Road of

An Apocalypse World hack inspired by Robert E. Howard

Kings

Apocalypse World is the creation of D. Vincent Baker and Meguey Baker. Other significant gaming inspirations
include Dusk City Outlaws by Rodney Thompson, Blades in the Dark by John Harper, and Monster of the Week by
Michael Sands.

Road of Kings is the creation of Robert V. Hughes. Please feel free to distribute or adapt the text or maps within this
document, provided that attribution is given. Other than the map, the images in this document have been used with-
out permission for personal use, so redistribute them at your own risk.
MOVES
When making any move, roll 2 six-sided dice and
add any applicable Traits or modifiers.
BASIC MOVES
All companions can use all the basic moves.
TAKE A Risk
When you take a risk, say what you’re doing to
overcome the risk and roll.
If you overcome it via violence or strength,
roll+Might.
If you overcome it via stealth or agility,
roll+Finesse.
If you overcome it via quick thinking or scholarship,
roll+Cunning.
If you overcome it via persuasion or social grace,
roll+Charm.
On a 10+, you do it. On a 7-9, there are complica-
tions: the MC offers you a worse outcome, hard
bargain, or ugly choice. On a miss, prepare for
danger.
Variations
If you are taking a risk to help someone, on a hit,
that person takes a +1 to their roll.
If you are taking a risk to hinder someone, on a hit,
that person takes a -1 to their roll.
See the truth
When you try to see the truth of a person or situa-
tion, roll+Cunning. On a 10+, ask 3 questions. On a
7-9, ask 1:
- What is the best route to my goal?
- Who is most vulnerable here, and how?
- Who is the biggest threat here, and how?
See The Truth, cont’d.
- Who is in control here?
- Are the people here telling the truth?
- What are the people here really feeling?
- What do the people here wish I would do?
- How could I convince these people to do what I
want?
On a miss, ask 1 anyways, but prepare for danger.
When it says “the people here”, it can mean the mob
as a whole or one person within the mob.
If different people think different things, you need
to ask questions about each.
If you are asking questions about your Contacts, ask
1 extra.
Seduce, Threaten, or
Persuade
When you try to seduce, threaten, persuade or
deceive someone, tell them what you want them to
do, give them a good reason, and roll+Charm.
On a 10+, they do it until some fact or action betrays
the reason you gave them. If your reason wasn’t
good enough, they’ll tell you that, and they’ll tell
you the minimum that would be.
On a 7-9, they’ll do it, but they want reassurance up
front. If you’re reason wasn’t good enough, they’ll
tell you something that would be.
On a miss, prepare for danger.
Reasons might be threats, promises, bribes, or
ideals. For NPCs, the MC tells you if your reason is
good enough. For PCs, the player tells you.
Having someone as a Contact means you need
less of a reason for someone to do something, or in
some cases just being a Contact is reason enough for
someone to act.
If you have a Reputation related to how you are
persuading someone, then you can take a +1 to your
roll because of that related Reputation.
Do battle
When you wade into battle, exchange harm and
roll+Might. On a 10+, choose 2. On a 7-9, choose 1.
You inflict terrible harm. (+1 harm)
You suffer little harm. (-1 harm)
You drive your enemies before you.
You seize or hold something by force.
Variations
When assaulting a position, you can choose to force
your way into your enemy’s position.
When fighting your way free, you can choose to
win free and get away.
When defending someone from attack, you can
choose to protect someone from harm.
ambuscade
When you attack an unsuspecting target,
roll+Finesse. On a 10+, you strike them before they
have a chance to react; deal harm as established.
On a 7-9, you deal your harm, but they get a hit
back. Exchange harm.
On a 6 or less, prepare for danger.
THE HUNT
When you’re the bait, roll+Cunning. On a 10+,
choose 2. On a 7-9, choose 1:
You draw your quarry all the way in.
Otherwise, they only approach.
Your quarry is unsuspecting.
Otherwise, they are wary.
You don’t leave yourself exposed.
Otherwise, you are.
On a miss, prepare for danger.
When you’re the hunter, roll+Cunning. On a 10+,
you catch your quarry in a place of your choosing.
On a 7-9, they choose the place instead. On a miss,
you don’t catch them at all.
When you’re the hunted, roll+Cunning. On a 10+,
you escape and they don’t catch you. On a 7-9, they
catch you, but in a place of your choosing. On a
miss, they choose the place instead.
 The Hunt, cont’d.
When you’re both hunting each other, roll+Cun-
ning. On a 10+, you catch them in a place of your
choosing. On a 7-9, you catch them in neutral
ground -- you choose the place, but they get to say
something about it, too. On a miss, they catch you,
right where they want you.
If two PCs are hunting each other, they both roll,
and the MC says who catches whom, and how
much the other gets to say about it.
MAGIC MOVES
Conpanions can use magic moves only if their
playbook says they can.
HEDGE MAGIC
When you create a minor magical effect, say how
you’re doing it, what you want to achieve and roll+-
Cunning.
On a 10+, you do it.
On a 7-9, you do it, but there is price. The MC will
say what.
On a miss, prepare for danger.
A minor magical effect allows the character to over-
come a simple obstacle using magical force.
Minor magical effects are generally brief or tempo-
rary in their effect. Examples include:
Briefly charming someone, as if you had hit
10+ on a seduce or persuade roll.
Temporarily barring, rebuking or repelling
a spirit or magical entity.
Unlocking a door or set of chains.
Gaining 1-armor for a critical moment.
Do one thing that is beyond human
limitations.
HIGH MAGIC
When you work great magic, say how you’re doing
it and what you want to achieve, and the MC will
tell you what you need to achieve it.
High Magic usually takes a day or night to com-
plete, and the MC may tell you that beyond that it
needs special materials, a place of power, or some
other requirement.
HARM & HEALING
ESTABLISHING HARM
Harm is established based on your weapons and
armor:
If you are fighting unarmed,
you deal 1-harm.
If you are fighting armed,
you deal 2-harm.
If you are fighting armed when your
