Backgrounds

Every hero had a life before this story begins. Perhaps they were always destined for great things. Or perhaps they choose this life in spite of everything else. Whatever their story, Background summarizes major parts of a character's past and how it plays into the present. Every character comes from somewhere and Backgrounds help to inform a player and GM where the character has been and where they are likely headed.

Backgrounds offer a handful of starting resources along with a new Feature associated with that particular Background. Each also offers a number of Assets for heroes to benefit from and Challenges to overcome which the GM can use to hook characters into the story.

Assets

Every hero has a past and while that past may bring its baggage and challenges, it also has some benefits. Assets are wealth, resources, contacts, training, knowledge, or some other benefit the hero has acquired up to this point in their journey which has and will prove useful. You automatically gain a Racial Asset based on your ethnic heritage. When you select a Background, you gain one Asset of your choice of which is associated with this Background.

Challenges

Challenges are complications or potential entry points into a new story arc that stem from a character's Background. The GM and player can work together to decide on how a character's Challenges pertain to the main story (if it does at all), or GMs can let players pick their own Challenges, treating them as player-approved plot hooks. Resolving a Challenge always causes a character trouble or costs them something, but also works to draw the players in a new direction or refresh an existing story, and ultimately provides rewards and experience in its resolution.

Creating a custom background

If your GM allows it, you may work together to come up with a custom Background for your character. Everything about a Background revolves around a central theme, conflict, or defining struggle. What lurks in your character's past - and how does this affect both their present and future? Once you've figured this out, you're free to pick five possible Features that someone from this Background might have (of which, you may select ONE for your character). Additionally, decide on three Assets that someone from this Background may have picked up along the way (again, you may select ONE of these for your character). After deciding on a core concept and picking Features and Assets, come up with around five or six Challenges the GM can use as plot hooks and character-specific quests.

Click to Jump to a Background

Court Magician

Crime Family

Raised by Wolves

Accidental Hero

You never wanted to be a hero. In fact, you'd much rather lead a quiet life. But it seems fate, circumstance, and the will of the gods have all conspired to make you the hero no one asked for (but everyone needs).

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Artisan
Comic Relief
Everyone's Best Friend
Inconspicuous
Nose for Trouble

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Artistry
Craftsmanship
Steady Income

Challenges

An unheroic task suited to your particular skillset awaits; a task which no one else can (or will) do.

You must convince a potential ally that you are a hero, but they refuse to believe that you (of all people) could ever be heroic.

An epic quest which many great heroes have failed somehow falls to you. Will you rise to the challenge or fail like the others?

An aspiring young hero seeks your guidance, believing you to be a seasoned adventurer. Can you impart wisdom and train them without revealing your own inadequacies?

You are accused of a heroic deed you didn't commit, and now the townsfolk expect you to live up to the reputation they've bestowed upon you. Can you uncover the truth and clear your name before the weight of expectations crushes you?

Arch Enemy

You have an enemy. And not just any enemy. You have an arch enemy, someone who has made it their life's work to foil you at every turn. Their antagonism may be deadly or simply cruel, but one thing is certain: they despise you with every fiber of their being.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Criminal
Detective
Pain Tolerant
Ready for Anything
Star Quality

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Weapon Specialty
Rank & Title
Sworn Enemy

Challenges

A hit squad from your arch enemy shows up at the worst possible moment with every intention of destroying you.

Your arch enemy has taken someone you love or stolen something precious from you. You must get it/them back at any cost.

Hat in hand, your arch enemy comes to you asking to reconcile...but you sense something is amiss. What's their angle this time?

You discover a trusted ally has been secretly working for your arch enemy. Will you confront them or use this information to your advantage?

Your arch enemy challenges you to a duel to the death, forcing you to confront them in a fight you may not survive.

Your arch enemy obtains damning information about you and threatens to expose it unless you comply with their demands.

Auspicious lineage

You come from a long, prestigious line and your name carries weight, both in terms of social clout and expectation. What does the mention of your name conjure in the minds of others? What does your family expect of you? What do you expect from yourself?

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Chessmaster
Diplomat
Famous
My Reputation Precedes Me
Noble Bearing

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Educated
Patronage
Rank & Title

Challenges

Your family tomb was just robbed...and by a relative no less! What were they after?

The spirit of a long dead ancestor has been appearing in your dreams lately with a grim warning...

There is a dark stain on your family name, an atrocity from generations past. It now falls on you to set right this wrong from long, long ago.

A bitter dispute erupts within the family, threatening to tear apart the legacy you're meant to uphold.

A priceless family heirloom goes missing under mysterious circumstances, casting suspicion on those closest to you.

A rival noble house seeks to undermine your family's influence and prestige, employing deceit and treachery to achieve their goals.

