Clash

**Clash** is a special combat mechanic in the Living World of Verum. It is a special type of contest, or opposed checks, that can be triggered by doing actions that meet a specific criteria, usually decided by Arcadum. The rolls that are required for the opposed checks vary as there are multiple ways to trigger a Clash, but the result is always measured in degrees of success.

## Mechanics

Clashes are a high-risk, high-reward mechanic where a character can attempt to damage an enemy, or even seal one of their abilities. Clash can only occur specific circumstances, and usually only against very powerful enemies. When certain criteria are met (which vary depending on the encounter), a player choose to trigger a Clash.

The basic clash is a contested roll in which each of the Clashing characters make an attack roll, and whichever character rolls the highest is the victor.

Clashes use normal attack modifiers, however they are also influenced by contextual advantage, if there is any. For example, a character may receive advantage on a Clash roll thanks to the Help action of an ally, and a character under the Stunned condition may be Clashed with advantage.

### Degrees of Success

When a character wins a Clash, the severity of their victory is determined by degrees of success; the higher the difference between the rolls is, the higher the degree of success. For example, a low degree of success may allow a character to temporarily blind their enemy or deal moderate damage, while a high degree of success may allow a character to seal one of their opponent's abilities and possibly deal significant damage.

The effects are also determined by the context of the encounter as well as the relative power of the combatants.

## Known Types

The opposed checks mentioned above are done during **Martial Clashes**, the basic form of Clashes. Martial Clashes are performed between two martial characters.

There are other types of Clash that use different types of rolls. The types known so far are listed below:

* **Arcane/Magical Clash**: Both participants cast a spell or use a magical effect against their opponent, who reacts accordingly. Depending on the spell and the reaction, they may roll a saving throw or attack roll. For example, if Combatant A uses the spell Blight against Combatant B, and Combatant B retaliates using abilities that require a saving throw, both participants must roll saving throws. Combatant A must roll the relevant saving throw for Combatant B's abilities, and Combatant B must roll Constitution saving throw because the spell Blight requires him to.

* **Bardic Clash**: A type of Clash between Bards. In this clash, both participants use the Performance skill for the opposed checks.

* **Faith Clash**: A type of Clash that uses a character's faith in a deity or patron. A character that enacts it uses a faith check for their checks. Like all faith checks, the modifier for the roll is determined by Arcadum depending on the situation and the character making the check.

* **Speaker Clash**: A special type of Clash that uses the knowledge of Power Words for the opposed checks. The number of Power Words a participant knows acts as the modifier for the contested roll roll. This clash is usually only between Speakers.

* **Soul Clash**: A special type of Clash that uses the power of character's soul for the opposed checks. The modifier for this roll is determined by Arcadum, and cannot be modified by anything else. Losing on this Clash will have catastrophic effects on the soul, and in turn, any of the refractions the soul has.

* **Team Clash**: A type of Clash that allows a group to Clash a single creature. To Clash as a group, one character must enact the clash and the other characters must ready an Action to help the character in the Clash. The rolls used are determined by what the team will do together, and the total number used is the highest roll between the members of the team. Losing on this clash will affect each and every single member of the group who helped with the clash. This Clash is extremely risky.

## Glies Mechanics

There have been some new augmentations to Clashes in the Glies campaigns. Notably many of the Clashes are a best of 3.

### Duel

Main article: Duel
Duel is a combat mechanic introduced during the Glies Arc that functions similarly to a Clash. However, duels can only be enacted between player characters.

## References

1. ↑ Strange Roads: Episode 16
2. ↑ Scrolls of Not'Chek: Episode 08