Pantheon Press - Fortune's Fool

To Paul and Erica and Tom
and all those who play games

in a cabin on Mount Rainier…
“Fortune sides with him who dares.”

Virgil
“What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide”
William Shakespeare
Lead Designer & Creator
Jay Stratton
Editor-in-Chief
Jason Keeley
President
Rob Trimarco
Proofreaders
Kremig Körbchen, Jordana Landres
Playtesters
Erica Cline, Matthew Cody, Paul Dixon, Katie Dixon-Miller, Chris Gan,
Sarah Greis, Paula Gross, Nathan Hassan, Christopher Kimball, Aaron
Kotte, Tom Paynter, Epidiah Ravachol, Allison Stratton, Jim Sullivan,
Timothy Tait, Rebecca Weigandt
Cover Art
Chris L. Kimball
Interior Art
George Carimando & John Carimando
tornotlukin.com
Andrew DeFelice
ymirsson.deviantart.com
Chris L. Kimball
lastisle.com
some images courtesy Shutterstock.com
Character Sheet and Incidentals

John Carimando
ISBN
978-0-9819908-4-2
Copyright © 2010 Pantheon Press, LLC

All rights reserved
pantheonpress.com
Table of Contents
Welcome to Fortune’s Fool! 7 Experience 163
Glossary 8 Chapter Seven: Combat 164
Chapter One: Character Creation 10 Picking a Fight 164
Step 1 12 Initiative 166
Step 2 19 Actions in Combat 168
Step 3 20 Movement in Combat 170
Step 4 22 Attacking 171
Step 5 24 Defending Yourself 178
Step 6 28 Mounted Combat 180
Step 7 31 Environmental
Step 8 34 Dangers 182
Step 9 40 Blunders 184
Step 10 40 Damage, Death, and Other
Step 11 41 Unpleasant Results
Step 12 43 of Combat 186
Step 13 44 Chapter Eight: The World
Step 14 45 of Fortune’s Fool 193
Step 15 48 History 193
Step 16 50 Natural and Unique
Chapter Two: Skills 54 Features 196
General Skills 57 Kingdoms of Europe 202
Martial Skills 82 Chapter Nine: Running
Chapter Three: Twisting Fate 89 the Game 221
Fate Twists 90 The Backdrop of
Chapter Four: Gear 94 the Renaissance 221
Weapons 94 Experience 223
Armor & Shields 104 Lethality 224
Animals 107 Fate Tests:
Skill-Related Gear 109 A Gamemaster’s Ally 225
Tutors 111 Social Skills Versus
Spell Components 111 Roleplaying 225
Miscellaneous Gear 112 Honoring Player
Chapter Five: Magic 116 Investment 226
Fey Magic 120 The Tarot Deck 227
Gypsy Magic 129 Player Versus Player 228
Kabbalah 133 Playing the Villains 229
Wiccan Craft 137 Chapter Ten: Bestiary 233
Witchcraft 145 Animals 234
Chapter Six: Playing Natural Monsters 235
the Game 156 Unnatural Monsters 239
Drawing Fate Cards 156 Character Sheet 244-245
Unique Major Arcana 161 Reference Tables 246-249
T
he chill morning wind slapped Cleo in the face. It made
the throbbing in his head seem even worse. It was cold
and misty but at least the rain had stopped. God, it’s early.
Not even eight? A savage time to be awake.
Cleo stared through bleary eyes at his opponent across
the green. When the hangover clouds parted, Cleo saw a
graceful figure warming up with a beautiful rapier. There was
something glinting on the blade’s hilt, but Cleo could not quite
make it out. What is that? The shape took a moment to slide into
focus. A noble crest. Marvelous. The figure moved lazily through
some simple cuts and forms.
Then Cleo saw the pointed ears. This is too much! A
miserable November morning and I am dueling not just a trained
swordsman, not just a nobleman, but an ELF as well? Worse, Cleo
had no recollection of why they were about to duel. Cleo turned
to his second, his old friend from England. “Ashford, help me
on this. Do we know that elf?” He pointed emphatically to guide
his friend’s bloodshot eyes, “That one? Over there? Who seems
intent on hurting me?”
Ashford pursed his lips, trying to remember. He made a
few ugly noises and finally offered, “Ah…’tis an elf, Cleo…and
noble by his look.”
Real progress. “Yes, I see that, Ashford. Do we remember
why he wants to stick me with that pretty little sword?”
Ashford stared hard and furrowed his brow. He was
sheet white. He mopped his forehead with his kerchief, “There
was…I think…a…ball?” No help here. As Cleo began removing his
jacket, Ashford was still struggling, “I remember…the dessert
table.”
After a couple swallows of brandy (thank Christ), Cleo

found himself on the field a few strides from his opponent. Cleo
was amazed. How could the elf tower over him, yet still seem
so light on his feet? This was turning serious. Time for some
diplomacy.
4
“Noble sir, it is with deepest regrets that I offer up my
heartfelt apologies for…for…for the many wrongs that have
passed between us!”
The elf’s face flickered with contempt, but his eyes never
lost their icy stare. His second, a human officer from the king’s
guard, stepped forward and answered on the elf’s behalf, “You
have publicly smeared the name of the Baronet’s sister. Your
calumnies may not now be retracted because you have not the
stomach for a fight. The Baronet’s honor must be satisfied!”
Rats. Well, it sounded right. Cleo probably had uttered
those calumnies, whatever they were. Most likely this was the
Baronet des Amignone, which would make his sister that lady
of Amignone whom Cleo had…well, it sounded right!
Nothing for it then. Cleo bared his small sword and
willed his body into an en garde position. Cleo was a passable
swordsman, but this was an elvish noble, no doubt trained in the
finest schools. Victory was out of the question. Cleo’s strategy
was simple. He would rely on his luck. Be it cards, horses, or
even women, fortune seemed to shine on Cleo. With the help of
this luck, Cleo hoped he could take a single wound that was not
too serious. The elf might be satisfied with this first cut and not
skewer him like a game hen!
Right away, though, Cleo knew he was in real danger.
The blows fell furiously and were pushed on with murderous
intent. After a single pass, Cleo had been driven to the edge of
the green and his wrist ached with the weight of each parry.
After the second, Cleo was gasping for breath.
But there was good news! Cleo now sported a nasty cut
on his right leg. His luck was with him; the wound was serious,
but manageable. Oh, please let that be an end!
The Baronet’s second piped up in an ugly tone, “For
himself, this cut would satisfy the Baronet. Alas though, Master
Halfling’s slander causes grief to the entire Amignone family.
A cut is needed for each sibling.”
5
Two passes later, Cleo could barely stand. He was
bleeding in several places and could only just keep his sword tip
off the ground. Why couldn’t I have insulted an only child?
Finally, on the fifth pass, the Baronet leveled a butcher’s
blow at Cleo’s throat. The elf put his full weight into the
reckless cut, and the air hissed with the sound of the blade. Cleo
was too exhausted to parry. His trembling hand was only able
to lift the meager tip of his small sword into the path of the cut.
The elf’s rapier should have crashed through this thin defense
like a bull through paper and sent the halfling to his grave. But
Cleo was a very lucky halfling.
The Baronet’s family sword had fought countless duels.
It had been in the family for almost two centuries. It had been
crafted by one of the finest dwarven smiths in Europe and was
worth a king’s ransom, but after so many strikes, even the best
sword needs mending. The blade broke cleanly into two pieces
and flew harmlessly across the field leaving Cleo unscathed.
Both he and the elf stood a moment dumbfounded. Finally, Cleo
collected his wits and put the elf on point. “I trust the Baronet is
now satisfied?”
The elf’s face seethed with anger as he impotently
clutched the hilt of his once beautiful rapier, but he was no fool.
His eyes were locked onto the tip of Cleo’s small sword, now
tickling a button on his jacket. In a choked voice that Cleo alone
could hear, “I am content, you lucky little–”
Cleo cut him off in a voice that could be heard by the
whole green, “Lord Amignone, if you are content, we will part
as friends! My regards to your family.” Especially your sister.
What was her name?
6
Welcome to Fortune’s Fool!
Once upon a time,
Fortune’s Fool was a very
different creature. It was set
in modern-day New York City
in the throes of a magical
revolution. It borrowed a lot
from the Sandman graphic
novels and games like Unknown
Armies. Over several years and
many iterations of rules, it has
transformed into the book you
hold in your hands. All the
while though, it kept one idea
in the forefront: the Tarot deck
as a resolution mechanic.
We mean no disrespect to
those who use the Tarot deck
The Fool for purposes of divination.
If that’s part of your beliefs,
then more power to you. We
were so inspired by the art
and mythology of the Tarot, that we thought it would be the
foundation to a great game!
You might be asking, “Just what the heck is this dang
game, anyway?” We’re glad you brought that up. We’re also
glad you kept your language clean. Fortune’s Fool is an RPG
set in a fantastic version of Renaissance Europe. It’s got all the
elves, dwarves, and orcs you’ve come to expect in a magical
setting with a healthy helping of historical flavor. Instead
of dice, Fortune’s Fool uses a single Tarot deck to determine
outcomes. With the fate of your character hinging on each
card, you get to manipulate the deck to increase your chances
of success and survival. That is, of course, if your Fate Pool isn’t
empty!
Enough out of us, though. The game awaits! Enjoy!
7
Glossary
Fortune’s Fool contains a number of phrases that will become
familiar to you as you play, but can be confusing at first glance.
We’ve compiled a list of the more unusual terms with their
basic explanations here.
Black Double Draw: Certain unfortunate situations force you

to black double draw to perform an action. You take the top 2
cards from the Fate Deck and choose the worst card for you,
discarding the other.
Boneyard: The boneyard is the discard pile of the Fate

Deck. Many Fate Twists involve pulling cards directly out of
the boneyard. For this reason, players may look through the
boneyard as much as they want.
Discard Fortune: If you are a spellcaster, many spells will

require you to discard 1 Fortune to cast them. This means you
must name a Fortune Shines card that is still in the remaining
Fate Deck. The GM then finds that card (or makes a note of it)
and places it in the boneyard or under the Tower if it is on the
table.
Double Draw: Certain situations allow your character a

double draw to perform an action. You take the top 2 cards
from the Fate Deck and choose the best one for you, discarding
the other.
Fate Deck: The Fate Deck refers to the Tarot deck in its
entirety.
Fate Pool: Your character’s Fate Pool is determined during

character creation. Spending a point from your Fate Pool
allows you to use one of your Fate Twists. Your Fate Pool
replenishes at the beginning of each session. Every character
has a minimum Fate Pool of 1.
8
Fate Tests: For a variety of reasons, the GM may ask you to
perform a Fate Test. In a Fate Test, there is no difficulty. A
Fate Test asks the question, “In this moment, how lucky are
you?” You simply draw a card from the Fate Deck. If the card
comes up Fortune Shines or Smiles, the test is favorable for
you. If the card comes up Fortune Frowns or Weeps, the test is
unfavorable.
Fate Twists: You gain Fate Twists during character creation.

These are meta-game abilities that allow you to manipulate the
Fate Deck in specific ways. You must spend a point from your
Fate Pool to perform a Fate Twist.
Fortune Burn: Some spells or special circumstances may

require you to burn 1 Fortune. This means that you must
permanently change one of your Fortune Shines into a Fortune
Weeps.
Fortune Counter: Whenever you draw a Fortune Shines, you

get to hold that card as a Fortune Counter. A Fortune Counter
may be spent in one of two ways. First, you may spend a
Fortune Counter to cast most spells. Second, you may spend a
Fortune Counter before a draw to make the Minor Arcana face
cards an automatic success for that draw. You may only spend
counters on draws with difficulties, not on Fate Tests.
Fortune Shines, Smiles, Frowns, and Weeps: During

character creation, you will designate suits of the Minor
Arcana as either Fortune Frowns or Fortune Smiles, and you
will designate most of the Major Arcana as either Fortune
Weeps or Fortune Shines. These fortune dispositions indicate
your level of success or failure with a particular draw.
9
Chapter One
Character Creation
The Fortune’s Fool character creation system will guide you
step-by-step through the process of building your character.
Whether you are a complete neophyte or a seasoned gamer
looking for a challenge, the Fortune’s Fool character creation
process has something for you. When in doubt, just complete
the character creation steps in order and you won’t go wrong.
The Beginning
You will start by making
Trust your Gut
Making your character may seem
a series of fairly intuitive complex, but don’t get intimidated!
choices about your character If this is your first time making a
such as your character’s Fortune’s Fool character, you may
race, gender, age, and social not understand the implications
of having a particular bonus to
class. Before you start a statistic or an additional card
making these choices, there of Fortune Shines, but you can
are a handful of technical certainly answer a question like,
elements you should “Am I from the city or the country?”
understand. When in doubt, don’t worry about
the mechanics—trust your gut!
Primary Statistics
The primary statistics describe your character’s core abilities.
Your character’s physical power, strength of will, and acuteness
of senses, for example, correspond to the primary statistics
Body, Heart, and Perception. The choices you make through
the character creation process will determine your primary
statistics.
Agility represents your character’s physical grace and dexterity.

Body is your character’s strength, size, and corporeal power.
Heart describes your character’s will, discipline, and life force.
Perception represents your character’s physical senses as well
as their insight and reason.
10
Status is your character’s social rank and ability to command
respect.
Martial Training is how much time your character has spent
studying the art of combat. This statistic is abbreviated as
‘Martial’ in the tables to come.
With the exception of Martial Training, these statistics

have a numerical range from 0-12. The higher the score, the
more potent that statistic is for the character. For example, a
character with a Body of 1 is small and fragile while a character
with a Body of 10 is much more powerfully built. Martial
Training has a much smaller range, running from less than 0 to
about 7.
As you complete each step, you should keep track of the

modifiers listed for each choice to determine your final total.
Fortune Shines
At the bottom of your character sheet, you will find listed 18
of the Major Arcana (Magician, Empress, Temperance, and so
on). As you make your character choices, you will have cards
listed as Fortune Shines. For each choice, you should circle
the Major Arcana that are listed as Fortune Shines. When your
character is done, circled Major Arcana will be your Fortune
Shines cards and uncircled Major Arcana will be your Fortune
Weeps cards. There is no benefit to circling Major Arcana more
than once.
Skills
Many of your choices will give you skill options. For example,
the choice of Youngest Child has the following text: Choose
1 of {Gambling, Juggling, Performance} and 1 of {Acrobatics,
Charm, Sleight of Hand}. This means that as a youngest child,
you could have either Juggling and Charm or Performance and
Sleight of Hand. You have to pick the number listed from each
bracketed group. If you have the choice of two skills from a
single bracketed group, you must pick two different skills.
11
If you have the opportunity
What’s In A Name? to receive a skill a second
As it happens, quite a lot is in a name. time through another
Your character is not complete until choice, you may do so. The
you have picked one! A name is great benefits of choosing a skill
opportunity to express something
about your character. A good name
twice are explained in Step
tells us something about their 11.
ethnicity, their religion, and maybe
even their social class. Native Tongue
Your character may speak
their native language for
free. As you make your character, you may have the option of
choosing ‘Language’—a language in addition to your native
tongue. For example, if you are playing an Italian, you may
speak Italian for free. If you gain an additional ‘Language’ as a
skill, you get to choose an additional language like French or
Polish. This does not include special languages like Hebrew
and Latin.
Time to get started!

Now that you have a basic understanding of primary statistics,
Fortune Shines cards, and skill choices, you are ready to dive in
to the steps of character creation.
Step 1: Choose Your Character’s Race

Will you be a fearsome orc or a stalwart dwarf? Perhaps you
will play an elf who relies on uncanny skills and abilities or a
human counting on the lucky turn of each card. Whether you
play a goblin, halfling, orc, or dwarf, no single choice you make
says more about your character than race!
In Fortune’s Fool, you have six playable character races to

choose from: human, elf, dwarf, halfling, orc, and goblin.
Your race will determine base values for your statistics, your
religious options, and even give you some starting skills.
Most importantly, your character’s race will determine how
12
many suits of Minor Arcana will be lucky for you. Race is the
only thing that determines your Fortune Smiles and Fortune
Frowns. Simply record these values on your character sheet
based on your choice of race.
Humans
As a human, fortune favors you. The Renaissance is the time
of man. While not as strong as dwarves or orcs, nor as deft as
elves or goblins, you are very lucky!
Humans may be found in every region of Europe, North Africa,

and the Middle East, and they are members of every religion.
They are just about every shape and size, from 4’10” to 6’5”. The
average natural lifespan for a human is about 65 years.
Human Racial Traits

Agility Body Heart Perception Status Martial
4 5 5 4 5 1
Fortune Smiles: Cups, Pentacles, Wands

Fortune Frowns: Swords
Skills: Choose 1 of {Construction, Language, Sailing}

Religion: Any
Elves
As an elf, fortune may not favor you, but you have incredible
abilities to make up for it! You are graceful, brilliant, and
magically adept. You are also ageless and immortal. The
Renaissance is the sunset for elves. Your people once founded
the greatest civilization on earth. The great traditions of
art, law, scholarship, and civilization trace their roots to the
ancient elves of Athens and Thebes. But you are a member of
a dying race. There has not been a newborn elf in nearly 15
centuries, and few of your kind are alive today.
13
Most elves live in Paris, Rome, Venice, or Vienna. Religiously
elves fall into two categories: those who still follow the ancient
ways of Paganism and those who have embraced Catholicism.
Elves are only slightly taller than humans, though they tend to
be more slender. Their limbs are more willowy and, of course,
they have pointed ears.
Note: If you are an elf, skip choices 4 and 5 (age and

birthright). As an immortal, you are centuries old. Your age
and birthright are no longer relevant.
Elven Racial Traits

7 4 7 6 7 2
Fortune Smiles: Swords

Fortune Frowns: Cups, Pentacles, Wands
Skills: Choose 1 of {Charm, Literacy, Scholarship}

and 1 of {Arcane Sense, Fey, Latin}
Religion: Catholicism or Paganism
Elves do not take an Age Category or Birthright. Elves get 1

free level of Expertise in all skills they have with draws (see
Step 11). Elves double draw Wealth Level (see Step 12). Elves
do not need to sleep and are immune to sleep spells. Elves are
immune to disease and poison.
Dwarves
You may not have the good fortune of humans or the skills
of elves, but you have physical power and an iron will! The
dwarves are adapting quickly to this new age. Not just fighters,
dwarves are skilled artisans and shrewd merchants.
14
Dwarves are spread throughout
Europe, but mainly prefer
northern climes like Poland,
Scotland, and Bavaria. Dwarves
of the west are primarily
Protestant, while those in
Eastern Europe are mostly
Eastern Orthodox. Much of the
rest of the dwarven population
is Jewish. Dwarves range in
height from 3’8” to 4’9” and are
usually quite stocky. Many male
dwarves favor beards, but they
are by no means ubiquitous
throughout the culture. The
average natural lifespan for a
dwarf is about 230 years.
Two of Wands
Dwarven Racial Traits

3 7 5 3 6 2
Fortune Smiles: Cups, Pentacles

Fortune Frowns: Swords, Wands
Skills: Choose 1 of {Construction, Driver, Survival}

and 1 of {Apothecary, Demolitions, Merchant, Smith}
Religion: Eastern Orthdox Church, Judaism, or Protestant
Reformation
Because of their short stature, dwarves have -1 Movement for

footspeed purposes only.
15
Halflings
What you lack in size, you make up for with wit and cunning.
Halflings thrive in the Renaissance! As a halfling, you are
probably not a great fighter, but you have many other skills and
abilities—perhaps even magic.
Most of your folk live in Western Europe and the British Isles.
Religiously, halflings are evenly divided Protestant, Catholic,
and Jewish, but a handful of halflings still follow the old ways
of Paganism. Halflings are sometimes mistaken for human
children, as they are usually between 3’0” and 4’6” tall and are
quite skinny. However, one can always spot halflings by their
almost elf-like pointed ears. The average natural lifespan for a
halfling is about 150 years.
Halfling Racial Traits

6 4 6 7 4 0
Fortune Smiles: Cups, Swords

Fortune Frowns: Pentacles, Wands
Skills: Choose 1 of {Art, Culinary, Etiquette, Stealth Expert,

Traps}
Religion: Catholicism, Judaism, Paganism, or Protestant
Reformation
Because of their short stature, halflings have -1 Movement for

footspeed purposes only.
Orcs
As an orc, you are a fearsome fighter. You may not have the
luck of humans or the grace of elves, but your martial gifts
make up for it! The violent Dark Ages may have ended, but
orcs are holding their own in this new age.
16
Orcs can be found throughout Europe but they are much more
common in the east. The vast majority of orcs are Eastern
Orthodox or Catholic. A few orcs are Mohamedan, and a
handful practice the black arts of the occult. Most orcs are
taller and brawnier than humans. Orcish skin color comes in
various shades of green, and their ears are quite batlike. Many
orcs have small tusks that jut from their lower jaw. The average
natural lifespan for an orc is about 60 years.
Orcish Racial Traits

5 6 4 4 4 2
Fortune Smiles: Pentacles, Wands

Fortune Frowns: Cups, Swords
Skills: None
Religion: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Moslem,
or Occult
Orcs get 1 point of Natural Armor.
Goblins
Ain’t Easy Being Green You are agile, crafty and
Orcs and goblins have lower Status cunning. Further, you are
than the other races. This reflects lucky, maybe even as lucky
their social status in Europe itself
where these races are largely
as humans. Unfortunately,
perceived as immigrants. In their you lack their fortitude. You
respective native lands, the GM need your luck to stay alive!
may want to give orcs and goblins The presence of goblins in
bonuses to Status. Europe is felt more with
each passing year. Goblins
are often thought of as petty,
scheming creatures, but in their native lands, goblin culture
is very sophisticated with great emphasis on literature and
education.
17
Goblins live throughout Europe
but are native to Turkey, the
Middle East, and North Africa.
Most goblins are Mohamedans,
but many are Jewish as well.
A few goblins even worship in
the dark circles of the occult.
Goblins are about as tall as
humans, though their skin is
green and their ears and noses
are bigger. Goblins tend to have
a lanky physique. They also
have very sharp teeth that they
can use effectively in combat.
The natural lifespan for a goblin
is about 45 years.
King of Coins
Goblin Racial Traits

6 4 3 5 3 1
Fortune Smiles: Cups, Swords, Wands

Fortune Frowns: Pentacles
Skills: Choose 1 of {Assassin, Deception, Sleight of Hand}

Religion: Judaism, Moslem, or Occult
Because of their sharp teeth, goblins have a natural bite

attack. Goblins may add 3 points of damage to an unarmed
attack and may consider the attack Lethal instead of Blunt.
18
Rob sits down to make his character. He reads the intro
business and doesn’t get his head around everything, but
he figures it’s better to just dive in! After reading the race
descriptions, Rob decides that a goblin appeals to him. He likes
how lucky they are and he likes their Middle Eastern flair. He jots
down the goblin values for primary statistics. He also writes down
his three suits of Fortune Smiles and his one suit of Fortune
Frowns. Lucky! This information will not change as he continues
character creation.
Rob also has a skill choice. His character can pick Assassin,
Deception, or Sleight of Hand. “Well,” thinks Rob, “I am a
naturally duplicitous person. I think Deception will be the most
fun,” so he gives his character Deception and forgoes his other
options.
Finally, Rob jots down his natural bite attack on his character
sheet under weapons.
Step 2: Choose Your Character’s Gender

This one is easy. Your character will be male or female. Gender
roles and norms vary across the races, religions, and kingdoms,
but certain things are consistent. As a male, you will be larger
and have better combat training. As a female, you will be more
insightful and fortunate. The mechanical implications of this
choice are fairly minor, but obviously your character’s gender is
incredibly important to who they are.
Male
— — — — +1 —
Fortune Shines: None

Skills: Choose 1 of {Driver, Leadership, Running, Swimming}
19
Female
— -1 — +1 — -1
Fortune Shines: Empress (III), Lovers (VI)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Culinary, Language, Performance}
When Rob sat down, he hadn’t thought much about gender.

He knows that playing a female will be the tougher role-playing
challenge! Playing cross gender is not for everyone, but Rob
decides to risk it and make his goblin a female. He jots down the
stat modifiers. He also circles the two Major Arcana listed as
Fortune Shines for this choice: Empress and Lovers.
Again, Rob has a skill choice. He decides that his character will be
a well-traveled immigrant who may need to speak more than one
language so he chooses Language. Rob’s goblin will now be able
to speak her native tongue and a second language.
After the first two choices Rob’s character’s primary statistics look
like:
(6+0) (4-1) (3+0) (5+1) (3+0) (1-1)
She has two Fortune Shines cards and two skills so far. Rob could
total his stats at this point, but he figures he has more modifiers to
come.
Step 3: Choose Your Character’s Size

Your character’s size is a relative description depending on
your race. If you are a ‘tiny’ orc, for example, you might be a
meager 5’9”. If, on the other hand, you are a ‘huge’ halfling, you
might be a towering 4’7”!
20
Size may describe not only height, but also heft. A huge dwarf
need not be tall, but could be incredibly stout. A tiny human
might be short but also very skinny.
Tiny
+2 -1 — — -1 —
Fortune Shines: Star (XVII)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Acrobatics, Escape Artist,
Sleight of Hand}
Small
+1 -1 — — — —
Fortune Shines: High Priestess (II), Star (XVII)

Skills: None
Average
— — — — — —
Fortune Shines: Temperance (XIV), Judgment (XX),

World (XXI)
Skills: None
Large
-1 +1 — — — —
Fortune Shines: Emperor (IV), Strength (VIII)

Skills: None
21
Huge
-1 +2 — — — —
Fortune Shines: Strength (VIII)

Skills: None
Rob is growing concerned about his goblin’s Body statistic.

He knows Body is the driving force in Hit Points, so he decides
she’s a big goblin. Rob chooses size Large. He copies down stat
modifiers and circles two more Fortune Shines. He now has
Empress, Lovers, Emperor, and Strength circled.
Step 4: Choose Your Character’s Age

Your character’s age is not measured with years but with a
descriptive category. Except for the earliest years, the actual
span for each category will vary by race. Some races have
longer adult lifespans than others. An adult goblin might be 20
years old while an adult dwarf could be 150! You do not need to
track your character’s exact age, just their age category.
Your choice of age will affect your statistics and will give you
more Major Arcana to circle as Fortune Shines. Your age will
also give you points of skill expertise. Skill expertise points may
be spent to improve the draw values of most skills. You should
wait to spend your skill expertise until you get to Step 11.
Kid
+2 -1 -1 +1 -1 -1
Fortune Shines: Magician (I), High Priestess (II),

Devil (XV), Star (XVII)
Skill Expertise Points: 0
22
Youth
+1 — -1 +1 — —
Fortune Shines: Lovers (VI), Star (XVII)

Adult
— +1 — — +1 —
Fortune Shines: Emperor (IV)

Middle Age
-1 +1 +1 -1 +2 —
Fortune Shines: Hierophant (V)

Elderly
-1 — +2 -2 +1 —
Fortune Shines: Hierophant (V), Hermit (IX),

Hanged Man (XII)
23
At this point, Rob is having a clearer vision of his goblin
woman. He is beginning to see her as a kind of matron figure,
perhaps a widow from the east. With this in mind, he decides that
she is Middle Aged. He circles the Hierophant (a fifth Fortune
Shines) and makes note of his 4 points of skill expertise. Rob will
distribute these points later. For now, he just writes them down.
As usual, he also jots down his stat modifiers.
Though they are not the final totals, after four choices, Rob’s
goblin’s stats look like:
4 5 4 5 5 0
Step 5: Choose Your Character’s Birthright

Are you a commanding eldest child or a dynamic youngest
child? Perhaps you are a lucky middle child or a crafty
orphan. You might even be a mysterious seventh born or an
unfortunate bastard. Whatever you choose, your character’s
birthright says much about their place in Renaissance Europe.
Eldest Child
As an eldest child, you have been raised to be a leader. Growing
up you had at least one younger sibling. You have status and
training, but you are not lucky.
Eldest Child
— — +1 -1 +2 +1

Skills: Choose 1 of {Etiquette, Language, Leadership}
and 1 of {Horsemanship, Intimidation, Literacy}
24
Middle Child
Growing up, you were
probably the peacemaker.
Not as determined as your
older siblings nor as dynamic
as your younger siblings, you
may have been overlooked.
You may not have the skills
and abilities of your siblings,
but you do have the favor of
fortune.
Middle Child
— — — — — —
Fortune Shines: Empress (III), Justice (XI), Moon (XVIII),

Sun (XIX)
Skills: None
Youngest Child
Always vying for attention, youngest children are usually
dynamic and charismatic. You may not get the respect of your
eldest siblings, but you are sly and gifted.
Youngest Child
— — -1 +1 -1 —
Fortune Shines: Magician (I), Lovers (VI), World (XXI)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Gambling, Juggling, Performance}
and 1 of {Acrobatics, Charm, Sleight of Hand}
25
Seventh Child
Good or Lucky? Seventh children are rare,
At first glance, many choices seem and there is something
obvious. “Why would I play an
unremarkable middle child over mysterious about them. As
an eldest child? Eldest children a seventh child, you have
have better skills and stats!” This an intuitive sense of things
is true, but the middle child gets dark and otherworldly. Less
four Fortune Shines cards, while the connected to the physical
eldest child gets none. The eldest
child has the training and abilities, world, you are smaller and
but things just seem to work out for less interested in fighting,
the middle child. So, as you make but you have arcane skills to
your choices, ask yourself—is it make up for it.
better to be good or lucky?
Seventh Child
— -1 +1 +1 -1 -1
Fortune Shines: Devil (XV)

Skills: Choose 2 of {Art, Disguise, Language, Stealth Expert}
and 1 of {Apothecary, Lockpick, Sixth Sense}
and 1 of {Arcane Sense, Wiccan Craft, Witchcraft}
Only Child
Solitary and independent, you
are used to doing things on your
own terms. You are also used to
getting your own way! While an
only child may not develop the
best social skills, they have status
and luck on their side. With three
Fortune Shines Major Arcana, the
only child is one of the luckiest
birthright choices.
26
Only Child
— — — — +1 —
Fortune Shines: Chariot (VII), Hermit (IX), Moon (XVIII)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Art, Culinary, Etiquette, Language}
Orphan
As an orphan, you have walked a tough road. Perhaps your
parents were killed, or perhaps you were given up as a baby.
Orphans are the neglected waifs of society. They have poor
status and are often undernourished, but they are quick and
cunning. Also, orphans learn skills on their own which they
never would have learned in a cozy home.
Orphan
+1 -1 -1 +1 -2 —
Fortune Shines: Hanged Man (XII), Judgment (XX)

Skills: Choose 2 of {Disguise, Gambling, Stealth Expert,
Survival} and 2 of {Climbing, Escape Artist,
Lockpick, Sixth Sense, Sleight of Hand}
Bastard
Your father never married your mother. Perhaps he has
another legitimate family, or perhaps he was just passing
through. Your mother may even have been a lady of the night
plying her trade. However it happened, you are an illegitimate
offspring looked down on by society and fortune alike.
Bastards are daring and resourceful. They have guts and skill,
but they pay a heavy price.
27
Bastard
— — +1 +1 -1 +1

Skills: Choose 1 of {Deception, Horsemanship, Poison,
Underworld}
Rob doesn’t have a lot of opinion about his goblin’s birth. He

decides to let art imitate life. Rob is an only child, so he makes his
goblin one as well. As usual, he notes the stat adjustments and
circles the new Fortune Shines cards. He also has a skill choice.
He selects Culinary in keeping with his matron theme.
Step 6: Choose Your Character’s Native Environment

Did you grow up on a farm or in the mountains? When you
picture home, do you imagine verdant trees or cobblestone
streets? Are you in your element on the deck of a ship? Your
Native Environment is the place you call home.
28
City
Crowds, culture, and noise—you are most comfortable in a
city. Be it Paris, Vienna, London, or Prague, you are happiest
surrounded by buildings with cobblestone underfoot. They
may be filled with disease and poverty, but you don’t care. The
city is your home.
City
+1 — — — — —
Fortune Shines: Hierophant (V), Chariot (VII), Justice (XI),

Hanged Man (XII)
Skills: Choose 1 of {Art, Disguise, Etiquette, Forgery,
Juggling, Language, Performance, Stealth Expert}
Country
Maybe you are a toiling peasant or a gentleman farmer. You
might work with a shovel in your hand or on the back of
a horse. Perhaps you grew up in a small town in a farming
community. You may not have the sophistication of the city
folk, but you make up for it with size and strength.
Country
— +1 — — — —
Fortune Shines: Hermit (IX), Sun (XIX), Judgment (XX)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Demolitions, Horsemanship, Hounds,
Medical, Smith}
29
Nautical
Ships are second nature to you. The shifting decks, tight
quarters, and rolling waves do not trouble you in the least.
When you are not on a vessel, a squalid port town or coastal
whaling community is the next best thing. As a mariner, you
are deft and skillful, and you are trained in combat. But there
is a downside, as fortune does not favor those who risk a life on
the ocean.
Nautical
+1 — — — — +1
Fortune Shines: Moon (XVIII)

Skills: Choose 2 of {Construction, Gambling, Language,
Navigation, Sailing, Swimming} and 1 of {Acrobatics,
Escape Artist}
Wilderness
Mountains, rivers, and forests call to you. The festering crowds
of the city are just not for you. Instead you prefer the rugged,
dangerous wilds. The wilderness has taught you many potent
skills. You have learned to survive in severe conditions. You’ll
need those skills, as fortune is no fan of those stubborn few
who insist on staying in the wild.
Wilderness
— — +1 +1 -1 —
Fortune Shines: High Priestess (II)

Skills: Choose 1 of {Navigation, Running, Survival, Traps}
and 2 of {Climbing, Fletching, Hawking, Hounds,
Sixth Sense, Tracking, Vocal Control}
30
Rob is bothered that his goblin matron has no Martial Training.
He didn’t picture her as a combat dynamo, but he thought
she should be able to fight a little. He decides that her native
environment is Nautical for the +1 Martial Training. Per normal,
he makes note of the stat modifiers. He also has a few more skill
choices. He picks Navigation, Sailing, and Escape Artist.
Then, Rob goes to circle the Moon and discovers it is already

circled (for his choice of Only Child). He can’t circle it a second
time, so this Fortune Shines is simply lost. Because of this, Rob
considers choosing a different native environment, but decides it’s
not worth it. Besides, this goblin woman is really taking shape, and
Rob wants to see how she develops.
Step 7: Choose Your Character’s Social Class

One hundred years ago, your character’s social class would
have been a life sentence. For generations, the nobility has
ruled and the peasants have toiled in their service. But in the
new world of Renaissance Europe, social classes are starting
to blur. Nobles can drop into poverty, while shrewd peasants
are able to climb the social ladder. Most importantly, a new
middle class is on the rise: the bourgeoisie. These industrious
merchants are thriving in the Renaissance, and they are using
their purses to open the doors of gentrified society.
31
Peasantry
Times may have changed in this new enlightened Renaissance,
but one thing remains true: being a peasant is no picnic.
You are from the lowest class. Perhaps your people are serfs
or servants. Perhaps you come from thieves and criminals.
Whatever the case, you have learned to survive. You have good
skills. You are strong and able to fight.
Peasantry
— +1 — — -2 —
Fortune Shines: Strength (VIII), Hanged Man (XII),

Sun (XIX)
Skills: Choose 2 of {Construction, Driver, Juggling, Running,
Swimming} and 2 of {Climbing, Fletching, Lockpick,
Smith, Tracking, Vocal Control}
Bourgeoisie
You come from the new and rising merchant class. You may
not have the fancy titles of nobility and you probably aren’t as
good a fighter either, but the Renaissance is your time! With
four Fortune Shines cards, fortune loves you.
Bourgeoisie
— — — +1 — —
Fortune Shines: Magician (I), Emperor (IV),

Temperance (XIV), World (XXI)
Skills: Choose 1 of {Apothecary, Literacy, Medical, Merchant,
Underworld}
32
Nobility
The upstart merchants may have their
luck and the peasants may have brawn,
but there’s always something to be said
for being in charge! As a member of
the elite class of society, you have skills
and combat training. You probably have
wealth and command respect as well.
The only thing you lack is the favor of
fortune.
Nobility
— — +1 — +2 +1

Skills: Choose 1 of {Art, Etiquette, Language, Leadership}
and 2 of {Charm, Hawking, Horsemanship,
Intimidation, Literacy, Poison, Scholarship}
Rob’s goblin sea-matron is really shaping up. He has decided

that she is the widow of some kind of goblin merchant, and she
has taken over for him after his demise.
In keeping with this story, Rob decides that she is from the
Bourgeoisie social class. He can’t circle Emperor a second time,
but he circles the other three Fortune Shines. He chooses the
Merchant skill.
Rob has read ahead and knows that religion may alter his goblin’s
Martial Training but will not change her other primary statistics.
After seven choices, his character’s stat totals are as follows.
5 5 4 6 6 1
33
Step 8: Choose Your Character’s Religion
Were you baptized in a Catholic cathedral or do you worship
in a Jewish synagogue? Maybe you are a member of the new
Protestant Reformation movement, or perhaps you are an
exotic Mohamedan from
the east. Your last character Religion is Not
choice is religion. It is a
very important choice, but Always Belief!
“What about non-believers? What
remember, not every race about atheists? What about those
can choose every religion. that have lost their faith?” Of
Refer to Step 1 if you can’t course these people exist. Your
remember your options. character might even be one of
them. Your choice of religion
does not necessarily make your
Your religion will give you character a pious believer. Your
some skill choices and add character’s devotion is entirely up
to or subtract from your to you! Perhaps you were brought
Martial Training. Also, up Moslem but have drifted away.
your religion will give you Maybe you only attend synagogue to
keep up appearances. On the other
valuable Fate Twists. For hand, maybe you deeply believe the
more on Fate Twists, see tenets of your faith. Every character
Step 14. must choose a religion, but the
belief in your character’s heart is for
Catholicism you alone to say.
Catholicism is the largest
religion of the day.
Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism as it is sometimes called)
is the oldest form of Christianity, dating back to the Roman
Empire. Catholicism is a ritualistic religion with Latin masses,
formal communion and confessionals, and a belief that priests
must intercede on behalf of the common man. Catholics also
have a complex and hierarchal priest structure. Catholics
believe that the head of their church is the Bishop of Rome,
more commonly called the Pope. Below the pope are cardinals
and archbishops, followed by bishops and then priests.
34
Catholicism
Fate Twists: 2
Skills: Choose 1 of {Arcane Sense, Latin}
Martial Training: +1
Eastern Orthodox Church

The Eastern Orthodox
Church is another branch
of Christianity. It is widely
practiced across Eastern
Europe. Eastern Orthodoxy is
similar to Roman Catholicism
but is different in several
crucial ways. Like Catholicism,
the Eastern Orthodox
Church is formalized and
ritualistic. The Eastern
Orthodox leadership is also
quite hierarchal with bishops
and clergy of many levels,
but the Eastern Orthodox
Church does not follow the
Six of Wands pope. Instead, the head of the
Eastern Orthodox Church is
the Patriarch in Istanbul. Also,
the Eastern Orthodox Church does not observe the tradition of
the Latin mass. Eastern Orthodox services may be conducted
in any language.
Eastern Orthodox Church

Fate Twists: 3
Skills: Choose 1 of {Driver, Language, Survival}
and 1 of {Gypsy Magic, Horsemanship}
35
Judaism
While widespread monotheism may be new to the world,
Judaism is a monotheistic faith that is as ancient as the holy
land itself. Long before people followed Christ and Mohamed,
before they worshipped Saturn and Mars, maybe even before
they believed in Wotaan and the Titans, there were Jews.
Jewish people believe in a single god called Yahweh or Jehovah.

