Eros Engine™ FAQ

Powering Passion in Any World™

What is Eros Engine™?

Eros Engine™ is a tabletop role-playing game system that treats intimacy and desire with the same mechanical depth that most RPGs reserve for combat and adventure.
It gives structure, dice mechanics, and pacing to moments of attraction, seduction, climax, and aftercare — turning them into dramatic, consensual storytelling scenes instead of fade-to-black summaries.

Is it a standalone RPG or a supplement for other systems?

Both.
The Eros Engine Core Rulebook is a complete, standalone system — you can build characters, run campaigns, and resolve every scene with its own mechanics.
However, it also includes conversion and compatibility rules (Chapter 14) that let you integrate its intimacy system into other TTRPGs like D&D, Cyberpunk, or any narrative engine.
You can drop the Eros Engine framework into another world without rewriting the whole game.

What makes it different from other RPGs that touch on romance or adult themes?

Most systems treat erotic scenes as narrative flavor. Eros Engine transforms them into playable structure.
It introduces mechanical tension — with Attributes, Skills, and Derived Values (like Arousal, Energy, and Mood) — and organizes intimacy into four evolving phases: Initiation, Escalation, Climax, and Aftercare.
This allows erotic encounters to feel as tense, rewarding, and story-driven as a tactical fight or social duel, without losing emotional nuance or player comfort.

Who is the game for?

For mature players (18+) who want to tell stories of connection, vulnerability, and tension — not just conquest.
It’s for storytellers who already understand consent-based gaming and want a toolset that supports romance, seduction, and emotional depth alongside their usual campaigns.
It’s also ideal for writers, streamers, and narrative designers exploring intimacy as dramatic fuel.

Is the game explicit?

Yes — but in a structured, respectful way.
The Core Rulebook includes adult themes, explicit language, and examples of erotic scenes, because its mechanics depend on honesty about desire.
That said, the tone is always narrative-first. The system invites expression and consent, not shock value. You decide how graphic or suggestive your table’s play style will be.

How do safety and consent work in Eros Engine?

Safety is built directly into the rules.
Players are encouraged to establish Lines & Veils, use X-Cards or Pause Cards, and apply Script Change tools before and during play.
Every group calibrates comfort levels in a Session Zero, just like content warnings or theme discussions in other TTRPGs.
These aren’t optional add-ons — they are core to the game’s structure.

What are the Four Phases of Intimacy?

They form the backbone of every erotic scene:

1. Initiation – The spark of attraction, flirting, testing chemistry.

2. Escalation – A rising series of actions that build arousal and tension.

3. Climax – The release of built-up energy, mechanically and narratively.

4. Aftercare – The cooldown: emotional recovery, reassurance, and consequences.

Each phase has its own dice structure and purpose, creating rhythm and pacing that mirrors real emotional storytelling arcs.

How do dice rolls work?

Eros Engine uses a d20-based resolution system:
d20 + Attribute Modifier + Skill Rank ± Modifiers.
Modifiers can come from Mood, environmental factors, Perks, or Kinks.
You roll for actions like Kissing, Touch, Oral Technique, Flirting, or Control.
Each success increases Arousal or Mood; each failure might drain Energy or create awkward tension.
The dice make intimacy uncertain, dramatic, and alive — not scripted.

What kind of attributes and skills exist?

Characters have six Attributes:
Charm, Appearance, Sensitivity, Stamina, Arousal Control, and Willpower.
They also learn Skills divided into categories:

• Seduction & Social (Flirting, Conversation, Roleplay, Wardrobe & Style)

• Physical & Erotic (Touch, Oral Technique, Positioning, Control)

• Resilience & Recovery (Arousal Resistance, Recovery, Focus)

The result feels familiar to any RPG player, but the verbs of play are emotional instead of violent.

What are Perks, Kinks, Favorites, and Turn-offs?

