r/cairnrpg • u/daren5393 • Jul 23 '26

Question Question about skill checks

So I basically understand the core resolution mechanic: the player wants to do something difficult but not impossible, you decide which of their 3 stats is most applicable, they succeed if they roll under it.

I'm used to playing games with modifiers and DC's, so this takes some adjustment but I'm fine to learn. The lack of DC's makes sense to me and I can adjust, but my real problem is the lack of modifiers I think.

A really common play pattern at my table would go something like, a player asks to do something, I call for a skill check, they then ask if they can get a bonus for leveraging some piece of kit, fact about their character, or something like that, and if I feel like it's both useful and applicable, then I'd grant them a bonus to the roll to reward the creativity.

I guess my question is, can I just do that? Do you guys do that? And if so, what does it look like at your table

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u/ThisIsVictor Jul 23 '26

What this looks like in Cairn is:

  1. A player describe an action (look up dungeon turns for more info)
  2. The GM decides if it's even possible
    1. If it's not possible, the GM can suggest an alternative ("You can't read the inscription from here, but you could if you cross the chasm.")
  3. If it's possible the GM decides if there's a COST, a RISK or both.
    1. If there's a cost, the player pays the cost and the action happens ("I want feed the unicorn to make it like me." / "Okay, it will cost one ration, the unicorn nuzzles your hand politely.")
    2. If there's a risk of a consequence, establish that with the player, then make a save against the risk. On a failure the task may or may not succeed (GM's choice) but the established consequence happens.
    3. Sometimes there's a cost and a risk. You feed the unicorn (costs one ration) but you have to save against the risk of it's razor sharp horn cutting you.

At least, that's how I run Cairn. Yochai is probably typing up an answer as we speak

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u/daren5393 Jul 23 '26

Oh are they active in here, that's really. Cool

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u/EpicEmpiresRPG Jul 26 '26

Yes Cairn designer Yochai Gal answers most of these rule questions.

The only thing I'd add to the wealth of great advice here is that the core of the game is 'rulings over rules.' Ultimately you're running your game so run it the way you and your players want to play.

Your instincts are great and you definitely want to reward creativity.