The Pulp Edition!

W RITING & D ESIGN

JohnWick
Mars Means War Setting
WithJessHeinig
Hammer & Sickle Setting
WithBenWoerner

C HARACTER S HEET & L OGO

BenWoerner

W EBSITE D ESIGN
JessicaKauspedas

P LAYTESTING & S UGGESTIONS

RochelleWatts,NicholasWatts,FabienBadilla,
JessicaKauspedas,KennethLongIII,BenWoerner

Thisisanaschan:adisposableeditionofaforthcomingproduct.Everythingyouneedtoplaythegameisinthis
booklet.Theresnoart,nosettingmaterial,nobonusstuff.Butwithinthesepagesarethecoremechanicsand
enoughNarratoradvicetogetby.

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

Introduction!
WelcometoYesterdaysTomorrow,aretroscifiroleplayinggame.Idesignedthis
gameforRoWattsbecausesheaskedmeforasteampunkgame.Itoldher,You
dontwantasteampunkgame;youwantagameabouthowthepastthoughtthe
futuremightbe.IsaidthisbecauseshelovesmovieslikeSkyCaptainandtheWorld
ofTomorrowandgameslikeBioshock.Boththatmovieandthatgamearentsteam
punk,buttheyareaboutaspeculativefuture.Afuturefromthepastspointofview.
Andso,thisgameisaboutjustthat:howthepastthoughtthefuturewouldlooklike.
Butitsalsoaboutalittlemore.ItalkedwithRoandfoundoutexactlywhatsheliked
aboutthosekindsofstories.Afterourtalk,Idiscoveredshereallylikedfourkey
themes.
ThefirstwasAction!Shelovedthehighdangerandsuspenseshefoundinthose
stories.
ThesecondwasScience!Shelovedthetechnologypeoplefromthepastthoughtwe
wouldcomeupwith.
ThethirdwasMystery!RolovesVictorianmysticismandsowehadtothrowin
someofthat.
Andlastly,RolovesRomance!Charactersliketheroaring20sdilettanteandthe
VictorianAdventuresswerehighonherlist,sowehadtoincludesomethingfor
them.
Fromthere,IjustmadestatsforeachofthethingsRolovedandprovidedawayfor
theplayerstocreateacharacterbasedonthosefourthemes.Then,Ithrewthegame
atafewgamedesignfolksIrespectandadmireandfoundoutwhattheythoughtof
it.Theygaveafewsuggestionsandthegamereallystartedtakingshape.
AndsohereisRosgame.Wehopeyouenjoyit.

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

Characters!
Inordertoplaythegame,youhavetomakeacharacter.Thispartisprettysimple.
Youllhaveacoupleofchoicestomake,butnotmany.Youshouldhaveacharacter
readytogoinlessthantenminutes.(Unlessyouwanttotakelonger.)
Takealookatthecharactersheetattheendofthissection.Makesureeverybody
hastheirowncopy.Then,gothrougheachstepofcharactercreation.

Step 0: Archetype
Beforemakingyourcharacter,thinkaboutwhatkindofcharacteryouwanttoplay.
DoyouwanttoplayaManofAction:acharacterwhosolvesproblemswithhisfists?
OrdoyouwanttoplayaHeroofScience:acharacterwhosolvesproblemswith
scienceandtechnology.
OrperhapsyouwanttoplayaHeroofMystery,acharacterwalkingintheshadowy
worldoftheunknown.
OrmaybeyouareaHeroofRomance,solvingproblemswithwit,guileandwiles.
Thinkaboutthataswemoveontothesecondstep.

Step 1: Styles
EachcharacterhasfourStyles.ImborrowingthetermStylesfromJared
SorensensfantasticgameOctane.Youshouldgobuyitrightnow.Imeanit.Putthis
gamedownandgobuyOctane.
TheseStylesarenotexactlywhoyourcharacterisbuthowheaccomplishesthings.
Ifyourcharacterisconfrontedwithachallenge,howdoesheanswerthatchallenge?
Stylesanswerthatquestion.

Action!

Action!isthestyleofphysicalaction.Jumping,punching,fencing,climbingandany
otherphysicalactivitiesfallunderAction!

Science!

Science!isthetraitofinvention,creationandinnovation.Anydisciplinesofscience,
technologyandmechanicsfallunderScience!
YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

Mystery!
Mystery!isthetraitoftheunknownandunseen.Hypnotism,spiritualism,occultism,
disguiseanddetectionfallunderMystery!

Romance!
Romance!isthetraitoftheheart.Persuasion,style,leadership,fashionand
diplomacyfallunderRomance!

Ranks

YourcharacterhasfourrankstoassigntoyourStyles.
OneStyleatrank5.
OneStyleatrank4.
OneStyleatrank3.
OneStyleatrank2.
Yourhighestrankassignsyourcharacteraparticulartitle.YoubecomeAManof
Action!orALadyofScience!Ofcourse,thetitledependsonthegenderofyour
character.

Example!
RodecideshercharacterwillbeLadyJaneFollingsworth(ALady
worthfallingfor!).ShewantsLadyJanetobeaLadyofRomancewho
hasromanticadventuresacrosstheworld.ButshealsowantsLadyJane
tobeabletotakecareofherself.Theonlythingmoreaccurateand
dangerousthanherwitisherrifle!Also,theLadyFollingsworth
commandsanairshipthatcarrieshertodistantlocaleswhereshehas
exoticadventures.So,Roassignsherrankstoherstyleslikethis:
5Romance!
4Action!
3Science!
2Mystery!

