Travelers of the Ninth World

Using These Characters

Every character on this page is an original, built with the steps in Numenera Characters and the main guide's Character Creation, Stat Pools & Effort and Character Advancement. None of them comes from the Numenera books. Hand one to a player for a one-shot, use them as allies, rivals or the people of a village, or read them as worked examples before you build your own.

To use one, pick a character whose sentence grabs you, rename them freely, then adjust to taste: swap abilities for others from the same list, move the 6 free Pool points around, or trade a cypher. Most are tier 1; six are tier 2 or 3, with their advancements listed.

How These Characters Were Built

• The sentence. Every character is "I am a [descriptor] [type] who [focus]." The types are the six this guide covers: the Glaive, Nano and Jack from Numenera Discovery, and the Arkus, Wright and Delve from Numenera Destiny. The descriptors (Clever, Strong, Charming, Mystical) and foci are the ones named on the guide's Numenera pages.
• The numbers. The guide gives the rules every type shares: you start at tier 1 with Effort 1, an Edge of 1 in at least one stat, and 6 free points to add to your Pools. Each Numenera type's own starting Pools, Edge and cypher limit are printed in the Numenera books, and this guide doesn't reproduce them. So each character is built on the matching type from the free Cypher System Reference Document (CSRD): the Glaive on the Warrior (Pools 10/10/8, Edge 1 in Might or Speed, 2 cyphers), the Nano on the Adept (7/9/12, Intellect Edge 1, 3 cyphers) and the Jack on the Explorer (10/9/9, Might Edge 1, 2 cyphers), the comparison the guide itself makes. For Destiny's types the match is ours: the Arkus, a leader, on the Speaker (8/9/11, Intellect Edge 1, 2 cyphers), the Wright, a maker, on the Adept, and the Delve, a ruin explorer, on the Explorer. If you own the books, swap in your type's real numbers and abilities; everything else on the card still works.
• Abilities. Type abilities come from the CSRD list for that matching type (four at tier 1), and focus abilities from the CSRD version of each focus. Descriptors use the CSRD benefits, which the guide's descriptor notes match. Numenera's own versions add Ninth World flavor and sometimes differ in detail.
• Cyphers, artifacts and oddities are original devices written for this page, following Cyphers, Oddities & Artifacts. Every character carries no more cyphers than their limit; artifacts and oddities don't count toward it.
• Shins. The guide leaves starting money to your book, so each card simply shows the shins the character has in their purse.
• Higher tiers. Each tier is four advancements at 4 XP each: +4 Pool points, +1 Edge, +1 Effort and a skill. Buy all four and you move up a tier, gaining new type and focus abilities.

How to Read a Card

• Name, type and calling; the round badge is the character's tier.
• The highlighted line is the character's sentence. Under it are five tiles: the Might, Speed and Intellect Pools, each with its Edge, then Effort and Cyphers (carried / limit).
• Type and Focus list each ability with its cost; abilities with no cost are always on. Skills gathers the trainings from all sources, and any inability.
• Attacks show damage with bonuses included: light weapons deal 2 and ease the attack, medium 4, heavy 6. Armor shows the total and any extra Speed Effort cost.
• Build shows the Pool check: the base Pools, the descriptor's bonus, the 6 free points and any advancements.

Solo Travelers

15 characters who work alone: for a one-player game, a stranger the group meets on the road, or a character to drop into any campaign.

• Oruvo Tesk

  Glaive · Sellsword out of Ghan

  Tier1

  I am a Strong Glaive who Masters Weaponry.

  A broad, patient fighter who has carried the same prior-world blade since he pried it from a sealed ruin at sixteen. He hires out to anyone heading into the Beyond and never asks why.

  • Might16Edge 1
  • Speed13Edge 0
  • Intellect9Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Bash (1 Might): a pummeling melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round (its tasks are hindered); Combat Prowess: +1 damage with melee weapon attacks; Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and running.

  Focus

  Weapon Master: +1 damage with your chosen weapon; Weapon Crafter: trained in making and repairing your chosen weapon.

  Descriptor

  Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

  Skills

  Trained in breaking objects, jumping, climbing, running, crafting two-handed blades.

  Attacks

  Two-handed blade 8 (heavy, melee, +1 Combat Prowess, +1 Weapon Master); Spear 5 (medium, melee, +1 Combat Prowess); Knife 3 (light, melee, attack eased, +1 Combat Prowess).

  Armor

  Armor 2 (medium armor 2); Speed Effort costs +2 per level in armor.

  Cyphers

  Stillwater injector (level 3): restores 1d6 + its level points to one Pool; Thunder pearl (level 4): thrown up to short range, it bursts for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius.

  Oddity

  A brass fish scale that is always cold, even in a fire.

  Gear

  Scale coat, explorer's pack, whetstone kit, two days' rations; 8 shins.

  Build

  Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 16/13/9 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Ilsabeth Varne

  Nano · Lamplighter from Thaemor

  Tier1

  I am a Mystical Nano who Bears a Halo of Fire.

  The fire came after she drank from a glowing cistern under her workshop. She treats it like a dangerous apprentice: useful, beloved and never left alone.

  • Might8Edge 0
  • Speed10Edge 0
  • Intellect18Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers3/3

  Type

  Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range.

  Focus

  Shroud of Flame (1 Intellect): flames cover you for ten minutes without burning you; anyone who touches or strikes you takes 2 damage.

  Descriptor

  Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

  Skills

  Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

  Attacks

  Knife 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 1 (Ward +1).

  Cyphers

  Ward bubble (level 3): a shimmering skin: +2 Armor for ten minutes; Night lens (level 2): pressed to one eye, it lets you see in darkness for an hour; Clarity tab (level 4): Intellect tasks are eased for an hour.

  Oddity

  A thumb-sized lantern that shows the night sky of a century nobody remembers.

  Gear

  Robes stitched with copper thread, a book of half-understood diagrams, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

  Build

  Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/1/4 = 8/10/18 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Pell Quarrow

  Jack · Ruin mapper

  Tier1

  I am a Clever Jack who Explores Dark Places.

  Pell sells maps of ruins, and swears every one is accurate up to the point where the mapmaker had to run. He talks his way past guards as easily as he climbs past them.

  • Might11Edge 1
  • Speed12Edge 0
  • Intellect13Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Decipher (1 Intellect): a minute with unknown writing or code gives you the gist (difficulty 3 or more); Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps.

  Focus

  Superb Explorer: trained in searching, listening, climbing, balancing and jumping.

  Descriptor

  Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, searching, listening, climbing, balancing, jumping. Inability: lore and knowledge.

  Attacks

  Crossbow 4 (medium, long range); Knife 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Lightweaver orb (level 3): hovers at your shoulder and lights a long distance for a day; Sky-sliver (level 2): a thin chip; for ten minutes you fall as gently as a leaf.

  Artifact

  Hush cloak (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d100): sneaking tasks are eased while you wear it and stand still or move slowly.

  Oddity

  A ceramic key that fits no lock but hums near doors.

  Gear

  Rope (50 ft), climbing spikes, chalk, explorer's pack, map case; 11 shins.

  Build

  Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/3/2 = 11/12/13 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Desmerra Kail

  Arkus · Envoy between rival villages

  Tier1

  I am a Charming Arkus who Commands Mental Powers.

  Desmerra brokers peace between neighbours who would rather fight, and she hears a little more of what they are thinking than they realise.

