Creating a Character
1. DETERMINE CHARACTER CONCEPT
AND BACKGROUND
Before you start looking at Species/Archetype and Careers,
start thinking about what kind of character you want to
be. The system is flexible enough to cover most concepts
through a combination of career and skill training.
2. SELECT A SPECIES/ARCHETYPE
Select the Species/Archetype you will be playing. This
determines your base characteristics, as well as any special
abilities you may have and how many experience points you
have to spend during character creation. See the Species/
Archetype section.
3. SELECT A CAREER
Select your career. Your career determines your career skills,
which are easier to advance in as you gain experience than
non-career skills. Your career also gives you a small talent
tree, with Career specific talents and a bonus to your wound
and/or strain threshold. Lastly, your career also determines
which specializations you may pick from for your starting
specialization.
You only ever get one career, but you will be able to get
specializations outside of that career if desired.
4. SELECT A SPECIALIZATION
Select your specialization from the ones available from
within your career. Your specialization gives you four more
career skills, and your talent tree.
You will be able to purchase additional specializations later
with experience points, even those from another career. See
the Career section.
5. INVEST EXPERIENCE POINTS
You may spend the additional experience points to improve
the character as described in the above table. Any XP you
do not spend can be used at a later time, and you will gain
more experience points to spend at the end of each session
or adventure.
6. DETERMINE DERIVED ATTRIBUTES
Fill in the calculated values for Wound Threshold and
Strain Threshold as described by your Species/Archetype,
and calculate your Soak, which is equal to your Brawn, but
may be modified later by talents or armor.
7. DETERMINE MOTIVATION
Determine why your character adventures and what their
goals are. The random motivations from the tables in the
FFG books work well, or you can develop your own moti-
vation.
8. DETERMINE FAVOR/ALIGNMENT
Favor is is a way of tracking and defining who owes your
character favors, and what favors your character owes other
people.
Alignment is a way to measure how a character acts in
accordance with a moral code and the internal conflicts
they may face.
9. CHOOSE EQUIPMENT AND
APPEARANCE
Each starting character gets a set of items based on their
career. If you would like, you can forgo this and get 1000
gold to purchase initial weapons, armor, and gear. See the
Equipment section.
10. DETERMINE GROUP RESOURCE
Each group should get some kind of group resource to help
tie them together. This can range from a base of operations,
a mentor or benefactor, a cache of items, or a map leading
to some ancient ruins or treasure.
The Gamemaster has final say on what this resource is.
EXAMPLE OF PLAY
The Gamemaster (GM), Dennis, is running a game for the
four people, playing as the following characters:
Jordan, playing Liam, a Human Fighter-Champion
Sean, playing Sister Lana, a Aasimar Cleric-Priest
Ingrith, playing Penny, a Gnome Rogue-Swashbuckler
Ed, playing Milo, a Halfling Bard-College of Glamour
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 Dennis (GM): “You follow the hooded figure into the
alleyway. The buildings around here are fairly run down,
two-story structures. You know you must be getting close
to the docks as well, as you can smell the saltwater and
hear the bells of ships coming into port. The alley seems to
be mostly filled with refuse, and turns to the right about
twenty feet ahead of you. You don’t see anyone in the alley,
not even the one you followed here. What do you do?”
Ed (Milo): “Now where did he get off to? I give a quick
look around before moving in there. I don’t want to get
caught in an ambush.”
Dennis (GM): “OK then, make me a Perception check.
The difficulty is Average, so add two purple dice to your
pool. It’s pretty dark out, so also add a setback- one black
die.”
Ed (Milo): “So, my dice are two yellow and one green plus
the two purples and one black…” ~rolls dice~ “...so after
everything cancels, I have one Success and two Advantage
left. What do I see?”
Dennis (GM): “You see a figure huddled into a very dark
alcove right around the bend in the alley, clearly trying to
stay out of sight. You can’t see him well enough to make
out any of his features, but you are pretty sure it’s the cut-
purse you followed in here. “
Ed (Milo): “There he is! I point him out to the others.”
Dennis (GM): “No problem; they can now all see him.
What about your two advantages?”
Ed (Milo): “Hmm. What about if I spot some cover
between him and us that I could duck behind?”
Dennis (GM): That will work. You luck out and spot some
old, mostly broken crates that someone left here. They look
like they might give just enough of a blind spot for you
to hide. You dive down behind there to take cover. The
hooded figure stands up and takes an aggressive stance,
drawing a short sword from underneath his cloak.
Those of you still at the entry to the alley hear some heavy
bootsteps coming up behind you, as well as what a cacoph-
ony of high pitched, screeching sounds- it sounds like there
is company headed your way.
You have a few seconds before they get here- we’ll roll for
initiative after the rest of you take one action. What are you
each going to do?”
Jordan (Liam): “I’ll get the ones coming up behind us! I
want to see if I can get the high ground- maybe climb up
to a second story landing or something to get the drop on
them.”
Ingrith (Penny): “I draw my hatchets and run forward,
throwing one at the enemy in the alley.”
Sean (Sister Lana): I’m going to move forward a little and
get out of way. I also want to use my Divine magic to put
a protective ward on Liam.”
Dennis (GM): That all sounds good. Penny, you run for-
ward, gripping your hatchets comfortably. You move into
short range and throw one end over end. Since its short
2
range, the difficulty is one purple die, but he has some
armor, so you get one black setback die as well. Sister
Lana, go ahead and make your Divine power check, and
Liam, you see that there is a small second story balcony
directly above you, and there are some decent handholds
to get up there, so let’s say the difficulty is average- two
purple dice.”
Jordan (Liam): ~rolls dice~ “It looks like I have two suc-
cesses, but three threat. That’s not good. So, I scale the
balcony without any problem, right?”
Dennis (GM): ~Laughing~ “Nice try- you make it look
easy getting up there, swinging off of a drainage pipe and
using a couple other easy handholds. However, as you
get to the balcony, your rapier catches on the railing. You
slip going over the railing, and while you did successfully
end up on the balcony, you are flat on your face and your
rapier slides out of your scabbard and hits the ground
beneath you with a clang.”
Jordan (Liam): “Ouch…”
Ingrith (Penny): “So, I use Ranged to throw the axe,
right? My pool for that skill is one green and one yel-
low…add in the difficulty dice…” ~rolls dice~ “Ah hah!
A Triumph! Wait, though, I don’t hit- it’s a net failure…”
Dennis (GM): “So your attack can’t damage him, but
something really good happens with that Triumph. What
happens?”
Ingrith (Penny): “I’ve got a good idea. The hatchet doesn’t
hit him, but strikes the wall really close to his head, catch-
ing the hood of his cloak. It pins him to the wall by the
cloak, and we can now see his face.”
Dennis (GM): “Perfect. Your hatchet knocks his hood off
and pins him to the wall, and completely surprised, he
struggles to try and get out of the cloak. When his face is
revealed, you see matted grey fur, a short snout, and long
incisors- you realize it is a wererat!”
Ed (Milo): “Uh oh. I knew I should have bought that sil-
ver dagger…”
Sean (Sister Lana): “I rolled four success on my spell, so I
suffer two strain and the spell goes off. Sister Lana closes
her eyes for a moment, clasps her Holy Icon, and whis-
pers a prayer to the Lathander to keep death from taking
her friends in this battle (Barrier + Empowered + Divine
Health). Liam now reduces the next damage he takes this
encounter by four.”
Jordan (Liam): “Thanks, I have a feeling I’m going to
need it when we see what comes around that corner…”
Dennis (GM): Speaking of that, you now see another
wererat moving in from behind you, and you can now
tell what was making that horrible noise- the pack of four
giant rats he is leading in your direction. Everyone please
make Cool checks for Initiative…”
 USING ALIGNMENT
The Alignment system essentially tracks how good or evil
a Player Character acts. A PC’s struggle with being good
versus the temptation and power of the dark side mani-
fests as Alignment Change points in the Alignment sys-
tem. A Player Character’s Alignment value changes how
he interacts with other characters in the game.
Challenging the PCs’ moral choices is central to RPGs.
Sometimes, the consequences of a choice are very clear to
the character. Alignment is, simply put, the measure of
right and wrong. Though the Forgotten Realms universe
has shades of moral relativism, it is primarily a universe
of good and evil. Alignment measures how good or evil
characters are. It is a measure of their actions, thoughts,
and attitudes, and how they have helped, harmed, or
hindered those around them. In addition, a character’s
Alignment can often be shaped and guided by his per-
sonality, and therefore a character’s emotional strengths
and weaknesses can contribute to and affect his overall
Alignment. Also, a character’s Alignment can effects his
use of Magic, and Magic can in turn affect a character’s
Alignment. Thus, in the Forgotten Realms, Alignment is
an important defining characteristic.
During character creation, players get the chance to
customize their characters not only by selecting careers,
skills, and specializations, but also by determining their
characters’ Alignment. Although some aspects of a char-
acter’s Alignment may change over time—allowing the
character to become a better or worse person throughout
the course of his adventures—some aspects also remain
set, continuing to influence the character’s thoughts and
actions throughout his life.
Over the course of a campaign, a character’s Alignment
not only greatly defines his personality, but it also can
affect his relationship with Magic. Those who inflict pain
on others wantonly, who make selfish decisions, who act
out of anger or fear, and who seek power and glory for
themselves risk becoming a force of Evil. On the other
hand, those who remain at peace with themselves, sac-
rifice their own well-being to help others, and seek to
improve the lives of those around them rather than bene-
fit themselves may become paragons of Good.
Each Player Character in the Forgotten Realms has an
Alignment, a value that measures how “good” or “evil”
that character is. This value changes over the course of a
campaign, reflecting a character’s choices and actions as
TABLE: SPENDING XP
Options Cost
Increase Characteristics (only available during character
10X the level to which the Characteristic is being raised.
creation)
5X the ranks to which the Skill is being raised. Must be raised
Purchase ranks in skills
sequentially. Non-career skills cost an additional 5 XP per rank.
Purchase Talents from Talent Trees within Specializations Based on the position on the tree.
10X the number of specializations the character will have
Purchase new Specializations after gaining the new one. Noncareer specializations cost 10
additional XP.
adventures progress. In addition, each character’s Align-
ment includes an emotional strength and an emotional
weakness that help define the character’s personality.
These personality traits are key to the character’s Align-
ment, as a character’s moral decisions may be greatly
affected by them.
The Alignment mechanic is based on a number that rep-
resents a character’s Alignment within the game rules.
This is meant to encourage the character’s player to make
interesting and even risky choices, and to give something
that is inherently narrative (making decisions about right
and wrong) mechanical benefits and repercussions. In
the Forgotten Realms, the dark side is very real, and it is
quite possible for people to fall to evil, and even later to
be redeemed. The gameplay aspects of Alignment repre-
sent that within the framework of the rules.
The Alignment system is not, however, intended to spawn
arguments between players as to whether an action is
“evil” or not and whether a character should be penal-
ized for engaging in it. In fact, the Alignment system is
designed to avoid that in two ways. First, the system has
a specific set of guidelines as to what actions may penalize
a character’s Alignment, and second, it has a randomizing
element that means players do not know for certain if
their moral choices will penalize their characters or not
in the course of the game.
Players may select their character’s Alignments weak-
nesses and strengths from those presented in Table:
Alignment. Each entry presents an emotional strength
and an emotional weakness for the character. Often,
characters’ emotional strengths and weaknesses can play
a major part in the choices they make.
SHARED ALIGNMENT
It is perfectly acceptable for more than one Player Char-
acter in a group to have the same emotional strengths and
weaknesses and goals. Often, this simply means that they
have similar backgrounds and mindsets—even if they
originated on different worlds and in vastly different cul-
tures. Their methods for attempting to achieve their goals
could be identical, or they could be vastly different. This
provides a means for the characters to complement one
another as they work cooperatively. Of course, at times,
even characters with the same Alignment could believe
that there are different ways to achieve their objectives.
This could introduce discussion, as the characters’ differ-
ent methods might be at odds with one another.
Character Creation
Limits
Maximum starting level is.4.
Max starting rank is 2. Max ranks
after character creation is 5.
Limited only by available XP.
Limited only by available XP.
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 D100 Emotional Strength
01-08 Bravery: The character’s bravery is quite re-
markable. Whether facing down a charging
rancor or racing into a burning building to
save innocents, he is always willing to take
risks to help others
09-16 Love: The character has an open heart.
While he may hold a special place in his
heart for his companions or a significant
other, he tends to genuinely like most
individuals he meets. His love for others
can make him charming and affable, and
exceedingly tolerant.
17-24 Caution: The character possesses com-
mendable prudence, willing to always look
before he leaps into a new situation. His
forward-thinking ways may have saved
his fellows from dangerous situations on
numerous occasions.
25-32 Enthusiasm: The character is always ready
to try something new, and he approaches
all of his tasks, even mundane ones, with
excitement. He’s not one to overthink a
situation, lest he miss a great new opportu-
nity.
33-40 Compassion: The character cares about the
tribulations others face, and wants to help
those he comes across. His compassion
may lead to self-sacrifice in order to aid
those who need it.
41-48 Mercy: The character shows mercy toward
his foes, dealing with them fairly and hon-
orably. He can spare the defenseless, will
help a helpless enemy, and generally does
not abuse a position of strength.
4
Emotional Weakness
Anger: Hot blood, however, can easily lead to hot
tempers. The character is quick to anger, and what
he cannot deal with face-to-face can often frus-
trate him to the point of rage
Jealousy: Love, if not given selflessly, can quickly
turn to jealousy. The character’s personality tends
toward envy if his love is not reciprocated, or
sometimes he simply envies others’ accomplish-
ments or possessions.
Fear: The line between caution and fear is a thin
one. Sometimes the character spends too much
time concerned about the potential problems of
a situation to act in that situation at all. At other
times, his caution causes him to flee when danger
presents itself, through bolder action might reap
real rewards.
Recklessness: Of course, a little thought can go a
long way towards saving someone from a major
mistake, which this character may find out to his
sorrow on more than one occasion. Reckless be-
havior can leave him in dangerous situations or at
the mercy of more calculating individuals.
Hatred: The galaxy can be a cruel and heartless
place, and compassion can quickly turn to hatred
of the individuals or situations that cause others to
suffer. When a character’s mind roils with sim-
mering hatred, that hatred may be all too slow to
fade.
Weakness: There is a fine line between showing
mercy to one’s foes and letting evil fester because
one does not want to engage with it. The character
may let bad things happen simply because it is too
hard to deal with them.
49-56 Curiosity: The character is driven to learn new
things, to seek out and discover new informa-
tion, and to expand his knowledge and under-
standing of those things that interest him.
57-64 Pride: Pride can be a powerful emotion, and can
push a character to impressive feats of personal
accomplishment. He strives to be the best and to
take pleasure in his skills.
65-72 Independence: The character believes in relying
on himself. He does not count on others to per-
form tasks for him; instead, he ensures he can
handle any situation he encounters. He refuses
to be a burden on others.
73-80 Ambition: An ambitious character sets a lofty
goal for himself and then strives to accomplish
it. The harder the task, the more willing the
character is to take it on, and the greater the
triumph when he finally succeeds.
81-88 Justice: The character strives for just and delib-
erate actions in his life, and in his interactions
with others. He attempts to make the objectively
right choice every time, knowing that justice is
more likely to guarantee positive outcomes than
sympathy or other emotional displays.
89-96 Discipline: Rigorous mental and physical disci-
pline comes naturally to the character. He does
not make choices rashly, and every action is
precise and selected. Those who think they can
goad the character into making foolish choices
are sorely mistaken.
97-100
Roll twice on this chart. The PC has multiple emotional strengths and weaknesses
Obsession: Sometimes, interest in some-
thing can turn to obsession if not tem-
pered with reason. The character can slip
into an obsessive state about his need to
discover information, accomplish a goal,
or even defeat a rival, and he may ignore
all else until success is his.
Arrogance: Pride, among all emotions, is
perhaps the easiest to fall to a darker form.
Arrogance mirrors pride, but satisfac-
tion in one’s accomplishments is replaced
with contempt for others’ failings. It is
not enough to succeed; the character also
expects all others to fail.
Coldness: Self-reliance can slip into isola-
tion if one is not careful. A cold character
doesn’t just desire to rely only on himself,
but has nothing but disinterest for anyone
else. If they can’t help themselves, why
should he aid them?
Greed: An ambitious character is only as
selfless as his goals. Those who strive for
worldly pleasures, whether power, wealth,
or personal comforts, can quickly find
their ambition turning to simple greed.
Cruelty: All too often, the cruel use justice
to excuse their actions. If one stops himself
from tempering justice with empathy and
understanding, he can inflict great harm
on others and feel justified doing it. Even-
tually, he can grow to revel in the suffering
of others, even as he deludes himself into
thinking he makes the “just” choice
Obstinance: Disciplined characters may
fall into the trap of simple stubbornness
if they are not careful. An obstinate char-
acter often refuses to consider any course
of action other than the one he chooses,
unwilling to accept that someone else may
have conceived of a better option.
5
 Alignment Change table

10+ Sacrifice: The character significantly puts themselves in harm’s way in order to protect the lives of oth-
ers. This may mean they get hurt, captured, possibly even killed.
10 Kindness to your Enemy: The character helps or heals a character that would be considered their ene-
my.
6-7 Protector of Nature: The character goes out of their way to save creatures of low-level intelligence.
4-5 Non-Retaliation: The character, when attacked, refuses to fight back.
3-4 Necessary Protection: The character goes to great length to protect property or items from damage,
even if it means they are harmed instead.
2-3 Charity: Give up something of yours for the benefit of another who needs it more.
2 Negotiate: Resolve an already violent situation with words.
Comfort: Emotionally support a character experiencing a problem.
1 Inspire: Encourage a character to do good when they’re Alignment Changeed.
Honesty: Tell the truth when it means you must give up a moment of personal gain.
-1 Knowing Inaction: The PC knows that an NPC or other PC will do something particularly bad (an
action that would incur 5+ Alignment penalty) and chooses not to intervene.
Lying for Personal Gain: The PC tells a lie for selfish reasons or to benefit himself. Some lies can be told
without penalty to benefit others, such as avoiding a combat situation or protecting innocents.
Resorting to Violence as the First Solution: When confronted with a problem, the PC defaults to vio-
lent acts to solve it, without exploring any other options. This change can be mitigated if the PC is the
one being attacked.
-2 Coercion or Threatening with Violence: The PC threatens someone with violence, or coerces the per-
son to do his bidding against the person’s will.
Inflicting Emotional Abuse: The PC says something cruel or petty just to upset or cause mental tor-
ment in a person.
-2-3 Theft: The PC steals something that does not belong to him. The Alignment change can be mitigated in
this case if the PC is stealing from a corrupt and/or wealthy authority (such as a dictator), and does so
to give back to those who need it. The Alignment penalty can be increased if the PC steals something
from those who can particularly ill afford to lose it.
-3-4 Unnecessary Destruction: The PC destroys objects, property, or other items willfully and without good
cause.
-4-5 Unnecessary Violence or Assault: The PC assaults, beats, or otherwise attacks an NPC for no reason.
-6-7 Unnecessary Cruelty to Non-Sentient Creatures: The PC maliciously tortures or torments creatures of
low-level intelligence.
-10 Torture: The PCs torture a character.
-10+ Murder: The PCs murder a character. In this case, murder is killing someone who is helpless or no
threat to the PCs.

6
 BESTOWING ALIGNMENT CHANGE
The GM bestows Alignment Change through game
mechanics and narrative action. When Alignment
Change is given to PCs, it is tracked as a discrete amount,
such as 4 Alignment Change or 12 Alignment Change.
Players track Alignment Change bestowed mechanically,
since it results from specific, defined actions.
The GM bestows 1 to 10 (and sometimes even more)
Alignment Change for narrative actions, depending on
the severity of the PC’s deeds. The GM can and should
adjust the penalties to account for unusual actions or sit-
uations.
Character intent should influence the amount of Align-
ment Change awarded, as some actions may be consid-
ered good in one situation and evil in another. Obvi-
ously evil or overly selfish acts combined with the main
transgression can add from 1 to 5 additional Alignment
Change points. Gray areas, such as a selfish, but not a
truly evil action, receives a minimum of -1 Alignment
Favors
My Forgotten Realms setting uses the Favor Economy
rules found in Shadow of the Beanstalk (page 80). At
character creation, players may choose to have their char-
acter owe a Small, Regular, or Big favor to a faction of
their choosing.
The GM gets to decide the person within that faction
who you owe the favor to, creating possible plot hooks.
Taking a favor allows you to gain additional gold or XP
at character creation:
Your character interacts with factions and people who
are members of a faction through something we call the
favor economy. All you need to know right now is that
the favor economy is a way of tracking and defining who
owes your character favors, and what favors your charac-
ter owes other people.
A favor can be just about any service. We classify them
as small favors, regular favors, and big favors, depending
on how momentous they are (see Table 2–1 in for some
examples of all three types of favors). Your character can
perform favors for other people and probably already has,
whether they’ve helped a friend move to a new apartment
or hidden a member of the Thieves’ Guild during a heist.
These favors are based on who your character is, and what
they can do. So a thief can steal somethig as a favor, a
Ranger could track down a missing animal, and both of
them could watch a friend’s dog for an afternoon.
However, if someone is a part of a faction, they may be
able to perform favors that specifically link to that fac-
tion.
For example, someone who works in a Veskt Medtron-
ics Consolidated laboratory may be able to analyze a
Change, but possible 2 to 5 more Alignment Change.
The GM’s determination and ruling is final. Actions
such as murdering another character in self defense are
especially evil actions and should be rewarded with corre-
spondingly high amounts of Alignment Change.
SESSION TALLY
At the end of each session, each player totals the amount
of Alignment Change his character receives and changes
his alignment so. If the game session is unusually short
or uneventful, the GM might require the tally after the
following session instead.
If a player was not present for a session, his character’s
Alignment should not have a chance to increase. Sim-
ilarly, if a character had no chance to do anything in a
session or spent an entire session incapacitated, then his
Alignment should not increase.
genetic sequence and tell your character what those genes
are supposed to do. Meanwhile, a sergeant down at the
NAPD could probably get your character’s hopper out
of impound—or ensure patrols stay well away from the
location of an imminent gang hit. Each faction entry
contains a list of example favors that people who are a
part of that faction can perform.
Your character doesn’t need to belong to any faction
in order to participate in the favor economy. However,
belonging to a faction does allow your character to per-
form favors for other people that your character other-
wise couldn’t.
FAVOR ECONOMY DURING
CHARACTER CREATION
During this step of character creation, your character
may end up owing a favor. Nobody can get by in Faerun
without getting someone’s help at some point! However,
how big a favor you owe is going to be up to you.
During this step, you may (but you don’t have to) choose
one faction. Your character owes a favor to someone in
that faction. You get to decide whether that favor is a
small favor, a big favor, or a regular favor, but your GM
gets to decide the details about the person in that faction
whom your character owes.
The favor has not been called in as of the start of the
game, and your GM can use that uncollected favor your
character owes as a plot hook, something to get their
campaign rolling, or an unresolved bit of your character’s
backstory that comes back to plague them at the worst
possible time!
7
 However, that favor has helped your character get ahead in
the world. Depending on the size of the favor, your character
gets to start the game with some additional XP or gold worth
of gear. These are added onto your character’s total starting
XP or your total starting gold and can be spent before the
game begins. Those additions are listed here:
• Small Favor: Your character may start with an additional
500 gold of gear.
• Regular Favor: Your character may start with an additional
1000 gold of gear or an additional 10 starting XP.
• Big Favor: Your character may start with an additional
2,500 gold of gear or an additional 20 starting XP.
Although your character only starts the game owing some-
body a single favor, don’t worry! They will likely owe plenty
of other people favors as the game progresses. Of course, if
you’re lucky, maybe a few other people in Faerun will end up
owing your character favors as well.
FAVOR ECONOMY DURING GAMEPLAY
Once the game begins, your character can offer favors and
accept promises of future favors organically. Your character
can owe as many favors as you want, although someone who
constantly makes promises to do something for someone
“in the future” is probably going to get a reputation as glib
and irresponsible, and they may run into trouble with all the
people they owe. Likewise, your GM can always decide that
an NPC has no interest in being owed a favor and is going
to demand some other kind of recompense for services ren-
dered, instead.
For gameplay purposes, however, we recommend that you
and your GM only use the favor economy for relatively
important favors. Too many favors become a pain to track
and are hard for your GM to work into the ongoing story.
We suggest that each character should owe and be owed a
total of no more than six favors at any one time.
THE FAVOR ECONOMY
Faerûn’s economy works on the silver and gold standard.
Other metals, including copper and platinum, are used
in specific nations and cities, but silver and gold coins are
accepted throughout most of the trading communities of the
Heartlands no matter which kingdom, city state, or elder race
stamped them. Paper currency is almost unknown, though
Cormyr, Sembia, and Archendale recognize IOU notes signed
in the blood of the parties to the contract and affixed with the
seal of a royal agent appointed to watch over trade. Coins
come in a bewildering variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
A coin’s value is expressed firmly in terms of how it relates to
a gold piece - a “standard” gold coin, circular and unpierced,
about an eighth-inch thick and an inch and-a-quarter across.
The current standard is: 10 coppers = 1 silver; 10 silvers or
100 coppers 1 gold; and 10 gold = 1 platinum.
Once you get into the real world you quickly find that favors
are every bit as valuable as a coinpurse. Surviving daily life in
the city is as much about who you owe as who you know, and
who owes you in return. For many disenfrancistos, daily life
8
revolves around the informal and infernally complex web of
debts, promises, and IOUs that’s generally referred to as the
favor economy.
Trading favors allows people to get what they need to survive
when money is tight, and to stay off the grid and off record.
It can also be a lot more humane than deducting a price from
a coinpurse.
FAVOR ECONOMY MECHANICS
The favor economy is, at its core, an exchange economy.
The core game mechanic of this economy is that a character
can exchange a favor for a favor of equal value with another
character (as long as both characters are willing to make the
trade). In our system, favors fall into three categories: small
favors, regular favors, and big favors.
• Small favors are the kinds of favors that don’t take too much
effort or too many resources. Watching someone’s pets for an
afternoon, giving someone a ride in your hopper, or loaning
someone tools are all small favors. Chances are that characters
owe and are owed plenty of small favors in their lives.
• Regular Favors are more serious: the kinds of things that
represent a substantial effort on someone’s part or that may
even put someone in danger. Lending someone your vehicle
for a couple of days, loaning them a thousand gold, or saving
them from being beaten up in a bar fight are all examples of
regular favors. Characters are likely going to remember the
regular favors they owe and are owed, and they often owe or
are owed one or two regular favors.
• Big favors are just that: big. These are the kinds of favors
that people remember years or even decades later, and they
are always going to feel comfortable cashing in on them, no
matter how long it’s been. Protecting someone’s family, loan-
ing a hopper to someone who engages in a violent chase with
the police, or saving someone’s life are all examples of big
favors. A character may or may not owe or be owed any big
favors.
The types of favors one character could trade with another are
nearly endless. So, instead of trying to list them all, we came
up with a table of reasonable examples. Table 2–1: Example
Favors provides a general list of favors. Sometimes favors for
a specific faction may clash with the examples found here.
For instance, killing someone usually falls into the category
of a big favor. But if you’re dealing with a street gang (and
depending on who the target is), it may not consider killing
someone to be such a big deal.
These examples can help you figure out whether any favor
you invent is a small favor, a favor, or a big favor.
EXCHANGING FAVORS
Exchanging a favor for a favor is simple, and it generally
doesn’t require a check. It’s simply a matter of saying “if you
do this thing for me, I’ll do this equivalent thing for you.”
However, sometimes your character may want to exchange a
favor for a bigger favor or a smaller favor. In those cases, your
character is going to need to make a check.
 EXCHANGING A BIGGER FAVOR FOR A
SMALLER FAVOR (STRINGING THEM ALONG)
Let’s say your character is owed a big favor, and they want to ask
someone for a smaller favor in return. Normally, that wouldn’t
require a check, and the target would be more than happy to
exchange something of theirs of lesser value for something of
yours of greater value. However, your character may want to
extract the smaller favor and then say, “but you still owe me!” In
that case, your character must make an opposed Coercion versus
Discipline check against the target. If your character succeeds,
the target continues owing your character the same original favor
after this smaller favor has been resolved. If you fail, the target
considers the favor repaid once they perform the original smaller
favor. They perform the favor requested and no longer owe the
character.
EXCHANGING A SMALLER FAVOR FOR A
BIGGER FAVOR (TRADING UP)
Now let’s say your character is owed a favor, and they ask for a
favor of greater value than the favor they are owed. This always
requires a check, since your character is trying to get someone to
give them something more valuable for something less valuable.
In this case, your character must make an opposed Charm versus
Cool check against the target. If they succeed, the target agrees to
give them the “better” favor in exchange. If they fail, the target
refuses, but still owes your character a favor of the original value.
FAILING WITH h OR d
If your character attempts to make an unequal exchange of favors
and fails the check, your GM may spend hhh or d to have
your character also anger the target. Not only does your character
fail to achieve the unequal exchange, but the target also decides
that they no longer owe your character anything!

Favor Examples
Favor Size Examples
Small Watch someone’s pets or dependents for a day
Give someone an item worth 100 gold or less
Loan someone a vehicle for a couple of hours
Help someone clean up an apartment
Loan someone tools to do some work
Regular Watch someone’s pets or dependents for several days to a week
Give someone an item worth 1,000 gold or less
Loan someone a vehicle for a few days
Loan someone a legal weapon
Save someone from a bar fight
Big Watch someone’s dependents and agree to defend them against real danger
Give someone an item worth over 1,000 gold
Loan someone a vehicle while knowing it may never be returned or that it may be de-
stroyed
Loan someone an illegal weapon
Save someone’s life
Kill a person for someone else.

9
 HUMAN
In the reckonings of most worlds, humans are the young-
est of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene
and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and
dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that
they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years
they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something
to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their
mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade.
Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the
achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.
A BROAD SPECTRUM
With their penchant for migration and conquest,
humans are more physically diverse than other common
races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand
from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125
to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly
black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond
(curly, kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair
that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of
nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lin-
eages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and
rarely live even a single century.
VARIETY IN ALL THINGS
Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people
among the common races. They have widely varying
tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands
where they have settled. When they settle, though, they
stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great king-
dom s that can persist for long centuries. An individ-
ual human might have a relatively short life span, but a
human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins
far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They
live fully in the present—making them well suited to the
adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving
to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group,
humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to
changing political and social dynamics.
LASTING INSTITUTIONS
Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the respon-
sibility of guarding a special location or a powerful
secret, humans found sacred orders and institutions for
such purposes. While dwarf clans and halfling elders
pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation,
10
human temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law
fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans
dream of immortality, but (except for those few who seek
undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches)
they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered
when they are gone.
Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general
their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large
numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of
humans who live in nonhuman lands.
EXEMPLARS OF AMBITION
Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and
ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race.
They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by
amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other peo-
ple, humans champion causes rather than territories or
groups.
HUMAN NAMES AND ETHNICITIES
Having so much more variety than other cultures,
humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human
parents give their children names from other languages,
such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less
correctly), but most parents give names that are linked
to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of
their ancestors.
The material culture and physical characteristics of
humans can change wildly from region to region. In the
Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architec-
ture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in the
northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than in distant
Turmish or Impiltur to the east — and even more dis-
tinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Human physical character-
istics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations
of the earliest humans, so that the humans of the Silver
Marches have every possible variation of coloration and
features.
STANDARD • Natural Instincts: Once per session, your character may
spend a Story Point as an incidental after making a skill
2 2 2 2 2 2 check. If they do so, they may reroll any number of dice
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE not showing a triumph or despair, up to a number of dice
equal to their Cunning score.
• Wound Threshold: 10+Brawn
• Strain Threshold: 10+Willpower INTELLECTUAL
• Starting Experience: 120 XP 2 1 3 2 2 2
• Starting Skills: An average human starts with one rank BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
in each of two different non-career skills at character cre-
ation. They obtain this rank before spending experience • Starting Wound Threshold: 8 + Brawn
points, and these skills may not be increased higher than • Starting Strain Threshold: 12 + Willpower
rank 2 during character creation.
• Starting Experience: 100 xp
• Ready for Anything: Once per session as an out-of-
• Starting Skills: An intellectual starts with one rank in
turn incidental, you may move one Story Point from the
any two Knowledge skills during character creation. They
Game Master’s pool to the players’ pool.
obtain these ranks before spending experience points,
and may not increase a Knowledge skill above rank 2
during character creation.
ACROBAT
• Brilliant!: Once per session, your character may spend
2 3 2 1 2 2 a Story Point as an incidental. If they do so, during the
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE next check they make during that turn, you count their
ranks in the skill being used as equal to their Intellect.
• Starting Wound Threshold: 9 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower LABORER
• Starting Experience: 105 xp
3 2 2 2 1 2
• Starting Skills: An Acrobat character starts with one
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
rank in Coordination during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase Coordination above rank 2 during • Starting Wound Threshold: 12 + Brawn
character creation. • Starting Strain Threshold: 8 + Willpower
• Deft Evasion: Once per encounter, your character may • Starting Experience: 115 xp
spend a Story Point as an out-of-turn incidental when
they are the target of a Combat check. If they do so, • Starting Skills: A laborer starts with one rank in Ath-
the difficulty of the combat check becomes an opposed letics during character creation. They obtain this rank
check against the Acrobat’s Coordination skill instead of before spending experience points, and may not increase
the normal difficulty. Other modifiers, such as cover and Athletics above rank 2 during character creation.
defense still apply. • Tough as Nails: Once per session, your character may
spend a Story Point as an out-of-turn incidental immedi-
SURVIVALIST ately after suffering a Critical Injury and determining the
2 2 2 3 2 1 result. If they do so, they count the result rolled as “01.”
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn

• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 XP
• Starting Skills: A Survivalist starts with one rank in
Survival during character creation. They obtain this rank
before spending experience points, and may not increase
Survival above rank 2 during character creation.

11
 ARISTOCRAT
1 2 2 2 2 3
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER
• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 100 xp
• Starting Skills: An Aristocrat starts with one rank in
Cool during character creation. They obtain this rank
before spending experience points, and may not increase
Cool above rank 2 during character creation.
• Forceful Personality: Once per session, your character
may spend a Story Point as an incidental. If they do so,
during the next skill check they make during that turn,
your character doubles the strain they inflict or the strain
they heal (you choose before making the check).
12
ELVES
Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, liv-
PRESENCE
ing in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in
places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests
or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft
music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on
the breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry,
music and poetry, and the good things of the world.
SLENDER AND GRACEFUL
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear
hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many
other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on
average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over
6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing
only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about
the same height, and males are only marginally heavier
than females.
Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human range
and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and
almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like
pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and
little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in bright col-
ors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.
A TIMELESS PERSPECTIVE
Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad
perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived
races more deeply. They are more often amused than
excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They
tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance.
When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring
on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be
focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and
enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to
petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with ven-
geance.
Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in
the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and com-
promise to resolve differences before they escalate to
violence. They have been known to retreat from intru-
sions into their woodland homes, confident that they can
simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises,
elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with
sword, bow, and strategy.
HIDDEN WOODLAND REALMS
Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among
the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow veg-
etables, and their skill and magic allow them to support
themselves without the need for clearing and plowing
land. They are talented artisans, crafting finely worked
clothes and art objects. Their contact with outsiders is
usually limited, though a few elves make a good living
by trading crafted items for metals (which they have no
interest in mining).
Elves encountered outside their own lands are commonly
traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Human nobles com-
pete for the services of elf instructors to teach swordplay
or magic to their children.
EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE
Elves take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they
are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration
and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society,
which is regimented from day to day but constantly
changing over decades, so they find careers that let them
travel freely and set their own pace. Elves also enjoy exer-
cising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical
power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some
might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and
others might become champions of moral causes.
ELF NAMES
Elves are considered children until they declare them-
selves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday,
and before this period they are called by child names.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name,
although those who knew him or their as a youngster
might continue to use the child name. Each elf ’s adult
name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the
names of respected individuals or other family members.
Little distinction exists between male names and female
names; the groupings here reflect only general tenden-
cies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a
combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling
among humans translate their family names into Com-
mon, but others retain the Elvish version.
HIGH ELF
2 2 3 2 1 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Wound Threshold: 8 + Brawn
• Strain Threshold: 11 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 105 XP
• Starting Skills: High Elves begin with one rank in
Arcane or Knowledge (Lore). They obtain this rank
before spending experience points, and may not increase
the skill above rank 2 during character creation
• Fey Ancestry: Elves cannot be put to sleep by magical
means and add jj to checks to avoid being charmed.
Elves do not need sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply,
remaining semiconscious, needing only need 4 hours to
heal all strain.
• Elvish Knowledge: High Elves gain Knowledge (Lore)
as a career skill at character creation.
• Darkvision: When making skill checks, Wood Elves
remove up to jj imposed due to darkness.
As a high elf, you have a keen mind and a mastery of
at least the basics of magic. There are two kinds of high
elves. One type, the Sun Elf, is haughty and reclusive,
believing themselves to be superior to non-elves and even
other elves. The other type, the Moon Elf, are more com-
mon and more friendly, and often encountered among
humans and other races.
The sun elves of Faerûn (also called gold elves or sun-
rise elves) have bronze skin and hair of copper, black,
or golden blond. Their eyes are golden, silver, or black.
Moon elves (also called silver elves or gray elves) are much
paler, with alabaster skin sometimes tinged with blue.
They often have hair of silver-white, black, or blue, but
various shades of blond, brown, and red are not uncom-
mon. Their eyes are blue or green and flecked with gold.
13
 WOOD ELF remaining semiconscious, needing only need 4 hours to
heal all strain.
1 3 2 2 2 2 • Superior Darkvision: When making skill checks, Dark
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
Elves remove up to jjj imposed due to darkness.
Descended from an earlier subrace of darkskinned elves,
• Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
the drow were banished from the surface world for fol-
• Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower lowing the goddess Lolth down the path to evil and cor-
• Starting Experience: 105 XP ruption. Now they have built their own civiliza on in
the depths of the Underdark, patterned after the Way of
• Starting Skills: Wood Elves begin with one rank in
Lolth.
Stealth or Primal. They obtain this rank before spending
experience points, and may not increase the skill above Also called dark elves, the drow have black skin that
rank 2 during character creation. resembles polished obsidian and stark white or pale yel-
low hair. They commonly have very pale eyes (so pale as
• Fey Ancestry: Elves cannot be put to sleep by magical
to be mistaken for white) in shades of lilac, silver, pink,
means and add jj to checks to avoid being charmed.
red, and blue. They tend to be smaller and thinner than
Elves do not need sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply,
most elves.
remaining semiconscious, needing only need 4 hours to
heal all strain.
• Mask of the Wilds: Wood Elves gain a minimum bonus
of +2 from concealment.
• Darkvision: When making skill checks, Wood Elves
remove up to jj imposed due to darkness within
medium range.
As a wood elf, you have keen senses and intuition, and
your fleet feet carry you quickly and stealthily through
your native forests. In Faerûn, wood elves (also called
wild elves, green elves, or forest elves) are reclusive and
distrusting of non-elves.
Wood elves’ skin tends to be copperish in hue, some-
times with traces of green. Their hair tends toward
browns and blacks, but it is occasionally blond or cop-
per-colored. Their eyes are green, brown, or hazel.

DARK ELF

2 2 2 1 3 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

• Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn

• Strain Threshold: 9 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 XP
• Starting Skills: Dark Elves begin with one rank in Sur-
vival or Sorcery. They obtain this rank before spending
experience points, and may not increase the skill above
rank 2 during character creation
• Fey Ancestry: Elves cannot be put to sleep by magical
means and add jj to checks to avoid being charmed.
Elves do not need sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply,

14
DWARF
Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the
roots of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers
in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan
and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs
— these common threads unite all dwarves.
SHORT AND STOUT
Bold and hardy, dwarves are known as skilled warriors,
miners, and workers of stone and metal. Though they
stand well under 5 feet tall, dwarves are so broad and
compact that they can weigh as much as a human stand-
ing nearly two feet taller. Their courage and endurance
are also easily a match for any of the larger folk.
Dwarven skin ranges from deep brown to a paler hue
tinged with red, but the most common shades are light
brown or deep tan, like certain tones of earth. Their hair,
worn long but in simple styles, is usually black, gray, or
brown, though paler dwarves often have red hair. Male
dwarves value their beards highly and groom them care-
fully.
LONG MEMORY, LONG GRUDGES
Dwarves can live to be more than 400 years old, so the
oldest living dwarves often remember a very different
world. For example, some of the oldest dwarves living in
Citadel Felbarr (in the world of the Forgotten Realms)
can recall the day, more than three centuries ago, when
orcs conquered the fortress and drove them into an exile
that lasted over 250 years. This longevity grants them a
perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as
humans and halflings lack.
Dwarves are solid and enduring like the mountains
they love, weathering the passage of centuries with stoic
endurance and little change. They respect the traditions
of their clans, tracing their ancestry back to the found-
ing of their most ancient strongholds in the youth of the
world, and don’t abandon those traditions lightly. Part of
those traditions is devotion to the gods of the dwarves,
who uphold the dwarven ideals of industrious labor, skill
in battle, and devotion to the forge.
Individual dwarves are determined and loyal, true to
their word and decisive in action, sometimes to the point
of stubbornness. Many dwarves have a strong sense of
justice, and they are slow to forget wrongs they have suf-
fered. A wrong done to one dwarf is a wrong done to the
dwarf ’s entire clan, so what begins as one dwarf ’s hunt
for vengeance can become a full-blown clan feud.
CLANS AND KINGDOMS
Dwarven kingdoms stretch deep beneath the mountains
where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals and
forge items of wonder. They love the beauty and artistry
of precious metals and fine jewelry, and in some dwarves
this love festers into avarice. Whatever wealth they can’t
find in their mountains, they gain through trade. They
dislike boats, so enterprising humans and halflings fre-
quently handle trade in dwarven goods along water
routes. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome
in dwarf settlements, though some areas are off limits
even to them.
The chief unit of dwarven society is the clan, and dwarves
highly value social standing. Even dwarves who live far
from their own kingdoms cherish their clan identities
and affiliations, recognize related dwarves, and invoke
their ancestors’ names in oaths and curses. To be clanless
is the worst fate that can befall a dwarf.
Dwarves in other lands are typically artisans, especially
weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some become
mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after for their
courage and loyalty.
GODS, GOLD, AND CLAN
Dwarves who take up the adventuring life might be
motivated by a desire for treasure — for its own sake, for
a specific purpose, or even out of an altruistic desire to
help others. Other dwarves are driven by the command
or inspiration of a deity, a direct calling or simply a desire
to bring glory to one of the dwarf gods. Clan and ances-
try are also important motivators. A dwarf might seek to
restore a clan’s lost honor, avenge an ancient wrong the
clan suffered, or earn a new place within the clan after
having been exiled. Or a dwarf might search for the axe
wielded by a mighty ancestor, lost on the field of battle
centuries ago.
DWARF NAMES
A dwarf ’s name is granted by a clan elder, in accordance
with tradition. Every proper dwarven name has been
used and reused down through the generations. A dwarf ’s
name belongs to the clan, not to the individual. A dwarf
who misuses or brings shame to a clan name is stripped
of the name and forbidden by law to use any dwarven
name in its place.
15

2 1 2 2 3 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 100 xp
• Starting Skills: Dwarves begin with one rank in Resil-
ience or Mechanics. They obtain this rank before spend-
ing experience points, and may not increase the skill
above rank 2 during character creation.
• Born Crafter: Dwarves gain Mechanics as a career skill
at character creation.
• Dark Vision: When making skill checks, Dwarves
remove up to jj imposed due to darkness within
medium range.
• Dwarven Resilience: Add sa to all checks to resist or
recover from poisons, venoms, or toxins. Also Dwarves
reduce the damage suffered from sources of poison by 3
before soak, and suffer one less strain and wounds from
Resilience checks against poisons.
16
DRAGONBORN
Born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the dragon-
born walk proudly through a world that greets them with
fearful incomprehension. Shaped by draconic gods or the
dragons themselves, dragonborn originally hatched from
dragon eggs as a unique race, combining the best attri-
butes of dragons and humanoids. Some dragonborn are
faithful servants to true dragons, others form the ranks
of soldiers in great wars, and still others find themselves
adrift, with no clear calling in life.
PROUD DRAGON KIN
Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect
in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail. The
first dragonborn had scales of vibrant hues matching the
colors of their dragon kin, but generations of interbreed-
ing have created a more uniform appearance. Their small,
fine scales are usually brass or bronze in color, sometimes
ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or copper-green. They are
tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall
and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet
are strong, talonlike claws with three fingers and a thumb
on each hand.
The blood of a particular type of dragon runs very strong
through some dragonborn clans. These dragonborn often
boast scales that more closely match those of their dragon
ancestor — bright red, green, blue, or white, lustrous
black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or
bronze.
SELF-SUFFICIENT CLANS
To any dragonborn, the clan is more important than
life itself. Dragonborn owe their devotion and respect to
their clan above all else, even the gods. Each dragonborn’s
conduct reflects on the honor of their or their clan, and
bringing dishonor to the clan can result in expulsion and
exile. Each dragonborn knows their or their station and
duties within the clan, and honor demands maintaining
the bounds of that position.
A continual drive for self-improvement reflects the
self-sufficiency of the race as a whole. Dragonborn value
skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail,
and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they
give up on something. A dragonborn holds mastery of a
particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members of other races
who share the same commitment find it easy to earn the
respect of a dragonborn.
Though all dragonborn strive to be self-sufficient, they TABLE: DRAGON ANCESTRY
recognize that help is sometimes needed in difficult situ-
ations. But the best source for such help is the clan, and ELEMENTAL
ANCESTRY BREATH QUALITY
when a clan needs help, it turns to another dragonborn RESISTANCE
clan before seeking aid from other races — or even from Black Acid Elemental (Acid), Vicious 1
the gods. Blue Lightning Disorient 3, Elemental (Lightning)
Brass Fire Burn 1, Elemental (Fire)
DRAGONBORN NAMES Bronze Lightning Disorient 3, Elemental (Lightning)
Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they Copper Acid Elemental (Acid), Vicious 1
put their clan names first as a mark of honor. A childhood Gold Fire Burn 1, Elemental (Fire)
name or nickname is often used among clutchmates as Green Poison Elemental (Poison), Stun 3
a descriptive term or a term of endearment. The name Red Fire Burn 1, Elemental (Fire)
might recall an event or center on a habit.
Silver Cold Elemental (Cold), Ensnare 1
White Cold Elemental (Cold), Ensnare 1
3 2 2 1 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

• Starting Wound Threshold: 12 + Brawn

• Starting Strain Threshold: 9 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 105 xp
• Starting Skills: A Dragonborn starts with one rank
in Resilience or Negotiation during character creation.
They obtain this rank before spending experience points,
and may not increase the skill above rank 2 during char-
acter creation.
• Breath Weapon: Dragonborn have an innate weapon,
their powerful breath. It has the following weapon profile
(Resilience; Damage: +3; Critical 3; Range [Short]; Blast
6, Slow-Firing 2, Special).
• Draconic Lineage: Depending on the draconic ances-
try, Dragonborn have an innate resistance and qual-
ity to your breath weapon, as shown on Table: Dragon
Ancestry. Dragonborns reduce the damage suffered from
attacks of their element by 3 before soak.
GNOME
A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and
neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit com-
munities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch
of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp
of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter.
Gnomes take delight in life, enjoying every moment of
invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play.
VIBRANT EXPRESSION
A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines
through every inch of their or their tiny body. Gnomes
average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45
pounds. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned
with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and
their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair has
a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing
the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around.
A gnome’s personality is writ large in their or their
appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to their
wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into
curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though
usually made in modest earth tones, is elaborately deco-
rated with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.

17
 DELIGHTED DEDICATION
As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a won-
derful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment
out of their three to five centuries of life. Humans might
wonder about getting bored over the course of such a
long life, and elves take plenty of time to savor the beau-
ties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem
to worry that even with all that time, they can’t get in
enough of the things they want to do and see.
Gnomes speak as if they can’t get the thoughts out of
their heads fast enough. Even as they offer ideas and
opinions on a range of subjects, they still manage to listen
carefully to others, adding the appropriate exclamations
of surprise and appreciation along the way.
Though gnomes love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns
and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more seri-
ous tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled engi-
neers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re willing
to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process
of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes fool-
hardy) risks and dreaming large.
BRIGHT BURROWS
Gnomes make their homes in hilly, wooded lands. They
live underground but get more fresh air than dwarves do,
enjoying the natural, living world on the surface when-
ever they can. Their homes are well hidden by both clever
construction and simple illusions. Welcome visitors are
quickly ushered into the bright, warm burrows. Those
who are not welcome are unlikely to find the burrows in
the first place.
Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gem-
cutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human fami-
lies retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils enjoy
a mix of serious learning and delighted enjoyment. A
gnome might tutor several generations of a single human
family over the course of their or their long life.
18
GNOME NAMES
Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A
gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each
give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just
about everyone else might or might not stick over time.
Gnome names are typically variants on the names of
ancestors or distant relatives. When dealing with humans
and others who are “stuffy” about names, a gnome learns
to use no more than three names: a personal name, a
clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each
category that’s the most fun to say.
1 2 3 2 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 8 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 12 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 90 xp
• Starting Skills: A Gnome starts with one rank in either
Mechanics or Alchemy and one rank in either Knowl-
edge (Lore) or Knowledge (Arcana) during character cre-
ation. They obtain these ranks before spending experi-
ence points, and may not increase the skills above rank 2
during character creation.
• Small: Gnomes have a Silhouette of 0.
• Magic Resistance: Whenever a Gnome is being targeted
by a harmful magic effect, the caster adds j to the check.
When a Gnome makes a check to resist a magical effect,
add j to the check.
• Gnomish Arcana: Gnomes gain Knowledge (Arcana) as
a career skill at character creation.
HALFLING
The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’
lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from
marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire
and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation.
Though some halflings live out their days in remote agri-
cultural communities, others form nomadic bands that
travel constantly, lured by the open road and the wide
horizon to discover the wonders of new lands and peo-
ples. But even these wanderers love peace, food, hearth,
and home, though home might be a wagon jostling along
an dirt road or a raft floating downriver.
SMALL AND PRACTICAL
The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger
creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding
offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively
harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries
in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and
political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing
between 40 and 45 pounds.
Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy
cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and
wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often
sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them
and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple,
comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.
Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing.
They’re concerned with basic needs and simple pleasures
and have little use for ostentation. Even the wealthiest of
halflings keep their treasures locked in a cellar rather than
on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding
the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have
little patience for dithering.
KIND AND CURIOUS
Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They cherish
the bonds of family and friendship as well as the comforts
of hearth and home, harboring few dreams of gold or
glory. Even adventurers among them usually venture into
the world for reasons of community, friendship, wander-
lust, or curiosity. They love discovering new things, even
simple things, such as an exotic food or an unfamiliar
style of clothing.
Halflings are easily moved to pity and hate to see any liv-
ing thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing what
they have even in lean times.
BLEND INTO THE CROWD
Halflings are adept at fitting into a community of
humans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable
and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth
and their unassuming nature helps halflings to avoid
unwanted attention.
Halflings work readily with others, and they are loyal to
their friends, whether halfling or otherwise. They can dis-
play remarkable ferocity when their friends, families, or
communities are threatened.
PASTORAL PLEASANTRIES
Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with
large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build king-
doms of their own or even hold much land beyond their
quiet shires. They typically don’t recognize any sort of
halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to family
elders to guide them. Families preserve their traditional
ways despite the rise and fall of empires.
Many halflings live among other races, where the hal-
flings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them abundant
rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling commu-
nities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or guiding
boats from place to place and maintaining no permanent
home.
EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES
Halflings usually set out on the adventurer’s path to
defend their communities, support their friends, or
explore a wide and wonder-filled world. For them,
adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or some-
times a necessity.
HALFLING NAMES
A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possi-
bly a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that
stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down through
the generations.
19
 1 2 2 2 2 3 TIEFLING
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence
and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every
• Starting Wound Threshold: 9 + Brawn eye: this is the lot of the tiefling. And to twist the knife,
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower tieflings know that this is because a pact struck genera-
tions ago infused the essence of Asmodeus — overlord of
• Starting Experience: 105 xp the Nine Hells — into their bloodline. Their appearance
• Starting Skills: A Halfling starts with one rank in Dis- and their nature are not their fault but the result of an
cipline or Charm during character creation. They obtain ancient sin, for which they and their children and their
this rank before spending experience points, and may not children’s children will always be held accountable.
increase the skill above rank 2 during character creation.
• Small: Halflings have a Silhouette of 0.
INFERNAL BLOODLINE
• Lucky: Onnce per session, whenever a halfling rolls a d
on a check, they may reroll the die by spending a Story Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the
Point but must use the new result. broadest possible sense, they still look human. How-
• Halfing Bravery: Halflings add jj on checks to resist ever, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on
fear. their appearance. Tieflings have large horns that take
any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like
a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s,
and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They
have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil
around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their
canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid
colors — black, red, white, silver, or gold — with no vis-
ible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range
of human coloration, but also include various shades of
red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns,
is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue,
or purple.

SELF-RELIANT AND SUSPICIOUS

Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in
human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters
of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers,
thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other
minority populations in enclaves where they are treated
with more respect.
Lacking a homeland, tieflings know that they have to
make their own way in the world and that they have to
be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone
who claims to be a friend, but when a tiefling’s compan-
ions demonstrate that they trust him or their, the tiefling
learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a tief-
ling gives someone loyalty, the tiefling is a firm friend or
ally for life.

20
TIEFLING NAMES
Tiefling names fall into three broad categories. Tieflings
born into another culture typically have names reflec-
tive of that culture. Some have names derived from the
Infernal language, passed down through generations,
that reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger
tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a
name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try
to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a
noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.
2 2 2 1 3 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 9 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 11 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 100 xp
• Starting Skills: A Tiefling starts with one rank in Coer-
cion or Negotiation during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase the skill above rank 2 during character
creation.
• Infernal Magic: Tieflings gain Sorcery as a career skill
and begin with one rank in Sorcery. You still cannot train
their Sorcery above rank 2 during character creation.
• Infernal Resistance: Tieflings reduce the damage suf-
fered from fire by 3 before soak.
• Dark Vision: When making skill checks, Tieflings
remove up to jj imposed due to darkness.
MUTUAL MISTRUST
People tend to be suspicious of tieflings,
assuming that their infernal heritage has left
its mark on their personality and morality, not
just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close
eye on their goods when tieflings enter their
stores, the town watch might follow a tiefling
around for a while, and demagogues blame
tieflings for strange happenings.
The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline
doesn’t affect their or their personality to any
great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust
does leave its mark on most tieflings, and they
respond to it in different ways. Some choose to
live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are
virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how
people respond to them. After dealing with
this mistrust throughout youth, a tiefling often
develops the ability to overcome prejudice
through charm or intimidation.
21
 AASIMAR
Aasimar bear within their souls the light of the heavens.
They are descended from humans with a touch of the
power of Mount Celestia, the divine realm of many law-
ful good deities. Aasimar are born to serve as champions
of the gods, their births hailed as blessed events. They are
a people of otherworldly visages, with luminous features
that reveal their celestial heritage.
CELESTIAL CHAMPIONS
Aasimar are placed in the world to serve as guardians of
law and good. Their patrons expect them to strike at evil,
lead by example, and further the cause of justice.
From an early age, an aasimar receives visions and guid-
ance from celestial entities via dreams. These dreams help
shape an aasimar, granting a sense of destiny and a desire
for righteousness.
Each aasimar can count a specific celestial agent of the
gods as a guide. This entity is typically a deva, an angel
who acts as a messenger to the mortal world.
HIDDEN WANDERERS
While aasimar are strident foes of evil, they typically
prefer to keep a low profile. An aasimar inevitably draws
the attention of evil cultists, fiends, and other enemies
of good, all of whom would be eager to strike down a
celestial champion if they had the chance.
When traveling, aasimar prefer hoods, closed helms, and
other gear that allows them to conceal their identities.
They nevertheless have no compunction about striking
openly at evil. The secrecy they desire is never worth
endangering the innocent.
AASIMAR GUIDES
An aasimar, except for one who has turned to evil, has a
link to an angelic being. That being- usually a deva pro-
vides guidance to the aasimar, though this connection
functions only in dreams. As such, the guidance is not
a direct command or a simple spoken word. Instead, the
aasimar receives visions, prophecies, and feelings.
The angelic being is far from omniscient. Its guidance is
based on its understanding of the tenets of law and good,
and it might have insight into combating especially pow-
erful evils that it knows about.
22
CONFLICTED SOULS
Despite its celestial origin, an aasimar is mortal and
possesses free will. Most aasimar follow their ordained
path, but some grow to see their abilities as a curse.
These disaffected aasimar are typically content to turn
away frorri the world, but a few become agents of evil. In
their minds, their exposure to celestial powers amounted
to little more than brainwashing.
Evil aasimar make deadly foes. The radiant power they
once commanded becomes corrupted into a horrid,
draining magic. And their angelic guides abandon them.
Even aasimar wholly dedicated to good sometimes feel
torn between two worlds. The angels that guide them see
the world from a distant perch. An aasimar who wishes
to stop and help a town recover from a drought might
be told by an angelic guide to push forward on a greater
quest. To a distant angel, saving a few commoners might
pale in comparison to defeating a cult of Orcus. An aasi-
mar’s guide is wise but not infallible.
AASIMAR NAMES
Most aasimar are born from human parents, and they
use the same naming conventions as their native culture.
2 2 2 1 2 3
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 9 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 12 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 95 xp
• Starting Skills: An Aasimar starts with one rank in Dis-
cipline or Leadership during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase the skill above rank 2 during character
creation.
• Dark Vision: When making skill checks, Aasimar
remove up to jj imposed due to darkness.
• Angelic Ancestry: Aasimar gain Divine as a career skill
at character creation and begin with one rank in Divine.
You still cannot train their Divine above rank 2 during
character creation.
ORC
Orcs had poor temperaments and were given to anger
more easily than some races. Easily offended and impa-
tient, orcs generally preferred violent solutions and rarely
considered multiple ways of approaching a problem.
However, in spite of this many orcs were excellent at
getting results, since they were creatures of action, not
thought. Some exceptions to this profile did exist, how-
ever, such as the famed King Obould whose deeds were
accomplished through planning and insight.
PHYSICAL PROWESS
Orcs bred fast and lived short lives compared with
most other races. They were considered adults any-
where between 11 and 14 years of age, middle-aged
at 17, old at 23, and venerable at 35 years of age. The
average orc seldom lived longer than 40 years, even if it
managed to avoid violent death. It was unheard of for
an orc to live longer than 45 years without magical aid.
Adult male orcs generally stood between 59 and 71 inches
tall, and adult females averaged two inches shorter. Males
weighed in anywhere between 136 and 190 pounds,
while females weighed between 96 and 150 pounds
THE WARBAND
Traditional orcish culture was extremely warlike and
when not at war the race was usually planning for it.
Most orcs approached life with the belief that to survive,
one had to subjugate potential enemies and control as
many resources as possible, which put them naturally at
odds with other races as well as each other. This belief
was spurred in part by Gruumsh and their pantheon,
which taught that all races were inferior to the orcs. Eyes
of Gruumsh were orcs specially tied to the one-eyed god
and offered sacrifices, read omens and advised tribes
through Gruumsh’s will.
Male orcs dominated most orcish societies. Male orcs
prided themselves on their number of wives and sons,
as well as their scars from battle and rituals. Some orcs
also prized the possession of slaves, though relatively few
owned them.
NOMADIC WARRIORS
Most orcs didn’t build cities of their own, instead relying
on those left behind by others and improving their
fortifications or operating out of small camps and dens,
often in natural caves. Orcs managed ironwork on their
own, as well as stonework, though their tools were often
inferior to those of more disciplined races.
Most orcs were part of a confederation of tribes, loosely
held together by a despotic chieftain. Bands within these
alliances might have wandered far from their homelands,
but continued to greet those orcs who belonging to the
same tribal network as kin. Orc bloodragers were cham-
pions of their tribe, who used primal strength and feroc-
ity to overcome their enemies. Most were bodyguards or
lower-ranking chiefs within the tribal structure.
3 2 1 2 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 12 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 8 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 xp
• Starting Skills: An Orc starts with one rank in Melee
(Heavy) or Athletics during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase the skill above rank 2 during character
creation.
• Menacing: Orcs gain Coercion as a career skill at char-
acter creation.
• Fearsome: This species is feared in societies other than
its own. Its members add j to Charm, Deception, Lead-
ership, and Negotiation checks they make, but they add
j to Coercion checks they make. This does not apply
when interacting with others of their own species.
• Natural Warriors: When making a Brawl or Melee
check, Orcs add the Vicious 1 quality to their weapon. If
the weapon already has the Vicious quality, increase the
listed value by 1.
23
 HALF ORC half-orcs are those with enough self-control to get by in
a civilized land.
Whether united under the leadership of a mighty war-
lock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, TRIBES AND SLUMS
orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, joining
Half-orcs most often live among orcs. Of the other races,
forces into a larger horde to the terror of civilized lands
humans are most likely to accept half-orcs, and half-
nearby. When these alliances are sealed by marriages,
orcs almost always live in human lands when not living
half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs rise to become proud
among orc tribes. Whether proving themselves among
chiefs of orc tribes, their human blood giving them an
rough barbarian tribes or scrabbling to survive in the
edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Some venture into
slums of larger cities, half-orcs get by on their physical
the world to prove their worth among humans and other
might, their endurance, and the sheer determination
more civilized races. Many of these become adventurers,
they inherit from their human ancestry.
achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety
for their barbaric customs and savage fury.
HALF-ORC NAMES
SCARRED AND STRONG Half-orcs usually have names appropriate to the culture
in which they were raised. A half-orc who wants to fit in
Half-orcs’ grayish pigmentation, sloping foreheads, jut-
among humans might trade an orc name for a human
ting jaws, prominent teeth, and towering builds make
name. Some half-orcs with human names decide to
their orcish heritage plain for all to see. Half-orcs stand
adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes
between 5 and 7 feet tall and usually weigh between 180
them more intimidating.
and 250 pounds.
Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and orna-
mental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though,
mark an orc or half-orc as a former slave or a disgraced 3 2 2 2 2 1
exile. Any half-orc who has lived among or near orcs BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

has scars, whether they are marks of humiliation or of

pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries. Such a • Starting Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn
half-orc living among humans might display these scars • Starting Strain Threshold: 9 + Willpower
proudly or hide them in shame.
• Starting Experience: 110 xp
THE MARK OF GRUUMSH • Starting Skills: A Half-Orc starts with one rank in Resil-
ience or Athletics during character creation. They obtain
The one-eyed god Gruumsh created the orcs, and even
this rank before spending experience points, and may not
those orcs who turn away from their worship can’t fully
increase the skill above rank 2 during character creation.
escape their influence. The same is true of half-orcs,
though their human blood moderates the impact of • Orcish Ancestry: Half-Orcs choose either the Menacing
their orcish heritage. Some half-orcs hear the whispers or Natural Warriors special ability from the Orc entry.
of Gruumsh in their dreams, calling them to unleash the • Tough as Nails: Once per session, your character may
rage that simmers within them. Others feel Gruumsh’s spend a Story Point as an out-of-turn incidental immedi-
exultation when they join in melee combat — and either ately after suffering a Critical Injury and determining the
exult along with him or shiver with fear and loathing. result. If they do so, they count the result rolled as “01.”
Half-orcs are not evil by nature, but evil does lurk within
them, whether they embrace it or rebel against it.
Beyond the rage of Gruumsh, half-orcs feel emotion
powerfully. Rage doesn’t just quicken their pulse, it makes
their bodies burn. An insult stings like acid, and sadness
saps their strength. But they laugh loudly and heartily,
and simple bodily pleasures — feasting, drinking, wres-
tling, drumming, and wild dancing — fill their hearts
with joy. They tend to be short-tempered and sometimes
sullen, more inclined to action than contemplation
and to fighting than arguing. The most accomplished

24
TABAXI
Hailing from a strange and distant land, wandering tab-
axi are catlike humanoids driven by curiosity to collect
interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes
on all the world’s wonders. Ultimate travelers, the inquis-
itive tabaxi rarely stay in one place for long. Their innate
nature pushes them to leave no secrets uncovered, no
treasures or legends lost.
WANDERING OUTCASTS
Most tabaxi remain in their distant homeland, content
to dwell in small, tight clans. These tabaxi hunt for food,
craft goods, and largely keep to themselves.
However, not all tabaxi are satisfied with such a life. The
Cat Lord, the divine figure responsible for the creation of
the tabaxi, gifts each of their children with one specific
feline trait. Those tabaxi gifted with curiosity are com-
pelled to wander far and wide. They seek out stories, arti-
facts, and lore. Those who survive this period of wander-
lust return home in their elder years to share news of the
outside world. In this manner, the tabaxi remain isolated
but never ignorant of the world beyond their home.
BARTERERS OF LORE
Tabaxi treasure knowledge rather than material things. A
chest filled with gold coins might be useful to buy food
or a coil of rope, but it’s not intrinsically interesting.
In the tabaxi’s eyes, gathering wealth is like packing
rations for a long trip. It’s important to survive in the
world, but not worth fussing over.
Instead, tabaxi value knowledge and new experiences.
Their ears perk up in a busy tavern, and they tease out
stories with offers of food, drink, and coin. Tabaxi might
walk away with empty purses, but they mull over the
stories and rumors they collected like a miser counting
coins.
Although material wealth holds little attraction for the
tabaxi, they have an insatiable desire to find and inspect
ancient relics, magical items, and other rare objects.
Aside from the power such items might confer, a tabaxi
takes great joy in unraveling the stories behind their cre-
ation and the history of their use.
FLEETING FANCIES
Wandering tabaxi are mercurial creatures, trading one
obsession or passion for the next as the whim strikes. A
tabaxi’s desire burns bright, but once met it disappears
to be replaced with a new obsession. Objects remain
intriguing only as long as they still hold secrets.
A tabaxi rogue could happily spend months plotting
to steal a strange gem from a noble, only to trade it for
passage on a ship or a week’s lodging after stealing it.
The tabaxi might take extensive notes or memorize every
facet of the gem before passing it on, but the gem holds
no more allure once its secrets and nature have been laid
bare.
TINKERS AND MINSTRELS
Curiosity drives most of the tabaxi found outside their
homeland, but not all of them become adventurers.
Tabaxi who seek a safer path to satisfy their obsessions
become wandering tinkers and minstrels.
These tabaxi work in small troupes, usually consisting
of an elder, more experienced tabaxi who guides up to
four young ones learning their way in the world. They
travel in small, colorful wagons, moving from settlement
to settlement. When they arrive, they set up a small stage
in a public square where they sing, play instruments,
tell stories, and offer exotic goods in trade for items that
spark their interest. Tabaxi reluctantly accept gold, but
they much prefer interesting objects or pieces of lore as
payment.
These wanderers keep to civilized realms, preferring to
bargain instead of pursuing more dangerous methods of
sating their curiosity. However, they aren’t above a little
discreet theft to get their claws on a particularly interest-
ing item when an owner refuses to sell or trade it.
TABAXI NAMES
Each tabaxi has a single name, determined by clan and
based on a complex formula that involves astrology,
prophecy, clan history, and other esoteric factors. Tabaxi
names can apply to both males and females, and most use
nicknames derived from or inspired by their full names.
Clan names are usually based on a geographical feature
located in or near the clan’s territory.
25
 2 2 1 3 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 9 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 8 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 xp
• Starting Skills: A Tabaxi starts with one rank in Coordi-
nation, Stealth, or Perception during character creation.
They obtain this rank before spending experience points,
and may not increase the skill above rank 2 during char-
acter creation.
• Natural Weapons: Tabaxi possess claws and may choose
to attack with the following weapon profile: (Brawl;
Damage +1; Critical 3; Range [Engaged]; Vicious 1).
• Catlike Curiosity: Tabaxi gain Perception or Stealth as a
career skill at character creation.
• Fleet of Paw: Tabaxi can perform a second maneuver to
move without suffering strain. They still cannot exceed
the limitation of two maneuvers in a turn.
26
GOLIATHS
At the highest mountain peaks-far above the slopes where
trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds
howl-dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to
have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship
with one. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind,
and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from
mountain stone and give them great physical power.
Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them
nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are
infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving
each goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the
tribe or die trying.
DRIVEN COMPETITORS
Every day brings a new challenge to a goliath. Food,
water, and shelter are rare in the uppermost mountain
reaches. A single mistake can bring doom to an entire
tribe, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the
entire group’s survival.
Goliaths thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and
individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score,
counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments
to compare to others. Goliaths love to win, but they see
defeat as a prod to improve their skills.
This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goli-
aths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they
are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a
dragon, they or they might seek out a larger, more pow-
erful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old
age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accom-
plishments.
FAIR PLAY
For goliaths, competition exists only when it is su ported
by a level playing field. Competition measures talent,
dedication, and effort. Those factors determine survival
in their home territory, not reliance on magic items,
money, or other elements that can tip the balance one
way or the other. Goliaths happily rely on such benefits,
but they are careful to remember that such an advan-
tage can always be lost. A goliath who relies too much
on them can grow complacent, a recipe for disaster in
the mountains.
This trait manifests most strongly when goliaths interact
with other folk. The relationship between peasants and
nobles puzzles goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or
leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person 3 1 2 2 2 2
in the kingdom should take their place. Goliaths rarely BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who

rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the
tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has little chance of sur-
vival, especially an older or weaker one. Goliaths have
little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves,
though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result
of the goliath concept of fair play.
A permanently injured goliath is still expected to pull
their or their weight in the tribe. Typically, such a goliath
dies attempting to keep up, or the goliath slips away in
the night to seek the cold will of fate.
In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds
into the grim inevitability of their decline and death.
A goliath would much rather die in battle, at the peak
of strength and skill, than endure the slow decay of old
age. Few folk have ever meet an elderly goliath, and even
those goliaths who have left their people grapple with the
urge to give up their lives as their physical skills decay.
Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a
chronic lack of the experience offered by longterm lead-
ers. They hope for innate wisdom in their leadership, for
they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age.
• Starting Wound Threshold: 13 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 9 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 95 xp
• Starting Skills: A Goliath starts with one rank in Resil-
ience or Athletics during character creation. They obtain
this rank before spending experience points, and may not
increase the skill above rank 2 during character creation.
• Mountain Resistance: When making skill checks, Goli-
aths may remove jj imposed due to cold environmen-
tal conditions, or high altitudes.
• Stone’s Endurance: Once per encounter after being
damaged, may spend a story point to add your ranks in
Resilience to your soak for that source of damage.
• Powerful Build: Golaiths add 10 to their encumbrance
threshold.