Step 2: Advantages!
ThesecondsteptoconsiderisAdvantages.Thisisthepartthatwilltakethelongest.
EachStylegivesyouanumberofpointstospendforanAdvantageunderthatStyle.
Forexample,ifyouhavea3Science!,youhavethreepointstospendforImagination
Advantages.Ifyouhavea5Romance!,youhavefivepointstospendforRomance
Advantages.
YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

Special
EachStylehasaSpecialAdvantage.YoumayonlychoosetheSpecialAdvantagefor
yourrank5andrank4Styles.YoumaynotchooseaSpecialAdvantageforyour
rank3andrank2Styles.

Companion

EachStylehasitsownCompanion:someonewhofollowsyourcharacteraroundand
doeswhathesays.YourcharactermayhaveonlyoneCompanion,butyoumayhave
aCompanionfromanyoftheStyles.

Talents
MostoftheAdvantagesyouwillfindbelowareTalents.Theserepresenttalents
yourcharacterhascometolearnovertheyears.Feelfreetomakeupyourown
Talents.EachrankyouputintoaTalentgivesyouonebonusdiewhentakingrisks.
Youllreadmoreaboutriskslaterinthegame.

Reputation
Yourcharacterhasaparticularauthorityorrenownthatcanbeusedtoinfluence
theattitudesofothers.YoucantakeaReputationinanyStyle.

Make Up Your Own!

AlloftheAdvantageslistedbelowareexamplesofhowAdvantagescouldwork.If
youcanthinkofyourownAdvantages,talktotheGM.Imsureyoullthinkof
AdvantagesIneverdid,sofeelfreetousetheselistsasinspirationforyourown
creations.

Action!
(Special) Fighting Style

YoumaychooseaFightingStyleforyourcharacter.Youmustdefineyourfighting
styleinsomeway.Youcandefineitthroughaweapon(sword,bullwhip,pistol,rifle)
oryoucandefineitbyanactualstyle(boxing,kungfu,karate).
EverypointofFightingStyleyouhavegivesyoutwodiceforrisks.(SeeRiskslaterin
thisbook.)

(Companion) Side Kick

YoumaypurchaseaCompanionforyourcharacter.Thisissomeonewhofollows
youaroundanddoeswhatyoutellthemtodo.AllCompanionshave3ofthe4
Styles.
TheActionCompanionisaSideKick.Healwayshasa3Action!Healsohastwo
otherStylesatrank2andrank1,respectively.Youcanchoosewhichofthetwo
Styleshehas.

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

(Talent) Athletics
Yourcharacterisanathlete.Agymnast.Afootballplayer.Definewhatkindof
athleteyouare.Everypointyouputintothisadvantagegivesyoutwobonusdiceto
rollinappropriaterisks.

(Talent) Mountain Climber

Yourcharacterhasspentthelastfewyearsclimbingmountains.Youhaveagripof
ironandawillthatcouldbreakOlympus!

(Talent) Pilot
Youhavetraininginaspecifickindofvehicle.Itcouldbeplanes,boatsoreven
dirigibles.

(Talent) Driver
Acarisjustanotherpartofyourbody.Youcanfeeleverycurve,everyturn.

Science!
(Special) Invention
YourcharacterhasthepowerofInvention!Hecaninventdifferentitemsdepending
onthematerialshehas.However,asistruewithmostmadscientists,heusuallyhas
mostofthematerialsheneeds.SeeRisksformoredetailsoninventing.

(Companion) Lab Assistant

YoumaypurchaseaCompanionforyourcharacter.Thisissomeonewhofollows
youaroundanddoeswhatyoutellthemtodo.AllCompanionshave3ofthe4
Styles.
TheImaginationCompanionisaLabAssistant.Healwayshasa3Science!Healso
hastwootherStylesatrank2andrank1,respectively.Youcanchoosewhichofthe
twoStyleshehas.

Vehicle
Youownavehicle.Butthisisntjustacarorabicycle.No,sir.Youownsomething
fantastic.Amagnificentairship!Orasuperlativesubmarine!Oranautomobilewith
hiddengadgetsateveryfingertip!EveryrankyouassigntoyourVehiclegivesitone
specialinvention.Toreadmoreaboutinventionsandgadgets,seetheRiskschapter.

(Talent) Repair
Justbecauseyoucaninventsomethingdoesntmeanyouknowhowtofixit.Ifyou
everneedtofixanything,makeaRepairroll.

(Talent) Medicine
Youaretrainedintheartofhealing.Healingisimportantwhenyourfriendsget
injured.SeeRisksformoreinformationonhealinginjuries.
YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

(Talent) Computers
Youknowhowtousecomputers,regardlessofwhethertheytakeupanentireroom
orjustyourlap.

Mystery!

(Special) Mysticism
Yourcharacterhasaspecialskillthatsetshimapartfromnormalmortalmen.
Whetheryouhavetheabilitytocloudmensmindsorhypnotizetheweakwilledor
inspireterrorintheheartsofthecowardlyandcorrupt,yourabilitydefiesreason
andhasnoscientificexplanation.EachrankyouassigntoMysticismallowsyouto
rollthreeadditionaldiceforanyriskrelatedtothisAdvantage.Yougainanumber
ofstrangepowersequaltotheranksyouputintothisAdvantage.
SomesuggestionsforMysticism:
Hypnosis:Youcanhypnotizeothersanddrawouthiddenmemoriesormakethem
forgetthepast.
Command:Youcanforceyourwillonothers,makingthemactasyouwish.
Invisibility:Youcanmoveamongotherswithoutbeingseen.
Medium:Youcanspeaktoghostsandotherspirits.
AstralProjection:youcansendyourspiritoutofyourbodytoinvestigateother
places.
Prediction:Youcanpredictfutureevents,althoughyouoftengettheactualdetails
incorrect.
Curse:Youmayplaceacurseonanothercharacter.