  • Might9Edge 0
  • Speed11Edge 0
  • Intellect16Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Encouragement (1 Intellect): while you keep talking, allies in short range ease defense, attack or trained tasks (your pick); Fast Talk (1 Intellect): a non-hostile creature takes one reasonable action you suggest; Enthrall (1 Intellect): while you talk, a creature only defends itself; Understanding (1 Intellect): study a creature or object: your next interaction with it gains an asset.

  Focus

  Telepathic (1+ Intellect): speak mind to mind with willing creatures in short range.

  Descriptor

  Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

  Attacks

  Slim blade 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Empathy crown (level 4): speak mind to mind with any thinking creature in long range for an hour; Translator pin (level 2): understand and speak one language for a day.

  Oddity

  A silver comb that sings one note when drawn through hair.

  Gear

  Fine travelling clothes, writing kit, letters of introduction, explorer's pack; 14 shins.

  Build

  Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 9/11/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Tobin Hask

  Wright · Salvage tinker

  Tier1

  I am a Clever Wright who Crafts Unique Objects.

  Tobin builds new things out of devices nobody else can name. His lift sled follows him like a loyal dog and carries everything he cannot bear to leave behind.

  • Might9Edge 0
  • Speed10Edge 0
  • Intellect17Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers3/3

  Type

  Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Shatter (2+ Intellect): a small, simple object within long range bursts, dealing 1 damage in an immediate radius (more with Effort); Resonance Field (1 Intellect): for a minute, glowing lines let you defend with Intellect against attackers in immediate range; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range.

  Focus

  Crafter: trained in crafting small devices and locks and traps; Master Identifier: trained in identifying what any device does.

  Descriptor

  Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, crafting small devices, crafting locks and traps, identifying devices. Inability: lore and knowledge.

  Attacks

  Hand hammer 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Mending mote (level 3): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Detonation stud (level 4): sticks to any surface and explodes on command for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius; Skill injector (level 2): trained in one task of your choice for an hour.

  Artifact

  Lift sled (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d20 per day): a floating platform that carries up to 300 lb (135 kg) beside you.

  Oddity

  A cog that turns by itself whenever someone nearby lies.

  Gear

  Tool roll, salvage sacks, magnifying lenses, explorer's pack; 5 shins.

  Build

  Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/1/3 = 9/10/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Yevra Sonn

  Delve · Deep salvager

  Tier1

  I am a Strong Delve who Crafts Unique Objects.

  Yevra hauls prior-world machines up out of collapsed shafts and builds the rigs to do it. The heavy maul is a gift from her mother, and she has never once used it on a person.

  • Might15Edge 1
  • Speed13Edge 0
  • Intellect10Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Delve (Destiny): practiced with light and medium weapons. Find the Way: a free level of Effort when you apply Effort to find your way; Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Muscles of Iron (2 Might): for ten minutes, Might tasks other than attacks are eased.

  Focus

  Crafter: trained in crafting climbing gear and salvage frames; Master Identifier: trained in identifying what any device does.

  Descriptor

  Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

  Skills

  Trained in breaking objects, jumping, crafting climbing gear, crafting salvage frames, identifying devices.

  Attacks

  Prybar 4 (medium, melee); Heavy maul 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Burrowing worm (level 4): a metal grub that bores a body-wide tunnel 10 feet (3 m) long through stone; Breath mask (level 3): breathe in water, smoke or foul air for an hour.

  Oddity

  A glass bead with a tiny storm inside it.

  Gear

  Harness and pulleys, rope (100 ft), crowbar, salvage nets, explorer's pack; 7 shins.

  Build

  Delve on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 1/4/1 = 15/13/10 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Maddoc Ferrine

  Glaive · Caravan shieldbearer

  Tier1

  I am a Clever Glaive who Masters Defense.

  Maddoc reads a fight like a merchant reads a ledger, and he always puts himself between the danger and whoever is paying.

  • Might13Edge 1
  • Speed12Edge 1
  • Intellect11Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; Swipe (1 Speed): a quick melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round; Control the Field (1 Might): a melee attack for 1 less damage; hit or miss, you move the foe anywhere within immediate range; Improved Edge: your Might Edge rises from 0 to 1.

  Focus

  Shield Master: with a shield, act as trained in Speed defense, but your attacks that round are hindered.

  Descriptor

  Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function. Inability: lore and knowledge.

  Attacks

  Sword 4 (medium, melee); Javelins (3) 4 (medium, long range).

  Armor

  Armor 2 (medium armor 2); Speed Effort costs +2 per level in armor; carries a shield (an asset on Speed defense).

  Cyphers

  Repulsion coin (level 4): flip it and the next missile aimed at you within a minute veers away; Shield pebble (level 3): a level-strength wall of force, 10 feet (3 m) across, appears in immediate range for an hour.

  Oddity

  A shield boss that reflects the face of the last person who struck it.

  Gear

  Brigandine, round shield, explorer's pack, signal whistle; 9 shins.

  Build

  Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 3/2/1 = 13/12/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Shaye Orlund

  Jack · Wanderer who hears machines

  Tier1

  I am a Mystical Jack who Talks to Machines.

  Shaye talks to her seeker drone more than to people, and the drone seems to prefer it that way. She chases rumours of ruins that still answer when spoken to.

  • Might11Edge 1
  • Speed11Edge 0
  • Intellect14Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Decipher (1 Intellect): a minute with unknown writing or code gives you the gist (difficulty 3 or more); Knowledge Skills: trained in prior-world history and geography; Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Surging Confidence (1 Might): your first recovery roll of the day, if taken as an action, gives you another action.

  Focus

  Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

  Descriptor

  Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

  Skills

  Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, prior-world history, geography, machines. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

  Attacks

  Short blade 4 (medium, melee); Sling 2 (light, long range, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Spark rod (level 3): a short-range bolt of lightning that deals damage equal to its level; Tracker seed (level 2): tag a creature and you know where it is for a day.

  Artifact

  Seeker drone (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d20): a fist-sized machine that scouts up to a long distance and shows you what it sees.

  Oddity

  A wristband that softly counts down from a number no one has reached.

  Gear

  Scavenged goggles, wire, tools, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

  Build

  Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 11/11/14 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Venn Ashcourt

  Nano · Itinerant performer

  Tier1

  I am a Charming Nano who Controls Gravity.

  Venn floats above market squares for coins and applause, and slips away before anyone asks how. The tricks pay for travel toward the places where the ground forgets which way is down.

  • Might8Edge 0
  • Speed12Edge 0
  • Intellect16Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers3/3

  Type

  Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range; Far Step (2 Intellect): leap to any spot within long range along a clear path and land safely; Distortion (2 Intellect): a willing creature in short range flickers into darkness for a minute: an asset on Speed defense.

  Focus

  Hover (2 Intellect): float slowly into the air, drifting or moving up to a short distance as your action.

  Descriptor

  Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

  Attacks

  Dagger 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Gravity nullifier (level 3): a belt of orbiting spheres; you move as if weightless for an hour; Quiet bead (level 2): nothing in an immediate radius makes a sound for ten minutes; Sun disc (level 4): a blinding flash: everyone in short range who can see has their tasks hindered for a round.

  Oddity

  A feather that falls upward if you let it go.

  Gear

  A good coat, a book of gravity sketches, explorer's pack; 12 shins.

  Build

  Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/3/2 = 8/12/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Corvain Bel

  Wright · Storm-mill keeper

  Tier1

  I am a Mystical Wright who Rides the Lightning.

  Corvain keeps the lightning mills of his home village turning, and he can feel a storm coming three days out. He left to find the parts the mills will need next year.

