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At The Gates

Created by Onyx Path - At The GAtes

At the Gates is the core rulebook for a high fantasy tabletop roleplaying game inspired by Japanese RPG video games.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Sneak Peek: Pillar of Transformation
6 months ago – Sun, May 26, 2024 at 09:57:01 AM

Hello Outlanders,

By popular vote, let's get a sneak peek at the Pillar of Transformation! This is a small section from the next backer manuscript preview, which will be coming your way on Tuesday! As we've mentioned, anyone backing this project will be able to read the entire draft manuscript before any pledges are processed or payments collected, so you'll know exactly what you're getting into with your support!



The Pillars of Magic

Magic instills fear in the hearts of the meek and wonder in the souls of the bold. As present as it is throughout Gaia, even the most prestigious magic user keeps in mind how dangerous magic can be. As a caster’s skill with magic strengthens, so does their capacity for hubris and great harm. How long before an archmage decides that the swiftest way of finding and punishing a skulking killer is to burn down the city in which he hides with a magic-born inferno? How quickly might a sorcerer lose sight of who she is or was, due to the many augmentations she’s made to her appearance, persona, and psyche?

Magic is therefore studied with care by those who seek to use it responsibly and not lose themselves to its powerful allure. Magisters of old defined magic as emerging from four Pillars — though some occultists claim there are more forbidden Pillars hidden from the sight of who they call “fumbling practitioners” — and those four Pillars have remained the established norm throughout the kingdoms of Gaia. These four Pillars are generally known as Elementalism, Mentalism, Providence, and Transformation, though regional variations on these names exist.

When a character takes their first step toward wielding magic, they select a single Pillar from which to draw their Spells. For some, this Pillar comes naturally as an extension of their person, while others must seek out a Pillar and access it through exertion of will, overcoming a typically symbolic obstacle, or via Job training and apprenticeship.

Each Pillar is in turn divided into multiple Blocks, with the number varying depending on the Pillar. When a character first links to a Pillar, they feel an innate resonance from one of its Blocks, which becomes their Keystone. Spells from a character’s Keystone Block can be refreshed once per session without the expenditure of Energy. 

Magical Structure

Magic in At the Gates operates on a cooldown system, limiting the number of times a Spell can be cast without a refresh. A Spell can be broken from its cooldown period through the expenditure of Energy, at a rate of 1 Pool for 1 refresh, regardless of the Spell’s Echelon rating. Without Pool, however, Spells are restricted to one of the following casting periods:
  • Dynamic Spells can be used once per round. These Spells tend to be low impact, frequent use magical effects, not requiring the expenditure of Pool to refresh them from one round to the next.
  • Elevated Spells can be used once per scene. Once used, the Spell is usable again in the subsequent scene, or before, if the caster expends Pool to refresh it. These Spells are the most likely to see use in strategic ways, such as magical disguises, battlefield Spells, and the manipulation of another’s mind.
  • Iconic Spells are usable once per game session. Once used, the Spell isn’t usable again until the next game session, or sooner, if the caster uses Pool to refresh their access to it. Though abstracted as a game session, in Gaia this is a process taking hours, potentially including bed rest, meditation, or a good meal. Iconic Spells are rare abilities or extraordinary displays of power with a broad effect on their targets.

Casting a Spell is as simple as applying its described effects. When a target needs to resist its effects, they roll the dice pool specified in the Spell description (or an appropriate equivalent), with the difficulty equal to the caster’s Echelon.



The Pillar of Transformation

Gaia powers the Pillar of Transformation and empowers the caster to manipulate magic itself. While other Pillars connect to the mind, body, and Soul of others, or even the elements, Transformationists connect to the underlying magic residing in all things, and enact change at a fundamental level. The hallmark of Transformation magic is change. Whether by changing themselves, perfecting or destroying a weapon, or changing the very nature of a material, the caster manipulates the natural order and asserts her own will through the change.

The Advantaged
The Pillar of Transformation utilizes Advantage. Advantage is an additive feature. If a character has access to Advantage through multiple sources, those sources all work together to create the most advantageous outcome. All sources of Advantage stack unless otherwise noted, but the highest Advantage rating any one character can have is 5. Remember, if a character has three or more Advantage over another character, she automatically succeeds on actions against the other character.