(Companion) Minions
YoumaypurchaseaCompanionforyourcharacter.Thisissomeonewhofollows
youaroundanddoeswhatyoutellthemtodo.AllCompanionshave3ofthe4
Styles.
TheMysteryCompanionisaMinion.Healwayshasa3Mystery!Minionsgather
informationforyou,revealingsecretsandhiddenagendas.Yourminionalsohas
twootherStylesatrank2andrank1,respectively.Youcanchoosewhichofthetwo
Styleshehas.

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

(Talent) Occult Lore

Youhavegainedknowledgeintherareandsecretarts.Youknowallwizards,
witchesandwarlocksandthespellstheyusetobendtherulesoftheworldtotheir
will.

(Talent) Disguise

Youareamasterofdisguise.Youmayuseyourtalentstomakeyourselfappearas
others.

(Talent) Detective
Nocluegoesbeyondyourdetection.

Romance!
(Special) Romantic Interest
YoumayassignanotherPCoranNPCasyourcurrentRomanticInterest.Your
currentRomanticInterestgainstwobonusdiceforeveryrankyouassignthis
Advantagetoassistorrescueyouandviceversa.
YoumaychangeRomanticInterestswithnopenalty,butyoumayonlydosoonce
pergame.

(Companion) Admirers
YoumaypurchaseaCompanionforyourcharacter.Thisissomeonewhofollows
youaroundanddoeswhatyoutellthemtodo.AllCompanionshave3ofthe4
Styles.
TheImaginationCompanionistheAdmirer.Healwayshasa3Romance!Healsohas
twootherStylesatrank2andrank1,respectively.Youcanchoosewhichofthetwo
Styleshehas.

Title
YouhaveatitlesuchasLordorLadythatprovidesyouauthorityincivilized
settings.Yougaintwobonusdiceforanyriskinvolvingsocialsituations.

(Talent) Etiquette
Youknowtherightthingtosayattherighttime.Andthewrongthingtosayatthe
righttime.Andtherightthingtosayatthewrongtime.

(Talent) Feminine Wiles/Dashing Smile

Youknowhowtomaketheoppositesexdowhatyousaywithjustawinkandahint.

(Talent) Gossip
Youarealwaysintheknowaboutallofsocietyslittlesecrets.

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

(Talent) Diplomacy
Youknowhowtonegotiatebetweentwopartieswhohavenointerestin
negotiating.

(Talent) Little White Lies

Whatitsays.

Step 3: Flair!
Onceyouhaveallyouradvantages,listthreepiecesofFlair!
Flairisanydeviceormechanismoranythingelsethatdoesnotgiveyoubonusdice
butmakesyourcharacterstandout.Aneyepatch.Aluckyflightjacketorluckyhat.
Thesethingsareuniquetoyourcharacterandmakeherdifferentfromanyoneelse,
buttheyprovidenobonusestorolls.

Example!

LadyJanehasthreepiecesofFlair.Thefirstisalocketshewearsaround
herneck.Thelockethasasecretbuttonthatallowshertorotate
picturesofparamours,asbefitshersituation.

Step 4: Your Serial!

IgotthisideafromawonderfulgamecalledSpiritoftheCentury.LikeOctane,it
shouldalreadybeonyourshelf.
YourcharacterwasntalwaysaHero.Atsomepointinhislife,hewasjustlike
everybodyelse.ButsomeseriesofeventschangedhimintotheHeroheistoday?
Exactlywhatwasthatseriesofevents?
ThestoriesoftheheroeswewanttoemulateinYesterdaysTomorrowswere
chronicledinbooks,moviesandradioshows.Thisisyouropportunitytomakeyour
own.
WritethetitleofyourcharactersSerialinthespaceprovidedandthen,asabullet
line,writeasinglesentencethatsumsupthestory.
IfyourpreviousSerialsthemeisappropriatetoarisk,yougaintwobonusdicefor
therisk.

Example!
LadyJanesstoryistoldinaseriesofspicynovelscalledLoveTakesto
theSky!Asabulletline,Rowrites,Beforehestolehership,hestoleher
heart!

YesterdaysTomorrowPulpEdition!

Death-Defying Risks!
Thissectionofthebooktellsyouhowtorunthegame.Dontworry:Ihaventput
anykindofsecretsintothissection.Everyonecanreadit.Infact,Isuggesteveryone
readit.Themoretheplayersunderstandaboutthegame,thebetter.

Episodes!
First,everygamesessionisasingleepisode.
AsaGM,Ivefoundanepisodeshouldrarelylastlongerthanonetotwohours.
EpisodesofYesterdaysTomorrowsarefastpacedandfullofaction.Thatpacecan
wearthinquickly.Youdontwanttowastealotoftime.
Also,everyepisodeendswiththeHeroesinsomesortoflifethreateningdangeror
attemptingtosavesomeoneelsefromlifethreateningdanger.Thisisimportant
whenwetalkaboutPeril!,below.

Risks!
Whilethisisaroleplayinggame,thereareafewconventionsthatareabitofwhack
withyourconventionalRPGdesignandapproach.Paycloseattention.Thingsare
abouttogetdangerous!
Likemostroleplayinggames,younarrateyourcharactersactions.Climbinga
ladder,checkingairpressureinthesubmarine,turningonalightswitchallpretty
standardstuffforaHero.
Butwhenyourcharactertriessomethingrisky,narrationgoesfromyoutothe
Narrator.TheNarratordescribestheoutcomeofanyriskyaction.
Onemoretime:theprocedureforrisksisasfollows.
Step 1: Intent
Youannounceyourintent,and
Step 2: Outcome
TheNarratortellsyoutheoutcome.

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Action Risk
Yousay,Ijumpfromonedirigibletoanother!
AndtheNarratorsays,Younearlymakeit,butcomeupjustshort!Youmanageto
grabholdofaloosemooringropeanddangleintheopenair!

