DARK SUN

WORLDS
WITHOUT
NUMBER V1.7
 Table of Contents • 2

Table Of Contents
Introduction 3
Creating a level 1 character 4
Skills 5
Foci 6
Equipment 7
Races 8
Classes 10
Psionics 22
Magic 36
Effort 37
Death and Healing 38
Experience and leveling up 39
Systems 40
3 • Introduction
Introduction
This book has conversion rules to play Dark Sun with the
Worlds Without Number rules (a fantasy system similar to
the Stars Without Number system we adapted for Star
Wars).
The main rules chapter is in this PDF extract (in art-
less format suitable for printing, like all the other PDF
extracts linked from this book). The game master screen
has a good summary of the rules (it is very similar to the
basic Stars Without Number rules we use for Star Wars).
There is also a system quick reference sheet.
Any rule in this book supercedes an equivalent rule
in the Worlds Without Number book, but since this uses
the Worlds Without Number rules mostly by the book it is
useful to have the entire book.
The campaign is set in the timeline of the Revised
Dark Sun boxed set.
All of the PDFs referenced from this book (including
the book iself) are in this Google Drive folder.
The World of Athas
Beneath a crimson sun lie wastelands of majestic
desolation and cities of cruel splendor, where sandal-clad
heroes battle ancient sorcery and terrible monsters. This
is Athas, the world of the DARK SUN® campaign setting,
a dying planet of savagery and desolation. Life hangs by
a thread in this barren land, and now it is up to you to
write your own story in blood and glory.
A Desert World
Thousands of years of reckless spellcasting and epic wars
have turned Athas into a barren world, on the verge of
an ecological collapse. From the first moments of dawn
until the last twinkling of dusk, the crimson sun shimmers
in the olive–tinged sky like a fiery puddle of blood,
creating temperatures up to 65° C by late afternoon.
Water is scarce, so most Athasians need to come up with
alternative solutions for dealing with the heat or perish.
A World Without Metal
Metals are very rare on Athas. Its scarcity has forced
Athasians to rely on barter and different materials, such
as ceramic, to use as currency. It also hampers industrial
and economic development as well, as other products
tend to be low quality. Even then however, those with
metal possess a big advantage against those who do not.
The Will and The Way
From the lowliest slave to the most powerful sorcerer‐
king, psionics pervade all levels of Athasian society.
Virtually every individual has some mental ability, and
every city‐state has some sort of psionic academy
available.
A World Without Gods
Athas is a world without true deities. Hundreds or ruin
shrines and temples to old gods lay on the Tablelands,
but with the exception of the cults of the tyrannical
Sorcerer-Kings, the gods of old are either gone or may
have never existed at all. All divine power comes from the
Elemental planes and the spirits of the land that inhabit
geographic features.
The City-States
The Tyr Region is the center of the world of Athas, at least
as far as the people of the seven city‐states are
concerned. It’s here, along the shores of the Silt Sea and
in the shadows of the Ringing Mountains that civilization
clings to a few scattered areas of fertile land and fresh
water. The majority of the population lives in the city‐
states of Tyr, Urik, Raam, Draj, Nibenay, Gulg, and Balic.
The remainder lives in remote villages built around oases
and wells, or wanders about in nomadic tribes searching
for what they need to survive.
Planar Insulation
Barriers exist between Athas and other planes. In the case
of other planes of existence, the Gray impedes planar
travel, except to the Elemental Planes. The same holds
true for those trying to contact or reach Athas. The barrier
formed by the Gray impedes travel in both directions.
Tone and Attitudes
Athas puts the survival of the fittest concept to its fullest.
Those who cannot adapt to endure the tyrannical
sorcerer‐kings, the unrelenting sun, or the many dangers
of the wastes will certainly perish. Illiteracy and slavery
are commonplace, while magic is feared and hated. The
term “hero” has a very different meaning in Athas.
The Struggle for Survival
The basic necessities of life are scarce on Athas. This
means that every society must devote itself to obtaining
food and safeguarding its water supply, while protecting
themselves from raiding tribes, Tyr–storms, and other city‐
states. This essentially means that most Athasian must
devote a large deal of their lives just to survive.
 Creating a level 1 character • 4

Creating a level 1 character

Note about skill picks: If a focus, class, or background Standard Languages Typical Speakers
gives you a skill that you have at 0 then you can raise it to Common Humans, Traders
1, and if you already have that skill at 1 you can pick any Dwarvish Dwarves
other non-Psychic skill (or raise another non-Psychic skill
Elvish Elves
from 0 to 1).
Halfling Halflings
1. Pick your class (see Classes chapter), picking Sign Language Any
foci (full description of foci here and here)
according to what is in the class table. Exotic Languages Typical Speakers
Aarakocra Aarakocra
2. Pick Arts and/or spells if your class has them
(see the lists in each class’ description) Anakore Anakore
Belgoi Belgoi
3. Pick your race (see Races chapter), gaining the Braxat Braxat
Level 1 racial focus (or pick another focus if you Dark Speech Fiends
are human). See notes above about any skills
Giant Giants, Giant-Kin
gained in this step.
Gith Gith
4. Either get the Wild Psychic Talent focus (if not a Kreen Thri-Kreen
Psionicist or Psychic Warrior) or level 1 of the Primordial Elementals
Psychic Training focus (if a Psionicist or Psychic Ssuran Reptilian creatures
Warrior).
Tarek Tarek
5. Pick your background, get the Free skill and pick
another skill from the Learning list. Attribute Score Attribute Modifier
3 -2
6. Pick any non-Psychic skill of your choice (or 4-7 -1
raise one of your non-Psychic skills from 0 to 1) 8-13 0
7. Use this attribute array: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 14-17 +1
18 +2
8. Add +2 to one attribute

9. Add +1 to a second attribute

10. Record hit points, effort, and saves

11. Pick an equipment package and record your

encumbrance. Readied encumbrance is equal to
1/2 the Strenght score (rounded up), and
Stowed encumbrance is equal to the Strength
score. See the link in the Equipment chapter for
the full encumbrance rules.

12. Pick languages: 2 + (Connect level + 1) +

(Know level + 1)
5 • Skills

Skills
Go to this pdf for the list of skills (taken from the Worlds
Without Number book).
 Foci • 6

Foci
Foci are extra abilities that characters can pick up, and Psychic Training
specialize them in some way. The first time you pick a You’ve had special training in a particular psychic
focus you get the Level 1 of the focus. You can pick the discipline. You must be a Psionicist or Psychic Warrior to
same focus again to get the Level 2 of the focus. pick this focus. In the latter case, you can only take
There is a quick reference for the Level 1 of each training in the discipline you initially chose as a Partial
focus here, and a full description of each focus in this pdf Psychic. As with most foci, this focus can be taken only
and this pdf). once.
Dark Sun characters also have available the extra Level 1: Gain any psychic discipline as a bonus skill. If
foci below, and start with either Level 1 in Psychic Training this improves it to level-1 proficiency, choose a free
or Level 1 of Wild Psychic Talent as a bonus focus, level-1 technique from that discipline. Your maximum
depending on the character class. Effort increases by one.
Berserker Level 2: When you advance a level, the bonus psychic
discipline you chose for the first level of the focus
You are prone to terrible battle-frenzy and a killing fury
automatically gets one skill point put toward
that consumes all reason. Men are wary of you, for when
increasing it or purchasing a technique from it. You
the blood-lust is on you, you know no kin or law.
may save these points for later, if more are required
Level 1: As an On Turn action, you may choose to go
to raise the skill or buy a particular technique. These
berserk. While berserk, gain an extra 10 hit points, a
points are awarded retroactively if you take this focus
base Armor Class of 16 if not already better, and an
level later in the game.
additional damage bonus on weapon or unarmed
attacks equal to half your level, rounded up. You are Wild Psychic Talent
immune to Shock damage while berserk and to any
Wild talents are not treated as psychics for general
effect that compels fear or pacification. While
purposes. When relevant, they are treated as having one
berserk you can take no action not immediately
point of Psychic Effort. Psionicists and Psychic Warriors
related to killing something or reaching a target to
cannot take this focus.
kill them, and cannot make ranged attacks. You may
Level 1: Pick a psychic discipline. You gain an ability
end the berserk as an Instant action immediately
equivalent to the level-0 core power of that
after reducing a target to zero hit points; otherwise, it
takes an On Turn action and forces a Mental saving discipline. Optionally, you may instead pick a level-1
throw. On a failure, you remain berserk that round technique from that discipline, but that technique
and must seek to kill the nearest living target, must stand alone; you can’t pick one that augments
whether friend or foe. When the berserk effect ends, another technique or core ability. For example, you
you immediately lose the extra 10 hit points, and could pick the Telekinetic Armory technique from
may be mortally wounded by the loss. Telekinesis, because that ability does not require the
use of any other Telekinesis power. You could not
Level 2: All damage you inflict while berserk is rolled
pick the Mastered Succor ability from Biopsionics,
twice, taking the best result. Once per day, when
because that technique is meant to augment another
reduced to zero hit points while berserk, you may
power you don’t have.
continue to fight for a number of rounds equal to
half your level (rounded up) before falling, mortally Level 2: You now have a maximum Psychic Effort of two
wounded. Additional damage during this time points. You may pick a second ability according to
cannot stop or kill you. If healed during this span, the guidelines above. This second does not need to
be a standalone technique if it augments the power
you continue to stand, but the ability’s benefits end.
you chose for level 1 of this focus. Thus, if your first
Dual-wielder pick was gaining the level-0 power of Psychic Succor,
your second could be Mastered Succor. You still
You are an expert in using two weapons to gain the upper
could not get the level-1 core power of Psychic
hand over your foes. Attacking with two weapons gives a
Succor, however, as you’re still restricted to level-0.
-1 penalty to hit and a +2 bonus to damage.
Level 1: Gain Stab as a bonus skill. Two one-handed
weapons can be carried Readied without costing
Encumbrance. While dual-wielding, your AC
increases by +1. Once per scene, you can use the
Dual Feint action.
Level 2: Ignore the hit penalty to dual-wielding. By
pushing yourself, you can use Dual Feint more than
once per scene; each use after the first adds one
System Strain.
Dual Feint: Confuse your enemy with multiple feints
before striking. As an Instant action, when you miss,
make another attack roll with either weapon at +2 to hit.
7 • Equipment

Equipment
Go to this pdf for the equipment list (taken from the
Worlds Without Number book). We will be reskinning
weapons and armor to look like their Athasian
counterparts. It is easy to find pictures of Athasian
warpons and armor online, such as this one or this one.
Common animals do not exist in Athas, but there are
equivalents. In particular, horses are replaced with
Crodlus or Kanks, depending on the type of horse.
Regular boats and ships would also be useless in Athas
without any bodies of water to use them in, but on the
small side (equivalents of rowboats and small fishing
ships) there are silt skimmers, wheeled vehicles with sails
that can roll over shallow parts of the Silt Sea. Equivalents
of the larger boats (Merchant ship, Galleon) use special
obsidian orbs that users of the Telekinesis discipline can
use to make the ship float on silt.
Athas uses ceramic bits instead of silver pieces. For
items that can be made with little or no metal, the cost in
bits is equal to the cost in sp in the WWN rulebook. For
items that use more metal the cost in bits is 10-100x the
cost in sp, as determined by the GM. Through the
thousands of years of metal scarcity Athasians have
learned to make non-metal versions of common weapons
and armor that are as effective as the metal ones, if not
as durable.
1 ceramic piece equals 10 bits

1 silver piece equals 10 ceramic pieces (100 bits)