This god may or may not be the same god who the Christians
believe fathered Christ and who Mohamedans believe
appointed Mohamed his divine prophet. The Jewish of the
Renaissance occupy a difficult place. Anti-Semitism is a potent
social force in Renaissance Europe. At the same time, Jews
are thriving financially and are an important part of the new,
rising middle class. Many a Christian nobleman knows what
it is to bankroll a lavish ball with Jewish money, but that same
nobleman would be scandalized if his Jewish moneylender
actually appeared at the event.
Judaism
Fate Twists: 2
Skills: Choose 3 of {Apothecary, Gypsy Magic, Hebrew,
Kabbalah, Literacy, Medical, Merchant, Scholarship}
Moslem
This eastern religion is hardly new, but it is very new to the
people of Renaissance Europe. As immigrants from Turkey,
Africa, and the Middle East begin to move into Europe, they
bring with them their Moslem religious practices. Like Judaism
and the various forms of Christianity, the Moslem religion is
monotheistic. Mohamedans believe in a single god called Allah
that has a first and divine prophet named Mohamed.
36
While the Moslem religion is
peaceful, the Mohamedans
themselves can be very warlike. After
the bloody years of the crusades, the
Moslem kingdoms began treasuring
military might in a way they had
not before. With three Fate Twists,
Fortune embraces the Mohamedans
of Europe. Only the Protestants are
luckier.
Moslem
Fate Twists: 3
Skills: None
Martial Training: +1
Occult
Some people are drawn to the dark side. Whatever the belief
structure, they find themselves studying the evil alternative.
“Yes, I believe in god, I just happen to prefer the devil,” or
“Yahweh is a real being, but I want to know what happens
when I traffic with a dybbuk.” The more righteous the religion,
the more profane is its opposite. Occultists do not lead an easy
life. In most kingdoms, occult practices are illegal and witches
are openly hunted and killed. As if this weren’t enough,
fortune does not favor occultism either. Nevertheless, the dark
power of witchcraft and the occult is more lure than some can
resist!
Occult
Fate Twists: 1
Skills: Choose 1 of {Disguise, Forgery, Traps}
and 2 of {Assassin, Deception, Poisons, Sixth Sense}
and 1 of {Arcane Sense, Witchcraft}
37
Paganism
While almost everyone
in Renaissance Europe
believes in a monotheistic
faith, there are still a few
who follow the old ways.
Paganism is not a single
belief structure, but
rather a term to describe
a wide variety of beliefs
and practices. The Druid
movement has many
adherents, especially in the
British Isles. In northern
Scandinavia, you can find
those who worship Tor
and Wotaan. There are even those who still sacrifice to Zeus,
Apollo, and Athena. Whatever their particular sect, Pagans
find great arcane power through their outmoded belief
structures. Fortune does not favor Pagans, but their magical
skills make up for it.
Paganism
Fate Twists: 1
Skills: Choose 1 of {Culinary, Language, Navigation}
and 1 of {Medical, Sixth Sense, Tracking, Vocal
Control} and 2 of {Arcane Sense, Fey Magic,
Wiccan Craft}
Martial Training: -1
Protestant Reformation
Ever since the halfling scholar Martin Luther nailed his ‘Ninety
Five Theses’ to the church door in Wittenberg, the Renaissance
has embraced this new Protestant movement. Protestants
are Christians who observe almost none of the rituals of
Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Protestantism is less formal
38
than other forms of Christianity and has much less structured
leadership. Protestants do not have services in Latin, they do
not accept the Pope as the infallible head of the church, and
they do not believe in formal confession. Protestants believe
that God hears the prayers of every man—priest and sinner
alike.
While the Protestant Reformation does not boast the

membership of the Catholic Church or the Eastern Orthodox
Church, its numbers are growing rapidly. Protestantism is the
new religion of the day, and fortune loves it.
Protestant Reformation
Fate Twists: 4
Skills: None
Rob now faces a tough choice. As a goblin, his character could

be a Mohamedan, an Occultist, or a Jew. If she is a Mohamedan,
she will have three Fate Twists and good combat abilities. If she
is Jewish, she will have two Twists and good skills—maybe even
magic, but she will not be much of a fighter. Finally, if she is a
practitioner of the Occult, she will have potent skills and magic,
but she will have the fewest Fate Twists.
After a lot of thought, Rob decides to go with Moslem. This

gives her 3 Fate Twists. Finally, this increases the goblin’s Martial
Training to 2. She will have good martial skills and will be able to
use a solid range of weapons.
At this moment, Rob is inspired with her name! She will be Ismara
Habeen, widow of the late Turkish goblin, Grillgim Habeen.
39
Step 9: Increase One Selected Primary Statistic
To customize your character, you now have 1 point you may
allocate to any primary statistic. Simply add 1 to the statistic
which you think is most crucial or important to your character.
You may not increase Martial Training with this point.
Of course, there’s not a statistic Rob wouldn’t like to bump.

He would most like to increase his Martial Training, but he knows
that’s not an option. After a lot of thought, he decides that Ismara
is more graceful than she appears. He raises her Agility to 6. This
makes his final stat totals as follows.
6 5 4 6 6 2
Step 10: Determine Secondary Statistics

Now that you have made all your character choices, you can
determine your character’s secondary statistics.
Dodge: Agility
Hand Attack: Martial Training plus half Body
(minimum of 1)
Ranged Attack: Martial Training plus half Perception
(minimum of 1)
Movement: Average Agility & Body
Initiative: Average Agility & Perception
Stealth: Average Agility & Perception
Hit Points: Body Tripled plus Heart
This part is easy. Rob quickly calculates Ismara’s Secondary

Statistics and gets the results below. Notice that Ismara’s Hand
Attack is only 4. This is because half her Body is 2.5, which
rounds down to 2 before combining with Martial Training. Ismara
also has 19 Hit Points.
Dodge Hand Ranged Movement Initiative Stealth
6 4 5 5 6 6
40
Step 11: Calculate Skill Draws and Spend Skill Expertise
At this point, you should calculate the draw values for your
skills. For a description of each skill, please see Chapter Two.
For most skills there is a ‘Draw’ listed, usually based on a
Primary or Secondary Statistic or the average of two statistics.
For each of your skills, write down the appropriate value. Some
skills (Literacy and magics, for example) do not have a draw.
It is possible to choose
some skills multiple times
Averaging during the previous steps
You will frequently be asked to
average two numbers. This simply of character creation. Each
means you add the two numbers additional time you select
and divide by 2. Other times you a skill with a draw value,
will be asked to take half of a value. you gain +1 draw with
In either case, you will often have a
.5 remainder. In Fortune’s Fool, .5 is
that skill. If you choose
always rounded down. Language more than once,
your character knows an
additional language for each
time you select it. Other
skills have tiers or levels, most notably magic skills. If you
choose a tiered skill more than once, each additional choice of
the skill gives you an additional level of the skill. For example,
if you picked Fey Magic twice, you get both Fey Magic and
Advanced Fey Magic.
As a result of your age category, your character has skill

expertise points which you should distribute now. Each point
of skill expertise you spend increases the draw of one skill of
your choice by 1. You may use multiple points of skill expertise
to increase the draw of a skill by more than one. If a skill does
not have a draw, you may not spend skill expertise points on it.
If your character is an elf, you did not choose an age category.

Your character will have no skill expertise points. Instead,
elves get 1 free level of expertise to any general skill they have
41
or with any skill they later purchase with experience. This
means, as an elf, any skill you have or buy is always at +1 draw.
Prerequisites
Note that many skills have prerequisites. This means that you
can’t use the skill until you also have the prerequisite skill. For
example, the Smith skill has no value unless you also have the
Construction skill. It is possible in character creation to wind
up with a skill and not a prerequisite. If this happens, it means
you cannot use the skill until you purchase the prerequisite
skill through experience.
Rob now takes a moment to read through Ismara’s skills and

determines their draw values.
Skill Source Draw
Deception Race (Goblin) 5
Language Gender (Female) NA
Culinary Birthright (Only Child) 4
Navigation Native Environment (Nautical) 5
Sailing Native Environment (Nautical) 5
Escape Artist Native Environment (Nautical) 6
Merchant Social Class (Bourgeoisie) 6
Rob speaks with the gamemaster who explains that the campaign
will be starting in Venice, so Rob decides that Ismara’s additional
language is going to be Italian. She already may speak her native
Turkish for free.
As a result of her age (Middle Age), Ismara also has 4 points of

skill expertise. Rob decides that Deception is too valuable a skill
to leave at 5. He spends half of Ismara’s expertise points raising
Deception from 5 to 7. He also really wants her to be a strong
sailor. He raises both her Sailing and Navigation by 1 point each,
using up all her expertise.
42
Step 12: Determine Your Character’s Wealth Level
Does your character toil in poverty and squalor or do they live
in comfort and opulence? Alas, here the choice is not up to
you. Fortune gets to decide! There are six Wealth Levels from
poorest to richest: Destitute, Poor, Middle Class, Wealthy, Rich
and Absurdly Rich (called Absurd for convenience). A destitute
character will have almost nothing beyond the clothes on
their back. An absurdly rich character will have vast wealth
including servants, estates, and business holdings.
To determine your character’s Wealth Level, you should make

a Fate Test as follows and add the result to your character’s
Status.
F�� W��: -2
F�� F��: +0 Fate Tests
F�� S��: +1 If you are creating your character
F�� S��: +3 in order (and why wouldn’t you?),
Wealth Level will be your first
Fate Test! A Fate Test is a test you
Remember that elves may make with the Fate Deck that is
double draw this Fate Test. not associated with any particular
Certain skills and skill skill or statistic. A Fate Test simply
combinations also affect asks the question, “How lucky
are you?” You turn a card and
this Fate Test. Check the
come up with one of the following
specifics in Chapter Two if results: Fortune Shines, Fortune
you are trained in any of Smiles, Fortune Frowns, or Fortune
the following skills: Art, Weeps. In a normal Fate Test, no
Construction, Forgery, other information from the card is
important.
Gambling, Merchant,
Navigation, Sailing, or
Underworld.
Once you have calculated your total modified Status, you may
find your Wealth Level on the table on the following page.
43
Modified Wealth Level Modified Wealth Level
Status Status
3 or less Destitute 9-10 Wealthy
4-5 Poor 11-12 Rich
6-8 Middle Class 13 or more Absurd
During character creation, a PC does not hold a Fortune Shines

card as a Fortune Counter. During character creation the Fool,
Death, and the Tower do not stay on the table. For purposes of
Wealth Level, count the Tower as Fortune Weeps, and discard
and redraw the Fool or Death. If the Wheel of Fortune comes
up during Character Creation, set it aside until character
creation is over.
It’s time for Rob to find out how wealthy (or poor) Ismara is.
Ismara’s Status is 6. She has both Navigation and Sailing. This
combination gives her +1 Status for purposes of calculating
Wealth Level. Also, she has Merchant which allows Rob to double
draw when calculating Ismara’s Wealth Level. This means that Rob
gets to turn 2 cards for Wealth Level and choose the best card.
Rob pulls the two cards and gets the 4 of wands and the Moon.
The Moon is a Fortune Shines for Ismara, so obviously Rob uses
that card for Wealth Level. He consults the table and sees that
with 6 Status +1 for relevant skills and +3 for a Fortune Shines,
Ismara is ‘Wealthy.’ Apparently her late husband left her well off!
Step 13: Select Martial

Skills
Your starting number of martial
skills is equal to your Martial
Training plus 1 (minimum 1).
Simply turn to the Martial Skills
section of Chapter Two and
select that many martial skills!
44
Because Ismara has a Martial Training of 2, Rob gets to select
2 Martial Skills. Rob flips through the weapons and discovers that
Ismara can use most weapons. Apparently the Nautical choice is
paying off. Rob decides that Ismara will be a bit of a pistoleer. He
selects the martial skills Weapon Expertise (Pistol) and Quickdraw.
Step 14: Determine Your

Character’s Fate Twists
and Starting Fate Pool
The Fate Twist number
listed under your religion
determines how many Fate
Twists you can perform. First,
draw a total number of cards
equal to this number. Draw
an additional card for every
Fortune Shines that you have
drawn. Each card that you have drawn corresponds to a Fate
Twist on the Twist Table on the following page. Write these
Fate Twists on your character sheet. These are the Fate Twists
you may perform. Fate Twists are described in Chapter Three.
Your starting Fate Pool

House of Motherhood? is simply equal to your
“I got House of Motherhood, but total number of starting
neither High Priestess or Empress
are good for me! Can I trade it in or
Fate Twists. If you draw a
redraw?” Sorry, but no. Remember, duplicate Fate Twist, you do
though, you can use your Twists for not get the twist, but you do
the good of the whole party, not just get the additional point to
yourself. your starting Fate Pool.
45
Fate Twist Table
Minor Arcana
Minor Minor
Twist Twist
Arcanum Arcanum
Fate is Page of
Aces Ill Omen
Written Swords
Knight of
Twos Prudence New Day
Cups
Knight of Harbinger of
Threes Hunch
Pentacles Death
Knight of
Fours Reprieve New Day
Wands
Knight of
Fives Good Omen Ill Omen
Swords
Queen of
Sixes Rising Star Fool’s Errand
Cups
Borrowed Queen of
Sevens Devil’s Laugh
Trouble Pentacles
Queen of
Eights Fat Chance Fool’s Errand
Wands
Queen of Harbinger of
Nines Déjà Vu
Swords Death
Balanced
Tens High Roller King of Cups
Ledger
King of
Page of Cups Hunch Devil’s Laugh
Pentacles
Page of King of Balanced
Hunch
Pentacles Wands Ledger
Page of King of
Hunch Ill Omen
Wands Swords
46
Fate Twist Table
Major Arcana
Major Major
Twist Twist
Arcanum Arcanum
Fool Fool’s Errand Justice House of Law
House of
Magician Premonition Hanged Man
Misery
High House of Harbinger of
Death
Priestess Motherhood Death
House of Balanced
Empress Temperance
Motherhood Ledger
House of
Emperor Devil Devil’s Laugh
Tyranny
House of No Twist or
Hierophant Tower
Tyranny Fate Point
House
Lovers Premonition Star
Celestial
House
Chariot Ill Omen Moon
Planetary
House
Strength Premonition Sun
Celestial
House of
Hermit Judgment House of Law
Misery
Wheel of House
Redraw World
Fortune Planetary
47
Rob is in the home stretch. Ismara is just a couple of easy steps
away from being ready to play! Rob must now determine her Fate
Pool and Twists. As a Mohamedan, Ismara has 3 Fate Twists.
Rob pulls 3 fate cards and gets the 2 of Wands, the High Priestess,
and the Ace of Wands. None of these cards are Fortune Shines
so Rob does not take any additional draws. He consults the Twist
Table for each card. The 2 of Wands gives Ismara Prudence. The
High Priestess gives her House of Motherhood. And the Ace of
Wands gives her Fate is Written. Rob records these Twists.
Ismara’s starting Fate Pool is equal to her total number of starting

Twists. Rob writes down ‘3’ for Fate Pool.
Step 15: Pick Your Character’s Gear

Money in Fortune’s Fool is entirely abstract and is indifferent
to boundaries. In Renaissance Europe, your purse may hold
francs, guineas, rubles, lira, taler, kroner, and more, but you
will not normally track your ready coin. Your character will
always have the money or credit implied by their Wealth Level.
If your character is Middle Class, and you break your crossbow,
you can simply go to the weapons shop and get another.
Because of this, you do not need to record most of your

possessions. If your character is Rich, you don’t need to
list your townhouse, your coach, or your fancy doublet and
breeches. However, you should record your character’s
personal gear. Personal gear includes things like weapons,
armor, and gear you need to use your skills. Think of personal
gear as the weapons and adventuring equipment that your
character is likely to be carrying at any given moment.
You may carry and use any gear equal to or lower than your
Wealth Level. For a list of weapons, armor, and personal
equipment, please see Chapter Four. For example, a Middle
48
Class character could use a crossbow (Middle Class), a knife
(Poor), or any other equipment designated Middle Class or
lower, but the character could not use a rapier (Wealthy)
because it requires a higher Wealth Level than Middle Class.
Any time you use an item

Jean-Claude’s Crossbow that is above your Wealth
Level, all your draws to
Emporium use that item become
“I am middle class and can afford a
crossbow? Can I have 500 of them black double draws. Your
and start my own crossbow store?” character has no idea this
Yes, but unless your character is happening. The item is
concept really is a weapons trader, not cursed or filled with
don’t bother. Toil day and night
evil magic. Your character
in your store and you will still
be Middle Class. You will find is simply unlucky until they
adventuring more fun than retail… discard or stop using the
item. This is true even if the
item is a gift or loan from
another character.
If you want your character

to be able to use a single
item that is greater than
their Wealth Level by 1
category, you may burn 1
Fortune. Your character
may then always use
the item. If the item is
lost or broken, it may
be replaced. If you want
to totally raise your
character’s Wealth Level
by one full step, you must
burn 2 Fortune.
49
Rob now gets to pick Ismara’s gear. He does not need to write
down things like her trading vessel, a well-appointed home, and
appropriate clothing. Ismara has a Wealth Level of Wealthy. She
has all the trappings of her Wealth Level.
Rob does need to record personal equipment such as armor and

weapons. Ismara is not trained to wear armor or carry shields, so
Rob does not bother with that kind of gear, but she does need
some weapons. Rob figures that she is the captain of a small
trading vessel so she probably goes about lightly armed. He gives
her a brace of flintlock pistols and a dagger for close work. These
weapons are Wealthy or lower so she may carry and use them
without penalty.
Step 16: Customize Fortune Structure (Optional)

You can customize your character’s Fortune structure as
part of character creation or between play sessions when
you would spend experience. By permanently reducing your
total Fate Pool, you may circle new Fortune Shines, draw new
Fate Twists, or even shift an entire suit of Minor Arcana from
Fortune Frowns to Fortune Smiles. Reducing your Fate Pool
permanently may sound painful, but remember that you can
grow your Fate Pool through gameplay. You cannot reduce your
Fate Pool below zero. You may also burn Fortune Shines to
increase your Fate Pool.
Drawing a new Fate Twist

If you are not satisfied with your Fate Twists, you can draw a
new one. To do this, you must permanently decrease your Fate
Pool by 1. To draw your new Fate Twist, simply draw a card and
consult the Fate Twist Table from step 14. If you draw a Twist
you already have, you may redraw until you draw a new Twist
or you draw the Tower.
50
Choosing a new Fortune Shines
You can circle a new Major Arcanum to convert it from
Fortune Weeps to Fortune Shines. You can also do this to
recover Fortune that you have burned. To circle a new Fortune
Shines Major Arcanum, you must permanently reduce your
character’s Fate Pool by 3.
Converting a suit to Fortune Smiles

Though it is very expensive, you can convert an entire suit
of Minor Arcana from Fortune Frowns to Fortune Smiles. To
convert a suit this way, you must permanently reduce your
character’s Fate Pool by 7.
Burning a Fortune Shines for Fate Pool

You may increase you Fate Pool by burning a Fortune. You
must permanently convert one of your Fortune Shines to a
Fortune Weeps. If you choose to do this, you may increase your
Fate Pool by 2.
51
F arooq watched from his window. The Regent’s men were
pouring through the broken gate, into the courtyard of his
home. He knew he had to hurry. He had to get his wife
and son to safety, but still he watched them come.
His wife called him away. “Farooq, we cannot stay!”
Farooq turned from the window and looked at his wife.
She was cradling their infant son. She had never looked more
beautiful. Farooq made up his mind. “Rachmana, take Raj
through the servant’s hallway and down the back stairs! From
there, you can crawl through the gutter onto the street.”
“Farooq no! You cannot win against all those men!
Please, husband, come—”
“No. You will go. Now. Run!” With these rough words,
he pushed his wife and child into the back hall and pulled the
door shut.
Farooq had known this day would come. He was a
successful merchant with a large fleet. He held exclusive import
contracts on many exotic spices. It was only a matter of time
before the Regent got greedy and tried to take his business.
The Regent’s usual method was to frame his victim with
a crime, then blackmail them. The unfortunate merchant would
give over a hefty portion of his profits to avoid the royal prison.
But this approach had failed with Farooq Abdul-Nasir. He had
too many friends. So the Regent had come by night with brute
force. No doubt, the Regent would pay a price for this boldness,
but that hardly mattered now. Now all that mattered was that
Farooq give his wife and son time to escape.
Farooq stood in the empty nursery with a scimitar in
each hand. He heard the thugs downstairs sacking his home.
Then he heard their footsteps in the stairwell. He took a deep
breath and waited.
The door burst open, scattering nursery furniture across
the room. Three men charged into the room, but before they
even found their footing, Farooq cut one down. The other two
swung, but they were rushed and missed. Farooq stuck the
second through the gut, and the thug fell howling to the floor.
The third man was cautious. It took Farooq several moves to
52
close with him. He finished the brigand with a savage cut to the
inner thigh that left the man in a crumpled heap.
As he turned back to the doorway, Farooq began to feel
almost hopeful. He had dispatched the first three without injury.
By now, Rachmana would be at the base of the stairs. If he could
hold this room for a little longer, she would have a real chance!
Then Farooq heard the distinctive clicking of a hammer
being cocked. It was followed by a sound like thunder. Farooq
was thrown backwards to the wall. He was in pain and could not
find his breath. The Regent strode into the room flanked by even
more men. He was holding a smoking flintlock.
“Farooq, my friend. Did you think you could stop this?
You have become too big for your britches.” The Regent was a
corpulent goblin. Farooq wondered how a man with such a tiny
ribcage could sport such a massive gut. “It is time for me to take
control of your assets, Farooq. This includes your lovely wife
and your heir. Where is your family?”
“Gone, you pus-filled swine!” Farooq spat blood as he
yelled. He tried to laugh, but the lead ball had opened one of his
lungs. It came out as a wheeze.
“They will not escape, Farooq. My men have blocked
your gate. I shall enjoy my new family.” The Regent smiled
wickedly and his men laughed.
Farooq saw his son’s overturned crib on the floor, its
wicker form smeared with blood. With pain wracking his body,
Farooq pushed himself away from the wall and crossed the
room. He clutched for the Regent’s throat. “You cur! I will—”
Another shot rang out from the Regent’s weapon as he
fired the second barrel. The shot halted Farooq’s attack, his hand
inches from the Regent’s throat. Farooq fell to the floor dead.
Rachmana cradled her son as she crawled up out of the filthy

gutter. At the sound of the gunfire, the guards on the street had
rushed to the gate. With this distraction, the path before her was
clear. She lifted her son and began to sneak off into the city. Her
baby did not cry. His eyes were dark and clear. As she looked at
him she had only one thought—revenge.
53
Chapter Two
Skills
Skills are specialized abilities or training your character may
have. While skills are closely related to statistics, they are
more refined than a general use of a statistic. You may sneak
or hide as an expression of the Stealth statistic, for example,
but training in the Sleight of Hand skill gives you a specialized
ability.
Becoming Trained in Skills

Your character may become trained in skills two ways. First,
you get skills from your choices in character creation. Second,
you may purchase skills with experience points for the listed
cost. Once you have selected or purchased a skill, your
character is trained in that skill.
Skill Draws
Many skills have a draw value. Usually it will be based on a
statistic or some combination of statistics. If you pull a Minor
Arcanum that is equal to or lower than your draw value or
a Fortune Shines, your use of the skill is successful. An Ace
always counts as 1.
Rob chose Deception for Ismara during character creation. The

Deception skill has a draw value of Average Heart & Perception.
This means that Ismara’s base draw value will be the average of
these two statistics. In Ismara’s case, these numbers averaged to
5. Rob then spent 2 points of Skill Expertise to increase Ismara’s
Deception draw to 7. On his first adventure, Rob decides to lie
his way past an armed guard. Rob will need to draw a 7 or less
to do this successfully. If Rob pulls a Minor Arcanum value Ace
through 7 or a Fortune Shines Major Arcanum, Ismara will be
successful. If Rob pulls a Minor Arcanum greater than 7 or a
Fortune Weeps Major Arcanum, Ismara’s attempt to lie will fail.
54
Difficulty
Not all skill draws are created equal. The GM may assign
modifiers based on a variety of circumstances. For example,
it is much more difficult to use Charm to fast talk your way
past a loyal, trained guard than it would be if that guard were
slovenly and drunk! While the difficulty of a draw is in the
hands of the GM, the following is a handy guide.
Circumstance Draw
Very Easy Double Draw
Easy +1
Most Draws +0
Difficult -1
Hard -2
Very Hard -3
Increasing a Skill’s Draw

You may increase the draw value for a skill two ways. First,
during character creation, you may acquire points of skill
expertise. Each point of skill expertise spent on a skill raises
the draw of that skill by 1. Second, you may increase a skill’s
draw by spending experience. Each point of experience spent
on a skill increases the draw value of that skill by 1.
Having a draw value greater than 10 does not increase your

chance to draw successfully but can be used to ignore penalties
from difficulty.
Levels of Success
Successful use of a skill can mean many things. Did your
Intimidation merely impress your target or reduce him to a
quivering, jelly-kneed coward? A successful skill draw is always
a success. However, the GM can gain additional information
by the level of success. If the successful draw was a Fortune
55
Frowns, the skill succeeds but in an unremarkable way. If the
draw was a Fortune Shines, on the other hand, the success is
exceptional.
The GM should be careful about over-using success levels.

The important thing is the success. The level of success is a
secondary detail. A Fortune Frowns that succeeds is still a
success and should be treated as such. Likewise, a Fortune
Smiles that fails is no success and should not be rewarded!
Untrained Use of Skills

Many skills may be attempted by those not trained in the
skill. For example, a person without the Climbing skill could
certainly attempt to climb something. Unless otherwise
specified, assume that an untrained character may attempt the
skill. The attempt of a skill for an untrained individual is much
more difficult. An untrained character may attempt most skills
at half the draw value they would have were they trained.
Ismara has a wide array of skills. Unfortunately, Climbing is

not among them. Soon, Ismara finds herself needing to clamber
out a window and down to the street. The GM determines that to
do this safely, Rob will need to make a Climbing draw. If Ismara
were trained in Climbing her draw would be her Movement (5 or
less). However, because Ismara is not trained in Climbing, she will
have to draw half this value (2 or less). Rob considers this, and
the danger involved, and decides Ismara will find another route of
escape!
56
General Skills
Acrobatics
Cost: 3
Draw: Movement
Special: Acrobatics is the prerequisite for the martial skill
Evasion. Untrained characters may not attempt this skill.
Description: You have uncanny natural grace. Perhaps you
were trained in the circus or in some kind of theatre troupe.
You are a skilled and gifted tumbler capable of amazing
physical feats. Any time you take a fall, you may double draw
Agility to determine damage. With a successful Acrobatics
draw, you may recover from prone as a free action.
Apothecary
Cost: 3
Draw: Average of Heart & Perception
Special: If you are trained in Scholarship, you receive a +1 draw
to this skill. Untrained characters may not attempt this skill.
Description: You have studied the natural sciences of the
day, including alchemy, phlebotomy, and physiognomy. You
understand the way herbs and minerals interact with each
other and the body. You may use Apothecary to cure poisons
and illnesses. You may also double draw any use of Culinary,
Medical, or Poisons.
Apothecary, Advanced
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Apothecary
Draw: Apothecary
Special: Untrained characters may not attempt this skill.
Description: You have advanced skill and knowledge of
elements and chemicals. You may use Apothecary to create
and implement solvents, acids, adhesives, corrosives, and
many other chemical compounds. You may not directly use
Apothecary applications in combat nor can you use chemical
compounds as weapons, but you can do things like create an
57
acid to eat through a door lock or seal the same lock with an
adhesive. In addition, you may use Apothecary to intensify
gunpowder, increasing the base damage of firearms by 3.
Arcane Sense
Cost: 6
Draw: Average of Heart &
Perception
Special: Untrained
characters may not attempt
this skill.
Description: You have the
uncanny ability to sense
the presence of magic.
When you enter a space
with magic, or when magic
occurs in your presence,
the GM should ask you
for an Arcane Sense draw.
If you are successful, you
know whether or not magic is present and the approximate
location of its source. If your draw is unsuccessful, you gain
no information and cannot try again.
Given time, you may also analyze an individual source of

magic. This is an active use of the skill, and requires you to
focus on the arcane source and study it. This may be attempted
only one time per source of magic. The difficulty of your draw
to analyze an arcane source will vary depending on the time
devoted as follows.
Time Difficulty
1 combat round Black Double Draw
1 minute +0
30 minutes +1
6 hours Double Draw
58
Art
Cost: 1
Draw: Heart
to this skill. If you are trained in Forgery and Art, you may
add 1 to your Status for the purposes of calculating Wealth
Level.
Description: You have a strong artistic talent. Your medium
might be oils, watercolor, or sculpture. Perhaps your art is
the composition of music or poetry. With a successful Art
draw, you may create a work of art in your discipline, know
something about a fellow artist, or spot a forgery. When you
first get this skill, choose an artistic discipline in which you
have expertise. Each time you increase your draw with this
skill, you may choose an additional discipline to practice.
Assassin
Cost: 3
Draw: None (see below)
Description: You are trained at silently killing foes from the
shadows. This skill may only be used with melee attacks that
are effective while grappled. This skill may only be used on a
target that is not actively engaged in combat and is unaware
of your presence. Usually putting yourself in the position to
use the Assassin skill requires a Stealth draw. When attacking
an opponent unaware, you may take a triple draw on the
attack and may double draw the Critical Effect Fate Test. If
the attack is fatal or incapacitating, your attack was totally
silent.
Charm
Cost: 3
Draw: Average of Heart & Status
Description: Your natural charisma allows you to influence
or even seduce others. Through flattery and wit, you may
59
attempt to sweeten the disposition of an NPC, which will
usually help you get your way. You can parlay this influence
into a seduction attempt if your target is of the appropriate
sexual orientation.
Climbing
Cost: 3
Draw: Movement
Description: You are a skilled climber, both with and without
equipment. You can exploit small handholds and footholds
to scale rock or ice faces. You can also scale manmade
walls. With the proper equipment, you can assist unskilled
climbers.
Construction
Cost: 1
Draw: Average of Body & Perception
Special: If you are trained in Construction and Forgery, you
may add 1 to your Status for the purposes of calculating
Wealth Level.
Description: You have extensive knowledge of carpentry,
masonry, and engineering. You know what it takes to build a
building or tear one down, though you would need the right
tools for either. On a smaller scale, you have the skill to build
chairs, tables, and other furniture. You may also use your
Construction draw for things like locating secret doors and
finding weak spots in walls.
Culinary
Cost: 1
Draw: Heart
Description: You are a gifted chef who can whip up a tasty,
satisfying meal out of the most meager ingredients. Your
keen senses also allow you to sniff out foods that are spoiled
or poisoned.
60
Deception
Cost: 3 How Well Did I Lie?
Remember, each skill draw gives
Draw: Average of Heart & you not only success or failure, but
Perception Fortune’s disposition as well. If you
Description: Whether lie successfully and Fortune Smiles,
you call it fibbing, lying, the GM will probably determine that
or prevaricating, your this lie will be more effective than
if you lie successfully and Fortune
character has a gift for Frowns. Likewise, the GM may use
verbal deceit. You can a similar logic for the severity of a
convince most people failure. “You tried Deception but
that your words are true Fortune Weeps? Your target not
even when they are not. only knows you lied, but is enraged
by your hubris and draws on you!”
Obviously, the more
outlandish your lie, the
greater the difficulty.
Demolitions
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
Description: You are an expert with explosives. You know how
and where to package and place gunpowder to bring down
structures or blast doors off their hinges. Most importantly,
you know how much is too much! Demolitions is a new
trade, and working with gunpowder is a precarious endeavor.
Drawing a Fortune Weeps with this skill is very dangerous!
Disguise
Cost: 1
Draw: Stealth
Description: Using makeup, costume, and prosthetics, you
can alter your appearance to hide your identity or imitate the
appearance of others. The more ambitious your disguise, the
greater the difficulty will be; the more time and materials you
have to devote to the project, the lower the difficulty will be.
For example, if you only want to look like a lowly beggar, you
only need to throw on a ratty cloak and besmirch your face
61
with grime (assuming that you are not actually a lowly beggar
to begin with). This would be an easy use of disguise. If, on
the other hand, you want to pass as a king in his own court,
you will have a much more difficult draw. You do not draw
when you first put on your disguise. Instead, the GM should
ask you for a draw the first time someone you are trying to
dupe looks at your disguise.
Driver
Cost: 1
Special: If you are trained in Horsemanship, you may use that
draw if preferable.
Description: You are skilled at handling teams of horses,
oxen, mules, and other beasts of burden. You can deftly drive
all manner of coaches, carts, and wagons. Normal day-to-
day use of this skill requires no draw, but if you find yourself
behind the reins in combat or racing a team down an icy
mountain road, you will need to turn a card.
Escape Artist
Cost: 3
Draw: Agility
Description: You have a talent for escaping from bonds,
grapples, or cuffs. When bound, you can contort your body
and even dislocate joints to wriggle free. Obviously, the
more care that has been taken with your restraints, the more
difficult your draw will be. Likewise, the more time you
spend on your escape, the easier the draw will be.
You may also use Escape Artist to fit into tiny spaces and
through narrow gaps. Using Escape Artist this way is somewhat
dependent on your character’s size. A Huge character will have
a much higher difficulty than will a Tiny character. With an
Escape Artist draw, you may break out of a grapple in combat
as a minor action regardless of your opponent’s statistics.
62
Etiquette
Cost: 1
Draw: Average of Perception & Status
Special: If you are trained in Scholarship, you receive a +1
draw to this skill. If you are trained in both Etiquette and
Leadership, you gain +1 Status for purposes other than
Wealth Level. This includes calculating the draw for this
skill.
Description: You are skilled in courtly graces and manners.
You know how to avoid offense in the most genteel of society.
Fey Magic
Cost: 6
Draw: Special (see spells)
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Basic Fey
Magic Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Fey Magic, Advanced

Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Fey Magic
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Advanced Fey
Fey Magic, Master

Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Fey Magic, Advanced
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Master Fey
Fletching
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
Description: You are skilled in the delicate craft of making
your own arrows and crossbow bolts. To do so, you need only
63
rudimentary supplies and tools. You may also use +1 damage
arrows or bolts regardless of your Wealth Level.
Forgery
Cost: 1
Draw: Stealth
Special: If you are trained in Forgery and Art or Forgery and
Construction, you may add 1 to your Status for the purposes
of calculating Wealth Level.
Description: You are skilled at counterfeiting signatures and
other writing. If you are trained in both Forgery and Art, you
can use this skill to create artistic forgeries. If you are trained
in both Forgery and Smith, you can use this skill to mint your
own counterfeit coinage.
Gambling
Cost: 1
Draw: Stealth
Special: With this skill, you may make a Gambling test before
calculating your Wealth Level. If successful, you may double
draw your Wealth Level. If unsuccessful, you must subtract 1
from your Status for purposes of calculating Wealth Level. If
Fortune Weeps on this test, you must black double draw your
Wealth Level.
Description: You are an expert at games of chance. Perhaps
you prefer dice or cards, or even competitions like bear
baiting or dog racing. Maybe you are drawn to the risk of all
gambling. Whatever the game, you know how to strategize
your betting. You also have an eye for spotting cheating and a
talent for hiding your own cheating.
Gypsy Magic
Cost: 3
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Basic Gypsy
64
Gypsy Magic, Advanced
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Gypsy Magic
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Advanced
Gypsy Magic Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Hawking
Cost: 3
Draw: Heart
Description: You are a skilled
trainer and handler of birds
of prey. If you have spent
at least 1 point of expertise
in this skill, your character
may own a trained bird
commensurate with your
Wealth Level. With a draw,
your bird may be used for
hunting small game.
Birds can also be used

in combat to distract an
opponent. At the start of a
combat that occurs outdoors,
you may make a skill draw. If Nine of Coins
successful, your bird may harry
an opponent, interfering with
a single attack. The frequency of this harrying is based on the
success level of your Hawking draw as follows.
F�� F��: One time per combat
F�� S��: Every other round
F�� S��: Once per round
The harrying action increases the value of a single Dodge
(yours or someone else’s) according to the quality of the bird.
For the stats of your bird of prey, please see Chapter Four.
65
Hebrew
Cost: 3
Draw: Heart
Description: You speak the ancient language of Judaism.
Speaking Hebrew gives you significant abilities beyond
simple communication. To use Hebrew, you must always be
able to speak it aloud. Anything that would interrupt your
ability to speak will interrupt your use of Hebrew.
Weapon Consecration
You may use Hebrew to consecrate weapons or places. You may
have one permanently consecrated weapon regardless of your
Wealth Level. This does not require a draw. Consecrating a
place or weapon normally takes about 6 hours.
Arcane Resistance
You may use Hebrew to resist a single spell that targets you.
This takes no time. If the spell has multiple targets, you
resist for yourself alone. The difficulty of the draw is based
on the power of the spellcaster. Use of Hebrew in this way is
instinctual and may even stop a Reflex type spell.
Exorcism and Turn Dead

You may use Hebrew to protect yourself from any type of
undead or demonic creature. This may be attempted only
one time per creature. This takes a major action to establish
but may be maintained each round as long as you can keep
speaking as a free action. The difficulty of the draw is based on
the potency of the targeted creature. If successful, the creature
cannot physically attack you or target you with any spells.
66
Horsemanship
Cost: 3
Draw: Average of Agility & Heart
Description: Anyone can ride a horse, but your character has
exceptional ability in the saddle. Normal day-to-day use of
this skill requires no draw but performing exceptional or
dangerous mounted maneuvers requires a draw.
With a successful draw, you may also urge your horse to

trample in combat. The frequency of this trampling is based
on the success level of your Horsemanship draw as follows.
For the stats of horses, please see Chapter Four. For more on
mounted combat, please see Chapter Seven.
Hounds
Cost: 3
Draw: Heart
Description: You are a skilled trainer and handler of all kinds
of dogs. If you have spent at least 1 point of expertise in this
skill, your character may own a dog commensurate with your
Wealth Level. With a draw, your dog may be used for hunting
game. If you own a dog and are trained in Tracking, you may
double draw Tracking. If you are not trained in Tracking, you
may attempt to track at half your skill draw for Hounds.
Dogs may also be used in combat. At the start of a combat, you

may make a Hounds draw. If successful, your dog may make
bite attacks on an opponent. The frequency of this attack is
based on the success level of your Hounds draw as follows.
The value of this attack is based on the quality of the hound.
For the stats of hounds, please see Chapter Four.
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Intimidation
Cost: 3
Draw: Average of Body &
Status
Description: When you
need to be, you are a scary
individual. With bluster, a
stern eye, and a strong voice,
you can cow others and even
make them back down in
tense situations. The difficulty
will vary greatly based on
your relative position of
strength and your target’s
willpower.
Juggling
Cost: 1 Page of Swords
Draw: Agility
Description: You are an adept
juggler. You can juggle pins, balls, and dangerous objects like
knives. You can reasonably keep about five objects in the air
for any length of time.
Kabbalah
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Hebrew or Yiddish Language
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Basic Kabbalah
Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Kabbalah, Advanced
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Kabbalah
Kabbalah Spell List found in Chapter Five.
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Kabbalah, Master
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Kabbalah, Advanced
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Master
Kabbalah Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Language
Cost: 1
Draw: None
Description: There are as many languages in Renaissance
Europe as there are kingdoms: French, English, German,
Yiddish, Russian, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Norse, and many
more. Your character is fluent in their native language for
free. Each additional choice or purchase of Language gives
your character fluency in one more language.
Latin
Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Literacy
Description: You may speak, read, and write Latin, an ancient
religious language with abilities far beyond those of a normal
language. While the effects of Latin may appear magical
they are not. To use Latin, you must always be able to speak
it aloud. Anything that would interrupt your ability to speak
will interrupt a Latin rite.
Weapon Consecration
You may use Latin to consecrate weapons or places. You may
have one permanently consecrated weapon regardless of your
Wealth Level. This does not require a draw. Consecrating a
place or weapon normally takes about 6 hours.
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Consecrate Blow
With a Latin draw, you may cause a normal hand weapon to
function as if consecrated for a single strike. This takes no
time. You must have line of sight on the weapon as it strikes
the target. Drawing a Fortune Weeps will cause the weapon to
break before any damage is dealt.
Arcane Resistance
You may use Latin to resist a single spell that targets you. This
takes no time. If the spell has multiple targets, you resist for
yourself alone. The difficulty of the Latin draw is based on the
power of the spellcaster. Use of Latin in this way is instinctual
and may even stop a Reflex type spell.
Dispel Arcane
You may use Latin to interrupt ongoing spells. This takes a
major action to establish but may be maintained each round
as a free action. As long as you can keep speaking, the spell or
enchantment has no effect. The difficulty of the Latin draw is
based on the power of the spellcaster.
Exorcism and Turn Dead

You may use Latin to drive away any type of undead or
demonic creature. This may be attempted only one time per
creature. This takes a major action to establish but may be
maintained each round as long as you can keep speaking as
a free action. The difficulty of the Latin draw is based on the
potency of the targeted creature. If your draw is successful the
results will be determined as follows.
F�� F��: The creature may not target you.
F�� S��: The creature must flee at full speed and
must keep fleeing as long as it can hear your voice.
F�� S��: The creature is immediately destroyed or
exorcised.
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Leadership
Cost: 1
Special: If you are trained in both Etiquette and Leadership,
you gain +1 Status for all purposes other than Wealth Level.
This includes calculating the draw for this skill.
Description: You have a gift for inspiring people to follow you.
You can give a rousing speech to a regiment of soldiers or an
unruly mob. You have a natural presence that people respect.
Literacy
Cost: 3
Draw: None
Description: Your character may read and write any languages
which they speak. This may sound trivial, but in Renaissance
Europe, literacy is an uncommon ability. You only need to
take Literacy once to cover all your languages.
Lockpick
Cost: 3
Draw: Stealth
Description: You can crack open chests, safes, and doors
without the key or combination. You can also use your
locksmith training to disarm traps and design locks that are
tougher to pick.
The difficulty of your draw will vary based on the quality of the
lock, tools available, and time allowed as follows.
Circumstance Difficulty
Advanced lock -1 or more
Character spends only 1 round -1
Character spends at least 1 minute +0
Character spends at least 15 minutes +1
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Medical
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
to this skill. If you are trained in Apothecary, you may double
draw any use of Medical. Untrained characters may not
attempt this skill.
Description: You are trained in first aid and basic anatomy.
You can diagnose illnesses and treat wounds. Combined with
Poisons or Apothecary, you can counteract poisons as well.
With a Medical draw, you may revive an incapacitated target.

You must touch the target. This takes a major action. The
target will be able to act on the following round but begins
the round prone. With a Medical draw, you may stop a target’s
bleeding. You must touch the target. This takes a major action.
With a Medical draw, you may heal a wounded target. This
takes about 15 minutes to perform. A target may only have
healing attempted on them once per day. The efficacy of the
healing is based on the success level of your draw as follows.
F�� W��: Target takes an additional 3 points of
blunt damage.
F�� F��: Target heals 1 Hit Point.
F�� S��: Target heals half their Body in Hit Points.
F�� S��: Target heals their Body in Hit Points.
Medical, Advanced
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Medical
Draw: Medical
Description: You are trained in advanced anatomy. You can
treat advanced diseases and even perform surgery. If you
spend a full hour, you may perform advanced healing in
place of the basic healing described under Medical. If you
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are successful, you may add half your Medical skill to the
amount healed. Note that you may still perform Medical
healing on a target only once per day.
Merchant
Cost: 3
Draw: Average of Perception & Status
Special: With this skill, you may double draw Wealth Level.
Description: You are a skilled bargainer and shrewd
negotiator. You can haggle over the cost of goods in any
market in Europe. You are also an expert at analyzing
merchandise for quality, authenticity, and overall value.
Navigation
Cost: 1
to this skill. If you are trained in both Navigation and Sailing,
you may add 1 to your Status for the purposes of calculating
Wealth Level.
Description: You can effectively chart a course by the sun,
stars, or other landmarks. This skill is most often used at sea,
but may be used for land travel as well. You also have a very
strong, innate sense of direction.
Performance
Cost: 1
Description: Be it acting, dance, voice, or a musical
instrument, your character is a gifted performer. In
Renaissance Europe, the theatre, opera, and ballet are
thriving art forms! When you first get this skill, choose a
performance discipline in which you have expertise. Each
time you spend a point of expertise on Performance, you may
choose an additional discipline to practice if you wish.
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Poisons
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
to this skill.
Description: You are familiar with a wide variety of poisons,
and know how to concoct and administer them. Design your
poison by picking 1 entry from each of the three following
categories.
Speed
While the poison is attacking the target, the target cannot
heal. The speed of the poison describes how often the target
takes Hit Point damage.
• Very Slow—the target takes 1 Hit Point of damage every 12
hours.
• Slow—the target takes 1 Hit Point of damage every 1 hour.
• Moderate—the target takes 1 Hit Point of damage every 1
minute.
• Fast—the target takes 1 Hit Point of damage every round.
Delivery
The delivery of the poison describes the method in which the
poison must be administered to the target.
• Ingested—the poison must be swallowed.
• Inhaled—the poison may be breathed in like a vapor, mist,
or fine powder. This also includes powders that are blown
into the eyes.
• Blood—the poison must be delivered to the bloodstream.
This may be accomplished with a poison-coated needle or a
blade.
• Skin—the poison may be delivered through any contact
with the skin.
Side Effects
Side effects are anything the poison may do in addition to its
base damage. Side effects do not normally come on until the
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target has taken their Heart in Hit Point damage. If you want
to concoct a poison with side effects that come on instantly,
you must take an additional -1 draw.
• None—the target suffers no effects beyond damage.
• Minor—you may designate a mild side effect like dizziness,
blurred vision, or strong headaches.
• Major—you may designate a severe side effect like
blindness or delusions.
• Debilitating—you may designate a debilitating effect like
crippling pain, paralysis, or incapacitation.
When you administer the poison, you make a Poison draw

modified by the combined bonuses and penalties of your
design. If someone else administers your poison who is not
trained in Poisons, you take an additional -2 to your draw.
Speed Draw Delivery Draw Side Effects Draw
V. Slow +0 Ingested +1 None +0
Slow -1 Inhaled +0 Minor -1
Moderate -2 Blood -1 Major -2
Fast -3 Skin -2 Debilitating -3
If your final Poisons draw is successful, the total damage dealt

by the poison is based on your success level as follows.
F�� F��: Without a cure, your target will take
total damage equal to double your Poisons draw.
F�� S��: Without a cure, your target will take total
damage equal to triple your Poisons draw.
F�� S��: Without a cure, your target dies.
Apothecary, Medical, Poisons, or Survival can be used to cure

poison. If only one of these skills is brought to bear on the
poison, the draw with the skill is a double black draw. If two
or more of these skills are brought to bear on the poison, the
draw is normal for the highest present skill. Curing a poison
may only be attempted once. Poisons may also be cured with
certain spells.
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Running
Cost: 1
Draw: NA
Special: You may select or purchase this skill up to 3 times.
Each time gives an additional +1.
Description: You are an excellent runner. For short sprints or
over longer distances, you can cover ground faster than most.
You gain +1 Movement for footspeed only. This bonus does
not apply to skills like Acrobatics or Swimming.
Sailing
Cost: 1
Draw: Average of Agility & Perception
Special: If you are trained in both Navigation and Sailing,
you may add 1 to your Status for the purposes of calculating
Wealth Level.
Description: You are a skilled mariner. From tiny sloops to
heavy frigates, you are comfortable with all kinds of sailing.
You can make repairs on a ship, manage winds, and pilot a
craft.
Scholarship
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Literacy
Draw: None
Special: This skill gives
you a +1 draw to many
skills.
Description: You have an
extensive background
in academic studies
and learning. Maybe you attended a university like those in
Wittenberg and Paris. Perhaps, like Galileo, you have made a
personal study of the sciences. You might even be some kind
of court scholar.
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Sixth Sense
Cost: 3
Draw: None (see below)
Description: You have an uncanny sense for danger. This is
not quite supernatural, but it certainly defies explanation.
Any time you are headed into a trap or someone is sneaking
up on you, you may double draw your Perception (even if the
foe is invisible or otherwise undetectable).
This skill only applies to sensing immediate physical danger.

It does not apply to more abstract or conceptual danger. Sixth
Sense also does not give you detail. The hackles on the back
of your neck suddenly stand up, and you know someone is
behind you. But they no longer get a surprise attack on you!
Sleight of Hand
Cost: 3
Draw: Stealth
Description: You can deftly pick pockets and palm objects.
You can use this skill to hide small weapons and items, steal
money purses, or even perform the tricks of an illusionist.
If you have this skill and you are willing to cheat, you may
double draw any use of Gambling.
Smith
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Construction
Draw: Construction
Description: You are a skilled metalworker. You can build
and mend all manner of armor and weaponry. To utilize
Smith, you must have access to a forge and appropriate tools
and materials. Smith is a time-intensive skill. Even with an
already hot fire, any use of Smith takes at least a few hours.
You keep your gear in good shape. Any time you blunder with
one of your own weapons that you have been maintaining, you
may double draw the blunder effect draw.
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You may own and use a single item beyond your Wealth Level
that you have personally made. This might be an expensive
firearm or an advanced hand weapon. If this item is broken or
lost, you may mend or rebuild it given time and materials. You
may have this item before you first adventure.
Smith, Advanced
Cost: 3
Prerequisite: Smith
Draw: Construction
Description: You excel in the craft of metalworking. Given
at least a week with a forge and materials, you may make or
modify an item to give it very potent advantages. To do this,
you must burn 1 Fortune. If this item is broken or lost, you
may mend or rebuild it given time and materials without
burning additional Fortune. You may only attempt these
modfications once per item. There is no draw, but you must
make a Fate Test to determine the quality of the item as
follows.
F�� W��: No benefit
F�� F��: Choose 1 of {+1 to hit, +1 parry, or
+1 damage}
F�� S��: Choose 2 of {+1 to hit, +1 parry, or
+1 damage}
F�� S��: Take all of {+1 to hit, +1 parry, and
+1 damage}
Stealth Expert
Cost: 1
Draw: NA
Special: You may select or purchase this skill up to 3 times.
Each time gives an additional +1.
Description: You are very deft at sneaking and hiding. You
gain +1 Stealth for sneaking and hiding. This bonus does not
apply to skills like Disguise or Vocal Control.
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Survival
Cost: 1
Draw: Average of Body & Perception
Description: You are an expert at
surviving in harsh environments.
You can make shelters, kindle fire,
and withstand the elements. You
will also be good at foraging for
food and distinguishing edible
plants and mushrooms from
those that are toxic. You may
also concoct antidotes for some
poisons.
Swimming
Cost: 1
Draw: Movement
Description: It is assumed that everyone knows how to
swim, but your character is exceptional. You are extremely
comfortable in the water. You can hold your breath and cover
great distances while submerged. You can dive safely from
great heights and swim to great depths.
Tracking
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
Description: You are skilled at following tracks and signs.
With a successful draw, you can tell when someone passed
a spot and which way they were headed. You can also use
tracking to follow someone. The amount of information
and the speed with which you can track someone depends
on your level of success. The difficulty of the draw for this
skill will vary greatly depending on the terrain, the size and
stealth of the group you are tracking, and the age of the trail.
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Traps
Cost: 1
Draw: Perception
Description: Your character is trained to spot, set, and disarm
traps and snares. You may use this skill to set a hunter’s trap
in the woods to nab a meal, or you might sniff out an alarm
trap on a door and disarm it to enter a house undetected.
The more sophisticated the trap in question, the greater the
difficulty.
Underworld
Cost: 3
Draw: Perception
Special: With this skill, you may double draw Wealth Level.
You then take a -1 to your Status AFTER calculating Wealth
Level.
Description: You know your way around the dark underbelly
of society. In a familiar town, you know just whom to ask for
criminal information. If you find yourself on strange turf, it
does not take you long to sniff out those who live outside the
law and establish new contacts.
Vocal Control
Cost: 3
Draw: Stealth
Description: You have an exceptional ability to throw your
voice and to speak without moving your lips. You also are
skilled at mimicking other voices or even animal sounds.
Wiccan Craft
Cost: 6
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Wiccan Craft
Basic Spell List found in Chapter Five.
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Wiccan Craft, Advanced
Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Wiccan Craft
Wiccan Craft Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Wiccan Craft, Master

Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Wiccan Craft, Advanced
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Master Wiccan
Craft Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Witchcraft
Cost: 6
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Basic
Witchcraft Spell List found in Chapter Five.
Witchcraft, Advanced
Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Witchcraft
Witchcraft, Master
Cost: 6
Prerequisite: Witchcraft, Advanced
Description: You may cast all the spells on the Master
81
Martial Skills
Martial skills are specialized combat abilities like fencing,
fighting with two weapons, or fighting with a shield. There are
two ways for your character to acquire martial skills. First, you
choose martial skills as part of character creation (see Chapter
1, Step 13). Second, you may purchase additional martial skills
for 4 experience points each.
Armor & Shield Training

You are trained to fight in
armor and with a shield. You
do not have to black double
draw Initiative when fighting
in armor or with a shield.
Basic Weapon Training

You may choose one weapon
you are trained in regardless of
your Martial Training. You are
considered fully proficient in
this weapon.
Special: You may select Basic
Weapon Training multiple
times. Each time, you choose a
new weapon in which you are
proficient.
Knight of Cups
Double-Nock
You may fire two arrows simultaneously from either a longbow
or shortbow. You cannot hit twice this way, but you double
draw a single bow attack. You may do this as your first bow
attack in combat as normal. After your first bow attack,
reloading a double nock takes a major action rather than a
minor action.
82
Evasion
Prerequisite: Acrobatics
Evasion allows you to use Acrobatics to defend yourself if you
take a Critical wound. You should declare your use of Evasion
after you have taken a Critical wound but before the Critical
Effect Fate Test. To use Evasion, you must have significant
space to retreat, and you must sacrifice your next minor action
as a retreat movement. After you retreat, you should make an
Acrobatics draw. If successful you do not need to make the
Critical Effect Fate Test. You only take the hit point damage.
You may use Evasion only once per round.
Fencing
You have studied one of the many European fencing styles, and
you are a lethal fighter with a light blade. To gain the benefits
of any Fencing martial skill, you must fight with a ‘Fencing
Blade,’ you may not use a shield, and you may not wear heavy
armor.
In addition to opening the door to more advanced fencing

skills, basic fencing allows you to use half of your Agility rather
than half of your Body to determine your Hand Combat when
attacking with a fencing blade. If you successfully disarm
someone, you may automatically put them on point. If an
opponent attacks you and blunders, you may automatically put
them on point. If someone you are fighting becomes stunned,
you may automatically put them on point.
Fencing, Cloak Fighter

Prerequisite: Fencing
You have learned to use a parrying cloak in your off hand. You
may choose to discard one parry or dodge attempt each round
and make a second dodge draw with your parrying cloak. If you
take the second draw, you must accept it even if the result is
worse than the first. Parrying cloaks are listed under shields in
Chapter Four.
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Fencing, Disarm
You are an expert at knocking weapons out of your opponent’s
hands with your fencing blade. You may double draw any
attempt to disarm someone with your fencing weapon.
Fencing, Florentine Style

You may fight with a second fencing blade in your off hand.
You do not take two attacks; however, Florentine style allows
you to double draw a single attack each round. Both cards are
drawn at -1. You cannot parry when attacking this way but may
still dodge normally.
Fencing, Instinctive Parry

You have a keen eye and a gift for knocking things out of the
air. You may apply your parry to thrown weapons, arrows, and
crossbow bolts, though you may not parry firearm shots.
Fencing, Lunge
You may attack with your fencing blade as if it were a reach
weapon. You may attack at the top of the round if you take no
other action. You may move up to 1 stride before you lunge.
You may attack any target up to 3 strides away with your lunge.
Fencing, Parrying Dagger

You may use a parrying dagger defensively in your off hand.
You may choose to discard your first parry attempt with your
fencing blade and make a second draw with your parrying
dagger. If you take the second draw, you must accept it even if
the result is worse than the first. You may only use this ability
once per round.
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Fencing, Parrying Dagger Advanced
Prerequisite: Fencing, Parrying Dagger
You may use a parrying dagger either offensively or defensively
in your off hand. You may choose to ignore your first parry
draw or attack draw with your fencing blade and make a
second draw with your parrying dagger. If you take the second
draw, you must accept it even if the result is worse than the
first. You may only use this ability once per round.
Fencing, Precise Thrust

To use Fencing, Precise Thrust you must first make a successful
Perception draw. If you fail this draw, you must attack as
normal. If Fortune Weeps on this draw, you lose your attack
entirely. By successfully attacking a weak spot, you may ignore
your target’s armor. This includes any natural armor.
Heightened Reflexes
You have great reflexes and a cool head in combat. If you do
not like the Initiative card drawn in combat, you may choose
to draw your own and choose the better of the two cards. If
you choose the new card, it pertains only to you, not the rest of
your party.
Highwayman
You are skilled at fighting with two flintlocks. To use
Highwayman, you must have a flintlock in each hand and you
must discharge both of them. While you cannot hit twice this
way, you may double draw a single flintlock attack at -1.
Powerful Strike
You have the ability to bring enormous physical strength
to a blow. This takes a minor action to set up. You may only
perform Powerful Strike with a melee weapon that has a Body
component of damage. You gain a bonus of half your Body in
damage for this blow.
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Quickdraw
You may draw a weapon as a free action. You must use this
ability with one-handed weapons only.
Snapshot
You can nock an arrow and loose it with incredible speed. You
may fire a shortbow or longbow as a ready weapon in the first
round of combat you have it out. This skill, combined with the
Quickdraw skill, makes loading a shortbow or longbow a free
action.
Sweeping Blow
You are so deft with a two-handed weapon that you may attack
two targets simultaneously. You must be in melee range of
both targets to perform sweeping blow on them. You must use
a weapon two-handed to perform sweeping blow.
To do a sweeping blow, you must draw against the harder to

hit target. You resolve an attack on that target at -1. If you are
successful, you strike both targets. The first target is hit as
normal. The second target takes half the hit point damage that
the first target sustains. The second target only takes hit point
damage, even if the first target is hit with a Critical wound.
After doing a sweeping blow, you cannot parry and you take a
-1 to Dodge until your next action.
Throwing
You have exceptional aptitude for throwing weapons. You may
ignore the base -1 penalty to throw a weapon within 10 strides.
Also, you may use your Hand Attack rather than your Ranged
Attack if preferable when throwing.
Toughness
With a successful Heart draw, you may ignore Incapacitation
and Stun effects.
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Toughness, Advanced
Prerequisite: Toughness
You may double draw the Critical Effect Fate Test of any
Critical wound you take.
Unarmed Fighter
Whether pugilism, grappling, or some more exotic eastern
art, you are an expert at fighting without a weapon. Unarmed
Fighter gives you several advantages. You may attempt to break
grapple as a minor action rather than a major action. You gain
+2 points of base damage when fighting unarmed. You also
gain +1 parry when fighting unarmed.
Unarmed Fighter, Advanced

Prerequisite: Unarmed Fighter
You are incredibly skilled at your particular discipline of
unarmed combat. In addition to the advantages of basic
Unarmed Fighter, you gain an additional +2 points of base
damage when fighting unarmed (+4 total). You also gain an
additional +1 parry when fighting unarmed (+2 total). You may
choose to attack with unarmed attack as Lethal rather than
Blunt. You must declare this choice before you draw otherwise
the attack is assumed to be Blunt.
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Weapon Expertise
You have training and practice with one particular weapon.
You gain +1 to hit with a single chosen weapon.
Special: You may select Weapon Expertise multiple times at
the basic level if you want +1 in several different weapons.
Weapon Expertise, Advanced

Prerequisite: Weapon Expertise
You have extensive training and practice with one particular
weapon. You gain an additional +1 to hit with a single chosen
weapon (+2 total).
Weapon Expertise, Deadly Blow

Your experience with a particular weapon has made your
attacks with that weapon much more deadly. You can strike
for vital organs and vulnerable spots. Whenever you score a
Critical wound with your chosen weapon, you may double
draw the Critical Effect Fate Test.
Weapon Expertise, Defensive

This skill may not be applied to ranged weapons. Your
extensive training in your weapon has made you very good
at defending yourself. You gain an additional +1 parry with a
single chosen hand weapon.
Weapon Expertise, Master

Prerequisite: Weapon Expertise, Advanced
You have incredibly extensive training and practice with one
particular weapon. You gain an additional +1 to hit with a
single chosen weapon (+3 total).
88
Chapter Three
Twisting Fate
Fate is a capricious mistress. She will be kind one moment and
cruel the next. But when she is on your side, everything falls
into place!
Fate Twists allow you, the player, to manipulate the Fate Deck
itself. You can twist fate as often as you wish as long as you still
have points in your Fate
Pool. Some twists allow you Totally Meta
to look at upcoming cards or A Fate Twist is something you do,
reshuffle the deck. Others not your character. Your character
let you play with cards face has no knowledge that fate is
up or put certain Major twisted. You, on the other hand, are
totally aware of the implications of
Arcana near the top of the Fate Twists. We encourage you to
deck. Clever use of a Fate play in your most tactically savvy
Twist will benefit not just way. This is your chance to go meta
you but your entire party. and let your geek flag fly!
Because Fate Twists are

done by players rather than characters, they take no time
to perform. If you spend 5 minutes in the middle of a fight
debating the use of a certain Fate Twist, no actual time passes
in the game. Every time you twist fate, you must spend 1 point
from your Fate Pool. Your Fate Pool refills after every session.
Only a point from your Fate Pool will allow you to twist fate.
Fortune Counters, burning Fortune, or discarding Fortune are
not substitutes.
Rob’s goblin, Ismara, has a Fate Pool of 3. This means she can
twist fate three times in a session. After a play session, Ismara’s
Fate Pool will refill to 3, regardless of how many Fate Pool points
Rob spent.
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Fate Twists
Balanced Ledger
Wherever it is, the GM should find Temperance and shuffle
it into the top 3. This is true even if the card is currently held
or in the boneyard. However, this twist will not remove a card
from under the Tower. Note that drawing Temperance knocks
the Fool off the table.
Borrowed Trouble
If another character places a Major Arcanum in the boneyard
as a result of Fortune Weeps, and that card is a Fortune Shines
for you, you may pick it up as a Fortune Counter. Once the card
is covered, this opportunity is gone. You cannot use this Fate
Twist when the Fool is on the table.
Déjà Vu
The GM takes the top card off the boneyard and shuffles it into
the top 5.
Devil’s Laugh
Wherever it is, the GM should find the Devil and shuffle it into
the top 3. This is true even if the card is currently held or in the
boneyard. Note that the Devil knocks the Fool off the table.
However, this twist will not remove a card from
under the Tower.
Fat Chance
The GM takes any Minor Arcana cards of your choice out of
the boneyard and shuffles them back into the remaining Fate
Deck.
Fate is Written
Name any Major Arcanum other than Death or the Wheel of
Fortune. The GM should find this card and turn it face up,
then reinsert it at the same spot in the deck. This card is played
90
face up for the rest of the session and everyone knows where in
the deck that card currently sits.
Fool’s Errand
If the Fool is in the Fate Deck, you may find it and put it
directly on the table. If the Fool is on the table, you may shuffle
it back into the remaining Fate Deck after one draw. You may
not use Fool’s Errand if the Fool is in the boneyard.
Good Omen
You may take Death off the table and shuffle it back into the
remaining Fate Deck after one draw.
Harbinger of Death
The GM should find Death and turn it face up, then reinsert
it to the same spot in the deck. Death is played face up for the
rest of the session or until it takes a life. Everyone knows where
in the deck the card currently sits.
High Roller
The next draw must be resolved with a Major Arcanum.
The player should continue drawing until they get a Major
Arcanum that resolves their draw. Discard any Minor Arcana.
The Fool, Death, and the Tower are placed on the table as
normal. The Wheel of Fortune is resolved as normal.
House Celestial
You may choose Star, Sun, or both. Wherever they are, the
GM should find your chosen card(s) and shuffle them into the
top 5. This is true even if the cards are currently held or in the
boneyard. However, this twist will not remove any cards from
under the Tower.
House of Law
You may choose Justice, Judgment, or both. Wherever they are,
the GM should find your chosen card(s) and shuffle them into
91
the top 5. This is true even
if the cards are currently House Rules
held or in the boneyard. Only one ‘House’ twist may be
applied to a single draw. You may
However, this twist will otherwise use multiple twists to
not remove any cards from affect a single draw, but they must be
under the Tower. implemented in the order in which
they were declared. For example,
if you were to use Fat Chance after
House of Misery using House of Law, Justice and
You may choose Hanged Judgment will likely get lost in the
Man, Hermit, or both. shuffle.
Wherever they are, the GM
should find your chosen
card(s) and shuffle them into the top 5. This is true even if the
cards are currently held or in the boneyard. However, this twist
will not remove any cards from under the Tower.
House of Motherhood
You may choose Empress, High Priestess, or both. Wherever
they are, the GM should find your chosen card(s) and shuffle
them into the top 5. This is true even if the cards are currently
held or in the boneyard. However, this twist will not remove
any cards from under the Tower.
House Planetary
You may choose Moon, World, or both. Wherever they are, the
GM should find your chosen card(s) and shuffle them into the
top 5. This is true even if the cards are currently held or in the
boneyard. However, this twist will not remove any cards from
under the Tower.
House of Tyranny
You may choose Emperor, Hierophant, or both. Wherever they
are, the GM should find your chosen card(s) and shuffle them
into the top 5. This is true even if the cards are currently held
or in the boneyard. However, this twist will not remove any
cards from under the Tower.
92
Hunch
Look at the top card in the Fate Deck. Keep this information to
yourself.
Ill Omen
Wherever the Death card is, the GM must find it and shuffle it
into the top 3.
New Day
The GM should reshuffle the entire Fate Deck including the
boneyard, all held cards, and cards on the table. However the
GM should not reshuffle the Tower or any cards under it.
Premonition
Look at the next 3 cards in the Fate Deck and discard 1. The
GM then shuffles the remaining 2 and a third together and
replaces them on top of the deck. Keep this information to
yourself.
Prudence
The next draw must result in a Minor Arcanum. The player
should continue drawing until they get a Minor Arcanum that
resolves their draw. Discard any Major Arcana including the
Fool or the Tower. The Wheel of Fortune is resolved as normal.
Reshuffle Death back into the Fate Deck.
Reprieve
You may ignore the Wheel of Fortune. The GM should shuffle
it directly back into the remaining Fate Deck. You may not use
Reprieve if the Wheel of Fortune is the last remaining card.
Rising Star
The GM should reshuffle the boneyard back into the
remaining Fate Deck, not including held cards, cards on the
table, or cards under the Tower.
93
Chapter Four
Gear
In Fortune’s Fool, your character has the appropriate gear and
possessions for their Wealth Level and occupation. You do
not need to keep track of things like clothing or food or your
dwelling. However, you should record personal gear that may
have combat or skill implications.
Weapons
Weapons have the following statistics.
Damage: The damage the weapon does with a ×1 hit. Many
weapons’ damages are based partly on the Body of the
wielder.
Type: Weapons are either Blunt or Lethal. For more
information on the difference, see Chapter Seven.
Parry: This is the value that you add to your Dodge when you
are defending yourself
with a melee weapon. What Do I Have
Range: The distance beyond
melee that a ranged
On Me?
Your Wealth Level tells you what
weapon can effectively you can afford, but not necessarily
attack. Ranged weapons what you have on your person at any
will be either Short or given moment. You might be able to
Long range. For more afford a great suit of armor as well
as a musket and two-handed sword.
information on ranges, see Does this mean you are going to
Chapter Seven. wear these things to a ball or dinner
Hands: The number of party? Obviously not. If you are
hands required to use going to a genteel affair, leave the
the weapon. Some war-gear at home! But this is a two-
sided contract. If, for the sake of the
one-handed weapons story, your martial dwarf leaves his
(broadsword and club, heavy armor in the barracks to go to
for example) may be used the fancy dinner, the GM needs to
two-handed for additional take that into account when danger
damage. erupts at the event.
94
Martial: The minimum Martial Training you must have to
use the weapon proficiently. If you use a weapon without
proficiency, you have half your normal attack value and
cannot use it to parry.
Wealth: The minimum Wealth Level you must have to use the
weapon without tempting fortune.
Melee Weapons
Unarmed Combat
Unarmed: Unarmed includes punches, kicks, knees, elbows,
and even head butts! Anyone can make the basic unarmed
attack regardless of their Martial Training or Wealth Level.
Unarmed attacks may be used while grappled. This weapon
may be used by Fey spellcasters.
Damage Type Parry Hands Martial Wealth
½ Body Blunt NA NA NA Destitute
Grapple: Grapple is a particular unarmed attack that does no

damage but results in both the attacker and target being
grappled. Attacking with Grapple is a +2 attack. This weapon
None — NA NA NA Destitute
Stone: Stone is listed under unarmed because it takes no

wealth to use. Any rock you might pick up off the ground to
throw will qualify. This weapon may be thrown. This weapon
1 + ½ Body Blunt NA 1 0 Destitute
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Basic Blades
Knife: From kitchen tools to combat dirks, the knife is the
ubiquitous small cutting weapon of the day. This weapon
may be used while grappled. This weapon may be thrown.
6 Lethal 0 1 0 Poor
Dagger: The dagger is a longer, heavier knife specifically made

for fighting. While still small enough to conceal, a dagger is
too large to throw effectively. This weapon may be used while
grappled.
8 Lethal 1 1 1 Mid Class
Broadsword: Broadsword includes a variety of heavy swords

like longswords, bastard swords, and claymores. These heavy
swords were used more in the Middle Ages; however, they are
still fairly common in Renaissance Europe. The broadsword
may be used one- or two-handed.
7 + ½ Body* Lethal 2 1* 2 Wealthy
*If this weapon is used two-handed, increase damage by an additional ½ Body.
Fencing Blades
Cutlass: This is the crudest weapon that can be used for
fencing. The cutlass has a heavy, fairly short, curved blade.
This weapon is commonly used at sea where tight quarters
make short weapons more practical.
8 + ½ Body Lethal 1 1 2 Poor
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Saber: The saber is longer
and thinner than a cutlass Fencing
but is still a fairly crude You do not actually need the Fencing
Martial skill to use a fencing blade.
fencing blade. The saber As long as you have the appropriate
is primarily a slashing Martial Training and Wealth Level,
and cutting blade and is you can use these weapons without
favored by cavalry fighters. actually ‘fencing’.

