Stormbringer:Doom

Doom

“All men are born to fate. Mine was merely louder than most.”

Doom measures the weight of fate upon a character.

It is not simply bad luck. It is the accumulation of:

• bargains made
• powers invoked
• lines crossed
• attention drawn

Doom grows. And as it grows, the world begins to notice.

Starting Doom

All characters begin with:

• Doom 0

Some Flaws or Boons may increase this at character creation.

Gaining Doom

Doom is gained when characters:

• Use Chaos-tainted powers
• Invoke demons or supernatural forces
• Take Restricted Boons
• Break oaths or violate Law
• Attract the attention of powerful entities
• Choose power over restraint

Some abilities explicitly grant Doom.

Spending Doom

A player may voluntarily gain 1 Doom to:

• Reroll any failed roll
• Avoid certain death
• Force a dramatic success

This represents calling upon fate—and being heard.

In addition, each career and certain Boons

Doom Effects

Doom does not apply constant penalties.

Instead, it triggers when it matters.

The GM may invoke Doom to:

• Introduce complications
• Twist success into cost
• Escalate danger
• Attract attention

Doom Thresholds

As Doom rises, its effects intensify.

Doom 1–2: The Mark

Something is off.

• Animals react uneasily
• Minor coincidences turn against you
• Sensitive individuals feel your presence

Doom 3–4: The Shadow

You are no longer unnoticed.

• Dreams become troubled or invasive
• Supernatural forces take interest
• Small failures become costly

Doom 5–6: The Chain

You are entangled.

• Demons, priests, or agents begin to seek you
• Powers you used begin to demand return
• Success often carries a visible cost

Doom 7+: The Inevitable

Fate tightens.

• The GM may override outcomes for dramatic consequence
• Powerful entities act directly
• Your actions reshape the story around you

At this level:

> You are no longer merely a character. > You are an event.

Clearing Doom

Doom does not fade easily.

It may only be reduced by:

• Fulfilling a major obligation
• Rejecting power at great cost
• Completing a significant quest
• Sacrifice (time, power, relationships, or more)

The GM determines when Doom may be reduced.

Typical reduction:

• −1 Doom per major act of restraint or resolution

Doom and Death

At high Doom, death is rarely simple.

A character may:

• Survive—but changed
• Die—but trigger greater consequences
• Be claimed by a power

Death becomes transformation, not ending

Using Doom at the Table

Doom is not a punishment system.

It is a pacing and tone tool.

Use it to:

• Raise tension gradually
• Reward risky decisions
• Reinforce the cost of power
• Drive story forward

Final Rule

Players are encouraged to embrace Doom.

Because in Stormbringer the greater the Doom, the greater the legend.

Stormbringer Codex Home • Players Guide • Character Creation • Careers • Boons • Flaws • Sorcery • Doom • Peoples • Young Kingdoms • Law & Chaos • Setting Rules • Arms & Armor • Name Generators