"A humanist science-fantasy of travel between crystal spheres."
Troika! is a rules-light roleplaying game of surreal travel across a multiverse of crystal spheres linked by interplanetary barges. Its own 2d6 engine, not a D&D clone. Famous for its 36 bizarre character backgrounds and an unmistakable visual style. A cornerstone of the NSR (New School Revolution): minimal rules, maximal strangeness.
An endless multiverse of spheres joined by golden barges that sail impossible skies. One world is a bazaar-city of gods, another a swamp of philosophers, another an arena of undying gladiators. The tone is melancholy, funny, and deeply alien — science-fantasy in the tradition of Vance's Dying Earth and Wolfe's Book of the New Sun.
36 Backgrounds (d66)
No classes — roll d66 on a table of 36 backgrounds, from Monkeymonger to Zoanthrop. Each grants a strange bundle of skills and possessions. A character in a minute.
Roll-under 2d6
To test something, roll 2d6 against the sum of your Skill and the relevant Advanced Skill. Roll equal or under to succeed. The entire resolution system in one mechanic.
Three stats only
Skill, Stamina, and Luck — that's it. Luck is spent and recovered, swinging rolls and damage. No character sheet longer than an index card.
Initiative from a bag
Turn order isn't round-by-round: tokens for each combatant plus end-of-round tokens go into a bag. You draw blind — combat as beautiful, lethal chaos.
Open in Session Zero to let every player vote and see the results.