7 + ½ Body Lethal 2 1 2 Mid Class
Hanger: Also called a hunting sword, the hanger is the

traditional long sword of the day. It has a long, straight blade
and usually a basket hilt for parrying.
Rapier: The rapier is a light blade designed to balance speed

and defense. It is long and slender and can be used very
quickly but still has enough weight to stop heavier weapons.
10 Lethal 3 1 3 Wealthy
Small Sword: This blade is the state of the art for fencers. It is
basically a reinforced and edged fencing foil. These blades
are like vipers—quick and deadly. At the same time, they
lack the defensive prowess of the longer rapier.
14 Lethal 2 1 4 Wealthy
97
Parrying Dagger: Also called the main-gauche or left
hand dagger, the parrying dagger is a new weapon of the
Renaissance. It is longer and thinner than a normal dagger
and has a heavy guard or hilt to improve its defensive
value. It cannot be thrown, but it can be used as an offhand
weapon. This weapon may be used while grappled.
8 Lethal 2 1 2 Mid Class
Bludgeoning Weapons
Club: The most primitive of weapons, this is a heavy length of
wood, stone, or bone. The club may be used in either one or
two hands. This weapon may be used by Fey spellcasters.
3 + ½ Body* Blunt 1 1* 0 Destitute
Mace: Not an enormously subtle weapon, the mace is basically

a fancy club. Some maces are metal balls with spikes or
flanges, others are just clubs with jags of stone or protruding
nails. Maces may be used in one or two hands.
5 + ½ Body* Blunt 1 1* 0 Mid Class
Chain Mace: Sometimes called a morning star or flail, the

chain mace is some combination of metal weights, chain,
and a handle. It is difficult to wield but devastating. It may be
used in one or two hands.
13 + ½ Body* Blunt 0 1* 3 Mid Class
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Staff: The staff brings less force to bear than a mace, but it is
better for defense. The staff is a length of wood held with two
hands. The wielder may attack or defend with either end.
This weapon may be used by Fey spellcasters.
6 + ½ Body Blunt 3 2 2 Destitute
Axes
Hatchet: This is a small, one-handed axe that is as much a tool
as a weapon. This weapon may be thrown. This weapon may
be used while grappled.
4 + ½ Body Lethal 1 1 1 Poor
Heavy Axe: A heavy axe is any large, two-handed axe. Often the
tool of farmers or lumberjacks, the heavy axe is still a very
dangerous weapon.
7 + Body Lethal 1 2 2 Poor
Battleaxe: The battleaxe is a one-handed axe, but it is larger

than a hatchet and made specifically for combat. This
weapon may be thrown.
Great Axe: This is a massive, two-handed, double-bitted axe.

Unlike a heavy axe, the great axe is specifically made for
combat.
8 + Body Lethal 1 2 2 Mid Class
99
Hammers
Light Hammer: Light hammers might be true weapons
or simple carpenters’ tools. They are small one-handed
weapons. This weapon may be thrown.
6 + ½ Body Blunt 1 1 1 Poor
War Hammer: War hammers are heavy two-handed hammers.

They are very heavy and may not be thrown.
7 + Body Blunt 1 2 1 Mid Class
Spears
Light Spear: The light spear is really just a sharpened stick.
It can be used one- or two-handed. This weapon may be
thrown. This weapon may be used by Fey spellcasters.
4 + ½ Body* Lethal 1 1* 1 Poor
Heavy Spear: Heavy spears

include boar spears, Bargain Weapons
You may choose a low-quality
hunting spears, or any weapon if you are desperate. Low-
other large, bladed spear quality weapons are available at
used two-handed. A one Wealth Level below the listed
heavy spear could even be level. Low-quality weapons are the
a musket with attached same as their standard counterparts
with one crucial exception. If you
bayonet. Heavy spears are blunder with a low-quality weapon
too heavy for throwing. you must black double draw the
This weapon may be used Fate Test to determine the specifics
by Fey spellcasters. of the blunder!

4 + Body Lethal 2 2 1 Mid Class
100
Reach Weapons
For more on reach weapons, please see Chapter Seven.
Polearm: The term polearm describes a wide variety of

very long cutting weapons. Glaives, fauchards, halberds,
and guisarmes are just a few of the many weapons called
polearms.
Pike: The pike is a very long, two-handed spear. Pikes include

lances, forks, and other very long impaling weapons. Pikes
are at least 8 feet in length. This weapon may be used by Fey
spellcasters.
Lucerne Hammer: The Lucerne hammer is a very long hammer,

often as long as 10 feet.
12 + ½ Body Blunt 0 2 2 Mid Class
Ranged Weapons
Slings & Bows
Sling: The sling is a primitive
but effective ranged weapon. It
is a simple strap of leather or
cloth with a pouch for a stone.
It takes a minor action to reload
a sling, and it cannot be carried
loaded. This weapon may be
used by Fey spellcasters.
Damage Type Range Hands Martial Wealth
7 Blunt Short 2 0 Destitute
101
Shortbow: The shortbow is the basic bow and arrow. Often
used more for hunting than battle, the shortbow is still a very
dangerous weapon. It is also easier to use than the longbow.
It takes a minor action to reload this kind of bow, and this
bow cannot be carried loaded. This weapon may be used by
Fey spellcasters.
9 Lethal Short 2 1 Poor
Longbow: Much larger than a shortbow, longbows have greater

range and power. It takes a minor action to reload this kind
of bow, and it cannot be carried loaded. This weapon may be
used by Fey spellcasters.
10 Lethal Long 2 2 Poor
Crossbows
Crossbow: Sometimes called the flatbow, the crossbow is a
very short bow attached to a cross spar. Rather than arrows, a
crossbow fires shorter quarrels or bolts. It takes a full round
(minor and major actions) to reload this crossbow. It may
be carried loaded and used as a readied range weapon when
loaded.
11 Lethal Long 2 1 Mid Class
One-Handed Crossbow: The one-handed crossbow is basically

the junior version of the crossbow. It takes a full round
(minor and major actions) to reload this crossbow. It may
loaded.
10 Lethal Short 1 1 Mid Class
102
Heavy Crossbow: The heavy crossbow is a crossbow with a very
powerful pull. A heavy crossbow is reloaded with a crank or
foot brace. It takes one full round and an additional minor
action to reload this crossbow. It may be carried loaded and
used as a readied range weapon when loaded.
13 Lethal Long 2 1 Wealthy
Firearms
Pistol: Pistols are one-handed, muzzle-loaded firearms. Pistols
include matchlocks, wheel locks, and the more modern
flintlocks. Reloading a pistol takes two full rounds. It may
loaded. This weapon may be used while grappled.
17 Lethal Short 1 2 Wealthy
Musket: Muskets include the arquebus, blunderbus, carbine,

and any other two-handed firearm. Reloading a musket
takes two full rounds. It may be carried loaded and used as a
readied range weapon when loaded.
19 Lethal Long 2 2 Wealthy
103
Advanced Weapons
If you have great wealth, you can utilize very expensive
weapons with special advantages! Don’t bother to look at the
following table if you are not at least Rich or it will make you
sad. You can never take bargain versions of advanced weapons.
Advanced Wealth
Advantage
Weapon Level
Masterwork +1 damage for bows or
Rich
Arrows crossbows
Masterwork Melee
+1 damage melee weapon Rich
Weapon
Double-Barreled
Firearm may load 2 shots Rich
Firearm
Armor-Piercing
Firearms ignore armor Absurd
Ammo
Ancient Melee +1 to damage and counts
Absurd
Weapon as ‘enchanted’
Armor & Shields

The use of armor and shields reached its zenith in the Middle
Ages. With the advent of fencing and gunpowder, armor is less
common in Renaissance Europe. Nevertheless, many people
still rely on the protective value of metal and leather.
Armor & Shield Training is a martial skill. If you do not have

this skill and you choose to wear armor or use a shield, then
the Initiative draw in combat is a black double draw for you
only. If you have the Armor & Shield Training skill, you may
ignore this black double draw.
104
Can I Sleep In Armor
Armor allows you to reduce
My Armor? the damage of any hit you
A better question might be, ‘Would
you sleep in your armor?’ If you are take. You apply your armor
out on the road or at war, you might after any damage multiplier,
sleep in light armor. But you would not before. Armor applies
never sleep in medium or heavy to the hit point damage of
armor. Though you could sleep in Critical wounds but it does
the light layer of heavier armor.
not alter the specific effect
of a Critical wound. You
do not apply armor to environmental and incidental damage
(poisons, falling, fire, and so on).
Armor values stack. If you have natural armor or if you cast a

spell that gives you armor you may add that to the value of any
additional armor you are wearing. However, you cannot wear
more than one type of armor at a time. You could not wear
light and medium armor together, for example.
Armor is grouped into Light,

Medium, and Heavy. Fey
spellcasters may wear Light
Armor. In addition to possibly
making you black double
draw your Initiative, wearing
armor will reduce your Stealth
and Movement. This is true
regardless of your Armor &
Shield Training.
Armor Value Stealth Movement Wealth

Light 1 -0 -0 Mid Class
Medium 2 -1 -1 Wealthy
Black Double
Heavy 3 ×½ Rich
Draw
105
If you are very wealthy, you may be able to afford masterwork
armor as follows. Masterwork armor has all the same modifiers
to Stealth, Movement and Initiative as normal armor.
Masterwork Armor Advantage Wealth

Light +1 Armor Value Rich
Medium or Heavy +1 Armor Value Absurd
Shields
You may carry a shield in one hand to gain a bonus to your
Dodge. You may apply this bonus once per round. You may
also combine the bonus
from a shield with the parry
of another weapon in your
other hand. Unlike normal
weapon parries, you may
apply your shield value to
ranged weapons. Like a
parry, you must be aware
of an attack to use your
shield against it. Wooden
shields may be used by Fey
spellcasters.
A parrying cloak is a special weighted cloak used by fencers.

For convenience, it is listed here with shields, but it is not
really a shield and is not covered by the Armor & Shield
Training skill. To use a Parrying Cloak you must have the
Fencing, Cloak Fighter martial skill.
Shield Dodge Bonus Wealth

Wood +2 Poor
Steel +3 Wealthy
Parrying Cloak Second Dodge Draw Mid Class
106
Animals
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are mostly used to hunt small game, but they also
have a combat implication. For more information on using
birds of prey, please see the Hawking skill in Chapter Two.
Birds of prey have the same Fate structure as their owner. A

bird has no hit points. They may only be attacked by a ranged
weapon or by a melee attack from the target they are harrying.
Birds have a movement of ‘Fly,’ meaning they can reach
anywhere in their handler’s sight in a given round. They will
only be struck by a Fortune Weeps (if an NPC is attacking a
PC’s bird) or by a Fortune Shines (if a PC is attacking an NPC
bird). If it is struck, the bird is killed.
Poor birds include crows, parrots, and pigeons. Average birds

would be hunting hawks and kites. Excellent birds include
falcons, eagles, and owls.
Bird Harrying Value* Wealth

Poor — Destitute
Average +1 Dodge Mid Class
Excellent Double Draw Dodge Rich
*Values assume NPC attacking and PC dodging. If a PC is being harried, the
values would be reversed accordingly.
Hounds
Dogs have been trained for almost every purpose! They hunt,
track, guard, and fight at the behest of their masters. For more
information on using dogs in combat, please see the Hounds
skill in Chapter Two.
Dogs have a Lethal bite attack, though a small dog is combat

ineffective. All dogs have the same Fate structure and Initiative
as their master. All dogs have a Heart of 1. Dogs have a
movement rate of 14 strides.
107
Small hounds include terriers and lapdogs. A medium hound
might be a retriever or a bulldog. Large hounds include
mastiffs and even wolves. Huge dogs would be danes, St.
Bernards, and malamutes.
Hound Hit Points Bite Damage Dodge Wealth

Small 7 — — 9 Destitute
Medium 13 6 5 8 Poor
Large 19 6 6 7 Wealthy
Huge 25 6 7 6 Rich
Steeds
While horses are bred and trained for a wide variety of reasons,
the horses listed here are specifically for riding.
All horses have the same fate structure and Initiative as

their rider. All horses have a Heart of 1, a Dodge of 2, and a
Movement rate of 18 strides.
The Draw statistic modifies your Horsemanship draw anytime

you are in the saddle. The Trample statistic is the draw for
a horse’s Blunt trample attack. A rider may urge a horse to
trample a target as described in the Horsemanship skill in
Chapter Two.
Hit
Horse Draw Trample Damage Wealth
Points
Nag -2 31 2 8 Poor
Quality
+0 37 4 9 Wealthy
Horse
Stallion +1 43 6 10 Rich
Double
Arabian 49 8 11 Absurd
Draw
108
Horse Barding
Another holdover from the Middle Ages, horse armor is rare
in the Renaissance. Horse barding is very expensive, but so are
most horses. Protecting them may be worthwhile.
Horse Barding Protection Wealth

Light -1 damage per hit Wealthy
Medium -2 damage per hit Rich
Skill-Related Gear
Many skills require tools or equipment. Other skills don’t
require gear, but may need gear for certain uses. Some skills are
just easier when you have tools.
If you want to pick a lock with your Lockpick skill, for example,
you are going to need some kind of tool. Maybe you will have
access to a great set of delicate picks or maybe you will have to
improvise and use a hairpin. But you definitely can’t pick a lock
with just your fingers! Climbing, on the other hand, depends
entirely on the circumstance. The GM will never demand ropes
and pitons to scramble down the side of a building, but if you
want to scale an ice face in the Alps, you bet it will be tougher
without gear.
Using a skill for knowledge or information never requires

gear. Using your Poisons skill to analyze a poisoning case,
for example, would take no gear, but using that same skill
to concoct a poison would. Whether or not a circumstance
requires gear is up to the discretion of the GM. If the GM
deems that the circumstance requires gear and you have none
and have to improvise gear, you take a -2 to the skill’s draw.
On the following page is a list of gear to facilitate the use of

certain skills.
109
Climbing Gear Skill Draw Wealth
Standard +0 Poor
Climbing
Advanced +1 Wealthy
Disguise Kit Skill Draw Wealth

Standard +0 Poor
Disguise
Advanced +1 Wealthy
Herbs & Chemicals Skill Draw Wealth

Poor -1 Poor
Standard Apothecary +0 Middle Class
Advanced +1 Rich
Lockpicks Skill Draw Wealth

Poor -1 Poor
Standard Lockpick +0 Middle Class
Advanced +1 Wealthy
Medical Gear Skill Draw Wealth

Standard +0 Poor
Medical
Advanced +1 Rich
Tools Skill Draw Wealth

Poor Construction, -1 Poor
Standard Fletching, +0 Middle Class
Advanced Smith +1 Wealthy
Poisons Skill Draw Wealth

Poor -1 Poor
Standard Poisons +0 Middle Class
Advanced +1 Rich
110
Tutors
If you are extremely wealthy, you may be able to retain the
services of a great scholar or a fencing maestro. To utilize a
tutor, you must be able to spend time studying or training with
them. These tutors are usually available only in large cities.
Tutor Wealth Advantage

2 Languages may be purchased for 1
Minor experience and -1 experience to purchase
Rich
Scholar any of {Hebrew, Latin, Literacy,
Scholarship}
All of the above plus -1 experience
Great
Absurd to purchase any of {Apothecary,
Scholar
Demolitions, Medical, Poisons}
Fencing -1 experience to purchase any Fencing
Absurd
Maestro martial skill
Spell Components
Many spells are harder or even impossible to cast without
appropriate spell components. You need to have your spell
components in hand to reap their benefits. Components must
be held in two hands and may be drawn with a minor action.
Spell Components Examples Wealth

charms, dice,
Gypsy Poor
jewelry
Kabbalah Torah, dreidel, tallit Middle Class
herbs, mushrooms,
Wiccan Craft Destitute
feathers, tokens
snakeskin, baby’s
Witchcraft Poor
blood, eye of newt
111
Miscellaneous Gear
The following is a sampling of gear you might carry. You don’t
need to record this gear on your character sheet. This list is
provided as a guideline for the equipment of the day and the
wealth necessary to use it.
Gear Wealth
Rope Poor
Torch Destitute
Flint and Steel Destitute
Matches Poor
Candles Poor
Cheap Lantern Poor
High Quality Lantern Middle Class
Cheap Spy Glass Wealthy
Telescope Rich
Compass Wealthy
Gun Powder (small amount) Middle Class
Gun Powder (large quantity) Wealthy
Oxcart Poor
Coach and Two Wealthy
Coach and Four Rich
Quill and Inkwell Middle Class
Books Middle Class
112
A
lthaea stared hard at the door. It was massive with
iron bands and a pair of locks the size of trencher
boards. There were no decorations. There was no
window. It was a mass of protection without the slightest hint
of welcome.
Behind this door lived a pawnbroker. Though Althaea
had never met him, the door told her everything she needed
to know. “Go away! I am careful and cautious and cheap! You
are not welcome!” The door did not even have a knocker. Why
would it? This was not a house that hosted guests. Althaea let
out a sigh and thought of another door.
In Rome her door had been made from timbers of

Lebanon and was as pale as the sands of Africa. It had been
carved by dwarven artisans and soaked in rosewater. It was
decorated with figures and animals etched to the tiniest, most
glorious detail. She never saw them move, but always found
them in different spots or poses when she returned. She
imagined them going about their urgent door business all day
long, then hastily freezing their poses when she laid eyes on
them.
Above the figures, at the very top, was a small mounted
arrowhead. This relic dated all the way back to sunken Athens.
Supposedly it was an arrowhead from Artemis herself, but
Althaea could not say if this was so. What she did know was
that the door was touched with beautiful magic.
There had been no lock. She would press lightly on it
with her palm and it would swing aside weightlessly. Anyone
she loved or welcomed could do the same. Her door in Rome
had been an excellent judge of character. A dogged debt collector
could not make it budge for all his might, but the slave girl who
sold her favorite Madeira would always find the door open and a
cool breeze blowing off the marble of the entryway.
Althaea shook herself out of her memory. Rome was

centuries ago. Tonight she was in Prague. Tonight she had to
113
get inside this pawnbroker’s ugly home. In her mind he was fat.
He would sit behind his giant door so sure of his security. As
snow blanketed the cobblestone street, he would drop more coal
on his brazier and pull his crimson robe tighter about him. Then
he would return to counting the day’s earnings. To stave off the
chill, he would help himself to a piping ladle of fatty goulash.
When the Goths had reached her home, the door had
been the first to go. Rome had been crumbling for decades, but
no one really believed an army would ever invade the city itself.
Then one day, panic swept through the streets. Invaders were at
hand!
Althaea had shut herself behind her beautiful door and
hunkered down with her servants. She was sure she could wait
it out. The Centurions would rout these barbaric men and orcs
and dwarves who could not even write their own language. She
had uttered one last charm to her door to seal it tight. Even if
the Roman legions failed, her home would be safe—protected by
ancient magic.
But the Goths had brought beasts and engines of war
the likes of which no spell had ever seen. The opulent door
had burst to pieces. Charred splinters had flown to the furthest
corner of the house. Bearded savages poured through into her
marbled entryway scattering her servants like geese.
From where she hid under the sideboard, Althaea had
seen something glinting across the marble floor. Amid the
wreckage and debris was the arrowhead of Artemis. She had
scurried forward out of hiding and snatched the tiny thing. That
was when they had seized her. Her last memory was clutching
the arrowhead so tight it had drawn blood. Then a club struck
her hard and closed her eyes.
Over the centuries, Althaea had treasured the arrowhead.

It was the only thing she had from those wonderful days in
Rome. She wore it on a chain around her neck and was always
very careful with it. But yesterday in the marketplace she had
been sloppy. It was chilly, and she had found a sweet patch of
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sunlight on the steps of St. Vitus Cathedral. She had let her eyes
close for moment. When she woke, the arrowhead was gone.
Althaea lifted her hand to the brutish door that stood

before her now. With a touch she could tell the pawnbroker had
not yet fenced the precious arrowhead. She could feel its ancient
presence washing through the massive door like it was paper.
She could also tell the door was not warded. This pawnbroker
placed his trust in cruel iron and gnarled wood. He probably did
not even believe in the arcane arts. Almost no one did anymore.
She closed her eyes and pushed gently. Instantly she
felt dizzy as though she were falling and flying together. She
held her breath while reality spun about her. Her eyes were still
closed, but winged shapes and figures danced madly at the edges
of her vision. Althaea let out her breath and opened her eyes.
She was still standing with her hand on the pawnbroker’s door,
but now she was standing on the other side.
When she found him, he was exactly as she had pictured.
Fat and wrapped in a robe. He wore absurd slippers and a furry
cap. With a word and another spell, she put him to sleep. He
slumped blissfully forward onto the table. Quickly Althaea
found his lockbox and retrieved her stolen arrowhead. She
would take no more than her own. She was not a thief.
As she left, she realized she would have to flee the city.
The pawnbroker had seen her. Pagan magic was illegal in
Prague. If she did not leave, she would be hunted down. Even
so, Althaea could not help but smile. When he had fallen asleep,
the pawnbroker had overturned his bowl. Now he was snoring
contentedly in a mound of tomato stained onions, potatoes, and
pork. Althaea’s smile turned into a tiny giggle. He really had
been eating goulash.
115
Chapter Five
Magic
For centuries, the people of Europe have been ruled by myth
and superstition. If your child’s midwife gets an eye infection,
your baby might be possessed. To harvest well, sacrifice to
Bacchus. If the woman you crave ignores you, make a love
tincture of gypsum and foxglove. Now however, these ancient
beliefs are fading.
The Renaissance is the age of reason. Science and rationality

are supplanting rites and spells. Nevertheless, in remote
villages and forgotten provinces there are still a few who
practice the arcane arts. These practitioners know that
those who wield magic harness a very real and sometimes
frightening power.
Magic Skills
Magic Is Rare To become a spellcaster, you
The use of magic was common a few
must choose or purchase at
centuries ago, but now it is quite
least one magic skill. Once
rare. However, you may look around
you have a magic skill, you
your party and see 2 or 3 mages! You
may cast all of the spells
yourself may be able to call upon
arcane forces. The relative rarity
listed under that skill.
of spellcasters is somewhat belied
by the Fortune’s Fool character
For example, if you were
to purchase or select Fey
creation process. Player characters
Magic, you could cast all
are exceptional! Even if half your
the spells on the Basic Fey
party are able to cast spells, don’t be
fooled—magic users in the general
Magic list. You could not,
population are very rare.
however, cast Advanced Fey
Magic spells until you had
purchased or selected the
Fey Magic, Advanced skill. For more information on magic
skills, please see Chapter Two.
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Spell Elements
Each spell has the following listed elements: Type, Target,
Required, Draw, Effect, Duration, and Casting Cost.
Type
A spell’s Type describes its casting time and process. There are
5 spell types.
Reflex: A Reflex spell is a spell that is cast impulsively and takes
no action. A Reflex spell may be cast at any time and may be
cast when it is not your action. A Reflex spell takes no words
or gestures and is usually cast as a response to something.
For example, a defensive spell may be cast as a response to
an attack. You may cast multiple Reflex spells in a round,
but you may only attempt one as a response to a particular
action.
Thought: A Thought spell is the next fastest spell after Reflex.
A Thought spell takes a major action to cast, but requires no
words or gestures.
Word: A Word spell is as fast as a Thought spell. It requires a
major action to cast. A Word spell requires a clearly spoken
word or phrase. Usually the spoken text of a Word spell must
be audible to the target.
Incant: An Incant is a considerably slower spell. Incants are
non-combat spells, taking about 15 seconds to perform.
Incants also require chanting and gesticulation. While an
Incant is not intended as a combat action, if you decide to
cast one in combat it takes three full round actions to cast an
Incant (the Incant is cast on the third round).
Ritual: A Ritual is the slowest type of spell. Rituals take about
6 consecutive hours to cast. Rituals are long and complex
processes. At various parts of the ritual, the caster will need
to chant, gesture, and often use spell components.
117
Target
A spell’s Target describes whom
or what the spell is intended
to affect. A Target might
be a single person or many
people. A Target might be an
object. The word ‘Target’ is
somewhat hostile sounding,
but many spells are beneficial
to their Target. A healing spell,
for example, would have a
wounded person as its Target.
Required
The Required spell element
explains anything else that
might be necessary to cast the
spell. If you do not have or meet The Magician
these additional requirements,
you may not attempt to cast
the spell. For example, some spells require the caster to have
spell components in hand. If you do not have the appropriate
components, you cannot attempt the spell.
Draw
Some spells have a draw to cast. This means that you cannot
cast the spell without successfully performing the draw.
Usually this draw is a statistic like Heart or Perception. The
spell’s Draw will also describe any difficulty to this draw. If you
attempt to cast the spell but fail the draw, the spell fails.
Many spells will have draws modified by a statistic of the

target. For example, the Fey Magic spell, Sleep has the
following text “Draw: You must make a Heart draw modified
by your target’s Heart.” This means that you must make a
Heart draw. If your target is an NPC, you might have to apply
118
a modifier, depending on how weak- or strong-willed that
NPC is. If your target is a PC, their Heart translates into a
Heart Modifier according to the rules of Player versus Player
described in Chapter Nine.
Effect
The Effect explains everything the spell does when cast. If the
spell has some kind of blunder result, this will also be listed
under Effect.
Duration
Duration is how long your spell will last. Some spells are
instantaneous lasting only for a moment. Other spells may
persist for a very long time or are even permanent. Many spells’
durations say ‘Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or
gain Fortune Counters.’ This means the spell will last until you
stop it, but until you stop it, you cannot gain Fortune Counters
or heal Hit Points naturally. You can still receive healing as a
result of magic or application of a skill.
Casting Cost
The Casting Cost is what you must pay or give up to attempt
to cast the spell. You must pay the listed casting cost whether
the spell is successful or not. The most common casting cost
is ‘1 Fortune Counter or Discard 1 Fortune.’ This means that to
attempt the spell you must either discard a Fortune Counter
or you must name a Major Arcanum that is Fortune Shines for
you and is still in the remaining Fate Deck. That card is then
placed directly in the boneyard. If the Tower is on the table,
the Fortune Counter or Discarded Fortune is placed under the
Tower.
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Fey Magic
The most ancient, mysterious, and potent magic is Fey magic.
Fey is the magic of sprites and faeries and mythical creatures
that live on the boundaries between the real world and the
imaginary. As a wielder of Fey magic, you will be able to render
weapons impotent and pass through doors and walls. At the
highest levels you can turn invisible and even move through
time itself. Fey magic always comes from the arcane nature
inherent in the caster. Because of this, Fey magic does not use
components.
Fey magic spells may not be cast or maintained if the caster

is touching metal of any kind. This means a Fey user cannot
wield metal weapons or wear armor heavier than light. Gloves
are not sufficient to insulate the user from the effects of a
metal weapon. However, bows, staffs, clubs, and even arrows
are acceptable.
Basic Fey Magic Spell List

Ancient Law
You cause a metal weapon to stop dealing damage.
Type: Thought.
Target: You must target a single, metal-based weapon in your
sight. This weapon must be mostly metal and may not be
ancient, consecrated, or enchanted. In general, any weapon
that would keep you from casting Fey spells may be targeted.
For example, you may not target a bow or club, but you could
target a knife or musket.
Required: No additional requirements.
Draw: None, this spell is automatic.
Effect: The weapon you target cannot do any damage until
you release the spell. The weapon functions in all other
ways including parrying, but for some reason it does not
deal damage. Ancient Law has no visible effects, but may be
120
sensed with Arcane Sense. The weapon’s wielder does not
know the weapon has stopped working until after they have
used it once.
Duration: It takes no action to keep this spell going, and you
may release it at any time. The spell ends automatically if
your line of sight on the weapon is broken. Until you release
this spell, you cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
Casting Cost: 1 Fortune Counter or Discard 1 Fortune.
Passage
You pass through a wall or a closed door to the other side.
Type: Thought.
Target: Yourself.
Required: You must be
touching the wall or
door you wish to pass
through. The door or
wall must be man-
made and less than 5
feet thick. (Note that
‘man-made’ does not
just mean human!
A goblin-made door
is fine, for example,
but a natural cave
wall would not be
acceptable.) The door
or wall may not be
ancient, consecrated or enchanted. No one can be watching
you to your knowledge. This may normally be accomplished
with a Stealth draw if there is a question.
Draw: None, this spell is automatic.
Effect: You instantly pass to the other side of the wall or door.
Duration: None.
121
Sleep
You cause a target to fall into a pleasant slumber.
Type: Word.
Target: Your target must be a living being that sleeps naturally.
You must have line of sight on your target and they must be
able to hear you invoke the spell.
Draw: You must make a Heart draw modified by your target’s
Heart.
Effect: If successful, your target sinks to the ground in a gentle
sleep.
Duration: The target will sleep 8 hours or until awakened by
some outside force such as a loud noise or shaking. If the
target dies during this sleep, you must Burn 1 Fortune.
Windstep
With incredible balance and intense concentration, you use
your Fey powers to walk through the air.
Type: Thought.
Target: Yourself.
Draw: None, the spell is automatic.
Effect: You may move at walking speed through the air. Doing
so takes enormous concentration. If you take any other
action or you are attacked you must make an Agility draw.
If you fail this draw, you fall. You make a new Agility draw
and take damage according to the falling rules described in
Chapter Seven. The distance you fall is based on your failure
as follows.
F�� S��: You take a short fall.
F�� F��: You take a medium fall.
F�� W��: You take a long fall.
Duration: You may release the spell at any time. The spell ends
automatically if you are incapacitated or sleep. Until you
release this spell, you cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
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Advanced Fey Magic Spell List
Astral Doorway
You create a link between two doorways in remote locations.
Type: Incant or Word.
Target: None.
Required: One of the two doors must be close enough for you
to touch. The other door must be at a location you can see or
clearly recall. Neither of the doors may be in a consecrated
place or a place that is touching metal.
Draw: If the second door is within your sight there is no draw,
and the spell is automatic. If the second door is not in your
sight, you must make a Perception draw with the following
modifiers.
Circumstance Perception Draw
You have only been in the
-1
location once
You have opened an Astral
+1
doorway to the location before
You are performing the spell as a
Black Double Draw
Word spell
Location is your home Double Draw

Effect: If your draw is successful, you create the Astral
Doorway. Any living being, including you, can attempt to
pass through the doorway in either direction as a major
action. Anyone attempting to pass through the doorway
must make a Perception draw. If this Perception draw is a
failure, the being cannot pass. If the Perception draw is a
Fortune Weeps, the being cannot pass and must either burn 1
Fortune or become incapacitated.
may release it at any time. The spell ends automatically if you
become incapacitated or sleep. Until you release this spell,
you cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
123
Faery Song
You sing a hypnotic song. Anyone that falls under its effect
cannot bring themselves to attack you.
Type: Word.
Target: You target all living creatures within earshot at the
spell’s inception. Targets that come within earshot during the
spell are not targeted. Elves are immune to Faery Song.
Required: You must be able to clearly sing at full voice.
Draw: You automatically sing the song, but should make a
single Heart draw against all targets in earshot collectively.
If you have the Performance skill, this is a double draw.
Determining which targets are affected is based on the level
of your successful Heart draw as follows.
F�� F��: Spell affects all targets, except those
who impart a penalty to PC Heart draws.
F�� S��: Spell affects all targets, except those
who impart a penalty larger than -1 to PC Heart draws.
F�� S��: Spell affects all targets.
Effect: No affected target may take any hostile action toward
you. This includes attacking you with a weapon or targeting
you with a spell. You are not invisible, and the targets do not
consider you a friend, they simply cannot bring themselves to
do you any harm while you sing.
Duration: It takes a minor action to keep this spell going each
round, and you may release it at any time. If you attack an
affected target, either with a weapon or with a spell, the
effects of the spell end for that target only. If a target is no
longer within earshot, the effects of the spell end for that
target only. You must audibly sing for the spell’s duration,
and the spell ends whenever you cannot continue singing.
Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain Fortune
Counters.
124
Incorporeal
You let your body fade partly into the Faery Realm to avoid the
damage from a single blow.
Type: Reflex.
Target: Yourself.
Required: You may cast this spell after being hit, but you must
choose to cast it before Critical Effect Fate Test. The blow
must be a normal physical blow. It may not come from a
weapon that is ancient, consecrated, or enchanted.
Draw: You must make a Heart draw.
Effect: If successful, you become partly incorporeal to reduce
the damage of the attack. You take half hit point damage
from the attack and, if you were hit with a critical, may
double draw the Critical Effect Fate Test.
Duration: None.
125
Invisibility
You turn invisible to normal sight.
Target: Yourself.
Draw: There is no draw if you cast the spell as an Incant. It is
automatic. If you cast the spell as a Word spell, you must
make a Stealth draw.
Effect: You turn invisible to normal sight. You may still be
spotted with Arcane Sense or other supernatural senses.
touch someone, deal damage to someone, speak to someone,
or manipulate an object in sight of others. The spell ends
Master Fey Magic Spell List

Changeling
You assume the exact appearance of anyone you have seen.
Type: Thought.
Target: Yourself.
Required: You must have seen the person whose form you are
assuming. The person must be of a player character race.
Draw: You must make a Perception draw. If you have only seen
the person once, this is a -1 draw.
Effect: If successful, you perfectly change your appearance to
match that of your chosen person. Everything other than
appearance is still you, including your voice, your smell, your
spoken language, and your abilities. If you have not seen the
person in a very long time, you appear as you last remember
them. Your true form and use of this spell may be spotted
with Arcane Sense.
126
are incapacitated or sleep. Until you release this spell, you
cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
Fey Hand
You pick up and handle an object with a telekinetic force.
Type: Thought.
Target: You may target any inanimate object. You may use Fey
Hand on metal objects.
Required: The object must be in your line of sight. The object
may not be consecrated.
Effect: You may telekinetically pick up and handle an object.
You may apply your Heart to the object as if it were Body. You
must handle the object in its entirety. You could pick up and
swing a sword, but you couldn’t fire a pistol because it would
require moving a separate part of the object. If you use an
object held in your Fey Hand as a weapon, you may use your
Heart for an attack draw.
are incapacitated or sleep. Until you release this spell, you
Swap
You instantly physically trade places with anyone in sight.
Type: Reflex.
Target: You may target any living sentient being in sight. Your
target must be of a player character race.
Required: If you use this ability to escape a blow, you must do
so before the attack is drawn.
Heart. This is true even if your target is willing.
127
Effect: If successful, you instantly swap places with your target.
They continue whatever action they were performing, but in
your position and facing. If you were falling and they were
not, now they are falling and you are not. If you were to swap
places with someone who was attacking you, your positions
would switch, but the attack would still resolve as normal.
Duration: None.
Timeslip
You move backwards through time for a brief moment.
Type: Reflex.
Target: None.
Required: You must have a real world reason to cast Timeslip.
This must be something your character has witnessed, not
something merely known by the player. For example, casting
Timeslip because you just watched your teammate get hewed
down is entirely acceptable. Casting Timeslip because your
buddy got killed miles away, and you happen to know it as a
player is unacceptable.
Draw: The spell is automatic if you only want to replay the
current round from the beginning. To replay the previous
round as well as the current round requires a Heart draw. To
replay 3 full rounds requires a black double Heart draw.
Effect: If successful, you rewind time to replay your specified
number of combat rounds. Only you know that Timeslip
was cast. Only you have any knowledge of what would have
happened in the alternate timeline. The Fate Deck, cards
on the table, and Fortune Counters are not rewound. New
actions are tested from the Fate Deck as is. There is one
crucial exception to this rule: if Timeslip is cast to replay a
round in which Death was placed in the boneyard, Death
must be reshuffled back into the remaining Fate Deck.
Duration: None.
Casting Cost: 1 Fortune Burn.
128
Gypsy Magic
Gypsy magic is the most common magic still practiced in
Europe. It is closely linked to witchcraft but is not overtly
evil in its nature. Gypsy magic is the magic of tinkers and
superstitious peasants. It is primarily practiced in Eastern
Europe. Most of its practitioners are Jewish or Eastern
Orthodox. Gypsies use a wide variety of components including
charms, jewelry, dice, scarves, crystal balls, and more.
Basic Gypsy Magic Spell List