Avenger

Something or someone close to you was taken and you are consumed with thoughts of revenge. Such a drive pushes you to train harder, forsaking all comforts in pursuit of your goal...and one day you will confront those responsible for your loss and make them pay.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Attention to Detail
Badass
Hulking Strength
Imposing Presence
Well-Traveled

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Weapon Specialty
Connections
Sworn Enemy

Challenges

Word of your quarry's last known location has reached your ears. The hunt is on.

A rival avenger pursues your quarry with different methods and a very different endgame in mind for them.

The lead you've been following turns out to be a trap set by your enemies to mislead and destroy you.

You discover that achieving revenge may require sacrificing your principles. Will you compromise your beliefs or find another way?

A trusted ally reveals themselves to be in league with those you seek to avenge yourself against.

An unlikely ally offers their assistance in your quest for revenge, but their motives are unclear. Can you trust them, or will their involvement lead to further complications and betrayals?

Black Knight

Either by disgrace or dishonor, you have lost your influence and authority, yet retain all your drive and deadly skill. On the run from those you once fought alongside, you operate outside the law, doing necessary evils others will not sully their hands with.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Badass
Creature of the Night
Imposing Presence
Iron Will
Tit for Tat

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Armor Specialty
Pandora
Secret Society

Challenges

You come across a former brother in arms who is now honor-bound to kill you.

An opportunity to reclaim your honor (at great difficulty or personal cost) presents itself.

A dark deed no other knight has the stomach for must be done and all eyes turn to you.

A bounty hunter has caught wind of your whereabouts and is relentlessly tracking you down, eager to claim the reward for your capture.

A powerful noble offers you a chance at redemption, but their ulterior motives could spell disaster for you and those you care about.

You discover evidence that someone you once trusted betrayed you, leading to your fall from grace. Will you seek them out?

A figure from your past resurfaces, threatening to reveal the secrets of your disgrace.

Bounty Hunter

You make your living hunting down criminals, monsters, and those on the run from authority. You don't question your quarry's guilt or the morality of the situation; all that matters is whether or not you get paid...and how much.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Badass
Detective
Imposing Presence
Never Bullshit a Bullshitter
Tough as Nails

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Connections
Dungeon Pass
Patronage

Challenges

Turns out there's something unusual or important about your current mark that the client neglected to mention.

A powerful client refuses to pay the previously agreed upon price for your services.

You get word of a new bounty on someone you know, someone you care about deeply...and the price for their head is the highest you've ever seen.

You're tasked with capturing someone innocent, framed by a corrupt authority. Will you follow orders or defy the system?

A fellow bounty hunter interferes with your current hunt, competing for the reward. In a twist of fortune, you're forced to work together.

A quarry who once eluded you has risen to a position of power and now seeks revenge. Can you evade capture and turn the tables on them?

Business tycoon

Before leading a life of adventure, you once made a fortune in the world of business. While your personal assets might have dwindled somewhat of late, you are still respected, feared, loved, and hated by those you once did business with.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Bureaucrat
Con Artist
Mind for Business
Silver Tongue
Wheeler Dealer

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Connections
Home Base
Steady Income

Challenges

A new and unexpected market opens up on the far side of the world. You aim to be among the first to stake your claim.

Your supply chain is in jeopardy and you must root out and deal with the cause if you are to remain financially solvent.

A competitor has found a way to offer his goods for much cheaper than you, but you have no idea how they could get their prices so low. Foul play seems afoot.

A rival company launches a hostile takeover bid for your company. Can you thwart their efforts?

Your competitors employ spies to steal your trade secrets and sabotage your operations.

Your negotiating skills are called upon during a hostage crisis.

Court Magician

You are wise in the ways of The Mystery, able to cast a few Spells in service to a noble court, who considers you their resident magician. This gives you not only the opportunity to advance your research, but to do so in comfort and luxury...all at the cost of dazzling a few nobles here and there.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Bookworm
Genius
Mystic
Noble Bearing
Well-Connected

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Focoi
Grimoire
Steady Income

Challenges

One of the nobles in the court with a penchant for trouble shows up at your doorstep at midnight with a "bright idea".

A rival magician challenges your position, seeking to discredit your skills and usurp your place in the court.

A valuable magical artifact goes missing from the court's collection, and suspicion falls on you. Can you clear your name and find the true culprit?

The lord you serve demands a powerful spell to be cast, but doing so will come at a great cost and with dire consequences. Will you obey or risk their wrath?

You uncover evidence of a sinister cult infiltrating the court, spreading dark magic and corruption. You must thwart their plans without becoming their next victim.

A cryptic prophecy looms over the birth of the lord's newborn son.