Science Risk

Yousay,Icrossthefeedfromthepositivetachyontransmittertotheinterphase
neutroncoilstorepairthesubspaceparticleaccelerator!
AndtheNarratorsays,Youbegintherepairs,butthetransmitterstartspickingup
interspacialfrequencies,interferingwiththeflowoftachyonstotheneutroncoils!If
youdontshutdowntheentiresystem,itwilloverheadanddestroythetime
machine!

Romance Risk
Yousay,Istepclosertothevillain,lookinghimintheeye.Hopingmyclosenessto
himwilldistracthisattentionfromtheknifeImpullingfrommypurse.
AndtheNarratorsays,Hesenrapturedbyyourapparentsurrendertohissuperior
will!Butatthelastmoment,hespotstheknifeandcatchesyourwrist,grinningat
youwithsinisterdelight!

Mystery Risk

Yousay,IlookthroughtheroomwithmySecondSight,peeringforcluestowho
murderedtheCount.
AndtheNarratorsays,YourSightseemsblurred.Someoneelsewithsupernatural
giftshasbeenhere,creatinginterferenceforsomeonewithyourskills.Butyoudo
findsomethingyourmissingIlluminatipininthedeadmanshands!

* * *
Thatshowthesystemworks.YoutelltheNarratoryourintentandhetellsyouthe
outcomeofyourrisk.
Butifyouwanttonarratetheoutcomeofyourrisk,youhavetorolldice.
Butwehaveacatchhere.Yousee,inmostgames,youalwaysgettouseyourdice.
Notinthisgame.Here,youvegottoearntherighttouseyourdice.Andthewayyou
earndiceiswithPeril!

Peril!
Inordertoearnyourdice,youhavetofirstearnPeril.Wheneveryouexposeyour
charactertotheriskofinjuryanddanger,yougetPeril.

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(PerilPointandPointofPerilsoundlame,soImjustgoingtocallitPerilfrom
nowon,okay?So,ifIsay,YougetPeril!thatmeansYougetaPerilPoint!)
AnyonecanputyourcharacterinPeril:you,anotherplayerortheNarrator.
Wheneveryourcharacterisinasituationthatisdangerousregardlessofthe
StyleyougetPeril.AndonceyouhavePeril,youcanspendittorolldiceand
narratetheoutcomeofyourrisk.
Action Peril!
TheNarratorsays,Yourcharacterclimbsarockymountaintotheforbiddentemple
atthetop.Exhausted,hepullshimselfupovertheside.
Yousay,AndonceIgettothetop,therearetwoswordsmenwaitingforme!But
thatsokay,Ihaveahey,wheredidmygungo?Imusthavedroppeditonthe
climbupanddidntnotice!
TheNarratorgivesyouPeril.
Science Peril!
TheNarratorsays,Aftertheassassinknockedyououtintheengineroom,you
finallyshakeyourwaytoconsciousness
Andyousay,ButImchainedtoabombandtheresonlytensecondsleft!
YougetPeril.
Romance Peril!
TheNarratortellsyou,Yourcharacterwalksintoabirthdayparty
AndyoutelltheNarrator,Andtwoofmysuitorsarewaitingformeandtheyve
beentalking!
YougetPeril.
Mystery Peril!
TheNarratorsays,Youarespyingyournemesisinadark,smokyopiumden
AndyoutelltheNarrator,andthesmokeispoisonanddullsmysensessoIdont
hearallthedetailsofhisplan!
YougetPeril.

Using Peril for Risks

Wheneveryouwanttorolldice,youmustspendPeriltodoso.OnePerilisenough.
YoucantusemorethanonePerilperroll.YoudonthavetoimmediatelyusePeril
justafteryoureceiveit;youcansavePerilanduseitlater.

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WhenyouspendPeril,youcanrolldice.Rollingdiceallowsyouratherthanthe
Narratortonarratetheoutcomeofanyrisk.Ifyourollwellenough,thatis.

Example!
LetusvisitLadyJaneonherfabulousairship.Sheswalkingthroughthe
engineroomwithhermostrecentparamour,CountCarillo,thefamous
explorer.Astheywalkalong,bantering,abouttoshareakiss,Rotells
me,Butoutofthecornerofmyeye,Iseeabombinthehold!
BecauseRoputabombintheengineroomofherairship,Igivehera
Peril.ShecanusethatPerilnow(todisarmthebomb)orshecansaveit
forlater.Shedecidestouseitnow.

Style and Risk

AllrisksuseyourmostappropriateStyle.Rollanumberofdiceequaltoyourmost
appropriateStyle.Everyevennumberyourollisonesuccess.
Eachsuccessallowsyoutonarrateonefactabouttheoutcome.Youcansaywhether
ornotyourcharactersucceededintheriskorfailed.Youcanalsoadddetailswith
eachadditionalsuccess.
Illgiveyousomeexamplesinjustamoment,butfirst,letslookateachStyleand
howyouusethemtodeterminewhatkindofriskyourcharacterisaboutto
undertake.
Action!
RollAction!iftheriskinvolvesphysicalaction.SomeexamplesofActionrisksare:

Punchingoutvillains.

Drivingacar.

Pilotingarocketpack.

Aswordfight.

Runningthroughthedepthsofanairshipwithabomb.

Science!
RollScience!whentheriskinvolvesusing,inventingorrepairingmachinery,
technologyoranythingelsescientific.SomeexamplesofSciencerisksare:

Repairingyourelectrocar.

Inventingatimemachine.

Disarmingabomb.

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Figuringouthowtousesalientechnology.

Commandinganarmyofrobots.

Romance!
RollRomance!whentheriskinvolvesinspiring,convincingorinteractingwithother
characters.SomeexamplesofRomancerisksare:

Givinganinspiringspeechtoagroupofsoldiers.

Seducingthecaptainofanairship.

Convincingavillainnottopulltheswitchonhisdeathray.

