewaystocreateadytepunk(orsimply"dyte")
character.Thefirstistochoosedyteasacentraltrait.Thecharacterisessentiallyacajiwithattitude,
althoughthecharacterdoesn'tautomaticallygetthecajiskillsoftrasenseorstabilizewarp.Thesecond
istochoosedyteasasidetrait.Whilethecharactergetsasmanycolorsashehasdytedice,heonlygets
atotalofasmanydyshashashehasdiceinthedytetrait,althoughthesedyshascanbespreadacross
multiplecolors.Thethirdwayistochoosespecificdyshaswithoneormoresidetraits,sothat"dyte
punk"isadescriptivetitleonly,notatrait.Inthiscase,thecharacter'sishocharacteristicisthesameas
thedyshatraitwiththemostdice.Remember,destidyshasarethemarkofthedyte!
Othercharacters.Thosecharactersthatwanttouseishowithoutfittingoneofthecategoriesabove
selectaspecificdysha orishoability asasidetrait.Theishocharacteristicisequaltothedyshatraitwith
themostdice.This ishowtogetishoabilitiesfor iscinracecharacters.Woffencharacters oftenlearn

Jorune Over the Edge

thePowerHolddysha,crugaroftenknowtheLightningBlast dysha,andBronthmayhavethe isho

sensitivitytrait.
Specifyingcolors:Ifacharacterhasanyishoabilityatall,thecolorsofishomustbespecified.Foreach
diethecharacterhasintheirishocharacteristic,thecharacterhasonecolor.Example: Millo,amuadra,
hascajiasagoodtrait(3dice).HechoosestohavethecolorsDesti,Du,andEbba.Ifacharacteronlyhas
individualdyshaspurchasedassidetraits, he onlygetthecolorsofthosespecifieddyshas.
Shots(MaximumIshoandCurrentIsho):Charactersget3shotsforeachdieintheirishocharacteristic,
ortheymayrolloneormoreishodiceandtaketheresultsofthatrollasthatdie'sshots.Keeptrackof
thisnumber;itiscalled"maximumisho."Inplay,thecurrentnumberofshotsistheamountofishothe
beinghasavailable,called"currentisho."Shotsareusedoffensivelyanddefensively.Insomecases,a
charactermayhavemoreshotsthantheirmaximumisho,buttheyriskinjuryintheprocess.(SeeCaji
Entropy,below.)Everycharacterthathasanishocharacteristichasmaximumandcurrentishoscores,
eveniftheyhavenoishoweavingabilities.Theseshotswillbeusedfordefense.
Dyshas:Whenacharacterwishestouseisho,theenergymustbewovenintoaform,usually anorb(a
smallball)orabolt(likeaminiatureboltoflightning).Onlytrainedindividualscancreate,orweave,
dyshas.Shantha,caji,dytepunks,andcharacterswhoselectedspecificdyshasassidetraitsarecapable
ofweavingdyshas;othercharactersarenot.
Eachcolorofishohasfivedifferentdyshaslistedforit.Duringcharactergeneration,theplayerofacaji
characterselectswhichdyshasthecharacterknows.Thecharacterknowsasmanydyshasineachcolor
asshehasdiceinhercajitrait.
Example.Jenhaisasuperiorcaji(fourdice).Shehasfourcolors(Du,Ebba,Launtra,andTra),and
mayselectfourspecificdyshasforeachofherfourcolors.Thecharacterisnotallowedtochange
thesedyshasexceptasaresultoflearningnewdyshasinplaythroughexperiencedice.Jenha
knowsthefollowingdyshas:
Du
OrbofLight
Flingers
CastEnergy
Crater

Ebba
Push
Ram
PowerHold
Constrict

Launtra
FireTouch
Healer
FaintTouch
SpectralStun

Tra
Deflect
InnerEye
Reflect
CreateWarp

Example.Denhishasgitherinashiscentraltrait(superior,4dice),anddytepunkashissidetrait
(good,3dice).Denhismaychoosethreecolors,andatotalofthreedyshas.HechoosesDesti(of
course),alongwithShalandEbba.HisthreedyshasareLightningBlast,Stiff,andRam.
DyshaList
Forsimplicity,therangeofalldyshasisthirtyfeetperdie.Example.Jenhacanthrowallofherdyshas
outto120feet.Usethefollowingranges(fordefensedice):pointblankiswithin10';shortrangeisout
to30';mediumrangeisoutto50';longrangeisoutto100';anythingbeyond100'isverylongrange.