1 gold piece equals 10 silver pieces (1000 bits)

Weapon breakage
Non-metal weapons have a chance of breaking. In an
attack with a non-metal weapon, if you roll maximum
damage and the attack roll matches the opponent’s AC
exactly, then the weapon breaks after dealing the
damage in the attack.
Races
Human
Humans are the predominant race of Athas. You get an
extra focus pick that you can use with any Focus.
Elf
The dunes and steppes of Athas are home to thousands
of tribes of nomadic elves. While each tribe is very
different culturally, the elves within them remain a race of
long-limbed sprinters given to theft, raiding, and warfare.
Level 1: Gain Notice as a bonus skill, and you are able
to see clearly in anything short of complete darkness.
You may reroll a failed skill check once per day. Your
base movement rate is 40ft, and your overland
movement rate is twice the human norm.
Dwarf
The dwarves of Athas have the stature of their kindred in
other worlds—short, sturdy, and thickly muscled. Most
dwarves have deep tans from lives spent toiling in the hot
sun, with wide, callused hands and feet. They usually
have little or no hair; the flowing beards that are the
pride of male dwarves on other worlds are never seen on
the Athasian variety.
Level 1: You have the dwarven surrounding-sense out to
20ft, able to distinguish solid objects as if you were
using your sense of sight. You need only half the
usual amount of food, water, and air. You gain a +1
bonus to your hit points at each level (stacks with the
Die Hard focus).
Half-giant
In some lost millennium, as a bizarre experiment or
perhaps as some sort of curse, giants were magically
crossbred with humans. Half-giants are now fairly
common, especially to human controlled lands at the
edge of the sea of dust.
Level 1: Your Strength modifier increases by +1, to a
maximum of +3, but your Wisdom modifier
decreases by -1. You gain +2 hit points per level
(this stacks with the Die Hard focus). Half-giants are
on average 8 feet tall. All personal items, such as
clothing, armor, and weapons cost double but have
the same encumbrance values, and you need double
the usual amount of food, water, and air. Your
Stowed encumbrance is twice your Strength score,
but your Readied encumbrance stays the same. Half-
giants have a reputation for gullibility, and you suffer
a -2 penalty to all Mental saving throws to resist
mind-influencing effects.
Halfling
Beyond the Ringing Mountains are jungles that flourish in
rains unheard of. The undisputed rulers of these jungles
are the halflings. A halfling is a very short humanoid,
standing no more than 3.5 feet in height. They are
muscled and proportioned like humans, but they have the
faces of wise and beautiful children. Though divided
politically into separate villages and communities,
halflings have great respect for their race as a whole.
Level 1: Gain Sneak and Survive as bonus skills. Your
Dexterity modifier increases by +1, up to a
maximum of +3, but your Intelligence modifier
decreases by -1, down to a minimum of -2. You are
too small to effectively use two-handed melee
weapons or large bows. You can see clearly in the
dark out to 60ft.
Mul
A mul is an incredibly tough crossbreed of a human and
dwarf. They retain the height and cunning of their human
parents, plus the durability and raw strength of their
dwarven heritage. Muls are usually the products of the
slave pits—owners recognize the muls’ assets as
gladiators and laborers, and so order the births of as
many muls as can be managed within the ranks of their
slaves. Muls are born sterile—they cannot perpetuate
their kind.
Level 1: Gain Exert as a bonus skill. Your Strength and
Constitution modifiers are improved by +1, up to a
maximum of +3 for each, but your Intelligence
modifier decreases by -1, to a minimum of -2. You
require only half as much food and rest as a normal
human, and recover 2 points of System Strain per
day.
9 • Races

Thri-kreen
Hulking insect-men standing as tall as 7 feet at the
shoulder, the thri-kreen are the least “Human” of the
player character races. Their survivability in the
wilderness, combined with their cunning and intellect,
have made the mantis warriors (as they are known to
some races) the undisputed masters across large tracts of
the Athasian wastes.
Level 1: Gain Survival as a bonus skill. Your Dexterity
modifier increases by +1, to a maximum of +3, and
your Charisma modifiers decreases by -1, to
minimum of -2. Your unarmored Armor Class is 13,
but you cannot improve it by wearing armor. You
have four arms, but can only use two at once for
combat (this does not grant extra attacks, but follows
regular two-weapon fighting rules). You gain claws
and a vicious bite that can be used in melee to do
1d6 damage (Shock 1/15). You do not require sleep
and you only need per week the same amount of
water a regular human needs per day. You cannot
ride beasts, but can sit awkwardly in a cart or
howdah.
Level 2: Your base AC increases by half your character
level (on top of the base AC of 13 for Thri-kreens),
up to 18. You can use a Move action to make a leap
of up to 30ft horizontal or vertical distance, and
reduce falling damage from plunges by 30ft. Once
per scene, your leap can count as a Fighting
Withdrawal.
 Classes • 10

Classes
You must pick one of the classes in this chapter. Worlds
Without Number classes only go to level 10, so attack
bonus progression is shown for levels 1 to 10. The name
of the class in parenthesis is the WWN class name.
For classes that have arts, at any level change you
can swap one of your arts for another art of the same
class, except for the named arts that you gain at first
level.
11 • Barbarian

Barbarian (Warrior/Skinshifter)
Attack Focus Skinshifter forms
Level bonus picks Arts gained The arts of a Skinshifter revolve around improving or
1 +1 Any Change form, Any adjusting their alternate forms. These alternate forms
Warrior Skinshifter have a few basic rules that apply to all their
2 +2 Any One Any Skinshifter permutations.
3 +2 A Skinshifter can master one alternate form per
character level. A Skinshifter who wants to change a form
4 +3 Any One Any Skinshifter
selection can do so with a day of careful practice and
5 +4 Any Skinshifter adjustment. Skinshifter PCs should note down the special
6 +5 Any One Any Skinshifter powers or traits of their alternate forms and keep in mind
7 +5 which of them they have available at any one time.
8 +6 Any One Any Skinshifter A Skinshifter’s alternate forms use the same hit
points, character attributes, and movement speed as their
9 +6
normal form, unless modified by particular arts. Thus, a
10 +7 Any One Any Skinshifter Skinshifter shifted into a wolf’s shape would do no more
damage with its bite than the human’s unarmed attack
Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Skinshifter)
would do without some augmenting art.
Bonus Skill: Survive level-0, or Survive level-1 if Arts that improve the alternate forms can apply their
they already have the skill at level-0 benefits even if the creature’s natural shape wouldn’t
normally grant it. Thus, a Skinshifter with the Manifest
Effort: Constitution or Wisdom modifier + Wings art could have a wolf-form that had wings and a
Survive skill level (minimum 1) flying speed if they wished. A given form can have no
more than three arts applied to it.
Arts: Change Form, Eyes of the Hawk, Feline A Skinshifter’s alternate forms can be any size
Leap, Feral Prowess, Intrinsic Armor, Manifest between a horse and a kitten, barring modification by
Wings, Octopus’ Embrace, Perfect Mimicry, Pliant some art. They do not need to emulate a specific type of
Flesh, Savage Talons, Sculptor’s Beauty, creature; a Skinshifter could have a clawed and winged
Serpent’s Kiss, The Monkey’s Road, Warform, humanoid form as an alternate shape, or a dog with the
Wisdom of Fin and Scale head of a man, or a cat with razor-sharp mandibles.
The belongings carried by a Skinshifter meld into any
Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod new form unless the PC decides otherwise, granting any
per extra level benefit to Armor Class or other worn advantage they may
normally give. Melded objects can be manifested and
dropped as an On Turn action, but cannot be re-melded
again unless the PC changes form with them again.
Skinshifter forms cannot perfectly duplicate another
individual creature without an appropriate art.
 Bard • 12

Bard (Warrior/Bard)
The bard is a member of a bizarre class of entertainers
and storytellers prized by the aristocratic city dwellers. It is
also widely accepted that many bards lead double lives
as notorious blackmailers, spies, and even assassins.

Attack
Level bonus Focus picks Arts gained
1 +1 Any Warrior, A Thousand Tongues,
Any One Any Bard
2 +2 Any One Any Bard
3 +2
4 +3 Any One Any Bard
5 +4 Any Bard
6 +5 Any One Any Bard
7 +5
8 +6 Any One Any Bard
9 +6
10 +7 Any One Any Bard

Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Bard)

Bonus Skill: Perform level-0, or Perform level-1 if

they already have the skill at level-0

Effort: Charisma modifier + Perform skill

(minimum 1)

Arts: A Thousand Tongues, Battle Cry, Cursed

Tune, Deft Fingers, Entangle Incantation, Evoke
Emotion, Inspire Dread, Keen Senses, Liberating
Song, Rally, Soothe the Savage, Soothing Graces,
Swift Misdirection

Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod

per extra level
13 • Fighter

Fighter (Warrior)
On Athas, the fighter is a trained warrior, a soldier skilled
in mass warfare. Fighters are both the commanders and
soldiers in these armies, and at higher levels are experts
in individual and formation combat, leadership, and
morale.

Level Attack bonus Focus picks Damage bonus

1 +1 Any Warrior +1
2 +2 Any One +1
3 +3 +2
4 +4 Any One +2
5 +5 +3
6 +6 Any One +3
7 +7 +4
8 +8 Any One +4
9 +9 +5
10 +10 Any One +5

Class Ability: Killing Blow, Veteran’s Luck

Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod

per extra level

Killing Blow
Whenever a Warrior inflicts damage with any attack,
spell, or special ability they may add half their character
level, rounded up, to the damage done. This damage is
also added to any Shock they may inflict.
Combined with Foci meant to improve Shock attacks
such as Armsmaster, Close Combatant, or Shocking
Assault, this ability ensures that an experienced Warrior
will almost always kill any ordinary human soldier or
minor monster, regardless of their attack roll result.

Veteran’s Luck
Once per scene, as an Instant action, the Warrior may
turn a missed attack they have made into a hit.
Alternatively, they may turn a successful attack against
them into a miss, also as an Instant action. This ability is
particularly lethal when used with the Make a Snap Attack
action and leveled against weaker monsters or ordinary
human warriors.
Only one exercise of this ability is possible in a
scene, either to force a miss or ensure a hit on a foe;
both options may not be employed in the same fight. A
Warrior may use this ability with crew-served weapons
they are assisting in firing. This ability cannot be used to
negate environmental damage or damage done to a
vehicle or mount they are riding.
 Gladiator • 14

Gladiator (Warrior/Duelist)
Gladiators are the slave warriors of the city states, Favored Weapon (supersedes the “Favored
specially trained for brutal physical contests. Disciplined Weapon” art in the book)
in many diverse forms of hand-to-hand combat and
Choose one specific type of non-unarmed melee weapon
skilled in the use of dozens of different weapons,
from the list. You begin play with such a weapon, and
gladiators are the most dangerous warriors on Athas.
when using this type you may use the Favored Weapon
Favored attack bonus column on the Gladiator table to determine
Attack Focus weapon your base hit bonus, unless it’s already better for some
other reason. A Gladiator can change their Favored
Level bonus picks Arts gained Attack Bonus
Weapon after they have practiced with the new weapon
1 +1 Any Favored +1
for a scene.
Warrior Weapon, Any
Duelist
2 +2 Any One Any Duelist +2
3 +2 +3
4 +3 Any One Any Duelist +4
5 +4 Any Duelist +5
6 +5 Any One Any Duelist +6
7 +5 +7
8 +6 Any One Any Duelist +8
9 +6 +9
10 +7 Any One Any Duelist +10

Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Duelist)

Bonus Skill: Stab level-0, or Stab level-1 if they

already have the skill at level-0

Effort: Dexterity or Intelligence modifier + Stab

skill level (minimum 1)

Arts: Blood for Blood, Burst of Speed, Code

Duello, Crushing Superiority, Dauntless Step,
Dodge Doom, Favored Weapon, Forced
Engagement, Gentleman’s Withdrawal, Graceful
Leap, Lightning Draw, Piercing Strike, Spiritual
Weapon, Unbindable, Unworthy Rabble,
Whirling Evasion

Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod

per extra level

The arts of the Gladiator require agility and free

motion. The Gladiator cannot benefit from any art of this
class while wearing medium or heavy armor or carrying a
large shield. Dual-wielding is practiced by some
Gladiators, but most prefer the defensive advantages of a
small offhand shield.
15 • Ranger

Ranger (Warrior/Beastmaster)
Warriors of the wilderness, rangers specialize in hunting Beastmaster Companions
the monsters that threaten the edges of civilization, like
Many Beastmaster arts apply to the PC’s animal
humanoid raiders, rampaging beasts and monstrosities,
companion. There are a few basic guidelines for such
terrible giants, and deadly drakes. They learn to track
companions that a GM should keep in mind during play.
their quarry as a predator does, moving stealthily through
A companion animal cannot have a number of hit
the wilds and hiding themselves in brush and rubble.
dice greater than the Beastmaster’s level plus one. Thus a
Attack Focus 2 hit die wolf is an acceptable companion for a first-level
Level bonus picks Arts gained Beastmaster, but a 5 hit die tentacular horror is too potent
to be bound to service.
1 +1 Any Bind Companion, Any
A companion animal cannot have human levels of
Warrior Beastmaster
intelligence. It must be more-or-less animal in its thought
2 +2 Any One Any Beastmaster patterns, though it can be a magical beast or
3 +2 supernatural entity of some kind.
4 +3 Any One Any Beastmaster A Beastmaster can normally have only one
5 +4 Any Beastmaster companion animal at a time. They can leave an animal
behind in any terrain suitable for its survival and expect it
6 +5 Any One Any Beastmaster
to be in the same vicinity later if they choose to return for
7 +5 it and no one has killed it in the meanwhile. Released
8 +6 Any One Any Beastmaster creatures are usually friendly to the Beastmaster still,
9 +6 unless they have been mistreated or are exceptionally
10 +7 Any One Any Beastmaster savage.
A companion animal functions as an independent
Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Beastmaster) allied creature. It will obey commands from the
Beastmaster that are not contrary to its own nature or
Bonus Skill: Survive level-0, or Survive level-1 if beyond its intellect, but it will fight, move, check Instinct
they already have the skill at level-0 and Morale as normal, and act independently in combat.
If the creature is mistreated or used as mere cannon
Effort: Charisma or Wisdom modifier + Survive fodder, it can flee or turn on its former master.
skill level (minimum 1) A companion animal must be given a name by the
Beastmaster. Without a name to focus the PC’s arts, the
Arts: Beast Ward, Bind Companion, Eyes of the
creature cannot be controlled.
Beast, Feral Toughness, Howl of Distant
Summons, Know the Weak Spot, Mind Call, The Chosen Friend
Natural Weaponry, Savage Senses, Shared
Some Beastmasters form a lifelong bond with a single
Vitality, Swift Healing, Tongue of the Beasts
dear companion. If a PC chooses this option, they can
Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod only ever Bind one companion, but it gains the benefit of
per extra level the Shared Vitality and Mind Call arts automatically. So
long as the Beastmaster lives, this chosen friend cannot
truly die; if reduced to zero hit points, it disappears, but
will manifest again at the Beastmaster’s side the following
dawn with its full hit points. Of course, the master is
expected to treat this companion as the beloved friend it
is, and not as mere battle-fodder.
 Elemental Cleric • 16

Elemental Cleric (Elementalist)

Spells
Level Attack bonus Focus picks Arts gained Max level Cast Known
1 +0 Elemental Resilience, Elemental Sparks, Any Elementalist 1 1 2
2 +0 Any One Any Elementalist 1 1 3
3 +0 2 2 4
4 +0 Any One Any Elementalist 2 2 5
5 +1 3 3 6
6 +1 Any One Any Elementalist 3 3 7
7 +1 4 4 8
8 +1 Any One Any Elementalist 4 4 9
9 +1 5 5 10
10 +2 Any One Any Elementalist 5 6 12

In Athas, the gods do not answer prayers, some say they

may have never existed. As such, instead of gods, Clerics
worship one of the four elemental planes: Earth, air, fire,
or water. They call upon magical energies from those
planes, and hone their bodies to fight for the elements.

Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Elementalist),

cannot cast or use arts while armored or using
a shield

Spell lists: High Mage, Elementalist

Spells known: Can be of any level that currently

be cast, every new level you can replace an
existing spell

Bonus Skill: Pray level-0, or Pray level-1 if they

already have the skill at level-0

Effort: Charisma or Wisdom modifier + Pray skill

level + 1 (minimum 1)

Arts: Beckoned Deluge, Earthsight, Elemental

Blast, Elemental Resilience, Elemental Sparks,
Flamesight, Pavis of Elements, Petrifying Stare,
Rune of Destruction, Steps of Air, Stunning Shock,
Thermal Shield

Hit points: 8+con mod first level, 2+con mod

per extra level

A cleric can make magical Workings and magic

items.
17 • Elemental Monk

Elemental Monk (Elementalist/Vowed)

Punch Spells
Attack Focus Attack Max
Level bonus picks Arts gained bonus Damage Shock level Cast Known
1 +0 Elemental Resilience, Elemental Sparks, +0 1d6 1/15 1 1 2
Unarmed Might, Martial Style, Unarmored
Defense, Any Elementalist, Any Vowed
2 +0 Any Any Vowed +1 1d6 2/15 1 1 3
One
3 +0 Any Elementalist +1 1d8 2/15 2 2 4
4 +0 Any Any Vowed +2 1d8 2/15 2 2 5
One
5 +1 Any Vowed +2 1d10 2/15 3 3 6
6 +1 Any Any Elementalist, Any Vowed +3 1d10 3/15 3 3 7
One
7 +1 +3 1d10+1 3/15 4 4 8
8 +1 Any Any Vowed +4 1d10+1 3/15 4 4 9
One
9 +1 Any Elementalist +4 1d10+2 4/15 5 5 10
10 +2 Any Any Vowed +5 1d10+3 4/15 5 6 12
One

These specialist Elemental Clerics combine the power of Hit points: 10+con mod first level, 3+con mod
the elements with a dedication to improving their body per extra level
and martial prowess.
A monk can make magical Workings and magic
Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (Elementalist), items.
Arcane Tradition (Vowed) cannot cast or use arts
while armored or using a shield

Spell lists: High Mage, Elementalist

Spells known: Can be of any level that currently

be cast, every new level you can replace an
existing spell

Bonus Skill: Pray level-0, or Pray level-1 if they

already have the skill at level-0

Elementalist Effort: Charisma or Wisdom

modifier + Pray skill level (minimum 1)

Elementalist Arts: Beckoned Deluge, Earthsight,

Elemental Blast, Elemental Resilience, Elemental
Sparks, Flamesight, Pavis of Elements, Petrifying
Stare, Rune of Destruction, Steps of Air, Stunning
Shock, Thermal Shield

Vowed Effort: Highest attribute modifier +

highest skill level (minimum 1)

Vowed Arts: Brutal Counter, Faultless

Awareness, Hurling Throw, The Inward Eye, Leap
of the Heavens, Martial Style, Master’s Vigor,
Mob Justice, Nimble Ascent, Purified Body,
Revivifying Breath, Shattering Strike, Style
Weaponry, Unarmed Might, Unarmored
Defense, Unobstrusive Step
 Sorcerer • 18

Sorcerer (High Mage)

Spells
Level Attack bonus Focus picks Arts gained Max level Cast Prepared
1 +0 Any Two High Mage 1 1 2
2 +0 Any One Any High Mage 1 1 3
3 +0 2 2 4
4 +0 Any One Any High Mage 2 2 5
5 +1 3 3 6
6 +1 Any One Any High Mage 3 3 7
7 +1 4 4 8
8 +1 Any One Any High Mage 4 4 9
9 +1 5 5 10
10 +2 Any One Any High Mage 5 6 12

An Athasian sorcerer draws energy from living plant life New Arts
to power their magic. Usually a sorcerer can take just
Sorcerous Blast: Commit Effort for the scene as a Main
enough to not cause damage, but the temptation is
Action to hurl a blast of some raw energy at a visible
always there to consume all plant life around them in
target within fifty feet per character level. The attack is
order to have more power.
made with Magic as the combat skill, Int, Cha, or Dex as
Class Ability: Arcane Tradition (High Magic), the attribute, and a bonus to hit equal to your character
cannot cast or use arts while armored or using level. It is not hindered by melee foes. On a hit, the
a shield attack does 1d6 damage plus your character level and
attribute mod.
Spell lists: High Mage
Defiling
Spellbook: Starts with 4 first-level spells, can add
A Sorcerer may choose to Defile any time they cast a
2 new spells to spellbook every level, plus others
spell. By Defiling, all plant life within a radius of 20ft per
found adventuring
spell level instantly withers and dies. Additionally, any
Bonus Skill: Magic level-0, or Magic level-1 if creature within this radius (including the caster) instantly
they already have the skill at level-0 receives a point of System Strain. Upon Defiling, the
Sorcerer makes an Int/Magic or Cha/Magic check with a
Effort: Charisma or Intelligence modifier + difficulty equal to 9 + the spell level. If successful, the
Magic skill level + 1 (minimum 1) Sorcerer does not lose the spell slot used to cast the spell
and the difficulty increases by one. The difficulty resets
Arts: Arcane Lexicon, Counter Magic, during daily spell preparations.
Empowered Sorcery, Hang Sorcery, Inexorable
Effect, Iron Resolution, Preparatory
Countermagic, Psychic Conversion, Restrained
Casting, Retain Sorcery, Sense Magic, Sorcerous
Blast, Suppress Magic, Swift Casting, Ward Allies,
Wizard’s Grandeur

Hit points: 8+con mod first level, 2+con mod

per extra level

A sorcerer can make magical Workings and magic

items.
19 • Psionicist

Psionicist (Psychic)
Psionicists are masters of mind over matter, their rigorous
physical and mental training allows them to learn the
Way, a philosophy of mental discipline, to become master
of the Will, or innate mental power.

Level Attack bonus Focus picks

1 +0
2 +1 Any One
3 +1
4 +2 Any One
5 +2
6 +3 Any One
7 +4
8 +4 Any One
9 +5
10 +5 Any One

Class Ability: Psychic disciplines

Bonus skills: Any Psychic level-1, with a level-1

technique of that discipline

Effort: Wisdom or Constitution modifier +

Highest psychic skill level + 1 (minimum 1)

Hit points: 10+con mod first level, 3+con mod

per extra level

See the “Psionics” chapter for the Psionicist’s psychic

powers.
A Psionicist can make psychic Workings and psionic
items using the same rules as magic users.
 Psychic Warrior • 20

Psychic Warrior (Warrior/Psychic)

Level Attack bonus Focus picks
1 +1 Any Warrior
2 +2 Any One
3 +2
4 +3 Any One
5 +4
6 +5 Any One
7 +5
8 +6 Any One
9 +6
10 +7 Any One

Class Ability: Psychic discipline

Bonus skills: Any Psychic level-0

Effort: Wisdom or Constitution modifier +

Psychic skill level (minimum 1)

Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod

per extra level

See the “Psionics” chapter for the Psychic Warrior’s

psychic powers. A Psychic Warrior can only ever master
one Psychic discipline.
A Psychic Warrior can make psychic Workings and
psionic items using the same rules as magic users.
21 • Thief

Thief (Warrior/Expert)
Athasian thieves run the gamut of society. They range
from gutter snipes who prey upon the merchants and
freemen of the cities to vagabonds who steal what they
can from passing caravans or merchant trains.