GOLIATH NAMES
Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by
the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by
the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name
is up to three syllables long. Clan names are five syllables
or more and end in a vowel.
Birth names are rarely linked to gender. Goliaths see
females and males as equal in all things, and they find
societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling or
worthy of mockery. To a goliath, the person who is best
at a job should be the one tasked with doing it.
A goliath’s nickname is a description that can change
on the whim of a chieftain or tribal elder. It refers to a
notable deed, either a success or failure, committed by
the goliath. Goliaths assign and use nicknames with their
friends of other races, and change them to refer to an
individual’s notable deeds.
Goliaths present all three names when identifying them-
selves, in the order of birth name, nickname, and clan
name. In casual conversation, they use their nickname.

27
 LIZARDFOLK
Only a fool looks at the lizardfolk and sees nothing more
than scaly humanoids. Their physical shape notwith-
standing, lizardfolk have more in common with igua-
nas or dragons than they do with humans, dwarves, or
elves. Lizardfolk possess an alien and inscrutable mind-
set, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of
basic principles than those of warm-blooded creatures.
Their dismal swamp homes might lie hundreds of miles
from the nearest human settlement, but the gap between
their way of thinking and that of the smooth-skins is far
greater.
Despite their alien outlook, some lizardfolk make an
effort to understand and, in their own manner, befriend
people of other races. Such lizardfolk make faithful and
skilled allies.
ALIEN MINDS
The lizardfolk’s reptilian nature comes through not only
in their appearance, but also in how they think and act.
Lizardfolk experience a more limited emotional life
than other humanoids. Like most reptiles, their feelings
largely revolve around fear, aggression, and pleasure. Liz-
ardfolk experience most feelings as detached descriptions
of creatures and situations. For example, humans con-
fronted by an angry troll experience fear on a basic level.
Their limbs shake, their thinking becomes panicked and
jumbled, and they react by instinct. The emotion of fear
takes hold and controls their actions. In contrast, lizard-
folk see emotions as traits assigned to other creatures,
objects, and situations. A lizardfolk doesn’t think, “I’m
scared.” Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to
the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible.
If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if
cornered. Lizardfolk aren’t scared of a troll; instead, they
understand that a troll is a fearsome, dangerous creature
and react accordingly.
Lizardfolk never become angry in the way others do, but
they act with aggression toward creatures that they could
defeat in a fight and that can’t be dealt with in some other
manner. They are aggressive toward prey they want to eat,
creatures that want to harm them, and so on.
Pleasurable people and things make life easier for liz-
ardfolk. Pleasurable things should be preserved and
protected, sometimes at the cost of the lizardfolk’s own
safety. The most pleasurable creatures and things are ones
that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign
rather than fearsome.
28
COLD AND CALCULATING
Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking
in emotion and empathy. The same label serves as
an apt depiction of lizardfolk.
Lacking any internal emotional reactions, lizardfolk
behave in a distant manner. They don’t mourn fallen
comrades or rage against their enemies. They simply
observe and react as a situation warrants.
Lizardfolk lack meaningful emotional ties to the past.
They assess situations based on their current and future
utility and importance. Nowhere does this come through
as strongly as when lizardfolk deal with the dead. To a liz-
ardfolk, a comrade who dies becomes a potential source
of food. That companion might have once been a warrior
or hunter, but now the body is just freshly killed meat.
A lizard folk who lives among other humanoids can, over
time, learn to respect other creatures’ emotions. The liz-
ardfolk doesn’t share those feelings, but instead assesses
them in the same clinical manner. Yes, the fallen dwarf
might be most useful as a meal, but hacking the body
into steaks provokes aggression in the other humanoids
and makes them less helpful in battle.
UTILITY AND SURVIVAL
The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel,
but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The
swamps they inhabit are filled with a staggering variety
of threats. Lizardfolk focus on survival above all, without
sentiment.
Lizardfolk assess everyone and everything in terms of
utility. Art and beauty have little meaning for them. A
sharp sword serves a useful and good purpose, while a
dull sword is a dead weight without a whetstone.
Lizardfolk see little need to plan more than a season or so
into the future. This approach allows them to maintain
their current level of influence in the world, but it limits
their growth. Lizardfolk have no interest in developing
writing, making long-term plans, or cultivating other
methods to progress beyond their simpie existence as
hunters and gatherers.
HAPLESS SOFT ONES
At their core, lizardfolk view other humanoids with an
indifference verging on pity. Born into the world lacking
stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have man-
aged to survive for so long. The typical human would
barely make it through a day in the swamps.
Still, if other creatures prove useful to lizardfolk, those
creatures can trigger a prote,ctive response made all the
stronger by their apparent weakness. The lizardfolk assess
such beings as hatchlings, young ones incapable of pro-
tecting themselves but who might prove useful in the
future if they receive care.
LIZARDFOLK NAMES
Lizardfolk take their names from the Draconic language.
They use simple descriptives granted by the tribe based
on an individual’s notable deeds or actions. For exam-
ple, Garurt translates as “axe,” a name given to a lizard-
folk warrior who defeated an ore and claimed their foe’s
weapon. A lizardfolk who likes to hide in a stand of reeds
before ambushing an animal might be called Achuak,
which means “green” to describe how they blends into
the foliage. Lizardfolk make no distinction between male
and female in their naming conventions.
2 2 2 3 2 1
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 95 xp
• Starting Skills: A Lizardfolk starts with one rank in
Survival or Perception during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase the skill above rank 2 during character
creation.
•Hold Breath: Lizardfolk can hold their breath for a
number of rounds equal to 10 times their Brawn rating
before they risk suffocating.
•Scaly Defense: Lizardfolk increase their soak value by 1.
•Natural Weapons: Lizardfolk possess a powerful maw
and may choose to attack with the following unarmed
weapon profile: (Brawl; Damage +1; Critical 3; Range
[Engaged];Pierce 1).
TRITON
Tritons guard the ocean depths, building small settle-
ments beside deep trenches, portals to the elemental
planes, and other dangerous spots far from the eyes of
land-bound folk. Long-established guardians of the deep
ocean floor, in recent years the noble tritons have become
increasingly active in the world above.
AQUATIC CRUSADERS
Centuries ago, tritons entered the world in response
to the growing threat of evil elementals. Tritons waged
many wars against their enemies on the Plane of Water,
driving them into the Darkened Depths where they
escaped into the crushing pressure and utter darkness. In
time, the tritons noticed that their ancient elemental foes
had grown quiet. Expeditions to the depths revealed that
krakens, sahuagin, and far worse foes had fled the Plane
of Water for the Material Plane.
The tritons, driven by a sense of duty and responsibility,
would not allow their foes to escape so easily. A great
conclave of tritons chose volunteers skilled in weapons
and magic as part of an expeditionary force to enter the
Material Plane and seek out their enemies.
Those tritons spread across the world’s oceans and estab-
lished protectorates to watch over deep sea trenches,
portals, undersea caves, and other locations where their
enemies might lurk. They defeated their foes when they
found them and drove the rest into hiding.
With their foes banished to the deepest reaches of the sea,
tritons settled in to watch for any sign of their return.
Over time, the tritons extended their stewardship over
the sea floor from their initial settlements and built out-
posts to create trade with other races. Despite this expan-
sion, few folk know of them. Their settlements are so
remote even merfolk and sea elves rarely encounter them.
HAUGHTY NOBLES
As a result of their isolation and limited understanding
of the Material Plane, tritons can come across as haughty
and arrogant. They see themselves as caretakers of the sea,
and they expect other creatures to pay them deep respect,
if not complete deference.
This attitude might grate on others, but it arises from a
seed of truth. Few know of the tritons’ great victories over
dreadful undersea threats. The tritons make little allow-
ance for such ignorance and are delighted to expound
upon the great debt others owe them.
29
 Tritons also have a tendency to emerge from their isola- At its worst, a triton’s arrogance compounds the ten-
tion under the assumption that other folk will welcome dency for the triton. not to understand the ways of
them as respected allies and mentors. Again, distance the surface world. It’s easy for a triton to blame baf-
drives much of this attitude. The tritons’ limited view of fling social practices on what the triton perceives as
the world leaves them ignorant of the kingdoms, wars, the barbarism, weakness, or cowardice of surface folk.
and other struggles of the surface world. Tritons readily
see such concerns as minor events, a sideshow to the tri-
2 2 2 2 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
tons’ role as the world’s true protectors.

STAUNCH CHAMPIONS • Starting Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn

Despite their off-putting manners, tritons are benevolent
creatures at heart, convinced that other civilized races
deserve their protection. Their attitude might grate, but
when pirate fleets prowl the waves or a kraken awakens
from its slumber, they are among the first to take up arms
to protect others.
Tritons readily sacrifice themselves for the common
good. They will fight and die for humans, merfolk, and
other creatures without question. Their self-absorbed
nature makes them overlook the history of other crea-
tures, but they also endure a sense of guilt over allowing
the evils of the Plane of Water to enter the Material Plane
and threaten its inhabitants. The tritons believe they owe
a debt of honor to the world, and they will fight and die
to pay it.
At times their fervor and ignorance of the world can lead
them astray. Tritons encountering other creatures for the
first time can underestimate them, leaving the tritons
vulnerable to deception. With their strong martial tra-
dition, tritons can sometimes be too eager to leap into
a fight.
• Starting Strain Threshold:11 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 xp
• Starting Skills: A Triton starts with one rank in Resil-
ience or Negotation during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points, and
may not increase the skill above rank 2 during character
creation.
• Deep Sea Dweller: Triton may breathe underwater
without penalty and never suffer penalties from being in
water. Triton also reduce damage from sources of cold by
3 before soak. Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affin-
ity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas
with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand
the meaning of your words, though you have no special
ability to understand them in return.

STRANGERS TO THE SURFACE

Given their isolation, most tritons have never been to the
surface world. They struggle with the idea that they can’t
easily move up and down out of water, and the changing
of the seasons mystifies them.
Tritons also find the variety of social institutions, king-
doms, and other customs bewildering. For all their proud
culture, they remain innocent of the surface world. The
typical triton protectorate is tightly regimented, orga-
nized, and unified around a common cause. A triton on
the surface becomes easily confused by the bewildering
array of alliances, rivalries, and petty grievances that pre-
vent the surface folk from truly unifying.

30
GENASI
Those who think of other planes at all consider them
remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt
throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings
who, through an accident of birth, carry the power of the
planes in their blood. The genasi are one such people, the
offspring of genies and mortals.
The Elemental Planes are often inhospitable to natives
of the Material Plane: crushing earth, searing flames,
boundless skies, and endless seas make visiting these
places dangerous for even a short time. The powerful
genies, however, don’t face such troubles when ventur-
ing into the mortal world. They adapt well to the min-
gled elements of the Material Plane, and they sometimes
visit—whether of their own volition or compelled by
magic. Some genies can adopt mortal guise and travel
incognito.
During these visits, a mortal might catch a genie’s eye.
Friendship forms, romance blooms, and sometimes chil-
dren result. These children are genasi: individuals with
ties to two worlds, yet belonging to neither. Some genasi
are born of mortal–genie unions, others have two genasi
as parents, and a rare few have a genie further up their
family tree, manifesting an elemental heritage that’s lain
dormant for generations.
Occasionally, genasi result from exposure to a surge of
elemental power, through phenomena such as an erup-
tion from the Inner Planes or a planar convergence.
Elemental energy saturates any creatures in the area and
might alter their nature enough that their offspring with
other mortals are born as genasi.
HEIRS TO ELEMENTAL POWER
Genasi inherit something from both sides of their dual
nature. They resemble humans but have unusual skin
color (red, green, blue, or gray), and there is something
odd about them. The elemental blood flowing through
their veins manifests differently in each genasi, often as
magical power.
Seen in silhouette, a genasi can usually pass for human.
Those of earth or water descent tend to be heavier, while
those of air or fire tend to be lighter. A given genasi
might have some features reminiscent of the mortal par-
ent (pointed ears from an elf, a stockier frame and thick
hair from a dwarf, small hands and feet from a halfling,
exceedingly large eyes from a gnome, and so on).
Genasi almost never have contact with their elemental
parents. Genies seldom have interest in their mortal off-
spring, seeing them as accidents. Many feel nothing for
their genasi children at all.
Some genasi live as outcasts, driven into exile for their
unsettling appearance and strange magic, or assum-
ing leadership of savage humanoids and weird cults in
untamed lands. Others gain positions of great influ-
ence, especially where elemental beings are revered. A
few genasi leave the Material Plane to find refuge in the
households of their genie parents.
WILD AND CONFIDENT
Genasi rarely lack confidence, seeing themselves as equal
to almost any challenge in their path. This certainty
might manifest as graceful self-assurance in one genasi
and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can
sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans
often get them and others into trouble.
Too much failure can chip away at even a genasi’s sense
of self, so they constantly push themselves to improve,
honing their talents and perfecting their craft.
As rare beings, genasi might go their entire lives with-
out encountering another one of their kind. There are no
great genasi cities or empires. Genasi seldom have com-
munities of their own and typically adopt the cultures
and societies into which they are born. The more strange
their appearance, the harder time they have. Many genasi
lose themselves in teeming cities, where their distinctive-
ness hardly raises an eyebrow in places accustomed to a
variety of different people.
Each genasi subrace has its own temperament.
Air genasi are proud of their heritage, sometimes
to the point of haughtiness. They can be flamboyant, and
are keen to have an audience. They rarely stay in one place
for long, always looking for a new sky to see and breathe.
Air genasi who don’t live in cities favor open lands such as
plains, deserts, and high mountains.
Earth genasi are more withdrawn, and
their connection to the earth keeps them from being
comfortable in most cities. Their uncommon size and
strength makes them natural soldiers, though, and
with their stoic demeanor, they can encourage others
and become great leaders. Many earth genasi live
underground, where they can be in their favored element.
When they emerge from their caves, they might roam the
hills and mountains or lay claim to old ruins.
Fire genasi often get themselves into difficulty
with their fiery tempers. Like their air genasi cousins, they
sometimes flaunt their perceived superiority over common
folk. But they also want others to share their high opinion
of themselves, so they constantly seek to enhance their
reputations.
Water genasi almost all have some experience
aboard or around sea vessels. They make excellent
mariners and fishers. Like earth genasi, though, water
genasi prefer quiet and solitude; the wide shores are their
natural homes. They go where they want, do what they
want, and rarely feel bound to anything.
31
 AIR GENASI
1 3 2 2 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold:9 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 95 xp
• Starting Skills: An Air Genasi starts with one rank in
Coordination or Negotation and one rank of Sorcery
during character creation. They obtain this rank before
spending experience points, and may not increase the
skill above rank 2 during character creation.
• Gaseous: Air Genasi can never suffer from suffocation
(see page 112 of the Genesys Core Rulebook). The spe-
cies’ silhouette is determined normally but its form is
highly malleable and can squeeze through any gap that
is not airtight. Air Genasi can hover, as per the Flying
sidebar on page 100 of the Core Rulebook.
As an air genasi, you are descended from the djinn. As
changeable as the weather, your moods shift from calm
to wild and violent with little warning, but these storms
rarely last long.
Air genasi typically have light blue skin, hair, and eyes. A
faint but constant breeze accompanies them, tousling the
hair and stirring the clothing. Some air genasi speak with
breathy voices, marked by a faint echo. A few display odd
patterns in their flesh or grow crystals from their scalps.
32
EARTH GENASI
3 2 2 1 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 11 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold:10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 100 xp
• Starting Skills: An Earth Genasi starts with one rank in
Resilience or Discipline and one rank of Sorcery during
character creation. They obtain this rank before spending
experience points, and may not increase the skill above
rank 2 during character creation.
• Tough as Stone: When an Earth Genasi suffers a Criti-
cal Injury, they only add +5 to the results for each Critical
injury they are currently suffering from, rather than +10.
They also ignore the effects of the Vicious quality when
hit by an attack.
As an earth genasi, you are descended from the cruel and
greedy dao, though you aren’t necessarily evil. You have
inherited some measure of control over earth, reveling in
superior strength and solid power. You tend to avoid rash
decisions, pausing long enough to consider your options
before taking action.
Elemental earth manifests differently from one individ-
ual to the next. Some earth genasi always have bits of
dust falling from their bodies and mud clinging to their
clothes, never getting clean no matter how often they
bathe. Others are as shiny and polished as gemstones,
with skin tones of deep brown or black, eyes sparkling
like agates. Earth genasi can also have smooth metallic
flesh, dull iron skin spotted with rust, a pebbled and
rough hide, or even a coating of tiny embedded crystals.
The most arresting have fissures in their flesh, from which
faint light shines.
FIRE GENASI
2 2 3 2 1 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold: 9 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 110 xp
• Starting Skills: A Fire Genasi starts with one rank in
Resilience or Streetwise and one rank of Sorcery during
character creation. They obtain this rank before spending
experience points, and may not increase the skill above
rank 2 during character creation.
• Fire Resistant: Fire Genasi reduce the damage suffered
from fire by 3 before soak.
• Luminescent: Fire Genasi give off a noticeable glow or
light. The illumination provides light out to short range
but adds j to Stealth checks members of this species
make.
As a fire genasi, you have inherited the volatile mood and
keen mind of the efreet. You tend toward impatience and
making snap judgments. Rather than hide your distinc-
tive appearance, you exult in it.
Nearly all fire genasi are feverishly hot as if burning
inside, an impression reinforced by flaming red, coal-
black, or ash-gray skin tones. The more human-looking
have fiery red hair that writhes under extreme emotion,
while more exotic specimens sport actual flames dancing
on their heads. Fire genasi voices might sound like crack-
ling flames, and their eyes flare when angered. Some are
accompanied by the faint scent of brimstone.
WATER GENASI
1 2 2 3 2 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
• Starting Strain Threshold:11 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 105 xp
• Starting Skills: A Water Genasi starts with one rank
in Perception or Negotation and one rank of Sorcery
during character creation. They obtain this rank before
spending experience points, and may not increase the
skill above rank 2 during character creation.
• Deep Sea Dweller: Water Genasi may breathe underwa-
ter without penalty and never suffer penalties from being
in water. Water Genasi also reduce damage from sources
of cold by 3 before soak.
The lapping of waves, the spray of sea foam on the wind,
the ocean depths—all of these things call to your heart.
You wander freely and take pride in your independence,
though others might consider you selfish.
Most water genasi look as if they just finished bathing,
with beads of moisture collecting on their skin and hair.
They smell of fresh rain and clean water. Blue or green
skin is common, and most have somewhat overlarge
eyes, blue-black in color. A water genasi’s hair might float
freely, swaying and waving as if underwater. Some have
voices with undertones reminiscent of whale song or
trickling streams.
33
 CHANGELING it as one characteristic to change among many.

Changelings can shift their forms with a thought. Many 1 2 2 3 2 2

changelings use this gift as a form of artistic and emo- BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
tional expression. It’s also an invaluable tool for grifters,
spies, and others who wish to deceive. This leads many • Starting Wound Threshold: 9+Brawn
people to treat changelings with suspicion.
• Starting Strain Threshold: 11+Willpower
A HIDDEN PEOPLE • Starting Experience: 95 XP
Wherever humans live, changelings reside also; the ques- • Starting Skills: Changelings begin with one rank in
tion is whether their presence is known. Changelings Deception. They obtain this rank before spending expe-
are born to one of three paths. A few are raised in stable rience points, and may not increase the skill above rank 2
communities where changelings are true to their nature during character creation.
and deal openly with the people around them. Some are • Change Appearance: As a maneuver, a changeling can
orphans, raised by other races, who find their way in the suffer 2 strain to alter their outward appearance to match
world without ever knowing another like themselves. that of a living creature of the same or smaller silhou-
Others are part of nomadic changeling clans spread ette they have seen and studied before. The changeling
across the planet, families who keep their true nature remains looking like the target until they use this ability
hidden from the single- skins. Some clans maintain safe again or are incapacitated. An observing character must
havens in major cities and communities, but most prefer make opposed Perception vs Deception check to detect
to wander the unpredictable path of the god known as that something is amiss with the impersonated charac-
the Traveler. ter‘s likeness, mannerisms, or behavior. As always, the
GM can add j or j for situational effects that might
MASKS AND PERSONAS affect the check, such as j if the Changeling‘s garb does
In their true form, changelings are pale, with colorless not match expectations or j if the Changeling has stud-
eyes and silver-white hair. It is rare to see a changeling in ied the impersonated individual’s mannerisms closely.
that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape
the way others might change clothes. A casual shape one
created on the spur of the moment, with no depth or
history-is called a mask. A mask can be used to express
a mood or to serve a specific purpose and then might
never be used again. However, many changelings develop
identities that have more depth. They build an identity
over time, crafting a persona with a history and beliefs.
This focused identity helps a changeling pinpoint a par-
ticular skill or emotion. A changeling adventurer might
have personas for many situations, including negotiation,
investigation, and combat.
Personas can be shared by multiple changelings; there
might be three healers in a community, but whoever is
on duty will adopt the persona of Tek, the kindly old
medic. Personas can even be passed down through a fam-
ily, allowing a younger changeling to take advantage of
contacts established by the persona’s previous users.

CHANGELING NAMES
A changeling might use a different name for each mask
and persona and adopt new names as easily as they
change faces. The true name of a changeling tends to
be simple and monosyllabic; however, there are often
accents to a changeling’s name that are expressed through
shapeshifting, something single-skins will likely miss. So,
two changelings might have the name Jin, but one is Jin-
with-vivid-blue-eyes and one is Jin-with-golden-nails.
Changelings have a fluid relationship with gender, seeing

34
WARFORGED
The Warforged were built to to be servants. While the
first Warforged were mindless automatons, the scholars
of Lantan devoted vast resources to improving these steel
soldiers. An unexpected breakthrough produced sapient
soldiers, giving rise to what some have only grudgingly
accepted as a new species. Warforged are made from
wood and metal, but they can feel pain and emotion.
Built a clean slate, they must now find a purpose. A War-
forged can be a steadfast ally, a cold-hearted killer, or a
visionary in search of meaning.
LIVING STEEL AND STONE
Warforged are formed from a blend of organic and inor-
ganic materials. Root-like cords infused with alchemical
fluids serve as their muscles, wrapped around a frame-
work of steel, darkwood, or stone. Armored plates form
a protective outer shell and reinforce joints. Warforged
share a common facial design, with a hinged jaw and
crystal eyes embedded beneath a reinforced brow ridge.
Throughout the Warforged body were vessels resem-
bling the circulatory system of organic creatures, com-
plete with a blood-like fluid. The arms of a Warforged
ended in hands with two fingers and a thumb while the
feet of the constructs were likewise two-toed. The most
important marking for any Warforged was their ghulra,
the primordial word for “truth”, a rune distinctive to each
Warforged which was placed upon their forehead.
The Warforged’s artificial nature also gave the race a
unique relationship to pain, which seemed limited to
actual injury. This allowed Warforged to modify them-
selves with some ease, giving them a varied appearance
in spite of their lack of inherent biological diversity. War-
forged’s artificial nature also meant they did not need to
eat, drink, or breathe. Likewise, Warforged did not need
to sleep but did nonetheless require rest in a fully-aware
state for a period of at least four hours.
Beyond these common elements of Warforged design,
the precise materials and build of a Warforged vary based
on the purpose for which it was designed.
Although they were manufactured, Warforged are living
humanoids. Resting, healing magic, and the Medicine
skill all provide the same benefits to Warforged that they
do to other humanoids.
PERSONALITY DEVOID
Warforged were built to serve. For most of their exis-
tence, Warforged had a clearly defined function and were
encouraged to focus purely on that role.
The scholars of Lantan gave them freedom, but many still
struggle both to find a place in the world and to relate to
the creatures who created them.
The typical Warforged shows little emotion. Many War-
forged embrace a concrete purpose-such as protecting
allies, completing a contract, or exploring a land-and
embrace this task as they once did.
However, there are Warforged who delight in exploring
their feelings, their freedom, and their relationships with
others. Most Warforged have no interest in religion, but
some embrace faith and mysticism, seeking higher pur-
pose and deeper meaning.
The typical Warforged has a sexless body shape. Some
Warforged ignore the concept of gender entirely, while
others adopt a gender identity.
The more a Warforged develops its individuality, the
more likely it is to modify its body, seeking out an artifi-
cer to customize the look of its face, limbs, and plating.
Warforged as a whole had a strong work ethic and shared
an aversion to failure. Warforged were capable of fear,
often of death or pain, as much as other race and they
could come to hate the sources of these fears just as easily.
Warforged were also capable of loyalty and joy, particu-
larly in relations to friends and allies and could be driven
to anger when their loves or goals were threatened. How-
ever, Warforged as a whole exhibited a simple-minded
and reserved approach to life with straightforward goals
and reactionary passions.
Since Warforged were created in a state of physical matu-
rity, many exhibited a childlike perspective that was often
mistaken as naïve or emotionally crippled; this was not
necessarily true. Some Warforged, in fact, developed a
particularly sophisticated view of the world, ever curious
about its mysteries in part due to the odd nature of their
creation. Many wondered where they might go in death
and if they even have souls. Some created deeply ordered
philosophies to govern themselves or maintained a per-
petual list of tasks to occupy themselves with. Others fell
in with the religions and mindsets of other races. Some
Warforged even lived long enough to develop a deep and
weathered personality as tempered by time as that of
other races.
35
 WARFORGED NAMES
Most Warforged were assigned numerical designations
for use in service. Many of them adopted nicknames,
often given to them by their comrades. As indepen-
dent individuals, some have chosen new names as a
way to express their path in life. A few take on human
names, often the name of a fallen friend or mentor.

1 1 1 1 1 1
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

• Starting Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn

• Starting Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
• Starting Experience: 205 xp
• Starting Skills: After selecting their career and special-
ization, your Warforged character may train one rank
in six of the eight career skills and one rank in three of
the four specialization skill from their first specialization
during character creation instead of the usual four from
the career and two from the first specialization.
• Inorganic: Warforged do not need to eat, or breathe,
and are unaffected by toxins and poisons. Warforged
also increase their soak by one. Warforged do not reduce
their strain threshold when they receive magical enhance-
ments. Since Warforged are inorganic, they do not gain
the benefits of healing wounds with painkillers or a
Medicine check. Warforged can heal wounds and strain
naturally by resting, as their systems attempt self-repairs.
Warforged can also be “healed” by using magical healing,
or the Mechanics skill instead of the Medicine skill, but
otherwise following the guidelines detailed on page 116.
• Sentry’s Rest: Warforged do not need sleep. Instead,
they must spend at least four hours in an inactive,
motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you
appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and
you can see and hear as normal.

36
 CAREERS AND SPECIALIZATIONS
A player who is creating a character for the Forgot-
ten Realms setting must select a career for that
character. The following careers take the place of those
described in the Genesys Core Rulebook. In addition to
determining a character’s career skills and granting ranks
in four of those skills, each career includes a bonus to
either your characters wound and/or strain threshold, a
small talent tree, list of starting gear, and specializations.
If the Game Master allows it, the player may take this
starting gear for their character instead of following the
process for Starting Gear on page 51 of the Genesys Core
Rulebook. Note that all items listed use steel craftsman-
ship or oak materials where applicable.
Specialization trees linked to a career focus on specif-
ic aspects of that career. Each specialization reprsents a
narrowing of focus for practitioners of that career by pro-
viding four new career skills, that the character recieves
if they didn’t have them as career skills already, and a
predetermined selection of available talents to a player
character.
Each character starts with a single specialization within
their chosen career. However, characters may purchase
additional specializations, giving them access to a broad-
er range of skills and talents. There is no limit as to the
number of specializations a character possesses.
Acquiring a specialization allows the character to spend
experience points in the new specialization’s talent tree,
in addition to any they already has access to. Also, most
specializations have one or more career skills. These skills
now count as career skills for the character. Characters
can purchase specializations from any career. Purchasing
an additional specialization within a character’s career
costs 10 times the total number of specializations they
would possess with this new specialization. Purchasing
non-career specializations costs 10 times the total num-
ber of specializations they would possess with this new
specialization, plus an additional 10 experience.
ARTIFICER
Every artificer is defined by a specific craft. Artificers
see mastering the basic methods of a craft as the first
step to true progress, the invention of new methods and
approaches. Some artificers are engineers, students of
invention and warfare who craft deadly firearms that they
can augment with magic. Other artificers are alchemists.
Using their knowledge of magic and various exotic ingre-
dients, they create potions and draughts to aid them on
their adventures. Alchemy and engineering are the two
most common areas of study for artificers, but others do
exist.
All artificers are united by their curiosity and inventive
nature. To an artificer, magic is an evolving art with a
leading edge of discovery and mastery that pushes further
ahead with each passing year. Artificers value novelty and
discovery. This penchant pushes them to seek a life of
adventure. A hidden ruin might hold a forgotten magic
item or a beautifully crafted mirror perfect for magical
enhancement. Artificers win respect and renown among
their kind by uncovering new lore or inventing new
methods of creation.
Makers of magic-infused objects, artificers are defined
by their inventive nature. Like wizards, they see magic as
a complex system waiting to be decoded and controlled
through a combination of thorough study and investiga-
tion. Artificers, though, focus on creating marvelous new
magical objects. Spells are often too ephemeral and tem-
porary for their tastes. Instead, they seek to craft durable,
useful items.
The Artificer counts the following skills as career skills:
Artifice, Alchemy, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge
(Lore), Mechanics, Ranged, Skulduggery, and Vig-
ilance. Before spending experience points (XP) during
character creation, an Artificer may choose four of their
career skills and gain one rank in each of them.
Starting Gear: Players with an Artificer character may
choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
ing currency during Step 7 of character creation.
• A crossbow or a Mace and Shield
• A set of Artificer Tools
• Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
• 1d100 gold coins
37
 ARTIFICER SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Artificer Career.
Alchemist
An Alchemist adds Alchemy, Artifice, Medicine, and
Ranged to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
An Alchemist is an expert at combining reagents to pro-
duce mystical effects. Alchemists use their creations to
give life and to leech it away. Alchemy is one of the oldest
of traditions, and its versatility has long been valued
during times of war and peace.
Tinkerer
A Tinkerer adds Artifice, Brawl, Knowledge (Lore), and
Mechanics to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
Pretty much anything to do with technology or creation
lies within the Tinkerer’s purview. He knows how to
operate, maintain, repair, and upgrade just about any-
thing. Most Tinkerers would rather deal with machines
and the craft than people; the latter are just too unpre-
dictable.

Battle Smith
A Battle Smith adds Artifice, Discipline, Mechanics, and
Melee (Light) to their Career skills. If this is the charac-
ter’s starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
Armies require protection, and someone has to put things
back together if defenses fail . A combination of protec-
tor and medic, a Battle Smith is an expert at defending
others and repairing both material and personnel. To aid
in their work, Battle Smiths are usually accompanied by
a steel defender, a protective companion of their own cre-
ation.

Destructor
A Destructor adds Alchemy, Discipline, Mechanics, and
Ranged to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
Destructors can excel at setting traps, from improvised
trip-wires tied to grenades to sophisticated proximity
and timed explosives. Whereas another might go after
an enemy in a straight-up fight, a Destructor may find
a more inventive route, such as rigging a black powder
bomb to explode when the target gets in his carriage.
Some Destructors enjoy the thrill of combat as much as
any other. The work of a Destructor is extremely danger-
ous, as a single misstep can spell doom for the character
(and anyone unfortunate enough to be in the general
vicinity). In order to succeed, a Destructor must be able
to keep a clear head and focus on his work.

38
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 05
talent active?
Inventor
When your character makes a check
to construct new items or modify
existing ones, use this talent to add
a number of j to the check equal
to ranks of Inventor. In addition,
your character may attempt to
reconstruct devices that they have
heard described but have not seen
and do not have any kinds of plans
or schematics for.
Cost: 05
talent active?
Applied Research
Your character may use this
talent before making a check
to use any knowledge skill and
Intellect instead of the skill and
characteristic the check would
normally require. Your character
may use this talent a number of
times per session equal to their
ranks in Applied Research.
Cost: 10
Artificer
Career Skills: Artifice, Alchemy,
Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge
(Lore), Mechanics, Ranged, Skuldug-
gery, Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active?
Jury Rigged
The character chooses
one personal weapon or
piece of armor per rank
of Jury Rigged and gives
it an improvement. See
full talent text.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Imbue Item
*Your character must have 2 ranks
in Artifice to benefit from this
talent* The character may take the
Imbue Item maneuver, and suffer
strain up to your ranks in Imbue
Item. He then grants a number of
weapons or items equal to strain
suffered within short range a tem-
porary enhancement. The character
suffers 1 strain at the beginning of
each of their turns while this talent
is active. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
talent active?
Eye for Detail
After making an Alchemy or
Mechanics check but before
interpreting the results, your
character may suffer a number
of strain up to ranks in Eye for
Detail. Doing so converts that
many s to a, though they
must still have at least one s to
succeed on the check.
Cost: 15
talent active?
Signature Spell
When your character gains a
rank in this talent, decide on a
signature spell for them, consisting
of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects.
When your character casts their
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce
the difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Eureka!
When your character makes an Alche-
my or Mechanics check that generates
t, roll an additional l and add it
to the results of the check in addition
to spending the t normally. When
your character makes an Alchemy or
Mechanics check that generates d,
roll an additional l and add it to
the results of the check in addition to
spending the d normally. (Both of
these effects may occur multiple times
during a check.)
Cost: 20
talent active?
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this
talent for your character, choose one
skill. Once per round, your character
may suffer 2 strain to use this talent to
reduce the difficulty of the next check
they make this round using that skill
by two, to a minimum of Easy (k).
Each time your character uses this
talent during an encounter, the strain
cost increases by 1. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
39
 Specialization Tree: Alchemist
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Alchemy, Artifice, Medicine, Ranged
Potion Specialist
When your character uses heal-
ing potions, the target heals
one additional wound per rank
of Potion Specialist. The sixth
healing potion and beyond
each day still has no effect.
Cost: 5
Savant
When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the time
required by 25%. This reduc-
tion may be applied multiple
times, to a limit of 50%
Cost: 10
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 15
Augment Application
(Improved)
As an incidental, when performing
the Augment Application action,
the character may increase the
difficulty of the Medicine check
to Daunting (kkkk) as an inci-
dental. If they does so, the target
of the action suffers one strain
instead of four.
Cost: 20
It’s Not That Bad
Once per game session, when an
ally is about to suffer a critical
injury, the character can take an It’s
Not That Bad incidental to make
a Hard (kkk) Medicine check. If
successful, the ally does not gain
the Critical Injury and does not
suffer any of its normal effects.
40 Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Augment Application
The character may take the Augment
Application action. He makes a Hard
(kkk) Medicine check. If successful,
one ally they is engaged with (includ-
ing himself ) increases one characteris-
tic of the character’s choice by one for
the remainder of the encounter, and
suffers four strain. See full talent text
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this
talent, choose 2 skills.
Once per session, you
may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Savant
When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the time
required by 25%. This reduc-
tion may be applied multiple
times, to a limit of 50%
Cost: 20
Augment Application
(Supreme)
When performing the Aug-
ment Application action,
each t may be spent to
increase an additional char-
acteristic by one.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Grenadier
When your character makes a ranged
combat check with a weapon that has
the Blast item quality, you may spend
one Story Point to use this talent to
trigger the weapon’s Blast quality, in-
stead of spending a (even if the attack
misses). In addition, your character
treats bombs as having a range of
medium.
Cost: 10
Eye For Detail
After making an Alchemy or Mechan-
ics check but before interpreting the
results, your character may suffer a
number of strain up to ranks in Eye for
Detail. Doing so converts that many
s to a, though they must still have
at least one s to succeed on the check.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Eye For Detail
After making an Alchemy or Mechan-
ics check but before interpreting the
results, your character may suffer a
number of strain up to ranks in Eye for
Detail. Doing so converts that many
s to a, though they must still have
at least one s to succeed on the check.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts their signature spell (consisting
of the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Battle Smith
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Artifice, Discipline, Mechanics, Melee (Light)
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Battle Casting
Your character does not add j
to magic skill checks for wearing
heavy armor (armor with +2 soak
or higher), using a shield, or not
having at least one hand free (see
Table III.2–3: Penalties When
Casting Spells, on page 210 of the
Genesys Core Rulebook).
Cost: 10
Tinkerer
May add 1 additional
hard point to a number
of items equal to ranks in
Tinkerer. Each item may
only be modified once.
Cost: 15
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 20
Armor Master
(Supreme)
Once per encounter, when the
character suffers a Critical Injury,
they may suffer 3 strain to take the
Armor Master incidental.
If they does. they reduces the Crit-
ical lnJury result that they suffers
by 10 per point of their soak. to a
minimum of l
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Armor Master
When wearing ar-
mor, Increase total
soak value by 1.
Cost: 10
Animal Companion
Your character creates a
bond with a single an-
imal approved by your
GM. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Armor Master
(Improved)
Your character must have
purchased the Armor Mas-
ter talent to benefit from
this talent. When wearing
armor with a soak value of
2 or higher, increase defense
by 1.
Cost: 20
Back-to-Back
While engaged with one or more
allies, your character and allies
they are engaged with add j to
combat checks. If one or more
allies engaged with your character
also have Back-to-Back, the effects
are cumulative to a maximum of
jj.
Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Heroic Will
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries;
they just ignore the effects)
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Parry
When your character suffers a hit
from a melee combat check, after
damage is calculated but before soak
is applied, your character may suffer
3 strain to use this talent to reduce
the damage of the hit by two plus
their ranks in parry. This talent can
only be used once per hit, and your
character needs to be wielding a
Cost: 5
Block
While wielding a shield,
your character may use
the Parry talent to reduce
damage from ranged attacks
as well as melee attacks
targeting your character.
Cost: 10
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
Story Point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 15
Imbue Weapon
Your character must have 4 ranks in Artifice
to benefit from this talent. Once per
round, when you make a melee combat
check you may spend a story point to
add modifiers from the Attack spell, and
increase the difficulty of the check by the
listed amounts. These modifiers replace
any existing qualities on weapons and are
not additive. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
41
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Destructor
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Alchemy, Discipline, Mechanics, Ranged

Quick Draw Grit Knack for It Toughened

Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re- Each rank of tough-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase ened increases your
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills character’s wound
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these threshold by two.
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Selective Detonation Toughened Time to Go Selective Detonation

When using a weapon with
the Blast quality spend a to
exclude 1 target that would be
affected by the explosion, up to
ranks in Selective Detonation.
Each rank of tough- The character may spend 1
Story Point to perform a Move
ened increases your maneuver as an incidental to
character’s wound attempt to move into cover
or out of the blast range of a
threshold by two. weapon, explosion, or similar
effect.
When using a weapon with
the Blast quality spend a to
exclude 1 target that would be
affected by the explosion, up to
ranks in Selective Detonation.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Grit Durable Time to Go Improved Improvised Detonation

Each rank of grit Your character reduces any Critical When activating Time to Go, the character
may allow one ally they is engaged with to
Once per session, the char-
Injury result they acter may make a Daunting
increases your charac- suffer by 10 per rank of Durable,
perform an out of turn Move maneuver as
an incidental. This maneuver may only be (lkkk) Mechanics check to
to a minimum of 01.
ter’s strain threshold used to move into cover or out of the blast
radius of an explosion or similar effect. This
perform the Improvised Det-
onation action and build an ex-
by one. incidental occurs after the ally determines
they would be hit by the blast, but before plosive device out of available
damage is applied.
materials. See full talent text.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Mad Inventor Toughened How Conveneient Resolve

Once per session, your character may
use this talent to make a Mechanics
check to attempt to cobble together
the functional equivalent of any item
using spare parts or salvage. The
difficulty of the check is based on the
item’s rarity; see Page 80 of Genesys
Core Rulebook.
Each rank of tough- Once per session, your character may
use this talent to make a Hard (kkk)
When a character invol-
ened increases your Mechanics check. If successful, untarily suffers strain,
one device involved in the current they suffer 1 less strain
character’s wound encounter (subject to your GM’s ap-
proval) spontaneously fails. This can be per rank of resolve to a
threshold by two. because of your character’s actions, or minimum of 1.
it can simply be incredibly convenient
timing!

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Master Demolitionist Dedication Improved Improvised Deto-

When resolving an attack from a per-
sonal scale explosive or ordinance weap-
on, your character may spend aaa
or t to have the weapon’s Blast quality
affect all characters within short range
(rather than engaged). If the weapon
normally affects all characters within
short range, then the range of the effect
is increased to medium range instead.
42 Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
nation
Jury Rigged
Reduce the difficulty of Improvised The character chooses one
Detonation’s check to Hard (lkk)
and increase the damage dealt by the personal weapon or piece
explosive to ranks in Intellect plus of armor per rank of Jury
twice the character’s ranks in Mechan- Rigged and gives it an
ics plus s on the initial check (this
includes the damage dealt on a prema- improvement. See full talent
ture detonation triggered by d) text.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Tinkerer
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Artifice, Brawl, Knowledge (Lore), Mechanics
Redundent Systems
Once per session, may take a
Redundant Systems action;
make an Easy (k) Mechanics
check to harvest components
from a functioning device to
repair a broken one without
breaking the first device.
Cost: 5
Inventor
When your character makes a check to
construct new items or modify existing
ones, use this talent to add a number of j
to the check equal to ranks of Inventor. In
addition, your character may attempt to
reconstruct devices that they have heard
described but have not seen and do not have
any kinds of plans or schematics for.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Jury Rigged
The character chooses one
personal weapon or piece
of armor per rank of Jury
Rigged and gives it an
improvement. See full talent
text.
Cost: 20
Tinkerer
May add 1 additional
hard point to a number
of items equal to ranks in
Tinkerer. Each item may
only be modified once.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Savant
When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the time
required by 25%. This reduc-
tion may be applied multiple
times, to a limit of 50%
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts their signature spell (consisting
of the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Inventor
When your character makes a check to
construct new items or modify existing
ones, use this talent to add a number of j
to the check equal to ranks of Inventor. In
addition, your character may attempt to
reconstruct devices that they have heard
described but have not seen and do not have
any kinds of plans or schematics for.
Cost: 20
Dediction
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Mental Tools
*Your character must have 2 ranks
in Artifice to benefit from this tal-
ent* Your character always counts
as having the right tools for the
job when performing Mechanics
checks.
Cost: 10
Eye For Detail
After making an Alchemy or Mechan-
ics check but before interpreting the
results, your character may suffer a
number of strain up to ranks in Eye for
Detail. Doing so converts that many
s to a, though they must still have
at least one s to succeed on the check.
Cost: 15
Imbue Item
*Your character must have 2 ranks in Artifice
to benefit from this talent* The character
may take the Imbue Item maneuver, and
suffer strain up to your ranks in Imbue
Item. He then grants a number of weapons
or items equal to strain suffered within
short range a temporary enhancement. The
character suffers 1 strain at the beginning of
each of their turns while this talent is active.
See full talent text for enhancements.
Cost: 20
Jury Rigged
The character chooses one
personal weapon or piece
of armor per rank of Jury
Rigged and gives it an
improvement. See full talent
text.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Eye For Detail
After making an Alchemy or Mechan-
ics check but before interpreting the
results, your character may suffer a
number of strain up to ranks in Eye for
Detail. Doing so converts that many
s to a, though they must still have
at least one s to succeed on the check.
43
Cost: 25
 BARBARIAN BARBARIAN SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
People of towns and cities take pride in how their civi- following sections; this section mainly deals with how
lized ways set them apart from animals, as if denying one’s each specialization connects to the Barbarian Career.
own nature was a mark of superiority. To a barbarian,
though, civilization is no virtue, but a sign of weakness. Path of the Berserker
The strong embrace their animal nature—keen instincts, A Berserker adds Athletics, Brawl, Melee (Heavy), and
primal physicality, and ferocious rage. Barbarians are Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
uncomfortable when hedged in by walls and crowds. starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
They thrive in the wilds of their homelands: the tundra, skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
jungle, or grasslands where their tribes live and hunt. starting experience.
Barbarians come alive in the chaos of combat. They For some barbarians, rage is a means to an end—that
can enter a berserk state where rage takes over, giving end being violence. The Path of Berserker is a path of
them superhuman strength and resilience. A barbarian untrammeled fury, slick with blood. As you enter the
can draw on this reservoir of fury only a few times with- berserker’s rage, you thrill in the chaos of battle, heedless
out resting, but those few rages are usually sufficient to of your own health or well-being. Berserkers make excel-
defeat whatever threats arise. lent ‘‘leg-breakers,’’ among other things, and they usually
know quite a bit about how to survive in most situations.
Not every member of the tribes deemed “barbarians”
In combat, they are masters of dishing out and taking
by scions of civilized society has the barbarian class. A
lots of damage.
true barbarian among these people is as uncommon as a
skilled fighter in a town, and they or they plays a similar Path of the Hurler
role as a protector of the people and a leader in times of
A Hurler adds Athletics, Melee (Light), Perception, and
war. Life in the wild places of the world is fraught with
Ranged to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
peril: rival tribes, deadly weather, and terrifying mon-
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
sters. Barbarians charge headlong into that danger so that
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
their people don’t have to.
starting experience.
Their courage in the face of danger makes barbarians While most barbarians typically focus on melee combat
perfectly suited for adventuring. Wandering is often a alone. barbarians who follow the Path of the Hurler learn
way of life for their native tribes, and the rootless life of to channel their rage through ranged combat as well. A
the adventurer is little hardship for a barbarian. Some barbarian who follows this path can hurl their devastat-
barbarians miss the close-knit family structures of the ing weapons at enemies with such power and skill that
tribe, but eventually find them replaced by the bonds it completely blurs the line between melee and ranged
formed among the members of their adventuring parties. combat.
The Barbarian counts the following skills as career
skills: Athletics, Brawl, Coercion, Melee (Heavy), Nature,
Resilience, Survival, and Vigilance. Before spending
experience points (XP) during character creation, a Bar-
barian may choose four of their career skills and gain one
rank in each of them.
Starting Gear: Players with a Barbarian character
may choose to start with the following gear instead
of spending currency during Step 7 of character cr
meation:
• A spear
• A Greataxe or a Halberd
• Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
• 1d100 gold coins

44
Path of the Juggernaut
A Juggernaut adds Cool, Discipline, Resilience, and Sur-
vival to their Career skills. If this is the character’s start-
ing Specialization, they may choose two of these skills
and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting
experience.
Most barbarians pride themselves on their ability to over-
come pain. A Juggernaut, however, possesses a toughness
far beyond that. While many fighters wear their scars
with pride, an experienced Juggernaut ripples with scar
tissue, the evidence of wounds enough to kill a normal
combatant a dozen times over. Where other barbarians
might seek to end conflicts quickly and decisively, a Jug-
gernaut possesses the stamina, endurance, and strength
of will to fight through inconceivable pain and punish-
ment, outlasting the foe matter the odds.

Path of the Ravager

A Ravager adds Coercion, Melee (Light), Resilience, and
Streetwise to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
While most Barbarians focus almost exclusively on com-
bat, Ravagers have a focus in intimidation and both
learned and instinctual criminal knowledge. In most
criminal organizations, Ravagers fill the dual role of
hired muscle and the “face” of a criminal organization.
The Ravager brings a criminal syndicate’s message to the
streets, then ensures that message is followed (and pun-
ishes those who stray). Ravagers should have no trouble
finding work.
While most Ravagers have a fondness for violence, they
also display a degree of self-control. Violence is a tool
in the Ravager’s arsenal, and not an end in itself. Unlike
some barbarians, an Ravager is more likely to try words
before violence, though these words may be laced with
venom and the threat of imminent violence. However, a
Ravager must always be ready to fight.

45
 talent active? talent active?

Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Barbarian
Career Skills: Athletics, Brawl,
Coercion, Melee (Heavy), Nature,
Resilience, Survival, Vigilance
Wound Threshold Bonus: +2
Berserk
Once per encounter, your character
may perform the Berserk maneuver.
Until the end of the encounter or until
they are incapacitated, add saa to
all combat checks they make. How-
ever, opponents add s to all combat
checks targeting your character. While
berserk, you cannot cast spells or make
ranged attacks, except with throwing
weapons. At the end of the encounter
(or when they are incapacitated), your
character suffers 6 strain.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Unarmored Defense Uncanny Senses Burly Enduring

Your character increases their Add j per rank of
soak by their Agility (in addi- Reduce any wielded Each rank of Enduring
Uncanny Senses to all weapon’s cumbersome increases your charac-
tion to their Brawn). None of
the preceding effects of this rule Perception and Vigilance
quality and encum- ter’s soak by one.
apply while your character is checks.
wearing armor. brance rating by a
number equal to ranks
in Burly, to a minimum
of 1.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 05 Cost: 15

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Pain Don’t Hurt Constant Vigilance Heroic Recovery Lethal Blows

Once per session, your
character may spend a
Story Point to use this
talent to reduce all
damage they suffer by
one plus their ranks in
Resilience until the end
of the following round.
Cost: 20
May always use vig-
ilance when making
checks to determine
initiative.
Cost: 20
When your character acquires
Add +10 per rank of
this talent, choose one charac-
teristic. Once per encounter, lethal blows to any criti-
you may spend one Story Point cal injury results inflict-
to use this talent to have your
ed on opponents.
character heal strain equal to
the rating of the chosen charac-
teristic.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15

46
Specialization Tree: Path of the Berserker
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Brawl, Melee (Heavy), Vigilance
Burly
Reduce any wielded
weapon’s cumbersome
quality and encumbrance
rating by a number equal
to ranks in Burly, to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 5
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
vigilance or cool check they make
to determine initiative order. The
number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
Cost: 10
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
vigilance or cool check they make
to determine initiative order. The
number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
Cost: 15
Enduring
Each rank of en-
during increases
your character’s
soak value by one.
Cost: 20
Sweep Attack
Increase difficulty of a Brawl,
Melee (Light), or Melee (Heavy)
combat check by 1 to perform
Sweep Attack action. Must target
the adversary who is hardest to
hit (as determined by the GM).
May spend aa to hit additional
engaged targets.
Cost: 25
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 15
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 20
Frenzied Attack
When making a melee or
brawl check, suffer a num-
ber of strain to upgrade the
attack an equal number of
times. The strain suffered
may not exceed ranks in
frenzied attack.
Cost: 25
Frenzied Attack Desperate Recovery
When making a melee or Before your character heals strain
brawl check, suffer a num- at the end of an encounter, if their
strain is more than half of their
ber of strain to upgrade the strain threshold, they heal two
attack an equal number of additional strain.
times. The strain suffered
may not exceed ranks in
frenzied attack.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Grit Berserk
Each rank of grit Once per encounter, as a maneuver, until
the end of the encounter or until they are
increases your charac- incapacitated, your character adds saa
to all melee combat checks they make. How-
ter’s strain threshold ever, opponents add s to all combat checks
targeting your character. While berserk,
by one. your character cannot make ranged combat
checks or cast spells. At the end of the
encounter (or when they are incapacitated),
your character suffers 6 strain.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted Lucky Strike
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
you may reroll either of these your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
skills. See full talent text.
Story Point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Heroic Will Burly
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
Reduce any wielded
weapon’s cumbersome
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
quality and encumbrance
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until rating by a number equal
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries; to ranks in Burly, to a
they just ignore the effects) minimum of 1.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Sorry About the Mess Dedication
Decrease the critical Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
rating of a weapon by
acter’s characteristics by one.
1 (to a minimum of
This talent cannot increase a
1) against targets that characteristic above 5.
have not yet acted this
encounter. 47
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Path of the Hurler
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Melee (Light), Perception, Ranged
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Quick Draw
(Improved)
You may use quick draw
twice per round. This also
allows you to reduce the
prepare rating of a weapon
by 2 to a minimum of 1.
Cost: 10
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 15
Eagle Eye
Once per encounter before making
a ranged combat check, you may
use this talent to increase your
weapon’s range by one range band
(to a maximum of extreme range).
This lasts for the duration of the
combat check.
Cost: 20
True Aim
Once per round, may suffer
strain up to ranks of True Aim,
to perform a True Aim maneu-
ver to gain benefits of aiming
and upgrade combat check
once per strain suffered.
48 Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Burly
Reduce any wielded
weapon’s cumbersome
quality and encumbrance
rating by a number equal
to ranks in Burly, to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Hamstring Shot
Once per round, your character may
use this talent to perform a ranged
combat check against one non-vehicle
target within range of the weapon
used. If the check is successful, halve
the damage inflicted by the attack
(before reducing damage by the target’s
soak). The target is immobilized until
the end of its next turn.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Flurry of Steel
Once per encounter, your character
may suffer 2 strain to use this talent.
During the next ranged combat check
they make this turn, throwing weapons
thrown by your character gain the Au-
to-Fire quality. You do not increase the
difficulty of this combat check; instead,
your character must have (and use) one
throwing weapon per hit triggered.
Cost: 15
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
Story Point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 20
Titan’s Grip
Your character character may use this
talent to treat Melee (Light) weapons
as Ranged weapons possessing a range
of Short, but only if thrown. While
thrown using this talent, treat Melee
(Light) weapons as possessing with an
Inaccurate rating equal to the weapon’s
encumbrance rating. This lasts for the
duration of the combat check.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Lightning Draw
The first time your character
draws a Melee (Light) or Melee
(Heavy) weapon during an
encounter increase the base
damage of the weapon by 2
until the end of their current
turn.
Cost: 10
Strong Arm
Treat thrown weap-
ons as if they had 1
greater range.
Cost: 15
Flurry of Steel
(Improved)
When triggering addi-
tional hits from Flurry of
Steel Auto-Fire,
extra hits require a in-
stead of the normal aa.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Path of the Juggernaut
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Cool, Discipline, Resilience, Survival

Toughened Unstoppable Hard Headed Toughened

Each rank of tough- If a Critical Injury When staggered or disorient- Each rank of tough-
ed, perform the Hard Headed
ened increases your roll is 1 or reduced action; make a Daunting ened increases your
character’s wound to 1, do not receive (kkkk) Discipline check to character’s wound
remove status. Difficulty re-
threshold by two. the critical injury. duced by 1 per additional rank threshold by two.
of Hard Headed.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Defensive Stance Heroic Will Hard Headed Hard-Boiled

Once per round, your character may
suffer a number of strain no greater
than their ranks in Defensive Stance to
use this talent. Then, until the end of
your character’s next turn, upgrade the
difficulty of all melee combat checks
targeting your character a number of
times equal to the strain suffered.
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics.
You may spend a story point to use this
talent to have your character ignore the
effects of all critical injuries on any skill
checks using those two characteristics
until the end of the current encounter.
When staggered or disorient-
ed, perform the Hard Headed
action; make a Daunting
(kkkk) Discipline check to
remove status. Difficulty re-
duced by 1 per additional rank
of Hard Headed.
When your character makes a
check to recover strain at the end
of an encounter, your character
may make a Simple (-) Resilience
check instead of Discipline or
Cool. If your character does so,
they heal 1 strain per s and 1
wound per a.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Durable Unarmored Dumb Luck Durable

Defense
May reduce any Crit- Your character increases their Once per session, you may spend a Story
Point to use this talent after your charac-
May reduce any Crit-
soak by their Agility (in addi-
ical Injury suffered by tion to their Brawn). None of
ter suffers a Critical Injury but before the
result is rolled. Their opponent must roll
ical Injury suffered by
10 per rank of Dura- the preceding effects of this rule two results, and you select which applies
to your character.
10 per rank of Dura-
apply while your character is
ble to a minimum of wearing armor.
ble to a minimum of
1. 1.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Toughened Heroic Resilience Hard Headed (Improved) Toughened (Improved)

Each rank of tough- Immediately after being Once per encounter, your character may
use Hard Headed to recover from being
Once per session, the
hit by an attack but before character may heal a
ened increases your suffering damage, spend 1
incapacitated due to exceeding their wound
threshold. On their next turn after having
become incapacitated, they may as an action number of wounds equal
character’s wound Story Point to increase soak make a Formidable (kkkkk) Resilience
to their ranks in Tough-
check. If they succeed, decrease their wounds
threshold by two. by ranks in Resiliance. to one less that their wound threshold. The
difficulty of this check decreases by one
ened.
per additional rank of Hard Headed, to a
minimum of Easy (k).
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Death Rage Durable Dedication Indomitable

Your character adds +2
damage to melee attacks
for each Critical Inju-
ry they are currently
suffering.
Cost: 25
May reduce any Crit- Each rank of dedication Once per encounter, when your character
would be incapacitated due to exceeding
increases one of your char-
ical Injury suffered by their wound or strain threshold, you may
acter’s characteristics by one. spend a Story Point to use this talent.
10 per rank of Dura- Then, your character is not incapacitated
This talent cannot increase a until the end of their next turn. If your
ble to a minimum of characteristic above 5. character reduces their strain or wounds
1.
to below their threshold before the end of
their next turn, they are not incapaci-
tated.
49
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Path of the Ravager
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coercion, Melee (Light), Resilience, Streetwise
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 20
Retribution
Once per round when an adversary at-
tacks an ally within medium range, your
character may spend one Story Point to
use this talent to automatically hit that
adversary once with a weapon your char-
acter is wielding, if the adversary is within
the weapon’s range. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
50 Cost: 25
Intimidating
May suffer a number of strain
to add j to a check made
to resist fear caused by your
character. Strain suffered this
way cannot exceed ranks in
Intimidating.
Cost: 5
Scathing Tirade
Your character may use this talent
to make an average (kk) coercion
check. For each s the check gen-
erates, one adversary within short
range suffers 1 strain. For each a,
one adversary affected by scathing
tirade suffers 1 additional strain.
Cost: 10
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 15
Threaten
After an adversary within short range
of your character resolves a combat
check that deals damage to one of your
character’s allies, your character may
suffer 3 strain to use this talent to inflict
a number of strain on the adversary equal
to your character’s ranks in coercion. The
range of this talent increases by one band
per rank of threaten beyond the first.
Cost: 20
Scathing Tirade
(Supreme)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Your character
may choose to suffer 1 strain to
use the scathing tirade talent as a
maneuver, instead of as an action.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 10
Scathing Tirade
(Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Enemies affected
by your character’s scathing tirade
add j to all skill checks they make
for a number of rounds equal to
your character’s ranks in coercion.
Cost: 15
Enduring
Each rank of en-
during increases
your character’s
soak value by one.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Threaten
After an adversary within short range
of your character resolves a combat
check that deals damage to one of your
character’s allies, your character may
suffer 3 strain to use this talent to inflict
a number of strain on the adversary equal
to your character’s ranks in coercion. The
range of this talent increases by one band
per rank of threaten beyond the first.
Cost: 5
Intimidating
May suffer a number of strain
to add j to a check made
to resist fear caused by your
character. Strain suffered this
way cannot exceed ranks in
Intimidating.
Cost: 10
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 15
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 20
Altered deal
Once per session, make a
daunting (kkkk) coercion
check to radically change a pre-
viously made deal or bargain to
your character’s advantage.
Cost: 25

BARD
In the setting of Faerun, words and music are not just
vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their
own. The bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic
they contain. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken
into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape,
and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation
still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of bards
is an attempt to snatch and harness those echoes, subtly
woven into their spells and powers.
The greatest strength of bards is their sheer versatility.
Sometimes called a Jack-of-all-Trades, many a bard prefer
to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to
inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance.
But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee
if necessary, using their magic to bolster their swords
and armor. Their spells lean toward charms and illu-
sions rather than blatantly destructive spells. They have a
wide-ranging knowledge of many subjects and a natural
aptitude that lets them do almost anything well. Bards
become masters of the talents they set their minds to per-
fecting, from musical performance to esoteric knowledge.
True bards are not common in the world. Not every
minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal
court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music
requires hard study and some measure of natural talent
that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard
to spot the difference between these performers and true
bards, though. A bard’s life is spent wandering across the
land gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the grat-
itude of audiences, much like any other entertainer. But
a depth of knowledge, a level of musical skill, and a touch
of magic set bards apart from their fellows.
Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and
their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell,
new skills to learn, and new discoveries beyond the hori-
zon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling.
Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice
a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discov-
er lost works of magic, decipher old tomes, travel to
strange places, or encounter exotic creatures. Bards love
to accompany heroes to witness their deeds firsthand. A
bard who can tell an awe-inspiring story from person-
al experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed,
after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing
mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and
assume heroic roles themselves.
The Bard counts the following skills as career skills:
Any Non-Magic skill, Charm, Cool, Deception, Knowl-
edge (Lore), Negotiation, Streetwise, and Verse. Before
spending experience points (XP) during character cre-
ation, a Bard may choose five of their career skills and
gain one rank in each of them, even surpassing the limit
of 2 at character creation.
Starting Gear: Players with a Bard character may
choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
• A dagger
• A sword or a musical instrument
• A fine cloak or traveling gear consisting of a back-
pack, a bedroll, a rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a
waterskin
• Leather armor
• 50 + 1d100 gold coins
BARD SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Bard Career.
College of Glamour
A Glamour Bard adds Charm, Coercion, Knowledge
(Forbidden), and Verse, to their Career skills. If this is
the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mas-
tered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild
or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there.
Tutored by satyrs, eladrin, and other fey, these bards
learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others.
The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of
awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of legend.
These bards are so eloquent that a speech or song that one
of them performs can cause captors to release the bard
unharmed and can lull a furious dragon into compla-
cency. The same magic that allows them to quell beasts
can also bend minds. Villainous bards of this college can
leech off a community for weeks, abusing their magic to
turn their hosts into thralls. Heroic bards of this college
instead use this power to gladden the downtrodden and
undermine oppressors.
51
 College of Lore Jesters adventure to safeguard the common folk and to
undermine the plans of the rich, powerful, and arrogant.
A Lore Bard adds Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge
Their magic bolsters allies’ spirits while casting doubt
(Lore), Negotiation, and Verse to their Career skills. If
into foes’ minds. Among bards, jesters are unmatched
this is the character’s starting Specialization, they may
acrobats, and their ability to tumble, dodge, leap, and
choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each,
climb makes them slippery opponents in battle.
without spending starting experience.
Bards of the College of Lore know something about College of Swords
most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources
as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether A Swords Bard adds Leadership, Melee (Light), Negoti-
singing folk ballads in taverns or elaborate compositions ation, and Resilience to their Career skills. If this is the
in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audi- character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
ences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
audience members might find themselves questioning spending starting experience.
everything they held to be true, from their faith in the Bards of the College of Swords are called blades, and they
priesthood of the local temple to their loyalty to the king. entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades
The loyalty of these bards lies in the pursuit of beauty and perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing
truth, not in fealty to a monarch or following the tenets and juggling, and mock combats. Though they use their
of a deity. A noble who keeps such a bard as a herald or weapons to entertain, they are also highly trained and
advisor knows that the bard would rather be honest than skilled warriors in their own right.
politic. Blades are daring skalds whose tales keep alive the mem-
The college’s members gather in libraries and sometimes ory of the great heroes of the past, and thereby inspire
in actual colleges, complete with classrooms and dor- a new generation of heroes. These bards gather in mead
mitories, to share their lore with one another. They also halls or around great bonfires to sing the deeds of the
meet at festivals or affairs of state, where they can expose mighty, both past and present. They travel the land to
corruption, unravel lies, and poke fun at selfimportant witness great events firsthand and to ensure that the
figures of authority. memory of those events doesn’t pass from the world.
College of the Satire With their songs, they inspire others to reach the same
heights of accomplishment as the heroes of old.
A Satire Bard adds Deception, Knowledge (Lore), Skul-
druggery, and Streetwise to their Career skills. If this is
the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
Bards of the College of Satire are called jesters. They use
lowbrow stories, daring acrobatics, and cutting jokes
to entertain audiences, ranging from the crowds in a
rundown dockside pub to the nobles of a king’s royal
court. Where other bards seek forgotten lore or tales of
epic bravery, jesters ferret out embarrassing and hilari-
ous stories of all kinds. Whether telling the ribald tale of
a brawny stable hand’s affair with an aged duchess or a
mocking satire of a paladin of Helm’s cloying innocence,
a jester never lets taste, social decorum, or shame get in
the way of a good laugh.
While jesters are masters of puns, jokes, and verbal barbs,
they are much more than just comic relief. They are
expected to mock and provoke, taking advantage of how
even the most powerful folk are expected by tradition to
endure a jester’s barbs with good humor. This expecta-
tion allows a jester to serve as a critic or a voice of reason
when others are too intimidated to speak the truth.