weapon is deadly, you deal 3-harm.
Subtract your armor from the harm
dealt to you.
Melee weapons are deadly at a specific distance:
On the field is when you can sprint, stride and
swing your weapon at full reach, in any direction.
Examples: on a field, on a road, in a wide yard.
Hand-to-hand is when you can approach and
withdraw freely, but not circle your enemy or run in
any direction you like.
Examples: in a forest, on a bridge, in a wide hallway.
Infighting is when you are confined to a small
space, without room to charge or withdraw.
Examples: in a boat, in a small room, in a tight hallway.
Brawling is when you are grappling, holding, and
wrestling with your enemy.
Intimate is when you have your enemy in your
power, unable to move at all.
TAKE A BLOW
When you suffer a blow that does damage equal
to your armor (0-harm), you may still be injured.
Roll+Might.
On a 10+, nothing happens; you’re fine.
On a 7-9, the MC chooses: either you take 1-harm, or
else you are pushed into a bad position, lose hold of
something, or miss something important.
On a 6 or less, you take 1-harm and are pressed into
a bad position.
If you are carrying a shield, on a 7-9 you choose, not
the MC.
The MC may tell you to Take A Blow at other times.
harm boxes
When you take harm, check off boxes in order on
your character sheet:
Battered boxes represent minor scrapes and
injuries; you can uncheck them at the end of
every scene.
Bloodied boxes represent lasting bruises
and lacerations. You can uncheck one
Bloodied box at the end of any Day or Night
without combat or strenuous activity.
Wounded boxes represent serious injuries.
You can uncheck one Wounded box at the
end of each session if you have the
opportunity to get care from a healer.
Some companions may have Moves that allow them
to uncheck additional boxes, or the companions can
seek out the aid of specialists in the city.
If a character runs out harm boxes, he is dying - he
can make one final Move before he expires.
GAMEPLAY
Play in Road of Kings follows an arc:
First, the King is attacked and the companions must
escape the Keep alive.
Second, the companions must gather strength and
make a plan to defeat the Usurper and retake the
city in a succession of day and night phases.
Third and finally, there is a final confrontation --
either the companions launch their attack or else the
Usurper strikes at them to complete his takeover.
DAY & NIGHT
During the majority of the game, play in Road of
Kings takes place in a succession of Day and Night
phases.
Characters can generally take a single action per
Day or Night, like going somewhere in the city,
working on a project, or otherwise trying to accom-
plish a goal. All the companions can go to the same
place, or the companions can split up.
Each companion or group of companions can try to
accomplish a single task during each day or night
phase; other actions, like eating, sleeping, or local
travel are abstracted into the background during the
days and nights.
Each day or night, each companion should set them-
selves a task: they describe something they want
to achieve, for example information, resources,
or a guerilla action, then the place they will go to
achieve it, then how they will achieve their goal
and if neccessary who they will interact with to
achieve it.
Some common types of tasks follow, but the
companions are free to come up with their own.
Alternatively, instead of undertaking tasks during a
day or night, the companions can instead choose to
take a phase to plan.
GATHERING
INFORMATION
Often, the companions will want to gather secrets or
information during a day or night phase - for exam-
ple, determining where a secret ritual is taking place
or who supports or opposes the Usurper.
Basic information about your Contacts doesn’t re-
quire any action or roll; just ask the MC, and he will
tell you what you know about the areas where you
have Contacts.
However, if you want information about a group
you don’t have Contacts with or you are seeking
any kind of secret information, then spend a day or
night phase gathering the information you seek by
traveling a place where you might learn information
and obtaining it there.
GATHERING SUPPORT
If the companions are seeking to gather support to
overthrow the Usurper, then one or more of them
will travel to meet the group whose support they
are seeking and will seek to convince them to aid
them.
A word to the wise: promises of vague support are
easy to come by. Wise rebellions are built on con-
crete promises to do something specific, like “Open
the gates to my ally’s army” as opposted to “sup-
port my attempt to retake the throne.”
TRAVELING TO
DISTANT PLACES
While there are many factions inside the city, the
companions may wish to get aid or resources from
allies outside of Velosa. To do so, they will need to
spend day or night phases traveling to the places
where they are seeking aid, time the Usurper will
use to cement his rule.
In general, it will take a day or night’s hard ride to
reach the Northern Frontier or the Coastal Provinc-
es. This is much faster than ordinary travel, and rep-
resents the companions switching horses constantly
in Pony Express fashion.
DIRECT ACTION
Gathering information and support will help the
companions launch their final assault on the Usurp-
er’s forces, but the best plan will come short if he is
given time to solidify his rule.
To be successful, the companions will need to
balance planning for their final confrontation with
direct action against the Usurper’s minions.
Examples of direct action include waylaying the
Usurper’s soldiers, spreading rumors against him,
taking out his lieutenants or other guerilla-style
operations.
ACQUIRING ASSETS
The companions may need additional tangible
resources to prosecute their rebellion, whether it is
equipment, rare services, mercenary allies or any
other good or service someone can imagine.
Acquiring such assets is a good task for a day or
night phase.
PRojects
Some companions may have the ability to devote
day or night phases to working on projects - for
instance, the Scholar has access to the High Magic
or Artificer moves, and the MC may describe other
character plans as a project.
BALANCE OF
POWER
At the end of each Day or Night phase, the MC will
add white or black stones to the balance of power.
Black stones represent the Usurper solidfying his
