Rules Edition 1.4 is up and ready to go just in time for April! Let's talk about what's new in this release.

1. Strings
Position & Effect  and Knocks have been scrapped, and the consequences of any roll less than a 6 has been rolled together into a mechanic called Strings. These are resources that the GM can use to make the situation worse, inflict Child-related consequences, and remove dice from player pools to represent hindrances such as injury. When you roll anything less than a 6, you give the GM 2 or more Strings. The GM can spend those Strings to tick clocks, propel the Child into danger, and create something called Lessons.

2. Lessons & Truths

We've got a new iteration of Child development! As they watch you attempt to parent them, the Child will internalize beliefs about themself, both positive and negative. If those beliefs are malleable, they are called Lessons. If they are permanent, these beliefs are called Truths. When the Child loses too much trust, or the GM spends enough Strings, new Lessons pop up. When the group takes a Rest Stop, the characters will have a chance to work on these Lessons to improve the Child's view of themself.

3. Milestone Renovation

The Child's Milestones are more relevant to their growth, and give them access to new Lessons, a bigger Stress Clock, and the ability to set their own goals.

4. Parent Abilities

Say hello to late-game character advancement! Parent Abilities are late-game upgrades that characters can obtain to give them a bigger advantage and the chance to fight back more effectively against the daily trials of being a parent. There are 6 Parent abilities to choose from, integrated into the new-and-improved character sheets.

5. Advancement Updates

I'm trying out the attaching of vignettes to each advancement each character takes. These vignettes can be pieces of the characters' backstory, a moment of connection with another player, or a snapshot of the character's daily life.

6. Updated Character Sheets

They look fairly similar, but the character sheets are a little bit more streamlined, and re-organized to make room for the new rules that come with this update. 

I've also updated the Learner's Guide and the Black & White document to include the new rules, so you can read about playing Protect the Child in whatever form makes the most sense to you! Physical character sheets are likely going to be held off on a little bit longer, until I'm fairly certain what I want them to look like.