Details

The following section takes a more in depth look at Skills and Edges.

Vigor Skills

Athletics

Use this skill whenever you are performing any sort of physical activity like running, climbing, swimming, jumping, lifting things, or even riding horses or beasts. Someone with points in this skill leads an active lifestyle and is no stranger physical activity.

Bully

Use this skill to get what you want through sheer intimidation by employing threats, menacing body language, or other socially…interesting tactics! While intimidation can be an effective method to getting what you want quickly, it is not very socially acceptable (or legal), so be careful where you decide to employ this skill!

Close Combat

Whether you are slugging someone with a bare fist or bashing them over the head with a mace, Close Combat is the skill you want to go to when it is time to rough someone up close and personal-like.

Survival

This versatile skill allows you to survive and provide food for yourself and others in the wilderness. Those with this skill are resourceful and reliable outdoors, and can indefinitely live off the land without rolling. You can use this skill to also gather provisions and food for a number of extra people equal to your rating in this skill. The Survival skill can also be used to track people and beasts in the wilderness (but not cities).

Agility Skills

Acrobatics

Use this skill to gracefully flip, twist and leap in all sorts of displays of flexibility. Those with this skill can contort their bodies in quite interesting ways, and this skill is also used to escape from bindings or being tied up.

Ranged Combat

This skill covers all manner of striking targets from range using any sort of ranged weapon, whether it be a thrown rock or a powerful crossbow.

Stealth

Use this skill as a contested roll against a target’s Perception skill in order to sneak past guards and travel about unseen. Those with this skill are light on their feet and know the finer points of being rather sly!

Thievery

This skill encompasses quite a lot of underhanded tricks! This skill can be used to pick locks, pick pockets without notice (hopefully), and even forge signatures and documents! Obviously, use of this skill is a sure fire way to find yourself arrested, so make sure you aren’t caught.

Smarts Skills

Lore

This skill represents all manner of intellectual study and know-how. Those with points invested in this skill are veritable troves of information and knowledge, and can converse knowledgeably about a wide variety of topics.

Perception

This skill measures your attention to detail and the sharpness of your senses of observation. The Perception skill is used to Contest any uses of the Stealth skill as well as the Charm skill to lie to you, and can also be used to search for hidden doors, traps or other objects. This skill can also be used to track people in civilized locations like towns or cities (but not in the wilderness).

Heal

Those with training in this skill have insight and knowledge into the workings of the living body, and can use their knowledge to heal the sick and diagnose illness. This skill aids in the natural healing of others, as well as being able to revive a Knocked Out individual. Your rating in this skill is also added directly to any Healing done to you when you drink a healing potion.

Tinker

This skill grants knowledge of all things mechanical, and allows the user to repair and operate any contraptions that would be considered technical objects. Tinker can be used to repair and construct mundane things like wagons, but can also be used to make use of fantastic devices like Dwarven flying machines and the like.

Presence Skills

Charm

You have quite a gift of gab, and can use this Skill to talk your way out of trouble or convince people to do what you want them to through sweet words and persuasion. You can also use this Skill to lie through your teeth in a Contested roll against the other person’s Perception Skill.

Primal

This skill can be used to interact with and understand beasts and natural animals. Someone with the Primal skill can train and domesticate animals, and pick up on their general state of being and health by observing them.

Entertain

Someone with the Entertain skill can…entertain! Either through song, dance, or other performance art form, use of this skill can captivate and delight an audience.

Disguise

Through make-up, costumes and changing your mannerisms and even your voice, you can use this skill to actively impersonate someone else. Those who have reason to doubt your identity can force a Contested roll between your Disguise skill and their Perception skill.

EDGES

Vitality Boost

Each time this Edge is purchased, you increase your Hit Point total by 5. Unlike most Edges, there is no limit on the amount of times that you can purchase this Edge. Also, unlike most Edges, this CANNOT be purchased at Character creation, and can only be purchased with Experience Points once play begins. 

Charmed Life

You were born with lady luck on your side and begin play with a Luck Pool of 4 instead of 3. You can purchase this Edge twice to increase your Luck Pool to 5. (Requires Presence 6+)

Status

You enjoy improved status among your people, and can expect to be treated better than most. The nature of this Edge should be discussed with the Game Master before gameplay begins. When this Edge is purchased, choose the source of your Status. You can choose to be of Noble Birth, a famous celebrity, renowned hero of the people, or even an infamous, feared person.

Sex Appeal

You are quite the looker! You gain Advantage on all social rolls where your dashing good looks would aid you. It is worth noting that sometimes this Edge can bring with it some unwanted attention in the form of jilted admirers and other infatuated sorts.