Perfection

Perfection magic is considered the most straightforward application of transformation magic. The Transformationist strengthens his subjects rather than radically altering them. Wealthy clients seek out Perfectionists to endow themselves with strength, wit, and charm, engineers and smiths hire them as consultants, and many Perfectionists assist healers, artisans, and any other professional who needs their body or tools operating at maximum capacity.

Empower

Keywords: Elevated

Jade’s muscles swell as her magic courses through her body, making her ready for her next attack against the void-tainted beast.

When casting Empower, choose one: Speed, Power, Social, or Intellect. Gain +1 Advantage on the next action the character takes that would take advantage of the type chosen. If not used by the end of the scene, this spell’s effects are wasted.

Advancements

Empower Other •• Choose an ally the caster can see in Medium Range to cast the Spell on instead.

Ontological Inertia ••• The benefit lasts up to the caster’s Echelon actions, or until the caster dismisses the effect. If the caster casts the Spell again, the previous cast ends immediately.

Multifaceted •••• Choose two types of actions when casting the spell, the target receives +1 Advantage to both types of action during the duration.

Ascension ••••• The caster becomes a perfected form of herself. She gains +1 Advantage in all arenas until the end of the scene. Ascension is accompanied by an unmistakably magic visual effect while active: the caster glows with a fiery white aura, the image of a divine being appears behind them, their feet hover above the ground, or any similar effect of the player’s choosing. This advancement is used in place of all other effects.

Reinforce

Keywords: Iconic 

Teodoro watched as the dragon’s acidic breath disintegrated Jullian’s shield. “Not you, Isidore,” he whispered to his sword as he poured his Energy into its being.

The caster targets a single item within Short range. That item is now immune to all mundane attempts to break or destroy it for the rest of the scene.

Advancements

Harden •• The item provides its wielder with a point of armor, even if it isn’t armor. If it is an armor, this stacks with any tags or Spells already on it.

Metaphysical Integrity ••• The item is now also immune to magical attempts to break or transform it.

Living Bulwark •••• The caster may choose to target a living target within Short range instead of an item. The target gains 2 points of armor and gains gains +2 Enhancement to resist the End Spell or transformation effects until the end of the scene. This advancement is used in place of all other effects.

Eternal Artifact ••••• The reinforced item becomes not only indestructible, but bound to its owner. Only the item’s original owner can lift or wield it. Neither the item nor its wielder can be moved through the use of forced movement, including Tricks such as Disarm, Knockdown, or Throw Person. It also grants a +1 Enhancement to its primary use, which stacks.




Metamorphosis

Transformationists use Metamorphosis to alter not only the physical aspects of something, but also its fundamental function. Where Perfection magic strengthens and alters something true form, and Transmogrify turns one thing into another, Metamorphosis adapts people and items to any situation, changing parts of the whole to make it better, stronger, faster, and different, but not necessarily new.

Shapechange

Keywords: Iconic

With a small gesture, Terra’s facial features shifted and changed. In moments, she looked like nothing more than a regular bat-person, rather than her normal crystalline form.

The caster alters her body in a superficial way, changing her height, features, sex characteristics, and any of her physical aspects for the rest of the scene. Gain +2 Enhancement on attempts to fool others with the disguise, and choose two of the options below:
  • Gain 1 additional armor, on top of any armor they’re already wearing.
  • Gain a natural weapon with the Worn and Wounding tags.
  • The caster gains +1 Enhancement to Survival and Ranged Combat actions.
  • Become small and inconspicuous. Gain +2 Enhancement on actions that require stealth.
  • Grow tentacles that give the caster the Reach tag.
  • The caster may freely move underwater without worrying about breath at their normal speed.
  • Wings sprout from the caster’s back, allowing them to fly at up to Short range from the ground.

Advancements

Mimic •• The caster perfectly copies the appearance of another person or creature. Gain +1 Social Advantage when passing themselves off as the person or creature they choose in addition to the +2 Enhancement to disguise attempts. The caster needs to have seen their target either in person or in portraits, but if they can’t see their target when they cast the spell, they manifest a tell, such as the wrong eye or hair color. When the caster takes actions as the person they are impersonating, they suffer a Moderate Complication. Failure to buy it off leads to others investigating her, or trouble arising.