52
 talent active? talent active?

Bard
Knack for It Cantrip
When you first purchase this talent When you gain a rank in this
for your character, select one skill.
Career Skills: Any non-magic
talent, choose one magic skill
Your character removes jj from any skill, Charm, Cool, Deception, and magic action available to
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this Leadership, Lore, Negotiation, that skill. Whenever your char-
talent for your character, select two ad- Streetwise, Verse acter uses that action and adds
ditional skills, which can include skills no additional effects to it, your
already chosen. Your character also character only suffers 1 strain
removes jj from any checks they
from the casting.
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 05 Cost: 10

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Command Well Rounded Naturally Gifted Sense Emotions

Add j per rank of
command when mak-
ing leadership checks.
Affected targets add j
to discipline checks for
the next 24 hours.
Cost: 10
When your character pur-
chases a rank in this talent,
choose any 2 non-magic
skills. They permanently
become career skills.
Cost: 10
When you purchase this
talent, choose 2 skills.
Once per session, you
may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
If you have at least three
rank in a magic skill
that can use Enchant,
add j to all charm,
coercion, and deception
checks, as long as you
are dealing with living
beings.
Cost: 10

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Inspiring Rhetoric
Your character may use this
talent to make an average (kk)
leadership check. For each s
the check generates, one ally
within short range heals one
strain. For each a, one ally
benefiting from inspiring rheto-
ric heals one additional strain.
Inspiring Rhetoric
(Improved)
Allies affected by your
character’s inspiring
rhetoric add j to all skill
checks they make for a
number of rounds equal
to your character’s ranks
in leadership.
Inspiring Rhetoric
(Supreme)
Your character may
choose to suffer 1 strain
to use the inspiring
rhetoric talent as a
maneuver, instead of as
an action.
Magical Secrets
Pick one magic action not avail-
able to Verse and one additional
effect on a magic action you
have access to. That action is
now available for you to cast,
and that effect is now usable
on Verse spells cast by your
character.

Cost: 10 Cost: 15 Cost: 20 Cost: 25

53
 Specialization Tree: College of Glamour
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Charm, Coercion, Knowledge (Forbidden), Verse
Ensorcelled
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
once per encounter, they
may use this talent to add
a to the result of their next
social skill check.
Cost: 5
Encouraging Song
While equipped with a musical in-
strument, your character may use this
talent to make an Average (kk) Charm
or Verse check. For each s the check
generates, one ally within medium
range adds j to their next skill check.
For each a, one ally benefiting from
Encouraging Song heals 1 strain.
Cost: 10
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 15
Goes to Eleven
Your character increases
the range of their musi-
cal talents by one range
band per rank of Goes to
Eleven.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
54 Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Disarming Smile
Your character can make a disarming
smile action to make an opposed charm
check against one target within short
range. If they succeed, decrease the
target’s defense (melee and ranged) by a
number equal to your character’s ranks in
disarming smile (to a minimum of zero)
until the end of the encounter.
Cost: 10
Works Like a Charm
Once per session, make
one skill check using
Presence rather than the
characteristic linked to
that skill.
Cost: 15
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 20
Ensorcelled (Supreme)
Your character must have purchased the ensor-
celled talent to benefit from this talent. If your
charatcer has three ranks in a magic skill,
once per session, they may use this talent to
force all enemies within medium range to
make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check as an
out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must
spend all available maneuvers moving away
from your character, and they suffer 5 strain,
plus one additional strain per h
Cost: 25
Knack For It Scathing Tirade
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
Your character may use this talent
to make an average (kk) coercion
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase check. For each s the check gen-
erates, one adversary within short
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills range suffers 1 strain. For each a,
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these one adversary affected by scathing
skills. You cannot select combat or magic tirade suffers 1 additional strain.
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Congenial Sense Emotions
May suffer a number of strain to
downgrade difficulty of Charm
Add j to all Charm,
or Negotiation checks or upgrade Coercion, and De-
difficulty when target by Charm ception checks unless
or Negotiation checks, by an equal
number Strain suffered this way the target is undead or
cannot exceed ranks in congenial. construct.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Disarming Smile Scathing Tirade
(Improved)
Your character can make a disarming
smile action to make an opposed charm
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
check against one target within short
from this talent. Enemies affected
range. If they succeed, decrease the
target’s defense (melee and ranged) by a by your character’s scathing tirade
number equal to your character’s ranks in add j to all skill checks they make
disarming smile (to a minimum of zero) for a number of rounds equal to
until the end of the encounter. your character’s ranks in coercion.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Dissonance Grit
While wielding a musical instrument,
your character may use this talent to
Each rank of grit
make an Average (kk) Charm or Verse increases your charac-
check. For each s the check generates,
one adversary of the player’s choosing ter’s strain threshold
within short range suffers 1 wound. For
each a, one adversary affected by Disso- by one.
nance suffers 1 additional wound.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Naturally Gifted Scathing Tirade
(Supreme)
When you purchase this talent, Your character must have purchased
choose 2 skills. Once per session, the scathing tirade talent to benefit
you may reroll either of these from this talent. Your character
skills. See full talent text. may choose to suffer 1 strain to
use the scathing tirade talent as a
maneuver, instead of as an action.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: College of Lore
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Lore), Verse, Vigilance
Nobody’s Fool
May upgrade difficulty
of incoming Charm,
Coercion, or Deception
checks once per rank of
Nobody’s Fool.
Cost: 5
Touch of Fate
Once per session,
add jj to any 1
check.
Cost: 10
Know Thy Adversary
May use an appropriate
Knowledge skill when
making checks to determine
initiative.
Cost: 15
Seen a Lot of Things
Whenever your character
fails a knowledge check,
they may spend aaa
to roll the check again
during their next turn.
Cost: 20
Magical Secrets
Pick one magic action not avail-
able to Verse and one additional
effect on a magic action you have
access to. That action is now avail-
able for you to cast, and that effect
is now usable on Verse spells cast
by your character.
Cost: 25
Desperate Recovery
Before your character heals
strain at the end of an
encounter, if their strain
is more than half of their
strain threshold, they heal
two additional strain.
Cost: 5
Quick-Witted
Once per encounter, after another
character makes a social skill check, your
character may use this talent to make an
Hard (kkk) Vigilance check. If success-
ful, you may add a number of s or a
(your choice) equal to your character’s
ranks in Charm or Negotiation to the
other character’s check. If your character
fails, your character suffers 3 strain.
Cost: 10
Flash of Insight
When your character gen-
erates t on a knowledge
skill check, roll jj and add
the results to the check, in
addition to spending the t
as usual.
Cost: 15
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Brilliant Casting
When your character casts
a spell, you may spend one
story point to use this talent
to add a equal to your
characters ranks in appro-
priate spell modifier skill to
the results.
Cost: 10
Researcher
Remove j per rank of Re-
searcher from all Knowledge
checks. Reserching a subject
takes half the time.
Cost: 15
Well Rounded
When your character purchases
a rank in this talent, choose
any 2 non-magic skills. They
permanently become career
skills.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Signature Spell
(Improved)
When your character gains
a rank in this talent, choose
one of your signature spells.
When your casts that
signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one. 55
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: College of Satire
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coordination, Deception, Skulduggery, Streetwise
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Distracting Behavior
Make a distracting behavior ma-
neuver and suffer strain no greater
than ranks in cunning. Until the
beginning of next turn, an equal
number of engaged npc’s suffer h
on all checks. Range increases with
additional ranks of distracting
behavior.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Distracting Behavior
Make a distracting behavior ma-
neuver and suffer strain no greater
than ranks in cunning. Until the
beginning of next turn, an equal
number of engaged npc’s suffer h
on all checks. Range increases with
additional ranks of distracting
behavior.
Cost: 20
Seize the Initiative
Once per session, as an action, may
make a Daunting (kkkk) Coordination
check. On success, other PCs may take
their turns immediately. See full talent
text.
56 Cost: 25
Knack For It Distracting Behavior Tumble
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
Make a distracting behavior ma- Once per round on
neuver and suffer strain no greater
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase than ranks in cunning. Until the your character’s turn,
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
beginning of next turn, an equal they may suffer 2 strain
number of engaged npc’s suffer h
already chosen. Your character also removes
on all checks. Range increases with to disengage from all
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic additional ranks of distracting engaged adversaries.
skills when choosing skills for this talent. behavior.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Nobody’s Fool Dodge Jump Up
May upgrade difficulty When your character is targeted by Once per round during your
a combat check, they may suffer a
of incoming Charm, number of strain no greater than character’s turn, your char-
Coercion, or Deception their ranks in dodge to use this talent. acter may use this talent to
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the stand from a prone or seated
checks once per rank of combat check targeting your character
position as an incidental.
Nobody’s Fool. a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Heroic Recovery Naturally Gifted Parkour!
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
Once per round, before performing
a move maneuver, the character may
Once per encounter, you may you may reroll either of these suffer 1 strain. If they do so, they may
use their move maneuver to move to
spend one Story Point to use this skills. See full talent text.
talent to have your character heal
any location within short range (even
straight up), as long as there is some
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
sort of object to move across or a path
to move along.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Distracting Behavior
(Improved)
Grit Double or Nothing
The distracting behavior Each rank of grit When your character acquires this
talent, choose one skill. When mak-
maneuver inflicts hh on increases your charac- ing checks with that skill, you may
npc’s checks when npcs suffer 2 strain to perform the double
ter’s strain threshold or nothing incidental to increase and
target your character’s
allies. by one. upgrade the difficulty of the next
check by one. Then, after cancel-
ing opposing symbols, double the
amount of remaining a or h.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Deceptive Taunt Coordinated Dodge Dedication
Once per encounter, may make When targeted by a combat Each rank of dedication
Deceptive Taunt action. Make
check, your character may increases one of your char-
opposed Deception vs Vigilance
check. If successful, one adversary
spend 1 story point to add acter’s characteristics by one.
must attack the character during f equal to their ranks in This talent cannot increase a
adversary’s next turn. coordination to the check. characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: College of Swords
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Discipline, Leadership, Melee (Light), Negotiation
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Feint
Your character may spend t or
aaa generated by a missed me-
lee attack to upgrade the difficulty
of their opponent’s next attack
targeting your character a number
of times equal to their ranks in
feint.
Cost: 10
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 15
Dual Strike
When resolving a combined
check to attack with two weapons
in combat, your character may
suffer 2 strain to use this talent
to hit with the secondary weapon
(instead of spending aa).
Cost: 20
Whirlwind
Your character may suffer 4 strain to
use this talent to make a Brawl or Melee
attack against the engaged adversary who
is hardest to hit (as determined by the
GM), increasing the difficulty by one.
If the combat check succeeds, each ad-
versary engaged with the character suffers
one hit from the attack, that
deals base damage plus damage equal to
the total s scored on the check.
Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Resist Disarm
Suffer 2 strain to avoid be-
ing disarmed or having your
character’s weapon damaged
or destroyed.
Cost: 10
Parry (Improved)
When your character suffers a hit from a me-
lee combat check and uses parry to reduce
the damage from that hit, after the attack
is resolved, you may spend d or hhh
from the attacker’s check to use this talent.
Then, your character automatically hits the
attacker once with a brawl or melee weapon
your character is wielding. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 10
Battle Caster
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (with 3
encumbrance or more), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
Cost: 15
Defensive Training
When wielding a Melee or
Brawl weapon the weapon
increases its Defensive qual-
ity with a rating equal to
ranks in Defensive Training.
Cost: 20
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
story point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 25
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5
Feint
Your character may spend t or
aaa generated by a missed me-
lee attack to upgrade the difficulty
of their opponent’s next attack
targeting your character a number
of times equal to their ranks in
feint.
Cost: 10
Field Commander
Your character may use this talent to
make an average (kk) leadership check.
If successful, a number of allies equal to
your character’s presence may imme-
diately suffer 1 strain to perform one
maneuver (out of turn). If there are any
questions as to which allies take their
maneuvers first, your character is the final
arbiter.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Field Commander
(Improved)
When your character uses the field
commander talent, your character
affects a number of allies equal to
twice the character’s presence. In
addition, you may spend t to
allow one ally to suffer 1 strain to
perform an action, instead of a
maneuver.
57
Cost: 25
 currency during Step 7 of character creation:
CLERIC
• A mace
Divine magic, as the name suggests, is the power of the • A holy icon or shield
gods, flowing from them into the world. Clerics are con-
duits for that power, manifesting it as miraculous effects. • Leather armor
The gods don’t grant this power to everyone who seeks it, • A lantern and healer’s kit or traveling gear consisting
but only to those chosen to fulfill a high calling. of a backpack, a bedroll, a rope, flint and steel, 3 torches,
Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on study or train- and a waterskin
ing. A cleric might learn formulaic prayers and ancient • 1d100 gold coins
rites, but the ability to cast cleric spells relies on devotion
and an intuitive sense of a deity’s wishes.
Clerics combine the helpful magic of healing and
inspiring their allies with spells that harm and hinder
foes. They can provoke awe and dread, lay curses of
plague or poison, and even call down flames from heaven
to consume their enemies. For those evildoers who will
benefit most from a mace to the head, clerics depend on
their combat training to let them wade into melee with
the power of the gods on their side.
Not every acolyte or officiant at a temple or shrine is
a cleric. Some priests are called to a simple life of tem-
ple service, carrying out their gods’ will through prayer
and sacrifice, not by magic and strength of arms. In some
cities, priesthood amounts to a political office, viewed
as a stepping stone to higher positions of authority and
involving no communion with a god at all. True clerics
are rare in most hierarchies.
When a cleric takes up an adventuring life, it is usually
because their or their god demands it. Pursuing the goals
of the gods often involves braving dangers beyond the
walls of civilization, smiting evil or seeking holy relics in
ancient tombs. Many clerics are also expected to protect
their deities’ worshipers, which can mean fighting ram-
paging orcs, negotiating peace between warring nations,
or sealing a portal that would allow a demon prince to
enter the world.
Most adventuring clerics maintain some connection to
established temples and orders of their faiths. A temple
might ask for a cleric’s aid, or a high priest might be in
a position to demand it. As you create a cleric, the most
important question to consider is which deity to serve
and what principles you want your character to embody.
The Cleric counts the following skills as career skills:
Discipline, Divine, Knowledge (Forbidden), Knowledge
(Lore), Knowlede (Religion), Medicine, Negotiation,
and Vigilance. Before spending experience points (XP)
during character creation, a Cleric may choose four of
their career skills and gain one rank in each of them.
Starting Gear: Players with a Cleric character may
choose to start with the following gear instead of spending

58
 CLERIC SPECIALIZATIONS in an organisation, or working together with their god to
grow the follower base.
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how Zealot
each specialization connects to the Cleric Career.
A Zealot adds Divine, Melee (Light), Melee (Heavy), and
Lorekeeper Knowledge (Religion) to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
A Lorekeeper adds Divine, Knowledge (Lore), Knowl-
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
edge (Religion), and Knowledge (Forbidden) to their
spending starting experience.
Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Specializa-
tion, they may choose two of these skills and gain one Some deities inspire their followers to pitch themselves
free rank in each, without spending starting experience. into a ferocious battle fury. These barbarians are zealots
warriors who channel their rage into powerful displays of
The gods of knowledge – including Oghma, Boccob, divine power.
Gilean, Aureon, and Thoth – value learning and
A variety of gods across the world inspire their followers
understanding above all. Some teach that knowledge is
to embrace this path. In general, the gods who inspire
to be gathered and shared in libraries and universities, or
zealots are deities of combat, destruction, and violence.
promote the practical knowledge of craft and invention.
Not all are evil, but few are good.
Some deities hoard knowledge and keep its secrets to
themselves. And some promise their followers that they
will gain tremendous power if they unlock the secrets
of the multiverse. Followers of these gods study esoteric
lore, collect old tomes, delve into the secret places of the
earth, and learn all they can. Some gods of knowledge
promote the practical knowledge of craft and invention,
including smith deities like Gond, Reorx, Onatar,
Moradin, Hephaestus, and Goibhniu.

Oracle
An Oracle adds Divine, Knowledge (Forbidden),
Knowledge (Lore), and Vigilance to their Career skills.
If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they may
choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each,
without spending starting experience.
Oracles have been around as long as anyone can
remember. Some are mad, some are charlatans, and still
others are simple devoted vessels used by other beings to
communicate to mortals.

Priest
A Priest adds Charm, Divine, Medicine, and Negotia-
tion to their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting
Specialization, they may choose two of these skills and
gain one free rank in each, without spending starting
experience.
Priests may not always come from cloistered temples
or hidden sects. Some may come to form a connection
with their god alone and in quiet moments of solitude.
These priests build trust with their god and may go on to
become religious figures within their respective domains.
In this sense, there is always a feeling of progression as a
priest. They are either climbing through ranks of clergy

59
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Turn Undead
As an Action, force all undead
creatures within Short range to
make a fear check with a Difficulty
equal to your ranks in Discipline.
In addition to the normal effects of
Fear, any targets who fail the check
are forced to spend their next turn
moving outside the range of the
Turn Undead. All maneuvers must
be spent on movement including
downgrading Actions if possible.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Turn Undead Signature Spell
(Improved)
When using the Turn Undead
talent, your character may use
a Story Point to have all adver-
saries affected suffer 2 strain per
rank of Turn Undead to any
creatures that failed their fear
check. In addition, you may
perform a Concentration ma-
neuver to maintain the effects in
subsequent rounds.
Cost: 15
60
Cleric
Career Skills: Discipline, Di-
vine, Forbidden, Lore, Med-
icine, Negotiation, Religion,
Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active? talent active?
Divine Intervention Faith Healing
Once per session, your character
may use this talent to use the Divine
After making a skill check to
Intervention action. Make a Formi- cast a heal spell, may choose
dable (kkkkk) Divine check, the to change one s to a, or
difficulty of this check cannot be one a to s per rank of
decreased below Formidable. If suc-
cesful, introduce into the narrative a
faith healing, though they
“fact” in the form of aid from your must still have at least one
God, with GM approval. s to succeed on the check.
Cost: 25 Cost: 05
talent active? talent active?
Strength of Faith (Improved)
Once per session, your char-
When you acquire a rank
acter may use this talent to
in this talent, choose one
add s equal to their ranks
in Discipline and a equal to
of your signature spells.
their ranks and Willpower to When your character
casts their signature spell,
the results of the next Divine
skill check they make during reduce the difficulty of
this turn. the check by two instead
of one.
Cost: 20 Cost: 15
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Signature Spell
When your character gains a
rank in this talent, decide on a
signature spell for them, consisting
of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects.
When your character casts their
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce
the difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Resolve
When your character
involuntarily suffers
strain, they suffer 1
less strain per rank of
resolve to a minimum
of 1.
Cost: 10
Specialization Tree: Lorekeeper
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Divine, Knowledge (Lore), Knowledge (Religion), Perception
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Know Thy Adversary
May use an appropriate
Knowledge skill when
making checks to determine
initiative.
Cost: 10
Valuable Facts
Once per encounter, perform
the Valuable Facts action: make
an Average (kk) Knowledge
(Lore) check. If successful,
add t to one ally’s skill check
during the enounter.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Thorough Assessment
Once per session, take a Thorough
Assessment action: make a Hard
(kkk) Knowledge check to gain
Boost dice equal to s that can be
distributed during the encounter.
Cost: 25
Museum Worthy
Once per session, take museum
worthy action, make a hard
(kkk) Knowledge (Lore)
check to ascertain information
regarding a relic, ruin, or piece
of history.
Cost: 5
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 5
Well Read
Choose any 3 Knowledge
skills. They permanently
become career skills.
Cost: 10
Brilliant Casting
When your character casts
a spell, you may spend one
story point to use this talent
to add a equal to your
characters ranks in appro-
priate spell modifier skill to
the results.
Cost: 15
Well Rounded
When your character purchases
a rank in this talent, choose
any 2 non-magic skills. They
permanently become career
skills.
Cost: 20
Applied Research
Your character may use this talent
before making a check to use any
knowledge skill and Intellect instead
of the skill and characteristic the check
would normally require. Your character
may use this talent a number of times
per session equal to their ranks in
Applied Research.
Cost: 25
Researcher
On a successful Knowledge
check, character and allies
gain automatic a per rank of
Researcher on checks to act
on those facts until the end of
their next turn. Reserching a
subject takes half the time.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Applied Research
Your character may use this talent
before making a check to use any
knowledge skill and Intellect instead
of the skill and characteristic the check
would normally require. Your character
may use this talent a number of times
per session equal to their ranks in
Applied Research.
Cost: 15
Careful Planning
Once per session, the
character can choose
to introduce a “fact” or
additional context direct-
ly into the narrarive as
if they had spent a Story
Cost: 20
Targeted Firepower
Once per session, identify one adver-
sary target and make an appropriate
hard (kkk) Knowledge (Lore) check.
If successful, for the rest of the encoun-
ter, allies within short range of your
character add a to attacks against the
target equal to s generated on the
check.
61
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Oracle
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Divine, Knowledge (Forbidden), Knowledge (Lore), Vigilance
Uncanny Senses Grit
Add j per rank of Uncanny Each rank of grit
Senses to all Perception and
increases your charac-
Vigilance checks.
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Touch of Fate Forbidden Knowledge
Once per session, Once per session, suffer strain no
greater than twice you character’s ranks
add jj to any 1 in Knowledge (Forbidden) to increase
your ranks in the appropriate skill for
check. every two strain suffered this way for the
purpose of determining the strength of
additional effects for the next spell cast
during that round. In this case, your
temporary ranks in the appropriate spell
may exceed the usual limit of 5.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Grit Signature Spell
Each rank of grit When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
increases your charac- for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
ter’s strain threshold or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
by one. the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Constant Vigilance Forewarning
May always use vigilance Your character must have 3 ranks in a
magic skill that can use Predict to ben-
when making checks to efit from this talent. Once per session,
determine initiative. whenever your character rolls for inti-
tiative, you may spend t to have all
allies within medium range increase
their defense by your character’s ranks
in Vigilance for the first round of com-
bat.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery Dedication
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
Each rank of dedication
per round, your character may suffer increases one of your char-
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the acter’s characteristics by one.
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a This talent cannot increase a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your characteristic above 5.
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
62 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Flash of Insight
When your character generates
t on a knowledge skill
check, roll jj and add the re-
sults to the check, in addition
to spending the t as usual.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Uncanny Senses
Add j per rank of Uncanny
Senses to all Perception and
Vigilance checks.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
(Improved)
When your character gains
a rank in this talent, choose
one of your signature spells.
When your casts that
signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one.
Cost: 20
Visions of the Future
Once per session, after success-
fully casting a spell, you may
spend aaa or t to add
one additional effect to the cast
spell, which would normally
have increased the difficulty
by 1.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Sense Danger
Once per session,
remove jj from any
1 check.
Cost: 15
Unrelenting Skeptic
When targeted by a Deception
checks, your character auto-
matically adds f to the check.
Your character may instead
suffer 2 strain to add f equal
to their ranks in Vigilance to
the check.
Cost: 20
Zealous Fire
Each time your game
master spends a story
point, your character
heals 2 strain.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Priest
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Cool, Divine, Knowledge (Religion), Negotiation
Component Casting
When your character casts
a spell, they may use this
talent to consume a physi-
cal item and add j to the
check.
Cost: 5
Faith Healing
After making a skill check to
cast a heal spell, may choose
to change one s to a, or
one a to s per rank of
faith healing.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Strength of Faith
Once per session, your character
may use this talent to add s equal
to their ranks in Discipline and a
equal to their ranks and Willpower
to the results of the next Divine
skill check they make during this
turn.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 10
Maximize Spell
Once per encounter, your
character may use this
talent to add j to a skill
check to cast a spell equal
to ranks in Maximize
Spell.
Cost: 15
Faith Healing
After making a skill check to
cast a heal spell, may choose
to change one s to a, or
one a to s per rank of
faith healing.
Cost: 20
Zealous Fire
Each time your game
master spends a story
point, your character
heals 2 strain.
Cost: 25
Turn Undead Toughened
As an Action, force all undead creatures
within Short range to make a fear check Each rank of tough-
with a Difficulty equal to your ranks in
ened increases your
Discipline. In addition to the normal
effects of Fear, any targets who fail the
check are forced to spend their next turn character’s wound
moving outside the range of the Turn
threshold by two.
Undead. All maneuvers must be spent
on movement including downgrading
Actions if possible.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Knack For It Confidence
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
May decrease difficulty
moves jj from any checks they make using of Discipline checks to
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two avoid fear by 1 per rank
additional skills, which can include skills
of Confidence.
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Heroic Recovery Naturally Gifted
When your character acquires this When you purchase this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
talent, choose 2 skills.
spend one Story Point to use this Once per session, you
talent to have your character heal may reroll either of these
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Conduit Heroic Will
Once per encounter, your When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics.
character may spend a
You may spend a story point to use this
story point to perform a talent to have your character ignore the
effects of all critical injuries on any skill
magic action as a maneu- checks using those two characteristics
ver. until the end of the current encounter.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Dedication Power of Light
Each rank of dedication Once per session, may perform
increases one of your char- the Power of Light maneuver.
acter’s characteristics by one. Increase wound and strain
threshold by 1 per PC story
This talent cannot increase a
point currently in the Sto-
characteristic above 5.
ry pool until the end of the
encounter.
63
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Zealot
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Divine, Melee (Heavy), Resilience
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Block
Your character must have purchased
the Parry talent to benefit from this
talent. While wielding a shield,
your character may use the Parry
talent to reduce damage from
ranged attacks as well as melee
attacks targeting your character.
Cost: 10
Crippling Mage
Once per encounter, your
character may add the
deadly quality to an attack
spell without increasing the
difficulty.
Cost: 15
Parry (Improved)
When your character suffers a hit from a me-
lee combat check and uses parry to reduce
the damage from that hit, after the attack
is resolved, you may spend d or hhh
from the attacker’s check to use this talent.
Then, your character automatically hits the
attacker once with a brawl or melee weapon
your character is wielding. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
Cost: 20
Comrade-In-Arms
(Improved)
Spend aa or t when
performing comrade-in-
arms to also gain +1 soak
or give one affected ally +1
soak for the duration.
64 Cost: 25
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Comrade-In-Arms
Once per encounter, make a Hard
(kkk) Discipline Check. If successful,
your character plus one ally per s
within medium range gains +1 defense
for the remainder of the encounter.
Effects end if affected targets move
beyond medium range.
Cost: 15
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
story point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Desperate Recovery
Before your character heals
strain at the end of an
encounter, if their strain
is more than half of their
strain threshold, they heal
two additional strain.
Cost: 5
Battle Caster
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (with 3
encumbrance or more), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
Cost: 10
Close-Quarters Caster
Your character may add
the Close Combat quality
to an attack spell without
increasing the difficulty.
Cost: 15
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 20
Armor Master
(Improved)
When wearing armor
with a soak value of 2 or
higher, increase defense
by 1.
Cost: 25
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Armor Master
When wearing armor,
Increase total soak value
by 1.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
 DRUID
Starting Gear: Players with a Druid character may choose
Druids revere nature above all, gaining their spells and to start with the following gear instead of spending cur-
other magical powers either from the force of nature itself rency during Step 7 of character creation:
or from a nature deity. Many druids pursue a mystic spir- • Leather Armor or Heavy Clothing and a Staff
ituality of transcendent union with nature rather than
devotion to a divine entity, while others serve gods of • Magic Staff or Totem
wild nature, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient • An alchemist’s kit or traveling gear consisting of a back-
druidic traditions are sometimes called the Old Faith, in pack, a bedroll, a rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a
contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines. waterskin
Druid spells are oriented toward nature and animals— • 1d100 gold coins
the power of tooth and claw, of sun and moon, of fire
and storm. Druids also gain the ability to take on animal
forms, and some druids make a particular study of this
practice, even to the point where they prefer animal form
to their natural form.
For druids, nature exists in a precarious balance. The
four elements that make up a world—air, earth, fire,
and water—must remain in equilibrium. If one element
were to gain power over the others, the world could be
destroyed, drawn into one of the elemental planes and
broken apart into its component elements. Thus, druids
oppose cults of Elemental Evil and others who promote
one element to the exclusion of others.
Druids are also concerned with the delicate ecologi-
cal balance that sustains plant and animal life, and the
need for civilized folk to live in harmony with nature,
not in opposition to it. Druids accept that which is cruel
in nature, and they hate that which is unnatural includ-
ing aberrations (such as beholders and mind flayers) and
undead (such as zombies and vampires). Druids some-
times lead raids against such creatures, especially when
the monsters encroach on the druids’ territory.
Druids are often found guarding sacred sites or watching
over regions of unspoiled nature. But when a significant
danger arises, threatening nature’s balance or the lands
they protect, druids take on a more active role in combat-
ing the threat, as adventurers.
The Druid counts the following skills as career skills: Dis-
cipline, Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Medicine,
Melee (Light), Perception, Primal, Survival, and Vigi-
lance. Before spending experience points (XP) during
character creation, a Druid may choose four of their
career skills and gain one rank in each of them.

65
 DRUID SPECIALIZATIONS yet they focus on protecting animals and fey creatures
that have difficulty defending themselves. Shepherds, as
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
they are known, see such creatures as their charges. They
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
ward off monsters that threaten them, rebuke hunters
each specialization connects to the Druid Career.
who kill more prey than necessary, and prevent civiliza-
Circle of Land tion from encroaching on rare animal habitats and on
sites sacred to the fey.
A Circle of Land Druid adds Knowledge (Nature and
Many of these druids are happiest far from cities and
Geography), Knowledge (Lore), Primal, and Survival to
towns, content to spend their days in the company of
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
animals and the fey creatures of the wilds. Members
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
of this circle become adventurers to oppose forces that
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
threaten their charges or to seek knowledge and power
ence.
that will help them safeguard their charges better. Wher-
The Circle of the Land is made up of mystics and sages ever these druids go, the spirits of the wilderness are with
who safeguard ancient knowledge and rites through a vast them.
oral tradition. These druids meet within sacred circles
of trees or standing stones to whisper primal secrets in
Druidic. The circle’s wisest members preside as the chief
priests of communities that hold to the Old Faith and
serve as advisors to the rulers of those folk. As a member
of this circle, your magic is influenced by the land where
you were initiated into the circle’s mysterious rites.

Circle of Moon
A Circle of Moon adds Brawl, Primal, Resilience, Vigi-
lanceto their Career skills. If this is the character’s start-
ing Specialization, they may choose two of these skills
and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting
experience.
Druids of the Circle of the Moon are fierce guardians
of the wilds. Their order gathers under the full moon to
share news and trade warnings. They haunt the deepest
parts of the wilderness, where they might go for weeks on
end before crossing paths with another humanoid crea-
ture, let alone another druid.
Changeable as the moon, a druid of this circle might
prowl as a great cat one night, soar over the treetops as an
eagle the next day, and crash through the undergrowth in
bear form to drive off a trespassing monster. The wild is
in the druid’s blood.

Circle of Shepards
A Circle of Shepards Druid adds Leadership, Medicine,
Knowledge (Nature and Geography), and Primal to their
Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Specializa-
tion, they may choose two of these skills and gain one
free rank in each, without spending starting experience.
Druids of the Circle of the Shepherd commune with the
spirits of nature, especially the spirits of beasts and the
fey, and call to those spirits for aid. These druids recog-
nize that all living things play a role in the natural world,

66
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Wild Shape
Once per encounter as an
action, your character may
suffer 2 strain to transform
into an animal. The animal
must be a natural crea-
ture, and is subject to GM
approval. Check full text for
more details.
Cost: 20
talent active?
Animal Companion
Your character creates a
bond with a single animal
approved by your GM.
See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Druid
Career Skills: Discipline, Med-
icine, Melee (Light), Nature,
Perception, Primal, Survival,
Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active? talent active?
Wild Shape Natural Communion
Once per encounter as an When casting the Conjure magic
action, your character may action with the Primal Skill, the
spell gains the Summon Ally effect
suffer 2 strain to transform
without increasing the difficulty.
into an animal. The animal To obtain this benefit, all creatures
must be a natural crea- your character summons must be
ture, and is subject to GM creatures native to the area. This
talent cannot be used to summon
approval. Check full text for
Undead, Demonic, Aberration, or
more details. Construct creatures.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
talent active? talent active?
Signature Spell
(Improved) Heroic Recovery
When you acquire a rank When your character acquires
this talent, choose one charac-
in this talent, choose one
teristic. Once per encounter,
of your signature spells.
you may spend one story point
When your character to use this talent to have your
casts their signature spell, character heal strain equal to
reduce the difficulty of the rating of the chosen charac-
the check by two instead teristic.
of one.
Cost: 20 Cost: 15
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Component Casting
When your character casts a spell,
they may use this talent to consume
a physical item and add j to the
check. The item does not have to be
expensive or rare but it does have
to be thematically appropriate for
the spell, available to your character,
and subject to your GM approval.
Cost: 05
talent active?
Signature Spell
When your character gains a
rank in this talent, decide on a
signature spell for them, consisting
of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects.
When your character casts their
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce
the difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
67
 Specialization Tree: Circle of the Land
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Knowledge (Lore), Knowledge (Nature and Geography), Primal, Survival
Component Casting
When your character casts
a spell, they may use this
talent to consume a physi-
cal item and add j to the
check.
Cost: 5
Maximize Spell
Once per encounter, your
character may use this
talent to add j to a skill
check to cast a spell equal
to ranks in Maximize
Spell.
Cost: 10
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Power of the Lands
Once per session, your character
may use this talent to add s equal
to their ranks in Survival and a
equal to their ranks and Cunning
to the results of the next Primal
skill check they make during this
turn.
68 Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Heroic Will
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries;
they just ignore the effects)
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Elementalist
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one of the following attack
spell effects and the element associated
with it: Fire (fire), Ice (Water), Impact
(earth), or Lightning (electricity).
Whenever your character casts an Attack
spell, they may always add the chosen
effect to the spell without increasing the
difficulty but may not add any of the
other elements effects.
Cost: 5
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 10
Brilliant Casting
When your character casts
a spell, you may spend one
story point to use this talent
to add a equal to your
characters ranks in appro-
priate spell modifier skill to
the results.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
(Improved)
When your character gains
a rank in this talent, choose
one of your signature spells.
When your casts that
signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one.
Cost: 20
Intense Focus
Perform an Intense Focus
maneuver; suffer 1 strain
and upgrade the ability of
the next skill check once.
Cost: 25
Desperate Recovery
Before your character heals
strain at the end of an
encounter, if their strain
is more than half of their
strain threshold, they heal
two additional strain.
Cost: 5
Elementalist
(Improved)
When your character purchases
this talent, they gain one of
the following abilities based on
the element they selected when
they purchased Elementalist.
See full talent text.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Elementalist
(Supreme)
When your character casts an Alter,
Augment, or Barrier spell, they may use
this talent to choose to have the targets
of the spell gain the ability your character
gained when they purchased Elementalist
(Improved) for the spell’s duration. Also,
if your charatcer has three ranks in a magic
skill, they also may add the other element
effects to Attack spells in addition to their
element.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Circle of the Moon
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Brawl, Primal, Resilience, Vigilance

Wild Shape Second Wind Durable Grit

Once per encounter as an
action, your character may
suffer 2 strain to transform
into an animal. Each rank
lets you transform into a
larger animal. See full talent
text.
Cost: 5
Once per encounter, may May reduce any Crit- Each rank of grit
use Second Wind inci- ical Injury suffered by increases your charac-
dental to heal strain equal
10 per rank of Dura- ter’s strain threshold
to ranks in Second Wind.
ble to a minimum of by one.
1.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Second Wind Toughened Iron Body Combat Shaper

Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Each rank of tough- Reduce the critical rating of Whenever you Wild Shape,
unarmed attacks by 1 per rank you may spend a Story
ened increases your of Iron Body (to a minimum Point to use this talent to
character’s wound of 1). heal wounds equal to your
threshold by two. ranks in Wild Shape.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Lingering Spell Frenzied Attack Enduring Toughened

Once per encounter, When making a melee or Each rank of en- Each rank of tough-
your character may brawl check, suffer a num-
ber of strain to upgrade the during increases ened increases your
spend a story point to character’s wound
make the concentration
attack an equal number of your character’s
times. The strain suffered threshold by two.
maneuver as an inci- may not exceed ranks in soak value by one.
dental. frenzied attack.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Wild Shape Face of the Wild Naturally Gifted Resolve

(Improved)
May use Wild Shape as a When your character casts an Alter
pell on themselves using the Pri-
Manuever. mal skill, you may spend a Story
Point to have them use this talent
to maintain the effects of the spell
until the end of the encounter,
without performing concentrate
maneuvers.
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Wild Shape (Supreme) Dedication Wild Shape Combat Shaper

May suffer 4 strain instead of 2
strain when using Wild Shape
to transform into an elemen-
tal. Also all weapons in your
wild shapes have the Superior
quality.
Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Once per encounter as an
action, your character may
suffer 2 strain to transform
into an animal. Each rank
lets you transform into a
larger animal. See full talent
text.
Cost: 25
(Improved)
Whenever your character
uses Combat Shaper, you
may suffer 2 strain per
difficulty dice of one critical
injury your character is
suffering to use this talent to
heal that critical. 69
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Circle of the Shepard
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Knowledge (Nature and Geography), Leadership, Medicine, Primal

Grit Faith Healing Knack For It Familiar

Each rank of grit After making a skill check to When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
When your character pur-
cast a heal spell, may choose to chases this talent, choose
increases your charac- change one s to a, or one a
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
a silhouette 0 creature
ter’s strain threshold to s per rank of faith healing, this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills (approved by your GM).
though they must still have at
by one. least one s to succeed on the
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these This creature becomes your
check.
skills. You cannot select combat or magic character’s familiar. See full
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
talent text.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Toughened Conjuration Savant Toughened Medicine Man

Each rank of tough- When directing conju- Each rank of tough- As long as you have two
ened increases your rations, may grant them ened increases your ranks in a magic skill,
character’s wound j per rank of Conjura- character’s wound always count as having
tion Savant on checks. the right tools for the
threshold by two. threshold by two. job when performing
Medicine checks.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Lingering Spell Faith Healing Natural Communion Heroic Will

Once per encounter, After making a skill check to When casting the Conjure magic
action with the Primal Skill, the spell
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics.
cast a heal spell, may choose to
your character may change one s to a, or one a
gains the Summon Ally effect without You may spend a story point to use this
increasing the difficulty. To obtain this talent to have your character ignore the
spend a story point to to s per rank of faith healing, benefit, all creatures your character effects of all critical injuries on any skill
make the concentration though they must still have at summons must be creatures native to checks using those two characteristics
least one s to succeed on the the area. This talent cannot be used to until the end of the current encounter.
maneuver as an inci- summon Undead, Demonic, Aberra-
check. tion, or Construct creatures.
dental.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Signature Spell Masterful Conjuration Grit Conjuration Savant

When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
After your character makes a successful Con-
juration spell to create a conjuration, you Each rank of grit When directing conju-
may spend a Story Point to have your char-
acter use this talent to make the conjuration increases your charac- rations, may grant them
last until the end of the encounter, without
performing concentrate maneuvers, and not ter’s strain threshold j per rank of Conjura-
need to remain within the spells range after
by one. tion Savant on checks.
being cast. You may spend two story points
two make the conjuration last until the end
of the session instead.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Empowered by Nature Dedication It’s Not That Bad Skilled Mastery

Whenever your character casts
a Conjure spell using Primal to
summon a beast or plant, they
are granted Empowered at no
cost.
70 Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Once per session when an ally
would suffer a Critical Injury,
may take an It’s Not That Bad
action; make a Hard (kkk)
Medicine check to stop the
ally from gaining the Critical
Injury.
Cost: 25
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
 Starting Gear: Players with a Fighter character may
FIGHTERS choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
Fighters learn the basics of all combat styles. Every fighter ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
can swing an axe, fence with a rapier, wield a longsword • A sword and a shield or a longbow or a halberd
or a greatsword, use a bow, and even trap foes in a net • Ring Mail
with some degree of skill. Likewise, a fighter is adept
with shields and every form of armor. Beyond that basic • Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
degree of familiarity, each fighter specializes in a certain rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
style of combat. Some concentrate on archery, some on • 1d100 gold coins
fighting with two weapons at once, and some on aug-
menting their martial skills with magic. This combina-
tion of broad general ability and extensive specialization
makes fighters superior combatants on battlefields and in
dungeons alike.
Of all the adventurers in the world, the fighter is perhaps
the greatest paradox. On the one hand, no two fight-
ers ply their craft in quite the same way; their weapons,
armor, and tactics differ across a vast spectrum. On the
other hand, regardless of the tools and methods one uses,
at the heart of every fighter’s motivation lies the same
basic truth: it is better to wound than to be wounded.
Although some adventuring fighters risk their lives fight-
ing for glory or treasure, others are primarily concerned
with the welfare of others. They put more value on the
well-being of the society, the village, or the group than on
their own safety. Even if there’s gold in the offering, the
true reward for most fighters comes from sending ene-
mies to their doom.
Not every member of the city watch, the village mili-
tia, or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops
are relatively untrained soldiers with only the most basic
combat knowledge. Veteran soldiers, military officers,
trained bodyguards, dedicated knights, and similar fig-
ures are fighters.
Some fighters feel drawn to use their training as adven-
turers. The dungeon delving, monster slaying, and other
dangerous work common among adventurers is second
nature for a fighter, not all that different from the life
they or they left behind. There are greater risks, perhaps,
but also much greater rewards—few fighters in the city
watch have the opportunity to discover a magic flame
tongue sword, for example.
The Fighter counts the following skills as career skills: All
combat skills, Athletics, Perception, Resilience, Survival,
and Vigilance. Before spending experience during char-
acter creation, a Fighter may choose four of their career
skills and gain one rank in each of them.

71
 FIGHTER SPECIALIZATIONS A common element to those that walk the path of a
Warlord is a purpose. One which gives them a larger-
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the follow-
ing sections; this section mainly deals with how each specializa- than-life pres-ence and allows them to be a guiding hand
tion connects to the Fighter Career. to all those around them. Some Warlords may not seek
any particular cause, and merely seek victory - either as
Battle Master a tribute to a god they worship or simply to meet a per-
sonal achievement. More of-ten, though, a Warlord is
A Battle Master adds any one combat skill, Knowledge
driven by a higher purpose - a loyalty to their country
(Lore), Melee (Light), Perception to their Career skills.
or their men, a drive to protect the in-nocent or to crush
If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they may
the weak.
choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each,
without spending starting experience. It is an important consideration to a Warlord in under-
standing why they fight, as it will inform how they fight.
Those who emulate the archetypal Battle Master employ
Do they try to keep their companions and followers out
martial techniques passed down through generations. To
of danger? Or do they simply press for the strategy that is
a Battle Master, combat is an academic field, sometimes
most likely to win?
including subjects beyond battle such as weaponsmithing
and calligraphy. Not every fighter absorbs the lessons of Just as a dragon’s frightful presence may not be explicitly
history, theory, and artistry that are reflected in the Battle magic but instills a supernatural dread in mortal adven-
Master specialization, but those who do are well-rounded turers, a Warlord’s presence is more than just simple
fighters of great skill and knowledge. common sense and a head for strategy, it’s the power of
conviction, the perfection of tactics, or the will to win
Brute incarnated in Adventurer form.
A Brute adds Athletics, Brawl, Resilience, Streetwise to
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
ence.
Brutes are simple warriors who rely on mighty attacks
and their own durability to overcome their enemies.
Some brutes combine this physical might with tactical
cunning. Others just hit things until those things stop
hitting back.

Champion
A Champion adds Athletics, Cool, Discipline, and any
one Combat skill to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
The archetypal Champion focuses on the development
of raw physical power honed to deadly perfection. Those
who model themselves on this specialization combine
rigorous train-ing with physical excellence to deal dev-
astating blows.

Warlord
A Warlord adds Discipline, Knowledge (Lore), Lead-
ership, Perception to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.

72
 talent active?
talent active?
Fighter
Knack for It Heroic Recovery
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill. Career Skills: Athletics, All Combat When your character ac-
Your character removes jj from any quires this talent, choose one
checks they make using this skill. Each Skills, Perception, Resilience, Survival,
additional time you purchase this Vigilance characteristic. Once per en-
talent for your character, select two ad- counter, you may spend one
ditional skills, which can include skills Story Point to use this talent
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they Wound Threshold Bonus: +2 to have your character heal
make using these skills. You cannot strain equal to the rating of
select combat or magic skills when the chosen characteristic.
choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 10 Cost: 05

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Armor Master Second Wind Quick Draw Parry

While wearing armor,
increase your total soak
value by 1.
Cost: 15
Once per encounter,
your character may use
this talent to heal an
amount of strain equal
to their ranks in second
wind.
Cost: 10
Once per round on your
character’s turn, they may use
this talent to draw or holster an
easily accessible weapon or item
as an incidental. Quick draw
also reduces a weapon’s prepare
rating by one, to a minimum
of one.
Cost: 05
When your character suffers a hit
from a melee combat check, after
damage is calculated but before
soak is applied, your character
may suffer 3 strain to use this
talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in
parry. This talent can only be used
once per hit, and your character
needs to be wielding a melee
weapon.
Cost: 10

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Hard-Boiled Surge of Action Naturally Gifted Unrelenting

When your character makes a
check to recover from strain at
the end of an encounter, your
character may make a Simple
(–) Resilience check instead
of Discipline or Cool. If your
character does so, they heal
1 strain per s and 1 wound
per a.
Cost: 10
Once per session, you
may activate this talent
as an incidental by
spending a story point
to take one additional
free maneuver on your
turn, up to a maximum
of 3 manuevers.
Cost: 20
When you purchase this
talent, choose 2 skills.
Once per session, you
may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
When you acquire this talent,
choose a combat skill. Once per
round after resolving a combat
check using your chosen skill, your
character may suffer 4 strain to use
this talent to make an additional
attack as an incidental against the
same target. Increase the difficulty
of the combat check by one if this
attack uses a second weapon, or
by two if the attack uses the same
weapon.
Cost: 25

73
 Specialization Tree: Battle Master
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Any Combat Skill, Knowledge (Lore), Melee (Light), Perception
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5
Impaling Strike
When your character inflicts
a critical injury with a melee
weapon, they may use this talent
to immobilize the target until the
end of the target’s next turn (in
addition to the other effects of the
critical injury).
Cost: 10
Parry (Improved)
When your character suffers a hit from a me-
lee combat check and uses parry to reduce
the damage from that hit, after the attack
is resolved, you may spend d or hhh
from the attacker’s check to use this talent.
Then, your character automatically hits the
attacker once with a brawl or melee weapon
your character is wielding. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
Cost: 15
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
74 Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Second Wind
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Cost: 15
Sweep Attack
Increase difficulty of a Brawl,
Melee (Light), or Melee (Heavy)
combat check by 1 to perform
Sweep Attack action. Must target
the adversary who is hardest to
hit (as determined by the GM).
May spend aa to hit additional
engaged targets.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Second Wind
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Cost: 5
Hamstring Shot
Once per round, your character may
use this talent to perform a ranged
combat check against one non-vehicle
target within range of the weapon
used. If the check is successful, halve
the damage inflicted by the attack
(before reducing damage by the target’s
soak). The target is immobilized until
the end of its next turn.
Cost: 10
Painful Blow
When your character makes a combat
check, you may voluntarily increase
the difficulty by one to use this talent.
If the target suffers one or more
wounds from the combat check, the
target suffers 2 strain each time they
perform a maneuver until the end of
the encounter.
Cost: 15
Second Wind
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Cost: 20
True Aim
Once per round, may suffer
strain up to ranks of True Aim,
to perform a True Aim maneu-
ver to gain benefits of aiming
and upgrade combat check
once per strain suffered.
Cost: 25
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5
Disarming Strike
May spend t or aa with
a successful Melee or Brawl
check to disarm opponent.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 20
Heroic Will
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries;
they just ignore the effects)
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Brute
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Brawl, Resilience, Streetwise
Tavern Brawler
Your character adds a
to Brawl checks and
combat checks using
improvised weapons.
Cost: 5
Dirty Tricks
After your character inflicts a
critical injury on an adversary,
you may use this talent to
increase the difficulty of that
adversary’s next check.
Cost: 10
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
Story Point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 15
Hard-Boiled
When your character makes a
check to recover strain at the end
of an encounter, your character
may make a Simple (-) Resilience
check instead of Discipline or
Cool. If your character does so,
they heal 1 strain per s and 1
wound per a.
Cost: 20
Crushing Blow
Once per session after rolling a brawl
or melee attack but before resolv-
ing the check, your character may
suffer 4 strain to use this talent. While
resolving the check, the weapon gains
the Breach 1 and Knockdown item
qualities, and destroys one item the
target is wielding that does not have
the Reinforced quality.
Cost: 25
Toughened Sucker Punch Parry
Each rank of tough- Your character may use this talent to
spend t from a check they make to
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
ened increases your determine Initiative to make a Brawl
combat check against a valid target be-
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
character’s wound fore the first round of combat begins. use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
threshold by two.
If this combat check is successful, your
This talent can only be used once per
character may activate the Disorient
item quality without spending a. hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Heroic Recovery Takedown Durable
When your character acquires this Your character may use this talent to
make an opposed Brawl vs. Resilience
May reduce any Crit-
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
check targeting one engaged opponent.
If the check succeeds, the target is
ical Injury suffered by
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
knocked prone and immobilized until the
end of your character’s next turn. If the
10 per rank of Dura-
strain equal to the rating of the target is a minion or rival, your character ble to a minimum of
chosen characteristic. may spend t to incapacitate (but not
kill) the target instead. 1.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Frenzied Attack Bowl Over Unarmed Parry
When making a melee or When your character makes a May parry while unarmed. When
melee attack after engaging unarmed, this character can add
brawl check, suffer a num-
a target, your weapon gains the +1 strain to the cost of the Parry
ber of strain to upgrade the Knockdown item quality. If the talent to use it against an incom-
attack an equal number of
weapon already has Knockdown, ing melee weapon attack.
times. The strain suffered you may activate the quality with-
may not exceed ranks in out spending a.
frenzied attack.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Heroic Will Durable Toughened
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
May reduce any Crit- Each rank of tough-
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
ical Injury suffered by ened increases your
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
10 per rank of Dura- character’s wound
the end of the current encounter. (your ble to a minimum of threshold by two.
character still suffers the critical injuries;
they just ignore the effects) 1.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Dedication Frenzied Attack Enduring
Each rank of dedication When making a melee or Each rank of Endur-
increases one of your char- brawl check, suffer a num-
ing increases your
acter’s characteristics by one. ber of strain to upgrade the
This talent cannot increase a attack an equal number of character’s soak by
characteristic above 5. times. The strain suffered one.
may not exceed ranks in
frenzied attack. 75
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Champion
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Any Combat Skill, Coordination, Discipline

Grit Toughened Rapid Reaction Quick Draw

Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Each rank of tough- Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
ened increases your to add an equal number of s to a
vigilance or cool check they make
character’s wound to determine initiative order. The
threshold by two. number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Lethal Blows Dirty Tricks Quick Strike Second Wind

Add +10 per rank of After your character inflicts a Your character adds j for Once per encounter, may
critical injury on an adversary, each rank of quick strike use Second Wind inci-
lethal blows to any you may use this talent to
to any combat checks they dental to heal strain equal
critical injury results increase the difficulty of that
make against any targets to ranks in Second Wind.
adversary’s next check.
inflicted on oppo- that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
nents. ter.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Toughened Dirty Tricks Second Wind Toughened

(improved)
Each rank of tough- After your character inflicts a Once per encounter, may Each rank of tough-
critical injury on an adversary, use Second Wind inci-
ened increases your you may use this talent to ened increases your
dental to heal strain equal
character’s wound upgrade the difficulty of that
to ranks in Second Wind. character’s wound
adversary’s next check.
threshold by two. threshold by two.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Enduring Lethal Blows Sorry About the Mess Rapid Reaction

Each rank of Endur- Add +10 per rank of Decrease the critical Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
ing increases your lethal blows to any rating of a weapon by to add an equal number of s to a
character’s soak by critical injury results 1 (to a minimum of vigilance or cool check they make
to determine initiative order. The
one. 1) against targets that
inflicted on oppo- have not yet acted this
number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
nents. encounter.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Dedication Double Tap Indomitable Naturally Gifted

Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
76 Cost: 25
After your character succeeds at an at-
tack, but before they spend advantage,
they can suffer 3 strain to allow them
to score two separate Critical Injuries.
These require the normal methods of
generating a Critical Injury, and they
occur simultaneously to each other.
Cost: 25
Once per encounter, when your character When you purchase this talent,
would be incapacitated due to exceeding choose 2 skills. Once per session,
their wound or strain threshold, you may
you may reroll either of these
spend a Story Point to use this talent.
skills. See full talent text.
Then, your character is not incapacitated
until the end of their next turn. If your
character reduces their strain or wounds
to below their threshold before the end of
their next turn, they are not incapaci-
tated.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Warlord
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Discipline, Knowledge (Lore), Leadership, Resilience
Command
Add j per rank of Com-
mand when making Leader-
ship checks. Affected targets
add j to Discipline checks
for next 24 hours.
Cost: 5
Body Guard
(Improved)
Once per encounter, when
an ally protected by the
Body Guard maneuver
suffers a hit, suffer the hit
instead.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Stand Firm
(Improved)
Stand Firm also increas-
es affected allies strain
threshold by an equal
amount equal to the char-
acter’s presence.
Cost: 20
Lead From the Front
After succeeding on a leadership
check or other check to inspire,
lead, or rally an audience, the
character may spend one story
point to upgrade the ability of the
next skill check made by all allies
within short range,
Cost: 25
Body Guard
Once per round, perform the Body
Guard maneuver to guard an engaged
character. Suffer a number of strain
no greater than ranks of Body Guard,
then until the beginning of the next
turn upgrade the difficulty of combat
checks targeting the character by that
number.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Stand Firm
As an action, make a hard (kkk)
leadership check. Choose one
ally per s, who increases their
wound threshold by the charac-
ters presence until the end of the
encounter.
Cost: 15
Inspiring Cry
Once per encounter, your char-
acter may use this talent to allow
allies within medium range to
reroll any number of j when they
make a check until the end of the
following round.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Second Wind
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Cost: 5
Second Wind
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Body Guard
(Supreme)
Body Guard maneuver may
protect a number of engaged char-
acters up to ranks in Resilience.
If your character has 4 ranks in a
magic skill, they may spend a story
point to extend Body Guard’s
range to Short.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Body Guard
Once per round, perform the Body
Guard maneuver to guard an engaged
character. Suffer a number of strain
no greater than ranks of Body Guard,
then until the beginning of the next
turn upgrade the difficulty of combat
checks targeting the character by that
number.
Cost: 10
Field Commander
Your character may use this talent to
make an average (kk) leadership check.
If successful, a number of allies equal to
your character’s presence may imme-
diately suffer 1 strain to perform one
maneuver (out of turn). If there are any
questions as to which allies take their
maneuvers first, your character is the final
arbiter.
Cost: 15
Field Commander
(Improved)
When your character uses the field
commander talent, your character
affects a number of allies equal to
twice the character’s presence. In
addition, you may spend t to
allow one ally to suffer 1 strain to
perform an action, instead of a
maneuver.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
77
Cost: 25
 Starting Gear: Players with a Monk character may choose
MONKS to start with the following gear instead of spending cur-
Monks make careful study of a magical energy that most rency during Step 7 of character creation:
monastic traditions call ki. This energy is an element of • A Staff
the magic that suffuses the multiverse—specifically, the • Heavy Clothing
element that flows through living bodies. Monks harness
this power within themselves to create magical effects • Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
and exceed their bodies’ physical capabilities, and some rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
of their special attacks can hinder the flow of ki in their • 1d100 gold coins
opponents. Using this energy, monks channel uncanny
speed and strength into their unarmed strikes. As they
gain experience, their martial training and their mas-
tery of ki gives them more power over their bodies and
the bodies of their foes. Small walled cloisters dot the
landscapes of the world of Faerun, tiny refuges from the
flow of ordinary life, where time seems to stand still. The
monks who live there seek personal perfection through
contemplation and rigorous training. Many entered the
monastery as children, sent to live there when their par-
ents died, when food couldn’t be found to support them,
or in return for some kindness that the monks had per-
formed for their families.
Some monks live entirely apart from the surrounding
population, secluded from anything that might impede
their spiritual progress. Others are sworn to isolation,
emerging only to serve as spies or assassins at the com-
mand of their leader, a noble patron, or some other mor-
tal or divine power.
The majority of monks don’t shun their neighbors,
making frequent visits to nearby towns or villages and
exchanging their service for food and other goods. As
versatile warriors, monks often end up protecting their
neighbors from monsters or tyrants.
For a monk, becoming an adventurer means leaving a
structured, communal lifestyle to become a wanderer.
This can be a harsh transition, and monks don’t under-
take it lightly. Those who leave their cloisters take their
work seriously, approaching their adventures as personal
tests of their physical and spiritual growth. As a rule,
monks care little for material wealth and are driven by a
desire to accomplish a greater mission than merely slay-
ing monsters and plundering their treasure.
The Monk counts the following skills as career skills:
Athletics, Brawl, Coordination, Discipline, Ki, Melee
(Light), Resilience, Survival, and Vigilance. Before
spending experience during character creation, a Monk
may choose four of their career skills and gain one rank
in each of them.

