Pastiche: The Generic Composite Pocket RPG System

Welcome to Pastiche: The Generic Composite Pocket RPG System!

This pocket RPG was inspired and influenced by a multitude of OSR and NSR systems and the Pocket Mod approach to layout. Players and Game Runners familiar with games such as Trollbabe, Cairn, Troika, Into the Odd, DCC, and similar games will undoubtedly notice mechanics that are familiar. This game is a distillation of many such games into the simplest playable approach to facilitate a wide variety of play.

This is an Ashcan Edition. That means that it is incomplete.
At present, it is a mostly completed rules set that is ready for playtesting and feedback. Once the rules have been playtested and adjusted and I am satisfied with the system, I will adjust the layout so that the entire game can be printed on one double-sided US Letter size page, folded, cut, and stapled. This will result in a single 16-page pocket RPG book that you can carry in your wallet!

The digital edition of this game is intended to be free, now and forever. The "suggested donation" is for those who wish to show their support for my work. It is not required, nor expected.

Please, download this game, share it with your friends, playtest it, leave comments and feedback, and help me make this game even better!
As I make adjustments, I'll add the new PDF files so that you can see the changes as they happen.

~~~~Update: April 20, 2023~~~~

I'm trying to learn to use Affinity Publisher, so to teach myself some of the functions of the program I played around with a layout for this game. The PDF that resulted from this first attempt has been uploaded and is free to download alongside the original document. I even fixed the text error that has existed since the original upload (Luck is supposed to be Fate).
I attempted a test print of the new layout, but I cannot adjust my printer specs sufficiently to have it print correctly. I'll continue to play with it and see what I can do, but for those who have access to a better printer, this first attempt may work well for you.
If you can get the document to print correctly (one page, double-sided), fold it according to these instructions:

After you fold it, staple the middle so you can cut the overlapping sections to separate the book into 16 pages rather than 8.

~~~~Update: April 23, 2023~~~~

I added a new Reader Friendly version, both with and without art. It shows up beautifully on my phone, so it should make it easier to use these rules with your preferred digital reading device.
I also created a character sheet PDF that is 2 pages and designed to print on a single sheet of US Letter size paper (both sides). When printed and folded it acts as a 4-page Character Sheet, complete with a cover and the Character Advancement rules found on the last page of the zine. I printed a test copy for myself and it came out perfect. Hopefully, this makes your Pastiche gaming better for you and your players.