Jorune Over the Edge

Mostdyshasdisappearassoonastheyhavetheireffect.Forthosewithaduration,unlessotherwise
specified,theylastforsuccessx1minutes.
GOBEY TheProtector.Gobeydyshasareallaboutshields:makingthemandbreakingthem.The
Gobeymoonisblack;thecolorofGobeyishoisbrown.Ishoshieldsonlyblockphysicaldamage;dyshas
gorightthrough.Allishoshieldshaveanumberofhitpointsequaltothesuccessoftherollx3.When
theyhaveabsorbedthatmuchdamage,theycollapse.
Shield. Protectstheselfonly.
Bubble. Protectwithin10'radius.CanalsobeusedtoprojectathirtybythirtyfootWall.
ShieldShatter. Doesx4damagetoenemyshields(only).
Cage. Aspecial,x5shieldthatimprisonsenemies.Whenitisbrokenorwhenitsdurationends,it
doesa3diceelectricityattacktotheoccupant(s).Victimsusetheirishocharacteristicto
defend.(Occupantscanalsomakeaninterferenceroll,usingtheirishocharacteristicdice
againsttheoriginalrollusedtoweavethecage,totrytoescape.)
Shieldimplosion. Doesx4damagetoshieldedfoes.
DESTI TheRedHarbinger.Destidyshasareaboutelectricalenergy,usuallyasan offensivebolt.The
Destimoonisred,asisdestiisho.Destidyshastendtobetheeasiesttolearn,althoughteachingthe
destructiveboltstotheimmatureisstronglydiscouraged.Youngmuadratoughswhowishtoprove
themselveswilllearnthemostbasicDestibolts,andharassothers.
LightningBlast. Doesx2electricaldamage.
Stiff. Immobilizestargetforx3rounds.
FrostBolt. Doesx3colddamage.
LightningStrike. Doesx3electricaldamageandphysicallyknocksbacktargetx1feet.
PenetrationBolt. Doesx3electricaldamage;ignorealldefenderarmorexceptcrystalarmor.
DU TheIlluminator.Dudyshasareaboutenergy,specificallyheatandlight.TheDumoonisamber,
whileduishoisorange.
OrbofLight. Aballoflight.Thedurationdependsonhowbrightitis.Abrightone(illuminatesa
fivefootradiuscirclebrightly)lastsaboutanhour;adimone(likeamatch)lastsabouta
day.
Flingers. Doesx2damage;maybeappliedtouptofivetargetswithinathirtyfootradius.
CastEnergy. Doesx3damage.
Quantum. Aexplosiondoingx3damage;allarmorisignored.
Crater. Anexplosiondoingx3damagetoallwithintwentyfeetofthetarget.
EBBA TheSender.Ebbadyshasareconcernedwithforceandmotion.TheEbbamoonissilver,and
ebbaishoisyellow.
Push. Shovesthings;doesnodamage.
Levitate. Repelslargeobjects,suchastheground.Doesnodamage.
Ram. Ahardshoveagainstatarget;doesx2damage.
PowerHold. Immobilizesamansizedtargetfor30seconds.Largertargetsareimmobilizedfor
shortertimes;smallertargetsforlongertimes.Variantsincludelevitatingunwillingfoes,and
spinningthemaround(todisorientthem).