78
 MONK SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Monk Career.
Way of the Drunken Fist
A Way of the Drunken Fist Monk adds Athletics, Brawl,
Coordination, and Resilience to their Career skills. If this
is the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
The Way of the Drunken Master teaches its students
to move with the jerky, unpredictable movements of a
drunkard. A drunken master sways, tottering on uns
teady feet, to present what seems like an incompe-
tent combatant who proves frustrating to engage. The
drunken master’s erratic s tumbles conceal a carefully
executed dance of blocks, parries, advances, attacks, and
retreats. And their martial arts technique mixes combat
training with the precision of a dancer and the antics of
a jester.
A drunken master often enjoys playing the fool to bring
gladness to the despondent or to demonstrate humility
to the arrogant, but when battle is joined, the drunken
master can be a maddening, masterful foe.
Way of the Elements
A Way of the Elements Monk adds Brawl, Discipline,
Knowledge (Nature & Geography), and Resilience to
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
ence.
You follow a monastic tradition that teaches you tohar-
ness the elements. When you focus your ki, you can align
yourself with the forces of creation and bend the four
elements to your will, using them as an extension of your
body. Some members of this tradition dedicate them-
selves to a single element, but others weave the elements
together.
Many monks of this tradition tattoo their bodies with
representations of their ki powers, commonly imagined
as coiling dragons, but also as phoenixes, fish, plants,
mountains, and cresting waves.
Way of the Open Hand
A Way of the Open Hand Monk adds Athletics, Brawl,
Coordination, Discipline, and Ki to their Career skills.
If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they may
choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each,
without spending starting experience.
Monks of the Way of the Open Hand are the ultimate
masters of Martial Arts Combat, whether armed or
unarmed. They learn Techniques to push and trip their
opponents, manipulate ki to heal damage to their bodies,
and practice advanced meditation that can protect them
from harm.
Way of Mercy
A Way of Mercy Monk adds Alchemy, Brawl, Medi-
cine, and Negotiation to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
Monks of the Way of Mercy learn to manipulate the life
force of others to bring aid to those in need. They are
wandering physicians to the poor and hurt. However, to
those beyond their help, they bring a swift end as an act
of mercy.
Those who follow the Way of Mercy might be members
of a religious order, administering to the needy and mak-
ing grim choices rooted in reality rather than idealism.
Some might be gentle-voiced healers, beloved by their
communities, while others might be masked bringers of
macabre mercies.
The walkers of this way usually don robes with deep
cowls, and they often conceal their faces with masks,
presenting themselves as the faceless bringers of life and
death.
Way of the Shadow
A Way of the Shadow Monk adds Brawl, Coordination,
Stealth, Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
Monks of the Way of Shadow follow a tradition that
values stealth and subterfuge. These monks might be
called ninjas or shadowdancers, and they serve as spies
and assassins. Sometimes the members of a ninja mon-
astery are family members, forming a clan sworn to
secrecy about their arts and missions. Other monaster-
ies are more like thieves’ guilds, hir-ing out their services
to nobles, rich merchants, or anyone else who can pay
their fees. Regardless of their methods, the heads of these
monasteries expect the unquestioning obedience of their
students.
79
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Unarmed Parry
May parry while unarmed.
When unarmed, this charac-
ter can suffer one additional
strain when using the Parry
talent to use it against an
incoming melee weapon
attack.
Cost: 15
talent active?
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light)
attacks with Weapons with the Monk
quality. Weapons with the Monk quality
and unarmed Brawl attacks do at least +X
damage, X being your ranks in Martial
Arts Mastery. When you have taken
three ranks of Martial Arts Mastery, your
Brawl attacks gain the Superior quality, if
they do not already have it.
Cost: 15
80
Monk
Career Skills: Athletics, Brawl,
Coordination, Discipline, Ki,
Melee (Light), Resilience, Sur-
vival, Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +1
Wound Threshold Bonus: +1
talent active? talent active?
Parry Coordinated Dodge
When your character suffers a hit Once per encounter, your character
from a melee combat check, after
damage is calculated but before soak
may suffer 3 strain as an out-of-turn
incidental when they are the target
is applied. Your character may suffer
of a combat check. If they do so,
3 strain to use this talent to reduce
the difficulty of the combat check
the damage of the hit by two plus becomes an opposed check
their ranks in parry. This talent can against your ranks in the Coordi-
only be used once per hit, and your nation skill instead of the normal
character needs to be wielding a difficulty. Other modifiers, such as
melee weapon. cover and defense still apply.
Cost: 05 Cost: 20
talent active? talent active?
Unarmored
Movement
Parkour! (Improved)
Your character can Once per round, before per-
move across vertical forming a move maneuver, your
character may suffer 4 strain. If
surfaces as easily as hor- they do so, they may use their
izontal surfaces. None move maneuver to move to any
of the preceding effects location within medium range
(even straight up) as long as
of this rule apply while there is some sort of object to
your character is wear- move across or a path to move
ing armor. along.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
talent active?
Unarmored Defense
Your character increases their
soak by their Agility (in addi-
tion to their Brawn). None of
the preceding effects of this rule
apply while your character is
wearing armor.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Parkour!
Once per round, before per-
forming a move maneuver, the
character may suffer 1 strain. If
they do so, they may use their
move maneuver to move to
any location within short range
(even straight up), as long as
there is some sort of object to
move across or a path to move
along.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Slow Fall
Before making a Athletics
or Coordination check to
determine fall damage, your
character may spend a story
point to use this talent to
reduce the range band of a
fall by ranks in Slow Fall.
Cost: 15
Specialization Tree: Way of the Drunken Fist
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Brawl, Coordination, Resilience
Jump Up
Once per round during your
character’s turn, your char-
acter may use this talent to
stand from a prone or seated
position as an incidental.
Cost: 5
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 10
Unarmed Parry
May parry while unarmed.
When unarmed, this character
can suffer one additional strain
when using the Parry talent
to use it against an incoming
melee weapon attack.
Cost: 15
Parry (Improved)
When your character suffers a hit from a me-
lee combat check and uses parry to reduce
the damage from that hit, after the attack
is resolved, you may spend d or hhh
from the attacker’s check to use this talent.
Then, your character automatically hits the
attacker once with a brawl or melee weapon
your character is wielding. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
Cost: 20
Dodge (Improved)
After using dodge,
may spend a story
point to make a move
maneuver as an out
of turn incidental.
Cost: 25
Improvised Weapon
Master
This character adds automatic s
to all combat checks when using an
improvised weapon, and reduces
its Crit Rating by 1. Improvised
Weapons count as having the monk
quality for your character.
Cost: 5
Bad Habit
Your character may use this talent
to become disoriented for the
remainder of the encounter. At
the beginning of each of your
character’s turns, if they are still
disoriented due to this talent, they
heal 2 strain.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this
talent, choose 2 skills.
Once per session, you
may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Improvised Weapon
Master (improved)
When wielding an improvised
weapon, no longer suffer automat-
ic h during attacks, and reduces
their Crit Rating by 1 more. Fur-
ther, improvised weapons gain
the Defensive 1 and Disorient 1
weapon qualities.
Cost: 20
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 25
Tumble
Once per round on your
character’s turn, they may
suffer 2 strain to disen-
gage from all engaged
adversaries.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 15
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Tavern Brawler
Your character adds a
to Brawl checks and
combat checks using
improvised weapons.
Cost: 5
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 10
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 15
Defensive
Each rank of Defensive
increases your charac-
ter’s melee defense and
ranged defense by one.
Cost: 20
Whirlwind
Your character may suffer 4 strain to use
this talent to make a Brawl or Melee attack
against the engaged adversary who is
hardest to hit (as determined by the GM),
increasing the difficulty by one.
If the combat check succeeds, each adver-
sary engaged with the character suffers one
hit from the attack, that deals base damage
plus damage equal to the total s scored
on the check.
81
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Way of the Elements
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Brawl, Discipline, Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Resilience
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Prepared Spell
Once per encounter, your
character may make a
skill check to cast a
spell without suffering
strain.
Cost: 10
Disciple of the
Elements
Gain Ki (Will) as a career
skill. Each time you take
a rank in this talent, gain
either Attack, Augment, or
Barrier as a magic action
available to the Ki (Will)
skill.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
82 Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 10
Innate Focus
While not using a magic implement, your
character increases the base damage of all
Attack spells they cast by two. In addi-
tion, when casting a spell while not using
a magic implement, your character may
use this talent to decrease the difficulty
of the check by one. If they do so, they
increase the strain suffered for casting the
spell by one.
Cost: 15
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Jump Up
Once per round during your
character’s turn, your char-
acter may use this talent to
stand from a prone or seated
position as an incidental.
Cost: 5
Close-Quarters Caster
Your character may add
the Close Combat quality
to an attack spell without
increasing the difficulty.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Avatar (Improved)
Your character gains a per-
manant bonus based on the
element they chose when
first taking Avatar: see full
talent text.
Cost: 20
Avatar (Supreme)
When your character purchases
this talent, they gain one of
the following abilities based on
the element they selected when
they purchased Avatar: see full
talent text.
Cost: 25
Disciple of the
Elements
Gain Ki (Will) as a career
skill. Each time you take
a rank in this talent, gain
either Attack, Augment, or
Barrier as a magic action
available to the Ki (Will)
skill.
Cost: 5
Avatar
When your character pur-
chases this talent, choose
one of the following ele-
ments: Fire, Water, Earth, or
Air. See full taltn text.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 20
Disciple of the
Elements
Gain Ki (Will) as a career
skill. Each time you take a
rank in this talent, gain either
Attack, Augment, or Barrier
as a magic action available to
the Ki (Will) skill.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Way of Mercy
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Alchemy, Brawl, Medicine, Negotiation
Physician
When making a Medicine
check to help a character heal
wounds, the target heals 1
additional wound per rank of
Physician.
Cost: 5
Healing Hands
Gain Ki (Will) as a career skill.
Each time you take a rank in
this talent, gain either Dispel or
Heal as a magic action available
to the Ki (Will) skill. With two
ranks of this talent, gain Leech
as an additional effect to Attack
spells using the Ki (will) skill.
Cost: 10
Faith Healing
After making a skill check to
cast a heal spell, may choose to
change one s to a, or one a
to s per rank of faith healing,
though they must still have at
least one s to succeed on the
check.
Cost: 15
Pressure Point
When your character makes an
unarmed Brawl check targeting
a living opponent, they may use
this talent to deal strain damage
instead of wound damage, and
inflict additional strain damage
equal to their ranks in Medicine.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Medicine Man
As long as you have two
ranks in a magic skill,
always count as having
the right tools for the
job when performing
Medicine checks.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 10
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 15
Martial Arts Mastery
Weapons with the Monk quality and
unarmed Brawl attacks do at least
+X damage, X being your ranks in
Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks
of Martial Arts Mastery, your Brawl
attacks gain the Superior quality, if
they do not already have it.
Cost: 20
Douse the Flames of War
Once per session, when a combat
encounter against one or more sentient
beings is about to begin, the character
make a daunting (kkkk) Negotia-
tion check. If successful, the combat
encounter instead becomes a social
encounter, With the PCs attempting
to convince their opposition to back
down, come around to their viewpoint,
or accept a compromise. See full talent
text.
Cost: 25
Ascetic
When not wear-
ing armor, gain +1
to total soak per
rank of Ascetic.
Cost: 5
Healing Hands
Gain Ki (Will) as a career skill.
Each time you take a rank in
this talent, gain either Dispel or
Heal as a magic action available
to the Ki (Will) skill. With two
ranks of this talent, gain Leech
as an additional effect to Attack
spells using the Ki (will) skill.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 20
It’s Not That Bad
Once per session when an ally
would suffer a Critical Injury,
may take an It’s Not That Bad
action; make a Hard (kkk)
Medicine check to stop the ally
from gaining the Critical Injury.
83
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Way of the Open Hand
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Brawl, Coordination, Discipline, Ki
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 5
Unarmed Parry
(Improved)
Unarmed Parry no longer
requires you to sufferone addi-
tional strain. When unarmed,
this character can add +1 strain
to the cost of the Parry talent
to use it against an incoming
ranged weapon attack.
Cost: 10
Unarmed Parry
(Supreme)
When using the Unarmed
Parry talent on a ranged hit
that generated d or hhh
may hit one target in me-
dium range with the same
damage as the initial hit,
after original attack resolves.
Cost: 15
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 20
Martials Arts Mastery
(Supreme)
Once per encounter,
may heal wounds equal
to Ranks in Martial
Arts mastery.
84 Cost: 25
Iron Body
Remove j per rank of Iron
Body from Coordination and
Resilience checks. Reduce
the critical rating of unarmed
attacks by 1 per rank of Iron
Body (to a minimum of 1).
Cost: 5
Unarmed Parry
May parry while unarmed.
When unarmed, this character
can suffer one additional strain
when using the Parry talent
to use it against an incoming
melee weapon attack.
Cost: 10
Unarmored Defense
Your character increases their soak
by their Agility (in addition to
their Brawn). None of the preced-
ing effects of this rule apply while
your character is wearing armor.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Stunning Blow
While making Melee
checks, may inflict dam-
age as strain instead of
wounds. This does not
ignore soak.
Cost: 5
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 10
Iron Body
Remove j per rank of Iron
Body from Coordination and
Resilience checks. Reduce
the critical rating of unarmed
attacks by 1 per rank of Iron
Body (to a minimum of 1).
Cost: 15
Ascetic
When not wear-
ing armor, gain +1
to total soak per
rank of Ascetic.
Cost: 20
Flurry of Blows
Your character may use this talent to
perform the Flurry of Blows maneuver
to suffer a number of strain no greater
than ranks of up to your ranks in Co-
ordination to gain the Linked quality
with a rating equal to the amount of
strain suffered on your next Brawl or
Melee combat check this turn.
Cost: 25
Jump Up
Once per round during your
character’s turn, your char-
acter may use this talent to
stand from a prone or seated
position as an incidental.
Cost: 5
Ascetic
When not wear-
ing armor, gain +1
to total soak per
rank of Ascetic.
Cost: 10
Stunning Blow
(Improved)
When dealing strain damage
with Melee or Brawl checks,
may spend t to stagger
target for 1 round per t
Cost: 15
Martial Arts Mastery
(Improved)
While unarmed or armed with a
Monk weapon, your character may
use this talent to make an Average
(kk) Brawl or Hard (kkk) Melee
check. If successful, your character may
force one engaged target to either drop
one weapon they are holding or move
one range band in a direction of your
choosing. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks for
Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks with
Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and unarmed
Brawl attacks do at least +X damage, X being
your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already have it.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Way of the Shadow
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Brawl, Coordination, Stealth, Vigilance
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 10
Martial Arts Mastery
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for
determining base damage and skill checks
for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks
with Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and un-
armed Brawl attacks do at least +X damage,
X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial
Arts Mastery, your Brawl attacks gain the
Superior quality, if they do not already
have it.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Stalker
Add j per rank of Stalker
to all Stealth and Coordi-
nation checks.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Defensive
Each rank of Defensive
increases your character’s
melee defense and ranged
defense by one.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 15
Now You See Me
Once per session, take Now You
See Me action. Make a Daunting
(kkkk) Ki check to make a num-
ber of NPC’s equal to Willpower
within medium range forget about
character. Your GM has final say
if an NPC can be affected by this
talent.
Cost: 20
Masterful Illusions
After your character makes a successful Il-
lusion spell to create an illusion, you may
spend a Story Point to have your charac-
ter use this talent to make the illusion last
until the end of the encounter, without
performing concentrate maneuvers, and
not need to remain within the spells
range after being cast. You may spend two
story points two make the illusion last
until the end of the session instead.
Cost: 25
Parkour!
Once per round, before performing
a move maneuver, the character may
suffer 1 strain. If they do so, they may
use their move maneuver to move to
any location within short range (even
straight up), as long as there is some
sort of object to move across or a path
to move along.
Cost: 5
Shadow Arts
Gain Ki (Will) as a career
skill. Each time you take a
rank in the talent, gain Illu-
sion or Teleport as a magic
action available to the Ki
(Will) skill.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Shadow Arts
Gain Ki (Will) as a career
skill. Each time you take
a rank in this talent, gain
either Illusion or Teleport as
a magic action available to
the Ki (Will) skill.
Cost: 20
Flicker Step
When your character casts a
spell using the Ki skill, they may
use this talent to spend aaa
or t to instantly vanish and
reappear at any location within
long range.
85
Cost: 25
 to take vengeance on those who have done great evil, sent
PALADIN as an angel of death by the gods or driven by your need
Whatever their origin and their mission, paladins are for revenge?
united by their oaths to stand against the forces of evil. The Paladin counts the following skills as career skills:
Whether sworn before a god’s altar and the witness of Athletics, Cool, Discipline, Leadership, Melee (Light),
a priest, in a sacred glade before nature spirits and fey Negotiation, Religion, Riding. Before spending expe-
beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the rience during character creation, a Paladin may choose
dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful four of their career skills and gain one rank in each of
bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior them.
into a blessed champion. Starting Gear: Players with a Paladin character may
A paladin swears to uphold justice and righteousness, choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
to stand with the good things of the world against the ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
encroaching darkness, and to hunt the forces of evil • A sword and a shield
wherever they lurk. Different paladins focus on various
aspects of the cause of righteousness, but all are bound by • A holy icon or a magic scepter
the oaths that grant them power to do their sacred work. • Ring Mail
Although many paladins are devoted to gods of good, a
• Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
paladin’s power comes as much from a commitment to
rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
justice itself as it does from a god.
• 1d100 gold coins
Paladins train for years to learn the skills of combat,
mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Even so, their
martial skills are secondary to the magical power they
wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite the
wicked and the undead, and to protect the innocent and
those who join them in the fight for justice.
Almost by definition, the life of a paladin is an adven-
turing life. Unless a lasting injury has taken him or their
away from adventuring for a time, every paladin lives on
the front lines of the cosmic struggle against evil. Fight-
ers are rare enough among the ranks of the militias and
armies of the world, but even fewer people can claim the
true calling of a paladin. When they do receive the call,
these warriors turn from their former occupations and
take up arms to fight evil. Sometimes their oaths lead
them into the service of the crown as leaders of elite
groups of knights, but even then their loyalty is first to
the cause of righteousness, not to crown and country.
Adventuring paladins take their work seriously. A delve
into an ancient ruin or dusty crypt can be a quest driven
by a higher purpose than the acquisition of treasure.
Evil lurks in dungeons and primeval forests, and even
the smallest victory against it can tilt the cosmic balance
away from oblivion.
The most important aspect of a paladin character is the
nature of their or their holy quest. Are you a devoted
servant of good, loyal to the gods of justice and honor,
a holy knight in shining armor venturing forth to smite
evil? Are you a glorious champion of the light, cherish-
ing everything beautiful that stands against the shadow,
a knight whose oath descends from traditions older than
many of the gods? Or are you an embittered loner sworn

86
 PALADIN SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Paladin Career.
Oath of the Inquisitor
An Oath of the Inquisitor Paladin adds Coercion, Disci-
pline, Knowledge (Religion), and any one Combat skill
to their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
ence.
Across the world, there are always tyrants, and those
unlucky enough to suffer under their rule. Some Pala-
dins see wars ravaging regions and harming the weak and
defenseless and they step in to defend those innocents.
Other Paladins take direct action through military force
to attempt to overthrow such despots. These Paladins are
often known as Inquistors.
Characters who pursue the Inquisitor’s path seldom limit
their activities to a single region. Often once one region
has been pacified or a tyrant overthrown, a Inquisitor
usually sets their sights on the next challenge and leads
their friends and fellow freedom fighters to overcome
it. Under the shadow of the Evil, Inquisitors are always
needed.
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
Paladins are often driven by their compassion for the
plights of those who cannot protect themselves. Saviors
ensure these innocents never come to harm. Few are
tougher than a Savior, and even fewer can get through
their guard to attack those they defends. Even if their
charges do suffer harm, the Savior possesses basic medical
knowledge to heal their wounds.
Saviors could be considered bodyguards, but their efforts
are seldom limited to protecting a single individual.
Instead, Saviors are more likely to defend the needy on a
larger scale. Often, they function as rescue workers, using
their medical knowledge to stabilize injuries in the field
and then providing additional protection. In other cases,
Saviors may shelter refugees or other victims fleeing ter-
rible situations. holding the line until the innocents can
escape to safety.

Oath of the Protectorate

An Oath of the Protectorate Paladin adds Knowledge
(Religion), Leadership, Riding, and Resilience to their
Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Specializa-
tion, they may choose two of these skills and gain one
free rank in each, without spending starting experience.
Protectorates are the most likely to have come from prior
service with a larger organization, and they almost cer-
tainly had at least a non-commissioned officer role with
that force. They have a keen grasp of both tactics and
strategy, though they will tend to focus more on the for-
mer as a matter of practicality and survival. Even in less
formal situations, a Protectorate will tend to show a high
degree of personal discipline and order.
In a Player Character group, it will not be out of the
question for a Protectorate to take charge, at least in sit-
uations where combat is likely. Though their leadership
skills are not as comprehensive as other specializations,
they are uniquely focused for combat.

Oath of the Savior

An Oath of the Savior Paladin adds Cool, Discipline,
Medicine, and Leadership to their Career skills. If this
is the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose

87
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Heroic Recovery
When your character ac-
quires this talent, choose one
characteristic. Once per en-
counter, you may spend one
Story Point to use this talent
to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of
the chosen characteristic.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Crusader
Your character counts
all weapons as having
the Bane (Fiend) and
Bane (Undead) quali-
ties.
Cost: 15
88
Paladin
Career Skills: Athletics, Coercion,
Cool, Discipline, Melee (Light),
Negotiation, Religion, Riding
Wound Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active? talent active?
Parry Block
When your character suffers a hit
from a melee combat check, after While wielding a shield,
damage is calculated but before your character may
soak is applied, your character
may suffer 3 strain to use this
use the parry talent to
talent to reduce the damage of reduce damage from
the hit by two plus their ranks in ranged attacks as well as
parry. This talent can only be used
once per hit, and your character melee attacks targeting
needs to be wielding a melee your character.
weapon.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
talent active? talent active?
Templar (Improved) Smite
Templar no longer Once per round, your char-
limits use of the Divine acter may suffer 3 strain to
skill to once per en- use this talent to add damage
equal to their ranks in Di-
counter.
vine to one hit of a success-
ful brawl or melee attack.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
talent active?
Templar
Divine is now a career skill
for your character. They can
only cast one spell using this
skill per encounter. When
making a Divine check, your
character may use Presence
instead of Willpower.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Divine Sense
May suffer two strain to per-
form the Divine Sense action.
Make an Easy (k) Discipline
check. Success grants you
knowledge of otherworldly
beings within medium range.
May spend aa to learn exact
locations.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Battle Casting
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (armor
with +2 soak or higher),
using a shield, or not having
at least one hand free.
Cost: 15
Specialization Tree: Oath of the Inquisitor
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Any Combat Skill, Coercion, Discipline, Knowledge (Religion)
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 10
Templar (Improved)
Templar no longer limits
use of the Divine skill to
once per encounter.
Cost: 15
Ensorcelled (Supreme)
Your character must have purchased the ensor-
celled talent to benefit from this talent. If your
charatcer has three ranks in a magic skill,
once per session, they may use this talent to
force all enemies within medium range to
make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check as an
out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must
spend all available maneuvers moving away
from your character, and they suffer 5 strain,
plus one additional strain per h
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Templar
Divine is now a career skill for
your character. They can only
cast one spell using this skill
per encounter. When making
a Divine check, your character
may use Presence instead of
Willpower.
Cost: 5
Ensorcelled
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
once per encounter, they
may use this talent to add
a to the result of their next
social skill check.
Cost: 10
Battle Casting
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (armor
with +2 soak or higher), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
Cost: 15
Scathing Tirade
(Supreme)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Your character
may choose to suffer 1 strain to
use the scathing tirade talent as a
maneuver, instead of as an action.
Cost: 20
Baleful Gaze
When targeted by combat
check from within medium
range, may spend a Story Point
to upgrade the difficulty of the
check a number of times equal
to ranks in Coercion.
Cost: 25
Intimidating
May suffer a number of strain
to add j to a check made
to resist fear caused by your
character. Strain suffered this
way cannot exceed ranks in
Intimidating.
Cost: 5
Scathing Tirade
Your character may use this talent
to make an average (kk) coercion
check. For each s the check gen-
erates, one adversary within short
range suffers 1 strain. For each a,
one adversary affected by scathing
tirade suffers 1 additional strain.
Cost: 10
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 15
Scathing Tirade
(Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Enemies affected
by your character’s scathing tirade
add j to all skill checks they make
for a number of rounds equal to
your character’s ranks in coercion.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Intimidating
May suffer a number of strain
to add j to a check made
to resist fear caused by your
character. Strain suffered this
way cannot exceed ranks in
Intimidating.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
89
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Oath of the Protectorate
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Leadership, Knowledge (Religion), Resilience, Riding

Command Templar Body Guard Toughened

Add j per rank of Com-
mand when making Leader-
ship checks. Affected targets
add j to Discipline checks
for next 24 hours.
Divine is now a career skill for
your character. They can only
cast one spell using this skill
per encounter. When making
a Divine check, your character
may use Presence instead of
Willpower.
Once per round, perform the Body
Guard maneuver to guard an engaged
Each rank of tough-
character. Suffer a number of strain ened increases your
no greater than ranks of Body Guard,
then until the beginning of the next character’s wound
turn upgrade the difficulty of combat
checks targeting the character by that threshold by two.
number.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Parry Knack For It Body Guard Parry

When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
(Improved)
Once per encounter, when When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
an ally protected by the calculated but before soak is applied.
Body Guard maneuver Your character may suffer 3 strain to
suffers a hit, suffer the hit use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
instead. This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Armor Master Block Naturally Gifted Field Commander

When wearing armor, While wielding a shield, When you purchase this talent, Your character may use this talent to
make an average (kk) leadership check.
your character may use choose 2 skills. Once per session,
Increase total soak value you may reroll either of these
If successful, a number of allies equal to
by 1. the parry talent to reduce skills. See full talent text.
your character’s presence may imme-
diately suffer 1 strain to perform one
damage from ranged attacks maneuver (out of turn). If there are any
as well as melee attacks questions as to which allies take their
maneuvers first, your character is the final
targeting your character. arbiter.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Circle of Shelter Toughened Body Guard Field Commander

(Improved)
When an engaged ally Each rank of tough- Once per round, perform the Body
Guard maneuver to guard an engaged
When your character uses the field
commander talent, your character
suffers a hit, may use ened increases your character. Suffer a number of strain affects a number of allies equal to
Parry or Block incidental no greater than ranks of Body Guard,
twice the character’s presence. In
against the hit. character’s wound then until the beginning of the next
turn upgrade the difficulty of combat
addition, you may spend t to
threshold by two. checks targeting the character by that allow one ally to suffer 1 strain to
perform an action, instead of a
number.
maneuver.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Armor Master Dedication Heroic Will Body Guard

(Improved) (Supreme)
When wearing armor Each rank of dedication When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
Body Guard maneuver may
increases one of your char- protect a number of engaged char-
with a soak value of 2 or may spend a story point to use this talent
acters up to ranks in Resilience.
higher, increase defense acter’s characteristics by one. to have your character ignore the effects
If your character has 4 ranks in a
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
by 1. This talent cannot increase a using those two characteristics until magic skill, they may spend a story
characteristic above 5. the end of the current encounter. (your point to extend Body Guard’s
character still suffers the critical injuries; range to Short.
they just ignore the effects)

90 Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25

Specialization Tree: Oath of the Savior
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Cool, Discipline, Negotiation, Leadership

Turn Undead Knack For It Confidence Command

As an Action, force all undead creatures
within short range to make a fear check
with a Difficulty equal to your Discipline.
In addition to the normal effects of Fear,
any targets who fail the check are forced
to spend their next turn moving outside
the range of Turn Undead. All maneuvers
must be spent on movement including
downgrading Actions if possible.
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
May decrease difficulty Add j per rank of Com-
moves jj from any checks they make using of Discipline checks to mand when making Leader-
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two avoid fear by 1 per rank ship checks. Affected targets
additional skills, which can include skills
of Confidence. add j to Discipline checks
already chosen. Your character also removes
for next 24 hours.
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Command Stand Firm Inspiring Rhetoric Grit

Add j per rank of Com-
mand when making Leader-
ship checks. Affected targets
add j to Discipline checks
for next 24 hours.
As an action, make a hard (kkk)
leadership check. Choose one
ally per s, who increases their
wound threshold by the charac-
ters presence until the end of the
encounter.
Your character may use this Each rank of grit
talent to make an average (kk)
leadership check. For each s the increases your charac-
check generates, one ally within
short range heals one strain. For
ter’s strain threshold
each a, one ally benefiting from by one.
inspiring rhetoric heals one addi-
tional strain.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Keeping It Cool Grit Inspiring Rhetoric

May always use Cool when
making checks to determine
initiative.
(Improved)
Each rank of grit Allies affected by your
character’s inspiring rhetoric
increases your charac-
add j to all skill checks
ter’s strain threshold they make for a number of
by one. rounds equal to your char-
acter’s ranks in leadership.
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Commanding Presence Stand Firm Naturally Gifted Comrade-In-Arms

Once per session, may take
Commanding Presence action;
make an opposed Cool vs.
Discipline check to force
non-nemesis adversary to leave
the encounter.
(Improved)
Stand Firm also increas- When you purchase this talent, Once per encounter, make a
choose 2 skills. Once per session, Hard (kkk) Discipline Check. If
es affected allies strain you may reroll either of these successful, your character plus one
threshold by an equal skills. See full talent text. ally per s within medium range
amount equal to the char- gains +1 defense for the remain-
der of the encounter. Effects end
acter’s presence. if affected targets move beyond
medium range.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Resolve Dedication Inspiring Rhetoric

When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
(Supreme)
Your character may
choose to suffer 1 strain
to use the inspiring rhet-
oric talent as a maneuver,
instead of as an action.
Cost: 25
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
91
Cost: 25
 • Leather armor
RANGER
• Climbing gear or Winter clothing
Far from the bustle of cities and towns, past the hedges • Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
that shelter the most distant farms from the terrors of the rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
wild, amid the dense-packed trees of trackless forests and
across wide and empty plains, rangers keep their unend- • 1d100 gold coins
ing watch.
Warriors of the wilderness, rangers specialize in hunting
the monsters that threaten the edges of civilization—
humanoid raiders, rampaging beasts and monstrosities,
terrible giants, and deadly dragons. They learn to track
their quarry as a predator does, moving stealthily through
the wilds and hiding themselves in brush and rubble.
Rangers focus their combat training on techniques that
are particularly useful against their specific favored foes.
Thanks to their familiarity with the wilds, rangers acquire
the ability to cast spells that harness nature’s power, much
as a druid does. Their spells, like their combat abilities,
emphasize speed, stealth, and the hunt. A ranger’s talents
and abilities are honed with deadly focus on the grim task
of protecting the borderlands.
Though a ranger might make a living as a hunter, a guide,
or a tracker, a ranger’s true calling is to defend the out-
skirts of civilization from the ravages of monsters and
humanoid hordes that press in from the wild. In some
places, rangers gather in secretive orders or join forces
with druidic circles. Many rangers, though, are indepen-
dent almost to a fault, knowing that, when a dragon or
a band of orcs attacks, a ranger might be the first—and
possibly the last—line of defense.
This fierce independence makes rangers well suited to
adventuring, since they are accustomed to life far from
the comforts of a dry bed and a hot bath. Faced with
city-bred adventurers who grouse and whine about the
hardships of the wild, rangers respond with some mixture
of amusement, frustration, and compassion. But they
quickly learn that other adventurers who can carry their
own weight in a fight against civilization’s foes are worth
any extra burden. Coddled city folk might not know how
to feed themselves or find fresh water in the wild, but
they make up for it in other ways.
The Ranger counts the following skills as career skills:
Athletics, Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Melee
(Light), Ranged, Perception, Stealth, Survival, Vigilance.
Before spending experience points (XP) during character
creation, a Ranger may choose four of their career skills
and gain one rank in each of them.
Starting Gear: Players with a Ranger character may
choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
• A shortbow or a light spear
• A dagger

92
 starting experience.

RANGER SPECIALIZATIONS Some rangers seek to master weapons to better protect

civilization from the terrors of the wilderness. Members
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the of the Slayer Conclave learn specialized fighting tech-
following sections; this section mainly deals with how niques for use against the most dire threats, from ram-
each specialization connects to the Ranger Career paging ogres and hordes of orcs to towering giants and
terrifying dragons.
Beast Master
.
A Beast Master adds Knowledge (Nature & Geogra-
phy), Leadership, Riding, and Survival o their Career
skills. If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they
may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in
each, without spending starting experience.
Many rangers are more at home in the wilds than in
civilization, to the point where animals consider them
kin. Rangers of the Beast Conclave develop a close bond
with a beast, then further strengthen that bond through
the use of magic.

Deep Stalker
A Deep Stalker adds Any one combat skill, Knowledge
(Nature & Geography), Survival, and Vigilance to their
Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Specializa-
tion, they may choose two of these skills and gain one
free rank in each, without spending starting experience.

Most folk descend into the depths of the subterreanean

only under the most pressing conditions, undertaking
some desperate quest or following the promise of vast
riches. All too often, evil festers beneath the earth
unnoticed, and rangers of the Deep Stalker Conclave
strive to uncover and defeat such threats before they can
reach the surface.

Scout
A Scout adds Coordination, Perception, Survival, and
Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
You are skilled in stealth and surviving far from the
streets of a city, allowing you to scout ahead of your com-
panions during expeditions. Rangers who embrace this
specialization are at home in the wilderness and among
barbarians and rangers, and many Scouts serve as the eyes
and ears of war bands. Ambusher, spy, bounty hunter –
these are just a few of the roles that Scouts assume as they
range the world.

Slayer
A Slayer adds Melee (Light), Ranged, Resilience, and
Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the character’s
starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending

93
 talent active?
talent active?
Ranger
Knack for It One with Nature
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill. Career Skills: Athletics, Melee (Light), When in the wilderness,
Your character removes jj from any your character may make a
checks they make using this skill. Each Nature, Ranged, Perception, Stealth,
additional time you purchase this Survival, Vigilance simple (-) survival check, in-
talent for your character, select two ad- stead of discipline or cool, to
ditional skills, which can include skills recover strain at the end of
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they Strain Threshold Bonus: +1 an encounter. Also, you have
make using these skills. You cannot Wound Threshold Bonus: +1 an innate ability to commu-
select combat or magic skills when nicate with animals.
choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 10 Cost: 05

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Primalist Hunter’s Quarry Animal Companion Heightened Awareness

Primal is now a career
skill for your character.
They can only cast one
spell using this skill per
encounter.
The character may take the
Hunter’s Quarry action against
an opponent within long range.
They make a Hard (kkk)
Survival check. If the check suc-
ceeds, they upgrade the ability
of all attacks made against the
target by one until the end of
the character’s next turn.
Your character creates
a bond with a single
animal approved by
your GM. See full
talent text.
Allies within short range
of your character add j to
their Perception and Vigi-
lance checks. Allies engaged
with your character add jj
instead.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 15 Cost: 10

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Primalist Hunter’s Quarry
(Improved) (Improved)
Primalist no longer Reduce the difficulty of
limits use of the Primal Hunter’s Quarry from
skill to once per en- Hard (kkk) to Average
counter. (kk). Your character may
suffer 2 strain to perform
hunter’s quarry action as a
maneuver.
Cost: 20 Cost: 15
Hunter’s Quarry
(Supreme) Constant Vigilance
May always use vig-
Add aa to all combat
ilance when making
checks against targets
checks to determine
affected by Hunter’s
Quarry. Also, you may initiative.
spend a story point to
have Hunter’s Quarry
lasts until the end of the
encounter.
Cost: 20 Cost: 15

94
Specialization Tree: Beast Master
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Leadership, Riding, Survival
Let’s Ride
Once per round during your character’s
turn, your character can use this talent
to mount or dismount from a vehicle or
animal, or move from one position in
a vehicle to another (such as from the
cockpit to a gun turret) as an incidental.
In addition, if your character suffers a
short-range fall (see core rules page 112)
from a vehicle or animal, they suffer no
damage and land on their feet.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Hunter
Add j per rank of Hunter to all
checks when interacting with beast
or animals (including combat
checks). Add +10 to Critical Inju-
ry results against beasts or animals
per rank of Hunter.
Cost: 15
Animal Companion
(Improved)
Your companion now acts
on its own initiative slot,
rolling its own intitiative
checks when an encounter
begins.
Cost: 20
Dire Animal
Companion
If your character has at least
two ranks in the Primal skill, the
animal companion they have
bonded with through the Animal
Companion talent grows in power:
see full talent text.
Cost: 25
Animal Companion
Your character creates a
bond with a single animal
approved by your GM. See
full talent text.
Cost: 5
Menace
Once per round, on the character’s turn,
the animal companion may spend a
maneuver to have enemies within short
range of the character’s animal compan-
ion add j to next combat check made
against the character. Adversary characters
who are immune to the effects of fear
are also immune to this ability. The gm
has final say if a creature can threaten an
adversary.
Cost: 10
Harass
Whenever the character’s
animal companion makes
a successful combat check
against a target, it may forgo
inflicting damage to upgrade
the difficulty of the target’s
next check once instead.
Cost: 15
Animal Companion
Your character creates a
bond with a single animal
approved by your GM. See
full talent text.
Cost: 20
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Hunter Grit
Add j per rank of Hunter to all Each rank of grit
checks when interacting with beast
or animals (including combat increases your charac-
checks). Add +10 to Critical Inju- ter’s strain threshold
ry results against beasts or animals
per rank of Hunter. by one.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Knack For It Primalist
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
Primal is now a career skill
for your character. They can
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
only cast one spell using this
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills skill per encounter.
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Soothing Tone Toughened
Once per encounter, your charac-
ter may take a soothing tone ac-
Each rank of tough-
tion. They make an average (kk) ened increases your
survival check to allow a beast to
recover strain equal to s. character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Share Pain Back-To-Back
May perform the Share Pain While engaged with one or more
incidental when animal com- allies, your character and allies
panion suffers wounds. Reduce they are engaged with add j to
combat checks. If one or more
wounds suffered to half, then
allies engaged with your character
character suffers wounds equal
also have back-to-back, the effects
to number reduced. are cumulative to a maximum of
jj.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Dedication Beastmaster
Each rank of dedication Your character may have two animal
companions with a combined silhouette no
increases one of your char- greater than your character’s ranks in Animal
Companion. One or both of your character’s
acter’s characteristics by one. animal companions can instead be a minion
This talent cannot increase a group of animals with a combined silhouette
no greater than your character’s ranks in
characteristic above 5. Animal Companion. For this purpose, treat
every two silhouette 0 animals as silhouette
1. See full talent text.
95
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Deep Stalker
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Any one Combat skill, Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Survival, Vigilance
Dungeoneer
After your character makes a Percep-
tion, Vigilance, or Knowledge (Lore)
check to notice, identify, or avoid a
threat in a cavern, subterranean ruin,
or similar location, your character
cancels a number of uncanceled h no
greater than your character’s ranks in
Dungeoneer.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Blindsense
As long as your character can
hear, you may ignore setback dice
imposed by darkness or blindness
within short range, up to GM
discretion. Each additional rank of
blindsense increases the range of
this talent.
Cost: 15
Constant Vigilance
May always use vigilance
when making checks to
determine initiative.
Cost: 20
Enduring
Each rank of en-
during increases
your character’s
soak value by one.
96 Cost: 25
Toughened Knack For It Dungeoneer
Each rank of tough- When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
After your character makes a Percep-
tion, Vigilance, or Knowledge (Lore)
ened increases your moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
check to notice, identify, or avoid a
threat in a cavern, subterranean ruin,
this talent for your character, select two
character’s wound additional skills, which can include skills or similar location, your character
cancels a number of uncanceled h no
already chosen. Your character also removes
threshold by two. jj from any checks they make using these greater than your character’s ranks in
skills. You cannot select combat or magic Dungeoneer.
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Heightened Awareness Primalist Swift
Allies within short range Primal is now a career skill Your character does not
add j to Perception or for your character. They can suffer the penalties for moving
through difficult terrain (they
Vigilance checks. En- only cast one spell using this
skill per encounter. move through difficult terrain
gaged allies add jj. at normal speed without
spending additional maneu-
vers).
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Heroic Will Well Rounded Resolve
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
When your character purchases When a character invol-
a rank in this talent, choose
may spend a Story Point to use this talent untarily suffers strain,
to have your character ignore the effects any 2 non-magic skills. They
of all Critical Injuries on any skill checks permanently become career
they suffer 1 less strain
using those two characteristics until the
skills. per rank of resolve to a
end of the current encounter. (Your char-
acter still suffers the Critical Injuries; they minimum of 1.
just ignore the effects. See page 114.)
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted Grit Primalist (Improved)
When you purchase this talent, Each rank of grit Primalist no longer limits
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these increases your charac- use of the Primal skill to
skills. See full talent text. once per encounter.
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Dedication Intense Focus Skilled Mastery
Each rank of dedication Perform an Intense Fo- When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
increases one of your char- cus maneuver; suffer 1
acter’s characteristics by one.
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
strain and upgrade the difficulty of the next check they make
This talent cannot increase a
ability of the next skill this round using that skill by two, to a
characteristic above 5. minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
check once character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Scout
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coordination, Perception, Survival, Vigilance
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
vigilance or cool check they make
to determine initiative order. The
number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
Cost: 5
Uncanny Senses
Add j per rank of Uncanny
Senses to all Perception and
Vigilance checks.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Constant Vigilance
May always use vigilance
when making checks to
determine initiative.
Cost: 20
Defensive
Each rank of Defensive
increases your charac-
ter’s melee defense and
ranged defense by one.
Cost: 25
Stalker
Add j per rank of Stalker
to all Stealth and Coordi-
nation checks.
Cost: 5
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Uncanny Senses
Add j per rank of Uncanny
Senses to all Perception and
Vigilance checks.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Heightened Awareness
Allies within short range
add j to Perception or
Vigilance checks. En-
gaged allies add jj.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Holistic Navigation
When making a skill check
to navigate, the character
may spend one Story Point
to remove d, or to remove
h equal to their ranks in
Perception.
Cost: 20
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Swift
Your character does not
suffer the penalties for moving
through difficult terrain (they
move through difficult terrain
at normal speed without
spending additional maneu-
vers).
Cost: 5
Savant
When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the time
required by 25%. This reduc-
tion may be applied multiple
times, to a limit of 50%
Cost: 10
Bloodhound
When your character makes a check to
follow another character’s trail (wheth-
er their physical tracks or a trail of
information), you may use this talent
to add s no greater than your char-
acter’s ranks in Streetwise or Survival,
as appropriate for the environment, to
the check results.
Cost: 15
Elusive
When another character makes a
check to folow your character’s trail
(whether physical tracks or a trail of
information), your character may use
this talent to add f no greater than
their ranks in Streetwise or Survival, as
appropriate to the environment, to the
check results.
Cost: 20
Blindsense
As long as your character can
hear, you may ignore setback dice
imposed by darkness or blindness
within short range, as long as it
makes sense. Each additional rank
of blindsense increases the range of
this talent.
97
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Slayer
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Melee (Light), Ranged, Resilience,Vigilance
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
story point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 10
Rapid Archery
While your character is armed with a
bow (or similar weapon, at your GM’s
discretion) they may suffer a number
of strain no greater than ranks of up
to your ranks in Ranged to gain the
Linked quality with a rating equal to
the amount of strain suffered to the
next combat check made with that
weapon this turn.
Cost: 15
Bullseye!
When your character inflicts a
Critical Injury with a severity of
Average (kk) or higher, or inca-
pacitates a target with their attack,
they may use this talent to inflict
3 strain on all adversaries within
short range of the target.
Cost: 20
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
98 Cost: 25
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 5
Hunter’s Quarry
The character may take the Hunter’s
Quarry action against an opponent
within long range. They make a Hard
(kkk) Survival check. If the check
succeeds, they upgrade the ability of
all attacks made against the target by
one until the end of the character’s
next turn.
Cost: 10
Hunter’s Quarry
(Improved)
Reduce the difficulty of
Hunter’s Quarry from Hard
(kkk) to Average (kk). Your
character may suffer 2 strain to
perform hunter’s quarry action
as a maneuver.
Cost: 15
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 20
Deadeye
After your character inflicts a Crit-
ical Injury with a ranged weapon
and rolls the result, your character
may suffer 2 strain to use this
talent. Then, you may select any
Critical Injury of the same severity
to apply to the target instead.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Steady Aim
Your character does not
lose the benefits of the aim
Maneuver if they perform
other maneuvers (including
Moving) or actions.
Cost: 15
Sniper Shot
Before making a ranged attack,
may perform a Sniper Shot
maneuver to increase the weapon’s
range by 1 range band per rank in
Sniper Shot. Upgrade the difficulty
of the attack by 1 per range band
increase.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 10
Dual Strike
When resolving a combined
check to attack with two weapons
in combat, your character may
suffer 2 strain to use this talent
to hit with the secondary weapon
(instead of spending aa).
Cost: 15
Precise Archery
d from the character’s Ranged
checks cannot cause attacks to hit
allies engaged with the target.
Cost: 20
True Aim
Once per round, may suffer
strain up to ranks of True Aim,
to perform a True Aim maneu-
ver to gain benefits of aiming
and upgrade combat check
once per strain suffered.
Cost: 25
 Starting Gear: Players with a Rogue character may choose
ROGUE to start with the following gear instead of spending cur-
Rogues rely on skill, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabili- rency during Step 7 of character creation:
ties to get the upper hand in any situation. They have a • Leather Armor
knack for finding the solution to just about any problem, • A shortsword and a dagger or a shortbow
demonstrating a resourcefulness and versatility that is the
cornerstone of any successful adventuring party. • Thieves’ tools or an Alchemist’s Kit
Rogues devote as much effort to mastering the use of • Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
a variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
abilities, giving them a broad expertise that few other • 100 + 1d100 gold coins
characters can match. Many rogues focus on stealth and
deception, while others refine the skills that help them in
a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and
disarming traps, and opening locks.
When it comes to combat, rogues prioritize cunning over
brute strength. A rogue would rather make one precise
strike, placing it exactly where the attack will hurt the
target most, than wear an opponent down with a barrage
of attacks. Rogues have an almost super natural knack for
avoiding danger, and a few learn magical tricks to supple-
ment their other abilities.
Every town and city has its share of rogues. Most of them
live up to the worst stereotypes of the class, making a
living as burglars, assassins, cutpurses, and con artists.
Often, these scoundrels are organized into thieves’ guilds
or crime families. Plenty of rogues operate independently,
but even they sometimes recruit apprentices to help them
in their scams and heists. A few rogues make an hon-
est living as locksmiths, investigators, or exterminators,
which can be a dangerous job in a world where dire
rats—and wererats—haunt the sewers.
As adventurers, rogues fall on both sides of the law. Some
are hardened criminals who decide to seek their fortune
in treasure hoards, while others take up a life of adven-
ture to escape from the law. Some have learned and per-
fected their skills with the explicit purpose of infiltrating
ancient ruins and hidden crypts in search of treasure.
As you create your rogue character, consider the char-
acter’s relationship to the law. Do you have a criminal
past—or present? Are you on the run from the law or
from an angry thieves’ guild master? Or did you leave
your guild in search of bigger risks and bigger rewards? Is
it greed that drives you in your adventures, or some other
desire or ideal?
The Rogue counts the following skills as career skills:
Coordination, Deception, Melee (Light), Perception,
Skullduggery, Stealth, Streetwise, Vigilance. Before
spending experience points (XP) during character cre-
ation, a Rogue may choose five of their career skills and
gain one rank in each of them.

99
 ROGUE SPECIALIZATIONS experience.
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the You hone your skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars, ban-
following sections; this section mainly deals with how dits, cutpurses, and other criminals typically follow this
each specialization connects to the Rogue Career. specialization, but so do rogues who prefer to think of
themselves as professional treasure seekers, explorers,
Assassin delvers, and investigators.
An Assassin adds Alchemy, Deception, Melee (Light),
and Ranged to their Career skills. If this is the charac-
ter’s starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
You focus your training on the grim art of death. Those
who adhere to this specialization are diverse: hired killers,
spies, bounty hunters, and even specially anointed priests
trained to exterminate the enemies of their deity. Stealth,
poison, and disguise help you eliminate your foes with
deadly efficiency.

Mastermind
A Mastermind adds Coercion, Deception, Negotiation,
and Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the charac-
ter’s starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
Your focus is on people and on the influence and secrets
they have. Many spies, courtiers, and schemers follow
this specialization, leading lives of intrigue. Words are
your weapons as often as knives or poison, and secrets
and favors are some of your favorite treasures.

Swashbuckler
A Swashbuckler adds Charm, Cool, Melee Light, and
Skulduggery to their Career skills. If this is the charac-
ter’s starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
You focus your training on the art of the blade, relying on
speed, elegance, and charm in equal parts. While some
warriors are brutes clad in heavy armor, your method of
fighting looks almost like a performance. Duelists and
pirates typically belong to this specialization.
A Swashbuckler excels in single combat, and can fight
with two weapons while safely darting away from an
opponent.

Thief
A Thief adds Athletics, Coordination, Skulduggery, and
Stealth to their Career skills. If this is the character’s start-
ing Specialization, they may choose two of these skills
and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting

100
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 05
talent active?
Sneak Attack
Once per round when per-
forming the Aim maneuver,
you may suffer 1 Strain
to also add Pierce 2 to the
attack, or increase the Pierce
of your weapon by 1, for the
next combat check you make
this round.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Sneak Attack
(Improved)
Once per round when perform-
ing the Aim maneuver, you
may choose to suffer 2 Strain to
add Vicious 2, or increase your
weapon’s Vicious rating by 1,
for your next combat check this
round. This combines with the
normal effects of Sneak Attack.
Cost: 20
Rogue
Career skills: Coordination, De-
ception, Melee (Light), Ranged,
Skullduggery, Stealth, Streetwise,
Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +1
Wound Threshold Bonus: +1
talent active? talent active?
Well Rounded Quick Draw
When your character pur- Once per round on your
chases a rank in this talent, character’s turn, they may use
choose any 2 non-magic this talent to draw or holster an
skills. They permanently easily accessible weapon or item
become career skills. as an incidental. Quick draw
also reduces a weapon’s prepare
rating by one, to a minimum
of one.
Cost: 15 Cost: 05
talent active? talent active?
Sneak Attack
(Supreme) Uncanny Dodge
Once per encounter you may
spend a Story Point to add t Immediately after being
to the result of a combat check. hit by an attack but be-
This does not include the s fore suffering damage,
associated with rolling a t.
spend 1 story point to
increase soak by ranks
in Coordination.
Cost: 25 Cost: 20
talent active?
Savant
When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the
time required by 25%. This
reduction may be applied
multiple times, to a limit of
50%
Cost: 10
talent active?
Tumble
Once per round on your
character’s turn, they may
suffer 2 strain to disengage
from all engaged adversaries.
Cost: 05
talent active?
Time to Go!
The character may spend 1
story point to perform a move
maneuver as an out-of-turn
incidental to attempt to move
into cover or out of the blast
range of a weapon or explosion.
This incidental occurs after
the character determines they
would be hit by the blast, but
before damage is applied.
Cost: 10
101
 Specialization Tree: Assassin
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Melee (Light), Skulduggery, Stealth, Vigilance
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 5
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a num-
ber of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
Vigilance or Cool check
they make to determine Initiative
order. The number may
not exceed your character’s ranks
in Rapid Reaction.
Cost: 10
Stunning Blow
While making Melee
checks, may inflict dam-
age as strain instead of
wounds. This does not
ignore soak.
Cost: 15
Precision Strike
After your character inflicts a
Critical Injury with a brawl or
melee weapon and rolls the result,
your character may suffer 2 strain
to use this talent. Then, you may
select any Critical Injury of the
same severity to apply to the target
instead.
Cost: 20
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
102 Cost: 25
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 5
Jump Up
Once per round during your
character’s turn, your char-
acter may use this talent to
stand from a prone or seated
position as an incidental.
Cost: 10
Sorry About The Mess
Decrease the Critical Rating
of a weapon by 1 (to a min-
imum of 1) against targets
that have not yet acted this
encounter.
Cost: 15
True Aim
Once per round, may suffer
strain up to ranks of True Aim,
to perform a True Aim maneu-
ver to gain benefits of aiming
and upgrade combat check
once per strain suffered.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a num-
ber of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
Vigilance or Cool check
they make to determine Initiative
order. The number may
not exceed your character’s ranks
in Rapid Reaction.
Cost: 5
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 10
Lethal Blows
Add +10 per rank of
lethal blows to any
critical injury results
inflicted on oppo-
nents.
Cost: 15
Constant Vigilance
May always use vigilance
when making checks to
determine initiative.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 10
Backstab
Your character may use this talent to at-
tack an unaware adversary using a Melee
(Light) weapon. A Backstab is a melee
attack, and follows the normal rules for
performing a combat check (see page 101
of the Genesys Core Rulebook), using
the character’s Skulduggery skill instead
of Brawl or Melee. If the check succeeds,
each uncanceled s adds +2 damage
(instead of the normal +1).
Cost: 15
Quick Draw
(Improved)
You may use quick draw
twice per round. This also
allows you to reduce the
prepare rating by 2 to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Venom Soaked Blade
When making a Melee (Light)
combat check using a poisoned
weapon, your character treats it as
possessing the Burn 2 item
quality.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Mastermind
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coercion, Deception, Negotiation, Vigilance

Encouraging Words Nobody’s Fool Toughened Knack For It

After an engaged ally fails a check,
may suffer 1 strain to assist that
May upgrade difficulty Each rank of tough- When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-

ally’s next check this encounter as

an out of turn incidental.
The range of this talent increases
by one band per rank of Encour-
aging Words beyond the first.
of incoming Charm,
Coercion, or Deception
checks once per rank of
Nobody’s Fool.
ened increases your moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
character’s wound additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
threshold by two. jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Knack For It Resolve Naturally Gifted Nobody’s Fool

When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
When a character invol- When you purchase this talent, May upgrade difficulty
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
moves jj from any checks they make using untarily suffers strain, you may reroll either of these
of incoming Charm,
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two they suffer 1 less strain skills. See full talent text. Coercion, or Deception
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
per rank of resolve to a checks once per rank of
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
minimum of 1. Nobody’s Fool.
skills when choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Well Read Twisted Words Grit Encouraging Words

Choose any 3 Knowledge When an incoming social
skills. They permanently check generates hh or d,
become career skills. may suffer 1 strain as an
incidental to inflict strain
equal to ranks in Coercion
on speaker.
Each rank of grit After an engaged ally fails a check,
may suffer 1 strain to assist that
increases your charac- ally’s next check this encounter as
an out of turn incidental.
ter’s strain threshold The range of this talent increases
by one. by one band per rank of Encour-
aging Words beyond the first.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Careful Planning Grit Quick-Witted Thorough Assessment

Once per session, per- Each rank of grit Once per encounter, after another
character makes a social skill check, your
Once per session, take
fectly recall an important a Thorough Assessment
increases your charac- character may use this talent to make an
fact previously learned as Hard (kkk) Vigilance check. If success- action: make a Hard (kkk)
ter’s strain threshold ful, you may add or subtract a number
Knowledge check to gain j
if a Story Point had been of s or a (your choice) equal to your
spent. by one. character’s ranks in Charm or Negoti- equal to s that can be dis-
ation to the other character’s check. If tributed during the encoun-
your character fails, your character suffers
3 strain. ter. See full talent text.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Blackmail Dedication Skilled Mastery Heroic Recovery

When an NPC exceeds their
strain threshold, may spend
1 Story Point to convince
that NPC to perform a sin-
gle task of choice instead.
Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
103
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Swashbuckler
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Charm, Cool, Melee Light, Skulduggery
Challenge!!
Once per encounter, your character may use
this talent to choose a number of adversaries
within short range no greater than your
characters ranks in challenge (a minion
group counts as a single adversary for this
purpose). Until the encounter ends or your
character is incapacitated, these adversaries
add j to combat checks targeting your char-
acter and jj to combat checks targeting
other characters.
Cost: 5
Nobody’s Fool
May upgrade difficulty
of incoming Charm,
Coercion, or Deception
checks once per rank of
Nobody’s Fool.
Cost: 10
Challenge!!
Once per encounter, your character may use
this talent to choose a number of adversaries
within short range no greater than your
characters ranks in challenge (a minion
group counts as a single adversary for this
purpose). Until the encounter ends or your
character is incapacitated, these adversaries
add j to combat checks targeting your char-
acter and jj to combat checks targeting
other characters.
Cost: 15
Keeping it Cool
May always use Cool when
making checks to determine
initiative.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
104 Cost: 25
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Parry
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cost: 15
Parry (Improved)
When your character suffers a hit from a me-
lee combat check and uses parry to reduce
the damage from that hit, after the attack
is resolved, you may spend d or hhh
from the attacker’s check to use this talent.
Then, your character automatically hits the
attacker once with a brawl or melee weapon
your character is wielding. The hit deals the
weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
from applicable talents or abilities.
Cost: 20
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Quick Draw
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
talent to draw or holster an easily
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
Cost: 5
Knack For it
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 15
Counterattack
Your character must have purchased the
Parry (Improved) talent to benefit from
this talent. When your character uses the
Parry (Improved) talent to hit an attacker,
they may also activate an item quality
of the weapon they used as if they had
generated aa on a combat check using
that weapon.
Cost: 20
Dodge (Improved)
After using dodge, may make
a move maneuver as an out-of-
turn incidental.
Cost: 25
Rapid Reaction
Your character may suffer a
number of strain to use this talent
to add an equal number of s to a
vigilance or cool check they make
to determine initiative order. The
number may not exceed your char-
acter’s ranks in rapid reaction.
Cost: 5
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 10
Moving Target
If the character has already
acted this round, increase
their melee and ranged
defense by 1 per rank of
moving target.
Cost: 15
Quick Strike
Your character adds j for
each rank of quick strike
to any combat checks they
make against any targets
that have not yet taken their
turn in the current encoun-
ter.
Cost: 20
Moving Target
If the character has already
acted this round, increase
their melee and ranged
defense by 1 per rank of
moving target.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Thief
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Coordination, Skulduggery, Stealth

Savant Knack For It Stalker Tumble

When you acquire a rank in
this talent, choose a general
skill. When making a check
with that skill, reduce the time
required by 25%. This reduc-
tion may be applied multiple
times, to a limit of 50%
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re- Add j per rank of Stalker Once per round on
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
to all Stealth and Coordi- your character’s turn,
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
nation checks. they may suffer 2 strain
already chosen. Your character also removes to disengage from all
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic engaged adversaries.
skills when choosing skills for this talent.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Parkour! Loot First Grit Jump Up

Once per round, before performing

a move maneuver, the character may
suffer 1 strain. If they do so, they may
use their move maneuver to move to
any location within short range (even
straight up), as long as there is some
sort of object to move across or a path
to move along.
Once per session, your character
may use this talent to spend any
number of a from a check they
make to gain 100 gold for each a
spent this way. You must explain
how the check gave your character
the opportunity to “find” this
money.
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Once per round during your
character’s turn, your char-
acter may use this talent to
stand from a prone or seated
position as an incidental.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Toughened Grit Naturally Gifted Dodge

Each rank of tough- Each rank of grit When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
ened increases your increases your charac- you may reroll either of these number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
skills. See full talent text.
character’s wound ter’s strain threshold Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
threshold by two. by one. a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Parkour! (Improved) Naturally Gifted Conditioned Nimble

Your character must have purchased
the Parkour! talent to benefit from this
talent. Once per round, when using
the Parkour! talent, your character may
suffer 4 strain instead of 1 strain to
move to any location within medium
range instead of within short range. All
other restrictions of Parkour! apply to
this movement.
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Reduce the damage and strain
suffered from falling by 2 per
rank of Conditioned. When
rolling Athletics or Coordina-
tion to reduce damage from
falling, add jj.
At the start of your character’s turn,
you may spend one Story Point to use
this talent to allow your character to
perform a move maneuver as an inci-
dental. (This does not count against
the limit of two maneuvers per turn.)
If you use this talent, your character
can only perform one additional move
maneuver during this turn.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Skilled Mastery Dodge Dedication Defensive

When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
Each rank of dedication Each rank of Defensive
number of strain no greater than increases one of your char- increases your charac-
their ranks in dodge to use this talent. acter’s characteristics by one.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the ter’s melee defense and
This talent cannot increase a
combat check targeting your character
characteristic above 5. ranged defense by one.
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
105
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 The Sorcerer counts the following skills as career skills
SORCERERS Coercion, Deception, Discipline, Knowldge (Arcana),
Sorcerers carry a magical birthright conferred upon them Knowledge (Lore), Negotiation, Perception, and Sorcery.
by an exotic bloodline, some otherworldly influence, or Before spending experience points (XP) during character
exposure to unknown cosmic forces. One can’t study sor- creation, a Sorcerer may choose four of their career skills
cery as one learns a language, any more than one can and gain one rank in each of them.
learn to live a legendary life. No one chooses sorcery; the Starting Gear: Players with a Sorcerer character may
power chooses the sorcerer. choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
Magic is a part of every sorcerer, suffusing body, mind, ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
and spirit with a latent power that waits to be tapped. • A magic staff or Magic tattoo
Some sorcerers wield magic that springs from an ancient • A dagger or sling
bloodline infused with the magic of dragons. Others
carry a raw, uncontrolled magic within them, a chaotic • Heavy clothing
storm that manifests in unexpected ways. • 1d100 gold coins
The appearance of sorcerous powers is wildly unpredict-
able. Some draconic bloodlines produce exactly one sor-
cerer in every generation, but in other lines of descent
every individual is a sorcerer. Most of the time, the tal-
ents of sorcery appear as apparent flukes. Some sorcerers
can’t name the origin of their power, while others trace
it to strange events in their own lives. The touch of a
demon, the blessing of a dryad at a baby’s birth, or a taste
of the water from a mysterious spring might spark the
gift of sorcery. So too might the gift of a deity of magic,
exposure to the elemental forces of the Inner Planes or
the maddening chaos of Limbo, or a glimpse into the
inner workings of reality.
Sorcerers have no use for the spellbooks and ancient
tomes of magic lore that wizards rely on, nor do they
rely on a patron to grant their spells as warlocks do. By
learning to harness and channel their own inborn magic,
they can discover new and staggering ways to unleash
that power.
Sorcerers are rare in the world, and it’s unusual to find
a sorcerer who is not involved in the adventuring life in
some way. People with magical power seething in their
veins soon discover that the power doesn’t like to stay
quiet. A sorcerer’s magic wants to be wielded, and it has
a tendency to spill out in unpredictable ways if it isn’t
called on.
Sorcerers often have obscure or quixotic motivations
driving them to adventure. Some seek a greater under-
standing of the magical force that infuses them, or the
answer to the mystery of its origin. Others hope to find
a way to get rid of it, or to unleash its full potential.
Whatever their goals, sorcerers are every bit as useful to
an adventuring party as wizards, making up for a com-
parative lack of breadth in their magical knowledge with
enormous flexibility in using the spells they know.

106
 SORCERER SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Sorcerer Career.
Blood Mage
A Blood Mage Sorcerer adds Coercion, Discipline,
Knowledge (Forbidden), and Resilience to their Career
skills. If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they
may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in
each, without spending starting experience.
Your magic is the magic within all living blood - and
you use none more often than your own. It comes
naturally to you, and you find that your blood is strong,
and getting stronger the more you draw on its magical
power. Most who have their blood continually tapped
for magic begin to suffer illness and frailty, but your
blood is different in some way. Perhaps your blood is
growing stronger the way warriors train their muscles,
or perhaps your blood carries a gift made for blood
magic itself. Whatever it is, you feel your heartbeat
grow stronger and louder with every growth in sanguine
power.
planes, or find the power of the djinn in their blood.
Whatever the case, the magic of the chaos permeates your
being.
Monstrous Heritage
A Monstrous Heritage Sorcerer adds Brawl, Coercion,
Resilience, and Sorcery to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
Your innate magic comes from magic that was mingled
with your blood or that of your ancestors. Most often,
sorcerers with this Origin trace their descent back to a
mighty Sorcerer of ancient times who made a bargain
with a magical creature or who might even have claimed
a creature parent. Some of these bloodlines are well estab-
lished in the world, but most are obscure. Any given Sor-
cerer could be the first of a new bloodline, as a result of a
pact or some other exceptional circumstance.

Child of the Weave

A Child of the Weave Sorcerer adds Discipline, Knowl-
edge (Arcana), Knowledge (Forbidden), and Sorcery to
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
ence.
Your innate magic comes from the wild forces of cha-
os that underlie the order of creation. You might have
endured exposure to some form of raw magic, perhaps
through a planar portal leading to Limbo, the Elemental
Planes, or the mysterious Far Realm. Perhaps you were
blessed by a powerful fey creature or marked by a demon.
Or your magic could be a fluke of your birth, with no
apparent cause or reason. However it came to be, this
chaotic magic churns within you, waiting for any outlet.

Elementalist
An Elementalist Sorcerer adds Knowledge (Nature &
Geography), Discipline, Resilience, and Sorcery to their
Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Specializa-
tion, they may choose two of these skills and gain one
free rank in each, without spending starting experience.
Your innate magic comes from the power of the ele-
mental chaos. Many with these powers can trace their
magic back to an ancestor with dealings in the elemental

107
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you purchase this talent for
your character, select one skill. Your
character removes j from any checks
they make using this skill. Each addi-
tional time you purchase this talent for
your character, select two additional
skills, which can include skills already
chosen. Your character also removes
j from any checks they make using
these skills. You cannot select combat
or magic skills when choosing skills
for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Heroic Recovery
When your character ac-
quires this talent, choose one
characteristic. Once per en-
counter, you may spend one
story point to use this talent
to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of
the chosen characteristic.
Cost: 15
talent active?
Distant Spell
Once per encounter,
when casting a spell, the
first range enhancement
does not increase the
difficulty of the spell.
Cost: 10
108
Sorceror
Career Skills: Coercion, Deception,
Discipline, Knowledge (Arcana),
Knowledge (Lore), Negotiation,
Sorcery, Vigilance
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active? talent active?
Innate Focus Signature Spell
While not using a magic imple- When your character gains a
ment, your character increases the
rank in this talent, decide on a
base damage of all Attack spells they signature spell for them, consisting
cast by two. In addition, when cast- of a particular magic action and a
ing a spell while not using a magic specific set of one or more effects.
implement, your character may use When your character casts their
this talent to decrease the difficulty
of the check by one. If they do so,
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
they increase the strain suffered for effects previously chosen), reduce
casting the spell by one. the difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10 Cost: 15
talent active? talent active?
Innate Power Conduit
You cannot lose your Once per encounter,
magical connection your character may
and be unable to cast spend a story point to
spells on a d. perform a magic action
as a maneuver.
Cost: 15 Cost: 20
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Prepared Spell
Once per encounter,
your character may
make a skill check to
cast a spell without
suffering strain.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Overchannel
When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional
effect in (k) up to their ranks in over-
channel. The effect must be limited
to single (k) effects. Your character
gains hh per (k) added in this way
to the roll, rather than increasing the
difficulty of the check. hh may be
spent to have your character roll on
the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 15
Specialization Tree: Blood Mage
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coercion, Discipline, Knowledge (Forbidden), Resilience
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Blood Sacrifice
Your character must have purchased the
Dark Insight talent to benefit from this
talent. Once per round, you may use
this talent to suffer a number of wounds
no greater than your rank in Blood Sac-
rifice to use this talent. Then, you may
upgrade the next Magic skill check you
make before the end of your character’s
turn a number of times equal to wounds
suffered.
Cost: 10
Overchannel
When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k)
effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
added in this way to the roll, rather than
increasing the difficulty of the check.
hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 15
Blood Magic
(Improved)
Once per encounter, suffer an
additional 3 wounds while using
Blood Magic and add one addi-
tional effect with a Difficulty Mod
+k to a spell without increasing
the difficulty.
Cost: 20
Power of Darkness
Once per session, may per-
form the Power of Darkness
maneuver. Increase wound and
strain threshold by 1 per GM
story point currently in the
Story pool until the end of the
encounter.
Cost: 25
Dark Insight
When your character takes this talent
choose a magic skill they have as a
career skill. When you cast a spell
with that skill that adds a quality to
your character’s spell with a rating
determined by your character’s ranks
in the appropriate skill, your character
may use their ranks in Knowledge
(Forbidden) instead.
Cost: 5
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 10
Blood Magic
When casting a spell with the
skill chosen when your character
acquired Dark Insight, your
character may upgrade the diffi-
culty of the check once to suffer
three wounds instead of two
strain after the spell is resolved.
Cost: 15
Blood Sacrifice
Your character must have purchased the
Dark Insight talent to benefit from this
talent. Once per round, you may use
this talent to suffer a number of wounds
no greater than your rank in Blood Sac-
rifice to use this talent. Then, you may
upgrade the next Magic skill check you
make before the end of your character’s
turn a number of times equal to wounds
suffered.
Cost: 20
Blood Magic
(Supreme)
Once per session while
using Blood Magic, your
character may suffer a criti-
cal, with +20 to the roll, to
decrease the difficulty of the
check by three to a mini-
mum of Hard (kkk)
Cost: 25
Knack for it Grit
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re- Each rank of grit
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase increases your charac-
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills ter’s strain threshold
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these by one.
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Signature Spell Innate Focus
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
While not using a magic implement, your
character increases the base damage of all
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one or
Attack spells they cast by two. In addi-
tion, when casting a spell while not using
more effects. When your character casts
that signature spell (consisting of the
a magic implement, your character may
use this talent to decrease the difficulty
exact combination of action and effects of the check by one. If they do so, they
increase the strain suffered for casting the
previously chosen), reduce the difficulty
spell by one.
of the check by one.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Blood Sacrifice Necromancy
Your character must have purchased the Once per round, you can use
Dark Insight talent to benefit from this
the conjure spell on a location
talent. Once per round, you may use
this talent to suffer a number of wounds with a mostly complete corpse
no greater than your rank in Blood Sac- (in any state of decay) to rean-
rifice to use this talent. Then, you may
upgrade the next Magic skill check you
imate the dead, reducing the
make before the end of your character’s difficulty of the skill check by
turn a number of times equal to wounds k. See full talent text
suffered.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Necromancy Naturally Gifted
(Improved)
When you use the Necroman- When you purchase this talent,
cy talent to animate the dead,
choose 2 skills. Once per ses-
you may choose to increase the sion, you may reroll either of
difficulty by kk to force the these skills. See full talent text.
animated dead to reatain its mind
and memories when raised. This
otherwise functions exactly as the
Necromancy talent.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Necromancy Dedication
(Supreme)
When your character uses the Each rank of dedication
Necromancy talent to animate increases one of your char-
the dead, you may spend a acter’s characteristics by one.
Story Point to have them use This talent cannot increase a
this talent to make the effects
characteristic above 5.
of the spell permananent until
the undead is destroyed.
109
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Child of the Weave
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Discipline, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Forbidden), Sorcery
Deflect Spell
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Second Chances
Once per encounter choose
a number of positive dice
equal to ranks in Second
Changes and reroll them.
Cost: 15
Wild Magic
Your character must have at least
3 ranks in rank in a Magic skill
to benefit from this talent. Your
character can now tap directly into
the raw Chaos of the Weave. See
full talent text.
Cost: 20
Double or Nothing
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one skill. When mak-
ing checks with that skill, you may
suffer 2 strain to perform the double
or nothing incidental to increase
the difficulty of the next check by
one. Then, After canceling opposing
symbols, double the amount of
remaining a or h.
110 Cost: 25
Grit Toughened Overchannel
Each rank of grit Each rank of tough- When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
increases your charac- ened increases your in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k)
ter’s strain threshold character’s wound effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
added in this way to the roll, rather than
by one. threshold by two. increasing the difficulty of the check.
hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Innate Power Dedication Double or Nothing
(Supreme)
You cannot lose your Each rank of dedication When performing the
magical connection and increases one of your char- Double or Nothing
acter’s characteristics by one. incidental, upgrade the
be unable to cast spells
This talent cannot increase a difficulty of the check and
on a d. characteristic above 5.
also double the number
of t and d.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Lingering Spell Fortune Favors the Overchannel
Bold
Once per encounter, Once per session as an inci- When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
your character may dental, suffer 2 strain to flip in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
one GM story point to the The effect must be limited to single (k)
spend a story point to effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
PC story point pool. added in this way to the roll, rather than
make the concentration increasing the difficulty of the check.
maneuver as an inci- hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
dental.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Overchannel Conduit Brilliant Casting
(Improved)
In addition to the effects of Overchan- Once per encounter, your When your character casts
nel, you may also add (kk) effects.
The character gains d (including character may spend a a spell, you may spend one
the associated failure) per (kk) effect story point to perform a story point to use this talent
added in this way rather than increase to add a equal to your
the difficultly of the check. This is in magic action as a maneu-
characters ranks in appro-
addition to any d rolled. ver.
priate spell modifier skill to
the results.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Zealous Fire Touch of Fate Double or Nothing
(Improved)
Each time your game Once per session, When performing the Double
master spends a story or Nothing incidental, suffer
add jj to any 1 one additional strain and after
point, your character
heals 2 strain. check. canceling opposing symbols,
also double the amount of
remaining s or f.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Elementalist
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Discipline, Knowledge (Nature & Geography), Resilience, Sorcery

Elementalist Grit Toughened Component Casting

When your character purchases Each rank of grit Each rank of tough- When your character casts
this talent, choose one of the a spell, they may use this
following attack spell effects increases your charac- ened increases your talent to consume a physi-
and the element associated ter’s strain threshold character’s wound cal item and add j to the
with it: See full talent text.
by one. threshold by two. check.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Maximize Spell Signature Spell Grit Innate Focus

Once per encounter, your When your character gains a rank in

character may use this talent
to add j equal to ranks in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
Each rank of grit While not using a magic implement, your
character increases the base damage of all
increases your charac- Attack spells they cast by two. In addi-
tion, when casting a spell while not using

Maximize Spell to a check or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
to cast a spell. the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
ter’s strain threshold a magic implement, your character may
use this talent to decrease the difficulty
by one. of the check by one. If they do so, they
increase the strain suffered for casting the
spell by one.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Careful Spell Heroic Will Maximize Spell Explosive Caster

Your character must have at least 3 ranks in rank
in a Magic skill to benefit from this talent. When
you cast an attack spell with the Blast additional
effect, you may spend a to exclude one target
that would normally be affected by the blast, up
to a number of targets equal to your character’s
ranks in the appropriate skill. You may also
spend t to exclude multiple targets, so long as
the total amount remains no greater than your
character’s ranks in the appropriate skill.
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries;
they just ignore the effects)
Once per encounter, your
character may use this talent
to add j equal to ranks in
Maximize Spell to a check
to cast a spell.
If your character has three ranks in a magic
skill, when your character casts an attack
spell, they treat the spell’s Blast quality as
having a rating equal to twice your charac-
ter’s ranks in the appropriate skill (instead of
their normal ranks). When your character
casts an attack spell with the Blast effect, you
may spend one Story Point to use this talent
to trigger the spell’s Blast quality, instead of
spending a (even if the attack misses).

