Blessings and Curses

Blessings and Curses are personality traits, physical features or even experiences that affect the growth of your character.

Blessing Effects

All blessings give a synergy bonus if the blessing applies to a roll. Career blessings - and some other blessings - can be taken multiple times. If you have a blessing multiple times, it counts when comparing synergy bonuses, but can only affect your roll by +2. If I have taken the Courtier blessing three times, I have Courtier III. You also have the Courtier blessing as well as a synergy bonus from having an Etiquette of 8. I count as having three applicable synergy bonuses to your two, and so I get a +2 to my roll, while you get a +0. In an uncontested roll, however, I still only receive a +2 for my Courtier blessing - its "levels" count only in contested situations.

Some blessings give characters additional bonuses:

• Combat Expertise -- Characters with applicable Combat Expertise blessings in combat are particularly adept in a specific combat style or situation. If one character in a melee combat has one or more applicable Expertise blessings and the other character has no applicable Combat Expertise blessings, the character with Combat Expertise always has the Edge.
• Familiarity -- In some situations, skill use is capped by an underlying skill, such as when Melee cannot exceed Beastcraft in mounted combat. If you have one related Familiarity blessing, treat the cap as 2 points higher; if you have two or more related Familiarity blessings, treat the cap as 4 points higher.

Blessing List

Physical

Size

Tall

The character is very tall, six-and-a-half feet or more. (Synergy, Move +2m)

Tiny

The character is very petite in build. They may have an easier time in small spaces. (Synergy)

Appearance

While appearance blessings have different names, they count as a single blessing with levels as discussed above.

Handsome

The character is good-looking in a striking fashion. (Synergy, Attractive I)

Cute

The character is attractive in a pretty or endearing fashion. (Synergy, Attractive I)

Comely

The character is pleasingly attractive in a winsome way. (Synergy, Attractive I)

Pretty

The character is attractive in a graceful or delicate way. (Synergy, Attractive I)

Beautiful

The character is extremely attractive. (Synergy, Attractive II)

Angelic

The character has unearthly beauty. This blessing is most commonly the result of genesculpting or extensive cosmetic surgery, and may attract attention. (Synergy, Attractive III)

Expertise

Weapons

Knife Trained

Knives, dirks, daggers and the like. (Training)

Fencing Trained

Fencing and dueling weapons. (Training)

Backsword Trained

Single-edged swords, usually curved, like scimitars, sabers and katanas. (Training)

Broadsword Trained

Heavy slashing and stabbing swords used in war. (Training)

Heavy Weapon Trained

Axes, maces, and other unbalances weapons. (Training)

Polearm Trained

Spears, halberds, and other long-hafted weapons. (Training)

Animal

Equestrian

Riding horses. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Camel Jockey

Riding camels. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Spitter Jockey

Riding Pherizia - "Spitters." (Synergy, Familiarity)

Charioteer

Driving chariots. (Synergy)

Teamster

Driving wagons, carts, and sleds. (Synergy)

Careers

Military Careers

Armsman

Service as a military tenant man-at-arms. (Synergy)

Cavalryman

Service in a cavalry unit. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Grenadier

Service in a heavy rifleman unit. (Synergy)

Ranger

Service in an elite scout or commando unit. (Synergy)

Tanker

Service in a mechanized unit. (Synergy)

Army Command

Command of a ground unit. (Synergy)

Sea Command

Command of a surface ship or sea unit. (Synergy)

Void Command

Command of a starship or space unit. (Synergy)

Able Seaman

Service aboard a military sea vessel. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Marine

Service in a sea boarding/landing unit. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Able Starman

Service aboard a military starship. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Marauder

Service in a space boarding/landing unit. (Synergy, Familiarity)

Combat Pilot

Service as a aerospace or void pilot. (Synergy, Familiarity)

General Staff

Service as an officer in a strategic headquarters. (Synergy)

Peasant Careers

Farmer

You farmed your lord's lands. (Synergy)

Fisherman

You fished, from the shore or small boats. (Synergy)

Hunter

You hunted game in the woods and hills. (Synergy)

Drover

You herded cattle, sheep, or other animals. (Synergy)

Smith

You ran a village smithy. (Synergy)

Craftsman (Type)

You produced some good or service. (Synergy)

Bailiff

You served as a local official for a lord or other body. (Synergy)

Court Careers

Courtier

You were a fixture at the court of a greater noble. (Synergy)

Court Official

You held some court office, like a chancellor or seneschal. (Synergy)

Lady-in-Waiting

You were a noble companion to a greater lady. (Synergy)

Equerry

You were a squire, page, or aide to a high noble. (Synergy)

Duelist

You made your reputation as a duelist, either over affairs of honor or as a champion for others. (Synergy, Training)

Artist at Court

You were an artist, noble or not, who was a fixture at court as a poet, painter, sculptor or the like. (Synergy)

Chamberlain

You managed the affairs of a great household, either as a noble or freeman. (Synergy)

Debutante

You were a young lady at court seeking suitors and recognition. (Synergy)

Estate Careers

See also Court and Military Careers, above.