rule, while white stones represent the companions
preparing to retake the throne.
The companions can launch a final assault on the
Usurper whenever they choose, and the MC will
use the balance of black stones to white stones to
determine how difficult their efforts will be.
SETTING
The World
Play is centered on the city of Velosa, capital of the
same-named kingdom. Velosa is the strongest of
the Western Kingdoms; other kingdoms include
Velosa’s military rival, Ember, and the major port
city of Maison.
East of the Western Kingdoms are their regional
rivals, the Central Kingdoms. The Central King-
doms are older than the Western Kingdoms but
are in decline. The largest of them is Edom, home
to the Princess Consort and a recent ally of Velosa;
others include Kossuth, which was conquered by
Velosa about ten years ago, and Vanossia, called the
“Gateway to the East.”
The most powerful nation in this part of the world is
ancient and mighty Khem, nominally under the rule
of a king in the port city of Qoresh but practically
divided between many feuding satraps and priests.
Khem used to rule a world-spanning empire, and
is devoted to the worship of the evil snake god Ty-
phon. It seeks to regain global domination.
Between Khem and the Central Kingdoms are
border marches called the Penny Kingdoms or the
Border Satrapies, depending on whether they are
closer to Khem or the northern kingdoms.
The Kingdom
The city of Velosa is the largest city in the kingdom
and is roughly the center of the realm.
South of Velosa are the Coastal Provinces, which al-
low the kingdom access to the Middle Sea for trade.
The largest province is the Duchy of Ephesia, ruled
by Duke Cyrus, a close friend of the King.
West of the city are the Western Reaches, the na-
tion’s agricultural heartland, while north of the city
are the Border Marches, which border the lands
of the Northron barbarians. Fort Tolusa under the
command of General Roland is the major garrison
holding back the barbarian hordes.
The City
Velosa straddles the White River, which runs from
the agricultural regions down to Ephesia. The oldest
part of the city is a central island in the river; it
expanded out from there, absorbing villages on the
banks as it did.
Two trade routes meet in the city: the Road of Kings
runs east from the city, heading towards Edom and
the Central Kingdoms, while the River Road runs
south to Ephesia and north to Fort Tolusa.
Velosa has several notable districts:
Silver Hill: Formerly its own city, Silver Hill is the
home of the Nobility. Many of the states in Silver
Hill are practically fortresses in their own right, and
the nobility employs their own guards who form a
meaningful private army.
The Crawl: The poorest part of the city, the Crawl
is a warren of streets chock-full of taverns, aleshops
and brothels. The so-called Sultan of Thieves runs
the Underworld from the Five Dice, an aleshop
here.
The Toll Castle: Perched on a ridge above the river,
the Toll Castle was built allow Velosa to control
river traffic in its early days. Now it is the largest
garrison for the Royal Army in the city and the
home of most Soldiers.
The Great Market: While there is commerce
throughout the city, the Great Market is where the
Road of Kings drops trade from the east into the
city. As a consequence, many of the Merchants keep
their private clubs around the market’s periphery.
The Street of Small Gods: All of the Gods have a
presence in Velosa, though only the Bright Gods - as
well as a profusion of strange foreign deities - have
public temples. Those Temples are clustered around
the Street of Small Gods, running north from the
Great Market.
Velosa Keep: At the top of the White Isle is Velosa
Keep, which serves as the Palace of the King of
Velosa. The Rock the palace sits on is riddled with
tunnels that ultimately join up with the dungeons
beneath the palace, which has been expanded and
rebuilt many times.
The GODS
BRIGHT GODS
Bel: King of the Day and God of Battle, Bel was
the second-born son of the Mother of the Eart. He
became King of the Gods after being betrayed first
by his elder brother Nergal and then by his adopted
brother Typhon. He was rescued from the Land of
the Dead by Belit, his sister and queen.
Belit: Queen of Night and Goddess of Pleasure and
Art, Belit is the cleverest (though not the wisest) of
the Gods. She has a dark aspect, as her best friend
is Ningal and her former lover Typhon.
Ibis: The blind God of Scholars and Scribe of the
Gods, he is the special enemy of Typhon. It was he
who helped Bel raise a rebellion amongst the Gods
to retake his throne.
Ge: The Mother of the Earth, she is often portrayed
with her mouth sewn shut, since Typhon sealed her
lips to keep her from telling the divinatory secrets
she knows.
Other Bright Gods: Shamash the Charioteer is god
of soldiers; Arslan, God of Hunters; and Adonais,
God of Poets.
DARK GODS
Typhon: The Usurper, Typhon was the adopted
brother of Bel who betrayed the Gods to become
king. He is the god of snakes and magic; his true
parents are things from a place beyond the earth.
Nergal: The King of the Dead, Nergal was once
King of the Gods before he struck down his younger
brother Bel out of jealousy. Now he rules over the
Land of the Dead.
Ningal: The Dark Lady, Ningal is Nergal’s queen.
She also has power over the Dead and is said to be
a dark twin to bright Belit, though they are from
different tribes.
Other Dark Gods: Dagon, King of the Sea; Dagon’s
Daughters, who hear sailors’ prayers; and Erlik,
King Beyond the Wind and ruler of demons.
 THE
GENeral You get this move:
MOVES name
Tale
□
X Captain of Men: When you lead men in battle,
hold 3 if you have had time to make a plan, or hold When the King won his crown, the armies of Velosa were
1 if you have not. Spend your hold, 1-for-1, to: captained by nobles who purchased their commissions out
of pride and commanded from far behind the lines. The
Give someone under your command 1 extra King - a soldier himself - changed all that, keeping those
choice when they Do Battle. nobles with a head for battle while promoting common
soldiers who showed leadership and skill. You are one of
Give someone under your command +1 to a his picked men, risen now to command the King’s armies,
roll they are about to make. though you always have rivals among the ranks.

