Character Creation

Starting Character

A starting character begins with 25 in all nine Characteristics. The breakdown of these is below:

Weapon Skill	Determines your skill at hitting with melee weaponry, as well as parrying.
Ballistic Skill	Determined your skill with ranged weaponry.
Strength	Determines your physical strength, carrying capacity, and adds Strength Bonus to melee damage.
Toughness	Determines your resilience, carrying capacity, and Toughness Bonus reduces damage.
Agility	Determines your speed and grace, your initiative, and is used for many skills related to movement, carefulness and stealth.
Intelligence	Determines your character's intellect and memory abilities, and is used for many skills related to knowledge and problem-solving.
Perception	Determines your character's awareness and their sensory acuity, and is used for many skills related to extracting information from the environment.
Willpower	Determines your character's ability to control their own actions and resist fear and compulsion.
Fellowship	Determines your character's ability to interact with others, either as a leader or as an equal, and is used for many social skills.

From here, a Character then chooses a Background, Occupation and Role. This determines a character's starting skills, talents, equipment, abilities and also provides characteristic modifiers. After that, a character then generates their characteristics, purchases assets and drawbacks, then makes Experience purchases. After that,t hey work with the GM to generate their Quirk, which is a trait unique to them. Finally, they settle on a name, gender, nationality and religion.

Background, Calling and Role

Choosing your Background, Calling and Role is the most important and defining element of character generation, as it forms the meat of a character's skill set and determines how that character grows.

Note: If a Character gains the same Aptitude twice for any reason during this stage, they may replace the second Aptitude with any one of the nine Characteristic Aptitudes.
Note: If a Character gains the same skill twice for any reason during this stage, they gain an extra rank in that skill.
Note: If a Character gains the same talent twice for any reason during this stage, they gain an extra rank in that talent, if it is a talent with multiple ranks; otherwise, they exchange it in for 200 XP.

Backgrounds

Itinerant

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Agility, +5 Perception, +5 Strength
Fate Points:	2
Starting Wounds:	9+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Agility or Perception or Strength
Background Skills:	Athletics or Commerce or Survival, Navigate (Any One), Linguist (Any two), Literacy
Background Talents:	Heightened Senses or Unremarkable
Background Traits:	Peer (Itinerant 1)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Familiarity	-	Choose one environment (eg. Ocean, desert, forest, ice etc). In this environment you take a +20 to Survival tests and reduce the DTV of Difficult Terrain by 2.

Martial

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Weapon Skill, +5 Ballistic Skill, +5 Strength.
Fate Points:	2
Starting Wounds:	10+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Weapon Skill or Ballistic Skill or Offense
Background Skills:	Athletics, Dodge or Parry or Trade (Armorer), Linguist (Any one), Literacy
Background Talents:	One of the following talents: Melee Training, Ranged Training.
Background Traits:	Peer (Martials 1)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Childhood Training	-	Select a single weapon class (Light Blade, Power, Manual, Precision, Assault). When making attacks with this weapon, you may remove the Unreliable Quality (if present) and grant Proven (+3) to damage rolls made with it.

Metropolitan

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Intelligence, +5 Perception, +5 Fellowship
Fate Points:	2
Starting Wounds:	9+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Intelligence or Social or Fellowship
Background Skills:	Charm or Commerce or Deceive or Trade (One of the following: Architect, Armorer, Carpenter, Chemist, Cook, Metalworker, Scribe, Shipwright), Linguist (Any one), Literacy
Background Talents:	Eloquent or Veiled Threats
Background Traits:	Peer (Select a city, 1)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Connections	-	You can expend a Supply acquisition to grant yourself an extra rank of the Peer trait until the start of the next Chapter. Furthermore, when making Social tests which benefit from Peer, you add extra DoS equal to Peer's rank.

Patrician

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Intelligence, +5 Willpower, +5 Fellowship
Fate Points:	2
Starting Wounds:	9+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Fellowship or Intelligence or Willpower
Background Skills:	Charm or Commerce or Command, Linguist (Any two), Literacy
Background Talents:	Cold Hearted or Grounded Mind
Background Traits:	Peer (One of the following at rank 1: Old Gentry, Nouveau-riches)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Rank and Prestige	-	You gain one of the bonuses below.
-	Faithful Servant	The party begins with one Aide.
-	Personal Fortune	At the start of every Chapter, the party gains an extra "Funding" Advantage.

Proletarian

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Toughness, +5 Perception, +5 Willpower
Fate Points:	3
Starting Wounds:	10+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Toughness or Perception or Willpower
Background Skills:	Awareness or Survival, Linguist (Any one), Literacy
Background Talents:	Hardy or Jaded
Background Traits:	Peer (Proletariat, 1)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Resourceful	-	Whenever you spend a Fate Point to add a Degree of Success, you add one extra Degree of Success.

