Heart: The City Beneath

No. You can arrive knowing nothing. A professional Game Master will explain the rules in minutes and guide you through creating a character. The system uses pools of d10s and clear outcomes, so it clicks quickly. You will learn about Stress and Fallout as you encounter them. If you are familiar with Spire, that helps with the vibe, but it is not necessary. You can also choose someone who enjoys teaching beginners when you browse available Game Masters.

Heart centres on risk, cost, and discovery rather than tactical combat. There is typically no grid. Position and narrative matter more than precise distances. You create dice pools based on your actions and location, then manage Stress to tracks like Blood, Mind, and Supplies. Fallout alters scenes and characters, not just hit points. Equipment is lightweight and tagged, magic is potent but expensive, and factions influence your decisions. Delves feel like perilous expeditions where objectives and consequences guide play.

Prepare for surreal horror, obsession, and bizarre wonder. Scenes may feature body horror, cults, scarcity, and psychological strain. This experience is intended for adults, not children. Before gameplay, our Game Masters establish lines and veils and employ safety tools such as Script Change or the X-card. You determine the intensity you desire. It can be grim and desperate, or balanced with moments of hope and beauty. The goal is to create tense, meaningful play where you feel safe as an individual, even when your character is in peril.

Heart is designed for 2 to 5 players. Having fewer players allows for more focus on individual characters and creates a tighter, more perilous journey. Conversely, more players introduce cross-talk, strategic planning, and more complex outcomes. Sessions usually run for 3 to 4 hours. A one-shot is ideal for a single expedition with a clear goal and a definite conclusion. In a longer campaign, you’ll establish contacts and resources, take on riskier explorations, and deal with lasting consequences. Your Game Master will adjust the pacing to suit your group’s style.

You choose a class with a unique flavour, such as Deep Apiarist, Vermissian Knight, Junk Mage, Cleaver, Heretic, or Hound. Your Calling determines what motivates you, whether it be Adventure, Enlightenment, Profit, or Protection. Abilities, equipment tags, and Beats influence your actions and development. Character creation typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes with guidance, or you can opt for pregenerated sheets for a quicker start. Expect bold, flawed individuals who are prepared to trade safety for their desires.

Stress accumulates on various fronts as you take risks. When Fallout occurs, the Game Master imposes an appropriate consequence. Minor Fallout may damage equipment, change the scene, or leave a temporary scar. Major Fallout can alter your journey, affect relationships or resources, or even remove your character from play. Death is a possibility, but the game usually transforms you before it claims your life. Risks are clearly marked, allowing you to decide when to push forward, regroup, or negotiate for a safer path.

Yes. Heart runs smoothly over video with simple maps, shared dice rollers, and handouts. Many of our Game Masters use Roll20, Foundry, or Owlbear Rodeo, or keep it lightweight with theatre of the mind and a shared document. The system’s dice pools and narrative positioning suit online play. If you have a preferred setup, mention it at booking. For common platform options and what they offer, see online play platforms.