Ask questions about the situation as if you

See The Truth. GEAR
And choose two of the following moves:

□ Weapon Master: When you Do Battle, make 1

extra choice.

□ Battlefield Chirurgeon: If you can get to someone

Might Take A Risk, Do Battle,
Absorb A Blow
who is wounded shortly after they suffer their in-
jury, you can treat them immediately. Roll+Finesse;
on a 10+, they can uncheck one harm box suffered
Finesse Take A Risk, Ambuscade during an immediately previous scene. On a 7-9, COntacts &
they can uncheck the box, but the MC will tell what
the side-effects are. Reputation
Cunning Take A Risk, See the
Truth, Hunt
□ Bloody-Handed: Whenever you inflict harm, you
inflict +1 harm.
Charm Take A Risk, Seduce or
Persuade
□ Better Part of Valor: Name an escape route and
roll+Might. On a 10+, you win free and are gone.
On a 7-9, you can go or stay; if you go, it costs - you
leave something behind or take something with
HARM Battered you. The MC says what. On a miss, you’re caught,
half-in and half-out.
Bloodied
□ War By Other Means: When you Threaten some-
one, roll Might instead of Charm.
Wounded
Road of Kings
 the past
What were you before you became a general?
□ Common Soldier
(Might +2, Finesse +0, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
□ Gifted Nobleman
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
□ Mercenary Captain
(Might +2, Finesse +0, Cunning +2, Charm +0)
What was your most famous battle?
□ Defending Fort Tolusa from the Northron Invasion
(Reputation: Indomitable)
□ The Sack of Kossuth during the Eastern Conquest
(Reputation: Bloodthirsty)
□ Cleansing the Black Isle during the Pirate Reprisals
(Contacts: Coastal Provinces)
□ The Relief of Edom during the Glorious Expedition
(Contacts: Foreign Princes)
What scandal nearly doomed your career?
□ Price-fixing with the grain merchants
(Contacts: Merchants)
□ An affair with a royal consort
(Reputation: Casanova)
□ Conspiring to assassinate a rival
(Contacts: Underworld)
□ Your son was a traitor and a Typhon cultist
(Reputation: Treasonous)
The present
Where do you spend most of your time?
□ On the Frontier
(Contacts: Border Marches)
□ At Court
(Contacts: Nobles)
□ In The Barracks
(Contacts: Soldiers)
Who is your most unlikely friend?
□ Magnus Redmane, Northron Chieftan
(Contacts: Barbarians)
□ Qoresh-Ra, Khemtish Ambassador
(Contacts: Khem)
□ Brother Fulk, the Beggar Priest
(Reputation: Charitable)
With which of the other companions do you share
a special connection?
□ The Old Friend: You are about town as constant
gambling partners, full of fellowship and friendly
bickering. (+1 Cunning)
□ The Princess Consort: You defended her from an
assassin, and are now intimate friends. Some say
you are too close. (+1 Might)
□ The Heir: You are his tutor at arms, and have been
his second in several duels, helping him keep those
fights secret from the King. (+1 Charm)
□ The Scholar: You and he share a keen interest in
the mechanics of warfare, always working on im-
provements for royal siege engines. (+1 Finesse)
character creation
1. Read your Tale and pick a Name.
Names include:
Strabo, Scipio, Gustav, Siegfried, Thom, Arcturus, Nu-
menides, Pallas, Osric, Alberic, Berengar, Omar, Sergius
2. Answer your Past and Present questions.
If they involve others of the Companions, check
with them when you answer your questions.
Write down your Traits, your Contacts, and your
Reputation.
3. Choose your Moves.
You get Captain of Men and two additional General
moves.
Make sure you read any Basic or Magic Moves you
think you might use often. If you have questions
about your Moves, ask the MC.
4. Pick Your Gear.
As the General, you get:
- A Sword (Deadly: On the Field & Hand-To-Hand)
- A Weapon of War, for instance:
Lance (Deadly: Mounted)
Greatsword (Deadly: On the Field)
Battle-Axe (Deadly: On the Field)
Spear (Deadly: vs. Mounted)
- A Backup Weapon, for instance:
Short Sword
(Deadly: Hand-to-Hand & Infighting))
Short Bow (At Range, Deadly: Aimed)
- A Dagger (Deadly: Infighting & Brawling) or
Poniard (Deadly: Brawling & Intimate)
- A cuirass, coat-of-plates, or mail hauberk. (Heavy
Armor: 2-armor)
- Clothes and other items suitable to your station.
 THE
old friend You get this move:
MOVES
□
X Rogue In The House: When you Take A Risk to
sneak or steal, treat a roll of 6 or less like it was a
7-9, just with a harder bargain or uglier choice.
And choose two of the following moves:
□ Case The Joint: You can roll Finesse instead of
Cunning to See The Truth if you have the opportu-
nity to observe from hiding.
name
Tale
Before the King won his crown, he was a thief, a reaver,
a slayer -- and you his companion in many misadven-
tures. He was strong and you were quick, and while you
quarrelled sometimes over gold or women fellowship won
when wine ran dry. Now he is a King, and you a relic of
an earlier time -- but a friend to him who knew him before
he ever wore a crown.

