Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction
BattleSauce is a home-brewed system designed to remove any rules or obstacles that disrupt the flow of play or break immersion in the game’s setting. It was intentionally developed to be both easy to learn and far more nuanced than traditional “dice-only” RPG systems, thanks to the unique addition of playing cards.
In addition, we’ve incorporated elements inspired by classic board games, creating a richer and more dynamic experience than standard dungeon and combat maps typically offer. This idea is emphasized throughout the CookBook because we believe in it wholeheartedly: It’s all in the ‘Sauce.
And because it’s all in the ‘Sauce, you’re encouraged to modify and adapt the rules as needed—always prioritizing fun. At its core, BattleSauce is about enjoyment. If any rule or mechanic detracts from that, tweak it, move on, and keep the fun alive.
Now grab your gear, dive in, and most importantly, have fun!
Before time was measured and Existence came to be, there was Nothing. Empty and vast, Nothing was everywhere and nowhere, quiet, still, unknowingly alone, and aware. Perhaps boredom or a desire to know something other than itself roused the Nothing, and thus was born Umbra and Aurora, the Daughters of Nothing.
Together, the sisters created the universe for their father. They filled it with galaxies, nebulae, black holes, and the first Living Planet, Goreth. The sisters nurtured Goreth equally as light and dark. Life grew and thrived. Homage was paid for these prosperous times. From Nothing, all life sprang forth. This was the First Existence.
Within time, jealousy crept over Umbra and Aurora - each envious of the other’s hold on the planet: night lingered too long into the day, and light was worshiped unparalleled to dark. A battle between the two erupted, tearing land masses apart, sinking and raising continents, and raining fire from the sky. Their rage ended in destruction - each delivering a fatal blow to the other - with the resulting explosion scattering their remains across the planet and the Universe alike. Life all but diminished, and Goreth was forever scarred. This was the Second Existence.
The shards of Umbra and Aurora permeated the Universe - infusing Existence with the power of Gods harbored in fragments found throughout creation. However, these shattered gods’ souls persisted despite the destruction of their forms. Darkness seeped deep beneath the ground, forming the Dead and Low Realms. Light gathered above, creating the High Realms and their Ascensions. Between these two ethereal realms, the tangible, Middle Realm or Living Realm, remained, and life slowly returned to Goreth. Thus began the Third Existence.
Goreth
Every good story needs an anchor point - somewhere for it to start, unfold, and conclude. In BattleSauce, that anchor point is the Living Planet Goreth. While it has all of the biomes and features of Earth, it’s unique in that it’s filled with distinctive Proteins, environments, magics, and oddities amidst ancient ruins and lost civilizations. Every Age in BattleSauce, from the Dawn of Creation to the Final Moments of Existence, occurs along the timeline of Goreth, allowing for countless Ages in between. This way, Goreth is a backdrop for SauceBosses and Players to create their own stories.
Two moons orbit Goreth: Lunara, a seemingly lifeless and gray moon like ours, and Gothos, a lush planetoid moon covered in breathable air, landscapes, and Proteins.
Even if your story never takes place on Goreth, it’s okay. One of the tiny points of light you see in the night sky of your planet or any other planet in the universe might be Goreth. With its two orbiting moons, it’s flying through time and space, serving as an anchor point for all that exists.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to BattleSauce, the world’s tastiest RPBG, and your soon-to-be favorite game! BattleSauce games are written in a unique format that caters to the imagination by encouraging players to go “off menu”—as they inevitably will—while providing the SauceBoss (SBs) with the necessary structure to lead characters through engaging stories. Our unique format and rules-light system ensure minimal prep time, riveting games, and easy access for players to create games, characters, and even worlds.
BattleSauce unfolds across the breadth of time—spanning countless centuries, from the Beginning to the furthest reaches of Infinity. And beyond. Yep, I said it. In this way, anything and anywhere is possible—even better, playable.
What is an RPBG, and how do you play it?
RP stands for RolePlaying, a game of collective imagination in which players create characters and navigate them through a story crafted and narrated by the SauceBoss (SB).
The narratives in BattleSauce are called “Meals.” The “SauceBoss” assumes the role of the only player with complete knowledge of the story’s developments. They usually take on the roles of supporting characters, antagonists, and monsters that other players do not play.
The players’ motivations are entirely up to them. They express their characters’ voices by informing the “SauceBoss” of their desired actions, and the “SauceBoss” assigns a Difficulty Number.
In BattleSauce, every action has consequences, shaping a player’s character in predictable and unforeseen ways.
This is what makes the game an authentic role-playing experience.
