Sample Characters

The Character Gallery

Just as a museum shows art from different periods and styles, this gallery shows what the same Savage Worlds rules can do across genres: 15 fantasy heroes, 15 science-fiction spacers, 13 two-fisted pulp adventurers and 17 modern-day horror investigators. Every one of them is an original character, built with the rules from Character Creation, and every number on every card adds up.

To use one, pick a hero whose hook grabs you, rename them freely, then adjust to taste. Swap skills or Edges as you like, but keep the budgets: 5 attribute steps from d4, 12 skill points (the five core skills start at d4 for free), and up to 4 Hindrance points spent on extra attribute steps, skill points or Edges.

Each card shows:

• The hero's concept, ancestry and genre under the name, and a round Rank badge: N for Novice, S for Seasoned (four Advances), V for Veteran (eight).
• A one-line hook, then the five attributes and the derived Pace, Parry (2 plus half the Fighting die, plus any shield or weapon bonus) and Toughness (2 plus half the Vigor die, plus Size and Edges, with worn armor in parentheses).
• Every skill (any skill not listed is untrained: d4−2), Edges with what they do, Hindrances, powers for heroes with an Arcane Background, and suggested gear.
• A Build line with the point check, and for Seasoned heroes the Advances in the order they were taken.

Rules sources. The point costs, Arcane Backgrounds, gear stats and the Elf come from this guide. Where the guide is silent, the cards follow the SWADE core rules: most Edge requirements, the Dwarf, Half-Folk and Rakashan ancestries, and the costs of powers the guide doesn't list. Humans get one free Novice Edge. Gear is a suggested kit rather than a shopping list, so check it against your setting's starting funds ($500 by default).

Solo Heroes

Twenty single heroes for a one-player game, a drop-in guest at the table, or a ready-made replacement when a hero falls. Most are fresh Novices; a few have Advances already, so you can see what a hero looks like a few sessions in.

• Lyralei Moonwhisper

  Elven Ranger · Elf · Fantasy

  RankN

  Hook. Guards the last old-growth stands of the Silverleaf against loggers, poachers and worse; she trusts trees more than towns.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry4
  • Toughness6 (1)

  Ancestry

  Elf: Agile (Agility starts at d6), Low Light Vision (ignores penalties for dim and dark lighting), All Thumbs (−2 with mechanical and electronic devices)

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d8, Survival d8

  Edges

  Woodsman: +2 to Survival and Stealth in the wilderness; Steady Hands: ignore the unstable platform penalty; the running penalty drops to −1

  Hindrances

  Outsider (Major): −2 to Persuasion with most of society (Major: no legal rights either); Vow (Major): protect the ancient forest of Silverleaf

  Gear

  Bow (2d6, 12/24/48), Short sword (Str+d6), Leather armor (+1); bedroll, rope, flint and steel, 40 arrows, healing herbs

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Woodsman (2), Steady Hands (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 46 lb (Load Limit 40) · $52 left (kit $448 of $500)

• Torvi Stonebreak

  Dwarven Sellsword · Dwarf · Fantasy

  RankN

  Hook. A mercenary with an axe, a shield and a ledger of who owes her money; she has never once lost the ledger.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd4
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd8
  • Vigord8
  • Pace5
  • Parry8
  • Toughness11 (3)

  Running die d4.

  Ancestry

  Dwarf (SWADE core): Tough (Vigor starts at d6), Low Light Vision, Reduced Pace (Pace 5, running die d4)

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Survival d4

  Edges

  Brawny: Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Brawler: Toughness +1, and fists hit for Str+d4

  Hindrances

  Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Habit (Minor): chews bitter root and spits it anywhere

  Gear

  Battle axe (Str+d8), Crossbow (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Chain mail (+3), Medium shield (Parry +2); backpack, whetstone, 20 bolts, the ledger

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brawny (2), Brawler (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 59 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · kit $1,115, over the $500 starting funds

• Ysolde Varrin

  Exiled Court Wizard · Human · Fantasy

  RankN

  Hook. Thrown out of the royal college for a spell that worked too well, she now sells her talents to anyone who can pronounce her name.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd10
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry5
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Academics d8, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Fighting d4, Notice d6, Occult d6, Persuasion d4, Spellcasting d10, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Magic) (free human Edge): Spellcasting skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Power Points: +5 Power Points

  Hindrances

  Arrogant (Major): must humiliate opponents and challenge the strongest foe; Quirk (Minor): corrects everyone's pronunciation of spell names; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action

  Powers

  Magic; Spellcasting d10; 15 Power Points. Bolt (frost shards), Deflection (a ring of whirling snow), Light/Darkness (a cold blue glow).

  Gear

  Staff (Str+d4, Parry +1, Reach 1), Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); spellbook, ink and quills, traveling cloak

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Power Points (2), Vigor one die (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 15 · carries 5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $465 left (kit $35 of $500)

• Pip Thistledown

  Half-Folk Burglar · Half-Folk · Fantasy

  RankN

  Hook. Small, quick and far too curious about other people's locked boxes; Pip swears every job is the last one.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace5
  • Parry4
  • Toughness4

  Running die d4; 4 bennies.

  Ancestry

  Half-Folk (SWADE core): Luck (the Luck Edge), Spirited (Spirit starts at d6), Size −1 (Toughness −1), Reduced Pace (Pace 5, running die d4)

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d4, Gambling d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d6, Stealth d8, Thievery d8

  Edges

  Luck (racial): +1 Benny per session; Thief: +1 to Thievery, to Athletics for climbing, and to Stealth in towns; Quick: discard and redraw Action Cards of Five or lower

  Hindrances

  Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret; Poverty (Minor): half the usual starting funds, and money slips away

  Gear

  Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); lockpicks, dark cloak, 50 ft of silk rope, a lucky copper

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Thief (2), Quick (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 4 · carries 17 lb (Load Limit 20) · $15 left (kit $235 of $250)

• Brother Aldric Venn

  Wandering Priest · Human · Fantasy · Seasoned

  RankS

  Hook. A healer of the Order of the Morning Bell who walks the plague roads; four hard seasons have taught him to ring the bell at the dead, too.

  • Agilityd4
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd10
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry7
  • Toughness6 (1)

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Faith d8, Fighting d6, Healing d8, Notice d6, Occult d6, Persuasion d8, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Miracles) (free human Edge): Faith skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Healer: +2 to Healing rolls; Champion (Advance 1): +2 damage against supernaturally evil creatures; Rapid Recharge (Advance 4): recover 10 Power Points per hour instead of 5

  Hindrances

  Vow (Major): serve the Order of the Morning Bell; Pacifist (Minor): fights only in self-defense (Major: won't fight living beings at all); Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs

  Powers

  Miracles; Faith d8; 10 Power Points. Healing (warm light from his bell), Smite (a blessed weapon rings when it strikes), Protection (a shimmer of dawn light).

  Gear

  Mace (Str+d6), Leather armor (+1), Medium shield (Parry +2); brass hand bell, bandages, holy symbol, walking cloak

  Advances

  1 Champion · 2 Persuasion d8 and Occult d6 · 3 Spirit d10 · 4 Rapid Recharge

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Healer (2), 2 skill points (2). Before the Advances: Spirit d8, Occult d4, Persuasion d6.