Jorune Over the Edge

Constrict. Aringofishocontracts,doingx3damagetowhateveriswithin.Itmayseverthin
objects, suchasarope.
LAUNTRA TheFlow.Launtradyshasarestable,andflowoverbodies.Theyarecommonlyusedfor
healing,buthaveotheruses.TheLauntramoonisgreen,asislauntraisho.Launtraishoistrickledover
thebody,ratherthanformingorbs. Ithasaslightgreenglowasitisused.
Firetouch. Doesx2damage,buttheusermusttouchthetarget.
Healer. Healsx1damage,bytouch.
Enhance. Onewhoknowsthisdyshamaychoosetoweaveanyofthefollowingthreespecific
effects:
NightEyes (seeinthedarkforx2seconds)
Bell (makeaclearnoiselikeabelltoallwithinearshotorprojectone'svoicelikea
loudspeakerforx.25seconds)
SpiderGrip (havetheabilitytoclingtothingsforx3seconds;notethatSpiderGrip
cannotbemaintainedagainsthighconcentrationsofEbbaisho).
Fainttouch. Touchtoknocktargetunconsciousforx3minutes.Targetisfrequentlynauseous
uponwaking.
SpectralStun. Everybodylookingattheweaverisstunned(penaltydietoallactions,including
initiative)forthenextx1rounds.
SHAL KeeperoftheAncientOrder.BecauseShaldyshasoftencausegreatdiscomfortorpain to their
targets,theyaresometimesreferredtoas"littlehorrors."Theyinteractwithnervoussystems.TheShal
moonisblue,asis shalisho.CajiskilledinShalarerare,andhishtinswhowillinglyfaceshaldyshasare
evenrarer.Therefore,itisoftenhardtofindateacherforthesedyshas.
Faint. Causestargettobecomenauseous,thenfallunconsciousforx4minutes.
Calm. WorksonlyonbeingswithterranDNA(includinghumans,iscinracesandrecos);will
sootheandcalmthem.Aweavermayalsooptfor Craze,tomaketerranbasedanimals
becomeirritableandlashoutforx5minutes.
Scramble. Forthenextx10seconds,thevictimcannotuseanycolorishoexceptDesti,for
offenseordefense.
BodyFreeze. WorksonlyonbeingswithterranDNA(includinghumans,iscinracesandrecos).It
paralyzesthevictimforx1seconds.SeparatevariantsworkonbeingswithRamianDNAor
nativeJoruniDNA.Anothervariantiscalled BrainBlast.Brainblastcreatesablastof
intensepain.Victimstakeapenaltydietoallactionsforx0.5rounds,andmustrollagainst
strengthorwilltoavoiddroppinghelditems.ItworksonTerranandJorunilife.Avariant
worksonramianlife.
Drain. Thisdyshaorbattachestoavictimandsucksawaytheirisho.Itwilltakex1/4shotsfrom
thevictim(roundeddown,butatleastone).Noticethatacannypersoncancapturethis
orbinabocrod.
TRA TheWarpMaker.Tradyshaswarpspace.TheTramoonandtraishoarebothwhite.
Deflect. Thisservestobatawayathrowndysha.ToDeflect,thecajitargetsanincomingdysha,
androllshercajitraitdice,tryingtobeatthedierollmadetocreatethe incomingdysha.If
successful,thetargeteddyshaispushedawayfromtheDeflectingcaji,butinarandom