Level Attack bonus Focus picks

1 +1 Any Expert, Any Warrior
2 +2 Any One
3 +2
4 +3 Any One
5 +4
6 +5 Any One
7 +5
8 +6 Any One
9 +6
10 +7 Any One

Class Ability: Quick Learner (+1 skill point per

level after 1st), Modding Equipment

Hit points: 14+con mod first level, 5+con mod

per extra level
 Psionics • 22

Psionics
This is a list of all the psychic disciplines (skills) and
techniques. In parenthesis around the technique is the
minimum level in the discipline necessary to pick up the
technique.
You get the level-0 technique when you buy the
discipline as a skill (the first technique listed for every
discipline), plus a new technique every time you raise the
discipline level, up to 5 techniques when reaching level-4.
You can buy extra techniques using skill points, at a cost
of one point per level of the technique.
Every time you raise your level in a discipline you can
also replace one of your level-1+ techniques for a new
one.
Some techniques scale with the level of the discipline,
this will be indicated in the technique’s description.

Biopsionics
Psychic Succor (level-0)
Organic Purification Protocols (level-1)
Mastered Succor (level-1)
Remote Repair (level-1)
Tissue Integrity Field (level-2)
Invincible Stand (level-2)
Major Organ Restoration (level-2)
Metamorph (level-3)
Teratic Overload (level-3)
Accelerated Succor (level-3)
Holistic Optimization Patterning (level-4)
Quintessential Reconstruction (level-4)
Precognition
Oracle (level-0)
Intuitive Response (level-1)
Sense the Need (level-1)
Terminal Reflection (level-1)
Destiny’s Shield (level-2)
Alternate Outcome (level-2)
Forced Outcome (level-3)
Anguished Vision (level-3)
Cursed Luck (level-3)
Not My Time (level-4)
Prophecy (level-4)
Teleportation
Personal Apportation (level-0)
Spatial Awareness (level-1)
Proficient Apportation (level-1)
Burdened Apportation (level-2)
Perceptive Dislocation (level-2)
Spatial Synchrony Mandala (level-2)
Rift Deduplication (level-3)
Effortless Apportation (level-3)
Stutterjump (level-3)
Deep Intrusion (level-4)
Offensive Apportation (level-4)
Heal damage to living creatures
Cure poisions or diseases
Use Psychic Succor without expending Effort
Use techniques at a distance
Mass application of Psychic Succor
Keep target active even at 0 hit points
Can cure birth defects, regenerate limbs, and bring recently dead to life
Reshape physical form of target
Gravely wounds target
Use Psychic Succor as On Turn or Instant action
Enhances physical capabilities of target
Psychic can regenerate from being killed
Get information about own future
Act before anyone else in initiative order
Retroactively declare that psychic is carrying an object
Negate surprise for psychic and companions
Make attacker reroll successful hit
Allow target to reroll failed roll
Controls random event in a scene
Rolls back time to beginning of previous round
Target must roll twice and take worst result, and attack and damage on target
rolls twice and takes best result
Avoid certain death
Make a prediction that will come to pass
Can teleport self to another location
Get 360-degree awareness up to 120 feet
Can teleport as Move action
Can carry up to 3 companions when teleporting
Can see any location psychic can teleport to
Imprints an object to always know its location and be able to teleport to it
Teleport as On Turn action
Teleport without expending Effort
Gain AC 20 due to micro-teleports away from danger, and negate attacks
Bling teleport inside a visible structure
Teleport unwilling target
23 • Psychic Disciplines
Metapsionics
Psychic Refinement (level-0)
Cloak Powers (level-1)
Synthetic Adaptation (level-1)
Mindtracing (level-1)
Psychic Static (level-2)
Suspended Manifestation (level-2)
Neural Trap (level-2)
Metadimensional Friction (level-3)
Concert of Minds (level-3)
Psychic Tutelage (level-3)
Surge Momentum (level-3)
Impervious Pavis of Will (level-4)
Flawless Mastery (level-4)
Telepathy
Telepathic Contact (level-0)
Facile Mind (level-1)
Transmit Thought (level-1)
Far Thought (level-2)
Suppress Cognition (level-2)
Reflex Response (level-3)
Telepathic Assault (level-3)
Memory Editing (level-4)
Unity of Thought (level-4)
Telekinesis
Telekinetic Manipulation (level-0)
Kinetic Transversal (level-1)
Pressure Field (level-1)
Telekinetic Armory (level-1)
Thermokinesis (level-2)
Slip Field (level-2)
Impact Sump (level-2)
Telekinetic Expertise (level-2)
Reactive Telekinesis (level-3)
Telekinetic Ram (level-3)
Tangible Force Construct (level-3)
Telekinetic Flight (level-4)
Force Puppetry (level-4)
Sense use of psychic powers and improve own powers
Conceal own psychic abilities from metapsions
Use Telepathy or Biopsion powers on constructs and undead
Trace use of psyhic powers
Negate a perceived psychic power
“Hang” a psychic power to use it as Instant action later
Fail a save against another psion to affect them without saving throw
Cause damage on enemy psychic that tries to manifest powers
Share techniques with other psyhics in a gestalt
Train other potential psychics
Make target save with a penalty for psychic powers
Become immune to a psychic discipline, and extend this immunity to allies
Do another technique without expendign Effort
Read emotions and thoughts from target
Enter Telepatic Contact by commiting Effort for the scene instead of day
Send thoughts and images over Telepathic Contact
Can activate Telepatic Contact with previous target over long distances
Block specific thought on target of Telepathic Contact
Force sudden, irrational impulse on target of Telepathic Contact
Causes 6d6 or 9d6 psychic damage to target of Telepathic Contact
Change memories of the previous 24 hours of target of Telepatic Contact
Bind up to 6 allies in Telepathic Contact, and grants extra action to a member
of the gestalt
Direct force toward object or person
Move over vertical or overhanging surfaces as if flat ground
Ignore harmful temperatures and pressures, and toxic environments
Create weapons and armor out of telekinetic force
Make inannimate objects melt, burst into flames, or freeze, or cause 1d12 per
telekinesis level of daage to constructs or undead
Make 30ft diameter area slippery
Negate a single instance of physical damage
Can use Telekinetic Manipulation without expending Effort
Reflects missed attack back at assailant
Cause great damage to immobile structure
Create a force construct inside a 10ft cube (AC 15, HP 20)
Lift self and allies in flight
Control physical actions of target
 Biopsionics • 24

Biopsionics
Psychic Succor level-0 Tissue Integrity Field level-2
The adept’s touch stabilizes critically-wounded creatures. The biopsion’s Psychic Succor may now also affect all
More sophisticated practitioners can heal injuries, though allies within 30 feet of the target. Allies can decline the
curing diseases, detoxifying poisons, and fixing healing if they don’t require it or don’t want to take the
congenital deformities require additional techniques. additional System Strain. Each use of this technique
Each use of Psychic Succor adds one point of System requires that the biopsion Commit Effort for the day in
Strain to the target, except for the Level-0 version of the addition to the cost of the Psychic Succor.
technique.
Invincible Stand level-2
Activating Psychic Succor requires the biopsion to The biopsion has mastered techniques of emergency
Commit Effort for the day. Once used, they can continue tissue reinforcement and system stabilization. As an
to use it for the rest of that scene without Committing Instant action, they can Commit Effort for the scene to
Effort again. keep themself or a target they can touch active even at
Level-0: The psychic’s touch can automatically stabilize a zero hit points. This technique must be used once every
mortally-wounded target as a Main Action. This power round on the target or they collapse at the end of the
must be used on a target within six rounds of their round. If the target suffers hit point damage, the
collapse, and does not function on targets that have biopsion must Instantly Commit Effort for the scene or
been decapitated or killed by Heavy weapons. It’s the the target goes down immediately with a mortal wound.
GM’s decision as to whether a target is intact enough for A Heavy weapon hit on a subject of this power or similar
this power to work. physical dismemberment will always kill a target,
Level-1: As previous level, and heal 1d6+1 hit points of regardless of this technique.
damage for every two levels of the character being
healed (rounded up). If used on a mortally-wounded
target, they revive with the rolled hit points and can act
normally on the next round.
Level-2: As previous level, but healing 2d6+2 hit points
instead.
Level-3: As previous level, but healing 2d6+6 hit points
instead.
Level-4: As previous level, but healing 3d6+8 hit points
instead.
Organic Purification Protocols level-1
The biopsion’s Psychic Succor now cures any poisons or
diseases the subject may be suffering, albeit it requires
Committing Effort for the day as an additional
surcharge. Exceptionally virulent diseases or magical
toxins may resist this curing, requiring a Wis/Biopsionics
skill check at a difficulty of at least 10. Failure means that
the adept cannot cure the target’s disease. This
technique cannot cure congenital illnesses.
Mastered Succor level-1
The biopsion has developed a sophisticated mastery of
their core ability, and they no longer need to Commit
Effort to activate it, and may use it whenever they wish.
The use of additional techniques that augment Psychic
Succor might still require Effort to be Committed.
Remote Repair level-1
Psychic Succor and other biopsionic techniques that
normally require touch contact can now be applied at a
distance up to 120 feet, provided the biopsion can see
the target with their unaided vision. Hostile powers that
normally require a hit roll will hit automatically. Each
time this technique is used, Effort must be Committed for
the scene.
25 • Biopsionics

Major Organ Restoration level-2 Holistic Optimization Patterning level-4

The biopsion’s Psychic Succor can now cure congenital
birth defects and regrow missing limbs and organs. It
can even be used to bring the dead back to life,
provided it’s used within one round per level of
Biopsionic skill. The best that can be done for such
badly-mangled targets is stabilization, after which they
must rest for 24 hours before any further hit points can
be healed by Biopsionics, magical healing, first aid, or
natural rest.
Metamorph level-3
The biopsion can now shape their own or another willing
target’s physical form as a Main Action, transforming a
touched target into any humanoid form within 50% of
their own mass. Claws and other body armaments can
be fashioned equivalent to one-handed melee weapons
and innate armor equivalent to AC 13. Gills and other
environmental-survival alterations are also viable, but
flight is a bridge too far for this power.
A person can be impersonated, provided a blood or hair
sample is available. The use of this adds one System
Strain point to the target that does not recover so long as
the change is in effect. Applying Metamorph requires
that the biopsion Commit Effort for as long as the
change is to be maintained. If applied to a target other
than the psychic, the power automatically ends if the
psychic gets more than six miles away.
The biopsion gains the ability to drastically augment their
own or a touched ally’s physical abilities as an On Turn
action. This boost lasts for the rest of the scene, adds two
points of System Strain to the target and gives them a +2
bonus to all Strength or Dexterity skill checks, hit rolls,
and damage rolls along with 20 extra hit points. Any
damage is taken off these temporary hit points first, and
both the bonuses and any hit points in excess of the
target’s maximum are lost at the end of the scene. Each
invocation of this technique requires the biopsion to
Commit Effort for the day, and this power cannot be
used on a given target more than once per scene.
Quintessential Reconstruction level-4
The biopsion becomes extremely difficult to kill, encoding
their mind in a coherent pattern of thought. If killed, the
psychic will regenerate from the largest remaining
fragment of their body over 24 hours. This process
maximizes their System Strain for one week. If brought to
zero hit points during this week, they die instantly and
permanently. The psychic retains a vague awareness of
their surroundings while “dead” and can postpone their
regeneration for up to a week in order to avoid notice,
but burial or entombment may result in a very short
second life. Each use of this power inflicts one point of
permanent attribute loss in an attribute of the biopsion’s
choice.