  • Might9Edge 0
  • Speed10Edge 0
  • Intellect17Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers3/3

  Type

  Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Shatter (2+ Intellect): a small, simple object within long range bursts, dealing 1 damage in an immediate radius (more with Effort); Resonance Field (1 Intellect): for a minute, glowing lines let you defend with Intellect against attackers in immediate range; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor.

  Focus

  Shock (1 Intellect): your next touch deals 3 damage, or your weapon deals +1 damage for ten minutes; Charge (1+ Intellect): charge an artifact or device (not a cypher) for one use: 1 point plus its level.

  Descriptor

  Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

  Skills

  Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

  Attacks

  Hand axe 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 1 (Ward +1).

  Cyphers

  Spark rod (level 4): a short-range bolt of lightning that deals damage equal to its level; Mending mote (level 2): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Stillwater injector (level 3): restores 1d6 + its level points to one Pool.

  Artifact

  Shock gauntlet (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d20): unarmed hits deal +2 electrical damage.

  Oddity

  A copper wire that bends itself into the shape of the nearest river.

  Gear

  Insulated gloves, coils of wire, tool satchel, explorer's pack; 4 shins.

  Build

  Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/1/3 = 9/10/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Nuala Rhee

  Delve · Flooded-ruin diver

  Tier1

  I am a Clever Delve who Talks to Machines.

  Nuala swims into drowned installations and talks sleeping machines into opening their doors. She keeps a tally of the ones that said no.

  • Might12Edge 1
  • Speed12Edge 1
  • Intellect12Edge 0
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Delve (Destiny): practiced with light and medium weapons. Find the Way: a free level of Effort when you apply Effort to find your way; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and swimming; Improved Edge: your Speed Edge rises from 0 to 1.

  Focus

  Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

  Descriptor

  Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, climbing, swimming, machines. Inability: lore and knowledge.

  Attacks

  Short sword 4 (medium, melee); Bow 4 (medium, long range).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Night lens (level 3): pressed to one eye, it lets you see in darkness for an hour; Slick flask (level 2): an immediate area becomes so slippery that moving through it is a level 5 task.

  Oddity

  A tile that shows a different stranger's face every dawn.

  Gear

  Rope, lantern, diving weights, explorer's pack; 10 shins.

  Build

  Delve on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/12/12 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Brennick Stohl

  Arkus · Militia captain

  Tier1

  I am a Strong Arkus who Masters Defense.

  Brennick turned a frightened village into a militia that held its wall through a whole winter. Now other villages send for him, and he goes.

  • Might13Edge 0
  • Speed11Edge 0
  • Intellect14Edge 1
  • Effort1
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Demeanor of Command (2 Intellect): for an hour, strangers see your authority and give you a round to speak; Encouragement (1 Intellect): while you keep talking, allies in short range ease defense, attack or trained tasks (your pick); Practiced With Medium Weapons: no penalty with medium weapons; Interaction Skills: trained in persuading and public speaking.

  Focus

  Shield Master: with a shield, act as trained in Speed defense, but your attacks that round are hindered.

  Descriptor

  Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

  Skills

  Trained in breaking objects, jumping, persuading, public speaking.

  Attacks

  Mace 4 (medium, melee); Halberd 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

  Armor

  Armor 0; carries a shield (an asset on Speed defense).

  Cyphers

  Shield pebble (level 4): a level-strength wall of force, 10 feet (3 m) across, appears in immediate range for an hour; Steadying draught (level 3): Might tasks are eased for an hour.

  Oddity

  A badge that turns red when its wearer is hungry.

  Gear

  Tower shield, banner pole, horn, explorer's pack; 9 shins.

  Build

  Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 13/11/14 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Thessaly Morrow

  Glaive · Ember-knight of the Beyond

  Tier2

  I am a Strong Glaive who Bears a Halo of Fire.

  Thessaly burns. Since the swarm of machines in her blood woke up, she wraps herself in flame in every fight and swings a greataxe through the smoke.

  • Might17Edge 1
  • Speed12Edge 0
  • Intellect13Edge 1
  • Effort2
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Tier 1: Bash (1 Might): a pummeling melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round (its tasks are hindered); Combat Prowess: +1 damage with melee weapon attacks; Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and swimming. Tier 2: Crushing Blow (2 Might): with a two-handed bashing or bladed weapon, Effort on the attack gives a free level of Effort on damage; Skill With Defense: trained in Speed defense.

  Focus

  Tier 1: Shroud of Flame (1 Intellect): flames cover you for ten minutes without burning you; anyone who touches or strikes you takes 2 damage. Tier 2: Hurl Flame (2 Intellect): while shrouded, throw fire at a target in short range for 4 damage.

  Descriptor

  Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

  Skills

  Trained in breaking objects, jumping, climbing, swimming, Speed defense, perception.

  Attacks

  Greataxe 7 (heavy, melee, +1 Combat Prowess); Throwing axes (2) 2 (light, short range, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 2 (light armor 2 (hardening coat)); Speed Effort costs +1 per level in armor.

  Cyphers

  Healing pod (level 4): press the stud: restores points to one Pool equal to its level + 2; Phase shifter (level 5): you become incorporeal for ten minutes.

  Artifact

  Hardening coat (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d100): light armor that stiffens when struck: +2 Armor instead of +1, same Speed cost.

  Oddity

  A ring that is always warm to the touch.

  Gear

  Hardening coat, explorer's pack, flint (which she no longer needs); 13 shins.

  Advances

  Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +1, Intellect +3), +1 Intellect Edge, +1 Effort, trained in perception.

  Build

  Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 2/2/2 + tier-1 advancement 1/0/3 = 17/12/13 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Ardo Venkis

  Nano · Mind-scholar of Draolis

  Tier3

  I am a Mystical Nano who Commands Mental Powers.

  Ardo has spent twenty years learning to hear thoughts and ten learning when not to. He travels with a pair of speaking stones, one always lent to someone he trusts.

  • Might10Edge 0
  • Speed13Edge 1
  • Intellect21Edge 2
  • Effort3
  • Cyphers3/3

  Type

  Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Tier 1: Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range. Tier 2: Stasis (3 Intellect): freeze a foe your size or smaller within short range for one minute. Tier 3: Countermeasures (4 Intellect): end one ongoing effect in immediate range, or cancel an ability aimed at you; Force Field Barrier (3+ Intellect): raise a 10-foot (3 m) level 2 wall of force within immediate range.

  Focus

  Tier 1: Telepathic (1+ Intellect): speak mind to mind with willing creatures in short range. Tier 2: Mind Reading (2 Intellect): read the surface thoughts of a creature you can see in short range. Tier 3: Psychic Burst (3+ Intellect): up to three targets in short range take 3 Intellect damage (ignores Armor).

  Descriptor

  Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

  Skills

  Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, perception, Intellect defense. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

  Attacks

  Staff 4 (medium, melee, attack hindered).

  Armor

  Armor 1 (Ward +1).

  Cyphers

  Empathy crown (level 5): speak mind to mind with any thinking creature in long range for an hour; Stasis seed (level 4): a foe in short range is held motionless for one round per level; Clarity tab (level 3): Intellect tasks are eased for an hour.

  Artifact

  Speaking stone (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d20): a paired stone: talk with whoever holds the other one, at any distance.

  Oddity

  A slate that slowly writes out the dreams of whoever sleeps beside it.

  Gear

  Robes, three books of esoteries, explorer's pack; 12 shins.