Jorune Over the Edge

10

direction.(Deflectcanbebetterthanunweaving,becausetounweave,thecajimusthave
masteryinthecolorofthedysha,whileDeflectonlyrequiresTraisho.)
InnerEar. Thisdyshacreatesatinywarpthroughasurface,whichpermitssoundtotravel
through.Ineffect,itimprovesthesensitivityoftheweaver'shearingforx1seconds.Inner
earcanpenetrateanybarrieruptosixfeetthick,unlessthebarriercontainscharged
crystals.
InnerEye. Thisdyshaalsocreatesatinywarp,butthisonetransmitslightwaves,allowingthe
weavertoseethroughabarrier.ItisotherwiseidenticaltoInnerEar.
Reflect. ThisdyshaworksthesameasDeflect,exceptiftheweaver'srollexceedsthedysha's,
theweavercantakecontrolofthedyshaandcontrolittothelimitofthatdysha'srange,
includingsendingitbacktoitsoriginator.
CreateWarp. Thisorbcreatesawarpthatlastsforx1seconds.The sholaridecidesthedifficulty
valuetheweaverneedstorollagainst.Thecreatordoesn'tknowwherethewarpleadsto,
andthereareoftenrandomcircumstancesthataffectit:thelocalconditionsoneitherside
ofthepotentialwarpmaynotpermitonetoopen;ishoworkersontheothersidemay
detectthenascentwarpopeningandmovetocloseit;randomcircumstancesmaydemand
thatthecreatorexpendmorethanoneshottoopenawarp.Further,thesewarpsareeasy
tobringdown:abeingmaysimplykern rawishointoit(foreachshotexpended,thekerner
getsonedietorollagainstthewarp'sstrength(whateveramountthewarpbeattheinitial
difficultytocreateit).
Noteforsholari: Warpscandestabilizeagame,allowinggroupstofleeanybadsituation.As
designed,theCreateWarpdyshaistotallyunderthesholari'scontrol:itmaynotwork;itmay
leadtoabadsituation;itmaycollapseprematurely,separatingtheparty;itmaydrainthe
weaverofallshots.
UsingDyshas
Weaving. Dyshasact asrangedweaponsinthestandardOTErules.Theattackerexpendsashotandrolls
herishocharacteristicdiceforthatcolordysha,whilethedefender'sdicedependontherangetothe
targetandsituationalfactors,suchasmovement,cover,ordodging. (Seepage22inOTE.)Again:point
blankiswithin10';shortrangeisoutto30';mediumrangeisoutto50';longrangeisoutto100';
anythingbeyond100'isverylongrange.Playersandsholarishouldkeeptrackofthenumberrolledfor
thesuccessfuldyshauntilitseffectends,assomecountermeasuresrequirerollingagainstthedysha's
originalvalue.
UnweavingandInterference. Onthe"real"Jorune,thosewhocanweavedyshascanexpendishoto
unweaveadyshathrownatthem,whilethosewhohavesomeishobutnoabilitytoweaveinterfereby
vibratingtheirisho,hinderingtheeffectoftheattackingdysha.InJOTE,thesetwoabilitiesusethesame
mechanictosimplifyplay.Theonlydifferenceisthatinteferencecanonlydefendthecharacterusingit,
whileacajicanattempttounweaveadyshaaimedatanother,addingherishocharacteristicdicetothe
defender's.
Charactersmaychoosetoexpendashottoattempttointerferewithorunweavethedysha.Theyroll
theirishocharacteristicdiceasdefense.Thisisanactivedefense:charactersmaynotdodgeoruseany
othertraittodefendatthesametime(exceptfortrasense,seebelow).Theymaycombinetheir
unweaving/interferencedicewiththedefensivediceforrange,cover,andtheattacker'smovement.