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · carries 25 lb (Load Limit 40) · $310 left (kit $190 of $500)

• Teodora Lusk

  Disgraced Duelist · Human · Fantasy

  RankN

  Hook. Banished from the fencing halls of Varenne for winning a duel she was paid to lose, she now fights for whoever pays the honest price.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord4
  • Pace6
  • Parry8
  • Toughness4

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d10, Gambling d4, Notice d6, Performance d4, Persuasion d6, Riding d4, Stealth d6, Taunt d6

  Edges

  First Strike (free human Edge): once per turn, a free Fighting attack against a foe who moves adjacent; Provoke: a Taunt with a raise also leaves the foe −2 to attack anyone but this hero

  Hindrances

  Overconfident (Major): believes they can do anything; Vengeful (Minor): against the fencing master who banished her; Thin Skinned (Minor): −2 (−4 if Major) to resist Taunt

  Gear

  Rapier (Str+d4, Parry +1), Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); fine (if patched) clothes, a deck of cards, letters of introduction

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Provoke (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 3 lb (Load Limit 40) · $325 left (kit $175 of $500)

• Juno Okafor

  Salvage Pilot · Human · Sci-Fi

  RankN

  Hook. Flies a patched-up tug through wreck fields nobody else will touch, because the payments on that tug never stop.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd8
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Electronics d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Piloting d8, Repair d8, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Ace (free human Edge): +2 to Boating, Driving and Piloting rolls; Mr Fix It: +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time

  Hindrances

  Poverty (Minor): half the usual starting funds, and money slips away; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Wanted (Minor): a salvage-claims court in the Orsa Belt; Obligation (Minor): the payments on her ship

  Gear

  Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60); toolkit, vacc suit, salvage cutter, the tug Persistence

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Mr Fix It (2), Vigor one die (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 7 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $450, over the $250 starting funds

• Dr. Mireille Sato

  Psionic Xenobiologist · Human · Sci-Fi

  RankN

  Hook. Can feel what alien creatures feel, which makes her the best field biologist on the frontier and the worst person to bring to a hunt.

  • Agilityd4
  • Smartsd10
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Healing d6, Notice d8, Persuasion d6, Psionics d8, Research d6, Science d8, Stealth d4, Survival d4

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Psionics) (free human Edge): Psionics skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers

  Hindrances

  Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Pacifist (Minor): fights only in self-defense (Major: won't fight living beings at all); Mild Mannered (Minor): −2 to Intimidation rolls

  Powers

  Psionics; Psionics d8; 10 Power Points. Empathy (feels the moods of living things), Mind Link (a quiet voice behind the eyes), Stun (a psychic jolt).

  Gear

  Field lab kit, sample drone, specimen cases, rebreather

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Vigor one die (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

• Rhys Calder

  Ex-Marine Sergeant · Human · Sci-Fi · Veteran

  RankV

  Hook. Eight hard campaigns in, he left the Marines with a medal he won't talk about and a squad he still writes to every month.

  • Agilityd10
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord8
  • Pace6
  • Parry6
  • Toughness10 (4)

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Battle d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d10, Stealth d8, Survival d4

  Edges

  Soldier (free human Edge): Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; may reroll Vigor against environmental Hazards; Command: Extras in Command Range get +1 to recover from Shaken or Stunned; Nerves of Steel (Advance 3): ignore one level of Wound penalties; Marksman (Advance 4): if the hero doesn't move, they get the benefit of Aiming for free; Hard to Kill (Advance 6): ignore Wound penalties on Vigor rolls to avoid Bleeding Out

  Hindrances

  Code of Honor (Major): won't break their moral code, even if it means death; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Vengeful (Minor): the officer who sold out his squad

  Gear

  Assault rifle (2d8, AP 2, 24/48/96, RoF 3), 9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48), Tactical armor (+4); field pack, med-patches, dog tags, a worn photo of his old squad

  Advances

  1 Fighting d8 and Stealth d8 · 2 Vigor d8 · 3 Nerves of Steel · 4 Marksman · 5 Spirit d8 · 6 Hard to Kill · 7 Shooting d10 · 8 Agility d10

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Command (2), Vigor one die (2). Before the Advances: Agility d8, Spirit d6, Vigor d6, Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d6.

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Min Str: tactical armor −1 Agility · carries 11 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $600, over the $500 starting funds

• Kesh Varo

  Rakashan Bounty Hunter · Rakashan · Sci-Fi

  RankN

  Hook. Hunts the syndicate that sold her clan into indenture, one bounty at a time, and keeps every warrant as a trophy.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry5
  • Toughness7 (2)

  Ancestry

  Rakashan: Agile (Agility starts at d6), claws (Str+d4), Low Light Vision, plus the race's built-in Hindrances from the core rules (Bloodthirsty, Can't Swim, Racial Enemy)

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d8, Persuasion d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d6, Survival d6

  Edges

  Quick Draw: draw a weapon as a free action

  Hindrances

  Vengeful (Minor): the syndicate that sold her clan; Mean (Minor): ill-tempered and disagreeable, even to friends; Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Habit (Minor): grooms her claws when bored

  Gear

  Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Claws (Str+d4), Armored vest (+2, As a Kevlar vest: +4 vs bullets); restraints, tracking scanner, a stack of old warrants

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Quick Draw (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 9 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $515, over the $500 starting funds

• Ilka Brandt

  Fugitive Hacker · Human · Sci-Fi

  RankN

  Hook. The corps know her only by the handle Glasswing and would very much like to know more; she lives three steps ahead and two days behind on sleep.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd10
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord4
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness4

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Electronics d8, Hacking d10, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Research d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d6

  Edges

  Calculating (free human Edge): with an Action Card of Five or less, ignore up to 2 points of penalties on one action; Jack-of-all-Trades: untrained Smarts-based skills roll d4 instead of d4−2

  Hindrances

  Secret (Minor): she is the hacker Glasswing; Wanted (Minor): the law, or someone like it, is looking for them; Bad Eyes (Minor): −1 (−2 if Major) to Trait rolls that depend on sight without glasses; Suspicious (Minor): trusts no one

  Gear

  Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60); hacking rig, spoofed ID chips, smart glasses

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Jack-of-all-Trades (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 2 lb (Load Limit 20) · $250 left (kit $250 of $500)

• Augustin "Gus" Delacroix

  Barnstorming Pilot · Human · Pulp

  RankN

  Hook. Flies anything with wings for anyone with cash, and has crashed more airplanes than most pilots have flown.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd6
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry5
  • Toughness6 (1)

  4 bennies.

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Piloting d8, Repair d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Ace (free human Edge): +2 to Boating, Driving and Piloting rolls; Luck: +1 Benny per session

  Hindrances

  Overconfident (Major): believes they can do anything; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret; Enemy (Minor): a rival air-circus owner

  Gear

  .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48), Leather jacket (+1); biplane (the Marguerite), goggles, parachute, a pocketful of IOUs

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Luck (2), Vigor one die (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 4 · carries 13 lb (Load Limit 40) · $275 left (kit $225 of $500)

• Professor Winifred Ashby

  Weird Scientist · Human · Pulp

  RankN

  Hook. Her galvanic ray works perfectly in the laboratory; in the field it works perfectly about four times out of five.

