Xiangguo-Lite

In a world crumbling at the edges—of empire, memory, or reality—you don’t need three hundred pages of rules to know who you are. This is a game of cunning survivors, hardened wanderers, and quietly brilliant minds navigating ruins, riddles, and raw danger. With just three Attributes and three Skills, every character in this system is sharply defined and endlessly flexible. You’ll never get lost in numbers—but you may lose yourself in the story.

Roll two dice, take the highest, and watch the world shift. Whether you’re deciphering a forbidden script, wrestling a corrupted beast, or convincing a border guard to look the other way, the outcome isn’t just pass or fail—it’s a turning point. Even your worst roll still moves the story. This system believes in failing forward, in consequences with texture, and in players shaping the world through bold intent and broad skills. And when the moment comes? Call on your one special ability—or treasured item—to turn the tide.

Designed for quick play, deep characters, and rich narrative control, this is a lightweight system that plays like a heavyweight. Perfect for one-shots, limited campaigns, or story-first settings, it keeps the focus on what matters: smart choices, evocative rolls, and the thrilling tension of seeing if your last breath, last guess, or last strike carries the day.

For the full setting and rules, see our Patreon

If you want to use these rules for your own thing, go right ahead. We’d appreciate a mention but it’s not necessary.