Lord/Lady of the Manor

You ruled a fief. (Synergy)

Country Noble

You lived on a rural or town estate distant from court. (Synergy)

Squire

You were a squire to a knight in peace and war. (Synergy)

Household Knight

You served in the household of a lord as an armed retainer. (Synergy)

Steward

You managed the affairs of a fief. (Synergy)

Guild and Freelancer Careers

Mercenary

You served as a mercenary soldier in a Muster or free mercenary unit. (Synergy)

Slaver

You captured, traded and sold sentient beings. (Synergy)

Bounty Hunter

You hunted down fugitives as a member of the Muster's Ashtati or as a freelancer. (Synergy)

Bodyguard

You hired out as personal protection to important people. (Synergy)

Advocate

You argued in the courts of law of the Known Worlds. (Synergy)

Magistrate

You served as a local judge for a lord, guild or city. (Synergy)

Banker

You lent money for the League or another bank. (Synergy)

Steward

You managed the affairs of a fief. (Synergy)

Guildmaster

You served in the leadership of a guild, representing its political and economic interests. (Synergy)

Star Merchant

You traveled the stars carrying and trading cargo. (Synergy)

Questing Careers

Knight-Errant

You wandered the planet or the Jumpweb as a knight, seeking adventure. (Synergy)

Behavior

Bold

The character acts when others hesitate.

Curious

The character is good at ferreting out secrets.

Loyal

The character is hard to deter when aiding friends, family, and companions.

Crafty

The character is able to find business opportunities when others might not.

Compassionate

The character acts to help others in need.

Dedicated

When following a cause, it's difficult to derail the character.

Nerves of Steel

The character is hard to rattle in combat situations.

Gracious

The character knows how to handle guests with utmost courtesy.

Innovative

The character is good at inventing new things, or re-purposing old ones.

Just

The character feels strongly about righting wrongs.

Natural Leader

The character has natural aptitude for command.

Persistant

The character is able to remain calm when faced with obstacles to a goal.

Pious

When amongst those of low moral character, the character seems like an inspiring example of high moral charcter.

Shrewd

The character is skilled at convincing others to do what she wants.

Stubborn

It's hard to get the character to change his mind.

Suspicious

The character is wary when amongst rivals.

Tenacious

The character is hard to intimidate.

Tight Lipped

Even under pressure, the character is unlikely to divulge secrets

Unyielding

When honor is at stake, the character just won't quit.

Virtuous

When amongst the faithful, the character is seen as an upstanding pillar of the community.

Sanctified

The character's faith holds strong in the face of the occult.

Ambidexterity

The character is equally skilled with either hand.

Beastmaster

Animals are more likely to keep calm and responsive to the character.

Born Salesman

The character can sell ice on Malignatius.

Business Mind

Some people are just good with money.

Casanova

The character is skilled at the art of seduction.

Codemaster

The character is good at encrypting and decrypting codes.

Compass

The character has an excellent sense of direction.

Crack driver

The character has a natural aptitude for driving all kinds of vehicles.

Eloquent

The character just has a way with words.

Expert Rider

The character is especially skilled at riding familiar mounts.

Grease Monkey

The character has a knack for fixing things.

Hacker

The character has an aptitude with Think Machines.

Keen Ears

The character has an excellent sense of hearing.

Keen Eyes

The character has an excellent sense of sight.

Lucky at Cards

On the big bets, the character often gets the cards needed to win a card game.

Sensitive Smell

The character has a keen sense of smell.

Sensitive Touch

The character is able to discern small details with their sense of touch.

Sonorous

The character's voice is very impressive.

Thrifty

The character is good at cutting costs.

Xeno Equestrian

The character is skilled at riding mounts of unusual species.

Zealous

The character has great endurance when dedicated to a task.

Reputation

Well-liked

The character has a personality that others just gravitate towards.

Charitable

The character is known as a generous and kind person.

Honest

The character is known for their candor.

Hero

The character is known for their heroic actions.

Trustworthy

The character seems like someone you can trust with a secret.