Jorune Over the Edge

11

Iftheattackingdyshaisofacolorthatthedefenderdoesn'thave,thenthedefendersubtractstwodice
fromhisunweaving/interferencedice(beforeherolls).Noticethatformanycharacters,thatmeanshe
won'tbeabletounweave/interfereunlesstheoffensivedyshaisofacolorhehas.
Hishtinsarespeciallytrainedtointerfere.Theygetabonusdietoallinterferenceattempts.
Weavetricks. Slipperycajicanmodifytheirdyshastomakethemhardertounweaveorinterferewith.
Onthe"real"Jorune,theyhavemanytricks.InJOTE,therearethreesimpletrickstheycanuse:
Byspendinganextrashot,theweavercan bundle multiplecopiesofthesamedysha,addingan
extradietotheirroll.
Bytakingapenaltydie,theweavercandisguisethecoloroftheirdysha,sothatitlookslikeone
ofadifferentcolor.Thiscandiscourageadefenderfromtryingtounweave,oritcanactually
reducetheireffectiveness!
Example.Jenha(asuperiorcaji,4dice)throwsaPowerHoldatMillofortyfeetaway
(mediumrange).ThePowerHoldorbisordinarilyEbba(yellow);butJenhatakesa
penaltydietomakeitappearblue.Sherolls66422;thistotalsto14(one6isremoved
fromthepenaltydie).
Milloattemptstounweave;heisaGoodcaji(3dice)withDesti,Du,andEbbacolors.
Becausehe'sattemptingtounweaveacolorhedoesn'thave(blue,orShal),Millorolls
onlyonedieforhisunweave,insteadofthethreehewouldnormallybeentitledto.Millo
getsthreedicefortherange,plushisonedieforunweaving,foratotaloffourdice.He
rolls6331,atotalof13.Bracinghimselfforapainfulshock,Milloissurprisedbythe
fourfatringsofyellowishothatlooparoundhim,holdinghimforthirtyseconds.
Bothcajihave expendedoneshot.
Bytakingtwopenaltydice,theweavercanactuallymaketheirdyshasinvisibletothenakedeye
(invisibleweave),althoughtheywillstillbevisibletotrasense(seebelow).
IshoSkills. Aplayerwhochoosescajiorhishtinastheircentraltraitgetsarangeofishoskills,detailed
below.Otherplayersmayselectindividualishoskillsassidetraits.
Cajiskills. Theseskillsareautomaticallyknownbycaji,atthesamenumberofdiceasthecajitrait.
TraSense. Cajilearn to"see"thecolorsofishosurroundingthem.Thisisa360degreesense,
anddoesnotrequireeyes.(MostformsofJorunelifehavethisability.)Trasensecanbeusedto
detectconcentrationsofisho:livingbeings,crystals,andincomingdyshas.Under most
circumstances, theplayerrollstheircajitraitdiceeitheragainstasholaridetermineddifficulty
number,orifthetargetisabeingthatdoesn'twanttheirishoread,it'sanopposedrollagainst
thedefender'sishocharacteristictrait.
Cajicanusetrasensetoatttempttoestimatethetarget'scurrentisho(numberofshots
remaining),oreventheirishostrengthsandweaknesses(successtellsthecajix1colorsthe
targethasfortheirishodice).

Jorune Over the Edge

12

Highlyskilledcaji(4ormoredice)candetermineabeing'sraceorspeciesfromtheishothey
reflectusingtrasensealone;extraordinarlyskilledcopra(5dice)candetermineabeing's
emotionalstate,andevendetectwhetherabeinghasrecentlywovenorisabouttoweavea
dysha.
Useoftrasensecountsasanaction.Thus,ifacharacterisincombat,theycanusetrasenseto
readtheiropponentorgainotherinformationinsteadofanattackoradefense.Noticethat the
cajitraitiscountedasaspecialcombattrait:it permitsthecharacter touseanoffensiveand
defensiveactioninacombatroundiftheyarebothishorelated,analogoustocombatskills
beingusedinregularcombat.
Noticethatacajiincombatmaywanttousetrasenseonanincomingdyshatoseeifit's
disguisedorto detectpossibleinvisibleweaves.AspertheOTErules,extraactionsmeana
penaltydieonallactionsthatround.Noticethatifacajidiscoversadyshaisdisguised,itcosts
yetanotheractiontoshoutthisinformationtoanally!
Example.Jenha(a superiorcaji,4dice)throwsaPowerHoldatMillofortyfeetaway
(mediumrange).ThePowerHoldorbisordinarilyEbba(yellow);butJenhatakesa
penaltydietomakeitappearblue.Sherolls66422;thistotalsto14.
Milloattemptstounweave;he isaGoodcaji(3dice)withDesti,Du,andEbbacolors.
Spottingtheblueorbzippingtowardhim,hesuspectsJenhaisuptosomething.Sincehe
intendstoattackthisround,andhecertainlyplanstodefend,hisdecision tousehistra
senseontheincomingdysha isanextraaction . Forhistrasense,herollshisthreeisho
characteristicdice,withapenaltydiebecausehe'susingtrasenseinadditiontohistwo
actions:herolls6654,foraresultof15.ThisisbetterthanJenha'sroll;histra sense
tellshimtheincomingorbisactuallyyellow,withathinskinofblueoverit.
Hisunweavingrollthereforeusesallthreeofhisdice,inadditiontothethreediedefense
forbeingatmediumrange,withapenaltydiefortheextraactionofthe trasense.
Rollingsixdice,hegets6652211,foratotalof17.Theorbunravelswithafaint
"pop"asstreamersofyellowandblueishoflickeraway.
Noticethatmuadraandtologramaylearntrasenseasasidetraitiftheyaren'tcaji.
Cajientropy. Whilethisisanishoability,itisnotaskill.Anymuadrawhohavelearnedhowto
weavedyshascandothis.Spendanexperiencedietogain3additionalshots(orrollthediefor
thenumberofadditionalshots).Acharactercandothisasmanytimesadayastheyhavedice
intheircajitrait (andexperiencedicetoburn).Thecajimayexceedhismaximumishothisway.
However,ifthecajihasmoreshotsthanhismaximumishoattheendofagamehour,heloses
allhisshots,andmustrolladieforeachshotlost.Thetotalresultishowmuchdamagehe
takes.Experiencediceexpendedincajientropyreturnattheendofthegamingsession.
Stabilizewarp. Asuccessfulcajirollplustheexpenditureofashotwillstabilizeafailingwarpfor
x1 minutes.Thedifficultyofthisfeatisuptothesholari.AcharactermusthaveTraishotolearn
thisskill. ThisisacajikeepsawarpopenformorethanthefewsecondsthatCreateWarp
normallywouldpermit.