• Perks are special advantages (e.g., Silver Tongue for social charm, Iron Control for delaying climax).

• Kinks define personal tendencies that can alter rolls — not fetishes for shock value, but character traits that shape story flavor.

• Favorites are techniques or positions your character excels at; using them grants bonuses or advantage.

• Turn-offs are limits that impose penalties when crossed — a built-in consent mechanic and dramatic hook.

They personalize gameplay, much like feats or traits in other systems.

How do you play an “encounter”?

An intimacy encounter unfolds in rounds, similar to combat or debate scenes in other RPGs.
Each round, participants:

1. Declare a Position or Technique (like Missionary, Oral, Spooning, Standing).

2. Choose a Skill to roll (Touch, Rhythm, Control, etc.).

3. Apply modifiers (Mood, Kinks, Perks).

4. Adjust Arousal (AR), Energy (EP), and Mood (MD) accordingly.

The tension rises until someone reaches their Arousal Threshold (AT) — triggering a Climax roll — followed by Aftercare and recovery.

Can it handle group or polyamorous scenes?

Yes.
The Core Rulebook includes multi-partner and group encounter rules with Group Mood, spotlight rotation, and optional shared Arousal pools.
It ensures fairness and balance while maintaining narrative clarity, so no one gets lost in the shuffle.

What genres can I use Eros Engine in?

Any.
The book includes dedicated guidance for Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Modern Slice-of-Life, Political Intrigue, Dark Play, and Comedy of Desire settings.
Its tagline isn’t poetic hyperbole — it really does Power Passion in Any World™.

Can I run a campaign with it, or is it just for one-shots?

Eros Engine supports both.
Short sessions work beautifully for cinematic intimacy or standalone stories, but Chapter 10 explains how to build long-term campaigns where relationships evolve, kinks change, and emotional stakes deepen.
Intimacy becomes character development, not just event.

How does character progression work?

Instead of levels, growth appears through emotional arcs and evolving preferences.
Players may raise Skills, adjust Favorites and Turn-offs, unlock new Perks, or modify Attributes through story events.
Improvement often reflects trust, experience, or self-discovery — mirroring narrative maturity rather than power creep.

What about Game Masters — what do they actually do?

The GM acts as narrator, facilitator, and safety anchor.
They set tone, control NPCs, manage pacing, and track Arousal/Energy/Mood.
They ensure everyone’s boundaries are respected while keeping tension alive.
Chapter 8 of the rulebook is a full guide to GMing intimacy safely and dramatically.

Is it compatible with digital platforms like Roll20 or Foundry VTT?

Not yet natively, but the system is simple enough to run with custom macros, and official digital tools are in development.
Character sheets, trackers, and printable safety cards will be available for download at eros-engine.com.

What is the Eros Engine Open License (EEOL)?

The EEOL allows creators to build their own supplements, adventures, or hacks using Eros Engine mechanics — for personal or community use.
Commercial projects require written permission from the copyright holder, but community content is encouraged and celebrated.
The license text appears in full in the rulebook.

Who created Eros Engine?

Eros Engine™ was written and designed by Péter Gara and published by Mythos-Games Kiadó Kft.
The art and design were created with assistance from NovelAI, and the system was developed in Debrecen, Hungary.

Where can I buy the Core Rulebook?

The Eros Engine Core Rulebook v1.0 is available on DriveThruRPG in both digital PDF and print-on-demand softcover editions.
Visit eros-engine.com for links, free downloads (Quickstart Guide, character sheets, safety tools), and future expansions.

Is there a community or Discord server?

Yes — the community is forming around the hashtag #ErosEngine on X and other platforms.
A dedicated Discord space is planned for creators and players to share stories, modules, and resources.

Why does this game exist?

Because intimacy is part of storytelling, and games deserve tools to explore it with the same respect we give to heroism, tragedy, and adventure.
Eros Engine exists so that the curtain doesn’t have to fall when passion begins.