written & designed by colin cummings
A debate becomes a duel. A conversation becomes traded blows. A declaration of love becomes crossed blades. Swords as Subtext is a light, standalone system designed to give impact to words and to force a back and forth between two combatants. You can use this system alongside any existing tabletop game or setting, or as a one-shot for two players.
Using very light mechanics, two combatants will clash with words and force to work out their differences. Players fighting may use swords as a classic dueling mechanism, but can also fight hand-to-hand, laser sword to laser sword, or any setting-appropriate method.