Knowingthenameofeveryfaceataninauguralball.

Intimidatingathugintogivingawayhismasterssecretplan.

Mystery!
RollMystery!iftheriskinvolvesdiscoveringclues,wearingadisguise,usingthe
supernaturalpowersoftheunknownorotherwiseactingmysteriously.Some
examplesofMysteryrisksare:

Usingyourhypnoticpowerstoextractinformationfromasnitch.

Hidingintheshadowsjustabovethevillainashelaysouthisplanstohis
cronies.

Wearingadisguisetospyoncriminalmasterminds.

RecognizingtheancientlanguageofAtlantisonstonetablets.

InvokingyourskillsinthearcaneartstodealwithademonicminionofHell.

Narrating Outcome
LikeIsaidabove,ifyouhavespentPeril,youcanrolldice.
RollanumberofdiceequaltoyourrankintheappropriateStyle.
Everyevennumberyourollisworthonesuccess.
Youcanuseeachsuccesstonarrateadetailabouttheoutcomeofyourrisk.So,
insteadoftheNarratorsayingwhetherornotyourcharactersucceeded,youcansay
whetherornotyourcharactersucceeded.
Eachadditionalsuccessyougain(beyondthefirst)allowsyoutosayadditional
thingsabouttheoutcomeofyourrisk.
Herearesomeexamples
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Action Example!
RememberthebombonLadyJanesairship?Shesdecidedthebestway
togetridofthatbombistothrowitoutthemostconvenientwindow.
Rosays,Ipickupthebombandfindthenearestplacetothrowitout!
Itellher,ThebestwaybutRointerruptsme.
Shesays,IwanttospendPeril!
InodandshespendsherpokerchipIvegivenherforPeril.Then,she
findsLadyJanesActionStyle.
LadyJanehas4Action!ThatmeansshecanrollfourdiceforanyAction
risk.Rorollsfourdiceandfindstwoevensinherroll.1,3,4,6.Two
evensmeansshecansaytwothingsabouttheoutcomeoftheaction.
Rosays,First,Ifindanairlocktothrowoutthebomb!
Then,shesays,Second,thebombgoesoutthewindow,explodingbelow
us.

Science Example!

Insteadofrushingthebombtoanopenwindow,LadyJanetries
disarmingitherself.Shehasa3Science!,soRospendsaPeriland
throwsthreedice,rollingtwosuccesses.
Rosays,First,Iamabletodisarmthebombjustasitreachesthree
secondsleft!
Then,Second,thebombhasarecordingthatsays,Congratulations
LadyJane!Therearethreemorebombsinyourairship.Letsseeyou
findallthreeintime!

Romance Example!
Whenthethreeextrabombsarerevealed,ItellRothatLadyJanes
companionBaronBiltmoresays,Goodnessme!Wemustgettothe
emergencycraft!Abandonship!
Rosays,No,mybelovedBaron.Wemustsavetheshipandthelivesof
theothers!RosaysshewantstomakeaRomancerisktoconvincethe
Barontostay.ShespendsaPerilandrollsherdice.LadyJanehasafive
Romance,sosherollsfivedice,gettingonlytwosuccesses!
Rosays,First,heagrees.Yes,hesays.Wemustsavetheshipandthe
livesoftheothers!

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Then,Rotellsme,spendinghersecondsuccess.Healsoagreestolook
forthesecondbombwhileIlookforthefirst.

Mystery Example!
Afterfindingthefirstofthethreebonusbombs,Rosays,DoI
recognizethevoicefromtherecording?
Itellher,No,ithasbeendisguised.
Roshakesherhead.No,IthinkIrecognizethevoice.ShespendsaPeril
androllsforMystery!Now,LadyJaneonlyhasa2Mystery!soher
chancesarenotasgood.But,Romanagestorolltwosuccesses.
No,shesays.Idonotrecognizethevoice.
Then,spendinghersecondsuccess,shesays,But,ifIhearitagain,Iwill
recognizeit!
LikeIsaidabove,whenyourolldice,youearntheprivilegeofsayingwhetherornot
yourcharactersucceeds,butyoualsogettosayhowyourcharactersucceedsor
fails.LookattheMystery!exampleabove.NotehowRouseshersuccesstosayher
characterfails?But,atthesametime,sheusesanothersuccesstosay,ButIll
recognizeit!Insteadofclosingthemystery,sheexpandedit,drawingitout.
Paycloseattentiontothat.Itsimportant.

Talents and Risk

YoumayaddbonusdicefromTalentsorotherAdvantagesiftheyareappropriateto
therisk.Again,anydicethatrollevennumbersaresuccesses.
Everysuccessallowsyoutosayonethingthatstrueabouttheoutcomeoftherisk.
Now,duringplaytestingthisgame,Igotsomequestionsyoumayalreadybe
thinking.Manyofthesequestionscanbeansweredwithonesmallexplanation.
Styleiswhatyouaredoing.TalentsorotherAdvantagesarethetoolswithwhich
youaredoingit.Letmeshowyousomeexamples.

Example!
LadyJanehasfoundabombintheholdofherAirship!
RospendsonePeril,andthus,shecanrolldice.SheusesherAction!plus
AirCaptaintorushthebombofftheshipintime.SheusesAction!
becauseshesrunningthroughtheshipandshesusingAirCaptain
becausesheknowshershiplikethebackofherhandandknowsthebest
placetothrowthebombfromtheship.

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ShegetsanumberofdiceequaltoherAction!(4)plustwodiceforevery
rankof(Talent)AirCaptainshehas.BecauseshehastworanksofAir
Captain,shegetsfourdice(twodiceperrank).ThatgivesRoatotalof8
dicetothrow.
Rothrowsdiceandgets
1,1,2,2,4,5,5,5
Becausesherolled3evens,shecansaythreethingsabouttheoutcome
ofherrisk.Shesays,
Igetthebombtothewindowand
Ithrowitoutbeforeitdetonatesbut
Thebombcatchesthebackwinganddamagesit!