Greater Alteration ••• The caster may choose one additional option, and gains access to the following additional options:
  • Add the Poisoned tag to attacks made with natural weapons.
  • When the caster is in control of a grapple, their grappled opponent must spend an extra hit to Overwhelm or Disengage from the grapple.
  • The caster’s wings harden and may appear to thicken or crystallize. The caster and any ally within Close range is protected as if behind Light Cover.

Internal Shifting •••• The caster may purchase the following Tricks on Defense actions.

Formless Dance (1 hits): This Trick may be purchased multiple times. For each purchase, increase the cost of the Establish Grapple Trick against the caster by 1 hit.

Hidden Organs (1 hits): This Trick may be purchased multiple times. For each purchase, increase the cost of the Critical Trick against the caster by 1 hit.

Final Form ••••• The caster may choose two additional options, and gains access to the following additional options:
  • The caster’s skin hardens to stone. Gain +1 Durability Advantage.
  • The caster grows in immense size and strength. Gain +1 Power Advantage.
  • The caster’s sense become incredibly enhanced. Gain +1 Intellect Advantage.
  • The caster’s natural weapons become jagged and sharp. Gain +2 Enhancement to attacks made with natural weapons.
  • The caster’s wings become extremely powerful. The caster can fly up to any range band from the ground and has +1 Speed Advantage while flying.


Transmogrify

The act of transmogrification is not simply transmuting one substance into another. Instead, the Transmogrify Block takes a substance, or person, and changes them into something wholly different and new. Practitioners change the magic itself, making old into young, big into small, solid into liquid and so many other permutations that there are whole schools of magicians devoted to the study of Transmogrify.

Animate

Keywords: Iconic

The pool of water swirled and rose into the air before Ophelia. She nodded once in satisfaction as the small water creature took form and opened its eyes to look at her.

Target a single object to bestow life to for the scene. This can be any kind of physical matter, solid or liquid. The animated entity acts has the Adept template (p. XX) with two Qualities of the caster’s choice. The caster may give the animate commands as a simple action.

Advancements

Independence •• The caster may now give the animate commands as a reflexive action. In combat, it only moves and attacks enemies the caster also attacks.

Greater Animate ••• The caster may choose two additional Qualities for the animate, as well as a single Art which it can use a number of times equal to the caster’s Echelon.

Monstrous Creature •••• The animate now uses the Elite template (see p. XX) instead of the Adept template.

Enlightened Being ••••• The animate now acts of its own accord without commands from its master, and it gains access to a second Art. This spell no longer ends at the end of the scene and the creature persists until killed. At the end of the scene, the caster no longer has any connection to the animate, though it will start with a positive attitude towards her.

Lightspin

Keywords: Dynamic

Lucien pulled at the air and the light bent to follow his gesture. As he moved, the light wove into patterns until he carried a gleaming hammer, ready for use.

The caster creates a mundane object out of pure light that can be used for a single action. Any item created this way grants +1 Enhancement for its primary use, and gains a single tag appropriate for its type. Objects created with Lightspin glow as brightly as a torch with an inner light.

Advancements

Imbued Light •• The created item now lasts for a number of actions equal to the caster’s Echelon.

Motespin ••• The created item is considered magical. It now grants +2 Enhancement to its primary use and has 3 tags.

Soulspun •••• The item is bound to the caster’s soul. If it is a weapon, reduce the cost of Combat Tricks by 1 hit to a minimum of 1. If it is an armor, increase the cost to purchase Combat Tricks against the caster by 1 hit. If it is an item, reduce all Complications associated with its use by one rank.

Arsenal of Light ••••• As an iconic spell, the caster creates a gleaming armory of shimmering weapons and armor out to Short range that lasts for the scene. Any enemies in Short Range are immediately pushed out to Medium Range. If an enemy comes within Short Range they must make a rolled movement action with a Major Complication. If they fail to buy it off, they are knocked prone and suffer 1 damage. Any enemy within Short range suffers a Moderate Complication on all physical actions, if not bought off, they suffer 2 damage. The caster or any allies within the Spell’s effect may take a weapon and wield it as though it were created with Motespin. This advancement is used in place of all other effects.