Teratic Overload level-3

This use of biopsionics inflicts potentially-lethal damage
on a touched target as a Main Action, and requires that
the biopsion Commit Effort for the scene. The target
suffers 1d6 damage per level of the psychic’s Biopsionics
skill and must make a Physical saving throw. On a
failure, the damage is tripled and the target is now
affected by an obvious, lethal disease that will kill them
in 1d6 months. The disease can only be treated by
magic or psychic healing. If the biopsion Commits Effort
for the day instead of the scene, they can control the
power sufficiently to do no hit point damage and create
a very subtle disease, leaving it undetectable without
disease-detecting magic. Such victims probably won’t
even know they’ve been attacked by this power. Whether
a success or failure, this power cannot be used on the
same target more than once per scene.
Accelerated Succor level-3
The biopsion’s Psychic Succor now can be used as an On
Turn power, albeit only once per round. By Committing
an additional Effort for the day with each use, it can even
be used as an Instant power, though it still can only be
used once per round. Any surcharges for augmenting the
succor apply normally, such as with Tissue Integrity Field.

Precognition
Oracle level-0
The precog gains a progressively-greater intuitive
understanding of their own future. Each invocation of the
Oracle technique requires a Main Action and that the
user Commit Effort for the day. Once triggered, the
adept gets a single brief vision related to the question
about the future that they’re asking. This vision is always
from their own personal vantage point and never reveals
more than a minute of insight, though the psychic
processes it almost instantly as part of the power’s use.
The GM should answer the question as if the PC were
about to perform the act or engage in the investigation
pertinent to the question. Thus, if the adept wanted to
know what opening a door would do and the GM knows
that it’s connected to a deadly trap, the psychic might get
a vision of sudden death. If the trap were on a time
delay that extended past the time horizon of the oracle,
however, the psychic might just see a vision of herself
waiting patiently, with nothing happening.
Visions should relate to actions and events, not abstract
facts. Oracle cannot tell a psychic who the crime boss of
a slum neighborhood is, for example, but it could give a
vision of the psychic caught in the next bloody riot and
the gang boss who’s directing the myriad thugs. It
couldn’t reveal the name of a templar, but it could show
the seer the impending moment that the next templar
patrol will enter the area the psychic plans to infiltrate.
Only the most important or significant information is
conveyed by the technique, even if multiple events of
interest might transpire during the time horizon.
Oracle can only be used on a given question or topic
once until the situation changes substantially or a week
goes by. The maximum time horizon of the Oracle
increases as the adept’s Precognition skill improves.
Level-0: One minute into the future.
Level-1: One day into the future.
Level-2: One week into the future.
Level-3: Three months into the future.
Level-4: One year into the future.
Intuitive Response level-1
As an Instant action, the precog can Commit Effort for
the scene just before they roll initiative. Their initiative
score is treated as one better than anyone else’s involved
in the scene. If another participant has this power or
some other ability that grants automatic initiative success,
roll initiative normally to determine which of them goes
first, and then the rest of the combatants act. This ability
cannot be used if the precog has been surprised.
Precognition • 26
Sense the Need level-1
At some point in the recent past, the psychic had a vague
but intense premonition that a particular object would be
needed. By triggering this power as an Instant action and
Committing Effort for the day, the psychic can
retroactively declare that they brought along any one
object that they could have reasonably acquired and
carried to this point. This object must be plausible given
recent events; if the psychic has just been stripsearched,
very few objects could reasonably have been kept, while
a psychic who’s just passed through a weapons check
couldn’t still have a dagger.
Terminal Reflection level-1
The psychic’s Oracle power automatically triggers as an
Instant action moments before some unexpected danger
or ambush, giving the precog a brief vision of the
impending hazard. This warning comes just in time to
avoid springing a trap or to negate combat surprise for
the precog and their companions. If the psychic does not
immediately Commit Effort for the day, this sense goes
numb and this technique cannot be used for the rest of
the day.
Destiny’s Shield level-2
The precog observes an incoming injury and tries to find
an alternate future in which the attack misses. As an
Instant action, the precog can Commit Effort for the day
to force an attacker to reroll a successful hit roll. This
technique only works on attacks against the psychic’s
person, not harm that doesn’t involve an attack roll. This
technique can be used only once per incoming attack.
Alternate Outcome level-2
The precog can sense impending failure and attempt to
salvage the action. As an Instant action, the precog can
target a visible ally or their own self and Commit Effort
for the day to allow the target to reroll a failed hit roll,
saving throw, or skill check, taking the better of the two
rolls. This power disrupts delicate lines of probability,
however, and cannot be used on any given target more
than once a day.
27 • Precognition
Forced Outcome level-3
Through careful manipulation of probability, the adept
can influence random physical events in their vicinity.
Triggering this technique requires a Main Action and
Committing Effort for the scene. Any simple, random
mechanical outcome can be completely controlled for
the scene, such as a roulette wheel or the order of a deck
of shuffled cards. Any other physical event in the area
that seems not-entirely-implausible may be made to
occur by this technique, provided it doesn’t involve more
than a few objects and doesn’t require human
involvement. The GM decides what random events are
and are not adequately possible. Anything more than
one unusual coincidence or chance per scene is likely
impossible to produce.
Anguished Vision level-3
The adept’s precognition is sophisticated enough to
clearly foresee several seconds into the future. As an
Instant action, the psychic may Commit Effort for the day
and declare that what they have just done or seen is a
vision of the immediate future. Time rolls back to just
after the adept’s previous action in initiative order, or six
seconds earlier if out of combat. Nothing that happened
during that round has really come to pass yet.
This ability is tremendously draining, and can be used
only once per day.
Cursed Luck level-3
Negative probabilities are woven tightly around a visible
animate target, including constructs and animals.
Triggering this technique requires a Main Action and
Committing Effort for the scene. The target must roll any
attack rolls, damage rolls, skill checks, and saving throws
twice and take the worst result each time. Any attempts to
hit the target or damage dice rolled against it may be
rolled twice and the better result taken. Intelligent targets
can make a Mental saving throw at the end of each
round to throw off the effect; this save is not penalized by
the power.
Not My Time level-4
The precog instinctively wrenches the lines of probability
away from futures in which they are about to die. This
technique triggers automatically when the precog is
about to die, provided they can Commit Effort for the
day. On triggering, random events somehow conspire to
leave the precog alive, even if outrageous coincidences
and ridiculous luck are required. Provided the precog
doesn’t intentionally thrust herself back into danger, their
life is secured for the next few minutes at least, though
there’s no guarantee the psychic will survive intact in
mind or body. This technique can trigger no more often
than once per week.
Prophecy level-4
The power of the precog extends to dictating future
events that directly involve them. As a Main Action, the
precognitive PC may make one prediction involving their
personal future or future condition within the next year.
Provided they take reasonable measures to enable this
prediction, that no direct resistance is mounted by an
enemy, and that the prediction doesn’t seem highly
improbable to the GM, it will come to pass. The adept
must Commit Effort when this power is used, and the
Effort remains Committed until the prophecy comes to
pass or is abandoned. This ability cannot be used more
than once per month and only one prophecy may be
active at a time.

Teleportation
Personal Apportation level-0
The teleporter can translocate to another location they
have either occupied before or can see with their
unaided vision.
The core technique allows the teleporter to move himself
and any mass he is able to carry with his own natural
strength. Resisting targets cannot be carried along, and
unresisting ones must be touched. A teleporter can leave
any clothing, shackles, adhesions, or other matter
behind when he teleports, but he cannot leave behind
matter that has been inserted into his body. Matter
cannot be partially left behind.
A teleporter will instinctively abort any apportation that
would leave him embedded in a solid object or in an
environment of imminent physical harm. Any Committed
Effort on such aborted jumps is wasted, as is any action
spent triggering the power.
The maximum range of Personal Apportation depends
on the teleporter’s skill level. Teleporting with Personal
Apportation counts as a Main Action and requires that
the psychic Commit Effort for the scene.
Level-0: The psychic can teleport up to 30 feet.
Level-1: The psychic can teleport up to 400 feet.
Level-2: The psychic can teleport up to one mile.
Level-3: The psychic can teleport up to 12 miles.
Level-4: The psychic can teleport up to 144 miles.
Spatial Awareness level-1
The psychic may Commit Effort as an On Turn action to
gain an intuitive 360-degree awareness of their physical
surroundings. The sense is roughly equivalent to sight out
to 120 feet, though it cannot read text or distinguish
colors. It is blocked by solid objects but is unimpeded by
darkness, mist, blinding light, holograms, or optical
illusions. The sense lasts as long as the Effort remains
Committed to the technique.
Proficient Apportation level-1
Personal Apportation now counts as a Move action,
though it still can be performed only once per round.
Apportations of 30 feet or less no longer require Effort to
be Committed, though any augments to the technique
must still be paid for normally.
Teleportation • 28
Burdened Apportation level-2
The psychic can carry willing companions with them
when using Personal Apportation. Up to three human-
sized companions and their man-portable gear may be
carried per skill level in Teleportation. Allies must be
within 10 feet of the teleporter to be carried along.
Ordinary inert matter cannot be carried along unless the
psychic is touching it or it’s being carried by an ally
affected by this power. If carrying inert mass, up to two
hundred kilos of objects can be carried per skill level.
Using this technique increases the Effort cost of Personal
Apportation, requiring that an extra point of Effort be
Committed for the day.
Perceptive Dislocation level-2
Commit Effort for the day to sense any location the
psychic could teleport to. The psychic perceives the
location as if there, lasting for fifteen minutes at most.
Spatial Synchrony Mandala level-2
The psychic imprints a particular object or person on
their psionic awareness. Provided the object is relatively
intact and in range of their Personal Apportation, the
psychic always knows its exact location and can teleport
to within 10ft of it with Personal Apportation even if it has
moved from its original location. Imprinting an object
requires an hour’s meditation with it, and only one
object can be imprinted at a time. If imprinting on a
person, the target must be willing and cooperative to
make the imprint. Objects must be at least one kilogram
in mass to be effectively tracked.
Rift Reduplication level-3
Expert teleporters can be infuriatingly difficult to pin
down. By Committing an additional Effort for the day as
an Instant action, the adept can use Personal Apportation
as an On Turn action, even if they’ve already used it
once this round. Apporting itself costs whatever Effort it
normally would, in addition to any techniques that
augment it. Rift Reduplication can only be triggered once
per round.
If the adept uses their powers to teleport into a location,
perform an action, and then use Rift Reduplication to
teleport back out, onlookers in the area will not have
time to react to their action or attack the adept unless the
onlookers have held their action explicitly to counter the
psychic. Enemies who hold their action this way waste it
entirely if the psychic does not give them a chance to
attack or otherwise interfere. Such a lightning strike may
be surprising to onlookers, but it doesn’t allow enough
preparation time to count as an Execution Attack.
29 • Teleportation