  Advances

  Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +2, Speed +2), +1 Speed Edge, +1 Effort, trained in perception. Tier 2 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Speed +1, Intellect +3), +1 Intellect Edge, +1 Effort, trained in Intellect defense.

  Build

  Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/1/4 + tier-1 advancement 2/2/0 + tier-2 advancement 0/1/3 = 10/13/21 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Lisane Corrow

  Arkus · Guildmistress of a machine-town

  Tier2

  I am a Charming Arkus who Talks to Machines.

  Lisane runs a town that grew up around a working prior-world factory. She negotiates with the townsfolk and the factory alike, and the factory is the more reasonable of the two.

  • Might10Edge 0
  • Speed12Edge 0
  • Intellect18Edge 2
  • Effort2
  • Cyphers2/2

  Type

  Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Tier 1: Encouragement (1 Intellect): while you keep talking, allies in short range ease defense, attack or trained tasks (your pick); Fast Talk (1 Intellect): a non-hostile creature takes one reasonable action you suggest; Interaction Skills: trained in public speaking and seeing through deception; Understanding (1 Intellect): study a creature or object: your next interaction with it gains an asset. Tier 2: Gather Intelligence (2 Intellect): ask around in a crowd and come away with useful information; Calm Stranger (2+ Intellect): keep one intelligent creature calm while you hold its attention.

  Focus

  Tier 1: Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it. Tier 2: Coaxing Power (2 Intellect): a machine works one level higher for an hour; Charm Machine (2 Intellect): an unintelligent machine "likes" you and is less likely to harm you.

  Descriptor

  Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

  Skills

  Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds, public speaking, seeing through deception, machines, riding. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

  Attacks

  Rapier 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

  Armor

  Armor 0.

  Cyphers

  Translator pin (level 3): understand and speak one language for a day; Echo shell (level 2): records a minute of sound and plays it back once from up to a long distance away.

  Artifact

  Seeker drone (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d20): a fist-sized machine that scouts up to a long distance and shows you what it sees.

  Oddity

  A small gear that purrs when it is held.

  Gear

  Rich clothing, signet, tools, explorer's pack; 14 shins.

  Advances

  Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +1, Speed +1, Intellect +2), +1 Intellect Edge, +1 Effort, trained in riding.

  Build

  Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 + tier-1 advancement 1/1/2 = 10/12/18 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

Pairs

Two-person teams: a pair of agents on a quiet errand, and two siblings who strip ruins for parts.

• The Quiet Errand

  Amber Papacy agents · Group of 2

  Two agents sent from Qi on the Amber Papacy's business: to find out who is selling Order of Truth relics in the markets of Navarene, and to bring the relics home quietly. One talks; the other makes sure the talking is not interrupted.

  • Cael Morvenne

    Arkus · Papal investigator

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Arkus who Commands Mental Powers.

    Cael asks gentle questions and listens to the answers no one says aloud. He carries a papal seal he has never had to show.

    • Might8Edge 0
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect16Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Fast Talk (1 Intellect): a non-hostile creature takes one reasonable action you suggest; Spin Identity (2+ Intellect): convince everyone listening that you are a certain kind of stranger ("a pilgrim from Qi"); Babel: speak a language after hearing it for a few minutes; Understanding (1 Intellect): study a creature or object: your next interaction with it gains an asset.

    Focus

    Telepathic (1+ Intellect): speak mind to mind with willing creatures in short range.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Stiletto 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Memory pearl (level 3): touch it to a sleeping creature to see its last dream; Quiet bead (level 2): nothing in an immediate radius makes a sound for ten minutes.

    Oddity

    An amber bead with a living gnat inside.

    Gear

    Plain pilgrim's robes over fine clothes, papal seal (hidden), explorer's pack; 12 shins.

    Build

    Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 0/3/3 = 8/12/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Hesk Doran

    Glaive · Papal bodyguard

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Glaive who Masters Weaponry.

    Hesk moves like a blade being drawn. She is fast, quiet and unarmored, and she trusts her needle sword over any armor.

    • Might12Edge 0
    • Speed13Edge 1
    • Intellect11Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Swipe (1 Speed): a quick melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round; Combat Prowess: +1 damage with melee weapon attacks; Trained Without Armor: trained in Speed defense when not wearing armor; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and running.

    Focus

    Weapon Master: +1 damage with your chosen weapon; Weapon Crafter: trained in making and repairing your chosen weapon.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, Speed defense (unarmored), climbing, running, crafting needle swords. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Needle sword 4 (light, melee, attack eased, +1 Combat Prowess, +1 Weapon Master); Hand crossbow 2 (light, long range, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Swiftfoot band (level 3): Speed tasks, Speed defense included, are eased for ten minutes; Repulsion coin (level 4): flip it and the next missile aimed at you within a minute veers away.

    Oddity

    A glove that smells faintly of cinnamon.

    Gear

    Dark leathers, grapnel, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

    Build

    Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/13/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• Selt Salvage

  Salvage siblings · Group of 2

  A sister and brother who strip ruins for parts and sell them to Thaemor's workshops. Imri reads the machines; Gaddo gets them both in and out alive.

  • Imri Selt

    Wright · Machine reader

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Wright who Talks to Machines.

    Imri can tell what a machine wants by the sound it makes. She has opinions about every device in Thaemor, and the devices agree with her.

    • Might8Edge 0
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect17Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Resonance Field (1 Intellect): for a minute, glowing lines let you defend with Intellect against attackers in immediate range; Far Step (2 Intellect): leap to any spot within long range along a clear path and land safely; Shatter (2+ Intellect): a small, simple object within long range bursts, dealing 1 damage in an immediate radius (more with Effort).

    Focus

    Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, machines. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Wrench 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Mending mote (level 3): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Detonation stud (level 3): sticks to any surface and explodes on command for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius; Breath mask (level 2): breathe in water, smoke or foul air for an hour.

    Oddity

    A plate of glass that shows the room as it looked yesterday.

    Gear

    Tool harness, salvage bags, explorer's pack; 9 shins.

    Build

    Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 8/11/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Gaddo Selt

    Delve · Ruin guide

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Delve who Explores Dark Places.

    Gaddo has a nose for bad air and worse floors. He walks first, talks least and has never lost a client, mostly because his only client is his sister.

    • Might13Edge 1
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect12Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Delve (Destiny): practiced with light and medium weapons. Block (3 Speed): automatically block the next melee attack against you within a minute; Find the Way: a free level of Effort when you apply Effort to find your way; Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps; Practiced With All Weapons: no penalty with any weapon, heavy ones included.

    Focus

    Superb Explorer: trained in searching, listening, climbing, balancing and jumping.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, searching, listening, climbing, balancing, jumping. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Heavy crossbow 6 (heavy, long range); Hatchet 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Lightweaver orb (level 2): hovers at your shoulder and lights a long distance for a day; Burrowing worm (level 3): a metal grub that bores a body-wide tunnel 10 feet (3 m) long through stone.

    Oddity

    A compass that points to the last place you slept.

    Gear

    Rope, pitons, lanterns, explorer's pack; 5 shins.

    Build

    Delve on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 3/2/1 = 13/11/12 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

Groups of Three

An Aeon Priest on the road with a guard and a scribe, and three friends who mark safe routes through the Beyond.

• The Priest's Retinue

  An Aeon Priest and companions · Group of 3

  An Aeon Priest of the Order of Truth travels from village to village to repair the numenera people depend on, with a bodyguard and a scribe. Every village has a broken machine and a story about how it broke.