We'll have the complete draft manuscript version of Chapter 6 out to backers on Tuesday, leaving our final chapter of amazing Antagonists coming our way on June 4. Before we get to that we'll have two final sneak peeks. What should we look at first?  (I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but let's see how many votes we can get by Wednesday morning so I know how much information to share about Daemons!)

Stretching Goals and Actually Playing
6 months ago – Fri, May 24, 2024 at 11:11:21 AM

Hello Outlanders,

I've got pretty far on a cup of coffee today (so many chores!) but it's really our group who's been kicking butt lately! It's been about 5 days since we last reviewed our current Stretch Goal targets and 3 days since we introduced our parallel minigame of Backer Recruitment to add a few more options. Let's check in and see how we're doing...



ACHIEVED! - At $48,000 in Funding – AT THE GATES VTT TOKEN PACK – Digital assets will be created to support online play for At The Gates, including key character and creature tokens from the book. This online asset pack will be added to the rewards list of all backers.


ACHIEVED! - At 900 Backers - NEW ADD ON: AT THE GATE CHIBI PINS - Five different soft enamel 2" pin designs will be available as an Add On option at $14 each or the set of all 5 for $60. Single pin selection will be confirmed in the Pledge Manager. Fulfillment will be handled by NerdyKeppie.com and additional shipping charges will be collected at time of fulfillment.



ACHIEVED! - At $50,000 in Funding - AT THE GATES Companion - New Advanced Paths - The Companion PDF will be expanded to include a section with new Advanced Profession Paths for characters to take if they want to unlock new Arts specific to their mastery of these professions. Backers receiving the At The Gates PDF as one of their rewards will automatically have the Companion PDF added to their rewards list as a bonus.


That's right! Not only did we add the VTT Token pack as a bonus reward for all backers, we've also expanded our At The Gates Companion reward to include more Advanced Paths! Can't wait to see what the team comes up with!

AND PINS! We unlocked a new Add On for the Chibi pins. These are the concept artwork for the pins, and they look amazing! Kudos to Danielle and the team at NerdyKeppie.com for coming up with this awesome option for At The Gates fans! I'm getting a set.

What's next...

 
At 975 Backers - NEW ADD ON: AT THE GATE LOGO and SIGIL PINS - A single hard enamel screen-printed 2" At The Gates logo pin will be available as an Add On option for $14, and five different soft enamel 1.5" sigil pin designs will be available as an Add On option at $10 each or the set of all 5 for $45. Single pin selection will be confirmed in the Pledge Manager. Fulfillment will be handled by NerdyKeppie.com and additional shipping charges will be collected at time of fulfillment.

We've got one more target in our Backer Recruitment minigame, another set of pins for the profession sigils and the ATG logo. Once we unlock that, we'll probably have some new content Stretch Goals to set up, so let's keep spreading the word to our friends and friendly gamers and ask them to join in!



ACTUAL PLAY PODCAST

Two weeks ago, I shared an episode of the Onyx Pathcast where Danielle detailed ATG character creation with Eddy and Dixie. I've referenced this podcast a bunch while reading through the backer chapters we've received so far.

Well, now that the team has characters it's time to play! You can listen to the first two episodes here:


Hearing the game in action is always my favorite way to learn about the setting and system and seeing how it all interacts. 

INTERVIEWS

You can also learn more about the game and the work that went into it with this interview! Developer Danielle talked with The Awkward GM about At The Gates. Check it out on Youtube here:  https://youtu.be/YFQKNqQ82U0

And as a bonus, you can check out Danielle's interview on the Bonus Experience hosted by Monica Speca for even more At The Gates talk!

Check that one out on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/p3LhNcxxYF4

So much At The Gates fun!

I'll be back on Sunday with a sneak peek at one of the Pillars of Magic! Remember to vote to decide what we're looking at!

The Arts of Motion and Control
6 months ago – Thu, May 23, 2024 at 07:23:52 AM

Hello Outlanders,

I've got another sneak peek for you today, touching on some of the cool stuff that's coming our way in the next backer manuscript drop. Again, this is just a glimpse into the full draft of Chapter 6, which all backers will have access to on Tuesday.