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Elementalist Resolve Signature Spell Masterful Casting

(Improved)
When your character purchases
this talent, they gain one of
the following abilities based on
the element they selected when
they purchased Elementalist.
See full talent.
When a character invol- When your character gains a rank in When your character cast a spell,
this talent, decide on a signature spell they may use this talent to spend
untarily suffers strain, for them, consisting of a particular t to trigger up to three different
they suffer 1 less strain magic action and a specific set of one
qualities or spell effects instead of
or more effects. When your character
per rank of resolve to a casts that signature spell (consisting of
one. These qualities or spell effects
must be ones that can be triggered
minimum of 1. the exact combination of action and
by spending a or t.
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Signature Spell Elementalist Dedication Master Caster

(Improved) (Supreme)
When your character gains When your character casts an
a rank in this talent, choose Alter, Augment, or Barrier spell,
they may use this talent to choose
one of your signature spells. to have the targets of the spell gain
When your casts that
the ability your character gained
signature spell, reduce the when they purchased Elementalist
(Improved) for the spell’s duration.
difficulty of the check by
See full talent text.
two instead of one.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
When your character fails a
spell casting skill check that
targets another character or
npc, may spend t or aaa
to immediately reroll the
attempted spell with a new
target.
111
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Monstrous Heritage
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Brawl, Coercion, Resilience, Sorcery
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 15
Enduring
Each rank of en-
during increases
your character’s
soak value by one.
Cost: 20
Baleful Gaze
When targeted by combat
check from within medium
range, may spend a Story Point
to upgrade the difficulty of the
check a number of times equal
to ranks in Coercion.
112 Cost: 25
Monstrous
Heritage
Gain access to Primal
only effects of magic
actions when casting
spells with Sorcery.
Cost: 5
Ensorcelled
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
once per encounter, they
may use this talent to add
a to the result of their next
social skill check.
Cost: 10
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 15
Ensorcelled (Supreme)
Your character must have purchased the ensor-
celled talent to benefit from this talent. If your
charatcer has three ranks in a magic skill,
once per session, they may use this talent to
force all enemies within medium range to
make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check as an
out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must
spend all available maneuvers moving away
from your character, and they suffer 5 strain,
plus one additional strain per h
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Overchannel
When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k)
effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
added in this way to the roll, rather than
increasing the difficulty of the check.
hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Scathing Tirade
(Supreme)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Your character
may choose to suffer 1 strain to
use the scathing tirade talent as a
maneuver, instead of as an action.
Cost: 25
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 5
Scathing Tirade
Your character may use this talent
to make an average (kk) coercion
check. For each s the check gen-
erates, one adversary within short
range suffers 1 strain. For each a,
one adversary affected by scathing
tirade suffers 1 additional strain.
Cost: 10
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 15
Scathing Tirade
(Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Enemies affected
by your character’s scathing tirade
add j to all skill checks they make
for a number of rounds equal to
your character’s ranks in coercion.
Cost: 20
Fearsome
When an adversary becomes
engaged with the character,
the character may force the
adversary to make a fear check,
with the difficulty equal to the
character’s ranks in fearsome.
Cost: 25
 The Warlock counts the following skills as career skills:
WARLOCKS Cool, Coercion, Deception, Discipline, Knowledge
Warlocks are finders and keepers of secrets. They push (Arcana) Knowledge (Forbidden), Melee (Light), Pact
at the edge of our understanding of the world, always Magic . Before spending experience points (XP) during
seeking to expand their expertise. Where sages or wizards character creation, a Warlock may choose four of their
might heed a clear sign of danger and end their research, career skills and gain one rank in each of them.
a warlock plunges ahead, heedless of the cost. Starting Gear: Players with a Warlock character may
Thus, it takes a peculiar mixture of intelligence, curiosity, choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
and recklessness to produce a warlock. Many folk would ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
describe that combination as evidence of madness. War- • Magic Wand or Magic Staff
locks see it as a demonstration of bravery. • Leather Armor
A warlock is defined by a pact with an otherworldly • A dagger
being. Sometimes the relationship between warlock and
patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the • Traveling gear consisting of a backpack, a bedroll, a
beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A rope, flint and steel, 3 torches, and a waterskin
warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon prince, • 1d100 gold coins
an archdevil, or an utterly alien entity—beings not typi-
cally served by clerics. More often, though, the arrange-
ment is similar to that between a master and an appren-
tice. The warlock learns and grows in power, at the cost
of occasional services performed on the patron’s behalf.
The magic bestowed on a warlock ranges from minor but
lasting alterations to the warlock’s being (such as the abil-
ity to see in darkness or to read any language) to access
to powerful spells. Unlike bookish wizards, warlocks sup-
plement their magic with some facility at hand-to-hand
combat. They are comfortable in light armor and know
how to use simple weapons.
Warlocks are driven by an insatiable need for knowledge
and power, which compels them into their pacts and
shapes their lives. This thirst drives warlocks into their
pacts and shapes their later careers as well.
Stories of warlocks binding themselves to fiends are
widely known. But many warlocks serve patrons that are
not fiendish. Sometimes a traveler in the wilds comes to
a strangely beautiful tower, meets its fey lord or lady, and
stumbles into a pact without being fully aware of it. And
sometimes, while poring over tomes of forbidden lore, a
brilliant but crazed student’s mind is opened to realities
beyond the material world and to the alien beings that
dwell in the outer void.
Once a pact is made, a warlock’s thirst for knowledge
and power can’t be slaked with mere study and research.
No one makes a pact with such a mighty patron if they
or they doesn’t intend to use the power thus gained.
Rather, the vast majority of warlocks spend their days in
active pursuit of their goals, which typically means some
kind of adventuring. Furthermore, the demands of their
patrons drive warlocks toward adventure.

113
 WARLOCK SPECIALIZATIONS immense and ancient that even the greatest libraries pale
in comparison to the vast secrets it holds. The Great Old
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
One might be unaware of your existence or entirely indif-
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
ferent to you, but the secrets you have learned allow you
each specialization connects to the Warlock Career.
to draw your magic from it.
Pact of the Archfey Pact of the Undying Light
A Pact of the Archfey Warlock adds Charm, Coercion,
A Pact of the Undying Light Warlock adds Knowledge
Knowledge (Forbidden), and Pact Magic to their Career
(Forbidden), Medicine, Negotiation, and Pact Magic to
skills. If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
each, without spending starting experience.
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
Your patron is a lord or lady of the fey, a creature of ence.
legend who holds secrets that were forgotten before the
Your patron is a powerful being of the Upper Planes.
mortal races were born. This being’s motivations are
You have bound yourself to an ancient empyrean, solar,
often inscrutable, and sometimes whimsical, and might
ki-rin, unicorn, or other entity that resides in the planes
involve a striving for greater magical power or the set-
of everlasting bliss. Your pact with that being allows you
tling of age-old grudges. Beings of this sort include the
to experience the barest touch of the holy light that illu-
Prince of Frost; the Queen of Air and Darkness, ruler of
minates the multiverse.
the Gloaming Court; Titania of the Summer Court; their
consort Oberon, the Green Lord; Hyrsam, the Prince of Being connected to such power can cause changes in
Fools; and ancient hags. your behavior and beliefs. You might find yourself driven
to annihilate the undead, to defeat fiends, and to protect
Pact of the Fiend the innocent. At times, your heart might a lso be filled
with a longing for the celes tial realm of your patron, and
A Pact of the Fiend Warlock adds Coercion, Melee
a desire to wander that paradise for the rest of your days.
(Light), Pact Magic, and Resilience to their Career skills.
But you know that your mission is among mortals for
If this is the character’s starting Specialization, they may
now, and that your pact binds you to bring light to the
choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each,
dark places of the world.
without spending starting experience.
You have made a pact with a fiend from the lower planes
of existence, a being whose aims are evil, even if you
strive against those aims. Such beings desire the cor-
ruption or destruction of all things, ultimately includ-
ing you. Fiends powerful enough to forge a pact include
demon lords such as Demogorgon, Orcus, Fraz’Urb-Iuu,
and Baphomet; archdevils such as Asmodeus, Dispater,
Mephistopheles, and Belial; pit fiends and balors that are
especially mighty; and ultroloths and other lords of the
yugoloths.

Pact of the Old One

A Pact of the Old One Warlock adds Coercion, Knowl-
edge (Forbidden), Knowledge (Lore), and Pact Magic to
their Career skills. If this is the character’s starting Spe-
cialization, they may choose two of these skills and gain
one free rank in each, without spending starting experi-
ence.
Your patron is a mysterious entity whose nature is utterly
foreign to the fabric of reality. It might come from the
Far Realm, the space beyond reality, or it could be one
of the elder gods known only in legends. Its motives
are incomprehensible to mortals, and its knowledge so

114
 talent active?
Knack for It
When you first purchase this talent
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
checks they make using this skill. Each
additional time you purchase this
talent for your character, select two ad-
ditional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Invocation
When you purchase this Talent,
choose one magic action your
character can not normally cast
with Pact Magic. Once per en-
counter, you may cast this spell
using Pact Magic.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 15
Warlock
Career Skills: Cool, Coercion,
Deception, Discipline, Knowledge
(Arcana), Knowledge (Forbidden),
Melee (Light), Pact Magic
Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
talent active? talent active?
Devil Sight Maximize Spell
Your character must have 2 Your character must have 3 ranks
ranks in Pact Magic to benefit in a magic skill to benefit from
from this talent. Ignore all this talent. Once per encounter,
your character may use this
j induced by darkness,
talent to add j equal to ranks
magical or otherwise, within
medium range. in Maximize Spell to a check to
cast a spell.
Cost: 15 Cost: 10
talent active? talent active?
Bonded Item Heroic Recovery
Your character must have 3 ranks in
Pact Magic to benefit from this talent.
When your character ac-
Choose one magical implement, quires this talent, choose one
item, or weapon your character characteristic. Once per en-
owns when taking this talent. Your counter, you may spend one
character becomes bonded to this
story point to use this talent
item. Your character may summon
it with a maneuver. If your chosen to have your character heal
item is ever permanently lost or de- strain equal to the rating of
stroyed, you may select a new one. the chosen characteristic
Cost: 20 Cost: 15
talent active?
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill
and magic action available to
that skill. Whenever your char-
acter uses that action and adds
no additional effects to it, your
character only suffers 1 strain
from the casting.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Prepared Spell
Once per encounter,
your character may
make a skill check to
cast a spell without
suffering strain.
Cost: 10
talent active?
Signature Spell
When your character gains a
rank in this talent, decide on a
signature spell for them, consisting
of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects.
When your character casts their
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce
the difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
115
 Specialization Tree: Pact of the Archfey
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Charm, Coercion, Knowledge (Forbidden), Pact Magic
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill and
magic action available to that skill.
Whenever your character uses
that action and adds no additional
effects to it, your character only
suffers 1 strain from the casting.
Cost: 10
Lingering Spell
Once per encounter,
your character may
spend a story point to
make a concentration
maneuver as an inci-
dental.
Cost: 15
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Altered Deal
Once per session, make a
daunting (kkkk) coercion
check to radically change a pre-
viously made deal or bargain to
your character’s advantage.
116 Cost: 25
Rapid Recovery
When healing strain after
an encounter, heal 1 ad-
ditional strain per rank of
rapid recovery.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Overchannel
When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k)
effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
added in this way to the roll, rather than
increasing the difficulty of the check.
hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Sense Emotions
Add j to all Charm,
Coercion, and Decep-
tion checks unless the
target is an undead or
construct.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Ensorcelled
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
once per encounter, they
may use this talent to add
a to the result of their next
social skill check.
Cost: 5
Nobody’s Fool
May upgrade difficulty
of incoming Charm,
Coercion, or Deception
checks once per rank of
Nobody’s Fool.
Cost: 10
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 15
Ensorcelled (Supreme)
Your character must have purchased the ensor-
celled talent to benefit from this talent. If your
charatcer has three ranks in a magic skill,
once per session, they may use this talent to
force all enemies within medium range to
make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check as an
out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must
spend all available maneuvers moving away
from your character, and they suffer 5 strain,
plus one additional strain per h
Cost: 20
Ruinous Repartee
Once per encounter, your character may
use this talent to make an opposed charm
or coercion versus discipline check target-
ing one character within medium range
(or within earshot). If successful, the
target suffers strain equal to twice your
character’s presence, plus one additional
strain per s. Your character heals strain
equal to the strain inflicted.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Pact of the Fiend
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coercion, Melee (Light), Pact Magic, Resilience
Battle Caster
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (with 3
encumbrance or more), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Lucky Strike
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
story point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
in that characteristic to one hit of the
combat check.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Power of Darkness
Once per session, may per-
form the Power of Darkness
maneuver. Increase wound and
strain threshold by 1 per GM
story point currently in the
Story pool until the end of the
encounter.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Heroic Recovery
When your character acquires this
talent, choose one characteristic.
Once per encounter, you may
spend one Story Point to use this
talent to have your character heal
strain equal to the rating of the
chosen characteristic.
Cost: 10
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 15
Touch of Fate
Once per session,
add jj to any 1
check.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Deflect Spell
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
Cost: 5
Crippling Mage
Once per encounter, your
character may add the
deadly quality to an attack
spell without increasing the
difficulty.
Cost: 10
Ovechannel
When casting a spell, your character
may select a number of additional effect
in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k)
effects. Your character gains hh per (k)
added in this way to the roll, rather than
increasing the difficulty of the check.
hh may be spent to have your character
roll on the Wild Magic table.
Cost: 15
Devil Sight
Your character must have 2
ranks in Pact Magic to benefit
from this talent. Ignore all j
induced by darkness, magical
or otherwise.
Cost: 20
Signature Spell
(Improved)
When your character gains
a rank in this talent, choose
one of your signature spells.
When your casts that
signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Cantrip
When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill and
magic action available to that skill.
Whenever your character uses
that action and adds no additional
effects to it, your character only
suffers 1 strain from the casting.
Cost: 10
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 15
Heroic Will
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics.
You may spend a story point to use this
talent to have your character ignore the
effects of all critical injuries on any skill
checks using those two characteristics
until the end of the current encounter.
Cost: 20
Intense Focus
Your character may perform
an intense focus maneuver;
they suffer 1 strain and
upgrade the ability of their
next skill check by one.
117
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Pact of the Old One
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Coercion, Knowledge (Forbidden), Knowledge (Lore), Pact Magic
Familiar
When your character pur-
chases this talent, choose
a silhouette 0 creature
(approved by your GM).
This creature becomes your
character’s familiar. See full
talent text.
Cost: 5
No Escape
May spend aa from a Coer-
cion (fear)check or hh from
a foe’s Discipline (fear) check;
that target cannot perform a
free maneuver during their
next turn.
Cost: 10
Sense Emotions
Add j to all Charm,
Coercion, and De-
ception checks unless
the target is undead or
construct.
Cost: 15
Forbidden Knowledge
Once per session, suffer strain no
greater than twice you character’s ranks
in Knowledge (Forbidden) to increase
your ranks in the appropriate skill for
every two strain suffered this way for the
purpose of determining the strength of
additional effects for the next spell cast
during that round. In this case, your
temporary ranks in the appropriate spell
may exceed the usual limit of 5.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
118 Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 20
Familiar
When your character pur-
chases this talent, choose
a silhouette 0 creature
(approved by your GM).
This creature becomes your
character’s familiar. See full
talent text.
Cost: 25
Telepathy
Your character can telepathically com-
municate messages to characters within
short range. Characters cannot reply in
turn (unless they also possess this talent
or telepathic abilities). The complexity
and length of a message may be limited
by your GM during structured gameplay,
as it is with spoken communication, or
based on the current situation of environ-
mental conditions.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Familiar
When your character pur-
chases this talent, choose
a silhouette 0 creature
(approved by your GM).
This creature becomes your
character’s familiar. See full
talent text.
Cost: 15
Scathing Tirade
(Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the scathing tirade talent to benefit
from this talent. Enemies affected
by your character’s scathing tirade
add j to all skill checks they make
for a number of rounds equal to
your character’s ranks in coercion.
Cost: 20
Baleful Gaze
When targeted by combat
check from within medium
range, may spend a Story Point
to upgrade the difficulty of the
check a number of times equal
to ranks in Coercion.
Cost: 25
Maximize Spell
Once per encounter, your
character may use this talent
to add j equal to ranks in
Maximize Spell to a check
to cast a spell.
Cost: 5
Scathing Tirade
Your character may use this talent
to make an average (kk) coercion
check. For each s the check gen-
erates, one adversary within short
range suffers 1 strain. For each a,
one adversary affected by scathing
tirade suffers 1 additional strain.
Cost: 10
Unrelenting Skeptic
When targeted by a Deception
checks, your character auto-
matically adds f to the check.
Your character may instead
suffer 2 strain to add f equal
to their ranks in Vigilance to
the check.
Cost: 15
Familiar (Improved)
Your character may suffer 2 strain and make an
Easy (k) Magic Skill check; if successful, see and
hear using your familiar’s senses for one round,
and you may suffer 1 strain per round to extend
the duration. In addition, when the Familiar
uses the Assist maneuver with the Character’s
magic check, the Assist maneuver provides jj.
The familiar must be within the range granted
by ranks in the Familiar talent for your charac-
ter to use the Familiar (Improved) talent.
Cost: 20
Visions of the Future
Once per session, after success-
fully casting a spell, you may
spend aa or t to add one
additional effect to the cast
spell, which would normally
have increased the difficulty
by 1.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Pact of Undying Light
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Knowledge (Forbidden), Medicine, Negotiation, Pact Magic
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Heroic Will
When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics.
You may spend a story point to use this
talent to have your character ignore the
effects of all critical injuries on any skill
checks using those two characteristics
until the end of the current encounter.
Cost: 10
Touch of Fate
Once per session,
add jj to any 1
check.
Cost: 15
It’s Not That Bad
Once per session when an ally
would suffer a Critical Injury,
may take an It’s Not That Bad
action; make a Hard (kkk)
Medicine check to stop the
ally from gaining the Critical
Injury.
Cost: 20
Power of Light
Once per session, may perform
the Power of Light maneuver.
Increase wound and strain
threshold by 1 per PC story
point currently in the Sto-
ry pool until the end of the
encounter.
Cost: 25
Knack For It Ensorcelled
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
once per encounter, they
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills may use this talent to add
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these a to the result of their next
skills. You cannot select combat or magic social skill check.
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Toughened Cantrip
Each rank of tough- When you gain a rank in this
talent, choose one magic skill and
ened increases your magic action available to that skill.
Whenever your character uses
character’s wound that action and adds no additional
threshold by two. effects to it, your character only
suffers 1 strain from the casting.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Grit Brilliant Casting
Each rank of grit When your character casts
a spell, you may spend one
increases your charac-
story point to use this talent
ter’s strain threshold to add a equal to your
by one. characters ranks in appro-
priate spell modifier skill to
the results.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Resolve Signature Spell
When a character invol- When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
untarily suffers strain, for them, consisting of a particular
they suffer 1 less strain magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
per rank of resolve to a casts that signature spell (consisting of
minimum of 1. the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Zealous Fire Dedication
Each time your game Each rank of dedication
master spends a story increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
point, your character
heals 2 strain. This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Radiant Soul
Gain access to the Heal
magic action with the
Pact Magic skill.
Cost: 5
Faith Healing
After making a skill check to
cast a heal spell, may choose
to change one s to a, or
one a to s per rank of
faith healing.
Cost: 10
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 15
Searing Vengeance
If your character has at least three
ranks in the Pact Magic skill, once per
session, when your character would be
incapacitated due to exceeding their
wound threshold, you may spend a
Story Point to use this talent. Then,
your character is healed to half your
wound threshold and may choose to
stand, if prone.
Cost: 20
Fortune Favors the
Bold
Once per session as an inci-
dental, suffer 2 strain to flip
one GM story point to the
PC story point pool.
119
Cost: 25
 Starting Gear: Players with a Wizard character may
WIZARD choose to start with the following gear instead of spend-
Wizards are supreme magic-users, defined and united as a ing currency during Step 7 of character creation:
class by the spells they cast. Drawing on the subtle weave • A magic staff or magic wand
of magic that permeates the cosmos, wizards cast spells • A dagger or sling
of explosive fire, arcing lightning, subtle deception, and
brute-force mind control. Their magic conjures mon- • Heavy clothing and 1 stamina elixir
sters from other planes of existence, glimpses the future, • 1d100 gold coins
or turns slain foes into zombies. Their mightiest spells
change one substance into another, call meteors down
from the sky, or open portals to other worlds.
Wild and enigmatic, varied in form and function, the
power of magic draws students who seek to master its
mysteries. Some aspire to become like the gods, shaping
reality itself. Though the casting of a typical spell requires
merely the utterance of a few strange words, fleeting ges-
tures, and sometimes a pinch or clump of exotic materi-
als, these surface components barely hint at the expertise
attained after years of apprenticeship and countless hours
of study.
Wizards live and die by their spells. Everything else is
secondary. They learn new spells as they experiment and
grow in experience. They can also learn them from other
wizards, from ancient tomes or inscriptions, and from
ancient creatures (such as the fey) that are steeped in
magic.
Wizards’ lives are seldom mundane. The closest a wizard
is likely to come to an ordinary life is working as a sage
or lecturer in a library or university, teaching others the
secrets of the multiverse. Other wizards sell their services
as diviners, serve in military forces, or pursue lives of
crime or domination.
But the lure of knowledge and power calls even the most
unadventurous wizards out of the safety of their libraries
and laboratories and into crumbling ruins and lost cities.
Most wizards believe that their counterparts in ancient
civilizations knew secrets of magic that have been lost to
the ages, and discovering those secrets could unlock the
path to a power greater than any magic available in the
present age.
The Wizard counts the following skills as career skills:
Arcane, Cool, Discipline, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowl-
edge (Lore), Medicine, Negotiation, Perception. Before
spending experience points (XP) during character cre-
ation, a Wizard may choose four of their career skills and
gain one rank in each of them.

120
 WIZARD SPECIALIZATIONS
The specializations are covered in greater detail in the
following sections; this section mainly deals with how
each specialization connects to the Wizard Career.
Abjurer
An Abjurer Wizard adds Arcane, Discipline, Knowl-
edge (Arcana), and Resilience to their Career skills. If this
is the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
The School of Abjuration emphasizes magic that
blocks, banishes, or protects. Detractors of this school
say that its tradition is about denial, negation rather than
positive assertion. You understand, however, that ending
harmful effects, protecting the weak, and banishing evil
influences is anything but a philosophical void. It is a
proud and respected vocation.
Called abjurers, members of this school are sought
when baleful spirits require exorcism, when important
locations must be guarded against magical spying,
and when portals to other planes of existence must be
closed.
Conjurer
A Conjurer Wizard adds Arcane, Discipline, Leader-
ship, and Perception to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
As a conjurer, you favor spells that produce objects and
creatures out of thin air. You can conjure billowing
clouds of killing fog or summon creatures from
elsewhere to fight on your behalf. As your mastery
grows, you learn spells of transportation and can
teleport yourself across vast distances, even to other
planes of existence, in an instant.
Diviner
A Diviner Wizard adds Arcane, Knowledge (Lore),
Perception, and Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is
the character’s starting Specialization, they may choose
two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
The counsel of a diviner is sought by royalty and com-
moners alike, for all seek a clearer understanding of the
past, present, and future. As a diviner, you strive to part
the veils of space, time, and consciousness so that you
can see clearly. You work to master spells of discernment,
remote viewing, supernatural knowledge, and foresight.
Enchanter
An Enchanter Wizard adds Arcane, Charm, Cool, and
Negotiation to their Career skills. If this is the charac-
ter’s starting Specialization, they may choose two of these
skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending
starting experience.
As a member of the School of Enchantment, you have
honed your ability to magically entrance and beguile oth-
er people and monsters. Some enchanters are peacemak-
ers who bewitch the violent to lay down their arms and
charm the cruel into showing mercy. Others are tyrants
who magically bind the unwilling into their service. Most
enchanters fall somewhere in between.
Evoker
An Evoker adds Arcane, Knowledge (Arcana), Resil-
ience, and Vigilance to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
You focus your study on magic that creates powerful
elemental effects such as bitter cold, searing flame, roll-
ing thunder, crackling lightning, and burning acid. Some
evokers find employment in military forces, serving as
artillery to blast adversary armies from afar. Others use
their spectacular power to protect the weak, while some
seek their own gain as bandits, adventurers, or aspiring
tyrants.
Spellblade
A Spellblade Wizard adds Arcane, Athletics, Melee
(Light), and Resilience to their Career skills. If this is the
character’s starting Specialization, they may choose two
of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without
spending starting experience.
A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wiz-
ards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends princi-
ples of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializ-
ing in either of those schools. It teaches techniques that
empower a caster’s spells, while also providing methods
for wizards to bolster their own defenses.
Followers of this tradition are known as Spellblades.
They see their magic as both a weapon and armor, a
resource superior to any piece of steel. Spellblades act fast
in battle, using their spells to seize tactical control of a
situation. Their spells strike hard, while their defensive
skills foil their opponents’ attempts to counterattack.
121
 talent active? talent active?

Wizard
Knack for It Cantrip
When you first purchase this talent When you gain a rank in this
for your character, select one skill.
Your character removes jj from any
Career Skills: Arcane, Cool, talent, choose one magic skill
checks they make using this skill. Each Discipline, Knowledge and magic action available to
additional time you purchase this (Arcana), Knowledge (For- that skill. Whenever your char-
talent for your character, select two ad- bidden), Knowledge (Lore), acter uses that action and adds
ditional skills, which can include skills no additional effects to it, your
already chosen. Your character also Medicine, Perception
character only suffers 1 strain
removes jj from any checks they
make using these skills. You cannot from the casting.
select combat or magic skills when
choosing skills for this talent. Strain Threshold Bonus: +2
Cost: 05 Cost: 05

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Brilliant Casting Heroic Will Intense Focus Deflect Spell

When your character When you purchase this talent
for your character, choose two
casts a spell, you may
characteristics. You may spend a
spend one story point story point to use this talent to
to use this talent to add have your character ignore the
effects of all critical injuries on
a equal to your char- any skill checks using those two
acters ranks in appro- characteristics until the end of
priate spell modifier the current encounter.
skill to the results.
Cost: 10 Cost: 15
Your character may
perform an intense focus
maneuver; they suffer 1
strain and upgrade the
ability of their next skill
check by one.
Cost: 25
When your character suffers
a hit from a magic based
combat check, after damage
is calculated but before soak
is applied, your character may
suffer 3 strain to use this talent
to reduce the damage of the
attack by two plus their ranks
in deflect spell. This talent can
only be used once per hit.
Cost: 05

talent active? talent active? talent active? talent active?

Maximize Spell
Your character must have 3
ranks in a magic skill to bene-
fit from this talent. Once per
encounter, your character
may use this talent to add j
equal to ranks in Maximize
Spell to a check to cast a
spell.
Signature Spell
When your character gains a
rank in this talent, decide on a
signature spell for them, consisting
of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects.
When your character casts their
signature spell (consisting of the
exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce
the difficulty of the check by one.
Masterful Casting
Your character must have 4 ranks
in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. When your character cast
a spell, they may use this talent
to spend t to trigger up to three
different qualities or spell effects
instead of one. These qualities
or spell effects must be ones that
can be triggered by spending a
or t.
Signature Spell
(Improved)
When you acquire a rank
in this talent, choose one of
your signature spells. When
your character casts their
signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 20 Cost: 25

122
Specialization Tree: Abjurer
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Arcane, Discipline, Knowledge (Arcana), Resilience
Deflect Spell
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
Cost: 5
Deflect Spell
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
Cost: 10
Master Counterspeller
Once per encounter, when an
Adversary you can see within
medium range of your character
attempts to cast a spell, you may
spend a Story Point to use this
talent and make a Counterspell
manuever as an out of turn Inci-
dental.
Cost: 15
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 20
Master Counterspeller
(Improved)
Once per round on your charac-
ter’s turn, you may spend a Story
Point to use this talent and make
a Counterspell manuever as an
Incidental.
Cost: 25
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Battle Caster
Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (with 3
encumbrance or more), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
Cost: 10
Magic Resistance
Whenever you are being targeted
by an adversary’s spell, the caster
adds j to the check per rank of
Magic Resistance. When your
character makes a check to resist
a negative magic effect, may add
j to the check per rank of Magic
Resistance.
Cost: 15
Dodge
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Durable
May reduce any Crit-
ical Injury suffered by
10 per rank of Dura-
ble to a minimum of
1.
Cost: 5
Center of Being
Take the Center of Being ma-
neuver. Until the beginning of
your next turn, attacks against
your character increase their
critical rating by 1 per rank of
Center of Being.
Cost: 10
Center of Being (Improved)
Your character may
spend a Story Point to
have Center of Being
affect all allies within
short range of your
character.
Cost: 15
Reflexive Barrier
Once per session, when
your character is targeted by
an attack, you may attempt
to cast Barrier as an out of
turn incidental.
Cost: 20
Reflexive Barrier
(Improved)
Once per session, when an
ally within medium range of
you is targeted by an attack,
you may spend a story point
attempt to cast Barrier on
the targetted ally as an out
of turn incidental.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Hard Headed
When staggered or disorient-
ed, perform the Hard Headed
action; make a Daunting
(kkkk) Discipline check to
remove status. Difficulty re-
duced by 1 per additional rank
of Hard Headed.
Cost: 10
Resolve
When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Center of Being
Take the Center of Being
maneuver. Until the begin-
ning of next turn, attacks
against the character increase
their critical rating by 1 per
rank of Center of Being.
123
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Conjurer
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Arcane, Discipline, Leadership, Perception

Knack For It Grit Familiar Toughened

When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re- Each rank of grit When your character pur- Each rank of tough-
chases this talent, choose
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase increases your charac- ened increases your
a silhouette 0 creature
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills ter’s strain threshold (approved by your GM). character’s wound
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these by one. This creature becomes your threshold by two.
skills. You cannot select combat or magic character’s familiar. See full
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
talent text.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Distant Spell Conjuration Adept Conjuration Savant Deflect Spell

Once per encounter, when Once per encounter your character
casting a spell the first range may use this talent to cast the
Conjure spell with no additional
enhancement does not
effects with no strain cost. This
increase the difficulty of the talent cannot be used to summon
spell. a minion.
When directing conju- When hit by a spell
rations, may grant them attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
j per rank of Conjura-
ranks in Deflect Spell.
tion Savant on checks.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Grit Signature Spell Grit Lingering Spell

Each rank of grit When your character gains a rank in

this talent, decide on a signature spell
Each rank of grit Once per encounter,
increases your charac- for them, consisting of a particular increases your charac- your character may
magic action and a specific set of one
ter’s strain threshold or more effects. When your character ter’s strain threshold spend a story point to
by one. casts that signature spell (consisting of
by one. make the concentration
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the maneuver as an inci-
difficulty of the check by one.
dental.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Familiar Naturally Gifted Masterful Conjuration Heroic Will

When your character pur- When you purchase this talent, After your character makes a successful Con- When you purchase this talent for your
juration spell to create a conjuration, you character, choose two characteristics. You
chases this talent, choose choose 2 skills. Once per session,
may spend a Story Point to have your char- may spend a story point to use this talent
you may reroll either of these acter use this talent to make the conjuration
a silhouette 0 creature skills. See full talent text. last until the end of the encounter, without
to have your character ignore the effects
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
(approved by your GM). performing concentrate maneuvers, and not using those two characteristics until
need to remain within the spells range after
This creature becomes your being cast. You may spend two story points
the end of the current encounter. (your
character still suffers the critical injuries;
character’s familiar. See full two make the conjuration last until the end
they just ignore the effects)
of the session instead.
talent text.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Signature Spell Dedication Signature Spell Signature Spell

(Improved) (Improved)
When your character gains Each rank of dedication When your character gains When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
a rank in this talent, choose increases one of your char- a rank in this talent, choose for them, consisting of a particular
one of your signature spells. acter’s characteristics by one. one of your signature spells. magic action and a specific set of one or
When your casts that This talent cannot increase a When your casts that more effects. When your character casts
that signature spell (consisting of the
signature spell, reduce the characteristic above 5. signature spell, reduce the exact combination of action and effects
difficulty of the check by difficulty of the check by previously chosen), reduce the difficulty
of the check by one.
two instead of one. two instead of one.
124 Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Diviner
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Arcane, Knowledge (Lore), Perception, Vigilance
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 5
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 10
Touch of Fate
Once per session,
add jj to any 1
check.
Cost: 15
Second Chances
Once per encounter choose a
number of positive dice equal
to ranks in Second Chances
and reroll them.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an
encounter, the strain cost increases by 1.
See full talent text.
Cost: 25
Toughened
Each rank of tough-
ened increases your
character’s wound
threshold by two.
Cost: 5
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 15
Signature Spell
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 20
Masterful Casting
Your character must have 4 ranks in a
magic skill to benefit from this talent.
When your character cast a spell,
they may use this talent to spend
t to trigger up to three different
qualities or spell effects instead of
one. These qualities or spell effects
must be ones that can be triggered
by spending a or t.
Cost: 25
Uncanny Senses
Add j per rank of Uncanny
Senses to all Perception and
Vigilance checks.
Cost: 5
Second Chances
Once per encounter choose a
number of positive dice equal
to ranks in Second Chances
and reroll them.
Cost: 10
Contingency Plan
Once per session, after you spend
a Story Point as part of a check
your character makes, if that check
was unsuccessful then you may use
this talent to move a Story Point
from the GM pool to the player
pool.
Cost: 15
Portent
Once per encounter, your character
may suffer 3 strain use this talent to
gain a glimpse of the future. When
they do, add one temporary player
Story Point to the player pool. A
temporary Story Point works just like
a normal Story Point but is removed
from the pool when it is used, rather
than being moved to the GM pool.
Cost: 20
Dedication
Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
Knack For It
When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 10
Fortune Favors The Bold
Once per session as an in-
cidental, suffer 2 strain to
flip one GM Story Point
to a Player Story Point.
Cost: 15
Elementary
Your character must have 3 ranks in Arcane
to benefit from this talent. Once per session,
your character may use this talent to make
a Hard (kkk) Arcane check while present
at a scene. If they succeed, they see a vision
of the past 48 hours at that scene and gain
one specific, important detail regarding the
scenes past. May spend s multiple times to
pick out a number of specific details from
their vision. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Second Chances
Once per encounter choose a
number of positive dice equal
to ranks in Second Chances and
reroll them.
125
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Enchanter
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Arcane, Charm, Cool, Negotiation
Ensorcelled
If your character has at least
one rank in a magic skill,
once per encounter, they
may use this talent to add
a to the result of their next
social skill check.
Cost: 5
Disarming Smile
Your character can make a disarming
smile action to make an opposed charm
check against one target within short
range. If they succeed, decrease the
target’s defense (melee and ranged) by a
number equal to your character’s ranks in
disarming smile (to a minimum of zero)
until the end of the encounter.
Cost: 10
Ensorcelled (Improved)
Your character must have purchased
the ensorcelled talent to benefit from
this talent. If your character has
at least two ranks in a magic skill,
when using the ensorcelled talent,
they may add s & a to their
next social skill check instead of
a.
Cost: 15
Naturally Gifted
When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
Ensorcelled (Supreme)
Your character must have purchased the ensor-
celled talent to benefit from this talent. If your
charatcer has three ranks in a magic skill,
once per session, they may use this talent to
force all enemies within medium range to
make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check as an
out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must
spend all available maneuvers moving away
from your character, and they suffer 5 strain,
plus one additional strain per h
126 Cost: 25
Toughened Knack For It
Each rank of tough- When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re-
ened increases your moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
this talent for your character, select two
character’s wound additional skills, which can include skills
already chosen. Your character also removes
threshold by two. jj from any checks they make using these
skills. You cannot select combat or magic
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
Cost: 5 Cost: 5
Knack For It Signature Spell
When you first purchase this talent for your When your character gains a rank in
character, select one skill. Your character re- this talent, decide on a signature spell
moves jj from any checks they make using for them, consisting of a particular
this skill. Each additional time you purchase
magic action and a specific set of one
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these the exact combination of action and
skills. You cannot select combat or magic effects previously chosen), reduce the
skills when choosing skills for this talent. difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10
Nobody’s Fool Sense Emotions
May upgrade difficulty Add j to all Charm,
of incoming Charm, Coercion, and De-
Coercion, or Deception ception checks unless
checks once per rank of
the target is undead or
Nobody’s Fool.
construct.
Cost: 15 Cost: 15
Congenial Grit
May suffer a number of strain to Each rank of grit
downgrade difficulty of Charm
or Negotiation checks or upgrade increases your charac-
difficulty when target by Charm
ter’s strain threshold
or Negotiation checks, by an equal
number Strain suffered this way by one.
cannot exceed ranks in congenial.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20
Dedication Signature Spell
(Improved)
Each rank of dedication When your character gains
increases one of your char- a rank in this talent, choose
acter’s characteristics by one. one of your signature spells.
This talent cannot increase a When your casts that
characteristic above 5. signature spell, reduce the
difficulty of the check by
two instead of one.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25
Congenial
May suffer a number of strain to
downgrade difficulty of Charm
or Negotiation checks or upgrade
difficulty when target by Charm
or Negotiation checks, by an equal
number Strain suffered this way
cannot exceed ranks in congenial.
Cost: 5
Disarming Smile
Your character can make a disarming
smile action to make an opposed charm
check against one target within short
range. If they succeed, decrease the
target’s defense (melee and ranged) by a
number equal to your character’s ranks in
disarming smile (to a minimum of zero)
until the end of the encounter.
Cost: 10
Grit
Each rank of grit
increases your charac-
ter’s strain threshold
by one.
Cost: 15
Nobody’s Fool
May upgrade difficulty
of incoming Charm,
Coercion, or Deception
checks once per rank of
Nobody’s Fool.
Cost: 20
Skilled Mastery
When you purchase a rank of this talent
for your character, choose one skill. Once
per round, your character may suffer
2 strain to use this talent to reduce the
difficulty of the next check they make
this round using that skill by two, to a
minimum of Easy (k). Each time your
character uses this talent during an en-
counter, the strain cost increases by 1. See
full talent text.
Cost: 25
Specialization Tree: Evoker
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Arcane, Knowledge (Arcana), Resilience, Vigilance

Grit Shape Spell Deflect Spell Signature Spell

Each rank of grit When casting a spell with
the blast quality spend a to
increases your charac- exclude 1 target that would be
ter’s strain threshold affected by the explosion, up to
ranks in shape spell.
by one.
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Knack For It Toughened Brilliant Casting Grit

When you first purchase this talent for your
character, select one skill. Your character re- Each rank of tough- When your character casts Each rank of grit
a spell, you may spend one
moves jj from any checks they make using
this skill. Each additional time you purchase ened increases your increases your charac-
story point to use this talent
this talent for your character, select two
additional skills, which can include skills character’s wound to add a equal to your ter’s strain threshold
already chosen. Your character also removes
jj from any checks they make using these threshold by two. characters ranks in appro- by one.
skills. You cannot select combat or magic priate spell modifier skill to
skills when choosing skills for this talent.
the results.
Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Maximize Spell Crippling Mage Shape Spell Toughened

Once per encounter, your Once per encounter, your When casting a spell with Each rank of tough-
character may use this talent character may add the the blast quality spend a to
to add j equal to ranks in deadly quality to an attack exclude 1 target that would be ened increases your
Maximize Spell to a check spell without increasing the affected by the explosion, up to character’s wound
ranks in shape spell.
to cast a spell. difficulty. threshold by two.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Resolve Lethal Blows Intense Focus Heroic Will

When a character invol- Add +10 per rank of Your character may perform When you purchase this talent for your
character, choose two characteristics. You
untarily suffers strain, an intense focus maneuver;
lethal blows to any they suffer 1 strain and
may spend a story point to use this talent
to have your character ignore the effects
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a critical injury results upgrade the ability of their
of all critical injuries on any skill checks
using those two characteristics until
inflicted on oppo- next skill check by one. the end of the current encounter. (your
minimum of 1. character still suffers the critical injuries;
nents. they just ignore the effects)

Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Dedication Masterful Casting Signature Spell Explosive Caster

Each rank of dedication
increases one of your char-
acter’s characteristics by one.
This talent cannot increase a
characteristic above 5.
Cost: 25
When your character casts a spell,
they may use this talent to spend
t to trigger up to three different
qualities or spell effects instead of
one. These qualities or spell effects
must be ones that can be triggered
by spend a or t.
Cost: 25
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 25
When your character casts an attack spell,
they treat the spell’s Blast quality as having
a rating equal to twice your character’s
ranks in the appropriate skill (instead of
their normal ranks). When your character
casts an attack spell with the Blast effect,
you may spend one Story Point to use this
talent to trigger the spell’s Blast quality,
instead of spending a (even if the attack
misses).
127
Cost: 25
 Specialization Tree: Spellblade
ADDITIONAL CAREER SKILLS: Athletics, Knowledge (Arcana), Melee (Light), Resilience

Lightning Draw Second Wind Toughened Parry

The first time your character
draws a Melee (Light) or Melee
(Heavy) weapon during each
encounter increase the base
damage of the weapon by 2
until the end of their current
turn.
Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
Each rank of tough- When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
ened increases your calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
character’s wound use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
threshold by two. This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.

Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5 Cost: 5

Second Wind Deflect Spell Quick Draw Toughened

Once per encounter, may
use Second Wind inci-
dental to heal strain equal
to ranks in Second Wind.
When hit by a spell
attack, suffer 3 strain to
reduce damage by 2 plus
ranks in Deflect Spell.
Once per round on your char-
acter’s turn, they may use this
Each rank of tough-
talent to draw or holster an easily ened increases your
accessible weapon or item as an in-
cidental. Quick draw also reduces character’s wound
a weapon’s prepare rating by one,
to a minimum of one.
threshold by two.

Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10 Cost: 10

Battle Caster Parry Close-Quarters Caster Grit

Your character does not add
j to magic skill checks for
wearing heavy armor (with 3
encumbrance or more), using
a shield, or not having at least
one hand free.
When your character suffers a hit from
a melee combat check, after damage is
calculated but before soak is applied.
Your character may suffer 3 strain to
use this talent to reduce the damage of
the hit by two plus their ranks in parry.
This talent can only be used once per
hit, and your character needs to be
wielding a melee weapon.
Your character may add Each rank of grit
the Close Combat quality
increases your charac-
to an attack spell without
ter’s strain threshold
increasing the difficulty.
by one.

Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15 Cost: 15

Naturally Gifted Dodge Lucky Strike Lethal Blows

When you purchase this talent,
choose 2 skills. Once per session,
you may reroll either of these
skills. See full talent text.
Cost: 20
When your character is targeted by
a combat check, they may suffer a
number of strain no greater than
their ranks in dodge to use this talent.
Then, upgrade the difficulty of the
combat check targeting your character
a number of times equal to the strain
suffered.
Cost: 20
When your character purchases this
talent, choose one characteristic. After
Add +10 per rank of
your character makes a successful
combat check, you may spend one
lethal blows to any
story point to use this talent to add
damage equal to your character’s ranks
critical injury results
in that characteristic to one hit of the inflicted on oppo-
combat check.
nents.
Cost: 20 Cost: 20

Resolve Signature Spell Dedication Enduring

When a character invol-
untarily suffers strain,
they suffer 1 less strain
per rank of resolve to a
minimum of 1.
128 Cost: 25
When your character gains a rank in
this talent, decide on a signature spell
Each rank of dedication Each rank of endur-
increases one of your char-
for them, consisting of a particular
magic action and a specific set of one acter’s characteristics by one. ing increases your
or more effects. When your character
casts that signature spell (consisting of
This talent cannot increase a character’s soak
characteristic above 5.
the exact combination of action and
effects previously chosen), reduce the value by one.
difficulty of the check by one.
Cost: 25 Cost: 25 Cost: 25
 NEW TALENTS
T his section introduces new talents specific to the Forgotten
Realms setting. Any talents referenced in a talent tree not listed
below is in the Genesys Core Rulebook.
ALTERED DEAL
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Once per session, make a Daunting (kkk) coercion check to
radically change a previously made deal or bargain to your character’s
advantage. The character must narritively explain what happened,
including the details of how the character arranged for the deal to be
changed as well as the specifics of the new deal.
ANIMAL COMPANION (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Animal Companion talent to
benefit from this talent. Your companion now acts on its own initiative
slot, rolling its own intitiative checks when an encounter begins.
ANTHEM
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Your character may use this talent and a musical instrument to begin
or continue playing an inspiring anthem. While your character is play-
ing the anthem, allies within short range who can hear it add j to
checks they make.
The anthem and its effects end immediately if your character does
not use this talent during their turn. Once the anthem has ended, your
character cannot use the talent again for the rest of the encounter.
ANTHEM (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Anthem talent to benefit from
this talent. While your character is playing their anthem, enemies with-
in range of its effect who can hear it add j to their checks.
APPLIED RESEARCH
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes
Your character may use this talent before making a check to use any
knowledge skill and Intellect instead of the skill and characteristic the
check would normally require. Your character may use this talent a
number of times per session equal to their ranks in Applied Research.
When your character uses this talent, you should explain how their
mastery of knowledge lets them accomplish this task. In addition, your
GM may rule that a particular knowledge skill makes the most sense in
a given situation, and require your character to use that specific knowl-
edge skill.
ARMOR MASTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When wearing armor, Increase total soak value by 1.
ARMOR MASTER (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Amor Master talent to benefit
from this talent. When wearing armor with a soak value of 2 or higher,
increase defense by 1.
ARMOR MASTER (SUPREME)
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Armor Master talent to benefit
from this talent. Once per encounter, when the character suffers a Criti-
cal Injury, they may suffer 3 strain to take the Armor Master incidental.
If they does. they reduces the Critical Injury result that they suffers by
10 per point of their soak, to a minimum of l.
ASCETIC
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
When not wearing armor, gain +1 to total soak per rank of Ascetic.
AVATAR
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in Ki to benefit from this talent. When
your character purchases this talent, choose one of the following ele-
ments: Fire, Water, Earth, or Air. Your character’s Ki spells may always
add the effect of the chosen element to for one less difficulty dice, to a
minimum of 0. Fire (Attack - Lasting and Elemental (Fire). Your char-
acter MUST add the Elemental (Fire) effect to Attack spells). Air (Aug-
ment - Haste and Attack - Elemental (Air). Your character MUST add
the Elemental (Air) effect to Attack spells. Water (Attack - Manipula-
tive). Earth (Barrier - Add Defense and Attack - Elemental (Earth) Your
character MUST add the Elemental (Earth) effect to Attack spells).
AVATAR (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Avatar talent and have 3 ranks
in Ki to benefit from this talent. Your character gains a permanant bonus
based on the element they chose when first taking Avatar: Your char-
acter adds the Disorient 2 item quality to their unarmed attacks. In
addition, Ranged combat checks that target your character add j to
the dice pool (Air). Your character adds the Burn 2. Elemental (Fire),
and Pierce 1 item qualities to their unarmed attacks. (Fire). When your
character is unarmored, they gain the benefit as if they had armor with
the Reinforced quality. (Earth). Your character adds the Ensnare 2 item
quality to their unarmed attacks. In addition, Brawl and Melee combat
checks that target your character add j to the dice pool (Water).
129
 AVATAR (SUPREME)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Avatar talent and have 4
ranks in Ki to benefit from this talent to benefit from this talent. When
your character purchases this talent, they gain one of the following
abilities based on the element they selected when they purchased
Avatar: they cannot be knocked prone or staggered (earth), they
cannot be immobilized and can breathe underwater (water), they
cannot be disoriented and can hover using the hovering guidelines
in the Flying sidebar on page 100 of the Genesys Core Rulebook,
also gain acces to the Fly Utility spell with Ki (air), or they are
immune to fire—including ignoring damage from attacks with the
Elemental (Fire) quality and from other fire-based attacks (fire).
BACK-TO-BACK
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
While engaged with one or more allies, your character and allies
they are engaged with add j to combat checks. If one or more
allies engaged with your character also have Back-to-Back, the
effects are cumulative to a maximum of jj.
BACKSTAB
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Your character may use this talent to attack an unaware adver-
sary using a Melee (Light) weapon. A Backstab is a melee attack,
and follows the normal rules for performing a combat check (see
page 101 of the Genesys Core Rulebook), using the character’s
Skulduggery skill instead of Melee (Light). If the check succeeds,
each uncanceled s adds +2 damage (instead of the normal +1).
BAD HABIT
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Your character may use this talent to become disoriented for
the remainder of the encounter. At the beginning of each of your
character’s turns, if they are still disoriented due to this talent, they
heal 2 strain.
BALEFUL GAZE
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
When targeted by combat check from within medium range,
may spend a Story Point to upgrade the difficulty of the check a
number of times equal to ranks in Coercion.
BATTLE CASTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character does not add j to magic skill checks for wearing
heavy armor (with 3 encumbrance or more), using a shield, or not
having at least one hand free.
130
BEASTMASTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Animal Companion tal-
ent to benefit from this talent. Your character may have two animal
companions with a combined silhouette no greater than your char-
acter’s ranks in Animal Companion.
Your character spends on maneuver to allow both to perform an
action and a maneuver and resolves each companion’s turn individ-
ually, choosing the order in which they activate.
One or both of your character’s animal companions can instead
be a minion group of animals with a combined silhouette no great-
er than your character’s ranks in Animal Companion. For this pur-
pose, treat every two silhouette 0 animals as silhouette 1.
BLATHER
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Take the Blather action, making a daunting (kkkk) charm
or deception check. If successful, one adversary per s is disorient-
ed for rounds equal to the characters presence. The character may
spend t from the check to stagger one affected target.
BLACKMAIL
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
When an NPC exceeds their strain threshold by any means oth-
er than a combat check, the character may spend 1 Destiny Point
to compel the NPC to immediately perform one simple task before
becoming incapacitated. The character must be able to commu-
nicate with the NPC to activate this talent, and the player must
explain how they is blackmailing the NPC.
In structured gameplay, the task must be something the NPC
can accomplish in a single turn. The task can be something the
NPC does not wish to do (such as lying to a friend, stealing some-
thing, or aiding an adversary), but it cannot be obviously suicidal
or otherwise betray the NPC’s most core principles. Any task a
character attempts to compel this way is ultimately subject to the
GM’s discretion.
BLINDSENSE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
As long as your character can hear, you may ignore setback dice
imposed by darkness or blindness within short range, GM has final
say if this may apply. Each additional rank of blindsense increases
the range of this talent.
BLOCK
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Parry talent to benefit from
this talent. While wielding a shield, your character may use the
Parry talent to reduce damage from ranged attacks as well as melee
attacks targeting your character.
BLOOD MAGIC
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Dark Insight talent to benefit
from this talent. When casting a spell with the skill chosen when your
character acquired Dark Insight, your character may upgrade the diffi-
culty of the check once to suffer two wounds instead of two strain after
the spell is resolved.
BONDED ITEM
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in Pact Magic to benefit from this tal-
ent. Choose one magical implement, item, or weapon your character
owns when taking this talent. Your character becomes bonded to this
item. Your character may summon it with maneuver. If your chosen item
is ever permanently lost or destroyed, you may select a new one.

BLOOD MAGIC (IMPROVED) BOWL OVER

Activation: Active (Incidental) Activation: Passive
Ranked: No Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Blood Magic talent to benefit When your character makes a melee attack after engaging
from this talent. Once per encounter, suffer an additional 3 wounds while a target, your weapon gains the Knockdown item quality. If the weapon
using Blood Magic and add one additional effect with a Difficulty Mod already has Knockdown, you may activate the quality without spending
+k to a spell without increasing the difficulty. a.
BLOOD MAGIC SUPREME BRILLIANT CASTING
Activation: Active (Incidental) Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Once per session while using Blood Magic, your character may talent. When your character casts a spell, you may spend one story point
suffer a critical +20 to decrease the difficulty of the check by three to a to use this talent to add a equal to your characters ranks in appropriate
minimum of Hard (kkk) spell modifier skill to the results.
BLOOD SACRIFICE BULLSEYE!
Activation: Active (Maneuver) Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Dark Insight talent to benefit from When your character inflicts a Critical Injury with a severity of Aver-
this talent. Once per round, you may use this talent to suffer a number age (kk) or higher, or incapacitates a target with their attack, they may
of wounds no greater than your rank in Blood Sacrifice to use this talent. use this talent to inflict 3 strain on all adversaries within short range of
Then, you may upgrade the next Magic skill check you make before the the target.
end of your character’s turn a number of times equal to wounds suffered.
BURLY
BODY GUARD
Activation: Passive
Activation: Active (Manuever)
Ranked: Yes
Ranked: Yes
Reduce any wielded weapon’s Cumbersome quality and Encumber-
Once per round, your character may suffer a number of strain no ance rating by a number equal to ranks in to a minimum of 1.
greater than their ranks in Body Guard to use this talent. Choose one
ally engaged with your character; until the end of your character’s next CANTRIP
turn, upgrade the difficulty of all combat checks targeting that ally a Activation: Passive
number of times equal to the strain suffered.
Ranked: Yes
BODY GUARD (IMPROVED) Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn) talent. When you gain a rank in this talent, choose one magic skill and
magic action available to that skill. Whenever your character uses that
Ranked: No
action and adds no additional effects to it, your character only suffers 1
Your character must have purchased the Body Guard talent to benefit strain from the casting.
from this talent. Once per encounter, when an ally protected by the Body
Guard maneuver suffers a hit, suffer the hit instead. CAREFUL PLANNING
BODY GUARD (SUPREME) Activation: Active (Action)
Activation: Passive Ranked: No
Ranked: No Once per session, the character can choose to introduce a “fact” or
additional context directly into the narrarive as if they had spent a Story
Your character must have purchased the Body Guard talent to benefit from Point.
this talent. Body Guard maneuver may protect a number of engaged
characters up to ranks in Reilience.

131
 CAREFUL SPELL
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have at least 3 ranks in rank in a Magic skill to benefit
from this talent. When you cast an attack spell with the Blast additional
effect, you may spend a to exclude one target that would normally be
affected by the blast, up to a number of targets equal to your character’s
ranks in the appropriate skill. You may also spend t to exclude multiple
targets, so long as the total amount remains no greater than your charac-
ter’s ranks in the appropriate skill.
CENTER OF BEING
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Take the Center of Being maneuver. Until the beginning of next
turn, attacks against the character increase their critical rating by 1 per
rank of Center of Being.
CENTER OF BEING (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Center of Being talent and have 4
ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this talent. Your character may spend
a Story Point to have Center of Being affect all allies within short range
of your character.
CHALLENGE!
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: Yes
Once per encounter, your character may use this talent to choose a
number of adversaries within short range no greater than your character’s
ranks in Challenge! (a minion group counts as a single adversary for this
purpose). Until the encounter ends or your character is incapacitated,
these adversaries add j to combat checks targeting your character and
jj to combat checks targeting other characters.
CIRCLE OF SHELTER
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Parry talent to benefit from this
talent. When an engaged ally suffers a hit, may use Parry or Block inci-
dental against the hit.
CLOSE-QUARTERS CASTER
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. When casting an Attack spell, your character may add the Close
Combat effect without increasing the difficulty.
COMBAT SHAPER
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Wild Shape talent and have 3
ranks in Primal to benefit from this talent. Whenever you use the Wild
Shape talent, you may spend a Story Point to use this talent to heal
wounds up to your ranks in Wild Shape.
132
COMBAT SHAPER (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Combat Shape talent and have 4
ranks in Primal to benefit from this talent. Whenever your character uses
Combat Shaper, you may suffer 2 strain per difficulty dice of one critical
injury your character is suffering to use this talent to heal that critical.
COMMAND
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Add j per rank of Command when making Leadership checks. Affect-
ed targets add j to Discipline checks for next 24 hours.
COMMANDING PRESENCE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Once per session, the character can take the Commanding Presence
action to choose a target minion, minion group, or rival and make a Cool
check opposed by the target’s Discipline. If the check is successful, the tar-
get adversary or group removes itself from the encounter for the duration
of the encounter. The target will not attack or otherwise engage the PCs,
nor perform any hostile or overt action. However, it will defend itself if
attacked. Attacking the target ends the effect.
The Commanding Presence action can be used in narrative encoun-
ters. The specific details of its effect are at the GM’s discretion, but could
include commanding a guard to let the PCs pass or causing political
opponents to remove themselves from a debate.
COMPONENT CASTING
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 1 rank in a magic skill to benefit from this talent.
When your character casts a spell, they may use this talent to consume
a physical item and add j to the check. The item does not have to be
expensive or rare but it does have to be thematically appropriate for the
spell, available to your character, and subject to your GM approval. Some
examples include a match or bit of sulfur for an Attack spell with the
Burn quality, a piece of glass for a Predict spell, or a scrap of bandage for
a Heal spell.
COMRADE IN ARMS
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Once per encounter, make a Hard (kkk) Discipline Check. If success-
ful, your character plus one ally per s within medium range gains +1
defense for the remainder of the encounter. Effects end if affected targets
move beyond medium range.
COMRADE IN ARMS (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased Comrade-In-Arms to benefit from this
talent. Spend aaa or t when performing comrade in arms to also
gain +1 soak or give one affected ally +1 soak.
 used as if they had generated aa on a combat check using that weapon.
CONDUIT CRIPPLING MAGE
Activation: Active (Maneuver) Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this talent. Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this tal-
Once per encounter, your character may spend a Story Point to perform ent. Once per encounter, your character may add the Deadly effect to an
a magic action as a maneuver. attack spell without increasing the difficulty.
CONFIDENCE CRUSADER
Activation: Passive Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes Ranked: No
May decrease difficulty of Discipline checks to avoid fear by 1 per rank Your character must have 3 ranks in Divine to benefit from this talent.
of Confidence. Your character counts all weapons as having the Bane (Fiend) and Bane
(Undead) with a rating equal to your character’s ranks in Knowledge
CONGENIAL
(Religion).
Activation: Active (Incidental)
DARK INSIGHT
Ranked: Yes
Activation: Active (Incidental)
May suffer a number of strain to downgrade difficulty of Charm or
Negotiation checks or upgrade difficulty when target by Charm or Nego- Ranked: No
tiation checks, by an equal number Strain suffered this way cannot exceed When your character takes this talent choose a magic skill they have as
ranks in Congenial. a career skill. When you cast a spell with that skill that adds a quality to
your character’s spell with a rating determined by your character’s ranks
CONJURATION ADEPT
in the appropriate skill, your character may use their ranks in Knowledge
Activation: Active (Incidental) (Forbidden) instead.
Ranked: No DEATH RAGE
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill that can use Conjure to Activation: Passive
benefit from this talent. Your character may use this talent to cast the
Conjure spell with no additional effects and not suffer strain. This talent Ranked: No
cannot be used to summon a minion. Your character adds +2 damage to melee attacks for each Critical Inju-
ry they are currently suffering. (Your GM may also impose additional
CONJURATION SAVANT penalties on social skill checks your character makes if they are suffering
Activation: Passive Critical Injuries due to their frenzied behavior.)

Ranked: Yes DECEPTIVE TAUNT

Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill that can use Conjure to
benefit from this talent. When directing conjurations, may grant them j
per rank of Conjuration Savant on checks.
CONSTANT VIGILANCE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
May always use Vigilance when making checks to determine initiative.
COORDINATED DODGE
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Activation: Active (Action )
Ranked: No
Once per session, the character may make a Deceptive Taunt action.
The character makes an opposed Deception vs Vigilance check targeting
one NPC within medium range. If they succeeds, the NPC must attack
him during its next turn. If the NPC cannot do so, it must spend all
subsequent turns maneuvering into position until it can make a melee or
ranged attack against the character. Once it has made a melee or ranged
attack against the character, the NPC is no longer affected by Deceptive
Taunt. If the character is incapacitated or leaves the encounter, the NPC
is no longer affected by Deceptive Taunt.

Ranked: No
Once per encounter, your character may suffer 3 strain as an out-of-
turn incidental when they are the target of a combat check. If they do
so, the difficulty of the combat check becomes an opposed check against
your ranks in the Coordination skill instead of the normal difficulty. Oth-
er modifiers, such as cover and defense still apply.
COUNTERATTACK
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
If used outside of combat, at the GM’s discretion the NPC can choose
to perform a non-lethal attack if the situation warrants it. If the encounter
takes place at a party, for example, the NPC may choose to punch the
character rather than using a knife or spell.
DEFENSIVE TRAINING
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
When wielding a Melee or Brawl weapon, the weapon gains the Defen-
sive quality with a rating equal to ranks in Defensive Training.

Your character must have purchased the Parry (Improved) talent to benefit
from this talent. When your character uses the Parry (Improved) talent to
hit an attacker, they may also activate an item quality of the weapon they

133

DEFLECT SPELL
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. When your character suffers a hit from a magic combat check,
after damage is calculated but before soak is applied (so immediately
after Step 3 of Perform a Combat check, page 102), your character
may suffer 3 strain to use this talent to reduce the damage of the hit
by two plus their ranks in Deflect Spell. This talent can only be used
once per hit.
DEVIL SIGHT
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in Pact Magic to benefit from this
talent. Ignore all j induced by darkness, magical or otherwise, within
medium range.
DIRE ANIMAL COMPANION
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Animal Companion talent to
benefit from this talent. If your character has at least two ranks in the
Primal skill, the animal companion they have bonded with through
the Animal Companion talent increases its Brawn by one, to a
maximum of 5, and its wound threshold by four. If it is a nemesis,
it increases its strain threshold by four. If it is a minion or rival, it
becomes a nemesis and gains a strain threshold of 6. Your character
also chooses to increase either its Agility or its Willpower by one, to a
maximum of 5, and its Brawl, Discipline, Perception, or Survival by
one, to a maximum of 5.
DIRTY TRICKS
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
After your character inflicts a critical injury on an adversary, you may
use this talent to increase the difficulty of that adversary’s next check
by one.
DIRTY TRICKS (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Dirty Tricks talent to benefit
from this talent. After your character inflicts a critical injury on an
adversary, you may use this talent to upgrade the difficulty of that
adversary’s next check by one.
DISARMING STRIKE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: Yes
May spend t or aa with a successful Melee or Brawl check to
disarm opponent.
DISARMING SMILE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: Yes
Your character can make a disarming smile action to make an
opposed charm check against one target within short range. If they
succeed, decrease the target’s defense (melee and ranged) by a number
equal to your character’s ranks in disarming smile (to a minimum of
zero) until the end of the encounter.
DISCIPLE OF THE ELEMENTS
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Gain Ki (Will) as a career skill. Each time you take a rank in this tal-
ent, gain either Attack, Augment, or Barrier as a magic action available
to the Ki (Will) skill.
DISSONANCE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
While wielding a musical instrument, your character may use this
talent to make an Average (kk) Charm or Verse check. For each s
the check generates, one adversary of the player’s choosing within short
range suffers 1 wound. For each a, one adversary affected by Disso-
nance suffers 1 additional wound.
DISTANT SPELL
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this tal-
ent. Once per encounter, when casting a spell the first range enhance-
ment does not increase the difficulty of the spell.
DISTRACTING BEHAVIOR
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: Yes
The character may make a Distracting Behavior maneuver and suffer
a number of strain no greater than their ranks in Cunning. If they does
so, an equal number of adversaries or NPCs they is engaged with suffer
h on checks they make until the beginning of the character’s next
turn. The range of this maneuver increases by one band per rank of
Distracting Behavior.
The character selects who is affected by Distracting Behavior and
can choose to have this talent not affect NPC allies. It may be that they
explains their tactics to the NPCs beforehand, or that they know him
well enough to be used to their antics.
DISTRACTING BEHAVIOR (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
The Distracting Behavior maneuver inflicts hh on adversaries
checks instead of h.

134
 DOUSE THE FLAMES OF WAR
DIVINE INTERVENTION Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Activation: Active (Action) Ranked: No
Ranked: No Once per game session, when a combat encounter against one or
more sentient beings is about to begin, the character make a daunting
Your character must have 4 ranks in Divine to benefit from this talent. (kkkk) Negotiation check. If successful, the combat encounter instead
Once per session, your character may use this talent to use the Divine becomes a social encounter, With the PCs attempting to convince
Intervention action. Make a Formidable (kkkkk) Divine check (the their opposition to back down, come around to their viewpoint, or
difficulty of this check cannot be decreased below Formidable). If suc- accept a compromise. The gm is the final arbiter of how the situation
cesful, introduce into the narrative a “fact” in the form of aid from your resolves without violence (or how the combat encounter continues if the
God, with GM approval.
character’s check is unsuccessful).
DIVINE SENSE
DUAL STRIKE
Activation: Active (Action)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in Divine to benefit from this talent.
May suffer one strain to perform the Divine Sense action. Make an Easy When resolving a combined check to attack with two weapons in a
(k) Discipline check. Success grants you knowledge of otherworldly melee combat, your character may suffer 2 strain to use this talent to hit
beings (Celestial, Fey, Fiend, or Undead) within medium range. May with the secondary weapon (instead of spending aa).
spend aa to learn exact locations. DUMB LUCK
DODGE (IMPROVED) Activation: Active (Incidental)
Activation: Passive Ranked: No
Ranked: No Once per session, you may spend a Story Point to use this talent after
your character suffers a Critical Injury but before the result is rolled. Their
After using dodge, may spend a Story Point to make a move maneuver
opponent must roll two results, and you select which applies to your char-
as an out-of- turn incidental.
acter.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
ELEMENTALIST
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Ranked: No
When your character acquires this talent, choose one skill. When
When your character purchases this talent, choose one of the following
making checks with that skill, you may suffer 2 strain to perform the
elements: Acid (Lasting), Air (Manipulative), Earth (Impact), Electricity
double or nothing incidental to increase the difficulty of the next check
(Stunning), Fire (Lasting), Ice (Hindering), or Poison (Lasting).
by one. Then, After canceling opposing symbols, double the amount of
Whenever your character casts an Attack spell, they always add the
remaining a or h.
Elemental effect to the spell and that element associated with the quality
DOUBLE OR NOTHING (IMPROVED) without increasing the difficulty. However, they may never add any of
the other elements to a spell they cast. In addition, they also may add
Activation: Passive the assoiciated spell effect without increasing the difficulty.
Ranked: Yes
ELEMENTALIST (IMPROVED)
When performing the Double or Nothing incidental, suffer one addio-
nal strain and after canceling opposing symbols, also double the amount Activation: Passive
of remaining s or f. Ranked: No
DOUBLE OR NOTHING (SUPREME) When your character purchases this talent, they gain one of the
following abilities based on the element they selected when they
Activation: Passive purchased Elementalist: they are immune to acid, including ignoring
Ranked: Yes damage from acid, and cannot be affected by the Burn quality (Acid),
they cannot be immobilized (Air), they cannot be knocked prone or
When performing the Double or Nothing incidental, upgrade the diffi- staggered (Earth), they are immune to cold, including damage from cold
culty of the check once and after canceling opposing symbols, also double and ignoring weather conditions, and can breathe underwater (Ice), they
the amount of remaining t and d. are immune to electricity—including ignoring damage from electricity-
DOUBLE TAP based attacks, and cannot be disoriented (Electricity), they are immune
to fire, including ignoring damage from fire, and cannot be affected
Activation: Active (Incidental) by the Burn quality (Fire), or they are immune to poisons and toxins
Ranked: No (Poison).
After your character succeeds at an attack, but before they spend advan-
tage, they can suffer 3 strain to allow them to score two separate Critical
Injuries. These require the normal methods of generating a Critical Inju-
ry, and they occur simultaneously to each other.