  • Olvar Nesh

    Nano · Aeon Priest

    Tier2

    I am a Mystical Nano who Talks to Machines.

    Olvar believes the machines of the prior worlds want to be useful again. He is right more often than the Order expects.

    • Might9Edge 0
    • Speed12Edge 1
    • Intellect19Edge 1
    • Effort2
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Tier 1: Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Far Step (2 Intellect): leap to any spot within long range along a clear path and land safely. Tier 2: Cutting Light (2 Intellect): a thin beam deals 5 damage to a foe in immediate range and slices through still, lifeless things.

    Focus

    Tier 1: Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it. Tier 2: Coaxing Power (2 Intellect): a machine works one level higher for an hour; Charm Machine (2 Intellect): an unintelligent machine "likes" you and is less likely to harm you.

    Descriptor

    Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

    Skills

    Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, machines, prior-world history. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

    Attacks

    Rod of office 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (Ward +1).

    Cyphers

    Healing pod (level 3): press the stud: restores points to one Pool equal to its level + 2; Mending mote (level 4): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Clarity tab (level 2): Intellect tasks are eased for an hour.

    Artifact

    Farsight visor (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d100): see ten times farther than normal while worn.

    Oddity

    A tiny brass bird that sings only for children.

    Gear

    Aeon Priest's vestments, repair kit, books, explorer's pack; 10 shins.

    Advances

    Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +2, Speed +1, Intellect +1), +1 Speed Edge, +1 Effort, trained in prior-world history.

    Build

    Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 0/2/4 + tier-1 advancement 2/1/1 = 9/12/19 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Tamsin Greaves

    Glaive · Retinue guard

    Tier1

    I am a Charming Glaive who Masters Defense.

    Tamsin is friendly, loud and in the way of anything that wants to hurt the priest. Villagers like her better than Olvar, and she lets them.

    • Might12Edge 1
    • Speed13Edge 1
    • Intellect11Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; Bash (1 Might): a pummeling melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round (its tasks are hindered); Control the Field (1 Might): a melee attack for 1 less damage; hit or miss, you move the foe anywhere within immediate range; Improved Edge: your Speed Edge rises from 0 to 1.

    Focus

    Shield Master: with a shield, act as trained in Speed defense, but your attacks that round are hindered.

    Descriptor

    Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

    Attacks

    Warhammer 4 (medium, melee); Javelins (2) 4 (medium, long range).

    Armor

    Armor 2 (medium armor 2); Speed Effort costs +2 per level in armor; carries a shield (an asset on Speed defense).

    Cyphers

    Ward bubble (level 3): a shimmering skin: +2 Armor for ten minutes; Stillwater injector (level 2): restores 1d6 + its level points to one Pool.

    Oddity

    A shield strap that knots itself.

    Gear

    Mail coat, kite shield, explorer's pack; 7 shins.

    Build

    Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/13/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Wynn Pallister

    Jack · Scribe and fixer

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Jack who Crafts Unique Objects.

    Wynn writes down what every machine did and every villager said, and quietly builds the replacement parts the Order would take a year to send.

    • Might11Edge 1
    • Speed11Edge 1
    • Intellect14Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Decipher (1 Intellect): a minute with unknown writing or code gives you the gist (difficulty 3 or more); Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps; Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Improved Edge: your Speed Edge rises from 0 to 1.

    Focus

    Crafter: trained in crafting writing tools and inks and small devices; Master Identifier: trained in identifying what any device does.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, crafting writing tools and inks, crafting small devices, identifying devices. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Short sword 4 (medium, melee); Sling 2 (light, long range, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Echo shell (level 2): records a minute of sound and plays it back once from up to a long distance away; Skill injector (level 3): trained in one task of your choice for an hour.

    Oddity

    An inkpot that never runs dry but only writes in green.

    Gear

    Scribe's kit, sealed notebooks, explorer's pack; 4 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 11/11/14 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

• The Lantern Road

  An explorers' band · Group of 3

  Three friends who mark safe paths through the Beyond with prior-world lanterns and sell the routes to caravans. Lately the lanterns have started moving on their own.

  • Kesh Avandar

    Jack · Pathfinder

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Jack who Controls Gravity.

    Kesh walks up cliff faces when no one is looking and pretends she climbed. She plans every route and argues about all of them.

    • Might12Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect12Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and balancing; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Practiced With All Weapons: no penalty with any weapon, heavy ones included.

    Focus

    Hover (2 Intellect): float slowly into the air, drifting or moving up to a short distance as your action.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, climbing, balancing. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Longbow 4 (medium, long range); Glaive-spear 6 (heavy, melee).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Sky-sliver (level 3): a thin chip; for ten minutes you fall as gently as a leaf; Tracker seed (level 2): tag a creature and you know where it is for a day.

    Oddity

    A pebble that weighs nothing on Thursdays.

    Gear

    Lantern poles, rope, explorer's pack; 8 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/12/12 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Moira Fenlow

    Nano · Lantern-keeper

    Tier1

    I am a Mystical Nano who Rides the Lightning.

    Moira charges the lanterns with her own lightning and can ride a bolt to the next one down the road. She is the reason the lanterns work and suspects she is why they move.

    • Might8Edge 0
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect17Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Far Step (2 Intellect): leap to any spot within long range along a clear path and land safely; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of.

    Focus

    Shock (1 Intellect): your next touch deals 3 damage, or your weapon deals +1 damage for ten minutes; Charge (1+ Intellect): charge an artifact or device (not a cypher) for one use: 1 point plus its level.

    Descriptor

    Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

    Skills

    Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

    Attacks

    Knife 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (Ward +1).

    Cyphers

    Spark rod (level 3): a short-range bolt of lightning that deals damage equal to its level; Lightweaver orb (level 4): hovers at your shoulder and lights a long distance for a day; Water skein (level 2): turns any liquid in a large bucket into clean water, once.

    Artifact

    Grav harness (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d10): fly a long distance each round for up to ten minutes.

    Oddity

    A jar of light that brightens when someone laughs.

    Gear

    Lantern parts, wire, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

    Build

    Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 8/11/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Drust Hallam

    Glaive · Scout

    Tier1

    I am a Charming Glaive who Explores Dark Places.

    Drust goes ahead into the dark places on the road and comes back with a story every time. Caravan masters hire the Lantern Road partly to hear him tell them.

    • Might12Edge 0
    • Speed13Edge 1
    • Intellect11Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Swipe (1 Speed): a quick melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round; Trained Without Armor: trained in Speed defense when not wearing armor; Combat Prowess: +1 damage with ranged weapon attacks; Overwatch (1 Intellect): cover an area with a ranged weapon and shoot the next foe to enter it, ignoring cover and similar benefits, for +1 damage.

    Focus

    Superb Explorer: trained in searching, listening, climbing, balancing and jumping.

    Descriptor

    Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds, Speed defense (unarmored), searching, listening, climbing, balancing, jumping. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

    Attacks

    Bow 5 (medium, long range, +1 Combat Prowess); Long knife 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Night lens (level 2): pressed to one eye, it lets you see in darkness for an hour; Sun disc (level 3): a blinding flash: everyone in short range who can see has their tasks hindered for a round.

    Oddity

    A whistle that only sounds underwater.

    Gear

    Hooded cloak, climbing kit, explorer's pack; 9 shins.

    Build

    Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/13/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

A Group of Four

A crew working one huge buried ruin a level at a time.

• The Hollow Bell Crew

  A delve crew · Group of 4

  A crew working one enormous ruin, a buried bell-shaped installation in the Beyond, a level at a time. They sell what they find, map what they cannot carry, and keep a tally of who has gone missing on the levels below.

