Tension Pool
Also called: The Pool, The Cylinder (metaphor), Tension Dice
Definition: A communal pool of d6s sitting at the table that tracks the world's accumulated stress, measuring how thin the Veil has worn at the current location. Caps at 6 dice. When the sixth die enters, the GM rolls it immediately to check for a Rupture.
The Tension Pool is the GM’s primary pacing instrument. Dice are added visibly (the players hear the clatter) when the world’s patience runs out. Combat, Psionic casting (especially Rank 2+), Bleed Die 1s, player Fumbles, time spent in dangerous territory, loud explosions, breaking wards, witnessing trauma; all feed the pool.
| Pool State | Narrative Feel |
|---|---|
| Empty (0 dice) | Stable. The sun is dim, but physics works. |
| Low (1–3 dice) | Uneasy. Shadows seem longer. |
| Medium (4–5 dice) | Oppressive. The air tastes wrong. |
| Full (6 dice) | Critical. Reality is about to break. |
When the sixth die enters, the GM rolls all dice in the pool. Each 1 rolled is a Rupture of escalating severity: atmospheric shifts, reality glitches, Veil-Born manifestations, full Breaches.
Players can lower the pool through Salt Circles, Ritual Cleansing, Offerings, or simply resolving the scene and leaving the dangerous area. The Bastion Soul Talent Reality Anchor removes 2 dice from the pool within its area.
(See also the Backlash keyword for the Bleed Die mechanic that feeds the pool, and the Veil Bleed keyword for the Erosion-side manifestation of the same underlying pressure.)