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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.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/e6c4e59c-e025-4320-b411-4d5e32d36398/f3475ce8-709e-4082-9d3f-1948c77a3631_rw_600.png?h=489b582f1feae6b43f99ea98eea8ae44)
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/e6c4e59c-e025-4320-b411-4d5e32d36398/b41dcba5-c182-4038-948f-518e2ef5ac4a_rw_1920.png?h=fb7941ef0ded23cf38f6f7d0a60dbc19)