CourtIER

You are a member of Belhaven's patrician class, moving in the circles of the wealthy, the powerful, the elite. Whether you are a courtier, a politician, or a behind-the-scenes player, you have a hand in shaping Belhaven's destiny.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Air of Authority
Attention to Detail
Bureaucrat
Noble Bearing
Well-Connected

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Connections
Diplomatic Privilege
Rank & Title

Challenges

An old friend with a sordid past has been nominated for a prominent judgeship and his enemies come to you for dirt.

You know a secret about the Mayor's son, one his family will do anything to hide and his enemies will pay dearly to expose.

A friend is being pressured into an arranged marriage for political gain, but their heart belongs elsewhere. They ask for your help navigating the delicate balance between duty and desire.

You're tasked with negotiating a delicate treaty with a neighboring city-state, but hidden agendas and old rivalries threaten to derail the peace talks.

A long-standing feud between your family and another noble house threatens to erupt into violence.

Crime Family

You come from a prominent crime family and have thus grown up mingling in criminal circles. Even if you've tried to leave this life behind, you still have close ties to those in the underworld. You know who to suck up to, who to avoid, and who you can go to for favors or your next job.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Con Artist
Criminal
Gift for Subtlety
I Know a Guy
Streetwise

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Connections
Life Savings
Secret Society

Challenges

The head of a powerful (but somewhat noble) crime family has passed away. His rotten children now vie for power and you are sucked into the fray.

A vile new gang has moved into town and is muscling your allies out.

The guard has a zealous new captain who has already overseen the arrest of many close friends and important allies. If something isn't done soon, you may find yourself on the witness stand or in the hangman's noose.

A rival underworld faction declares war on your associates, sparking a violent turf war. You'll need to navigate the treacherous world of gang politics if you hope to end this conflict.

An undercover law enforcement officer infiltrates your inner circle, gathering evidence to bring you down. Can you find the mole?

Dead Man Walking

You should not be alive. Whether you survived an accident, an assassination attempt, or some other deadly scenario, your friends, family, and the official record believe you to be dead. Your past is haunted but your future is a blank canvas.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Adrenaline Junkie
Devil's Own
Fearless
Jack of All Trades
Nose for Trouble

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Disease Immunity
Sin Eater
Third Eye

Challenges

The one responsible for your "death" discovers that you're still alive and aims to finish what they started.

A mistake from your past life comes back to haunt you in the present.

You actually did die and the powers that returned you to life did so on the condition that you would fulfill one simple task when the time comes. The time has come.

You're plagued by unsettling visions and premonitions, hinting at a darker purpose behind your miraculous survival.

Those who mourned your death refuse to believe you're alive, leading to conflicts and heartache as you try to reconnect with your loved ones.

New memories from your old life come to the surface, setting your feet on an entirely new path as you discover who you once were.

Deep Cover

You have ingratiated yourself into the inner circle, pretending to be someone you're not in order to gather intelligence and sabotage an operation from the inside. A master of disguise and deception, you're close to learning the enemy's most guarded secrets.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Easily Overlooked
Gift for Subtlety
Light Touch
Master of Disguise
Never Bullshit a Bullshitter

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Ambidextrous
Patronage
Secret Society

Challenges

You must do something unconscionable in order to maintain your cover, and all eyes are watching.

One of your new "allies" has grown suspicious and could compromise your cover.

You begin to grow attached to those you've infiltrated and sympathetic to their cause.

You uncover a plot within the organization that goes against your principles. Will you continue to play along or risk blowing your cover to stop it?

A target from your past resurfaces within the organization, threatening to unravel your carefully constructed facade.

Your mission is compromised when an unforeseen obstacle arises, putting both your cover and the operation in jeopardy.

Dungeon Buster

Sin pools in dark, lonely places throughout the world, transforming and corrupting these locales into Dungeons, sentient labyrinths that spawn Hellbeasts and hide great treasures. Your unique set of skills has thrust you into the role of Dungeon Buster; one who seeks and defeats Dungeons.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Able Bodied
Devil's Own
Grace Under Fire
Nose for Trouble
Wandering Warrior

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Armor Specialty
Relic
Sin Eater

Challenges

You follow the trail of a roving Hellbeast back to its lair. Sure enough, a Dungeon has taken root in the depths of an old ruin.

A young, eager, and inexperienced would-be adventurer has begun following you around, imitating you, hoping to one day become like you. Will you train them or crush their dreams?

The daughter of a wealthy and beloved patrician of the city has gone missing, abducted by the minions of a nearby Dungeon and taken deep into its wicked depths. Only you can save her.

Rumors are circulating about a great treasure that lies in the heart of a nearby Dungeon.

You hear a group of adventurers whispering fearful stories about the Dungeon they just barely survived. If their stories are to be believed, this Dungeon could be your greatest challenge yet...and hold the greatest reward.