135
 ELEMENTALIST (SUPREME)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When your character casts an Alter, Augment, or Barrier spell, they
may use this talent to choose to have the targets of the spell gain
the ability your character gained when they purchased Elementalist
(Improved) for the spell’s duration. If your character has four ranks
in a magic skill, they also may add the other element effects to
Attack spells in addition to their element. They also may choose
not to add the Elemental quality.
ELEMENTARY
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in Arcane to benefit from this talent.
Once per session, your character may use this talent to make a Hard
(kkk) Arcane check while present at a scene. If they succeed, they
see a vision of the past 48 hours at that scene and gain one specific,
important detail regarding the scenes past. May spend s multiple
times to pick out a number of specific details from their vision. This
may include all the physical characteristics of one Character (height,
weight, body type, clothing, and species). The GM is the final arbi-
ter of what constitutes a scene.
EMPOWERED BY NATURE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Whenever your character casts a Conjure spell using Primal to
summon a beast or plant, may spend aa to add the Empowered
effect alongside spending t.
ENCOURAGING WORDS
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: Yes
After an engaged ally fails a check, may suffer 1 strain to assist
that ally’s next check this encounter as an out of turn incidental.
The range of this talent increases by one band per rank of
Encouraging Words beyond the first.
ENSORCELLED
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 1 rank in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Once per encounter, they may use this talent to add a to the
result of their next social skill check.
Additionally, this has a passive narrative effect; your character’s
appearance is subtly enhanced by their magic. others do not note it
as supernatural but maybe slightly put off. what form this takes is up
to you, with GM approval, but it should be based upon the magic
skill your character has access to and their backstory.
ENSORCELLED (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. When using the ensorcelled talent, they may add s & a to
136
their next social skill check instead of a.
After purchasing this talent, your character’s appearance is now
noticeably changed by their magic. what form this enhancement
takes is up to you, with your GM’s approval, but it should be
based on the magic skill your character possesses as well as the
enchantment they already possessed.
ENSORCELLED (SUPREME)
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. once per session, they may use this talent to force all enemies
within medium range to make a Hard (kkk) Discipline check
as an out-of-turn incidental. If they fail, they must spend all avail-
able maneuvers moving away from your character, and they suffer 5
strain, plus one additional strain per threat.
EUREKA!
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When your character makes an Alchemy or Mechanics check that
generates t, roll an additional l and add it to the results of the
check in addition to spending the t normally. When your charac-
ter makes an Alchemy or Mechanics check that generates d, roll an
additional l and add it to the results of the check in addition to
spending the d normally. (Both of these effects may occur multiple
times during a check.)
EXPLOSIVE CASTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from
this talent, when your character casts an attack spell, they treat the
spell’s Blast quality as having a rating equal to twice your character’s
ranks in the appropriate skill . When your character casts an attack
spell with the Blast effect, you may spend one Story Point to use this
talent to trigger the spell’s Blast quality, instead of spending a (even
if the attack misses).
FACE OF THE WILD
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in Primal to benefit from this tal-
ent. When your character casts the Alter spell on themself using
the Primal skill, you may spend a Story Point to have them use
this talent to maintain the effects of the spell until the end of the
encounter, without performing concentration maneuvers.
FAITH HEALING
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes
After making a skill check to cast a heal spell, may choose to
change one s to a, or one a to s per rank of faith healing,
though they must still have at least one s to succeed on the check.
FAMILIAR
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from
this talent. When your character purchases this talent, choose a sil-
houette 0 creature (approved by your GM). This creature becomes
your character’s familiar. Your character is bonded to this familiar
as long as you choose, though the GM may decide to remove it
due to mistreatment or other conditions. You instruct the familiar
how to act telepathically. However, the only action a familiar may
take is Exchange an Action for a Maneuver. It cannot fight except
in self-defense, under the GM’s direction. Once per round, your
character may use a maneuver to direct the familiar to take specif-
ic maneuvers during your character’s turn. As long as the familiar
is in short range, it may use the Assist maneuver to give j to all
magic checks. This range increases with ranks in Familiar.
FAMILIAR (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Familiar talent to benefit
from this talent. Your character may suffer 2 strain and make an
Easy (k) Magic Skill check; if successful, see and hear using your
familiar’s senses for one round, and you may suffer 1 strain per
round to extend the duration. In addition, when the Familiar uses
the Assist maneuver with the Character’s magic check, the Assist
maneuver provides jj. The familiar must be within the range
granted by ranks in the Familiar talent for your character to use
the Familiar (Improved) talent.
FEARSOME
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
When an adversary becomes engaged with the character, the
character may force the adversary to make a fear check, with the
difficulty equal to the character’s ranks in Fearsome.
FEINT
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character may spend t or aaa generated by a missed
melee attack to upgrade the difficulty of their opponent’s next
attack targeting your character a number of times equal to their
ranks in Feint.
FLURRY OF BLOWS
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Your character may use this talent to perform the Flurry of
Blows maneuver to suffer a number of strain no greater than ranks
of up to your ranks in Coordination to gain the Linked quality
with a rating equal to the amount of strains suffered on your next
Melee or Brawl combat check this turn.
FLURRY OF STEEL
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes
Once per encounter, your character may suffer 2 strain to use
this talent. During the next ranged combat check they make this
turn, throwing weapons thrown by your character gain the Auto-
Fire quality. You do not increase the difficulty of this combat
check; instead, your character must have (and use) one throwing
weapon per hit triggered.
FLURRY OF STEEL (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When triggering additional hits from Flurry of Steel Auto-Fire,
extra hits require a instead of the normal aa.
FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Once per session, suffer strain no greater than twice you char-
acter’s ranks in Knowledge (Forbidden) to increase your ranks in
the appropriate skill for every two strain suffered this way for the
purpose of determining the strength of additional effects for the
next spell cast during that round. In this case, your temporary
ranks in the appropriate spell may exceed the usual limit of 5.
FOREWARNING
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill that can use
Predict to benefit from this talent. Once per session, whenever your
character rolls for intitiative, you may spend t to have all allies
within medium range increase their defense by your character’s
ranks in Vigilance for the first round of combat.
FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Once per session as an incidental, suffer 2 strain to flip one GM
Story Point to a Player Story Point.
FRENZIED ATTACK
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes
When making a Melee or Brawl check, suffer a number of
strain to upgrade the attack an equal number of times. The strain
suffered may not exceed ranks in Frenzied Attack.
GOES TO ELEVEN
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character increases the range of their musical talents by
one range band per rank of Goes to Eleven. A musical talent is any
talent that requires your character to “use a musical instrument”
to activate it. Narratively, you should explain how your character
augmented or amplified their instrument.
137

HARASS
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Whenever the character’s animal companion makes a successful com-
bat check against a target, it may forgo inflicting damage to upgrade the
difficulty of the target’s next check once instead.
HARD-BOILED
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When your character makes a check to recover strain at the end of
an encounter (as describe on page 117 of the Genesys Core Rulebook),
your character may make a Simple (-) Resilience check instead of Dis-
cipline or Cool. If your character does so, they heal 1 strain per s and
1 wound per a.
HARD HEADED
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: Yes
The character may perform the Hard Headed action. On any turn
in which the character is staggered or disoriented, they may perform
the Hard Headed action (this action may be specifically performed
even though they is normally barred from performing actions when
staggered). He makes a Daunting (kkkk) Discipline check If they
succeeds, they is no longer staggered or disoriented. The difficulty of
this check decreases by one per additional rank of Hard Headed, to a
minimum of Easy (k).
HARD HEADED (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Once per encounter, your character may use Hard Headed to recover
from being incapacitated due to exceeding their wound threshold.
On their next turn after having become incapacitated, they may as
an action make a Formidable (kkkkk) Resilience check. If they
succeed, decrease their wounds to one less that their wound threshold.
The difficulty of this check decreases by one per additional rank of
Hard Headed, to a minimum of Easy (k).
HEALING HANDS
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Gain Ki (Will) as a career skill. Each time you take a rank in this
talent, gain either Dispel or Heal as a magic action available to the Ki
(Will) skill. With two ranks of this talent, gain Leech as an additional
effect to Attack spells using the Ki (will) skill.
HEROIC RESILIENCE
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Immediately after being hit by an attack but before suffering damage,
spend 1 Story Point to increase soak by ranks in Resiliance.
138
HOLISTIC NAVIGATION
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When making a skill check to navigate, the character may spend one
Story Point to remove d, or to remove h equal to their ranks in Per-
ception.
HUNTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Add j per rank of Hunter to all checks when interacting with beast
or animals (including combat checks). Add +10 to Critical Injury
results against beasts or animals per rank of Hunter.
HUNTER’S QUARRY
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
The character may take the Hunter’s Quarry action against an oppo-
nent within long range, making a Hard (kkk) Survival check. If the
check succeeds, upgrade the ability of all attacks made against the target
by one until the end of the character’s next turn.
HUNTER’S QUARRY (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Reduce the difficulty of Hunter’s Quarry from Hard (kkk) to Aver-
age (kk). Your character may suffer 2 strain to perform hunter’s quarry
action as a maneuver.
HUNTER’S QUARRY (SUPREME)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Add aa to all combat checks against targets affected by Hunter’s
Quarry. Also, you may spend a story point to have Hunter’s Quarry
lasts until the end of the encounter.
IMBUE ITEM
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 2 ranks in Artfice to benefit from this talent.
The character may take the Imbue Item maneuver, and suffer strain up
to your ranks in Imbue Item. He then grants a number of weapons or
items equal to strain suffered within short range a temporary enhance-
ment chosen from the following options: increase weapon’s damage by
1, decrease the a cost for its Critical Hit or for any other single effect by
1, to a minimum of 1, or increase a piece of armor’s ranged or melee
defense by 1. Alternatively, the character can decrease an item’s encum-
brance by 2, to a minimum of 1. The character suffers 1 strain at the
beginning of each of their turns while this talent is active.
IMBUE WEAPON Weapons count as having the monk quality for your character.
Activation: Active (Incidental) IMPROVISED WEAPON MASTER (IMPROVED)
Ranked: Yes Activation: Passive
Your character must have 4 ranks in Artfice to benefit from this tal- Ranked: No
ent. Once per round, when you make a melee combat check you
may spend a story point to add modifiers from the Attack spell, When wielding an improvised weapon, no longer suffer auto-
and increase the difficulty of the check by the listed amounts. These matic h during attacks, and reduces their Crit Rating by 1 more.
modifiers replace any existing qualities on weapons and are not Further, improvised weapons gain the Defensive 1 and Disorient 1
additive. This combat check counts as both a melee combat check weapon qualities.
and a magic combat check, and can use the h and d results for
either normal skill checks or magical skill checks. You cannot choose INNATE FOCUS
to add the Empowered or Range modifier to the check. Activation: Active (Incidental)
IMPALING STRIKE Ranked: No

Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When your character inflicts a critical injury with a melee weap-
on, they may use this talent to immobilize the target until the end of
the target’s next turn (in addition to the other effects of the critical
injury).
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. While not using a magic implement, your character increases
the base damage of all attack spells they cast by two. In addition,
when casting a spell while not using a magic implement, your char-
acter may use this talent to decrease the difficulty of the check by
one. If they do so, they increase the strain suffered for casting the
spell by 1.

IMPROVED COUNTERSPELL INNATE POWER

Activation: Passive Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes Ranked: No
When your character uses the counterspell manuever, they also Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
add j to checks to cast spells equal to ranks in Improved Coun- talent. You cannot lose your magical connection and be unable to
terspell. cast spells on a d.

IMPROVISED DETONATION INSPIRING CRY

Activation: Active (Action) Activation: Active (Maneuver)

Ranked: No Ranked: No

Once per session, the character may make a Daunting (lkkk) Once per encounter, your character may use this talent to allow
Mechanics check to perform the Improvised Detonation action and allies within medium range to reroll any number of j when they
build an explosive device out of available materials. The device can make a check until the end of the following round.
be detonated via any logical means (timed delay, pressure- activat-
ed, or even a fuse) and when it explodes deals damage equal to the INTENSE FOCUS
character’s ranks in Intellect plus ranks in Mechanics plus s on the Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
initial check, and possesses the Blast quality at an equal value. The
character can spend t to increase the damage by an additional 2. Ranked: Yes
A d causes the device to detonate immediately in the owner’s face. Before making a skill check, the character may perform the
If the check would have been otherwise successful, the premature Intense Focus maneuver. The character suffers one strain to upgrade
detonation does damage based on the successful check (and has an the ability of the skill check once.
equivalent Blast quality). If the check would have failed, the prema-
ture detonation only does damage equal to ranks in Mechanics plus INTIMIDATING
ranks in Intellect. Activation: Passive
IMPROVISED DETONATION (IMPROVED) Ranked: Yes
Activation: Passive May suffer a number of strain to add j to a check made to resist
fear caused by your character. Strain suffered this way cannot
Ranked: No
exceed ranks in Intimidating.
Reduce the difficulty of Improvised Detonation’s check to Hard
(lkkk) and increase the damage dealt by the explosive to ranks in INVOCATION
Intellect plus twice the character’s ranks in Mechanics plus & s
Activation: Passive
on the initial check (this includes the damage dealt on a premature
detonation triggered by d). Ranked: No

IMPROVISED WEAPON MASTER Your character must have 2 ranks in Pact Magic to benefit from this
talent. When you purchase this Talent, choose one magic action
Activation: Passive your character can not normally cast with Pact Magic. Once per
encounter, you may cast this spell using Pact Magic.
Ranked: No
This character adds automatic s to all combat checks when using
an improvised weapon, and reduces its Crit Rating by 1. Improvised

139
 IRON BODY
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Remove j per rank of Iron Body from Coordination and Resil-
ience checks. Reduce the critical rating of unarmed attacks by 1 per
rank of Iron Body (to a minimum of 1).
IT’S NOT THAT BAD
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Once per game session, when an ally is about to suffer a critical
injury, the character can take an It’s Not That Bad incidental to
make a Hard (kkk) Medicine check. If successful, the ally does
not gain the Critical Injury and does not suffer any of its normal
effects (although the attack that caused the Critical Injury still deals
its damage as normal).
JURY RIGGED
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character may choose one personal weapon or piece of
armor per rank of jury rigged. They may increase the damage of
the weapon by one; decrease the a cost on its critical, or any sin-
gle other effect by one to a minimum of one (except auto-fire); or
increase armor’s ranged or melee defense by one. Alternatively, they
can decrease the encumbrance of the item by two to a minimum of
one. The bonus only applies so long as your character is using the
item. If the item is ever lost or destroyed, your character may apply
jury rigged to a new personal weapon or piece or armor.
KEEPING IT COOL
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
May always use Cool when making checks to determine initiative.
KNOW THY ADVERSARY
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
May use an appropriate Knowledge skill when making checks to
determine initiative. The GM is the final arbiter of what Knowledge
skill is appropriate.
LEAD FROM THE FRONT
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
After succeeding on a leadership check or other check to inspire,
lead, or rally an audience, the character may spend one story point
to upgrade the ability of the next skill check made by all allies within
short range.
LIGHTNING DRAW
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
The first time your character draws a Melee (Light) or Melee
(Heavy) weapon during each encounter increase the base damage of
the weapon by 2 until the end of their current turn.
LINGERING SPELL
Activation: Passive
140
Ranked: No
Once per encounter, your character may spend a story point to
make the concentration maneuver as an incidental.
MAGIC RESISTANCE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Whenever you are being targeted by an adversary’s spell, the cast-
er adds j to the check per rank of Magic Resistance. When your
character makes a check to resist a negative magic effect, may add j
to the check per rank of Magic Resistance.
MAGICAL SECRETS
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 4 ranks in Verse to benefit from this talent.
Each time you gain a rank in this talent, pick one magic action not
available to Verse and one additional effect on a magic action you
have access to. That action is now available for you to cast, and that
effect is now usable on Verse spells cast by your character.
MARTIAL ARTS MASTERY
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
You may use Agility instead of Brawn for determining base dam-
age and skill checks for Brawl attacks and Melee (light) attacks with
Weapons with the Monk quality.
Weapons with the Monk quality and unarmed Brawl attacks do
at least +X damage, X being your ranks in Martial Arts Mastery.
When you have taken three ranks of Martial Arts Mastery, your
Brawl attacks gain the Superior quality, if they do not already have
it.
MASTER CASTER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from
this talent. When your character fails a spell casting skill check that
targets another character or npc, may spend t or aaa to imme-
diately reroll the attempted spell with a new target.
MASTER COUNTERSPELLER
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Once per encounter, when an adversary you can see within
medium range of your character attempts to cast a spell, you may
spend a Story Point to use this talent and use a Counterspell man-
uever as an Incidental.
MASTER COUNTERSPELLER (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Once per round on your character’s turn, you may spend a
Story Point to use this talent and make a Counterspell manuver as
an out of turn Incidental.
 MENACE
MASTER DEMOLITIONIST Activation: Passive

Activation: Passive Ranked: No

Ranked: No
When resolving an attack from a personal scale explosive or ordi-
nance weapon, your character may spend aaa or t to have the
weapon’s Blast quality affect all characters within short range (rath-
er than engaged). If the weapon normally affects all characters within
short range, then the range of the effect is increased to medium range
instead.
MASTERFUL CASTING
Once per round, on the character’s turn, the animal companion may
spend a maneuver to have enemies within short range of the charac-
ter’s animal companion add j to next combat check made against the
character. Adversary characters who are immune to the effects of fear
are also immune to this ability. The gm has final say if a creature can
threaten an adversary.
MENTAL TOOLS
Activation: Passive

Activation: Passive Ranked: No

Ranked: No Your character must have 2 ranks in Artifice to benefit from this talent.
Always count as having the right tools for the job when performing
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this Mechanics checks.
talent. When your character cast a spell, they may use this talent to
spend t to trigger up to three different qualities or spell effects instead MONSTROUS HERITAGE
of one. These qualities or spell effects must be ones that can be triggered
by spending a or t. Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
MASTERFUL CONJURATION
Gain the access to Primal only effects of magic actions when using
Activation: Active (Incidental) Sorcery.
Ranked: No
MOVING TARGET
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this tal-
ent. After your character makes a successful Conjuration spell to create Activation: Passive
a conjuration, you may spend a Story Point to have your character use Ranked: Yes
this talent to make the conjuration last until the end of the encounter,
If the character has already acted this round, increase ranged defense
without performing concentrate maneuvers, and not need to remain
by 1 per rank of moving target.
within the spells range after being cast. You may spend two story points
two make the conjuration last until the end of the session instead. NATURAL COMMUNION
MASTERFUL ILLUSIONS Activation: Passive

Activation: Active (Incidental) Ranked: No

Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. After your character makes a successful Illusion spell to create an
illusion, you may spend a Story Point to have your character use this
talent to make the illusion last until the end of the encounter, without
performing concentrate maneuvers, and not need to remain within the
spells range after being cast. You may spend two story points two make
the illusion last until the end of the session instead.
MAXIMIZE SPELL
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Once per encounter, your character may use this talent to add
j equal to ranks in Maximize Spell to a check to cast a spell.
When casting the Conjure magic action with the Primal Skill, you
character may add the Summon Ally effect without increasing the diffi-
culty. To obtain this benefit, all creatures your character summons must
be naturally occurring creatures native to the area. This cannot be used
to summon Undead, Fiend, Aberration, or Construct creatures.
NATURALLY GIFTED
Activation: Incidental
Ranked: Yes
When you purchase this talent, choose 2 skills. Once per session, you
may reroll either of these skills. For each additional rank of Naturally
Gifted, select 1 additional skill with which to use this talent. You may
still only make a single reroll per session.
You may not use both Naturally Gifted and Skilled Mastery at once
on the same skill check.

MEDICINE MAN
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 2 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from this
talent. Always count as having the right tools for the job when
performing Medicine checks.

141
 NECROMANCY
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in Arcane to benefit from this
talent. Once per round, you can use the conjure spell on a location
with a mostly complete corpse (in any state of decay) to reanimate
the dead, reducing the difficulty of the skill check by k. When
used to animate the dead, your conjure spell has the follwing spe-
cial conditions:
You may not conjure something greater than the deceased crea-
tures silhouette. You may not conjure more creatures than the
present corpses, but if there are multiple corpses within range you
may animate multiple dead using the additional summons effect.
You must apply the Summon Ally additional effect if you wish
to control your creatures, as normal. Animated dead that are not
allied with you will usually attack indiscriminately. Your conjured
creatures do not retain the mind or memories of whatever creature
they were before death.
NECROMANCY (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When you use the Necromancy talent to animate the dead, you
may choose to increase the difficulty by kk to force the animated
dead to reatain its mind and memeroies when raised. This other-
wise functions exactly as the Necromancy talent. Note that, unless
you apply the Summon Ally additional effect, the conjured crea-
ture is still not under your control, though depending on who it
was in life, it may be friendly to you regardless.
NECROMANCY (SUPREME)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When your character uses the Necromancy talent to animate
the dead, you may spend a Story Point to have them use this talent
to make the effects of the spell permananent until the undead is
destroyed.
NO ESCAPE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When making a Coercion check. the character may spend aa
to cause one adversary within short range to lose their free maneu-
ver during their next turn. When an adversary within short range
makes a Fear check. the character may spend hh from that check
to cause that adversary to lose their free maneuver during their
next turn.
NOBODY’S FOOL
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
May upgrade difficulty of incoming Charm, Coercion, or
Deception checks once per rank of Nobody’s Fool.
NOW YOU SEE ME
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 3 ranks in Ki to benefit from this
talent. Once per session, take Now You See Me action. Make a
Daunting (kkk) Ki check to make a number of NPC’s equal
142
to Willpower within medium range forget about your character.
Your GM has final say if an NPC can be affected by this talent.
ONE WITH NATURE
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When in the wilderness, the character may make a Simple (-)
Survival check instead of Discipline or Cool to recover starin at
the end of an encounter. Also, you have an innate ability to com-
municate with animals.
OVERCHANNEL
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill to benefit from
this talent. When casting a spell, your character may select a num-
ber of additional effect in (k) up to their ranks in overchannel.
The effect must be limited to single (k) effects. Your character
gains hh per (k) added in this way to the roll, rather than
increasing the difficulty of the check. hh may be spent to have
your character roll on the Wild Magic table.
OVERCHANNEL (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Overchannel talent to
benefit from this talent. In addition to the effects of Overchannel,
you may also add (kk) effects. The character gains d including
the associated failure per (kk) effect added in this way rather
than increase the difficultly of the check. This is in addition to
any d rolled.
PARKOUR!
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No
Once per round, your character may suffer 1 strain to use this
talent and move to any location within Short range.
This includes locations that are vertically distant or have no easy
access route, but there must be an object to move across or path
to move along. Your GM may rule some locations cannot be
reached (such as ones behind locked doors or walls).
PARKOUR! (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Once per round, when using the Parkour! talent, your character
may suffer 3 strain instead of 1 strain to move to any location
within medium range instead of short range. All other restrictions
of Parkour! apply to this movement.
PAINFUL BLOW
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
When your character makes a combat check, you may volun-
tarily increase the difficulty by one to use this talent. If the target
suffers one or more wounds from the combat check, the target
suffers 2 strain each time they perform a maneuver until the end
of the encounter.
PHYSICAL TRAINING d from the character’s Ranged checks cannot cause attacks to hit
allies engaged with the target.
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes PRECISION STRIKE
Add j per rank of physical training to Athletics and Resilience Activation: Passive
checks. Ranked: No
PHYSICIAN After your character inflicts a Critical Injury with a ranged weapon
and rolls the result, your character may suffer 2 strain to use this talent.
Activation: Passive Then, you may select any Critical Injury of the same severity to apply
Ranked: Yes to the target instead.
When making a Medicine check to help a character heal wounds, the PREPARED SPELL
target heals 1 additional strain per rank of Physician.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
PORTENT Ranked: No
Activation: Active (Incidental) Once per encounter, your character may make a skill check to cast a
Ranked: No spell without suffering strain.
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill that can use Predict to PRESSURE POINT
benefit from this talent. Once per encounter, your character may suffer 3
Activation: Active (Incidental)
strain to use this talent to gain a glimpse of the future. When they do,
add one temporary player Story Point to the player pool. A temporary Ranked: No
Story Point works just like a normal Story Point but is removed from When your character makes an unarmed Brawl check targeting a liv-
the pool when it is used, rather than being moved to the GM pool. ing opponent, they may use this talent to deal strain damage instead
POWER OF DARKNESS of wound damage, and inflict additional strain damage equal to their
ranks in Medicine. Your GM may not allow you to use this talent on
Activation: Active (Maneuver) certain adversaries.
Ranked: No PRIMALIST
Once per session, may perform the Power of Light maneuver. Activation: Passive
Increase wound and strain threshold by 1 per GM story point currently
in the Story pool until the end of the encounter. Ranked: No
Primal is now a career skill for your character. They can only cast one
POWER OF LIGHT
spell using this skill per encounter.
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
PRIMALIST (IMPROVED)
Ranked: No
Once per session, may perform the Power of Light maneuver. Activation: Passive
Increase wound and strain threshold by 1 per PC story point currently Ranked: No
in the Story pool until the end of the encounter.
Primalist no longer limits use of the Primal skill to once per encoun-
POWER OF THE LANDS ter.

Activation: Active (Maneuver) QUICK DRAW (IMPROVED)

Ranked: No Activation: Passive
Your character must have 4 ranks in Primal to benefit from this talent. Ranked: No
Once per session, your character may use this talent to add s equal to
Your character must have purchased the Quick Draw Talent to benefit
their ranks in Survival and a equal to their ranks in Cunning to the
from this talent. May use Quick Draw twice per round. This also allows
results of the next Primal skill check they make during this turn.
you to reduce the prepare rating by two to a minimum of one.
PRECISE AIM QUICK WITTED
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Ranked: No
Once per round, may perform Precise Aim maneuver. Suffer a num-
Once per encounter, after another character makes a social skill
ber of strain no greater than ranks in Precise Aim, then reduce target’s
check, your character may use this talent to make a Hard (kkk) Vig-
melee and ranged defense by that number.
ilance check. If successful, you may add a number of s or a (your
PRECISE ARCHERY choice) equal to your character’s ranks in Charm or Negotiation to the
other character’s check. If your character fails, your character suffers 3
Activation: Passive strain.
Ranked: No

143
 RADIANT SOUL RESOLVE
Activation: Passive Activation: Passive
Ranked: No Ranked: Yes
Gain access to the Heal magic action with the Pact Magic skill. When a character involuntarily suffers strain, they suffers 1 less
strain per rank of resolve to a minimum of 1.
RAPID ARCHERY
RETRIBUTION
Activation: Active (Maneuver)
Ranked: No Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
While your character is armed with a bow (or similar weapon, at
your GM’s discretion) they may suffer a number of strain no greater Once per round when an adversary attacks an ally within medium
than ranks of up to your ranks in Ranged to gain the Linked quality range, your character may spend one Story Point to use this talent to
with a rating equal to the amount of strain suffered to the next combat automatically hit that adversary once with a weapon your character is
check made with that weapon this turn. wielding, if the adversary is within the weapon’s range. The hit deals
the weapon’s base damage, plus any damage from applicable talents
RAPID RECOVERY or abilities.
Activation: Passive SAVANT
Ranked: Yes Activation: Passive
When healing strain after an encounter, heal 1 additional strain per Ranked: Yes
rank of Rapid Recovery.
When you acquire a rank in this talent, choose a general skill. When
REDUNDANT SYSTEMS making a check with that skill, reduce the time required by 25%. This
Activation: Active (Action) reduction may be applied multiple times, to a limit of 50%

Ranked: No SAVVY
Once per session, may take a Redundant Systems action; make an Activation: Passive
Easy (k) Mechanics check to harvest components from a functioning Ranked: Yes
device to repair a broken one without breaking the first device.
The character add j to Charm and Negotiation checks per rank
REFLEXIVE BARRIER of Savvy.

Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn) SEARING VENGEANCE

Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in a magic skill that can use Barrier
to benefit from this talent. Once per session, when your character is
targeted by an attack, you may attempt to cast barrier as an out of
turn incidental.
REFLEXIVE BARRIER (IMPROVED)
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Reflexive Barrier talent to ben-
efit from this talent. Once per session, when an ally within medium
range of you is targeted by an attack, you may spend a story point
attempt to cast Barrier on the targetted ally as an out of turn inci-
dental.
RESEARCHER
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Remove j per rank of Researcher from all Knowledge checks.
Reserching a subject takes half the time.
RESIST DISARM
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: No
Suffer 2 strain to avoid being disarmed or have weapon damaged or
destroyed.
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Your character must have 4 ranks in Pact Magic to benefit from this
talent. Once per session, when your character would be incapacitated
due to exceeding their wound threshold, you may spend a Story Point
to use this talent. Then, your character is healed to half your wound
threshold and may choose to stand, if prone.
SECOND CHANCES
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes
Once per encounter choose a number of positive dice equal to ranks
in Second Changes and reroll them.
SEIZE THE INTIATIVE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: No
Once per game session. the character may leap forward to create
a daring distraction on the battlefield by performing the Seize the
Initiative action. He makes a Daunting (kkkk) Coordination check.
If he succeeds, any number of other PCs who have yet not acted this
round may immediately take their turns as if there were that many
PC slots at that point in the Initiative order. Each PC who acts this
way counts as having acted for this round (and thus cannot act again
this round). The Initiative order returns to its previous order at the
beginning of the next round.

144
SELECTIVE DETONATION signature spells. When your casts that signature spell, reduce the diffi-
culty of the check by two instead of one.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
SKILLED MASTERY
Ranked: Yes
Activation: Active (Incidental)
When using a weapon with the Blast quality, may spend a
to exclude 1 target that would be affected by the explosion, up Ranked: Yes
to ranks in Selective Detonation. When you purchase this talent for your character, select 1 skill.
Once per round, your character may suffer 2 strain to decrease the
SENSE DANGER difficulty of his next check using that skill by 1 to a minimum of Easy
Activation: Active (Incidental) (k). Each time your character uses this talent during an encounter, the
strain cost increases by 1.
Ranked: No
For each additional rank of Skilled Mastery, select 1 additional skill
Once per session, remove jj from any 1 check. with which to use this talent. Only one of the skills you select for
SENSE EMOTIONS Skilled Mastery (initally or for later ranked purchases) may be a com-
bat skill. Likewise, only one of the skills you select for Skilled Mastery
Activation: Passive may be a magic skill.
Ranked: No You may not use both Skilled Mastery and Naturally Gifted at once
Your character must have 3 ranks in a magic skill that can use Enchant on the same skill check.
to benefit from this talent. Add j to all Charm, Coercion, and Decep-
SLOW FALL
tion checks unless the target is an undead or construct.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
SHADOW ARTS
Ranked: Yes
Activation: Passive
Before making a Athletics or Coordination check to determine fall
Ranked: No damage, your character may spend a story point to use this talent to
Gain Ki (Will) as a career skill. Each time you take a rank in the reduce the range band of a fall by ranks in Slow Fall.
talent, gain Illusion or Teleport as a magic action available to the Ki SMITE
(Will) skill.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
SHAPE SPELL
Ranked: No
Activation: Passive Once per round, your character may suffer 3 strain to use this
Ranked: Yes talent to add damage equal to their ranks in Divine to one hit of a
successful brawl or melee attack.
When casting a spell with the blast quality spend a to exclude 1
target that would be affected by the explosion, up to ranks in shape SNEAK ATTACK
spell.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
SHARE PAIN
Ranked: No
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Once per round when performing the Aim maneuver, you
Ranked: No may suffer 1 Strain to also add Pierce 2 to the attack, or increase
Your character must have purchased the Animal Companion talent to the Pierce of your weapon by 1, for the next combat check you
benefit from this talent. May perform the Share Pain incidental when make this round.
bonded animal suffers wounds. Reduce wounds suffered to half, then
character suffers wounds equal to number reduced. SNEAK ATTACK (IMPROVED)

SIGNATURE SPELL Activation: Active (Incidental)

Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
When your character gains a rank in this talent, decide on a sig-
nature spell for them, consisting of a particular magic action and a
specific set of one or more effects. When your character casts that sig-
nature spell (consisting of the exact combination of action and effects
previously chosen), reduce the difficulty of the check by one.
SIGNATURE SPELL (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
When your character gains a rank in this talent, choose one of your
Ranked: No
Once per round when performing the Aim maneuver, you may
choose to suffer 2 Strain to add Vicious 2, or increase your weapon’s
Vicious rating by 1, for your next combat check this round. This
combines with the normal effects of Sneak Attack.
SNEAK ATTACK (SUPREME)
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Once per encounter you may spend a Story Point to add t to the
result of an attack action. This does not include the Success usually
associated with a Triumph.

145
 SNIPER SHOT While making Melee checks, may inflict damage as strain instead of
wounds. This does not ignore soak.
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: Yes STUNNING BLOW (IMPROVED)
Before making a ranged attack, may perform a Sniper Shot maneuver Activation: Passive
to increase the weapon’s range by 1 range band per rank in Sniper Ranked: No
Shot. Upgrade the difficulty of the attack by 1 per range band increase.
When dealing strain damage with Melee or Brawl checks, may spend
SOOTHING TONE t to stagger target for 1 round per t.
Activation: Passive SURGE OF ACTION
Ranked: Yes Activation: Active (Incidental)
Once per encounter, take a Soothing Tone action; make an Average Ranked: No
(kk) Survival check to allow a beast to recover strain equal to s.
Once per session, you may activate this talent as an incidental by
SORRY ABOUT THE MESS spending a story point to take one additional free maneuver on your
turn, up to a maximum of 3 manuevers.
Activation: Passive
SWEEP ATTACK
Ranked: No
Decrease the Critical Rating of a weapon by 1 (to a minimum of 1) Activation: Active (Incidental)
against targets that have not yet acted this encounter. Ranked: No
STALKER Increase difficulty of a Brawl or Melee combat check by 1 to perform
Sweep Attack action. Must target the adversary who is hardest to hit
Activation: Passive (as determined by the GM). May spend aa to hit additional engaged
Ranked: Yes targets.
Add j per rank of Stalker to all Stealth and Coordination checks. TAKEDOWN
STAND FIRM Activation: Active (Action)
Activation: Active (Action) Ranked: No
Ranked: No Your character may use this talent to make an opposed Brawl vs.
Resilience check targeting one engaged opponent. If the check
As an action, make a hard (kkk) leadership check. Choose one ally
succeeds, the target is knocked prone and immobilized until the end
per s, who increases their wound threshold by the characters presence
of your character’s next turn. If the target is a minion or rival, your
until the end of the encounter.
character may spend t to incapacitate (but not kill) the target instead.
STAND FIRM (IMPROVED)
TELEPATHY
Activation: Passive
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Ranked: No
Stand firm also increases affected allies strain threshold by an equal
amount equal to the character’s presence. Your character can telepathically communicate messages to creatures
within short range. The complexity and length of a message may be
STRENGTH OF FAITH limited by your GM during structured gameplay, as it is with spoken
communication, or based on the current situation of environmental
Activation: Active (Maneuver) conditions.
Ranked: No
TEMPLAR
Your character must have 4 ranks in Divine to benefit from this talent.
Once per session, your character may use this talent to add s equal to Activation: Passive
their ranks in Willpower and a equal to their ranks in Willpower to the Ranked: No
results of the next Divine skill check they make during this turn.
Divine is now a career skill for your character. They can only cast one
STRONG ARM spell using this skill per encounter. When making a Divine check, your
character may use Presence instead of Willpower.
Activation: Passive
TEMPLAR (IMPROVED)
Ranked: No
Treat thrown weapons as if they had 1 greater range. Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
STUNNING BLOW
Templar no longer limits use of the Divine skill to once per encoun-
Activation: Passive ter.
Ranked: No

146
THOROUGH ASSESSMENT Melee (Light) weapons as possessing with an Inaccurate rating equal
to the weapon’s encumbrance rating. This lasts for the duration of the
Activation: Active (Action)
combat check.
Ranked: No
TOUCH OF FATE
Once per session, the character may make a Hard (kkk) Knowledge
check (the GM and player should determine which Knowledge skill Activation: Active (Incidental)
is most applicable in the given situation) to perform the Thorough Ranked: No
Assessment action. If they succeeds, the character may add j to one
check that another character who could reasonably benefit from this Once per session, add jj to any 1 check.
information makes before the end of the encounter. For every s
TOUGHENED (IMPROVED)
beyond the first, they may add j to one additional check this way.
He cannot allocate more than j to any single check this way. At the Activation: Active (Incidental)
end of the encounter, any unused j are lost.
Ranked: No
THREATEN Once per session, the character may heal a number of wounds equal
to their ranks in Toughened.
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Ranked: Yes TRUE AIM
After an adversary within short range of your character resolves a Activation: Active (Maneuver)
combat check that deals damage to one of your character’s allies, your Ranked: Yes
character may suffer 3 strain to use this talent to inflict a number of
strain on the adversary equal to your character’s ranks in coercion. The Once per round, may suffer strain up to ranks of True Aim, to per-
range of this talent increases by one band per rank of threaten beyond form a True Aim maneuver to gain benefits of aiming and upgrade
the first. combat check once per strain suffered.

TIME TO GO TUMBLE
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn) Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No Ranked: No
The character may spend one Story Point to perform a Move maneu- Once per round on your character’s turn, they may suffer 2 strain to
ver as an incidental. This maneuver may only be used to move into cov- disengage from all engaged adversaries.
er or out of the blast radius of an explosion. This may be performed out
of turn. This incidental occurs after the character determines he would TURN UNDEAD
be hit by the blast, but before damage is applied. (The GM may allow Activation: Active (Action)
the character to use this talent in other situations to get out of harm’s
way, but only at his discretion.) Ranked: Yes
As an Action, force all undead creatures within short to make a fear
TIME TO GO (IMPROVED) check with a Difficulty equal to your Discipline. In addition to the
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn) normal effects of Fear, any targets who fail the check are forced to
Ranked: No spend their next turn moving outside the range of the Turn Undead
Talent. All maneuvers must be spent on movement including
When activating Time to Go, the character may allow one ally he downgrading Actions if possible.
is engaged with to perform an out of turn Move maneuver as an inci-
dental. This maneuver may only be used to move into cover or out of TURN UNDEAD (IMPROVED)
the blast radius of an explosion. This incidental occurs after the ally
Activation: Active (Incidental)
determines he would be hit by the blast, but before damage is applied.
(The GM may allow the character to use this talent in other situations Ranked: No
to get out of harm’s way, but only at his discretion.) When using the Turn Undead talent, your character may flip a story
TINKERER point to have all adversaries affected suffer 2 strain per rank of Turn
Undead to any creatures that failed their fear check. In addition, you
Activation: Passive may perform a Concentration maneuver to maintain the effects in sub-
Ranked: No sequent rounds.
May add 1 additional hard point to a number of items equal to ranks TWISTED WORDS
in Tinkerer. Each item may only be modified once.
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
TITAN GRIP Ranked: Yes
Activation: Active (Incidental) When an incoming social check generates hh or d, may suffer 1
Ranked: No strain as an incidental to inflict strain equal to ranks in Coercion on
speaker.
Once per encounter before making a ranged combat check, this tal-
ent to treat Melee (Light) weapons as Ranged weapons possessing a
range of Short, but only if thrown. While thrown using this talent, treat

147
 UNARMED PARRY UNRELENTING
Activation: Passive Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No Ranked: No
May parry while unarmed. When unarmed, this character can suffer Once per round after resolving a successful Brawl or Melee combat
one additional strain when using the Parry talent to use it against an check, your character may suffer 4 strain to use this talent to make
incoming melee weapon attack. an additional melee attack as an incidental against the same target.
Increase the difficulty of the combat check by one if this attack uses
UNARMED PARRY (IMPROVED) a second weapon, or by two if the attack uses the same weapon.
Activation: Passive UNRELENTING SKEPTIC
Ranked: No Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Unarmed Parry no longer requires you to suffer one additional strain. Ranked: No
When unarmed, this character can add +1 strain to the cost of the Parry
When targeted by a Deception check, the character automatically
talent to use it against an incoming ranged weapon attack.
adds f to the check equal to ranks in Vigilance.
UNARMED PARRY (SUPREME)
UNSTOPPABLE
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
Ranked: No
Your character must have purchased the Parry talent to benefit from this
If a Critical Injury roll is 1 or reduced to 1, do not receive the critical
talent. When using the Unarmed Parry (improved) talent on a hit that
injury.
generated d or hhh may hit one target in medium range with the
same damage as the initial hit, after original attack resolves. VALUABLE FACTS
UNARMORED DEFENSE Activation: Active (Action)

Activation: Passive Ranked: No

Ranked: No Once per encounter, perform the Valuable Facts action: make an
Average (kk) Knowledge (Lore) check. If successful, add t to one
Your character increases their soak by their Agility (in addition to ally’s skill check during the enounter.
their Brawn). None of the preceding effects of this rule apply while
your character is wearing armor. VENOM SOAKED BLADE
UNARMORED ENDURANCE Activation:Passive
Activation: Passive Ranked: No
Ranked: No When making a melee combat check using a poisoned weapon, your
character treats it as possessing the burn 2 item quality.
Your character increases their soak by their Willpower (in addition
to their Brawn). None of the preceding effects of this rule apply while VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
your character is wearing armor. Activation: Active (Incidental)
UNARMORED MOVEMENT Ranked: No
Activation: Passive Once per session, after successfully casting a spell, you may spend
aaa or t to add one additional effect to the cast spell, which
Ranked: No
would normally have increased the difficulty by 1.
Your character can move across vertical surfaces as easily as horizontal
surfaces.. None of the preceding effects of this rule apply while your char- WELL READ
acter is wearing armor. Activation: Passive

UNCANNY DODGE Ranked: No

Choose any 3 Knowledge skills. They permanently become career
Activation: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
skills.
Ranked: No
WELL ROUNDED
Immediately after being hit by an attack but before suffering damage,
spend 1 story point to increase soak by ranks in Coordination. Activation: Passive

UNCANNY SENSES Ranked: Yes

When your character purchases a rank in this talent, choose any 2
Activation: Passive
non-magic skills. They permanently become career skills.
Ranked: No
Add j per rank of Uncanny Senses to all Perception and Vigilance
checks.

148
WHIRLWIND Ranked: No

Activation: Passive May use Wild Shape as a Manuever instead of an action by suffering
1 extra strain than required.
Ranked: Yes
WILD SHAPE (SUPREME)
Your character may suffer 4 strain to use this talent to make a brawl
or melee attack against the engaged adversary who is hardest to hit (as Activation: Passive
determined by the GM), increasing the difficulty by one. If the combat
Ranked: No
check succeeds, each adversary engaged with the character suffers one
hit from the attack. The attack deals base damage plus damage equal to May suffer 4 strain instead of 2 strain to transform into an elemental.
the total s scored on the check. Also all weapons in your wild shapes have the Superior quality.

WILD MAGIC ZEALOUS FIRE

Activation: Incidental Activation: Passive
Ranked: No Ranked: No

Your character must have at least 3 ranks in a Magic skill to benefit from Each time your game master spends a story point, your character
this talent. Your character can now tap directly into the raw Chaos of heals 2 strain.
the Weave. When casting a spell they may upgrade the difficulty of the
check once to choose any additional effect for that spell and reduce
the difficulty modification of that upgrade by k. If they do so, they
must also roll a d100 and apply the results of the Wild Magic table.
The results of the table occur if spell succeeds or not. Additionally,
if your character chose not to reduce the difficulty of their spell and
failed the skill check they may spend two story points and change the
dice results to only s. If they do so, they must also roll a d100 and
apply the results of the Wild Magic table.
All effects on the table are permanent unless specified in the
description. An effect can be removed with a success Dispel spell at
Daunting (kkkk) difficulty.

WILD SHAPE
Activation: Active (Action)
Ranked: Yes
Yout character may not benefit from more ranks in Wild Shape than
your characters ranks in Primal. Once per encounter as an action, your
character may suffer 2 strain to transform into a silhouette 0 animal.
The animal must be a natural creature, and is subject to GM approval.
While transformed, the character adopts the physical appearance of the
animal and gains the animal’s characteristics, soak, wound threshold,
and defense. However, when transformed, the character retains their
own Cunning, Intellect, and Willpower, rather than the Cunning,
Intellect, and Willpower of the creature they transform into.
The character also gains any of the animal’s abilities, skills, and
equipment (including weapons). The character retains their own skills
(if higher than the animals), talents, and strain threshold. When the
character is transformed, their worn gear and wielded items change into
natural markings on the animal’s skin, fur, or scales (but confer no ben-
efit to the character). When the character reverts back to normal, they
are wearing and carrying their gear and items.
If the character chooses to as an action, or is incapacitated while
transformed, they revert back to their normal form. When a character
reverts back to their normal form, they heal all wounds suffered while
transformed but do not heal any strain or Critical Injuries they suffered
while transformed. If they were incapacitated due to exceeding their
wound threshold, they are no longer incapacitated.
Every rank of Wild Shape increases the silhouette limit of the trans-
formation.
WILD SHAPE (IMPROVED)
Activation: Passive

149
 NEW SKILLS
This section introduces new skills specific to the For-
gotten Realms setting.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
The new skills in this section take the place of the sin-
gle Knowledge skill presented in the Genesys Core Rule-
book.
ARCANA ( INTELLECT )
Knowledge (Arcana) measures your ability to recall
lore about spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical
traditions, the planes of existence, and the inhabitants of
those planes.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character tries to decipher a magical puzzle or
cipher.
• Your character attempts to find the knowledge of the
other planes.
• Your character attempts to decipher the arcane glyphs
adorning a Reanimate’s ancient blade.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character wants to determine the age of a strange
amulet found in the depths of a ruin. That would use
Knowledge (Lore).
• Your character tries to use their reflexes and dexterity
to avoid falling into a pit trap. Coordination is the appro-
priate skill for this situation (although Vigilance might
help them avoid stepping on the trap in the first place).
• Your character is relying on their alertness to avoid
dangers underground, which would use Vigilance.
FORBIDDEN ( INTELLECT )
Knowledge (Forbidden) concerns matters of dark mag-
ic, necromancy, demons, devils, and other proscribed
affairs. This skill covers any knowledge of subjects out-
lawed by the ruling classes and spiritual authorities,
including particular historical incidents, purged lineages,
and unspeakable monsters. A character with the Knowl-
edge (Forbidden) skill may specialize in a particular cat-
egory or dabble in all these and more, but they must be
careful about revealing their knowledge to others.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character tries to uncover the ritual by which to
contact a demon.
• Your character wants to identify the magic employed
by a Devil.
150
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character attempts to cast a spell using energy
drawn from nature. That would use Primal.
• Your character researches the magic practiced by the
wizards at Greyhaven University. Magic of this sort is
covered by Knowledge (Arcana or Lore).
• Your character attempts to identify a ruin from the
days of old. That would use Knowledge (Lore).
NATURE AND GEOGRAPHY
( INTELLECT )
Geography entails understanding of terrain, plants and
animals, the weather, and natural cycles. Geography is a
character’s understanding of the lay of the land and its
different cultures, including those cultures’ customs and
laws. Geography includes the comprehension of maps
and cartography, regional variations in etiquette, and
matters of navigation. A character with ranks in Knowl-
edge (Nature & Geography) can chart a course over land
or sea, describe the locations of major cities and land-
marks from memory, identify animals and plants, avoid
unknowingly violating local laws, and warn their allies of
the sensitive conversation topics to avoid in a particular
town.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character wants to chart a course through dan-
gerous wilderness to a nearby village.
• Your character wants to indicate the approximate
location of a landmark or settlement from memory.
• Your character needs to select appropriate garb so as
not to stand out among the locals.
• Your character wants to recall information about the
wilderness and its flora and fauna.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character wants to recall information about the
Plane of Elysium. This would require the Knowledge
(Arcana) skill.
• Your character needs to set a camp or deal with the
other practical matters of traversing the wilderness. That
would use Survival.
• Your character tries to recall the history of a ruin.
They would use Knowledge (Lore) for that.
 LORE ( INTELLECT )
Lore represents a character’s knowledge of legends and
similar matters. It includes both folktales and recent his-
tory, as well as matters so obscure that only sages could
know. Adventurers tend to run toward the sorts of danger
from which common folk flee. Experienced adventurers
see a side of the world that most people never do, and
they learn a great deal during their journeys and quests.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character tries to identify the origins of an
ancient sword recovered from a ruin.
• Your character tries to identify a strange, slimy mass
hanging from a dungeon ceiling.
• Your character attempts to recall a terrible legend of
the Sundering.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character tries to cast a spell. This would require
the use of a magic skill.
• Your character attempts to read a map. That would
use Knowledge (Nature & Geography).
• Your character wants to chart a safe course through
ancient ruins. That would use Survival.
RELIGION ( INTELLECT )
Religion measures your ability to recall lore about dei-
ties, rites and prayers, religious hierarchies, holy symbols,
and the practices of secret cults.
Religion encompasses specialized, scholarly, and eso-
teric knowledge of the type that most common folk
would consider impractical. A character with ranks in
Knowledge (Religion) can recall relevant details from
ancient religious texts and recognize rare religious icons.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character tries to identify a holy symbol
• Your character wants to determine the source of a
cleric’s magic after witnessing it in action.
• Your character attempts to recall lore of Lathander,
the Morninglord.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character tries to cast a spell. This would require
the use of a magic skill.
• Your character attempts to read a map. That would
use Knowledge (Geography).
• Your character wants to chart a safe course through
ancient ruins. That would use Survival.
MAGIC SKILLS
Characters may use the new magic skills in this section
in addition to the magic skills described on page 70 of
the Genesys Core Rulebook.
ARTIFICE (INTELLECT)
In the same way that magic itself is an extraordinary
material, those who learn how to use it may gain extraor-
dinary abilities and powers. The material allows so much
more for those who are able to properly focus their emo-
tions and discipline their mental energies to harmonize
with the substance. This skill represents those who have
gained that focus and use it to fuel their craft.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character wants to conjure an arsenal of animat-
ed objects.
• Your character wants to protect their allies with a
magically crafted barrier.
• Your character wants to cure the wounds of the sick
with their newest magical concoction.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character wants to sing an ordinary song. That
would use Charm.
• Your character attempts to translate the glyphs in an
ancient Dwarven ruin. That would use the Knowledge
(Lore) skill.
KI ( WILLPOWER )
These skills represents a character’s tapping into the
power of their Ki, or Spiritual Energy. This power is
drawn upon exclusively by monks after much time ded-
icated to the arts.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character wants to use rain down a flaming fist
barrage.
• Your character wants to strengthen the resolve of
their comrades through willpower.
• Your character wants to cure the wounds of the sick
by projecting their spirit.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character wants to recall knowledge of infernal
creaures. That would use the Knowledge (Forbidden)
skill.
• Your character attempts to translate the glyphs in an
ancient Dwarven ruin. That would use the Knowledge
(Lore) skill.
151
 PACT MAGIC ( INTELLECT OR
PRESENCE )
The Pact Magic skill represents a character’s tapping
into the power of their patron and control the magic
bestowed by their pact. Users of Pact Magic draw upon
their pact in different ways. Whenever your character
first gains access to Pact Magic as a skill, your character
chooses either Intellect or Presence as the characteristic to
tie skill checks to and it cannot be changed.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character wants to use to immolate an adversary
in the flames of the Nine Hells.
would be Knowledge (Arcana).
VERSE ( PRESENCE )
The Verse skill is a character’s ability to achieve mag-
ical effects through poetry, song, or performance. Most
users of this skill learn their repertoire and techniques
by rote and improvise by instinct. Unlike other magic
skills, Verse is defined by its signature methods and prac-
tices. It may even draw from the same sources of power
as Arcana, Divine, or Primal magic, depending on the
storytelling and performing tradition of the character. A
character with ranks in Verse can achieve supernatural
effects through the seemingly mundane acts of singing,
playing music, or other type of performing.

• Your character wants to curse someone with a hex. YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF... • Your character wants to fortify their allies in battle
with an inspiring song.
• Your character wants to recall knowledge of infernal
creaures. That would use the Knowledge (Forbidden) • Your character wants to demoralize their foe with a
skill. scathing limerick, to the point that it physically hampers
their abilities.
• Your character attempts to translate the glyphs in an
ancient Dwarven ruin. That would use the Knowledge • Your character wants to counteract the baleful spells
(Lore) skill. of a necromancer with a rousing speech.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SORCERY ( WILLPOWER ) SKILL IF...
Contrarily to other forms of magic, Sorcery doesn’t • Your character wants to sing an ordinary song. That
require dedication, training or even will to learn. In most would use Charm.
families, a magic is passed down through the lineage.
This normally doesn’t come from the immediate parents • Your character wants to throw a fireball or otherwise
but from farther ancestry. At some point, a dragon, fey, physically damage the foe. That would usually require a
outsider or even elemental may have influenced a lineage, different magic skill, such as Arcane.
either by using their own magic or by interbreeding.
Anyhow, their magic runs into the family and may man-
ifest once in a while in a child. Sorcerers have potential
to utilize almost anything that magic has to offer, albeit
limited.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD USE THIS SKILL
IF...
• Your character wants to throw a fireball at a group
of enemies.
• Your character tries to shapeshift into a Giant Ape
• Your character attempts to erect a magical barrier to
block a passage.
• Your character wishes to curse a foe and bring misfor-
tune on their actions.
YOUR CHARACTER SHOULD NOT USE THIS
SKILL IF...
• Your character wants to Heal someone. That would
be a different magic skill, such as Verse.
• Your character wants to identify a magical item. That

152
 ARMAMENTS
TABLE: BRAWL AND MELEE WEAPONS
Name Skill Dam Crit Range Encum HP Price Rarity Special
Axe Melee (Light) +2 4 Engaged 2 1 25 2 Monk
Battleaxe Melee (Light) +3 3 Engaged 2 1 100 3 Vicious 1
Brass Knuckles / Cestus Brawl +1 4 Engaged 1 0 25 1 Disorient 3, Monk
Chakram Melee (Light) +1 3 Medium 2 1 450 6 Monk, Special, Unwieldy 3, Vicious 1
Club Melee (Light) +1 5 Engaged 1 0 10 1 Monk
Dagger Melee (Light) +1 3 Engaged 1 1 15 1 Finesse, Monk
Flail Melee (Light) +2 4 Engaged 4 2 150 4 Linked 1
Greataxe Melee (Heavy) +4 3 Engaged 4 2 300 5 Cumbersome 3, Vicious 2
Greathammer Melee (Heavy) +5 4 Engaged 5 3 750 6 Cumbersome 4, Disorient 2, Stun 1, Sunder
Greatsword Melee (Heavy) +4 2 Engaged 3 2 500 4 Defensive 1, Pierce 1, Unwieldy 3
Halberd Melee (Heavy) +3 3 Short 5 3 300 5 Pierce 1, Vicious 1
Javelin Melee (Light) +1 4 Engaged 1 0 80 2 Monk, Pierce 1
Katar Brawl +1 2 Engaged 1 0 100 4 Pierce 1
Knuckle Dusters Brawl +2 3 Engaged 1 1 700 8 Pierce 2, Vicious 1
Lance Melee (Heavy) +4 2 Short 4 2 200 6 Cumbersome 3 (unmounted), Pierce 3, Special
Disorient 2, Elemental (Lightning), Slow-Firing 1,
Lightning Greaves Brawl +2 4 Engaged 2 1 550 6
Stun 3
Mace Melee (Light) +2 4 Engaged 2 1 75 2 Disorient 1, Pierce 1
Pike Melee (Heavy) +3 4 Short 4 2 100 4 Cumbersome 4, Pierce 2
Rapier Melee (Light) +1 2 Engaged 1 2 300 6 Accurate 1, Defensive 1, Finesse, Pierce 2

Shield Melee (Light) +0 6 Engaged 2 0 80 1 Defensive 1, Deflection 1, Inaccurate 1, Knockdown

Short Sword Melee (Light) +2 3 Engaged 1 1 100 2 Accurate 1, Finesse, Monk

Spear Melee (Light) +2 4 Engaged 2 1 110 2 Defensive 1, Monk, Pierce 1
Staff Melee (Light) +2 5 Engaged 2 1 50 1 Defensive 1, Monk, Special
Sword Melee (Light) +3 2 Engaged 2 2 200 3 Defensive 1, Special
Warhammer Melee (Light) +3 3 Engaged 3 2 250 4 Cumbersome 3, Pierce 1, Sunder
Whip Melee (Light) +1 5 Short 1 1 150 5 Ensnare 2, Finesse, Special

U nless otherwise stated in its rules, a brawl, melee, or thrown weap-
on’s base damage is equal to the user’s Brawn plus the listed dam-
age modifier. Additionally, the weapons in this book use the guidance
from the Tracking Ammo sidebar on page 89 of the Genesys Core
Rulebook.
NEW AND UPDATED ITEM QUALITIES
New Quality: Bane (Passive) - Weapons with bane quality have been
enchanted or represent something that is anathema to a certain type
of creature. When a creature of the type is hit by a weapon with bane
quality, reduce the crit rating of the weapon by 1 and the creature
suffers a number of wounds equal to the rating of Bane in addition to
the damage of the attack.
New Quality: Elemental (Passive) - Items with elemental quality
have been enchanted or represent something that inherently has a
natural element ties to its source of damage, potentially boosting or
hindering the effectiveness of the damage. The possible elements are
Acid, Air, Earth, Electricity, Fire, Force, Ice, Necrotic, Poison, Psychic,
and Radiant.
New Quality: Exhausting (Passive) - Some weapons require a great
deal of energy to deploy. Examples include controlling large machine
guns in auto-fire mode, using particularly heavy melee weapons, and
certain unarmed attacks. Whenever an attack is made with an exhaust-
ing weapon, that character suffers a number of strain equal to the
exhausting rating.
New Quality: Finesse (Passive) - When making a Melee check with
this weapon, your character may use Agility instead of Brawn for the
skill of the weapon.
New Quality: Monk (Passive) - When making a combat check with
this weapon, your character may use Agility instead of Brawn for the
skill and damage of the weapon if they have the Martial Arts Mastery
talent.
New Quality: Poison (Active) - This attack inflicts the target with
a poison or venom. When triggered, the target must make a Hard
(kkk) Resilience check or suffer wounds equal to the Poison rating.
hh or d can be spent to have the target suffer the effect again on
the start of their next turn causing them to make the Resilience check
again with the opportunity to spend hh or d. This can continue
until hh or d are not spent.
Updated Quality: Auto-Fire (Active) - If the attack hits, the attack-
er can trigger Auto-fire by spending aa. Auto-fire can be triggered
multiple times. Each time the attacker triggers Auto-fire, they must
spend one extra a than the previous it deals an additional hit to the
target.
Updated Quality: Disorient (Active) - A disoriented target adds jj
to all skill checks they perform.

153
 TABLE: RANGED WEAPONS
Name Skill Dam Crit Range Encum HP Price Rarity Special
Blowgun Ranged 5 6 Medium 0 0 20 3 -
Bow, Short Ranged 7 3 Medium 2 1 275 4 Unwieldy 3
Bow, Long Ranged 9 3 Long 3 2 450 6 Cumbersome 3
Crossbow Ranged 7 2 Medium 4 1 500 4 Pierce 1, Prepare 1
Crossbow, Hand Ranged 5 3 Short 2 0 700 5 Pierce 1, Accurate 1
Crossbow, Heavy Ranged 8 2 Long 5 3 1,000 7 Cumbersome 3, Pierce 2, Prepare 2, Unwieldy 3
Musket Ranged 8 3 Medium 4 2 1,500 9 Inaccurate 1, Pierce 1, Prepare 2, Unwieldy 3
Pistol Ranged 6 3 Short 2 1 1,000 9 Inaccurate 1, Prepare 1, Unwieldy 3
Sling Ranged 4 4 Medium 1 0 50 1 Disorient 2, Prepare 1
Wand of Magic Missiles Ranged 5 5 Medium 1 0 1,500 9 Linked 2

TABLE: THROWING WEAPONS

Name Skill Dam Crit Range Encum HP Price Rarity Special
Alchemist Fire Ranged 9 4 Short 1 0 75 5 Burn 4, Elemental (Fire),Limited Ammo 1

Axe Ranged +2 4 Short 2 0 25 2 Limited Ammo 1, Innacurate 2

Blast 7, Elemental (Lightning), Limited Ammo 1, Stun 3, Stun
Bottled Lightning Ranged 7 5 Short 1 0 100 8
Damage
Bottled Thunder Ranged 4 6 Short 1 0 250 8 Blast 4, Disorient 3, Limited Ammo 1, Stun Damage
Chakram Ranged +2 3 Medium 2 1 450 6 Limited Ammo 1, Unwieldy 4, Vicious 1
Dagger Ranged +1 3 Short 1 0 15 2 Limited Ammo 1, Innacurate 1
Dwarven Firebomb Ranged 8 3 Short 1 0 50 (R) 6 Blast 6, Burn 2, Elemental (Fire), Limited Ammo 1,
Gnomish Icebomb Ranged 7 4 Short 1 0 150 7 Blast 5, Elemental (Ice), Ensnare 3, Limited Ammo 1,
Goblin Acid Bomb Ranged 10 3 Short 1 0 400 (R) 9 Blast 8, Burn 2, Elemental (Acid), Limited Ammo 1, Sunder
Bane (Fiend/Undead) 3, Elemental (Radiant), Limited Ammo
Holy Water Ranged 4 2 Short 1 0 100 6
1, Special
Javelin Ranged +1 3 Short 1 0 50 2 Limited Ammo 1, Pierce 1
Net Ranged +0 6 Short 1 0 50 2 Ensnare 5, Knockdown, Limited Ammo 1, Stun Damage
Throwing Knife (3) Ranged +1 3 Short 1 0 50 4 Accurate 1, Limited Ammo 1
Thunderclap Explosive Ranged 10 5 Short 1 0 650 (R) 10 Blast 8, Concussive 1, Disorient 5, Limited Ammo 1,

Remember that brawl weapons enhancee your character's normal
unarmed attack, so you can choose to do wound or stun damage
with any Brawl weapons, and they have the Knockdown quality.
CHAKRAM
A simple-looking metal ring with a wickedly sharp outer blade and
smooth interior, chakrams are favored by assassins. The technique
of twirling a chakram on one’s fingers before releasing makes them
difficult to use.
After throwing a chakram, the weilder may spend aa to have the
weapon return to their hand, regardless of success of failure.
HOLY WATER
Holy water acts much like acid against undead creatures and fiends.
Holy water only work when used against undead and fiends.
LANCE
Longer than pike, but balanced less towards melee combat, lance
are mostly used by cavaliers and mounted riders. While mounted,
a characeter may use a lance one handed, using Melee (light) as the
skill for the combat check. Also, a lance can be used to make melee
attacks against targets at short range (the difficulty remains Average
kk), but it cannot be used to attack engaged targets.
KNUCKLE DUSTERS
Knuckle Dusters are brass knuckies wIth wicked curved blades
extending from either side as if the wearer were hoidlng a knife in a
standard and backhand grip. Often used in pairs, Knuckle Dusters
lend themselves to dizzying twists and spins in close-quarters combat.
A pair of Knuckle Dusters counts as a melee weapon for the purposes
of the Parry taient. When used as a pair, Knuckle dusters gain the
Sunder and Defensive 1 item qualities. (This applies even if they are
not used with two weapon combat rules to gain an additional hit.).
Knuckle Dusters cannot deal damage to a target’s strain threshold.
SLING
Basically a leather cup attached to two lengths of cord, a sling is
dirt cheap and its ammunition (any roughly spherical rock) even
more so. A sling is more likely to be carried by shepherds and
street urchins than by seasoned warriors, but a few adventurers
keep one tucked away in a pouch as a weapon of desperation.
h or d cannot be spent to cause a sling to run out of ammo.

154
 STAFF
Cheap to buy (or make from fallen branches), staves can
be found across Faerun, where they often serve as walk-
ing sticks or prods to move herds along.ose expert in
their use, though, can use them to defend against many
of the fell creatures that lurk across wilderness areas.
You may wield a staff with two hands with the fol-
lowing profile: (Melee (Heavy); Damage +3; Critical
4; Range [Engaged]; Defensive 1, Disorient 2).
SWORD
A longsword, also called a hand-and-a-half sword, is
a compromise between the smaller sword and the larg-
er greatsword. While not as deadly as its larger breth-
ren, it is better balanced than either other swords.
You may wield a sword with two hands with the
following profile: (Melee (Heavy); Damage +3;
Critical 3; Range [Engaged]; Accurate 1).
WARHAMMER
Resembling a large, heavy sledge hammer (striking sur-
faces on either side of the head), the warhammer was
originally adapted from the tools of laborers and crafts-
men but is no longer suitable for anything but combat.
You may wield a warhammer with two hands with the fol-
lowing profile: (Melee (Heavy); Damage +4; Critical 3; Range
[Engaged]; Accurate 1, Cumbersome 3, Pierce 1, Sunder).
WHIP
Whips cannot be used in conjunction with the Parry
talent. Whips can be used to disarm a target at range. As
an action may roll a Ranged check opposed by Athlet-
ics or Vigilance. Success indicates the target is disarmed
and the whip wielder may spend aa to bring the item into
hand. To use this action, the wielder must first use the
Aim maneuver to target the item, as a called shot. GM
has final say as to whether an item may be disarmed.

TABLE: ARMOR
Name Ranged Defense Melee Defense Soak Encumbrance* HP Price Rarity
Chainmail 1 1 +2 6 2 600 5

Half-Plate 1 1 +2 4 3 1,500 6
Heavy Clothing 0 1 +0 1 0 500 1
Leather 0 1 +1 1 1 75 2
Platemail 1 1 +3 7 3 2,250 8
Reinforced Leather 1 1 +1 2 2 300 5
Ring Mail 0 1 +2 6 1 350 3
Scale 1 1 +1 5 2 600 4
*Reminder: Armor actively worn by a character counts as having 3 less Encumbrance when worn

CHAINMAIL
As heavy as it is reliable, chainmail offers protection matched
with flexibility. Thousands of small linked rings make up a suit
of chainmail, providing a reliable defense against slashing and
piercing weapons. Some adventurers wear suits of chainmail
passed down from their ancestors; others still use the set they
looted from the first tomb they explored. The only drawback is
the time it takes to forge and link the numerous rings together
adds significantly to the cost.
Chainmail is restrictive and noisy, so your character adds j to
Stealth checks they make while wearing it.
RINGMAIL
This armor is Leather Armor with heavy rings sewn into it. The
rings help reinforce the armor against blows from Swords and
axes. Ring mail is inferior to Chain Mail, and it’s usually worn
only by those who can’t afford better armor.
Due to its bulk and poor construction, It counts as having Cum-
bersome 3 and your character adds jj to Stealth checks they
make while wearing it.
PLATEMAIL
Few things on the battlefield are more impressive and awe-inspir-
ing than a full suit of plate armor, and few items are a sterner test
of the smith’s craft. Forging even a light breastplate takes time
and care, and constructing an entire suit of interlocking armor
plates can take months of painstaking work. Unsurprisingly,
only the finest knights or richer adventurers wear plate armor,
although occasionally a wandering adventurer may discover a set
of plate buried in some long-forgotten crypt or dungeon and
claim it for their own.
Plate armor is heavy and very noisy. It counts as having Cumber-
some 3 and your character adds jj to Stealth checks they make
while wearing it.
SCALE
Something of a compromise between leather and chainmail
armor, scale armor consists of hundreds of tiny metal scales
attached to a leather jerkin. It is easier to forge than chainmail,
but the scales and the leather combined make the armor heavy
and unwieldy.
The rattling of hundreds of scales is fairly noisy, so your character
adds j to Stealth checks they make while wearing it.