Jorune Over the Edge

13

Signatureskills: Theseskillsareautomaticallyknownbyhishtins(ifhishtinistheircentraltrait).Ifhishtin
isasidetrait,theseskillsmustbelearnedindividually,eachrequiringaseparatesidetrait(oneforisho
sensitivity,oneforsignature).
Ishosensitivity. Theabilitytoreadabeing'sishosignature.Similartotrasense,thisskillpermits
ahishtintoreadtheripplesintheishocreatedbylivingthingstolearnafoe'sraceorspecies.It
canalsobeusedtoreadhowmuchishothatbeingpossesses(currentisho,ornumberofshots
ingameterms),orthetarget'sishostrengthsandweaknesses(thecolorsspecifiedforthat
being'sisho).Thehishtinplayerrollshishishtintraitdice,eitheragainstasholaridetermined
difficulty,orifthetargetisunwillingtoberead,againstthetarget'sishocharacteristicdice.If
readingishocolors,successgivesx1thenumberofcolorsthetargethas.
Signature. Signatureskillistheabilitytoalterthehishtin'sownishotomakehisishosignature
thatofadifferentcreature,oreventomakehimselfishoinvisible(invisibletotrasenseorisho
sensitivityskill).ThiswillonlyaffectJorunibasedlifeforms,andeventhestupidestoneswill
figureitoutsoonerorlater.Shanthaaren'tfooledbythistacticformorethan asecondorso.
Alsonoticethatbeingswhoseewiththevisiblespectrum(TerranandRamianbasedlifeforms)
willbeunaffected.Theplayerrollshishishtintraitdiceagainstasholarispecifieddifficultyroll,
withthedifficultybasedonhowfamiliar thehishtiniswiththesignaturebeingcopied;to
becomeishoinvisibleisatleastadifficultfeat(rollagainst4ormoredice).Usingsignatureskills
costsashot.
Somebeingsareabletolearnandusesignatureskillseveniftheyaren'thishtin. Thefollowing
speciesmaytaketheseskillsassidetraits.
Ishosensitivity: Blount,boccord,bronth,crugar,cygra,muadra,tologra,trarch,andwoffen.
Signature: Boccord,crugar(ishoinvisibilityonly),cygra(ishoinvisibilityonly),muadra,tologra,
woffen(ishoinvisibilityonly).
Boostingabilities: Atcharactercreation,aplayermaychoosetouseatraittoimprovethedefaultvalue
ofaskill.Forexample,ahumancharactermayuseatraittohaveahigherishocharacteristic(threeor
four dice).Thiswouldgivethatcharactermoreshotsandmorecolorstousetointerferewithhostile
dyshas.Acajimightuseasidetraittomasteranothercolor,addingasmanydyshasasthenumberof
diceinthattrait.
Example.Jenhaisasuperiorcaji(fourdice).Shehasfourcolors(Du,Ebba,Launtra,andTra),and
mayselectfourspecificdyshasforeachofherfourcolors.
Du
OrbofLight
Flingers
CastEnergy
Crater