□ Mummer’s Face: You know the art of disguising GEAR

yourself authentically as some other sort of person
from a different background or walk of life. When
you don a disguise, you act as if you have Contacts
with 1 group appropriate to your disguise.

□ Fated To Be Hanged: If in a scene you would take

your final Wound, you can instead reduce one Trait
by 1 and be knocked out of action for the rest of the
day or night. The MC will tell you how you escaped
Might Take A Risk, Do Battle,
Absorb A Blow death.

□ Bag of Tricks: You steal without thinking, even

COntacts &
Finesse Take A Risk, Ambuscade
when you have no wants. If you need something Reputation
small that is easily carried, perhaps you acquired it
Cunning Take A Risk, See the
Truth, Hunt
long ago. Roll+Cunning and search your things: on
a 10+, you have just the thing. On a 7-9, you have
something close that might work. On a 6 or less, you
Charm Take A Risk, Seduce or
Persuade
used to have it, but now it’s gone.

□ Confidence Man: When you roll a 7-9 trying to

persuade someone of a lie, you can double down.
Treat the result as a 10+, but when you are found
HARM Battered out, you’ve made an enemy that will want a double
serving of revenge.
Bloodied

Wounded
Road of Kings
 the past
How did you grow up?
□ Street Rat
(Might +0, Finesse +2, Cunning +2, Charm +0)
□ Merchant’s Son
(Might +0, Finesse +1, Cunning +2, Charm +1)
□ Runaway Farmboy
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
□ Slave Pens
(Might +1, Finesse +2, Cunning +1, Charm +0)
What misadventure did you have with the King
before he won his crown?
□ Tomb Robbing in the Khemtish Desert
(Contacts: Khem)
□ Stealing the Crocodile King’s Crown
(Reputation: Extraordinary Luck)
□ Guarding the Great Eastern Caravan
(Contacts: Merchants)
□ Corsairs Aboard the Black Dawn
(Contacts: Pirates)
How did you help the King early in his reign?
□ Rescued him from the Red Duke’s dungeon
(Reputation: Loyal)
□ Brokered peace with the Sultan of Thieves
(Contacts: Underworld)
□ Uncovered a conspiracy to depose the King
(Reputation: Clever)
The present
How do you spend your days?
□ Entertaining children at court with legerdemain
(Reputation: Harmless)
□ Stealing, even though you don’t need the coin
(Contacts: Underworld)
□ Stealing, and giving the coin to the poor
(Contacts: Common Folk)
□ Advising the King on matters of state
(Contacts: Nobles)
What side project are you working on?
□ Creating a kingdom-wide Thieves’ Guild
(Contacts: Coastal Provinces)
□ Establishing trade with the Central Kingdoms
(Contacts: Foreign Princes)
□ Hunting down predators the City Guard cannot catch
(Reputation: Terrifying)
With which of the other companions do you share
a special connection?
□ The General: You fought back to back with him
during the Red Duke’s rebellion. (+1 Might)
□ The Princess Consort: You were the King’s envoy
to Edom to arrange the terms of her engagement
and marriage. (+1 Charm)
□ The Heir: You sneak into the city with him to
show him taverns, brothels, and other disreputable
establishments. (+1 Finesse)
□ The Scholar: You share a bond - he has sworn off
magic and you crime, and you try to support each
other even as you both sometimes fail. (+1 Cunning)
character creation
1. Read your Tale and pick a Name.
Names include:
Giano, Marco, Petro, Ivan, Mateo, Alejaro, Jarovich,
Yezud, Arif, Ilyas, Orto, Daveid
2. Answer your Past and Present questions.
If they involve others of the Companions, check
with them when you answer your questions.
Write down your Traits, your Contacts, and your
Reputation.
3. Choose your Moves.
You get the Rogue in the House move, and you can
choose two more Old Friend moves.
Make sure you read any Basic or Magic Moves you
think you might use often. If you have questions
about your Moves, ask the MC.
4. Pick Your Gear.
As the Old Friend, you get:
- A Short Sword (Deadly: Hand-to-Hand & Infighting)
- A Dagger (Deadly: Infighting & Brawling) or
Poniard (Deadly: Brawling & Intimate)
- A Weapon Fit For The Shadows, like:
Short Bow (At Range, Deadly: Aimed)
Sap (Non-Lethal, Deadly: Unsuspecting)
Garrotte (Silent, Deadly: Intimate)
- Stealthy clothes (Hard To See) or Reinforced Leath-
er (Light Armor: 1-armor)
- A set of thieves’ tools and other roguish items.
- Clothes and other items suitable to your station.
 THE
Scholar SORCERY
You are a Sorcerer, and have access to the Hedge
Magic and High Magic moves.
MOVES
Choose one of the following moves:
□ Necromancer: You have studied Nergal’s realm of
the dead, and can traffick with the spirits there. You
can use See The Truth to interrogate the recently
dead, and can use Hedge Magic and High Magic
moves to interact with ghosts and undead of all
sorts. This includes summoning, commanding, cre-
ating and banishing such creatures.
name
Tale
The King won his crown by defeating the Tyrant who
ruled Velosa before him. The Tyrant was supported by a
sorcerous cabal, and one of that cabal’s junior members
forswore his evil path in the midst of revolution, swearing
off magic and helping the King enter Velosa Keep. You are
that junior sorcerer grown into one of the King’s friends,
living the life of a scholar, even if you sometimes long for
the mighty magics of your youth.
GEAR