  • Agilityd4
  • Smartsd10
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Electronics d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d8, Science d8, Stealth d4, Weird Science d10

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Weird Science) (free human Edge): Weird Science skill, 15 Power Points, 2 starting powers; Mr Fix It: +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time

  Hindrances

  Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Quirk (Minor): talks to her machines

  Powers

  Weird Science; Weird Science d10; 15 Power Points. Bolt (a galvanic ray gun), Deflection (a humming magnetic belt).

  Gear

  Satchel of tools, goggles, notebook of equations, spare vacuum tubes

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Mr Fix It (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 15 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 2 lb (Load Limit 20) · $470 left (kit $30 of $500)

• Mae Tolliver

  Crusading Reporter · Human · Pulp

  RankN

  Hook. The Daily Clarion's best crime reporter follows every story to the bottom, usually at night and usually alone.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd8
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry4
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Driving d4, Fighting d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d8, Research d8, Stealth d6, Taunt d4

  Edges

  Investigator (free human Edge): +2 to Research, and to Notice rolls when searching for clues; Connections: can call on a contact or organization for favors

  Hindrances

  Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering; Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door

  Gear

  .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48); camera with flashbulbs, notebook, press pass, a newsroom full of contacts

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Spirit); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Connections (2), Spirit one die (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 6 lb (Load Limit 20) · $225 left (kit $275 of $500)

• Lucien Marchetti

  Gentleman Cat Burglar · Human · Pulp · Seasoned

  RankS

  Hook. The papers call him the Velvet Fox; four jewel thefts in, every policeman on the Riviera knows the name and none can prove a thing.

  • Agilityd8
  • Smartsd8
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry6
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d8, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Gambling d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d6, Stealth d8, Thievery d8

  Edges

  Thief (free human Edge): +1 to Thievery, to Athletics for climbing, and to Stealth in towns; Free Runner: parkour movement: ignores difficult ground and +2 to Athletics when climbing or in foot chases; Attractive: +1 to Performance and Persuasion rolls; Quick (Advance 3): discard and redraw Action Cards of Five or lower; Dodge (Advance 4): ranged attacks against this hero are at −2

  Hindrances

  Wanted (Major): the law, or someone like it, is looking for them; Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Quirk (Minor): leaves a velvet glove at every job

  Gear

  Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12), .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48); lockpicks, black evening suit, grappling hook and silk rope, a pair of velvet gloves

  Advances

  1 Smarts d8 · 2 Notice d8 and Fighting d8 · 3 Quick · 4 Dodge

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Free Runner (2), Attractive (2). Before the Advances: Smarts d6, Fighting d6, Notice d6.

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 23 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $535, over the $500 starting funds

• Dr. Sarah Cross

  Occult Investigator · Human · Modern Horror

  RankN

  Hook. A professor of comparative religion who stopped believing it was all metaphor the night she read a grimoire aloud.

  • Agilityd4
  • Smartsd10
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord4
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness4

  Skills

  Academics d6, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Healing d4, Notice d8, Occult d8, Persuasion d6, Research d8, Shooting d4, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Investigator (free human Edge): +2 to Research, and to Notice rolls when searching for clues; Arcane Resistance: +2 Armor against damaging powers and +2 to resist other powers

  Hindrances

  Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Bad Eyes (Minor): −1 (−2 if Major) to Trait rolls that depend on sight without glasses; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake

  Gear

  9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48); reading glasses, flashlight, notebook of sigils, university library card

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Arcane Resistance (2), 2 skill points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · carries 6 lb (Load Limit 20) · $280 left (kit $220 of $500)

• Father Tomasz Wilk

  Weary Exorcist · Human · Modern Horror

  RankN

  Hook. The Church sends him where the doctors give up; he goes, chain-smoking, and he still says the full rite every time.

  • Agilityd4
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd10
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Faith d10, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Occult d8, Persuasion d6, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Miracles) (free human Edge): Faith skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Arcane Resistance: +2 Armor against damaging powers and +2 to resist other powers; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

  Hindrances

  Vow (Major): his priestly vows; Habit (Minor): chain-smokes; Shamed (Minor): an exorcism that went wrong

  Powers

  Miracles; Faith d10; 10 Power Points. Arcane Protection (a whispered blessing), Light/Darkness (candlelight that will not go out), Stun (a thundering command in Latin).

  Gear

  Crucifix, holy water, purple stole, a battered book of rites, cigarettes

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Arcane Resistance (2), Brave (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

• Dani Reyes

  Paramedic · Human · Modern Horror

  RankN

  Hook. Ten years on the night shift at Station 9 have shown her things the reports don't have boxes for, and she still goes back in.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd8
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry4
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d6, Driving d6, Fighting d4, Healing d8, Intimidation d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Repair d4, Stealth d4

  Edges

  Healer (free human Edge): +2 to Healing rolls; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

  Hindrances

  Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering; Obligation (Minor): double shifts at Station 9; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs

  Gear

  Trauma kit (first aid kit), flashlight, radio, reflective jacket

  Build

  Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brave (2), Vigor one die (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 10 lb (Load Limit 20) · $305 left (kit $195 of $500)

• Owen Pryce

  Paranormal Podcaster · Human · Modern Horror

  RankN

  Hook. Hosts a popular show debunking hauntings. He has debunked thirty-one so far; number thirty-two is not going well.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd8
  • Spiritd6
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry2
  • Toughness5

  4 bennies.

  Skills

  Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Electronics d6, Notice d6, Occult d4, Performance d8, Persuasion d6, Research d6, Stealth d6

  Edges

  Danger Sense (free human Edge): a sixth sense: a Notice roll to sense an ambush or hidden danger before it strikes; Fame: +1 Persuasion with people who know of them, and double the usual fee for performing; Luck: +1 Benny per session

  Hindrances

  Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret; Doubting Thomas (Minor): refuses to believe in the supernatural, even when it's staring back

  Gear

  Smartphone, EMF meter, field recorder, camera, a van full of cables

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Fame (2), Luck (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 4 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 3.5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $150 left (kit $350 of $500)

• Hana Ishikawa

  Reluctant Firestarter · Human · Modern Horror

  RankN

  Hook. A barista who sets things alight when she is frightened, and has been frightened a great deal since the thing in the alley found her.

  • Agilityd6
  • Smartsd6
  • Spiritd8
  • Strengthd4
  • Vigord6
  • Pace6
  • Parry4
  • Toughness5

  Skills

  Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d6, Driving d4, Electronics d4, Fighting d4, Focus d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Stealth d6, Taunt d4

  Edges

  Arcane Background (Gifted) (free human Edge): Focus skill, 15 Power Points, 1 starting power; New Powers: two new powers; Power Points: +5 Power Points

  Hindrances

  Secret (Major): her fire powers; Impulsive (Major): leaps before looking

  Powers

  Gifted; Focus d8; 20 Power Points. Burst (a cone of flame), Bolt (a thrown ball of fire), Elemental Manipulation (coaxing flames to grow or die).

  Gear

  Smartphone, fire extinguisher she carries everywhere, apron, bike

  Build

  Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on New Powers (2), Power Points (2).

  At the table

  Bennies 3 · Power Points 20 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1.5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $225 left (kit $275 of $500)

Parties of Two

Three pairs: the smallest table, or two players who want a shared story.

