dh-domains

What this skill does

# Domain Cards Skill

Provides guidance for handling domain cards and magical abilities in Daggerheart adventures. Domain cards represent a character's magical or specialized abilities, organized into 9 thematic domains.

**Authoritative Source**: For exact rule wording, use the `dh-rules` skill to reference `srd/contents/Classes.md` and `srd/contents/Domain Card Reference.md`.

## The Nine Domains

Each domain represents a thematic school of power. Characters gain access to domains through their class, typically having access to 2 domains.

| Domain | Focus | Classes with Access |
|--------|-------|---------------------|
| **Arcana** | Innate magic, elements, raw power | Druid, Sorcerer |
| **Blade** | Weapon mastery, martial prowess | Guardian, Warrior |
| **Bone** | Tactics, body control, combat awareness | Ranger, Warrior |
| **Codex** | Magical study, books of power | Bard, Wizard |
| **Grace** | Charisma, charm, language mastery | Bard, Rogue |
| **Midnight** | Shadows, secrecy, stealth | Rogue, Sorcerer |
| **Sage** | Nature, beasts, natural world | Druid, Ranger |
| **Splendor** | Life, healing, light | Seraph, Wizard |
| **Valor** | Protection, shields, defensive power | Guardian, Seraph |

For detailed domain descriptions and class associations, see `references/domain-overview.md`.

## Domain Card Anatomy

Each domain card includes six elements:

| Element | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Level** | 1-10, determines when the card becomes available. You cannot acquire a card with a level higher than your PC's. |
| **Domain** | Symbol indicating which domain the card belongs to. You can only choose cards from your class's two domains. |
| **Recall Cost** | Stress spent to swap this card from your **vault** to your **loadout** (see Loadout & Vault below). |
| **Title** | The card's name. |
| **Type** | One of three types: **abilities** (typically non-magical), **spells** (magical), or **grimoires** (Codex domain only, grants collections of lesser spells). |
| **Feature** | The card's effect, including any special rules for using it. |

### Example Card

```
# CHAIN LIGHTNING

> **Level 5 Arcana Spell**
> **Recall Cost:** 1

Mark 2 Stress to make a Spellcast Roll, unleashing lightning on all
targets within Close range. Targets you succeed against must make a
reaction roll with a Difficulty equal to the result of your Spellcast
Roll. Targets who fail take 2d8+4 magic damage. Additional adversaries
not already targeted and within Close range of previous targets who
took damage must also make the reaction roll...
```

## Spellcast Rolls

Many domain cards require a Spellcast Roll. This is a standard Duality Dice action roll.

### Making a Spellcast Roll

```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 1, "d": 12, "label": "hope" }, { "n": 1, "d": 12, "label": "fear" }], "modifier": [trait] }
```

**Spellcast Trait**: Determined by your **subclass**, not class. Each subclass specifies which trait is used for all Spellcast Rolls. Guardian and Warrior subclasses have no Spellcast Trait (martial classes).

| Class | Subclass | Spellcast Trait |
|-------|----------|-----------------|
| Bard | Troubadour | Presence |
| Bard | Wordsmith | Presence |
| Druid | Warden of Renewal | Instinct |
| Druid | Warden of the Elements | Instinct |
| Ranger | Beastbound | Agility |
| Ranger | Wayfinder | Agility |
| Rogue | Nightwalker | Finesse |
| Rogue | Syndicate | Finesse |
| Seraph | Divine Wielder | Strength |
| Seraph | Winged Sentinel | Strength |
| Sorcerer | Elemental Origin | Instinct |
| Sorcerer | Primal Origin | Instinct |
| Wizard | School of Knowledge | Knowledge |
| Wizard | School of War | Knowledge |

### Spellcast Roll Targets

Some cards specify a target number in parentheses:

> "Make a Spellcast Roll (13)..."

The number in parentheses is the Difficulty. Compare your roll total to this number.