The BG, or BoardGame, takes effect anytime a player’s character enters specific environments - either determined by the SauceBoss or predetermined by the Meal or Snack being played.
Traditionally, these environments feature a grid of some kind and are referred to as BattleMaps.
They gauge a character’s location and progression through the environment. In BattleSauce, we call them BattleMaps, and they are gridded. But that’s where the similarities end. BattleSauce maps are more like a board game, with each square having various random outcomes determined by dice and card pulls instead of the SauceBoss.
These outcomes can be favorable or unfavorable, creating surprises for all players and keeping the Meal fresh by removing total control from the SauceBoss.
BattleSauce combines the best of RPG and board games - immersive stories, character development, and freedom with quick setup, straightforward rules, and chance encounters.
BattleSauce offers a range of gaming options for players with varying levels of time and complexity preferences. BattleSauce Meals are intricate and multi-layered and may take several hours over multiple days to complete. In contrast, BattleSauce Snacks utilize BattleMaps and do not require a SauceBoss, making them suitable for solo gameplay. Snacks typically take a few hours to complete.
Ages
Time / Period / Genre
Ages represent the overarching genre and setting in which your games unfold, including their inhabitants, creatures, monsters, geology, mythology, magic use, and technology levels. These Ages share a common timeline, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected eras that span eons. Each Age marks a distinct period in this grand timeline, allowing for vastly different settings as immense stretches of time separate one Age from the next - with civilizations rising, falling, and evolving across millennia.
The shared timeline empowers Players and SauceBosses to craft their own unique Ages, drawing inspiration from any point in the BattleSauce continuum. You can blend elements from various Ages, creating stories where past and future collide or ancient magic meets futuristic technology. After all, it's all in the 'Sauce!
While all BattleSauce (TM) content—including Ages—will include Trades and Proteins, the BattleSauce CookBook is the base ingredient for playing any BattleSauce game.
Meals
Adventures / Games / Campaigns
Meals are full-length BattleSauce adventures divided into Courses or chapters, functioning as natural stopping points or breaks during GamePlay. Meals may take several hours, days, or even weeks to play through and require a SauceBoss to guide the players, helping them meet the goals of each Course.
Courses are written uniquely, providing all the flavor and information needed to start playing immediately with minimal prep time. Each Course features key ingredients - components necessary to play the Course - background information, essential plot points, and optional “Season to Taste” prompts for adding custom spice to your adventure by suggesting different directions or outcomes for your Meal. Meals also offer "Left Overs," gaming hooks to expand your Meal further and play extended sessions.
Snacks
Shorts / BoardGame / Solo Play
Sometimes, RolePlaying takes too long. That’s when you grab a Snack and slay your hunger for gaming. BattleSauce Snacks provide all the benefits of full-length Meals, such as Calories (experience points), new weapons, Pieces, treasure, and monster battles. Snacks are generally played as the BoardGame version of BattleSauce, and little to no RolePlaying is required while utilizing Age-specific Monster Hordes. Snacks can also be played solo, without a SauceBoss, following the BoardGame rules. See the BoardGame Rules for details.
Ingredients
Add-ons / Elements / Stuff
BattleSauce Ingredients are individual pieces of information that can be used to enhance your gaming experience. This information includes maps, weapons, characters, locations, environments, history, and fauna. These ingredients can make your BattleSauce games more detailed, immersive, and enjoyable. They can also be helpful during gameplay by providing explicitly defined content for unexpected situations, such as when characters wander into a new environment or need a place to recover.
CookWare
Materials / What You Need to Play / Tools
BattleSauce is designed to be accessible and exciting for all levels of gamers, from beginners to long-time RPG veterans. Getting started is easy and only requires a few common household materials.
Writing Utensil
Does it feel like you’re in school when you read “writing utensil”? Aaaaanyway. Pen, pencil, quill, something to write with.
Graph Paper
Graph paper is great for making maps and taking notes, but really, any paper will do. You can also use it to create your Protein Pack (character sheet) or download the official Protein Pack from our website.
Six and 20-Sided Dice
You can’t have a RolePlaying game without at least one exotic die. We use standard six-sided (D6) and twenty-sided (D20) dice.
Deck of Playing Cards
A standard deck of 54 playing cards, including Jokers. A couple of decks might make playing a bit smoother. Cards are used extensively in BattleSauce. Players can use playing cards to customize their character further and incorporate unique attributes. Although it’s not needed, we recommend one deck per player. Additionally, some characters or situations may require specialty CookWare for playing - such as dominoes for the Trade: Sorjinn - these unique needs will be identified when necessary.