• The Lantern and the Blade

  Party of 2 · Fantasy

  The party: A hedge-witch healer and the disgraced knight who swore to guard her road wherever it goes.

  • Maelis Orrin

    Hedge-Witch Healer · Human · Fantasy

    RankN

    Hook. Carries a lantern that never needs oil and a satchel of herbs; the villages she visits are glad of her, and gladder when she leaves.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Fighting d4, Healing d8, Notice d6, Occult d6, Persuasion d6, Spellcasting d8, Stealth d4, Survival d6

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Magic) (free human Edge): Spellcasting skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Healer: +2 to Healing rolls

    Hindrances

    Pacifist (Minor): fights only in self-defense (Major: won't fight living beings at all); Loyal (Minor): to Sir Corwin; Outsider (Minor): −2 to Persuasion with most of society (Major: no legal rights either); Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action

    Powers

    Magic; Spellcasting d8; 10 Power Points. Healing (the lantern's warm light), Light/Darkness (the lantern flares or gutters), Entangle (grasping briars).

    Gear

    Staff (Str+d4, Parry +1, Reach 1); ever-burning lantern, herb satchel, bandages, walking cloak

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Healer (2), 2 skill points (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · carries 4 lb (Load Limit 20) · $490 left (kit $10 of $500)

  • Sir Corwin Ashdale

    Disgraced Knight · Human · Fantasy

    RankN

    Hook. Fled one battle and has refused to step back from any fight since; guarding Maelis is the only vow he has left.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd4
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd8
    • Vigord8
    • Pace6
    • Parry8
    • Toughness10 (3)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Battle d4, Common Knowledge d6, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Riding d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Brawny (free human Edge): Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Sweep: one Fighting roll at −2 against every adjacent foe

    Hindrances

    Shamed (Major): fled the battle of Harrow Ford; Code of Honor (Major): won't break their moral code, even if it means death

    Gear

    Long sword (Str+d8), Chain mail (+3), Medium shield (Parry +2); old warhorse, tabard with the arms cut off, bedroll

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Sweep (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 50 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · kit $825, over the $500 starting funds

• Skip and Tracer

  Party of 2 · Sci-Fi

  The party: A skip-tracer and her drone-rigging partner who bring back debt-jumpers from the far end of the colony lanes.

  • Nadia Kovač

    Skip-Tracer · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Has never failed to bring a jumper home and never forgets a face, which is why so many faces would like her gone.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry4
    • Toughness7 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Fighting d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d6, Research d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d6

    Edges

    Alertness (free human Edge): +2 to Notice rolls; Quick Draw: draw a weapon as a free action

    Hindrances

    Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Wanted (Minor): the law, or someone like it, is looking for them; Vengeful (Minor): always tries to settle a score; Suspicious (Minor): trusts no one

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Armored vest (+2, As a Kevlar vest: +4 vs bullets); restraints, ID scanner, skimmer bike

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Quick Draw (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Min Str: armored vest −1 Agility · carries 9 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $515, over the $500 starting funds

  • Toby Fenwick

    Drone Rigger · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Builds scout drones out of scrap and names every one of them; he talks to them more than to people, and they listen better.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord4
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness4

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Electronics d8, Hacking d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Piloting d6, Repair d10, Shooting d4, Stealth d6

    Edges

    Mr Fix It (free human Edge): +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time; Jack-of-all-Trades: untrained Smarts-based skills roll d4 instead of d4−2

    Hindrances

    Mild Mannered (Minor): −2 to Intimidation rolls; Loyal (Minor): to Nadia; Anemic (Minor): −2 to Vigor rolls to resist Fatigue; Quirk (Minor): names every drone

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60); toolkit, three scout drones, spare parts bag

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Jack-of-all-Trades (2), 2 skill points (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 7 lb (Load Limit 20) · $50 left (kit $450 of $500)

• Hollow Creek After Dark

  Party of 2 · Modern Horror

  The party: A small-town deputy and the librarian who knows the old stories, keeping a quiet town quiet after sundown.

  • Caleb Whitlock

    Small-Town Deputy · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Believes there is a rational explanation for everything in Hollow Creek, and writes his reports so there is.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness7 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Fighting d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Alertness (free human Edge): +2 to Notice rolls; Quick Draw: draw a weapon as a free action

    Hindrances

    Obligation (Major): sworn deputy, always on call; Doubting Thomas (Minor): refuses to believe in the supernatural, even when it's staring back; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs

    Gear

    9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48), Pump shotgun (1–3d6, 12/24/48), Kevlar vest (+2, +4 vs bullets); flashlight, radio, patrol car, handcuffs

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Quick Draw (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 23 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $685, over the $500 starting funds

  • Agnes Merriweather

    Town Librarian · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Has run the Hollow Creek library for thirty years and keeps a locked shelf in the basement that nobody else has a key to.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d8, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d6, Occult d8, Persuasion d6, Research d10, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Investigator (free human Edge): +2 to Research, and to Notice rolls when searching for clues; Arcane Resistance: +2 Armor against damaging powers and +2 to resist other powers

    Hindrances

    Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action; Bad Eyes (Minor): −1 (−2 if Major) to Trait rolls that depend on sight without glasses; Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door

    Gear

    Reading glasses, library keys, the old town ledger, a thermos of tea

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Arcane Resistance (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

Parties of Three

Three trios with a clear job each: the classic small adventuring party.

• The Salt Road Company

  Party of 3 · Fantasy

  The party: A merchant, her caravan guard and an elven scout running salt across the desert to the river cities.

  • Halvard Brenn

    Caravan Guard · Human · Fantasy

    RankN

    Hook. Big, patient and never far from his spear; he has walked the Salt Road nineteen times and buried friends on most of them.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd4
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd8
    • Vigord8
    • Pace6
    • Parry7
    • Toughness8 (1)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Riding d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Survival d4

    Edges

    Soldier (free human Edge): Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; may reroll Vigor against environmental Hazards; Brawny: Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength

    Hindrances

    Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Habit (Minor): a flask of ale; Poverty (Minor): half the usual starting funds, and money slips away; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake

    Gear

    Spear (Str+d6, Parry +1, Reach 1), Crossbow (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Leather armor (+1); waterskins, bedroll, 20 bolts, a camel named Patience

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brawny (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 31 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · kit $435, over the $250 starting funds

  • Sefa Danjuma

    Salt Merchant · Human · Fantasy

    RankN

    Hook. Can talk a toll-keeper out of the toll and a bandit out of the ambush, and keeps exact accounts of both.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry4
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d8, Fighting d4, Gambling d6, Language (Desert Trade-Cant) d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d10, Riding d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Charismatic (free human Edge): one free reroll on Persuasion; Rich: 3× starting funds and a $150K annual salary

    Hindrances

    Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action; Obligation (Minor): debts to the Guild of Salt; Jealous (Minor): of rival merchants

    Gear

    Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); ledgers, scales and weights, a string of six pack mules, fine robes

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Rich (2), 2 skill points (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $1,475 left (kit $25 of $1,500)

  • Wren Aldane

    Elven Scout · Elf · Fantasy

    RankN

    Hook. Rides ahead of the caravan and reads the dunes like a page; she joined the company to see the sea and has never quite got there.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness6 (1)

    Ancestry

    Elf: Agile (Agility starts at d6), Low Light Vision (ignores penalties for dim and dark lighting), All Thumbs (−2 with mechanical and electronic devices)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Riding d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d8, Survival d8

    Edges

    Woodsman: +2 to Survival and Stealth in the wilderness; Dead Shot: Wild Card only: when dealt a Joker, double the damage of the first successful Athletics (throwing) or Shooting attack that round

    Hindrances

    Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Quirk (Minor): hums when she is nervous

    Gear

    Bow (2d6, 12/24/48), Short sword (Str+d6), Leather armor (+1); desert cloak, 40 arrows, spyglass, waterskins

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Woodsman (2), Dead Shot (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 29 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $520, over the $500 starting funds

• The Cairo Ledger

  Party of 3 · Pulp

  The party: An archaeologist, her mechanic and a nightclub singer who knows everyone, racing rival expeditions for a lost pharaoh's ledger.