Ebba
Push
Ram
PowerHold
Constrict

Launtra
FireTouch
Healer
FaintTouch
SpectralStun

Tra
Deflect
InnerEye
Reflect
CreateWarp

Jorune Over the Edge

14

Jenhamayuseanothersidetraittolearnanothercoloratcharactergeneration:shechooses
Gobey(good;threedice).ShechoosesShield,Bubble,andCage.Noticethatbecausesheisa
fourdiecaji,she usesfourdiceevenwhenweavingaGobeydysha.
Ifaplayerwantstobuyoneormorespecificdyshasatcharactergeneration,theseareusuallyside
traits.Theplayerselectsthedysha,andhasthatonedyshaatthreeorfourdice(dependingonwhether
thecharacterisGoodorSuperioratweavingit).Asecondtraitcouldbeusedtobuyanadditionaldysha
inthesameordifferentcolor.Iftheplayerbuystwodyshasofthesamecolor,bothareratedatthe
highernumberofdice.Iftheplayerbuystwodyshasofdifferentcolors,eachcoloreddyshahasitsown
dice.
Example.RuffoisawoffenEntris(translator)(good,threedice).Heusesonesidetraittolearn
PowerHold(Ebba)(superior,fourdice)andanothertolearnConstrict(Ebba)(good,three dice).
Hisishocharacteristicisfourdice,hebeginsthegamewithtwelveshots,andhecanweave
eitherdyshaatfourdice.HeonlyknowsEbbaisho.IfRuffochosetheHealerdysha(Launtra)
insteadofConstrict,he'dstillhavefourdiceinhisishocharacteristic,andstillhavetwelveshots.
Buthe'dknowEbbaandLauntracolors,andweavePowerHoldwithfourdice,andHealerwith
three.
Learningnewdyshas: Learningnewdyshasalwaysrequirestraining.Noticethatinsomeplaces(suchas
Ardoth),youcanonlytraininthekerningbays,andthereareotherlegalrestrictionsonishouse.
Onceacharacteriscreated,raisingthecajiskillwillnotautomaticallyincreasethenumberofcolorsor
dyshasknown.Itwillimprovethatcharacter'sabilitiestoweaveanydyshasheknowsaswellasthe
associatedcajiskills(trasenseandstabilizewarp),butitwon't givehimmoredyshasorabilities.
Learningnewdyshasworksasthoughthecharacterhaddiceinthatcolorofisho:itcostsfive
experience dicetolearnanewdyshaifthecharacteralreadyhasnone,one,ortwodyshasinthatcolor.
Itcoststenexperiencediceandsixmonthstoayearoftrainingtolearnthefourthdysha,andfifteen
diceplusalotoftimeandmoneytolearnthefifth.
Racesthatdonottraditionallylearndyshas,orbeingsattemptingtolearndyshasnottraditionally
taughttheirrace(suchaswoffentryingtolearnsomethingbeyondPowerHold)paydoublethecostin
experiencedice.Thisispartiallybecauseofsocialattitudes(particularlyforcrugarandwoffen),and
partlybecauseoftheaddeddifficultytheseraceshaveinmasteringisho.
Playersmayalsochoosetospendexperiencedicetoraisetheirmaximumisho.Whilethisisaseparate
traitfromtheishocharacteristicaftercharactergeneration,thecostinexperiencediceiscalculated
againsttheishocharacteristic.Thatis,ifthecharacterhaszero,one,ortwodiceintheisho
characteristic,itcostsfiveexperiencedicetoraisethemaximumishobythe equivalentofonedie(three
shots,orrolladieandtaketheresult).Ifthecharacterhasthreediceintheishocharacteristic,itcosts
tenexperiencediceandsixmonthstoayearoftrainingtogaintheequivalentofonedie,andsoon.
Signatureskills(Ishosensitivityandsignature)areimprovedlikedyshas,withtheaddedrestrictionthat
theyarerestrictedbyspecies.