You voted and our top two results are the Art of Motion and the Art of Control!

Arts

Martial practices rise among warrior-cultures all across Gaia. Scholars of fighting styles and martial history call these methods Arts. Some Arts are passed from master to student across centuries of refinement and study, while others are reflections of individual skill, honed by a singular warrior’s unique style.  Though they derive from her character’s profession Path, a player purchasing these Arts chooses how her character knows them.

Arts tie into the Momentum pool with Desperation and Readiness abilities. 

Desperation occurs when there are zero Momentum in the pool at the time the Art is activated. A player cannot spend the cost of an Art specifically to declare its Desperation effect. Ignore the normal Momentum cost to activate a Desperation Art when there is no Momentum in the pool. 

Readiness requires a certain number of Momentum be available to use. Each Readiness ability specifies the minimum number of Momentum necessary to activate it. Like Desperation, that number must be met at the time the Art is declared. Spending Momentum to use an Art’s effect does not cancel a Readiness ability if it would reduce the pool below the minimum requirement.



The Art of Motion (Harrier)

A character with the harrier Profession Path learns The Art of Motion and unlocks Rogue’s Guile automatically. Motion Arts utilize Athletics, Enigmas, and Larceny. Attacks boosted by the Art of Motion may use any of these Abilities in place of Close Combat, Esoterica, or Ranged Combat. The Art of Motion allows a harrier to make magical attacks with a close combat weapon rather than a focus.

Rogue’s Guile 

Prerequisites: Harrier Profession Path

Brick waits patiently as Cassandra brings the Void tainted creature into position. She strikes it, and Brick jumps in to take advantage of the opening she creates. 

Whenever your character attacks an enemy that has previously been attacked by an ally and is in the same range band as her and an allied character, treat all Tricks as requiring one fewer hit, to a minimum of 1. 

Readiness: If there are half the maximum or more Momentum in the pool and the attack is successful, apply an appropriate combat status effect relevant to your character’s Keystone. 

Backup Plan

Prerequisites: Enigmas or Larceny 3, Echelon 2

When things started to go south, Caspian spoke up. Their friends eagerly followed the harrier’s clever plan, deftly avoiding the danger ahead. 

Once per session, after seeing the result of any failed non-combat action — including its narrative consequences — you may pause the scene and spend a Momentum. After spending the Momentum, briefly discuss how this could have succeeded because of your character’s backup plan, and then continue with play as if the action had succeeded in the way you agreed upon. 

Clever Rogue’s Rush

Prerequisites: Athletics 2

Muriel dashed across the battlefield in a blur. No one even saw her knife plunge into the guard before he was down. 

Whenever your character runs or rushes, spend a Momentum. He may cross one range band further. For example, he may run from Close to Long range. If he is attacked before the end of the round in which he used this Art, he may use the Dive to Cover defense Trick as though it had a cost of 0. 

Readiness: If there is half the maximum or more Momentum in the pool, ignore any area effects during this movement. 

Discerning Scoundrel’s Sense

Prerequisites: Enigmas or Larceny 2

Hoffrun eyed the woman standing before him for no more than a second before concluding that she posed no threat to him or his allies. 

After using an action to observe a target or after successfully stealing something from a target’s person, you may ask the Storyguide to reveal one of the following: 
  • Criminal history or recent criminal activities the target may have done. 
  • The origin and value of any one item or weapon on their person, including if it is magical or not. 
  • The number of dice and actions in the target’s Primary pool. 

Readiness: If there are three or more Momentum in the pool, reveal one other piece of information. 

Parabolic Step

Prerequisites: Athletics 3

Unbound from the tyranny of the earth, Caspian leaps into the air and away from his pursuers leaving them baffled in his dust. 

Once per turn, in place of moving, you may spend one Momentum and instead have your character jump one range band vertically or leap two range bands horizontally. This bypasses any obstacles or area effects that could be cleared by jumping, rather than moving through them. 

Desperation: The character may make a reflexive attack against an enemy in the range band where he lands. 

Undeterred by Obstructions

Prerequisites: Enigmas or Larceny 4

Willow doesn’t allow something as mundane as doors or windows to stop her from getting to her prize. 