Effortless Apportation level-3

The psychic does not need to Commit Effort to use
Personal Apportation. If the technique is augmented by
other techniques that come with their own extra or
increased cost, however, this extra cost must still be paid.
Stutterjump level-3
The psychic can instinctively micro-teleport away from
incoming danger. As an On Turn action they may
Commit Effort to begin shifting their spatial position
away from attacks, gaining a base Armor Class of 20 so
long as the Effort remains Committed. This Armor Class
is not modified by armor, shields, or Dexterity modifiers,
and the micro-jumps do not significantly move the
psychic from their current location. While Stutterjump is
active, as an Instant action the adept may Commit Effort
for the day to negate a successful hit by a weapon
attack, even after damage has been rolled. This reflexive
defensive jump may be used only once per day and
leaves the psychic just outside the radius of explosions or
other area-effect attacks.
Deep Intrusion level-4
The adept can use Personal Apportation to blind-teleport
into a building, structure, or vehicle visible to them. They
intuitively seek out a space large enough to hold them
and without immediate environmental hazards, but
cannot control their precise destination. Using this
technique in conjunction with Personal Apportation is
very draining to the psychic, and requires that they
Commit an additional Effort point for the day.
Offensive Apportation level-4
The psychic can use Personal Apportation as a Main
Action to teleport an unwilling target, provided the user
can make physical contact with them. Contact with an
unsuspecting or incapacitated target is automatic, while
touching a resisting enemy requires a Punch hit roll with
a bonus equal to the psychic’s Teleportation skill. If the
psychic does not use the Burdened Apportation
technique then only the target is teleported; otherwise the
user may go along with them. The psychic cannot
teleport a target to any location they could not teleport
to, including locations of imminent environmental
danger, such as high in the air, into a windowless tomb,
or into the middle of a sea. A conscious, resisting target
can make a Mental saving throw to forcibly abort the
teleportation, rolling at a penalty equal to the psychic’s
Teleportation skill. Use of this technique adds to the cost
of Personal Apportation, requiring the psychic Commit
an additional point of Effort for the day whether the
touch hits or not.

Metapsionics
Psychic Refinement level-0
The metapsion gains improved mastery over their own
powers and an innate sensitivity to the use of psionic or
magic abilities in their presence.
Level-0: The adept can visually and audibly detect the
use of psychic powers or magic. If both the source and
target are visible to the metapsion, they can tell who’s
using the power, even if it’s normally imperceptible. They
gain a +2 bonus on any saving throw versus a psionic
power or spell.
Level-1: The metapsion’s maximum Effort increases by
an additional point.
Level-2: The adept can determine whether or not a
person is a psychic, magic-user, or has latent psionic
abilities through one round of visual inspection. Their
saving throw bonus against psionic or magic powers
increases to +3.
Level-3: The metapsion’s maximum Effort increases by
an additional point.
Level-4: The metapsion can use a psychic power that
requires Effort even if they have no more Effort available,
suffering 10 hit points of damage for every point of Effort
needed. The damage occurs after the fueled power
activates, allowing a psychic at low hit points to trigger a
power before falling unconscious. This damage cannot
be healed by anything but natural rest, though a psychic
can be stabilized if this technique drops her to zero hit
points.
Cloak Powers level-1
The metapsion can conceal their own psychic abilities
from metapsionic or magical senses. They must Commit
Effort for as long as they wish to cloak their powers.
While hidden, only a metapsion with equal or higher skill
in Metapsionics, or a mage with equal or higher class
level, can detect their abilities with their level-0 or level-2
Psychic Refinement abilities or equivalent detection spells.
In such cases, an opposed Wis/Metapsionics vs the
target’s Metapsionics or magic skill roll is made between
the metapsion and the investigator. If the investigator
wins, the cloak is pierced, while if the metapsion wins,
the investigator remains oblivious.
Synthetic Adaptation level-1
This is a particularly esoteric technique. With it, however,
the metapsion has learned how to synergize with the
magical intelligence of constructs or undead in order to
use Telepathy or Biopsion powers on them. Only
intelligent constructs or undead can be affected, as the
technique requires a sentient mind to catalyze the effect.
This synergy takes much of its force from the adept. Any
System Strain the powers might inflict must be paid by
the adept rather than the target.
Metapsionics • 30
Mindtracing level-1
The metapsion can trace back the use of psionic powers
or magic they’ve noticed in their presence. By
Committing Effort for the scene as an Instant action, they
can see and hear through the senses of a user of a
psychic or magic power, gaining an intuitive awareness
of their location and treating them as a visible target for
purposes of their own abilities. Thus, if they see someone
being affected by a telepathy power with no visible
source, they can use this ability to briefly share the
hidden telepath’s senses. If used on a target that is
teleporting, they can perceive the teleporter’s view of
their destination. Use on a metamorphically-shaped
impostor would reveal the biopsion responsible for the
change, and so forth. These shared senses last for only
one round and do not interfere with the adept’s other
actions.
Psychic Static level-2
As an Instant action, the metapsion may Commit Effort
for the day to negate a perceived psychic power, spell, or
art. The target responsible for the effect must Commit
Effort for the day as an Instant action to resist this
negation, otherwise the power ends and any action used
to trigger it is wasted. The PC may then Commit Effort for
the day again, with each spending and counter-spending
until one runs out of Effort or chooses to stop. Psychic
Static can be applied only once per round to any
particular power. The target of the Psychic Static
automatically knows the position of the interfering
metapsion, though other onlookers do not have any
obvious way of identifying the metapsion.
Suspended Manifestation level-2
The metapsion is capable of “hanging” a psychic power
in their brain, forming the energy patterns and then
suspending them in a self-sustaining loop until it’s time
to trigger their release. The psychic must Commit Effort
for the day to hang a power, along with the Effort
normally necessary to trigger it. None of this Effort can
be recovered until the power is expended, after which it
recovers at its usual speed. Activating the power is an
Instant action, or an On Turn action if it allows the target
a saving throw of some kind. Only one ability can be
held suspended at any one time.
31 • Metapsionics
Neural Trap level-2
The metapsion allows a hostile psychic into their mental
sanctum in order to gain a later advantage. When
targeted by a hostile psionic power that allows a save,
the metapsion may Commit Effort as an Instant action
and voluntarily fail the saving throw, accepting the effect.
The next psychic power the user targets at that assailant
then allows the victim no saving throw. This technique
lasts until the metapsion makes their psychic attack or
reclaims their Committed Effort. A hostile psychic may be
affected by only one Neural Trap from a given psychic at
a time.
Metadimensional Friction level-3
As a Main Action, the metapsion Commits Effort for the
scene to create localized psychic turbulence around a
visible target psychic within 120 feet. Each time the
target Commits Effort or an NPC initiates a psychic
power, they suffer 1d8 damage per Metapsionics skill
level of the adept. Each time the target suffers the
damage they can attempt a Mental saving throw to throw
off the effect. It lasts no longer than the rest of the scene
at most. Only one application of this friction can affect a
target at once.
Concert of Minds level-3
As an On Turn action, the metapsion may Commit Effort
and form a psychic gestalt with one or more willing
psychics within 10 feet, including up to one other psychic
per Metapsion skill level. This gestalt persists as long as
the Effort remains committed, regardless of the
subsequent distance between psychics. On their own
turn, any member of the gestalt may use any power or
technique known by any other member, using the other
member’s skill levels as necessary and paying any Effort
cost from their own pool. This gestalt shares only psychic
power, not thoughts or senses. At the end of each round
in which one or more members have used some other
member’s powers or abilities on their turn of action, the
metapsion must Commit Effort for the scene or the
gestalt drops and cannot be re-established for the rest of
the scene.
Psychic Tutelage level-3
An expert metapsion can modulate and temper the
metadimensional energy that surges through an
untrained psychic’s mind. This “safety buffer” allows the
novice to experiment with their abilities and gradually
develop the control they need to channel their powers
without causing permanent brain damage. Without this
technique, it is virtually impossible to turn a normal with
untapped potential into a trained psychic.
An adept with Metapsionics-3 skill can train up to ten
pupils at once. One with Metapsionics-4 can train up to
one hundred. It requires only a week to train a potential
in ways to avoid accidentally triggering their powers and
suffering the damage that follows, but actually teaching
them to use their powers effectively takes anywhere from
one to four years depending on their natural aptitude
and the availability of other psychics willing to assist the
metapsion in the training process.
Surge Momentum level-3
The metapsion’s abilities can be reinforced with a degree
of metadimensional energy that would cause substantial
damage to a less adept mind. Particularly weak or
unprepared minds might be completely crushed by the
force of the adept’s augmented will.
The adept must Commit Effort for the day when using a
power that normally grants its target a saving throw. The
target then suffers a penalty equal to the adept’s
Metapsionics skill on any saving throw normally granted
by the power. If the target’s hit die total or character level
is less than half the adept’s level, rounded up, they
automatically fail their saving throw.
Impervious Pavis of Will level-4
When this technique is learned, the metapsion must
choose a discipline. They then become entirely immune
to unwanted powers from that discipline; they and their
abilities are simply not valid targets for purposes of that
discipline’s powers unless the adept chooses to be
affected. By Committing Effort for the day as an Instant
action, they can extend this immunity for a scene to all
allies within 60 feet. This technique may be learned more
than once, and any shared protection applies to all
disciplines negated by the adept.
Flawless Mastery level-4
When this technique is learned, the adept may choose
one technique from any discipline they know. That
technique no longer requires Effort to be Committed in
any way, though other techniques that augment it may
still exact a cost. Mastered Psychic Static, for example,
can expend an effectively unlimited amount of effort. If
the technique has a duration based on Committed Effort
then it lasts until the metapsion chooses to end it or is
killed. This technique may only be mastered once,
though the perfected technique may be changed with a
month of meditation and practice.
 Telepathy • 32