Another Example!

Oneplayerasked,Imusingmyrocketpacktoflyuptothevillainand
punchhim.DoIuseScienceorAction?
Answer:YouuseActionbecauseyouarepunchingoutthevillain.
Thesameplayerasked,Myrocketpackhasthreebonusdice.CanIuse
Action+RocketPackeventhoughRocketPackisaScienceAdvantage
andnotanActionAdvantage?
Answer:Yes.YoucanuseAdvantagesfromotherStylesaslongasyou
usethecorrectStylefortherisk.
Thatsameplayerasked,CanIuseRocketPackandmyRightHook
Talenttogether?
Answer:Yes.YoucanuseasmanyTalentsthatareappropriatebutonly
oneStyle.

If You Dont Roll Dice

Ifyoudontrolldiceforarisk,theNarratorsayswhathappenstoyourcharacter.If
theresultputsyouinfurtherdanger,youmayreceiveaPeril!

Example!

JessicaisplayingtheLadyofFiveVeils(aWomanofMystery!).Shetells
mehercharacterusesherHypnotismtoconvinceavillainshenchman
nottothrowtheswitchonadeathraymachine.

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IaskJessica,DoyouwanttospendaPerilandrolldiceordoyouwant
metotellyouwhathappens?
Jessicathinksforamomentandsays,Youtellmewhathappens!
Isay,Thehenchmanshandhesitatesashethrowstheswitchthe
switchonlygoesdownhalfway.Thedeathraymachinestartsmaking
strangenoisesandredlightsareflashing.Itlookslikeitmayexplode!
Ofcourse,IgiveaPeriltoJessicabecausehercharacterisinimminent
dangerfromanexplodingdeathraymachine!

Contested Risks!
Iftwoormoreplayerswanttorolldiceforthesamerisk,itbecomesacontestedrisk.
Tomakeacontestedrisk,allplayersinterestedintheoutcomeoftheriskrolldice.
Eachplayercountsuphisevens.Andthen
Playersgiveupsuccessestonarratethefirstfact.Itslikeanauction.Eachplayer
announceshowmanysuccessestheyarewillingtousetonarratefirst.Then,each
playergivesupsuccessestonarratethesecondfact.Theplayerwiththemost
successesalwaysmakesthefirstbid.
Thiscontinuesuntilallplayersinvolvedareoutofsuccesses.

Example!
LadyJaneFollingsworth(playedbyRo)andtheLadyofFiveVeils
(Jessica)bothwanttowinthefavorofJackSavage,ManofAction!
Becausebothplayerswantthesamething,theymustmakeacontested
risk.BothRoandJessicagatherdiceandrollthem,keepingtheir
successes.
Rorolls4successesandJessicarolls3.BecauseRohasmoresuccesses,
shemakesthefirstbid.
Rosaysshewilluseonesuccesstogainnarration.Jessicasaysshewill
usetwo.RorelentsandJessicausestwoofherthreesuccessestosay,
JackSavageismoreenthusedbymycharmsthanyours.Thatleaves
JessicawithonesuccessandRowithfour.
Now,anotherbid.Rosaysshewillusetwosuccessestonarrate.Because
sheonlyhasonesuccessleft,Jessicarelents.Rosays,Yes,heismore
enthusedbyyourcharms,buthedoesnttrustyou.

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Now,anotherbid.RohastwosuccessesleftandJessicahasone.Rostill
hasmoresuccesses,soshemakesthenextbid
Thiscontinuesuntilboth(all)playersareoutofsuccessestobid.

Questions!
Andnow,afewcommonquestionsIvefoundfrompeoplewhoplaythegame.

Can my character die?

Yes,butonlyifyousayso.Heroesofthefictionwereemulatinghererarelydie.Sure
theyfalloffReichenbachFallsandplummetintoendlessloopsoftimeandsuffer
fatesthatallseemfinal,butourHeroesseldomdie.
Afewhavethenaskedme,Whatstheriskifmycharactercantdie?Iusually
answerwithachuckleandtellthem,Therearemorethingstolosethataremore
valuablethanyourlife.Yourwife.Yourchildren.Yourfriends.Yourhonor.Your
dignity.Icangoonandon.

Where are my hit points?

Charactersdonthavehitpointsorwoundsorinjurylevelsbecausesuchthings
reallydontmatter;afterall,theyreonlynarrativetoolstoillustratePeril.Themore
injuredyourcharacterlooks,themorethereaderimpliesasenseofdanger.But
seldom,ifever,doinjuriesreallyinhibitacharactersactions.Theyreanother
exampleofFlair:somethingthatlooksreallycoolandtellsastorybutdoesntreally
haveaneffectondice.
Ifacharactergainsaninjurythatshouldlimithiminsomeway,heearnsPeril.Ifhis
handiscrippledandheneedstwohandstoflytheship,heearnsPeril.Ifsheloses
useofhereyesandhastouseaswordtoprotecthertruelove,sheearnsPeril.
ThesethingsdontreallyinhibittheHeroatall:theyjustprovidefurther
complicationstoovercome.

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Villains!
LetstalkaboutafewspecialrulesforVillains.
EverySerialrequiresaVillain:someoneresponsiblefortheproblemstheHeroes
face.Villainsusethesamerulestheplayersusewithacoupleofmodifications.
UsethesamerulesplayersusetobuildHeroes,butinsteadofCompanions,Villains
getHenchmen.HenchmenarealotlikeCompanionsexceptalittlelesscompetent.
Tomakeupforthat,theresawholelotmoreofthem.
AVillainhasthesamemechanicsasHeroes.Also,whenaVillainmakesaContested
RiskagainstaHero,theVillaingainsonebonusdieforeveryPerilaHerohas.
TheonlytimeyouevermakeacontestedriskisagainstaVillain.Theonlytimethe
NarratorshouldberollingdiceiswhentheVillainisrollingdice.