  • Sabine Orth

    Delve · Crew leader

    Tier1

    I am a Mystical Delve who Explores Dark Places.

    Sabine can feel the shape of a ruin through her boots. She has been down to the seventh level of the Hollow Bell and does not talk about the eighth.

    • Might12Edge 1
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect13Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Delve (Destiny): practiced with light and medium weapons. Find the Way: a free level of Effort when you apply Effort to find your way; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Decipher (1 Intellect): a minute with unknown writing or code gives you the gist (difficulty 3 or more); Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps.

    Focus

    Superb Explorer: trained in searching, listening, climbing, balancing and jumping.

    Descriptor

    Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

    Skills

    Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, searching, listening, climbing, balancing, jumping. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

    Attacks

    Pick 4 (medium, melee); Sling 2 (light, long range, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Night lens (level 3): pressed to one eye, it lets you see in darkness for an hour; Breath mask (level 2): breathe in water, smoke or foul air for an hour.

    Artifact

    Dowsing rod (level 3, depletion 1 in 1d10): points to the nearest fresh water within a mile.

    Oddity

    A bell clapper that rings when the bell is far away.

    Gear

    Chalk, rope, ladders, explorer's pack; 10 shins.

    Build

    Delve on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/2/2 = 12/11/13 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Tarrin Vosk

    Glaive · Crew muscle

    Tier1

    I am a Mystical Glaive who Masters Weaponry.

    Tarrin hits things for the crew, mostly machines that think the ruin is still theirs. He is oddly gentle with the ones that stop when asked.

    • Might13Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect11Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Bash (1 Might): a pummeling melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round (its tasks are hindered); Combat Prowess: +1 damage with melee weapon attacks; Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; No Need for Weapons: unarmed attacks count as medium weapons.

    Focus

    Weapon Master: +1 damage with your chosen weapon; Weapon Crafter: trained in making and repairing your chosen weapon.

    Descriptor

    Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

    Skills

    Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, crafting verred hammers. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

    Attacks

    Verred hammer 6 (medium, melee, +1 Combat Prowess, +1 Weapon Master); Fists 5 (medium, melee, +1 Combat Prowess).

    Armor

    Armor 2 (medium armor 2); Speed Effort costs +2 per level in armor.

    Cyphers

    Thunder pearl (level 3): thrown up to short range, it bursts for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius; Steadying draught (level 2): Might tasks are eased for an hour.

    Oddity

    A hammer-head charm that points toward iron.

    Gear

    Synth-plate cuirass, explorer's pack; 7 shins.

    Build

    Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 3/2/1 = 13/12/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Liesl Quen

    Wright · Crew engineer

    Tier1

    I am a Strong Wright who Talks to Machines.

    Liesl keeps the crew's lift sled running and talks the ruin's doors open. She is strong enough to carry the sled when it stops.

    • Might11Edge 0
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect16Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range; Shatter (2+ Intellect): a small, simple object within long range bursts, dealing 1 damage in an immediate radius (more with Effort); Magic Training: trained in understanding and identifying the numenera, cyphers and artifacts included.

    Focus

    Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping, understanding the numenera, machines.

    Attacks

    Wrench 2 (light, melee, attack eased); Heavy hammer 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Mending mote (level 2): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Detonation stud (level 4): sticks to any surface and explodes on command for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius; Shield pebble (level 3): a level-strength wall of force, 10 feet (3 m) across, appears in immediate range for an hour.

    Artifact

    Lift sled (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d20 per day): a floating platform that carries up to 300 lb (135 kg) beside you.

    Oddity

    A cube that hums whenever it rains.

    Gear

    Tools, cable, tent, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

    Build

    Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 0/2/4 = 11/11/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Bram Ottery

    Jack · Crew runner

    Tier1

    I am a Charming Jack who Explores Dark Places.

    Bram runs messages, finds buyers, and squeezes through gaps nobody else will try. He sells the crew's finds in the market and gets a better price than anyone expects.

    • Might11Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect13Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Block (3 Speed): automatically block the next melee attack against you within a minute; Surging Confidence (1 Might): your first recovery roll of the day, if taken as an action, gives you another action.

    Focus

    Superb Explorer: trained in searching, listening, climbing, balancing and jumping.

    Descriptor

    Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds, searching, listening, climbing, balancing, jumping. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

    Attacks

    Short sword 4 (medium, melee); Crossbow 4 (medium, long range).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Lure chime (level 2): a sound only animals hear draws them to a spot within long range; Swiftfoot band (level 3): Speed tasks, Speed defense included, are eased for ten minutes.

    Oddity

    A coin with a different face every time it is flipped.

    Gear

    Rope, lockpicks, explorer's pack; 12 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/3/2 = 11/12/13 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

A Group of Five

A merchant caravan crossing the Steadfast, with its master, guards, outrider, entertainer and wheelwright.

• Draycott's Caravan

  A caravan · Group of 5

  A five-wagon caravan crossing between Navarene and the Pytharon Empire, hauling salt, glass and the odd crate of numenera. Hollis Draycott runs it; the others keep it rolling.

  • Hollis Draycott

    Arkus · Caravan master

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Arkus who Talks to Machines.

    Hollis knows every toll, every bribe and every machine on the road. Two of her wagons are pulled by prior-world crawlers that only she can coax into moving.

    • Might10Edge 0
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect15Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Demeanor of Command (2 Intellect): for an hour, strangers see your authority and give you a round to speak; Encouragement (1 Intellect): while you keep talking, allies in short range ease defense, attack or trained tasks (your pick); Babel: speak a language after hearing it for a few minutes; Understanding (1 Intellect): study a creature or object: your next interaction with it gains an asset.

    Focus

    Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, machines. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Cane sword 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Translator pin (level 2): understand and speak one language for a day; Water skein (level 3): turns any liquid in a large bucket into clean water, once.

    Artifact

    Speaking stone (level 4, depletion 1 in 1d20): a paired stone: talk with whoever holds the other one, at any distance.

    Oddity

    A ledger whose ink rearranges itself into the right sums.

    Gear

    Caravan papers, merchant's scales, explorer's pack; 14 shins.

    Build

    Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/2/2 = 10/11/15 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Oona Marsh

    Jack · Wagon guard

    Tier1

    I am a Strong Jack who Masters Defense.

    Oona rides on the lead wagon with her shield on her knee. She has turned back bandits, beasts and one very determined abhuman by refusing to move.

    • Might15Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect11Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level; Block (3 Speed): automatically block the next melee attack against you within a minute; Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased.

    Focus

    Shield Master: with a shield, act as trained in Speed defense, but your attacks that round are hindered.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping.

    Attacks

    Spear 4 (medium, melee); Greatsword 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (light armor 1); Speed Effort costs +1 per level in armor; carries a shield (an asset on Speed defense).

    Cyphers

    Ward bubble (level 3): a shimmering skin: +2 Armor for ten minutes; Steadying draught (level 2): Might tasks are eased for an hour.

    Oddity

    A shield that whistles when wind blows across it from the north.

    Gear

    Leather armor, round shield, explorer's pack; 5 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 1/3/2 = 15/12/11 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Fennick Rowe

    Jack · Outrider

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Jack who Masters Weaponry.

    Fennick rides ahead of the caravan with a heavy crossbow and a sharp eye for an ambush. He makes his own bolts, and he can tell you which smith made each of yours.