Eager Apprentice

With the energy of youth, you are ready to overcome any obstacle, conquer any opponent, and shatter every expectation. You're going to be the best there ever was! Once you master the basics, that is. What you lack in knowledge, you make up for in zeal.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Bookworm
Boundless Energy
Comic Relief
Easily Overlooked
Fearless

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Focoi Wielder
Educated
Grimoire

Challenges

The master takes on direct instruction of another apprentice, one even more reckless and headstrong than you are.

The next part of your training is about to begin, and few ever make it to this stage. What awaits you? Are you up for it?

A failed former student threatens your master and all they've ever built - this includes you and the other apprentices.

A fellow apprentice becomes your rival, constantly trying to outdo you and prove themselves superior.

You discover a forbidden tome containing powerful but dangerous spells. Will you resist the temptation to delve into its secrets, or succumb to the allure of forbidden power?

You uncover the truth about a previous apprentice's tragic downfall. Maybe you will learn from their mistakes...or maybe history will repeat itself.

Gladiator

In the fighting pits, there are only two types of competitors: winners and losers, the ruthless and the dead. For fame, fortune, sport, or the demands of a cruel master, you've spent years fighting in the pits and arena, staying alive only by the combat prowess of a veteran and the ferocity of a beast.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Entertainer
Grace Under Fire
Hulking Strength
Student of War
Tough as Nails

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Weapon Specialty
Celebrity
Patron

Challenges

A deadly new combatant is all the talk lately - it seems there is no one they can't kill. And you are their next opponent.

A new master buys your contract and offers to free you in exchange for one small task.

No more will you fight for scraps at the bottom of the heap. You cast your gaze upwards and set your sites on becoming grand champion.

Your current master demands you throw a match for a hefty bribe. If you defy them, the consequences will be severe.

Fellow gladiators plan to revolt against their oppressive masters. They come to you seeking leadership.

You're pitted against an opponent you can't hope to defeat in fair combat. You can either find a way to level the playing field or go down fighting in a blaze of glory.

Grizzled Veteran

You've seen more than your share of battle, having fought against Hellbeasts, raiders, and hostile city-states since the days of your youth. On bloody fields where many died, you survived on your cunning, toughness, and skill in battle, assets which you still use in your every day life as a civilian adventurer.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Badass
Fearless
Student of War
Tactician
Tough as Nails

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Weapon Specialty
Dungeon Pass
Relic

Challenges

An old war buddy shows up at your door, asking for help with a problem only you can solve.

The enemy you once fought so hard to vanquish has risen to power again and you catch whispers of their return to power.

You've returned from a long campaign to find your home in peril. The place and people you love are much worse off than when you left. You must set things right.

Memories of past battles have started to haunt your dreams and waking hours, threatening your sanity and ability to function.

You discover the final resting place of a fallen comrade and must fulfill a promise made long ago.

You're tasked with leading a group of inexperienced soldiers into battle, knowing many won't survive.

Heir to the Throne

A position of power and influence awaits. For some time now, you've been groomed for leadership, waiting to fill an important position once it becomes vacant. Rivals plot against you. Others seek an alliance. Betrayal and deceit are around every corner.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Air of Authority
Born Leader
Chessmaster
Genius
Mind for Business

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Celebrity
Educated
Rank & Title

Challenges

A pretender to the throne challenges your legitimacy and stands to usurp your position.

Before you receive your inheritance, there is one final task you must do in or test you must pass.

You have done something to disqualify yourself from receiving the inheritance and must regain your standing in the eyes of others.

A secret cabal within the court seeks to undermine your authority and seize power for themselves.

A close family member plots against you, driven by jealousy and ambition. Can you navigate the treacherous waters of familial politics?

A prophecy foretells of your downfall, leading many to doubt your ability to lead. Can you defy fate and prove yourself worthy of the throne?

Living Legend

You are famous for a heroic or villainous deed, the realities of which have been greatly exaggerated by the gossip of peasants and the songs of bards. Nonetheless, you are well-known for your deeds and your legacy can be leveraged to win favors or fear from those who don't know otherwise.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Adrenaline Junkie
Adventure is my Middle Name
Famous
My Reputation Precedes Me
Storyteller

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Celebrity
Dungeon Pass
Sin Eater

Challenges

There is a rumor going around that you actually didn't do the deed for which you are famed. Are these rumors true? Will you squelch the rumors or confirm them?

A bard follows you around, hoping to write a full account of all your adventures and getting you both into trouble along the way.

The locals flock to see you in action, endangering themselves and hindering your quest.

Someone impersonates you, committing heinous acts in your name. You'll need to find the imposter to clear your good name.

The people expect you to always be the hero, but you're only human. A lapse in judgment threatens to undermine your legacy.

Your fame attracts unwanted attention from enemies seeking to exploit your notoriety for their own gain.