155
 CRAFTMANSHIP
The quality of materials that go into an item and the skill of
the crafter contribute greatly to its effectiveness and dura-
bility. Most weapons and suits of armor aren’t particularly
remarkable; the standard item profiles presented in this
book represent items crafted by a competent creator using
the standard material in Faerun—namely steel. This section
includes rules for representing items of truly exceptional
craftsmanship, constructed with rare and potent materials.
An item can only have one type of craftsmanship, which
your GM determines when the item is bought or obtained.
The type of craftsmanship can never change after the item is
created or obtained.
DRACONIC
Draconic armor is made from the scales of dragons. Scales
from dragons can be molded into many types of armor.
Draconic armor is fearsome to behold and impervious to
element respective to the dragon it is made from. Draconic
weapons can be made from tooth, horns, or bones of drag-
ons. As light as they are fast, these weapons retain sharpness
as if the deceased dragon thirsts for blood beyond the grave.
Armor: Increase the armor’s soak and defense by 1.The
wearer of the armor removes 3 points of damage from any
source of the elemental effect associated with the breath of
the dragon used to craft the armor. Reduce the armor’s hard
points by 1 (to a minimum of 0).
Weapon: Reduce the weapons Critical rating by 1.The
weapon gains the Pierce 1 quality, or increases an existing
Pierce quality by 1. Reduce the weapon’s hard points by 1
(to a minimum of 0).
Price: Cost x 8 (Armor x 16)
Rarity: 10.
DWARVEN
Dwarven smiths are masters of metallurgy. The alloys
they concoct and from which they forge armor and weapons
are superior to those made from simple steel.
Armor: Increase the armor’s encumbrance value by 1 and
add 1 hard point. If the armor’s encumbrance value wpuld
become 4 or greater, the atmot is considered to have Cum-
bersome 3, or increases it’s Cumbersome rating by 1.
Weapon: Increase the weapon’s damage by 1 and encum-
brance value by 1.
Price: Cost x 2.
Rarity: +2.
156
ELVEN
Elven craft weaves ironbark with iridescent moonstone
and inlays of gleaming silver. The resulting items are as
beautiful as they are light and durable, and blades crafted
from moonstone are said to be as sharp as starlight on the
coldest winter nights.
Armor: Reduce the armor’s encumbrance value by 2, to a
minimum of 0. In addition, your character removes j from
Stealth checks they make.
Weapon: Reduce the weapon’s encumbrance and damage
by 1, to a minimum of 1. The weapon gains the Accurate 1
quality, or increases an existing Accurate quality by 1.
Price: Cost x 1½
Rarity: +2.
EVERDARK
Deep in the Underdark the darkness is sometimes so thick
that it can hardly be traversed. Its essence fuses with the
surrounding rock and metals. Shards of these metals are rare
on the surface since exposure to sunlight corrodes the metal.
The effects of the Everdark only work in darkness or at
night time. Daylight renders the item completely useless
and will take one damage per round of exposure to direct
sunlight.
Armor: Reduce the armor’s Encumbrance by 3, to a min-
imum of 1. Increase the armor’s defense by 1. In addition
the Armor grants j on any stealth check. The wearer of the
armor can remove and don the armor as a maneuver. When
not worn the armor retains its encumbrance but can be car-
ried in a small prepared case usually worn around the belt
Reduce the armors hard points by 1 (to a minumum of 1).
Weapon: Reduce the weapon’s Encumbrance by 1, to a
minimum of 1. Increase the weapon’s damage by 1. The
weapon gains the Disorient 2 and Accurate 1 quality, or
increases an existing Disorient or Accurate quality by 1.
Reduce the weapon’s hard points by 1 (to a minimum of 0).
Price: Cost x 3 (x6 for Armor)
Rarity: 10.
 GNOMISH
Gnomes are the masters of mechanics and tinkering. All
Gnomish creations have some kind of mechanical innerwork-
ings, and are often fueled by magical power.
Weapon: All weapons gain 1 hard point and Ranged weap-
ons add the Prepare 1, or increase an existing Prepare quality
by 1.
Tools: Any tools crafted with Gnomish crafting add a j to
checks when they are used.
Price: Cost x 2 (x1 ½ for tools).
Rarity: +1.
INFERNAL
Infernal weapons and armor take many forms and some-
times their vile origin can easily be seen in the design of the
weapon; however, sometimes the weapon may appear mun-
dane revealing its sinister nature later.
Armor: Increase soak and defense by 1. Add j to Coer-
cion checks they make while wearing this armor. Whenever
your character recovers strain while wearing this armor, they
decrease the strain recovered by 1, to a minimum of 1. Reduce
the hard points of the armor by 1 (to a minimum of 0)
Weapon: Reduce the weapons Critical rating by 1, to a
minimum of 1. The weapon gains the Vicious 1 quality, or
increases the Vicious of the weapon by 1. Also, whenever your
character suffers strain while wielding or wearing this weapon,
they increase the strain suffered by 1.
Price: Cost x 7
Rarity: 10.
IRON
Iron is not as strong or workable as steel, but the smelting
of that alloy is beyond many smiths. Further, when both iron
and steel items are available, steel fetches a higher price. Many
adventurers, militia members, and soldiers in the service of
lesser nobles must make do with iron weapons and armor.
Armor: Increase the armor’s encumbrance value by 2. In
addition, your character adds j to Athletics, Coordination,
Riding, and Stealth checks they make while wearing this
armor.
Weapon: Increase the weapon’s Critical rating by 1.
MAGICAL IMPLEMENTS
A character with a magic skill can use an implement to
enhance magic skill checks, as described in Part III, Chapter 2
of the Genesys Core Rulebook.
ARTIFICER TOOLS
Artificers have studied the workings of magic, how to channel
it through objects, and how to awaken it within them.
Price: Cost x ½.
Rarity: –1.
IRONWOOD
Ironwood comes from several species of knotted,
thicktrunked trees that grow high up in the northern moun-
tains. Living ironwood is no more resilient than fir or cedar,
but hardens after the tree is cut down, and hardens even more
after an artisan carves it and cures it in alchemical reagents.
Skilfully carved and treated ironwood makes for light and
flexible armor, but poor weapons — no matter how hard one
may try, it is near-impossible to hone a wooden blade to the
same edge as steel or devilbone, and ironwood maces and cud-
gels are too light to be as effective as their metal or ceramic
counterparts. Ironwood is also one of the least magically con-
ductive materials, warding the wearer from hostile and friend-
ly spells alike.
Armor: Reduce the armor’s Encumbrance value by 2, to a
minimum of 1. Upgrade all magic checks targeting the char-
acter once. Increase the armor’s soak by 1. This armor counts
as metal.
Weapon: Reduce the weapon’s Encumbrance by 1, to a
minimum of 1. Increase the weapons critical rating by 2. The
weapon gains the Reinforced quality.
Price: Cost x2 (x6 for Armor).
Rarity: +2
MASTERWORKED
Masterworked weapons and armor are finely crafted ver-
sions of normal items. Masterworked items are remarkably
tough, resistant to corrosion, and able to hold a sharp edge
despite heavy use. All magic items are considered master-
worked items unless specified.
Armor: Reduce the armor’s encumbrance value by 1.
Increase the armor’s soak and defense by 1. The armor gains
the Reinforced item quality.
Weapon: Increase the weapon’s damage by 1 and reduce
its Critical rating by 1. The weapon gains the Reinforced and
Superior item qualities.
Price: Cost x 10 (Armor x 15)
Rarity: 10.
When a character makes or obtains the Artificer Tools, you,
the GM, determine one effect that the Tools let users add to
any appropriate Artifice spell without increasing the spell’s
difficulty. The effect chosen must be one that, without the
tools, only increases difficulty by one.
These tools count as a set of Artisan Tool’s determined by the
GM at creation.
157
 BRACERS
Bracers of boiled leather inscribed with protective sigils
are a popular choice among defensively-minded magi-
cians.
When your character casts a Barrier spell, they may add
the Empowered effect without increasing the difficulty.
CENSERS
Deep in the underground of the Underdark, Dark Elf
sorcerers perform strange rituals and magic drawing
upon the very essence of darkness.This power has dev-
astating effects to mortals spreading disease and drain-
ing both body and soul. To harness and carry with them
this power of the Underdark, Drow sorcerers have con-
structed magical Censers that can burn and release this
putrid essence with magic attacks. Censers are usually
carried or hung from long staffs consisting of bowl or
disc in which burns a magical fire slowly releasing the
essence of the Everdark. But they can also be carried by
hand on a chain.
When your Character casts the Attack spell, they may
add the Poisonous effect without increasing the difficulty.
Attack spells cast by your character increase their base
damage by two.
CONJURER'S CIRCLET
Conjurer circlets could be simple bands of entwined
metal, elaborate headdresses, or even crowns. They help
those using summons to extend their use.
When a character makes or obtains the circlet, you, the
GM, determine one summon template. When the user
casts the Conjure spell to summon that template, adding
the Summon Ally effect does not increase its difficulty. In
addition, the creature remains summoned until the end
of the encounter without your character having to use
the concentrate maneuver.
ENCHANTER'S MEDALLION
The back-and-forth sway of a non-magical medallion on
a chain can, under the right circumstances, put a person
into a trance state. A silver-inlaid medallion in the hands
of a skilled mage is vastly more dangerous, dazzling and
putting all but the strongest of will under their spell.
When a character wielding a enchanter’s medallion casts
the Enchant spell, the spell lasts for the full duration
without having to use the Concentrate maneuver. In
addition, adding the Gentle effect to a Enchantment
spell does not increase the spell’s difficulty.
158
HOLY ICONS
Holy icons are items that represent your character’s faith
and help them focus that faith to cast spells. These are
generally religious symbols of some sort, perhaps neck-
laces, rings, emblems, or medallions. But they just as
easily can simply represent your character’s beliefs. Holy
icons enable divine spellcasters to perform unique mir-
acles.
When they are casting a spell, adding any Divine Only
effects increase the spell’s difficulty one less than they
would normally. In addition, the number of wounds
healed by heal spells cast by the user increases by two.
MAGIC GAUNTLET
Favored by a certain kind of muscle-bound war wizard, a
magic gauntlet bears a superficial resemblance to a gaunt-
let from a suit of plate armor, save for the lacework of
silver inlay arrays that channel magical energies. Most
magic gauntlets are bulky, ornate and ostenttious, imme-
diately identifying the wearer as a mage and making it
difficult to perform tasks that require a great degree of
manual dexterity — which is why war-mages only wear
one at a time, rather than two.
Attack spells cast by your character while using a gauntlet
increase their base damage by 4; in addition, adding the
Close Combat and Impact effects does not increase the
difficulty of the magic check, this due to the fact that
mages’ gauntlets are made for both spellwork and fisti-
cuffs.
The Magic Gauntlet can be wielded as a Brawl weapon
with the following profile: (Range: Engaged, Damage:
+2, Crit: 4, Special: Disorient 2).
MAGIC ORBS
These can be orbs of glass, gems, or other semitranspar-
ent minerals, and are generally small enough to be car-
ried. Magic orbs help augment the user’s ability to affect
more targets with their spells.
When the user casts a spell, adding the Additional Target
and Additional Summon effects do not increase its diffi-
culty. In addition, attack spells cast by the user increase
their base damage by three.
MAGIC RODS
Magic rods are shorter than wands and are a uniform
thickness throughout. They are covered in runes and sig-
ils that amplify the energy of a spell.
Any spell cast with a magic rod may add the empowered
effect with no increase in difficulty.
 MAGIC RINGS MAGIC TOMES
Magic rings are items of great power and danger. When a charac- Most magic tomes are found in the depths of the tombs of
ter obtains a magic ring, the GM chooses one type of magic skill, long-forgotten spellcasters. A tome is not simply an instruction
then select three effects that can be added to spells cast by that manual on how to cast a spell. The very act of writing spells upon
skill. Two of the effects can normally only increase the difficulty the page can leave some small resonance with the world’s energies,
of the spell by one; the third can normally only increase the diffi- and if the reader can read and follow the instructions exactly, they
culty of the spell by two. When the user casts a spell, adding these can call upon that resonance to boost their own spells.
effects do not increase the spell’s difficulty. When your character makes or obtains a tome, your GM deter-
However, when using a magic ring, you must always upgrade the mines up to two effects that the tome lets your character add to
difficulty of any spells you cast once, and dd cannot be spent to any appropriate spell without increasing the spell’s difficulty. The
destroy the ring. In addition, attack spells cast by the user increase effects your GM chooses should normally (without the tome)
their base damage by two. only increase the difficulty of a spell by a total of three.
An example of this might be a Ring of Divine Protection, which MAGIC WANDS
allows your character to add the Range, Additional Target, and
Sanctuary effects to a Barrier spell without increasing the diffi- Magical wands are as much a tradition of magic as staffs. Usually
culty. small sticks about the size and shape of a conductor’s baton, they
can be constructed from just about anything and worked with
MAGIC SCEPTER any number of designs. Magic wands help augment the user’s
A magic scepter superficially resembles a mace, though many are ability to cast spells in a very specific way.
wrought from the finest materials or are intricately decorated with When a character makes or obtains the wand, you, the GM,
words of power. Silverymoon scholars claim that the resemblance determine one effect that the wand lets users add to any appropri-
to a weapon helps the scepter boost and channel magical energies ate spell without increasing the spell’s difficulty. The effect chosen
in battle. must be one that, without a wand, only increases difficulty by
When your character casts an Attack spell while using a magic one. In addition, attack spells cast by the user increase their base
scepter, add j to the check and adding the Close Combat effect damage by three.
does not increase the difficulty. In addition, Attack spells cast by For example, your character could have a wand of fire, which lets
your character increase their base damage by two. them add the Fire effect to any magic attack actions they perform.
The Magic Scepter can be wielded as a Melee Light weapon with They could also have a wand of enervation, which lets them add
the following profile: (Range: Engaged, Damage: +2, Crit: 3, Spe- the Enervate effect to any curse actions they perform. However,
cial: None) they cannot have a wand of empowered, because the Empowered
effect increases the difficulty of the spell by two, not one.
MAGIC STAFFS
Magical staffs have long been a staple of magic in a variety of set-
TABLE: MAGICAL IMPLEMENTS
tings. Used by wizards, druids, and shamans, these can look like Name Damage Encum Price Rarity
ornate, rune-encrusted rods of brass and obsidian, simple wooden Artificer Tools +0 3 800 6
staffs, or pretty much anything else.
Bracers +1 1 900 8
Magical staffs almost universally augment the user’s ability to cast
spells at range. When they are casting a spell, adding the first Censer +3 2 700 6
Range effect added to the spell does not increase the spell’s diffi- Conjurer’s Circlet +0 0 1500 5
culty. In addition, attack spells cast by the user increase their base
damage by four. Enchanter’s Medallion +0 0 2000 9 (R)
Holy Icon +0 0 250 5
MAGIC TATTOO Magic Gauntlet +4 1 1,200 6
Gnomish artificers and Silverymoon scholars have come together Magic Orb +3 1 1,000 8
to create a masterpiece, ink infused with the essence of magic. Magic Ring +2 0 - 10

When a character obtains a magic tattoo, the character chooses Magic Rod +0 1 800 8
one magic skill and one magic action available to cast. Then the Magic Scepter +2 2 400 5
character determines one effect that the tattoo lets users add to Magic Staff +4 2 400 6
any appropriate spell without increasing the spell’s difficulty. The Magic Tattoo +0 0 600 8
effect chosen must be one that, without a tattoo, only increases Magic Tome +0 1 1000 8
difficulty by one. A magic tattoo reduces your characters strain
Magic Wand +3 1 800 7
threshold by 1.
Musical instrument +0 1 750 5
Oracle’s Bones +0 0 500 8
Pouch of Druidic Herbs +0 1 600 6
Totem +0 1 750 4

159
 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
While the scholars of Silverymoon University continuously
and vigorously disagree as to whether bards are actual users
of magic or are a bunch of charlatans, the truth is that most
bards are probably a mixture of both. Their use of magic—
such as it is—is likely entirely instinctive and affected greatly
by the bard’s charisma. What this means is that bards do not
craft magical implements as other spellcasters do, but over
time, they tend to infuse the instruments they play with
some small measure of power. Some instruments have even
been passed from bard to bard and, over generations, have
become magical relics in their own right. Of course, a great
many more instruments get passed off as magical relics when
their owners need to make up the money lost in an ill-advised
night of carousing.
When your character casts a spell using the Verse skill while
using a musical instrument, adding the Additional Target
effect does not increase its difficulty.
ORACLE BONES
Two carved, flat bones on a chain or leather cord, usually
worn about the neck. Ancient oracles would inscribe animal
or human scapulars with invocations and questions before
heating the bones over a gate to the spirit realm and divin-
ing the spirits’ answers from the pattern of cracks that would
spread across the bone. If the events foretold did not come
to pass, the bones would be discarded, but those that proved
accurate would be kept and passed down to the diviner’s chil-
dren and their descendants. Pairs of oracle bones — one with
an ill omen, one with a good one — are a potent magical
instrument, bringing luck to the caster and misfortune to
their enemies.
When your character casts a Predict spell while using a set of
oracle bones, they add j to the check. In addition, adding
the Commune effect to a Predict spell does not increase the
spell’s difficulty.
POUCH OF DRUIDIC HERBS
This tiny pouch is made of raw silk, filled with whole magi-
cal herbs, and tied close with silk ribbon. Though easily con-
structed, no common druid can just slap some sage in a bag
and achieve the same effect.
When casting the Heal spell, users may add Restoration effect
without increasing the difficulty. Additionally, the amount of
strain healed increases by two.
TOTEM
Totems are used to channel more primal energies and are used
almost exclusively by druids and clerics of nature deities.
A totem is a small carving of an animal that embodies qual-
ities that are sought after. Totems are small enough to fit in
the palm of one’s hand and are usually worn on necklaces,
bracelets and the like.
When a character makes or obtains the totem, the GM deter-
mines one augment or alter effect that the totem lets users
160
add to any appropriate spell without increasing the spell’s dif-
ficulty. The effect chosen must be one that, without a totem,
only increases difficulty by one. In addition, whenever the
user casts an augment or alter spell with the chosen effect, the
spell lasts until the end of the encounter without your charac-
ter having to use the concentrate maneuver.
IMPLEMENT MATERIALS
Like the metal in arms and armor, and perhaps even more
so, the material used in crafting magic implements such as
staffs and wands is an important choice that greatly affects
the performance of the resulting object. Many types of wood
and other substances have inherent mystical properties that
are only unlocked when fashioned into a magic implement.
A magic implement can only have one implement material,
which your GM determines when the item is bought or
obtained. This can never change after the implement is
created or obtained.
BONE
Implements carved of animal bone have long been used by
spiritspeakers, witches, and the warlocks. Implements crafted
from the bones of Humans and their kind are associated with
necromancy and other dark magics. When properly prepared,
the bones of an ordinary mortal creature can produce fright-
ening effects.
When your character successfully casts an Attack or Curse
spell, they heal 1 wound. If your character successfully casts a
Predict spell, they may add aa to the results
Price: Cost x 1½.
Rarity: +2.
CORAL
Underneath the surface of the sea, life flourishes as much as
on land, and nowhere is it more diverse than the coral reefs.
The reefs themselves are formed from colonies of small crea-
tures that are held together with “coral skeleton”, which is
usually just called coral. Corals can have different colors: red,
pink, white, blue, and even black -- and are often valued as
much as precious gems. Being the basis of such thriving eco-
systems corals amplify healing and protection magic.
When your character casts a Barrier, Dispel, or Heal spell
using a coral implement, you may add s to the results.
Price: Cost x 2.
Rarity: +2.
 DRACONIC
Implements crafted from bone, blood, or tooth from a
Dragon carry ancient power which enhances spell cast-
ing.
When your character successfully casts an Attack spell
they may add the elemental effect associated with the
breath of the dragon used to craft it without increasing
the difficulty. Any implement increases their base dam-
age by +1.
When rolling a d while casting a spell with an imple-
ment made with Draconic material, the caster is always
hit by their own spell, in addition to spending the d
normal.
Price: Cost x 4.
Rarity: +3.
EVERDARK
Implements crafted from Everdark carry the cold of dark-
ness with them.
When your character successfully casts an Attack spell
they MUST add the Hindering effect without increas-
ing the difficulty this in addition to any other effect the
implement has. When your character casts an Illusion
spell using an Everdark implement, you may add s to
the results.
Price: Cost x 3.
Rarity: +5.
HAZEL
Hazel is associated with inspiration, prophecy, and wis-
dom. Some magic practitioners prefer it for their imple-
ments, attributing their greatest successes to moments of
inexplicable inspiration.
When your character generates t while casting a spell
with this implement, you may roll j and add it to the
results, in addition to spending the t normally. When
your character casts a Predict spell using a Hazel imple-
ment, you may add s to the results.
Price: Cost x 2.
Rarity: +1.
INFERNAL
Implements crafted from Infernal material comes with
high risk and great rewards. The demons ever eager to to
corrupt the soul of mortal casters.
When your character generates d while casting a spell
with this implement, add d to the results of the check
without the normal failure associated with d. When
casting with this implement, you can add one additional
effect with no higher cost then kk, in addition to any
other effect the implement has. When the spell’s effects
are resolved, the spellcaster suffers 2 wounds in addition
to the strain cost. Upgrade the difficulty of all magic
checks twice. dd cannot be spent to destroy Infernal
implements.
Price: Cost x 6.
Rarity: +7.
IRONWOOD
Ironwood implements amplify protective magic but are
harder to use due to magical resistance.
Upgrade the difficulty of all magic checks casted with this
implement by two. When your character generates t
while casting a Barrier or Conjure spell with this imple-
ment, you may spend the t to add the Reinforced effect
to the spell, even if your character does not normally have
access to Reinforced. dd cannot be spent to destroy
Ironwood implements.
Price: Cost x 4.
Rarity: +5.
MASTERWORKED
Masterworked items are remarkably tough, resistant to
corrosion, and able to hold a sharp edge despite heavy
use.
Masterworked implements gain the Reinforced and
Superior item qualities. Add to j all checks to cast spells
with Masterworked implements. dd cannot be spent
to destroy masterworked implements.
Price: Cost x 8
Rarity: 10.
WILLOW
Relatively uncommon in Faerun, willow trees are asso-
ciated with the potential for great purification and heal-
ing as well as great despair and death. Willow wands and
books bound in willow bark are highly prized among
sorcerers.
When your character successfully casts a spell using a wil-
low implement, you may add a to the results.
Price: Cost x 2.
Rarity: +2.
YEW
Students of shamans and old magical traditions associate
the yew with the natural cycle of renewal and rebirth.
The Elves who guard the forests prize it for this natu-
ral resonance, and sometimes even bind tomes between
thinly laminated sheets of yew.
When your character successfully casts an Augment,
Heal, or Predict spell using this implement, they heal 1
strain.
Price: Cost x 1½.
Rarity: +1.
161
 ADVENTURING GEAR
This section presents items that characters in Faerun
might find useful in the course of their travels.
Though adventurers vary wildly in both their origins and
motivations, most rely on a similar stable of gear items to
get safely from one underground ruin to the next.
TABLE:GEAR
Name Encum Price Rarity
ALCHEMIST'S KIT
Alchemists work with an impressive array of specialized
tools to craft their potions and elixirs. Those who travel
tend to rely on a portable kit of the devices most essential
to their trade, such as a simple mortar and pestle along
with a number of flasks, tin measuring cups, and pouches
in which to store various alchemical ingredients. Those
with access to fully stocked labs, though, can use also use
alembics, crucibles, glassware, and more to create even
more wondrous concoctions.

Alchemist’s Kit 3 300 5

When your character uses an alchemists’ kit, they have
the right tool for the job (as per page 93 of the Genesys
Artifice Forge 3 500 7 Core Rulebook) when making Alchemy checks, although
Artisan Tools 2 175 3
some potions and elixirs may require specialized ingredi-
ents. At your GM’s discretion, some complex alchemical
Backpack +4 50 3
items may not be crafted with the limited resources of an
Bedroll 1 15 1 alchemists’ kit.
Climbing Gear 1 20 2
Extra Quiver 2 25 2 ARTIFICE FORGE
Fine Cloak 1 90 4 An artifice forge is found as a large metal box with a
Flask (empty) 0 1 1 relief depicting a forge. On a command word, this box
Flint and Steel 0 10 2 expands into a burning brazier full of coals, billows, and
Healer’s Kit 2 150 4
an anvil, along with smithing tools. Once “unshrunk”
(activated by command word), the forge remains in oper-
Heward’s Handy Haversack +11 2,000 10
ation until reactivated to shrink.
Lab 8 600 6
Lantern 1 50 1
When your character uses an Artifice Forge, they have the
right tool for the job (as per page 93 of the Genesys Core
Pole (30 hands long) 2 10 1
Rulebook) when making Mechanics checks, although
Riding Saddle 2 100 2
some projects may require specialized ingredients and
Rope 1 5 1 tools. At your GM’s discretion, some complex items may
Spyglass 1 150 3 not be crafted with the limited resources of an Artifice
Thieves’ Tools 1 75 5 Forge.
Torches (3) 1 1 0
ARTISAN'S TOOLS
Trail Rations (1 day) 0 2 0
Utility Belt +2 25 4 Aside from farmers, adventurers and merchants are arti-
sans. These people, as the blacksmith, the cobbler, the
Vial Belt 1 50 5
carpenter and many others, need some tools to make
Wagon - 200 2
a living. Artisan’s Tools is a kit that include everything
Waterskin (empty) 1 5 1
someone needs to craft their goods.
Winter Clothing 4 100 3
Artisan’s Tools are specific to a profession. You cannot
benefit from a Carpenter Artisan’s Tools when working
when fishing.
Using a Artisan’s Tools counts as having right tool for
the job (as per page 93 of the Genesys Core Rulebook).
You can only have Artisan’s Tools for a craft that does not
already have an existing gear in the table. For example,
Artisan’s Tools cannot act as an Alchemist’s Kit.

162
 BACKPACK
Few things are more essential to the traveler and adven-
turer than the humble backpack. Without its copious
storage space, one could not carry the supplies needed for
a lengthy journey or escape from a spider-infested tomb
with a haul of loot. While wearing a backpack, your char-
acter increases their encumbrance threshold by four.
BEDROLL
Whether camping beneath the boughs, sleeping on
a dune, or lying amid the rubble of a ruined castle, a
good bedroll can be just what one needs to get a restful
night’s sleep. Bedrolls usually consist of a thick lower
blanket for padding and an upper blanket for warmth.
Wealthier individuals sometimes use blankets treated
with an alchemical resin to resist rain and damp.
CLIMBING GEAR
Ropes, pitons, and a small hammer make climbing up
a sheer cliff or wall merely difficult, rather than nearly
impossible (and possibly fatal). When your character uses
climbing gear they remove jj from any Athletics checks
they make to climb something.
EXTRA QUIVER
This can include additional arrows in a spare pouch,
crossbow bolts wrapped in a leather pouch, or missiles for
other ranged weapons such as blowpipes or dart throw-
ers. If your character has an extra quiver, they can spend
a maneuver to replenish their ranged weapon when it has
suffered an “out of ammo” d result. Note this does not
replenish weapons with the Limited Ammo quality as
they do not actually run out of ammunition.
FINE CLOAK
Whether it is cut from bolts of vibrant, colorful silk or
fashioned from rich, fur-lined velvet, nothing says some-
one is ludicrously wealthy and powerful (or wants to pass
as such) like a fine cloak.
When wearing a fine cloak, your character removes j
from any Charm, Deception, or Leadership checks they
make. While worn, a cloak’s encumbrance is 0.
FLASK
A clay or pewter flask can be just the thing for carrying
water on a long journey. Of course, a Dwarf would prob-
ably consider carrying water a waste of a good flask. Most
flasks can carry roughly ten ounces of liquid, and have a
cork or latching top to keep the contents from spilling.
FLINT AND STEEL
As long as an adventurer has time, patience, and a supply
of fine, dry kindling, they can use a flint and steel to
strike sparks and start a fire.
HEALER'S KIT
Like alchemists, apothecaries (more often called healers)
often travel with specialized kits. These kits commonly
contain bandages, salves, poultices, and other items nec-
essary to heal the injured and sick.
A Healer’s kit allows your character to perform Medi-
cine checks to heal wounds and Critical Injuries without
penalty.
HEWARD'S HANDY HAVERsACK
This Backpack has a central pouch and two side pouches,
each of which is an extradimensional space. Each side
pouch can hold up to 3 encumbrance worth of items.
The large central pouch can hold up 5 encumbrance of
items. The Backpack is always 3 encumbrance regardless
of its contents.
The haversack has a few limitations. If it is overloaded,
or if a sharp object pierces it or tears it, the haversack
ruptures and is destroyed. If the haversack is destroyed,
its contents are lost forever, although an artifact always
turn up again somewhere. If the haversack is turned
inside out, its contents spill forth, unharmed, and the
haversack must be put right before it can be used again.
If a breathing creature is placed within the haversack, the
creature can survive for up to 10 minutes, after which
time it begins to suffocate.
While wearing a Haversack, your character increases
their encumbrance threshold by eleven.
LAB
A lab includes all the items in a kit and more. When your
character uses a lab, they add j to checks pertaining to
the labs use. While the many tools and devices included
are extremely heavy and cumbersome (and thus require
a room to contain them), a lab can be considered some-
what portable if a wagon and draft animal are given over
entirely to transporting it.
LANTERN
An iron lantern is easier to handle than a torch and can
be hung from a belt or shield. Protected inside a cage of
metal and sturdy glass, its flame is relatively safe even if
the lantern is knocked about and can last up to 6 hours.
This can prove vital in the darkest caverns that run
through Faerun.
A lit lantern provides light and removes j added to
checks due to darkness. (If it becomes important to
determine how far the light reaches, a lantern can provide
light out to medium range.)
POLE ( THIRTY HANDS LONG )
While some may consider a long pole to be an odd thing
for an adventurer to carry, clearly those people have not
been on many adventures.
163
 RIDING SADDLE
Allows you to ride without animals penalty.
ROPE
No self-respecting soldier, sailor, miner, merchant, or
traveler would ever be caught without a length of sturdy
rope close at hand, and that goes doubly for an adven-
turer.
The richest adventurers sometimes carry rope woven
from silk, but hempen ropes work just as well. A length
of rope stretches out to roughly medium range, but other
lengths can be purchased at your GM’s discretion.
SPYGLASS
May be used to view at extreme range with crystal clear
quality.
THIEVES' TOOLS
Thieves’ tools allow those without keys to attempt to
open any mechanical locks or latches, even complicated
ones.
When making a Skulduggery check to open a lock or
latch, your character adds a to the results.
TORCHES ( 3 )
Wrap the end of a length of wood in cloth, dip it in pitch
or tar, and light it. The resulting torch should burn for an
hour or so, and is a simple way to light up the darkness.
A lit torch provides light and removes j added to checks
due to darkness. (If it becomes important to determine
how far the light reaches, a torch can provide light out to
short range.)
TRAIL RATIONS
Most races craft daily trail rations to be compact as pos-
sible and last as long as possible without molding or
rotting. Any edibility is incidental. Trail rations gener-
ally include smoked jerky with the consistency of shoe
leather, biscuits that can double as sling bullets, and
bricks of fat mixed with berries and ground dried meat.
Elves, of course, forgo such foodstuffs and subsist off
a mix of delectable dried fruits, cunningly preserved
cheeses, and thin-baked bread that lasts for months with-
out losing its light and fluffy texture. Without exception,
travelers from other races resent them mightily for this.
UTILITY BELT
A utility belt is a common item for those on active adven-
tures where quick access to tools and gear is a necessity.
Their contents will vary with their user and their planned
164
actions; Some belts also have weapon holsters or clips.
Utility belts increase the character’s encumbrance thresh-
old by two.
VIAL BELT
Alchemists and adventurers make great use of elixirs and
potions.
The vial belt is pice of leather added to an existing belt.
Some people prefer to have vial belt slung rather than
around the waist.
A vial belt can hold up to four potions and elixirs. These
potions won’t add their encumbrance to the character’s
encumbrance value.
A character can wear up to two such belt.
WAGON
Wagons can be expensive enough that several farmers
may share one. A farmer’s wagon is usually constructed
from heavy, rough-hewn timbers—a marked contrast to
the varnished wood of a merchant’s wagon or the brightly
painted covered wagon of a wandering Gnome.
A wagon can hold characters and gear totaling up to 50
encumbrance. A wagon features two or more wheels and
can move at moderate speed if a beast of burden pulls it.
WATERSKIN
Generally made from the bladders of sheep or cows,
waterskins provide a simple and effective way to trans-
port liquids from well water to traveling wines. Some
Gnomes have experimented with making them from
canvas treated with alchemical resins, but most people
complain about the bitter taste and insist that these will
never replace the natural version.
A waterskin can carry enough liquid to quench the
thirst of two people per day. When full, its encumbrance
increases to 2.
WINTER CLOTHING
Made of thick wool and furs, winter clothing keeps the
wearer warm in the coldest environments.
When wearing winter clothing, your character removes
jj from any Survival or Resilience checks they make
due to cold weather. When worn, winter clothing’s
encumbrance is 1.
 POTIONS AND POISONS
TABLE: POTIONS ANTITOXIN
Antitoxin is concocted to act as antidotes to a wide vari-
Name Price Rarity
ety of common poisons and diseases. Once a person has
Acid Flask 200 6 imbibed antitoxin, they will not as easily succumb to the
Antitoxin 100 4 disease or poison it is designed to counteract for a short
Invisibility Potion 1,000 9 period of time thereafter.
Keoghtom’s Ointment 200 4 Using antitoxin immediately nullifies any mundane poi-
Potion of Healing 25 3 sons or toxins currently afflicting your character (some
Potion of Power 350 7 magical or otherwise extraordinary poisons might not be
Potion of Resistance 200 6
affected, at the GM’s discretion). In addition, for the rest
of the encounter or scene, your character upgrades Resil-
Potion of Speed 400 7
ience checks made to resist poisons and toxins twice.
Rejuvenation Potion 100 5
Smokebomb Vial 25 4 INVISIBILITY POTION
Stamina Elixir 50 3
When your character imbibes an invisibility potion
they become invisible for 3 rounds. During this time,
your character cannot be seen and casts no reflection or
Unless stated otherwise, consuming a potion or elixir (or shadow. They produce noise, smells, and so on as usual,
administering one to an engaged character) is a maneuver and they have a physical presence. An invisible character
and consumes the item in the process. The effects of mul- may also be detected through magical means.
tiple doses of the same potion do not stack. Some alche-
An invisible character benefits from concealment worth
mists and herbalists produce highly specialized potions
+4 dice (see Concealment on page 110 of the Genesys
for sale, and such items vary greatly in quality, potency,
Core Rulebook).
and safety. Some potions are simply too rare to be pur-
chased like ordinary goods. KEOGHTOM'S OINTMENT
All potions and poisons have an encumbrance of 1, Keoghtom’s Ointment helps heal injuries. It takes the
unless stored away. If stored away, every 5 potions or poi- form of a poultice to be applied to the wounded area.
sons counts as 1 encumbrance The ointment causes torn flesh to knit back together and
broken bones to fuse. Even internal wounds can be cured
POTIONS by Keoghtom’s Ointment.
When your character uses Keoghtom’s Ointment, they
ACID FLASK make a Simple (–) Resilience check, healing 1 wound for
each s and 1 strain for each a. You may spend t to
Alchemists often use acids to etch metals or break down
repeat the check at the start of your character’s next turn,
components into their constituent parts. These acids are
as the ointment continues to accelerate their healing.
usually strong enough to also serve as dangerous—albeit
dangerously indiscriminate—weapons. POTION OF HEALING
As an action, your character can throw an acid flask at Upon drinking a potion of healing, some of a creature’s
a point within short range, where it releases a cloud of wounds heal within seconds. There are several different
acidic mist large enough to encompass a single character types of potions of healing, which vary mostly by the
and other characters engaged with the target. The cloud is intensity of their curative power.
a corrosive atmosphere with a rating of 4 (see Fire, Acid,
and Corrosive Atmospheres on page 111 of the Genesys A potion of healing is a painkiller, as described on page
Core Rulebook). The cloud remains for the duration of 116 of the Genesys Core Rulebook.
the encounter, unless the GM determines that circum-
stances (such as an outdoor location or a strong draft)
cause it to dissipate faster.

165
 POTION OF POWER
Power potions are similar to potions of speed, save that
they increase upper body and core strength in particu-
lar. Those who imbibe power potions are better able to
strike and block blows. Feats of strength, such as hefting
weights and shifting objects, are also facilitated through
the use of a power potion.
When your character uses a power potion they increase
their Brawn by 1. This effect lasts until the end of the
encounter or scene. If your character’s Brawn is already
5, they instead add jj to all checks using Brawn. When
the potion wears off, your character suffers 5 strain.
POTION OF RESISTANCE
Potions of Resistance imbue the drinker with reserves
of physical and psychological resilience. They do this
through mildly soporific effects that deaden pain and
increase feelings of well-being. They also have an effect
on the body, shrinking the capillaries near the skin’s sur-
face to reduce bruising and bleeding, and speeding the
clotting process.
When your character imbibes a Potions of Resistance
they gain +1 soak for your character’s next three turns.
POTION OF SPEED
Potions of Speed affect the muscles of the drinker, espe-
cially those used for running and other forms of move-
ment. Once a Potion of Speed is taken, the imbiber is
better able to sprint for a short period. Potions of Speed
allow for short and immediate bursts of top performance.
Some people have been known to combine stamina elix-
irs and Potions of Speed for longer periods of high per-
formance. The morning after can only be described as
truly nightmarish.
When your character imbibes a Potion of Speed they gain
one additional maneuver during their turn. While under
the effects of a Potions of Speed, your character can per-
form a maximum of three maneuvers in a turn, rather
than two. A Potion of Speed lasts for your character’s next
three turns, after which your character suffers 6 strain.
As a maneuver, a character can throw a smokebomb vial
at a point within short range. Upon impact, the vial shat-
ters to create a thick smoke screen large enough to con-
ceal a single character and other characters engaged with
the target. The smoke screen provides concealment worth
+2 dice (see the Concealment section on page 110 of the
Genesys Core Rulebook).
STAMINA ELIXIR
Stamina elixirs can be taken to provide the patient with
a feeling of improved vitality. When a stamina elixir is
drunk, the imbiber benefits from increased reserves of
energy over a lengthy period. It ought to be mentioned
that hangovers from stamina elixirs can be particularly
dire.
When your character uses a stamina elixir they imme-
diately heal 5 strain. Each subsequent elixir used in the
same day heals 1 less strain, so that the sixth elixir (and
further) has no effect. After one day, the lingering effects
of the stamina elixir wear off, and your character may
again use a stamina elixir to full effect.
POISON
Every culture in Faerun has its own poisons, ranging
from abundant botanical extracts to refined alchemical
potions. Most are easy to use, if not easy to obtain. Your
character can apply poison to a target’s food or drink, in
which case the target suffers the effects when they ingest
it.
Poison can also be applied to smokebombs or other items
at your GM’s discretion. As a maneuver, it can also be
applied to a weapon with a sharp point or edge, such as
a dagger or arrow, that can induce the poison into the
target’s bloodstream.
If applied to a weapon, the first successful hit that deals at
least one wound causes the target to suffer the effects of
the poison. Once the poison has affected one target, it is
depleted and another dose must be applied.

REJUVENATION POTION
These potions help heal injuries and get people back on
their feet quicker. Before your character makes a skill TABLE: POISON
check to recover strain after an encounter, they may
Name Price Rarity
drink this potion. If they do so, they not only heal 1
strain per s but also 1 wound per a. Essence of Ether 500 7 (R)

Malice 700 8 (R)

SMOKEBOMB VIAL
Pale Tincture 750 8 (R)
Smokebomb vials contain yet smaller vials that each hold Purple Worm Poison 1,500 10 (R)
different concoctions. When the vials are broken, typ- Standard Poison 200 5
ically by flinging the main vial to the floor as hard as
Sleep Powder 450 6 (R)
possible, the various chemicals mix to produce a cloud
Wvyern Venom 1,000 7 (R)
of thick, choking fog. The fog is not harmful (unless
treated with poison, which must be purchased sepa-
rately), though it is unpleasant to be caught within and is
impossible to see through.

166
 STANDARD POISON
Characters affected by poison or within a poison cloud
must make a Hard (kkk) Resilience check as an out-
ofturn incidental or suffer 4 wounds (not reduced by
soak) plus 1 strain per h. You or your GM can spend
d on the check to inflict a Critical Injury or to force the
target to repeat the check at the beginning of their next
turn, as the poison continues to wrack their body.
PURPLE WORM POISON
This must be harvested from the body of a purple worm.
A reddish-brown sticky paste, this poison has seen a fair
amount of use. Once injured, the poison begins ignit-
ing the blood, causing a creature to quickly burn from
within. Often the toxin burns through the victim so
quickly and intensely that the remains are little more
than charred bones
Characters affected by poison must immediately make a
Formidable (kkkkk) Resilience check as an out-of-turn
incidental or suffer 8 wounds (this ignores soak). You can
spend hhhh or d on the target’s check to force the
target to repeat the check at the beginning of their next
turn, as the poison continues to work itself through their
blood.
ESSENCE OF ETHER
A single dose of Essence of Ether has a Hard (kkk) dif-
ficulty, while two or more doses combined have a Daunt-
ing (kkkk) difficulty. The poison inflicts 5 wounds
if the target fails a check at the relevant difficulty (this
ignores soak). In addition, each h generated inflicts 2
strain on the target (this ignores soak), who becomes
overwhelmed by the nausea and muscle spasms caused
by the choking gas. The gas lingers in the air for up to 3
rounds unless dissipated by high winds.
PALE TINCTURE
Pale tincture is an exceedingly lethal toxin favored by
assassins who prefer their victims to suffer. Once exposed
to the poison, the victim begins to suffer fatigue and dull
pain, which gradually increases until they is paralyzed
and in agony.
Any sized dose has a Daunting (kkkk) difficulty Resil-
ience check. If the target fails the check, the poison
inflicts 1 strain at the end of their next turn, 3 strain at
the end of their subsequent turn, and 5 strain at the end
of the turn after that one (this ignores soak). In addition,
the target suffers j to any check they attempts while
under the effects of the poison, and each h they gen-
erates on those checks inflicts 1 additional strain (this
ignores soak) as the target is wracked with pain and
violent muscle spasms. The GM may spend d on the
initial Resilience check to make the target make another
check against the poison at the end of their third turn
or suffer an additional 5 strain (this ignores soak) as the
poison torments him.
MALICE
Malice is a complex distillation of black lotus and deadly
nightshade berries that has been boiled down into a
syrupy oil At any dose size, this poison has a Daunting
(kkkk) difficulty Resilience check. If the target fails, the
poison causes an immediate Critical Injury, but instead
of rolling on the Critical Injury Result table, the char-
acter automatically suffers the following special Critical
Injury:
Wracking Venom (Hard kkk): Whenever this character
would otherwise suffer 1 or more wounds or 1 or more
strain, this character suffers that number of wounds or
strain plus 2 instead.
SLEEP POWDER
This poison may be introduced into a target’s body via
aerosol deployment, food ingestion, or injection (via an
applicator or dart). A single dose has an Average (kk)
Resilience check, while two or more doses combined into
a single application have a Hard (kkk) difficulty. The
poison inflicts 5 strain if the target fails the check. If the
check generates hh, the target must also give up their
free maneuver during their next turn (they may still take
two maneuvers, however); if it generates hhh, they’s
staggered during their next turn. Finally, the GM can
spend d to make the target test against the poison again
during the next round, as the poison remains in their
system.
WYVERN VENOM
Extracted from the glandular toxin sacs of Wyverns,
wvyern venom is a powerful paralytic enzyme inhibi-
tor. Significantly harder to shake off than most poisons,
wyvern venom is harvested by beastmasters and com-
mands a high price on the black market among bounty
hunters.
Any sized dose incurs a Daunting (kkkk) Resilience
check. The poison Staggers the target for 2 rounds if
the target fails the check. In addition, each h generated
inflicts 2 strain on the target (this ignores soak), and the
GM may spend d to immobilize the target for 2 rounds.
167
 ANIMALS AND SADDLEBAGS
Just as the mounts of Faerun come in a variety of forms,
RELATED GEAR so do the saddlebags. Saddlebags allow creatures to carry
For most adventurers, riding mounts are the preferred more gear and traveling supplies then usual, and thus
method for traveling over long distances. provide their riders a wider range of operation.
Saddlebags increase a mount’s encumbrance threshold by
BARDING four.
Barding is metal armor or similar protection for a horse
or other mount. The destriers ridden by the knights of the WAR MOUNT ( RIVAL )
baronies tend to sport steel plates reinforced with patches War mounts are those bred and trained for war. Just like
of chain, while the fierce Leonx of the Latari wear the their riders, such mounts do not shy away when facing
same leathers as their riders. Generally, only war mounts combat and can use their stomping feet, grasping talons,
can tolerate the weight and discomfort of barding. or other natural weapons to aid in battle.
Barding counts as armor for a mount and provides
defense 1 and soak 2. 4 3 1 2 3 1
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
BEAST OF BURDEN ( MINION ) SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE

Mules, oxen, draft horses, and other strong, hearty ani- 4 14 0 0

mals are put to many working uses, such as pulling wag- Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 1, Discipline 2, Resilience 3,
ons and carts. Survival 2.
Talents: None.
4 2 1 1 1 1 Abilities: Encumbrance Capacity 13, Silhouette 2.
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
Equipment: Hooves or claws (Brawl; Damage 6; Critical
SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE 4; Range [Engaged]; Knockdown), riding tack.
4 7 0 0
Skills (group only): Athletics, Resilience.
TABLE: ANIMALS AND GEAR
Talents: None.
Name Encum Price Rarity
Abilities: Encumbrance Capacity 18, Silhouette 2.
Barding 5 900 4
Equipment: Harness. Beast of Burden - 200 1

RIDING BEAST ( MINION ) Riding Beast - 400 2

Saddlebags +4 75 3
Although they can carry riders over great distances, most
War Mount - 1,500 6
horses, ponies, and other such steeds are neither bred nor
trained for the violence of battlefield conditions. A Rid-
ing check is required to maintain control of a riding beast
in combat or a similarly stressful situation.

4 3 1 1 1 1
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE
4 5 0 0
Skills (group only): Athletics, Resilience.
Talents: None.
Abilities: Encumbrance Capacity 12, Silhouette 2.
Equipment: Riding tack.

168
 ITEM ATTACHMENTS
Item attachments follow the rules on page 206 of the
Genesys Core Rulebook.
WEAPON
ATTACHMENTS
BALANCED HILT
This attachment represents modifying a melee weapon’s
balance (particularly around the hilt or haft) to make it
easier to control.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any weap-
ons that use the Melee (Light) skill.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Accurate 1 quality,
or increases any existing Accurate quality by 1. (If the
weapon has the Inaccurate quality, it reduces that quali-
ty’s rating by 1 to a minimum of 0, instead.)
Hard Points Required: 1.
CUSTOM GRIP
A skilled tinkerer can tailor a weapon to perfectly fit
its wielder’s hand. A custom grip is crafted to uniquely
match its owner, allowing the weapon to act as an exten-
sion of the wielder’s body. While the weapon fits perfectly
in the hands of its owner. others who try to use it find the
grip uncomfortable or the weapon offbalance.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any weapon
with a handle.
Modifiers: Remove j from all combat checks the weap-
on’s owner makes using this weapon. Anyone other than
the owner instead adds jj to all combat checks made
using it. Also, the weapon gains the Accurate 1 quality,
or increases any existing Accurate quality by 1. (If the
weapon has the Inaccurate quality, it reduces that quali-
ty’s rating by 1 to a minimum of 0, instead.)
Hard Points Required: 1
DUELIST CROSS GUARD
This attachment represents modifying the cross guard of
a sword to better catch and lock the blade of an oppo-
nent.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any sword,
whether one-handed or two-handed.
Modifiers: When an opponent resolves a melee combat
check against the wielder, if the check generated at least
one uncanceled h, the wielder may suffer 1 strain as an
out-of-turn incidental to add hh to the results.
Hard Points Required: 1.
ENGRAVINGS
This attachment serves no tactical purpose, some war-
riors adorn their weapons with intricate patterns of art
engraved into their weapons to impress, fascinate, or
intimidate onlookers.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any weapon
that could conceivably be engraved.
Modifiers: When the attached weapon is prominently
displayed, the characters Charm, Coercion, and Dece-
tion checks are upgraded once.
Hard Points Required: 1.
EXTENDED BARREL
This attachment extends the barrel (or makes similar
modifications) to make the weapon fire farther.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any
Ranged weapon (excluding weapons such as bombs, or
thrown weapons).
Modifiers: The weapon’s range increases by one range
band, to a maximum of extreme range. The weapon
gains the Cumbersome 2 quality, or increases its exist-
ing Cumbersome quality by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
PAIRED SET
This attachment represents a special modification to
two weapons, allowing them to be used together more
effectively.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any two
one-handed weapons that can be wielded simultane-
ously by the character.
Modifiers: When making a two-weapon combat check
with the paired weapons, the cost to activate the second
weapon’s attack is reduced from aa to a.
Hard Points Required: 1 for each paired weapon.
RAZOR EDGE
This attachment represents sharpening a blade to a razor
edge, then reinforcing or treating that edge so that it can
withstand repeated blows.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any close
combat weapon that has a blade.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Pierce 2 quality, or
increases any existing Pierce quality by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
169
 RECURVE LIMBS
Making the limbs of a bow or crossbow curve away from the
wielder increases the penetrating power of the bow’s shots,
even if it also makes the bow larger and more difficult to
wield.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any bow or
crossbow.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Pierce 1 quality, or
increases any existing Pierce quality by 1. The weapon
also gains the Unwieldy 3 quality, or increases any existing
Unwieldy quality by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
SERRATED EDGE
Adding jagged sawteeth to a bladed weapon means the
wounds it makes are particularly brutal and damaging.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any close com-
bat weapon that has a blade.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Vicious 1 quality, or
increases any existing Vicious quality by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
TELEOPTIC SIGHT
A telescopic sight magnifies a target, allowing the user to
shoot targets that they could normally barely be able to see.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any ranged
weapon that could logically benefit from the addition of a
telescopic sight.
Modifiers: The user reduces the difficulty of ranged combat
checks made with this weapon at long and extreme range
by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
WEAPON SLING
A sling helps a user carry a particularly heavy weapon by
taking up part of the weight.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any Ranged
weapon that require two hands to wield.
Modifiers: The weapon decreases its encumbrance by 2.
Hard Points Required: 1.
WEIGHTED HEAD
Adding extra weight to the head of a blunt weapon lets the
wielder strike with greater impact and do more damage.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any close com-
bat weapon that deals bludgeoning or crushing damage (not
one with a cutting edge).
Modifiers: The weapon increases its damage by 2. The
weapon increases its encumbrance by 2. The weapon gains
the Cumbersome 3 quality, or increases its existing Cum-
bersome quality by 1.
170
Hard Points Required: 1.
ARMOR ATTACHMENTS
ARCTIC MODIFICATIONS
Faerun can be a world of placid summers and brutal win-
ters. Those who live in the frontier are often in need of
heavier clothing to survive the long desolate cold of winter,
and have developed ingenious ways of adding to their cloth-
ing to adapt.
Use with: Any armor
Modifiers: +1 encumbrance and adds the cumbersome 2
quality (or increases Cumbersome by 1 if the armor already
has Cumbersome). The wearer is not required to make resil-
ience checks to endure light and moderate cold, and the dif-
ficulty of Resilience checks to resist extreme cold is reduced
by 1. If a character wears this armor in an arid or hot area
they are disoriented as long as the armor is worn.
Hard Points Required: 0 for encumbrance 0-2 armor, 1 for
encumbrance 3+ armor.
BATTLE GAUNTLETS
Although those with heavy armor in the battlefield are
rarely lacking killing power, sometimes it’s necessary to give
an enemy at close range a good, old-fashioned pummeling.
This modification represents reinforced gauntlets made spe-
cifically for swinging fists.
Use with: Any armor with soak of 2 or higher
Modifiers: While wearing armor with this attachment, the
wearer can make a brawl attack using the armor as a weapon.
It has the following profile: (Range: Engaged, Damage:
Brawn + armor’s Soak value, Crit: 4, Special: Disorient 3).
Hard Points Required: 1
CUSTOM FIT
Although standard “off-the-shelf ” armor can provide invalu-
able protection . it can also prove bulky or awkward. even
after adjustments. For those who require their armor to feel
like a second skin. personalized customization can make a
drastic difference. Such work requires a skilled armorer. but
it can make armor a much more enticing option for some.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers:Remove jj from Athletics, Coordination and
Stealth checks while wearing the armor.
Hard Points Required: 1
DEFLECTIVE PLATING
This attachment applies angled plates or mildly reflective
surfaces to help deflect incoming ranged attacks.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers: Wearer increases their ranged defense by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1.
 GILDED
Though it serves no practical purpose, many nobles like
to adorn their armor with gold leaf. It certainly makes the
wearer seem impressive, but acts as a lure for every bandit
within eyesight.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers: While wearing this armor, your character adds j
to Charm, Negotiation, and Leadership checks.
Hard Points Required: 0.
SPIKES
Warriors sometimes add sharp spikes or barbs to their armor
In the press of a melee, they can use a shoulder check or a
wild swing to slash or even impale an opponent.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers: If your character is targeted by a melee com bat
check, you may spend hhh or d to cause the attacker to
suffer 3 wounds.
Hard Points Required: 1.

INTEGRATED SHEATHING
By mounting their sheathes and such into the framework of TABLE: ATTACHMENTS
their armor. a combatant can ensure no one catches them
Name HP Price Rarity
unarmed. Not only does the wearer have easy access to their
weapons at all times, but powerful magnets and magic can Balanced Hilt 1 850 6

be set up to assist the wearer in drawing or stowing their Custom Grip 1 700 5
weapons more rapidly. A character with a set of integrated Duelist Cross Guard 1 800 5
sheathing has access to a hidden arsenal that can overwhelm Extened Barrel 1 750 4
most foes.
Paried Set 1/per 400/pair 5
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor. Razor Edge 1 450 4
Modifiers: Increases encumbrance threshold by 4. The char- Recurve Limbs 1 400 4
acter may holster up to two weapons of encumbrance 3 or Serrated Edge 1 125 2
lower in the armor. While holstered. these weapons do not Teleoptic Sight 1 350 4
count toward the character’s encumbrance value. Add j to Weapon Sling 1 100 2
other characters Perception checks to find weapons stored
Weighted Head 1 250 2
in the armor. Once per round on your character’s turn, they
Arctic Modification 0 or 1 250 2
may draw or holster an easily accessible weapon or item as
an incidental. Battle Gauntlets 1 300 3
Custom Fit 1 400 4
Hard Points Required: 2
Deflective Plating 1 750 4
INTIMIDATING VISAGE
Gilded 0 1,250 5
Warriors from many cultures paint their armor or add
imposing face masks to intimidate opponents. Integrated Sheating 2 1,000 7
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor.
Intimidating Visage 0 200 3
Modifiers: When wearing this armor, the user adds s to
Coercion checks they make, and hh to Charm, Decep- Reinforced Plating 2 6,000 9
tion, and Negotiation checks they make.
Spikes 2 600 4
Hard Points Required: 0.

REINFORCED PLATING
This attachment represents adding extra layers of armor or
using stronger materials to reinforce the armor.
Use With: This attachment can be applied to any armor that
uses hardened plates for protection.
Modifiers: The armor gains the Reinforced quality. The
armor also increases its encumbrance by 1 and gains Cum-
bersome 3 (or increase its Cumbersome by 1).
Hard Points Required: 2.

171

CRAFTING
Characters may craft almost anything, from swords and
crossbows to ships and clockwork devices, given sufficient
time, resources, and skill. Although fletching, blacksmith-
ing, and tannery are very different trades, for simplicity,
most crafting uses the Mechanics skill. The use of Alchemy
to create potions is a kind of crafting, but is distinct enough
for its own skill and so it has additional rules. Regardless
of the skill used, we also call a skill check to craft an item a
crafting check.
All crafting follows the same basic guidelines, although the
process your character undertakes within the narrative of the
game may vary greatly. Of course, your GM might modify
these rules based on the situation and the specific item, and
might impose additional requirements.
THE CRAFTING PROCESS
To craft an item, your character must have appropriate tools
and components. For instance, to craft a sword, your char-
acter must have access to a forge, smiths’ tools, and a supply
of iron or steel. Typically, the cost of raw materials to craft
an item is equal to half of the cost of the item. These materi-
als are consumed in the process, whether the crafting check
succeeds or fails. Tools can generally be used multiple times
before wearing out, but are often quite expensive. The rules
in this section provide GMs and players with options for
crafting their own weapons, armor, and more.
Crafting follows three steps: Step 1 : Select Template, in
which the PC chooses what kind of item to make; Step 2:
Acquire Materials. in which the PC acquires the supplies to
build it; and Step 3: Construction. in which the PC actually
assembles the item.
STEP 1: SELECT TEMPLATE
When a craftsperson sets about creating an item, the player
first chooses a template from one of the tables in this section.
The template dictates the materials required (Material Price/
Rarity). the challenge of building it (Check), an estimate of
how long construction takes (Time), and the results should
the character succeed on the check (the item that shares a
name with the template).
Each template can encompass an incredibly vast number
of specific types of item. Two crafters might approach the
problem in completely different ways and come up with
completely different solutions. A template describes what a
crafted item does. but not necessarily how it accomplishes
it or what embellishments it might possess: those are the
mark of the crafter. Thus. players and GMs should feel free
to be creative in coming up with their own unique types of
item that a given template can represent. Inspired GMs are
encouraged to create their own unique templates-all a tem-
plate needs is a Name, Material Price/Rarity, Check. Time.
and profile for the result, which GMs can provide to their
players as they see fit.
172
Step 1 : Select Template takes as much or as little time as the
character spends planning before launching into hands-on
work. After selecting a template, a character moves on to
Step 2: Acquire Materials .
STEP 2: ACQUIRE MATERIALS
To attempt to build an item based on the chosen template,
the PC must acquire appropriate materials for that template.
These are listed under “Material Price/Rarity” on the rele-
vant table. For all mechanical purposes, materials count as a
single item with the listed cost and rarity. As always, at the
GM’s discretion, certain supplies might not always be avail-
able for the listed price at any given market. Because Mate-
rial Price/Rarity for a template is defined only in terms of
cost in credits and abstracted rarity, the particular nature of
the materials that a character uses can vary wildly, as can the
prices. Depending on the specifics of the item the character
is crafting, at the GM’s discretion, PCs can acquire some or
all of the materials for a template via means other than pay-
ing for them (such as salvaging them. stealing them, or being
gifted with them).
Step 2: Acquire Materials requires as much time as it takes
for the PC to physically obtain the materials. This could be
as short as a trip to a scrapyard or market. or as long as an
epic quest to find a rare ore or crystal. depending on the
situation. After successfully acquiring materials, a character
moves on to Step 3: Construction.
STEP 3: CONSTRUCTION
After acquiring the materials to make the item. rhe character
must make the associated check, listed under “Check” on
the relevant table, to actually construct the item. The diffi-
culty of this check may be modified, at your GM’s discre-
tion. If the character succeeds. the item is fully functional
and has the profile listed in its template If the character fails
on the check, the product that comes out of the attempt is
unusable. and the materials are lost. Construction checks are
special. Only s and f on these checks cancel each other.
All a and h rolled on the check is spent by the PC and
GM respectively. This is to promote uniqueness among all
creations.
The Crafting results tables include suggestions on how to
integrate other results into construction. First. crafters can
use a and t results to make improvements to the item.
Then. the GM can spend h and d to add flaws. Unless a
limit is specified. an option from these tables may be selected
any number of times, and its effects stack.
The amount of time Step 3: Construction takes is deter-
mined by the estimate of working hours listed in the tem-
plate under Time. Every s the character scores on the check
beyond the first reduces this time by 2 hours (to a minimum
of 1 hour). Other factors can also affect the time required, at
the GM’s discretion.
TABLE: WEAPON PROFILES
Hands
Name Skill Dam Crit range Encum HP Special
Rquired
Fist Weapon Brawl +1 4 Engaged 1 0 Disorient 3 One
Disorient 2 / Cumbersome 4,
Blunt Weapon Melee (Light) / Melee (Heavy) +2 / +3 5/4 Engaged 3 /5 1/3 One / Two
Disorient 2
Bladed Weapon Melee (Light) / Melee (Heavy) +2 / +3 3/3 Engaged 2/4 1/2 None/ Cumbersome 3 One / Two
Piercing Pierce 1 / Pierce 1, Vicious 1,
Melee (Light) / Melee (Heavy) +1 / +2 3/3 Engaged 1/3 1/2 One / Two
Weapon Cumbersome 3
Firearm Ranged 5 3 Short 2 1 Pierce 1, Prepare 1, Unwieldy 3 One
Bow Ranged 6 3 Medium 2 1 Pierce 1 Two
Crossbow Ranged 5 3 Short 2 2 Pierce 2, Prepare 1 One

TABLE: ARMOR TEMPLATES

Standard Time
Name STANDARD MATERIAL PRICE/RARITY Standard Check Difficulty Standard Profile
(IN HOURS)
+0 soak. +0 melee defense.
Clothing 50 credits/0 Easy k Mechanics or Survival 6
1 encumbrance, 0 hard points
+1 soak. +1 melee defense, 2
Light Armor 250 credits/3 Average kk Mechanics or Survival 8
encumbrance, 1 hard point
+1 soak. +1 melee and ranged
Medium Armor 600 cred1ts/3 Hard kkk Mechanics 10
defense, 3 encumbrance, 2 hard point
+2 soak. +1 melee defense, 5
Heavy Armor 1500 credits/5 Daunting kkkk Mechanics 20
encumbrance, 2 hard point
Customizable +1 soak. +1 melee and ranged
1500 cred1ts/7 Formidable kkkkk Mechanics 16
Armor defense, 3 encumbrance, 3 hard point

TABLE: WEAPON TEMPLATES

Standard Time
Name STANDARD MATERIAL PRICE/RARITY Standard Check Difficulty Examples
(IN HOURS)
Fist Weapon 75 credits/1 Easy k Mechanics or Survival 6 Brass Knuckles, Punch Dagger
Melee-Light
200 credits/3 Average kk Mechanics or Survival 8 Warhammer, Rapier, Club
Weapon
Shield 100 cred1ts/3 Average kk Mechanics or Survival 10 Buckler, Kite Shield
Melee-Heavy
400 credits/5 Hard kkk Mechanics 20 Glaive, Greataxe, Maul
Weapon

Bow 400 cred1ts/5 Hard kkk Mechanics or Daunting 8 Shortbow, Longbow

kkkk Survival
Crossbow 500 cred1ts/7 Daunting kkkk Mechanics 30 Hand Crossbow
Firearm 1000 cred1ts/9 Formidable kkkkk Mechanics 90 Pistol

Roughing It
Your Game Master may allow characters to use the
Survival skill to craft certain simple items, such as
crude spears and traps. This follows the normal
rules for crafting, but such items are not made to
last, and generally wear out quickly. The GM may
spend d on any check involving an item crafted
using Survival to cause the item to break and
become unusable.
173
 Table: Spending a, h, t, and d on Weapon Crafting Checks.
Symbols Effect
Practice Makes Perfect: The character learns something valuable, and gains j on the next crafting check they makes with the same skill
before the end of the session.
Two-Handed: Increase the weapon’s damage by 2 and encumbrance by 2, it gains the Prepare 1 quality (or increases its Prepare quality
a or t by 1), it becomes a weapon that requires two hands to wield (this can only be selected once and is only applicable to Crossbows and
Firearms).
Lightweight: Reduce the weapon’s encumbrance by 1 (to a minimum of 1 ).
Knockdown Quality: The weapon gains the Knockdown quality (this can only be selected once)
Defensive or Deflection Quality: The weapon gains the Defensive or Deflection 1 quality (or increases its Defensive or Deflection quality
by 1, to a maximum of 2/ only applicable to brawl and melee weapons).
Disorient Quality: The weapon gains the Disorient quality (or increase its Disorient quality by 1)
Increased Range: Increase the weapon’s range by 1 range band, to a maximum of extreme (only for Ranged weapons).
aa or t Lessons Learned: Reduce the difficulty of the character’s next crafting check by 1.
Monk Quality: The weapon gains the Monk quality (this can only be selected once / only applicable to brawl and melee (Light) weapons).
Pierce Quality: The weapon gains the Pierce 1 quality (or increase its Pierce quality by 1, to a maximum of 5).
Stun Quality: This weapon gains the Stun 1 quality (or increase the value of its Stun quality by 1.
Vicious Quality: The weapon gains the Vicious 1 quality (or increase its Vicious quality by 1, to a maximum of 5).
Customizable: Increase the weapon’s hard points by 1.
Destructive: Increase the weapon’s damage by 1 [this can only be selected once).
Efficient Construction: A sizeable portion of the material is unused or can be reclaimed from the process; the character retains supplies
aaa or worth 50% of the Material Price needed to craft the item (this can only be selected once).
t
Ensnare Quality: The weapon gains the Ensnare 1 quality (or increase its Ensnare quality by 1J.
Finesse Quality: The weapon gains the Finesse quality (this can only be selected once / only applicable to brawl and melee (Light)
weapons).
Accurate Quality: The weapon gains the Accurate 1 quality (or increase its Accurate quality by 1. to a maximum of 3).
Lethal: Reduce the weapon’s critical rating by 1, to a minimum of 1 (this can only be selected once).
aaaa
or t Sunder Quality: The weapon gains the Sunder quality (this can only be selected once).
Schematic: Create a schematic that permanently reduces the difficulty of creating similar weapons of this template/profile by 1 (to a
minimum of Easy (k), this can only be selected once).
t Superior Quality: The weapon gains the Superior quality (this can only be selected once).
Concussive Quality: The weapon gains the Concussive 1 quality (this can only be selected once).
Duplicate: create one additional, identical weapon (with all the qualities, improvements, and flaws that the first possesses) at no extra cost.
tt
Integral Attachment: Add +1 hard point to the weapon, then install one applicable weapon attachment that requires 1 hard point. No
check is required to obtain this attachment, and it costs 0 gold.
Exhausting Effort: Upon completing Step 3: Construction, the character suffers 3 strain.
h or d
Heavy: Increase the weapon’s encumbrance by 1.
Cumbersome Quality: The weapon gains the Cumbersome 3 quality (or increases its Cumbersome quality by 1).
Unwieldy Quality: The weapon gains the Unwieldy 3 quality (or increases its Unwieldy quality by 1).
hh or d Difficult to Customize: Increase the difficulty of checks to modify the weapon by 1.
Prepare Quality: The weapon gains the Prepare 1 quality (or increase its Prepare quality by 1 / only applicable to Ranged weapons and a
maximum of 1 time to bows).
Inaccurate Quality: The weapon gains the Inaccurate 1 quality (or increase its Inaccurate quality by 1).
hhh or Expensive: the weapon takes more raw material to produce correctly than planned; the cost to produce increases by 50%.
d Wear and Tear: The tools the character was using to craft the weapon are worn down or destroyed, and are damaged one step (minor
damage if undamaged. from minor to moderate, or moderate to major).
Brittle: On a result of d from a combat check using the weapon, it becomes damaged one level (this is in addition to the normal
hhhh spending of d / see page 89 of the Genesys Core Rulebook).
or d Slow-Firing Quality: The weapon gains the Slow-Firing 1 quality [or increase its Slow-Firing quality by 1 / only applicable to Ranged
weapons).
Hidden Flaw: At some point in the future, the GM may flip a Destiny Point to have the weapon fracture or break. When the GM does
dd so, the weapon counts as suffering major damage and thus becomes unusable (see page 89 of the Genesys Core Rulebook }. Once the
weapon has been repaired, this flaw is removed and cannot be exploited again.