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Settings!
Andnow,asneakpeekatafewofthesettingswereplanningforthefulleditionof
YesterdaysTomorrow!
Wehaveafewmoreinstore,butIwantedtogiveyoualittlefoundationtobuildon.
Anddontkeepyourowncampaigntoyourself!Headovertoourwebsiteandshare
yourownheroes,villainsandtalesofdaringdo!Wellbewaitingforyouat
OBannons.

www.johnwickpresents.com/yesterday

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The Wednesday OBannons

Inthe1920s,asmallgroupofadventurersmeetinasmallpubinDublin.Thesign
abovethepubreadsHope&Anchor,buteveryonecallsitOBannons.
ThefirstthreewhometthereweretheAmericanJackSavage,Britisharistocrat
EdwardDerby(LordStrange),andthetravellingadventuressLadyJane
Follingsworth.Thethreeagreedtomeetthereeveryyear,onthesameday.The
sameWednesday.There,theydrink,tradestoriesandwhentheeveningisdone,
theytoasttheportraitofthewomanonthemantelpieceandagreetomeetagain
nextyear.
Sincetheirfirstmeeting,othershavejoinedtheiryearlymeeting,andakindof
adventuringclubhasformedaroundthosewhohavebeeninvited.Andyoumust
beinvited.ThememberscallthemselvestheWednesdayOBannonsandrecognize
eachotherwithpasswordsandsecrethandshakes.Aparticularpasswordthe
DesperateWordisusedonlyforemergenciesandcallsforassistance.
YourcharacterisamemberoftheWednesdayOBannons.Whenadventurecomes
knockingdownyourdoor,andyouneedhelp,youcancallforit.
Youalreadyhavethebusinesscard.Youalreadyhavecontactinformation.Ifyou
comebacktous(attheboothorelsewhere)andgiveusthecorrecthandshake(with
thelefthandandasqueezewithyourringfinger)andthecorrectpassword
(abracadabra)wewillgiveyouapageoffurtherpasswords,gripsandother
secrets.
Beseeingyou.Anddontforgettotoasttheladyonthemantle.

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Mars Means War!

Theyearis1919andtheworldrests.StilldeeplywoundedbytheWartoEndAll
Wars,theNationsarefinallyatpeace.Ofcourse,thatisexactlywhentheMartians
attacked.
Foruntoldmillennia,theMartiansusedamathematicalphilosophytopredictall
possibleoutcomesforwarfare.Theystudiedhumanityandappliedthesame
principles,usingtheirperceptionanddisciplinetoanticipatehumanitysevery
counterattack.Then,whentheywereready,theinvasionbegan.
Warwasdeclaredwiththedeathofthreecities:NewYork,MoscowandLondon.
TheMartiansfiredtheirmeteorgunfromEarthorbit,leavingnothingbutruin.
Then,theMartianlandersoccupiedkeyAmericancenters,isolatingthecountry
fromitself.TheytookcontrolofAmericasradiotowers,adaptingthemtoMartian
technology,transformingthemintosleepbroadcasters.Thewhitenoisesignalthe
MartiansbroadcastfromthetowersputeightypercentofAmericansinakindof
sleepwalkingdaze.Easytocontrol.Withindays,theentireNorthAmerican
continentwasundertheirshadow.
TheGermansandFrenchandEnglishtriedtorallytroopsbuttheirwarweary
populacehadnothinglefttogive.TheContinentwasafreshscarheldtogetherby
fragilesutures.TheMartiansbringwiththemacavalcadeofartilleryfarmore
advancedthananythinghumanityhastooffer.Theirwarmachinesmoveacross
EuropeandtheAmericasdemolishingeverythinginsight.Theirblacklightdeath
beamsandgravitongunsmakeeverybattlefieldlooklikeanabattoir.Afterthe
MartianscrushedtheAmericansandEuropeanstates,theonlyrealworldpowerleft
intheworldlaytotheEast.TheMartianslaytheirgazeonChina.
Butintheyearsincetheinvasionbegan,theChinesehavenotbeenidle.SunYatsen
unifiedthenorthernwarlordsunderatentativeunitytreaty,bringingtobearthe
fullweightofthemassiveChinesemilitary.HemadedealswithRussiaproviding
himwiththematerialsheneeded.AndhebroughttwoAmericansacrossthePacific:
HenryFordandNikolaTesla.Witheverythinginplace,SunYatsensChinawas
readytofacetheMartianmenaceheadon.
Andnow,theMartiansbegintorealizetheircalculationshavenotaccurately
predictedhumanbehavior,creatingpredictionsthatappliedtoMartianphilosophy
andperformance,butcouldnotanticipatehumaningenuity.Humandignity.Human
courage.
AndjustwhentheMartiansthoughtthewarwasoverhumanityshowedthemit
hadonlyjustbegun.
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The Empire of Zen