### Spellcast Outcomes

Spellcast Rolls follow standard action roll outcomes:

| Outcome | Condition | Effect |
|---------|-----------|--------|
| Critical Success | Both dice match | Automatic success, enhanced effect |
| Success with Hope | Total >= Difficulty, hope die higher | Success, player gains Hope |
| Success with Fear | Total >= Difficulty, fear die higher | Success, GM gains Fear |
| Failure with Hope | Total < Difficulty, hope die higher | Failure, player gains Hope |
| Failure with Fear | Total < Difficulty, fear die higher | Failure, GM gains Fear |

Some cards have different effects on success vs. failure (like Healing Hands).

## Loadout & Vault

Your **loadout** is the set of domain cards whose effects your PC can use during play. You can have up to **5 domain cards** in your loadout at one time.

Once you've acquired six or more domain cards, you must choose five to keep in your loadout; the rest are in your **vault**. Vault cards are inactive and do not influence play.

> **Note**: Subclass, ancestry, and community cards don't count toward your loadout or vault - they're always active.

### Managing Cards

**At the start of a rest** (before downtime moves): Freely swap cards between loadout and vault at no cost, as long as your loadout doesn't exceed 5 cards.

**At any other time**: To move a card from vault to loadout, mark Stress equal to the card's **Recall Cost**. If your loadout is full, you must also move a card to your vault (at no cost).

**When gaining a new card at level-up**: You can immediately add it to your loadout for free. If full, move another card to vault.

### Usage Limits

Some domain cards restrict how often they can be used (e.g., "once per rest"). Track these limits separately using whatever method you prefer - turning the card sideways, flipping it facedown, or using tokens.

> **Note**: If an effect gives you uses equal to a trait with modifier +0 or less, it grants 0 uses.

### Using a Domain Card

When a character uses a domain card:

1. **Verify Card is in Loadout**: Only loadout cards can be used
2. **Pay Any Activation Cost**: Some cards require marking Stress to activate
3. **Make Spellcast Roll** (if required): Roll DdD + Spellcast Trait vs. Difficulty
4. **Resolve Effect**: Apply the card's outcome
5. **Track Usage Limit** (if applicable): Mark if the card has limited uses

## Card Selection

### At Character Creation

PCs acquire **two 1st-level domain cards** at character creation. Each domain offers 3 options at Level 1. Choose from your class's two domains (you can take both from one domain or one from each).

### At Level-Up

Each time you level up, gain **one additional domain card** at or below your new level. Levels 2-10 typically offer 2 options per domain per level.

### Loadout Limit

Your loadout holds a maximum of **5 domain cards**. Once you have 6+ cards total, excess cards go to your vault.

## Looking Up Domain Cards

### Full Card Content

Domain card details are in the Daggerheart SRD. Use the dh-rules skill to search:

```bash
# Find a specific card
grep -ri "CARD_NAME" "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dh-rules/references/srd/abilities/"

# List all cards in a domain
cat "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dh-rules/references/srd/domains/[Domain].md"
```

### Domain Overview

For quick reference on all 9 domains and their thematic focus, see:
- `references/domain-overview.md`

### Full Domain Content

For complete domain card listings with all options by level, reference the SRD:
- `dh-rules/references/srd/domains/` - Domain descriptions and card tables
- `dh-rules/references/srd/abilities/` - Individual card details

## Quick Reference

### Spellcast Roll Formula
```
DdD + Spellcast Trait (from subclass) vs. Difficulty
```

### Loadout Rules
- Maximum **5 domain cards** in loadout
- Swap freely at start of rest (no cost)
- Swap mid-session by paying **Recall Cost** in Stress

### Domain-Class Access
| Class | Domains |
|-------|---------|
| Bard | Codex, Grace |
| Druid | Arcana, Sage |
| Guardian | Blade, Valor |
| Ranger | Bone, Sage |
| Rogue | Grace, Midnig