HELLSCAPE - BORG & THE BLACK SORCERER

A Pocket PbtA Barbarian Doom RPG
Genre: Sword & Sorcery, dark fantasy, doomed heroism
Tone: Thunder, blood, prophecy, inevitable violence
Dice: 2d6
Theme: The land is dying. Steel answers.

Core Rule

When you attempt something dangerous, roll 2d6 + Stat:

• 10+ — Success with dominance. Gain +1 forward or narrative edge.

• 7–9 — Success, but choose 1 Doom.

• 6- — GM makes a Dark Move.

Doom options:

• You are wounded

• You are surrounded

• You lose grip, weapon, or footing

• You draw dark attention

• Fate marks you

Stats

Distribute +2, +1, +0, +0, -1:

• Might — strength, melee, intimidation

• Speed — agility, reflex, chase

• Wits — perception, tactics, lore

• Voice — command, lies, intimidation, clan politics

• Sorcery — magic, curses, resisting the unnatural

Basic Moves

Cleave an enemy (+Might)

• 10+ Slay or break and avoid counterattack

• 7–9 Trade blows or overextend (1 Harm or lose position)

Face danger (+Speed)

• 10+ Evade or outmaneuver

• 7–9 Escape, but leave blood, gear, or allies exposed

Survey battlefield (+Wits)

• 10+ Ask 3 questions

• 7–9 Ask 1 question

Command or threaten (+Voice)

• 10+ They obey, falter, or reveal fear

• 7–9 Hesitate, demand proof, or betray later

Touch sorcery/dark relics (+Sorcery)

• 10+ Power bends to you

• 7–9 Works, but corruption or backlash occurs

Harm & Blood

• 5 Blood boxes

• Cut: 1 Blood

• Grave wound: 2 Blood

• Crushing blow: 3 Blood

Effects:

• 4+ Blood: All rolls at -1

• 5 Blood: Roll +Might

  • 10+ Fight on one last act

  • 7–9 Live, maimed or marked

  • 6- Die screaming. Legend begins

Weapons & Relics

Tags: Cleave, Crushing, Thrown, Ancient, Cursed, Heavy
Start with:

• One clan weapon (2 tags)

• One survival tool

• One totem, scar, or relic

Playbooks (Inspired by D&D)

🩸 Barbarian

+2 Might, +1 Voice

• Blood of the Ancestors: Fight outnumbered, on 7+ deal +1 harm

• Clan Roar: War-cry, allies +1 forward

🛡️ Shieldbearer

+2 Might, +1 Voice

• Hold the Line: Take harm meant for others, reduce by 1

• Oath of Iron: Swear oath, gain +1 ongoing, breaking it marks Fate

🗡️ Shadowblade

+2 Speed, +1 Wits

• Backstab: Surprise attack, on 7+ +1 harm

• Vanish: Escape chaos, leave no trail

🔥 Battle-Mage

+2 Sorcery, +1 Wits

• Black Fire: Deal +2 harm in area

• Forbidden Lore: Ask GM 1 true question about Sorcerer

✝️ War-Priest

+2 Voice, +1 Might

• Divine Rebuke: Force demons/undead to flee

• Battle Benediction: Bless allies, +1 armor

🏹 Wildblood

+2 Wits, +1 Speed

• Hunter’s Mark: Track prey, +1 forward to harm/ambush

• Beast Aspect: Take beast trait once per battle

Steel is drawn. The land howls. Hellscape begins.