Provincial

Background Characteristic Modifiers:	Two of the following: +5 Agility, +5 Strength, +5 Toughness
Fate Points:	2
Starting Wounds:	12+TB
Background Aptitudes:	Agility or Strength or Toughness
Background Skills:	Operate (Sea Basic) or Trade (Agrarian) or Trade (Prospector) or Survival, Linguist (Any one), Literacy
Background Talents:	Bulging Biceps or Exertion
Background Traits:	Peer (Provincial, 1)
Unique Background Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Tireless	-	You never apply fatigue penalties to Strength, Toughness or Agility skill tests. Your Fatigue Threshold increases by two.

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Callings

Academic

Calling Aptitudes:	Knowledge or Tech
Calling Skills:	Commerce or Medical, Logic, Lore (Pick two)
Calling Talents:	Brilliance or Scholar
Calling Traits:	Peer (Academia, 1)
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Learned	-	On Character Creation, select one of the following assets below.
-	Doctorate	You gain any three Lores. Finally, select one of these lores to be your Thesis Lore; you reduce overall penalties to skill tests with this skill by -20.
-	Educator	Once per Campaign Turn, you may select either yourself or an ally. If your chosen individual chooses to study a Skill as part of their Personal Actions this turn, then they gain +2 Successes.

Cleric

Calling Aptitudes:	Resolution or Social
Calling Skills:	Charm, Command, Lore (Religion), Inquiry or Scrutiny
Calling Talents:	Eloquent or Jaded
Calling Traits:	-
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Creed	-	On Character Creation, select one specific religious creed (for example, Catholicism or Sunni Islam). You gain the Lore (that creed) skill and the Peer (chosen creed, 1) Trait.
Divine Grace	-	Once per round, whenever you or an ally within communications range spend a Fate Point to gain a +10 to a test, you may make it a +20 instead.

Émigré

Calling Aptitudes:	Finesse or Fieldcraft
Calling Skills:	Awareness, Lore (Geography or Underworld), Inquiry or Scrutiny, Stealth, Survival
Calling Talents:	Combat Sense or Quick Draw
Calling Traits:	Peer (Underworld or Drifters, 1)
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Never Say Die	-	Once per combat, you may ignore an attack that would inflict a Critical Damage result on you ending in death or rendering you helpless.

Enforcer

Calling Aptitudes:	Defense or Fieldcraft
Calling Skills:	Awareness, Lore (Police, Underworld), Inquiry or Interrogation, Intimidate, Scrutiny
Calling Talents:	Sensory Persistence or Hardy, Peer (Police, 1), One of the following Proficiencies: Technique, Power, Hand, Gun
Calling Traits:	Peer (Law Enforcement, 1)
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Hard Justice	-	You may reroll Intimidation and Interrogation tests, and may substitute your Willpower Bonus in place of DoS for these rolls.

Professional

Calling Aptitudes:	Knowledge or Social or Tech
Calling Skills:	Commerce, Lore (Economy), Logic or Scrutiny, Trade (Any)
Calling Talents:	Skill Reliant (Chosen Trade skill above)
Calling Traits:	Peer (Chosen Trade, 1)
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Practical Pursuits	-	On Character Creation, select one of the following assets below.
-	Market Connections	You count all items as being one Value less than they actually are (except for the purposes of Permanent Supply access).
-	Prolific Production	You increase the DoS on Trade tests by one half.

Veteran

Calling Aptitudes:	Offense or Defense or Resolution
Calling Skills:	Athletics, Awareness, two of the following: Dodge, Operate (Any), Parry, Martial Lore (Any; may be taken twice)
Calling Talents:	One of the following talents: Melee Training, Ranged Training.
Calling Traits:	Favoured Foe (Choose one), Peer (Soldiers, 1)
Unique Calling Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Battle Hardened	-	Once per round, if you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage roll, you may reroll the die.

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Roles

Detective

"'Yes, but it may be pushed to excess. When it comes to beating the subjects in the dissecting-rooms with a stick, it is certainly taking rather a bizarre shape.'

'Beating the subjects!'

'Yes, to verify how far bruises may be produced after death. I saw him at it with my own eyes.'

'And yet you say he is not a medical student?'

'No. Heaven knows what the objects of his studies are. But here we are, and you must form your own impressions about him.' As he spoke, we turned down a narrow lane and passed through a small side-door which opened into a wing of the great hospital. It was familiar ground to me, and I needed no guiding as we ascended the bleak stone staircase and made our way down the long corridor with its vista of whitewashed wall and dun-coloured doors. Near the farther end a low arched passage branched away from it and led to the chemical laboratory.

