Newtonium Engine Core Rulebook

Newtonium Engine Core Rulebook

Explore a parallel 1754 with superpowers, magic, clockwork robots and demons.

Until a decade ago, magic was so rare and weak that many enlightened thinkers did not believe it existed. That was until the revelation of the magical alloy, Newtonium. Discovered by clockmaker John Harrison, the metal is used to make powerful and intricate clockwork machines that harness its power.

The greatest amongst Harrison's creations are the Newtonium Motors: four clockwork devices that graft onto human organs, allowing them to channel magical energies. They enhance mind and body, giving the Augmented control over one of the classical elements, and empowering their magical rituals. However, this power comes at a cost, twisting the subject's personality to feed the desires of their element.

Take on the role of one of these Augmented heroes and enter a world of intrigue, politics and military ambitions; fighting against dark magics and clockwork technologies that threaten to tear apart a world teetering on the brink of a global war.

Written by Ben Redmond, co-creator of ENnie nominated Etherscope.

Game Mechanics Summary

At its core Newtonium Engine has a unique, flavourful dice mechanic. The roll produces different trigger effects that allow for varied player options and encourages narrative style play in general play. Yet it has a crunchy combat system, where the same triggers from the dice rolls allow for different tactical options. Character creation is a simple priority system similar to Shadowrun that allows for pretty quick character builds yet with a decent amount of variety and options.

The system that my playtesters often said was the best part of the system was the way elemental powers work, as a dynamic flexible system that allows you to build a wide range of effects on the fly. 

There are a few design blogs on my website, so you can read more there.