sla_industries_brp/sla-industries-brp/SLA_ESCALATION_INITIATIVE_v1.md

SLA BRP - Escalation Initiative (Advantage Die System)

Version: 1.0

Core Concept

Initiative is a single roll each round.

Operatives may gamble for speed using an Advantage Die. If they push too hard and lose composure, they freeze.

This system is designed to:

• Use a single roll per round
• Require no bookkeeping between rounds
• Work cleanly at table or in Foundry
• Integrate COOL as a psychological pressure mechanic

Round Procedure

Each round:

1. Choose your approach:

• DEX (Reflex)
• INT (Read the Fight)

2. Choose whether to take the Risk.
3. Roll initiative.

Highest total acts first.

Normal Roll

Roll:

1D10 + chosen stat (DEX or INT)

Highest total acts first.

Risk Roll (Advantage Die)

Instead of a normal roll, you may roll:

2D10 + chosen stat

Keep the highest die.

However:

If either die shows a 1, you must immediately roll COOL.

COOL Test (When a 1 Is Rolled)

If no die shows 1:

• Act normally at your rolled initiative.

If a die shows 1:

• Immediately roll COOL.

COOL resolution:

Success:

• You act normally.

Failure:

• You freeze.
• You take no action this round.
• You may still Dodge or Parry.

Fumble:

• You catastrophically overcommit.
• You take no action this round.
• You cannot Dodge or Parry until after your initiative passes.
• GM may narrate a visible tactical error (stumble, twitch, hesitation, weapon slip).

Tie Breakers

If two characters have the same initiative total:

1. Higher chosen stat wins.
2. If still tied:

• The character who chose INT wins ties against DEX.

3. If still tied:

• Actions are simultaneous.

Design Notes

• Rolling 2D10 gives roughly a 19% chance of triggering a COOL test.
• This creates tension without heavy bookkeeping.
• Low COOL characters become increasingly vulnerable to freezing.
• This interacts naturally with Sanity erosion if COOL is penalized by low SAN.
• No tokens, no tracking, no recalculation mid-round.
• Every consequence resolves immediately.

Optional Differentiation (Optional Rule)

If the COOL roll succeeds after a Risk roll:

If you chose INT:

• +10% to your first attack this round.

If you chose DEX:

• Gain 1m free movement before your first action.

This adds flavor without adding tracking.

Foundry Implementation Notes

This system is simple to implement in Foundry because:

1. It requires only one roll per round.
2. No persistent state is required.
3. No tracking of damage, tokens, or flags is necessary.

Suggested implementation approach:

• Create two initiative macros:
  • A) Normal Roll
  • B) Risk Roll

Normal Roll formula:

1d10 + @dex

or

1d10 + @int

Risk Roll formula:

2d10kh + @dex

or

2d10kh + @int

(kh = keep highest)

After the roll:

• If any die result = 1, prompt a COOL roll manually or via macro.
• Apply freeze effect narratively (no system state required unless desired).

Optional automation:

• Add a dialog checkbox: Risk?
• If checked, roll 2d10kh.
• If either die result is 1, auto-prompt COOL roll.

No initiative reordering logic is required beyond setting initiative value.

Current system API hooks (first implementation pass)

In this system build, Escalation Initiative is available via:

• game.brp.SLAEscalationInitiative.rollControlled({ approach: "dex", risk: false })
• game.brp.SLAEscalationInitiative.rollControlled({ approach: "int", risk: true })

Combat tracker single-combatant initiative rolls now prompt for:

• DEX or INT
• Risk on/off

Risk roll handling includes automatic COOL checks when any risk die shows 1.

Why This Works for 6 Players

• Everyone rolls once.
• Only risk-takers occasionally roll COOL.
• Freeze is immediate and resolved instantly.
• No end-of-round recalculation.
• No momentum tokens.
• No damage comparison.

It keeps combat moving.

It adds psychological risk.

It feels like SLA.

End of Initiative Rules

Reserved for table-specific additions.