GM Moves

GM Moves are the actions you take to shape and advance the story. They can heighten danger — introducing conflict or raising difficulty — or offer ease, revealing information or relieving a burden.

When to Make a Move

• A PC rolls with Fear on an action roll.
• A PC fails an action roll.
• A PC does something that would have consequences.
• A PC gives you a golden opportunity.
• The players look to you for what happens next.

Quick Reference: Resolving Rolls

• Critical Success — They get what they want plus extra. Gain Hope, clear a Stress.
• Success with Hope — "Yes, and…" They succeed and gain a Hope.
• Success with Fear — "Yes, but…" They succeed, but there's a consequence. GM gains a Fear.
• Failure with Hope — "No, but…" Things don't go as planned, but they gain a Hope.
• Failure with Fear — "No, and…" Things go wrong and get worse. GM gains a Fear.

Softer vs. Harder Moves

Softer moves give the party new information and a chance to react. Harder moves happen directly without allowing PCs to intercede. Use softer moves on failures with Hope and harder moves on rolls with Fear.

Key Principles

• Don't undermine success — on Success with Fear, honor the success; add a consequence that doesn't negate it.
• Let cool moments breathe — don't immediately foil a clever play; escalate instead.
• GM moves apply everywhere — combat, social scenes, negotiations, explorations.
• When stuck, mark a Stress or defer the consequence for later.