Mistaken Identity

Someone once mistook you for a famous hero, noble, scholar, or some other notable figure, placing you in a role you've managed to fake your way through. Ever since, you've pretended to be this person, living a life much richer and more rewarding than your old one.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Air of Authority
Con Artist
Masterful Improviser
Never Bullshit a Bullshitter
Quick Thinker

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Artistry
Celebrity
Rank & Title

Challenges

You are forced to sacrifice something precious from your old life in order to maintain your cover.

Someone from your past recognizes you. The jig is up unless you can convince this person not to rat you out.

The person you've been impersonating enters your care with no memory of who they really are. But with each passing day, reminders of their old life begin to jog their memory...

Someone discovers your true identity and threatens to expose you unless you do their bidding.

You fall in love with someone who believes you're the person you're impersonating. Do they love you or who they think you are?

You're offered an opportunity to reclaim your old life, but doing so would mean betraying the trust of those who believe in your false identity.

Monster Slayer

Creatures of darkness fear you. You are a renowned slayer of vampiirs, demons, and all manner of foul beasts, tracking them relentlessly through the night. Your grim occupation has led you to many strange and dangerous places in pursuit of your prey.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Able Bodied
Fearless
Killer Instinct
Student of War
Tough as Nails

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Lore
Sin Eater
Sworn Enemy

Challenges

You are hired to kill a monster that doesn't seem monstrous at all. In fact, it seems your employers are the real monsters here.

Word reaches you of a beast none can kill, one whom the local lords have all pooled their resources to offer a massive bounty on.

A horrible monster you once killed has seemingly returned with a vengeance. Your reputation is called into question and worse may happen if you don't deal with the beast's renewed threat.

You're cursed by a vengeful creature's dying breath, marking you for other Hellbeasts to find and kill.

A creature you once considered an enemy seeks your help against a greater threat. Can you trust them?

A legendary monster emerges, heralding the end of days.

Oathsworn

You've sworn a sacred oath before gods and men to fulfill some duty or uphold a certain code of behavior. Your oath gives you strength and purpose, but also restricts much of what you can and cannot do. What exactly did you swear and why?

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Clergy
Grace Under Fire
Indomitable
Mystic
Unwavering Confidence

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Lore
Secret Society
Third Eye

Challenges

You are forced into a situation where you must break your oath or sacrifice something precious to uphold it.

A rival shows you a new and unexpected way of interpreting and fulfilling your oath.

The tenants of your oath compel you to action when you might otherwise prefer to sit this one out.

A powerful person offers you great power, great reward, the fulfillment of a major goal...all in exchange for breaking your oath.

Upholding your oath requires you to commit an act that goes against your personal morals. Can you reconcile your duty with your conscience?

You uncover the truth behind the origins of your oath, realizing it may have been founded on lies or deception. Can you reconcile your beliefs with this newfound knowledge?

Onerous Debt

A massive debt you could never pay off in a lifetime hangs over your head as a constant burden and threat, collecting greater interest every day. Debt collectors hound you constantly, sending goons to harass you while attempting to collect at every turn.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Escape Artist
Gift of Gab
Lightning Reflexes
Poker Face
Uncanny Senses

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Artistry
Life Savings
Rank & Title

Challenges

A powerful crime lord takes you into his thrall, offering to pay off all your debts if you do one simple job for him...

Debt collectors crash your wedding, birthday, or some other important milestone in your life, bringing your debt to light in front of all your friends and family.

A bounty is placed on your head for failure to pay your debts. You are now a wanted person with deadly foes in pursuit.

One of your lenders, a ruthless loan shark, demands immediate payment, threatening to harm your loved ones if you don't comply.

You discover a loophole that could potentially erase your debt, but pursuing it could put you in great danger.

Someone steals your identity to take out more loans in your name, plunging you even deeper into debt.

Orphan

Your parents both died tragically while you were very young, leaving you in the care of a neglectful relative or state-run orphanage. Your life up to this point has been spent searching for your true identity and the home you never knew.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Jack of All Trades
Natural Athlete
Ready for Anything
Resilient
Streetwise

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Craftsmanship
Patronage
Relic

Challenges

It turns out that your parents are still alive somewhere, driven into hiding and forced to leave you behind for your safety.

The one who raised you sends you a mysterious letter from their deathbed.

Your parents left you one thing: a brass key that never tarnishes. All your life, you've wondered what its purpose was and now you have your first clue as to the lock it fits.

You uncover evidence that your parents were involved in a secret organization with enemies still hunting for you.

A long-lost relative resurfaces, claiming to offer you a home, but their true intentions are far darker.

You discover unsettling secrets about the orphanage where you grew up, leading to a dangerous investigation into its past.

You embark on a journey to uncover the truth about your parents' death, confronting painful memories and hidden truths along the way.