Telepathy
Telepathic Contact level-0 Transmit Thought level-1
The telepath can obtain a progressively-deeper The telepath can send thoughts and images over a
understanding of a sentient target’s thoughts. The target Telepathic Contact, allowing two-way communication
must be visible or otherwise perceptible to the telepath’s with a willing target as an Instant action when desired.
unaided senses. Opening a contact requires the telepath
Far Thought level-2
to Commit Effort for the day as a Main Action, and the
Once a telepath has made a Telepathic Contact with a
contact lasts for a scene at most unless augmented by
target, they can thereafter activate the technique
other techniques.
whenever that target is within 12 miles, whether or not
The depth of contact that can be made depends on the the psychic knows where they are. At Telepathy-3 the
psychic’s Telepathy skill. A single contact can use any or range increases to 144 miles, and at Telepathy-4 it
all of the effects permitted to a telepath of the user’s skill extends over the entire world. This distant connection is
level. Basic forms of contact do not allow for a saving tenuous, however, and the psychic cannot use any
throw, though more advanced probes allow the target to technique through it that would allow the target a saving
make a Mental saving throw to resist. On a successful throw to resist.
save, no form of this technique that allows a save can be
used on them for the rest of the scene. Suppress Cognition level-2
Level-0: Observe emotional states in a target. Intense Through intense focus, the telepath can make the target
emotions provide a single word or image related to the of a Telepathic Contact simply not think about
focus of the feelings. something, whether that’s the presence of the telepath,
the possibility of committing violence, the absence of
Level-1: A shallow gestalt with the target’s language
important documentation, or any other single potential
centers allows the telepath to understand any form of
action or one specific person. This technique requires the
communication made by the target. If the psychic has the
psychic to Commit Effort for the scene as a Main Action.
requisite body parts to speak the target’s language, they
The target gets a Mental saving throw to resist this power
can communicate with it in turn.
and become immune to it for the scene. If failed, the
Level-2: The psychic’s awareness of the target’s surface thought remains unthinkable for the rest of the scene
cognition is sophisticated enough to read their current unless the target perceives physical danger or a
thoughts, though it can’t pick up memories or non- traumatic threat to something they prize highly. In that
obvious connections. The target gets a Mental saving case, the block instantly dissolves and cannot be re-
throw to resist this. established during the scene. Once the effect ends, the
Level-3: The psychic can drill down into the target’s target will remain oblivious to their temporary fugue
memory to get a one or two-sentence answer to any unless it is brought to their attention somehow.
single question they ask, or receive a single answering
vision of the target’s recollections. The target can attempt Reflex Response level-3
a Mental saving throw to resist this power, and whether As a Main Action, the telepath can Commit Effort for the
or not it succeeds the contact is automatically ended. It day to force a sudden, irrational impulse into the target
can be re-established, but only by activating this of a Telepathic Contact. The target may make a Mental
technique again. saving throw to resist; on a failure, they will use their next
available action to carry out the impulse to the best of
Level-4: The psychic instantly gets a full and nuanced
their ability. This impulse cannot be self-injurious or
awareness of everything the target can remember about
harmful to a loved one, but it can be foolish, reckless, or
a particular topic. The target can attempt a Mental
harmful to others. The target may not understand why
saving throw to resist this power, and whether or not it
they have done the action, but will usually attempt to
succeeds the contact is automatically ended afterwards. It
rationalize it as their choice.
can be re-established, but only by activating this
technique again.
Facile Mind level-1
The telepath is practiced at opening a Telepathic
Contact, and need only Commit Effort for the scene to
do so, instead of Committing Effort for the day. If
contacting an ally who has practiced the process with the
psychic for at least a week, opening the contact normally
requires no Effort at all. In both cases, if the telepath
chooses to Commit Effort for the day, they can open a
Telepathic Contact as an Instant action rather than a
Main Action.
33 • Telepathy

Telepathic Assault level-3

The telepath Commits Effort for the day as a Main Action
to force a wave of psychic energy through the brain of a
Telepathic Contact target. The assault does 6d6 damage,
or 9d6 damage if the telepath has Telepathy-4 skill. The
target may make a Mental saving throw to halve the
damage. This assault cannot kill a target, but can knock
them unconscious for an hour if they’re reduced to zero
hit points, after which they wake up with one hit point. A
victim cannot be targeted by an assault more than once
per scene.
Memory Editing level-4
The telepath can make simple edits to the memory of a
target currently linked by a Telepathic Contact. Events of
no more than 24 hours in duration can be erased from
memory, conversations can be created or changed, new
events can be added to a day, or other similar alterations
made. The psychic can make these changes as a Main
Action by Committing Effort for the day. If the psychic
doesn’t have a good understanding of the memories
they’re changing, such as might be granted by the level-
4 degree of Telepathic Contact, the edits they make may
not fit well. The target gets a Mental saving throw to
resist editing for the rest of the scene, but on a failure,
they will not notice the changed memories until given a
reason to recollect them.
Unity of Thought level-4
The telepath becomes exceptionally skilled at weaving
together multiple allied minds. When they establish a
Telepathic Contact with a willing ally they may bind up to
six willing participants into the same contact without
further Effort. This multi-person link is relatively shallow,
and allows only the Instant exchange of thoughts,
images, and sensory impressions. While under its effect,
every participant knows the exact location and condition
of all others, and uses the best Initiative roll of any of
them if combat commences. At the table, up to five
minutes of discussion and coordination among the
players can be arranged each round without incurring
delays for the PCs. Every combat turn, one gestalt
member of the psychic’s choice gets an extra round of
action to represent the benefits of the perfect
coordination of the group. The psychic cannot gain this
bonus round himself. The telepathic link lasts as long as
the psychic initiates no new Telepathic Contact, and it
has a range that extends to any point within a solar
system.

Telekinesis
Telekinetic Manipulation level-0
The adept may Commit Effort for the scene as a Main
Action to direct telekinetic force toward an object or
person within unaided visual range or with tactile contact
with the psychic. This force isn’t responsive enough to be
effective as a weapon without further refinement of
technique, and cannot cause damage to living or mobile
targets. If used to crush or harm immobile unliving
objects, it does 1d6 damage per skill level of the psychic
per round of focus. Objects move at 60 feet per round
when moved telekinetically.
A telekinetic force can be maintained over multiple
rounds without expending further actions, such as
holding a metal platform in place under a group of
allies, but the psychic cannot again activate this
technique on a second object until they release the first.
Level-0: The psychic can exert force as if with one hand
and their own strength.
Level-1: The psychic can manipulate objects as if with
both hands and can lift up to two hundred kilograms
with this ability.
Level-2: The psychic can lift or manipulate up to four
hundred kilograms and smash a human-sized hole in
structures of light wooden construction or lighter as a
Main Action.
Level-3: The psychic can manipulate up to eight hundred
kilograms and can affect as many individual objects at
once as they have Telekinesis skill levels.
Level-4: The psychic can manipulate up to a metric ton
and can smash human-sized holes in exterior walls, light
stone walls, or similar barriers as a Main Action.
Kinetic Transversal level-1
The adept may Commit Effort as an On Turn action to
move freely over vertical or overhanging surfaces as if
they were flat ground, crossing any solid surface strong
enough to bear five kilos of weight. They can also move
over liquids at their full movement rate. This movement
ability lasts as long as the Effort is committed.
Pressure Field level-1
As an Instant action, the adept can manifest a protective
force skin around their person, maintaining pressure and
temperature even in toxic conditions. They can ignore
temperatures at a range of plus or minus 100 degrees
Celsius and automatically pressurize thin atmospheres
for breathability, or filter particulates or airborne toxins.
By Committing Effort for the scene, they can shield up to
six comrades. This lasts until the user reclaims the Effort.
Telekinesis • 34
Telekinetic Armory level-1
The adept may Commit Effort as an On Turn action to
create both weapons and armor out of telekinetic force.
These weapons are treated as a Crossbow if ranged or a
Great Hammer in melee. Attack rolls can use either
Dexterity, Wisdom, or Constitution modifiers, and may
use the Telekinesis skill as the combat skill.
Armor may be created as part of this power, granting the
psychic a base Armor Class equal to 15 plus their
Telekinesis skill level. This armor does not stack with
conventional armor, but Dexterity or shields modify it as
usual. The gear continues to exist as long as the psychic
chooses to leave the Effort committed, and they may be
invisible or visible at the psychic’s discretion.
Thermokinesis level-2
Telekinetic power involves kinetic energy, but a sufficiently
sophisticated grip on motion can be used to agitate the
molecules of an inanimate object and cause it to melt or
burst into flame. Similar focus can chill or freeze such
substances. Applying Thermokinesis to a target requires
that the adept Commit Effort for the scene as a Main
Action. Thermokinesis cannot affect objects larger than
the adept could lift with their Telekinetic Manipulation.
As with other telekinetic powers, this ability does not work
on objects being held or used by intelligent creatures.
Constructs, undead, or other objects with hit points take
1d12 damage per level of Telekinesis skill, each time this
technique is applied to them.
Slip Field level-2
As a Main Action, the psychic Commits Effort for the
scene and decreases the friction at a point in sight. Up to
30 feet in diameter is affected, making it difficult for
enemies to move from their current position. All chosen
targets must make an Evasion saving throw or fall prone,
becoming unable to stand up or move more than a 5
feet per Move action taken. If used against a vehicle, the
driver must make a Dex/Ride skill check at a difficulty of
8 plus the adept’s Telekinesis skill or go out of control,
driving directly forward for a round and crashing into
any obstacles. Targets who save are immune to this
technique for the scene.
Impact Sump level-2
The adept may Commit Effort for the day as an Instant
action to negate a single instance of physical damage.
This ability is too taxing to be used more than once per
day, but as an Instant action, it can be triggered even
after damage is rolled.
35 • Telekinesis

Telekinetic Expertise level-2 Telekinetic Flight level-4

The adept has become familiar enough with the As an Instant action, the telekinetic can Commit Effort to
manipulation of telekinetic force that they may now use begin flying, and may extend this effect to up to a half-
Telekinetic Manipulation without Committing Effort. dozen unresisting, human-sized allies within 120 feet.
While flying, the psychic can move at twice their normal
Reactive Telekinesis level-3
movement rate in any direction They can plunge
As an Instant action, the psychic can Commit Effort for
earthward at up to terminal velocity without harm. Allies
the scene whenever an assailant misses them with a
must end their turns within 120 feet of the psychic to
physical attack. The attack is then reflected back against
maintain this flight but control their own motion. As an
the assailant, who must reroll the attack against their
Instant, this power may be triggered in time to negate
own person twice. If either roll hits, the assailant suffers
falling damage. The flight lasts for as long as the Effort
damage from their own attack. If both rolls hit, the
remains Committed.
damage is the maximum possible.
Telekinetic Ram level-3
Force Puppetry level-4
As a Main Action, the telekinetic can Commit Effort for
As a Main Action, the psychic can Commit Effort for the
the day to suborn a visible target’s mobility, whether it is
scene to target a tremendous, uncontrolled burst of force
a creature or a vehicle, provided it’s no larger than a
at a single target within sight. This burst requires some
wagon. A sapient victim can make a Mental saving throw
time to detonate, however, and will only go off at the end
to resist the psychic onslaught; on a failure, they lose
of the next round. Targets of this technique are aware of
control of their physical actions. If not piloted by the
an oppressive, electrical tingling in the air and are apt to
telekinetic, the target remains motionless or continues on
instinctively move; this technique is thus generally useless
its current direction of travel. If the telekinetic spends a
against any target that is not entirely immobile, as any
Main Action to control them, they can be made to
movement of a chosen target disrupts the ram. Once the
perform any physical action that is not directly suicidal,
ram detonates, however, it is sufficient to destroy any
using the psychic’s skill levels and hit bonus for any
immobile vehicle, create a 20-feet hole in anything short
attacks or skill checks they might make. The puppetry
of hardened military fortifications, or inflict 5d12
lasts until the end of the scene, until the target leaves the
damage on anything else.
psychic’s sight, or until a sapient target believes that their
Tangible Force Construct level-3 action or inaction is about to get them killed. The
Once per turn, as an On Turn action, the psychic can psychic’s control is fine enough to achieve even very
Commit Effort for the scene to create a telekinetic force delicate physical motions, but it is not good enough to
construct at a visible point, provided it can fit within a control the target’s speech, though it can keep them
10-feet cube. The force construct can be shaped in any silent.
way the psychic wishes, and can remain fixed in its
location without external supports if desired. It is as
sturdy as a brick construction and may be visible or
invisible at the adept’s choice. The construct lasts until
the end of the scene, until the psychic dispels it, or until it
is smashed with 20 points of damage against AC 15.
 Magic • 36

Magic
Only Sorcerers can find and learn new spells during
adventuring. This requires one week per spell level, minus
the learner’s Magic skill, to a minimum of 1 day. After
this the new spell is added to the Sorcerer’s spellbook. A
Sorcerer must be able to cast the spell to learn it.
A Sorcerer that loses their spellbook is only able to
replace it by writing the spells they have prepared.
Sorcerers need to prepare the spells before they can
be cast. Preparing a new set of spells takes an hour, and
can only be done after a good night’s rest, when the
sorcerer’s mind is most fresh and malleable. Once spells
have been prepared they remain so indefinitely until
replaced with a different set of magics.