  • Dr. Imogen Hartwell

    Field Archaeologist · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Reads hieroglyphs better than she reads people and believes every artifact belongs in a museum, whatever its current owner thinks.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness5

    4 bennies.

    Skills

    Academics d8, Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Language (Ancient Egyptian) d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Research d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Danger Sense (free human Edge): a sixth sense: a Notice roll to sense an ambush or hidden danger before it strikes; Luck: +1 Benny per session; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

    Hindrances

    Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Vow (Minor): artifacts go to museums; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs

    Gear

    .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48); trowel and brushes, camera, field notebooks, pith helmet

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Luck (2), Brave (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 4 · carries 6 lb (Load Limit 20) · $225 left (kit $275 of $500)

  • Ramzi Haddad

    Mechanic and Driver · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Keeps a fifteen-year-old truck running on wire, prayers and stolen parts, and can outdrive anyone in the Western Desert.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd4
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d8, Fighting d6, Language (French) d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d8, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Ace (free human Edge): +2 to Boating, Driving and Piloting rolls; Mr Fix It: +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time

    Hindrances

    Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Quirk (Minor): names every vehicle; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Poverty (Minor): half the usual starting funds, and money slips away

    Gear

    .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48); toolkit, the truck Bessie, jerry cans, a big wrench

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Mr Fix It (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 9 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $400, over the $250 starting funds

  • Josette Lamarre

    Nightclub Singer and Fixer · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Sings at the Club Sphinx, knows every smuggler in Cairo by first name, and quietly passes the best secrets to the police.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Driving d4, Gambling d6, Notice d6, Performance d8, Persuasion d8, Stealth d6, Thievery d4

    Edges

    Connections (free human Edge): can call on a contact or organization for favors; Attractive: +1 to Performance and Persuasion rolls; Charismatic: one free reroll on Persuasion

    Hindrances

    Secret (Major): she informs for the police; Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Jealous (Minor): resents rivals who have what they want

    Gear

    Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); evening gowns, a little black book of names, cigarette case

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Attractive (2), Charismatic (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

• Night Shift on Kepler Ring

  Party of 3 · Sci-Fi

  The party: An engineer, a doctor and a security sergeant who run a frontier station between midnight and dawn, when the trouble arrives.

  • Okonkwo "Okie" Eze

    Station Engineer · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Knows every pipe and cable on Kepler Ring by sound alone, which is unfortunate, because the ring has started making new sounds.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry4
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Electronics d8, Fighting d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d4, Piloting d4, Repair d8, Science d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Mr Fix It (free human Edge): +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time

    Hindrances

    Habit (Minor): station coffee, all shift long; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action; Hard of Hearing (Minor): −4 to Notice rolls that depend on hearing (Major: deaf)

    Gear

    Toolkit, vacc suit, maintenance tablet, a thermos the size of a fire extinguisher

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Vigor one die (2), 2 skill points (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 6 lb (Load Limit 40) · $275 left (kit $225 of $500)

  • Dr. Lin Achterberg

    Station Doctor · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Took the frontier posting to pay off medical school; stayed because nobody else would treat the miners.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord8
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness6

    Skills

    Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Electronics d4, Healing d10, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Research d4, Science d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Healer (free human Edge): +2 to Healing rolls; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

    Hindrances

    Pacifist (Major): fights only in self-defense (Major: won't fight living beings at all); Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering

    Gear

    Medkit, med-scanner, surgical kit, a well-stocked infirmary

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brave (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 9 lb (Load Limit 20) · $175 left (kit $325 of $500)

  • Sgt. Dmitri Volkov

    Security Sergeant · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Has broken up more bar fights than any man alive and still prefers his fists to his sidearm.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry6
    • Toughness7 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Electronics d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Martial Artist (free human Edge): never counts as unarmed; +1 to Fighting unarmed and fists hit for Str+d4; Steady Hands: ignore the unstable platform penalty; the running penalty drops to −1

    Hindrances

    Mean (Minor): ill-tempered and disagreeable, even to friends; Suspicious (Minor): trusts no one; Obligation (Minor): station security; Enemy (Minor): the smuggling crew he busted

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Armored vest (+2, As a Kevlar vest: +4 vs bullets); restraints, comm badge, security pass to every deck

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Steady Hands (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 9 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $515, over the $500 starting funds

Parties of Four

Two full tables. The Wyrmwatch are Seasoned, four Advances each, so they show how a party grows.

• The Ashgrove Paranormal Society

  Party of 4 · Modern Horror

  The party: A psychic, a skeptic, a former firefighter and an occult bookseller who investigate hauntings for a small online following.

  • Priya Raman

    Psychic Founder · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Started the Society to prove that ghosts are real; after the first case she would give a great deal to be wrong.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Notice d8, Occult d6, Persuasion d6, Psionics d8, Research d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Psionics) (free human Edge): Psionics skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Danger Sense: a sixth sense: a Notice roll to sense an ambush or hidden danger before it strikes; Arcane Resistance: +2 Armor against damaging powers and +2 to resist other powers

    Hindrances

    Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Driven (Minor): prove the dead linger; Phobia (Minor): hospitals

    Powers

    Psionics; Psionics d8; 10 Power Points. Detect/Conceal Arcana (sensing the lingering dead), Mind Link (thoughts passed like whispers), Stun (a migraine-white flash).

    Gear

    Smartphone, notebook, candles, the Society's minivan

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Danger Sense (2), Arcane Resistance (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 3.5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $223 left (kit $277 of $500)

  • Marcus Bell

    Skeptic Tech · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Joined to debunk Priya and stayed because the readings he can't explain are the most interesting thing that has ever happened to him.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Electronics d8, Hacking d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d4, Research d6, Science d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Calculating (free human Edge): with an Action Card of Five or less, ignore up to 2 points of penalties on one action; Jack-of-all-Trades: untrained Smarts-based skills roll d4 instead of d4−2

    Hindrances

    Doubting Thomas (Minor): refuses to believe in the supernatural, even when it's staring back; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Habit (Minor): energy drinks

    Gear

    Thermal camera, laptop, EMF meters, motion sensors

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Jack-of-all-Trades (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 6 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $1,025, over the $500 starting funds

  • Roz Achebe

    Former Firefighter · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Carried people out of burning buildings for twelve years; old houses that groan and shift don't scare her, and that is part of the problem.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd8
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness6

    Skills

    Athletics d8, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Fighting d6, Healing d4, Intimidation d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d4, Stealth d4, Survival d4