Clairvoyance, Object or Place
You touch an object or enter a place and get images about the
history of the object or place.
Type: Thought or Incant.
Target: You must target either a specific object or a place you
are in presently. Examples of an object would be a weapon,
an article of clothing, or a wineglass. Examples of a place
might include a specific room in a tavern or a small portion
of a farmer’s field.
Required: You must either physically touch the object or enter
the space. You may attempt Clairvoyance only once on a
given object or place.
Draw: You must make a Perception draw. If you cast the spell
as a Thought spell, this is a black double draw. If you have
components in hand, this draw is at +1.
Effect: If successful, you instantly see a brief and recent history
of the object or place. If you draw Fortune Shines, you know
every detail of the history of the object or place.
Duration: None.
129
Hypnosis
You lull a single target or even a group into a trancelike state.
Type: Incant.
Target: You may target as many people as you wish in a
conversation. All targets must be able to understand you.
Required: You and your target(s) must have a conversation.
This spell may not be used in combat.
Draw: If you are casting this spell on NPCs only, make a Stealth
draw modified by the strongest-willed NPC’s Heart. If you are
targeting any PCs, each PC should each make a Heart test to
resist individually modified by your Stealth according to the
rules of Player versus Player described in Chapter Nine.
Effect: If your draw is successful, the targets are lulled into a
hypnotic trance. While hypnotized, the targets will truthfully
answer any question you ask. They will obey your verbal
commands but slowly as if in a dream. If any target dies
while hypnotized, you must burn 1 Fortune. If you fail to
hypnotize any of the targets, they know that the hypnosis
was attempted.
Duration: You may verbally release the hypnosis at any time
for any individual target. Also the hypnosis will break for an
individual target if they take damage, feel a sharp pain, or
hear a very loud noise. If you lose line of sight on a target,
hypnosis wears off in a few seconds. When hypnosis ends,
the targets have no recollection of their experience.
130
Advanced Gypsy Magic Spell List
Clairvoyance, Persona
You focus on any sentient being (living or deceased) and get
images about their current location, well-being, and any
other pertinent information.
Type: Incant.
Target: You must target any sentient being that is a member of
a player character race.
Required: If you have never met the target, you must have a
personal item of theirs.
Draw: You must make a Perception draw. If you have no
components in hand, this is a black double draw.
Effect: If successful, you achieve some level of contact with
your target. The quality and duration of this contact is based
on your success level.
F�� F��: You get a single glimpse of the target
and the target’s immediate surroundings. You only
know what you can see. This establishes line of sight.
F�� S��: You get a single glimpse of the target
and surroundings as far as the target’s line of sight. You
know your target’s physical and emotional condition.
This establishes line of sight.
F�� S��: You get a single glimpse of the target
and surroundings as far as the target’s line of sight. You
know your target’s physical and emotional condition.
This establishes line of sight. If the target is willing, you
may continue the contact and communicate mentally.
Continued contact in this way takes a major action
every round.
Duration: None, unless Fortune Shines.
131
Create Charm
You create a charm that makes its owner luckier when worn.
Type: Ritual.
Target: Your target must be a physical object that has
emotional significance to the owner. Usually this is a small,
portable object like a rabbit’s foot or talisman.
Required: You must have components in hand.
Draw: You must make a Heart draw.
Effect: If successful, you choose Major Arcana that will be
Fortune Shines for the charm’s owner when worn. You may
not choose the Tower, the Fool, Death, or the Wheel of
Fortune. The number of Major Arcana you choose is based
on your success level as follows.
F�� F��: 1 Major Arcanum
F�� S��: 2 Major Arcana
F�� S��: 3 Major Arcana
Duration: The charm loses its potency if the object is damaged
or destroyed. While the spell continues, you cannot acquire
Fortune Counters.
132
Kabbalah
Kabbalah is the magic of Jewish mysticism. Kabbalah is closely
related to Gypsy magic, but it is older and more potent. The
components of Kabbalah tend to be Judaic religious items
like mezuzahs and copies of the Torah. Kabbalah is not a pure
expression of Judaism. It is mysticism born out of the Hebrew
faith, but it is a very extreme representation of the religion.
Basic Kabbalah Spell List

Chochmah & Binah (Wisdom & Understanding)
You tap into ancient wisdom, giving you or a target of your
choosing incredible insight and intellect.
Type: Thought.
Target: You may cast this spell on any target in your line of
sight including yourself.
Required: The target must be willing.
Draw: If you have components in hand, the spell is
automatically successful. If you do not have components, you
must make a Heart draw.
Effect: This spell gives the target three special abilities. First,
as long as you maintain the spell, the target can speak any
language and is literate. Second, the target automatically
knows if anyone is attempting to deceive them. Finally,
while the spell is held, the target may double draw any use of
Perception.
Duration: This spell takes no action to maintain and you may
release it at any time. The spell ends automatically whenever
either you or your target is incapacitated or sleep. Until you
133
Malkuth (Kingdom)
You perform a blessing that inexplicably causes the target to
become wealthier.
Type: Ritual.
Target: You may target anyone willing, including yourself. An
individual may only ever have Malkuth attempted on them
one time by any caster.
Required: You must spend the entirety of the ritual with the
target and they must actively participate. You must have
components in hand.
Draw: The spell is automatic, but the target should make a Fate
Test to determine the quality of Malkuth.
Effect: There is no visible arcane effect, but the target somehow
becomes wealthier. For example, moments after Malkuth is
cast a messenger appears informing the target that they have
come into a large inheritance. The number of Wealth Levels
the target gains is determined by the Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: -1 Wealth Level
F�� F��: +1 Wealth Level
F�� S��: +2 Wealth Levels
F�� S��: Target’s Wealth Level is set to Absurd
Duration: The results of the spell last indefinitely. Once the
spell is successfully cast, it is no longer considered an arcane
effect. It cannot be detected with Arcane Sense, nor can it be
countered with Latin.
Casting Cost: The target must Burn 1 Fortune.
Advanced Kabbalah Advanced Spell List

Gevurrah (Strength)
You increase the damage of a single blow mightily.
Type: Reflex.
Target: You may target anyone attempting a physical melee
blow in your line of sight. Your target must be willing.
Required: Gevurrah must be attempted right before the draw
for the attack.
134
Draw: The spell is automatic, but you should make a Fate
Test to determine the quality of Gevurrah. If you have
components in hand, this Fate Test is a double draw.
Effect: Regardless of the Fate Test, the target’s blow takes a -1
to hit modifier. The target’s blow does increased hit point
damage based on the Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: Normal damage
F�� F��: +1 damage
F�� S��: ×1½ damage
F�� S��: ×2 damage
Duration: None.
Word of the Lord

You shout a potent Hebrew word which can crack stone, wood,
or bones.
Type: Word.
Target: You may target any being or object in sight and within
reach of your voice.
Required: You must have line of sight on the target or object.
You must shout a particular Hebrew word loud enough for
the target to hear or to echo off the targeted object.
Draw: You must make a Heart test modified by your target’s
Heart. If you have components in hand, this is a double draw.
Effect: Word of the Lord acts as a Blunt attack with damage
of 20. Your Heart draw functions as your attack draw. If you
score a Critical hit, you may double draw the Critical Effect
Fate Test. If you draw Fortune Weeps, you are stricken mute
for 24 hours. If the target dies as a result of Word of the Lord,
you must burn 1 Fortune.
Duration: None.
135
Master Kabbalah Spell List
Golem
You raise a loyal Golem made of earth and stone.
Target: None.
Required: The Golem must arise in your line of sight. The
Golem must arise from earth mud or clay. You cannot raise a
Golem if another Golem is in sight.
Draw: If you cast the spell as an Incant, there is no draw and
the spell is automatic. If you cast the spell as a Word spell,
you must make a Heart draw. If you have no components in
hand, this is a black double draw.
Effect: If successful, you raise
a Golem that will obey
your mental commands.
The Golem has the same
Initiative and Fortune
structure as you. The
Golem’s statistics can be
found on page 239, with the
following additions.
• Hand Attack: 5
• Dodge: 1
Duration: You may release
the spell at any time, and it
takes no action to continue
this spell or to command
the Golem. The spell ends
automatically whenever you
become incapacitated or sleep. If two Golems are ever in line
of sight of each other, both spells end. Until you release this
spell, you cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
136
Wiccan Craft
Wiccan Craft is an ancient magic practiced by druids and
shamans across Europe. Wicca is tightly tied to nature.
Its spells involve plants, animals, and weather. Wiccan
components include totems and fetishes made from animal
bones as well as crystals and stones. All Wiccan Craft spells
may only be cast when you are outdoors. When in doubt,
outdoors means that you can look straight up and see sky
without looking through a window.
Basic Wiccan Craft Spell List

Animal Control
You take control of a single animal.
Type: Thought.
Target: You must target a single animal in your sight.
Required: The animal must be a natural creature (not a
monster). This spell does not work on familiars.
Draw: You must make a Heart test modified as follows.
Circumstance Modifier
You have components in hand Double Draw
Animal is domesticated (not wild) -1
Animal is well-trained and near its master -2
Animal is under another’s control -3
Effect: If successful, you may mentally control the animal while

in sight. While under your control, the animal has the same
Fate structure and Initiative as you.
your line of sight on the animal is broken. The spell ends
automatically if either you or the animal is incapacitated or
sleep. Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain
Fortune Counters.
137
Barkskin
You turn someone’s skin into thick, protective wood.
Type: Word.
Target: You may target anyone you can touch. Your target must
be a willing living being. You may target yourself.
Draw: None, the spell is automatic, but you should make a
Fate Test to determine the quality of Barkskin. If you have
Effect: The target gains natural armor based on your Fate Test
as follows.
F�� W��: +0 natural armor
F�� F��: +1 natural armor
F�� S��: +2 natural armor
F�� S��: +4 natural armor
While the spell is held, the target has ×½ Movement.
either you or your target is incapacitated or sleeps. Until you
Lifeforce
You transfer your health to a wounded target.
Type: Thought.
be a willing and wounded living being other than yourself.
Draw: None, the spell is automatic, but you should make a
Fate Test to determine the quality of Lifeforce. If you have
Effect: Each round you maintain contact, the target gains a
number of Hit Points based on your Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: 0 Hit Points
F�� F��: 1 Hit Point
F�� S��: 2 Hit Points
138
Duration: You may maintain this spell from round to round
without redrawing, as long as neither you nor your target
moves and you maintain contact.
Casting Cost: 1 Fortune Counter or Discard 1 Fortune, and you
must take 1 point of damage per round.
Mist
You summon a dense, obscuring mist.
Type: Word.
Target: None.
Effect: A dense mist begins to seep into your area. This mist
reaches to the edge of your sight radius. The mist affects the
vision of anyone in it, including you. Anyone may ignore
the effects of the mist each round with an Arcane Sense
draw. The density of the mist is based on the number of
major actions you devote to intensifying the mist according
to the table below. The actions devoted do not need to be
consecutive.
Major Hand Attack Ranged Attack
Visibility
Actions Modifier Modifier
Can see to 30
1 -1 -2
strides
Black Double Can see to 10
2 -2
Draw strides
Black Double Can see to arm’s
3 Impossible
Draw length
4 Impossible Impossible Effectively blind
For example, if you devote only one major action, the normal
spellcasting time, the mist is fairly light. All hand attacks take
a -1 modifier; all ranged attacks take a -2 modifier; and no one
can see beyond 30 strides. If you then devote another major
action, the mist thickens, giving a -2 penalty to hand attacks,
139
black double draws for ranged attacks, and visibility falls to
10 strides. The values listed are for PC actions. If an NPC is
attacking a PC, these modifiers turn into Dodge bonuses.
Duration: It takes no action to keep this spell going at a
particular denseness, and you may release it at any time. To
intensify the mist, you must invest additional major actions
as described above. The spell fades at 1 level per round if you
leave the mist area. Until you release this spell, you cannot
heal or gain Fortune Counters.
Advanced Wiccan Craft Spell List

Birdform
You transform yourself or your target into a bird.
Type: Word or Incant.
Target: You must target any living creature from a player
character race that you can touch. Your target must be
willing. You may target yourself.
Draw: If you cast this spell as an Incant, it is automatic. If
you cast it as a Word spell, you must make a Heart draw. If
you have no components in hand, this Heart draw is a black
double draw.
Effect: Your target is transformed into a bird. Anything the
target was carrying or wearing becomes part of the bird form
and cannot be accessed during the spell. The bird cannot
speak, but can cast Thought or Reflex spells. The bird is
combat ineffective. For more information on birds, please see
the birds of prey listed in Chapter Four.
automatically if either you or your target is incapacitated or
sleeps. Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain
Fortune Counters.
140
Forest Roots
You cause someone to grow roots, halting their movement.
Type: Word.
Target: You may target anyone
in line of sight. Your target
must be a living being. Your
target must be in contact
with the earth.
Required: No additional
requirements.
Draw: You must make a Heart
draw modified by your
target’s Heart. If you have
components in hand, this is
a double draw.
Effect: If successful, your target
grows roots into the earth.
The roots come from any parts of their body in contact with
the earth. Usually this is just the feet, but if the target were
lying down, the roots would come from their entire body.
While the target is rooted, they are immobilized. If your
target dies during the spell, you must burn 1 Fortune.
Healing Touch
You heal someone by laying hands on their wounds.
Type: Incant.
be a willing living being. You may target yourself.
Required: You must touch the target for the duration of the
Incant.
Draw: None, the spell is automatic, but you should make
a Fate Test to determine the amount healed. If you have
141
Effect: Unless you draw a Fortune Weeps, the target’s bleeding
stops and the target is revived from incapacitation. The
target heals Hit Points based on your Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: None
F�� F��: Half your Heart in Hit Points
F�� S��: Your Heart in Hit Points
F�� S��: Double your Heart in Hit Points
Duration: None.
Staff
You create a staff endowed with arcane power.
Type: Ritual.
Target: A two-handed combat staff or club.
Required: The staff (or club) must be made of wood. You must
have components in hand. You may have only one Staff at a
time.
Draw: None, the spell is automatic, but you should make a Fate
Test to determine the combat value of the Staff.
Effect: You create a Staff. When held in two hands, your Staff
is a substitute for components for any spell. To determine the
combat quality of the Staff, you should make a Fate Test.
F�� W��: The Staff is considered enchanted.
F�� F��: The Staff is considered enchanted
and does +1 damage.
F�� S��: The Staff is considered enchanted,
does +1 damage, and has +1 to hit.
F�� S��: The Staff is considered enchanted,
does +3 damage, and has +1 to hit.
Duration: The spell lasts indefinitely but the staff may be
destroyed. If your Staff is destroyed, you may perform a ritual
to create a new one without burning fortune. However, you
must perform the Fate Test again and can achieve no higher
result than you had before.
142
Master Wiccan Craft Spell List
Bearform
You transform yourself or your target into a bear.
Type: Incant.
Target: You must be able to touch your target. Your target must
be willing. Your target must be from a player character race.
You may target yourself.
Required: You must touch your target for the duration of the
Incant.
Draw: You must make a Heart draw. If you have no
components in hand, this Heart draw is a double black draw.
Effect: Your target is
transformed into a Bear.
Anything the target was
carrying or wearing becomes
part of the Bear form and
cannot be accessed during the
spell. The Bear cannot speak,
but can cast Thought or
Reflex spells. If the target was
wounded when transformed
to a bear or vice versa, the wound status and percentage will
be the same. For example, if you had taken 10 of 20 hit points
before transforming into a bear, the bear would be at 50% hit
points as well. The Bear has the same Initiative and Fortune
structure as the original target. The Bear’s statistics can be
found on page 234, with the following additions.
• Hand Attack: 7
• Dodge: 2
automatically if either you or your target is incapacitated or
sleeps. Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain
Fortune Counters.
143
Lightning
You call lightning from the sky to strike a target or object.
Type: Word.
Target: You may target anyone or anything in line of sight.
Heart. If you have no components in hand, this Heart draw is
a double black draw.
Effect: Lightning works as a Blunt attack with damage 25. Your
Heart draw functions as your attack draw.
Duration: None.
Resurrection
You bring someone that has recently died back to life.
Type: Ritual.
Target: You may target the corpse of any once living target that
has died. Your target must be willing. Your target must be
from a player character race.
Required: You must touch the corpse for duration of the ritual.
Your target cannot have been dead for a number hours
greater than your Heart tripled. Resurrection may only be
attempted once on any corpse.
Draw: The target must make a Heart draw modified by their
Heart when alive. If you have no components in hand, this is
a black double draw.
Effect: If successful, the target is brought back to life. The
target is brought back conscious and at 1 Hit Point.
Duration: None.
Casting Cost: Both you and your target must Burn 1 Fortune,
but only if the spell is successful.
144
Witchcraft
Wielders of witchcraft draw their power from the black side
of arcane power. Whether this power comes from Satan,
Loki, Pluto, or some altogether different malevolent force is
unknown, and every witch has their own beliefs. Whatever
the case, the dark arts are potent and dangerous. Witches use
many components including candles, bibles, pentagrams,
animal parts, and more.
Basic Witchcraft Spell List

Familiar
You summon a demonic spirit into an animal of your choice,
turning the animal into an intelligent, loyal familiar.
Type: Ritual.
Target: You must cast this spell on an animal.
Required: This spell must be cast at night. The spell is cast
on a specific animal, but you may retroactively choose the
animal after you determine the spell result. You must have
components in hand. You may have only one familiar at a
time.
Test to determine the quality of your familiar.
Effect: You create a familiar. The familiar is intelligent, loyal,
and telepathically linked to you. A familiar may be detected
with Arcane Sense. Your familiar has its own personality and
intellect. It can function separately from you. Your familiar
has access to all of your spells and has same Fate structure
and Initiative as you. Familiars cannot use components,
but can draw on components that you have in hand or on a
broom if they are in sight of it. The quality of your familiar is
determined by your fate test as follows.
F�� W��: Familiar is a slow-moving and
combat-ineffective animal such as a crab or turtle.
F�� F��: Familiar is a non-flying, combat-
ineffective animal such as a rat or cat.
145
F�� S��: Familiar is a flying, combat-ineffective
animal such as a bat or crow, or a non-flying but
combat-effective animal, such as a badger or medium
dog.
F�� S��: Familiar is a flying, combat-effective
animal such as an owl or vulture, or non-flying but very
combat effective animal such as a leopard or wolf.
For combat values of these animals, refer to appropriate stats
for birds of prey and dogs in Chapter Four.
Duration: The spell lasts indefinitely, but the familiar may be
killed or exorcised. If your familiar is destroyed, you must
burn additional Fortune to make a new one.
Glass Eye
You create a glass eye that you can see through from anywhere.
Type: Ritual.
Target: A fake eye such as a marble or wooden eye.
Required: The spell must be cast at night. You must sacrifice
or already be missing one eye, which reduces your Ranged
Attack by 1. You must have components in hand.
Effect: You create a glass eye. You may see through the glass eye
anywhere it is placed.
Duration: The spell lasts indefinitely. If your glass eye is
broken, you may create a new one with a ritual and no new
cost. If your glass eye is disenchanted with Latin, you may
create a new one for 1 Fortune Burn.
Casting Cost: None, but you must sacrifice an eye, reducing
your Ranged Attack by 1.
Evil Eye
You make a target very unlucky as long as you can keep your
eye on them.
Type: Thought.
Target: You must target a living being. Elves are immune to Evil
Eye.
146
Required: Nothing additional is required.
Draw: You must make a Heart test modified by the target’s
Heart. If you have no components in hand, this test is a
double black draw.
Effect: If Evil Eye is successful and your target is an NPC,
all draws against the NPC are double draws. If Evil Eye is
successful and your target is a PC, they must black double
draw on all actions. If your target dies while under Evil Eye,
you must burn 1 fortune.
Duration: Evil Eye ends whenever you lose line of sight on your
target. It takes a major action each round to maintain this
spell. Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain
Fortune Counters.
Luck of the Damned

You take additional Fate Twists and can increase your Fate
Pool.
Type: Ritual.
Target: Yourself.
Required: This spell must be cast at night. You must have
components.
Test to determine how many Fate Twists and Fate Pool points
you gain.
Effect: You automatically gains Fate Twists and Fate Pool points
according to your fate test as follows.
F�� W��: Choose 1 of {Devil’s Laugh, Harbinger
of Death, and Ill Omen}
F�� F��: +1 Fate Pool and choose 1 of {Devil’s
Laugh, Harbinger of Death, and Ill Omen}
F�� S��: +1 Fate Pool and choose 2 of {Devil’s
F�� S��: +2 Fate Pool and take all of {Devil’s
147
Duration: The spell lasts indefinitely. Once completed, it
cannot be disenchanted with Latin or detected with Arcane
Sense.
Advanced Witchcraft Spell List

Agony
You inflict incapacitating pain upon your target.
Type: Word.
Target: You may target anyone in your line of sight. Your target
must be a living being capable of feeling pain.
Heart. If you have components in hand, this draw is at +1.
Effect: Your target is immediately inflicted with terrible pain.
If your target takes no action while under the effect of agony,
they take no damage. If they take any action, they take
damage based on the success level of your initial Heart test as
follows. Note that the target takes significantly less damage if
they only take minor actions such as moving.
Fortune Minor Action Only Full Action
Frowns 1 Hit Point 2 Hit Points
Smiles 2 Hit Points 4 Hit Points
Shines 3 Hit Points 6 Hit Points
Duration: Agony ends whenever you lose line of sight on your
target. It takes a minor action each round to maintain this
spell. The spell ends automatically if you or your target is
incapacitated or sleeps.
Astral Projection
Your spirit lifts out of your body and can travel great distances.
Type: Incant.
Target: Yourself.
148
Required: You must have components in hand.
Draw: None, spell is automatic.
Effect: Your spirit may travel out of your body and fly across
great distances. You can cross about a physical mile each
round. Your spirit is incorporeal and invisible but may
be detected with Arcane Sense. Your spirit is immune to
all normal physical damage, but you may be affected by
ancient, enchanted, or consecrated weapons. You may also
be targeted by spells. The damage translates through to your
body. You may choose to reveal yourself. You will appear as a
ghostlike version of yourself, and you will have a tiny, almost
inaudible voice. You may not physically affect anyone while
projected, but you can cast Thought and Reflex spells. Doing
so automatically reveals you.
While projected, you are only dimly aware of your body.

Your body remains in a trance with closed eyes. To return
to your body, you must make a Heart test. This takes a
major action. If you fail this Heart test, you may try again
in subsequent rounds. If your body becomes incapacitated
during the projection, you return to your body automatically
(and are then incapacitated). Anytime you return to your
body unwillingly (as a result of incapacitation, unsuccessful
possession attempt, or Latin) you burn 1 fortune.
While projected, you may choose to possess the body of

another living being. This being must be of a player character
race. To do so, you must make a Heart test modified by
your target’s Heart. If your possession attempt fails, you are
unwillingly returned to your body. While possessing another’s
body, you are in control. If the target body dies during the
possession, your body is incapacitated and you must burn 1
Fortune.
Duration: It takes no action to keep this spell going. It ends any
time you return to your body. Until you release this spell, you
149
Broom
You endow a broom, stick, or wand with power.
Type: Ritual.
Target: You must target a broom, stick, or wand.
Required: This spell must be cast at night. You must have
components in hand. You may have only one Broom at a
time.
Test to determine the quality of your Broom.
Effect: You successfully create your Broom. The Broom counts
as a substitute for components for any spell. A Broom is not
combat effective and may be held in one hand. The quality of
your Broom is determined by a Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: Your Broom is inanimate.
F�� F��: Your Broom may fly carrying you
only.
F�� S��: Your Broom may fly carrying you and
up to one passenger.
F�� S��: Your Broom may fly, either carrying
you or through your mental control. In either case,
your broom may carry up to two beings.
Duration: The spell lasts indefinitely, but the Broom may be
destroyed. If your Broom is destroyed, you may perform a
ritual to create a new one without burning Fortune. However,
you must perform the Fate Test again and can achieve no
higher result than you had before.
Crawling Eye
If you have a glass eye, you can roll it around with your mind.
Type: Thought.
Target: Your own glass eye.
Required: You must have a glass eye.
Effect: You may roll your glass eye with your mind like a
marble. Each round, your eye may cover about 3 strides
150
but will move faster downhill and slower uphill. Your glass
eye can cross most surfaces but will move more slowly over
uneven terrain. It cannot cross running water.
Duration: It takes a major action each round to maintain this
spell. The spell ends automatically if you are incapacitated
or sleep. Until you release this spell, you cannot heal or gain
Fortune Counters.
Imp
You summon a demonic Imp from the netherworld to do your
bidding.
Type: Incant.
Target: None.
Required: You must have components in hand. The Imp must
manifest in a place not in anyone’s sight, but very near you.
The Imp cannot manifest in sunlight. For example, an Imp
could manifest in a chimney or closet.
Draw: None, spell is automatic.
Effect: You summon a demonic Imp. This Imp is intelligent,
and capricious, but it is bound to obey you. It will not be
motivated to help you, but will obey all verbal or written
instructions. The Imp will not play word games. If it
understands the instructions, it will follow them. You do
not have a mental link with the Imp. You must actually
communicate with it. The Imp has the same Initiative and
Fortune structure as you. The Imp’s statistics are on page 240
with the following additions:
• Hand Attack: 6
• Dodge: 10
may release it at any time. The spell ends automatically
anytime you become incapacitated or sleep. Until you release
this spell, you cannot heal or gain Fortune Counters.
151
Master Witchcraft Spell List
Conflagration
You cause an existing source of flame to explode into a deadly
blast.
Type: Word.
Target: You must target an already existing source of fire that
you can see.
Required: The existing fire must be at least as strong as a match
or candle.
Draw: The spell is automatic, but you must make an individual
Heart draw against any target in the affected area. If you do
not have components in hand, this is a -2 draw.
Effect: Conflagration causes the existing fire to explode into
a much larger ball of fire. The fire affects everyone in the
radius, including you. The radius of the fireball is based on
the initial size of the fire according to the following table.
Initial Fire Radius

Candle or match 1 stride
Torch or lantern 3 strides
Fireplace fire or normal campfire 5 strides
Bonfire 7 strides
Huge fire 10 strides
For example, if you cast this spell on a torch someone was

carrying it would affect that person and anyone within three
strides of that person.
You must make an individual Heart draw against each target

modified by their Agility. Any target that is willing to forgo
their next major action may dive for cover. If they choose
to dive for cover, you must black double draw against that
particular target. Your Heart draw acts as a Lethal attack
152
against each target with base damage 13. Fortune Weeps with
this attack is not a blunder. This damage ignores armor.
Duration: This spell is instantaneous, but the fire is natural.
If something catches fire as a result of the spell, the fire will
continue to burn.
Life Drain
You drain the life energy from someone to heal yourself.
Type: Word.
Target: You must target a mortal, living being. Elves are
immune to Life Drain.
Required: Your must have line of sight on your target and they
must be able to hear you. You do not need to be wounded to
cast this spell. The healing portion is optional.
Draw: You must make a Heart test modified by the target’s
Heart. If you have no components in hand, this is a black
double draw.
Effect: If Life Drain is successful, your target takes blunt
damage and you heal according to your success level below.
This damage ignores all armor and damage resistance. If your
target dies as a result of this spell, you must burn 1 fortune.
F�� F��: The target takes 2 Hit Points per
round, and you heal up to 1 Hit Points per round.
F�� S��: The target takes 3 Hit Points per
F�� S��: The target takes 4 Hit Points per
Duration: You may continue this spell with a major action
each round. You must make a new draw, but you do not
need to pay a new casting cost. The spell ends automatically
whenever line of sight is broken.
153
Raise Dead
You raise a corpse as permanent, loyal undead servant.
Type: Ritual.
Target: You must target a corpse. This corpse must be from a
player character race. You must know the corpse’s name in
life.
Required: The spell must be cast at night. You must have
components in hand.
Draw: None, but you must make a Fate Test to determine the
Hit Points of the undead servant.
Effect: You raise a Walking Dead servant. The Walking
Dead is a complete automaton. It has no will of its own. It
will obey all your verbal commands without hesitation or
opinion. It must be able to hear your commands and each
command must begin with the Walking Dead’s name. The
Walking Dead will never disobey, but it will take no actions
without your instructions. The Walking Dead has Hit Points
according to the results of a Fate Test made when you cast
this spell.
F�� W��: 0 Hit Points
F�� F��: 25 Hit Points
The Walking Dead’s statistics can be found on page 243, with
the following additions:
• Hand Attack: 7
• Dodge: 4
Duration: The undead servant lasts indefinitely but cannot
heal.
Unholy Bargain
You make a bargain with the afterlife to return after your
death. Cheating death in this way incurs the heavy wrath of
Fortune.
Type: Ritual.
154
Target: You must target
yourself. You must have
at least one suit of Fortune
Smiles Minor Arcana.
Required: The spell must be
cast at night. You must have
components in hand.
Draw: None, but you must
make a Fate Test when you die
to determine how soon you
return.
Effect: Any time you are killed
and you have at least one
Fortune Smiles suit you
make a Fate Test and return
from the dead fully healed!
You must convert one suit of
Fortune Smiles to Fortune Death
Frowns. If you do not have
a suit to convert, Unholy
Bargain has no effect and you are truly dead. Unholy Bargain
has no effect if you are killed by a consecrated weapon or
your body is buried with Latin rites. How soon you return is
based on your Fate Test as follows.
F�� W��: You do not return from the dead.
F�� F��: You return from the dead after 3
sunrises.
F�� S��: You return from the dead after the
next sunrise.
F�� S��: You return from the dead instantly.
Duration: This spell lasts indefinitely.
Casting Cost: 1 Fortune Burn. (Note that this is the cost to
cast the spell. Using the spell has the additional cost of
converting a suit of Fortune Smiles to Fortune Frowns as
detailed above.)
155
Chapter Six
Playing the Game
Now that your character is
done and you understand all
of your abilities, how do you
actually play? In Fortune’s
Fool, you draw Tarot cards to
resolve actions. You should
not use dice, rock-paper-
scissors, dreidels, or any other
randomizing element beyond
this single Tarot deck (called
the Fate Deck). The GM never draws from this deck. It is
reserved for you and your fellow players.
At the start of each session, the GM should shuffle the Fate

Deck and one of the players should cut the cards. All the
players draw out of the same deck for the entire session.
Drawing Fate Cards

Any time you take an action that is dangerous, is contested,
or has high stakes, the GM should require you to draw a card
from the Fate Deck. For example, if you want to leap over
a dangerous crevasse, you would certainly need to make a
draw. However, if you were simply trying to avoid stepping in
a puddle to protect your shoes, the GM should not ask for a
draw because the outcome is not significant. It is a colorful
character choice and should not be ignored, but the stakes
aren’t sufficient to warrant a draw from the Fate Deck. When in
doubt, the GM is always the arbiter of whether or not a draw is
required. There are two kinds of draws you will have to make,
Normal Draws and Fate Tests.
156
Normal Draws
Normal draws are associated with a statistic, skill draw, or
combat score. To succeed at a normal draw, you must pull a
Minor Arcanum that has a value equal to or lower than your
score or you must pull a Major Arcanum that is a Fortune
Shines for you.
For example, Ismara has the Merchant skill with a draw of 6.