Outsider

You are not from Belhaven, hailing instead from the world outside the walls of the city. It has been a long road getting here and you've done some things you aren't proud of in the name of survival. Though you live a new life now, your troubled past isn't far behind.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Adventure is My Middle Name
Devil's Own
Diplomat
Well-Traveled
Wilderness Survivor

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Boat
Diplomatic Privilege
Noble Steed

Challenges

The locals are wary of outsiders and you've had trouble earning their trust. An opportunity arises to win them over, but you'll have to put yourself at risk to do so.

Your customs clash with Belhaven's norms. In fact, they seem apalled by something you find quite mundane. Can you adapt without losing your identity?

Someone from your past tracks you down, threatening to draw you back into your old life.

You are passed up for an economic opportunity due to your status as a foreigner. How do you respond to this injustice?

Your past catches up to you as a justiciar from your homeland shows up to enact justice for crimes committed long ago.

Despite your efforts to start anew, old habits and instincts resurface. Can you resist falling back into your old life?

Paid the Price

You were warned. But ambition, greed, or simple curiosity got the better of you and you dabbled in Mysteries you were not able to comprehend or control. Now you're paying the price for your sins and doing everything in your power to contain what you set loose.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Bookworm
Devil's Own
Pain Tolerant
Sixth Sense
Wheeler Dealer

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Grimoire
Lore
Visions

Challenges

You've learned a counterspell that could reverse the effects of the curse you unleashed. But attaining it will be costly...

A group of witch-hunters have been dogging your steps for some time. Now, they have finally caught up with you.

A demon of light appears before you one night in your dreams, offering you a way out of your predicament with what seems to be a reasonable offer.

You must brave a cursed dungeon to retrieve an item that can contain the dark forces you unleashed.

When you made your bargain, you also awoke an ancient guardian whose sole mission is to punish you. The guardian is tireless, emotionless, relentless, and unstoppable.

People's Champion

Your personal charisma, moral character, and heroic deeds have seen you thrust into the limelight as a champion of the people. Though you are beloved by the common folk, there is no shortage of powerful, well-connected enemies seeking to ruin you.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Air of Authority
Born Leader
Healer
Orator
Star Quality

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Celebrity
Diplomatic Privilege
Rank & Title

Challenges

The people are suffering under the hand of a cruel tyrant and the growing rebellion looks to you for leadership.

An old enemy dredges up some dark sin from your past, tarnishing your reputation among those who think you can do no wrong.

A rival hero is dragging your name through the mud to bolster their own reputation. Will you fight back or let them get away with it?

You discover corruption within the ranks of those you trusted. You'll need to root out the traitors without the faithful losing hope.

You're falsely accused of a heinous crime, turning the people against you. Can you clear your name and regain their trust?

A hard decision must be made for the greater good, but there are sure to be unintended consequences. No matter what you choose, innocents will suffer.

Prince of thieves

With skills, charisma, and a flair for theatrics, you stage incredible heists, stealing priceless art, crown jewels, rare artifacts, and other fantastic treasures. Stories of your exploits have become legend among commoners and your fellow criminals.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Catlike Agility
Criminal
Master of Disguise
My Reputation Precedes Me
Sneakthief

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Ambidextrous
Connections
Secret Society

Challenges

The Eye of Zephon has eluded you for years, but you've just learned of its acquisition by a wealthy and cruel patrician. Your crew is in. The game is afoot.

Your latest acquisition turns out to be more than a pretty bauble - it's a dangerous magical artifact sought after by a doomsday cult.

A famed engineer offers a reward to any thief who can enter his "impregnable" vault.

An old rival resurfaces, challenging you to a high-stakes competition for the title of Belhaven's greatest thief.

Your latest heist goes awry, attracting the attention of law enforcement and arousing the ire of deadly new adversaries.

In order to right something that's gone wrong, you must plan a reverse heist, returning a stolen treasure to its rightful owner without detection.

Raised by Wolves

While you may or may not have been raised by actual wolves, your upbringing was nothing short of barbaric. You have a wild nature unfit for the fragile moors of society and prefer life beyond the city walls, where all the action and adventure is.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Animal Kinship
Freerunner
Iron Fortitude
Nature's Ally
Uncanny Senses

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Craftsmanship
Disease Immunity
Noble Steed

Challenges

Your actual parentage turns out to be much more noble and important than anyone ever would have expected.

A passing noble takes offense at your rudeness and resolves to have you put down like the animal they believe you to be.

One of your wild parents is at the heart of a guerilla-style war against a frontier city. Whose side will you take?

A group of hunters targets you for sport, seeing you as nothing more than a dangerous animal. Can you outsmart them and prove your humanity?

You must put aside your beastly nature in order to infiltrate a high society function, navigating politics, etiquette, and societal norms that are foreign to you.