Jorune Over the Edge

15

Combat
UsestandardOTEmechanics.MostJoruneweaponsaresimplemeleeweapons.(Commonlyswords,
knives,spears,axes,battleaxes,clubs,staves, spikedballflails [calledmorningstarsintheJorune3rd
editionrules],andthikes.Missileweaponsareslings,bows,longbows,andcrossbows.)Theyeasilyfit
intostandardOTEmechanics.
EarthTecweaponsaretreatedasriflesorpistolsasappropriate.
FieldRamsdox4stunningeffect.Iftheattackcausesmorepointsofeffectthanthedefenderhas
defensedice,thedefenderhasbeenknockeddown.Physicaldamagedoneisx1/4.
Lasersdox5damage.Theyarepowerfulandsilent.
Blastersdox7damage.Theyfireboltsofplasmaandareincrediblypowerful.
StunnersworklikeOTETasers,buttheyhavelongerranges(notneedingwires)andarelesslikelyto
causepermanentdamagetoatarget thananOTETaser.
MostJoruniarmorisoneoffourtypes:
Type
Leather

Protection
1d

Mail

2d

LocurianGrunder 2d,1bagainstdyshas
Thailarionarmor

3d

Encumbrance Notes
No
Usuallythombo,lothern,ordoodreh
hide.Seenotes.
Yes
Usuallyringmail.Heavyandexpensive,but
relativelycommon.Providesnoeffective
protectionagainstdyshas.MostJorunilife
canclaworchewthroughit.
Yes
Fromthelocurebeast.Mostusefulagainst
dyshas.
Yes
Madefromcorundonchestplates.The
bestnonTecarmoronJorune.

Encumbranceisa penaltydietoagility,includingcombatrolls(attack+defense)
b:Usebulletproofarmorrulesagainstdyshas:rollthelistednumberofdice(1for1b),anddividethe
damagebytheresultofthedieroll.
Thomboleatheralwayssmellsfaintlylikethombo.Thisisoffensivewhenit'swet.Doodrehhideis
thinnerandmoresupple.[Iassumetheyrepeatedlyredoubleittomakeitintoarmor.]Lothernis
probablythebestarmor,beingtoughanddurable,althoughroughtothetouch,andliabletodryout in
hotweather,needingregularoiling.LocurianGrunderwassupposedlydescribedintheEssays,butI
haven'tbeenabletofindit.

Jorune Over the Edge

16

EarthTecarmor
Type
DA(Deflector
Armor)
Erep(Energy
Repulsor)
MAS(Mobile
ActiveSuit)

Protection
4d/4b

Encumbrance
No

Notes
Absorbskineticenergyofhit(blunttrauma).For
humansonly.
1/3b
No
Absorbsenergyattacks(heat,electricity,radiation,
butnotblasters)andstoresitinbatteries.
4d/4b
2pointpenalty Powerarmor,withweaponmounts. CombinesDA
toagilityrolls
andErepeffects,andgivesabonusdietowearer's
strengthandspeed.
b:Bulletproofarmorrules:Rollthelistednumberofdice,anddividedamagebyresult.Usedfor
energy/hightechweapons.
Closingnotes
Thisisthethirddraftof theserules,withsomeminormodifications.IfindOTEtobeagreatgamefor
humanlevelinteraction.Thusfar,preliminaryusehasfoundthecombatsystemdoesn'teasily
accommodate"monsters,"thesometimeslargeandferociouswildlife.Iamattempting to
reconceptualizehowtohandlesuchcreaturesinasystemwhere everincreasingdicemakecreaturesall
butunstoppable.Mycurrentthinkingistotreatmonstersascharacters,withtheirattacksandspecial
abilitiesastraits,ratherthanassimplecombatdice.
Havefun,andpleaseletmeknowifyoutriedthese,andthegoodandbadpointsyoufound.

ThisproductincorporatescopyrightedmaterialfromtheSkyrealmsofJorunegame,atrademarkof
Skyrealms,Inc.,andisusedwithoutpermission.Thismaterialismadeavailabletosupportthepublished
gameandtoprovidemoreaccesstogameandtheworld.Thisuseisnotachallengetothetrademarkor
tothecopyrightstatusofsaidmaterial.
IalsowanttothankJoe Adams forhistirelessefforts toimproveJorune'srules.HisPLUSruleswerean
importantinfluencetomyishorules.