Rob needs to pull a Minor Arcanum of 6 or lower or pull one of
his Fortune Shines Major Arcanum to successfully haggle with
a crooked shopkeeper. If Rob pulls a Minor Arcanaum of 7 or
higher or a Fortune Weeps, his effort would be a failure.
Fate Tests
A Fate Test is not connected to any draw value or number.
You simply draw a card from the Fate Deck. If the card comes
up Fortune Shines or Smiles, the test is favorable for you.
If the card comes up Fortune Frowns or Weeps, the test is
unfavorable.
For example, Ismara is set upon by a pair of brigands with

bows! Rob asks the GM, “Is there cover that I can dive behind?”
The GM doesn’t know the answer. There is nothing on the map,
but that doesn’t mean there might not be a pile of rocks or a
stump that could provide Ismara at least some protection. So
the GM asks Rob for a Fate Test. If Rob pulls a Fortune Shines
or Smiles, there is probably something. If Rob pulls a Fortune
Frowns or Weeps, there is no cover and Ismara will have to stand
and deliver!
157
Major and Minor Arcana
There are two kinds of cards in the Fate Deck: Major and
Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana
Major Arcana are numbered 0 through XXI and have names
like The Emperor, The Hanged Man, or The Wheel of Fortune.
At the bottom of your character sheet you have a list of 18
of the Major Arcana. When you made your character, you
designated a portion of these Major Arcana as Fortune Shines
by circling them. Those that are not circled are Fortune Weeps.
Fortune Shines and Weeps have no numerical value. If you
draw a Fortune Shines, you always succeed regardless of the
number you needed. If you draw a Fortune Weeps, you always
fail.
There are four Major Arcana that are not listed at the bottom
of your character sheet: The Fool (0), The Wheel of Fortune
(X), Death (XIII), and The Tower (XVI). These cards have
special effects and are discussed in this chapter under ‘Unique
Major Arcana.’
Minor Arcana
Minor Arcana are similar to traditional playing cards. They
have suits (Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands) and values
from Ace through 10 plus face cards (Page, Knight, Queen,
and King). When you make a normal draw, you are looking for
Minor Arcana values equal to or lower than your draw value.
When making a normal draw, an Ace always counts as 1.
The Minor Arcana face cards are automatic failures. They

do not have a numerical value. It is possible to have a draw
value greater than 10; however, this does not make any face
cards successes. The only way to succeed when drawing
Minor Arcana face cards is by spending Fortune Counters (see
Fortune Counters).
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Double Draws
A double draw means to draw two cards and pick the best
one. A black double draw means to draw two cards and pick
the worst one. Double draws and black double draws can be
combined in any number of combinations. In spite of the
name, they do not multiply, they add or subtract. Two double
draws does not mean draw 4 cards but rather 3. Similarly two
black double draws means draw 3 cards and choose the worst
card. If you combine a double draw with a black double draw
the result is a normal draw.
Weeps, Frowns, Smiles, or Shines

When you make a normal draw, you learn two things. First,
you know whether or not you succeeded or failed. Second,
you know how well you succeeded or failed. During character
creation, you designated certain Minor Arcana suits as Fortune
Smiles and certain suits as Fortune Frowns. Likewise, you
chose some Major Arcana to be Fortune Shines and others to
be Fortune Weeps.
Drawing a successful Fortune Smiles is better than drawing

a successful Fortune Frowns, and drawing Fortune Shines is
better still. In combat, these differences are spelled out very
specifically. For a non-combat draw, these differences are
usually not spelled out, but the GM may choose to reward a
better card with a better outcome. Likewise, if you attempt a
draw and fail, your failure may range from Fortune Smiles—
your failure was fairly harmless—to Fortune Weeps—your
failure was spectacular!
Remember that in a normal draw, succeeding or failing is far

more important than the disposition of the card! A Fortune
Frowns that succeeds is always better than a Fortune Smiles
that fails. Also, remember that there is no value associated
with the delta of your success. If you have an 8 to succeed at
159
something, it doesn’t matter if you draw an 8 or a 2. They are
both successes. A Fortune Weeps can never be a success, nor
can a Fortune Shines ever be a failure.
Fortune Counters
Anytime you draw a Fortune Shines it is good news in two
ways! Not only is the draw an automatic success, you also get
to keep the card as a Fortune Counter to spend later. You may
keep these counters whether they come from normal draws or
Fate Tests.
During play, Fortune

Counters may be spent in Fortune Mining
two ways. If you are a magic ‘Fortune Mining’ means making
user, most spells have a lots of low-stake draws and Fate
Tests in the hope of pulling out
casting cost that gives you Fortune Counters for later. Avoid
the option of spending a this temptation! Fortune Mining
Fortune Counter. Simply goes against the spirit of the game.
discard the counter and you
may cast the spell. Second,
you may always spend a
Fortune Counter to increase your chance of success with a
normal draw. If you spend a counter before a normal draw, all
Minor Arcana face cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King) are
converted from failure to success. It is important to remember
that they are still Minor Arcana. They will be either Fortune
Frowns or Smiles depending on their suit. You cannot spend a
Fortune Counter on a Fate Test, only on a normal draw.
If you finish a play session with at least one unspent Fortune

Counter, you may increase your Fate Pool by 1, as described
in Changing Fortune. This is true whether you are holding
1 counter at the end of the night or 7, so there is no value in
being miserly with them!
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Unique Major Arcana
The following Major Arcana have unique effects and do not
function as Fortune Shines or Weeps.
Wheel of Fortune (X)

Whenever you draw the Wheel
of Fortune, the Fate Deck must
be shuffled. This includes all
held cards and cards on the
table, but it does not include
the Tower or any cards under it.
The Wheel is instant, and no
additional actions or twists may
be performed after it comes up
except the Reprieve twist.
The Wheel does not resolve

your draw. After the cards are
collected and the Fate Deck
is shuffled, you should draw
again to resolve whatever draw
Wheel of Fortune you were initially making. The
Wheel of Fortune can never
be in the boneyard for any
reason. If the Wheel of Fortune comes up as the first card of a
double draw, immediately shuffle and begin the draw again. If
it comes up as the second card, you should keep the first card
and shuffle everything else to draw the second.
Death (XIII)
The Death card has two potent special effects. First, if you
draw Death as part of the Critical Effect Fate Test in combat,
the hit is automatically fatal. This is true whether you are
dealing the wound or taking it!
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Second, if Death comes up in any other circumstances it is
placed on the table. While Death is on the table, PCs double
draw all attacks and must black double draw all defenses.
This applies to all attacks but does not apply to spells even if
they deal damage. Once someone dies as a result of card draw,
Death is placed in the boneyard.
Undead, demons, and other non-living creatures are immune

to the Death card. You cannot double draw attacks against
them. If they are a PC ally or minion, they do not black double
draw dodges.
The Tower (XVI)

When you draw the Tower, it is immediately placed on the
table. While the Tower is on the table, all spent Fortune
Counters and all Discarded Fortune are placed under the
Tower instead of in the boneyard. The Tower and all cards
under it ignore the Wheel of Fortune and the New Day Fate
Twist. This means these cards are effectively removed from the
game for the rest of the play session.
Once the Tower is drawn, it remains on the table for the rest of
the play session.
Fool (0)
When you draw the Fool, it is immediately placed on the
table. It does not resolve your draw, and you will have to
draw again to get a result. While the Fool is on the table, no
one may acquire Fortune Counters. Also, as long as the Fool
is on the table, Fortune Shines and Weeps are reversed and
Fortune Smiles and Frowns are reversed. For example, if the
Emperor is a Fortune Shines for you, while the Fool is on the
table it becomes a Fortune Weeps. Likewise, if the Pentacles
suit is Fortune Frowns for you, while the Fool is on the table it
becomes Fortune Smiles.
162
The Fool is knocked off the table into the boneyard by drawing
the Devil or Temperance. The Fool is also shuffled into the
Fate Deck if the New Day Fate Twist is played or the Wheel of
Fortune is drawn.
Experience
As you play, your character’s abilities will develop and grow!
At the end of each play session, the GM should award each
character experience points. The amount of experience will
vary depending on the personality and culture of your gaming
group and the pace of your campaign. Generally speaking, 2-5
experience per session is a good number.
You may spend experience on skills, skill expertise, martial

skills, and even primary statistics. You may buy a general skill
or magic skill for their listed cost. You may purchase +1 skill
expertise for one skill for 1 experience. You may buy a Martial
skill for 4 experience. You may buy +1 to any primary statistic
other than Status or Martial Training for 7 experience.
Changing Fortune
As you play, not only can your character gain experience as
described above, but they can also win the favor of Fortune.
Fortune rewards a risk taker! At the end of a session, if you are
holding at least one Fortune Counter you may increase your
Fate Pool by 1. If you are holding more than one counter, you
still only get +1 to your Fate Pool.
Fate Pool points earned this way may be used during sessions
to twist fate as normal, or they may be used to customize your
character’s Fortune as described under “Customizing Your
Character’s Fortune Structure” in Step 16 of Chapter 1.
163
Chapter Seven
Combat
You charm, seduce, sneak, and negotiate, but sometimes it’s
not enough. Sometimes, blood must be shed. Violence is a big
part of Renaissance Europe, but be careful—the weapons of
the day are deadly! If you leap to bloodshed too quickly, your
reward might be a musket ball through the ribs.
Picking a Fight
Someone draws a blade or throws a punch. Maybe someone
just pulls a trigger. If there’s going to be a fight, someone does
something to start it. The action that either starts combat or
makes it inevitable is called the ‘Initiating Action.’ This action
may be taken by a PC or an NPC. The initiating action might
be an attack in itself or it might be a clear precursor to violence
such as drawing a blade. There are two kinds of initiating
actions: ‘Starting the Fight’ and ‘Complete Surprise.’
164
Starting the Fight
‘Starting the Fight’ happens when you take the first action, but
you are not hidden. The other combatants are aware of you and
are ready to act. When in doubt, anytime you take an initiating
action and you do not have complete surprise, you are ‘Starting
the Fight.’
If you ‘Start the Fight,’ your initiating action happens before

the Initiative card is turned. If the initiating action you take is
a major action, your turn is over and you do not act as normal
in the first round of combat. If the initiating action you take
is a minor action, you may then take another action as you
normally would during the first round of combat. (For more
information on major and minor actions, please see Actions in
Combat later in this chapter.)
For example, Ismara tries to deceive her way past an armed

guard. Unfortunately, Rob draws a Fortune Weeps for her
Deception. Not only has Ismara failed, she has failed tragically.
The GM rules that not only is the guard not fooled, he is
suspicious and angry. Heedless of danger, the guard seizes his
mace from his belt!
In this case, the guard is ‘Starting the Fight.’ Drawing the mace is
the guard’s initiating action. This is a minor action. He gets to do
this before the Initiative card is turned. Once the Initiative card
is drawn, the guard will get a single action on his turn—either
another minor action or a major action, such as hitting Ismara
with his now ready mace.
Suppose the guard already had his mace in hand. He could have
simply taken his ‘Starting the Fight’ action to try to pound Ismara.
Had he done so, his attack would have been a major action, and he
would have had no other action during the first round of combat.
165
Complete Surprise
‘Complete Surprise’ happens when you get the drop on
someone, and they are taken totally unaware. If you have
complete surprise on someone, you get a single action before
the Initiative card is turned, then you still get your entire
action as you would normally during your first round.
Instead of lying to the guard, Ismara decides to sneak up on

him. Rob makes a Stealth draw and pulls a Fortune Shines. A
fabulous success! The GM rules that Ismara has crept up directly
behind the guard, dagger in hand. Rob decides he has to take the
guard out so Ismara attacks.
In this case, Ismara’s attack is the initiating action. It is a major

action. Rob resolves his draw (with bonuses for surprise) and
hits the guard, but does not finish him. Now the Initiative card
is turned and the turn order is established. Even though Ismara
already attacked, she still gets to act as normal the first round
of combat because she had complete surprise. This means that
if Ismara goes before the guard in the initiative order, she will
actually get two attacks on him before he can act. She would not
have the surprise bonuses on the second attack though.
If Ismara had crept up behind the guard without her dagger

drawn (god knows why, but imagine for a moment), then her
surprise action would have been drawing the dagger. After Ismara
drew the dagger, the Initiative card would be drawn and the fight
would start as normal.
Initiative
After the initiating action, combat begins in earnest. One
of the players should draw a card that will be the ‘Initiative
card’ for the remainder of the fight. This card determines the
initiative order for all combatants.
166
If the Initiative card is a
Fortune Shines for a player Fortune Counters, Fate
they do not get to hold is Twists, and Initiative Cards
as a Fortune Counter. If “Can I use a Fortune Counter to affect
the Initiative card is the the draw of an Initiative Card?” You
Fool, Tower, or Death, put bet! If the card is a Minor Arcana
face card, it will be a success for
the card on the table and you. This does not help your fellow
redraw. players. “Okay, then, how about Fate
Twists? Can I use them to affect the
Initiative Order draw of an Initiative Card?” Yes! All
the normal rules of the twist apply.
Each player should treat the Just remember, what benefits you
Initiative card as if they had does not necessarily benefit your
personally turned the card entire party.
as an Initiative draw. If the
Initiative draw is successful,
the character acts before the NPCs. If the Initiative draw is a
failure, the character acts after the NPCs.
The initiative order each round will be as follows.

1. PCs for whom the Initiative card is a Shines
2. PCs for whom Initiative card is a successful Smiles
3. PCs for whom Initiative card is a successful Frowns
4. NPCs
5. PCs for whom Initiative card is an unsuccessful Smiles
6. PCs for whom Initiative card is an unsuccessful Frowns
7. PCs for whom the Initiative card is a Weeps
Within each group, the turn order is based on the PCs’

Initiative stat with the highest Initiative acting first. In
case of ties, players decide amongst themselves who goes
first. The Initiative card does not stay on the table. The GM
should record the Initiative Order, then place the card in the
boneyard.
167
Exceptions to Initiative Order
If you have a ranged weapon ready, you may always fire at the
top of the round (before the Fortune Shines group).
If you have a reach weapon, you may always attack at the top of
the round, if the weapon can reach a target (3 strides).
If you have aimed you may always attack at the top of the
round or at any point before your target acts (see Aiming).
Anytime you have a target on point, you may always attack at

the top of the round or at any point before your target acts (see
On Point).
Actions in Combat
There are four kinds of actions you can take in a combat.
Minor Actions
Minor actions are the things you do to set up a major action.
For example, you draw a weapon before attacking. You take
out your spell components before casting a spell. You move
to change your angle before firing your crossbow. You may
perform one minor action each round in addition to a major
action. You may perform two minor actions in a round, if you
sacrifice your major action.
Major Actions
Major actions are the conclusion of your round. You fire your
bow. You swing your sword. You cast your spell. You may
perform one major action each round. Performing a major
action always ends your turn, so if you want to perform a minor
action, you must do it first.
168
Full Round Actions
Some things you do are full round actions. A full round action
takes your entire round. You may take no other action except a
free action while performing a full round action.
Free Actions
Finally, there are a handful of free actions that do not take
any time to perform. Free actions may be tagged onto other
actions. For example, as a major action you can attack with
your sword. As a major action you could also move a single
stride and attack with your sword. You may not, however, add a
free move action to any other kind of move.
Action Examples
Major Actions Minor Actions
Attack Normal move
Cast a Thought Spell Draw a weapon
Cast a Word Spell Draw spell components
Begin Full Dodging Load a normal bow or sling
Load a normal crossbow Mount or dismount a horse
Taking Aim Recover from prone
Maintaining Aim Pick up a weapon
Full Round Actions Free Actions
Full Move Speak a phrase
Load a Firearm (1 of 2) Drop prone
Cast an Incant spell (1 of 3) Move 1 stride*
Drop a weapon
Cast a Reflex spell
*This must be your only movement that round.
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Movement in Combat
Distances in combat are measured in ‘Strides.’ A stride is the
distance covered by an average adult male human in a single
step. Think of a stride as about one yard or meter.
You may move 1 time each

round. There are three ways Combat is Fluid
In real life, combat is chaotic and
you can move.
fluid. Everyone is simultaneously
1. With a single minor or striking, grappling, gouging, biting,
major action, you may and screaming. But it’s pretty hard
make a normal move. for a GM to run a fight this way!
You move up to your Rounds, turns, and actions all
conspire to make combat seem very
Movement statistic in
sequential. “My turn? Okay, I move,
strides. I stop, I swing, then I wait for my
2. As a full-round action, next turn while standing utterly
you may make a full motionless while everyone else
move. A full move is acts.” It can be helpful to remember
that everyone in a combat is in
all-out running. You
nearly constant motion. Your turn
move your Movement is just the moment when you get
×1½ in strides. A full to describe what your particular
move does not have to action is, but everything in the turn
be in a straight line, but happens almost simultaneously.
you cannot significantly
change direction or take
sharp turns.
3. Finally, as a free action you may move a single stride if you
take no other movement. In other words, you can move 1
stride and attack as a major action.
You may only do 1 of these three moves each round. You could
not, for example, take a normal move as a minor action, then
take another normal move as a major action. Nor could you
take a normal move then a single stride.
170
Movement Draws in Combat
A ‘stride’ is deliberately imprecise. Just because you have a
Movement of 7 and someone else has an 8 doesn’t mean your
opponent automatically outruns you every time! Movement
draws can heighten the tension of combat. If you want to run
up and hit someone at the edge of your Movement, the GM
can say, “Okay, you can do it if you make a Movement draw.
Otherwise, he is just out of reach.” Or if someone is chasing
you and you have reasonably close movement rates, you may
need to make a Movement draw to outrun your pursuer!
Attacking
Now that you know how to start a fight, when you go in the
fight, and how you get to the fight, you are probably ready to
hit something!
Ranged Attack
Ranged weapons include slings, bows, firearms, and thrown
weapons. Attacking with a ranged weapon takes a major
action. When attacking with a ranged weapon, you use your
Ranged Attack statistic. Your attack may be modified by your
target’s Dodge modifier, your range from your target, and a
variety of circumstantial modifiers described below. Ranged
weapons cannot normally be parried, but they can be defended
against with shields and parrying cloaks.
Ranges
Ranged weapons are divided into three categories: Thrown,
Short, and Long. A thrown weapon has a maximum effective
range of 30 strides. A short-range weapon has a maximum
effective range of 50 strides. A long-range weapon has a
maximum effective range of 100 strides. Ranged weapons also
take distance modifiers listed on the following page.
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Range Modifiers
Weapon More than
1-10 Strides 11-30 Strides
Range 30 Strides
Black Double
Throw -1 NA
Draw
Black Double
Short +0 -1
Draw
Long +0 +0 -1
Ranged Circumstantial Modifiers

Circumstance Ranged Attack Modifier
Your target is in melee

-2*
combat or grappled
Your target is in light cover -1
Your target is in heavy cover Black Double Draw
Your target is prone -2
You have aimed at the target Double Draw
Your target is full dodging Black Double Draw
You have complete surprise Double Draw

*If you miss by either 1 or 2, you must redraw your attack against the other
melee combatant without this modifier.
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Aiming
You may aim with any short- or long-ranged weapon. Thrown
weapons may not be aimed. Aiming increases the maximum
effective range of your weapon by half. Aiming also gives you a
double draw on the target of your aim!
To aim, you must choose to spend a major action aiming at

a particular target rather than firing. The aim is established
at the end of the round. You may establish an aim either at a
specific target or on a spot. For example, you could establish an
aim on a doorway. If anyone comes through that doorway you
could resolve an aimed attack on them.
Once you have established an aim, you may fire at the top of
the next round or at any other moment of your choosing. You
may hold an aim indefinitely, but you may only take minor
actions while holding your aim. When you finally decide to
resolve your aim, it ends your turn for that round.
If your target acts after you in the same round you aimed, they
may try to attack you, run away, or otherwise interrupt your
aim. If this happens, you may choose to resolve your attack on
them immediately; however, you do not get the double draw or
range benefits of the aim. Your aim can be interrupted by a full
dodge (see Full Dodge). If your target full dodges against your
aim, the aim and full dodge cancel each other and you may
resolve your attack as a normal attack.
Loading a Ranged Weapon

Shortbows, longbows, and slings may be loaded with a minor
action. This means they may be fired each round as long as
you take no other action. These weapons may not be carried
loaded.
173
Normal and one-handed crossbows take a major action
to reload. These weapons may be carried loaded. Heavy
crossbows take one full round and an additional minor action
to reload. This means you may fire every other round as long
as your take no other action. These weapons may be carried
loaded.
Firearms take two full rounds to reload. This means they may
be fired every third round. These weapons may be carried
loaded.
If you have a ranged weapon loaded and ready, you may always
attack at the top of a given combat round as long as you take
no other action that round. Bows and slings may not be carried
loaded, but the Snapshot martial skill effectively lets you carry
a bow as a loaded weapon.
Melee Attack
Attacking hand-to-hand or
with a melee weapon takes a
major action. When attacking
a target hand-to-hand or with
a melee weapon, you use your
Hand Attack statistic. Your
attack may be modified by
your target’s Dodge modifier,
and a variety of circumstantial
modifiers described on the
following page. Melee attacks
can be parried with a weapon
or shield.
Seven of Cups
174
Melee Circumstantial Modifiers
Circumstance Hand Attack Modifier
Your target is prone +2
You have the target ‘on point’ Double Draw
You are attempting to grapple

+2
as your attack
Your target is grappled with

-2*
another combatant
grappling combatant without this modifier.
On Point
Having someone on point means that you have your weapon
trained on your target and they are largely at your mercy.
When you have a target on point, your next attack on them is
a double draw. You get to make this attack at any point of your
choosing. If they attempt to take any action, you get to resolve
your attack before they resolve their action! This attack is a
major action and ends your turn whenever it happens. You may
keep a target on point as long as you wish, but it ends when
either the target takes an action or you resolve your attack.
If you have the Fencing martial skill and are using a fencing
blade, there are several ways to put a target ‘On Point.’ Any
time someone you are fighting blunders, becomes stunned, or
is disarmed you may automatically put them on point.
175
Non-fencers can also put targets on point. Anytime you would
have complete surprise on someone with your melee weapon
and you are close enough to strike, you may choose to put the
target on point instead. Obviously, having complete surprise
on someone gives you a double draw, so there’s no particular
advantage to having them on point. But sometimes you want
to give someone the chance to surrender before you stick them
through the ribs!
For example, suppose Ismara has crept up behind a hapless

guard. She could just stab him, and she would have a double draw
if she did, but Rob is not that bloodthirsty. Plus, he thinks that
the guard may have important information. He chooses to have
Ismara put the guard on point instead. The guard feels the dagger
tip against his back and freezes. The ball is now in his court. If he
takes any action, Rob will get a double draw attack on the guard
before the guard’s action is resolved.
Reach Weapons
Certain melee weapons have reach. This means that you can
use them to attack a target that is up to 3 strides away from
you. You may also use a reach weapon to attack at the top of
the round, outside of your normal Initiative order, if there is
a target within 3 strides. If you do so, you cannot take another
action that round.
You may use a reach weapon to attack across cover or over

obstacles, but you cannot use a reach weapon to attack a target
that is immediately adjacent to you.
Disarming
Instead of taking a normal melee attack, you may attempt
to disarm a foe. This takes a major action. To disarm a target
you must make a Hand Attack at a -1 penalty. If your target is
wielding a two-handed weapon, the disarm attempt is a black
176
double draw. If you succeed, your target is disarmed. Your
success level determines where the weapon lands as follows.
F�� F��: The weapon is at your target’s feet. They
may retrieve it with a minor action.
F�� S��: The weapon flies a short distance. The
target may retrieve it as a full round action.
F�� S��: You may catch the weapon in your off
hand or fling it anywhere you choose up to your Body in
strides away.
Grappling
Grappling someone can be an excellent way to defend yourself!
While grappled, large weapons are useless, but knives, pistols,
and other small weapons may still be used. No weapon gets
any parry value, shields are ineffective, and none of the melee
circumstantial modifiers apply. In a tussle like this, a thug with
a knife is deadlier than a nimble fencer.
To grapple, you must first make a grapple attack (listed under

Weapons). This attack does no damage but it does have a +2
bonus to hit. If this attack is successful, you are grappled with
your opponent. You both function as grappled until one of you
breaks the grapple or is incapacitated.
Breaking a Grapple
If you find yourself the victim of a grapple, you may want to
break free! Breaking out of a grapple takes a major action. You
must make a Body draw modified by your opponent’s Body.
If you are trained in Escape Artist you may use your Escape
Artist draw. This draw will be unmodified regardless of your
opponent’s Body. If you are trained in Escape Artist or have
the Unarmed Fighter martial skill, you may attempt to break
grapple as a minor action rather than a major action.
177
Defending Yourself
Anytime someone attacks you, you must make a Dodge draw.
If you succeed, your attacker misses! If you fail, you are struck
and take damage according to the damage rules described
later in this chapter. Your Dodge may be modified by the skill
of your attacker, distance (for a ranged attack), your parry
and shield bonuses, and a variety of circumstantial modifiers
described below.
Dodge Circumstantial Modifiers

Circumstance Dodge Modifier
You are prone versus your

+2
attacker’s ranged attack.
-2
attacker’s hand attack.
Your attacker has you ‘on
Black Double Draw
point’
Your attacker has established
Black Double Draw
an aim on you
You are full dodging Double Draw
Your attacker is attempting to

-2
grapple you
You are taken completely by Black Double Draw (and you
surprise cannot use parry or shield)
You are in light cover against
+1
a ranged attacker
You are in heavy cover against
Double Draw
a ranged attacker
178
Parrying & Shields
To parry, you must have a
weapon in hand with a parry
value. You may only parry one
attack per round and it must be
a melee attack. You must be able
to see the attack and know that
it is coming. Parrying takes no
action.
To parry, simply add your parry

value to your Dodge when you
defend. For example, suppose
you have a Dodge of 5 and you
are using a hanger. The hanger
has a parry value of 3. If you are attacked with a melee weapon,
you may defend against that attack with an 8 rather than your
normal 5. If you were attacked a second time in the round,
however, you would only have your basic Dodge of 5 to defend.
A shield works like a parry, but you may apply a shield to

ranged attacks as well. If you have a weapon with a parry and
a shield you may combine their parries or use them separately
against two different attacks.
Full Dodge
Full dodging allows you to double draw all Dodges until your
next action. There are two ways to establish full dodge. On
your action, you may elect to full dodge as your major action.
This means you get to double draw all your dodges and parries
until you act next round.
You may also full dodge an attack outside of your action. To

do this, you must forgo your next major action. You are then
considered to be full dodging until you next act. On your next
action, you may only take a minor action.
179
For example, at the top of a combat round, someone takes
a musket shot at Ismara. Ismara has a passable Dodge, but no
shield, and Rob knows that muskets pack a wallop! He decides
that he can’t let Ismara risk this. He decides that Ismara will
full dodge. Rob gets to double draw all dodges and parries until
Ismara gets to act. When her turn comes around, she will only get
a minor action.
Note that you can use full dodge to cancel out some combat
circumstances. For example, suppose the musketeer from above
had an aim on Ismara. When he fires, she will have to black
double draw her Dodge—truly a grim prospect! Again, Ismara
may forgo her next major action to full dodge. If she does this,
the full dodge cancels out the aim and she gets a normal Dodge
draw.
Mounted Combat
For the unskilled, riding into combat is difficult and
dangerous, but if your character is a strong cavalryman, you
will find great advantages fighting in the saddle!
Horsemanship Draws
There are three times in a combat when you must make a
horsemanship draw:
1. At the start of any combat in which you are mounted.
2. Any time you mount a horse during a combat.
3. Any time you are mounted and you or your horse is injured.
If you do not have one hand free, your Horsemanship draws are
at -2. If you are unsatisfied with your Horsemanship draw, you
may redraw as a full round action. Note that Horsemanship is a
skill you can attempt even when untrained.
If your Horsemanship draw is successful, you must use a minor

action each round to control your steed. If your Horsemanship
180
draw is unsuccessful, you must use a major action each round
to control your steed. In either case, you may use your horse’s
Movement rather than your own each round.
Blundered Horsemanship
If your Horsemanship draw is a Fortune Weeps you have
blundered! You must make a Fate Test as follows. If you are
not trained in the Horsemanship skill, this Fate Test is a black
double draw.
F�� W��: You are thrown from the horse.
F�� F��: Your horse is spooked.
F�� S��: Your horse is spooked.
F�� S��: No blunder, treat as a normal fail.
Spooked Horse
If your horse is spooked,
it will immediately
gallop at full movement
rate in the safest-looking
direction. Each round
after the first, you have
one chance to make a
Horsemanship draw to
stop the animal. This
Horsemanship draw is a
full round action. Until
you stop the horse, it will
continue to sprint away
from danger at its full
movement rate. Once
you have calmed the
animal, you are mounted
with a successful
Horsemanship draw.
181
Falling or Thrown
If you are thrown you’re your horse or knocked off for any
reason, you take a short fall. The rules for falling are described
on page 182.
Mounting or Dismounting
Mounting or dismounting takes a minor action. With a
successful Acrobatics draw, you may dismount as a free action.
Trampling
If you are trained in the Horsemanship skill, your may attempt
to trample a target, as described in that skill’s description in
Chapter Two. Each time you trample, your horse attacks with
its trample as though it were an extension of yourself.
Environmental Dangers
Falling
You try to be careful, but the world is a dangerous place! No
matter how sure footed, sometimes you fall. Falls are broken
into four categories based on their distance.
1. Short falls are minor falls but long enough to deal damage.
Examples of short falls might be falling off a horse or off
the roof of a single-story building.
2. Medium falls are more significant, but not deadly—two or
three stories or up to about 40 feet.
3. Long falls are very dangerous . They are more than 40 feet
but shorter than 70 feet.
4. Extreme falls are falls of 70 feet or more, which are deadly.
Falling damage is Blunt damage and it ignores armor. After a

fall, you start your next turn prone. When you fall, you should
make an Agility draw to determine the damage. If you have
Acrobatics, this is a double draw. The damage you take from
the fall is based on your success or failure according to the
table on the following page.
182
Fall Distance
Agility Draw
Short Medium Long Extreme
None and Reduce to 0
Shines None None
not prone Hit Points
Successful
None 3 6 Death
Smiles
Successful
None 6 12 Death
Frowns
Unsuccessful 18 as
3 9 Death
Smiles Critical
Unsuccessful 24 as
6 12 Death
Frowns Critical
9 as 18 as
Weeps Death Death
Critical Critical
For example, against his better judgment, Rob has Ismara climb
out a third story window. Unfortunately she fails her climbing
draw. The GM rules that she plummets to the street below!
At three stories, this is a medium fall. Ismara has to make an

Agility draw. If she had Acrobatics, this would be a double draw,
but alas, she does not. Rob pulls the Page of Pentacles. This is a
failed Agility draw, but a Fortune Smiles. Ismara takes 9 points of
Blunt damage, and she starts her next action prone. This is severe,
but she certainly survives.
Fire
Nobody wants to get set on fire, but adventuring is dangerous!
Lanterns, burning oil, spells like conflagration—there are lots
of ways you can wind up burning. If it happens, it’s important
to know how to put it out.
If you are exposed to enough fire to take damage, the GM

should ask you for a Fate Test. If this Fate Test is unfavorable,
183
you catch fire. If the test is a Fortune Frowns, you burn 1 point
each round. If the test is a Fortune Weeps, you burn 2 points
each round.
While you are on fire you can take no action, devote a minor or
major action to putting out the fire, or devote a full round to
putting out the fire. Each round you should make a Fate Test
based on your choice as follows.
Fate Test No action Minor or Major Full round

Fire damage Fire damage
Fortune
increases by 1 increases by 1 No change
Weeps
per round per round
Fire damage
Fortune
increases by 1 No change No change
Frowns
per round
Fortune
No change No change Fire is put out
Smiles
Fortune
No change Fire is put out Fire is put out
Shines
If you have help—someone who can get to you and devote

a major action of their own—you may double draw this Fate
Test.
Blunders
No one is perfect. Sometimes Lady Fortune turns her back
on you. If you draw a Fortune Weeps when attacking, you
have blundered. The flip side of this coin is that if you
draw a Fortune Shines when dodging an NPC’s attack, the
NPC blunders! In either case, you must make a Fate Test to
determine the effect of the blunder as shown on the following
page.
184
PC Blunder Table
PC Weapon
Fate Test
Unarmed Armed Firearm
Fortune
No effect No effect No effect
Shines
Fortune PC drops
No effect PC drops firearm
Smiles weapon
The firearm is
Fortune PC falls PC weapon destroyed and PC
Frowns prone broken takes ×½ firearm
damage
The firearm is
PC weapon
Fortune PC falls destroyed and PC
broken and
Weeps prone takes ×1 firearm
PC falls prone
damage
Attacking NPC Blunder Table

NPC Weapon
Fate Test
NPC weapon The firearm is
Fortune NPC falls broken and destroyed and NPC
Shines prone NPC falls takes ×1 firearm
prone damage
The firearm is
Fortune NPC falls NPC weapon destroyed and PC
Smiles prone broken takes ×½ firearm
damage
Fortune NPC drops
No effect NPC drops firearm
Frowns weapon
Fortune
Weeps
185
Damage, Death, and Other Unpleasant
Results of Combat
In Fortune’s Fool, you will assuredly deal damage, and (in spite
of your best efforts) you will probably take damage as well.
There are two kinds of wounds: Normal and Critical.
Normal Wounds
Normal wounds result from a Minor Arcana draw, either
Fortune Frowns or Fortune Smiles. Normal wounds deal only
hit point damage.
If you attack successfully with a Minor Arcana draw, you deal a

minor wound. The amount of hit point damage you do will be a
multiplier of your weapon’s damage: ×½ if you drew a Fortune
Frowns, and ×1 if you drew a Fortune Smiles.
If you defend unsuccessfully with a Minor Arcana draw, you

take a minor wound. Again, the hit point damage you sustain
will be a multiplier of your attacker’s weapon damage: ×½
if you drew a Fortune Smiles, and ×1 if you drew a Fortune
Frowns.
Critical Wounds
Critical wounds happen as a result of Major Arcana. If you
attack and draw a Fortune Shines, you deal a critical wound.
Likewise, if you defend and draw a Fortune Weeps, you take a
critical wound. Like normal wounds, critical wounds deal hit
point damage. A critical wound deals ×1½ a weapon’s damage.
In addition, critical wounds have a secondary effect beyond

hit point damage. After you take or deal a critical wound, you
must make a Fate Test to determine any special effects of the
critical according to the table on the following page. Note
that the results of this Fate Test will be different if the striking
weapon is Lethal or Blunt.
186
PC Deals Critical Wound
Lethal Blunt
Fate Test
Secondary Effect Secondary Effect
Fortune Weeps No Effect No Effect
Fortune Frowns No Effect Stun
Fortune Smiles Stun Stun
Fortune Shines Death Incapacitation
Death Death Death
PC Suffers Critical Wound

Lethal Blunt
Fate Test
Fortune Weeps Death Incapacitation
Fortune Frowns Stun Stun
Fortune Smiles No Effect Stun
Fortune Shines No Effect No Effect
Death Death Death
Damage Effects
There are no ill effects from losing hit points until your total
drops below 1. Once your hit points fall below 1, you are
incapacitated. If the weapon that reduced your hit points
below 1 is a lethal weapon, you start bleeding 1 hit point per
round. Once you reach negative hit points equal to your Body
plus your Heart, you are dead.
Stun
When your character is stunned, you lose your next action
in its entirety. You may not move, attack, or take any other
action, but you still defend as normal. If you are stunned when
fighting someone with the Fencing martial skill, they may
automatically put you on point.
187
Incapacitation
There are two ways your character may become incapacitated.
First, anytime your hit points drop to 0 or lower, you are
incapacitated. Second, you may be incapacitated as a result
of a critical wound. When your character is incapacitated,
you collapse unconscious. Unless revived, you will remain
unconscious based on a Fate Test as follows.
F�� S��: 3 combat rounds
F�� S��: About 3 minutes
F�� F��: About 15 minutes
F�� W��: Approximately 1 hour
Reviving an Incapacitated Target

The best way to revive an incapacitated target is with a relevant
skill, such as Medical (see Chapter Two). Successful healing
spells will also revive a target. If you lack an appropriate skill
or spell, you can still try to revive an incapacitated target. An
unskilled attempt to revive someone is a major action.
If you are reviving a PC, the PC makes a Body draw. If the

PC has negative hit points, this negative number becomes a
penalty to the Body draw. If this draw is successful, the PC is
revived. If you are reviving an NPC, you make a Perception
draw. If the NPC has negative hit points, this negative number
becomes a penalty to the Perception draw. If this draw is
successful, the NPC is revived.
Bleeding
If your hit points are reduced below 1 as a result of hit with a
Lethal weapon you start bleeding. You bleed 1 hit point per
round. You always bleed at the end of the round starting the
round after you take the wound. You will keep bleeding until
the bleeding is stopped or you are dead. If you are reduced
below 0 hit points from multiple sources, you still only bleed 1
point per round.
188
Stopping Bleeding
The best way to stop bleeding is with a relevant skill, such
as Medical (see Chapter Two). Successful healing spells will
also stop bleeding. If you lack an appropriate skill or spell,
you can still try to stop someone’s bleeding. If you are not
incapacitated, you can even try to stop your own bleeding. An
unskilled attempt to stop bleeding is a major action.
If you are attempting to stop the bleeding of a PC, the PC

makes a Body draw. If the PC has negative hit points, this
negative number becomes a penalty to the Body draw. If this
draw is successful, the bleeding is stopped. If you are stopping
the bleeding of an NPC, you make a Perception draw. If the
NPC has negative hit points, this negative number becomes a
penalty to the Perception draw. If this draw is successful, the
bleeding is stopped.
If an unskilled attempt to stop bleeding ever results in a

Fortune Weeps, the target takes an additional 3 points of
damage.
Death
Death is a grim but unavoidable aspect of Fortune’s Fool. You
may die as a result of a Critical Effect Fate Test or from having
your hit points reach a negative value equal to your Body plus
your Heart. Either way, once you are dead, your character is
lost! You must make a new one.
Healing Hit Points

You naturally heal 1 hit Sunrise, Sunset
point every twelve hours. For convenience, assume that you
will heal 1 point at sunrise and
This seems like a small
sunset. This is one of our house
amount, but you can also rules, however, and your GM does
heal through skills and not have to adhere to it.
spells as well.
189
W
ashing your hands should be an easy thing. You have a
basin of water like this one. You put your hands in like I
am doing now. You wash. This should be easy. But it’s not
working. I lift my hands from the basin, and they are even filthier than
before.
At first I was just trying to wash off that one stain and be done
with it. That one there, just above the knuckle. Or maybe it was this
one? Or that one there? Where is my serving girl? I should not have to
do this alone. Have to speak with her. But for now, I just need to scrub
off this spot here.
No, that’s worse. What kind of stain spreads the more you
scrub it? Maybe I need to scrub harder and use this pumice stone. Yes!
That feels right. Scrub and scrub hard with this stone. It hurts, but it’s
a small price to finally have these hands clean! Scrub and scrub; now
rinse; now lift my hands out and—
Pileatus sat bolt upright in bed. Beads of sweat ran down

his face and his breath was coming in gasps. “Claudia, I’ve
had that damned dream again.” He clutched the topcover with
shaking hands. “I don’t mean to wake you, but I may need the
servants to pour me a bath…Claudia?”
In the way of nightmares, the fear that had been so
overwhelming was already fading to a troubling memory. The
Prefect’s breath was coming more evenly now. In the dark
he turned toward his wife’s side of the bed. He could feel her
absence.
“Claudia?” He called again with frustration in his voice.
As he fumbled to light the taper at his bedside, Pileatus scolded
himself. She was pregnant after all and far along—past two
years now. Pregnancy was especially long and hard for elves. In
her condition, he could hardly expect his wife to wipe his nose
after every bad dream!
He’d been having the nightmares for about a week. It

was different every night, but it always ended the same way,
with him scrubbing his hands in panic.
190
Claudia said it sounded like guilt. The dreams had
started after Pileatus had ordered the execution of the Jewish
fanatic from Nazareth. Many loved and even worshipped the
young human. Ordering that a man be strung up to die would
make even the strongest governor feel guilt, but Pileatus
discarded this notion. The man was Jewish and the Jews wanted
him executed. It was their problem. He had even offered
to execute the dwarven murderer instead, but the Hebrews
demanded the sentence fall on the mystic. Besides, guilt was a
foolish emotion. The high Roman Prefect to Judea did not have
the luxury of feeling guilt.
Flame leapt to life at the end of the candle throwing

light across their bed. The Prefect’s skin turned to ice and his
stomach dropped. There was blood on his hands. Both of them
were smeared brown and red. His fingernails were tinged with
the stuff and it had etched into the lines of his knuckles. Had he
rubbed and scratched in his sleep hard enough to lay open his
flesh? Pileatus hastily examined his hands but found no wound.
He hurled aside the bedding. The sheets and blankets were slick
with crimson. Blood was everywhere. Then Pileatus heard the
moaning. It was faint and low. He realized he had been hearing
it since he woke, but only now did it register.
He found Claudia laying in the hall at the end of a trail
of blood. Her bedclothes were soaked and spotted. She was
conscious but only barely, and she was muttering and crying,
“Oh Pontius, the baby…the baby…the baby…”
“She will live, though she will be weak for many

months.” The physician spoke with a thick Greek accent in the
way of very ancient elves. “I have given her something to help
her sleep and have called upon Hera for healing. In time, she
will be well.”
Pileatus spoke with a broken voice, “Thank you,
Magister. The child? What happened?”
191
“Prefect, I have not seen this before. Humans and
dwarves and the lesser races, yes. But I have never seen such a
tragedy befall one of our kind.”
Pileatus noticed that as the physician spoke, he rinsed his
hands in the very basin of his earlier dream. Though he feared
the answer, Pileatus could not stop himself asking the question,
“Will she ever be able to…”
“There was, I am afraid, much damage inside of her. I do
not think that she will—”
A halfling girl burst into the room cutting short the
doctor’s answer. Her clothes were disheveled, and her face was
streaked with tears.
Pileatus recognized the girl. She had waited on him at a
dinner party last season in the villa of the elvish Tetrarch. Both
their wives were newly expecting! The Tetrarch had thrown
a lavish elven feast to celebrate so rare an occasion. Pileatus
particularly remembered the girl because she had been so tiny
that she could barely manage the wine jug.
As fast as she could form the words, the girl began to
plead in broken Latin, “Doctor, you must come now! Please! My
mistress is sick. Something is very wrong.” As the physician
hastily gathered his herbs and bag, Pileatus stared at the serving
girl’s hands. They were covered in blood.
192
Chapter Eight
The World of Fortune’s Fool
The historical Renaissance that most people learn about in
school spanned from the mid-14th century to the 17th century,
and touched every kingdom in Europe. It was a tumultuous,
exciting time. Alliances between political powers shifted like
the sands. New kingdoms came into existence while powerful
armies conquered others. Music, art, philosophy, and religion
flourished as Europe emerged from the Dark Ages, blinking in
the new light of intellectualism.
This chapter describes the setting for Fortune’s Fool. Your

group need not be constrained by this chapter or by a strict
timeline of historical events. The GM can change dates, places,
and people as needed. This chapter is intended to inspire
imagination, not limit it!
History
Before seeing how the world stands, it helps to learn on what
it is standing. There are two tragedies that reach out from the
ancient past to shape the world of Fortune’s Fool.
The most advanced civilization in ancient times was Greece.