Once per scene you may use this Art to declare that your character has bypassed a locked, sealed, obstructed or otherwise unopenable portal such as a door, vault, or window. She may exit the area she accessed using this Art, but may not re-enter it during the same scene and may not take other characters with her. 



The Art of Control (Mage)

A character with the mage Profession Path learns The Art of Control and unlocks Arcane Mastery automatically. Control Arts utilize Esoterica, Science, and Technology. Attacks boosted by the Art of Control may use any of these Abilities in place of Close Combat, Esoterica, or Ranged Combat. 

Arcane Mastery

Prerequisite: Mage Profession Path 

Lucien set down the tome and heaved a sigh. His head throbbed, but he knew the study had paid off; his spells would be so much stronger now.  

When you unlock this Art, choose one of the following benefits to permanently benefit your character’s Spells. You may purchase this a second time. Each entry may only be purchased once. 
  • Gain +1 Enhancement that stacks to rolled actions (such as attacks) supplemented by Spells in the character’s Keystone. 
  • Gain +1 Enhancement that stacks to resistance rolls to avoid or ignore the results of Spells that target your character. 
  • Spells that target allies may target one additional ally. 
  • Spells cast in the same scene in which an ally takes a rolled action refresh bond Enhancement with that ally. 

Mental Library

Prerequisite: Esoterica 2 

Ophelia had spent hours and hours poring over books and scrolls. Her mind was filled to the brim with facts — useful and otherwise. 

Whenever an action regarding knowledge of some variety would arise and does not use Esoterica, you may instead substitute your character’s dots of Esoterica for the requisite Skill. The Storyguide should provide you with an answer through the lens of her vast breadth of knowledge, rather than the context of the specific Skill. 

Desperation: Add an Enhancement that stacks to this roll. 

Readiness: If there are three or more Momentum in the pool, reduce the cost of associated Tricks for this action by 1 to a minimum of 1. 

Alchemic Alteration

Prerequisites: Esoterica or Science 5, Echelon 2 

Lucien closed his hand around Cassandra’s bleeding wound. He chanted the incantation and the wound closed, transformed from blood and tissue to magical power, leaving his friend with only a sense of euphoria. 

Once per round, your character may end a negative status effect by transmuting it into a positive one. This applies once per scene outside of combat. Once per session, she may similiarly end an area effect by transmuting it into another of your choice. 

Desperation: If the transformed status effect did not become the Inspired status effect, gain it in addition. If it was, increase the Enhancement bonus from Inspired by 1. 

Readiness: If there are four or more Momentum in the pool and the area effect suppressed was Moderate or Major, your character or one ally within Close range of her may heal one injury. 

Enchant Item

Prerequisites: Science or Technology 3 

Terra waved their hand over the broken compass and imbued it with just a touch of her magic. The cracked glass mended, and the inert needle spun once again, but rather than point due north, it instead tilted directly toward the enemy stronghold. 

At the start of a scene or the first time your character takes an action in a scene, including combat, she may declare that she has transformed a mundane non-weapon object into something magical. This may also transform a mundane weapon into a magical one for the purpose of breaking or mending it. For example, a can on a string may become a long-distance communication device, or an ordinary torch may be enchanted to become waterproof, or a bucket of water declared to never run dry. This enchantment lasts until the end of the scene, at which point the item returns to normal. 

Mage Sense

Prerequisites: Esoterica or Science 2

Terra turned the strange orb over and over in their hands. Its smooth surface yielded no further information, but it was nothing they couldn’t discern with enough study. 

After studying an object or character in an investigation scene or after successfully defending against an attack in combat the first time an opponent attacks your character, you may ask the Storyguide to reveal one of the following: 
  • What magical property or origin does the character or object possess?  
  • Any one Block the target has access to. 
  • Any one magical weakness (such as vulnerability to fire damage) the target has.  

Readiness: If the pool contains three or more Momentum, reveal one additional piece of information. 

Portal

Prerequisite: Esoterica or Science 4, Echelon 2

With a flourishing gesture, Ophelia opened a hole in the world limned with pale blue light. Gareth Falconer tumbled through the portal to get closer to his prize. 

Once per session or once per fight, your character places a portal in one location within her range band or within the immediate area. The portal opens to another location within Long range in combat or another location she is familiar with or have previously been otherwise. This portal stays open for the rest of the scene. Characters may move through it using a movement action as normal. 

