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The new Inspiration rules feel more than slightly ripped from the pages of D&D.

The point has been made, and my skill in modern anthropology is not strong enough to argue the truth or falsehood, that TOR had it first, and D&D got it from AiME which got it from TOR, and TOR is just cycling back around to learn from its children and firm it up as a more core mechanic. Let the bickering commence.

The new Inspiration rules feel more than slightly ripped from the pages of D&D.

Okay, alright. I stand corrected Re: the origins of Inspiration. That doesn’t actually change my point though that it feels quite similar to D&D. I think we would prefer the mechanics of TOR stand relatively distinct from other generic fantasy RPGs which is why it matters. Does the mechanic evoke Middle-earth especially?

I would argue that it doesn’t necessarily, not in the same obvious way that Hope does. And because it primarily interacts with Hope to modify desperate and difficult rolls, we might consider calling it something more appropriate to specific situations where characters challenge fate. That’s really my only point here, not that Inspiration as it stands is bad. I rather like the idea of it, I just wish it were a bit more evocative.

Inspire was a perfect description. Why not simply revert to it and actually allow players to use successful rolls of it as another way to grant Inspiration? so players could get big “i” Inspired through playing to traits or by a successful Inspire roll.