Redemption

You were responsible for some terrible deed, some morally reprehensible act which you cannot forgive yourself for. To atone for your evil past, you have taken to doing good (and often dangerous) deeds in hopes of one day tipping the karmic scales back in your favor.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Creature of the Night
Devil's Own
Grace Under Fire
Killer Instinct
My Reputation Precedes Me

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Pandora
Secret Society
Visions

Challenges

You hear a cry for help in the distance and cannot help but run into the fray without realizing what you're getting into.

A situation arises similar to the test you failed so long ago. Will history repeat itself or will you do things differently?

In the moment of truth, you discover that doing the right thing is going to require a sacrifice on your part. A big one.

A difficult situation arises and tempts you to step off the path of redemption. It would be so much easier to go back to your old ways. After all, it's just this once...

A victim of your past misdeeds resurfaces, seeking revenge. You must make amends and find forgiveness lest their vengeance consume the both of you.

Right-Hand Man

You are the attendant, bodyguard, or key advisor of a wealthy, powerful, or otherwise important individual. Though your position is prestigious, it is not without peril; your fortunes are tied to those of your master, and you share their enemies as well as their allies.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Chessmaster
Ready for Anything
Subtle Manipulator
Team Player
The Big Guy/Girl

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Lore
Patronage
Visions

Challenges

Your master has fallen gravely ill and you fear it may be poisoning. Not only must you find a cure, but reveal the party responsible for this act of treachery...lest you take the blame.

The one you serve is...not themselves of late. Others might not notice, but to your keen eyes, something seems off.

Your aging master finally passes away peacefully, transferring their estate and authority to an heir, whom you must now faithfully serve.

A forbidden romance threatens to tarnish your master's position and reputation. Can you discreetly handle the situation to prevent scandal?

Your master has been kidnapped! It's up to you to secure their release and ensure their safety without giving in to the demands of the kidnappers.

Rogue Scholar

Most academics are content to spend their lives perusing dusty tomes and droning on in lecture halls. Though every bit their intellectual peer, you prefer a more...hands on approach to scholarship and would sooner dive headfirst into an ancient crypt than spend your days pouring over old maps.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Academic
Adventure is My Middle Name
Eccentric Inventor
Nose for Trouble
Scientific Approach

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Dungeon Pass
Grimoire
Lore

Challenges

While browsing through the library, you come across a peculiar tome that mentions a lost treasure in a secluded ruin somewhere on the far side of the world.

Your research into the origins and fundamental nature of magic has led you to the base of a haunted mountain ruin.

Evil forces have stolen your notes and are now in pursuit of a dangerous relic you've been researching.

A rival scholar challenges your theories and seeks to discredit your research. You'll need to defeat them in debate hall AND in the field.

Your exploration of an ancient tomb triggers a curse that plagues you with nightmares and misfortune.

A valuable artifact related to your research goes missing, and you're blamed for its disappearance. Can you recover it and clear your name?

Smuggler

You excel at getting things and people in and out of where they aren't supposed to be. Constantly eluding Belhaven's trade authority, you supply the black market with the goods secret buyers will pay top Lux for...while occassionally keeping the best stuff for yourself.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Able Seaman
Gift for Subtlety
I'm Gonna Wing It
Masterful Improviser
Well-Connected

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Boat
Life Savings
Relic

Challenges

A buyer has requested you smuggle in a particular item which proves to be more trouble than originally anticipated.

You aren't being asked to smuggle something into Belhaven, but secret something out...and not something; someone...an infamous fugitive.

You've discovered the freight you thought you were shipping was not harmless exotic fruit, but deadly drugs that are sure to harm and kill your fellow citizens.

Your shipment is hijacked by pirates and there will be trouble if it goes undelivered. You'll have to track down these pirates and reclaim the shipment if you're to keep your head.

The vessel you use for smuggling has been impounded by the authorities on trumped up charges. You'll need to find a way to get your vehicle out of impound if you're to continue.

Spirit Retainer

You serve and speak for the Spirit Courts of Belhaven and the surrounding forests, giving physical voice and hands to the whispers from beyond the veil. What do the Spirits want from you? What do they offer in return?

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Devil's Own
Mystic
Nature's Ally
Sixth Sense
Team Player

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Focoi
Sworn Enemy
Third Eye

Challenges

The spirits of the forest have given you an important task, one vital to the survival of the realm an its creatures.

A once-thriving grove has fallen silent, cursed by a wicked Dungeon that has taken root there. It's up to you to clear the Dungeon and restore the grove to health once again.

Spirits have gone missing, leaving the city and natural world in turmoil. Where have the Spirits gone off too?

A powerful relic was lent to a priest who has gone rogue, putting the balance of power at risk. The relic must be rescued from the wrong hands.

A rare celestial event threatens to disrupt the connection between the mortal realm and the Spirit Courts. All hell is literally about to break loose.