Itstartedslowly.Nobodynoticed.Tinychanges.Butthen,onemorning,theworld
wokeupandeverythingwasdifferent.
Thestreetshadsoldiersinblackandredrobesholdingelectricguns.Thebuildings
curveduptowardtheskyatimpossibleangles.Askythatlookedlikeagreenlava
lamp.
Earthhadbeeninvadedovernight.Invadedbyanotherworld.Butnotaworldfrom
outerspaceaworldfrombeyondspace.Aworldfromanotherdimension.
WiththepoweroftheirincredibleRealityEngines,theybegantransformingour
worldintotheirs.Notonlythegeographybutthepeopleaswell.Friendsandfamily
becamecompletestrangers,clothedintheraimentofanewEmpire.TheEmpireof
Zen.
TheNefariousDoctorZenonceasorcererfromthelostKingdomofAtlantis
discoveredorinventedtechnologythatallowedhimtotraveltoalternate
dimensions.Then,hefoundaworldhecouldconquerandreturnedtoEarthwith
technologythatwouldallowhimtotransformourworldintohis.
Itisaworldwherescienceandsorceryareindistinguishable.Swordsanddeath
rays,bowsandrocketpacks,spellsandsupercomputers.Allunderthecontrolof
theNefariousDoctorZen.
ButafewbraveheroeshavegatheredtooverthrowZenandrestoreEarthtoher
formerself.AttacksagainstZensarmieshavepushedbackhisforcesinchesata
time.Theprogressisslowbutsteady.
ButrumorshaveemergedthatZenstransformationoftheEarthisonlypartofhis
plan.Somesaythisisasteptowardcreatinganultimateweapon:onethatwillallow
himtoruletheEarthonceandforall.
Canourbraveheroesstophim?CantheypreventDoctorZenfromaccomplishing
hisfinalgoal?

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Hammer & Sickle

In1919,theWartoEndallWarswasbutthefirstofamanylongglobalnightmares.
Asifitweresomemacabreencore,apowerfulstrainoftheflustrikes,killingmore
thanonethirdoftheworld'spopulation.Russiaalonelosesover100millionofits
poorestpeasants.AmongthecasualtiesisaninfantPrussianboywhowouldhave
grownuptobeapainter,asoldierandrulerofGermany.Andadifferentkindof
powerfillsthevoidheleftbehind.
ItbeganinGermany.Agenerationbefore,thethreatofaworkeruprisinghadbeen
sownbyTheCommunistManifesto.Thethreatbecamearealityasapeoplepushed
toofarturnedupontheirmastersandoverthrewtheirfailingaristocraticrulers.
Theyweretiredofwar,andtiredoftheshortages.Therallycryof,"Peaceand
Bread,"surgedlikewildfireacrossGermany.BytheendofthedecadetheGerman
CommunistRepublicwasborn.
Buttheghostoffreedomdidnotstopthere.ThedesireforPeacewasstrong,and
aristocraticloyalistspaidforthePeoplesPeaceinbloodandfire.Theweakened
FrenchgovernmentwastoppledinaNouvelleRvolution.ItlookedlikeEngland,
Austria,andTurkeywouldjointhegrowingCommunistRevolutions,andthe
spectrespreadbeyondtheshoresofEurope.
Bytheendofthe1920sGermany,France,Austria,theNordicStates,andPolandhad
allbecomecommuniststates.Englandhadoverthrownitspeople'srevolutionand
likeSpain,theNetherlands,andItalywasinthegripofstrongfascistleaders.
Elsewherethespiritsoffascismandcommunismclashed.Weakenedbytheirlosses
duringthepandemic,theRussianandAmericangovernmentshadbothtoppled,
leavingtheEmpireofAmericaandNovoKievaintheashesoftheseformergiants.
Butthebalkanizationofbothcountriesleadtohardshipsandconstantwarformany
ofthelessfortunatecitizens.
Nowin1932,thespiritofwarisstirringfromitsslumber.Angeredoverthelossof
reparationsthatthenewGermanRepublicrefusestopay,andahostofpettyissues
theEnglishgovernmentstaggersunderheavydebtsandlooksacrossitsvast
Imperialbordersforrichestopayoffthehungryvulturesofdebtinterest.Inthe
formerAmericanandSovietstatesfollowersofthewarringidealssquareoffacross
newlyformedbordersandonceagainbrotherfacesbrother.Conflictisthecrucible
ofprogress.MachineMenbuilttoreplacethelostworkerpopulationsoffascist
dictatorshipsarepreparingtostormthebeachesofNormandyandLosAngeles.In
theFarEast,rumorsoflivingmetaldragonsbattlingrocketpackedcommunist
freedomfighterstrickleforthfromTheForbiddenKingdom.AndinGermanygiant
walkingpanzertankspoweredbyHerrDoktorEinstein'sInternalAtomicEngines
patroltheborderswaitingfortheHammerofFascismtofall.
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The Perilous Adventures

of Lady Jane
Follingsworth

SEE!
AFLYINGCOLOSSUSLIKENOOTHER!
MARVEL!

ATTHETECHNOLOGICALWIZARDRY!
BELIEVE!
AWOMANCANFLY!

FollowtheadventuresofLadyJaneFollingsworthasshetravelstheglobeinher
fabulousairship,TheHeartoftheSky.
LadyJanealwaysinvitesthemosthandsomeadventurers(andbeautiful
adventuresses!)onTheHeartoftheSky,sailingacrossthesevenskies!
Lookout,Lindy!Thisgirlsgotaneyeonyourrecord!
Howwillshesurvivethevillainousplotsofherexmentorandrival,thewickedand
scandalousLadyAugustDWinterandherownarmoredairship,TheBlackWidow?
AsthetwoLadiesracetotheancientruinsofSouthAmerica,whowillbethefirstto
discovertheAncientPyramidsofQuetzalcoatl?
Willshebeabletoresistthecharmsofthatdashinggentleman~pirate,Captain
BlayzeQuicksteele?
Keepwatchonthisscreen,friends.Everyweek,youllseethecontinuingescapades
oftheFreeFlyingLadyandheramazingcompanionsassheseeksoutadventure,
dangerandromance!
YesterdaysTomorrowisandTM2009byJohnWick.AllRightsReserved.Usedbypermission.Thisisawork
of fiction. Except as noted, any similarity or likeness to any events or persons living or dead is purely
coincidental.ExceptforJackSavage.AndMartians.Theymeanwar!

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