    Edges

    Brawny (free human Edge): Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

    Hindrances

    Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Quirk (Minor): checks every exit twice

    Gear

    Battle axe (Str+d8); fire axe (as a battle axe), flashlight, crowbar, first aid kit

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brave (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 13 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · $70 left (kit $430 of $500)

  • Theo Lindqvist

    Occult Bookseller · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Runs a dusty shop of rare books and is the only member who has read the ones that matter, which is why he is so frightened.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d6, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Language (Latin) d4, Notice d6, Occult d10, Persuasion d6, Research d8, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Investigator (free human Edge): +2 to Research, and to Notice rolls when searching for clues; Arcane Resistance: +2 Armor against damaging powers and +2 to resist other powers

    Hindrances

    Mild Mannered (Minor): −2 to Intimidation rolls; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action; Yellow (Major): −2 to Fear checks and to resist Intimidation

    Gear

    Rare books, salt, iron nails, a magnifying glass

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Spirit); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Arcane Resistance (2), Spirit one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

• The Wyrmwatch

  Party of 4 · Fantasy

  The party: Four Seasoned heroes who keep the beacon on Wyrm Tor, the mountain fort that warns the valley when dragons fly.

  • Dame Ottoline Graves

    Knight-Captain of the Watch · Human · Fantasy · Seasoned

    RankS

    Hook. Commands the Wyrmwatch from the front; she has seen a dragon close enough to count its teeth and kept her troops in line while she did.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd8
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry8
    • Toughness9 (3)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Battle d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Riding d8, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Command (free human Edge): Extras in Command Range get +1 to recover from Shaken or Stunned; Brawny: Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Sweep (Advance 2): one Fighting roll at −2 against every adjacent foe; Inspire (Advance 4): once per turn, a Battle roll Supports every ally in Command Range

    Hindrances

    Code of Honor (Major): won't break their moral code, even if it means death; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake

    Gear

    Long sword (Str+d8), Chain mail (+3), Medium shield (Parry +2); warhorse, signal horn, captain's seal

    Advances

    1 Agility d8 · 2 Sweep · 3 Riding d8 and Athletics d6 · 4 Inspire

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brawny (2), Vigor one die (2). Before the Advances: Agility d6, Athletics d4, Riding d6.

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 46 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · kit $800, over the $500 starting funds

  • Fennick Morrow

    Half-Folk Scout · Half-Folk · Fantasy · Seasoned

    RankS

    Hook. Climbs the crags above the Tor to watch the skies; the Watch learned to listen when Fennick shouts, and to duck.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace5
    • Parry5
    • Toughness4

    Running die d4; 4 bennies.

    Ancestry

    Half-Folk (SWADE core): Luck (the Luck Edge), Spirited (Spirit starts at d6), Size −1 (Toughness −1), Reduced Pace (Pace 5, running die d4)

    Skills

    Athletics d8, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Notice d8, Persuasion d6, Stealth d8, Survival d8, Thievery d6

    Edges

    Luck (racial): +1 Benny per session; Thief: +1 to Thievery, to Athletics for climbing, and to Stealth in towns; Quick: discard and redraw Action Cards of Five or lower; Dead Shot (Advance 1): Wild Card only: when dealt a Joker, double the damage of the first successful Athletics (throwing) or Shooting attack that round; Marksman (Advance 4): if the hero doesn't move, they get the benefit of Aiming for free

    Hindrances

    Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret

    Gear

    Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); six throwing daggers, climbing gear, spyglass, a whistle

    Advances

    1 Dead Shot · 2 Fighting d6 and Survival d8 · 3 Spirit d8 · 4 Marksman

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Thief (2), Quick (2). Before the Advances: Spirit d6, Fighting d4, Survival d6.

    At the table

    Bennies 4 · carries 18 lb (Load Limit 20) · $123 left (kit $377 of $500)

  • Ilsabet Corrow

    Battle-Mage · Human · Fantasy · Seasoned

    RankS

    Hook. Expelled from the Collegium for casting in anger, she found the Watch was glad of a mage who was angry at dragons.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord8
    • Pace6
    • Parry6
    • Toughness6

    Skills

    Academics d6, Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Notice d6, Occult d8, Persuasion d4, Riding d4, Spellcasting d10, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Magic) (free human Edge): Spellcasting skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Power Points: +5 Power Points; New Powers (Advance 2): two new powers; Rapid Recharge (Advance 4): recover 10 Power Points per hour instead of 5

    Hindrances

    Arrogant (Major): must humiliate opponents and challenge the strongest foe; Quirk (Minor): keeps a running tally of dragons she has seen; Enemy (Minor): the wizard who expelled her

    Powers

    Magic; Spellcasting d10; 15 Power Points. Bolt (forked lightning), Protection (a skin of crackling static), Burst (a gout of fire), Blind (a blinding flash), Deflection (a shimmering heat haze).

    Gear

    Staff (Str+d4, Parry +1, Reach 1), Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); spellbook, scorched traveling cloak, a jar of dragon scales

    Advances

    1 Spellcasting d10 and Occult d8 · 2 New Powers · 3 Vigor d8 · 4 Rapid Recharge

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Smarts); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Power Points (2), Smarts one die (2). Before the Advances: Vigor d6, Occult d6, Spellcasting d8.

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 15 · carries 5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $465 left (kit $35 of $500)

  • Hroald Ironvein

    Dwarven Warpriest · Dwarf · Fantasy · Seasoned

    RankS

    Hook. Tends the beacon fire and the wounded with equal care, and swears the flame on Wyrm Tor has never gone out on his watch.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord8
    • Pace5
    • Parry7
    • Toughness10 (3)

    Running die d4.

    Ancestry

    Dwarf (SWADE core): Tough (Vigor starts at d6), Low Light Vision, Reduced Pace (Pace 5, running die d4)

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Faith d10, Fighting d6, Healing d6, Intimidation d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Repair d6, Riding d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Miracles): Faith skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Brawny: Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Champion (Advance 1): +2 damage against supernaturally evil creatures

    Hindrances

    Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Vow (Major): guard the Wyrmwatch beacon; Vengeful (Minor): always tries to settle a score

    Powers

    Miracles; Faith d10; 10 Power Points. Healing (warmth from the beacon fire), Smite (his hammer glows like a forge), Protection (skin like stone).

    Gear

    Mace (Str+d6), Chain mail (+3), Medium shield (Parry +2); holy symbol, beacon oil, bandages, pony

    Advances

    1 Champion · 2 Agility d6 · 3 Persuasion d6 and Riding d4 · 4 Faith d10

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Arcane Background (Miracles) (2), Brawny (2). Before the Advances: Agility d4, Faith d8, Persuasion d4, Riding untrained.

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · carries 48 lb (Load Limit 60 with Brawny) · kit $602, over the $500 starting funds

A Party of Five

One crew of five: a starship with everyone at their station.

• Crew of the Ninefold Gamble

  Party of 5 · Sci-Fi

  The party: A captain, an engineer, a hacker, a gunhand and a ship's doctor running cargo, and sometimes trouble, on a tired freighter.