Greece was a collection of independent city-states on the
Hellenic Peninsula populated with elves, dwarves, and
humans. Greece boasted many wondrous cities—Thebes,
Corinth, Sparta, Rhodes, and most of all Athens.
Athens was a wealthy city-state with a largely elvish

population. Athens was the seat of modern civilization. The
elves of Athens laid the foundations for philosophy, art,
democracy, literacy, and architecture. The Athenian culture
was so advanced, it influenced the rival city-states of Greece
as well. Even the dwarves of Sparta adopted many of the
Athenian traditions.
193
At the height of Grecian civilization, a terrible enemy arose.
Envious of the Greeks, the orc emperor, Xerxes brought
his mighty Persian army to the peninsula. Under Xerxes,
Persia had become the mightiest empire of its day with
countless kingdoms and principalities under its heel. But the
independent minded Grecians were not so easily conquered.
Led by the warlike dwarves of Sparta, the city-states set aside
their squabbles and banded together into a fierce army. Every
inch of Greek land that Xerxes conquered was bought with
gallons of blood. Thebans defended Spartan flanks; Athenian
spells shielded Corinthian horsemen; and all Greece fought as
one. After decades of bloodshed Xerxes was repulsed.
Never before having tasted

defeat, Xerxes’ hatred burned
like the sun. He gathered
the youngest daughters of
every royal household of
Persia—7,000 maidens—and
sacrificed them in a giant fiery
cistern. With the power of
this unholy sacrifice, he laid a dreadful curse on the Hellenic
Peninsula, and slowly it began to sink.
At first the difference was imperceptible. Word of Xerxes’

curse reached the Greeks, but nothing seemed to happen.
Over time, though, things began to change. Each year, the tide
seemed to come in just a bit further.
With their advanced science and mathematics, the elves of

Athens were the first to understand the change. They quietly
began an exodus, primarily to the young cities of Rome and
Venice. Over the next two centuries, the rest of the Grecians
followed as their beloved peninsula disappeared beneath the
Mediterranean.
194
The second tragedy of antiquity struck at the height of Roman
power. Rome was the mightiest empire of the ancient world.
The elves fleeing Greece had brought all the advanced science
and architecture from Athens. While Rome never achieved
the artistic or philosophical perfection of Athens, the Romans
made up for it with military might. At its height, the empire
reached Egypt, Istanbul (then Constantinople), and even to
the faraway British Isles. But during this zenith, a terrible
fate befell the Romans. The leading citizens of Rome were all
elves. Even the elected Caesars were Elves, many of whom still
remembered Athens in its prime.
Without warning, the elves lost the ability to bear children;

and not just the Roman elves. Expectant elven mothers across
the known world had miscarriages or gave birth to stillborn
babies. The cause of this tragedy is highly debated, but the true
answer is unknown. The most common belief is that the elves
were punished for complicity in the crucifixion of the Jewish
Messiah. Pontius Pileatus was the Roman governor of Judea,
and it was ultimately his decision to have the carpenter from
Nazareth crucified. Most believe that this death unleashed
a terrible reckoning on the entire elven race. This tragedy
among Rome’s ruling class was a blow from which the Empire
would never recover. While Rome continued for another 400
years, the Empire began to decay from within. The new human
Caesars abolished elections and distracted the populace with
bloody gladiatorial spectacles. The fading elves were too bitter
and grief stricken to intervene.
Elves now land in two categories. Many elves staunchly

subscribe to the belief that they are being punished by the
mighty Jewish God for their participation in the death of the
messiah. (There are even speculations that Judas Iscariot had
been an elf.) These elves are deeply pious Christians who form
much of the upper hierarchy of the Catholic Church. But
there is a minority of elves that reject this idea. They deny any
195
guilt, and they deny any god whose wrath would stretch so far
beyond the actual wrongdoers. These elves cling tenaciously
to the old Pagan ways. Many still worship Zeuss, Athena, and
Apollo, while others find the natural order sacred and worship
the sun, the stars, and nature itself.
Natural and Unique Features

From the lochs of Scotland to the mountains of Scandinavia
to the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean, Europe is
rich with geographic diversity. Here are a handful of the most
noteworthy natural features.
The Grecian Isles

After being repulsed by the Ancient Greeks, Xerxes laid a
dreadful curse on the Greek Peninsula. Slowly, over centuries,
it sank into the Mediterranean. Now all that remains of the
most advanced culture in history is a few islands. These
islands are the remnants of the highest lands of the Grecian
Peninsula. They include bits of Crete and Cyprus, Delphi with
its mysterious oracle, and of course, Mount Olympus.
These islands are largely uninhabited, but it is said that ancient
beasts of myth still prowl the ruins of these islands.
Atlantis
While not precisely a
natural feature, Atlantis
is worthy of mention.
Atlantis is the name
attributed to sunken
portions of Greece.
Atlantis refers specifically
to sub-aquatic Athens,
but the term is often
misapplied to Corinth, Thebes, and the rest. It is believed that
anyone who could reach these sunken cities would find ancient
treasures and knowledge beyond reckoning.
196
The Black Forest
The Black Forest is the largest woodland in Europe. It spans
for hundreds of miles across parts of Bavaria, the Swiss States,
Austria, and into France. The Black Forest is an extremely
dense forest, mostly of towering evergreens. It is a dangerous
forest teeming with wolves, bears, and much fouler creatures.
Only the heartiest of peoples journey into the Black Forest.
The Alps
The Alps are the massive mountain range that runs like a
backbone through southern Europe. With towering icy peaks,
these mountains have a foothold in France, Venetia, Austria,
Bavaria, the Swiss States, and beyond. The mountain range
boasts peaks like the Weisshorn, Mount Blanc, the Eiger, and
of course, the Matterhorn. The Alps are jaggedly beautiful, but
they are also extremely dangerous. Beyond the treacherous
slopes themselves, the Alps are home to a menagerie of
savage creatures. It is even said that somewhere, deep in the
mountains, sleeps a massive dragon.
The Pyrenees
The Pyrenees, which form the natural geographic barrier
between France and Spain, are actually the westernmost
arm of the Alps. This mountain range suffers from a lack of
traversable passes, forcing most of the travel between France
and Spain to be by boat.
The Kjølen Mountains

This mountain range runs the length of the Scandinavian
Peninsula. It is a very harsh mountain range, especially in its
northernmost regions. The Kjølens are home to most of the
remaining giants yet alive.
197
The Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains are a chain of mountains in
Eastern Europe. While not as massive or rugged as the Alps,
the Carpathians are noteworthy in their own right. Parts of the
Carpathians lay in Poland and Hungary, while the Ottoman
Empire lays claim to another portion. Regardless of the
political boundaries, the Carpathians are a largely wild and
lawless region.
The Carpathians are dotted with many isolated villages

and small principalities. The enlightened thinking of the
Renaissance has not yet reached these tiny fiefdoms. While
the inhabitants are mostly Eastern Orthodox or Jewish in
faith, their real belief structures are based in superstition. This
superstition is not
without foundation.
The mountains are
said to be haunted
by all manner
of mysterious
creatures. One of
the largest areas,
Transylvania, is
ruled by a count
who, it is said, is
never seen by day.
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is a modest-sized woodland in the middle
of England. Known to be a particularly confusing and
disorienting forest, Sherwood is home to all manner of bandits
and ruffians. These thugs find shelter in its ancient growths
and tangles, but even they will not travel deep into the woods.
Sherwood is said to be haunted by dark spirits. It is also said
that an ancient evil lives at the very heart of the forest, and
wild tales abound as to what this never-seen creature might be.
198
Loch Ness
There are thousands of lochs in the Scottish Highlands, but
Loch Ness is exceptional. It is a very deep, cold loch of great
size, but what makes Loch Ness noteworthy is not its size.
Beneath the still surface of the ancient loch lives a massive
creature. This thing might be a leviathan that traveled in from
the sea or a whale of some kind. It might even be an aquatic
dragon. Tales abound about this creature, but all who have
glimpsed it agree that it is a monster of terrifying proportions.
The Blighted Isles

The islands of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica are known as
the Blighted Isles. Late in the Middle Ages, the islands were
infected with a grim plague. Whether the disease of these isles
is a medical matter or a diabolic curse is unknown, but the
inhabitants were stricken with a terrible wasting hunger which
drove them mad. No matter how much the hapless victims
ate, they could never be sated. Only the elves of the isles were
immune to this affliction, and most of them were devoured
before they could flee to the mainland.
Somehow the ghoulish inhabitants of the isles lurk there to

this day. The hunger which torments them and drives them
beyond their wits also seems to preserve their lives as well. No
ship will venture close to these isles.
Danube River
From its headwaters in the Swiss Alps to its mouth at the Black
Sea, the Danube is the longest river in Europe. Passing through
Vienna, Budapest, and many other cities, the Danube is an
essential waterway linking eastern and central Europe. For
most of its course, it is a wide and meandering river, making it
ideal for boat traffic.
199
Kingdoms of Europe
Following is a brief description of the major kingdoms of
Renaissance Europe. This list is a rough guide, loosely inspired
by European history. Your GM should feel free to alter this list
as desired.
Great Britain
Capital: London
Native Language: English
Racial Population: 60%
human, 19% dwarf, 15%
halfling, 5% elf, 1% orc and
goblin
Major Religions: Protestant,
Catholic, Pagan
The kingdom of Great Britain

occupies most of the isle of
England. Great Britain is often
called simply ‘England.’ In addition to its island land, Great
Britain also holds some disputed territory on the coast of the
continent. England and France are constantly grappling over
these coastal regions.
Religiously, Great Britain has deeply entrenched Pagan roots.

Near the end of the Roman Empire, these Pagan practices
began to give way to Catholicism, and for centuries the Roman
church dominated the religious landscape. Under the current
human Tudor reign, however, Protestantism has become the
official religion of the land. Because the Pope in Rome would
not grant him an annulment, Henry VIII has founded the
protestant Church of England. He has named himself the
head of this church and required that his subjects all convert.
England still has a substantial Catholic population, but the
monarchy is actively working to convert papal holdings to the
new church.
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The center of English metropolitan life, and the country’s
capital, is London, which sits atop the Thames River. London
is the home of the nation’s culture. Theatre artists with names
like Keane, Webster, Jonson, and Shakespeare gain fame daily.
Meanwhile, poets Edmund Spenser and John Milton scribe
verse on the Faerie world and mankind’s fall from paradise.
Sir Thomas More and Sir Francis Bacon are some of the first to
publish their thoughts on the nature of thought itself.
Wales
Capital: London in theory, but Cardiff in tradition and practice
Native Languages: Welsh, English
Racial Population: 50% halfling, 30% human, 15% dwarf, 4%
elf, 1% orc and goblin
Major Religions: Pagan, Protestant, Catholic
Wales is a rugged, mountainous land on the western side of

England. It is a small country, ostensibly under English rule,
but the fiercely independent halflings and humans who live
there, largely reject this rule.
The English conquered Wales a few centuries ago, but

Wales has only recently adopted English law. Because of the
Cambrian Mountains, Wales is isolated and in many ways
more primitive than much of Europe. The country is dotted
with small towns. The only city is Cardiff, which is evolving
into a major seaport.
One of the best known Welsh figures is the halfling Edmund

Prys. The prolific Prys scribbles poem after poem in his native
Welsh that showcase both the traditional Pagan culture of his
country and the humanistic leanings of the Renaissance. In
spite of his primitive roots, he is considered one of the greatest
poets of the day.
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Scotland
Capital: Edinburgh
Native Languages: Scottish, English
Racial Population: 40% dwarf, 36% human, 18% halfling, 5%
Major Religion: Protestant
Recently come to the crown, the Stewarts, a dwarven noble

family, are ushering in an era of prosperity for Scotland.
However, frequent border disputes with England sap their
resources. The capital city, and royal seat, is Edinburgh,
located in southeast Scotland along the Firth of Forth.
There is a stark division between the Lowlands and Highlands

of Scotland. The Highlanders see their southern countrymen
as fancified dandies living too close to the English, while the
Lowlanders see their northern countrymen as uncivilized
barbarians. In some ways, they are both right.
Scotland is known for the many lochs that pockmark its

rugged terrain. These lochs are deep stony lakes mostly in the
highlands. They are not usually large bodies of water, but they
are incredibly deep. It is thought that ancient creatures dwell
beneath the placid waters of some of the largest lochs.
Ireland
Capital: Dublin in the south, Belfast in the north
Native Languages: Gaelic, English
Racial Population: 36% halfling, 35% human, 21% dwarf, 7%
Major Religions: Catholic, Pagan, Protestant
Ireland is a kingdom in the throes of a religious civil war.

While northern Ireland is primarily protestant and loyal to
the English crown, southern Ireland is Catholic and loyal to
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the halfling Archbishop Tremaine. Beyond the Catholic and
Protestant factions, Ireland also has a substantial minority
who still cling to their Pagan traditions.
The island of Ireland is a beautiful green jewel, but it is not

without danger. Fell creatures prowl the woods and rolling
hills. Derelict keeps are haunted by malevolent spirits. Worst
of all, banshees wait in the Irish night to claim those who lose
their way.
Scandinavia
Capital: No true capital, but Oslo is the largest city
Native Languages: Old Norse, Finnish
Racial Population: 39% human, 31% dwarf, 23% orc, 6%
halfling, 1% elf and goblin
Major Religions: Pagan, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox
Scandinavia is not a true kingdom, but a harsh region on the

peninsula across the North Sea. Lower Scandinavia is largely
populated by dwarves and humans, while eastern Scandinavia
has a substantial orc population. Upper Scandinavia is a truly
desolate realm. Very few people venture so far north and when
they do, the return with tales of incredible beasts prowling the
mountains.
The Renaissance has barely begun to penetrate the

Scandinavian Peninsula. Many dwellers still worship Tor,
Wotaan, and other Pagan deities, and Viking cultures still
linger in the icy fjords. That said, the new fashions and
religions of the day are creeping into even this frozen land.
Furs and helmets are giving way to caps and breeches. Axes are
hung on the wall and blades or even pistols are worn in their
place.
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France
Capital: Paris
Native Language: French
Racial Population: 36% human, 30% elf, 20% halfling, 12%
dwarf, 2% orc and goblin
Major Religions: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish
Outside of the Vatican, France is the only European Kingdom

with an elvish monarchy. The French throne was previously
held by the human house of Capet, but the family was
removed from power when they were labeled heretics by
the Pope. With the coronation of the elf king Francois I,
the Renaissance came in full force to France. His human
predecessors had been reluctant to embrace the new thinking,
but Francois, who has been extensively tutored by proponents
of these intellectual movements, wants to bring culture to his
country.
Francois I is a great patron of the arts. Under his direction,

architect Pierre Lescot has begun renovating the Louvre castle
in Paris. Other architectural developments in the city include
the Pont Neuf bridge, the Place des Vosges, the royal chateau
of Fontainebleau, and
the renovations of the
cathedral at Notre Dame.
When the king travels
beyond Paris, he brings
with him a retinue
of court musicians,
including the noted
composer Jean Mouton,
considered the greatest
chorale artist of the day.
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Spain
Capital: Madrid
Native Languages: Spanish, Euskara
Racial Population: 40% human, 23% elf, 20% goblin, 9%
halfling, 7% dwarf, 1% orc
Major Religions: Catholic, Occult
Spain is a large and powerful kingdom that occupies most of

the Iberian Peninsula. The kingdom is jointly ruled by the
human King Ferdinand II of Aragon and the elf Queen Isabel
of Castile. Spain is a profoundly Catholic kingdom with a
very unusual minority. Though strictly illegal, Spain has a
population of occultists called the Basques. While small in
number, the Basques have caused a bloody rift in the kingdom.
One of Spain’s best known figures is the Genoese navigator,

Christopher Columbus. Columbus has found a patron in
Queen Isabel, and he is sailing across the oceans to find a new
route to the east. Meanwhile, Spanish art has flourished from
an unlikely source. Doménikos Theotokópoulos, famed elvish
artist and expatriate of sunken Crete, has taken up residence in
the Spanish city of Toledo. Nicknamed El Greco by the locals,
the melancholic El Greco has become a prolific producer of
religious-themed works that transcend any school of art.
Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Native Languages: Portuguese, Arabic
Racial Population: 36% human, 30% goblin, 15% orc, 10%
halfling, 7% dwarf, 2% elf
Major Religions: Catholic, Moslem
Portugal is the smaller kingdom which shares the Iberian

Peninsula with Spain. Portugal is the only western kingdom
with a goblin monarchy. Emperor Braganza is a shrewd ruler
who manages the dichotomies of his nation very effectively.
While he, his family, and most of his goblin population is
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Moslem, most of the humans he rules practice Catholicism.
Braganza manages this contentious situation with trade. Often
called “The Merchant King,” he does everything he can to
foster Portugal’s growing merchant class.
Thanks to explorers like Vasco de Gama, Portugal has gained

a near stranglehold on highly profitable trade with India.
As Italian merchants flush with cash begin investing in
Portuguese trading interests, ports like Lisbon thrive. Luís
Vaz de Camões is Portugal’s most famous cultural figure. A
romantic and idealist, Luis is a human poet of great renown.
A half-blind war veteran, his ballads of naval wars are
surprisingly inspiring and hopeful.
Venetian Republic
Capital: Venice
Native Language: Italian
Racial Population: 33% human, 24% goblin, 21% elf, 11% orc,
7% dwarf, 4% halfling
Major Religions: Catholic, Moslem, Jewish
Often referred to as La Serenissima, or “Most Serene Republic,”

this confederation of states occupies the north and east shores
of the Adriatic Sea. During recent wars with their neighbors
to the south, the Venetian Republic gained dominance over
the waters, something of which they are taking full advantage.
Merchants of all stripes grow prosperous, funneling much
of their money into the city’s arts and architecture. Venice
also boasts enormous trade with the east, especially Istanbul.
Because of this, Venice has a substantial population of goblins.
The city of Venice is often thought of as the birthplace of the

Renaissance. Centuries ago, elves fleeing the destruction of
their Grecian homeland brought their forward-thinking ideas
of moral philosophy, government, and art to Venice. Though
it was invented elsewhere, Venice has been quick to adopt the
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use of the printing press. Many Venetians can be seen with one
of printer Aldus Manutius’ state of the art “paperback” books
tucked in their waistbands.
Papal States
Capital: Vatican City in Rome
Native Languages: Italian and
a significant Latin speaking
population
Racial Population: 40%
human, 30% elf, 19%
halfling, 8% dwarf, 3% orc
and goblin
Major Religion: Catholic
The Papal States of the

central Italian peninsula
are a theocracy ruled by the
elf, Pope Innocent IX of the
Catholic Church. In practice,
however, the Pope’s reign does
not extend beyond Rome.
The other provinces of the Papal States (Bologna, Florence,
Ravenna, and San Marino, to name a few) are governed by
local princes who pay tribute to Rome.
One of the most influential figures of the region is the human

Lorenzo de Medici. The Medicis are a family of bankers with
enormous power. They administer the financial holdings of the
Catholic Church itself. Lorenzo has become a popular patron
of the arts. He has commissioned works from Leonardo di ser
Peiro, the painter and engineer from Vinci; Michelangelo di
Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, prodigious sculptor, painter, and
architect; and the dwarven painter Alessandro di Mariano di
Vanni Filipepi.
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Duchy of Naples
Capital: Naples
Native Lanuage: Italian
Racial Population: 41% human, 26% goblin, 19% elf, 7%
halfling, 5% orc, 2% dwarf
Major Religions: Catholic, Occult, Moslem
The Duchy of Naples encompasses the southern part of the

Italian peninsula. The majority of the population lives either
in Naples itself or in the surrounding countryside. The rest of
kingdom is very sparsely populated.
Naples is a large, fortified city that is ruled by the human

Don Pedro Alvarez, a viceroy from Spain. Naples is its own
Duchy, but still relies heavily on Spanish support. Don Pedro is
constantly entreating his allies for more money and manpower
to fortify the city. Naples is constantly under threat from the
Blighted Isles of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. The plagues and
curses that ravaged these lands are constantly reaching across
the waters towards Naples. When the night bells chime, none
in the city sleep easy.
Late in the Dark Ages, the isles were struck with a maddening
plague. This plague turned the inhabitants into ravenous
cannibals with insatiable appetites for flesh. Naples is
constantly on guard against these beastly neighbors. In
spite of its beset-upon nature, the city is still a hub of naval
trade. Rivaled only by Venice, Naples is a prime port, and
this lucrative trade keeps the city alive. Sometimes peaceful
months or even years pass, but eventually the Neapolitan calm
is shattered. A boat lands and the cargo is death.
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Swiss Confederacy
Capital: Geneva
Native Languages: French, German, Italian
Racial Population: 30% human, 30% dwarf, 30% halfling, 9%
Major Religions: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish
The Swiss Confederacy is a collection of independent states

just north of the Papal States in the Alps. They huddle
together for protection against the climate, the occasional
invading army, and the unpredictable beasts that lurk in the
snowy peaks. An ancient dragon slumbers deep within the
mountains. While the creature has not been seen for over a
century, no one can say when it might wake. When it does, the
Swiss know they will have to rely on each other to survive.
Traditionally, the Swiss States have been very Catholic with

small Jewish enclaves. But Protestantism is being rapidly
embraced by the Swiss. This is creating fractures, but for now
the confederacy remains intact.
Netherlands
Capital: Amsterdam
Native Languages: Dutch, Yiddish, French
Racial Population: 33% human, 31% halfling, 19% elf, 16%
dwarf, 1% orc and goblin
Major Religions: Catholic, Jewish
This newly formed republic is currently under the governance

of the halfling William of Orange after he revolted against
Spanish rule. William is not officially recognized as king. His
title is stadtholder, or steward, but when the republic fully
comes into its own, he will probably assume the throne. As
ruler, one of William’s major projects is the reclamation of
land in low-lying portions of the country. Elaborate systems
of dikes and levies are constantly being built and repaired to
make sure the North Sea is held back.
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Culturally, Amsterdam is known for its current generation
of oil painters, most notably the middle-aged Jeroen
Anthoniszoon van Aken. It is said he awoke one morning from
a terrible dream of the afterlife. He spent the next few months,
painting as though possessed. The product of his feverish work
was a triptych that showcases twisted figures frolicking in
Heaven and Hell. Jeroen knew the risk of making the heretical
work public, so he decided to hide his identity. He signed his
masterpiece “Hieronymus Bosch.”
Denmark
Capital: Copenhagen
Native Languages: Danish, German
elf, 6% orc, 1% goblin
Major Religions: Protestant, Catholic, Jewish
This northern European country is currently in the midst of a

religious civil war. The roots of this war began when a monk
in the Order of St. John’s Hospitalers sermonized the need
for reformation within the Catholic Church. Many Danes
were energized by the monk’s speeches and the Protestant
population of the country swelled. The change was not without
violence, as churches and cathedrals were vandalized by unruly
mobs. In the end, the monk became King Frederick’s personal
chaplain, and a balance of old and new religious ideas was
struck.
But King Frederick has died of mysterious causes. With his

passing, the country has been thrown back into turmoil.
Protestants back one petitioner to the throne, while Catholic
nobles have put forward another, leading to what is known as
the Count’s Feud. At the moment, the Protestants look like
they will be victorious, but even the smallest event could turn
the tide.
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Austria
Capital: Vienna
Native Languages: German, Yiddish
Racial Population: 39% human, 29% dwarf, 9% halfling, 9% elf,
9% orc, 5% goblin
Once a part of the Swiss Confederacy, the human House of

Hapsburg broke from its neighbors to form its own kingdom
on the northern side of the Alps. Through a series of shrewd
political marriages and judicious military actions, Austria
has grown considerably. Now it is one of the most powerful
kingdoms in Europe.
Austria’s current ruler is Archduke Ferdinand II. Ferdinand has

two great passions. He is a staunch supporter of the Catholic
Counter-Reformation, and he is an avid art collector! His
castle Schloss Ambras contains a vast collection of masterwork
paintings, as well as an extensive array of arms and armor some
of which date back to Rome itself. Vienna, Austria’s largest city,
is a cultural center of fine art, music, and cuisine; a fact that is
not lost on foreigners. Vienna has already been unsuccessfully
besieged once by the goblin Turks of the Ottoman Empire.
Much effort has been placed in strengthening the city’s
fortifications, but many fear that the Turks will invade again.
Bohemia
Capital: Prague
Native Languages: Czech, German
goblin, 5% halfling, 1% elf
Major Religions: Protestant, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox
Bohemia’s history and politics are much entwined with that of

Austria. The two countries were once close allies, but religion
has driven a wedge between them. While Austria struggles to
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remain completely Catholic, Bohemia has fully accepted the
Protestant reformation. The Bohemian nobility has recently
placed the Protestant Friedrich of the Palatinate on the throne,
much to the chagrin of their Austrian neighbors. Friedrich is
an intellectual dwarf, but a bit of a mystic. He is often seen
wearing a full set of arcane regalia, including the Crown
of Saint Wenceslas, which he believes grants him magical
protection.
Bohemia is a destination for free thinkers. Astronomers,

philosophers, and learned men of every stripe come from
across Europe to study in Prague, and sometimes to escape
persecution in their home countries. Foreign scholars
like Kepler, Brahe, Kelley, and Dee have found homes and
patronage in Bohemia.
Moravia
Capital: Zlín
Native Languages: Czech, Hungarian, Yiddish
Racial Population: 28% dwarf, 26% human, 22% orc, 15%
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish
Though Moravia is nominally a Bohemian protectorate,

Moravia considers itself an independent country. The
Bohemian king allows Moravia to be largely self-governed, but
many Moravians still chafe under outside rule. The Moravians
feel that their nation’s identity is fading. The human Louis
Jagiellon is the figurehead upon the Moravian throne. Because
he is the second son of King Vladislaus of Bohemia, Jagiellon is
widely despised by the population he ostensibly rules.
Moravia is officially a Protestant nation, but it has large

Eastern Orthodox and Jewish populations. Fortunately,
Moravia is insulated from persecution from the Catholic
kings of other nations by its location. Lately, Moravia has
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been making advances toward an alliance with neighboring
Hungary to gain their complete freedom from Bohemia.
Bavaria
Capital: Munich
Native Language: German
Racial Population: 33% dwarf, 29% human, 20% halfling, 10%
orc, 6% elf, 2% goblin
Major Religions: Protestant, Catholic
The current duke of Bavaria is

Albrecht IV, the Wise. Albrecht
is a corpulent human who
left the seminary when his
older brother died. He shared
the dukedom with his other
brothers, until one by one
they died, leaving Albrecht
the sole duke. Some say that a
mysterious organization caused
these deaths to put Albrecht in
the seat of power, though those
rumormongers fail to agree
on whether or not Albrecht
is aware of the conspiracy.
Recently, Albrecht has declared
a rule of primogeniture, naming his oldest son Wilhelm as his
successor.
Bavaria is a primarily agricultural kingdom, and it produces

some of the finest ales known throughout Europe. In contrast
to rugged Bavarian farmland, Munich, the capital, is very
cosmopolitan. Here the local nobility spend their time
commissioning and attending lavish musical spectacles.
Heinrich Schütz, composer and harpsichordist, is currently
putting the finishing touches on his first opera, influenced by
the compositions coming out of the Venetian Republic.
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Prussia
Capital: Wittenberg
Native Language: German, Polish
Racial Population: 32% orc, 30% dwarf, 28% human, 7%
halfling, 2% goblin, 1% elf
Major Religion: Protestant
The duchy of Prussia is a new kingdom, created as a result

of the Reformation. In decades past, the area was known as
the Teutonic Monastic State of Prussia, under the control of
the orc, Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach, Grand Master of
the Teutonic Knights. (Not to be confused with Albrecht, the
human king of Bavaria.) After some persuasion, Martin Luther
converted Albrecht, convincing him that the Teutonic order
was a thing of the past. With support from the king of Poland,
Albrecht named himself duke of Prussia. Prussia is now a full
Protestant state, and Albrecht has made the Lutheran church
the only lawful church of the kingdom.
Protestantism has spread from Prussia to the rest of the

continent, thanks to the printing press, a device invented in
this area by the dwarf Johannes Gutenberg. Gutenberg profited
greatly from his invention, and his popular folio printing of the
Bible can be purchased throughout Europe.
Saxony
Capital: Leipzig
Native Languages: German, Yiddish
orc, 5% elf, 2% goblin
Sandwiched between Prussia and Austria, and pressured

from both, Saxony is a small duchy ruled by the dwarf known
as Jorge the Bearded. As a youth, Jorge received a superlative
theological education, making him something of a monk-king.
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Jorge is an ardent critic of the Protestant reformation. He even
went so far as to begin a correspondence with Martin Luther
to try to sway the halfling back to Catholicism. Protestantism
is officially illegal in Saxony and is punished swiftly, usually
through banishment.
While Leipzig is the capital and throne of Saxony, Dresden

is the cultural center of the kingdom. Dresden is known for
incredible architecture in service of the church.
Poland
Capital: Krakow
Native Languages: Polish, Yiddish
halfling, 2% elf, 1% goblin
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Catholic
Despite his advanced years, the dwarf King Sigismund I has

welcomed the Renaissance as quickly as any younger monarch.
King Sigismund, “The Old,” is a connoisseur of music, and his
palace at Krakow welcomes both local and foreign musicians.
It is well known that harpsichord compositions are the king’s
favorite and haunting melodies can often be heard echoing
from the palace. Other intellectual and artistic pursuits are
encouraged at nearby Krakow University, where enrollment is
at an all-time high.
Having returned from his

studies in Bologna, Nicolaus
Copernicus has taken a
position as the personal
physician of the Bishop of
Warmia. He has recently
published a manuscript
stating that the sun, not the
Earth, is the center of the
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universe. His idea has been accepted by a few, but the church
violently opposes the theory. Copernicus, a humble man
who doesn’t wish to upset people, is nevertheless gathering
information for a more detailed paper. Copernicus has put
King Sigismund in a difficult position. While the king has
tried to foster an environment of learning and intellectualism,
he is also a devout Catholic. The church is putting enormous
pressure on the dwarf king to silence the revolutionary ideas of
Copernicus.
Hungary
Capital: Budapest
Native Languages: Hungarian, German
Racial Population: 36% human, 25% orc, 20% dwarf, 12%
Major Religions: Catholic, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox
János Szapolyai, the human king of Hungary, rose to power

from the principality Vojvodina in the Carpathian Mountains.
When the Ottoman Empire attacked Hungarian forces at
Mohács, János and his forces were conspicuously absent.
Lacking their help, Hungarian forces were overwhelmed, and
the previous king was slain. After the Ottomans withdrew,
Janos stepped in to fill the vacuum of power. Suspicion still
hangs over János Szapolyai’s reign. It is said he brokered a deal
with the Ottoman Emperor in order to gain the throne.
This bloody history does not define the entire kingdom. Janus
Pannonius, the Bishop of Pecs, is a renowned humanist, poet,
and diplomat. He attended schools in Ferrara and Padua,
and was considered the brightest student of his generation
by his tutors. He maintains his connections with his teachers
and other intellectuals throughout Europe, making him an
influential scholar.
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Muscovy
Capital: Moscow
Native Language: Russian
Racial Population: 46% orc, 32% human, 11% dwarf, 8%
halfling, 2% goblin, 1% elf
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Moslem
This frigid northern land is

the ancestral home of the orcs.
The harsh weather and terrain
of Muscovy have made the
orcs what they are today. Tsar
Ivan IV is the current ruler of
Muscovy. He is often called
“Ivan the Terrible.” For his
Russian orc subjects, “terrible”
refers to Ivan’s glory and might.
For foreigners and minorities,
however, “terrible” has a more
savage meaning. Tsar Ivan IV is
focused on violently expanding
his borders into Poland,
Scandinavia, and beyond.
While most of Europe works to Five of Swords

enlighten minds and souls, Tsar
Ivan seeks military might and
the subjugation of other races and religions. His rein has been
particularly hard on his unfortunate Jewish subjects, who are
not even recognized as citizens. It remains to be seen which
path will lead to the brightest future, but it cannot be denied
that an orcish state spanning millions of acres will be a force to
be reckoned.
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Ottoman Empire
Capital: Istanbul
Native Languages: Turkish, Arabic
Racial Population: 49% goblin, 34% human, 10% dwarf, 5% orc,
1% halfling, 1% elf
Major Religions: Moslem, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish
When the elves fled the sinking Attica Peninsula, the

Ottoman Empire saw it as the perfect opportunity to claim
what remained. So began a period of unrivaled expansion
for the Empire that continues to this day. Led by the goblin
Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent, the Empire is pushing into
Europe, as well as Africa and east toward India. In spite of his
kingdom’s aggressive expansion, Suleiman is not a bloodthirsty
tyrant. His people call him “The Lawmaker,” and he has
reformed taxation and criminal law in his empire. He is also a
great patron of culture and the arts.
Recently, Emperor Suleiman has broken with Ottoman

tradition to marry Roxelana, a slave harem girl. Already
mother to five of his children, Roxelana has great influence
over the Emperor. While she is clearly using her position
for political gain (namely getting one of her sons named as
Suleiman’s heir), she is also a proponent of charity, much to
her detractors’ chagrin. Roxelana has already petitioned the
Emperor to build a madrassa, a women’s hospital, and a public
soup kitchen.
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Chapter Nine
Running the Game
As the GM, you have the daunting but rewarding task of
running Fortune’s Fool! While the players are the main
characters of the story, your job is to supply everything
else. This includes the setting, the background characters,
the villains, and the ever-elusive narrative drive. Running
a successful adventure for the game is as much an art as a
science, and each GM needs to develop their own particular
style, but here are some helpful tips for running Fortune’s Fool.
The Backdrop of the Renaissance