□ Healing Devotion: You have learned both the

mystic and scholarly arts of healing. Practicing your
devotion takes a full day or night; roll+Cunning.

On a 10+, your patient can uncheck a

Might Take A Risk, Do Battle,
Absorb A Blow
Wounded box.

On a 7-9, they can uncheck a Wounded box,

Finesse Take A Risk, Ambuscade but the MC tells you the price of your COntacts &
devotion.
Reputation
Cunning Take A Risk, See the
Truth, Hunt
On a 6 or less, they can’t uncheck any boxes,
including those harm boxes that would
normally heal with rest and time.
Charm Take A Risk, Seduce or
Persuade
□ Artificer: Since swearing off magic, you have pur-
sued mechanics and natural philosophy. You can
analyze structures for weakness, construct clock-
work devices and otherwise tinker with physical
HARM Battered things. Most such projects will take a day or night
to complete; the MC will tell you what else it might
Bloodied require.

Wounded
Road of Kings
 the past The present character creation
What attracted you to magic? Where did you go to after the cabal fell? 1. Read your Tale and pick a Name.

□ Ambition □ The Temple of Ibis, God of Scholars Names include:

(Might +0, Finesse +0, Cunning +2, Charm +2)
□ Revenge
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +2, Charm +0)
□ Faith in Dark Gods
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
(Contacts: Temples)
Menkhef, Mitra-Amon, Tchay, Erasmus, Ptolemy,
Im-Ra, Chosun, Mandaro, Pliny, Djehut, Strabonus,
□ Traveled The East Seeking Knowledge Ahmose, Xenothenes, Ptenophon, Priam
(Contacts: Foreign Princes)
2. Answer your Past and Present questions.
□ To the desert to learn the origin of your former faith
(Contacts: Khem) If they involve others of the Companions, check
with them when you answer your questions.

□ Greed and Desire What have you now dedicated your life to?
Write down your Traits, your Contacts, and your
(Might +0, Finesse +1, Cunning +2, Charm +1) Reputation.
□ Healing the sick, however low their state. 3. Choose your Moves.
(Contacts: Common Folk)
What caused you to swear off magic? Choose one Scholar move.
□ Research into esoteric topics
□ A ritual where you sacrificed a pure child. (Reputation: Learned) Make sure you read any Basic or Magic Moves you
(Reputation: Sorrowful) think you might use often. If you have questions
□ Cleansing occult taint from those afflicted about your Moves, ask the MC.
□ A divine vision. (Reputation: Arcane)
4. Pick Your Gear.
(Reputation: Blessed)
As the Scholar, you get:
□ Realization that the Tyrant was doomed. With which of the other companions do you share
(Reputation: Shrewd) a special connection? - A Staff (Innocent Purpose)
□ The pure love of a merchant’s daughter, murdered by □ The General: No one else believes the Khemtish - A Knife (Deadly:Brawling)
the cabal. are a threat - but you know them. Velosa is the jewel
(Contacts: Merchants) of the Western Kingdoms, and they will not rest - A library full of fascinating scrolls.
until all jewels are in Typhon’s serpentine crown.
(+1 Charm) - A Book of Magic, locked against temptation.
How did you betray the cabal to the King?
□ The Princess Consort: You have been preparing a - A set of reagants and other mystic ingredients.
□ Unlocked the sally port so the King’s men could enter. secret concoction for her at her urging. Is it to help
(Contacts: Soldiers) - Clothes and other items suitable to your station.
conceive a child or prevent conception? (+1 Finesse)
□ Lifted the magical enslavement of the hostage sons and □ The Heir: You have been his tutor from a young
daughters of the peerage. age, and he and you share a love of knowledge.
(Contacts: Nobility) (+1 Cunning)

□ Sabotaged a final ritual with illictly acquired artifacts □ The Old Friend: There is almost no one left who
and reagants.. remembers the old days, but you both know what it
(Contacts: Underworld) was like to fight for the fate of a kingdom.
(+1 Might)
 THE
PRINCESS MOVES name

CONSORT Choose three of the following moves:

□ Empty Hand: You have learned the unarmed

martial art practiced in the zenanas of Edom. When
Tale
Recently, the King acquired in you a new bride - a beauti-
unarmed, your blows count as a Deadly: Brawling ful foreign princess, come to Velosa as part of a pact end-
& Intimate weapon -- a base 2-harm, increasing to ing an old emnity between Velosa and the eastern court of
3-harm at brawling or intimate range. Edom. You have been in Velosa less than a year, and are
still adapting to this new land and especially a barbarian
□ The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships: You warrior for a King, some far cry from the silk-clad court-
are a legendary beauty, with the grace and skill to iers of old Edom.
match. When Seducing someone, you always have
leverage.
GEAR
□ Mysteries of Ningal: You are a secret initiate of
the cult of Ningal, the Dark Lady, who is Belit’s
midnight opposite. You have access to the Hedge
Magic move.

