Your Instinct represents a readied action or ingrained training. These trigger tests under certain conditions without costing your group precious time and advancing the Grind. They can be used to make things run smoother, or for advancing skills, or even just to cover your rear – like forgetting something during roleplay that would be routine for your character.
Players can only help each other during these tests if they share a similar Instinct, Wise, or if one of their Nature descriptors applies to the test.
Instincts can be changed at the start or end of a session. If triggering yours ends up helping the party, you earn a reward at the end of the session. Listed below are example Instincts from the community, but feel free to invent your own.
Always stick to the shadows when exploring.
Always hide at the first sign of danger.
Always run away when I hear screams.
Always scout out an unfamiliar area.
Always lead the way through a rough spot.
Always listen at new dungeon doors.
Always eavesdrop when I hear voices.
Always inspect structures for faults when entering an area.
Always search for footprints when entering an area.
Always search for secret doors when entering an area.
Always search for traps when entering an area.
Always search for traps before picking a lock.
Always search for water when I hear it.
Always prepare the safest camp possible when settling down.
Always watch for bad weather when outdoors.
Always keep my weapon readied in a dungeon.
Always keep my blades poisoned in a dungeon.
Always introduce myself when meeting someone new.
Always calm down my friends when they're in a tough spot.
Always trick others into doing what I want.
Never pass up a chance to further my research.
Always attempt to identify strange creatures when I meet them.
Always take a moment to copy inscriptions when I find them.
Always take a moment to inspect treasure when I find it.
Always grab the stuff we dropped before leaving an area.
Always scrounge for supplies before leaving an area.
Always looking to pick a nice pocket!
Always loot the bodies after combat.
Always give the fallen their last rites.
Always look out for the greenhorn.
Never leave the gold behind.
Never let a waterskin go dry.
Always keep the torch lit.
Using an Instinct in camp doesn't require a check.
Always go hunting during camp.
Always work on repairs in camp.
Always map our progress in camp.
Always scribe a scroll while in camp.
Always prepare a good meal in camp.
Always make potions when in camp.
Always scrounge up some supplies while in camp.
Always find or make shelter when setting camp.
Always locate fresh water before making camp.
Always train the newcomers in camp.
Always tend to my friends in camp.
Always scribe a scroll during camp.
Using an Instinct in town doesn't raise Lifestyle.
Always conduct research in town.
Always ask around for information while in town.
Always listen for rumors while in town.
Always make new contacts in town.
Always give my friends lessons in town.
Always find something to drink in town.
Always hire henchmen when in town.
Always find side work when in town.
Always haggle when entering town.
Always scribe a scroll while in town.
Always pray at the shrine in town.
Consider a signature action, statement or reaction of your character. If we were reading about your character in a book, we’d expect you to do this thing when you got into trouble.
Instincts should be specific and have three parts – a statement starting with Always or Never, which action you take, and then whatever triggers the action. This trigger can be something like when making camp, while in town, when encountering a monster, entering a new chamber, and so on.