Casting spells
For any spellcaster, casting a spell usually requires a Main
Action and at least one free hand, along with
vocalizations at least as loud as clear normal
conversation. The arcane gesticulations and vocal
incantations are quite obviously occult to any onlookers,
but it’s usually impossible to tell which spell a spellcaster
is casting merely by looking at them.
Casting a spell requires focus and undisturbed
concentration. If a spellcaster has taken hit point damage
or has been severely jostled in a round, they cannot cast
magic that round. Thus, a spellcaster who acts late in a
round runs the risk of being hurt and having their
concentration spoiled, thus forcing them to do something
other than cast a spell when their turn comes around.
Magic cannot normally be cast while wearing armor
or restrictive clothing. The materials, restrictive fit, and
unsalutary occult configurations of armor spoil the
necessary flow of energy, as does the bulk and
clumsiness of a shield. The same hindrances usually also
spoil the use of any arts the tradition may teach, and not
just spellcasting itself.

Creatures, targets, and visibility

Many spells or powers specify particular targets or
creatures, or require that a target be visible. For purposes
of these spells, “creature” means any animate entity,
whether living, undead, or synthetic. Plants do not qualify
as creatures unless they’re some sort of plant monster.
A spell that can be aimed or used on one or more
targets can include the caster as one such potential
target, unless the spell indicates otherwise. If a spell
specifies that it applies only to “chosen targets”, the
caster can pick and choose; otherwise all in the area are
affected.
A “visible” target is one the caster can see or whose
exact location is obvious. If a maximum range isn’t given,
assume it’s no more than a bowshot away.
37 • Effort

Effort
Arts and psychic powers are fueled by Effort, a
representation of the character’s available focus and
magical energy. Effort is measured in a score depending
on the character’s class, with some character’s possibly
having more than one Effort pool. In this case, the pools
are independent, and Effort from one cannot be used to
power abilities linked to the other.
Using Effort requires that it be Committed. The Effort
is sunk into fueling the power, but will return
automatically once a certain time has passed. There are
three durations for which Effort is Committed, and each
power indicates in its description how long the Effort must
remain Committed to trigger it.
Commit Effort for the day to trigger powerful
powers. One point of Effort is invested in the
power and returns the next morning after the
character has had a good night’s rest.

Commit Effort for the scene to trigger more

modest abilities. One point of Effort is invested in
the power, but returns as soon as the scene is
done.

Commit Effort indefinitely to activate a

persistent, lasting ability that keeps active as long
as you keep one point of Effort Committed. You
can reclaim this Effort at any time as an Instant
action, immediately turning off the power. This
Effort can remain invested indefinitely even while
you’re asleep or unconscious provided you have
a few minutes to prepare things properly before
falling asleep. If you’re suddenly struck
unconscious or killed any such powers
immediately end.

Death and healing
We are deviating from the “Injury, Death, and Healing”
rules of Worlds Without Number, but are also not
adopting the rules from D&D 5th edition. This chapter
details the rules we will use.
Mortal Wounds and
stabilization
A character brought to 0 hp is mortally wounded, and
needs to make a Luck save every time their turn comes
up. Three failed saves means the character has died,
while three successful saves means they have stabilized
on their own. Any damage taken while mortally wounded
counts as a failed Luck save.
Stabilization is not automatic, but requires passing
an Int/Heal or Dex/Heal check with difficulty 6. The
stabilized character still recovers 1 hit point after 10
minutes (a scene), but has the Frail condition. A Frail
character dies if brought to 0 hit points again, and does
not recover System Strain or hit points after a long rest.
Long rests
A full night’s rest recovers all of a character’s hit points
and reduces one point of System Strain unless a
character is Frail. If a character is Frail they do not
recover any hit points, but lose the Frail condition after a
night of rest.
Note that harsh environmental conditions prevent the
effects of a full night’s rest (HP recovery, System Strain
recovery, regaining effort, regaining spells), and
anywhere in Athasian wilderness counts as a harsh
environment unless characters are able to find shelter or
have abilities that negate temperature extremes.
Magical healing
Some characters have access to abilities that
automatically heal hit points, such as a Biopsionicist’s
techniques or healing magic. Other characters might
have elixirs of health, artifacts that cure injuries, or other
sources of magical healing.
A character healed by any amount of magical
healing automatically loses any Mortally Wounded or
Frail qualities and can immediately rise. A downed hero
at zero hit points who gets 3 points of healing from a
magic potion, for example, can immediately get up on
their next turn and return to the fray without any frailty.
Potions of healing heal 1d6+1 hit points for every
two levels of the character using the potion (rounded up).
So a 5th level character using a potion of healing heals
3d6+3 hit points.
Short rests and First Aid
With a short rest (10 minutes or a scene), characters can
benefit from First Aid. An application of First Aid restores
1d6 for every three levels of the character, rounded up,
plus the Heal skill of the healer (-1 of the healer is
untrained). The character healed also gains a point of
System Strain.
Death and Healing • 38
For example, a healer without the Heal skill healing
a level 7/8/9 character makes that character heal 3d6-1
hit points for every System Strain gained. A healer with
Heal-2 would make the same character heal 3d6+2 hit
points per point of System Strain. The same Heal-2 healer
healing a level 4/5/6 character heals 2d6+2 per System
Strain point, and healing a level 10 (or Legate) character
heals 4d6+2.
Level 1 of “Gifted Chirurgeon” focus doubles hit
point healed with first aid, so a healer with Heal-1 and
“Gifted Chirurgeon” healing a level 4/5/6 character
would have that character roll 2d6+1 and heal double
the value rolled for every point of System Strain (so from
6 to 26 hit points).
A single healer can apply First Aid on the entire party
during a single rest period, and a character can also
apply First Aid on themselves.
There are no “hit dice”. Healing outside of a long
rest often adds to a target’s System Strain, whether as first
aid or as the effect of some magical power. If the target is
already at its maximum System Strain, it can’t handle the
additional stress and gets no benefit from the effect or the
attempted healing.
First Aid can restore lost hit points to a Frail
character, but it cannot get rid of the Frail condition itself.
Character Level First Aid HP per strain
1 1d6+Heal
2 1d6+Heal
3 1d6+Heal
4 2d6+Heal
5 2d6+Heal
6 2d6+Heal
7 2d6+Heal
8 3d6+Heal
9 3d6+Heal
10 4d6+Heal
Legate 4d6+Heal
39 • Experience and Levelling Up

Experience and Levelling Up

Level XP
1 0
2 2,000
3 4,000
4 8,000
5 16,000
6 32,000
7 64,000
8 120,000
9 240,000
10 360,000
Legate 480,000
Experience is gained by finding treasure (either
monetary, or other valuable goods) in an adventure, with
1 XP gained for every 1 ceramic bit of treasure found
(equivalent to 1 silver piece in regular Worlds Without
Number).
Every time you gain a level you get:
Legates
Powerful Athasian heroes, including all Sorcerer Kings,
are not just high-level warriors, sorcerers, or psychics, but
Legates.
When a player character reaches the Legate level,
they gain a Legate Effort score of 2 and access to four
Legate writs: Legate’s Impunity and Legate’s Wrath, plus
two other writs of your choice.
Every 20,000 experience points after reaching
Legate level let’s the character gain a Legate XP, which
they can spend using the table below.
Legate XP cost Purchase
Current Legate Effort x2 Raise Legate Effort by 1
3 Gain a Legate writ
1 Gain two skill points
9 Gain a focus level

Hit points, as indicated by your class

Saving throws (each save reduces by 1)

3 skill points (4 if a Thief)

Possibly focus/spells/arts, as indicated in your

class’ level progression table

Possibly a new base attack bonus, as indicated in

your class’ level progression table

You can also replace one ability of each type (focus

level/art/spell/psychic technique) with another pick of the
same type when you gain a level. If you replace a psychic
technique it must be by one from a discipline you have
access to (if you are a Wild Psychic Talent, this is the
discipline you picked your Wild Talent from).
Increasing skills with skill points uses the following
table. Past 1st level a bonus skill given by a Focus gives 3
skill points instead.

New Skill Skill Point Minimum Character

Level Cost Level
0 1 1
1 2 1
2 3 3
3 4 6
4 5 9

At 3rd, 6th, and 9th levels you add +2 to one attribute

or +1 to two attributes, to a maximum of 18.
 Systems • 40

Systems
This chapter both collects some rules that are useful in an
open world campaign, where characters are expected to
be self-directed (Major projects and renown, Construction
costs, hirelings, and soldiers), as well as other rule
changes (Boons and banes, Aiding a skill check, Critical
hits and fumbles).
Major projects and Renown
Characters start with a Renown score of 0. See this pdf
for the full Renown rules, as well as the rules for doing
major projects.
Construction costs, hirelings,
and soldiers
Refer to this pdf for construction costs, but with all of the
costs converted from Worlds Without Number silver
pieces to ceramic bits.
Boons and banes
Situational bonuses/penalties are replaced with boons or
banes. Each situational bonus you would receive gives a
boon instead, and each penalty gives a bane. Boons and
banes cancel each other, so if you have 3 boons and 1
bane you have 2 boons, and if you have 1 boon and 3
banes you have 2 banes.
For d20 checks, if you have net boons, roll a d6 for
each net boon, and add the highest number in the pool
to the d20 roll. If you have net banes, roll a d6 for each
net bane, add subtract the highest number in the pool to
the d20 roll.
For skill checks, net boons are extra d6s that you roll
for the skill check, but you take the two highest of the
pool. Net banes also add extra d6 to the roll, but you
take the two lowest of the pool. Focuses that let you roll
extra dice count as boons, so they can be cancelled by
situational banes.
Example boons
Attacking an adjacent prone foe
Attacking while hidden
Attacking a restrained foe
Aiding an ally
Attacking from high ground
Attacking on a charge
Attacking a charging opponent
Aiding a skill check
Sometimes one PC will want to lend a hand to another as
they attempt a difficult feat. To do this, the player first
describes what sort of action they are taking to help their
comrade. If the GM agrees that their effort makes sense
and would be helpful, the player then rolls a relevant skill
check against the same difficulty as the original check. If
it’s a success, the other PC gets a boon on their roll.
Multiple PCs can try to help, but the acting PC can’t earn
more than a single boon.
The helping skill doesn’t necessarily have to be the
same skill the PC is checking. If a player can think of a
way to help a Sneak check with Convince, then so be it.
Critical hits and fumbles
A score of 20 on an attack roll is a critical hit. You hit
even if your total attack roll is less than your opponent’s
Armor Class, and due to favorable positioning you gain
another Main action in your current turn.
A score of 1 on an attack roll is a fumble. You miss
even if your total attack roll is equal or greater than your
opponent’s Armor class, and due to bad positioning you
lose your Main action in your next turn (you can still do a
Move action).
Execution Attacks
Setting up an execution attack takes against an unaware
target takes one minute of preparation and a successful
Dex/Sneak check of difficulty 12 plus the target’s skill
level. Boons and banes can apply to this check,
depending on circumstance.
Success in the check means the Execution Attack can
be made, and proceeds according to the rules in the
main rule book. Failing but suceeding at difficulty 8 plus
the target’s skill means the target is not aware of the
attempt, so can still be surprised. Failing even this lower
difficulty level means the target is aware of the attempt.

Example combat banes

Ranged attack from long range
Ranged attack at a prone foe that is not adjacent
Melee attacking while prone
Ranged attack at a target that has cover
Ranged attack while in melee
Ranged attack on the move
Attacking a hidden foe
Attacking while restrained