□ Nightshade: You are learned with poisons, and

can produce them with access to materials and a
place to work. Most projects will take a day or night
Might Take A Risk, Do Battle,
Absorb A Blow
to complete; the MC will tell you what else might be
required.
COntacts &
Finesse Take A Risk, Ambuscade □ Dance of the Seven Veils: When you remove a
piece of clothing, yours or someone else’s, no one Reputation
who can see you can do anything but watch. You
Cunning Take A Risk, See the
Truth, Hunt
command their absolute attention. If you choose,
you can exempt individual people, by name.

Charm Take A Risk, Seduce or

Persuade □ Social Graces: You are particularly adept at forg-
ing friendships and relationships. When Seducing,
Persuading or Manipulating, you can mark a group
as one of your Contacts after successfully earning
their aid during a day or night sequence.
HARM Battered
□ Lioness: You are a practiced warrior-woman. At
Bloodied the start of battle, roll+Finesse. On a 10+, hold 3. On
a 7-9, hold 2. On a 6 or less, hold 1. You can spend

Road of Kings
Wounded your hold, 1-for-1, to make extra choices when you
Do Battle.
 the past The present character creation
In what environment were you raised? How do you feel about your marriage? 1. Read your Tale and pick a Name.

□ A remote palace, isolated by an overprotective father.
(Might +0, Finesse +2, Cunning +2, Charm +0)
□ Among all the women of the zenana.
(Might +0, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +2)
□ As the son your father never had.
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
□ As a hostage in another court.
(Might +0, Finesse +0, Cunning +2, Charm +2)
What future did you plan for?
□ Ruling Edom as queen regnant.
(Contacts: Foreign Princes)
□ Building wealth as a patron of the trade routes.
(Contacts: Merchants)
□ Alliance through marriage with a powerful king.
(Reputation: Regal)
□ Escape into the life of a wanderer and adventurer.
(Reputation: Free-Spirited)
□ A love match - the King is noble despite his barbarian
ways.
(Reputation: Loyal)
□ A marriage of convenience, arranged for politics, not
pleasure.
(Contacts: Nobility)
□ A state near to slavery - you were traded against your
will like a horse, and you seek an escape.
(Contacts: Underworld)
Where do you spend most of your time?
□ In the city, among the temples and people.
(Contacts: Common Folk)
□ Among the gardens of the King’s summer estate.
(Contacts: Coastal Provinces)
□ In the palace, assembling a power base.
(Contacts: Palace)
With which of the other companions do you share
a special connection?
□ The General: You have a secret lover, and the King
has never known. (+1 Cunning)
Names include:
Salome, Kala, Yasmine, Zareen, Aleja, Alana, Anat,
Istara, Yara, Shira, Sheba, Samara, Nerat, Tamora, Zlata,
Vilena, Dejah, Zara, Sabine, Jezebel, Ghanima
2. Answer your Past and Present questions.
If they involve others of the Companions, check
with them when you answer your questions.
Write down your Traits, your Contacts, and your
Reputation.
3. Choose your Moves.
Choose three of the Princess Consort moves.
Make sure you read any Basic or Magic Moves you
think you might use often. If you have questions
about your Moves, ask the MC.
4. Pick Your Gear.
As the Princess Consort, you get:
- A Hidden Knife (Deadly:Brawling & Intimate)
- Jewels and other portable Wealth.
- Clothes and other items suitable to your station.

What cult are you a member of? □ The Scholar: The Scholar has opened a whole
world of history and learning, and you are an eager
□ Belit, the Bright Lady, Goddess of Pleasure and Love, student helping him copy fading scrolls. (+1 Finesse)
Queen of the Gods.
(Contacts: Temples) □ The Heir: You have been educating the King’s son
in the ways of court. The King is much older than
□ Ningal, the Dark Lady, Goddess of the Night and you, and one day his heir will rule. Is your interest
Desire and Queen of the Dead. genuine or self-serving? (+1 Charm)
(Reputation: Sinister)
□ The Old Friend: The old rogue has been teaching
□ The Gods help those who help themselves. you how to fight with a knife in case assassins come.
(+1 Might)
(Reputation: Strong-Willed)
 THE

HEIR MOVES
Choose three of the following moves:

□ Prodigal Son: Add 1 to any trait, to a max of +3.