Desperation: Characters who pass through the portal gain one status effect appropriate to your character’s Keystone. Allies always gain a positive status effect. Enemies gain your choice of either negative or beneficial status effects. 

Readiness: If there are half the maximum or more Momentum in the pool, when an enemy moves through the portal, you may place them anywhere within medium range of the portal’s location.



OK, here are two more quick peeks....

Advanced Arts

Characters progress into Advanced Profession Paths, which unlock access to Advanced Arts. Advanced Arts function the same as basic Arts. 

The Sagacious Art (Sage)

Sages require the diviner Profession Path, Empathy 4 and Medicine or Persuasion 3. Characters taking this Advanced Art unlock Unleashed God-Rays automatically. 

Unleashed God-Rays

Prerequisite: Sage Profession Path, Restore the Soul, Echelon 2

Holding aloft her hand, Aphbet focused the power of her soul and used it to sear straight through the undead warriors in her path. 

Make an attack against a creature within Medium range and spend one Momentum. The target must be a daemon, undead, or some other creature of supernatural origin. This attack ignores any Immunity or Invulnerability Qualities the target may have as well as any armor. The target gains the unique Weakened status effect. You may not use this attack again against a target who is already Weakened.

Weakened
The target has been enervated by holy magic. They lose any Enhancement to attacks made against the Sage who applied this status effect. Additionally, their defense is decreased by 1 against attacks made by the Sage. 

Resolution: The target deals damage to the Sage who inflicted the condition, or another character within Close range of the Sage.        

The Tactical Art (Tactician)  

Tactians require the warlord Profession Path, Close Combat 4 and Leadership or Pilot 3. Characters taking this Advanced Art unlock Inspiring Presence automatically. 

Inspiring Presence

Prerequisite: Tactician Profession Path, Tactician’s Guiding Strike, Echelon 2

Nuna walked onto the battlefield and her allies cheered. Her presence was all it took to bend them doubly to their task.

Spend 1 Momentum. All allies within Close range of your character gain double-9s to attack and defense actions so long as they remain within range. 

Desperation: Extend the range to Short. 



As mentioned, backers will have access to the full draft version of Chapter 6 on Tuesday. In fact, all backers will have access to the complete current draft of the book before the campaign ends - before any pledges are processed or payments collected! So please continue to invite your friends and friendly gamers to join in on our campaign and you could literally start playing by June!

On Tuesday we'll get the full chapter, but who wants to wait until then to learn a bit more about Magic? We'll have another sneak peek on Sunday, this time covering the Pillars of Magic.

The Pillars of Magic

Magic instills fear in the hearts of the meek and wonder in the souls of the bold. As present as it is throughout Gaia, even the most prestigious magic user keeps in mind how dangerous magic can be. As a caster’s skill with magic strengthens, so does their capacity for hubris and great harm. How long before an archmage decides that the swiftest way of finding and punishing a skulking killer is to burn down the city in which he hides with a magic-born inferno? How quickly might a sorcerer lose sight of who she is or was, due to the many augmentations she’s made to her appearance, persona, and psyche?

Magic is therefore studied with care by those who seek to use it responsibly and not lose themselves to its powerful allure. Magisters of old defined magic as emerging from four Pillars — though some occultists claim there are more forbidden Pillars hidden from the sight of who they call “fumbling practitioners” — and those four Pillars have remained the established norm throughout the kingdoms of Gaia.

The Pillar of Anima is a measure of a caster’s connection to her own Soul and that of others. From this connection comes the physical manifestation of health, vitality, protection, purification, and conversely, rot, decay, and the entropy that brings all things to ruin.

The Pillar of Cognition concerns itself with the minds of the inhabitants of Gaia. From the smallest animal to the largest dragon, Cognition soothes, provokes, tricks, and empowers others.

The Pillar of Elementalism represents a caster’s connection to the world around her and to Gaia. It is the most external of all magic, allowing the caster to manipulate the things around her.

The Pillar of Transformation and empowers the caster to manipulate magic itself. While other Pillars connect to the mind, body, and Soul of others, or even the elements, Transformationists connect to the underlying magic residing in all things, and enact change at a fundamental level. 