  • Captain Marisol Teague

    Freighter Captain · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Won the Ninefold Gamble in a card game and has spent every year since trying to keep it flying and her crew paid.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness6 (1)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Battle d4, Common Knowledge d4, Gambling d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d8, Piloting d8, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Ace (free human Edge): +2 to Boating, Driving and Piloting rolls; Command: Extras in Command Range get +1 to recover from Shaken or Stunned

    Hindrances

    Wanted (Minor): the law, or someone like it, is looking for them; Loyal (Minor): to her crew; Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Leather jacket (+1); the Ninefold Gamble (freighter), captain's log, a lucky deck of cards

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Command (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 10 lb (Load Limit 20) · $230 left (kit $270 of $500)

  • Bix Okoro

    Ship's Engineer · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Built like a cargo loader and gentle as a cat with the engines; he will not let anyone else touch them.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd4
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness6

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Electronics d6, Fighting d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Piloting d4, Repair d10, Science d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Mr Fix It (free human Edge): +2 to Repair rolls, and a raise halves the time; Brawny: Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength

    Hindrances

    Habit (Minor): hums old work songs; Quirk (Minor): won't let anyone touch his engines; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake

    Gear

    Club (Str+d4); toolkit, spare parts, the big spanner

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points + 2 from Hindrances; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brawny (2), 2 skill points (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 7 lb (Load Limit 60 with Brawny) · $275 left (kit $225 of $500)

  • Saoirse Quill

    Comms and Hacker · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. A runaway corporate heir who signed on under a false name and handles the ship's comms, codes and creative paperwork.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Electronics d8, Hacking d8, Notice d8, Persuasion d4, Research d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d6

    Edges

    Alertness (free human Edge): +2 to Notice rolls; Calculating: with an Action Card of Five or less, ignore up to 2 points of penalties on one action

    Hindrances

    Secret (Minor): she is a runaway corporate heir; Thin Skinned (Minor): −2 (−4 if Major) to resist Taunt; Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60); hacking deck, forged transit papers, headset

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Calculating (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 2 lb (Load Limit 20) · $250 left (kit $250 of $500)

  • Hollis Grange

    Gunhand · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Quiet, fast and carrying a grudge from the border war; he takes the jobs nobody else on the crew will.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd4
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness7 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d10, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Quick Draw (free human Edge): draw a weapon as a free action; Steady Hands: ignore the unstable platform penalty; the running penalty drops to −1; Dead Shot: Wild Card only: when dealt a Joker, double the damage of the first successful Athletics (throwing) or Shooting attack that round

    Hindrances

    Death Wish (Minor): wants to die gloriously once their goal is done; Vengeful (Major): the officers who ordered the border massacre; Mean (Minor): ill-tempered and disagreeable, even to friends

    Gear

    Plasma rifle (3d6, AP 4, 24/48/96), Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60), Armored vest (+2, As a Kevlar vest: +4 vs bullets); gun-cleaning kit, a worn campaign medal

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Steady Hands (2), Dead Shot (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 7 lb (Load Limit 40) · $0 left (kit $500 of $500)

  • Doc Ezra Molina

    Ship's Doctor · Human · Sci-Fi

    RankN

    Hook. Lost his license on Ceres for reasons he won't discuss and patches up the crew for room, board and silence.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry4
    • Toughness5

    4 bennies.

    Skills

    Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d4, Gambling d6, Healing d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Science d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Luck (free human Edge): +1 Benny per session; Healer: +2 to Healing rolls

    Hindrances

    Habit (Major): painkillers; Quirk (Minor): quotes old poetry; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs

    Gear

    Laser pistol (2d6, AP 2, 15/30/60); medkit, surgical kit, a battered poetry anthology

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Spirit); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Healer (2), Spirit one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 4 · carries 10 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $550, over the $500 starting funds

Parties of Six

Two full parties of six, for a big table or a GM who wants a ready-made expedition.

• The Meridian Club Expedition

  Party of 6 · Pulp

  The party: Six members of a gentlemen's and ladies' adventuring club, setting out for a plateau that is not on any map.

  • Major Archibald Penhallow

    Expedition Leader · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Retired from the army, never retired from adventure; he has planned this expedition for twenty years and will not be told no.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Battle d6, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Riding d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d4, Survival d6

    Edges

    Command (free human Edge): Extras in Command Range get +1 to recover from Shaken or Stunned; Aristocrat: +2 to Common Knowledge and to networking with the upper class

    Hindrances

    Code of Honor (Major): won't break their moral code, even if it means death; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake; Habit (Minor): his pipe

    Gear

    Bolt-action rifle (2d8, AP 2, 24/48/96), .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48); maps, compass, pith helmet, the club's expedition charter

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Aristocrat (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 13 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $575, over the $500 starting funds

  • Dr. Amara Nwachukwu

    Physician and Botanist · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Came for the plants that no botanist has named and stays to keep everyone else alive long enough to find them.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d6, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Healing d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Riding d4, Science d8, Stealth d4, Survival d6

    Edges

    Jack-of-all-Trades (free human Edge): untrained Smarts-based skills roll d4 instead of d4−2; Healer: +2 to Healing rolls

    Hindrances

    Pacifist (Minor): fights only in self-defense (Major: won't fight living beings at all); Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action

    Gear

    Doctor's bag, plant press, specimen jars, sketchbook

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Spirit); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Healer (2), Spirit one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 5 lb (Load Limit 20) · $375 left (kit $125 of $500)

  • Tully Kincannon

    Hunter and Guide · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Has guided rich fools into the jungle for fifteen years; this is the first group he thinks might get out again.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry4
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Riding d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d6, Survival d8

    Edges

    Woodsman (free human Edge): +2 to Survival and Stealth in the wilderness; Steady Hands: ignore the unstable platform penalty; the running penalty drops to −1

    Hindrances

    Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Habit (Minor): chewing tobacco; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Outsider (Minor): −2 to Persuasion with most of society (Major: no legal rights either)

    Gear

    Bolt-action rifle (2d8, AP 2, 24/48/96), Dagger (Str+d4, 3/6/12); machete, canteen, mosquito netting, snake-bite kit

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Steady Hands (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 12 lb (Load Limit 40) · $20 left (kit $480 of $500)

  • Ottavia Bellweather

    Daredevil Heiress · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Paid for the whole expedition and insisted on flying the seaplane herself, which she does very fast and very well.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace8
    • Parry2
    • Toughness6 (1)

    Running die d8.

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Piloting d8, Repair d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Rich (free human Edge): 3× starting funds and a $150K annual salary; Ace: +2 to Boating, Driving and Piloting rolls; Fleet-Footed: Pace +2 and running die one step higher

    Hindrances

    Overconfident (Major): believes they can do anything; Impulsive (Major): leaps before looking

    Gear

    .45 pistol (2d6+1, AP 1, 12/24/48), Leather jacket (+1); seaplane (the Albatross), aviator goggles, champagne

    Build

    Attributes 5 points; skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Ace (2), Fleet-Footed (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 12 lb (Load Limit 20) · $1,280 left (kit $220 of $1,500)

  • Sebastian Crane

    Stage Mentalist · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Performs as The Great Sebastiano, and his mind-reading act is real; he joined the expedition to escape a creditor who knows it.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Gambling d6, Notice d6, Performance d8, Persuasion d6, Psionics d8, Stealth d4, Thievery d6

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Psionics) (free human Edge): Psionics skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Attractive: +1 to Performance and Persuasion rolls

    Hindrances

    Secret (Minor): his powers are real; Greedy (Minor): can't resist a payday; Quirk (Minor): never breaks his stage persona; Thin Skinned (Minor): −2 (−4 if Major) to resist Taunt

    Powers

    Psionics; Psionics d8; 10 Power Points. Empathy (reading a room like a stage), Confusion (a flourish and a stare), Mind Link (a voice only you can hear).

