The mechanics of *What We Become* build on the systems used in City of Mist, maintaining the PBTA 2d6 foundation and tag-based narrative resolution from the Mist Engine family. The system centers on adaptation, identity, and consequence—each roll measures not just success or failure, but how a character or the world evolves as a result.

• Roll 2d6 + relevant modifier (often tied to tags, Anchors, or Symbiosis).
• 10+ → full success: you act as intended; minimal collateral effect.
• 7–9 → mixed success: you succeed, but the Bloom responds—mutation, tension, or moral cost.
• 6– → the World or GM makes a hard move; evolution proceeds without consent.

Each roll is fiction-first and generates evolutionary pressure: a narrative consequence that reshapes self, scene, or setting.

Tags define fictional positioning and situational leverage.

• Aspects situational or environmental factors that may aid or hinder.
• Statuses (personal): apply to characters (Attuned-2, Fragmented-3).
• Conditions (scene/world): apply to environments or shared situations (Empathic Field Active, Sterile Zone).

Tags can stack or cancel contextually. Tiering (1–3) may be used to track narrative weight.

Anchors are personal constants—memories, beliefs, or relationships that define individuality within the Bloom.

• Provide situational bonuses or narrative justification when invoked.
• Can be evolved, burned, or restored through play.
• Represent the psychological architecture keeping the host coherent.

Anchor Burn: A player may burn an Anchor at any time for an automatic 10+ result.

• The Anchor becomes unavailable until meaningfully restored through reflection or reconnection.
• Restoration scenes reinforce theme and drive character growth.

Rupture Choice (End-of-Chapter Move): At the end of each session or chapter, a player may modify one Anchor:

• Evolve: reinterpret it to reflect change (Protect my sister → Protect those who still dream).
• Fracture: remove it entirely; it becomes a ghost Anchor that can echo or haunt later.
• Reinforce: preserve it unchanged, regaining temporary Harmony or stability.

Represents the host’s balance between autonomy and integration.

• Harmony: stability, empathy, and controlled adaptation.
• Dissonance: power through loss of individuality or over-assimilation.
• Shifts occur via stress, adaptation, Anchor change, or Bloom influence.
• The track influences access to specific Adaptation Moves and how the Co-Pilot interacts.

Actions that channel or express the Bloom within the Host.

• Triggered by emotion, risk, or exposure to Bloom resonance.
• Grant temporary tags or alter environments.
• High use increases Dissonance or triggers Rupture consequences.

Examples (to be expanded):

• *Resonate with the Field* — perceive emotions and connections nearby.
• *Reconfigure Form* — adjust physiology to survive an environment.
• *Synchronize* — connect minds for cooperation or memory sharing.

An optional system allowing another player to embody the colony’s internal voice.

• The Co-Pilot defines the symbiote’s Drive, Method, and Tone.
• They may roll to influence or assist the Host, risking shifts along the Symbiosis Track.
• Dialogue between Host and Symbiote is treated as collaborative scene work.
• Each Symbiote belongs to a Lineage, a Bloom strain with its own larger agenda.

This mechanic externalizes interior conflict, turning evolution into dialogue.

A world-level tracker representing humanity’s collective trajectory.

• Unity → Convergence: widespread integration, ecological recovery, and psychic network stability.
• Division → Fragmentation: fear, isolation, or weaponization of the Bloom.
• Major character or faction actions shift this meter.
• Campaign arcs can be built around reaching critical thresholds.

• Fiction-first: narrative determines mechanics.
• Evolution through consequence: every result alters the narrative state.
• Collaborative internality: identity as shared, playable space.
• Hope through mutation: change is neither good nor evil—it is the condition of life.