174
Table: Spending a, h, t, and d on Armor Crafting Checks.
Symbols Effect
Practice Makes Perfect: The character learns something valuable. and gains j on the next check
a or t they make the same skill before the end of the session.
Lightweight: Reduce the armor’s encumbrance by 1 (to a minimum of 1 ).
Lessons Learned: Reduce the difficulty ot the character’s next crafting check by 1.
Extra Melee Defense: Add + 1 melee defense to the armor (this can only be selected once).
aa or t Special Embellishment: The wearer of this armor adds automatic a) to checks for one ot the
following skills: Charm, Coercion, Negotiation, Leadership. Resilience, or Stealth (this can only
be selected once).
Efficient Construction: A sizeable portion of the material is unused or can be reclaimed from the
process: the character retains supplies worth 50% of the Material Pnce needed to craft the item
(this can only be selected once]
aaa or t
Extra Ranged Defense: Add + 1 ranged defense to the armor (this can only be selected once).
Extra Hard Point: Add I hard point to the armor (to a maximum of 2 additional hard points).
Extra Soak: Add + I soak to the armor (this can only be selected once).
aaaa or t Schematic: Create a schematic that permanently reduces the difficulty of creating similar armors
of this template by 1 (to a minimum of Easy (k), this can only be selected once).
Duplicate: Create one additional. identical set of armor (with all of the qualities, improvements,
and flaws that the first possesses) at no extra cost.
tt Integral Attachment: Add +1 hard point to the armor, then install one applicable armor
attachment that requires 1 hard point. No check is required to obtain this attachment, and it
costs 0 gold.
Poor Fit: Donning and removing this armor requires I additional action (this can only be selected
once)
h or d Exhausting Effort: Upon completing Step 3: Construction, the character suffers 3 strain.
Heavy: Increase the armor’s encumbrance by 1.
Complex: The armor is difficult to maintain. Increase the difficully of checks to repair this item
by 1
hh or d Difficult to Customize: Increase the difficulty of checks to add attachments on this armor by 1.
Restrictive: Ttle wearer of this armor adds automatic h to checks for one of the following skills:
Athletics, Coordination, Perception. Skulduggery. or Vigilance (this can only be selected once).
Wear and Tear: The tools the character was using to craft the armor are worn down or destroyed,
and are damaged one step.
hhh or d Fraglle: The armor has a substantial vulnerabillty that can be exploited, whenever the armor
becomes damaged, the damage always counts as moderate damage unless it would be worse (This
can only be selected once).
Expensive: The armor has intncare mechanisms that can only be replaced at substantial cost.
Whenever it becomes damaged, the cost to repair the armor is doubled (this can only be selected
once).
hhhh or d
Supply Shortage: The character runs out of equipment midway through constructmg the armor
The crafter cannot finish it until they has a chance to acqire more supplies and spends credits
equal to 25% of the Material Price on these additional supplies (this can only be selected once).
Hidden Flaw: At some point in the future, the GM may flip a Destiny Point to have the armor
fracture or break. When the GM does so, the armor counts as suffering major damage and thus
dd becomes unusable (see page 89 of the Genesys Core Rulebook }. Once the weapon has been
repaired, this flaw is removed and cannot be exploited again.

175
 ALCHEMY
Characters can use the Alchemy skill to prepare elixirs,
poisons, salves, unguents, and other concoctions. For
simplicity, these various concoctions are referred to as
potions and poisons. Preparing a potion or poison fol-
lows the normal rules for crafting, with the exceptions
noted in this section.
The process of brewing takes one hour, plus a number of
hours equal to the rarity of the brew. If the check is suc-
cessful, the character creates enough of the brew for a sin-
gle dose or application. The player and GM may spend
dice symbols for additional effects, as per the examples in
Table: Spending a, h, t, and d on Alchemy Checks.
Normally, an alchemist’s lab or kit is required in order
to prepare a brew. In some cases, your GM might allow
a character to make a check at an increased difficulty to
prepare certain concoctions without access to the proper
tools. Likewise, your character needs access to suitable
ingredients.
Some concoctions might even require your character to
have ranks in a magic skill to properly work with the
material and brew it.
ALCHEMY INGREDIENTS
Before your character can brew a potion or prepare
another alchemical concoction, they must, of course,
have suitable ingredients. For most potions, your charac-
ter can either simply purchase the ingredients, or gather
them personally.
As a guideline, the ingredients for a potion cost half the
price of the final product, with a rarity half that of the
desired potion or elixir (rounded up). Of course, things
aren’t always so simple, and your GM may determine
that certain key ingredients are not available for pur-
chase, and require your character to track them down by
other means. This is particularly appropriate for rare and
fantastical potions, such as invisibility potions.
Most ingredients, whether available for purchase or not,
can be gathered in the wilderness. To gather the necessary
ingredients for a potion, your character (or perhaps an
ally) must travel to an appropriate location and spend
some time—probably at least the better part of a day—
finding and obtaining the ingredients. The character
makes a Survival check, with a difficulty equal to half the
rarity of the potion, rounded up. If the check is success-
ful, the character gathers enough ingredients to prepare
one batch of the potion.
Rare or singular ingredients, or those that by necessity
are dangerous to acquire, may require more than a single
176
Acquiring Templates
From a narrative standpoint. there are countless
ways that a character might come to know how
to create a particular item. For many simple items.
the knowledge needed to build them might be
available in a manual or shop.
Many artisans have simply memorized such infor-
mation. thanks to years of practice. or can at least
improvise if push comes to shove.
For other items. especially more complicated ones.
common knowledge and common sense might
not be enough. A character might need to seek out
an experienced mentor. do long hours of research.
or find ancient repositories of knowledge to design
an advanced model or droid or craft a device to
perform an unprecedented task.
It is always up to the GM whether a given tem-
plate is available to a PC. As a general rule of
thumb. most templates should be available to
the PCs a majority of the time -the difficulty of
turning abstract knowledge into a practical device
is reflected by the difficulty of checks to acquire
materials and construct the device.
However. if it makes for a more interesting story,
the GM (or the player) can require the character
to spend time on research or even go on a short
adventure to complete Step 1: Select Template for
a particularly special item. Alternatively. a char-
acter’s past successes (or failures) might open the
door to crafting a brand-new item.
Survival check to obtain. The acquisition of such compo-
nents could become the basis of an encounter or even an
entire adventure.
Table: Spending a, h, t, and d on Potion/Poison Crafting Checks.
Symbols Effect
Practice Makes Perfect: The character learns something valuable. and gains j on the next check they
make the same skill before the end of the session.
a or t Fortifying: A character who uses the potion heals 1 strain or 1 wound (as determined by your character)
in addition to its normal effects.
Draining: If a poison, the target suffers two strain when consuming it.
Careful Measuring: By carefu lly measuring ingredients. some are saved for later The character retains
aa or t supplies worth 50% of the material price needed to craft the potion (this can only be selected once).
Quick Brew: Reduce the time to prepare the potion by half. (This can only be selected once)
Large Batch: Brew up an extra large batch of the concoction. creating two doses of the potion in stead
of one. (This can only be selected once)
aaa or t Extra Potency: If the potion is harmful. increase the difficulty to resist it by 1 (to a maximum of
Formidable [kkkkk]
Long-lasting: Increase the duration of the potion’s effects by one round (if applicable).
Virulent: If the potion is harmful. upgrade the difficulty of any checks to resist it once.
aaaa or t Recipe: Create a recipe that permanently reduces the difficulty of creating this potion by 1 (to a
minimum of Easy (k), this can only be selected once).
Potent Reactions: Upgrade the difficulty of checks to resist the poison’s effects once.
t Empowered: The potion is more effective than normal, as determined by your GM, when a character
uses the potion.
Overpowering Sensation: If the potion is beneficial. it remains in the user’s system. and has the same
tt effect the following round.
Foul Taste: If the potion is beneficial, a character suffers 2 strain after using the potion and benefiting
from its effects.
h or d
Vile Smell: The potion (or poison) has a strong smell that adds j to all checks made to detect its
presence, including in food or drink.
Delayed Start: When used, the potion doesn’t take effect for one minute, or one round in structured
time.
Vile Reaction: If the potion is beneficial, a character suffers 1 wound after using the potion and
hh or d benefiting from its effects.
Sloppy Brewing: Your character must purchase additional ingredients worth half of the original
component cost.
Diluted Strength: Reduce the difficulty to resist the poison by 1 (to a minimum of Simple [-]).
hhh or d Brief Effect: Reduce the duration of the potion’s effects by one round, to a minimum of one round (if
applicable). If the effects would last until the end of the encounter, they last for two rounds instead.
Alchemical Mishap: A character who uses the potion is disoriented for two rounds.
d Rejection: A character who uses the potion must succeed on an Average (kk) Resilience check; if they
fail, their body rejects the potion and it doesn’t take effect.
Unexpected Side Effects: After the potion is consumed and its effects applied. the GM selects the effects
dd of a different alchemical potion and applies those to the target as well. These effects should be beneficial
to the target if the potion was created to be harmful, and vise versa

177
 MAGIC
Table: Spending h and d on Magic Checks.
Symbols Effect
The magic energies exhaust the character, and they suffer 2 strain or 1 wound.
h or d
This character and all allied Spellcasters in the encounter add j to any attempts to cast spells until the end of the controlling player’s next turn.
The magic effect doesn’t take effect until the start of the next round, or after a minute in narrative gameplay. If the character is using a magic item, it
hh or d becomes damaged one step (see Table I.5–4: Repairing Gear, on page 89).
Until the end of the encounter, enemy Spellcasters add j when casing spells that targets this character.
The magic effect is slightly more powerful than expected. One character of the GM’s choice is targeted or otherwise affected by the magic as well.
hhh or d All other Spellcasters and creatures attuned to magic energies within a day’s travel become aware of the character (and depending on their disposition,
may be very interested in finding them and doing them harm).
The character overexerts themself or loses their magic connection and is unable to cast spells for the rest of the encounter or scene.
d
The GM picks the target of the character’s magic. If the spellcaster is an NPC, the controlling player picks the target of the magic effect instead.
The character completely lose control of their magic energies or draws the ire of their deity, suffering one Critical Injury (at the GM’s discretion, this
may instead take the form of some of terrible or hilarious misfortune, such as temporarily being turned into a small woodland creature, being struck by
dd lightning on a clear day, swapping bodies with someone else in the encounter for the remainder of the day, or summoning an avatar of divine or infernal
wrath).
If the character is using a magic item, it is completely destroyed.

RULES TO REMEMBER

When your character casts a spell that requires a skill check (whether or not the check succeeds), they suffer 2 strain after resolving
the check.

Before making a magic action, the character may choose a number of additional effects to add to that action (these effects are
listed on an associated table). However, each effect has a difficulty increase associated with it. You add each difficulty increase to
the overall difficulty of the check. You may not add an effect if it would increase the difficulty beyond Formidable (kkkkk) (after
any reductions, such as from magic implements, talents, or abilities, are applied unless specifically stated). Each effect can be added
once, unless the effect specifies otherwise.

If your character does not have at least one rank in a magic

TABLE III.2–3: PENALTIES WHEN CASTING SPELLS
Condition
The character does not have at least one free hand.
The character is gagged, silenced, or otherwise unable
to speak.
The character is wearing heavy armor that might
hamper their gestures (armor with 3 encumbrance or
more), or carrying a shield. This could also include
other restrictive outfits, at your discretion.
The character is concentrating on a spell.
The character is in circumstances that interfere with
their ability to concentrate, such as trying to cast while
swimming or hanging from a rope, being buffeted by
a sandstorm, or casting a spell that doesn’t target the
person they’re fighting in hand-to-hand combat.
skill, they cannot attempt to use it.
While there are no rules specified about how a magic user’s
Penalty concentration may be broken, the sidebar on page 213
+j of the Genesys Core Rulebook suggests an Average (kk)
Discipline check during Narrative Encounters. GMs may
+jj find this or something very similar appropriate in some
circumstances of a Structured Encounter. Table I.6-3 on
page 104 of the Genesys Core Rulebook gives a result
+j option for h to cause a character to lose the benefit of a
previous maneuver, this may be used to call for a Discipline
+j per spell check. The GM may also decide to break concentration
concentrating on with hhh. Also if you are inflicted with a Critical Injury
while concentrating on a spell effect, you must make a
Upgrade the Discipline check in difficulty equal to the severity of the
difficulty once
Critical suffered.
(or more at your
GM’s discretion).
When casting a spell, a character may add a number
of additional effects equal to 1 plus their ranks in the
appropriate skill for the skill used to cast the spell.

178
 STARTING SPELLS related to the magic skill with a difficulty equal to the
base difficulty of the magic action, increased a number
When a character is starting their career, they know all
of times equal to that specific additional effect based of
the magic actions allowed by their magic skill. How-
that spell’s Additional Effects table (this may go beyond
ever, they may only chose a single additional effect per
kkkkk). If the check succeeds, the character has
spell they know.
learned the new spell effect. Spellcasters tend to hold
these tomes and not sell them. Depending on the set-
LEARNING ADDITIONAL ting, maybe they can be bought or borrowed at magical
colleges. They also make great rewards for quests, as
EFFECTS well as a nice addition to a treasure the party is looting.
Unlocking additional effects should feel rewarding, and
SCROLLS AND TOMES
the GM should not penalize players who want to make
use of this alternate rule. New effects can be discovered Magical writing is a famous thing in many fantasy sto-
by the character by spending time casting spells and ries and your game can use them too! If a magic user
experimenting with gestures, formulae, and magical can find magical writings describing a new additional
reagents. effect they don’t have, the writing is considered the
right tool for the job and adds a boost to their check to
MENTORSHIP learn the effect in question. Of course, there are some
A character can learn new additional effects with the magical writings that are one-use only. If your player
help of someone who already knows that effect for that spends a Story Point to upgrade the ability of their
same magic skill. Teaching requires time from both magic skill check, they may consume the scroll or tome
parties, which can take between a few hours to a few and upgrade the ability twice (instead of the normal
days, as per the GM’s discretion. Once per session, after boost). Regardless of the outcome of the skill check, the
completing the lesson, the character makes a Knowl- tome or scroll is consumed and gone.
edge check, using the Knowledge skill linked to the
magic skill, with a difficulty equal to the base difficulty
of the magic action, increased a number of times equal
to that specific additional effect, based on that spell’s
Additional Effects tabl (this may go beyond kkkkk)
e. If the check succeeds, the character has learned that
new magical effect. Note that characters rarely offer
such lessons for free. While some might sell their
services, others like to exchange knowledge amongst
themselves, teaching each other magical effects.

PERSONAL RESEARCH
New effects can be discovered by the character them-
self by spending time casting spells and experimenting
with gestures, formulae, and magical reagents. Once
per session, a character can spend a story point to
attempt a Magic skill check, with a difficulty equal to
the spell’s base difficulty, increased by Difficulty modi-
fier of the spell effect (taken from the spell’s Additional
Effects table) the character is trying to learn (this may
go beyond kkkkk). If the check is successful, the
additional effect is learned. In order to attempt such a
discovery, the character has to dedicate a few hours of
uninterrupted practice.

MAGIC WRITINGS
Some spellcasters keep journals and research tomes
containing information a character can use to master
a specific magic effect. Studying such tomes can be
attempted once per session, after which the charac-
ter makes a Knowledge check using a knowledge skill

179
 TABLE: MAGIC ACTIONS AVAILABLE PER SKILL
Magic Skill Arcana ArTIFICE Divine Ki Pact Magic Primal Sorcery Verse
Alter X X X X
Attack X X X X X
Augment X X X X X X
Barrier X X X X X
Conjure X X X X X
Curse X X X X X
Dispel X X X X X X X
Enchantment X X X X
Heal X X X X

Illusion X X X X

Move X X X

Predict X X X
Teleport X X X
Utility X X X X X X X X

MANEUVERS
These maneuvers are specific to characters who use magic
skills. Like most maneuvers, these don’t actually require
checks, but affect the character’s skill checks. Of course,
you and your players might also describe common
maneuvers in terms of magic when it seems appropriate.
For instance, a player might describe guarded stance
(page 99) as their character focusing their attention on
erecting a minor magical barrier, or they might narrate
assist (page 98) as a subtle push of magical energy to
guide an ally’s sword strike.
RITUALS
Given sufficient time and materials to prepare, mages
may perform rituals, working their magic slowly and
carefully as to not incur a physical cost. To perform a
ritual, a mage must build a ritual altar and speak an
extended invocation, usually accompanied by some
kind of sacrifice. Some rituals are reasonably short but
others are day- or night-long ordeals, reserved for the
most powerful and grievous magics.
Spells performed as rituals can be maintained in narra-
tive encounters.

COUNTERSPELL Duration Effect

Most skilled Spellcasters can attempt to counter an oppo- 1 Hour The difficulty of the check is
nent’s spells as they are being cast. If the character per- reduced by 1, to a minimum of
forms the counterspell maneuver, all adversaries within Easy (k)
medium range upgrade the difficulty of checks to cast
2 Hours The spell’s Strain cost is re-
spells once, until the end of the character’s next turn. duced by 1, to a minimum of
CONCENTRATE 1. The difficulty of the check is
reduced by 1, to a minimum of
Some magical effects might require concentration to sus-
tain. If a magical action (or spell) can benefit from con-
Easy (k)
centration, the action description notes this. spells that 4 Hours The spell’s Strain cost is re-
can be sustained through concentration last until the end duced by 1, to a minimum of
of the character’s next turn (as noted in their description). 1. The difficulty of the check is
However, if the character performs the concentrate reduced by 2, to a minimum of
maneuver during that next turn, the spell’s effects last Easy (k)
until the end of the character’s following turn, instead. 8 Hours The spell does not incur the
This can be sustained indefinitely by performing the con- Strain cost. The difficulty of
centrate maneuver each turn. After taking this maneuver,
the check is reduced by 3, to a
the character suffers strain equal to half the strain
originally required to activate the spell, rounding up.
minimum of Easy (k)
. 24 Hours The spell does not incur the
Strain cost. The difficulty of
the check is reduced by 4, to a
minimum of Easy (k)

180
 MAGIC SKILLS
ARCANE
Arcane magic is the magic from your typical wizard. It is
learned through study of old tome, experiments and con-
stant study. The Arcane magic has a great array of spells to
learn, from magical attacks to barriers, defensive spell as
well as battlefield control and a great deal of utility spells.
Arcane is one of the magic skills limited in their free choice
of spells. Arcane learns Utility, Attack, and then chooses a
number of actions equal to 1 plus their Intellect.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Arcane) skill.
ARTIFICE
Artificers are a rare kind of arcane spellcaster who treat
magic in the same manner as a mason might see a chisel,
as a tool for the creation of marvels. An artificer learns
to wield their magic through the mastering of sigils and
diagrams that they etch into that which they enchant, as
well as magical ingredients. Artificers infuse objects of the
world, be they inanimate or alive, with the power of the
arcane, making them both powerful crafters and healers.
Artifice has access to all Arcane only Utility spells.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Arcane) skill.
DIVINE
Gods bestow spells to their followers. While everyone can
worship a deity, only a handful is actually capable of chan-
neling their divine energy. These divine casters are usually
referred to as Clerics or Paladins. The Divine magic has
spells mostly centered on increasing the efficiency of the
group, as well has removing wounds and harmful con-
ditions. Divine magic also have offensives spells that are
pretty lethal for undead, demons and other outsiders.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Divine) skill.
KI
Ki is an internal energy of one's body, described as either
spiritual energy or the energy of life. It is a subtle energy,
but it can be used to perform incredible feats by pushing
the body to and beyond its physical limits. Of the magic
that suffused the multiverse, ki is the element that flows
through living bodies. Mastery of ki gives power over one's
own body and over the bodies of others.
Ki is one of the magic skills limited in their free choice
of spells. Ki users learn Utility and other magic actions
through talents and training only.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Discipline skill.
PACT MAGIC
Warlocks are seekers of the knowledge that lies hidden
in the fabric of the multiverse. Through pacts made with
mysterious beings of supernatural power, warlocks unlock
magical effects both subtle and spectacular. Drawing
on the ancient knowledge of beings such as fey nobles,
demons, devils, hags, celestials, and alien entities of the
Far Realm, warlocks piece together arcane secrets to bol-
ster their own power.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Forbidden) skill.
PRIMAL
Primal magic is used by druids and rangers. Drawing
power directly from the nature around, druids are capable
casting spells that replicate nature’s forces. Their spells use
weather, plants, and animals.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Nature & Geography) skill.
SORCERY
Contrarily to other forms of magic, Sorcery doesn’t require
dedication, training or even will to learn. In most families,
a magic is passed down through the lineage. This normally
doesn’t come from the immediate parents but from farther
ancestry. At some point, a dragon, fey, outsider or even
elemental may have influenced a lineage, either by using
their own magic or by interbreeding. Anyhow, their magic
runs into the family and may manifest once in a while in
a child. Sorcerers have potential to utilize almost anything
that magic has to offer, albeit limited.
Sorcery is one of the magic skills limited in their free choice
of spells. Sorcery learns Utility, Dispel, and then chooses a
number of actions equal to 1 plus their Willpower.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Discipline skill.
VERSE
Verse is a magic used by Bards. These elusive musicians
have developed an intrigued way of storing and casting
spells, which is in their own voice and music. From their
travels and own experimentations, they were able to chan-
nel spells from different forms of magic through their art.
Thus, Verse magic is the more diverse as it includes spells
from Arcane, Sorcery, Divine and Primal magic.
When a spell refers to ranks in an appropriate skill, your
character uses the Knowledge (Lore) skill.
181
 ALTER
Concentration: Yes
This action represents the use of magic to change the physical form or appearance of an inanimate object within short range (for example,
changing a sword into a stick). The default difficulty for the check is Easy (k), and affects silhouette 0 objects.
While transformed, the target adopts the physical appearance of the chosen form and gains its characteristics, soak, wound and strain thresh-
old, and defense. Their worn gear and wielded items meld into their new form. The character does not retains their own skills or talents,
If the character is incapacitated while transformed, they revert back to their normal form. When a character reverts back to their normal form,
they heal all wounds and strain suffered while transformed but do not heal any Critical Injuries they suffered while transformed. If they were
incapacitated due to exceeding their wound or strain threshold, they are no longer incapacitated.
If the check is successful, the change will continue until the end of the character’s next turn. A character or object may not be affected by more
than one Alter spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
Before making the check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: ALTER ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Size: The spell will affect an object of one Silhoutte size larger, and can be used to increase or decrease the size of the target by one Silhouette size (for example, turning a
pebble into a boulder, or vice versa). This may be added multiple times, increasing the size by one Silhouette each time. +k

Polymorph: The spell will affect a willing living creature, and will allow the target to be changed into a creature of the same Silhouette (for example, a dog may be changed
into a dragon, but the dragon will be the same size as the dog). The target will not gain any of its new form’s special abilities. +k

Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k

Additional Target: The spell will affect one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one additional target
+kk
within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time.
Baleful Polymorph: The spell will affect an unwilling living creature, and will allow the target to be changed into a creature of the same Silhouette. The target will not gain
any of its new form’s special abilities. The check is upgraded for every rank the target has in Resilience (or an appropriate amount if the target doesn’t have any skills such as +kk
an object (GM determines)). Cannot be combined with Additional Target.
Major Physical Change (Primal): Instead of changing your entire physical form, the target gains the physical movement abilities of an animal (climb, flight, swim, etc., but
no other abilities). +kk

Transmute: The spell will change a creature into an inanimate object, or vice versa. Cannot be combined with Additional Target. +kk
Grand Polymorph: This effect allow the target creature to gain the special abilities (for example, dragon’s breath, magic, regeneration, etc) of the new form it is changed into. +kkk

182
 ATTACK
Concentration: No
Magic attacks are combat checks, and they follow the normal rules for performing a combat check, on page 101, using the character’s magic
skill instead of a combat skill. There are some exceptions, however, which we detail here.
When casting an attack spell, the character must select one target at short range (but not engaged). The default difficulty of the check is Easy
(k). The attack deals damage equal to the characteristic linked to the skill used to make the attack (so if the character uses Arcane, they would
deal damage equal to their Intellect), plus 1 damage per uncanceled s. The attack has no set Critical rating, so you may only inflict a Critical
Injury with a t.
Before making a magic attack check, choose any number of additional effects listed on Table: Attack Additional Effects. These effects are added
to the attack.

TABLE: ATTACK ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Blast: The attack gains the Blast quality with a rating equal to your character's ranks in the appropriate skill. If your character is using a magic implement, they may add the
implemeent's damage bonus, up to + half your character's ranks in the appropriate skill. +k

Close Combat: May select a target engaged with your character. +k

Deadly: The attack gains a Critical rating of 2. The attack also gains the Vicious quality with a rating equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +k
Elemental: The attack gains the Elemental quality. Acid, Air, Earth, Fire, Ice, Lightning, or Poison are your choices of Elements. This may be added multiple times, adding
multiple Elemental qualities to the attack. +k

Holy/Unholy (Divine): The attack gains the Elemental (Radiant) or Elemental (Necrotic) quality. You may add an additional k to have this effect also have the following
effect: when dealing damage to a target that the GM determines is the antithesis of the character’s faith or deity (such as a priest of a god of life attacking an undead +k
zombie), each s deals +2 damage, instead of +1.
Hindering: The attack gains the Ensnare quality with a rating equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +k
Impact: The attack gains the Knockdown quality. The attack also gains the Disorient quality with a rating equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +k
Lasting: The attack gains the Burn quality with a rating equal to your character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +k

Manipulative: If the attack hits, you may spend aa to move the target up to one range band in any direction. Increase a necessary by 1 for each silhouette above 1. +k
Non-Lethal (Arcane/Verse): The attack gains the Stun Damage quality. The attack also gains the Elemental (Psychic) quality. +k
Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k
Stunning: The attack gains the Stun quality with a rating equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +k
Bombard: The attack gains the Auto-fire quality (the increase of difficulty to use the Auto-fire quality as normal is already applied). The attack gains the Exhausting 1
quality. +kk

Destructive: The attack gains the Sunder quality. The attack also gains the Pierce quality with a rating equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +kk
Empowered: The attack deals damage equal to twice the characteristic linked to the skill (instead of dealing damage equal to the characteristic). If the attack has the Blast
quality, it affects all characters within short range, instead of engaged. The attack also gains the Exhausting 1 quality. +kk

Leech (Arcane/Pact): The attack gains the Elemental (Necrotic) quality. Instead of damage, the attack has the Stun (Active) Quality. In addition, the caster recovers 1 strain,
and 1 additional strain for each uncancelled ss spent (leeching the energy from the target). If combined with Empowered, every uncanceled s instead of ss. +kk

Sapping: If the attack deals damage, the target must immediately make a Hard (kkk) Resilience check or suffer wounds and strain equal to the character’s ranks in the
+kk
appropriate skill.

183
 AUGMENT
Concentration: Yes
This is casting spells to enhance people. A character selects one target they are engaged with (which can be themself ), then makes a Magic
check. The default difficulty of the check is Average (kk). If the check is successful, until the end of your character’s next turn, the target
increases the ability of any skill checks they make by one (in effect, this means they add k to their checks).
A character may not be affected by more than one Augment spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
Before making an Augment check, choose any number of additional effects listed on Table: Augment Additional Effects. These effects are
added to the check.

TABLE: AUGMENT ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Divine Health (Divine): The target increases their wound threshold by a value equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill for the duration of the spell. +k

Enhance: Instead of adding k to target’s skill checks, a Characteristic chosen by the caster is temporarily increased by 1, to a maximum of 5, for the duration of the spell.
+k
You may add an additional kk to have this effect also add k target’s skill checks,. Cannot be combined with Additional Target.

Growth: Instead of adding k to target’s skill checks, adds +1 to Silhouette for each added increase in difficulty. Each increase adds +1 to Soak as well. This may be added up
+k
to 3 times.
Primal Fury (Primal): The target adds damage equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill to unarmed combat checks, and their Critical rating for unarmed
combat checks becomes 3. +k

Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k
Swift: Targets affected by the spell ignore the effects of difficult terrain and cannot be immobilized. +k

Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one additional target
+kk
within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Haste (Arcane/Artifice/Sorcery): Targets affected by the spell can always perform a second maneuver during their turn without spending strain (they may still only perform
two maneuvers a turn). +kk

BARRIER
Concentration: Yes
Some spellcasters have the power to create barriers of energy to protect themselves and their allies. The character selects one target they are
engaged with (which can be themself ), then makes a magic skill check. The default difficulty of the check is Easy (k). If the check is success-
ful, until the end of the character’s next turn, reduce the damage of all hits the target suffers by one, and further reduce it by one for every
uncanceled ss beyond the first.
A character may not be affected by more than one Barrier spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
Before making a Barrier check, choose any number of additional effects listed on Table: Barrier Additional Effects. These effects are added to
the check.

TABLE: BARRIER ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k

Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one additional target
+k
within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).

Add Defense: Each affected target gains ranged and melee defense equal to your ranks in the appropriate skill. +kk

Empowered: The barrier reduces damage equal to the number of uncanceled s instead of the normal effect. +kk
Sanctuary (Divine): Opponents the GM determines are the antithesis of the character’s faith or deity automatically disengage from affected targets, and may not engage
them for the duration of the spell. +kk

Reflection (Arcane/Sorcery): If an opponent makes a ranged attack (including Attack spells) against an affected target and generates hhh or d on the check, after the
+kkk
check is resolved, they suffer a hit dealing damage equal to the total damage of the attack. Cannot be combined with Additional Target.
Reinforced (Arcane): The barrier makes the target’s soak immune to the Pierce and Breach qualities. +kkk
Specified Protection: Instead of reducing damage suffered, the spell protects against a specific type of adversary or enviromental effect (GCRB page 110) specified when
casting the spell. +kkk

184
 CONJURE
Concentration: Yes
This action represents the ability of a spellcaster to animate objects or create items (or even allies) out of thin air and the aether. The
character makes a magic skill check. The default difficulty for the check is Easy (k). If the check is successful, the character summons
a simple tool with no moving parts (such as a shovel or pickax), a one-handed melee weapon with no moving parts (such as a sword
or knife), or a minion no bigger than silhouette 1 (such as an animal, magical creature, elemental spirit, or even undead monstrosity).
These appear engaged with the character. The summoned minion or item remains present until the end of the character’s next turn.
If the character summons a creature, the creature behaves in the best approximation of its natural instincts (as determined by the
GM). It is not controlled by the character, and may even be hostile to them. In a structured encounter, it takes its turn immediately
after the character.
Before making a Conjure check, choose any number of additional effects listed on Table: Conjure Additional Effects. These effects
are added to the check.

TABLE: CONJURE ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Additional Summon: The spell summons one additional item, weapon, or creature. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to summon one additional
+k
item, weapon, or creature (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).

Medium Summon: The character may summon a more complicated tool with moving parts, a rival no larger than silhouette 1, or a two-handed melee weapon. +k
Range: Increase the range of the spell (the distance from the character that the summoned item or creature may appear) by one range band. This may be added multiple
times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k

Greater Summon: The character may summon a rival of up to Silhouette 2 or animate an object of up to Silhouette 2 in size. May not be combined with Additional
Summon. +kk

Reinforced (Artifice): Conjured items have the Reinforced item quality (soak is immune to Pierce and Breach qualities and immune to the Sunder quality) +kk
Summon Ally: The creature the character summons is friendly to them and obeys their commands. The character may spend a maneuver to direct the creature, allowing
them to determine its action and maneuver. (If the character summons multiple creatures, the character may spend one maneuver on their turn to direct the turns of all +kk
summoned creatures.)
Grand Summon (Arcane/Pact /Sorcery): The character may summon a rival of up to Silhouette 3 or animate an object of up to Silhouette 3 in size. May not be
combined with Additional Summon. +kkk

GREATER SUMMON (RIVAL)

3 3 2 2 3 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
TEMPLATES
SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE
MINION 5 17 1 1
3 2 1 2 2 1 Skills: Brawl 3, Perception 2, Ranged 3, Resilience 2, Vigilance 3.
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE
Attack: Brawl; Damage 7; Critical 3; Range [Engaged]
SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE
3 4 0 0 Abilities: Silhouette 2

Skills (group only): Brawl, Resilience, Vigilance.

GRAND SUMMON (RIVAL)
Attack: Brawl; Damage 4; Critical 4; Range [Engaged]

MEDIUM SUMMON (RIVAL)

4 3 2 2 3 2
BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

3 2 2 2 2 2 SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD M/R DEFENSE

BRAWN AGILITY INTELLECT CUNNING WILLPOWER PRESENCE

SOAK VALUE WOUND THRESHOLD
4 12
Skills: Brawl 2, Perception 2, Resilience 2, Vigilance 2.
Attack: Brawl; Damage 6; Critical 3; Range [Engaged]
6 20 2 1
M/R DEFENSE
0 0
Skills: Brawl 3, Perception 2, Ranged 4, Resilience 2, Vigilance 3.
Attack: Brawl; Damage 8; Critical 3; Range [Engaged], Vicious 1
Abilities: Silhouette 3

185
 Summons do not have access to their Empowered feature Special: Immune to poison, disease, fear, and charm
unless the player unlocks that ability by spending aaa or Empowered: Pierce 2, Sunder
t on the Conjure check. t may also be used to add ranks of Constructs usually appear as inanimate objects, such as weap-
the Adversary talent to your summons ons, larger creations such as golems, or anything in between.

SUMMON TYPES DEMONIC

Attack Type: Brawl
ELEMENTALS Effect: Burn 1
Modifiers: -1 Critical rating
EARTH Special: Immune to fire damage
Attack Type: Brawl Empowered: Burn 2, Hellfire (characters that begin their turn
Effect: Knockdown engaged with Demonic creatures suffer 1 wound)
Modifiers: +1 Wounds, +1 Soak Demonic creatures usually appear as fiendish horned human-
Special: Immune to Knockdown oids, wreathed in flames, wielding vicious weapons or huge
claws.
Empowered: Knockdown, Disorient 4
ABERRATIONS
AIR Attack Type: Brawl
Attack Type: Ranged (Range: Medium) Effect: Ensnare 2
Effect: Manipulative (see Attack Additional Effects table) Modifiers: +1 Defense, +1 Soak
Modifiers: +1 Defense Special: Immune to fear and charm
Special: Immune to Immobilize, Flying (Hovering) Empowered: Ensnare 2, Madness (Instead of rolling for Crit-
Empowered: Disorient 2, Manipulative ical Injury inflicted by Aberrations, you may choose to apply
the Fearsome Wound result).
FIRE Aberrations usually appear as horrifying, amorphous entities
with staring eyes, gnashing mouths, and lashing tentacles.
Attack Type: Brawl
Effect: Burn 1 BEAST
Modifiers: +1 Damage Attack Type: Brawl
Special: Immune to fire damage Effect: Pierce 1
Empowered: Burn 2, Blast 4 Modifiers: +2 Wounds
WATER Empowered: +1 damage, Pierce 1, Vicious 3
Beast creatures appear as normal animals. They can vary greatly
Attack Type: Brawl depending on what creatures are summoned.
Effect: Ensnare 2
Modifiers: +1 Defense, +1 Soak PLANT
Special: Immune to Immobilize Attack Type: Brawl
Empowered: Disorient 2, Ensnare 4 Effect: Ensnare 2
Modifiers: +2 Soak
UNDEAD Special: Immune to fear and charm
Attack Type: Brawl Empowered: Piercing Thorns (Instead of rolling for
Effect: Pierce 1 Critical Injury inflicted by Plant creatures, you may choose to
Modifiers: +2 Soak apply the Hamstrung result).
Special: Immune to poison, disease, fear, and charm Plant creatures usually appear as mossy, vine-covered human-
oids, animate trees, or seething masses of thorny vines or roots.
Empowered: Pierce 1, Reanimate (if an Undead minion or
rival is defeated, may spend hhh or d from the attack roll
to revive them at full health on their next turn)
Undead creatures usually appear as animated skeletons, zom-
bies, ghouls, or undead animals.

CONSTRUCT
Attack Type: Brawl
Effect: Pierce 1
Modifiers: +2 soak

186
 CURSE
Concentration: Yes
This action represents the use of curses and debilitating magics. Your character selects one target within short range, then makes a magic skill
check. The default difficulty of the check is Average (kk). If it is successful, until the end of the character’s next turn, the target decreases the
ability of any skill checks they make by one (in effect, this means they remove one k to their checks).
A character may not be affected by more than one Curse spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
Before making an augment check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: CURSE ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Limitation: Spell only affects targets under a certain condition or only curses a particular set of skills. 1 less k
Enervate: If a target suffers strain for any reason, they suffer 1 additional strain. +k

Misfortune: After the target makes a check, you may change one j to a face displaying a f. +k

Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k
Slow: The target must spend an extra maneuver to advance a range band. +k

Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one additional target
+kk
within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Despair (Divine): The target’s strain and wound thresholds are reduced by an amount equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. This effect may not be
combined with the additional target effect. +kk

Doom (Arcana/Pact): After a target makes a check, you may change any one die in the pool not displaying a t or d to a different face. +kk

Alternate Penalty: Target suffers some other setback instead of the usual spell effect. +kk

Shrink (Arcane/Sorcery): Target is reduced one category in Silhouette (can reduce further at the cost of +k per Silhouette reduced after the first reduction) +kk
Rooted: The target is immobilized for the duration of the spell. This effect may not be combined with the Additional Target or Paralyzed effect. +kkk
Paralyzed: The target is staggered for the duration of the spell. This effect may not be combined with the Additional Target or Rooted effect. +kkk

DISPEL
Concentration: No
The ability to nullify magic is a strange and wondrous art. The character selects one target within short range that is under the effects of a
spell, then makes a magic skill check. The default difficulty for the check is Hard (kkk). If the check is successful, the effects the target is under
immediately end (if the spell affected multiple targets, the other targets remain affected).
Before making a dispel check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check. These
effects are added to the check.

TABLE: DISPEL ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Effects Difficulty Mod
Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k

Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend a to affect one additional
+k
target within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending a each time).
Nullify (Arcana/Sorcery): The character can select a single magical item within visual range instead of another character, if successful, the item loses all of its
enhanced properties for a number of rounds equal to the character’s ranks in the appropriate skill. +kk

187
 ENCHANTMENT
Concentration: Yes
Enchantment spells are magic that tampers with another character’s thoughts, either reading or manipulating. Select a target that is engaged
with your character and make a Hard (kkk) magic check. If successful, your character learns the simple surface thoughts of the target. The
GM will determine what those thoughts are. The information learned may not be words that are easy to decipher, but could instead be feel-
ings or flashes of imagery. At the end of the spell’s duration the target becomes aware that they were under the effect of a spell, though not
necessarily who cast it. The target is aware that someone is doing something to their mind. How much they fully understand about what is
happening depends on the setting and the target character.
Before making a Enchantment check, choose any number of additional from the Enchantment Additional Effects table. These effects are
added to the check. A character may not be affected by more than one Enchantment spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
A character may only concentrate on an Enchantment spell for a number of rounds equal to their ranks of the appropriate skill.
Before making an enchantment check, choose any of the additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: ENCHANTMENT ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one additional target
+k
within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Gentle: Target is unaware of the mental probing. +k
Intense Emotions : The target is filled with an overwhelming amount of a specific emotion of the caster’s choice, such as anger, calm, disgust, fear, friendliness, or peace.
May spend t to downgrade the ability of social checks made by this character by one for the duration of the spell. +k

Learn Motivation: Learn one motivation (Fear, Flaw, Strength, or Desire) of the target, GM choice. +k
Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k
Compulsion (Verse): The character can select one non-nemesis target that, if successful, will believe any untruths that the character tells them while under the effects of the
spell. In addition, they will also aid the character in anyway possible as long as it does not bring direct harm to it or it’s allies. The target is aware of its actions, and once the +kk
spell has expired, the target will immediately know that they were magically influenced, and all future social checks with the character will be upgraded in difficulty twice.
Enduring Feelings : The target will continue to suffer the effects of the spell for 1 hour per rank of the appropriate skill that the character possesses . +kk

Modify Memory (Arcane/Verse): The target forgets a time period of up to one hour per uncancelled s. t can be used to implant a different memory in its place. Cannot
+kk
be combined with Additional Target or Enduring Feelings.

Strain Attack: The target suffers 1 strain per uncancelled s +kk

Suggest: The target will follow a short command spoken allowed by the caster as long as no direct harm would come to the target or their allies. +kk
Domination: You determine the target’s next action and maneuvers. They must be defined when the spell is cast. Cannot be combined with Additional Target or Enduring
Feelings. +kkk

188
 HEAL
Concentration: No
Priests and other practitioners of divine magic are often known for their healing abilities. Often, those in touch with nature also possess the
capacity to heal wounds and illness. The character can use a magic skill in place of a Medicine check in order to remove damage or heal Critical
Injuries. When making the check, the character selects one target they are engaged with who is not incapacitated. The default difficulty of the
check is Easy (k). Upon success, the target character consumes a healing potion (see page 116 of the GCRB) and heals 1 strain per a. Every
uncanceled ss beyond the first, the target heals an additional wound.
Before making a heal check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: HEAL ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Effects Difficulty Mod
Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend
a to affect one additional target within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending a each time). +k

Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band
each time. +k

Heal Critical: Select one Critical Injury the target is suffering. If the spell is successful, the Critical Injury is also healed. +k equal to the severity of the
critical
Empowered: The Heal spell heals 1 wound per additional s instead of every uncanceled ss. +kk
Healing Rain (Ki/Primal): A downpour of magical rain comes down in a radius of Short range around the caster, healing all within
range with the spell. +kk

Reciprocal Heal (Verse): When healing another, the caster regains 1 wound and 1 strain per target healed. +kk

Restoration: Select one ongoing status effect (Disorient, Stagger, Immobilize, Poison) the target is suffering. This status effect
immediately ends. +kk

Revive Incapacitated: The character may select targets who are incapacitated. +kk
Transferrence: On a successful cast, the caster can suffer strain equal to their ranks in the appropriate skill to add one wound to the
amount healed for each strain suffered. +kk

Regenerate (Primal): Instead of the normal effects of the Heal spell, if the spell is successful the target regrows a lost or permanently
damaged body-part, then suffers 10 strain at the end of your turn. If the damaged or lost body part was the result of a Critical Injury,
then that Critical Injury is also healed. Every uncanceled s beyond the first & every aa the spell generated reduces the target’s +kkkk
suffered strain by 1. If the check fails, no characters may attempt to regenerate the limb again.
Reincarnation (Primal): The character may select a target who has died during this encounter or is no longer able to be targeted by
the standard Resurrection effect. The character can be reincarnated into a different species. +kkkk

Resurrection (Divine): The character may select a target who has died during this encounter. If the check is successful, the target is
restored to life, suffering wounds equal to their wound threshold. If the check fails, no characters may attempt to resurrect the target +kkkkk
again.

189
 ILLUSION
Concentration: Yes
This ability represents the characters ability to use magic to create an illusion, or to disguise a character’s appearance. The default difficulty of
the check is Average (kk). If the check is successful, the creature creates an illusion of a creature or object that is silhouette one or smaller.
The illusion appears within a short range of the character. Alternatively, the illusion changes the appearance of the caster or one silhouette
one or smaller target they are engaged with. The illusion cannot obscure the basic size and shape of the target. Lastly, the caster may instead
choose one target within range. If the check is successful, the targets either sees a single static image up to a size of silhouette 2, or hears a
sound ranging from a whisper to a scream emanating from close range. Likewise, the spell can cause the target to be unable to see a small,
static object with silhouette 1 such as a chest, weapon, door, or shelf. Illusions can be animated and can move, as long as they remain within
the range of the spell The default difficulty for a keen observer to see through an illusion cast is an Average (kk) Vigilance check (or Average
(kk) Perception if they believe they’re senses are being fooled).
A character may not be affected by more than one Illusion spell at the same time (so no stacking effects).
Before making the skill check, choose any of the additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: ILLUSION ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Effects Difficulty Mod
Additional Illusion: The spell creates one additional illusion or disguises one additional character. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa
+k
to create another additional illusion or disguise another additional character (you may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Additional Senses: The illusion can include smell, life-force (for those who can sense it), etc. in addition to just light and sound. +k
Blur: if the spell targets a character, it blurs and obscure as their form. until the spell ends, add h to the results of combat checks targeting the character
+k
(this applies even if the attacker realizes the effect is an illusion)
Channeling: Line of sight and range can be determined by a Mirror Image, image, etc. +k
Mirror Image: If the spell targets a character, it creates multiple images that move with the target and distract the opponents. Until the spell ends, the
character may spend hhh or d from any combat check targeting the character to have the attack harmlessly hit a mirror image rather than the +k
character (this applies even if the attacker realizes the effect is an illusion)
Range: Increase the range of the spell (the distance from the character the illusion effect appears) by one range band. You may spend aa to extend the
+k
range band by one (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Realism: Increase the difficulty of checks to determine that the illusion is fake by one. In addition, after passing the spell, you may spend aa to increase
the difficulty of checks to determine that the illusion is fake by one (you may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time). The illusion can also +k
fool additional senses such as smell taste or touch.
Size: Increase the silhouette of the illusion created by one, or disguise the appearance of a target one silhouette larger. This may be added multiple times,
increasing the silhouette of the illusion created or target disguised by one each time. +k

Additional Target:The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one
+kk
additional target within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).

Disguise: The spell alters the target’s entire appearance, either physically or by adding/subtracting clothing, gear, personal effects, or other. You may spend
aa to alter how the target sounds or smells. Nothing this spell creates has a physical component, so objects pass through it as normal, and any creature +kk
that touches it will feel nothing.
Quasi-real: The illusion is quasi-real and can be felt to the touch, but it can cause no physical harm or obstruct travel or objects if pressed. +kk
Terror: The illusion terrifies those who behold it. When any character who does not know the illusion is fake spots it, they must make a Hard (kkk)
+kk
Discipline (Fear) check. they suffer 2 strain per h and, if they fail, they are unable to approach the illusion.
Incorporeal (Arcane/Sorcery): When making a Brawn or Agility-based check, increase the difficulty by two, when a corporeal foe makes a Brawn or
Agility-based check targeting the spell recipient, increase the difficulty by two. The target increases their soak by their Willpower (as well as Brawn), and +kkk
can move through most types of difficult and impassable terrain without penalty (but cannot stop inside solid surfaces)
Invisibility: If the spell targets a character, it renders them invisible to sight instead of changing their appearance. +kkk

190
 MOVE
Concentration: Yes
Move spells are used to displace an object or character from one place to another. This can take the form of wind, mental force, ghostly hands,
or whatever fits your setting. Do note that the Move spell cannot be used to cause damage. The Attack spell is for that purpose. Select a target
of silhouette 0 or 1 up to Short range (may target self ). The default difficulty is Average (kk). If successful you may move the target in one
direction toward or away from your character up to one range band per uncancelled ss.
Before making a Move check, choose any number of additional from the Move Additional Effects table. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: MOVE ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend a to affect one additional target within
range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending a each time). +k

Range: Increase the range in which your character can select targets of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range
band each time. +k

Size: Increase the silhouette your character may target. This may be added multiple times, increasing the silhouette by one each time. +k
Levitate: While your character maintains concentration on this spell the target hovers up to one foot (~30cm) off the ground. This counts as hover, as per the Flying sidebar
on page 100 of the Genesys Core Rulebook. +k

Manipulate: The character can interact with and finely manipulate an object affected by their spell as if they were holding it in their hand and using their fingers. +k
Adversary (Arcane/Sorcery): May select an unwilling or secured target. The check is upgraded for every rank the target has in Athletics (or an appropriate amount if the
target doesn’t have any skills such as an object (GM determines)). +kk

PREDICT
Concentration: No
This is using magic to attempt to predict the future. The character makes and skill check, then ask one question about events that will unfold
within the next 24 hours. The default difficulty of the check is Average (kk). if the check is successful, your GM must provide the character
with a truthful answer, but that answer could be one that can be interpreted multiple ways or is somewhat enigmatic. whether the check suc-
ceeds or fails the character may not make another prediction check to ask about the same events for the remainder of the session.
Before making a Predict check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: PREDICT ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Quicksilver Reflexes (Arcane Only): Instead of asking a question about events, the character adds ssto the results of any checks they made to determine -
initiative during the next structured encounter they participate in.
Additional Questions: The character may ask one additional question about events. in addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to ask another
+k
additional question about events, (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).

Clairvoyance: The target gains j that can be used on any single skill check they make until the end of the session. In addition, you may spend aa to add
+k
jj to one additional skill check the target makes until the end of the session.

Commune (Divine/Primal Only): The spell contacts a specific Deity or Spirit of the characters choice (with GM approval). This being will answer any three
questions the character asks to the best of their ability. Character may spend aa to learn the truthfulness of the answers given. +k

Empowered (Divine Only): The character may ask a question about events that will unfold within the next seven days. +kk
Flash of Precognition: In addition to asking a question, once before the end of the current encounter, the character may add s to the results of one of
their checks. In addition, once before the end of the current encounter, the character may add f to the results of a check targeting them. In addition, after
+kk
the character cast a spell, you may spend aaa to add ss to the results of one of their checks, and add ff to the results of a check targeting them
instead of this effects normal benefits.
Cheat Death (Divine Only): In addition to asking a question, the character foresees a possible Doom for themselves in the next 24 hours. Once before the
end of the current session, when the character would otherwise be incapacitated or killed, you may spend a story point to have them suffered wounds and
strain until they reach but do not exceed their wound and strain thresholds instead. Their survival should be described narratively, taking into account that +kkk
they “saw” their potential death coming

191
 TELEPORT
Concentration: No
Teleportation spells allow characters to move instantly across space. Perhaps a character opens a portal through another dimension or warps
space to take a single step across a vast distance. Or they may simply move faster than the eye can see from one location to another. Powerful
users can cross vast distances, though it is dangerous; gone wrong, teleportation can rip a body apart or trap a person’s legs inside the floor.
Of course, a skilled user knows these dangers can be turned against an opponent as well.
Your character (or another they are engaged with) moves instantly from one space to another within short range. The default difficulty of the
check is an Average (kk) check. Against an unwilling target, the default difficulty of the check is set by the target’s Discipline or Resilience
(whichever the target chooses). If the target falls after this spell, use the rules for Falling Damage on page 112.
Before making a teleport check, choose any of the additional effects listed on the table below. These effects are added to the check.

TABLE: TELEPORT ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Difficulty
Effects
Mod
Distance: Increase the distance travelled by one range band.This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time (to a maximum of Long
range). +k

Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time (to a maximum of Long
range). +k

Additional Target (Arcane/Sorcery): The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend aa to affect one
+kk
additional target within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending aa each time).
Regional: Range increased to the present, defined region (nation) +kkkk
Planetary: Range increased to anywhere on the planet. +kKkkkk

UTILITY
Concentration: Yes
Utility spells are used when a caster wishes to do all the minor things one expects to do with magic. In essence, these are cool abilities with
a minor benefit; tricks versus dangerous magic. This action is suited for many non-structured actions in the game. The default difficulty of
the check will likely be Easy (k) or Average (kk). While this is true for most of Utility’s effects, replicating a skill that is not associated with
another spell should use the difficulty of the task at hand as a base. A character trying to unlock a chest with an average lock using magic will
do so by casting a Utility spell.
Listed below the table are many baseline Utility spells, but not an exhaustive list. If a spell has Minor Magic listed in the additional effects it
must be added with no increase in difficulty. Before making a Utility check, choose any number of additional effects listed on the table below
that are available to the Utility spell. These effects are added to the check. effects are added to the check.
Utility spells introduce a new mechanic: Spell Levels. The idea is simple, a spellcaster can cast a spell where the spell level is equal to the ranks
the caster has in the magic skill used to cast it, at the difficulty listed. For spells lower in level than the caster’s current rank in the skill, the
difficulty is one step easier, to a minimum of Simple (-) and cost one less strain (to a minimum of zero) to cast; for spells higher in level than
the caster’s current rank, the difficulty is one step more difficult and cost one more strain to cast.
Example: A caster with 3 ranks in the Verse skill can cast a level 3 spell at the spell’s given difficulty. Likewise, they can cast level 1 and level 2
spells as if one step easier in difficulty. Likewise, if the same caster wanted to cast a level 4 or 5 spell, it would be one step more difficult. The
caster could still add additional effects as normal, and with the additional increases in difficulty, and use talents and implements to affect the
difficulty as normal. Level 1 and level 2 spells would cost only 1 strain, but level 4 and level 5 spells would cost 3 strain.

TABLE: UTILITY ADDITIONAL EFFECTS

Effects Difficulty Mod
Minor Magic: Any Utility spell marked with the Minor Magic effect has the caster suffer 1 Strain to cast instead of 2 (and a maneuver versus an action). -

Additional Target: The spell affects one additional target within range of the spell. In addition, after casting the spell, you may spend a to affect one additional
+k
target within range of the spell (and may trigger this multiple times, spending a each time).
Range: Increase the range of the spell by one range band. This may be added multiple times, increasing the range by one range band each time. +k

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 ANTIMAGIC FIELD (MAJOR) skill of the caster.
Level: 5 CLOUDBURST
Difficulty: kkkkkkk (Special) Level: 2
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Verse Difficulty: kk
Additional Effects: Range Skills: Arcane, Sorcery, Primal
Description: More of a preventative spell, this spell creates Additional Effects: Range
an invisible globe (radiating out to Short range) from the
caster. No other magic functions within this area (not even Description: This spell creates a small raincloud that takes
the caster’s), other than maintaining this spell. This lasts up of Medium range from the target. It is normal rain, but
until the end of the caster’s next turn unless using Concen- good for dousing fires and is drinkable. This lasts until the
tration to maintain. end of the caster’s next turn unless using Concentration to
maintain.
ANTIMAGIC FIELD (MINOR)
CHANGE
Level: 4
Level: 1
Difficulty: kkkkkk (Special)
Difficulty: k
Skills: Arcane, Verse
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Additional Effects: None
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: Similar to above, except the spell only affects
the caster or target. This can be cast on an unwilling target Description: This spell allows a minor change to a small
(as can the major version), but the check is upgraded for object (Silhouette 0). Change could be color, texture, even
every rank the target has in a magic skill. This lasts until the mineral to animal, etc. (until the end of the caster’s next
end of the caster’s next turn unless using Concentration to turn unless using Concentration to maintain.)
maintain. CHILL
ALARM Level: 1
Level: 2 Difficulty: k
Difficulty: kk Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Skills: Arcane Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Additional Effects: Range Description: This spell allows the caster to chill a target item
Description: This spell defines an area from Medium range or substance. It cannot get cold enough to cause damage.
from the target. For 2 hours per rank of the appropriate skill The effect lasts for 5 minutes per rank of the appropriate
of the caster, if any being but those designated as allies at skill.
the time of casting, enter this area, a loud alarm will sound CLEAN
to awaken those sleeping.
Level: 1
BREATHE WITHOUT AIR Difficulty: k
Level: 4 Skills: All
Difficulty: kkkk Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Skills: Arcane, Sorcery Description: This spell basically cleans and dusts an area
Additional Effects: Additional Target within Short range of the caster.
Description: For 5 minutes per rank of the appropriate skill COMPREHEND LANGUAGE
of the caster, the target can breathe normally even without
air. Level: 2
Difficulty: kk
BREATHE UNDERWATER
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Level: 3
Additional Effects: Additional Targets
Difficulty: kkk
Description: This spell allows the caster to understand (not
Skills: Arcane, Sorcery, Primal speak) any one language as if they or they were fluent. This
Additional Effects: None lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless using Con-
Description: This spell allows the target to breathe under- centration to maintain.
water as if it had gills, for 1 hour per rank of the appropriate

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 CONTROL WATER DETECT LORE
Level: 4 Level: 3
Difficulty: kkk Difficulty: Varies, typically kkk
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Primal, Sorcery Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Verse
Additional Effects: Range Additional Effects: None
Description: This spell allows the caster to move or Description: The caster can sense the history of an item
displace an amount of water equal to Silhouette 2 in size. and start to understand more about it. If the check is
This lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless successful, the character has gained some sense of direc-
using Concentration to maintain. tion, and allows the character to see one vague sense of
information about the target, and an additional detail
CREATE / DESTROY WATER (MAJOR) per additional ss. These hints may be blurry visual
Level: 3 images, brief samples of sound, or simple emotion.

Difficulty: kkk Note: The GM should determine just how much infor-
mation is revealed from such a spell, the difficulty for
Skills: Divine, Primal items, etc.
Additional Effects: None
DETECT MAGIC (MAJOR)
Description: This spell can create or destroy all water
within Medium range (that is part of one body or con- Level: 3
tainer of nonmagical liquid). Of course, any additional Difficulty: kk
water will rush in to fill the void when the spell expires. Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
This lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless
using Concentration to maintain, for a maximum of 5 Additional Effects: None
minutes. Description: The caster can sense magical properties
within an object within Short range, and gains knowl-
CREATE / DESTROY WATER (MINOR) edge and insight as to what the Item is able to do.
Level: 1
DETECT MAGIC (MINOR)
Difficulty: k
Level: 2
Skills: Divine, Primal
Difficulty: k
Additional Effects: None
Skills: All
Description: As above, but within Short range.
Additional Effects: None
CUT Description: The caster can sense magic within Short
Level: 1 range, seeing a slight gold aura around objects, people,
Difficulty: k etc. that are magical in nature. This lasts until the end
of the caster’s next turn unless using Concentration to
Skills: All maintain.
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
DETECT POISON
Description: The caster can cut anything within Short
range as if they or they were using scissors to do so. This Level: 1
lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless using Difficulty: k
Concentration to maintain. Skills: All
DETECT LIFE Additional Effects: None
Level: 1 Description: The caster can sense poison within Short
Difficulty: kk range, seeing a slight red aura around objects, creatures,
etc. that contain poison. This lasts until the end of the
Skills: All caster’s next turn unless using Concentration to main-
Additional Effects: None tain.
Description: The caster can sense living things within
Short range, seeing a slight blue aura around each (even
insects, etc.) This lasts until the end of the caster’s next
turn unless using Concentration to maintain.

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 DRY Additional Effects: Additional Target, Range
Level: 1 Description: This spell allows the target to fly in the air
(see the Flying sidebar on page 100 of the Genesys Core
Difficulty: k
Rulebook) except they do not need to use a maneuver to
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse stay aloft. This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next
Additional Effects: Minor Magic turn unless using Concentration to maintain.
Description: This spell allows the caster to dry off an area FORCE UNLOCK
equal to Silhouette 1.
Level: 3
ENLARGE OBJECT Difficulty: Varies
Level: 2 Skills: Arcane, Sorcery, Verse
Difficulty: kk Additional Effects: None
Skills: Arcane, Sorcery Description: This spell can unlock a door or lock. The
Additional Effects: Range difficulty of the spell is at least Hard or equal to the diffi-
culty of the lock +1, whichever is harder.
Description: This spell allows the caster to increase the
size of an object (not a creature) by one Silhouette in size. GLOW
This lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless
Level: 1
using Concentration to maintain.
Difficulty: k
FIRE FINGER
Skills: All
Level: 1
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Difficulty: k
Description: This spell causes the target object to glow
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Primal, Sorcery, Verse softly, about equal to a decent-sized candle.
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
HEAT
Description: This spell works like a lighter as fire comes
Level: 1
from the caster’s fingertip. It can be used to light things
just as fire would. Difficulty: k
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
FLARE
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Level: 1
Description: This spell allows the caster to heat a target
Difficulty: kk
item or substance. It cannot get hot enough to cause
Skills: All damage. The effect lasts for 5 minutes per rank of the
Additional Effects: Range appropriate skill.
Description: This spell works just as an alchemical flare HIDE OBJECT
would, and is used for the same reason, signaling others.
Level: 1
FLAVOR Difficulty: kk
Level: 1 Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Difficulty: k Additional Effects: None
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse Description: This spell allows the caster to hide a small
Additional Effects: Minor Magic object on their or their person where it is not easily
detectable (anyone searching the caster suffers jj to
Description: This spell allows the caster to season food such checks). This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s
and drink as desired with any variety of common kitchen next turn unless using Concentration to maintain.
spices and flavors.

FLY
Level: 3
Difficulty: kkk
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery

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 IRONWOOD type of objects.
Level: 3 MEND OBJECT
Difficulty: kk Level: 1
Skills: Primal Difficulty: kk
Additional Effects: None Skills: Arcane, Divine, Pact Magic, Sorcery
Description: This spell imbues a wooden object with the Additional Effects: None
Reinforced quality. This spell lasts for 1 round plus one
additional round per rank of the appropriate skill of the Description: This spell mends small, broken (non-magi-
caster. cal) objects as if glued back together, but with no sign of
ever being broken. This is not a replacement to Mechan-
JUMP ics fixing steps of damage on items.
Level: 2 MAGIC AURA
Difficulty: kk Level: 1
Skills: Arcane, Ki, Primal, Sorcery Difficulty: kk
Additional Effects: Additional Targets Skills: Arcane
Description: This spell allows the target as a maneuver to Additional Effects: None
leap Medium range, either horizontally or vertically. This
spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless Description: This spell imbues an item with a magical
using Concentration to maintain. aura, visible to those who can detect magic. This spell
lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless using
KNOW LANGUAGE Concentration to maintain.
Level: 3 MAGIC EYE
Difficulty: kkk Level: 2
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse Difficulty: kkk
Additional Effects: Additional Targets Skills: Arcane, Sorcery
Description: Identical to Comprehend Language except Additional Effects: Range
this spell also allows the target to speak said language as
well. Description: This spell creates an invisible, floating eye
that can be used to scout ahead (up to Long range away),
LOCATE CREATURE and the caster can see through it as if with their own
eyes. This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn
Level: 3
unless using Concentration to maintain.
Difficulty: kkkk
MAJOR DARKNESS
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Primal, Verse
Level: 3
Additional Effects: Range
Difficulty: kkk
Description: This spell creates a mental noise the target
can hear when facing the correct way towards the desired Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery
creature to be located (so they know which tunnel may Additional Effects: Range
lead there, etc.). This can be a specific creature or char-
acter, or a specific type of creature as desired. This spell Description: This spell creates an area of magical darkness
lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless using extending out to Medium range from the target. This
Concentration to maintain. spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn unless
using Concentration to maintain. Can be cancelled by
LOCATE OBJECT casting Major Light at a higher difficulty than Major
Darkness was originally cast.
Level: 2
Difficulty: kk
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Primal, Verse
Additional Effects: Range
Description: As above, but limited to a specific object or

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 MAJOR LIGHT Description: This spell removes any disease, poison, or
other pollutants from food and drink. Enough for one
Level: 3
person per rank in the appropriate skill.
Difficulty: kkk
REVERSE GRAVITY
Skills: Divine, Primal, Sorcery
Level: 5
Additional Effects: Range
Difficulty: kkkkk
Description: This spell lights up an area as bright as if it
were day extending out to Medium range from the tar- Skills: Arcane, Primal, Sorcery
get. This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn Additional Effects: Range
unless using Concentration to maintain. Can be can-
celled by casting Major Darkness at a higher difficulty Description: This curse affects a point and radiates out
than Major Light was originally cast. within Short range. Any in the area are affected as if in a
zero-gravity area and will float up to a ceiling of around
MINOR LIGHT Medium range if not tethered or holding on to some-
thing in the ground, for the duration of the spell.
Level: 1
Difficulty: k SANCTUARY
Skills: All Level: 2
Additional Effects: Minor Magic Difficulty: kk
Description: This spell lights up an area as bright as if Skills: Divine
it were day extending out to Short range from the tar- Additional Effects: None
get. This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn
unless using Concentration to maintain. Is cancelled by Description: Similar to the Sanctuary effect of Barrier,
Major Darkness. but more universal. The spell makes any attackers at
Engaged range disengage and ignore the target, but the
PALM target cannot engage them or any other foes without
breaking the spell. Attackers may try to ignore Sanctu-
Level: 1
ary with a Discipline check with difficulty equal to your
Difficulty: kk ranks in the appropriate skill. This lasts until the end
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery of the caster’s next turn unless using Concentration to
maintain.
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: This spell allows the caster to easily move a SCRYING (MAJOR)
small object (that can fit in one hand) to anywhere else Level: 4
on their or their person magically, including closed con-
Difficulty: (varies)
tainers, secret pockets, etc. It likewise allows the reverse
action of this (bringing such an item right into hand). Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic
Additional Effects: None
PASS WITHOUT TRACE
Description: You can see and hear a creature, which can
Level: 2
be anywhere. The difficulty is the target’s Willpower rat-
Difficulty: kk ing. Duration is one minute per rank in the appropriate
Skills: Primal skill.
Additional Effects: Additional Targets SCRYING (MINOR)
Description: This spell obscures the target’s trail. Any- Level: 2
one tracking the target suffers jjj to any related skill
Difficulty: (varies)
checks.
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic
PURIFY / CORRUPT FOOD & DRINK
Additional Effects: None
Level: 1
Description: You can see and hear a creature, which must
Difficulty: kk be within Long range. The difficulty is the target’s Will-
Skills: Divine, Primal power rating. Duration is one minute per rank in the
appropriate skill.
Additional Effects: None

197
 SELF PLAY SWEEP
Level: 2 Level: 1
Difficulty: k Difficulty: kk
Skills: Verse Skills: Arcane, Sorcery, Verse
Additional Effects: None Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: This spell causes one instrument to play by Description: Similar to Clean, but this is specifically for
itself, at an average skill level. This spell lasts for 10 min- clearing floors. This spell lasts for 10 minutes per rank of
utes per rank of the appropriate skill of the caster. the appropriate skill of the caster.

SHINE STIR
Level: 1 Level: 1
Difficulty: k Difficulty: k
Skills: Arcane, Divine, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Additional Effects: Minor Magic Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: This spell basically buffs and polishes the Description: Cooking Minor Magic that helps in the
given target within Short range. kitchen. Though called Stir, it can do any repetitive cook-
ing task in the kitchen. This spell lasts for 10 minutes per
SILENCE rank of the appropriate skill of the caster.
Level: 2
TIE / UNTIE
Difficulty: kk
Level: 1
Skills: Divine, Verse
Difficulty: k
Additional Effects: Range
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Description: Sound does not exist within Short range of
the target while this spell is in effect. May use Range as Additional Effects: Minor Magic
normal, or to increase range of spell radius to Medium. Description: This spell simply ties or unties knots in
This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn materials that can be tied or untied.
unless using Concentration to maintain.
TRUTH
SUMMON OBJECT
Level: 3
Level: 2
Difficulty: kkk
Difficulty: kkk
Skills: Divine, Verse
Skills: Arcane, Pact Magic, Sorcery, Verse
Additional Effects: None
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: Creatures that come within Short range of
Description: This spell allows a caster to transport an the target must make a Hard Discipline check. If they
object to him or their that is otherwise packed away fail, they can’t speak any deliberate and intentional lies.
nearby within Short range This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn
unless using Concentration to maintain.
SUNLIGHT
Level: 3
Difficulty: kkk
Skills: Divine
Additional Effects: None
Description: Like Minor Light, this spell lights up an
area as bright as if it were day extending out to Short
range from the target. The difference is that this light has
the properties of actual sunlight for those creatures vul-
nerable to it. This spell lasts until the end of the caster’s
next turn unless using Concentration to maintain.

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 WARDS
Level: 2
Difficulty: kkk
Skills: All
Additional Effects: Range
Description: This spell is meant to be cast while in a
dwelling of some sort. When cast, any windows and
doors in the caster’s room (or home they own) are arcane
locked at Hard (lkk) difficulty, and they are treated as
if with the Alarm spell. Spell lasts two hours per rank in
the appropriate skill.

WATER WALK
Level: 3
Difficulty: kk
Skills: Divine, Ki, Primal, Sorcery
Additional Effects: Additional Targets
Description: This spell allows the target to treat the
surface of liquid as normal terrain they can traverse at
no penalty. Rough conditions may require Athletics or
Coordination checks to traverse.

ZAP
Level: 1
Difficulty: k
Skills: All
Additional Effects: Minor Magic
Description: This spell instantly kills any creature that
only has a wound threshold of one. Usually used to kill
insects and vermin.

199