This was a lofty chamber, lined and littered with countless bottles. Broad, low tables were scattered about, which bristled with retorts, test-tubes, and little Bunsen lamps with their blue flickering flames. There was only one student in the room, who was bending over a distant table absorbed in his work. At the sound of our steps he glanced round and sprang to his feet with a cry of pleasure. 'I've found it! I've found it,' he shouted to my companion, running towards us with a test-tube in his hand. 'I have found a re-agent which is precipitated by haemoglobin, and by nothing else.' Had he discovered a gold mine, greater delight could not have shone upon his features.

'Dr Watson, Mr Sherlock Holmes,' said Stamford, introducing us."
- A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Class Characteristic Gains:	One of the following: +5 Ballistic Skill, +5 Perception
Class Wound Bonus:	+2 Wounds
Class Aptitudes:	Five of the following: Ballistic Skill, Perception, Fieldcraft, Offense, Knowledge, Social
Class Skills:	Awareness, Scrutiny, Stealth or Survival
Class Talents:	Heightened Senses, Ranged Training
Class Traits:	-
Unique Class Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Usual Suspects	-	You gain 'Usual Suspect' levels against individuals you meet, in certain conditions. The first level just requires a successful Scrutiny test against them, but every level after that requires knowing more and varied information about them. Each level you possess grants a +5 bonus to Perception and Perception-based skill tests against them.
-	Level 4+	At the start of each Campaign Turn, you may choose three individuals with Usual Suspect levels of 4 or higher. Twice per campaign turn per individual, you can make a Scrutiny test with a -20 penalty (you add Suspects bonus to this). On a success, you gain some limited information about what they might plausibly be doing at the moment.
-	Level 7+	Once per Campaign Turn, so long as no one is aware of your current location and has not been for at least an hour, you can spend a Fate Point to appear within 100m of anyone with a Usual Suspects level of 7 or higher.

Engineer

"""Starting this very day, you'll enter a new element, you'll see what no human being has ever seen before—since my men and I no longer count—and thanks to me, you're going to learn the ultimate secrets of our planet.""

I can't deny it; the commander's words had a tremendous effect on me. He had caught me on my weak side, and I momentarily forgot that not even this sublime experience was worth the loss of my freedom. Besides, I counted on the future to resolve this important question. So I was content to reply:

""Sir, even though you've cut yourself off from humanity, I can see that you haven't disowned all human feeling. We're castaways whom you've charitably taken aboard, we'll never forget that. Speaking for myself, I don't rule out that the interests of science could override even the need for freedom, which promises me that, in exchange, our encounter will provide great rewards.""

I thought the commander would offer me his hand, to seal our agreement. He did nothing of the sort. I regretted that.

""One last question,"" I said, just as this inexplicable being seemed ready to withdraw.

""Ask it, professor.""

""By what name am I to call you?""

""Sir,"" the commander replied, ""to you, I'm simply Captain Nemo; to me, you and your companions are simply passengers on the Nautilus."""
- Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne

Class Characteristic Gains:	One of the following: +5 Agility, +5 Intelligence
Class Wound Bonus:	+2 Wounds
Class Aptitudes:	Five of the following: Ballistic Skill, Finesse, Agility, Intelligence, Knowledge, Tech
Class Skills:	Lore (Science) or Operate (Any one), Operate (Any one), Tech-Use
Class Talents:	Mechanical Guidance or Technical Knock, Ranged Training
Class Traits:	-
Unique Class Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Modern Age Mastery	-	You may spend a Fate Point to automatically succeed at an Operate or Tech Use skill test with a number of Degrees of Success equal to your Intelligence Bonus.

Erudite

"“Oh, you so clever woman!” he said. “I knew long that Mr. Jonathan was a man of much thankfulness; but see, his wife have all the good things. And will you not so much honour me and so help me as to read it for me? Alas! I know not the shorthand.” By this time my little joke was over, and I was almost ashamed; so I took the typewritten copy from my workbasket and handed it to him.

“Forgive me,” I said: “I could not help it; but I had been thinking that it was of dear Lucy that you wished to ask, and so that you might not have time to wait—not on my account, but because I know your time must be precious—I have written it out on the typewriter for you.”

He took it and his eyes glistened. “You are so good,” he said. “And may I read it now? I may want to ask you some things when I have read.”

“By all means,” I said, “read it over whilst I order lunch; and then you can ask me questions whilst we eat.” He bowed and settled himself in a chair with his back to the light, and became absorbed in the papers, whilst I went to see after lunch chiefly in order that he might not be disturbed. When I came back, I found him walking hurriedly up and down the room, his face all ablaze with excitement. He rushed up to me and took me by both hands.