Armor Training

You can equip and use Heavy Armor and Heavy Shields. Heavy Armor grants improved protection to the wearer. (Requires Vigor Stat 6+)

Weapon Training

You can equip and use Heavy Close and Ranged Combat Weapons. Heavy Weapons deal more damage and are more cumbersome than normal weapons. (Requires Vigor Stat 6+)

Tech Training

You can equip and use Technological Weapons. These kooky gizmos often have fantastic effects and complex designs that push the boundaries of available technology in your setting. (Requires Smarts Stat 6+ and Tinker Skill 2+)

Lucky Shot

Whenever you roll a Triumph on an attack roll, you deal an additional +d8 damage for each Point of Luck you currently have. (Requires Presence Stat 6+)

First Strike

You have lightning reflexes and gain Advantage on all Initiative rolls. Each time you act first in a battle, you gain advantage on your first two attack and damage rolls. (Requires Agility or Smarts Stat 6+)

Riposte
Whenever someone Blunders a Close Combat attack roll against you, you may immediately take a free Close Combat attack against them with Advantage. (Requires Agility Stat 6+ and Close Combat Skill 2+)

Point Blank Shot
You no longer suffer Disadvantage when you use a Ranged Combat attack against someone in close combat. (Requires Agility Stat 6+ and Ranged Combat Skill 2+) 

Beast Master

Your presence soothes natural beasts and animals, and they will never attack you unless you provoke them or the beast is already naturally enraged. This Edge has no effect on unnatural beings like Monsters or Undead. You also gain a small animal scout companion (Rat, cat, hound, bird, etc) that you share a special bond with. Scout companions can relay information to you based upon their body language. You can issue complex commands to your companion that most animals would be puzzled by. Purchasing this Edge twice gives you either two scout companions or one combat companion (Wolf or other impressive predator). A combat companion can be ridden as a mount, and grants you Advantage on 3 damage rolls per battle. A combat companion can also guard an area and alert you if intruders are near. (Requires Presence Stat 6+ and Primal Skill 2+)

Treasure Hunter

You feel a strange tingle at the end of your nose whenever treasure is nearby, acting as a sort of sonar for nearby hidden loot. You can also accurately appraise the worth of treasure or valuables by examining the bling for d6 minutes. This can also allow you to easily spot fake gems and forged works of art. (Requires Presence or Smarts Stat 6+)

RAGE!

Whenever you are reduced to 10 Hit Points or less, you gain Advantage on all Close Combat attack and damage rolls (Ranged combat rolls are unaffected). You can purchase this Edge twice in order to fly into a Rage whenever you are reduced to 20 Hit Points or less. You can Rage only once per battle, and your Rage immediately ends if you are healed above the activation threshold of this Edge. (Requires Vigor Stat 6+ and Close Combat Skill 2+)

Mystical Blood

Purchasing this Edge makes you a practitioner of the Sorcery of your Species, granting you strange powers and abilities. When this Edge is purchased, you choose 3 Basic Secrets of your particular art. Species Sorcery is described in more detail elsewhere. Unlike other Edges, you CANNOT purchase this Edge with Experience Points when play begins. You are either born with Mystical Blood, or not. 

Double Strike

As long as you are using unarmed attacks or wielding a weapon with the Light quality in both hands, you can spend a Full Action to take 2 attacks on your turn. The second attack you take suffers Disadvantage. You can purchase this Edge twice to negate the Disadvantage with your second attack. (Requires Agility Stat 6+).

Bodyguard
You can spend a Half Action to issue a challenge to a single combatant within 10 feet of you. If that target attacks anyone besides you for the duration of the Challenge, their attack suffers Disadvantage. You can end the Challenge at will by spending a Half Action or by Challenging someone else. The same target can only be Challenged once per battle.  

Sneak Attack

Whenever you successfully attack a target that you have Advantage against, you deal +d6 damage. You may purchase this Edge twice to increase this damage to +d8. (Requires Agility Stat 6+ and Stealth Skill 2+)

Third Wind

You can take a Second Wind Action twice per adventure instead of once. You now roll d8’s instead of d6’s for your second wind. You can purchase this Edge twice to roll d10’s instead of d8’s for your Second Wind rolls. You also gain Advantage on all Second Wind rolls.

Brawler

You are no stranger to fighting without a weapon and your Unarmed attacks now deal d4+Vig or Agi mod damage instead of 1+Vig or Agi mod damage. Fist weapons you use also increase their damage die by one step. Therefore, if you are using a Fist weapon that deals d4 damage, it deals d6 damage for you. You can purchase this edge twice to increase your Unarmed damage to d6+Vig or Agi mod damage as well as up the damage die on all fist weapons you use by two steps. (Requires Vigor or Agility Stat 6+ and Close Combat Skill 2+)

Thick Skin

For whatever reason, your skin is more resistant to damage than most. You have a natural Armor Bonus of +3. You can purchase this Edge twice to increase this bonus to +6. Keep in mind that bonuses of the same type do not stack, so if you wear armor on top of your thick skin, you would only use the highest Armor Bonus from either your Thick Skin or the type of armor you were wearing. (Requires Vigor Stat 6+)