□ Duelist: You were raised in court and are com-
fortable dueling with a light court sword. With a
knife or sword in one hand and nothing in your
other, take +1 armor to a maximum of 2-armor.
□ Barbarian Lineage: You have spent time in the
hills in the footsteps of your father’s Northron
people. When you Take A Risk in a wilderness
survival situation, treat a roll of 6 or less like it was a
7-9, just with a harder bargain or uglier choice.
□ Diplomat: When you Seduce or Persuade one of
your Contacts, treat a roll of 6 or less like it was a
7-9, just with a harder bargain or uglier choice.
name
Tale
The King has had many wives and concubines, but only
one queen -- your mother, a princess he rescued from the
sorcerous cabal that controlled Velosa before he won his
crown. She died in childbirth, and you are the final gift
she gave her husband, a future for him and perhaps the
realm. Lately, he has made noises about abdicating for
some final, grand adventure, but he has never been sure
you are ready to rule.
GEAR

□ Perceptive: Raised to rule, you have learned to

see hidden dimensions in people and situations.
Whenever you See The Truth, you can ask 1
Might Take A Risk, Do Battle,
Absorb A Blow additional question.

Finesse Take A Risk, Ambuscade □ Pantherish: When you Take A Risk to do some- COntacts &
thing acrobatic or athletic, treat a roll of 6 or less like
it was a 7-9, just with a harder bargain or Reputation
Cunning Take A Risk, See the
Truth, Hunt
uglier choice.

□ Blood of the Lion: You have inherited your

Charm Take A Risk, Seduce or
Persuade
father’s legendary tenacity and can survive when
lesser men might shrink back or die.

At the beginning of a session, hold 3. You can spend

your hold, 1-for-1, to either:
HARM Battered
Choose to succeed at a 7-9 instead of rolling.
Bloodied
Shrug off a blow, reducing it by 1-harm.
Wounded
Hold Used: □ □□ Road of Kings
 the past
Who was your father?
□ The King, once a Northron adventurer.
X □ You cannot wait to be King. Your father has adventure
(Might +1, Finesse +1, Cunning +1, Charm +1)
Who was your closest childhood friend?
□ Arslan, heir to the coastal Duchy of Ephesia.
(Contacts: Coastal Provinces)
□ Sarah, a scullery maid.
(Contacts: Common Folk)
□ Simonides, one of the royal guards.
(Contacts: Soldiers)
□ Violette, a courtier’s daughter.
(Contacts: Palace)
As a teenager, you ran away from Velosa. What
happened?
□ You fled to the coast and then joined a corsair crew,
reaving the Middle Sea between the Western Kingdoms
and Khem. You returned home when your crew was killed
by your father’s navy.
(Contacts: Pirates)
□ You traveled north to find your grandmother, and
spent a season learning to hunt and smith and fight as
a Northron. You returned home when you hunted and
killed a great bear without any aid.
(Contacts: Barbarians)
□ After you ran away, you were captured by slavers.
Not knowing your parentage, they sold you as a plea-
sure-slave to the King of Qoresh, the capital of Khem. You
returned home when you escaped with the aid of one of
the king’s daughters.
(Contacts: Khem)
The present
Do you look forward to being king?
in his heart, not rule, and he should step aside for you.
(Reputation: Ambitious)
□ The throne will come in time - and when it does, many
of the pleasures of youth will have to be set aside. Best to
enjoy them when you can. (Reputation: Hedonist)
□ You wish you never had to be King. You will do your
duty, but like your father, you long for adventure and the
open road. (Reputation: Free-Spirited)
What secret have you kept from your father?
□ Despite your father’s agnosticism, you are deeply
faithful and have become a secret initiate of one of the
cults. Which god do you serve? (Contacts: Temples)
□ You lead a secret life as a thief among the brothels and
taverns of the city. (Contacts: Underworld)
□ You are secretly the father of High Lord Artaxes’
youngest child. (Contacts: Nobility)
With which of the other companions do you share
a special connection?
□ The General: Fearful of the wars to come, you
have sought out your father’s trusted commander to
teach you tactics and strategy. (+1 Cunning)
□ The Scholar: You have been translating and re-
mixing ancient poems and passing them off as your
own creations, aided by the scholar. (+1 Charm)
□ The Princess Consort: Your father’s new wife is
the most beautiful woman the world has ever seen,
and you have taken to displays of grace and skill to
impress her. (+1 Finesse)
□ The Old Friend: The old rogue is a companion
of yours in the alleys, and some nights you have
fought back to back. (+1 Might)
character creation
1. Read your Tale and pick a Name.
Names include:
Caspian, Artos, Tristram, Lucian, Cormac, Perseus,
Ronan, Quintus, Leonis, Finn, Theo, Orin, Julian, Liam,
Aidan, Desmond
2. Answer your Past and Present questions.
If they involve others of the Companions, check
with them when you answer your questions.
Write down your Traits, your Contacts, and your
Reputation.
3. Choose your Moves.
Choose three of the Heir moves.
Make sure you read any Basic or Magic Moves you
think you might use often. If you have questions
about your Moves, ask the MC.
4. Pick Your Gear.
As the Heir, you get:
- A Sword (Deadly: On the Field & Hand-To-Hand)
- A Dagger (Deadly: Infighting & Brawling) or
Poniard (Deadly: Brawling & Intimate)
- A weapon for the Hunt, like:
Short Bow (At Range, Deadly: Aimed)
Boar Spear
(Deadly: On the Field & vs. Mounted)
Sling (At Range, Concealable)
- A dueling cuirass (Light Armor: 1-armor).
- A signet ring set with an extraordinarily valuable
stone.
- Clothes and other items suitable to your station.