“Oh, Madam Mina,” he said, “how can I say what I owe to you? This paper is as sunshine. It opens the gate to me. I am daze, I am dazzle, with so much light, and yet clouds roll in behind the light every time. But that you do not, cannot, comprehend. Oh, but I am grateful to you, you so clever woman. Madam”—he said this very solemnly—“if ever Abraham Van Helsing can do anything for you or yours, I trust you will let me know."""
- Dracula by Bram Stoker

Class Characteristic Gains:	One of the following: +5 Intelligence, +5 Fellowship
Class Wound Bonus:	+2 Wounds
Class Aptitudes:	Five of the following: Intelligence, Knowledge, Fellowship, Willpower, Fieldcraft, Resolution
Class Skills:	Three of the following: Commerce, Common Lore (May be taken multiple times), Logic, Medicae, Scholastic Lore (Once), Trade (Scribe)
Class Talents:	Combat Formation or Jaded
Class Traits:	-
Unique Class Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Polymath	-	When making an Intelligence skill test, you may automatically gain a +10 bonus so long as you have a Lore skill related to the use intended (eg. Lore (Medicine) on a Medical test).

HunterHe never sought to analyze his motives and he never wavered, once his mind was made up. Though he always acted on impulse, he firmly believed that all his actions were governed by cold and logical reasonings. He was a man born out of his time — a strange blending of Puritan and Cavalier, with a touch of the ancient philosopher, and more than a touch of the pagan, though the last assertion would have shocked him unspeakably. An atavist of the days of blind chivalry he was, a knight errant in the somber clothes of the fanatic. A hunger in his soul drove him on and on, an urge to right all wrongs, protect all weaker things, avenge all crimes against right and justice. Wayward and restless as the wind, he was consistent in only one respect — he was true to his ideals of justice and right. Such was Solomon Kane.
- Moon of Skulls by Robert E. Howard

Class Characteristic Gains:	One of the following: +5 Weapon Skill, +5 Ballistic Skill
Class Wound Bonus:	+4 Wounds
Class Aptitudes:	Five of the Following: Weapon Skill, Ballistic Skill, Strength, Toughness, Offense, Defense
Class Skills:	Athletics, Dodge, Parry
Class Talents:	Furious Charge or Rapid Reload, Melee Training or Ranged Training
Class Traits:	-
Unique Class Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Blow Unwavering	-	After making a Weapon Skill or Ballistic Skill attack, you may spend a Fate Point to substitute the rolled DoS with your WSB (if melee) or your BSB (if ranged).

Rake

"""Well, Monsieur Rozaine, why do you not answer?""

All eyes were now turned upon him. He was a blonde. I must confess that I myself felt a shock of surprise, and the profound silence that followed her question indicated that the others present also viewed the situation with a feeling of sudden alarm. However, the idea was an absurd one, because the gentleman in question presented an air of the most perfect innocence.

""Why do I not answer?"" he said. ""Because, considering my name, my position as a solitary traveler and the color of my hair, I have already reached the same conclusion, and now think that I should be arrested.""

He presented a strange appearance as he uttered these words. His thin lips were drawn closer than usual and his face was ghastly pale, whilst his eyes were streaked with blood. Of course, he was joking, yet his appearance and attitude impressed us strangely.

""But you have not the wound?"" said Miss Nelly, naively.

""That is true,"" he replied, ""I lack the wound.""

Then he pulled up his sleeve, removing his cuff, and showed us his arm. But that action did not deceive me. He had shown us his left arm, and I was on the point of calling his attention to the fact, when another incident diverted our attention. Lady Jerland, Miss Nelly's friend, came running towards us in a state of great excitement, exclaiming:

""My jewels, my pearls! Some one has stolen them all!""

No, they were not all gone, as we soon found out. The thief had taken only part of them; a very curious thing. Of the diamond sunbursts, jeweled pendants, bracelets and necklaces, the thief had taken, not the largest but the finest and most valuable stones. The mountings were lying upon the table. I saw them there, despoiled of their jewels, like flowers from which the beautiful colored petals had been ruthlessly plucked. And this theft must have been committed at the time Lady Jerland was taking her tea; in broad daylight, in a stateroom opening on a much frequented corridor; moreover, the thief had been obliged to force open the door of the stateroom, search for the jewel-case, which was hidden at the bottom of a hat-box, open it, select his booty and remove it from the mountings.

Of course, all the passengers instantly reached the same conclusion; it was the work of Arsène Lupin."
- The Arrest of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc

Class Characteristic Gains:	One of the following: +5 Agility, +5 Weapon Skill
Class Wound Bonus:	+2 Wounds
Class Aptitudes:	Five of the following: Agility, Finesse, Perception, Social, Fellowship, Weapon Skill
Class Skills:	Awareness or Deceive, Stealth, Sleight of Hand or Security
Class Talents:	Quick Draw, Melee Training
Class Traits:	-
Unique Class Assets
Name	Subname	Effect
Artful Dodger	-	You gain +2 to Initiative and an extra Reaction which may only be used to dodge.

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