    Gear

    Deck of marked cards, stage costume, silver-topped cane

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Attractive (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 10 · suggested knife (Str+d4) · carries 1 lb (Load Limit 20) · $475 left (kit $25 of $500)

  • Kwame Asante

    Circus Strongman · Human · Pulp

    RankN

    Hook. Bent iron bars for a living until the circus folded; gentle with people, merciless with stuck doors.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd4
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd10
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness6

    Skills

    Athletics d8, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Repair d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Brawny (free human Edge): Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Brute: Athletics uses Strength instead of Agility for throwing and resisting, and thrown ranges are longer

    Hindrances

    Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering; Mild Mannered (Minor): −2 to Intimidation rolls

    Gear

    Maul (Str+d10, Parry -1); sledgehammer (as a maul), rope, crowbar, strongman's leopard-skin

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brute (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 27 lb (Load Limit 100 with Brawny) · $80 left (kit $420 of $500)

• Ravenglass Containment

  Party of 6 · Modern Horror

  The party: A deniable government team that finds, contains and cleans up the things that crawl out of the dark.

  • Commander Ingrid Halvorsen

    Team Leader · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Has led Ravenglass through eleven containments and lost two people doing it; she remembers both every morning.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord4
    • Pace6
    • Parry5
    • Toughness6 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Battle d6, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Fighting d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Command (free human Edge): Extras in Command Range get +1 to recover from Shaken or Stunned; Quick: discard and redraw Action Cards of Five or lower

    Hindrances

    Obligation (Major): Ravenglass; Cautious (Minor): plans everything and avoids rash action; Suspicious (Minor): trusts no one

    Gear

    Assault rifle (2d8, AP 2, 24/48/96, RoF 3), 9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48), Kevlar vest (+2, +4 vs bullets); secure phone, tactical radio, sealed orders

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Strength); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Quick (2), Strength one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 18 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $900, over the $500 starting funds

  • Mateo Arriaga

    Breacher · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Goes through the door first, every time, and talks the whole way through it.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd4
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd8
    • Vigord8
    • Pace6
    • Parry6
    • Toughness10 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Brawny (free human Edge): Size +1 (so +1 Toughness); Strength counts one die higher for Load Limit and Minimum Strength; Brawler: Toughness +1, and fists hit for Str+d4

    Hindrances

    Impulsive (Major): leaps before looking; Loyal (Minor): can't leave a friend behind; always has their companions' backs; Big Mouth (Minor): can't keep a secret

    Gear

    Pump shotgun (1–3d6, 12/24/48), Battle axe (Str+d8), Kevlar vest (+2, +4 vs bullets); breaching charges (with GM approval), fire axe (as a battle axe), crowbar

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brawler (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 19 lb (Load Limit 80 with Brawny) · kit $710, over the $500 starting funds

  • Yusuf Demir

    Field Occultist · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. The team's answer to what the guns can't fix: chalk, iron, old words and a very steady voice.

    • Agilityd4
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d6, Occult d8, Persuasion d4, Research d6, Shooting d4, Spellcasting d10, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Arcane Background (Magic) (free human Edge): Spellcasting skill, 10 Power Points, 3 starting powers; Power Points: +5 Power Points

    Hindrances

    Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door; Secret (Minor): he once bargained with something; Stubborn (Minor): wants their own way and never admits a mistake

    Powers

    Magic; Spellcasting d10; 15 Power Points. Arcane Protection (sigils drawn in chalk), Bolt (silver fire), Detect/Conceal Arcana (iron filings that turn and point).

    Gear

    9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48); chalk, iron filings, salt, a leather-bound grimoire

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Spirit); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Power Points (2), Spirit one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Power Points 15 · carries 3 lb (Load Limit 20) · $300 left (kit $200 of $500)

  • Trix Calloway

    Tech Specialist · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Hacks cameras, flies the drone and keeps a running list of things she has seen on thermal that she would rather not have.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd10
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d6, Electronics d8, Hacking d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Repair d6, Shooting d4, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Calculating (free human Edge): with an Action Card of Five or less, ignore up to 2 points of penalties on one action; Jack-of-all-Trades: untrained Smarts-based skills roll d4 instead of d4−2

    Hindrances

    Phobia (Minor): the dark; Quirk (Minor): names the drone after old movie monsters; Habit (Minor): chews gum nonstop; Hesitant (Minor): draws two Action Cards and acts on the lower (Jokers still count)

    Gear

    9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48); laptop, quadcopter drone, thermal goggles

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Jack-of-all-Trades (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 8 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $1,200, over the $500 starting funds

  • Dr. Helena Marsh

    Medic and Cryptozoologist · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Patches up the team and dissects what they bring back; she is the only one who is excited when a containment goes loud.

    • Agilityd6
    • Smartsd8
    • Spiritd8
    • Strengthd4
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness7 (2)

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Driving d4, Healing d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Research d4, Science d8, Shooting d6, Stealth d4

    Edges

    Healer (free human Edge): +2 to Healing rolls; Brave: +2 to Fear checks and −2 to results on the Fear Table

    Hindrances

    Heroic (Major): always helps those in need, can't ignore suffering; Curious (Major): has to know about every mystery, rumor and locked door

    Gear

    9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48), Kevlar vest (+2, +4 vs bullets); trauma kit (first aid kit), sample cases, field microscope

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Brave (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · Min Str: kevlar vest −1 Agility · carries 12 lb (Load Limit 20) · kit $550, over the $500 starting funds

  • Silas Wexford

    Overwatch Marksman · Human · Modern Horror

    RankN

    Hook. Watches over the team from a rooftop half a mile away and has never once told them what he saw through the scope.

    • Agilityd8
    • Smartsd6
    • Spiritd6
    • Strengthd6
    • Vigord6
    • Pace6
    • Parry2
    • Toughness5

    Skills

    Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d8, Persuasion d4, Shooting d10, Stealth d8, Survival d6

    Edges

    Steady Hands (free human Edge): ignore the unstable platform penalty; the running penalty drops to −1; Dead Shot: Wild Card only: when dealt a Joker, double the damage of the first successful Athletics (throwing) or Shooting attack that round

    Hindrances

    Outsider (Minor): −2 to Persuasion with most of society (Major: no legal rights either); Mean (Minor): ill-tempered and disagreeable, even to friends; Death Wish (Minor): wants to die gloriously once their goal is done; Habit (Minor): counts his breaths out loud

    Gear

    Bolt-action rifle (2d8, AP 2, 24/48/96), 9mm pistol (2d6, AP 1, 12/24/48); rifle scope, spotting scope, camouflage netting, rangefinder

    Build

    Attributes 5 points + 1 from Hindrances (Vigor); skills 12 points; Hindrances 4 points, spent on Dead Shot (2), Vigor one die (2).

    At the table

    Bennies 3 · carries 11 lb (Load Limit 40) · kit $550, over the $500 starting funds