Quick Draw

Once per turn, you may draw 2 weapons or draw 1 weapon and equip a shield as a Free Action. (Requires Agility Stat 6+)

Photomemory

Your mind is a trap for details, and you remember anything you see or hear with crystal clarity. With but a moment of concentration, you can recall even the most miniscule detail regarding anything you have personally heard or seen. (Requires Smarts Stat 6+)

Linguist

You have a knack for communication, and begin play knowing how to expertly speak, read and write all the native languages for all playable Species’ in your setting. Even when confronted with a rare language, you can communicate crudely after hearing the language for at least one hour. (Requires Smarts Stat 6+)

Magic Resistance

You are naturally repellant to all those with the Mystical Blood Edge. Your presence physically makes them uncomfortable, and whenever you are the target of a Secret or ability that could be considered “Mystical” in nature, you get to roll a Presence Test at difficulty 15. Success means that you are completely unaffected. This goes for both harmful AND helpful abilities, mind you. You may purchase this Edge twice to gain Advantage on all attack and damage rolls made against beings with the Mystical Blood Edge. Obviously, you can never purchase the Mystical Blood Edge.

Poison Proof
Your body resists most toxins and poisons, making you immune to their effects. You automatically succeed at any rolls made to resist Poisons or Poison based attacks. You can get stung by scorpions and giant spiders all day long and never suffer ill effects. This also means you can really pound away the booze as well! No matter how tipsy you get, you never suffer Disadvantage for being drunk or have any of the other nasty side effects of being a rampant alcoholic like blarfing all over your shoes or waking up with a hangover. (Requires Vigor Stat 6+)

Iron Will
Once you've set your mind to something, you very rarely stray off course! All attempts made to influence you via the Charm or Bully Skill suffer Disadvantage. Furthermore, you gain immunity to all Secrets and Special Abilities that can detect your emotions, read your mind, or take control of your body against your will. Lastly, whenever you are reduced to 0 Hit Points or less, you can take one last action on your turn before being Knocked Out as you literally will yourself to stay up. (Requires Smarts Stat 6+)

Self Sufficient 
Your system is capable of functioning with far less nourishment than most require, and you can get by indefinitely with a very low supply of food and water. Furthermore, you only require 2 hours of sleep every 24 hours to function. 

Artisan

You are a talented creator and can make items of lasting beauty and quality. When this Edge is taken, choose one type of medium. Example mediums include, but are not limited to: Alchemy, Cooking, Sculpting, Painting, Drawing, Blacksmithing, Woodworking, or anything that you can create with the tools of your trade and your own two hands. Purchasing this Edge also grants you the basic equipment required to perform your craft. You may purchase this Edge as many times as you like, choosing a new Medium each time it is chosen. It takes d6 hours of undisturbed work to craft one item of your craft and you must spend half the item's cost in materials.

Example of Crafting: Dave is a fat pig, and so, he really likes to eat. Dave has the Artisan (Cooking) Edge and wants to make a grand feast. A grand feast costs 100 units of wealth normally, so Dave spends d6 hours in the Kitchen and spends half the cost of a grand feast in ingredients and materials. After the time has passed, Dave sits down, sad and alone, and gorges his fat belly on his lonesome feast.

Note: Being able to craft your own items allows you to impart your own flair and signature on the things you create. If you are a Blacksmith and you create your own weapon, then surely it would have your initials or personalized symbol on it. Get creative with the things you make. It's your brand, after all!

Alchemy: You can create potions, and begin play with a basic cauldron and alchemy set.

Tailoring: You can create padded armor and sew, alter and design articles of clothing using various fabrics. You begin play with a sewing kit.

Blacksmithing: You can forge iron armor and weapons and other forged items. You begin play with a small set of basic forging equipment.

Leatherworking: You can craft leather or Scale Armor and craft whips and other leather accessories. You begin play with a leatherworker's kit.

Cooking: You can make all sorts of yummy foods that people love to munch upon. This goes beyond making simple dishes and meals, and you can cook special heroic meals that grant those who partake in your cooking with special benefits detailed in the Equipment section of the Combat link. You can make any of the recipes listed there.

Woodworking: You can whittle wood into various shapes and items. This also allows you to craft Shortbows and Longbows, but not Crossbows. You begin play with whittling tools.

Sculpting/Painting/Drawing: These three example mediums don't require the expenditure of any money to create, because, frankly, what they make isn't particularly useful in everyday adventuring life. It is much cheaper to draw a picture, buy a chisel or some paints than it is to craft a suit of armor, after all! However, the time spent on these crafts can vary wildly, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. A quick doodle or a small stone figurine would only take d6 hours to complete, but a life-sized marble statue or masterwork painting could take months. Describe the scope of your project, and the Game Master will tell you how long it will take. Generally speaking, basic works require d6 hours. Complex works require d6 days, and masterpieces require d6 weeks.