So, which Pillar of Magic should we peek at on Sunday? Let's cast our votes! The top answer will be the subject of our next sneak peek!




New Minigame - Backer Recruiting
6 months ago – Tue, May 21, 2024 at 12:29:22 PM

Hello Outlanders,

I've been impressed for a long time with Danielle's creativity! Watching the Storypath system grow from those first Scion Second Edition and Trinity Continuum projects through to the latest Storypath Ultra iteration, which sort of evolved to bring At The Gates to life, to all of the early design diaries and bits and pieces she's shared on the Discord...

Well, it's been amazing to watch At The Gates come to life. But it didn't stop when the draft manuscript was ready for final development or the Crowdfunding campaign was set up. Danielle has kept creating and building new bits for this campaign.

Danielle has also been hard at work organizing and making new Add Ons possible. To celebrate, we have a new Minigame: Backer Recruiting!

(Yeah, that's my way of celebrating the Fishing Minigame from the latest backer Manuscript chapters! Check it out if you haven't already! It's a perfect example of genre emulation in this game).

BACKER RECRUITING

The rules for this minigame are similar to our existing Stretch Goal infrastructure, but instead of setting funding targets to trigger bonus rewards and opportunities, we're setting goals based on the number of Backers who have pledged to the project!



At 900 Backers - NEW ADD ON: AT THE GATE CHIBI PINS - Five different soft enamel 2" pin designs will be available as an Add On option at $14 each or the set of all 5 for $60. Single pin selection will be confirmed in the Pledge Manager. Fulfillment will be handled by NerdyKeppie.com and additional shipping charges will be collected at time of fulfillment.
 


 
At 975 Backers - NEW ADD ON: AT THE GATE LOGO and SIGIL PINS - A single hard enamel screen-printed 2" At The Gates logo pin will be available as an Add On option for $14, and five different soft enamel 1.5" sigil pin designs will be available as an Add On option at $10 each or the set of all 5 for $45. Single pin selection will be confirmed in the Pledge Manager. Fulfillment will be handled by NerdyKeppie.com and additional shipping charges will be collected at time of fulfillment.





Backer Draft Manuscript Part 3
6 months ago – Tue, May 21, 2024 at 05:58:48 AM

Hello Outlanders!

I know for sure this game is hitting me hard because it's starting to leak into my subconscious. I had a dream last night that I was a chokobo farmer. Very weird. I am not a Final Fantasy person at all, really, and I don't know where it came from, but reading all of the At The Gates stuff in the manuscript and that Danielle shares in interviews and around the web has definitely got some specific neurons firing.

Anyway, on to today's manuscript section!



Before we get to the manuscript, just a quick reminder...

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

I'm sharing the manuscript in sections over the next 2 weeks days. Part of the reason for that is to keep focus on one section at a time so that Danielle and the team can gather feedback to help guide the manuscript through the next steps of editing and development. To that end, they've created a special Feedback Form for you to submit your comments after reading each section!


You can submit your Feedback here: AT THE GATES FEEDBACK FORM <link>

And one more reminder...

International Shipping – Collected in the Pledge Manager

One quick note about Shipping before we get into the manuscript previews. 

First up, it's amazingly expensive to ship, especially from Onyx Path's home base in the US. We get that, but there's not much we can do at this time. Onyx Path is in a difficult space where the company is big enough that they're not saving money by fulfilling out of Rich's garage, but small enough that they can't really set up international partners to handle portions of the fulfillment. So we are where we are - for now. 

The best we can do at this point is to plan carefully, advise everyone up front that international shipping will likely be expensive (see our projections on the main page) and only charge what it costs us when the time comes. We’ll be charging for shipping in the Pledge Manager once the books are being printed and we can deal with the actual shipping charges rather than using our best-guesses this far out. If you live outside the US and aren't sure you want the hardcover or other physical items, you can pledge to the PDF tier now and upgrade your pledge in the Pledge Manager once we know the final shipping costs.

DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, these download links are visible to Backers only - you must be logged in and reading this on the website to have access to the manuscript preview links. So, if you're reading this via e-mail, click that "Reply to this Update" link on the bottom and I'll see you below the title treatment.