    • Might12Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect12Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Practiced With All Weapons: no penalty with any weapon, heavy ones included; Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Physical Skills: trained in running and climbing.

    Focus

    Weapon Master: +1 damage with your chosen weapon; Weapon Crafter: trained in making and repairing your chosen weapon.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function, running, climbing, crafting heavy crossbows. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Heavy crossbow 7 (heavy, long range, +1 Weapon Master); Hand axe 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Repulsion coin (level 3): flip it and the next missile aimed at you within a minute veers away; Thunder pearl (level 2): thrown up to short range, it bursts for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius.

    Oddity

    A bolt that always returns to its quiver overnight.

    Gear

    Bolts (40), bracer, explorer's pack; 8 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/3/1 = 12/12/12 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Perrin Lasko

    Nano · Caravan entertainer

    Tier1

    I am a Charming Nano who Bears a Halo of Fire.

    Perrin juggles fire for the crowds at every stop and keeps the caravan warm on cold nights. When bandits come, the fire stops being a show.

    • Might8Edge 0
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect17Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Resonance Field (1 Intellect): for a minute, glowing lines let you defend with Intellect against attackers in immediate range; Distortion (2 Intellect): a willing creature in short range flickers into darkness for a minute: an asset on Speed defense.

    Focus

    Shroud of Flame (1 Intellect): flames cover you for ten minutes without burning you; anyone who touches or strikes you takes 2 damage.

    Descriptor

    Charming: +2 Intellect; trained in pleasant social interaction and in abilities that influence minds; an influential contact; lore and mental defense hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in pleasant social interaction, abilities that influence minds. Inability: lore and knowledge, resisting mental attacks.

    Attacks

    Dagger 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (Ward +1).

    Cyphers

    Healing pod (level 3): press the stud: restores points to one Pool equal to its level + 2; Phase shifter (level 4): you become incorporeal for ten minutes; Sun disc (level 2): a blinding flash: everyone in short range who can see has their tasks hindered for a round.

    Oddity

    A candle that burns cold and blue.

    Gear

    Bright clothes, a lute, explorer's pack; 9 shins.

    Build

    Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Charming 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/2/3 = 8/11/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Zell Amaro

    Wright · Wheelwright

    Tier1

    I am a Strong Wright who Crafts Unique Objects.

    Zell keeps five wagons and two crawlers moving across country that wants to stop them. He has rebuilt one crawler twice from what he found on the road.

    • Might12Edge 0
    • Speed10Edge 0
    • Intellect16Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Magic Training: trained in understanding and identifying the numenera, cyphers and artifacts included; Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range.

    Focus

    Crafter: trained in crafting wagons and wheels and crawler parts; Master Identifier: trained in identifying what any device does.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping, understanding the numenera, crafting wagons and wheels, crafting crawler parts, identifying devices.

    Attacks

    Mallet 2 (light, melee, attack eased); Pole-axe 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Mending mote (level 3): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Skill injector (level 2): trained in one task of your choice for an hour; Gravity nullifier (level 4): a belt of orbiting spheres; you move as if weightless for an hour.

    Oddity

    A spoke that keeps perfect time.

    Gear

    Wheelwright's tools, spare axles, explorer's pack; 4 shins.

    Build

    Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 1/1/4 = 12/10/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

A Group of Six

The defenders of a Steadfast village and the prior-world machine that keeps it alive: a ready-made group for community play.

• The Callow Ford Watch

  A village's defenders · Group of 6

  Callow Ford is a farming village in Navarene built around a prior-world water-maker. When raiders and stranger things come for the machine, these six defend it. They are a ready-made group for a Destiny-style community game.

  • Jessamy Thorne

    Arkus · Village speaker

    Tier2

    I am a Strong Arkus who Commands Mental Powers.

    Jessamy was a shepherd until the village needed a leader. She speaks for Callow Ford, hears what its neighbours are really thinking, and keeps the water-maker's key around her neck.

    • Might13Edge 0
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect17Edge 2
    • Effort2
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Arkus (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Tier 1: Encouragement (1 Intellect): while you keep talking, allies in short range ease defense, attack or trained tasks (your pick); Anecdote (2 Intellect): a minute-long story leaves listeners trained in a related task for an hour; Demeanor of Command (2 Intellect): for an hour, strangers see your authority and give you a round to speak; Enthrall (1 Intellect): while you talk, a creature only defends itself. Tier 2: Basic Follower: a level 2 follower, good at persuasion; Gather Intelligence (2 Intellect): ask around in a crowd and come away with useful information.

    Focus

    Tier 1: Telepathic (1+ Intellect): speak mind to mind with willing creatures in short range. Tier 2: Mind Reading (2 Intellect): read the surface thoughts of a creature you can see in short range.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping, healing.

    Attacks

    Shepherd's crook 4 (medium, melee, attack hindered).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Empathy crown (level 4): speak mind to mind with any thinking creature in long range for an hour; Echo shell (level 2): records a minute of sound and plays it back once from up to a long distance away.

    Artifact

    Water-maker (level 6, depletion 1 in 1d100 per day): a prior-world column that draws a day's water for fifty people from the air.

    Oddity

    A key to the water-maker that no one else can turn.

    Gear

    Village records, speaking horn, explorer's pack; 11 shins.

    Advances

    Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +1, Speed +1, Intellect +2), +1 Intellect Edge, +1 Effort, trained in healing.

    Build

    Arkus on the Speaker's numbers 8/9/11 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 0/2/4 + tier-1 advancement 1/1/2 = 13/12/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Garrick Beale

    Glaive · Old soldier

    Tier3

    I am a Strong Glaive who Masters Defense.

    Garrick fought in three Navarene campaigns and came home to Callow Ford to rest. The rest did not last. He holds the bridge, and nothing has crossed it uninvited.

    • Might20Edge 2
    • Speed16Edge 1
    • Intellect10Edge 0
    • Effort3
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Glaive (Discovery): practiced with every weapon. Tier 1: Bash (1 Might): a pummeling melee attack for 1 less damage that dazes the target for a round (its tasks are hindered); Control the Field (1 Might): a melee attack for 1 less damage; hit or miss, you move the foe anywhere within immediate range; Combat Prowess: +1 damage with melee weapon attacks; Physical Skills: trained in climbing and running. Tier 2: Successive Attack (2 Speed): after taking down a foe, attack another within reach as part of the same action; Crushing Blow (2 Might): with a two-handed bashing or bladed weapon, Effort on the attack gives a free level of Effort on damage. Tier 3: Experienced in Armor: armor costs 2 less Speed Effort per level (replaces Practiced in Armor's 1); Expert Cypher Use: you can bear three cyphers; Fury (3 Might): for one minute your melee attacks deal +2 damage.

    Focus

    Tier 1: Shield Master: with a shield, act as trained in Speed defense, but your attacks that round are hindered. Tier 2: Sturdy: trained in Might defense; Practiced in Armor: armor costs 1 less Speed Effort per level. Tier 3: Dodge and Resist (3 Speed): reroll a defense roll and keep the better result.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping, climbing, running, Might defense, perception, Intellect defense.

    Attacks

    Battleaxe 5 (medium, melee, +1 Combat Prowess); Great maul 7 (heavy, melee, +1 Combat Prowess).

    Armor

    Armor 3 (heavy armor 3); Speed Effort costs +2 per level in armor; carries a shield (an asset on Speed defense).