Street Rat

A lifetime on the streets has made you tough and savvy. You know every nook and crook in this city and can navigate its many pitfalls with ease. While you may not have family in the traditional sense, the beggars, thieves, and whores of Belhaven are your tribe.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Con Artist
Freerunner
Nimble Fingers
Sneakthief
Streetwise

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Ambidextrous
Connections
Disease Immunity

Challenges

For their own eccentric reasons, a wealthy noble opens their home to you, taking you in as one of their own. You are thrust into a world of wealth and privilege wholly alien to you.

An old friend joins a violent street gang and you fear for their safety.

Your vile manners and coarse language offends one of your group's allies. You must make amends or risk losing their aid.

The city watch cracks down on "street crime", putting you and your allies at risk of capture for no other reason than your social status.

A rival street gang threatens your territory and your livelihood. Can you protect your turf and fend off their advances?

A killer has been targeting working girls. Some of your friends have already gone missing. Others are frightened and turn to you for help.

True Love

True love is a rare and powerful thing. You are fortunate enough to have found such a treasure in the arms of another. Your love gives you strength and makes you into a better person. There is nothing you wouldn't do for the one you love and nothing they wouldn't do for you.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Attractive
Gift for Subtlety
Grace & Charm
Iron Will
Prescient

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Artistry
Home Base
Noble Steed

Challenges

A dark secret from your lover's past threatens your beautiful union.

Your love has gone missing and foul play seems to be afoot. You will stop at nothing to find them and bring them back to safety.

A rival lover interposes themselves between you and your one true love, driving a wedge through your relationship. Can your love endure this new challenger?

Your families have a long-standing feud that threatens to tear you apart. Can you overcome the barriers and unite against adversity?

It comes to light that your love may not be genuine, but the product of a love potion or Spell.

Your love is one forbidden by society due to social status, race, or other factors.

Vigilante

The streets are filthy, the courts are corrupt, and the guards are little more than useless thugs. Someone's got to do something. You've taken the law into your own capable hands as judge, jury, and executioner. Each night, you emerge from the shadows to do what must be done, enacting justice to make the city safe again.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Badass
Creature of the Night
Detective
Natural Athlete
Streetwise

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Armor Specialty
Home Base
Life Savings

Challenges

A notorious criminal you put away is back on the streets and out for revenge. Bringing you to utter ruin is now their sole obsession.

Your secret identity is discovered by a cunning young orphan.

Though you are technically an outlaw, the captain of the guard secretly contacts you, asking for help with a seemingly impossible case.

A relentless bounty hunter is hired to capture or kill you. You must evade their pursuit and protect your identity.

The public begins to question your methods and motives, branding you as a dangerous vigilante. Can you win back their trust and support?

Your vigilantism jeopardizes your relationships and personal life. If you continue down this path, you need to find a way to balance your life with your responsibilities as a hero.

Wanderer

Maybe you are a traveling minstrel. Perhaps you sell goods from town to town. You may even be a wanted criminal. It may even be that you just don't like staying in one place for long. Whatever your reasons, you brave the dangers of the wilds to freely roam wherever your feet take you.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Artisan
Fearless
Ready for Anything
Survival Instinct
Well-Traveled

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Boat
Craftsmanship
Noble Steed

Challenges

A wonder or ruin you've been meaning to explore just so happens to be nearby. Why not go give it a look?

You left something important at a previous destination and must backtrack in order to reclaim it.

In your travels, you happen upon a strange child desperately in need of help. Might they join you in your sojourn?

Wanted: Dead or Alive

You have been accused of committing a heinous crime and as such are being pursued by the authorities across several realms. As a result, you have learned to live outside the system and maintain a number of contacts in the criminal underworld.

You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Criminal
Imposing Presence
Master of Disguise
My Reputation Precedes Me
Survival Instinct

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Arms Training: Weapon Specialty
Celebrity
Pandora

Challenges

Bounty hunters have caught word of your location and are on their way to capture you.

You are innocent of the crime for which you've been accused. You've been trying to prove your innocence while on the run and have just picked up on the trail of the real culprit.

In an attempt to draw you out, bounty hunters have kidnapped a loved one.

A former ally sells you out to the authorities for a hefty reward. And you thought you could trust someone!

You receive information about a potential safe haven, but it turns out to be a trap set by your enemies.

You discover evidence that could clear your name, but you must reach a distant city before the authorities catch up to you and destroy the evidence.

Background

Description
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You have an extra 50 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 5 Supply.

You have an extra 25 Lux to spend on starting Armaments and begin the game with an extra 10 Supply.

Pick ONE of the following Features:
Feature 1
Feature 2
Feature 3
Feature 4
Feature 5

Pick ONE of these Assets:
Asset 1
Asset 2
Asset 3

Challenges

Challenge 1
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Challenge 2
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Challenge 3
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3

Challenge 4
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3

Challenge 5
2
3

Challenge 6
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