Fortune’s Fool is set in a rich
and flexible time period called
the ‘Fantasy Renaissance.’
This time period is rife with
storylines and themes for
you to mine. The dates of the
period are deliberately vague,
and observation of historical
reality is entirely up to you!
If you want your story to
feature the rescue of Galileo
from the Catholic Church one
session and the kidnapping of
Shakespeare from a rehearsal
of King Lear the next, feel free.
If, on the other hand, you have
a less mercurial relationship
The Tower with history and choose to set
your entire campaign during a
specific era of the Renaissance,
that’s great too. Feel free to use
historical figures that can be robbed, romanced, rescued, or
even ‘removed’ as serves your story.
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Too Early or Too Late?
What is too early or too late to fit into the time period of the
Fantasy Renaissance? It’s up to you. As a general rule, anything
from pumpkin pants to tricorn hats is fair game! If you have
knights on horseback carrying lances, you are probably too
early. Likewise, if your story is set against a Victorian backdrop
with pocket watches and trousers, you have strayed a little late.
Otherwise, the Renaissance is a rich canvas. Have fun with it!
Racism in Europe
In a traditional fantasy game, an orc or goblin is usually a
monster to be killed on sight. But in Renaissance Europe, these
races are not monsters; they are foreigners.
In the east, orcs and goblins are venerated citizens in their

kingdoms. The sultan of the Ottoman Empire is a goblin and
the Muscovite Tsar is an orc. These creatures may not get
fair treatment on the streets of Paris, but they would not be
openly attacked and could expect the same legal protection as
a human or elf.
That said, feel free to play with discrimination in the context

of history. If a Turk in silken garb and fineries strode down the
muddy streets of London, he would attract plenty of stares and
whispers. There’s no reason to lose this! The only difference is
that now the Turk is also a goblin.
Similarly, religious discrimination can lead to good adventure

material. A deft gamemaster can do a lot with religious
persecution. A pogrom against Jews or a witch hunt of Pagans
and Occultists creates a valuable backdrop with real historical
relevance. Just be careful! Let good taste and sensitivity be
your guides. Fortune’s Fool is first and foremost a game.
You may have an ambitious storyline showcasing a divisive
Protestant-Catholic rift in Ireland. Your concept may be bold
and meaningful, but if people walk away with hurt feelings, it
wasn’t worth it!
222
Experience
After each session, you should give the characters experience.
How much you give is up to you, but a range of 2-5 is about
right. The amount of experience should reflect the challenge
and risk of the particular session. If the threat level was great
or an important milestone was reached, you can give a little
more experience than you would for an easier session.
If you are running a very long campaign (15 or more sessions),

you may want to keep the experience per session a little lower.
If, on the other hand, you are running a short campaign (less
than 5 sessions), you can afford to give out a couple more
points per session.
Growing Status and Wealth

Status and Wealth Level cannot be raised by spending
experience, but they can be raised through gameplay. As the
GM, you have the option of creating opportunities for the PCs
to increase Status, Wealth Level, or both!
For example, a cardinal could hire a group of PCs. If they

perform the cardinal’s task perfectly, he will bestow a title or
two in the party. This could be interpreted as Status bonuses
for one or more of the characters. Or perhaps a very wealthy
burgher hires the PCs to track down a stolen masterpiece.
Upon return of the priceless work, he pays such a large sum
that any character with a Wealth Level lower than Wealthy
may raise one Wealth Level.
When raising PC wealth, it should be much harder to move up

in high levels than in low levels. A Destitute character should
be able to move to Poor fairly easily. But it is nearly impossible
for a Rich character to move up to Absurdly Rich!
223
Lethality
Fortune’s Fool is a dangerous game. From razor-sharp fencing
blades to potent firearms, the weapons of the Renaissance are
deadly. Hit points are limited, and the Death card is always
somewhere in that deck. That said, with Fate Points, Fortune
Counters, and Fate Twists, the game is certainly slanted toward
the players.
Player death is a brutal part of the game, but it is also what

gives the story edge and integrity. If too many characters die,
players lose faith in the game and the story falls apart. On the
other hand, if no character ever dies, the stakes shrink and the
crucial element of risk disappears.
When a character dies, the unfortunate player will have

to generate a new character as they did at the start of your
campaign. Depending on how much experience your average
character has, you may want to give the player some starting
experience to cushion the painful blow of losing a character.
Just how lethal your Fortune’s Fool campaign will be is up to

you, but as a general rule, character death is like strong hot
sauce. A drop adds a lot, but too much spoils the dish!
Making a New Character During Play

If a character dies early in the evening or if a new player joins
your party, a character may need to be made while gameplay
is happening. If one of your players needs to make a new
character during play, don’t let it interrupt the flow! They
should pull cards from the same Fate Deck everyone is using.
224
Fate Tests: A Gamemaster’s Ally
As a GM, you can’t prepare for everything. Players will always
surprise you with unexpected plans, actions, and questions.
The ingeniousness of your players is not to be feared; it’s a
beautiful part of collaborative storytelling! Fortune’s Fool
provides you with a great tool to answer these unexpected
issues—the Fate Test.
You may have drawn a detailed map of a city street, but then
a player surprises you by asking if he can find a grate on the
street that leads to the sewers. You didn’t see it coming, but
you have to acknowledge it’s a good idea. You could certainly
exercise your GM power and declare that such a grate simply
exists or not, and that might be the best answer for you. But
you can also answer with a Fate Test. The player wants a grate
to the sewers? Put it up to chance! If they turn a card and get
Fortune Shines or Smiles, give them their sewer grate. If not,
there’s no grate and they have to find a different route.
Use the Fate Test when it makes sense, but don’t let it spoil
your story. A sewer grate on a city street is a very reasonable
idea, but if that player had asked if there was a winged horse
on the street you don’t need a test. You already know the
answer!
Social Skills Versus Roleplaying

A classic conundrum that confronts players and GMs alike
is the use of skills like Charm, Deception, and Intimidation
versus inspired roleplaying. If one of your PCs wants to use
their Charm skill on an NPC, how much do you require of
them? Do you make them play out the charm or are you
satisfied by the player simply saying, “I charm him!” Likewise,
what do you do with the player who doesn’t have the social skill
but roleplays so well they seem to conjure the skill at the table?
225
These are tough questions and the answer ultimately lies with
you. Good roleplaying should always be rewarded, but you
can’t allow it to substitute for a skill. You also can’t expect your
players to be Laurence Olivier or Meryl Streep! On the other
hand, a social skill isn’t a gun with a trigger you pull. If a player
wants to use deceit or charm on someone, at least make them
offer up the actual words they use.
Honoring Player Investment

Many magic rituals require burning a Fortune as a sacrifice.
Magic users might create brooms, familiars, staffs and more.
As the GM, you could create storylines that destroy these
things, but what fun is that? You can threaten these things,
kidnap them, and even hide
them to propel the story,
but you should be extremely The Players Are
reluctant—even to the point The Stars
of flexing the confines of You must balance your story ideas
reality—to destroy them! against the unpredictable actions
of the PCs. Whatever happens,
remember that the story has to
To a lesser extent, this is also be about the PCs! If you had an
true of hounds, hawks, and encounter planned at the theatre,
steeds. If a player invests in and they go to the park instead,
Horsemanship and names then the park is what matters. You
either need to move your encounter,
a horse, honor that effort. or find another way to forward the
Rather than getting rid of story in the park. Unpredictable
the animal, try to find ways PC behavior is part of what makes
to make the creature a part roleplaying exciting!
of your story!
226
The Tarot Deck
You or one of your players will have to provide a Tarot deck to
play Fortune’s Fool. There is enormous variety among Tarot
decks. Use your favorite, or switch it up!
Whatever deck you use needs to have 78 Cards with 22 Major

Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The deck should have four
suits of Minor Arcana with four face cards in each suit and
numbered cards ace through 10.
Some terms vary from deck to deck.Here are some of the more
common variations.
• The suit Pentacles is often called Coins or Discs.
• The suit Wands is often called Rods or Batons.
• The Hierophant (V) and the High Priestess (II) are
sometimes called the Pope and Popess.
• Death (XIII) is sometimes called Change (yes, seriously).
Some decks will completely drop the traditional tarot names

and use new names specific to their particular themes. This
kind of deck is not recommended, but you may use it if you are
a glutton for punishment! You will have to spend a lot of time
mapping the terms on your cards back to the text of the game.
The Tarot deck you use each session in Fortune’s Fool is called
the Fate Deck. At the start of each session, you should shuffle
up the Fate Deck thoroughly then have one of your players cut
it. This is true any time you shuffle the deck, be it from the
Wheel of Fortune or a Fate Twist. The Fate Deck is for a given
session only. If you have to end a session early before the end
of your story or even in the middle of a fight, you still shuffle
the deck at the beginning of the next session.
227
Player Versus Player
In Fortune’s Fool, players will normally use their skills, spells,
and combat abilities against NPCs. When they attack an
enemy, they make a draw based on their Hand or Ranged
Attack score. If an enemy attacks them, they draw based on
their Dodge or Parry. However, sometimes players will have
occasion to work against each other or even attack each other
directly. If a player attempts an action opposed by another
player, the following rules apply.
The player that is the aggressor on each action makes the draw
according to that player’s character’s skills and Fate structure.
For example, a player would make a Hand Attack draw to hit
another player with a sword. The other player would not draw
based on their Dodge. If the attack is a success and is a Fortune
Smiles for the attacking character, it deals damage as a Fortune
Smiles regardless of what the card is for the character being
attacked. If fate is twisted, the Fate Twists are resolved in the
order in which they were declared.
This does not, however, mean that the abilities of the character
being attacked are not a factor. Compare the stat the defending
character would normally draw if being attacked by an NPC
to the attacking character’s stat (Dodge vs. Hand Attack, for
instance). If it is equal or lower, the attacking character makes
a standard draw. If it is higher, the attacking character has a
-2 penalty to the draw. If it is double or more, the attacking
character must make a black double draw.
For example, suppose Rob’s character tries to sneak up on a

fellow player character. Ismara has a Stealth of 6. If his target has
a Perception of 6 or less, Rob makes a straight Stealth draw. If his
target’s Perception is 7 through 11, Rob’s Stealth draw suffers a -2
penalty. If his target’s Perception is 12 or greater (unlikely!), Rob
would black double draw at 6.
228
Playing the Villains
Okay GMs, eventually you are going to want to hit the PCs with
some bad guys! Fortune’s Fool is written from the point of view
of the player character. This makes the creation of NPCs very
simple.
Other than Hit Points The Reward of +1

and Movement, all NPC In Fortune’s Fool, giving a PC +1
statistics can be expressed increases their chance of success
by about 5%. This is a pretty small
as a simple modifier to PC
value, but it feels great. So if one
abilities. The default value of your players takes an inspired
for this modifier should be action, give them the +1! Their
+0 unless the NPC has a play gets rewarded, and it doesn’t
fairly exceptional ability. compromise the game balance.
For example, you decide to

throw a big, fat, drunken dwarf at the PCs in a tavern. Quickly,
you give the dwarf the name Gilgamoor. You decide that
Gilgamoor is a pretty good fighter. If he was a PC, he would
have a very good Hand Attack. This translates into a minus to
PC Dodges, so you give him a -2 modifier to PC Dodge in melee
combat. This means that PCs take a -2 penalty to Dodge or
parry against the dwarf’s attacks.
You could have given Gilgamoor a modifier to PC Attack or PC

Spells as well. But you felt that the only really notable thing
about Gilgamoor was his ability to attack well. The rest of his
abilities can default to +0.
Next you need to give Gilgamoor some Hit Points. An NPC’s

Hit Points are up to you, but you should be guided by some
racial averages, which are listed on the following page. Keep in
mind that the max values are for the largest specimens of the
race. Like a PC, NPCs are incapacitated at 0 Hit Points. The
death threshold for an NPC is up to you, but -10 is the average
value.
229
Average Average
Race Max HP Race Max HP
HP HP
Human 22 40 Halfling 20 38
Elf 21 34 Orc 24 42
Dwarf 28 46 Goblin 17 35
You decide that Gilgamoor is a very big dwarf. You take the
base 28 for Dwarf and throw on another 6 hit points for a total
of 34. This makes him big, but by no means ridiculous. You
also need to give Gilgamoor a movement rate. He’s a pretty fat
dwarf—call it 5 strides.
Finally you need to give Gilgamoor a weapon. Since this is a bar

fight, you decide that he tears off a chair leg to use as a club.
All you need to know is how much damage the weapon does.
A club normally does 3 + ½ Body. Given Gilgamoor’s size, you
figure his Body is 10, so his club will do a base damage of 8
blunt damage.
Of course, NPCs don’t all need to be club-wielding thugs.

Whatever a player character can do a non-player character can
do. You can give an NPC martial skills, spells from a magic
list, or something entirely fantastic. Just remember, that if you
want your NPC to be good at something, it translates into a
penalty on PC draws.
For example, suppose you wanted to introduce an Elven Cloak

that hides its wearer. As long as a PC has it on, she gets +3 to
her Stealth draws. Now suppose this same cloak were draped
across the shoulders of an NPC sneaking up on a player. The
PC would receive a -3 penalty to her Perception draw to notice
the villain.
230
G unter stumbled through the woods, the beast not far
behind him. The treetops shuddered with gusts from
its powerful wings. Looking back toward his pursuer,
Gunter tripped on an exposed root and sprawled face first
into the dirt. A bright flash of pain blinded him as his
teeth smashed together. His head swam, and he nearly
blacked out. With a grunt, he willed himself to stay
conscious and struggled to his feet. He could taste blood
from where he had bitten his tongue. Somewhere behind
him, the beast roared, and Gunter began moving again.
“This is madness, Gunter!” Agneth cried, puling at his

tunic. “To venture alone into the woods to hunt for some…”
Gunter looked up from his bow. “Dragon?” he laughed.
“I know not, but the tales!”
“Are exactly that, Agneth. Tales. Most like it is merely a
wolf or bear driven mad with hunger.”
“Hungry enough to attack whole trade caravans?”
“Aye. Desperation can lead to fearlessness.” He set down
his bow, and took his young wife by the shoulders. “You worry
too much, my love.”
Halfway across the stream, Gunter slipped on a

mossy rock and his feet were swept out from under him.
He swallowed a lungful of icy water as the current took
hold of him. A sharp stone cut his arm as he splashed
about. Moments passed as Gunter finally regained his
balance. Drenched, he clambered out of the water to find
he was just steps from a large black bear. It snuffed at
the air and growled. Gunter reached for the knife at his
belt, but found nothing. It must have washed away in the
stream. The bear reared up and bellowed, about to strike.
Suddenly, a shadow passed, and the bear howled.
Gunter felt a spray of hot blood across his face. When he
opened his eyes, the mangled corpse of the bear lay on
the ground. Without thinking, Gunter dove back into the
woods and fled again.
231
The old woman stood in the middle of the road, waving a
totem made from bark and string. “Beware! Beware! Wings like
shadow! Razor talons! Poison tail! Beware the wyvern!”
Gunter let go of his horse’s reins, took the old woman
by the hand, and led her to the doorway of her nearby hut.
“Woman, no one has seen a wyvern in over three generations.
They have long been driven from these woods.”
“Nay!” shouted the old woman, her one milky white eye
looking straight at Gunter. “From their caves, they wake! They
prowl! They feed!”
He left the madwoman to her ranting. Her words shook
Gunter for a moment, but he knew they were nonsense. After all,
he was the greatest hunter in the region. He smiled to himself
and led his sturdy horse to the edge of town.
Gunter broke through the tree line and staggered

into a wide clearing. The floor of the clearing was covered
with white branches glinting in the moonlight. The woods
on the far side looked very thick. They would provide
a perfect hiding place from the beast! Behind him, he
heard the crunch of the beast smashing through branches
searching for him. He sprinted with all his strength,
hoping to cross the clearing before it saw him. With luck,
he would reach the safety of the dense woods.
Then the trees ahead of him began to sway. He
could see the barest outline of something moving in the
woods. He stopped in his tracks. Ahead of him another
beast emerged, crying in triumph. The shape swooping in
behind him gave an answering call. Gunter’s mouth gaped
open. There were two of them. As he fell to his knees to
pray, he noticed that the branches littering the area were
not branches at all. The clearing was covered in bones.
Gunter swung himself up into the saddle, waved to the

crowd, and blew a hearty note on his polished horn. “Let the
hunt begin!” he cried before riding off.
232
Chapter Ten
Bestiary
There are still wild places in Europe. Trolls lurk on desolate
roadways, and wolf howls shatter the peace of slumbering
campsites. In places hidden and forgotten, ancient creatures
wait for those who would interrupt their repose. In some
dreary lands, the dead themselves rise from their wormy beds
to plague the living. The Renaissance is not all courtly masques
and snifters of brandy! Fantastic and fearsome creatures
menace the wild lands of Europe and beyond.
As well as a description, each entry in this bestiary lists Hit

Points, a Movement rate, an Attack of some sort, and any
special abilities. Hit Points are listed two ways—as a range and
an average. For example, Bears have Hit Points: 44-60 (52).
A small black bear would have 44 hit points, whereas a huge
grizzly could have 60. Unless specified, a monster referenced
by a spell or skill has the average listed Hit Points. Unlike PCs
and NPCs, monster Hit Points do not go negative. When a
monster reaches 0 hit points, they are destroyed. As the GM,
you may alter this rule for special monsters as you see fit.
233
Animals
Animals are the natural beasts that dwell in the wilds. These
creatures do not use tools or weapons nor do they wear clothes
or carry armor. They are neither good nor evil, but are guided
by the instincts of the wild. Animals may be targeted by the
Wiccan Craft spell Animal Control.
Bears
From small black bears to giant grizzlies, bears of all kind
roam the woodlands of Europe. These carnivores are usually
timid, unless they are provoked into action to protect their lair
or young. Massive claws and large, powerful bodies make them
fearsome killers when enraged.
Hit Points: 44-60 (52)
Movement: 12 strides
Attack: Bears have a natural maul attack that does base 14
lethal damage. Because of their size and ferocity, PCs are at a
–2 to dodge bear attacks.
Defense: Because of their size, PCs get a +1 bonus to attack
bears.
Special: Bears have 1 point of natural armor and the Critical
Wound Fate Test must be black double drawn in their favor.
Feral Cats
Feral cats are small predators that prowl uncivilized lands.
These cats, such as lynxes and ocelots, live mostly in the
mountainous regions of Europe.
Attack: Feral cats have a natural maul attack that does base 7
lethal damage.
Defense: Because of their speed and size, PCs take a -2 penalty
to attack feral cats.
234
Wolves
While wolves range mostly in wild lands, there is no kingdom
in Europe that does not have at least some population of
these predators. Wolves are hunted extensively as menaces to
livestock, but their numbers still grow. Hunting in packs with
speed and cunning, wolves can take down large and dangerous
prey. A single wolf is not too formidable, but they are rarely
encountered alone. More often they hunt in pairs or sizable
packs.
Attack: Wolves have a natural bite attack that does base 6
lethal damage. This damage increases to 9 against prone
targets.
Defense: Because of their speed, PCs take a -1 penalty to attack
wolves.
Special: Two or more wolves may act in concert to attack a
single foe. PCs must black double draw their dodge against
this attack, and if they fail, they take normal damage from a
single bite and are knocked prone.
Natural Monsters
Natural monsters are sentient creatures of the wild. Unlike
animals, many natural monsters can use tools and weapons,
wear armor and clothing, and are capable of understanding
good and evil.
Basilisks
Basilisks live in very hot climates—deserts and swamps. The
basilisk is sometimes called “the king of serpents” because of
its crown-shaped crest. They are large lizards with six to eight
legs. They are fonts of poison, and it is said that meeting their
gaze invites death. Basilisks hunt alone. Once fed, the lizards
often sleep for months at a time. A basilisk’s poison sacs can be
harvested with a successful Survival draw. This grants the user
a double draw to Poisons for 3 uses.
235
Movement: 7 strides
Attack: A natural bite attack using poisoned teeth that does
base 8 lethal damage, plus 1 poison damage every other
round thereafter. This poison may be treated as a normal
poisoning (see Poisons skill).
Defense: None
Special: The basilisk’s gaze seems to attract death. During a
combat with a basilisk, all PCs must black double draw Fate
Test for any Critical Wound they take. The basilisk’s scales
give it 2 points of natural armor.
Giants
Giants are enormous, towering man-like creatures that are
incredibly rare. Once these ancient creatures had kingdoms
of their own, but now they are found only in the most remote
regions of upper Scandinavia. A giant resembles a human or
dwarf in features, but stands 12 feet tall or more! They have
heavy beards and stout limbs. In ancient times, giants made
clothing and even forged weapons and armor. Many still carry
these oversized relics. Giants are not necessarily good or evil,
but they are extremely distrustful of other races. They are
not stupid but are quite simple in their thinking. Like elves,
giants are immortal creatures. Some have lived for countless
centuries. But they have gradually died out or been hunted
until only a handful remain.
Movement: 9 strides
Attack: A giant’s weapons are usually oversized weapons from
ancient times. These weapons cannot be parried.
Oversized Chainmace: 28 blunt damage
Oversized Greatsword: 24 lethal damage
Defense: Because of their massive size, PCs get a +2 bonus to
attack giants.
Special: The typical giant wears about 2 points of armor.
236
Trolls
Though much smaller than giants,
trolls are still massive monsters.
The origin of trolls is unknown,
but it is believed they are castoffs
from the Fey world. Fearing the
sun, trolls hide by day in caves,
under bridges, and in the darkest
nooks and crannies of Europe. At
night they emerge to stalk and steal
to satisfy their massive appetites.
Standing 8 feet tall or more, trolls
have thick, mottled grey-green
hides, pockmarked with pustules,
scars, and bony protrusions. Trolls
have the intelligence level of a
mean-spirited child. Trolls are solitary and reclusive creatures,
but they are far from harmless. Not as dim and brutish as they
look, they possess a cruel cunning. Underestimating them is a
mistake. Once a troll has been lured out of its hiding place, it
is a fearsome foe.
Movement: 11 strides.
Attack: Trolls use a variety of weapons. They favor two-handed
weapons that let them leverage their massive strengths.
Two-Handed Club: 18 blunt damage
Two-Handed Axe: 20 lethal damage
Defense: Because of their size, PCs get a +1 bonus to attack
trolls.
Special: As long as they have at least 1 hit point, trolls have a
potent regeneration ability. They regenerate 1 hit point each
round and the Critical Effect Fate Test must be black double
drawn in their favor. This ability does not work in the light of
the sun.
237
Wyverns
The wyvern is a horrifying winged lizard with two legs. It
is often mistaken for a small dragon, but it is, in fact, quite
different. Wyverns are not scaly creatures, but have black,
leathery skin like a bat’s. They also do not breathe fire, but a
caustic mist. Most importantly, while a dragon is immortal, a
wyvern will eventually die of old age. They cannot use tools or
weapons, so if they have to carry something it must be in their
oversized jaws. Wyverns are about the size of a large horse, but
they are actually quite light and almost fragile creatures. They
are shrewd hunters, though, and occasionally attack in pairs.
Movement: Fly
Attack: Wyverns have a natural bite attack that does base 10
lethal damage. If the wyvern misses with this attack, it makes
a follow-up attack with its spiked tail that does base 6 lethal
damage.
Defense: None
Special: A wyvern’s tough skin gives them 1 point of natural
armor. The wyvern also has an acid breath weapon it may use
1 time per combat as a major action. This acid breath has a
range of up to 10 strides and is a -3 for a PC to dodge because
of its spread. The acid takes effect on the PC’s next action
after the breath and lasts for a length of time depending on
the PC’s failed Dodge draw as follows.
238
F�� S��: Acid effects last 3 rounds.
F�� F��: Acid effects last 5 rounds.
F�� W��: Acid effects last 7 rounds.
Each round, the PC takes 2 hit points of damage and must
make a Heart draw to act in spite of the incapacitating pain. If
successful, the PC may act, but may only take a single action
(major or minor) each round. Acid damage ignores armor.
Unnatural Monsters
Unnatural monsters are those creatures that only exist on earth
through supernatural forces. Demons, the undead, and other
aberrations are included in this category. Unnatural monsters
are not living. As such, they do not suffer the negative effects
of the Death card.
The Golem
The Golem is an animated anthropomorphic being created
from stone and clay. The Golem is summoned through
a Hebrew ritual. The Golem has hands, but does not use
weapons. The Golem is not living, but it is not considered
undead either. Immune to magic, the Golem is slow but nearly
unstoppable.
Hit Points: 65
Movement: 3
Attack: The Golem has a natural slam attack that does base 16
blunt damage.
Defense: Because of their slow speed, PCs get a +2 bonus to
attack the Golem.
Special: Golems have 3 points of natural armor and take only
hit point damage from Critical wounds. Golems are not
considered living creatures. Golems are immune to magic,
Latin, and Hebrew.
239
Demons
A demon is an underworld denizen summoned onto the earth
through supernatural power. Demons have many earthly
immunities and resistances, but holy rituals, blessed weapons,
and magic are very effective against them. Demons are
intelligent and can speak any languages their conjurer speaks.
Hell is populated by an incredible variety of demons that can
manifest upon the earth. Many demons have wings and can
fly. Some demons have potent arcane abilities and vast stores
of knowledge. Two of the most common (and least dangerous)
demonic specimens are listed here.
All demons have the following special traits:

• Demons are immune to fire.
• Demons take half damage from normal weapons.
• Demons take full damage from weapons that are ancient,
consecrated, or enchanted.
• Demons only suffer the hit point portion of critical wounds.
• When a demon reaches 0 hit points, it is exorcised back to
Hell.
Demonic Imps
The imp is a tiny
demon no taller
than two feet. The
imp is the easiest
demon to summon
and control. The
imp has very little
physical strength,
but it is still a nasty
creature.
Movement: Fly
240
Attack: The imp cannot use weapons. The imp has a natural
maul attack that does base 6 lethal damage. This attack is
considered enchanted.
Defense: Because of their speed and size, PCs take a -2 penalty
to attack imps.
Minor Demons
The minor demon is larger than an imp, but is still a small
demon. A minor demon is about the same size as a small
human.
Movement: Fly
Attack: The minor demon cannot use weapons. The minor
demon has a natural maul attack that does base 11 lethal
damage. This attack is considered enchanted.
Defense: None
The Undead
The undead are beings trapped between the world of the living
and the peace of the grave. They exist in many forms, whether
animated by a necromantic spell, unable to rest because of
some unfulfilled purpose, or created by some other macabre
means. Some roam freely, while others are anchored to a single
spot; some possess vast cunning, while others are mindless
killers. No matter what form they take, all undead are wholly
unnatural beings.
All undead have the following special traits:

• The undead take half damage from normal weapons.
• The undead take full damage from weapons that are
ancient, consecrated, or enchanted.
• The undead only suffer the hit point portion of critical
wounds.
• When an undead creature reaches 0 hit points, it is
destroyed.
241
Banshees
The banshee appears as a pale
woman shrouded in mist,
her eyes filled with despair.
These spirits are usually
found near burial sites, but
can be summoned as a curse.
These creatures only appear
at night, and they only appear
alone. While the banshee
can be physically harmed
with weapons, unless the
curse is removed or the spirit
put to rest with consecrated
weapons, it will rematerialize
the next night after being
vanquished.
Movement: Fly
Attack: The Banshee has a natural maul attack that does
base 8 lethal damage. This attack ignores all armor and is
considered enchanted.
Defense: None
Special: Once per combat as a major action, a banshee may
make a wailing doom attack, which targets all living beings
within earshot. Each target must make a Heart test or be
doomed until the next sunrise. Doomed characters must
black double draw all actions. Elves are immune to this
attack.
Ghouls
Ghouls were once normal living beings. These creatures
resorted to unspeakable rituals to achieve immortality. Now
they are dead things, consumed with an unending appetite
for flesh of their own kind. No matter how much they devour,
they can never be sated. Packs of ghouls lurk in dilapidated
cemeteries and near battlefields. Ghouls possess a measure
242
of cleverness, and can talk. They frequently band together
to overwhelm their prey. Sometimes they disguise their
emaciated forms to lure unwary victims to secluded places
to feed on them. Ghouls are terrified of the sun. When in
sunlight, they will focus all their energy on escape.
Movement: 8
Attack: Ghouls have a natural bite attack that does base 6
lethal damage. Ghouls sometimes steal weapons from graves
and burial mounds. Ghouls are not enormously strong, so
they usually use small weapons.
Dagger: 8 lethal damage
Light Spear: 6 lethal damage
Defense: None
Special: In any round that a ghoul has successfully used its bite
attack, it heals 3 hit points.
The Walking Dead

The walking dead are corpses that have been animated
through unholy magic. Walking dead created from the bodies
of the recently deceased can pass for alive, though their stench
usually gives them away. Other walking dead exist in various
phases of physical decomposition with rotting flesh, discolored
eyes, and open wounds. They are incapable of communication
and show no signs of personality. Usually, the walking dead
must be given commands by the one that created them, but
occasionally they break free to shamble about the countryside,
attacking the living on sight.
Movement: 5
Attack: The walking dead may use any melee weapons their
masters give them. They are very strong. Some typical
weapons might include:
Heavy Spear: 13 lethal damage
Two-Handed Axe: 16 lethal damage
Defense: Because of their shambling speed, PCs get a +1 to
attack the walking dead.
243
Name:
Race: Gender:
Age: Size:
Birthright: Environment:
Social Class: Religion:
Experience Points:
Agility Body Heart Perception Status Martial Training

Primi
Dodge Hand Ranged Mouement Initiatiue Stealth Hit Pointß

Secondi
I - Magician VII - Chariot XV - Deuil

II - High Prießteßß VIII - Strength XVII - Star
III - Empreßß IX - Hermit XVIII - Moon
IV - Emperor XI - Jvßtice XIX - Svn
V - Hierophant XII - Hanged Man XX - Jvdgement
VI - Louerß XIV - Temperance XXI - World
Cvpß Swordß Pentacleß Wandß

Fortvne Fortvne Fortvne Fortvne
Name Draw
Languages
Skill Expertiße Literate? Yes No
None
LMH
Damage
Redvction
Armor Worn WealthLeuel

Damage
Weapons Hit Parry Type Range Frownß Smileß Critical
B/L
B/L
B/L
B/L
B/L
B/L
Range Modifiers
Weapon More than
1-10 Strides 11-30 Strides
Range 30 Strides
Black Double
Throw -1 NA
Draw
Black Double
Short +0 -1
Draw
Long +0 +0 -1
Ranged Circumstantial Modifiers

Circumstance Ranged Attack Modifier
Your target is in melee
-2*
combat or grappled
Your target is in light cover -1
Your target is in heavy cover Black Double Draw
Your target is prone -2
You have aimed at the target Double Draw

melee combatant without this modifier.
Melee Circumstantial Modifiers
Circumstance Hand Attack Modifier
Your target is prone +2
You have the target ‘on point’ Double Draw
You are attempting to grapple
+2
as your attack
Your target is grappled with
-2*
another combatant
grappling combatant without this modifier.
Dodge Circumstantial Modifiers

Circumstance Dodge Modifier
+2
attacker’s ranged attack.
-2
attacker’s hand attack.
Your attacker has you ‘on
Black Double Draw
point’
Your attacker has established
Black Double Draw
an aim on you
You are full dodging Double Draw
Your attacker is attempting to
-2
grapple you
You are taken completely by Black Double Draw (and you
surprise cannot use parry or shield)
You are in light cover against
+1
a ranged attacker
You are in heavy cover against
Double Draw
a ranged attacker
PC Deals Critical Wound
Lethal Blunt
Fate Test
Fortune Weeps No Effect No Effect
Fortune Frowns No Effect Stun
Fortune Smiles Stun Stun
Fortune Shines Death Incapacitation
Death Death Death
PC Suffers Critical Wound

Lethal Blunt
Fate Test
Fortune Weeps Death Incapacitation
Fortune Frowns Stun Stun
Fortune Smiles No Effect Stun
Fortune Shines No Effect No Effect
Death Death Death
Action Examples
Major Actions Minor Actions
Attack Normal move
Cast a Thought Spell Draw a weapon
Cast a Word Spell Draw spell components
Begin Full Dodging Load a normal bow or sling
Load a normal crossbow Mount or dismount a horse
Taking Aim Recover from prone
Maintaining Aim Pick up a weapon
Full Round Actions Free Actions
Full Move Speak a phrase
Load a Firearm (1 of 2) Drop prone
Cast an Incant spell (1 of 3) Move 1 stride*
Drop a weapon
Cast a Reflex spell
*This must be your only movement that round.
PC Blunder Table
PC Weapon
Fate Test
Fortune
Shines
Fortune PC drops
No effect PC drops firearm
Smiles weapon
The firearm is
Fortune PC falls PC weapon destroyed and PC
Frowns prone broken takes ×½ firearm
damage
The firearm is
PC weapon
Fortune PC falls destroyed and PC
broken and
Weeps prone takes ×1 firearm
PC falls prone
damage
Attacking NPC Blunder Table

NPC Weapon
Fate Test
NPC weapon The firearm is
Fortune NPC falls broken and destroyed and NPC
Shines prone NPC falls takes ×1 firearm
prone damage
The firearm is
Fortune NPC falls NPC weapon destroyed and PC
Smiles prone broken takes ×½ firearm
damage
Fortune NPC drops
No effect NPC drops firearm
Frowns weapon
Fortune
Weeps

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To Paul and Erica and Tom

and all those who play games

“Fortune sides with him who dares.”

“What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

Character Sheet and Incidentals

Copyright © 2010 Pantheon Press, LLC

After a couple swallows of brandy (thank Christ), Cleo

Black Double Draw: Certain unfortunate situations force you

Boneyard: The boneyard is the discard pile of the Fate

Discard Fortune: If you are a spellcaster, many spells will

Double Draw: Certain situations allow your character a

Fate Pool: Your character’s Fate Pool is determined during

Fate Twists: You gain Fate Twists during character creation.

Fortune Burn: Some spells or special circumstances may

Fortune Counter: Whenever you draw a Fortune Shines, you

Fortune Shines, Smiles, Frowns, and Weeps: During

Agility represents your character’s physical grace and dexterity.

With the exception of Martial Training, these statistics

As you complete each step, you should keep track of the

Time to get started!

Step 1: Choose Your Character’s Race

In Fortune’s Fool, you have six playable character races to

Humans may be found in every region of Europe, North Africa,

Human Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Cups, Pentacles, Wands

Skills: Choose 1 of {Construction, Language, Sailing}

Note: If you are an elf, skip choices 4 and 5 (age and

Elven Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Swords

Skills: Choose 1 of {Charm, Literacy, Scholarship}

Elves do not take an Age Category or Birthright. Elves get 1

Dwarven Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Cups, Pentacles

Skills: Choose 1 of {Construction, Driver, Survival}

Because of their short stature, dwarves have -1 Movement for

Halﬂing Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Cups, Swords

Skills: Choose 1 of {Art, Culinary, Etiquette, Stealth Expert,

Because of their short stature, halflings have -1 Movement for

Orcish Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Pentacles, Wands

Orcs get 1 point of Natural Armor.

Goblin Racial Traits

Fortune Smiles: Cups, Swords, Wands

Skills: Choose 1 of {Assassin, Deception, Sleight of Hand}

Because of their sharp teeth, goblins have a natural bite

Step 2: Choose Your Character’s Gender

Fortune Shines: None

Fortune Shines: Empress (III), Lovers (VI)

When Rob sat down, he hadn’t thought much about gender.

Step 3: Choose Your Character’s Size

Fortune Shines: Star (XVII)

Fortune Shines: High Priestess (II), Star (XVII)

Fortune Shines: Temperance (XIV), Judgment (XX),

Fortune Shines: Emperor (IV), Strength (VIII)

Fortune Shines: Strength (VIII)

Rob is growing concerned about his goblin’s Body statistic.

Step 4: Choose Your Character’s Age

Fortune Shines: Magician (I), High Priestess (II),

Fortune Shines: Lovers (VI), Star (XVII)

Fortune Shines: Emperor (IV)

Fortune Shines: Hierophant (V)

Fortune Shines: Hierophant (V), Hermit (IX),

Step 5: Choose Your Character’s Birthright

Pantheon Press - Fortune's Fool

Pantheon Press - Fortune's Fool