    Cyphers

    Shield pebble (level 5): a level-strength wall of force, 10 feet (3 m) across, appears in immediate range for an hour; Healing pod (level 4): press the stud: restores points to one Pool equal to its level + 2; Ward bubble (level 3): a shimmering skin: +2 Armor for ten minutes.

    Artifact

    Beam lance (level 6, depletion 1 in 1d20): a heavy ranged weapon: 6 damage at long range, no reload.

    Oddity

    A helmet crest that turns toward danger.

    Gear

    Plate of salvaged synth, tower shield, explorer's pack; 6 shins.

    Advances

    Tier 1 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +2, Speed +2), +1 Speed Edge, +1 Effort, trained in perception. Tier 2 (16 XP): +4 Pool points (Might +2, Speed +1, Intellect +1), +1 Might Edge, +1 Effort, trained in Intellect defense.

    Build

    Glaive on the Warrior's numbers 10/10/8 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 2/3/1 + tier-1 advancement 2/2/0 + tier-2 advancement 2/1/1 = 20/16/10 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Ninnet Faye

    Nano · Village herbalist

    Tier1

    I am a Clever Nano who Controls Gravity.

    Ninnet discovered gravity bends for her while picking herbs on a cliff she should have fallen from. She uses it to reach the plants no one else can, and lately to drop raiders into the river.

    • Might8Edge 0
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect16Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Nano (Discovery): practiced with light weapons. Onslaught (1 Intellect): a short-range force ray (4 damage) or mindslice (2 Intellect damage, ignores Armor) at a target you can see; Push (2 Intellect): shove a creature or object your size or smaller an immediate distance from short range; Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of.

    Focus

    Hover (2 Intellect): float slowly into the air, drifting or moving up to a short distance as your action.

    Descriptor

    Clever: +2 Intellect; trained in lies and trickery, mental defense, and sizing up danger, lies, quality and function; lore and knowledge hindered.

    Skills

    Trained in lies and trickery, defense against mental effects, assessing danger, lies, quality and function. Inability: lore and knowledge.

    Attacks

    Sling 2 (light, long range, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (Ward +1).

    Cyphers

    Gravity nullifier (level 3): a belt of orbiting spheres; you move as if weightless for an hour; Stasis seed (level 2): a foe in short range is held motionless for one round per level; Clarity tab (level 4): Intellect tasks are eased for an hour.

    Oddity

    A marble that rolls uphill.

    Gear

    Herbalist's satchel, notebook, explorer's pack; 5 shins.

    Build

    Nano on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Clever 0/0/2 + 6 points 1/3/2 = 8/12/16 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Orrin Coombe

    Wright · Water-maker's keeper

    Tier1

    I am a Mystical Wright who Crafts Unique Objects.

    Orrin maintains the water-maker and builds whatever else Callow Ford needs: pumps, gates, a bell that rings when strangers cross the ford.

    • Might9Edge 0
    • Speed10Edge 0
    • Intellect17Edge 1
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers3/3

    Type

    Wright (Destiny): practiced with light weapons. Scan (2 Intellect): scan a 10-foot (3 m) cube within short range, learning levels and what things are made of; Shatter (2+ Intellect): a small, simple object within long range bursts, dealing 1 damage in an immediate radius (more with Effort); Ward: a constant shield of energy: +1 Armor; Far Step (2 Intellect): leap to any spot within long range along a clear path and land safely.

    Focus

    Crafter: trained in crafting water machines and tools; Master Identifier: trained in identifying what any device does.

    Descriptor

    Mystical: +2 Intellect; trained in identifying and understanding the numenera; senses when the numenera is at work; charm, persuasion and deception hindered. Hedge Magic (1 Intellect): small tricks: float a small object, clean, mend, change a color.

    Skills

    Trained in identifying and understanding the numenera, crafting water machines, crafting tools, identifying devices. Inability: charm, persuasion and deception.

    Attacks

    Hammer 2 (light, melee, attack eased).

    Armor

    Armor 1 (Ward +1).

    Cyphers

    Mending mote (level 4): repairs one broken object no bigger than a door; Water skein (level 2): turns any liquid in a large bucket into clean water, once; Detonation stud (level 3): sticks to any surface and explodes on command for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius.

    Artifact

    Mender glove (level 5, depletion 1 in 1d10): touch a creature to restore 5 points to one Pool.

    Oddity

    A gear that hums the tune of a song no one knows.

    Gear

    Workshop tools, spare pipes, explorer's pack; 7 shins.

    Build

    Wright on the Adept's numbers 7/9/12 + Mystical 0/0/2 + 6 points 2/1/3 = 9/10/17 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Sil Varrow

    Delve · Ruin scout

    Tier1

    I am a Strong Delve who Talks to Machines.

    Sil goes out into the ruins around Callow Ford to bring back parts for Orrin, and talks the old machines out there into staying asleep.

    • Might14Edge 1
    • Speed12Edge 0
    • Intellect12Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Delve (Destiny): practiced with light and medium weapons. Find the Way: a free level of Effort when you apply Effort to find your way; Danger Sense (1 Speed): initiative tasks are eased; Endurance: durations for physical things are doubled or halved, whichever helps; Practiced With All Weapons: no penalty with any weapon, heavy ones included.

    Focus

    Machine Affinity: trained in tasks involving machines; Distant Interface (2 Intellect): work a machine at long range as if your hands were on it.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping, machines.

    Attacks

    Heavy crossbow 6 (heavy, long range); Short sword 4 (medium, melee).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Night lens (level 2): pressed to one eye, it lets you see in darkness for an hour; Tracker seed (level 3): tag a creature and you know where it is for a day.

    Oddity

    A blinking stone that blinks faster near ruins.

    Gear

    Salvage sacks, rope, explorer's pack; 8 shins.

    Build

    Delve on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 0/3/3 = 14/12/12 (Might/Speed/Intellect).

  • Haddie Cobb

    Jack · Village woodcutter

    Tier1

    I am a Strong Jack who Bears a Halo of Fire.

    Haddie is the strongest person in Callow Ford and the warmest, in every sense. She lights the village beacons with her bare hands.

    • Might14Edge 1
    • Speed11Edge 0
    • Intellect13Edge 0
    • Effort1
    • Cyphers2/2

    Type

    Jack (Discovery): practiced with light and medium weapons. Block (3 Speed): automatically block the next melee attack against you within a minute; Fleet of Foot (1+ Speed): move a short distance as part of another action, or long as your whole action; Surging Confidence (1 Might): your first recovery roll of the day, if taken as an action, gives you another action; Muscles of Iron (2 Might): for ten minutes, Might tasks other than attacks are eased.

    Focus

    Shroud of Flame (1 Intellect): flames cover you for ten minutes without burning you; anyone who touches or strikes you takes 2 damage.

    Descriptor

    Strong: +4 Might; trained in breaking objects and in jumping; an extra medium or heavy weapon.

    Skills

    Trained in breaking objects, jumping.

    Attacks

    Woodcutter's axe 4 (medium, melee); Splitting maul 6 (heavy, melee, attack hindered).

    Armor

    Armor 0.

    Cyphers

    Stillwater injector (level 2): restores 1d6 + its level points to one Pool; Thunder pearl (level 3): thrown up to short range, it bursts for damage equal to its level in an immediate radius.

    Oddity

    A tinderbox that lights itself when someone is cold.

    Gear

    Woodcutter's tools, explorer's pack; 3 shins.

    Build

    Jack on the Explorer's numbers 10/9/9 + Strong 4/0/0 + 6 points 0/2/4 = 14/11/13 (Might/Speed/Intellect).